**Chapter 233: Understanding**
Although the monster beasts in the Monster Beast Forest are birthed from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, they hold an incredibly tempting and rare “treasure”—the Dan Pill.
Here, there’s also an impressively low probability that these monster beasts might burst forth with a Dan Pill.
Monster beasts at the Golden Core Stage have a chance of dropping Dan Pills, and even the most ordinary of them is worth at least tens of thousands of Spirit Stones. If a rare species or one with a special bloodline drops a Dan Pill, its value can multiply several times over.
For those who focus on body refining, top-tier Dan Pills are the holy grail of supplemental materials. The energy and special attributes contained in a Dan Pill can help refine their bodies further.
With such temptation, disciples naturally flocked like bees to honey.
For Outer Gate Disciples, every potential opportunity for profit is crucial; it could serve as a stepping stone to enter the Inner Gate or even higher tiers in the future.
Yun Zhonghe, of course, had his eyes set on this rare opportunity.
Although what he wanted to “snatch” wasn’t the monster beasts, but Su Xiaoxiao.
After all, although the Monster Beast Forest was dangerous, and monster beasts won’t actively go for a disciple’s life, there could be other hidden dangers lurking in those woods. Therefore, the sect specifically assigned a batch of elite Inner Gate Disciples to be on standby within the forest for emergency situations.
Thanks to the good relationship he built with Wang Hao, Yun Zhonghe obtained the list of Inner Gate Disciples responsible for security ahead of time, and there, bright and bold, was Su Xinghe’s name!
This discovery sparked a brand-new plan in Yun Zhonghe’s mind.
……
On that day.
In the Xuantian Sect’s Monster Beast Forest.
Basking in sunlight, it displayed a grand and magnificent canvas.
Here lies an endless expanse of dense trees, with vibrant green leaves shimmering in the sunlight, and as the breeze blows, it carries fresh air that delights the senses, accompanied by the beautiful and melodious rustling sound of the trees.
However, the roar of the monster beasts also echoed throughout the area.
The Xuantian Sect is just too vast; its boundless expanse far exceeds the disciples’ imagination. The area where they usually live is merely the tip of the iceberg in Xuantian Sect’s immense territory.
Before them, the Monster Beast Forest was a mysterious realm they hadn’t yet set foot in.
At this moment, some rather inexperienced disciples were congregating at the teleportation formation, excitedly discussing among themselves.
Under Wang Hao’s direction, 400 disciples arrived at their designated spot in an orderly fashion.
Upon arrival, they beheld the imposing Outer Gate Master standing tall on the platform, briefly telling the new disciples a few things.
Then he went on for half an hour.
Content-wise, it was mostly about some precautions and the reward mechanism for this excursion.
This was a generous welfare package prepared by the sect, but whether they could secure it depended on the disciples’ individual abilities.
Each disciple would receive a magical item bracelet that automatically records the number of monster beasts they defeat, along with their corresponding ranks and species.
Different ranks and strength levels would affect the final reward.
Moreover, to avoid conflicts arising from head-hunting during the practice, the Master encouraged the disciples to form teams. As long as they were part of the same team, the number of monster beasts defeated and their ranks would be recorded collectively on the bracelet.
Notably, to ensure the safety of the disciples, the sect implemented strict limitations on the areas for activities within the Monster Beast Forest.
Regions deemed extremely dangerous, where disciples should not wander, were reinforced with powerful barriers. Inner Gate Senior Brothers and Sisters continually monitored the area, keeping an eye on the disciples’ movements to prevent anyone from getting too curious and finding themselves in trouble.
Furthermore, should danger arise, disciples could activate their magical item bracelet, which would immediately send a signal to the nearest Inner Gate Senior Brother or Sister, who would rush to their aid as fast as possible to ensure the disciples’ safety.
For this excursion, the sect dispatched forty outstanding Inner Gate members.
When this line-up of elite Inner Gate Brothers and Sisters stood behind the Master, the powerful aura emanating from them instantly captivated all the new disciples.
Every single disciple looked on with eyes filled with admiration and awe, hoping to become such a formidable figure in the future.
Amidst the ranks, Su Xinghe stood prominently in the center, without a doubt the most eye-catching presence. With her arms behind her back and chest out, she emanated a swaggering confidence.
In that moment, Yun Zhonghe keenly noticed Su Xiaoxiao looking dumbfounded at Su Xinghe, her mouth opening slightly as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately wore a bittersweet and complex expression, swallowing her words instead.
After the Outer Gate Master finished speaking, all the Inner Gate Disciples dispersed, while the new disciples, led by Wang Hao, eagerly began to delve deep into the Monster Beast Forest.
This should have been an exhilarating moment!
Yet, Su Xiaoxiao kept her head down, moving forward in a daze, her face pale.
Yun Zhonghe subtly approached Su Xiaoxiao.
Noticing her somewhat downcast demeanor, he asked, “What’s up, little one? Got something on your mind?”
“Nothing…”
Su Xiaoxiao quickly replied.
She shyly averted her gaze from Yun Zhonghe’s face, pretending to casually scan the surroundings.
Clearly, she wasn’t willing to share her business with Su Xinghe with Yun Zhonghe.
After all, it was merely her family matter.
But how could Yun Zhonghe not understand her thoughts?
As a good brother to Huang Aotian, he felt it was his responsibility to take good care of her woman when Huang Aotian wasn’t around!
Besides, in the game, Su Xiaoxiao had been in this situation several times, invariably tied to memories of her sister Su Xinghe.
So, Yun Zhonghe decisively comforted her, “Hey, don’t think too much! You’ve got me… and Mu Jixue and the others! Your classmates will back you up too!”
At this point, Yun Zhonghe paused, his expression becoming serious and profound: “You can tell me anything directly. I’ll handle everything for you.”
His eyes were filled with sincerity and expectation, hoping Su Xiaoxiao would be open and candid with him, not hiding anything, and boldly revealing it all.
Su Xiaoxiao clearly heard Yun Zhonghe’s heartfelt words; she could feel just how resolute he was!
Yes.
Just like Yun Zhonghe said.
She was different now; she had friends who cared for her, and a bunch of friendly classmates…
She was no longer alone.
“Actually, I just found out my sister is also at the Xuantian Sect.”
“You have a sister?”
Yun Zhonghe feigned surprise.
Su Xiaoxiao pursed her lips and nodded but kept her head down while walking forward: “Chen Chen… oh no, her name is Su Xinghe now. My sister is way more talented than me; she’s so much better. If it weren’t for me, she could have been happier…”
Su Xinghe was originally named Su Chenchen, while Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t originally called this—she was Su Xiaoxiao.
As children, Su Chenchen was very attached to Su Xiaoxiao, and the two sisters shared a really great bond.
Su Xiaoxiao always felt a deep sense of guilt, believing she caused her sister to fall into the pit of misfortune. If it wasn’t for her, their parents might still be around, and the Su Family in Suzhou City wouldn’t have crumbled overnight, forcing her sister to leave their familiar hometown and head to Wang Gu City, becoming a candidate for the next house master in that seemingly prestigious but perilous environment.
Though Su Chenchen was supposedly being groomed as the next house master of Wang Gu City’s Su Family, if she met her end during training, it would just be a convenient excuse for them to replace her.
On the surface, it seemed like she lived a life of luxury; in reality, she was swimming in treacherous waters.
Having to navigate between internal family power struggles while constantly wary of those looking to take her down…
It’s easy to imagine how torturous life must be for an innocent child unknowingly caught in the swirling vortex of noble family politics.
She’d have to grow stronger to protect herself, stay alert to threats, and wrestle with those cunning old foxes…
She must certainly despise her sister, loathing her for ruining the family.
And that’s precisely why she showed up so coldly that day, forcing her to leave the Su Family.
This was undoubtedly revenge—a retaliation for ruining the family, for being useless!
Clearly, the elder sister failed to protect her younger sister.
Su Xiaoxiao’s expression twisted with increasing pain: “I’m ashamed of myself. All this time, I haven’t done anything. I just cowered in fear, hiding in a corner, dumping all the pressure and burden onto my sister. If such a terrible sister suddenly showed up, I’d want to kick her out too.”
Su Xiaoxiao understood, and precisely because she understood, that is why she felt so tortured and regretful.
What if she’d just pulled herself together a little sooner? Would the outcome have been completely different?
