Chapter 96: I Won’t Disappoint You
Mist Spirit Sect, Main Hall.
Shen Shuanglian was meticulously reviewing documents at her desk.
Suddenly, her brow furrowed, and she vanished from the hall in a flash.
At the foot of the mountain, the Mist Spirit Sect disciples guarding the gate had all drawn their swords, their eyes wary as they faced the imposing figures outside. However, their trembling hands betrayed their fear and anxiety.
A massive horde of cultivators clad in gray-brown robes, accompanied by roaring dragons and soaring phoenixes, hovered menacingly before the mountain gate.
Leading the group was a tall and muscular elder with jet-black hair and beard, his aura powerful and commanding.
“What’s this?”
The elder spoke calmly, but his voice boomed like thunder, shaking the very foundations of the mountain.
“Is your new Sect Master so lacking in manners?”
“You misunderstand, Sect Master Ju.”
A clear and ethereal voice rang out. Shen Shuanglian, riding a white crane, gracefully descended before the mountain gate, followed by a group of Mist Spirit Sect disciples.
Her azure blue dress swayed gently, her features delicate and elegant, her eyes as bright and clear as melting snow. Her mere presence captivated the Canghe Sword Sect disciples, their gazes fixed on her.
“Heh, as expected of the renowned Frost Moon Sword Immortal, Fairy Shen.”
The elder, Ju Canghe, the Sect Master of the Canghe Sword Sect, laughed heartily and stroked his beard. “Indeed, you are a beauty of exceptional talent and grace. Quite impressive.”
“It seems you’re quite capable, taking on the heavy responsibility of leading the Mist Spirit Sect at such a young age.”
“However…” His tone changed, his expression turning cold and arrogant.
“Even your Master, Wu Xun, would have treated me, Ju Canghe, with respect.”
“You’re just a junior, yet you dare turn away our delegation from the Canghe Sword Sect. This is unacceptable!”
“We’ve come all this way to congratulate the new Sect Master of the Mist Spirit Sect. How can you refuse us entry?”
Faced with their aggressive and condescending attitude, and the combined pressure of three or four Grand Clarity Realm experts, including Ju Canghe himself, Shen Shuanglian remained calm, her red lips parting slightly.
“You misunderstand, Sect Master Ju.”
“As fellow leaders of righteous sects, the Mist Spirit Sect and the Canghe Sword Sect are equal. There’s no need for hierarchy or seniority.”
“As the current Sect Master of the Mist Spirit Sect, along with my Master, there’s no need for me to treat you as a senior. We are equals.”
Her words were polite yet firm, her composure unwavering despite facing several Grand Clarity Realm experts. Her dignified stance left a deep impression on the disciples of both sects.
“As for why we’re not inviting you into the mountain, it’s out of necessity.”
Shen Shuanglian said gracefully, “These are Immortal Yu Ling’s orders.”
“Immortal Yu Ling is currently within the sect and has the authority to command all disciples. Even as the acting Sect Master, I cannot disobey her.”
Immortal Yu Ling… Ju Canghe narrowed his eyes and exchanged a glance with the elders beside him, then scoffed.
“Heh. In that case, why don’t we invite Immortal Yu Ling to come out and speak with us?”
“Immortal Yu Ling is currently in seclusion and cannot be disturbed.” Shen Shuanglian replied calmly.
“Don’t lie to us!”
Ju Canghe roared. “Immortal Yu Ling just massacred all your elders. Why would she still be at the Mist Spirit Sect?”
“You’re trying to use her as a shield, little girl. You think you can fool us?”
Shen Shuanglian’s eyes narrowed, but her tone remained unchanged. “What do you suggest, Sect Master Ju?”
“Heh.”
Ju Canghe sneered and said loudly, “I won’t beat around the bush with you, little girl.”
“I’ve brought a delegation from the Canghe Sword Sect to offer our congratulations. If word gets out that we were turned away, how will we save face?”
“Open the formation and let us enter.”
The Mist Spirit Sect disciples trembled and took a step back, intimidated by the overwhelming pressure of the approaching army.
Shen Shuanglian, however, remained calm, her gaze fixed on them, unwavering.
Like an unyielding glacier.
…She knew she couldn’t let them in.
They might claim to be offering congratulations, but once they entered the mountain gate, those seemingly friendly Canghe Sword Sect disciples would turn into wolves.
They would devour everything the Mist Spirit Sect had built.
Shen Shuanglian took a deep breath and said slowly:
“I apologize, Sect Master Ju, but we’ve already announced that we’re not receiving any guests for the next few days.”
“Whether it was an oversight on your part or not, please return.”
Her words made Ju Canghe’s expression darken.
“Hmph!”
He let out a furious snort, unleashing the full force of his Grand Clarity Realm pressure upon Shen Shuanglian.
The disciples around her couldn’t even lift their heads under the immense pressure, but Shen Shuanglian remained unmoved, like a plum blossom blooming in the snow.
“Since you’re so disrespectful, little girl, then I’ll have to teach you a lesson on behalf of your Master.”
He said condescendingly, “Three seconds. Open the formation, or don’t blame us for what happens next.”
Ju Canghe was confident.
This Frost Moon Sword Immortal, no matter how renowned she was in the cultivation world, was just a young girl in her early twenties.
Faced with such an aggressive and overwhelming force, she would surely crumble under pressure.
But to his surprise, Shen Shuanglian remained calm and said,
“Although the Mist Spirit Sect’s protective formation hasn’t been fully repaired…”
“We wouldn’t hesitate to trade the lives of our entire sect for one or two Grand Clarity Realm experts from your sect.”
“Mist Spirit Sect disciples would rather die than retreat.”
Shen Shuanglian stood proudly before the gate, her beauty as radiant as the moon, her sword pointed towards the sky.
“Disciples of the Mist Spirit Sect,”
“…Prepare to die with me.” She whispered.
At her command, thousands of Mist Spirit Sect disciples drew their swords in unison, their voices echoing through the mountains:
“We are willing to die with our Sect Master!”
“We are willing to die with our Sect Master!”
Their unwavering determination silenced the Canghe Sword Sect disciples. Even the dragons and phoenixes retreated, intimidated by their resolute spirit.
Ju Canghe’s expression darkened.
…This little girl, did she really have the guts to sacrifice the entire Mist Spirit Sect to fight him to the death?
Indeed, a reputation earned was a reputation deserved. Frost Moon Sword Immortal, the Number One Fairy of the cultivation world, lived up to her name.
As he was weighing his options, a panicked voice suddenly came from behind him:
“Sect Master! It’s bad!”
“The Young Master, the Young Master is missing!” A disciple reported breathlessly.
“What?!”
Ju Canghe’s expression changed drastically. He was about to inquire further when he glanced at Shen Shuanglian standing at the gate.
With a cold snort, he turned and left.
“Disciples of the Canghe Sword Sect, retreat!”
Only after the Canghe Sword Sect’s army had retreated did the Mist Spirit Sect disciples finally relax, many of them collapsing to the ground, exhausted.
Just enduring the immense pressure had taken a toll on them.
Shen Shuanglian’s body swayed slightly. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them slowly.
“…Xiuwei.”
“Sect Master.”
“Go down the mountain and find out what news made Ju Canghe rush back to his sect so hastily.”
“…This might be our only chance.” Shen Shuanglian said softly.
“Yes!”
The mountain wind whipped at her hair as Shen Shuanglian, ethereal and elegant like a celestial being, tucked a strand behind her ear and gazed into the distance.
Her cold eyes held a hint of sadness.
…You don’t have to praise me.
But I won’t disappoint you.
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