Chapter 8: Male Lead, You Chose Wrong!!!

Wang Shuheng watched the figures in the white mist—only about one-third of them emerged.

The old man glanced at the time, paying no attention to the remaining unconscious disciples. He simply said to those who had awakened:

“Follow me.”

The group obediently followed as the old man led them into the grand hall.

At the main seat sat two women and one man.

Lin Lingshu swept her gaze across the crowd—and found the male lead’s figure among them.

Meanwhile, Wang Shuheng also noticed her—clad in white, her black hair shimmering like tassels cascading down to her waist. Her deep blue eyes were as clear as a lake, calm and unshaken. Her skin was as fair as snow, her expression cold, but her beauty undeniable.

“Junior Sister Ye, you choose first,” Lin Lingshu turned to Ye Danxiang.

According to sect rules, they could preferentially select outstanding disciples to join their respective factions. Of course, only one person per round. Afterward, the remaining candidates would choose freely, ensuring good seeds were evenly distributed.

“Thank you, Senior Sister Lin.”

Ye Danxiang pointed at Murong Xue.

Just like in the novel’s original plot, Lin Lingshu then turned to Chen Zhujian, who pointed at Zhang Wentao. Lin Lingshu herself selected Huang Wuye.

Why not Ning Qi?

According to the story, Ning Qi would join Ye Danxiang’s faction. Thus, the male lead joining Ye Danxiang’s side would net him three future harem members in one move—an efficient and desirable outcome!

In the next round, Ye Danxiang selected Ning Qi.

Seeing that Ye Danxiang followed the original plot, choosing Ning Qi and Murong Xue as expected, Lin Lingshu breathed a slight sigh of relief. So far, no butterfly effect has caused any major deviation.

Chen Zhujian picked another disciple. Then it was Lin Lingshu’s turn.

Several rounds passed. The originally sparse crowd grew even thinner.

Lin Lingshu stood and addressed the remaining disciples:

“Those who remain here have passed the third test. From now on, you are Spirit Sword Pavilion disciples. Junior brothers and sisters may choose their faction freely.”

With that, she sat back down and resumed sipping tea.

The chosen disciples stood within their assigned factions. The others stood thoughtfully for a moment, then gradually walked toward the faction they preferred.

Just as Lin Lingshu leisurely sipped her tea, her hand suddenly clenched the cup tightly.

Why on earth was the male lead walking toward her faction?

Lin Lingshu watched in disbelief as Wang Shuheng—step by step—approached, then stood among her faction’s ranks.

What the heck!?

Countless expletives raced through Lin Lingshu’s mind:

Male Lead, are you out of your mind!? Why would you choose me?! What about your future harem? What about the future plot? Who will guide you in learning the Fire Path? This butterfly effect is enormous!!!

However, Lin Lingshu had no intention of intervening. Or perhaps… she couldn’t intervene. As a beneficiary of the rules, she was in some way bound by them. She certainly couldn’t just kick the male lead out.

Lin Lingshu glanced at Wang Shuheng in her faction, feeling utterly weary.

The three of them looked at the now-formed factions.

“Senior Sister Lin, I’ll take this year’s candidates for Forget Sword Peak back to report,” Chen Zhujian stood and headed toward his faction.

“Senior Sister Lin, I’m leaving too,” Ye Danxiang stood as well.

Lin Lingshu also put down her teacup, then walked toward her faction. She drew a Transmission Array Disk from her storage ring and infused it with spiritual energy. The disk emitted a beam of light, expanding until it enveloped the group.

The next moment, the group was already transported to the foot of Shuiyue Peak.

Spirit Sword Pavilion had three famous peaks: Shuiyue Peak, Forget Sword Peak, and Danlü Peak. Actually, the pavilion had more than three peaks, but these three were renowned for their Nascent Soul-level cultivators.

“From now on, you are disciples of Shuiyue Peak…”

Lin Lingshu hastily began consulting with the Heavenly Dao on how to pull the deviated plot back on track.

“Only direct disciples of Shuiyue Peak can ascend higher. Violators will be severely punished!”

She briefly instructed them:

“There is a disciple in the west who will explain the sect rules.”

Afterwards, Lin Lingshu headed up the mountain while the crowd mostly moved westward.

After about ten steps, she noticed someone trailing behind. She turned her head and looked at Wang Shuheng.

“What’s the matter?”

“Last time… thank you, Senior Sister, for saving my life.”

Wang Shuheng bowed deeply to Lin Lingshu, then rejoined the crowd.

Lin Lingshu watched his departing figure, momentarily stunned.

For this reason?!

She cursed in her heart.

Did you really choose my faction just to say thanks!? Are you crazy!? Do you know how big an impact this action has on the world, on me!?

Lin Lingshu even felt tempted to sword him right now.

Taking a deep breath to calm her emotions, her most pressing task was to consult the Heavenly Dao about the next strategy.

She summoned Han Li, mounted her sword, and vanished in a rainbow beam.

Wang Shuheng in the crowd halted, looking up at the departing rainbow beam, lost in thought.

Lin Lingshu pushed open the hall door, staring at the cold and empty interior.

With a sigh, she entered her own room.

Though Shuiyue Peak wasn’t large, she was the only occupant—a place utterly devoid of human presence.

Chen Zhujian and Ye Danxiang faced the same situation.

“No wonder Ye Danxiang was so easily conquered by the male lead,” Lin Lingshu murmured to herself.

“Heavenly Dao,” Lin Lingshu called out.

A faint white, smooth sphere slowly emerged from the air.

“Otherworld Visitor, state your matter.”

“It’s like this: if the male lead doesn’t choose Ye Danxiang’s faction, there will be no one to guide him in learning the Fire Path… the three harem-related plotlines will collapse…”

“Otherworld Visitor, the trajectory of heaven and earth has already shifted. You must correct it,” the Heavenly Dao responded mechanically. “Immortality is not free.”

An implication hung in the air.

“You mean… I should go?” Lin Lingshu guessed along the same lines.

“Yes, Otherworld Visitor. Immortality is not free.”

“Impossible!!”

Lin Lingshu firmly rejected it. This was a matter of principle—no compromises allowed!

“Otherworld Visitor, you misunderstood. Small forces can be adjusted, large forces cannot. I only ask that you guide the chosen one toward the Fire Path.”

Only then did Lin Lingshu realize she had misunderstood.

“I see. Go ahead then.”

Lin Lingshu felt no embarrassment. She watched as the Heavenly Dao gradually disappeared.

Lying on her warm jade bed—although she actually preferred lying properly—since being dragged to this world by the Heavenly Dao, to lie normally would press uncomfortably against the two small mounds on her chest.

Lin Lingshu was extremely grateful for the cultivation world’s design. As long as one entered the Qi Refining stage, menstruation (Gui Water) and excretion could be bypassed using spiritual power, allowing her to avoid many awkward situations.

Feeling the warmth from the jade bed, she shifted her position.

Sleepiness crept in.

“Think about it tomorrow. Sleep early today,” Lin Lingshu muttered.

For cultivators, meditation could replace sleep, but for Lin Lingshu, sleeping had been a habit for eighteen years—not something easily changed in a few months.