Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Yue Lin jolted upright in alarm. His voice stammered as he shouted, "I... insolence!"

A quiet ripple of unrest spread through the crowd. It was impossible to believe that everyone in Tianxing Sect had no opinions about Zhao Wuji hoarding power. But...

He had a powerful father. No matter how much anyone disapproved, no one could afford to pull him down. Opposing the Sect Master would be cutting off one's own path.

Yun Jin was being far too reckless.

Then again…

Tianjian Peak had already thoroughly offended the Sect Master long ago. They had no path left to retreat. At this point, Tianjian Peak was like someone barefoot, while Zhao Wuji wore sturdy shoes. The barefoot had nothing more to lose.

Yun Jin had completely let go of all restraints. Up on the platform, Fang Mingyue cast a glance toward Lin Ya. He sat there quietly, face calm, as if he had already expected what his young disciple was going to do.

Fang Mingyue couldn't hold back and sent a voice transmission. "Lin Ya, have you gone mad?"

On the surface, she had no close ties to Lin Ya. In secret though, she had helped Tianjian Peak a few times behind the scenes.

Lin Ya replied calmly, "Don't you think... Tianxing Sect needs to change?"

In three months, he would lose his position as peak lord. If during that time, he could still shield his disciples and let them act on their convictions, that would count for something. Change had to happen eventually, but...

Fang Mingyue's lips trembled slightly. In the end, she said nothing more. Zhao Wuji's cultivation wasn't particularly high, and he was far from wise in conduct. So why, no matter how many foolish things he did, was his position untouchable?

Fang Mingyue let out a soft sigh.

The Four Holy Lands.

The sacred dream of all cultivators, and the four blades hanging eternally above their heads.

"Beneath the Holy Lands, all were ants". That phrase was no exaggeration.

As long as that father remained, even the greatest crimes could not shake Zhao Wuji. If resistance had truly worked, they wouldn't have endured silence for so many years.

Yun Jin was just a disciple. Wanting to shake Zhao Wuji… far too naive.

Even knowing it was impossible, a strange flicker of hope stirred within Fang Mingyue.

Yun Jin was a strange kind of disciple. She had barely joined the sect, yet already, she had caused one miracle after another. If she could stir the still waters of this stagnant Tianxing Sect...

Maybe… maybe they too could toss in a spark or two.

There were plenty of people who wanted to defy Zhao Wuji.

All that was missing was someone to light the first flame.

Would Yun Jin be that person?

Inside the great hall, Yun Jin met Yue Lin's gaze and spoke steadily.

"The sect rules clearly state that each peak is to manage and cultivate its own spirit fields, and that the yield belongs to each respective peak. Yet the Sect Master monopolized the planting specialists with a mere sleight of hand, funneling the majority of spiritual herb profits into his own hands. Is that really acceptable? Are you all truly content with this arrangement?"

Zhao Wuji let out a soft, mocking chuckle, unmoving.

Arguing with a junior would only lower his stature. Naturally, someone else would speak up in his place.

Sure enough, Huo Lie stood up with a stern voice. "Yun Jin, without the Sect Master's assistance, the other peaks wouldn't be able to cultivate anything. What's wrong with him taking a bigger share? Isn't that only fair?"

Yun Jin smiled. "So first, the disciples with planting talent are all locked down by the Sect Master's faction. Then, those same disciples are 'graciously' sent to help the other peaks? You call that assistance?"

Before Huo Lie could reply, Yun Jin continued, "Peak Lord Huo, I know you and the Sect Master are close. But tell me honestly. Did you choose to be close with him, or were you forced into it? After all, as a pill refiner, no one relies more on spiritual herbs than you. If you could cultivate and harvest your own, why would you have to lower yourself and beg for them each time?"

Huo Lie's expression shifted slightly.

That remark had hit him dead center.

Yes, he was a fifth-grade alchemist. Yes, he was a peak lord.

Those titles carried weight—outside the sect.

But the truth was...

He was already near a thousand years old, and only just barely clawed his way to this level. Someone like him, no matter how high his cultivation climbed, would never catch the attention of the Holy Lands. Even in top-tier or elite sects, he would be no more than a deacon.

Huo Lie's future path was nearly set in stone. Still, he had ambition. He wanted to push for sixth-grade alchemy. That required repeated practice, superior recipes, and an immense amount of spiritual herbs. And all of that… only Zhao Wuji could provide.

It wasn't really a choice. He simply had no other option.

"You… you..." Huo Lie tried to argue, but no words came.

Zhao Wuji's gaze turned faintly cold.

"Yun Jin!" Long Yi stepped in immediately, barking with fury, "To speak of your elders this way—is this the upbringing of Tianjian Peak?"

If logic couldn't win, then status would have to.

Zhao Wuji finally spoke as well, calm and steady. "Long Yi, no need to argue with juniors. Yun Jin, let me be clear. The planting disciples were not monopolized on purpose. Elder Ma Hongyu, a fifth-grade planter, is under my tutelage. Naturally, those who wish to learn planting seek him out. This was not by design, but by natural cause."

Yun Jin let out a light laugh. "Is that so?"

Zhao Wuji nodded calmly. "Of course. Elder Ma is highly skilled, both in planting and in teaching. His disciples are all thriving. With such a mentor, it is only logical for talented planters to join him. Otherwise, their gifts would be wasted."

"To forcibly assign them elsewhere would only hurt their growth. From a sect-wide perspective, having a dedicated group of skilled disciples managing the planting is ideal. And for their efforts, it is only right they earn some compensation."

He spoke without hesitation, perfectly composed.

Yun Jin narrowed her eyes, then looked straight at him. She raised a hand and pointed at Ye Danxia. "Ye Danxia is guilty of harming a fellow disciple. According to sect rules, that is a capital offense."

Ye Danxia's face went pale. Her body trembled uncontrollably.

"But I can offer her a way to live," Yun Jin said evenly.

Zhao Wuji frowned. He assumed Yun Jin wanted to make Ye Danxia form a contract again.

He was already preparing to refuse.

But Yun Jin's next words were calm.

"The legacy of Tianxing Sect's planting techniques lies entirely in the Sect Master's hands. I exchanged some manuals from Elder Ming and practiced on my own. According to you, since Elder Ma teaches so well, it's only right that all talented planters join your lineage."

"Elder Ma's most outstanding disciple, as I recall, is Senior Brother Ye, currently in the late Foundation stage. Am I correct?"

"One week from now, I, a self-taught student, will compete with this disciple in planting technique."

"If I win, all spirit field yields will return to their respective peaks. Planting disciples will still offer assistance, but only for fair compensation. This will remain in place until each peak develops its own planting specialists."

"If I lose," Yun Jin arched a brow, "I'll spare Ye Danxia's dog life."

If Yun Jin won, Tianjian Peak wouldn't gain much directly—but the other peaks would.

If Yun Jin lost, the price was sparing Ye Danxia.

How could these two stakes be weighed on the same scale?

Could Ye Danxia's life possibly compare to such massive gains?

Everyone turned to Zhao Wuji.