The steel sword, responsible for countless deaths, now lay in two pieces on the floor. And Yuan Ying was still alive. The sturdy steel blade had inexplicably snapped in half the moment it touched her body. The unbelievable shock left Yingying stunned.
“The general is dead. What are your plans now?”
The sudden voice made Yuan Ying turn her head sharply. She saw a young nobleman, calm and composed with an exceptional air, standing by the window, his hands clasped. A subtle scholarly aura made him seem even more otherworldly and refined. In a daze, Yuan Ying thought he was an immortal who had descended to the mortal realm and murmured, “Is this… an immortal visiting the mortal world?”
As soon as Yuan Ying spoke, she realized something was wrong. Her expression froze. How could I ask such a foolish question?
The man in green seemed surprised. “I am no celestial being or god, just a cultivator who has recently reached the Fusion Stage, with only meager abilities.”
Although Yuan Ying didn’t know what the Fusion Stage was, legends of the cultivation world had long existed in the mortal realm. It was said that everyone there could fly through the sky, burrow into the earth, and do anything.
However, Yuan Ying didn’t fully believe that the handsome, elegant man in green before her was a cultivator. She wanted to test him further, but in the blink of an eye, the scene before her had changed. She found herself inside a room, unsure when she had arrived.
Having practiced martial arts since childhood to seek revenge, Yuan Ying, though not comparable to the deceased general, was confident that no one in the mortal realm could have taken her away so silently and unknowingly while she was conscious. Thinking of a possibility, Yuan Ying’s expression faltered. “Could it be… you were the one who broke that demonic general’s sword?”
The man in green nodded slightly. “Yes. I also had reasons why he had to be killed. I also set up the sound-insulating formation in this room. Do you believe me now?”
“Wuxi, do you know her?”
A pleasant voice came from beside her. Yuan Ying turned her head and saw a man who looked like a god descended to the mortal realm. He had a slender figure and an exquisitely beautiful face. In that instant, Yuan Ying believed Lin Wuxi’s words. Such beauty definitely did not belong to the mortal world.
Seeing Yuan Ying believe so instantly, Lin Wuxi felt a bit frustrated and scratched her hair. I talked so much and still couldn’t convince her, but the moment Yu Huang appeared, Yuan Ying almost knelt and called her an immortal! Indeed, this comparison is just infuriating.
Watching Yu Huang’s lips curve into a pleased smile, Lin Wuxi replied sullenly, “We met once before. Her sword dance left a deep impression on me.”
Hearing this, Yuan Ying immediately looked up and carefully studied Lin Wuxi’s face. She said hesitantly, “If Yuan Ying had met a man with such an extraordinary aura as you, Immortal, she would surely remember. But Yuan Ying truly has no memory of you, Immortal.”
Lin Wuxi smiled. “I am not a man. Besides, when I met you, you were just a little girl with your hair in buns. It’s perfectly normal that you don’t recognize me.”
Not a man! Yuan Ying was too stunned by this revelation to speak. Although she had felt their beauty was unusual, Yuan Ying had never imagined this person was actually a woman.
Does that mean… this young ‘man’ is also a woman? Yuan Ying looked at Yu Huang and saw her nod slightly. She was truly too shocked for words.
“Well, our mission here is complete. It’s time we changed back into women’s clothes,” Lin Wuxi said, pulling Yu Huang. In an instant, they reverted to their female attire.
Now in women’s attire, the two were even more stunningly beautiful. The captivating radiance in their every gesture almost made Yuan Ying unsteady on her feet.
“So, tell us your plans for the future.”
“Plans? For more than ten years, my only goal in life was revenge. Now that my revenge is complete, I never thought I would still be alive.” Yuan Ying, recovering from her shock, said somewhat dejectedly, “In the future… perhaps I’ll die while being hunted by the imperial court.”
“Then, are you willing to join the Wanhen Sect?”
“What?” Yuan Ying looked up in surprise. “I… I can also cultivate?”
Then, her gaze focused, resolute. “Yuan Ying no longer has any attachments in the mortal world. Now that my revenge is complete, to receive the guidance of you Immortals, Yuan Ying is naturally willing!”
“In that case, come with us.”
After a period of recuperation, the two had recovered some of their spiritual energy. Flying back to the Wanhen Sect on their swords was no problem. Bringing Yuan Ying along, after a few days’ travel, the three of them arrived at the Wanhen Sect’s territory.
Disciples patrolled outside the Wanhen Sect. As soon as they entered the sect’s range, a disciple immediately approached, looking excitedly at Yu Huang. “It’s Yu Huang! Senior Sister Yu Huang is back! Quick, go inform the Sect Master!” He then wept with joy.
Is it that exaggerated? Lin Wuxi rolled her eyes inwardly. Seeing more and more disciples rushing over upon hearing the news, crowding around Yu Huang as they headed towards Sky Peak, she had to comfort the stunned Yuan Ying, “Don’t worry, they’re just here to welcome Senior Sister Yu Huang.”
The three finally reached Sky Peak before all the Wanhen Sect disciples could arrive. The Sect Master and the disciples who had gone to the island with them earlier were all there. Upon seeing Yu Huang, the group of disciples who had been rescued were all moved, weeping uncontrollably. “Senior Sister!” Dozens of them surrounded her, their eyes red from crying. She reckoned if Senior Sister Yu Huang’s long-standing authority weren’t still so imposing, this crowd would have immediately rushed forward to hug her.
Watching them cry, Lin Wuxi almost cried too. Didn’t I risk my life too? Wasn’t I also swept away by the sea? Why isn’t anyone noticing me? They’re all crying towards Yu Huang. Is my presence really that insignificant?
Fortunately, the Sect Master helped Lin Wuxi out of the awkward situation. “Yu Huang and Lin Wuxi have just returned. Everyone, please don’t disturb them for now. Let them rest well.”
While the Sect Master shielded them, Lin Wuxi quickly reported Yuan Ying’s matter to him. The Sect Master said in a deep voice, “Alright. It was fate that she met you. However, the Wanhen Sect’s rules cannot be broken. Those who don’t meet the requirements cannot enter the inner sect. Let her join the outer sect first and cultivate with the other outer sect disciples. If she can pass the test, only then can she formally become an inner disciple.”
“Thank you, Sect Master,” Lin Wuxi and Yuan Ying said in unison.
Yuan Ying was taken to the outer sect. Lin Wuxi and Yu Huang, under the Sect Master’s arrangements, were finally able to return to their cave residences to rest. On the way, Yu Huang, who had been silent, suddenly asked, “Why did you bring Yuan Ying into the Wanhen Sect?”
Lin Wuxi paused, then lowered her gaze. “She’s the only person I knew in the mortal world. Besides, she avenged a wrong for me that I could never avenge myself. Doing something for her is a way to make up for my past regrets.”
“The past is past. If you still can’t let go, you can come and talk to me.” These were the kindest words Yu Huang, who wasn’t good at comforting others, could manage after much thought, or so she believed.
Lin Wuxi smiled, looking at Yu Huang. “You said it yourself. When the time comes and I’m crying on your shoulder, you’re not allowed to find me annoying.”
“Mm.”
Recovering in the Wanhen Sect, with its abundant spiritual energy, didn’t take long. Coupled with the Wanhen Sect piling countless expensive spiritual pills and medicines before them as if they were free, in just a few days, the two had recovered seventy to eighty percent of their strength. And the matters that hadn’t been resolved these past few days, it was time to address them.
Early in the morning, the Sect Master notified Lin Wuxi and Yu Huang to go to Tianci Hall. Tian Hall was the main hall of the Wanhen Sect, only opened for matters concerning the entire sect. Tianci Hall, on the other hand, primarily handled more serious internal sect affairs; it wouldn’t be opened for trivial matters. This time, needing to go to Tianci Hall, it probably wouldn’t be simple.
In the hall, the Sect Master and all the elders were already seated, their expressions solemn as they looked at the two of them. The vast hall created an even heavier atmosphere. Standing in the center of the hall, they felt as small and insignificant as ants.
“Yu Huang, Lin Wuxi, you said you wished to plead for your punishment. Today, all the elders and I are present. If you have anything to say, speak quickly.” The Sect Master’s expression was grave, and his voice carried an oppressive tone.
“Yes.” After organizing their thoughts, the two slowly recounted the events of the past few days. “Disciples Yu Huang and Lin Wuxi were ambushed by villains several days ago. We were unfortunately injured and ended up stranded in the mortal realm. We originally intended to go to the imperial city to absorb worldly spiritual energy for healing, but unexpectedly encountered bandits on our way. As cultivators, we couldn’t ignore such a matter, so we disguised ourselves as mortals and followed the bandits to their stronghold.”
“Although the bandits committed all sorts of crimes and did many evil deeds, at the time we only thought of teaching them a good lesson so they wouldn’t dare to do evil again. However, after reaching the stronghold, we discovered there was more to it than met the eye.” At this point, Lin Wuxi was gritting her teeth. Such a demon, no matter what evil reputation they bear, must be eliminated.
“Within the stronghold, behind heavy guards, there was a cave leading underground. It was deep and dark inside. After descending the stone steps, we discovered a protective formation!”
“What?” Hearing this, even the elders couldn’t remain calm. Only a very few in the mortal realm knew of the cultivation world’s existence. For a formation to exist in a bandit stronghold, this matter was highly unusual.
“Senior Sister Yu Huang and I were extremely surprised at the time. Although the formation was a very simple protective array and crudely set up, it was indeed a complete formation.”
“Senior Sister Yu Huang and I worked together to break the formation. Immediately, a strong smell of blood wafted out from inside! We were incredibly startled and hurried in to investigate, but unexpectedly…”
“Unexpectedly what?”
“Unexpectedly, there was a huge blood pool inside! They had abducted countless pregnant women. Inside this cave, they brutally stabbed daggers into their foreheads, then cut out the still-living infants from their wombs, hung them upside down on specific sacrificial vessels, and beheaded them at a specific hour each day, draining their blood into the pool for them to cultivate demonic arts!” At this point, Lin Wuxi’s eyes were bloodshot, and she had bitten her lip until it bled. Unable to continue, Yu Huang took over to explain the events to the shocked elders.
“When we arrived, all the women and infants in the cave showed no signs of life. To find out the reason, we returned to the stronghold and interrogated the bandit leader under torture. Only then did we learn that this place was a secret base for a general of the current dynasty to cultivate his demonic arts. Every day, at a specific time, they would behead dozens of infants taken from the womb, collecting their vital blood to fuel this vicious demonic cultivation.”
“And so…”
“And so you killed them all?”
“It was us. Only us.” Hearing the Sect Master’s question, Lin Wuxi stood up and answered.
“Though your crime is unforgivable, the mortal realm has its own laws. Lin Wuxi, as a cultivator, how dare you break them as you please?”
“This disciple knows her mistake!” Saying this, Lin Wuxi bent her knees and knelt.
“But that band of mountain bandits killed one hundred and fifty-two people in the entire village, including full-term infants. No matter what punishment I receive, I, Lin Wuxi, will definitely seek justice for the one hundred and fifty-two villagers who died unjustly!” Her slender figure knelt fearlessly in the majestic grand hall, her words filled with fierce determination.
As Lin Wuxi spoke, the grand hall fell silent. Yu Huang, who was standing nearby, stepped forward and knelt beside Lin Wuxi. “I committed this act with Lin Wuxi. I, disciple Yu Huang, am willing to accept punishment alongside her.”
When Yu Huang knelt, the Sect Master’s hand twitched almost invisibly. He paused, then said to Yu Huang, his voice tinged with disappointment, “Nonsense! You are my personal disciple, the very core of the Wanhen Sect. Your every action is watched by tens of thousands of Wanhen Sect disciples. This punishment isn’t something you can simply choose to accept.”
“Master, please grant this,” Yu Huang said. Once she made a decision, she would not be easily swayed.
“Very well.” As if he had long known his disciple’s nature, the Sect Master sighed. “Cultivators slaughtering mortals should be an unforgivable crime. However, considering your prior karmic ties and that the enemy cultivated demonic techniques, your sentence of exile will be waived. Instead, you are sentenced to half a year of hard labor.”
“As for that purple lotus, since you managed to obtain it, it is your destiny. You must cultivate diligently and not waste this opportunity.”
“Disciple Lin Wuxi will respectfully follow the Sect Master’s instructions.”
Stroking his beard, Sect Master Song Qingde looked at the two with a complex expression. It seemed there was no better way to resolve this. Oh well, he thought, I just hope things go smoothly this time.
