Chapter 50: A Mother’s Fury and a Mysterious Arrival

“Was that… a little rabbit demon?”

However, for a demon to shapeshift, it typically needed at least a Core Formation cultivation base, and that was for those with potent bloodlines.

Generally, most ordinary demons only achieved shapeshifting upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage.

Yet, this small rabbit demon before them appeared to be nothing more than a common rabbit. Upon observing her aura, she merely possessed an ordinary Qi Condensation cultivation base.

Hua Yan probed the little rabbit demon’s aura, her heart filled with doubt.

In the courtyard, the white-haired old master, spotting Hua Yan and Yun Xueshang approaching from afar, felt the anxiety on his face ease slightly.

Just as he was about to greet them, the middle-aged cultivator in front of him stepped forward first, pointing at Hua Xiangrong and scolding her harshly:

“It’s you, you wild girl! How dare you lay hands on my child? Look at his scratched face! So young, yet you refuse to learn good manners, instead using your paltry magic to bully others outside!”

The chubby boy hiding behind him immediately covered his cheeks and began to wail. His cries were deafening, yet not a single tear could be seen. He even secretly peeked at Hua Xiangrong through his fingers, a hint of triumph hidden in his eyes.

Hua Xiangrong puffed out her cheeks, taking half a step forward. Though petite in stature, her aura remained unyielding.

“He was the one who bullied others first! During lunch, he deliberately bumped into Little Pomegranate, knocking over her entire food tray. Food spilled everywhere, and Little Pomegranate was so scared she cried! Her clothes were also dirtied by him!”

The rabbit-eared girl, whom Hua Xiangrong called “Little Pomegranate,” was shrinking behind her.

Hearing this, she slowly raised her ears that were covering her eyes, revealing a pair of slightly reddened eyes as she secretly gazed at the pink back in front of her.

“Children merely playing. What’s the harm in a little bump?”

The middle-aged cultivator’s eyelids lifted, completely unreasonable.

“My child is robust. Bumping into her is a sign of favor! As for you, your methods are so vicious. How precious is my child? If he gets a scar, what will you use to compensate?”

“What do you mean, ‘just playing’!”

Hua Xiangrong grew even angrier, yet her words remained clear and well-reasoned.

“The master taught us that in the academy, we should respect and love each other, and not bully the weak! He deliberately bumped into someone and knocked over a meal tray, so he was wrong first. When I told him to apologize, he even pushed me, which is why I retaliated! He is clearly in the wrong!”

The pink-haired girl stared brightly at the middle-aged cultivator, completely unfazed by his imposing demeanor.

The old master beside them, however, was stunned. He felt bewildered. ‘Isn’t Hua Xiangrong new to the academy today? When did I teach any of this? This morning was clearly a math class…’

After a brief moment of surprise, he simply assumed that Yun Xueshang and Hua Yan usually taught her well, and he chimed in, echoing her words:

“Yes, Rongrong speaks wisely. In the academy—”

“Hmph! What a sharp-tongued girl! I think you’re simply undisciplined! Where are your parents? If you’ve got the guts, call your parents out!”

The middle-aged cultivator, however, was infuriated by being silenced by a young girl. He immediately became enraged and crudely interrupted the old master.

“I’m right here. What’s the matter? Do you want to fight?”

Hua Yan descended gracefully from the air, stepping forward to shield Hua Xiangrong and the rabbit-eared girl called “Little Pomegranate” behind her. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and the oppressive aura of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator abruptly unleashed.

“What, do you… have a problem with my methods of education?”

“You, you…”

‘How could she be a Nascent Soul cultivator!’

The middle-aged cultivator instantly broke out in a cold sweat. Yet, a thought quickly crossed his mind: This was the Carefree Sword Sect, and he was, after all, an outer disciple elder.

The sect was known for protecting its own. This unfamiliar, vibrant woman was likely just a rogue cultivator sending her child to the academy; she must be putting on airs and would never dare to cause trouble on the Carefree Sword Sect’s territory.

Thinking this, he hardened his resolve and, maintaining his dignity, stiffly said:

“So what? This is the Carefree Sword Sect. You are not one of our sect members. Could it be that you intend to disregard the sect rules and attack me?”

‘Tsk, always with the rules, rules.’

‘Righteous cultivators truly are troublesome.’

Hua Yan’s temper flared. She kneaded her pink fists, ready to step forward and teach the other party a lesson.

Just then, a pair of slender, fair hands gently pressed onto her shoulders.

“Let me handle it.”

Yun Xueshang held back the eager Hua Yan, stepping forward slowly. Her cool, crimson eyes held a stern authority.

“You say Yan’er is not a member of the Carefree Sword Sect. Then what about me?”

Her voice was not loud, yet every word was calm and clear.

“Surely I can speak a few words for my own daughter, can’t I?”

‘?!’

The middle-aged cultivator’s pupils constricted.

‘Why is Yun Xueshang here? Shouldn’t she still be out slaying evil and not yet returned?’

He, having just returned to the sect and being out of the loop, inwardly cursed his bad luck.

‘Wait, she said “my own daughter.” Could it be…’

The middle-aged cultivator cast his gaze towards Hua Xiangrong, who was clinging to Yun Xueshang’s leg and poking her head out to make a face at him.

He scrutinized her carefully, and upon seeing the lower half of her face, which bore a striking resemblance to Yun Xueshang’s, his heart instantly sank to the bottom.

‘Yun Xueshang has never even been rumored to have a dao companion, so how could such a grown daughter suddenly appear out of nowhere?!

He then abruptly turned to look at Hua Yan, but she merely stood with her arms crossed, returning his gaze with a cold sneer.

Yun Xueshang’s words continued:

“My Rongrong has explained it clearly: your child deliberately bullied and knocked over a meal, then refused to admit his mistake. Only then did Rongrong intervene to stop him.

By reason, your child should apologize. By rule, the Carefree Sword Sect academy strictly forbids bullying.

You, as a father, instead of teaching your own child to abide by the rules, are here making a scene—which rule does that adhere to?”

The middle-aged cultivator’s arrogant demeanor instantly vanished. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead, and the anger on his face was replaced by a fawning, stiff smile.

“Sword Head Yun, Yun… ahaha, if only I had known it was your esteemed daughter. This is truly a misunderstanding, a monumental misunderstanding…”

He hastily pulled the chubby boy beside him, slapping him on the back of his head.

“Quick! Quickly apologize to your two junior sisters! Say you shouldn’t have bumped into them, and you shouldn’t have refused to admit your mistake!”

The chubby boy was startled by his father’s attitude and dared not wail anymore. He mumbled:

“So-sorry…”

“An apology must be sincere.”

Hua Xiangrong stood with her hands on her hips, relentless.

The middle-aged cultivator lightly kicked the boy, sternly commanding:

“Louder! More sincere!”

“I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have deliberately bumped into you, and I shouldn’t have knocked over your food tray!”

The chubby boy finally squeezed out tears and shouted.

Hua Xiangrong then let out a hmph, turning her face away. She then comforted the rabbit-eared girl beside her:

“Little Pomegranate, how is it? Do you think this is acceptable?”

“Mm.”

Little Pomegranate gazed at her cute yet reliable face, slowly moving her long ears away from her eyes, and nodded gently, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.

Seeing this, the middle-aged cultivator hastily offered a fawning smile to Hua Yan and Yun Xueshang.

“It is my fault for being lax in my discipline; I have made a spectacle of myself before you two. These spirit stones are merely for…”

As he spoke, he reached for his storage bag.

“No need.”

Yun Xueshang raised her hand to stop him.

“I only hope that you will discipline him strictly from now on and no longer condone bullying. If there is a next time, it will not be as simple as mere compensation.”

“Yes, yes, yes! I will strictly discipline him! Absolutely!”

The middle-aged cultivator quickly nodded and bowed, pulling the chubby boy and turning to leave, afraid to stay another second lest Yun Xueshang hold him accountable. His hurried and flustered appearance was a stark contrast to his earlier arrogance.

Just as he had taken two steps, a clear, deep female voice, carrying an undeniable authority, drifted from the courtyard entrance:

“Stop.”

Everyone looked towards the sound, only to see a woman dressed in a dark, flowing cloud-patterned dharma robe standing on the steps. Her ink-black hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with a single cold jade hairpin. Her face was beautiful, yet it was covered with a frosty coldness, her brows and eyes holding aloofness and gloom.

Her gaze swept over everyone, finally resting on Little Pomegranate’s drooping pale golden long ears, her eyes deepening slightly.

“You, you cannot leave yet.”

The mature woman with the cold demeanor slowly stepped forward, her gaze firmly fixed on the middle-aged cultivator, speaking each word distinctly.