I Ruined the Long Ao Tian Script

This clearly shows how unpopular Fan Yang and Fan Zhi were. The disciples of the Lingxiao Sect got along quite well with Xu Shulou, the very one who had killed them, without the slightest inclination to seek justice for the deceased.

Xiao Ya did mention them a few times. While eating and drinking in Xu Shulou’s courtyard, they happened to bring up Fan Zhi in conversation.

“Since she’s already gone, I shouldn’t speak ill of her,” Xiao Ya said, holding a bowl of beef noodle soup brought from the mortal realm. “Truthfully, far more people in the sect disliked her and Fan Yang than just me. It’s just that the sect leader happened to trust and rely on them.”

Xu Shulou stretched lazily, leaning against the maple tree behind her. “Have you ever wondered why?”

“Probably to handle shady business. I understand,” Xiao Ya replied, meeting Xu Shulou’s slightly surprised gaze with a faint smile. “No need to hide it from you. Big sects like ours always have things they don’t want outsiders to know. It was the same back in the palace—my father and mother had people like that around them too. Once power is involved, few can remain untouched.”

Xu Shulou lowered her eyes. Xiao Ya suddenly remembered that the last emperor of the previous dynasty had indeed been a man with little hidden corruption. Sighing inwardly, she changed the subject. “I never expected we’d get along so well. Honestly, I’ve never had a true friend in the valley. The outer disciples are all a little afraid of me.”

Xu Shulou smiled at her. “I don’t see anything frightening about you.”

“Oh, stop flattering me. My temper isn’t always the best,” Xiao Ya said, holding her bowl as she looked at Xu Shulou. “Yet they aren’t afraid of you. Those two little disciples know full well you killed Fan Zhi, but after trembling for the first couple of days, they’re now bold enough to snatch fish balls right from your chopsticks.”

Xu Shulou spread her hands. “I don’t like people fearing me.”

Xiao ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍Ya stared at her as if she were a saint, then finally chuckled. “You know, when we first met in the Void Abyss Secret Realm, if you’d had a fiercer temper, we might’ve ended up fighting on the spot.”

“Let’s spar sometime,” Xu Shulou suggested. “I’d like to see your swordsmanship.”

Xiao Ya raised an eyebrow, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Good. I’ve been wanting to test myself against you.”

While they chatted, Wei Xuandao was busy reprimanding Lu Beichen elsewhere.

Discovering his third and youngest disciples in Xu Shulou’s courtyard had already made Wei Xuandao’s veins bulge. But when he saw Lu Beichen—his most promising disciple—his anger flared uncontrollably. His face was stern as he asked, “Was the hot pot delicious?”

Lu Beichen answered truthfully, “Not bad.”

“...Not bad?” Wei Xuandao raised his voice. “As the head disciple of the Lingxiao Sect, not only did you fail to dissuade them, but you joined your junior siblings in Xu Shulou’s courtyard to eat hot pot?”

Lu Beichen looked melancholic. “I didn’t want to, but everyone else was going. Not joining would’ve made me seem unsociable.”

“...”

“How many times must I remind you? As a cultivator, striving to improve your strength is the true path!” Wei Xuandao spoke with grave emphasis. “Don’t be fooled by the Lingxiao Sect’s current dominance in the cultivation world. Over the years, our elders have either ascended or perished. If the next generation doesn’t keep up, we’ll fall back into obscurity. You are the head disciple of this generation—you must never forget the responsibility on your shoulders!”

Faced with such words, Lu Beichen could only bow his head in submission. “Yes, Master. This disciple won’t dare repeat the mistake.”

Seeing his respectful attitude, Wei Xuandao sighed in relief. “Good. Go and cultivate now. And summon Xu Shulou for me.”

“Understood.”

Perhaps because Xu Shulou’s carefree lifestyle had gone on too long, or perhaps because he couldn’t stand her idling in the Lingxiao Sect without contributing, Wei Xuandao finally assigned her a task.

“Esteemed junior…” The moment he spoke, Xu Shulou couldn’t help but shudder.

“I’ve heard that in recent years, you’ve been vanquishing demons and upholding justice in the mortal realm, capturing many to be punished in Dustless Island’s Discipline Hall. You’ve worked hard.” Wei Xuandao made polite conversation.

“Just doing my duty. No need for praise.”

“I’ve always admired your temperament,” Wei Xuandao said, stroking his beard with a smile. “For Beichen to have met you is truly his fortune. Those delicate, charming young ladies may catch his eye temporarily, but as his master, I most look forward to the day of your grand wedding.”

Xu Shulou perked up her ears. First came the sweet words—now the real request was coming.

Sure enough, Wei Xuandao’s expression turned solemn. “I heard that some time ago, you captured a vile cultivator who forged a Soul-Summoning Banner? Such a sinister artifact is terrifying just to hear about. It must have been perilous when you apprehended him.”

“It was manageable.”

“After the Soul-Summoning Banner was brought back to Dustless Island,” Wei Xuandao asked, “has it been destroyed yet?”

Xu Shulou shook her head. “Not yet.”

Crafting such a cursed artifact was difficult, but destroying it was no simple matter either. It had to be placed in a secluded, uninhabited area and exposed for a full hundred days to disperse its dark energy before further measures could be taken.

"I have an unseemly request," Wei Xuandao said hesitantly. "I wish to borrow the Soul Summoning Banner for study, but I’ve struggled to bring it up, fearing others might mistake my intentions as dabbling in dark arts."

"..."

Seeing Xu Shulou remain silent, he quickly explained, "Don’t misunderstand, dear disciple. I merely wish to research how to counter the banner’s power. It originated from the demon realm, and with demons still occasionally appearing in the mortal world, we cannot risk a repeat of the chaos that engulfed the cultivation world a millennium ago should they return in force. Eradicating demons has been my lifelong pursuit—preparedness is always wise."

Xu Shulou nodded. "I understand."

"What do you think?"

"If it’s to oppose the demons, I’ll gladly assist the elder in this endeavor."

"Then I’m in your debt," Wei Xuandao said, delighted. "But please keep this discreet. Retrieve the banner quietly, and once I’ve studied it, I’ll return it without others knowing. Rumors could easily misrepresent my motives—not that I mind for myself, but if the Lingxiao Sect’s reputation were tarnished, I’d never forgive myself."

"Understood. Leave it to me," Xu Shulou replied with a sweet smile. "You’re Lu Beichen’s master, after all. I’ll handle this flawlessly—no harm will come to the Lingxiao Sect’s good name."

Wei Xuandao felt uneasy. Though he’d asked Xu Shulou to steal the banner, he wasn’t entirely confident in how deeply the love gu had influenced her. Still, unwilling to miss this chance, he’d tested the waters. Her confident, eager assurance eased his worries slightly.

Yet, on the first day after agreeing, Xu Shulou remained in her courtyard, chatting leisurely with the Lingxiao Sect disciples.

On the second day, Huang Yinghe’s steward father delivered the promised mountain pheasants and grape wine, prompting a lively feast of roasted fowl and drinking in the courtyard.

Wei Xuandao, needing her cooperation, held his tongue and waited patiently for her to depart for Dustless Island and retrieve the banner.

By the third day, an outer disciple timidly sought Xu Shulou’s guidance on a sword technique. She carefully observed the flaws in their form and patiently corrected them.

Life as an outer disciple in a major sect was far from easy. Resources were prioritized for the talented inner disciples, and without personal mentors, they had to scavenge for knowledge wherever they could.

Wei Xuandao typically forbade them from bothering Lu Beichen and others, leaving them few options. Now, encountering Xu Shulou’s generosity, they flocked to her.

Wei Xuandao considered this a net gain. Though he cared little for outer disciples, the Lingxiao Sect stood to benefit, and it was good to see Xu Shulou’s skills put to use. He nodded in approval.

Then came the fourth and fifth days—Xu Shulou dragged Xiao Ya to the back mountains, returning with armfuls of spirit wood, claiming it made roasted spirit pork crispier and more flavorful.

On the sixth day, Xu Shulou and Xiao Ya sparred. Xiao Ya wielded a frostblade, her strikes solemn and icy, while Xu Shulou countered with a folding fan, exuding effortless grace. Both were elite disciples trained by renowned masters, and their duel was a dazzling spectacle, weaving a storm of blades in the courtyard that drew a crowd. Xu Shulou, clad in a dress of delicate red and green, danced like a butterfly through snowflakes under the frostblade’s glow—a breathtaking sight. The onlookers groaned in disappointment when the match ended in a draw. At their urging, Xu Shulou then demonstrated a sword routine with a boning knife, earning cheers.

Wei Xuandao watched, noting her ease, and felt a pang of envy. Why didn’t the Lingxiao Sect have such a prodigy?

Had he noticed her earlier, he’d have wrested her from Pei Changyu’s grasp by force.

On the seventh day, a roasting oven was constructed in Xu Shulou’s courtyard.

Wei Xuandao was baffled. Was she planning to stay indefinitely?

By the eighth day, Xu Shulou, Xiao Ya, and others rode Lingxiao Sect’s prized Ink-Tailed Spirit Cranes, tossing a ball midair for sport.

These cranes, purchased at great cost to lend an ethereal aura to the sect’s grounds, were notoriously aloof—yet Xu Shulou had somehow coaxed them into cooperation.

Xiao Ruzhuo, struck in the face by Xiao Ya’s throw, grew impatient with the crane’s speed and hoisted the bird aloft himself, only to be pecked in retaliation.

"Third Brother, no cheating with movement techniques!" Xiao Ya scolded.

Xiao Ruzhuo merely laughed.

Wei Xuandao frowned in disdain. In just days, Xu Shulou had corrupted his disciplined disciples into wildlings.

On the ninth day, he let his cherished Scarlet-Wind Bird stretch its wings—only for the traitorous creature to return missing a tail feather, gifted to Xu Shulou.

Wei Xuandao stared at the small bald patch on the spirit bird’s rear and took a deep breath.

On the tenth day, everyone was playing dice cups. They all scrambled to cheat using their spiritual energy, making it impossible to determine a winner. Every roll resulted in the highest possible score, leaving one to wonder what the point of the game even was. After a full day of cheating, however, their mastery over subtle spiritual energy had improved.

Wei Xuandao was already somewhat numb to it all. He was determined to see just what else Xu Shulou could possibly stir up in this Silent Spirit Valley.

On the eleventh day, Xu Shulou took the initiative to seek out Wei Xuandao and informed him that the matter had been settled.

Wei Xuandao was puzzled. “But you haven’t even returned to Dustless Island yet?”

“I sent a letter to the sect leader,” Xu Shulou gestured reassuringly, “explaining that Elder Wei wished to borrow the Soul-Summoning Banner for study. He was very generous and invited you to Dustless Island to research it together.”

Wei Xuandao had to spend a long moment steadying his breathing before he could speak, his words slow and deliberate, carrying a hint of gritted teeth. “…Didn’t I tell you not to make this public?”

“Yes, and I specifically instructed the sect leader in the letter not to spread the word,” Xu Shulou counted off on her fingers. “See? Both of your conditions were met—first, to personally obtain the Soul-Summoning Banner for study, and second, to keep the matter confidential to protect the reputation of the Lingxiao Sect. I accomplished everything.”

“…” Is that really how you interpreted it?

“Elder Wei, why are you trembling?”

Wei Xuandao, who had nearly been trembling with rage, forced a smile. “…It’s nothing.”

“You can go to Dustless Island with peace of mind and study the Soul-Summoning Banner, taking the first step toward fulfilling your lifelong ambition. I’ll handle everything here.”

“…”

Wei Xuandao was silent for a long time before suddenly asking, “By the way, when did you say you planned to leave Silent Spirit Valley?”

Xu Shulou smiled guilelessly. “I never said I was leaving. I’ve been having a great time here every day—playing with my senior brothers and junior sisters, enjoying Elder Wei’s warm hospitality, and now you’re even helping me resolve my love curse. I’m not in any hurry to go back.”

Wei Xuandao’s vision darkened.