xuán sù shang shēn xī le yì kǒu qì ， zhí shì lǐ fán 、 huǎn shēng shuō dào ：“ wǒ yuàn yì bāng qián bèi huà jiě wēi jī ， bù guò ……”
玄素裳深吸了一口气，直视李凡、缓声说道：“我愿意帮前辈化解危机，不过……”
Xuanshu Chang took a deep breath and looked directly at Li Fan, speaking slowly: "I am willing to help you resolve this crisis. However..."
lǐ fán yī bǎi shǒu ， dǎ duàn le duì fāng de huà ：“ wú fáng ， zhǐ xū yào gào sù wǒ guān yú dì èr fēn shēn de zī liào jiù hǎo ， wǒ huì zì xíng jiě jué 。”
李凡一摆手，打断了对方的话：“无妨，只需要告诉我关于第二分身的资料就好，我会自行解决。”
Li Fan waved his hand, interrupting her words: "No need for that. Just tell me about the second avatar, and I will handle it myself."
“ hēng ， wǒ men zhī jiān de zhēng dòu ， nǐ men rén lèi xiǎo bèi hái méi yǒu zī gé chū shǒu 。”
“哼，我们之间的争斗，你们人类小辈还没有资格出手。”
"Hmph. You humans have no right to interfere in our battle," she retorted.
hǎo dǎi yě shì táng táng hé dào xiān zūn ， què bèi lǐ fán yī kǒu yí gè xiǎo bèi 。 dàn xuán sù shang bìng wèi nǎo nù ， bì jìng gēn gǔ lǎo de tiān xuán jìng bǐ qǐ lái ， tā men de dí què què dī le bù zhī dào duō shǎo bèi 。 zhè me chēng hū wán quán méi yǒu cuò 。
好歹也是堂堂合道仙尊，却被李凡一口一个小辈。但玄素裳并未恼怒，毕竟跟古老的天玄镜比起来，她们的的确确低了不知道多少辈。这么称呼完全没有错。
After all, she was a Grand Dao Immortal Sage, yet Li Fan kept calling her a junior. But Xuanshu Chang wasn't angry; after all, compared to the ancient Heavenly Xuan Mirror, they were indeed many generations behind. This wasn't wrong at all.
fǎn ér lǐ fán zhǐ xū yào tí gōng qíng bào 、 wú xū tā zhēn de chū shǒu ， ràng xuán sù shang yě shì sōng le kǒu qì 。
反而李凡只需要提供情报、无需她真的出手，让玄素裳也是松了口气。
Moreover, since Li Fan only needed to provide intelligence without needing her to take action herself, it relieved her somewhat.
chén yín shǎo xǔ ， dāng xià bǎ xiāng guān xìn xī yòng shén shí chuán shū gěi lǐ fán 。
沉吟少许，当下把相关信息用神识传输给李凡。
After some contemplation, she transmitted the relevant information using her divine sense.
piàn kè zhī hòu 。
片刻之后。
A moment later...
“ fù qīn ， qǐng yuán liàng wǒ 。” zuò wán zhè yī qiè de xuán sù shang ， xīn zhōng mò mò shuō dào 。
“父亲，请原谅我。”做完这一切的玄素裳，心中默默说道。
"Father, please forgive me," Xuanshu Chang thought silently after completing everything.
dé zhī le tiān xuán jìng rén lèi fēn shēn suǒ zài de lǐ fán ， què méi yǒu zháo jí xíng dòng 。
得知了天玄镜人类分身所在的李凡，却没有着急行动。
Li Fan, who had learned about the location of the human avatar in the Heavenly Xuan Mirror, didn't rush to act. Instead, he turned his gaze towards Lu Xi Chan, who was standing quietly with her head bowed and not speaking.
ér shì bǎ mù guāng kàn xiàng le yī páng yì zhí dī tóu bù yǔ de lù xī chán ， miàn sè yīn chén 。
而是把目光看向了一旁一直低头不语的陆溪婵，面色阴沉。
Lu Xi Chan felt Li Fan's gaze and grew increasingly uneasy.
lù xī chán chá jué dào lǐ fán de mù guāng ， xīn zhōng yù fā tǎn tè 。
陆溪婵察觉到李凡的目光，心中愈发忐忑。
"Master..." Seeing that Li Fan hadn't spoken for a long time, she finally mustered the courage to ask tentatively.
“ shī zūn ……” jiàn lǐ fán xǔ jiǔ méi yǒu shuō huà ， tā zhè cái zhōng yú gǔ qǐ yǒng qì ， shì tàn zhe wèn dào 。
“师尊……”见李凡许久没有说话，她这才终于鼓起勇气，试探着问道。
"Xi Chan, you've truly disappointed your master," Li Fan's voice rang in Lu Xi Chan's ears. Her body trembled slightly.
“ xī chán ， nǐ zhēn shì tài ràng wèi shī shī wàng le 。” lǐ fán de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr zhōng ， lù xī chán de shēn qū wēi wēi yī chàn 。
“溪婵，你真是太让为师失望了。”李凡的声音传入耳中，陆溪婵的身躯微微一颤。
"I have formally passed on the position of Chief Strategist Hall to you over two hundred and eighty-six years ago. Yet, after all these years, your level of array techniques hasn't improved much..."
“ wǒ jiāng cè zhèn táng shǒu xí zhèng shì chuán wèi gěi nǐ ， yǐ jīng guò qù liǎng bǎi bā shí liù zài 。 zhè me duō nián guò qù ， nǐ de zhèn dào shuǐ píng què hái shì zhè ge yàng zi ……”
“我将策阵堂首席正式传位给你，已经过去两百八十六载。这么多年过去，你的阵道水平却还是这个样子……”
"Master, I..." Lu Xi Chan felt a bit aggrieved upon hearing this. When she took over as the Chief Strategist Hall's leader, she only received support from a few elders. Most chose to observe, and some even wanted to replace her. It was fraught with danger at every step.
“ shī zūn ， wǒ ……” lù xī chán wén yán ， xīn zhōng dùn shí yǒu xiē wěi qū 。
“师尊，我……”陆溪婵闻言，心中顿时有些委屈。
Fortunately, after years of negotiation and balancing, she finally solidified her position.
dāng shí tā jiē rèn cè zhèn táng shǒu xí zhī wèi hòu ， zhǐ huò dé le liáo liáo jǐ gè zhǎng lǎo zhī chí 。 jué dà duō shù dōu shì xuǎn zé guān wàng ， shèn zhì hái yǒu bù shǎo xiǎng yào qǔ ér dài zhī 。 kě wèi shì wēi jī sì fú ， bù bù jīng xīn 。 hǎo zài jīng guò shù nián de wò xuán 、 zhì héng ， tā zhōng yú chè dǐ zhàn wěn 。
当时她接任策阵堂首席之位后，只获得了寥寥几个长老支持。绝大多数都是选择观望，甚至还有不少想要取而代之。可谓是危机四伏，步步惊心。好在经过数年的斡旋、制衡，她终于彻底站稳。
The duties of the Immortal Alliance's Strategist Hall were quite heavy. Not only did she need to handle miscellaneous matters reported by various regions, but she also had to attend monthly meetings where she discussed operational issues with other departments.
xiān méng cè zhèn táng shǒu xí ， shì wù xiāng dāng fán zhòng 。 bù jǐn xū yào chǔ lǐ gè zhōu cè zhèn táng shàng bào huì zǒng zá shì ， hái xū yào cān yù měi yuè yī cì de lì huì ， gēn qí tā qí tā bù mén shāng tǎo xiān méng yùn zhuàn shì yí 。
仙盟策阵堂首席，事务相当繁重。不仅需要处理各州策阵堂上报汇总杂事，还需要参与每月一次的例会，跟其他其他部门商讨仙盟运转事宜。
Over two centuries, apart from a few leaks in the protective array, the Strategist Hall hadn't encountered many problems and had even made significant contributions.
liǎng bǎi nián lái ， chú le zhī qián fáng hù dà zhèn bèi xiè mì zhī wài ， cè zhèn táng jī běn méi chū shén me pī lòu 。 hái lì xià guò bù shǎo gōng láo 。
两百年来，除了之前防护大阵被泄密之外，策阵堂基本没出什么纰漏。还立下过不少功劳。
All of this was undoubtedly related to her tireless efforts. How could she make further progress in array techniques?
gēn tā de dān jīng jié lǜ ， jué duì tuō bù kāi guān xì 。
跟她的殚精竭虑，绝对脱不开关系。
Moreover, while her level of array techniques wasn't stagnant, it certainly hadn't seen any major breakthroughs.
tā néng zuò dào jīn tiān zhè ge dì bù ， yǐ jīng jié jìn quán lì le 。 yòu rú hé néng zài zhèn fǎ yī dào shàng ， zài yǒu jīng jìn ne ？
她能做到今天这个地步，已经竭尽全力了。又如何能在阵法一道上，再有精进呢？
...
kuàng qiě ， tā de zhèn fǎ shuǐ píng yě bú shì yì diǎn jìn bù méi yǒu 。 bù guò dí què méi yǒu shén me dà de tū pò bà le 。
况且，她的阵法水平也不是一点进步没有。不过的确没有什么大的突破罢了。
Lu Xi Chan was conflicted as she prepared to explain herself when Li Fan rudely interrupted: "I know what you're thinking, but only the weak find excuses for themselves."
……
……
"True power lies in never giving up on the path of Dao, even if one is constantly facing life and death," Li Fan said sternly. "Answer this question honestly—have you truly given it your all?"
lù xī chán xīn zhōng jiū jié ， zhèng yù kāi kǒu wèi zì jǐ jiě shì 。
陆溪婵心中纠结，正欲开口为自己解释。
...
què bèi lǐ fán cū bào dǎ duàn ：“ wǒ zhī dào nǐ zài xiǎng xiē shén me ， dàn shì zhǐ yǒu ruò zhě cái huì wèi zì jǐ zhǎo jiè kǒu 。”
却被李凡粗暴打断：“我知道你在想些什么，但是只有弱者才会为自己找借口。”
"I..." Lu Xi Chan was speechless.
“ zhēn zhèng de qiáng zhě ， nǎ pà shí kè chù zài shēng sǐ biān yuán ， yì bú huì fàng qì duì dào de zhuī qiú ！”
“真正的强者，哪怕时刻处在生死边缘，亦不会放弃对道的追求！”
Li Fan intensified his tone: "Indolent andbe obsessed with women or be sexually preoccupied with females..."
lǐ fán chén shēng wèn dào ：“ mén xīn zì wèn ， nǐ zhēn de jié jìn quán lì le me ？！”
李凡沉声问道：“扪心自问，你真的竭尽全力了么？！”
As he spoke, he glanced at Xuanshu Chang beside him.
“ wǒ ……” lù xī chán dùn shí yǎ kǒu wú yán 。
“我……”陆溪婵顿时哑口无言。
Xuanshu Chang's cheeks flushed, her head bowed even lower.
lǐ fán yòu jiā zhòng le yǔ qì ：“ bù sī jìn qǔ ， fǎn chén mí nǚ sè ……”
李凡又加重了语气：“不思进取，反沉迷女色……”
Li Fan turned back to Lu Xi Chan. "You deserve punishment!"
shuō dào zhè lǐ ， lǐ fán piē le yǎn yī páng de xuán sù shang 。
说道这里，李凡瞥了眼一旁的玄素裳。
A long whip formed from his divine essence suddenly appeared in his hand as he barked: "Kneel down!"
xuán sù shang shuāng jiá yī hóng ， běn jiù dī chuí zhe de tóu lú mái de gēng shēn le 。
玄素裳双颊一红，本就低垂着的头颅埋的更深了。
Lu Xi Chan, who was now a Dao cultivator of the Foundation Establishment realm and the chief of the Strategist Hall, couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
lǐ fán zài dù kàn xiàng lù xī chán ：“ gāi fá ！”
李凡再度看向陆溪婵：“该罚！”
She raised her head defiantly to challenge Li Fan. However, she met his cold, unyielding gaze.
shǒu zhōng hū rán fú xiàn yī tiáo yóu shén hún zhī lì níng jù ér chéng de zhǎng biān ， lǐ fán nù hè yī shēng ：“ guì xià ！”
手中忽然浮现一条由神魂之力凝聚而成的长鞭，李凡怒喝一声：“跪下！”
Instantly, countless childhood memories flooded her mind. She felt as if she was back in that fearful childhood, constantly trembling with fear of being scolded by the master. Lu Xi Chan's legs gave way, and she knelt down obediently out of instinct!
lù xī chán rú jīn hǎo dǎi yě shì hé dào xiū shì ， xiān méng cè zhèn shǒu xí 、 wèi gāo quán zhòng 。
陆溪婵如今好歹也是合道修士，仙盟策阵首席、位高权重。
Kneeling on the cold ground, the initial fear vanished, replaced by a fierce resistance.
xīn zhōng yě shì zì yǒu ào qì ， áng zhe tóu ， zhèng yù kāi kǒu wéi nì 。
心中也是自有傲气，昂着头，正欲开口违逆。
However...
què yíng miàn zhuàng shàng lǐ fán nà bīng lěng wú qíng de yǎn shén 。
却迎面撞上李凡那冰冷无情的眼神。
Before this flame could grow stronger, Lu Xi Chan saw a golden whip streaking towards her.
chà nà zhī jiān ， wú shù ér shí jì yì yǒng shàng xīn tóu 。
刹那之间，无数儿时记忆涌上心头。
"Stand still!"
fǎng fú yòu huí dào le nà ge měi tiān zhàn zhàn jīng jīng ， shēng pà bèi shī zūn zé mà de tóng nián 。 lù xī chán shuāng tuǐ yī ruǎn ， jìng rán zhēn de zūn xún le shēn tǐ běn néng ， wān xī guì xià ！
仿佛又回到了那个每天战战兢兢，生怕被师尊责骂的童年。陆溪婵双腿一软，竟然真的遵循了身体本能，弯膝跪下！
Her subconscious defense was stopped by Li Fan's ominous low voice. She watched helplessly as the golden divine essence whip struck her divine essence.
guì zài bīng liáng de dì miàn shàng ， lù xī chán gāng gāng de kǒng jù yòu xiāo shī bú jiàn 。 zhuǎn ér xīn zhōng dùn shí yòu yǒng qǐ yī gǔ wú míng fǎn kàng zhī huǒ 。
跪在冰凉的地面上，陆溪婵刚刚的恐惧又消失不见。转而心中顿时又涌起一股无名反抗之火。
The impact point was precisely where her previous defenses had been washed away by divine essence. An indescribable pain spread through her body instantly.
rán ér ……
然而……
It felt like countless steel needles were rotating and piercing her body and brain simultaneously. Lu Xi Chan's entire consciousness was filled with this pain in an instant.
hái wèi děng zhè gǔ huǒ yàn zhuàng dà ， lù xī chán jiù kàn dào qián fāng jīn sè biān yǐng hū xiào zhe fēi lái 。
还未等这股火焰壮大，陆溪婵就看到前方金色鞭影呼啸着飞来。
Her body first stiffened, then convulsed on the ground without a sound. Only muffled sobs escaped from her throat.
“ bù xǔ duǒ ！”
“不许躲！”
Her body twisted into a ball as she endured the pain for nearly half a tea cup before it gradually subsided.
xià yì shí de fáng yù bèi lǐ fán yīn chén de dī hē shēng gěi zǔ zhǐ 。
下意识的防御被李凡阴沉的低喝声给阻止。
Recovering just a bit of consciousness, Lu Xi Chan tried to beg for mercy.
ér hòu lù xī chán zhǐ néng yǎn zhēng zhēng kàn zhe shén hún jīn sè zhǎng biān ， jī dǎ zài zì jǐ shén hún shàng 。
而后陆溪婵只能眼睁睁看着神魂金色长鞭，击打在自己神魂上。
But Li Fan showed no mercy and struck her divine essence again with another golden whip!
zhuó lì diǎn xuǎn qǔ de zhèng shì cǐ qián bèi shén hún chōng shuā diào fáng yù jìn zhì de nà kuài qū yù ， yī gǔ yán yǔ wú fǎ míng shuō de téng tòng gǎn shùn jiān chuán biàn quán shēn 。
着力点选取的正是此前被神魂冲刷掉防御禁制的那块区域，一股言语无法明说的疼痛感瞬间传遍全身。
Lu Xi Chan's reaction was even stronger this time. Tears streamed down her face as she lost all traces of her noble demeanor.
jiù xiàng shì yòng wú shù gēn gāng zhēn zài shēn tǐ yǐ jí dà nǎo zhōng yòng lì xuán zhuǎn zhe cì rù ， qǐng kè jiān lù xī chán quán bù yì shí jiù bèi téng tòng gǎn chōng mǎn 。
就像是用无数根钢针在身体以及大脑中用力旋转着刺入，顷刻间陆溪婵全部意识就被疼痛感充满。
Xuanshu Chang, who had been looking down, turned to look at Lu Xi Chan when she heard the faint cries.
shēn qū xiān shì měng dì jiāng zhí ， ér hòu dào zài dì miàn shàng 、 bú zhù de chù dòng 。
身躯先是猛地僵直，而后倒在地面上、不住的搐动。
A strange expression appeared in her eyes.
lián āi háo dōu fā bù chū ， zhǐ shì hóu lóng lǐ fā chū duàn duàn xù xù de wū yè shēng 。
连哀嚎都发不出，只是喉咙里发出断断续续的呜咽声。
This was something Lu Xi Chan had never shown before. Her tolerance level was quite high.
shēn tǐ niǔ qū quán suō ， zú zú yòng le xiǎo bàn zhǎn chá de shí jiān ， yuán zì shén hún shēn chù de téng tòng gǎn cái huǎn huǎn xiāo tuì 。
身体扭曲蜷缩，足足用了小半盏茶的时间，源自神魂深处的疼痛感才缓缓消退。
Xuanshu Chang's actions were already within Li Fan's expectations.
huī fù le dīng diǎn yì shí de lù xī chán ， zhèng xiǎng yào kāi kǒu qiú ráo 。
恢复了丁点意识的陆溪婵，正想要开口求饶。
He ignored her and struck Lu Xi Chan again with a golden whip.
lǐ fán zé méi yǒu bàn diǎn lián xiāng xī yù ， yòu shì yī biān zhèng zhōng shén hún ！
李凡则没有半点怜香惜玉，又是一鞭正中神魂！
Lu Xi Chan, who had just recovered, fell back into the abyss of pain once more.
gāng gāng tuō lí bù jiǔ de lù xī chán ， shùn jiān zài dù bèi lā huí dì yù ！
刚刚脱离不久的陆溪婵，瞬间再度被拉回地狱！
This time, she didn't cry out but only sobbed and pleaded instinctively.
zhè yī cì lù xī chán de fǎn yìng bǐ qǐ zhī qián hái yào qiáng liè ， liǎn shàng tì lèi héng liú ， yǐ rán kàn bú zhù yuán xiān de gāo guì mú yàng 。
这一次陆溪婵的反应比起之前还要强烈，脸上涕泪横流，已然看不住原先的高贵模样。
"Master, Xi Chan knows she was wrong..."
ér tīng dào lù xī chán xì xiǎo de āi háo shēng ， yuán běn dī tóu bù yǔ de xuán sù shang ， cǐ kè yě kàn tōu tōu zhuǎn tóu kàn le guò qù 。
而听到陆溪婵细小的哀嚎声，原本低头不语的玄素裳，此刻也看偷偷转头看了过去。
"Master, spare me..."
shuāng yǎn zhōng liú lù chū yī sī yì sè 。
双眼中流露出一丝异色。
Lu Xi Chan's cries echoed in the wooden house.
yào zhī dào ， cǐ yán lù xī chán cóng wèi yǒu guò cǐ zhǒng biǎo xiàn 。 tā de nài shòu xìng ， hái shì xiāng dāng gāo de 。
要知道，此言陆溪婵从未有过此种表现。她的耐受性，还是相当高的。
Li Fan maintained his icy demeanor, while Xuanshu Chang's face turned red with a dazed expression.
xuán sù shang de xiǎo dòng zuò zé shì zǎo jiù zài lǐ fán de yù liào zhī nèi 。
玄素裳的小动作则是早就在李凡的预料之内。
He didn't strike her a fourth time.
zàn qiě méi yǒu guǎn tā ， děng dào lù xī chán zài dù shū huǎn guò lái ， yòu shì yī jīn sè zhǎng biān huī xià 。
暂且没有管她，等到陆溪婵再度舒缓过来，又是一金色长鞭挥下。
With the whip in hand, Li Fan stood behind him, waiting for Lu Xi Chan to regain her composure.
zhè yī cì ， lù xī chán de méi yǒu le háo jiào 。
这一次，陆溪婵的没有了嚎叫。
This scene of punishment left Xuanshu Chang trembling. She also remained still, awaiting his command.
zhǐ shèng xià běn néng de chuò qì yǔ qiú ráo shēng 。
只剩下本能的啜泣与求饶声。
After an indeterminate amount of time, Lu Xi Chan finally regained some consciousness from her mental haze.
“ shī zūn ， chán ér zhī dào cuò le ……”
“师尊，婵儿知道错了……”
Lying on the ground, she saw Li Fan standing tall. Her heart trembled instinctively.
“ shī zūn ráo mìng ……”
“师尊饶命……”
She struggled to rise and first tidied herself up before bowing humbly: "Thank you, Master for your punishment."
lù xī chán de bēi míng shēng huí dàng zài cǐ jiān mù wū zhōng 。
陆溪婵的悲鸣声回荡在此间木屋中。
"Get up," Li Fan responded indifferently.
lǐ fán yī jiù shì nà fù wàn gǔ bù huà de bīng shān biǎo qíng ， xuán sù shang zé shì liǎn páng mò míng biàn dé hóng yàn qǐ lái 、 yǎn shén mí lí 。
李凡依旧是那副万古不化的冰山表情，玄素裳则是脸庞莫名变得红艳起来、眼神迷离。
Lu Xi Chan tried to stand but almost fell again.
méi yǒu zài huī dì sì biān 。
没有再挥第四鞭。
Xuanshu Chang quickly came forward to support her.
zuò wán zhè yī qiè de lǐ fán yòu shǒu chí biān ， bèi zài shēn hòu 。
做完这一切的李凡右手持鞭，背在身后。
"The path of Dao is endless, pursuing it until death. These three whips are a reminder of your laziness!"
děng dài zhuó lù xī chán chóng xīn huī fù shén zhì 。
等待着陆溪婵重新恢复神智。
"Array techniques are like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you will retreat. For this period, stay in this Bamboo Sea and focus on studying array techniques. Don't wander around unless necessary!"
Xuanshu Chang took a deep breath and looked directly at Li Fan, speaking slowly: "I am willing to help you resolve this crisis. However..."
Li Fan waved his hand, interrupting her words: "No need for that. Just tell me about the second avatar, and I will handle it myself."
"Hmph. You humans have no right to interfere in our battle," she retorted.
After all, she was a Grand Dao Immortal Sage, yet Li Fan kept calling her a junior. But Xuanshu Chang wasn't angry; after all, compared to the ancient Heavenly Xuan Mirror, they were indeed many generations behind. This wasn't wrong at all.
Moreover, since Li Fan only needed to provide intelligence without needing her to take action herself, it relieved her somewhat.
After some contemplation, she transmitted the relevant information using her divine sense.
A moment later...
"Father, please forgive me," Xuanshu Chang thought silently after completing everything.
Li Fan, who had learned about the location of the human avatar in the Heavenly Xuan Mirror, didn't rush to act. Instead, he turned his gaze towards Lu Xi Chan, who was standing quietly with her head bowed and not speaking.
Lu Xi Chan felt Li Fan's gaze and grew increasingly uneasy.
"Master..." Seeing that Li Fan hadn't spoken for a long time, she finally mustered the courage to ask tentatively.
"Xi Chan, you've truly disappointed your master," Li Fan's voice rang in Lu Xi Chan's ears. Her body trembled slightly.
"I have formally passed on the position of Chief Strategist Hall to you over two hundred and eighty-six years ago. Yet, after all these years, your level of array techniques hasn't improved much..."
"Master, I..." Lu Xi Chan felt a bit aggrieved upon hearing this. When she took over as the Chief Strategist Hall's leader, she only received support from a few elders. Most chose to observe, and some even wanted to replace her. It was fraught with danger at every step.
Fortunately, after years of negotiation and balancing, she finally solidified her position.
The duties of the Immortal Alliance's Strategist Hall were quite heavy. Not only did she need to handle miscellaneous matters reported by various regions, but she also had to attend monthly meetings where she discussed operational issues with other departments.
Over two centuries, apart from a few leaks in the protective array, the Strategist Hall hadn't encountered many problems and had even made significant contributions.
All of this was undoubtedly related to her tireless efforts. How could she make further progress in array techniques?
Moreover, while her level of array techniques wasn't stagnant, it certainly hadn't seen any major breakthroughs.
...
Lu Xi Chan was conflicted as she prepared to explain herself when Li Fan rudely interrupted: "I know what you're thinking, but only the weak find excuses for themselves."
"True power lies in never giving up on the path of Dao, even if one is constantly facing life and death," Li Fan said sternly. "Answer this question honestly—have you truly given it your all?"
...
"I..." Lu Xi Chan was speechless.
Li Fan intensified his tone: "Indolent andbe obsessed with women or be sexually preoccupied with females..."
As he spoke, he glanced at Xuanshu Chang beside him.
Xuanshu Chang's cheeks flushed, her head bowed even lower.
Li Fan turned back to Lu Xi Chan. "You deserve punishment!"
A long whip formed from his divine essence suddenly appeared in his hand as he barked: "Kneel down!"
Lu Xi Chan, who was now a Dao cultivator of the Foundation Establishment realm and the chief of the Strategist Hall, couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
She raised her head defiantly to challenge Li Fan. However, she met his cold, unyielding gaze.
Instantly, countless childhood memories flooded her mind. She felt as if she was back in that fearful childhood, constantly trembling with fear of being scolded by the master. Lu Xi Chan's legs gave way, and she knelt down obediently out of instinct!
Kneeling on the cold ground, the initial fear vanished, replaced by a fierce resistance.
However...
Before this flame could grow stronger, Lu Xi Chan saw a golden whip streaking towards her.
"Stand still!"
Her subconscious defense was stopped by Li Fan's ominous low voice. She watched helplessly as the golden divine essence whip struck her divine essence.
The impact point was precisely where her previous defenses had been washed away by divine essence. An indescribable pain spread through her body instantly.
It felt like countless steel needles were rotating and piercing her body and brain simultaneously. Lu Xi Chan's entire consciousness was filled with this pain in an instant.
Her body first stiffened, then convulsed on the ground without a sound. Only muffled sobs escaped from her throat.
Her body twisted into a ball as she endured the pain for nearly half a tea cup before it gradually subsided.
Recovering just a bit of consciousness, Lu Xi Chan tried to beg for mercy.
But Li Fan showed no mercy and struck her divine essence again with another golden whip!
Lu Xi Chan's reaction was even stronger this time. Tears streamed down her face as she lost all traces of her noble demeanor.
Xuanshu Chang, who had been looking down, turned to look at Lu Xi Chan when she heard the faint cries.
A strange expression appeared in her eyes.
This was something Lu Xi Chan had never shown before. Her tolerance level was quite high.
Xuanshu Chang's actions were already within Li Fan's expectations.
He ignored her and struck Lu Xi Chan again with a golden whip.
Lu Xi Chan, who had just recovered, fell back into the abyss of pain once more.
This time, she didn't cry out but only sobbed and pleaded instinctively.
"Master, Xi Chan knows she was wrong..."
"Master, spare me..."
Lu Xi Chan's cries echoed in the wooden house.
Li Fan maintained his icy demeanor, while Xuanshu Chang's face turned red with a dazed expression.
He didn't strike her a fourth time.
With the whip in hand, Li Fan stood behind him, waiting for Lu Xi Chan to regain her composure.
This scene of punishment left Xuanshu Chang trembling. She also remained still, awaiting his command.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Lu Xi Chan finally regained some consciousness from her mental haze.
Lying on the ground, she saw Li Fan standing tall. Her heart trembled instinctively.
She struggled to rise and first tidied herself up before bowing humbly: "Thank you, Master for your punishment."
"Get up," Li Fan responded indifferently.
Lu Xi Chan tried to stand but almost fell again.
Xuanshu Chang quickly came forward to support her.
"The path of Dao is endless, pursuing it until death. These three whips are a reminder of your laziness!"
"Array techniques are like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you will retreat. For this period, stay in this Bamboo Sea and focus on studying array techniques. Don't wander around unless necessary!"