Rong Yin had an inexplicable affection for the little girl in front of him. Looking at the innocent and kind face, he thought of the demonic qi suppressed in her body, and finally sighed in resignation, gently patting her on the head.
"No more next time."
"I knew Master loved me the most. I promise, next time Iâll obediently stay by Masterâs side and serve him well."
"Sweet words are useless. Come with me to explain the situation."
As they followed behind, Meng Tao felt a bit guilty, but the thought of her master backing her up gave her confidence.
It was just a fruit that she had snuck a bite of; surely these immortals wouldnât be so petty?
Arriving at the Caution Department, the place that manages the order of the Immortal Realm, Meng Tao curiously looked around, quietly tugging at Rong Yinâs sleeve.
This gesture softened Rong Yinâs heart a bit. Upon meeting Heavenly Pity Immortal Venerable, he spoke before the other could punish them.
"My disciple indeed did wrong by trespassing into the forbidden area. I have already punished her. Itâs not a big deal; no need to trouble you, Heavenly Pity Immortal Venerable."
Heavenly Pity Immortal Venerable kept a stern face, looking at Meng Tao who was hiding behind Rong Yin, and rebuked.
"Trespassing in a forbidden area is serious, and stealing the Devouring Spirit Fruit from there is even more serious! How dare you eat the Devouring Spirit Fruit!"
Meng Tao instinctively shrank back, and upon meeting Rong Yinâs gaze, instinctively denied it.
"Master, I didnât..."
"If my disciple says she didnât, then she surely didnât. Are you questioning my disciple, Heavenly Pity Immortal Venerable?"
Heavenly Pity Immortal Venerable didnât want to offend Rong Yin. After all, Rong Yin and the Immortal Emperor were brothers, born with the Immortal Bone, whereas he ascended through hard cultivation. Although they were both Immortal Venerables, their statuses were different.
But he was in charge of the Caution Department; if he didnât investigate clearly, he would be the one to bear the blame if the Immortal Emperor found fault.
Upon seeing Meng Tao still hiding and even smiling, Heavenly Pity Immortal Venerableâs anger flared up again.
"You didnât?! So where did the fruits that were hanging on the tree go? You ate six fruits that have taken nearly ten thousand years to mature!"
"Six? I just ate... I didnât! It wasnât me who stole them!"
Meng Tao suddenly felt extremely wronged; she had only eaten one, and this old thing accused her of eating four more!
What rubbish immortal, even had the nerve to falsely accuse a little girl!
Meng Taoâs slip of the tongue did not go unnoticed, as all immortals were well-versed in such matters.
Rong Yin frowned slightly.
Now he realized that the little girl indeed had stolen a Devouring Spirit Fruit.
"Itâs just a few fruits. She ate them, then so what? Why make a fuss? I will report the matter to the Immortal Emperor myself, you neednât interfere further."
This was an acknowledgment.
Even so, they blatantly showed favoritism, completely disregarding the laws of the Immortal Realm!
On the side, Jiang Lai silently watched the events unfold, and just then Meng Tao suddenly looked over.
"Senior Sister, why are you here? Did you report me to the Immortal Venerable?"
Since the beginning, Meng Tao never liked this late-appearing junior sister and had played some tricks on her, so seeing Jiang Lai here, she suddenly realized that Jiang Lai must have reported her, causing her to be scolded.
All were fellow disciples; how could Jiang Lai always target her?
Rong Yin also looked over.
"Were you the one guarding the forbidden area today?"
"Yes, Master."
"As a senior sister, your management was lacking; she is naive, and you did not properly guide her. You also bear responsibility. You both, copy the scripture a thousand times and submit it to me tomorrow."
Meng Tao, dispirited, made a face at Jiang Lai, but Jiang Lai wasnât angry and directly approached Rong Yin with a question.
"Master, do you mean that because of the lack of supervision, the junior sister made a mistake?"
Rong Yin looked down at her with a calm demeanor.
"Naturally, as a senior sister, you indeed have the responsibility to oversee the junior brothers and sisters."
Jiang Lai nodded thoughtfully.
"If thatâs the case, I accept my punishment, but... Meng Tao, come over here."
Meng Tao, looking nervous and scared, clutched a corner of Rong Yinâs sleeve and whispered.
"What do you want from me? Master..."
In front of so many people, Rong Yin couldnât overly indulge her, and just said softly.
"Itâs alright, sheâs your senior sister."
Meng Tao mumbled.
"Oh..."
Unwillingly, Meng Tao stepped forward to face Jiang Lai.
"Senior Sister, what do you have to instruct?"
Jiang Lai smiled, and then abruptly flung her sleeve, an invisible force knocked Meng Tao right over, and then Jiang Lai unsheathed her sword from her waist and sliced open Meng Taoâs clothing in front of her.
The Sword Qi was sharp and swift, and before the others could react, Meng Taoâs clothes had opened, revealing a thumb-sized fruit rolling out, emitting a faint golden light.
"Devouring Spirit Fruit!"
Screaming and clutching her opened clothing, Meng Tao instinctively looked at Rong Yin, tears filling her eyes.
Rong Yin frowned and with a wave of his sleeve, repaired Meng Taoâs clothing neatly, then he coldly looked at Jiang Lai, his voice carrying anger.
"Jiang Lai, what are you doing?"
"Master, you said I can oversee the junior sister too. She made a mistake, so I am responsible. With solid evidence, to prevent her from repeating the mistake, I must discipline her properly.
Meng Tao, why are you so greedy? Not only eating but also taking more and still not admitting it, causing everyone to be implicated by you. Senior Sister did this for your own good, so as not to stir public anger and preserve Masterâs dignity.
Master, do you agree with what I did?"
With all from the Caution Department present, it was indeed he who had spoken these words. Jiang Laiâs full justification left no room for refutation, and most importantly, Meng Tao had been caught red-handed, making it impossible to exonerate herself.
Heavenly Pity Immortal Venerable picked up the Devouring Spirit Fruit and looked at Rong Yin.
"I will truthfully report this to the Immortal Emperor. Immortal Venerable Rong Yin, you should better discipline your disciple in the future. As immortals, not managing our appetites is laughable."
Jiang Lai raised an eyebrow.
Rong Yin, his face stern, said coldly.
"Go back and copy the scriptures for punishment."
"Master... Taoâer admits her mistake. Senior Sister, please hit me again. I wonât fight back, just like before. You can continue hitting until Master calms down. Itâs my ignorance for not recognizing the Devouring Spirit Fruit. After tasting one, I thought it was delicious and wanted to bring one back for Master to try.
As long as Master isnât angry, Taoâer is willing to do anything, Senior Sister, go on and hit me."
With tears streaming down her face, Meng Tao sobbed uncontrollably. Seeing this, Rong Yin, who had been striding ahead, finally paused and turned to look at her.
"If you do this again, youâll be sent down to the mortal realm."
Meng Tao, half-crying and half-laughing, got up and caught up, about to grasp Rong Yinâs sleeve when Jiang Lai chimed in beside her.
"I didnât see you keep any for Master earlier. Only being caught did you say it was for him. Junior Sister, you need to change this habit of lying, or Master wonât trust your words next time."