Chapter 5348 Rotten Melons

“Master...” Tang Wan-er was stunned. Feng Xinyue had always doted on her, treating her like a treasure. In the Wind Sect, Tang Wan-er was practically in charge, as her master rarely ever scolded her.

But today, Feng Xinyue’s words shook her to the core, leaving her mind blank. She couldn’t figure out what she had done wrong.

“Do you still remember what I told you when I accepted you as my disciple?” asked Feng Xinyue.

Tang Wan-er immediately nodded. “Of course I remember. You said that from now on, no one could bully me—only I could bully others. Otherwise, it would be a disgrace to you. If I couldn’t defeat someone, I could ask my senior brothers and sisters for help. And if they couldn’t win, I should come to you.”

Tang Wan-er recalled that day perfectly, the day she officially became Feng Xinyue’s disciple.

“If you remember, then how did you end up like this? Aren’t you being bullied? Did you ever come to find me?” Feng Xinyue’s voice was calm, but her words pierced Tang Wan-er.

“I...” Tang Wan-er was at a loss for words.

“When did it become acceptable for the disciple of Feng Xinyue to be bullied? You’ve truly embarrassed me,” Feng Xinyue sighed.

“It was my weakness, Master. I’ll work hard to cultivate and restore your honor,” Tang Wan-er quickly promised, panic rising in her chest.

Feng Xinyue had always treated Tang Wan-er kindly, like a mother figure. Hence, hearing her disappointment was agonizing for her. Tang Wan-er hated herself for not being strong enough.

“Foolish child, did I ever say I wanted you to carry the Wind Sect on your shoulders? All I ever asked was for you to be true to yourself, no matter the circumstances. But instead, you’ve burdened yourself with one thing after another, losing sight of the essence of cultivation. If you continue like this, you’ll end up like them—blinded by greed, dragging others down for power, and bowing to profit. In the end, you’ll be completely inhumane,” said Feng Xinyue, her gaze sweeping over the other elders.

Everyone’s expressions darkened. Feng Xinyue had essentially cursed them all. Only Long Chen nodded in agreement. Feng Xinyue was completely right—Tang Wan-er had been carrying too much on her shoulders, constantly thinking about how to protect her people and avoid burdening her master. She had endured countless grievances, and over time, this had dulled her sharpness. Her once-clear Dao-heart was now clouded with dust.

Feng Xinyue’s words hit the nail on the head. The eight assistant pavilion masters, the three Divine Wind Elders, and the other higher-ups had all treated Tang Wan-er as an outsider. Their behavior stemmed from their desire to cling to power and suppress Feng Xinyue, who had suddenly joined their ranks.

Although they were powerful and had high cultivation levels, their positions had blinded them. In the end, people like that would never be able to grasp the true essence of the Grand Dao.

Feng Xinyue’s words were painfully accurate. Their minds were shrouded by selfishness, and their hearts were too small to understand the bigger picture. Worst of all, they didn’t even recognize their own shortcomings. They genuinely believed that everything they did was correct.

“Master, I was wrong,” Tang Wan-er said, her eyes brimming with tears. Feng Xinyue’s expression softened as she wiped them away.

“Good child. I know your intentions were to protect me, but you must have faith in your master’s strength. It’s more than enough to shield you. At the very least...” Feng Xinyue’s gaze swept over the higher-ups, and her mouth broke into an arrogant smile. “At the very least, it’s enough to handle this group of rotten melons.”

Hearing Feng Xinyue refer to them as “rotten melons,” Tang Wan-er couldn’t help but burst into laughter, though the higher-ups’ faces darkened like charcoal.

“Feng Xinyue, you’ve gone too far!” shouted one of the assistant pavilion masters.

“You old fools, instead of focusing on your cultivation, you gang up on a little girl. And you say I’ve gone too far?” Feng Xinyue snorted. “Don’t worry—those who dare to humiliate my disciple will face retribution sooner or later. I won’t forget this debt.”

Without sparing them another glance, Feng Xinyue turned to Long Chen. “I didn’t step in while Tang Wan-er was being bullied. Do you blame me?”

Long Chen hastily shook his head. “How could I? Your wisdom is boundless. I’m sure you had your reasons. In any case, every loss comes with a gain. Wan-er’s character has been tempered by these challenges, which is invaluable for her future growth.

“Most importantly, in her plight, she could see other people’s true characters and gain a group of sisters who would fight for her to the death. That’s the greatest blessing one can have. Just ask yourself, can any of those rotten melons entrust their lives to someone else? Just that point alone is a great blessing for Wan-er and the Hidden Dragon Legion’s warriors.”

Feng Xinyue smiled. “As expected of the High Firmament Academy’s youngest dean in all of history. Your insight is truly rare. I was thinking of how to explain it to Wan-er, but with this, any explanations would be superfluous.”

Only then did Tang Wan-er fully grasp her master’s intention. Feng Xinyue had stayed silent, letting Tang Wan-er face these struggles so that when she was at her lowest, she could see people’s true colors.

In just a few words, Tang Wan-er felt like she had grown a great deal, as if she had matured overnight.

“Are you done yet? We’re here for the competition, not to listen to your endless flattery,” an impatient divine son finally interrupted.

Feng Xinyue ignored him, instead smiling at Long Chen. “Do you understand why I asked Wan-er that question?”

Long Chen was momentarily startled, but then he smiled knowingly. The two exchanged a glance of understanding before Feng Xinyue returned to her place.

Though she stood among the Divine Wind Elders, Feng Xinyue looked like a crane among chickens. Her aura was so grand. She was like a princess decked in wonder, standing amongst a group of beggars in tatters.

“The ranking competition begins now! Bring out the roulette!” one of the assistant pavilion masters announced, and a giant roulette appeared in the air.

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