Chapter 461: What Can Save You…

The affairs at Yingyue Nunnery weren’t actually complicated—just the result of a group of girls’ pride. Though they established a peaceful nunnery, they lacked proper leadership and direction, struggling to find a way forward.
But Yu Shanhú and Hei Meigui happened to be in need of a chance to show their skills. With such a significant opportunity presented, they quickly agreed and began giving straightforward guidance.
In just one afternoon, thousands of Emei Sect disciples at Yingyue Nunnery became active!
Under the leadership of Hei Meigui and Yuehua, they effortlessly took control of several areas that the Emei Sect disciples had never dared to enter before. They also organized campaigns against regions inhabited by various spiritual beasts, gathering information about their strengths to enable large-scale hunts. Finally, there was the mining of ore—located dozens of miles away from the Emei Sect’s nearest city, and as a territory controlled by a major martial arts sect, ordinary player gangs wouldn’t dare to venture there. Any incident could lead to large-scale conflicts and pursuit by the sects. Even the Emei Sect itself wouldn’t easily consider such an action.
While Yu Shanhú, Hei Meigui, and Yuehua led the Emei Sect disciples in these major operations, as the only male member, Kāixīn quietly left the group and headed to the back mountains of the Emei Sect—Zhou Zhiruo’s training site!
The death of Master Jiéjué had deeply shaken Zhou Zhiruo. Determined to hone her skills and reclaim the Heaven-Sword, she devoted almost all her time to training!
Kāixīn came here to wait for the day Zhou Zhiruo would emerge from her seclusion…
Though he didn’t know when that day would come, Zhou Zhiruo surely wouldn’t give up on the Heaven-Sword. With the intelligence and support of Lù Zhàngkè, Kāixīn was determined to obtain it at all costs.
When he arrived at Zhou Zhiruo’s training spot, his expression changed. There, Zhou Zhiruo stood frozen, tears on her face, looking pitiful and lonely…
“Young Master Kāixīn, you haven’t left the mountain?”
At that moment, seeing Kāixīn emerge from behind the rockery, a hint of gratitude appeared in Zhou Zhiruo’s eyes. “Great! Please help me release my blocked meridians. My senior sister stole the Sect Leader’s Finger Mark…” Kāixīn had accompanied her throughout, helping her complete many difficult tasks at the Emei Sect, and their relationship had evolved from trust to deep friendship.
As expected!
Frowning, Kāixīn rushed to Zhou Zhiruo’s side.

She brought her index finger and middle finger together and quickly pressed them on two acupoints on her chest. With a “whump,” her body trembled, and two faint red patches appeared on her face.

“Miss Zhou, what exactly happened?” Although Kai Xin already knew the plot of the original story, she didn’t expect Master Mu Jue to announce in front of the disciples from the six major sects that Zhou Zhiruo would succeed as the leader of Emei Sect. That woman, Ding Minjun, still dared to stir up trouble—her desire for power and fame was truly unchangeable.

Hearing this, a look of bitter helplessness flashed across Zhou Zhiruo’s face: “The senior sisters and a group of other sisters couldn’t accept that I surpassed them. They joined forces to block my acupoints, took away the leadership ring, and planned to elect Sister Ding as the leader at the official inauguration ceremony!”

Ding!

System prompt: “Gained Miss Zhou Zhiruo’s goodwill! Goodwill level increased!”

The expected task prompt from Kai Xin didn’t appear. Instead, it only indicated that helping her had earned her goodwill, still at the level of a confidant. This surprised Kai Xin slightly—she hadn’t even become part of the plot.

“…So what do you plan to do now?”

Kai Xin didn’t give up. Being a confidant of an NPC had its advantages; even without tasks, she could still access the plot details.

“The position of leader was entrusted to me by my master. Though I’m weak, I still have integrity. I must catch up with my senior sisters and persuade them to return the leadership ring. I can’t fail my master’s trust! Otherwise, I’d be betraying his years of care and hard work in teaching me.”

Zhou Zhiruo’s expression was resolute.

Kai Xin sighed heavily. “Back at Wan’an Temple, I failed to protect Master Mu Jue. I feel deeply guilty. Now, I must prevent the leadership ring from falling into the hands of villains. I’ll help you retrieve it.”

“Young Hero Kai Xin, your generosity is admirable. I should be grateful, but…” Zhou Zhiruo gave Kai Xin a deep look. “This is an internal matter of Emei Sect. I don’t want conflict and prefer to resolve it on my own. So, please forgive me, Young Hero Kai Xin.” With that, she declined Kai Xin’s offer, apologized, and chased after Ding Minjun and her group.

Kai Xin knew the plot had begun, but it seemed she had no role in it. Still undeterred, she waited until Zhou Zhiruo was far away before slowly following in her direction.

…

Ding!

A few Emei Sect disciples who were practicing with a black python suddenly heard a system prompt: “Grandma Golden Flower is seeking revenge on Emei Sect, searching everywhere for the sect leader!”

“Stop Grandma Golden Flower from taking away the leader, ‘Zhou Zhiruo’!”

At the same time, all the Emei Sect disciples near Mount Emei received such a system message. At first, many dismissed it. Granny Jinhua was a master on par with Master Mu Jue—reaching the Wuwei realm. Sending a group of Emei Sect disciples to rescue someone was like carrying a lantern into a latrine: seeking death! “Controling Miss A Li will fulfill the condition to rescue Sect Leader Zhou Zhiruo; those who knock her out can choose a swordsmanship secret book from the senior elders of the Emei Sect!” Boom! Countless people on Mount Emei became eager… …Below the mountain, Granny Jinhua blocked Ding Minjun and the other Emei Sect disciples on the road. Although Ding Minjun had taken the sect leader’s ring, she knew Granny Jinhua’s strength. Despite the latter claiming to be searching for Master Mu Jue, she dared not speak out openly, saying her master had already passed away… “Passed away…” Granny Jinhua murmured absentmindedly before glaring, “So where’s your new sect leader? Not decided yet? Stop making excuses! Since there’s no one, I, Granny Jinhua, will take care of you one by one today!!” Ding Minjun and her group’s faces paled. Just as Granny Jinhua was about to act, “Wait!” Zhou Zhiruo appeared… Happy, who had rushed over, watched from the woods as Zhou Zhiruo caught the sect leader’s ring thrown haphazardly by Ding Minjun, feeling a surge of relief as if something had been restored. Yet the group of Emei Sect disciples were deeply disappointed by Ding Minjun’s irresponsible actions. As Granny Jinhua took Zhou Zhiruo away, the group knelt behind her and said, “We bid farewell to Sect Leader Zhiruo!” “…” Happy silently reflected… To this day, Zhou Zhiruo still retained her innocence, remaining that kind-hearted girl. If not for meeting Zhang Wuji—that charming yet indecisive and naive man—she probably wouldn’t have been forced down that path with no return. “What can I use to save you… Zhou Zhiruo?” A faint sigh drifted through the woods.