Chapter 498: Innocent Victims

While Moonflower Fairy was checking Huang Daxian for abnormal qi, she suddenly sensed a faint fragrance, which carried a hint of sweetness.

Her heart jolted, and she immediately realized this was the scent of bewitching incense.

Once inhaled, bewitching incense muddles the mind, ignites the inner fire, and is especially vicious toward women.

Moonflower Fairy's heart tightened; she realized Huang Daxian's condition was far worse than she had anticipated.

She quickly took out a silver needle from her medicine box, preparing to administer acupuncture to stabilize Huang Daxian's condition.

However, as she focused on the acupuncture, she suddenly felt her breathing grow rapid, a surge of heat rising from within, and her body began to flush.

"No!" Moonflower Fairy cried out, instantly realizing she too had inhaled the bewitching incense's poison, and the toxin had already begun to take effect.

She endured the discomfort and continued needling Huang Daxian, but the poison's power grew stronger, her consciousness began to blur, and her hands started to tremble.

White Rainbow Fairy stood outside the cultivation chamber, anxiously waiting, when she suddenly heard Moonflower Fairy's cry, her heart jolted, and she rushed inside.

She saw Moonflower Fairy and Huang Daxian both collapsed on the ground, Moonflower Fairy's face flushed, her breathing ragged—clearly she too had fallen victim to the bewitching incense.

"Elder sister!" White Rainbow Fairy exclaimed, throwing herself to Moonflower Fairy's side as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

Moonflower Fairy summoned her last ounce of strength, pointed at White Rainbow Fairy, and with a trembling, furious voice said, "White Rainbow, you… you actually did this!"

Do you know you've harmed…?

White Rainbow Fairy sobbed uncontrollably, aware that her foolish act had harmed not only Huang Daxian but also Moonflower Fairy, her heart filled with regret.

"Elder sister, I was wrong, I truly was wrong.

I only wanted to be with Huang Daxian; I never imagined it would turn out like this."

A flash of disappointment and anger crossed Moonflower Fairy's eyes, her voice tinged with the frustration of wishing she could shape him: "White Rainbow, you have let me down.

You are playing with fire.

You are burning yourself!

Do you realize that your selfishness and stupidity could ruin your entire life!

White Rainbow Fairy's tears fell like broken pearls; she knew she could not undo any of this, kneeling beside Moonflower Fairy, she repeatedly whispered, "I'm sorry."

Moonflower Fairy drew a deep breath, knowing this was not the time to blame White Rainbow; she must find an antidote quickly, otherwise both she and Huang Daxian could lose their lives.

She summoned her last strength, took an elixir from her storage ring, stuffed it into her mouth, and then, with difficulty, told White Rainbow Fairy, "Hurry, go to the Alchemy Hall and find an antidote…

White Rainbow Fairy nodded desperately, knowing she could not disappoint Moonflower Fairy again; she had to act at once to save the lives of Huang Daxian and Moonflower Fairy.

Under the night sky, White Rainbow Fairy's silhouette shot like a bolt of lightning toward the Alchemy Hall, her mind fixed on a single thought: rescue her elder sister and Huang Daxian, and atone for her mistake.

However, not long after she left, Moonflower Fairy was suddenly seized by a large hand, and then something indescribable happened inside the cultivation chamber.

Hysterical screams echoed in the room, everywhere the sound of struggle, which then faded, replaced by various muffled groans.

When Heifeng sensed the disturbance, leading his subordinates to the cultivation chamber's door, a sweep of his divine sense revealed a shocking scene.

"What…?" Heifeng's voice trembled slightly.

"White Rainbow Fairy, how dare she?" another disciple whispered, eyes filled with disbelief.

Heifeng's face darkened, his eyes blazing like torches, fixed tightly on White Rainbow Fairy; he drew a deep breath, striving to suppress his inner shock and anger.

They encountered White Rainbow Fairy on the way to the Alchemy Hall; seeing her anxiety, they followed her, never expecting things to turn out like this.

"White Rainbow, do you know what you have done?" Heifeng's voice low, each word striking her heart like a heavy hammer.

White Rainbow Fairy's body trembled slightly, aware that her actions had violated the sect's rules, not only plunging herself into predicament but also bringing immeasurable disaster upon Huang Daxian and Moonflower Fairy.

"I… I know I was wrong." White Rainbow Fairy's voice barely audible, her head bowed low, she dared not meet Elder Heifeng's gaze.

The cultivators also began to whisper among themselves, shocked and speechless at White Rainbow Fairy's conduct.

"Truly shocking!

White Rainbow Fairy actually committed such a vile act—how could this still be the behavior of a cultivator?

"I always thought White Rainbow was a promising disciple, never expecting her to be so foolish.

Such behavior not only violates the cultivators' moral code, but is also a grave disrespect toward Huang Daxian," said an elder disappointedly.

"How could she do this?

Huang Daxian is the pride of the holy land; by doing this she harms not only him but also us.

We love her so much!" an cultivator said angrily.

"What's wrong with Junior Sister White Rainbow?

She's never been like this normally; this matter is utterly disappointing.

"She gave Huang Daxian the bewitching incense—good heavens!" said a female cultivator who was a friend of an elder.

"Truly speechless!

How could White Rainbow Fairy do such a thing?

This simply shatters one's worldview—what on earth was she thinking?

"Goddess ah, the goddess is no longer pure!

"Wuu… wuu… wuu…" several gate-guarding cultivators, speechless, were shocked to the point of nearly fainting.

"Such behavior is absolutely intolerable.

The Taiyin Shengdi's sect rules absolutely forbid such behavior; it must be severely punished without leniency as a warning.

Otherwise, Taiyin Shengdi would become a laughingstock of the Universe Cultivation World," said a stern Law Enforcement Elder.

"Senior Sister White Rainbow has always been my role model, but this incident leaves me feeling confused.

How should I face her in the future?" said an anxious young disciple.

"Report this immediately to Elder Xuan Zhen; we need to handle this seriously," said a cultivator behind Heifeng.

His voice revealed an unquestionable resolve.

The cultivators immediately sprang into action, aware of the gravity of the matter and that the reputation and order of Taiyin Shengdi depend on their collective upholding.

White Rainbow Fairy was led away from the scene, her face written with remorse and self-reproach.

She realized that her actions not only harmed Huang Daxian and Fairy Yuehua, but also plunged her into an unprecedented predicament.

In the conference hall of Taiyin Shengdi, Elder Xuan Zhen and the other elders listened to Elder Heifeng's report.

Their faces bore solemn expressions, and the gravity of the matter exceeded their expectations.

"Such behavior must be severely punished to serve as a warning." Elder Xuan Zhen's voice echoed in the hall, his eyes revealing firmness and resolve.

The elders all expressed their agreement.

They knew that only strict discipline and fair judgment could maintain the harmony and order of Taiyin Shengdi.

Fairy Baihong's actions became a warning for Taiyin Shengdi, reminding all cultivators that regardless of their cultivation level, they must abide by moral codes and sect rules.

In the conference hall of Taiyin Shengdi, Elder Xuan Zhen and the other elders, after careful deliberation, decided to render a fair judgment on Fairy Baihong's actions.

This matter not only concerns Fairy Baihong's personal fate, but also the reputation of the entire holy land and the disciples' moral outlook.

"Fairy Baihong's actions seriously violated the holy land's precepts; she must receive the punishment she deserves." Elder Xuan Zhen said in a deep voice, his eyes showing a hint of regret.

After discussion, the elders decided to punish Fairy Baihong with confinement and required her to engage in deep reflection and cultivation, hoping she would truly recognize her mistakes and strictly observe the holy land's precepts in her future conduct.

"Baihong, do you have any objections?" Elder Xuan Zhen asked the Fairy Baihong kneeling in the center of the hall.

Fairy Baihong lowered her head, her voice weak and trembling: "No, no objections."

The disciple knows she was wrong and is willing to accept any punishment.

Her heart filled with remorse, knowing her actions not only harmed Huang Daxian and Fairy Yuehua but also damaged her reputation among her fellow disciples.

During the confinement, she should thoroughly reflect on her actions and diligently cultivate to make up for her mistakes.

During the days of confinement, Fairy Baihong spent a long and solitary time in a simple stone chamber.

Each day she reflected on her actions while also painstakingly cultivating, hoping that through her efforts she could regain the respect and trust of her fellow disciples.

Meanwhile, Huang Daxian and Fairy Yuehua, after being carefully tended to, gradually recovered their health.

After experiencing this incident, they felt shock and disappointment toward Fairy Baihong's actions, but also understood that resentment and anger could not solve the problem.

Fairy Yuehua once doted on this cousin dearly, but Fairy Baihong's actions made her feel heartbroken.

However, she also knew that everyone makes mistakes; the key lies in recognizing and correcting them.

She hopes Fairy Baihong will truly learn from this incident and become a better cultivator in the future.

As time passed, Fairy Baihong's performance during confinement earned the elders' recognition.

She not only deeply reflected on her mistakes but also made significant progress in her cultivation.

The elders decided to give her a chance to return to the fold, but she must promise to strictly observe the holy land's precepts henceforth and not commit similar mistakes.

Fairy Baihong was moved to tears and swore she would never disappoint those who trusted her again.

She returned to the fold; although she knows her past cannot be erased, she is determined to prove her change through her actions.

As time flowed on, Taiyin Shengdi gradually recovered from the shadow of the Fairy Baihong incident.

The disciples resumed their daily cultivation and studies, while Baihong Xianzi, with a more humble and diligent attitude, earned the renewed acceptance of her fellow sect members.

After the confinement ended, Baihong Xianzi did not immediately restore her former status and freedom; the Council of Elders decided to have her start from the most basic chores to temper her will and patience.

Baihong Xianzi had no complaints, understanding that this was the start of her atonement.

Every morning, she would labor in the medicinal garden of Taiyin Shengdi, personally planting and tending various spiritual herbs.

Her hands became rough from prolonged labor, but her gaze grew more resolute.

Each spiritual herb's healthy growth was a small step by which she proved her change to Taiyin Shengdi and her fellow sect members.

Yuehua Xianzi also underwent deep reflection during this period.

She realized that, as an elder, her indulgence and permissiveness toward Baihong Xianzi might have, to some extent, fostered the latter's willfulness.

In the days ahead, she would teach Baihong Xianzi more strictly, helping her become a cultivator with a sense of responsibility and self-control.

As Baihong Xianzi's efforts gradually bore fruit, the disciples of Taiyin Shengdi began to reaccept her.

Some disciples who had previously held reservations about her also began to proactively communicate with her, sharing cultivation insights.

In a chance occurrence, Baihong Xianzi discovered a rare spiritual herb in the medicinal garden—the 'Iceheart Flower'.

This spiritual herb greatly aids in cultivating one's state of mind, yet it is extremely rare.

She hesitated not at all, reporting the discovery to the Council of Elders, which was delighted and considered it a sign of Baihong Xianzi's sincere reform.

Elder Xuanzhen personally came to the medicinal garden, expressed his praise to Baihong Xianzi, and announced that she could finish her chores early and return to normal cultivation life.

Baihong Xianzi tears of gratitude flowed, knowing she still had a long road ahead, but she was ready to earn her fellow sect members' respect and trust through her own effort and sweat.

With Baihong Xianzi's return, the disciples of Taiyin Shengdi began to place greater emphasis on inner cultivation and self-reflection.

Baihong Xianzi's change became a topic of their discussion and also a model for their self-improvement.

Besides her cultivation, Baihong Xianzi voluntarily took on the responsibility of teaching newly initiated disciples.

Using her own experience as an example, she warned them to be strict with themselves, observe the sect's rules, and not take the wrong path due to momentary impulse and desire.

"I once lost my way, but fortunately I was given a chance to correct myself." Baihong Xianzi said to the new disciples in a lecture, "I hope you can walk the right path from the start, not like me, only learning to cherish after suffering and setbacks."

The new disciples were moved by Baihong Xianzi's sincerity, and they all expressed their wish to take her as a role model.

After witnessing Baihong Xianzi's change, Yuehua Xianzi's view of her also shifted, and she discovered that Baihong Xianzi possessed extraordinary talent in the art of pill refinement.

"Your pill-refinement technique is truly impressive." Yuehua Xianzi exclaimed.

Under her recommendation, Baihong Xianzi went to Pill Refinement Peak for advanced study; at Pill Refinement Peak, she thrived like a fish in water, and her skills steadily improved.

The art of pill refinement not only gained recognition from her fellow sect members, but also earned an outstanding result in a sect-wide pill-refinement competition.

Seeing Baihong Xianzi's growth and progress, Yuehua Xianzi felt immense gratification; Baihong Xianzi had truly grasped the essence of cultivation and found her own path.

"Baihong, you have truly grown up." Yuehua Xianzi said to Baihong Xianzi in a private conversation.

Baihong Xianzi's eyes rimmed slightly red, she tightly grasped Yuehua Xianzi's hand: "Older sister, thank you for your continual tolerance and support.

Without you, there would be no me today.

As time passed, Baihong Xianzi's achievements in pill refinement grew ever higher, becoming the pride of Taiyin Shengdi.

Visitors not only admire White Rainbow Fairy's pill-refining skill, but also hope to catch a glimpse of the Holy Land's splendor.

In the Holy Land's Pill Refining Pavilion, White Rainbow Fairy was busy guiding disciples in refining spiritual elixirs; her technique was practiced, and every movement revealed her deep foundation.

"Refining pills is like refining the heart; only when the mind is calm as water can one forge a true spiritual elixir." White Rainbow Fairy told the disciples, her words full of wisdom.

"Reporting to White Rainbow Fairy, the elixir sent today to Huang Daxian has been returned again!"

Just then, a cultivator entered, his face flushed with embarrassment; his words made White Rainbow Fairy feel her face grow hot.

It seems Huang Daxian still cannot let go of the grudge from last time, White Rainbow Fairy sighed softly.