Category: A Girl Dies Every Day in Her Dream Life

Chapter 74: Long and Short Years 

“However,” Bai Zhanying’s tone turned serious, “compared to the nine provinces of the Immortal Domain, which generally stay detached from the Mortal Realm and don’t interfere in mortal affairs, the four forbidden areas of the Demon Abyss have a much stronger control over the four domains.”

“Take the Temple of the Nether Spirit, for example. It’s divided into five lineages: Blood Lord, Sha Master, Spirit Master, Demon Master, and Shaoze Master. Each lineage has its own territory and power, and a single lineage is comparable to a sect in the Immortal Domain.”

“They treat mortals as resources, and it’s common for them to use mortals for cultivation within their territories.”

Bai Zhanying gritted her teeth. “Of the province that the Immortal Domain lost back then, nearly two-thirds of the mortals died tragically…”

Luo Xue gasped. The cultivators of the Demon Abyss’ forbidden areas were truly terrifying…

However, from the Demon Abyss disciples she had fought before, she could see that their spiritual power generally carried a chilling baleful aura.

Once struck, their spiritual power circulation would be greatly hindered.

If not for her maxed-out poison resistance, even with her extraordinary physical strength, Luo Xue would have struggled against them.

“Xiao Xue, if you go to the Demon Abyss, never harm innocent lives.” Bai Zhanying instructed softly. “There are also suffering mortals in the Demon Abyss, not all of them are demons.”

“I’m willing to believe in you now, but if you fall in the Demon Abyss… I will personally end this karmic tie.”

She paused, a hint of sorrow in her voice.

“I just hope it won’t come to that…”

“It won’t.” Luo Xue’s expression was serious. She raised her hands, cupped Bai Zhanying’s face, and said with firm eyes, “Senior Sister, no matter what, it won’t come to that.”

Although she had only been awake for half a month, she had spent twelve years with Senior Sister.

Even when the sect suspected her of being a demonic cultivator, Senior Sister stood firmly by her side.

She was Senior Sister, and Luo Xue would always be her Little Junior Sister.

Remembering this… was enough.

Bai Zhanying didn’t struggle as Luo Xue cupped her face, just quietly looking into her eyes.

Suddenly, she smiled.

“Indeed,” Bai Zhanying reached out and pinched Luo Xue’s cheek. “You are Xiao Xue, the Xiao Xue who has been with me since you were a crying baby in my arms…”

“…Can we not talk about this anymore?”

Luo Xue’s expression was strange.

Being constantly reminded of her infancy gave her a weird feeling.

Coupled with Senior Sister’s appearance, which, aside from her deliberately old-fashioned attire, was no different from that of a young girl, it made her feel increasingly uncomfortable…

Bai Zhanying just smiled, but then, as if remembering something, her expression turned serious.

“By the way, although you’re nominally going as a spy for the Immortal Domain, you… probably shouldn’t take on any spy missions.”

“Why?” Luo Xue asked.

“Immortal Domain spies… all need to find a way to join the four major forbidden areas of the Demon Abyss: the Temple of the Nether Spirit, the Primordial Mother Cult, the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, and the Demonic Ghost City. None of them are easy to deal with.”

Bai Zhanying said in a deep voice, “The forbidden areas of the Demon Abyss are different from the sects of the Immortal Domain. They allow disciples to kill each other within the same realm. It’s extremely dangerous.”

“After entering the Demon Abyss, it’s best to find an inconspicuous small sect and just blend in. Many small sects in the Demon Abyss are weak and won’t casually sacrifice their disciples.”

The gentle smile on her face didn’t fade, and she pinched Luo Xue’s cheek again. “If there’s a chance, I will go see you.”

“Okay.”

Luo Xue nodded in agreement, taking these words to heart.

Even from her own perspective, this was very good advice.

The forbidden areas that controlled a region were too dangerous. A slight misstep could lead to death.

Her current strength was only at the early stage of the Innate Realm, still some distance from the Spirit Condensation Realm. If she died prematurely, she would probably be killed again by that Spirit Condensation assassin when she returned.

Luo Xue didn’t like taking risks; it was better to be safe.

She would follow Senior Sister’s advice.

However…

“I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint Senior Sister. In the future… there probably won’t be a chance to meet again.”

Luo Xue looked at Senior Sister’s smiling face, a sudden ache in her nose.

After reaching the Spirit Condensation Realm, she would have to find a way to die, to return to her original world and save her little sister, Ling Ling.

If she had the chance to return, she probably wouldn’t interact with Senior Sister again, just like Su Yiyao in her previous life.

The Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss were vast. Meeting someone again was easier said than done.

“By the way, I seem to have a few Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pills, I’ll find them and give them to you…”

Bai Zhanying slapped her forehead and started rummaging through her storage ring.

Luo Xue couldn’t help but laugh. “Senior Sister, those are healing pills for Core Formation and above… I don’t need them at the Innate Realm.”

“It’s fine, I’ll put them in the storage ring for you. This ring was given to you by Master anyway.”

Bai Zhanying waved her hand dismissively and put everything into the storage ring.

The storage space of the ring was almost full.

This showed just how much she had put inside…

Unable to refuse, Luo Xue could only accept the storage ring with a wry smile.

Besides the value of the storage ring itself, the items inside would tempt even a Nascent Soul rogue cultivator.

After all, this was the collection of a Core Formation prodigy from a major sect in the Immortal Domain…

Whether in the Immortal Domain or the Demon Abyss, what rogue cultivators lacked the most were resources. Cultivation consumed a massive amount of resources, even for Nascent Soul cultivators.

Even if they were affiliated with a sect as retainers, it was difficult to keep up with the consumption rate.

Therefore, rogue cultivators either had to master a specific skill, such as alchemy or artifact refining, or explore dangerous secret realms to obtain resources.

Unlike the cultivators of major sects, who occupied blessed lands, the resources within these blessed lands were already abundant.

Of course, being a rogue cultivator also had its advantages. They were more free and unrestrained, not bound by the rules of a sect.

Moreover, after reaching a certain level of cultivation, if they wanted to join a major sect, they could only do so as retainers, unable to truly enter the sect’s core.

Luo Huaxin was a prime example. She was even the Peak Master of Falling Flower Peak, one of the four peaks of the Peerless Summit Sect, but she had no say in the sect’s decisions.

“Senior Sister, why give me so many good things…”

Luo Xue held the storage ring and asked with a wry smile.

Bai Zhanying was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice,

“In the future, no one will treat you this well.”

“Senior Sister just wants to give you all the kindness you’ll need for the future.”

Luo Xue’s expression froze slightly, and memories of the past twelve years flashed through her mind.

Every scene contained Senior Sister’s figure.

“Twelve years,” Luo Xue looked at Bai Zhanying and tilted her head. “For Senior Sister, the twelve years with me… were they long, or short?”

Compared to the lifespan of immortals, which could span thousands or even tens of thousands of years, a mere twelve years was insignificant.

But these twelve years were Luo Xue’s entire life in this world.

Bai Zhanying’s expression turned serious, as if she was pondering, then she replied earnestly,

“Sometimes long, sometimes short.”

No matter how long they lived, the memories that remained were but fleeting moments.

These were memories.

“But no matter what, I… will cherish them,” Bai Zhanying said softly, “…Forever.”

Luo Xue looked out the window. It was late at night, and the stars were twinkling.

“It’s time to sleep, Senior Sister,” Luo Xue said with a faint smile, “Can you hold me to sleep, like before?”

Perhaps in the future, there wouldn’t be another chance.

Bai Zhanying rubbed Luo Xue’s hair and said softly,

“Of course.”

The night deepened, and the candlelight was extinguished.

A graceful figure sat alone on a tree outside the courtyard, holding a wine gourd, looking at the two figures gradually disappearing in the room.

Luo Huaxin had been here all along, even during Luo Xue’s conversation with Zou Junxin, she hadn’t left.

But…

After a long time, she sighed.

“So, major sects are troublesome. Qiulin, if not for your daughter, I would have continued being a carefree rogue cultivator…”

…

“Zou Junxin actually dared to make such a decision…”

Within the Law Enforcement Hall, the Grand Elder received the news that Luo Xue was about to become a spy for the Immortal Domain, and the teacup in his hand cracked.

A violent spiritual power faintly surged around him.

But he quickly suppressed his spiritual power and calmed himself down.

“Forcibly cultivating this forbidden secret technique is still a bit difficult. My emotions are always out of control.” The Grand Elder exhaled, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But Zou Shidi, do you think letting this demonic seed go will change the game?”

“If the Underworld Water Ravine hadn’t been so useless hundreds of years ago, the rebellion wouldn’t have failed… and you wouldn’t have had the chance to sit in that position. The Peerless Summit Sect wouldn’t be humiliated by a mere Temple of the Nether Spirit.”

“The war between immortals and demons is inevitable. Without war, the Peerless Summit Sect will only continue to decline…”

The rebellion hundreds of years ago was initiated by the radicals of the Peerless Summit Sect. With the support of their Soul Transformation ancestor, they attempted to seize power and start another war between immortals and demons.

Once the Peerless Summit Sect attacked the Demon Abyss sects, it would trigger a chain reaction, and the tens of thousands of years of animosity between the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss would be reignited, the flames of war engulfing the nine provinces and four domains.

At that time, even if the moderates regained power, they would be forced to accept this war.

The radicals believed that only war could make the Peerless Summit Sect stronger. The new generation, who hadn’t been baptized by fire, was too weak.

Unfortunately, the rebellion ultimately failed.

But… it wasn’t a complete failure either.

No one had expected that the previous Sect Master, who had always advocated for a moderate approach towards the Demon Abyss, would be a secret supporter of the rebellion.

Unfortunately, the newly established Law Enforcement Hall disrupted his plan, and Zou Junxin, the Grand Elder of Dawn Light Peak, became the new Sect Master.

But it didn’t matter, there was still a chance.

Hundreds of years of planning had gradually eroded Zou Junxin’s prestige.

Many elders were secretly saying that it was Zou Junxin’s weakness and incompetence that led to the decline of the Peerless Summit Sect. Even the Soul Transformation ancestors, who usually didn’t interfere in sect affairs, were slightly swayed.

But it still needed a spark.

Luo Xue was supposed to be that spark, but Zou Junxin acted swiftly, finalizing Luo Xue’s status as a spy for the Immortal Domain within two days, even bypassing the Law Enforcement Hall.

This spark was extinguished.

Having controlled the Peerless Summit Sect for hundreds of years, he wasn’t completely incompetent. At least, he could contend with the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, who had deep roots within the sect’s lineages.

“Zhong Bo.”

The Grand Elder called out in a deep voice.

In the candlelight, the stern middle-aged man bowed.

“Grand Elder.”

“How many spies does the Law Enforcement Hall have in the Demon Abyss?”

“Reporting to Grand Elder, one Core Formation, two Foundation Establishment, and sixteen Spirit Condensation.”

The Grand Elder turned his teacup. “Find an opportunity to kill Luo Xue in the Demon Abyss.”

“This…” Zhong Bo was stunned. “Grand Elder, with all due respect, is this really necessary?”

As the Second Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, and the Grand Elder’s confidant, he was also a member of the radical faction.

He had witnessed the decline of the Peerless Summit Sect over the past thousand years, and Zhong Bo also believed that it was the end of the Immortal-Demon War that had dulled the swords of the sect’s disciples.

This move with Luo Xue was Sect Master Zou Junxin’s slight victory.

When Luo Xue escaped the internal strife of the Peerless Summit Sect, this move became useless.

But now, they wanted to forcibly act against her…

“Indecisive!”

The Grand Elder shouted sharply. “She is a Calamity Poison Body, a natural demonic cultivator. Once the war begins, do you want to see a repeat of the tragedy that befell half a province all those years ago?”

Zhong Bo was silent for a moment.

“I… understand.”

Bai Zhanying believed that Luo Xue wouldn’t do such a thing, and Zou Junxin also trusted Bai Zhanying’s judgment.

But the Law Enforcement Hall trusted no one, only believing in eliminating all future troubles with a single sword strike.

“That’s all.”

The Grand Elder leaned back slightly in his chair, his expression hidden in the candlelight.

“If no one in the Immortal Domain protects her, kill her directly. If she reaches the Demon Abyss, let the Law Enforcement Hall’s spies handle it.”

“Yes, Grand Elder.”

…

A few days later.

After the Immortal Ascension Gate ended, the Peerless Summit Sect gradually returned to its usual tranquility.

Most disciples either went out to carry out sect missions or went into seclusion to cultivate, rarely wandering around the sect.

Even the chattering Falling Flower Peak sisterhood, including Ye Ningshuang, had taken on sect missions and left.

They were now official outer sect disciples and had to carry out at least three missions each year.

The sect had many missions similar to the one Bai Zhanying had undertaken in the swamp, hunting down evil cultivators. The Peerless Summit Sect’s mission to uphold righteousness wasn’t just empty talk. Daoist Ziyang had been deeply terrified of the Peerless Summit Sect’s pursuit.

Therefore, for a time, the entire Peerless Summit Sect became quiet.

Luo Xue had nothing to do these past few days, so she could only study the divine abilities she received from Bai Zhanying.

Bai Zhanying had put aside her duties and stayed with Luo Xue, guiding her cultivation.

“If you use a sword for techniques… isn’t this two-handed greatsword a bit unsuitable? Would it be better to have another sword specifically for casting techniques…”

Luo Xue held the heavy sword that Bai Zhanying had exchanged from Senior Brother Zhang and tried circulating her spiritual power through the blade.

It was quite difficult…

—After all, this sword wasn’t designed to be used as a staff.

“It’s best to use only one weapon, one that you’re comfortable with. You have natural divine strength, and you should focus on developing that.” Bai Zhanying said patiently, but her expression showed a hint of pity. “As for divine abilities, just treat them as supplementary methods.”

She could see that Luo Xue’s talent for divine abilities didn’t seem to be very good…

And Luo Xue herself knew this. She had already seen it on the panel.

[Divine Ability Aptitude: Almost None]

Chapter 73: The Holy Master Appears, The Nine Provinces and Four Domains 

Within the Bloodfiend Bone Ship, Blood Lord meditated with his eyes closed.

At the Holy Maiden’s request, they had visited almost all the sects in the Immortal Domain.

Not just the nine major sects, but also the smaller ones.

However…

“Who is the Holy Maiden looking for?”

Blood Lord opened his eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing through them.

Even the Holy Master didn’t know much about the Holy Maiden’s origins, only that she appeared in the most mysterious and forbidden place in the Demon Abyss—the Endless Blood Sea.

When she first emerged, she encountered the previous Holy Maiden and Holy Son of the Temple of the Nether Spirit who were traveling together.

The previous Holy Maiden was always very arrogant. Seeing a mysterious girl appear from the depths of the Blood Sea, she ordered her subordinates to capture her without even asking a question.

But this caused a great disaster. Almost all of the previous Holy Maiden’s followers were killed by the girl.

If the protector hadn’t appeared in time, even the previous Holy Maiden might not have survived.

Even so, the previous Holy Maiden’s cultivation was crippled.

The protector wanted to capture this girl named Su Yiyao, but unexpectedly, Su Yiyao was protected by the power of a Soul Transformation cultivator, which even ordinary Nascent Soul experts couldn’t overcome.

Therefore, the protector had no choice but to report this matter to the forbidden area.

Unexpectedly, the Holy Master made a rare appearance to receive the mysterious girl, and no one knew what they talked about.

Shortly after, this mysterious girl became the new Holy Maiden of the Temple of the Nether Spirit, inheriting the Underworld Phoenix lineage.

As for the death of the Holy Son, it was purely his own fault.

After the new Holy Maiden took over, he, as the Holy Son, demanded that she become his Dao companion.

He even mobilized many disciples of the Holy Son lineage, trying to coerce the new Holy Maiden into submission.

After all, the new Holy Maiden had no foundation in the Temple of the Nether Spirit. The Holy Son thought that he could manipulate Su Yiyao as he pleased.

But what he didn’t expect was…

Su Yiyao, through bloody means, slaughtered all the Foundation Establishment disciples who sided with the Holy Son, including the Holy Son himself.

Those at the Core Formation Realm and above didn’t dare to interfere due to the rules of the forbidden area and because she was under the Holy Master’s protection.

In battles between cultivators of the same realm, the loser was the weak one, unworthy of survival.

But if they were allowed to bully those of lower realms, it would stifle the future of the forbidden area.

Although the disciples of the Demon Abyss were raised like gu worms, and the competition was incredibly cruel, there were still limits. Otherwise, the prodigies of the forbidden area would be consumed by internal strife.

In the end, the Holy Son lineage completely declined, the previous Holy Maiden didn’t dare to speak out, and the new Holy Maiden secured her position.

But strangely, after securing her position, the first thing the Holy Maiden did wasn’t to cultivate her own power within the Temple, but to challenge the prodigies of the various forbidden areas in the Demon Abyss.

The higher-ups of the Temple initially thought that the Holy Maiden was simply bloodthirsty, but after several investigations, they felt that she was more like searching for someone.

After sweeping through the Demon Abyss, she even proposed challenging the sects of the Immortal Domain.

The Holy Master didn’t interfere, and after discussion, the lineage masters agreed to her request.

Thus began the Bloodfiend Bone Ship’s journey to the Immortal Domain.

However, the lineage masters had no idea who the Holy Maiden was looking for. When they asked the Holy Master, she simply said to let the Holy Maiden do as she pleased, offering no useful information.

“It’s best… to have her under our control…” Blood Lord narrowed his eyes slightly.

The Holy Maiden’s origins were too mysterious, and her position was too high, so they needed a way to control her, in case she turned against them at a critical moment.

Who knew if she was a spy sent by some other force…

Therefore, finding the person she was looking for before the Holy Maiden did, and controlling that person, would be a good method.

Just as Blood Lord was pondering, faint purple flames suddenly ignited on his half-withered body.

“Hmm?”

Blood Lord’s pupils constricted, and he immediately stood up.

The purple flames flickered and floated up, stopping at about the height of a person.

In an instant, the surrounding space seemed to be torn apart, and they were trapped in some unknown illusion.

Blood Lord wasn’t panicked at all. He bowed slightly, his hunched back bending, and said respectfully,

“Greetings, Holy Master.”

Although Blood Lord appeared calm on the surface, his heart was in turmoil.

Why would the Holy Master contact him at this time, using this method?

All disciples who entered the Temple of the Nether Spirit would receive a trace of the Holy Master’s Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame, which would aid their cultivation. Upon their death, they would become nourishment for the Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame, returning to the Holy Master.

However, after reaching a certain status, the Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame would be retrieved by the Holy Master.

Blood Lord was an exception. Although his realm was at the peak of Nascent Soul, due to the hidden injuries he sustained in the Immortal-Demon War many years ago, he still couldn’t fully control the Law of Withering and Prosperity.

If not for the Holy Master’s Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame, he would probably be dead already.

And now, the Holy Master had suddenly awakened the Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame within Blood Lord and even deliberately set up such a barrier…

Did she have something important to say?

“Blood Lord,” a genderless voice, soft and emotionless, came from within the Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame. “You went to the Peerless Summit Sect?”

“Yes, Holy Master,” Blood Lord replied respectfully, “But we are already on our way back.”

Silence fell within the Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame for a moment, then the Holy Master’s voice rang out again.

“Just now, in the Peerless Summit Sect, a disciple used the Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame.”

“What!”

Blood Lord couldn’t help but exclaim.

The price of directly activating the Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame was extremely heavy. The pain was something that even Demon Abyss disciples, who had experienced mountains of corpses and seas of blood, dreaded.

Unless it was…

A trained spy.

Just then, Blood Lord remembered that before the competition with the Peerless Summit Sect began, their Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall seemed to have mentioned this matter.

A spy from the Sha Master lineage of the Temple had attempted to assassinate a Peerless Summit Sect disciple but was killed instead.

However, he hadn’t mentioned the Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame.

But the disciple who killed the Sha Master spy seemed to be only at the mid-stage of the Innate Realm. How could such a cultivation level withstand the power of the Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame…

“A Soul Transformation cultivator protected her,” the Holy Master continued, “And this Soul Transformation cultivator… I don’t recognize.”

This time, Blood Lord was truly shocked.

A Soul Transformation cultivator whom even the Holy Master didn’t recognize?

How was that possible!

Soul Transformation cultivators had all lived for a very long time. Only one or two appeared every ten thousand years, and they were all renowned figures.

If it were Core Formation, or even Nascent Soul, there might be unknown secluded cultivators.

But Soul Transformation and above, they controlled the power of rules. It was impossible for their breakthroughs to be without any commotion, making it impossible to hide.

Unless it was… a Soul Transformation cultivator even older than the Holy Master, perhaps even having reached the legendary realm… of ascension—Immortality.

This was terrifying.

“There’s a barrier in the Immortal Domain that blocks my perception, so it’s not very clear. However, the aura is somewhat similar to A’Yao’s.” The Holy Master said faintly. “But I can’t be sure.”

“The Holy Maiden?” Blood Lord’s expression darkened. “Holy Master, are you saying that the one protected by the unknown Soul Transformation ancestor might be the person the Holy Maiden is looking for?”

“Yes.”

After receiving the Holy Master’s confirmation, Blood Lord turned slightly and looked in the direction of the Holy Maiden’s room, hesitating.

Should he tell the Holy Maiden directly, or secretly bring that white-haired girl back to the Temple of the Nether Spirit…

However, the white-haired girl was a prodigy of the Peerless Summit Sect. Secretly taking her would require a considerable price.

There were still a few spies from the Blood Lord lineage within the Peerless Summit Sect, but sacrificing them for the white-haired girl… was it worth it?

“I’ve said what I needed to say. The rest is up to you.”

After saying her last words, the Bone-Eroding Demonic Flame was extinguished, the spark returning to Blood Lord’s half-withered body.

The Holy Master had always been like this, rarely directly involving herself in the affairs of the Temple of the Nether Spirit, and basically ignoring the power struggles between the various lineage masters.

She would only appear when matters arose that the lineage masters couldn’t decide on their own.

Blood Lord sat alone for a long time, still not moving.

“Forget it, this matter should be… considered carefully.”

At least he now knew who the Holy Maiden might be looking for; it was no longer a complete mystery, and that was enough.

Blood Lord closed his eyes again.

…

Luo Xue didn’t know that the Temple of the Nether Spirit had already noticed her. At this moment, she was packing her belongings with Senior Sister.

In fact, Zou Junxin’s decision to send Luo Xue to the Demon Abyss as a spy for the Immortal Domain was a bit risky.

He had to finalize this matter before the Law Enforcement Hall reacted.

In other words, from now on, Luo Xue could receive the order to go to the Demon Abyss at any time.

Therefore, after Zou Junxin left Falling Flower Peak, Bai Zhanying immediately started preparing things that Luo Xue might need in the future.

“Take these talismans first. They can be activated with a bit of spiritual power, very useful.”

“This soft armor is only a second-grade spiritual artifact, but it can protect your life against a full-powered attack from a Core Formation cultivator.”

“As for weapons, I’ll ask for Zhang Zhengwei’s heavy sword for you. Oh right, the one you used during the competition. The swords of Falling Flower Peak are too light, you probably can’t use them.”

“These technique manuals are all obtained from my travels, they have nothing to do with the Peerless Summit Sect. I’ll give them to you.”

“And also…”

“Senior Sister,” Luo Xue had to interrupt Bai Zhanying, who was frantically stuffing things into her arms, a wry smile on her face. “It’s too much, I can’t carry it all.”

It looked like Senior Sister was planning to give her everything she owned…

Not to mention the weapons and technique manuals, just the talismans alone, these one-time-use magical treasures, were extremely valuable.

Whether it was the rarity of the materials or the difficulty of crafting them, a few were enough to make a cultivator of the same level feel poor.

After all, these things didn’t require much spiritual power to use, and the talismans Senior Sister took out were almost all at the Foundation Establishment level. Five or six of them would probably be enough to kill Daoist Ziyang.

And there were at least a hundred here…

A second-grade spiritual artifact soft armor, it didn’t sound like much, but second-grade corresponded to Foundation Establishment, and it was a rare protective treasure. Auctioning it off could fetch hundreds of talismans.

Luo Xue knew the value of these things, and she felt a little shocked.

“…The Demon Abyss is dangerous, I’m just worried.” Bai Zhanying’s gaze towards Luo Xue was gentle. “In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown so much… but I still feel that you’re no different from the baby crying in my arms back then.”

“Cough…”

Luo Xue touched her nose awkwardly.

“Back then…”

Bai Zhanying suddenly became sentimental.

Seeing this, Luo Xue quickly changed the subject.

“Senior Sister, tell me about the Demon Abyss?”

Bai Zhanying’s reminiscence was interrupted, a hint of disappointment flashing across her face, but she quickly composed herself and asked,

“Xiao Xue, how much do you know about the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss?”

She had heard the conversation between Zou Junxin and Luo Xue in the room.

But talking about the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss was too broad, and she didn’t know where to start.

“Tell me what the Demon Abyss is like first. Is it full of sinister and dangerous places?”

Luo Xue pulled over a small stool, her eyes fixed on Senior Sister, looking like she was eager to hear some gossip.

Bai Zhanying pondered for a moment, then said,

“Actually, the Demon Abyss is similar to the Immortal Domain. The difference… isn’t that big.”

“Hmm?” Luo Xue was taken aback. “Senior Sister, you mean… the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss, are actually just different in name?”

“Generally speaking, yes,” Bai Zhanying nodded. “The Immortal Domain has nine provinces, and the Demon Abyss has four domains. They are essentially the same.”

“There are also demonic and dangerous places within the nine provinces, and there are also blessed lands within the four domains.”

“Then why are they called the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss?” Luo Xue asked curiously. “And where is the Mortal Realm?”

Bai Zhanying considered her words carefully, then said,

“Let’s talk about the Mortal Realm first. As the name suggests, it’s the world where mortal nations reside… It sounds far away from the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss, but it’s not.”

Bai Zhanying raised her hand slightly, and thin strands of spiritual power formed a map in the air, distinguished by colors.

The white Immortal Domain and the red Demon Abyss were clearly demarcated, and there seemed to be no Mortal Realm.

Bai Zhanying pointed to the white area and said,

“This is the nine provinces of the Immortal Domain, and also… the nine provinces of the Mortal Realm. The same goes for the four domains of the Demon Abyss.”

“Mortal nations are distributed within the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss, but they are managed by the corresponding sects within their respective spheres of influence.”

“The Peerless Summit Sect is located in Qing Province. There are five mortal nations within Qing Province: Wei, Zhou, Yan, Nanming, Beiming, and Dawei.”

Within the white area, which represented one-ninth of the map, five differently colored patches appeared, almost occupying the entire area.

Only a few small areas remained uncolored.

—The locations of the immortal sects.

“So, the Mortal Realm is actually included within the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss. The areas outside the sect residences are called the Mortal Realm?”

Luo Xue nodded thoughtfully. “In that case, the difference between the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss lies in…”

“The sects that govern them. The areas occupied by Demon Abyss sects are called the Demon Abyss, that’s all.” Bai Zhanying said. “It was originally the ten provinces of the Immortal Domain, but in the Immortal-Demon War that ended a thousand years ago, one province fell and was incorporated into the four domains of the Demon Abyss.”

“Although nine provinces might sound larger than four domains, it’s actually just a difference in how they are divided. Now, the Demon Abyss’s territory is slightly larger than the Immortal Domain’s.”

This was clearly visible on the map Bai Zhanying had drawn.

The Demon Abyss had a slight advantage in the Immortal-Demon War a thousand years ago.

Chapter 72: If Only You Were Here

The conflict between the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall and the Sect Master was essentially a power struggle.

After the sect rebellion hundreds of years ago, the four peaks became independent, almost unrestrained, which caught the attention of the Soul Transformation ancestors.

Thus, the Law Enforcement Hall was established, answering only to the Soul Transformation ancestors, and tasked with supervising the four peaks of the Peerless Summit Sect.

But… it had no right to interfere in the sect’s affairs.

The important position of leading the Law Enforcement Hall fell to the previous Sect Master’s Senior Brother, Zou Junxin’s Martial Uncle, the current Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall.

He had originally been the top candidate to succeed the previous Sect Master, but the crucial Law Enforcement Hall was created, and he was the almost irreplaceable candidate for its leadership.

Moreover, the decisions made by the Soul Transformation ancestors couldn’t be disobeyed.

And so…

The position of Sect Master slipped through the Grand Elder’s fingers.

His ambitions, his aspirations to revive the Peerless Summit Sect, his ideals, were all stifled by this sudden appointment.

Because the Law Enforcement Hall’s duty was supervision, it couldn’t participate in the decision-making of important sect matters. This was a deliberate check and balance created by the Soul Transformation ancestors.

More importantly, the new Sect Master, Zou Junxin, had different ideals from the Grand Elder and wouldn’t implement the Grand Elder’s policies.

Therefore, the Grand Elder seized every opportunity to pull Zou Junxin down from the position of Sect Master and exchange positions with him.

Doing so required the collective decision of the Soul Transformation ancestors.

Only if the Soul Transformation ancestors deemed Zou Junxin unfit to be the Sect Master would the Grand Elder have a chance.

Luo Xue’s incident was a good opportunity. If she was taken away, in a few days, the Law Enforcement Hall would publicly try her before the entire sect.

At that time, Zou Junxin… would definitely lose face in the eyes of the Soul Transformation ancestors.

In fact, Zou Junxin had already considered stepping down as Sect Master, which was why he had initially intended to let the Law Enforcement Hall take Luo Xue away.

But seeing Bai Zhanying’s persistence, he wavered.

Thus, this conversation with Luo Xue.

“If I’m handed over to the Law Enforcement Hall for trial, can I survive?” Luo Xue asked.

“…Not necessarily.” Zou Junxin said in a low voice.

“But I want to live,” Luo Xue said softly, “I… just want to live.”

“Go to the Demon Abyss.”

Zou Junxin said directly.

Luo Xue looked up, her eyes wide with surprise.

She could understand Senior Sister having such thoughts, as it would at least allow her to survive.

But for the Sect Master of an Immortal Domain sect to actively send a disciple to the Demon Abyss…

Even if it was for Senior Sister’s sake, wasn’t this decision a bit too bizarre?

“Of course, I’m not asking you to defect to the Demon Abyss,” Zou Junxin saw Luo Xue’s reaction, a playful smile appearing on his lips. “I’m asking you to infiltrate the Demon Abyss as a spy for the Immortal Domain.”

This overly mature child also had such expressions…

“Uh…”

Luo Xue was even more confused.

What was this operation?

“In the Falling Flower Peak trial, the Kong Lianbin you encountered was a spy sent to the Immortal Domain by the Demon Abyss.” Mentioning this, Zou Junxin’s expression turned serious. “He was from the Sha Master lineage of the Temple of the Nether Spirit. The Sha Master lineage always likes to kill Immortal Domain cultivators and holds the most hostility towards the Immortal Domain.”

“The pro-war faction? Like Underworld Water Ravine?” Luo Xue raised an eyebrow.

“Like the Underworld Water Ravine of hundreds of years ago,” Zou Junxin corrected, “The current Underworld Water Ravine has almost no say in sect affairs. This is their punishment for the rebellion.”

“Oh.”

“In short, whether it’s the Immortal Domain or the Demon Abyss, sending spies to each other is a well-known fact.” Zou Junxin continued, “Not just the Peerless Summit Sect, all nine major sects of the Immortal Domain have spies in the Demon Abyss—some even deeper than Kong Lianbin.”

“You’re saying…”

Luo Xue subconsciously lowered her voice.

“That’s right, even some of the geniuses in the Demon Abyss are spies for the Immortal Domain.” A hint of sharpness and pride flashed through Zou Junxin’s eyes. “At the right time, they will naturally play their role.”

“Could that Holy Maiden of the Temple also be one?”

Luo Xue asked curiously.

When she had entered the arena, there were Peerless Summit Sect disciples discussing the prodigy of the Temple of the Nether Spirit.

It was said that she was extremely cruel, eating hundreds of children every day…

—Luo Xue knew there were exaggerations, but it shouldn’t be… completely baseless, right?

“…”

Zou Junxin’s expression instantly froze.

Heavens, what was this child thinking? A genius of that level, even the Immortal Domain hadn’t produced one in tens of thousands of years.

If the Immortal Domain had such a genius, they would protect her at all costs, how could they send her to be a spy?

Moreover, the Holy Maiden of the Temple of the Nether Spirit cultivated the legendary Underworld Phoenix Inheritance, a true demonic cultivation technique, requiring a massive amount of Yin energy.

Therefore, she could only be from the Demon Abyss.

However… he had just boasted, wouldn’t it be embarrassing to deny it now?

Zou Junxin’s expression suddenly turned mysterious.

“This… I can’t say too much.”

His words were vague, but hinted at the possibility.

“Wow…”

Luo Xue exclaimed.

The Nine Sects of the Immortal Domain actually had such power…

However, thinking about it carefully, didn’t the Demon Abyss also send a spy to the Peerless Summit Sect, hidden so deeply that he even became one of this generation’s Peerless Four?

It seemed… understandable.

If Zou Junxin knew what Luo Xue was thinking, his expression would probably crack.

How could she compare a once-in-a-millennium prodigy to one of the Peerless Four, who appeared every twelve years…

The Peerless Four weren’t even qualified to be mentioned in the same breath as the Holy Maiden.

Having said that, Zou Junxin composed himself and said in a deep voice,

“Zhanying probably also wants you to go to the Demon Abyss, but the Law Enforcement Hall wouldn’t let a potential demonic cultivator go there. They insist on crippling your cultivation before letting you leave, which is why there’s a stalemate.”

“On the other hand, she’s also worried that you’re still too young to survive alone in the Demon Abyss.”

“Now, these are no longer problems. Your actions today have proven yourself. With me intervening to make you a spy, the Law Enforcement Hall can’t continue to make a fuss about this matter.”

“And… if you can’t even protect yourself with your current strength, the Demon Abyss would be too dangerous.”

Luo Xue nodded repeatedly as she listened to Zou Junxin’s instructions.

When he finished, Luo Xue asked curiously,

“By the way, you keep mentioning the Demon Abyss and the Immortal Domain… Actually, I don’t have much of a concept of these. Senior Sister’s books don’t have much information about them either. Could you explain it to me, Sect Master?”

Zou Junxin’s pupils constricted, and after a moment of contemplation, he suddenly laughed.

“Now I believe you can’t possibly be the reincarnation of a powerful demonic cultivator.”

“Hmm?”

Luo Xue blinked, looking quite innocent.

“Even I overlooked this point,” Zou Junxin smiled. “Due to your physique, you’ve barely left Falling Flower Peak these past twelve years, and few people have talked to you.”

“Zhanying wouldn’t bring back books on such basic common knowledge for you to read, so you haven’t had the chance to learn about these things.”

What Zou Junxin didn’t say was that if Luo Xue truly was the reincarnation of a powerful demonic cultivator, how could she not know such basic common sense?

“…Do you need to confirm it so many times?”

Luo Xue coughed lightly, feeling a little guilty.

After all, she was indeed a reincarnated demonic cultivator… just not a powerful one yet.

“Just a casual remark,” Zou Junxin said cheerfully. “Zhanying can tell you about the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss. Let’s just say the difference between the two is not what you might imagine.”

“The Immortal Domain isn’t entirely a paradise, and the Demon Abyss isn’t completely hopeless.”

With that, Zou Junxin stood up, drained his cup of water, and sighed softly.

“This is all I can do for you.”

“From now on… it’s all up to you, Luo Xue.”

Luo Xue’s expression turned serious, and she stood up, bowing.

“Luo Xue understands, Sect Master.”

Zou Junxin stared intently at Luo Xue, a deep meaning in his eyes.

But he didn’t say anything. He just nodded slightly at Luo Xue, turned, and walked towards the door.

Opening the door, Bai Zhanying, with her ear pressed against the door and a worried frown, was startled to find herself face to face with Zou Junxin.

“…Ahem.”

Zou Junxin coughed lightly to ease the awkward atmosphere.

Although he had sent Bai Zhanying away, he hadn’t cast a silencing spell, intentionally letting her hear the conversation.

Some things he couldn’t say directly could be conveyed to Bai Zhanying this way.

But…

Did she really have to eavesdrop like this?

“Sect Master.”

Bai Zhanying bowed calmly.

“…You can talk to Luo Xue now.”

Zou Junxin forced a smile and walked past her.

Bai Zhanying immediately went into the room and closed the door with a click.

“…”

Zou Junxin walked out, holding his forehead, a slight buzzing in his temples.

He had thought this was a serious matter, but now it seemed a bit… comical?

However, the idea of sending Luo Xue to the Demon Abyss as a spy for the Immortal Domain was just a whim.

“I wonder… whether this is a blessing or a curse for them, for the Peerless Summit Sect…”

Zou Junxin sighed deeply.

“Does the Sect Master really think doing this… is appropriate?”

A voice suddenly rang out. Hei Pao had appeared beside Zou Junxin without a sound.

“…But we’ve wronged Bai Qiulin, especially you, and Underworld Water Ravine.” Zou Junxin said in a deep voice.

Hei Pao was silent for a moment.

Although he wasn’t the one who started the rebellion, he had participated as a member of Underworld Water Ravine.

Even now, Underworld Water Ravine was still paying the price for that rebellion. Hei Pao had no say in major sect decisions.

Simply put, the current Underworld Water Ravine was more like the enforcers of the Peerless Summit Sect.

“I have no objections.”

Hei Pao said in a low voice.

“I do.”

Zou Junxin said in a deep voice.

“Hmm?”

Hei Pao was taken aback.

“Next time you appear, can you make some noise… I almost drew my sword and attacked you.”

A helpless expression appeared on Zou Junxin’s face.

Being able to avoid the perception of a Nascent Soul cultivator and appear within striking distance was a terrifying ability. This was the strength of Hei Pao, the Peak Master of Underworld Water Ravine.

It was just that his usual method was a bit… startling.

“…I’ll be careful.”

…

“Wow… they were all utterly defeated. No one within the Innate Realm is her match…”

“That sword, even someone at the early stage of Spirit Condensation would have to avoid its edge…”

“I didn’t expect such a prodigy to exist in the Immortal Domain…”

“What are you talking about? Can she compare to the Holy Maiden?”

“Don’t push, I can’t see…”

On the returning bone ship, the little maids guarding the Holy Maiden’s room whispered and chattered.

They were just slaves and couldn’t go out to watch the excitement like the disciples.

They could only huddle together, taking turns peeking with a recording stone.

Just then, a maid inadvertently looked up and saw a broken dagger flash before her eyes. She was instantly startled.

Without thinking, she knelt down, burying her head on the ground.

“Greetings, Holy Maiden, this servant deserves death!”

The other maids were also terrified and quickly knelt down.

The recording stone rolled and stopped beside a pair of delicate feet.

The Holy Maiden bent down and picked up the recording stone.

This kind of recording stone was one of the most common low-level artifacts in the cultivation world, very cheap, and could be bought with just a few spirit stones.

But these slaves treated it as a treasure, sharing it among themselves.

The Holy Maiden looked at the image on the recording stone. A ghostly figure of a Peerless Summit Sect disciple was challenging the Temple disciples, with several defeated opponents already on the ground.

She was indeed very powerful.

…But it wasn’t Ah Chou.

Nor could she find her figure in the bustling crowd on the square.

“She…”

The Holy Maiden spoke softly, her gaze falling on the terrified, upturned faces.

In a trance, distant memories seemed to surface.

“Here,” the Holy Maiden handed the recording stone back. “Take good care of it, and don’t drop it again.”

The little maids trembled, their heads lowered, not daring to take the recording stone.

The Holy Maiden didn’t say anything. After a moment, she put away the recording stone and returned to her room on the bone ship.

“That was scary… The Holy Maiden was actually standing there watching us…”

“Shh, luckily I reacted quickly and knelt down. Otherwise, we would all be in trouble!”

“Is the Holy Maiden really that scary? I feel like she…”

“Don’t talk about the Holy Maiden casually!”

“At least take back the recording stone…”

“Shut up, do you want to get us killed!”

The maids immediately fell silent, obediently guarding the door, waiting for the Holy Maiden’s orders.

The Holy Maiden leaned against the door, her eyelids drooping, listening to all of this.

She picked up the broken dagger hanging at her waist and walked slowly.

“Ah Chou, do you know? The Demon Abyss… is really boring.”

“Scheming, betrayal, using each other, there’s no one to talk to.”

“Some want to harm Xiao Yao, some want to use Xiao Yao, and most are afraid of Xiao Yao… just like we were afraid of Daoist Ziyang…”

“Xiao Yao is tired.”

She walked to the coffin and gently pushed it open. Inside was a half-sized wooden sculpture of a young girl.

The burn scars on the wooden girl’s face were incredibly lifelike, even her posture was identical, only her eyes were blank.

Because no matter how hard she tried, Su Yiyao couldn’t recreate those beautiful eyes from her memory.

She sat down, resting her head gently against the wooden sculpture.

“If only you were here.”

Chapter 71: An Ugly Past

Blood Lord had initially assumed that Luo Xue possessed a special demonic cultivation technique, allowing her to ignore, or perhaps even absorb, the Yin Blood Mist.

But the strength she displayed in the next battle proved otherwise.

The first battle could be attributed to surprise, but the second… couldn’t be just a coincidence.

Logically, this type of demonic cultivation technique would have strong side effects.

An unstable foundation was just one aspect. More importantly, their combat power under normal circumstances would be weaker than cultivators of the same level.

How could a technique that relied on shortcuts compare to a technique cultivated through solid practice?

As a renowned Nascent Soul expert in the Demon Abyss, Blood Lord wasn’t so lacking in discernment.

“Perhaps it’s some kind of talent… It’s indeed a strong counter to my Blood lineage.”

Blood Lord narrowed his eyes. If this girl was allowed to grow, she would become a great enemy of the Blood lineage.

He briefly considered sending someone to assassinate Luo Xue.

However…

The Peerless Summit Sect wouldn’t easily expose any vulnerabilities, giving the Demon Abyss a chance to assassinate her.

Such a prodigy, anyone would protect her carefully.

To avoid alerting them, Blood Lord didn’t mention Luo Xue and instead turned his attention to Li Guijiao.

“I didn’t expect that after hundreds of years, Underworld Water Ravine would produce another skilled assassin,” Blood Lord said with a smile. “It’s a pity she’s a bit young. If she were the same age as the Holy Maiden… perhaps they could have a good match.”

“With the Holy Maiden’s cultivation speed, if they were to fight, it would probably have to be at the Core Formation Realm.” Zou Junxin shook his head slightly, a hint of regret in his voice.

After Foundation Establishment came Core Formation, and every step in Core Formation was even more difficult than Foundation Establishment.

The time it took to break through a minor realm might be similar to the time it took to go from no cultivation to Foundation Establishment.

It could be said that the Core Formation Realm was where the true difference between prodigies was revealed.

As for breaking through Core Formation and reaching Nascent Soul…

Even most prodigies found it difficult to reach this stage.

“Let’s end it here for today.” The battles below had ended, and Blood Lord had lost interest. He stood up. “It seems the Peerless Summit Sect still retains some of its former glory.”

“…Naturally.”

Hearing these words, which were neither praise nor mockery, Zou Junxin felt a mix of emotions.

A single Holy Maiden had overshadowed all the Foundation Establishment prodigies of the sect, and there wasn’t a single prodigy at the Spirit Condensation Realm who could hold their own.

If not for the two disciples at the Innate Realm who had slightly dampened the arrogance of the Temple of the Nether Spirit, after today, the Peerless Summit Sect would have no face left in the Immortal Domain.

“I hope to see you again in the future, Old Brother Zou,” Blood Lord’s face showed a hint of coldness. “Don’t die too soon.”

“Then… this Zou will see Blood Lord off.” Zou Junxin immediately cupped his hands.

But did these words mean seeing Blood Lord off from the Peerless Summit Sect, or…

Blood Lord didn’t say anything more. He waved his sleeve, turned around, and his hunched, half-withered, half-flesh-and-blood figure walked away.

The Temple disciples below received the order and returned to the blood-red bone ship, but the verbal sparring continued, the ship filled with noise.

It wasn’t until the bone ship was far away that the commotion on Falling Flower Peak finally subsided.

However, for the Peak Masters of the Peerless Summit Sect, some things were just beginning.

“Let’s go,” Zou Junxin sighed, “Our little friend… probably has some things to say to me.”

…

“Xiao Xue, how are your injuries?”

As soon as Luo Xue returned, Bai Zhanying immediately rushed over, worriedly checking her injuries.

“Cough… I’m fine, just minor injuries.”

Luo Xue quickly reached out to stop Bai Zhanying. Her blood was poisonous.

But Bai Zhanying still carefully lifted her clothes, and seeing the thin, long scar on Luo Xue’s abdomen, a look of distress appeared on her face.

However, as expected of a body infused with True Phoenix blood essence, Luo Xue’s injuries were healing quickly and had already scabbed over.

But… Luo Xue’s fighting style of trading injuries, although thrilling to watch, only caused heartache for those who cared about her.

Ignoring Luo Xue’s attempts to stop her, Bai Zhanying personally bandaged her wounds, even getting some of Luo Xue’s blood on her.

Although this poisonous blood couldn’t harm someone at Bai Zhanying’s level, it still caused some small, festering wounds on her fingers.

Luo Xue saw this and roughly understood the potency of her blood poison.

“Spirit Condensation cultivators can be poisoned, Foundation Establishment cultivators need to have their internal organs touched to be harmed, and Core Formation and above… can basically ignore it.”

“I really don’t know what you’re planning,” Bai Zhanying sighed after changing Luo Xue’s clothes. “Even so, the Sect Master still…”

“Let’s wait and see.”

Luo Xue said in a low voice, interrupting Bai Zhanying.

Just then, there was a knock on the courtyard door, followed by Zou Junxin’s voice.

“It’s me, Zhanying.”

“Coming.”

Luo Xue’s expression turned serious.

“Xiao Xue…”

Bai Zhanying opened her mouth, but Luo Xue’s expression remained unchanged.

She could only sigh softly and open the door.

“Sect Master.”

Bai Zhanying bowed.

“Zhanying, you can leave now.”

Zou Junxin looked at Bai Zhanying with a complicated expression, then turned his gaze to Luo Xue inside.

Luo Xue was also looking at him, grinning like an innocent child.

But Zou Junxin knew that she wasn’t as simple as she appeared.

“Senior Sister, it’s fine.” Luo Xue said with a smile. “The Sect Master won’t harm me, at least not now.”

“…Indeed.”

Zou Junxin said faintly.

Bai Zhanying looked at Luo Xue, then at Zou Junxin, unable to understand what they were planning.

“Yes, Sect Master.”

Bai Zhanying could only lower her head and leave the room, but she still waited outside.

Zou Junxin walked in and sat directly opposite Luo Xue.

After a moment of silence, he spoke.

“How are your injuries…?”

“Not bad,” Luo Xue poured a cup of water and placed it in front of Zou Junxin. “I just got back, and I haven’t prepared the tea set yet. I hope you don’t mind some plain water, Sect Master.”

Zou Junxin just looked at her for a long time, then sighed.

“If you didn’t have the Calamity Poison Body, if you weren’t a demonic cultivator, it would truly be a blessing for our Peerless Summit Sect…”

“Sect Master, it’s a pity there are no ‘ifs’ in this world.” Luo Xue’s smile faded slightly.

“…You’re very clever,” Zou Junxin’s fingers gently rubbed the teacup, his gaze fixed on Luo Xue. “You’re too clever.”

“I really wonder if you are the reincarnation of some powerful demonic cultivator, but your soul is pure and clear, without any trace of reincarnation.”

If not for this, even with Bai Zhanying’s connection, Zou Junxin wouldn’t have protected Luo Xue.

If she were truly the reincarnation of a powerful demonic cultivator, Luo Xue would have been killed by the sect’s higher-ups the moment she was discovered, and wouldn’t have lived until now.

Although Luo Xue remained expressionless on the surface, she was inwardly surprised.

Her current situation could be considered reincarnation, but unexpectedly… even a Nascent Soul cultivator couldn’t detect any traces.

So, how exactly did she come to this world…

Was it illusion or reality, or… was this world just her dream?

Even now, Luo Xue couldn’t tell.

“With your intelligence, you should be able to figure out what has happened recently, about the cheating, about… the Law Enforcement Hall.” Zou Junxin paused, then continued, “And Luo Huaxin, she should have told you about Zhanying, right?”

“Only partially. Mother said she didn’t know much either.”

Luo Xue said, emphasizing the word “Mother.”

When she said the word “Mother,” a snort seemed to echo from somewhere, but she wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination.

Zou Junxin paused, a strange expression on his face.

There had been rumors before, but for the person involved to say it so directly was still unexpected.

What was even more unexpected was that Luo Huaxin was willing to acknowledge this daughter…

Even Bai Zhanying, she had only taken as a disciple.

But Zou Junxin suppressed his doubts and continued,

“She’s not really a member of the Peerless Summit Sect, so naturally, she doesn’t know much about what happened back then.”

As he spoke, Zou Junxin turned to look at the courtyard outside the window, a look of reminiscence in his eyes.

After a while, he sighed deeply.

“The Peerless Summit Sect has wronged Zhanying… and her mother even more.”

“The true Venerable Falling Flower of Falling Flower Peak, Bai Qiulin.”

“…She was also my peer.”

Luo Xue immediately perked up. After all, this was gossip, and gossip was every girl’s nature.

“What exactly happened back then? The rebellion… what was it about? Why is Senior Sister so involved in this matter? And what’s going on with the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall?”

Luo Xue blinked, asking all her questions at once.

At this moment, she looked like an innocent little girl, not the “clever” and shrewd person she was inside.

Zou Junxin was stunned by the barrage of questions. He had encountered enough unexpected things today, and now there was another.

“She actually asked so directly…”

A helpless smile appeared on his lips, but when he glanced at the door, a hint of bitterness flashed through his eyes.

“Well, it’s not a bad thing to tell you about this…”

He wasn’t sure if this “you” referred to Luo Xue or Bai Zhanying.

Under Luo Xue’s expectant gaze, Zou Junxin straightened up and began to recount the Peerless Summit Sect’s shameful past from hundreds of years ago.

—The rebellion that occurred hundreds of years ago.

The rebellion was initiated by Underworld Water Ravine, and its purpose was… to start a war between the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss.

The rebels believed that the Peerless Summit Sect had lost its edge as a sword sect and was colluding with demons. Especially the Bai family, who advocated for easing tensions between the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss, were seen as a thorn in their side.

The Bai family, led by Bai Zhanying’s mother, Bai Qiulin, believed that the Peerless Summit Sect had suffered heavy losses in the previous war and needed time to recuperate, and shouldn’t provoke another war.

This was a conflict between the radicals and the conservatives. Luo Xue felt that the current Peerless Summit Sect was a bit extreme, not knowing that this was actually the more conservative side.

Therefore, with the support of their Soul Transformation ancestor, Underworld Water Ravine massacred the Bai family and rebelled against Dawn Light Peak, attempting to use the Sect Master’s authority to mobilize the disciples stationed at the sect’s border and launch a surprise attack on the Demon Abyss.

At the same time, Bai Qiulin, the Peak Master of Falling Flower Peak, was assassinated in a secret realm and died in the arms of her friend, Luo Huaxin.

The Bai family was almost completely exterminated, leaving only Bai Zhanying, who was still an infant.

The Soul Transformation ancestor of Falling Flower Peak, enraged, fought against the Soul Transformation ancestor of Underworld Water Ravine. The aftershocks flattened eighteen mountain peaks and caused hundreds more to collapse.

It wasn’t until two other Soul Transformation ancestors intervened that the situation was eased.

In the end, the rebellion of Underworld Water Ravine was suppressed, but the damage was immeasurable.

Three of the four peaks underwent major changes, with only Cold Edge Cliff, with its consistently moderate stance, escaping unscathed.

The Sect Master resigned to take responsibility, and Zou Junxin, the Grand Elder of Dawn Light Peak, was appointed as the new Sect Master. Underworld Water Ravine was almost completely purged.

Most importantly, the power of Falling Flower Peak was left vacant, with no one to take over.

At this critical moment, Luo Huaxin stepped forward.

Luo Huaxin, a renowned rogue cultivator back then, had sworn sisterhood with Bai Qiulin when they were young.

Her best friend died in her arms, and in her rage, Luo Huaxin stormed Falling Flower Peak and rescued Bai Zhanying, who had been protected by the branch family of the Bai clan.

To compensate the Bai family, which had been almost exterminated in the rebellion, Bai Zhanying, after being confirmed to have survived, was designated as the future Peak Master of Falling Flower Peak.

Unless she betrayed the sect, even if she had no cultivation talent, she would be placed in that position.

But there was another problem. Before Bai Zhanying was old enough to take on this responsibility, who would shoulder the burden of Falling Flower Peak?

An elder from within Falling Flower Peak?

No, that wouldn’t do.

If an internal elder took charge, they would inevitably form their own power and faction.

When Bai Zhanying grew up, she would only be a puppet Peak Master, which wouldn’t fulfill the original intention of compensating the Bai family.

Therefore… after much deliberation, the position of Falling Flower Peak Master fell into Luo Huaxin’s hands.

Firstly, everyone knew that she was Bai Qiulin’s best friend, and secondly, she was also Bai Zhanying’s master.

There was another, more important reason…

Luo Huaxin was an outsider. The internal factions couldn’t be controlled by her, and everyone knew she couldn’t hold this position for long.

This was why the current strange situation existed.

Luo Huaxin, as a Peak Master, was a hands-off master all year round, and the Peerless Summit Sect’s higher-ups had no objections.

“As for the Law Enforcement Hall…” Zou Junxin said in a deep voice, “It was established after this incident, to prevent such a situation from happening again.”

“What about the current Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall?” Luo Xue asked bluntly. “His relationship with you doesn’t seem very good.”

“…He is my Martial Uncle, the Senior Brother of the previous Sect Master, my Master.” Zou Junxin’s eyes flickered, and he sighed. “If nothing unexpected had happened, he should have been the Sect Master.”

“But now you are the Sect Master.” Luo Xue said.

“This is the source of internal conflict within the Peerless Summit Sect,” Zou Junxin said in a low voice, “And also the reason for your strange experiences recently.”

Chapter 70: Senior Sister Li Guijiao 

The blood mist slowly dissipated, leaving Luo Xue unharmed.

It was as if the poisonous mist was just ordinary smoke and dust.

But it wasn’t!

The reason why Peerless Summit Sect disciples struggled in one-on-one battles against Temple disciples was because of techniques like this.

Once touched, their spiritual power would be contaminated with various poisons, becoming sluggish and difficult to control, making it hard to even execute their sword techniques properly.

They either had to dodge the techniques with movement skills or use exquisite swordsmanship to gain an advantage.

Luo Xue was the only one who just barged through…

“Innate Realm battle, Peerless Summit Sect wins.”

Everyone was shocked.

Not only the Temple disciples, but even the Peerless Summit Sect disciples were dumbfounded.

Blood Lord, on the floating platform, stood up, looking at the scene in disbelief.

Zou Junxin’s pupils constricted, but recalling Luo Xue’s special physique, he calmed down slightly, though some doubts remained in his heart.

The Calamity Poison Body could indeed absorb poison and use it for its own purposes, but there were limitations.

Poisons with spiritual imprints, once absorbed into the body, could easily clash with one’s own spiritual power.

The conflict between different types of spiritual power was always a major taboo. If not handled properly, it could lead to the loss of all cultivation, in severe cases.

But Luo Xue didn’t show any signs of spiritual power conflict, which was what puzzled Zou Junxin.

The Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall was also shocked, but his expression quickly darkened.

“…Just a fluke.”

Although surprised, the Grand Elder, as a veteran Nascent Soul cultivator, had sharp eyes.

He quickly came to the same conclusion as Zou Junxin, but he believed that the reason Luo Xue could resolve the conflict was because she had cultivated a demonic technique that could absorb this kind of power.

Many demonic cultivation techniques could absorb the opponent’s spiritual power. Coupled with the Calamity Poison Body, this situation wasn’t surprising.

Of course, this kind of rapidly achieved demonic cultivation wasn’t without its drawbacks. It could even cause irreversible damage to one’s foundation.

As for this battle…

It was over the moment the blood mist had no effect on Luo Xue.

At least 70% of the combat power of the disciples from Blood Lord’s lineage in the Temple of the Nether Spirit relied on this troublesome Yin Blood Mist.

“This disciple of yours is quite interesting.”

Blood Lord, a veteran of thousands of years, quickly regained his composure and looked at the Peerless Summit Sect’s higher-ups with a smile, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Some guesses formed in his mind, all related to the Demon Abyss.

He hadn’t expected the Peerless Summit Sect to possess some techniques from the Demon Abyss…

“Blood Lord, why don’t you watch a bit more.”

Zou Junxin’s expression remained unchanged.

“Heh.”

Blood Lord let out a cold chuckle, sat back down, and said no more.

The Temple disciples below, having witnessed Luo Xue ignoring the Yin Blood Poison, were still in disbelief.

After some discussion, another disciple at the peak of the Innate Realm stepped forward.

This time, he wasn’t shaken by Luo Xue’s words. Instead, he carefully followed the Temple’s battle tactics, trying to force Luo Xue into a disadvantageous position with poisonous techniques, then find an opening for a decisive blow.

This was the most suitable fighting style for the Blood Lord lineage of the Temple of the Nether Spirit. It was precisely because it countered the sword cultivators of the Peerless Summit Sect that they were sent here to challenge them.

It was a pity…

“Hiya!”

The moment she saw her opponent, Luo Xue raised her sword and charged forward.

Poisonous mist erupted around her, she ignored it.

Poisonous spiritual energy techniques struck her, she ignored them.

Even when the Temple disciple tremblingly raised his protective dagger for a last struggle, she ignored it.

She just charged forward, swung her sword, and another figure was sent flying.

This time, Luo Xue didn’t move, stabbing her sword into the ground.

“Next.”

This two-handed greatsword wasn’t very sharp; it was more like a blunt weapon.

Luo Xue had knocked down two opponents with these two swings, but she didn’t cut them in half—it was just a friendly competition, and causing deaths wouldn’t be good.

But the wounds she inflicted were all bloody and gruesome, making even the Demon Abyss disciples shudder.

Especially Luo Xue’s fighting style…

This wasn’t a cultivator; this was clearly a ferocious beast!

…Although Luo Xue, now infused with a trace of True Phoenix blood essence, was essentially no different from half a beast, and the 100 points added to her strength were terrifying.

Even the owner of the greatsword had never used such a fighting style, wondering if he had been using his sword incorrectly all along.

Although this white-haired girl was only at the Innate Realm, her display here forced even the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Temple of the Nether Spirit to take her seriously.

“Could she be a body cultivator?”

“But the Peerless Summit Sect is famous for its sword cultivation… I’ve never heard of their body cultivation techniques.”

“No, body cultivators before the Spirit Condensation Realm, although different from ordinary cultivators, wouldn’t be… so powerful.”

“We should have brought a few disciples from the Shaoze lineage…”

The Nether Spirit disciples discussed amongst themselves, many with serious expressions.

Moreover, compared to her body cultivation, what was even more striking was Luo Xue’s complete disregard for the poison.

This was their biggest weakness.

The Shaoze lineage within the Temple of the Nether Spirit were body cultivators, at least they wouldn’t be countered so severely.

“Is there no one left in the Temple?”

Luo Xue said faintly, her expression still calm.

She returned their earlier taunt.

This wasn’t like the previous situation where Kong Lianbin had ambushed her. Under everyone’s gaze, the Temple of the Nether Spirit could only send out Innate Realm disciples to fight Luo Xue.

But the problem was, which Innate Realm disciple, seeing the heavy sword in her hand, wouldn’t be terrified?

Of course, they still had to talk tough.

The Spirit Condensation and Foundation Establishment disciples of the Temple of the Nether Spirit were still shouting for Luo Xue to come back and fight later, but their confidence had clearly weakened.

Who knew how terrifying this beast would become once she reached the Spirit Condensation or even Foundation Establishment Realm.

Powerful body cultivators were known for crushing opponents of the same level with their bare hands.

If they couldn’t even do that, they weren’t worthy of being called body cultivators.

Luo Xue waited for a while, and seeing no one stepping forward, she shook her head, dragged her sword, and walked back.

“There’s no one left in the Temple.”

Cheers erupted from the Peerless Summit Sect.

Luo Xue returned the sword to its owner, but the Senior Brother cupped his hands and said,

“No need to return it, Little Junior Sister. This sword is more suitable for you.”

“How is it suitable? I’m a delicate young woman, how can I use such a heavy sword?” Luo Xue blinked. “Besides, I’m a disciple of Falling Flower Peak…”

Falling Flower Peak disciples focused on using swords for techniques, emphasizing divine abilities rather than swordsmanship.

These words almost made everyone’s jaws drop, especially the disciples of the Temple of the Nether Spirit.

After such a violent display of combat, calling herself a delicate young woman was a bit too…

Luo Xue chuckled softly. She was, of course, just joking.

Having lived here for over a decade, although she wasn’t close to many disciples of the Peerless Summit Sect, she still had some feelings for them.

However, if her cultivation of demonic techniques was exposed, would her Senior Brothers and Sisters still treat her the same?

Luo Xue didn’t know, and she didn’t want to know.

Li Guixing looked at the returning Little Junior Sister, her excitement evident.

She hadn’t expected Little Junior Sister to be so strong!

Although her method of defeating the Demon Abyss disciples was a bit baffling, her victories were undeniable.

But amidst her happiness, Li Guixing was still a bit worried.

When Luo Xue returned to her side, Li Guixing hesitated slightly, then called out to her in a low voice.

“Little Junior Sister…”

“Senior Sister Li, what is it?”

Luo Xue stopped and looked at the somewhat hesitant Li Guixing, blinking.

This Senior Sister, who wasn’t much older than her, why did she seem so… timid?

Yes, timid.

Previously, hidden in the shadows, no one could see Li Guixing’s true appearance. Now that she had revealed her true face, she looked more like a shy little girl.

Li Guixing cautiously looked around. The Peerless Summit Sect disciples were still busy arguing with the Temple disciples, and the few gazes that fell on them were mostly directed at Luo Xue.

However, because Luo Xue was so petite, and surrounded by many Peerless Summit Sect disciples, she wasn’t very noticeable.

“Let me tell you something, Little Junior Sister,” Li Guixing whispered, “There are many Demon Abyss spies in our Peerless Summit Sect…”

Luo Xue’s expression immediately turned serious, and she asked in a low voice,

“Senior Sister Li, how do you know?”

She had just encountered Kong Lianbin, a Demon Abyss spy who wanted her life, and now Senior Sister Li was saying this. Could it be… there were more in the Peerless Summit Sect?

“Sixth sense.” Li Guixing said seriously. “I suspect Ye Liufeng is one, and also…”

She rattled off several names Luo Xue didn’t recognize, presumably disciples of the same generation.

Luo Xue’s expression grew even more serious as she listened.

Did Senior Sister Li really have the ability to sense Demon Abyss spies?

“…What about Senior Brother Kong?”

Luo Xue asked tentatively.

“Kong Lianbin?” Li Guixing was stunned. “He’s fine, what’s wrong?”

“…”

Luo Xue’s expression twitched.

“Little Junior Sister, what’s wrong?”

Seeing Luo Xue’s expression, Li Guixing was even more confused.

“It’s nothing.”

Luo Xue said listlessly.

The only confirmed Demon Abyss spy was considered “fine.” It seemed that Senior Sister Li’s sixth sense… wasn’t very reliable.

“So, Little Junior Sister, it’s best not to do anything that attracts attention in the future. It wouldn’t be good if you’re targeted by a Demon Abyss spy…”

Li Guixing said to Luo Xue earnestly, like an elder.

But combined with her previous words, Luo Xue couldn’t help but want to facepalm.

Besides, Senior Sister, your warning came too late. She had already been targeted…

“I’ll remember that, thank you, Senior Sister Li.”

Luo Xue bowed politely. Her proper demeanor made Li Guixing look flustered and at a loss.

Just then, the surroundings suddenly fell silent.

Luo Xue and Li Guixing, who had been chatting secretly, looked up and saw that the surrounding Peerless Summit Sect disciples had retreated a few steps.

“Guixing, having a good chat?”

An indifferent voice rang out.

Luo Xue looked towards the source of the sound and saw Hei Pao, the Peak Master of Underworld Water Ravine.

“Mas… ter…”

Li Guixing shrank back.

“You said earlier that you would fight for your Little Junior Sister.”

Hei Pao’s tone was as indifferent as ever, but Luo Xue clearly heard a hint of amusement.

“Did… I?”

Li Guixing’s eyes darted around, and shadows gradually covered her body.

Hei Pao ignored this and looked up at the Dao Platform, then towards the blood-red bone ship.

“The second representative of the Peerless Summit Sect for the Innate Realm battle, Li Guixing.”

With that, he pushed Li Guixing forward.

“Master, that’s not fair…”

Li Guixing wanted to cry. Since Little Junior Sister had already won, what did it matter if she fought or not?

Hei Pao didn’t say anything, but a faint smile appeared on his lips.

You little rascal, having finally caught you volunteering, how could he let you go?

However, when Hei Pao looked at Luo Xue, his gaze turned complicated.

“Go back first, Luo Xue.”

Luo Xue was silent for a moment, then nodded.

She turned and walked towards the depths of Falling Flower Peak, her back seeming a bit lonely.

Li Guixing stared blankly at Luo Xue. The next moment, as if having made up her mind, her lips moved slightly, sending a few secret words to Luo Xue.

“Little Junior Sister, actually… Li Guixing is not my real name.”

Luo Xue paused.

“My name is… Li Guijiao.”

Luo Xue turned slightly, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

“I’ll remember that, Senior Sister Li.”

Hei Pao just watched this scene, but didn’t say anything, silently returning to the Dao Platform.

In the shadows, a faint smile also appeared on Li Guijiao’s lips. She looked towards the Temple of the Nether Spirit, took a deep breath, and said,

“If Little Junior Sister can do it, I… should be able to do it too.”

The next moment, the shadow vanished, appearing in the small world of falling flowers, ready to face the Temple disciple.

…

If Luo Xue’s previous domineering fighting style had shocked everyone, Li Guijiao’s swordsmanship was terrifying.

Her ghostly sword, a blade without light, instantly took the heads of her opponents.

After a few rounds, the Temple disciples who fought against her trembled slightly, touching the bleeding sword marks on their necks.

This was still in the controlled environment of the arena. If they truly encountered such a sword…

Even those at the early stage of Spirit Condensation wouldn’t dare to guarantee their survival.

This was the Underworld Water Ravine of the Peerless Summit Sect. Because of its existence, no assassin organization dared to claim to be the best in the world.

Underworld Water Ravine was also known as the shadow of the Peerless Summit Sect. The missions they carried out were all shady dealings like undercover work, assassinations, and infiltration.

There were rumors in both the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss that if one was targeted by Underworld Water Ravine, even Nascent Soul cultivators would be in danger.

If the Soul Transformation ancestor of Underworld Water Ravine took action, even Soul Transformation experts of the same level would be terrified—the Dao of assassination was impossible to defend against completely.

“…The Peerless Summit Sect actually has such a talent. It seems you’ve been hiding your strength as well.”

Blood Lord retracted his gaze and continued to smile faintly, but he saw the same surprised expression on Zou Junxin’s face.

“…She’s that strong?”

Zou Junxin’s expression remained unchanged, but he secretly transmitted his voice to Hei Pao.

“I don’t know either,” Hei Pao replied. “I can’t reveal her parentage, but… her cultivation and combat skills were indeed taught by me, but even I didn’t expect her to reach this level.”

It was indeed difficult to hide the existence of a peerless genius, but Li Guijiao had hidden everything about herself, which was how she managed to avoid the attention of the Demon Abyss…

However, it was impossible to hide forever, which was why Hei Pao chose a suitable opportunity to let her stand before everyone.

A faint smile still lingered on Blood Lord’s wrinkled face, but it had cooled considerably.

He had originally thought this trip would be a complete victory, but the Peerless Summit Sect had managed to save some face.

Especially that white-haired girl…

How did she manage to be unafraid of the Yin Poison?

Chapter 69: Next! 

“Seven Spirit Condensation Realm battles, the Peerless Summit Sect… only one victory.”

Six crushing defeats, and even the single victory was a pyrrhic one, achieved only after the Peerless Summit Sect disciple desperately used a secret technique.

Zou Junxin had anticipated such a result.

But seeing it unfold before his eyes was still disheartening.

Below the Core Formation Realm, ordinary Immortal Domain disciples were indeed at a disadvantage against Demon Abyss disciples of the same cultivation level, but prodigies shouldn’t be like this.

Because prodigies represented the future hope of the sect.

The current situation of the Peerless Summit Sect only indicated that the sect was declining.

In fact, the decline of the Peerless Summit Sect had long been evident.

A thousand years ago, the Peerless Summit Sect bore the brunt of the Immortal-Demon War and suffered heavy losses. Later, they experienced the rebellion, gradually declining to their current state.

During their peak, the Peerless Four of the Immortal Ascension Gate were all at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Now, there was only one at the peak of the Innate Realm—Li Guixing, who was hiding her true strength.

After the last Spirit Condensation disciple of the Peerless Summit Sect left the stage in defeat, a chorus of boos came from the disciples of the Temple on the blood-red bone ship.

“Such a large Peerless Summit Sect, yet there are so few who can compete with the disciples of our Temple?”

“Not to mention among peers, we even relaxed the conditions to the same cultivation level, allowing even those over a jiazi to participate, yet you still can’t do it!”

“Is this it? Is this it? Is this all you’ve got?”

The arrogant demeanor of the Temple disciples made the Peerless Summit Sect disciples on the Falling Flower Peak square burn with shame. Even the joy of the aspiring cultivators who had just passed the Immortal Ascension Gate was dampened, and several began to doubt whether joining the Peerless Summit Sect was the right choice.

Many aspiring cultivators had already quietly left the Peerless Summit Sect.

…This was, undeniably, the Temple of the Nether Spirit’s objective.

A blatant and overt scheme, impossible to defend against.

From the moment the Temple of the Nether Spirit openly challenged the Peerless Summit Sect, this outcome was inevitable.

As a sect of equal standing, and the former leader of the Immortal Domain, the Peerless Summit Sect couldn’t refuse the challenge. The pride of sword cultivators wouldn’t allow them to do so.

But now, it seemed that they weren’t much better off than if they had refused.

“Could it be… that I’m truly not fit to be the Sect Master of the Peerless Summit Sect…”

In an instant, Zou Junxin seemed to have aged hundreds of years. He lowered his head slightly, a stark contrast to the smug Blood Lord beside him.

“Old Brother Zou, why are you lost in thought again?”

Seeing his old enemy so dejected, Blood Lord couldn’t help but feel elated.

“Just… thinking about some things.” Zou Junxin’s expression darkened slightly, and he composed himself.

“Don’t worry, there’s still the Innate Realm battle,” Blood Lord said with a smile. “Your sect’s prodigy disciple, who defeated a peak Innate Realm cultivator at the early Innate Realm, I’m looking forward to it.”

Zou Junxin glanced at the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, who was sitting calmly beside him, and said softly,

“She… might not come.”

A hint of coldness appeared on the Grand Elder’s lips.

He wasn’t worried that Luo Xue would escape, because from the moment he brought this matter to light, it was no longer up to Zou Junxin.

If Luo Xue escaped, the Grand Elder could still reveal her identity within the Peerless Summit Sect, putting Zou Junxin in a difficult position.

Moreover, the Grand Elder also believed that Luo Xue wouldn’t come. Escaping now might give her a sliver of hope, but once she returned, there were only two possible outcomes:

Either be defeated by a Demon Abyss disciple, or be judged by the Law Enforcement Hall.

“Oh?” Blood Lord was taken aback. “Why…”

“Because…”

Zou Junxin hesitated.

Just then, the square suddenly fell silent.

Zou Junxin was stunned and looked down along with Blood Lord and the others.

Surrounded by a group of Temple disciples, a petite, white-haired girl, holding a wine gourd upside down, walked towards them leisurely.

The faint Yin energy in the air had no effect on the girl, and she was completely unaffected by the Foundation Establishment aura deliberately released by the Temple disciples.

“Luo Xue, disciple of Falling Flower Peak, Peerless Summit Sect,” the girl’s voice was still childish. “Body Forging stage of the Innate Realm, I seek a challenge!”

“…She actually came? Didn’t Zhanying take her away?”

Zou Junxin’s eyes narrowed slightly, but then his gaze fell on the wine gourd in Luo Xue’s hand.

“This is… Luo Huaxin’s gourd. Could the rumors be true?” Zou Junxin frowned. “Is she really Luo Huaxin’s daughter?”

The Grand Elder narrowed his eyes, a hint of coldness on his lips. “Seeking death…”

“Is this the prodigy disciple your Grand Elder mentioned?” Blood Lord’s expression was filled with surprise. “But judging by her appearance, she’s only about twelve years old, right?”

She was about the same age and appearance as the Holy Maiden, but the Holy Maiden deliberately maintained a youthful appearance for some reason. This girl’s face clearly showed her childishness; she was indeed a young girl.

“…Yes, it’s her.”

Zou Junxin replied, then turned slightly and looked at Bai Zhanying in the crowd.

“Zhanying, was this your decision… but it doesn’t seem like you,” Zou Junxin thought to himself. “Could it be… her own decision?”

Based on his understanding of Bai Zhanying, she should have taken Luo Xue and fled the Peerless Summit Sect by now.

“Who will… fight me?”

Luo Xue stood calmly among the Temple disciples, not concealing her Innate Realm cultivation.

However, because she was surrounded by Demon Abyss disciples, her demonic aura wasn’t very noticeable.

Except for those in the know, no one could see her true nature.

“Is this little girl still breastfeeding? This isn’t a place for playing, go back and get your adults!”

“You know, her little arms and legs look quite tender. I wonder how she tastes raw…”

“The Peerless Summit Sect has no one! Only a child answers the challenge!”

The disciples of the Temple of the Nether Spirit didn’t care about Luo Xue’s appearance and continued to mock her.

Not far away, Ye Ningshuang and the others looked at Luo Xue worriedly.

“Little Junior Sister…”

They also wanted to challenge the Temple disciples and reclaim the dignity of the Peerless Summit Sect.

But the crushing defeat of their Senior Brothers and Sisters at the Foundation Establishment and Spirit Condensation Realms had made them lose heart.

Although they initially had confidence in Little Junior Sister, after all, she had won first place in all three trials of the Immortal Ascension Gate, but she was still young and her cultivation was insufficient. How could she face the ferocious disciples of the Demon Abyss…

For a moment, before the battle even began, the Peerless Summit Sect was filled with a sense of defeat.

Just then, Li Guixing, who had been pacing restlessly, looked at Luo Xue’s small, thin back and finally made up her mind.

She gritted her teeth and stepped forward.

“Little Junior Sister… I’ll help you!”

Li Guixing took a step forward and stood beside Luo Xue.

The shadows that had always shrouded her dissipated, revealing a delicate and pale face.

…Not a he, but a she.

“Senior Sister Li…?”

Luo Xue was slightly stunned. She didn’t expect Li Guixing to be a girl.

And about the same age…

From her appearance, Li Guixing was at most one or two years older than her, younger than the other members of the Peerless Four.

Hesitation flickered across Li Guixing’s face, but it quickly turned into determination.

“Little Junior Sister,” her eyes showed a hint of firmness, and she whispered, “Let me fight for you. I’m stronger than you! Much stronger!”

With that, Li Guixing revealed her true cultivation.

It was… the peak of the Innate Realm, her aura surging, on the verge of Spirit Condensation.

Ye Liufeng, who was equally famous as her, froze instantly. He had thought he was the leader of this generation’s Peerless Four, and even the sudden rise of Luo Xue couldn’t change that fact.

But he didn’t expect that the usually low-key Li Guixing’s cultivation was actually so much higher than his.

More importantly, Li Guixing was clearly several years younger than him.

Ye Liufeng’s mentality crumbled, his Dao heart shaken.

But now, no one paid attention to him.

“Little Junior Sister, I’m… really strong.”

Li Guixing whispered, her eyes filled with concern for Luo Xue.

Among the disciples of this Immortal Ascension Gate, only Luo Xue was about the same age as her, so Li Guixing naturally felt closer to her.

But Luo Xue had been avoiding people (mainly Ye Ningshuang), so she had been hesitating about how to approach her.

After the final trial of the Immortal Ascension Gate, Li Guixing had searched for Luo Xue for a while, thinking that she had disappeared like after the other trials.

But unexpectedly…

At the moment when the sect was being humiliated, when all the disciples were afraid to fight, this young Little Junior Sister actually stepped forward.

Challenging the ferocious disciples of the Demon Abyss with her early Innate Realm cultivation.

Seeing this, Li Guixing couldn’t stand it anymore.

She didn’t want to see Little Junior Sister be cruelly killed by the Demon Abyss disciples just because of her own self-preservation.

“This…” Luo Xue was slightly stunned. She didn’t expect Senior Sister Li to step forward. “Senior Sister Li…”

Behind her, the voices of the Peerless Summit Sect disciples also rang out.

“That’s right, Little Junior Sister, and us!”

“The entire Peerless Summit Sect is behind you, Little Junior Sister!”

“Little Junior Sister, let us fight!”

Luo Xue was silent for a moment, then she looked up at the Dao Platform.

She couldn’t see the people on the platform clearly from this angle, but she knew that the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall and the Sect Master were watching her.

She had just wanted to find a way to survive, to not make things difficult for Senior Sister, which was why she stepped forward during this sect competition.

But unexpectedly…

Her fellow disciples of the Peerless Summit Sect were like this.

Yes, this was the Peerless Summit Sect, where she had spent twelve years…

No matter what, this fact wouldn’t change.

“There’s… no need.”

Luo Xue shook her head, a gentle smile finally appearing on her lips.

There were still many people who cared about her, and that was enough.

“If you want to help me, then please lend me a suitable weapon,” she looked up at the Demon Abyss disciples, her expression full of spirit. “A heavy sword, the heavier the better!”

Luo Xue’s swordsmanship was clumsy, not sophisticated, she knew that very well.

Therefore, she had to overcome skill with force.

After reaching the Innate Realm, the True Phoenix blood essence, along with the strengthening of her soul, had gradually integrated into Luo Xue’s body.

This was the essence of an ancient divine beast. Even just a drop had brought extraordinary changes to her physical body.

Coupled with the 100 points added to her strength attribute, Luo Xue could feel that her current strength was far beyond what an Innate Realm cultivator could compare to.

This was still without any specialized training. If she focused on body cultivation after reaching Spirit Condensation, crushing opponents of the same level with her bare hands wouldn’t be a problem.

As Luo Xue’s voice fell, the Peerless Summit Sect instantly fell silent.

Soon, countless flying swords appeared in the sky, raining down around Luo Xue, startling the nearby Temple disciples.

“Forged from thousand-year profound ice, the Iceheart Azure, for Little Junior Sister!”

“Infused with the essence of profound iron from a hundred-thousand-year-old rock layer, the Giant Rock Sword, for Little Junior Sister!”

“The horn of a Core Formation mutated beast, the Starhorn Bull…”

“…”

One after another, the calls of “Little Junior Sister,” and one sword after another, were placed beside Luo Xue for her to choose.

Even Li Guixing, after a moment of hesitation, drew her hidden blade and offered it to Luo Xue.

Luo Xue smiled at her and politely declined. The hidden blade was too light, not suitable for her current needs.

Luo Xue looked up and chose the most eye-catching sword among them, casually picking it up.

—It was a two-handed greatsword, even taller than her.

“Not bad, you’re the one.”

Luo Xue hefted it slightly. It was just within the range she could wield.

The owner of the sword stared blankly at Luo Xue wielding it.

“That’s not right, how could Little Junior Sister choose my sword? I could barely use it at the Spirit Condensation Realm with the help of spiritual power…”

But now, Luo Xue was wielding this two-handed greatsword with just her physical strength.

“Who dares to fight!”

Luo Xue held the sword and looked at the Temple disciples.

The petite girl and the giant sword, the image was quite impactful.

The nearby Peerless Summit Sect disciples cheered. Li Guixing, touching her hidden blade, looked at Little Junior Sister’s back and opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something.

But in the end, she didn’t say anything, only something seemed to shatter in her heart.

Seeing this scene, the Temple disciples were also stunned for a moment before someone stepped forward.

“Blood Lie of the Temple of the Nether Spirit, I seek your guidance.”

A delicate-looking man with a pale, bloodless face walked out.

“Blood Lie?” Luo Xue tilted her head. “Do you know Blood Evil?”

“Fourth Brother? No, that’s not right…”

Blood Lie responded instinctively.

But he quickly realized that his brother from the Sha Master lineage had infiltrated the Immortal Domain as a spy, and his current whereabouts and alias were unknown.

But how could the person in front of him…

“I’ve already killed him.”

Luo Xue grinned, wielding the greatsword and charging forward, faint purple-red patterns flickering beneath her clothes.

“What!”

Blood Lie’s mind was in turmoil. When he recovered, Luo Xue was already right in front of him.

He hurriedly tried to avoid the attack, but the heavy sword was already swinging down. How could he dodge it?

At such close range, Blood Lie could only forcibly use a divine ability, trying to block Luo Xue.

Yin Blood Poison instantly erupted, blood mist engulfing the surroundings.

But Luo Xue ignored it and charged into the blood mist.

“What! Little Junior Sister is…”

“Haha, idiot, actually charging into the Yin Blood Formation!”

At this moment, the Temple disciples thought victory was certain, and the nearby Peerless Summit Sect disciples fell silent, gasping and saying that Little Junior Sister was reckless.

But in the next moment, Blood Lie’s figure was sent flying, unconscious.

The petite figure in the blood mist dragged the greatsword back a few steps and stabbed it into the ground.

“Next!”

Chapter 68: Brute Force Triumphs

As mentioned before, even within the Temple of the Nether Spirit, there were constant power struggles between factions.

Blood Lord was naturally happy to see the Sha Master lineage suffer a setback, and the Peerless Summit Sect didn’t hide this fact, stating it openly.

Of course, whether the Blood Lord lineage had spies in the Peerless Summit Sect, or the Peerless Summit Sect had spies in the Temple of the Nether Spirit…

These were things that both the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss tacitly understood.

“Heh, you’ll see soon enough.”

A rare smile appeared on the usually stern face of the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, but this smile looked rather sinister.

He was certain that Luo Xue had cultivated demonic techniques. Once she fought, the aura of her techniques would be revealed.

At that time, the Law Enforcement Hall would step in, and even if Zou Junxin wanted to be biased, he wouldn’t be able to do anything.

“Blame Bai Zhanying… for bringing you to the Peerless Summit Sect, and for dragging you into the complicated affairs of the sect.”

The Grand Elder narrowed his eyes and thought to himself,

“Moreover, Zou Junxin’s position as Sect Master was originally mine. Now, I’m just taking back what belongs to me.”

“Only I can lead the Peerless Summit Sect to rise again. That weakling Zou Junxin… is not worthy of being the Sect Master.”

Undermining Zou Junxin’s authority step by step and making the Law Enforcement Hall the de facto fifth peak, above the other four, this was the Grand Elder’s true goal.

As for Luo Xue, she was just a pawn.

A pawn he could easily control.

…

On the way to Falling Flower Peak, Bai Zhanying remained silent, lost in thought.

Luo Xue naturally wasn’t idle either. She had to prepare for the upcoming battle.

Firstly, the fighting style she used against Kong Lianbin definitely couldn’t be used again. The tactic of trading injuries was effective, but it consumed too many survival points.

Just one exchange had cost Luo Xue 15 points, a complete waste.

Of course, it was also a last resort. After all, who would have thought she would encounter such a life-or-death crisis during the Immortal Ascension Gate trial?

Secondly, the True Phoenix form of the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture couldn’t be used casually either.

The True Phoenix form mainly enhanced the divine abilities of the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture. The improvement in physical attributes was just a bonus.

Using it without having learned any divine abilities was putting the cart before the horse, wasting spiritual power.

On the other hand, who knew if anyone would recognize the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture…

Luo Xue didn’t dare to gamble. What if someone had the same malicious intentions towards her as Daoist Ziyang? Her strength wasn’t enough to protect the inheritance yet.

Therefore, there was only one path left for Luo Xue.

“…Add points.”

By adding points to her Yin Poison Resistance, Luo Xue, with her mortal body, had been able to withstand a concentration of Yin energy that even Foundation Establishment cultivators didn’t dare to touch.

And now, she had 340 survival points, which could also directly increase her combat power.

The question was, where should she add them?

Spiritual power strength?

Sea of consciousness strength?

Or soul strength?

…None of these would directly increase her combat power significantly.

Luo Xue had already discovered that adding points to her panel attributes was more like increasing a coefficient.

For example, Luo Xue’s 100 poison resistance in her mortal body could withstand a Yin energy concentration of 1.0.

After reaching the Innate Realm, this 100 poison resistance could withstand a concentration of 2.0 or higher.

That was roughly the situation. Even if Luo Xue added all 340 points to her spiritual power strength, with her current early Innate Realm cultivation, she wouldn’t be able to compete with a Spirit Condensation cultivator.

Moreover… Luo Xue currently had very few methods of using spiritual power. At most, she could imbue it into her weapon and use sword techniques.

But how could her swordsmanship compare to the rich combat experience of a Demon Abyss disciple?

In her battle against Kong Lianbin, if she hadn’t fought by trading injuries, her swordsmanship would have been no match for him.

“…”

Therefore, there was only one path left.

Luo Xue turned her attention to the “Physical Strength” attribute on the panel.

Brute force triumphs…

The Innate Realm was also known as Martial Grandmaster in the mortal world.

Although they hadn’t surpassed the limits of the human body, their strength was usually hundreds of times greater than that of ordinary adults.

On the battlefield, they were forces to be reckoned with, capable of taking on thousands.

What if, at this level, she maxed out her physical strength…

In the face of absolute power, swordsmanship might not be so important.

Luo Xue sighed. “It seems I’m destined to be a girl with monstrous strength… I just hope there won’t be any strange changes.”

As the survival points represented by the red text decreased, the value of her physical strength instantly reached 100.

However, Luo Xue didn’t feel any changes, just like when her Yin Poison Resistance increased.

Her body was still small, and there were no strange muscles.

After a moment of thought, Luo Xue wanted to try it out.

She casually picked up a stone from the roadside and gently squeezed it.

Without even using much force, the stone, which was commonplace on the immortal peaks but could be used to forge steel blades in the mortal world, instantly turned into powder.

Bai Zhanying was caught off guard by the powder, which got into her eyes. After recovering, she looked at the stone powder in Luo Xue’s hand and frowned slightly.

“Xiao Xue, you… why are you holding dirt in your hand?”

“It’s, it’s nothing…”

Luo Xue quickly patted her hands.

“You’re already so grown up, yet you still like playing with dirt…”

Bai Zhanying habitually nagged, but then she realized that Luo Xue was only twelve years old.

Twelve years old, whether in the mortal world or the Immortal Domain, was still a carefree age.

Perhaps, knowing that she was destined to leave the Peerless Summit Sect, she wanted to take a handful of soil as a memento…

Thinking of this, Bai Zhanying’s gaze towards Luo Xue softened with pity.

She looked at Luo Xue gently and said softly,

“Xiao Xue, if you want to play… then play.”

Luo Xue, seeing Senior Sister suddenly looking at her with an unusually gentle gaze, felt a little confused.

What was Senior Sister thinking now…

“We’re almost at Falling Flower Peak,” Bai Zhanying said in a low voice, “We don’t have much time left.”

Luo Xue looked up slightly at the nearby peak, adorned with falling flowers.

It held twelve years of her memories in the Peerless Summit Sect.

It was also her final destination in the Peerless Summit Sect.

Although Hei Pao hadn’t explicitly said it, Luo Xue could vaguely tell from his attitude that both he and the Sect Master were deliberately protecting her.

Although this protection was more like guilt towards Bai Zhanying.

In contrast, the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall was making things difficult for her, likely to pressure the Sect Master.

“I didn’t expect such things to happen within an immortal sect…”

Luo Xue sighed inwardly. She had become an unwitting sacrifice. Her fate now… could only be grasped in her own hands if she left the Peerless Summit Sect.

Choosing to leave the Peerless Summit Sect in this way, rather than escaping secretly, was all because of… Senior Sister.

The Senior Sister who had been with her for twelve years.

“Let’s go,” a slight smile appeared on Luo Xue’s lips, the familiar sly glint in her eyes returning. “Senior Sister.”

Chapter 67: The Foundation Establishment Battle

The superficial conflict stemmed from Luo Xue’s Calamity Poison Body and her identity as a demonic cultivator.

But the underlying issue was the struggle between the Law Enforcement Hall and the four peaks.

After the rebellion in the Peerless Summit Sect hundreds of years ago, the Soul Transformation Grand Elders all went into seclusion, no longer interfering in sect affairs.

The Law Enforcement Hall was then established, and its authority within the sect was almost equal to, or even surpassed, that of the Sect Master.

Moreover, Zou Junxin’s foundation within the sect wasn’t deep. He was originally just the Grand Elder of Dawn Light Peak and only became Sect Master after the previous Sect Master resigned to take responsibility.

The Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall had always been at odds with the Sect Master for various reasons.

Zou Junxin intentionally favored Bai Zhanying because she was a victim of the rebellion, so he had always protected Luo Xue.

Otherwise, when Luo Xue’s Calamity Poison Body was discovered, she would have already been captured and “dealt with” by the Law Enforcement Hall.

In short… this was no longer just a matter between Luo Xue and Bai Zhanying.

Hei Pao sighed inwardly and said in a low voice,

“The Sect Master… has been trying to mediate this matter.”

If Luo Xue hadn’t been discovered cultivating demonic techniques, after the Immortal Ascension Gate, Bai Zhanying would have taken her down the mountain, severing all ties with the Peerless Summit Sect.

But now…

“But the Sect Master is, after all, the Sect Master,” Hei Pao said softly, “He has to consider the entire Peerless Summit Sect.”

“If possible… Luo Xue should still participate in the competition this time.”

Just like this competition, the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall had publicly proposed Luo Xue’s participation, intending to wait until she couldn’t hold on and revealed her Spirit Condensation Realm demonic cultivation, at which point the Law Enforcement Hall would strike swiftly.

At that time, the Sect Master would be powerless to interfere.

He probably guessed that with the entire sect watching, Zou Junxin couldn’t refuse this proposal.

Bai Zhanying’s expression changed slightly, but she clenched her fists beneath her sleeves.

“So, if I run away now, both Senior Sister and the Sect Master will be in trouble, right?” Luo Xue smiled. “It’s fine, I’ll go.”

“Are you really sure?”

Bai Zhanying asked in a low voice.

“Senior Sister, I’m… really strong.” Luo Xue winked at her Senior Sister. “So, don’t worry about me.”

“…Let’s go, you two.”

Hei Pao raised his hand and stepped aside, opening a path.

Luo Xue smiled gently, took Bai Zhanying’s hand, and ran towards Falling Flower Peak.

For some reason, Bai Zhanying, looking at Luo Xue’s back, suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.

In a trance… she saw a pair of charming eyes, always smiling.

“Master…”

…

At the Falling Flower Peak arena, within the small world of falling flowers, the Foundation Establishment disciple of the Peerless Summit Sect looked at the cold, petite figure in front of him with disbelief.

He didn’t understand why his sword technique, upon contact with the opponent, had its spiritual power completely collapse.

He couldn’t even use a single proper technique…

“Have… you seen this person before?”

Just then, the Holy Maiden in front of him suddenly spoke, her voice seemingly echoing directly in his mind.

Purple-red spiritual power formed an image of a girl in his pupils, her burned face a shocking sight.

“…No.”

The Peerless Summit Sect disciple shook his head, a strange feeling rising in his heart.

Was this Demonic Sect Holy Maiden looking for someone?

But, a dignified Holy Maiden, why would she use such a method… to deliberately conceal her actions?

But in the next moment, the spiritual power in his pupils suddenly transformed into a purple-red phoenix, striking directly at his sea of consciousness.

“Aaargh!!!”

With a scream, the Peerless Summit Sect disciple fainted.

Before losing consciousness, he finally understood why the previous disciples who had fought had screamed after their defeat.

However, when he woke up, he wouldn’t remember anything.

The Holy Maiden withdrew her spiritual power, her delicate face still expressionless.

“Foundation Establishment battles… the Peerless Summit Sect has lost completely. No one is a match for the Holy Maiden of the Temple.”

The Peerless Summit Sect disciples on the Falling Flower Peak square looked at the child-like woman and couldn’t help but shudder.

The six disciples who had fought were all prodigies older than a jiazi.

They had been stuck at the Foundation Establishment Realm for many years, their swordsmanship was exceptional, and their strength was such that even early Core Formation cultivators wouldn’t dare to underestimate them.

For the Peerless Summit Sect to send out such disciples was already considered shameless.

Because logically, they should have sent out Foundation Establishment disciples within a jiazi of age.

The Peerless Summit Sect did have such disciples, but their combat power was inferior to the older prodigies.

Since Blood Lord had said there were no age restrictions, Zou Junxin gritted his teeth and sent out these six Foundation Establishment disciples.

But the result…

Was still a crushing defeat.

The Holy Maiden, wielding only a broken dagger, defeated all the Peerless Summit Sect disciples in just a few moves.

It wasn’t that the Peerless Summit Sect’s sword techniques weren’t sophisticated enough, nor was it that their cultivation foundation was too shallow, but the Holy Maiden was simply too powerful.

The purity of her spiritual power far surpassed that of ordinary techniques, crushing her opponents without even using any divine abilities.

“What a terrifying inheritance…”

Zou Junxin had originally thought that the Holy Maiden, who had reached the peak of Foundation Establishment within half a jiazi, must have used demonic methods to advance her cultivation, and her foundation must be unstable.

But after watching these battles, if her spiritual power was considered unstable, then there was no stable foundation in this world.

As for the legendary supreme sinister artifact, the broken dagger, with the eyesight of a Nascent Soul cultivator, he could tell at a glance that it was just an ordinary weapon.

“Could it be deliberate contempt, humiliating her opponents?” Zou Junxin frowned slightly, his expression darkening. “Is she trying to tell us that a broken blade is enough to defeat all prodigies?”

“But her nature is truly cruel…”

Blood Lord smiled without saying a word. Seeing the grave expressions of the Peerless Summit Sect members, the wrinkles on his face relaxed slightly.

“Why did your Holy Maiden attack the sea of consciousness of our disciples after already winning?”

Zou Junxin asked coldly. At this point, he could only use this question to express his dissatisfaction.

“Well… perhaps it’s the Holy Maiden’s little hobby,” Blood Lord said cheerfully. “Old Brother Zou, you should understand that within the Temple, the Holy Maiden’s status is second only to the Holy Master. I have no right to interfere with her decisions.”

“If there are any mishaps, the Temple can offer some compensation.”

An even more blatant humiliation.

Beating you up, then offering to pay for your medical expenses.

These spiritual medicines were nothing to the two sects. Blood Lord’s offer was purely to mock the Peerless Summit Sect.

If Zou Junxin agreed, the Peerless Summit Sect would lose all face.

“…Next is the Spirit Condensation Realm battle,” Zou Junxin said in a low voice. “I hope your Spirit Condensation disciples… are also invincible at their level, like this Holy Maiden.”

“Of course, of course,” Blood Lord stroked his beard. “But I’m more interested in the disciple mentioned by your Grand Elder, the one who can kill a peak Innate Realm cultivator at the early Innate Realm.”

“Moreover, the one she killed was a spy from the Sha Master lineage…”

Chapter 66: The Sect Owes Me This

Luo Xue knew that Bai Zhanying was telling the truth.

If she hadn’t cultivated the Xuanyin Phoenix Transformation Scripture, she might still be a treasured disciple in the eyes of alchemy sects like the Everspring Pavilion or the Treasure Pavilion.

But once she embarked on the path of evil cultivation, she became an enemy of the Immortal Domain.

The Sect Master’s intervention earlier was only a temporary reprieve.

Once the dust settled, Luo Xue still wouldn’t be able to escape the Law Enforcement Hall.

But Bai Zhanying didn’t want to see this happen.

After hesitating, she decided to rescue Luo Xue from the Underworld Water Dungeon.

However…

“Senior Sister, what if, and I mean what if…”

Luo Xue followed behind Bai Zhanying and whispered,

“What if… I really am a demonic cultivator?”

Bai Zhanying stopped, and Luo Xue bumped into her unexpectedly.

“…”

Bai Zhanying was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Luo Xue.

Her beautiful phoenix eyes drooped slightly, and tears glistened on her eyelashes.

“I believe you, Xiao Xue.”

She looked directly into Luo Xue’s eyes, a gentle warmth in her gaze, and said softly,

“No matter when, no matter what, I am willing to believe you.”

A gentle autumn breeze blew, scattering the falling flowers on the cliff.

Luo Xue remembered that over the years, her Senior Sister had always looked at her like this.

Calm and gentle.

But filled with concern and care.

However, the more Senior Sister was like this, the more guilty Luo Xue felt.

“But Senior Sister, if you help me escape, the sect…”

“The sect won’t do anything to me,” Bai Zhanying interrupted in a low voice, “because… the sect… owes me this.”

Just then, a cold voice suddenly rang out.

“Indeed.”

Bai Zhanying and Luo Xue were startled and instinctively reached for their swords.

But in the next moment, their unsheathed swords were forcibly suppressed by a powerful aura.

Soon, a dark figure appeared out of thin air. The black-robed figure looked at Bai Zhanying with a complicated gaze, then glanced at Luo Xue and said coldly,

“Luo Xue, you do possess a demonic cultivation technique. I’ve dealt with the Demon Abyss many times, and I can tell.”

“…”

Bai Zhanying remained silent.

“But, you haven’t done anything harmful.” The black-robed figure’s tone softened. “At least not yet.”

“Uncle Hei Pao, please let us leave.”

Bai Zhanying bowed, her voice firm and resolute.

She had made up her mind and was willing to face whatever came next.

“I didn’t intend to stop you, Zhanying,” the black-robed figure’s expression was a bit complicated. “Neither does the Sect Master—you know very well that the sect owes you this.”

The ugly past of the Peerless Summit Sect hundreds of years ago had left Bai Zhanying an orphan, the sole survivor of her family.

The sect’s higher-ups had always felt guilty about this. Except for the always strict Law Enforcement Hall, the others had deliberately turned a blind eye.

The Underworld Water Dungeon was a place of confinement for disciples. How could it be without a single Underworld Water Ravine disciple guarding it?

Furthermore, with the black-robed figure’s strength, if he wanted to stop Bai Zhanying and Luo Xue, he wouldn’t even need to draw his sword.

But now…

A hint of confusion flashed through Bai Zhanying’s eyes. Since they had already made this decision, why did Hei Pao choose to appear?

“It’s the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall’s intention,” Hei Pao sighed. “He… did this intentionally, knowing that the Sect Master imprisoned Luo Xue in the Underworld Water Dungeon to protect her, but he’s unwilling to let her go.”

“Therefore, in the competition between the Peerless Summit Sect and the Temple of the Nether Spirit, he proposed that Luo Xue be one of the three representatives for the Innate Realm.”

“What!”

Bai Zhanying’s face paled.

Luo Xue’s cultivation was only at the mid-stage of the Innate Realm. Usually, such competitions required at least the peak of the Innate Realm or above to participate.

Moreover, the disciples of the Temple of the Nether Spirit were from the Demon Abyss, all of them having fought their way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Their methods were exceptionally cruel.

“Moreover, the Grand Elder… announced it publicly, and he even received the support of many disciples.” Hei Pao’s expression turned strange. “All because of Luo Xue’s outstanding performance in the trials these past few days.”

“…You cheated me twice!” Luo Xue trembled, holding up two fingers, feeling a surge of indignation. “Twice! Kong Lianbin wanted to kill me because of this!”

Hei Pao slightly averted his gaze. Even with his thick skin, he couldn’t face Luo Xue directly at this moment.

“No!” Bai Zhanying said hurriedly. “Xiao Xue has very little combat experience, how can she fight against those ruthless demonic cultivators?”

“But she killed Kong Lianbin,” Hei Pao said in a low voice. “Kong Lianbin’s identity has been confirmed. He was from the most vicious Sha Master lineage of the Temple of the Nether Spirit, and his strength was at the peak of the Innate Realm.”

Like the Peerless Summit Sect, the Temple of the Nether Spirit was also divided into many lineages, and the animosity between different lineages might even exceed their hatred for the Immortal Domain.

The Sha Master lineage was the most radical, cultivating with the baleful energy formed after killing, so their disciples were extremely aggressive, fearless of death, and often achieved victories against higher-level opponents.

Compared to the Sha Master, even Blood Lord, who was currently competing with the Peerless Summit Sect, was considered relatively moderate.

Bai Zhanying’s pupils constricted. Only then did she realize how astonishing Luo Xue’s feat was.

No wonder the Grand Elder of the Law Enforcement Hall was so certain that Luo Xue must be at least at the Spirit Condensation Realm…

In battles between cultivators of the same low level, the disciples of the Demon Abyss often had the upper hand because they had fought their way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood to stand out among their peers, unlike the disciples of the Immortal Domain, who progressed step by step.

Only after reaching the Core Formation Realm or above would the advantage of the Immortal Domain disciples’ solid foundation gradually manifest.

“I… can go.”

Luo Xue’s eyes flickered, and she responded.

“Xiao Xue!”

Bai Zhanying looked at Luo Xue worriedly.

“Senior Sister, I know you want to take me away from the Peerless Summit Sect secretly…”

Luo Xue said softly.

“As long as we leave the no-fly zone, the sect can’t stop me.” Bai Zhanying said in a deep voice.

Hei Pao’s expression twitched slightly. He was indeed turning a blind eye, but for the two of them to discuss this so openly…

“Even so, I don’t want to implicate you,” Luo Xue shook her head and looked up at Hei Pao. “I believe the Sect Master will make a decision on this matter, right?”

Hei Pao didn’t answer immediately. He looked at Luo Xue with a deep gaze.

“This little girl… is demanding an explanation from us…” Hei Pao thought to himself.

He didn’t expect this twelve-year-old girl to be so mature and experienced, even more so than Bai Zhanying, who had lived in the immortal sect all her life and was unfamiliar with the ways of the world.

However, the matter concerning Luo Xue wasn’t as simple as it seemed on the surface.

Chapter 65: Even Immortals Bow

“Who do you think picked you up?” Luo Huaxin raised an eyebrow. “If Xiao Yingying had picked you up, your name would be Bai Xue.”

“I just couldn’t show myself, so I had her raise you on my behalf.”

“Why…”

Luo Xue couldn’t help but ask again.

“Little girl, don’t ask so many questions.”

Luo Huaxin flicked Luo Xue’s forehead lightly.

“Of course, it’s because my identity is too awkward. Although the Peerless Summit Sect, according to Bai Jiejie’s dying wish, temporarily entrusted Falling Flower Peak to me until Xiao Yingying grew up,”

“But I am still an outsider. The Peerless Summit Sect had just experienced a devastating betrayal, and they didn’t want me to exert too much influence on Falling Flower Peak, to prevent a second betrayal.”

“I also enjoyed the leisure, so I became a hands-off master. Especially after Xiao Yingying became capable, I basically stopped appearing on Falling Flower Peak.”

“Picking you up was a coincidence, but our fates are intertwined.” Luo Huaxin moved closer to Luo Xue and pointed upwards. “Look, we look like mother and daughter, don’t we?”

A faint fragrance lingered around Luo Xue’s nose. She looked up, and the flowing water of the underground river faintly reflected their images.

A white-haired girl with a hint of worry between her brows and a lazy woman with a sly smile in her eyes, somehow, they looked strangely harmonious.

“So… should I call you Mother?”

Luo Xue’s left eyelid twitched uncontrollably.

“I think it’s excellent.”

Luo Huaxin nodded seriously.

Luo Xue had finally developed a bit of dependence on Luo Huaxin as a mother, but with this nod, it seemed to dissipate.

“…Are you here to take me away from the Peerless Summit Sect?”

Luo Xue struggled for a long time, but still couldn’t bring herself to call her “Mother.”

“Ah, no.” Luo Huaxin seemed a little embarrassed. “It’s not convenient for me to take you away… To be honest, I might have slightly more enemies than the entire Peerless Summit Sect…”

The reason Luo Huaxin had always let Bai Zhanying take care of Luo Xue was partly because of her awkward identity, and partly because… it was dangerous.

With Luo Huaxin’s personality, making enemies was commonplace, and even she often couldn’t protect herself.

Not to mention the Immortal Domain and the Demon Abyss, even in the ancient demon lands, there were several terrifying beings who hated her to the core.

Once she left the Peerless Summit Sect, too many eyes would be watching her, waiting to strike.

Taking Luo Xue, whose cultivation wasn’t even enough to fill the gaps between their teeth, with her would probably result in her death within a few days.

“However, I am here to save you.” Luo Huaxin finally took out the wine gourd at her waist. “Look, to save you, I didn’t even bring any immortal wine, only…”

As she opened the gourd, a terrifying aura emanated from it.

But its scent had an alluring fragrance, tempting one to drink.

Just a few wisps of the escaping vapor corroded several holes in the dungeon walls.

“What’s in there?”

Luo Xue was startled and quickly retreated.

“Poison, one of the ten most potent poisons in the Immortal Domain, called ‘Immortal’s Kowtow.’ Even immortals would bow their heads after drinking it!”

Luo Huaxin carefully closed the lid and handed it to Luo Xue.

“Here, for you.”

“For… me?” Luo Xue took the gourd hesitantly. “Do you want me to poison someone?”

“Silly, it’s for your cultivation.”

Luo Huaxin flicked Luo Xue’s forehead again.

“After examining your body that night, I gave up on the idea of you taking the path of alchemy.”

“So to improve your cultivation, I specifically went to the Everspring Pavilion to get some poisons—it cost me quite a few favors.”

Actually, she had stolen them. How could such rare and potent poisons be given away casually? The so-called favors were just Luo Huaxin’s one-sided promises.

This was Luo Huaxin’s style, which was why she had so many enemies.

“…”

Luo Xue’s face was filled with horror.

This was different from Yin Breath Poison. Although Yin Breath Poison was also a highly toxic substance, it was essentially extremely concentrated Yin energy.

Many physiques could utilize Yin Breath Poison, such as the Xuanyin Body—which should actually be called a pure Yin physique, not a particularly powerful cultivation physique, just a special one.

“Don’t look at me like that. The Calamity Poison Body can indeed improve its cultivation by consuming poison, while also strengthening its own toxicity.”

Luo Huaxin waved her hand. “Don’t listen to those old fogies in the Peerless Summit Sect talking about poisoning the world and such nonsense. Those sword cultivators are all a bit crazy.”

“They spout a bunch of righteous and demonic nonsense, confusing even themselves.”

With that, Luo Huaxin stood up and patted the dust off her skirt.

“Anyway, I’ve said what I needed to say. I’ve also opened the dungeon door for you. As for what path you take next, it’s all up to you.”

Flower petals fell from somewhere unknown, fluttering gently.

The stunning woman stretched languidly, letting out a soft moan, and looked back at Luo Xue with a smile.

The next moment, the petals scattered, and her figure vanished.

Luo Xue’s gaze softened as she watched this scene.

She lowered her head slightly and murmured,

“Thank you… Mother.”

“I heard that!”

Luo Xue jumped, but couldn’t find Luo Huaxin’s figure.

“Truly… unpredictable, just like Senior Sister said…”

Luo Huaxin must have used some kind of technique to pass through the tight security of the Underworld Water Dungeon.

At the same time, a hole just big enough for half a person to pass through appeared in the sturdy wall of the dungeon, and a powerful force was preventing the dungeon formation from repairing itself.

Luo Xue couldn’t help but twitch her lips.

…You call this opening a door?

Fortunately, Luo Xue was small, and this half-person-sized hole was enough.

After squeezing through the hole with some difficulty, Luo Xue returned to the bottom of the underground river.

Until she surfaced, there was no further obstruction.

“Phew…”

Luo Xue clutched her soaked clothes and shivered.

Just then, a warm breeze blew gently, drying her clothes completely.

Looking up, she saw Bai Zhanying, her expression complicated.

“Senior Sister…”

Luo Xue shrank back, feeling a little guilty.

After all, she had escaped.

“Master has already visited you, hasn’t she?”

Bai Zhanying looked at the wine gourd at Luo Xue’s waist and sighed softly.

“…Yes.”

Luo Xue nodded.

“Come with me.”

Bai Zhanying turned and walked ahead of Luo Xue.

Luo Xue quickly followed.

“There’s no place for you in the Immortal Domain now. If you want to survive, there’s only one way.” Bai Zhanying said softly, seemingly suppressing her emotions. “…Leave the Peerless Summit Sect immediately, and go to the Demon Abyss.”