During this time, Shen Ke’er and Ye Kai were also having a hard time.
And the reason?
No spirit stones!
With just Shen Ke’er’s meager allowance, there was no way she could support both herself and Ye Kai while still enjoying life down the mountain.
Ever since she had grown closer to Ye Kai and Lin Mo had stopped managing her affairs, she had completely abandoned cultivation.
Every few days, she would go out and indulge with Ye Kai, spending freely.
The only reason she had managed to keep it up for so long was thanks to Lin Mo, who used to give her spending money from time to time, as well as the profits from selling the Ice Spirit Fruit.
Today, she had come back up the mountain for two reasons.
First, she wanted to ask Lin Mo when the inner disciples’ allowance would be distributed.
Second, she wanted to reconnect with Lin Mo and, just like before, ask him for some spirit stones.
But now that Lin Mo was in seclusion, she was met with a closed door.
And on top of that, she had to endure the attitude of other Peak Flowers.
Shen Ke’er couldn’t feel more miserable.
Qingzhu Peak was falling into chaos—food was scarce, people were struggling—
Yet her senior brother chose this exact time to shut himself away in seclusion.
How heartless!
Ever since their spirit stones ran out, Shen Ke’er and Ye Kai had been eating in the Qingzhu Peak cafeteria.
For Shen Ke’er, who had been pampered by Lin Mo since childhood, these days of bland, coarse meals were no better than pig slop.
Even Ye Kai was silently cursing in his heart.
Back when his family was still wealthy, he had lived in luxury.
How could he tolerate this kind of humiliation?
But no matter how much he despised it, he couldn’t let it show.
He had to maintain his gentle and considerate image—his “nice guy” persona was essential.
Shen Ke’er also knew that Ye Kai had been eating poorly.
Seeing her ideal man suffering alongside her made her feel even more frustrated.
But today’s meal?
Just steamed buns and pickled vegetables.
That was the last straw.
Her tone snapped as she confronted the kitchen manager, Jia Ling:
“You expect us to eat this?!”
Unlike before, Jia Ling’s attitude was no longer respectful.
She replied bluntly, “The spiritual rice in the storage was used up long ago. Everything we’re eating now is bought out-of-pocket by us kitchen disciples. Even Master Yuehua is eating the same thing. So why can’t you?”
Shen Ke’er refused to believe it.
“Qingzhu Peak has been around for so many years. Are you telling me there’s not even a reserve of spiritual rice?”
“Even if the fields were burned, how could we be out of food in just half a month?”
“And I clearly remember—meals used to include spirit beast meat!”
At that moment, Shen Ke’er’s eyes narrowed, and she came to a sudden realization.
“I knew it! You’ve been pocketing spirit stones all these years—stealing from the storage and selling the rice!”
Hearing this, Jia Ling’s temper flared.
“You think I stole the spirit rice? Then why don’t you go ask Senior Brother Lin and see for yourself?”
“For years, all of our kitchen’s expenses and food usage have been meticulously recorded by Senior Brother Lin. If even a single spirit stone was unaccounted for, he would investigate it immediately!”
“Tell me, when have you ever checked the kitchen records? When have you ever helped with food shipments? Have you contributed even once?”
“You know nothing! You’ve spent your days carefree under Senior Brother Lin’s protection, only concerned with cultivation and leisure. And now you come here to accuse me?”
“Senior Brother Lin has always been fair and just. He never plays favorites. But now, coming from your mouth, he’s suddenly unjust? You twist the truth and falsely accuse people?”
A string of harsh words left Shen Ke’er’s face burning red, but her tone remained sharp.
“Then explain why there’s no spiritual rice left! And where did the spirit beast meat come from before?”
Jia Ling sneered.
“Do you really want to know? Fine. The spiritual rice produced in our fields barely covered the needs of Qingzhu Peak’s disciples.
And the spirit beast meat?
Senior Brother Lin personally went to the Great Continent mountains to hunt it for us—because he was afraid we wouldn’t have enough to eat!”
“Your share—just like Master Yuehua’s—was always the best quality.”
“Now that the spiritual fields have been destroyed, the entire peak is starving. But instead of asking why, shouldn’t you be asking who’s responsible?”
The implication was clear.
Shen Ke’er gritted her teeth.
She knew Jia Ling was pointing fingers at Ye Kai—the one who had protected Yuan Li, ultimately leading to the destruction of the spiritual fields.
Her anger flared. “Fine! If spirit beast meat and spiritual herbs are so important, I’ll go to the Great Continent Mountains and bring some back myself!”
She had been by Lin Mo’s side for years and knew that he often went to hunt and gather in the Great Continent Mountains.
Back when Lin Mo was only in early Foundation Establishment, he was already able to collect spiritual herbs and beast meat from there.
Now, she was close to mid Foundation Establishment—how hard could it be for her?
She’d come back fully loaded, proving her own strength—and giving Ye Kai a boost in status.
She thought bitterly, How could I let Ye Kai be humiliated like this?
Hearing that Shen Ke’er planned to go hunting in the Great Continent Mountains, Jia Ling sighed and tried to warn her.
“That place is full of danger. Without Senior Brother Lin leading the group, you shouldn’t go…”
Although she didn’t like Shen Ke’er, she couldn’t just stand by and watch her walk into danger.
But Shen Ke’er, raised under Lin Mo’s care, had never truly suffered before.
Having been pampered her whole life, she had developed arrogance.
She looked at Jia Ling with disdain.
“Coward. No wonder you’ll be stuck in the kitchen your whole life. Don’t try to impose your small-minded fears on me.”
At this, Jia Ling could only laugh in frustration.
Shen Ke’er was truly incapable of recognizing good intentions.
“Alright then, our genius Senior Sister of Qingzhu Peak. As a mere cook, I’ll be waiting for you to return fully loaded with spirit beast meat and herbs—so that the disciples of Qingzhu Peak can finally have a hot meal again.”
Some people just won’t listen to reason.
If Shen Ke’er actually came back successfully, then great—it would benefit everyone.
If she failed, well… that wouldn’t be Jia Ling’s problem.
However, to avoid being dragged into the mess, Jia Ling still chose to inform Lin Mo after Shen Ke’er left the sect.
Inside his room, Lin Mo—who had long since completed his Core Formation and was simply lazing around, watching the drama unfold—listened to Gu Zi’s report with an indifferent expression.
“Go tell Jia Ling that telling me won’t change anything. If she’s concerned, she should report it to Master Yuehua instead.”
According to the original host’s memories, he had already warned Shen Ke’er countless times about the dangers of the Great Continent Mountains.
He had even specifically emphasized:
“Never go into the Great Continent Mountains alone.”
He had spelled it out for her so clearly—yet Shen Ke’er had ignored him.
So if anything happened to her, it had nothing to do with him.
