I Find Her Disgusting Chapter 91

Her fellow disciples, senior sisters and brothers, exchanged glances, and a hint of surprise actually appeared on their faces, “Jiang Xidai, what’s wrong with you?” They seemed utterly bewildered.
Jiang Xidai was tired. She scoffed, kicked and snapped her ceremonial sword, and walked away towards her residence without looking back. Midway, she even thought—she had made progress. In the past, when she was this annoyed, she would have found a way to kill these blind fools. Now she only cursed at them.
But what good was such progress?
She had once naively believed that the people here were truly good. Even if she compromised, they wouldn’t harm her, completely unlike her days in the valley before. But upon closer thought, what was different about these people? One openly robbed, while the other merely feigned kindness to gain benefits for themselves. Truly disgusting.
From that day forward, Jiang Xidai severed these meaningless relationships. She began to feel lost and had no choice but to shift her focus to cultivation. However, she didn’t harbor much ill will towards the Sect Master. After all, the old man didn’t usually show much care or consideration for his other disciples either, and his attitude towards Jiang Xidai was the same, perfectly fair—perhaps as a Sect Master, he was simply too busy with daily affairs to bother doting on disciples every day. Recalling the Sect Master’s previous intervention on her behalf, Jiang Xidai mentally crossed out ‘fraternal love among disciples,’ leaving only ‘respect for teachers and reverence for the Dao.’
Somehow, the scene of Li Qiuxin being embraced and comforted had painfully pricked Jiang Xidai’s eyes. It kept her tossing and turning for many nights. After all, Jiang Xidai had never been so close to ‘care.’ She saw it for the first time, almost touched its form, smelled its sweet fragrance, and even from afar, her heart yearned for it. But fate seemed to mock her, telling her—none of that was hers; she shouldn’t even dream of sharing it. She resented and hated; resented herself for being unable to enjoy it, and hated the child who received love, who was so timid they only knew how to whine and cry, without even having to fight for anything. That’s how she came to increasingly despise Li Qiuxin, even though it clearly wasn’t Li Qiuxin’s fault. But Jiang Xidai was terribly jealous.
In the past, she still feigned a submissive and yielding demeanor before the Sect Master. Towards her fellow disciples, although she was somewhat colder and absolutely refused to take on trivial chores, she never caused any major trouble. Until one day, when sect disciples went down the mountain for provisions, Jiang Xidai ran into Li Qiuxin. Jiang Xidai suppressed the jealousy in her heart, her expression neutral, saying nothing, intending to treat her as an ordinary acquaintance. Li Qiuxin, long accustomed to being pampered, seemed less timid than before; this time, upon seeing Jiang Xidai, she didn’t burst into tears from fright. Jiang Xidai couldn’t help but mock softly, “What, no snot bubble this time? Aren’t you afraid of me?”
Li Qiuxin had no good feelings for her. She quickened her pace and left, dropping a remark: “I have my Master protecting me, who’s afraid of you? You’re not even favored by the Sect Master. Not even in the outer sect.”
It wasn’t a particularly insulting remark, but Jiang Xidai immediately stood rooted to the spot. She didn’t move. She clearly felt the surging killing intent within her at that moment. It was as if a scar, not yet fully healed, a destined missing piece compared to others, was forcibly dug out and then viciously stomped upon. Moments later, the gloomy young girl’s lips curled into a slight, somewhat bloodthirsty smile.
Your Master protects you, does she?
See you on the arena.
Jiang Xidai and Li Qiuxin were both disciples of recent intakes, and they often faced each other in matches. So, in every subsequent match, Jiang Xidai no longer held back, going all out. She was much smarter now than before, devising many methods that left few traces yet caused immense pain. She tormented that little good-for-nothing who had offended her, making her shamefully beg for mercy on the arena every time.
Li Qiuxin naturally complained to her Master many times. Having no other choice, her Master sought out the Sect Master for a ruling. The Sect Master always dismissed it with a laugh. There was no need to punish Jiang Xidai for this. After all, Li Qiuxin’s talent was far from comparable to Jiang Xidai’s—in other words, Li Qiuxin held no value for the Sect Master to prioritize. Besides, it was just children squabbling; there was no need for much intervention. So the Sect Master still chose to favor Jiang Xidai. Of course, as long as it didn’t get too ugly.
But as a future notorious villain whose name would spread far and wide, how could she be an ordinary person? Jiang Xidai always found a way to make things ugly.
Because Li Qiuxin was popular within the sect, despite her weak and timid nature, she always had senior brothers and sisters who were close to her and would offer ideas. This group was young, already disliked Jiang Xidai, and now they had Li Qiuxin as an excuse. Since Jiang Xidai stopped pretending, her temperament had become aloof and unconventional, often uttering sarcasm. Yet, her power was so formidable that no one dared to openly curse her. Swearing behind her back ultimately wasn’t satisfying. After holding it in for too long, their ideas became increasingly vicious. For example, taking her by surprise and throwing her personal sword into the trash. Or adding some pills to her tea… Jiang Xidai had always been sensitive to malicious intent and could see through these tricks, so she rarely fell for them and could calmly continue her taunts.
The most serious incident was when a junior brother, harboring resentment after being mocked, lay in wait along her usual path with a bucket of filth, intending to thoroughly humiliate her. Naturally, there was no next time. Because Jiang Xidai killed him. Her killing this time was calm. She took the contents of that bucket and poured it into the person’s mouth, suffocating them to death. Jiang Xidai employed her old family-taught skills, dismembered the disgusting body, and then nailed the corpse to the stone pillar of the sect gate, positioning it in a truly grotesque and ridiculous pose. How amusing. Jiang Xidai smiled coldly, then turned and dragged Li Qiuxin onto the arena for a beating. This time, she nearly beat her to death, but Jiang Xidai considered that the girl was so timid, and the idea likely hadn’t been hers, so she still left her a breath of life.
By dawn the next day, when the disciples viewed the corpse with horror, it had already begun to rot slightly, attracting many flies. Flies landed on the flesh. Jiang Xidai stood by, watching with cold eyes, as if it was her life that was rotting.
Discovery, judgment, accusation. And then, confession.
Jiang Xidai did not raise her eyes or turn her head. Facing the Sect Master’s furious questioning, she only replied, besides admitting guilt: “I’m sorry for what you said.”
In the cultivation world, there were always disciples who suffered losses. But no one was as vicious as Jiang Xidai, who not only killed a person but blatantly nailed the corpse to the sect gate for others to behold. And the murderer stood nearby, her eyes faintly curved, as if smiling.
Thus, the Lingshan Sect Master could no longer simply stand by and do nothing. The Sect Master was furious. Firstly, he was angered by Jiang Xidai’s incorrigible nature. Secondly, selfishly, he was unwilling to waste such a talented Jiang Xidai for the sake of an ordinary disciple. However, he also had to provide an explanation to the outside world. This young girl’s temperament remained unchanged, but after spending time with her, he found that at least she was respectful and obedient towards her elders. This much was enough; the Sect Master didn’t want to kill her. Jiang Xidai knelt in the prison cell, expecting to be executed, but she remained alive.
The Sect Master said, “Having committed such an act, expelling you from Lingshan Sect is no longer an option. From now on, do not tell outsiders that you are my disciple.”
“…Master,” Jiang Xidai leaned against the prison wall, her once vibrant young face growing increasingly numb. “Was I wrong again in this matter? But it was clearly them who provoked me first.”
“In one’s life, one will always encounter all sorts of people, many of whom are malicious and ill-intentioned towards you. Jiang Xidai, there are always less drastic methods. Do you intend to kill them all?”
“I just… I just couldn’t bear it anymore.” She buried her face in her knees. “Master, perhaps someone like me doesn’t deserve redemption.”
“Don’t speak lightly of giving up. There must be other ways.”
“…What?”
“Go suppress demons and eradicate evil. Consider it accumulating some good karma for yourself. In recent years, your cultivation has become sufficient. In the back mountain, there’s a terrestrial rift.” The Sect Master sighed. “Many demons evolve and emerge from that rift. Every year, these demons swarm out, and our Lingshan Sect must expend great effort to suppress them, but sometimes one or two inevitably slip through and harm the common people down the mountain.”
“In that case, will I find answers?”
The Sect Master patted her head. “Future generations will always be grateful for your kindness. Naturally, I, too, must thank you for your contribution.”
Jiang Xidai thought, if she couldn’t be a good person, then she would be a person of some value. She sat in the dirty prison cell, lowered her eyelashes, and slowly nodded.
Jiang Xidai picked up her sword and walked step by step into Lingshan Sect’s back mountain. The scarlet array flickered for a moment, swallowed her, and then closed up in the sky. She raised her hand and pressed it against the edge of the barrier, finding it had hardened. These arrays were not meant to imprison her, but to suppress the restless demons beneath. So, one could only enter, not exit. She was alone again. Jiang Xidai set foot in this place.
The surroundings were filled with foul smoke and oppressive energy; the rampant demons had made the place utterly desolate. There were no growing plants on the ground, only withered branches and black grass, grotesque like skeletons. What greeted her was a storm of blood and gore.
The path of suppressing demons and establishing her reputation seemed not as smooth as she had imagined. The demons were ferocious and brutal, far swifter than human bodies. For a child who was neither fully grown nor still small, this task was truly too burdensome. In less than half a month, Jiang Xidai was already covered in wounds, hiding at the edge of the array, completely unable to approach those grotesque creatures. Her injured arms trembling, she stuck her sword beside her, knelt on the ground, and gasped, drenched in sweat. So much pain. She looked down at the deep wound on her abdomen and three deep, bone-revealing claw marks on her waist.
Jiang Xidai waited for two or three days, but there was no improvement; instead, the pain only worsened. If this continued, she would die. Jiang Xidai wanted to ask the Sect Master for some medicine, but she didn’t know how to contact the outside world. So she could only huddle behind a hidden rock crevice, sinking into a long and agonizing wait.
Yan Huirou watched as the young girl’s face grew paler, blood flowing unceasingly until she finally lay in her own blood. Long-term severe injuries, left untreated, left her so weak that she had barely any breath left, which was why Yan Huirou’s vision of this memory was also dim and blurry, completely unclear. However, amidst the dim haze, hesitant footsteps sounded.
“You are…”
Yan Huirou looked over, as if sensing something. A young girl in pale golden robes walked over, remarkably pure and beautiful. Her face was exceptionally clear within the hazy memory. In Jiang Xidai’s memories, many faces were blurred, their features indistinguishable. Only a few deeply imprinted ones appeared clearly. Is it her? Yan Huirou thought, that’s good. It’s better than no one saving you.
The young girl saw Jiang Xidai twitch, then cautiously retreated three steps. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Pain…” Jiang Xidai was close to losing consciousness, her face ashen. She instinctively tried to crawl over, but her hands only scraped twice through the bloody mud on the ground. The young girl took out some healing medicine from her storage ring and slowly approached the edge of the array. She pushed the pill bottle towards Jiang Xidai. Jiang Xidai opened it with trembling hands, not asking what it was for, and swallowed it with the blood in her mouth. She had never consumed such refined pills before; with just one, she felt the flow of spiritual energy throughout her body become unhindered.
Jiang Xidai slowly leaned up to a sitting position, feeling much lighter all over. She raised her eyelids and saw that the girl seemed to want to take another step closer, so she frowned and snapped, “Stay back. This place is for entering only, not exiting.”
The young girl smiled, poked a strand of hair into the array, tested it for a moment, and then successfully pulled it back out. She said, “It seems it’s fine as long as you don’t fully enter. Are you feeling better?”
Jiang Xidai turned her face away; she no longer wished to interact with peers. “What business is it of yours?”
“I saved you, why are you like this?”
“I’m here suppressing demons; shouldn’t your Lingshan Sect send some pills?” Jiang Xidai still resented this fact, letting out a cold scoff.
“You misunderstand. I am not a Lingshan Sect disciple.” A hand reached out, passed through the array, and hovered in the air, seemingly wanting to shake her hand. She extended her hand. “Lanyue Pavilion, Zhan Ke. Today, I accompanied my Master to Lingshan Sect. While the elders chatted, I was exploring the sect, but it seems I wandered a bit too far and took a wrong turn, and then I met you.”
Hearing this, Jiang Xidai finally looked at her seriously. “My hand is too dirty, covered in blood. My name is Jiang Xidai.”
“That’s a nice name. What are you doing in the array?”
“Suppressing demons.”
“…Just by yourself?”
Jiang Xidai hummed in affirmation, then turned her head to glance at the writhing demons in the distance, saying softly, “I’m not strong enough yet, but one day, I will cleanse this place completely.”
“To survive in here is already very impressive…” Zhan Ke’s gaze drifted into the distance, looking at the massive, grotesque demonic creatures roaring in the rift, before retracting her gaze to Jiang Xidai nearby. “A pleasure to meet you, Jiang Xidai.”
Zhan Ke stood up and smiled at her. “There are still some pills in that bottle; consider them a gift from me. It’s getting late, I’m heading back.”
Jiang Xidai leaned back against the stone, clutching the pill bottle in her hand, listening silently as the footsteps receded into the distance. The conditions here were harsh, and she had no extra time to think of anything else. With the pills in hand, she carved a small hole in the rock crevice and hid the rest, for future use to save her life.
Jiang Xidai recuperated for a period, during which she attempted to ambush a few minor demons, but it seemed largely unsuccessful. Her original cultivation system was still too immature to help her advance further. She could only sit in meditation every day. While she was at her wit’s end, an unfamiliar disciple arrived at the edge of the array.
“Senior Sister Jiang.” The young disciple handed over a cultivation manual. “The Sect Master said he picked a suitable one for you, hoping you would study it diligently.”
Jiang Xidai took it and saw the three large characters, ‘Emotion Burning Art,’ written on it, unsure if it was powerful or not. But she felt a little happy in her heart. At least it proved the Sect Master hadn’t forgotten her, perhaps sensing she had hit a bottleneck. Only later did Jiang Xidai learn that this old scoundrel had deliberately chosen the most obscure and difficult-to-learn, trashy cultivation art that inner sect disciples barely used for her—tsk, as if afraid she’d learn too quickly. But the young Jiang Xidai, in her innocence, truly focused on this trashy cultivation art and diligently practiced it. The Emotion Burning Art caused her to waste much effort, making her already slow progress even worse. Perhaps its only benefit was its steady, foundational approach, but given Jiang Xidai’s talent, this small advantage was as good as none. Later, the Master of the Shasheng Sect found it utterly laughable to think that this trashy cultivation art, the Emotion Burning Art, would still be revered by the world as a cornerstone.
Meanwhile, the Jiang Xidai of that time was struggling to pore over the book by moonlight. Her eyes ached from reading, and she rubbed them for a long while, feeling for the first time if she was too dull-witted, completely unable to grasp its meaning. A seemingly familiar voice drifted over: “In such a dark place, can you see?”
Jiang Xidai turned her head and saw the young girl in the moonlight, arms crossed, standing not far from the edge of the array. Zhan Ke smiled, “You haven’t forgotten me, have you?”
“It’s you.” Jiang Xidai sat up, her head a mess of disheveled hair, her young face still slightly arrogant. “This isn’t a good place, so why do you, a Lanyue Pavilion disciple, keep coming here?”
“Indeed, the environment is truly terrifying. Only demonic corpses and death energy remain.”
Zhan Ke pondered, “So I’m very curious, why do you come here?”
“Me?” Jiang Xidai continued flipping through her cultivation manual. “…To atone for my sins.”
“What sins do you have?”
“I killed someone.”
Zhan Ke knelt down and smoothed her skirt. “Is that even considered a sin?” Jiang Xidai did not see much fear on her face. Zhan Ke covered her mouth and lightly coughed. “Which elder of a major sect hasn’t accumulated karmic debt from killing? If calculated by that standard, probably few would be truly innocent.”
Jiang Xidai said, “…I killed my own sect member.”
“A sect member? That’s quite unusual.” Zhan Ke was a little surprised. “Was it accidental death, or revenge?”
“The latter. I was ostracized by them for a long time.” Jiang Xidai continued, “My Master always told me to be tolerant, but after enduring for so long, I felt indignant and utterly displeased. I increasingly wanted to kill them, and then I…” She rarely had anyone to confide in and hadn’t spoken to anyone for a long time. Jiang Xidai, with nothing else to do, flipped through the book while recounting her difficult past, all the while listening for the other’s reaction.
Zhan Ke said, “They were just trying to fool you, Jiang Xidai. Just like my own Master always tells me to yield to my senior brother, such words are just for listening, not taking seriously.”
“How does your senior brother treat you?” Jiang Xidai thought for a moment, then asked.
When her sect was mentioned, Zhan Ke seemed somewhat disinterested. “Tolerably. He brings me gifts during holidays and greets me every few months; there haven’t been any major conflicts.”
“That’s good.” Actually, Jiang Xidai thought in her heart, that was already very good, but she had never encountered such a sect member.
“Just minor favors,” Zhan Ke said dismissively. “In a few years, if we truly start contending for the Pavilion Lord position, would my senior brother really yield to me? My Master always taught me not to contend or seize, but never taught my senior brother the same, because my Master favored him to be the next successor. You see—this is favoritism.”
Jiang Xidai lightly twirled the corner of her robe with her fingertips, propped her chin, and quietly listened to her speak. “What’s so special about being a Pavilion Lord?”
“Actually, I don’t know either,” Zhan Ke said. “But things everyone contends for usually come with considerable benefits.”
Jiang Xidai took a soft breath. “I used to think like you, to contend, to seize, and I also looked down on those good-for-nothings. But later… I found that I was very afraid of loneliness, and also very afraid of being forgotten.” So she knew she wasn’t good at interacting with people, and perhaps it was better to heed the Sect Master’s advice and keep a distance from others. Future generations might not know her character, but perhaps the entire Lingshan Sect would remember her name. She was not some bloodthirsty little demoness; she was Jiang Xidai, who suppressed evil beings and purged all malevolence.
“What’s there to be afraid of? The strong are always solitary.” Zhan Ke seemed to truly not understand. “To survive in a place like this is proof enough of how powerful you are.” This was also why she was willing to befriend Jiang Xidai.
“Really?” Suddenly praised. Although Jiang Xidai was staring at the book in her hand, her mind was actually elsewhere. Her blood-stained young face, with eyes slightly upturned, broke into a very reserved smile. Whether what was said made sense, she didn’t know. But she really liked Zhan Ke. This was the first friend Jiang Xidai ever made.
Every time Zhan Ke came to visit Lingshan Sect, she would always bring something for Jiang Xidai. Sometimes it was healing pills, other times various sweets she enjoyed. She would chat with her and sometimes share news from the outside world.
Time flew by, year after year. Jiang Xidai spent twenty-five years completing her cultivation of the entire obscure Emotion Burning Art.
The next hundred years were somewhat arduous. Mid-sized demonic creatures were quite troublesome, possessing greater intelligence, and often serving as subordinates to the great demon lords. She was always covered in wounds and disheveled. More than once, she lay in a pool of blood, watching Zhan Ke, pristine outside the array, and an unspeakable inferiority swelled in her heart. But fortunately, Zhan Ke was different from others. She never seemed to disdain Jiang Xidai for it and would even specifically go down the mountain to buy candy when she cried out in pain, and taught her a little tune. Sometimes, when Jiang Xidai was severely wounded repeatedly, almost feeling she was about to die, she would always recall that woman, and then stubbornly hold on at the brink of death. When one has long dwelled in darkness, a tiny bit of light, a sliver of hope, is enough to keep living. Even if Jiang Xidai had never truly understood Zhan Ke’s character, her preferences, or delved into her inner self, Jiang Xidai didn’t care.
Time passed again, perhaps three hundred more years, or four? Jiang Xidai genuinely couldn’t recall the exact duration. Her power grew strong through daily grueling training. Not to mention mid-sized demonic creatures, even a demon lord from the rift would take a detour upon encountering this malevolent deity. Finally, Jiang Xidai annihilated the demons in this place. The chaotic demonic energy was completely shattered by her spiritual energy, mingling with their fresh blood to form a crimson mist. This mountain area, long ravaged by demons, finally burst forth with vitality. However, perhaps because it had been separated from the outside world for so long by the barrier array, the environment here had become quite different. On the dark red soil, clusters of vibrant red hibiscus flowers grew, enchanting and bizarre, covering the entire rift. While slaying the demon lord, Jiang Xidai inadvertently acquired a set of suitable weapons. She surmised it might be due to the influence of this umbrella, as its surface was embroidered with hibiscus. It was very beautiful, a color she deeply loved—vibrant and passionate, thriving in the cracks with just a hint of dew.
When Zhan Ke came again, she couldn’t help but be shocked by the sight before her. Crimson rivers, large red flowers. Jiang Xidai was still waiting for her in the old spot, but her appearance was no longer as disheveled as in those early years. Her features had long since matured, enchanting and striking. Dressed in flowing crimson robes, she stood amidst the flowers. It was hard to tell if the hibiscus flowers were more vibrant, or if the woman standing among them was more splendid. The woman walked over, reached out to press against the barrier, and ripples spread from her palm. Her expression softened. “A’Ke, you’re finally here. I wanted to tell you last time, after hearing about those customs from you, I also want to marry you.”
“…” Zhan Ke replied tactfully, “How about waiting a bit longer? You’re currently confined here, and my side is also full of complex and deceptive situations; who has the emotional energy for that?”
Jiang Xidai was a bit disappointed, but she took out a leftover piece of fabric from where she had cut clothes for herself. The stitches on it were dense, looking very carefully sewn. She spread it out, her smile returning. “Does it look good? This is still that fabric you brought me last time. I’ll give it to you once I get out.”
“Not bad.” Zhan Ke nodded somewhat reluctantly, though she had no idea what Jiang Xidai had embroidered.
Jiang Xidai’s smile faded slightly. “You’re unhappy. Is your senior brother bothering you again?”
“Somewhat,” Zhan Ke tucked a strand of hair behind her ear; her mood was indeed poor. “We’ve had a complete falling out, and it’s gotten quite ugly. But he’s more cautious than I imagined, and I can’t think of a way for now…” Zhan Ke gestured towards her neck with her hand, the meaning unspoken.
Jiang Xidai: “What’s so difficult about that? Once I get out, I’ll deal with him.”
Zhan Ke chuckled upon hearing this. “Really? You’ll help me kill someone?”
Jiang Xidai leaned against the barrier, lightly brushing a strand of hair from her temple. “It’s just… A’Ke, I need to trouble you with something beforehand.”
“Mm, tell me.”
“Now that the demons are suppressed, this back mountain has long seen no one. Go inform the Sect Master for me, ask him to remove this array, and then I can come out.”
Zhan Ke shook her head. “Jiang Xidai, your Master passed away long ago. Since then, Lingshan Sect has undergone several rises and falls, experiencing major changes, and has changed Sect Masters five times.” Her beautiful eyes widened slightly. A moment later, she murmured, “…I forgot. It’s been that long.”
Zhan Ke looked at the woman before her, not feeling particular pity. She merely smiled, finding Jiang Xidai somewhat pathetic. At some point, Zhan Ke had felt this woman was truly misguided—she possessed such heaven-defying power, yet allowed herself to completely squander a good hand. For something so illusory, she tormented herself by remaining confined here for so many years. So foolish. But Zhan Ke chose not to tell her the truth; there was no need to jeopardize her relationship with Jiang Xidai at this moment.
Zhan Ke said, “It’s fine, it’s all the same. I’ll help you summon the new Sect Master… I don’t know which generation of junior brother he is, but he might well be your grandchild’s generation.”
Jiang Xidai nodded, holding her umbrella, and watched Zhan Ke’s retreating figure depart. For all these years, she had only seen Zhan Ke as another living person. Suddenly having to meet these juniors, Jiang Xidai felt quite uncomfortable. She meticulously tidied up this contaminated area she had cleansed, even pulling out some strangely shaped weeds. Then she adjusted her appearance, waiting expectantly for the new generation.
A figure appeared in the back mountain, followed by two, then a dense crowd of people converged. So many people came? Jiang Xidai mused, actually finding their turnout quite grand. Actually, she wanted to say there was no need for such extravagance, especially when she considered that these people could already be her grandchildren’s generation—she suddenly felt awkward. How should she act to appear more like a poised and masterful ancestor? Jiang Xidai decided to face all changes with unchangeability. She stood rooted to the spot, holding her umbrella, her expression indifferent and slightly haughty.
A man at the forefront, wearing a jade crown, appeared to be the Sect Master. He walked forward, frowning. He surveyed the area, his gaze completely avoiding Jiang Xidai, and then quickly took a small step back. He turned around and said, “Very good. There are no signs of loosening, but for the long-term stability of my Lingshan Sect, I have convened all the elders and inner sect disciples today to reinforce the array with nine more layers, to prevent that demon from escaping.”
“Yes, Sect Master!”
Jiang Xidai’s face showed confusion. She slowly approached him, extended a finger, and tapped the barrier. “Young man, you’re mistaken. The demons here have long been purged; only I remain. What reinforce, what reinforcing?”
The elders all responded, sitting cross-legged. Spiritual energy illuminated their palms from all directions, a blinding white light that enveloped Jiang Xidai. What’s going on… can these people not see her? Impossible, otherwise, how did Zhan Ke speak with her? Jiang Xidai glanced around, and she noticed that when her gaze swept past, some young disciples who had secretly raised their eyes to look at her quickly lowered their heads. The wind carried their whispers.
“So this is the demon suppressed in the forbidden back mountain?”
“Yes, I don’t know which capable hero subdued it, but it’s been suppressed for so many years. Our sect is truly formidable.”
“Why didn’t they just kill the demon?”
“Nonsense, isn’t it unkillable?”
“The Sect Master ordered all disciples not to cultivate in the back mountain, fearing she might be released.”
“That sounds strange. According to the rumors I heard, isn’t this woman our sect’s ancestral guardian? But how could an ancestral guardian need to be confined within a barrier and unable to leave? It’s probably a misunderstanding.”
“But I heard from disciples of earlier generations that many demons spawned from the rift there.” A young girl frowned. “An elder willingly entered this place to protect everyone.”
Jiang Xidai’s heart, which had already sunken, rose again. Her hand gripping the umbrella handle was icy cold, even covered in a layer of cold sweat, trembling slightly. Little one, that’s right. Please, keep speaking, tell them she’s not a demon, she’s not… she is… The voice in her heart almost choked. What was she? She had guarded this place for nearly six hundred years! Not a fleeting moment, not a day or two, nor a year or two. But six hundred years of daily storms of blood and gore, hovering between life and death. For these six hundred years, Lingshan Sect had not suffered a single day of demonic intrusion, not a single person had died beneath these demons, and no one had even been injured because of them.
The young girl’s words made everyone pause. Jiang Xidai slightly lowered her head, as if awaiting judgment. The next moment, an burst of laughter erupted. “Look for yourselves—do you see? This forbidden area is perfectly clean. Where are the traces of battle, or any demons and ghosts? Where demons and ghosts pass, not a blade of grass grows; could so many red flowers bloom underfoot?”
“At most, there’s only that demoness standing there.”
“Look at her, not moving. Is it because she’s been suppressed for so long?”
“Ha…”
Suddenly, an explosive sound erupted from the array before them. A woman in red burst out from the nine-layered array. The array, not yet fully reinforced, almost turned to dust amidst the shockwaves. Everyone was utterly terrified. Before their eyes was nothing but a crimson blur, then a mist of blood. It was as if the clouds in the sky had turned red, and droplets fell drizzling from the heavens. They horrifyingly discovered that the demon had broken out of the array. The Sect Master’s head was gone, but his body still stood there. Then, to their horror, they found that the bodies of the Sect Master and the fellow disciples had also vanished, their flesh and bones instantly separated and shredded to form this rain of blood and crimson mist. The entire Lingshan Sect was shrouded in gloom, with dark clouds gathering, and a torrential rain about to pour. At this moment, blood had stained the entire back mountain crimson, forming a stream of blood from the mountain peak, rustling as it flowed over the entire mountain range.
“Just die, all of you.” Amidst the silence and the sound of flowing water, someone softly murmured.
Jiang Xidai went to the Sect Master’s Hall, dragged out the elders who hadn’t gone to the barrier that day, and without a word, sliced them into seven or eight piec