AUOF - 24

Sang Li returned to Huansha Garden, her arms full of a bag of money, feeling dazed.

Mudan had the morning off and, with nothing else to do, was decorating their bedroom with spirit flowers she had picked from the Medicine Division.

Seeing Sang Li return, Mudan waved at her: “A Li, does the vase look good placed like this?”

Sang Li didn’t respond immediately, sitting down at the table in a daze.

“A Li?” Mudan suspiciously leaned closer. “What’s wrong with you?”

Then she noticed the exquisite bag by her side: “What’s this?”

Sang Li: “It’s money someone gave me.”

“Ah?” Mudan’s mouth dropped open in astonishment. “Who gave it to you?”

Sang Li rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

She now roughly understood Situ’s intentions for buttering her up—it was undoubtedly to win her over so she could help resolve the issue with Ji Hengyu. In the original story, the malicious Divine Maiden Situ didn’t last long before being written off. Her entire storyline revolved around trying to destroy Ji Hengyu, but in the end, not only did she fail to kill him, she ended up ruining herself instead.

This bag suddenly felt scorching hot in her hands.

Taking favors made one indebted—accepting gifts meant owing something—but at the same time, she really didn’t want to deal with Situ.

The problem was that Situ had already given it to her with such an attitude; returning it would likely only result in her receiving cold treatment. After much deliberation, Sang Li opened the treasure bag and pushed it toward Mudan. “See if there’s anything you like. Feel free to pick.”

Throwing it away would be wasteful, but taking everything wouldn’t feel right either. Dividing it among her friend seemed like a better option. The rest could be used later to subsidize the original owner’s clan members once she returned.

As for Situ…

If she came looking for her again in the future, avoiding her would be the best course of action.

This was a miniature treasure bag, capable of holding about a sackful of items, and now it was stuffed to the brim. Aside from large quantities of high-grade spirit stones, it contained various jewelry boxes and rare gems mined from the deep sea.

When Mudan had served as a palace maid in the mortal realm, she had once accompanied the Empress into the treasure vault. To be honest, even all the treasures in the human emperor’s vault couldn’t match a single item in this bag.

“This is way too much!” Mudan’s eyes were dazzled. “Could it be that the Immortal Lord gave it to you?”

“No,” Sang Li furrowed her brows, clearly conflicted. “It was Divine Maiden Situ…”

“Divine Maiden Situ?!” Mudan raised her voice, momentarily surprised before pursing her lips and lowering her head to fiddle with the pile of treasures. “Don’t fool me. That Divine Maiden is arrogant, strutting around like a peacock showing off its feathers, never sparing us servants a second glance. How could she possibly give you so many heavenly treasures out of kindness?”

Sang Li: “…”

What Mudan said wasn’t wrong—Situ did strut around like a peacock showing off its feathers.

But no, that wasn’t the issue here.

“It really was Divine Maiden Situ who gave it to me.”

Mudan didn’t believe her at all, picking up a delicate jade hairpin and playing with it in her hands. She lightly nudged Sang Li’s shoulder, smiling suggestively: “Alright, I’ve heard all about it. You were commended for your efforts during this trip down the mountain, and today the Immortal Lord summoned you to Shuo Guang Hall. This must be his reward, right? You’re just too shy to admit it, so you’re using Divine Maiden Situ as an excuse to cover it up, aren’t you?”

Mudan’s reasoning was convincing enough that even Sang Li, if she weren’t the one involved, might have believed it.

“If it’s a gift from the Immortal Lord, then just admit it. There’s no need to be shy.” Mudan put on the jade hairpin and tilted her head playfully at Sang Li. “Does it look good?”

During the crafting of this exquisite jade hairpin, the artisans had added rare shimmering powder, causing it to sparkle brilliantly when moved. Against Mudan’s delicate features, it made her appear even more lively and radiant.

Sang Li nodded honestly: “It looks beautiful.”

“Then I’ll take this one,” Mudan said, not greedy. “You keep the rest—it’s the Immortal Lord’s reward after all, and I’d feel uncomfortable taking too much. Oh, and don’t go flaunting it everywhere, or you might attract jealousy.”

Most of those employed in idle positions were miscellaneous shijie immortals who hadn’t undergone proper cultivation. Even after becoming immortal bodies, they still retained some of the base instincts of mortals, making them cunning and malicious.

While receiving rewards was good, one also needed to stay cautious.

Sang Li naturally understood this principle.

She hid the treasure bag in her personal storage box, which only she could open, and then turned to Mudan: “By the way, I’m planning to participate in this year’s Inner Hall Selection. Would you like to join me?”

Sang Li had already inquired about it.

The selection could be entered individually or as a group, with a maximum team size of six people.

Going alone might feel lonely, so recruiting Mudan would be ideal.

Mudan hesitated for a moment before shaking her head: “I’m afraid I can’t.”

Sang Li was puzzled: “Why not?”

Mudan: “Didn’t you say before that you ascended from the mortal realm through cultivation?”

Everyone stated their origins upon entering.

The original owner’s response had been that she was a minor immortal who had ascended, but due to her lack of qualifications, she could only work as an ordinary maid. Now, hearing Mudan bring it up, Sang Li felt somewhat guilty and vaguely mumbled an affirmation.

“I’m different from you. Most of the maids in Huansha Garden are also different from you. We’re mostly shijie immortals, low-level spirits who can’t even enter the immortal ranks. Because we haven’t fully transcended, even though we’re in the upper realms, we’re no different from mortals.”

What made immortals truly immortal was that they underwent repeated soul separations and physical refinement until they surpassed the three realms and became celestial beings.

However, shijie immortals whose paths weren’t fully opened in Sifangzhou couldn’t enter the Dao, let alone cultivate further.

Sang Li thought hazily for a moment. “But I remember… Senior Brother Li Ningxi is also a shijie immortal. Why can he participate?”

Mudan smiled: “That’s a long story. In the mortal realm, Senior Brother Li was a protector general of the nation. It’s said he was the reincarnation of Wei Yueyan, one of the seven stars of the Black Tortoise constellation. For some unknown reason, he failed his tribulation, and his spirit couldn’t return to its rightful place. Eventually, he was enlightened by the Immortal Lord and taken as a disciple.”

After hearing this, Sang Li finally understood.

So even the supporting characters under the male lead were extraordinary.

“Alright, I need to get back to work,” Mudan reminded her. “It’s getting late. If you want to sign up, hurry up, or all the spots will be taken.”

Coming back to her senses, Sang Li quickly rushed to the front of the main hall to collect her registration token.

Though Gui Xu Palace seemed remote, every year there were quite a few minor immortals eager to join.

Some were attracted by the generous dividends given to disciples; others were unaware of Gui Xu’s situation and thought they could easily slack off because of its remoteness.

There was also a special group who weren’t motivated by money or deterred by hardship—they simply lusted after the beauty of Yuezhu Qing and Li Ningxi, hoping to develop a legendary romance within these halls.

Sang Li stood there, looking down from above. The scene below was bustling with people, densely packed along the hundred-step staircase.

Gui Xu Palace floated on the surface of the sea, and those who had managed to evade the layers of attacks from sea demons and safely arrive here certainly had some skill.

Just as she was reflecting on this, Li Ningxi spotted her—

“Sang Li.”

At the sound of his voice, Yuezhu Qing also turned to look.

Realizing she couldn’t hide, Sang Li stepped forward and politely greeted both of them.

Li Ningxi smiled warmly: “Not busy in the rear hall? Are you slacking off and sneaking around?”

“I’m not slacking off,” Sang Li retorted indignantly. “I’m here to get a registration token.”

The two were surprised upon hearing this: “You mean… you want to join the Administrative Division?”

The Administrative Division was the collective term for all palace positions in the rear halls of Gui Xu. She shook her head: “I want to join the Demon Subjugation Guard.”

After she said this, everyone present exchanged glances, and two disciples outright laughed without restraint.

“You little maid, stop joking and go back to your chores. The Demon Subjugation Guard isn’t some game for girls. It’s not something you can just walk into. With the time you’ve wasted here, why don’t you bring us some tea? We’ve been standing all day, and everyone’s thirsty.”

The speaker was one of the Demon Subjugation Guard disciples responsible for maintaining order nearby.

Those who became part of the Demon Subjugation Guard were indeed skilled; any one of them could easily knock down a group of heavenly soldiers from the divine realm. Relying on their strength, many of the guards were arrogant and looked down on others.

Seeing Sang Li dressed in maid attire, with a delicate face like a peony and what appeared to be a soft physique, their sense of superiority naturally surged.

But Sang Li paid no attention to what others were saying.

She had heard such words all her life. Back in high school, when she chose to study science, a group of people mocked her, saying girls couldn’t excel in science. Later, when she enrolled in computer science at university, others popped up again, claiming that science fields weren’t meant for women.

Even when carrying a barrel of water home alone, an elderly man passing by would comment, “Why is a girl doing heavy labor?”

Yet despite all these things society deemed unfit for women, she had done them anyway. Naturally, she wouldn’t change her mind now just because of someone else’s words.

Sang Li wasn’t angry or upset; she was about to repeat herself to Yuezhu Qing when she noticed Yuezhu Qing’s expression darkening slightly.

“Han Mang.”

Yuezhu Qing’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a cold clarity, like shattered pearls hitting the ground, instantly silencing the surroundings.

The talkative man named Han Mang immediately straightened his demeanor: “Immortal Yuezhu.”

Yuezhu Qing held the unsigned token in her hand, lightly tapping it on the table: “Let me ask you—how many men are there in the Demon Subjugation Guard?”

Though unsure why she suddenly asked, he answered honestly: “Han Mang does not know.”

Yuezhu Qing continued: “Then do you know how many women are in the Demon Subjugation Guard?”

He lowered his head: “Han Mang does not know.”

Though Yuezhu Qing sat while he stood, the momentum between them had clearly shifted.

“I’ll ask you again—do you know how many disciples die in battle each year within the Demon Subjugation Guard? And how many of them are men versus women?”

Han Mang raised his eyes, his expression clearly confused.

Suddenly, Yuezhu Qing stood up, her voice clear yet not loud, echoing through the surrounding area and reaching the ears of everyone at the foot of the mountain via transmission seals.

“Let me tell you—the Demon Subjugation Guard has 3,780 male disciples and 2,933 female disciples. Each year, approximately 500 men and 700 women die in battle.”

“Although more women die in battle than men, the number of female disciples joining each year continues to increase. Do you know why?”

Her gaze pressed down on him, and the silence around them grew so profound that even the fall of a pin could be heard.

Han Mang stiffly responded: “This subordinate… does not know.”

“It is because both men and women are willing to sacrifice their lives to fight against demons and protect the people. Women are no different.” She pressed further: “Would you dare go to the Disciples’ Tomb and repeat the words you just said to Sang Li in front of the fallen seniors?”

This lesson left Han Mang deeply ashamed. He wasn’t inherently malicious; those words had simply slipped out without thought. But he had forgotten that among his peers, there were many brothers and sisters who fought alongside him.

He certainly wouldn’t dare say those words to his fellow disciples, let alone to the deceased seniors at the Disciples’ Tomb—it would be disrespectful and offensive.

Han Mang suddenly realized.

Even though he was part of the Demon Subjugation Guard, he had no right to mock others or belittle their determination. Even the weak deserved respect for their resolve alone.

“This subordinate knows my mistake. I will go and accept punishment.”

He stood up and voluntarily headed to the Punishment Division.

Yuezhu Qing turned her gaze toward the gathered immortals below: “Though our Gui Xu Palace may not compare to the uppermost heavens, everything we strive for benefits all living beings. If any of you wish to join Gui Xu, regardless of gender or qualifications, you will find a place here.”

These words spurred the crowd into action, with many more female immortals applying to join the Demon Subjugation Guard.

Li Ningxi smirked secretly: “In previous years, many were poached by the other eleven palaces. Looks like this year we won’t have to worry about running out of spots.”

Yuezhu Qing chuckled softly as well, then took out a token and approached Sang Li: “Here.”

The token bore the insignia of the Demon Subjugation Guard and her name.

Yuezhu Qing spoke gently: “The great selection will take place seven days from now at dawn. Don’t be late.”

Sang Li joyfully accepted the bamboo token: “Thank you, Senior Sister.”

The token itself was light, but its weight in her hands felt significant.

As Sang Li happily fiddled with it, she didn’t notice Yuezhu Qing subtly pinch the flying bun atop her head before quickly withdrawing her hand. “No need to thank me. Just remember, the selection won’t be as easy as you think. Before the trials, each person will be given a luminous flare. Use it if you encounter danger.”

“Got it. I’ll remember.”

“Mm.” Yuezhu Qing nodded. “Though I don’t know why you want to join the Demon Subjugation Guard, I wish you success.”