In the blink of an eye, several more years passed.
During this time, Cheng Lingshuang demonstrated her natural talent.
In just a few years of training, she had easily surpassed Su Mei, the second senior sister.
This earned her repeated praise from Hua.
However, Hua also noticed that Cheng Lingshuang wasn't close to her—or to anyone, for that matter—except for Elysia.
"Sister Elysia, Second Senior Sister has been badmouthing you again. Should I teach her a lesson for you?"
During her free time, Cheng Lingshuang sought out Elysia again.
Her face wore the smile Elysia had first coaxed out of her, and she quietly tattled on Su Mei.
Su Mei probably still didn't know that every time she tried to sow discord, Cheng Lingshuang would report it to Elysia.
"It's fine. I don't care about that. Little Lingshuang, just focus on growing up. I really want to see you smile when you're older."
It seemed Elysia's maternal instincts had been activated.
Chang Yuan noticed that Elysia subconsciously wanted to nurture Cheng Lingshuang, as if she were her own child.
"Okay, I will. And Master's teachings are so easy. I feel like I'll master everything soon."
"That's because you're talented. Haven't you noticed that none of your senior sisters can match your Sword Heart cultivation?"
Apart from Lin Zhaoyu, who had been with Hua the longest, the other three disciples couldn't compare to Cheng Lingshuang in Sword Heart cultivation.
She was simply too suited for it.
The Sword Heart required a clear mind, free from distractions, and the Taixuan Sword Heart demanded detachment from desires.
Cheng Lingshuang, with her naturally reserved emotions, seemed born to cultivate the Sword Heart.
"True, but Sister Elysia, why does Su Mei hate everyone so much?"
Tilting her head, Cheng Lingshuang asked innocently.
If it weren't for knowing that Cheng Lingshuang never lied, Elysia might have thought Su Mei was using her to probe them.
"You'll understand when you're older. For now, just focus on your studies and aim to become Hua's strongest disciple."
Patting Cheng Lingshuang's head, Elysia encouraged her.
Thanks to her efforts, among the Seven Disciples of Taixuan, only Su Mei still harbored hatred.
The other four showed no signs of wanting to betray their master.
As Chang Yuan had suspected, Su Mei was the primary factor behind Hua's betrayal in the original timeline, though Hua's own instability also played a role.
Now, with five disciples—excluding one ungrateful one—all sharing a deep bond with Hua, things were different.
"I will. And none of my senior sisters can surpass me."
This wasn't arrogance or pride; Cheng Lingshuang simply stated a fact, one that was undeniable.
"Mhm, Lingshuang is the best. Next birthday, I'll secretly make you a cake. Don't tell your senior sisters, though. Making cakes is tiring."
"...Okay, thank you, Sister Elysia."
Cheng Lingshuang's rare emotions were all directed toward Elysia.
To her, Elysia was even more important than her master.
Meanwhile, Su Mei, who had failed to form close relationships with any of her fellow disciples, was starting to crack.
Despite all her efforts, nothing had worked.
Su Mei strongly suspected someone was sabotaging her.
But everything changed when Hua brought back the sixth disciple.
"Master, is this our sixth junior sister? You really have a knack for picking up disciples every few years."
Looking at the golden-haired, doll-like figure, Lin Zhaoyu assumed it was a girl.
Until Ma Yanqing spoke up: "I'm a boy."
"..."
Everyone fell silent.
Lin Zhaoyu was the first to recover.
She clasped her hands together. "Sorry, sorry. It's just that you're so pretty, I thought you were a girl. Plus, all your senior sisters are girls, so I just assumed."
"...It's fine. I've been mistaken for a girl before."
Ma Yanqing shook his head, indicating he didn't mind.
He had been mistaken for a girl many times before, so one more time didn't matter. Besides, they would be living under the same roof now.
After this, Hua's other disciples arrived.
The most noticeable were Su Mei, with her red hair, and Cheng Lingshuang, with her snow-white hair.
Months earlier, Cheng Lingshuang had reached the Taixuan Realm, much earlier than in the original timeline.
Her hair had turned white after her Stigma awakened, but she didn't care.
It was just an external change and couldn't affect her inner self.
When Su Mei arrived, Ma Yanqing's gaze immediately locked onto her.
Su Mei noticed this and felt that this sixth junior brother might be the only one she could persuade.
She waved warmly. "Hello, future sixth junior brother. I'm your second senior sister, Su Mei. If you ever need help, just ask me."
"O-okay, Second Senior Sister."
Unused to such warmth, Ma Yanqing stuttered slightly.
He felt as if he had fallen in love at first sight with his second senior sister.
Though they were both young, this was ancient times, where thirteen or fourteen-year-olds could already be married.
Being a little precocious wasn't unusual.
"In that case, Su Mei, take Yanqing around to familiarize him with Mount Taixuan. Training will resume as usual tomorrow."
Seeing this, Hua nodded and let Su Mei guide Ma Yanqing around.
"Tsk tsk, I feel like this Old Ma is even more of a simp than Otto."
Noticing the subtle exchange between the two, Chang Yuan clicked his tongue and shook his head.
What a classic case of the three great illusions of life: "She likes me."
Without even confirming her feelings, he's already simping. No wonder he'll end up being played like a fool.
"Hehe, who knows? I just hope Chaoyu doesn't fall for him this time. After all, in the original timeline, even after they married, Su Mei was still the most important person in his heart~?."
Thinking of Ma Yanqing, who was both a simp and a scumbag, Elysia felt her fists tightening.