My Disciple Is Not a Black Lotus

The greatest absurdity in the Thirteen Provinces in recent years was the betrothal ceremony between Wang Ling, sect master of Kunwu, and her master, Sword Venerable Jiming.

That day, guests from half the immortal realm gathered to celebrate the grand occasion, only to watch in disbelief as

Wang Ling, a genius sword cultivator who was one step away from ascending and had no equal across the Thirteen Provinces, was snatched away right in the middle of the ceremony.

The good news: The madman was Xie Lang, her one and only disciple, whom she had raised herself. At least she knew him well.

The bad news: Xie Lang had fallen to the demonic path not long ago and was now the new Demon Lord.

The former leader of the righteous path had fallen into the Demon Lord’s hands. By anyone’s reckoning, her prospects looked grim.

But deep inside the demon palace, Xie Lang pinned Wang Ling down. Demonic runes surged in his eyes, yet his movements were impossibly gentle.

“Master,” he said, a mild smile on his lips, his voice bone-chillingly cold. “You once taught your disciple that master and disciple must follow different paths and never cross the line. So why are you allowed to enter a cultivation bond with your own master?”

“If he can, why can’t I?”

Wang Ling, once the foremost sword cultivator across the Thirteen Provinces, looked at the young man before her, whom she had found in the ruins of the war between immortals and demons and raised with her own hands. She lifted a hand and gently touched his forehead.

-

Xie Lang had grown up in Duanchen Abyss, where the strong preyed on the weak. He bore demonic runes on his face but had no magic, and suffered endless abuse and bullying.

During the war between immortals and demons, the Demon Lord ran him through the heart with a sword, damaging his lungs and meridians.

Wang Ling saved him, removed the demonic runes, brought him back to Kunwu Immortal Mountain, and welcomed him into the righteous immortal sect.

Wang Ling told him that she chose disciples not for their talent, but for the strength of their Dao heart.

Everyone said Wang Ling cared for nothing but the Great Dao and would never take a cultivation partner in her life. Xie Lang had once secretly thought that, for him, this was only fair.

From then on, Xie Lang played the obedient disciple. He deliberately suppressed his cultivation and often pretended to be injured, all so he could win a little more of her attention and tenderness.

Until Wang Ling agreed to enter a cultivation bond with Sword Venerable Jiming.

Xie Lang thought: If I can hold the moon in my arms, why can’t it be me?

So, deep inside the demon palace, he forcibly bound Wang Ling to himself with a heart-linking pact. From then on, the moon’s clear light would shine on him alone.

But their good fortune did not last. A few months later, Sword Venerable Jiming led the immortals into the demon realm and set up a demon-slaying array, forcing Xie Lang to release her.

On the battlefield between the two armies, Wang Ling stood silently until Xie Lang stepped forward and turned her own life-bound sword against her.

Without hesitation, he drove its tip into his heart. Blood gushed out at once.

Xie Lang looked at her, a miserable smile blooming on his lips.

“Master, I can let you go.”

“Only if... you’re willing to personally deal with this disgrace in your sect.”

1. My own take on cultivation, with a mountain of original worldbuilding. Ranks: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Soul Division, Integration, Great Ascension, Tribulation Transcendence.

2. Female master and male disciple. The female lead is the strongest in the book and truly cares for all living beings.

3. 1v1, happy ending, single-couple romance.

Theme: Have the courage to admit your mistakes and accept the consequences