I Ruined the Long Ao Tian Script

The Joyous Sect was said to be located in Verdant Mountain, yet its entrance was hidden underwater. After swimming a considerable distance through the lake under the guidance of several young maidens, the group finally glimpsed a faint light breaking the surface. Emerging from the water, they were greeted by a long staircase of white jade—apparently, the lake led directly to the main hall of the Joyous Sect, where the sect master herself guarded the gates.

"What a clever design," Xu Shulou remarked in admiration.

The leading maiden smiled at her coyly. "When one possesses treasure, it's only natural to guard against those who would take it by force."

Xu Shulou understood her meaning. The Joyous Sect's cultivation techniques could be used for dual cultivation—mutual spiritual exchange—or for unilateral absorption, where one party drained the other. The latter method accelerated progress many times over, and in the wrong hands, such techniques could bring ruin to countless innocent youths.

Indeed, many coveted these methods, and even disciples of the sect were not easily granted access without rigorous testing.

The world assumed beauty alone was the key to entering the Joyous Sect, but few knew that the true test lay in one's character.

Thus, when the sect master asked, "Might Miss Xu have any interest in joining our ranks?" Xu Shulou was somewhat flattered.

"You jest, Sect Master."

The sect master laughed, and Xu Shulou couldn't place her age—her laughter carried both bewitching allure and a touch of youthful innocence, making it impossible to look away.

Xu Shulou didn't avert her gaze. She had always appreciated beauty in all its forms.

"You're staring at me," the sect master observed. "Do you find me beautiful?"

"Your beauty is unparalleled in all my years," Xu Shulou replied.

The sect master giggled again. "If a foul man had said that, I'd have cut out his tongue."

Xu Shulou smiled wryly. "Then I should choose my words carefully and protect my only tongue."

Resting her chin on her hand, the sect master regarded her—even this simple gesture exuded charm. "Do you know why I invited you here?"

"The Sect Master wishes to collaborate with us to eradicate the demon causing havoc."

"I do so love perceptive people," the sect master nodded. "While the Joyous Sect has no fear of common folk, they do present... inconveniences."

Xu Shulou understood. The Joyous Sect occupied an awkward position in the cultivation world. The righteous sects scorned them, fearing their disciples might be seduced; demonic factions coveted them, desiring both their techniques and their people. Yet the sect master dared not recklessly disseminate their dual cultivation methods, leaving most disciples with only basic cultivation techniques and few capable fighters within the sect.

Recently, tensions had flared with the orthodox Black Tortoise Tower, whose leader vowed to eradicate the Joyous Sect as a blight upon the cultivation world.

Now, with this demonic incident occurring near their territory, the sect master urgently needed to collaborate with a reputable sect—both to bolster their reputation and to deter future threats.

"Please allow me some time to consider, Sect Master."

"Of course. Given our circumstances, caution is only natural." The sect master summoned an attendant. "Escort Miss Xu and her companions to the guest quarters."

"Mother!" Just as Xu Shulou stepped over the threshold, a young girl nearly collided with her.

The child appeared to be around twelve, exquisitely delicate, her features already hinting at a future of breathtaking beauty.

The girl steadied herself and studied Xu Shulou with bright eyes. "Who are you?"

Xu Shulou smiled. "A guest of your mother's."

"Ah-Fu, must you always be so reckless?" the sect master chided gently. "Apologize to Miss Xu."

Ah-Fu—Luo Fusheng, the girl who would one day topple kingdoms with her beauty, as seen in Xu Shulou's dreams.

Xu Shulou paused, glancing back at the child's retreating figure as she ran to her mother.

In the tales, the Joyous Sect appeared much later, certainly not during this demon-hunting chapter. Perhaps, in that version, they had observed from the shadows but found neither the Lingxiao Sect nor Dustless Island suitable. Or perhaps they had approached the Lingxiao Sect, only to be rejected.

Regardless, in Xu Shulou's dreams, the Joyous Sect was merely a backdrop for Luo Fusheng—a single line mentioning that after the sect's massacre, its sole surviving heir, Luo Fusheng, fled and was rescued by Lu Beichen, the Lingxiao Sect's head disciple and rising star of the righteous path.

Luo Fusheng handed over the sect's treasured artifacts and techniques in exchange for Lu Beichen's aid in avenging her kin. Yet, under his persuasion, she eventually prioritized "the greater good," reconciling with her enemies from Black Tortoise Tower. Later, she and the Black Tortoise Tower master's daughter were even taken as his concubines on the same day.

In Xu Shulou's dream, this character was but a fleeting presence—conveniently supplying Lu Beichen with much-needed treasures, enhancing his prestige with her peerless beauty, and showcasing his magnanimity by embracing a "demoness" of the Joyous Sect.

No one cared about her vengeance, her hatred, her thoughts, or whether she resented her fate.

Shaking off these musings, Xu Shulou followed the lantern-bearing maiden away from the main hall, where the rest of Dustless Island's party awaited. Bai Roushuang hurried over. "Senior Sister, what did the sect master say?"

Xu Shulou summarized, "She proposes an alliance to slay the demon."

Song Ping met her gaze and gave a measured response. "Unnecessary."

Indeed, for Dustless Island, cooperation held little value.

The one in need was the Joyous Sect's master.

Their guide pretended not to hear, quietly leading the way.

In the distance, several plain-faced women passed by, carrying laundry tubs and chatting amiably—a sudden contrast to the ethereal beauties they'd seen thus far, as if they'd stepped from a celestial realm back into the mortal world.

Xu Shulou murmured, "So there are mortals in the Joyous Sect too."

The lantern-bearing maiden sighed softly. "They are unfortunate souls. The sect master is kindhearted and took them in."

After a pause, she added, "Truthfully, the same goes for the rest of us. Even now, if any of us found a better path, the sect master wouldn't stand in our way."

Perhaps having overheard Song Ping's "unnecessary," she sought to persuade them.

Bai Roushuang seemed about to reply when the maiden announced, "We've arrived."

At the guest quarters, women presented them with fresh garments.

Bai ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍Roushuang ran her fingers over the fabric—strange material that shimmered with moonlight and glowed with iridescent hues.

"Is this the famed rainbow-feather raiment of the Joyous Sect?" Xu Shulou examined her own. "Radiant in all seasons, impervious to cold, and imbued with defensive properties. The sect master is most generous."

The maidens bowed and withdrew, leaving them to their privacy.

Bai Roushuang clung to the robe, utterly enchanted.

Ji Ci nudged Xu Shulou. "Should we tell Junior Sister the fabric is woven from the shed skins of rainbow centipedes?"

Watching Bai Roushuang nuzzle the garment against her cheek while cooing about its softness, Xu Shulou shook her head. "Best we keep quiet."

The group didn’t rush back to their rooms to rest, instead gathering in Xu Shulou’s chamber. "Senior Sister, what’s your plan?" they asked.

Xu Shulou countered with a question of her own: "Have any of you heard of any grudges between Black Tortoise Tower and the Harmony Sect?"

Song Ping nodded. "The son of Black Tortoise Tower’s master once encountered a disciple of the Harmony Sect being bullied by a rogue cultivator. He stepped in to help but ended up with shattered meridians, rendered crippled. His father blamed the ‘seductress’ for luring his son into danger and has held a grudge against the Harmony Sect ever since. The son was a decent man, but his father… well, let’s just say he lacks clarity."

"What a senseless tragedy," Xu Shulou sighed.

"That’s one way to see it," Jiang Yan smirked. "But I’ve heard rumors that the son was from the Tower Master’s first wife, and he’d neglected the boy all his life. This grudge might just be an excuse—a pretense to attack the Harmony Sect and seize their resources."

Song Ping, ever the upright gentleman, refrained from idle speculation and asked instead, "Senior Sister, what do you intend to do?"

"Feuds are better resolved than prolonged. Once matters here are settled, I’ll have to pay a visit to Black Tortoise Tower."

"If we join forces with the Harmony Sect to eliminate the demonic cultivators, Black Tortoise Tower will likely hold a grudge against you as well."

Xu Shulou blinked. "If they come seeking revenge, they’ll have to wait in line. They wouldn’t be the first sect to despise me."

"Senior Sister has such a gentle temper—it must be those sects’ fault," Bai Roushuang declared with absolute certainty. Xu Shulou shot her a guilty glance, thinking that if her junior sister were a magistrate in the mortal world, her biased judgments would surely produce countless wrongful convictions.