The Hehuan Sect Was Squeezed Dry for Ten Thousand Years, but It Became a Sacred Ground?

Chapter 11: Once You’ve Tasted 5G+, Who Wants 2G?

Ruyan Liu: “……”

Wait—what was with this expression? Why did it feel like what Nangong Ling mentioned wasn’t about her sword heart?

Looking at the clearly lovestruck girl in front of her, Liu Ruyan felt speechless.

She had known that this might cause Nangong Ling’s sword heart to suffer damage, yet she had still chosen to abandon her disciple’s long-term benefit to fulfill her own ambitions as quickly as possible.

Possessing an emotionless sword heart would have greatly benefited Nangong Ling’s future cultivation. Though her cultivation at Foundation Establishment Stage 8 couldn’t yet rival a Golden Core cultivator, once she broke through to Golden Core, she could have become one of the strongest in her realm. The further she advanced, the more advantages she’d gain.

However, forcing her disciple to break through to Golden Core via dual cultivation at the cost of her sword heart was akin to pulling up seedlings to help them grow. Even if this gamble eventually turned out to be a blessing in disguise, Liu Ruyan’s actions as a master were unquestionably irresponsible.

But she didn’t care.

In Liu Ruyan’s eyes, everything—including her disciple’s potential—was secondary to her own cultivation and the sect’s growth. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have harmed 宁沉 (Ning Chen), her once-brilliant eldest disciple.

“Ah Ling, since you’ve broken through, hand over the sect master’s token,” Liu Ruyan said nonchalantly.

Nangong Ling hesitated but obediently handed over the token. As she did so, a trace of reluctance flashed across her face. She cautiously asked, “Master, if I encounter difficulties in my cultivation, can I still seek out Eldest Senior Brother?”

That incredible experience, which combined pleasure with rapid cultivation growth, was simply too addictive.

Even without having tried it again, Nangong Ling knew she’d have a hard time returning to her old methods of cultivation. It was like trying to download files on 2G after experiencing 5G+—they weren’t even on the same level.

Once someone who had lived in darkness tasted the light, returning to the shadows became impossible.

“No!” Liu Ruyan rejected her disciple’s request without hesitation.

Nangong Ling’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Why not?”

Liu Ruyan quickly masked her inner turmoil and made up a convincing lie. “Do you think such blessings are easily obtained? Dual cultivation is inherently an act where the stronger party extracts the weaker one’s essence. Every time Ning Chen helps you, he pays a great price and needs significant time to recover.”

That explanation held true for most cultivators. Even those with bodies renowned for dual cultivation couldn’t endure such frequent energy exchanges without suffering damage.

But for Ning Chen, it was nonsense. His Supreme Pure Yang Sacred Body reset all physical damage and deficits at the midnight hour, making him essentially immune to long-term harm. It was also the reason he hadn’t aged a day—his physique was designed for immortality.

“Is that so?” Nangong Ling felt disappointed but couldn’t refute her master’s logic. She had no knowledge of Ning Chen’s unique physique or its miraculous properties.

Seeing her disciple’s dejected expression, Liu Ruyan stepped forward and gently patted her head. “Ah Ling, the most important quality for a cultivator is self-control. Don’t let your desires mislead you—such indulgence would make you no different from an evil cultivator.”

This was hypocrisy at its peak. Liu Ruyan conveniently ignored her own insatiable greed during her initial encounters with Ning Chen and her nights of indulgence.

While her refusal partly stemmed from possessiveness, Liu Ruyan had allowed Nangong Ling to taste this once to prepare herself mentally. What truly unsettled her was jealousy and fear.

Nangong Ling’s talents clearly surpassed her own. If allowed to continue dual cultivation, Nangong Ling would soon catch up, and Liu Ruyan’s authority as sect master might be challenged.

Unaware of her master’s inner conflict, Nangong Ling, as a respectful and dutiful disciple, felt embarrassed by her own insistence.

Still, she felt unwell.

Her lips pursed, and despite her unease, she pressed on. “Master, the sect competition is less than a year away. If I rely solely on my own strength, I fear I won’t make progress with my Sun and Moon Divine Eyes in time.”

“Although I’ve reached the Golden Core stage, losing my sword heart puts me at a disadvantage compared to the core disciples of the other sects.”

“I don’t just want to place highly; I want to take the top spot among the new generation of the Great Xia Dynasty. This would give our sect the best possible chance to advance. Please grant me your permission!”

Her words dripped with helplessness yet also displayed a burning resolve to dedicate herself to the sect’s future.

Logically, Nangong Ling should have been brimming with confidence after awakening the Sun and Moon Divine Eyes. But everything she said now—her humility, her devotion—was for Ning Chen.

Not just for his blessings, but to see him again.

“This…” Liu Ruyan hesitated.

In her heart, priorities followed a clear order: her life, Ning Chen’s life, the sect’s development, and Ning Chen’s pure yang essence.

Nangong Ling’s appeal invoked the importance of the sect’s growth, which outweighed Ning Chen’s essence. After all, if taken in moderation, Ning Chen’s essence was inexhaustible.

After a long silence, Liu Ruyan finally relented.

“Three days.”

“What?”

“I will allow you to enter the demon prison for three days this month.”