Tai Xuan Sect. Qingnv Hall.
After the envoy from the Divine Palace departed, Master Lingxue slowly released her grip from the edge of the desk. Beneath her palm, a corner of the blackwood-gilded table had turned to ice shards, scattering in fine fragments.
A gust of wind swept through, lifting the frosty dust into the air, filling half the hall with a glimmering mist.
The Divine Palace guarded the Twelve Sealed Divine Halls of this world.
Whenever the Divine Palace made a request, the three great sects were obliged to offer their full assistance without question—and the Divine Palace had never made unreasonable demands.
Master Lingxue turned to Elder Zhang of the Administrative Hall, her expression unreadable. "Did you remember the envoy’s words?"
Elder Zhang nodded. "Every word."
Yu Fusheng, multiple people, multiple portions—hiss!
When he looked up, the sect master had already lowered her head to attend to sect affairs, her wide snow-white sleeves draped over the desk, concealing the missing corner.
By noon, Master Lingxue stepped out of Qingnv Hall, her heart still unsettled.
Luo Luo was, after all, a child she had watched grow up.
Leaving the jade-white steps behind, she headed toward the training grounds under the blazing sun.
From afar, the rhythmic clashing of swords could be heard—swish, swish, clang—and Master Lingxue paused briefly, picking out over a hundred flaws in the disciples’ forms.
Just as she was about to step forward to correct them, voices drifted from the nearby grove of qiong flowers.
Master Lingxue frowned.
Noon was the peak of pure yang energy, the best time for sword practice. What were they doing hiding in the woods?
Entering the grove, she found several disciples from Lao Jun Peak gathered around Gu Meng, chattering away.
One consoled, "Junior Sister Gu, don’t blame yourself. Luo Luo brought this upon herself—how could it be your fault?"
Another scoffed. "Don’t take Xu Junzhu and her friends’ words to heart. They’re just jealous of you!"
"Exactly! That little junior sister used such underhanded tricks to force herself on the senior brother and tear you two apart. Why are you still defending her?"
"N-no, that’s not true," Gu Meng shook her head. "If it weren’t for me, Luo Luo wouldn’t have made such a mistake."
Since her injury, she had spoken little, only mustering more words when defending others.
She wiped her tears with her sleeve and forced a smile. "Please, senior brothers, don’t worry about me anymore. And don’t argue with Senior Sister Xu on my behalf—it makes me uneasy. Here, take these freshly made qiong flower cakes back with you. I hope they suit your tastes."
The plump Zhao Yu sniffed the aroma and grinned. "Ah! Then take care of yourself here on the main peak, Junior Sister Gu. Honestly, Sect Master is too harsh—you did nothing wrong, yet she won’t even let you see the senior brother… hic!"
His smile froze.
Following his gaze, the group stiffened like startled quails, their eyebrows twitching as they sucked in sharp breaths.
"Hiss—Sect Master!"
"G-greetings, Sect Master." "Respects to the master." "Good evening, Sect Master!" (This one was clearly flustered.)
After hurried bows, the Lao Jun Peak disciples scrambled away.
Gu Meng stood frozen, her head lowered, only daring to peek up at Master Lingxue with rabbit-like eyes. Trembling, she whispered, "M-master…"
Master Lingxue’s face remained impassive. "Why aren’t you training on the grounds?"
Gu Meng instinctively glanced at the scorching sun blazing beyond the qiong flower grove. Practicing swordplay under such heat—what was the point?
Gu Meng didn’t dare say what she was really thinking and only lowered her head in response. "Master, I was wrong. A few senior brothers from Laojun Peak came looking for me… I shouldn’t have spoken with them."
Master Lingxue frowned. "Have you completed the first layer of the Great Yan Serene Zhou Heaven Art?"
"Master…" Gu Meng stammered, "The incantation is so convoluted. I’ve just finished memorizing it and am trying to comprehend it, but it’s truly too difficult."
"This art only requires silent recitation to clear distracting thoughts and enter a state of serenity," Master Lingxue said, disappointed. "Had you recited it even once, you would have understood its profundity—did I not teach you the method when I passed it down to you? Is this how you apply yourself?"
Gu Meng’s eyes reddened, her lips pressed tightly together, resentment simmering in her heart though she dared not voice it.
This incantation was not only hard to memorize but also didn’t enhance her cultivation—how could it compare to spirit stones? Last time, Senior Brother Zhao Yu had gifted her ten spirit stones. After absorbing them, spiritual energy flowed through her meridians, and her skin had become much smoother.
As the sect master, Master Lingxue must have an endless supply of spirit stones. Yet he refused to give her even one, insisting she memorize some useless incantation instead. It was truly missing the point—so stingy!
Seeing not a trace of remorse in her expression, Master Lingxue’s disappointment deepened.
He raised a hand, dispersing the lingering scent of pastries in the air, and reprimanded sharply, "If you have no intention of cultivating and only wish to be a cook, then return to the mortal world—staying in my Tai Xuan Sect is a waste of your talents!"
With that, he swept his sleeves in anger and left.
Gu Meng bit her lip, tears falling in heavy drops. She stood there crying for a while, then crouched down, hugging her knees as she wept even harder.
Finally, she stomped her foot and, ignoring Master Lingxue’s prohibition, headed straight for Mirror Twin Peak.
Hall of Questioning the Heart.
When Gu Meng burst in unannounced, Master Qingxu was stunned.
Before him, Chen Xuanyi sat cross-legged in meditation, his sword resting across his knees, hands forming a seal. Above his head, the Taiyi True Breath surged like golden lotuses in full bloom.
The golden light illuminated his face.
For a fleeting moment, his true appearance was revealed—strikingly handsome, with dignified features, the very image of a heaven-blessed prodigy, a peerless swordsman.
He had unleashed his true soul, voraciously absorbing the Taiyi True Breath harvested from the Twelve Sealed Divine Halls.
In the midst of this critical cultivation, Gu Meng’s sudden intrusion nearly caused his qi to reverse, risking deviation.
He hastily withdrew his energy, heart pounding, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
His glare shot toward Master Qingxu.
The elder pressed his fingers to his temple, hissing through his teeth, "Ah, ah!"
To facilitate Gu Meng’s comings and goings as his informant, Master Qingxu had once cast a minor spell on her, allowing her to bypass his door and window barriers—but in recent days, preoccupied with other matters, he had forgotten about it.
The two exchanged a swift glance.
Chen Xuanyi’s brow furrowed: Kill her?
Master Qingxu sighed inwardly: Kill someone here? Do you not have enough trouble already?
Chen Xuanyi’s gaze darkened.
Of course, a death on Mirror Twin Peak would raise suspicions, but the secret Gu Meng had stumbled upon was far more damning.
Their eyes turned toward her in unison.
Gu Meng, tears blurring her vision, hadn’t seen clearly. All she noticed was that "Big Brother Li" was cultivating, his entire body shimmering gold, his face shifting between light and shadow—so dazzling.
Unaware that she had witnessed a terrifying secret, she remained oblivious to the killing intent directed at her.
"Is there something you need here?" Master Qingxu asked with a practiced smile.
He was always particularly tolerant and patient with someone destined to die.
Gu Meng, completely unsuspecting, burst into tears: "I might have to bid farewell to Brother Li sooner than expected..."
Master Qingxu narrowed his slender eyes. "Oh? And why is that?"
"I truly have no talent," Gu Meng said sorrowfully. "I just can’t grasp the cultivation techniques. Master Lingxue was furious—she said if I don’t improve, she’ll send me down the mountain to become a cook."
The two men exchanged a glance, silently understanding each other.
"Ha!" Master Qingxu raised his brows sharply. "That damned nun can’t even teach her own disciple properly, yet she dares to blame you! What kind of master is she?"
Gu Meng never expected Qingxu, who had always seemed to dislike her, would stand up for her.
Then it occurred to her—Qingxu must despise Master Lingxue for cuckolding him and was simply opposing her out of spite.
Chen Xuanyi spoke hoarsely, "The sect leader is indeed too harsh. You’re just a delicate girl new to cultivation—how could you progress so quickly? It’s unreasonable."
Gu Meng felt both touched and aggrieved.
Brother Li… truly was such a considerate and kind soul.
After pretending to think for a moment, he turned to Qingxu. "How about letting Miss Gu Meng switch to your tutelage instead?"
Gu Meng gasped softly. "Could I really?"
The two men smiled at each other.
Master Qingxu smirked. "Why not? In fact, since you’re already here, you might as well stay! If that damned nun dares to come demanding you back, I’ll send her packing!"
Keep her confined at Mirror Twin Peak—so she won’t go blabbing elsewhere.
Gu Meng looked at Chen Xuanyi, her eyes alight with youthful excitement and bashfulness. "Then… I can stay here and take care of Brother Li forever..."
After a pause, Chen Xuanyi forced a smile. "Yes… haha."
Master Qingxu clicked his tongue. "The Ascension Assembly is approaching. I’ll get you both some spirit stones to boost your cultivation. Focus on ranking well—don’t just laze around being lovey-dovey!"
"The Ascension Assembly…" Gu Meng murmured. "I can really participate too?"
The Ascension Assembly was a grand event in the immortal realm, where prodigies gathered like clouds, and heroes converged. Toss a spirit stone into the crowd, and it’d hit three exceptional talents.
If one was lucky enough to rank, fame and glory would follow overnight.
But… Master Lingxue’s list of participating disciples hadn’t included her at all.
"Why shouldn’t you participate?" Master Qingxu chuckled. "If you’re fortunate enough to advance and face Li Zhaoye, just have him concede the championship to you! You’re practically family anyway!"
Such an extravagant promise left Gu Meng dizzy, her cheeks flushing crimson. "R-really?"
Master Qingxu scoffed. "That damned nun looks down on you, doesn’t she? Frankly, I don’t think much of her so-called elite disciples either. Imagine trampling them underfoot… tsk tsk tsk! Now that’d be satisfying!"
Gu Meng gaped. "Could I really do that?"
"Why not?" Master Qingxu arched his brows. "Are you doubting my abilities? Enough chatter—just say yes or no!"
Dazed, Gu Meng whispered, "Of course I’ll stay..."
"Then… I won’t leave," she declared resolutely. "Please, Master Qingxu, take me in and guide my cultivation!"
Master Qingxu said, "I'll handle that damned nun for you. Just stay here and don't worry. From now on, your cultivation training is my responsibility—spirit stones won’t be an issue! Unlike that stingy old hag, I won’t skimp on you!"
Gu Meng nodded eagerly. "Mhm!"
The two exchanged a covert glance and smiled.
The Grand Cloud Assembly was a den of blades—borrow one at random, and killing would be effortless.
Believe a man’s sweet talk? That’s a sure way to get yourself killed.
In the Divine Lord’s bedchamber, Luo Luo was also deep in thought about the Grand Cloud Assembly.
She crouched on the windowsill, knees drawn to her chest, hands gripping the edge as she swayed absently back and forth. The sight made his eye twitch.
He couldn’t care less if she fell. But every time she leaned forward, an inexplicable irritation surged in his chest—she looked like a wobbling roly-poly toy on the verge of tipping over.
He endured it, again and again, until he couldn’t take it anymore.
In a flash, he appeared before her, pressing his palm firmly atop her head to stop her movement.
Luo Luo: "?!"
For a moment, she held her breath, too stunned to look up, half-convinced she was dreaming.
Li Zhaoye, losing his temper and abruptly pinning her head down like this—that was something from before she turned ten.
Back then, she’d yielded to his domineering grip and slowly broke the habit of rocking on stools.
Later, after falling for him, she’d even secretly regretted it—if she’d known, she wouldn’t have changed. She loved his hands, the way they touched her head.
Just like now: fingers long and calloused, knuckles hard and unyielding…
Wait. No. Luo Luo snapped out of it.
The Divine Lord’s calluses came from crawling around on the floor.
Her gaze drifted to the tiles below, and unbidden, her mind conjured an image of him scampering noisily across the chamber. In seconds, she’d mentally drafted an entire vignette.
The male lead: "..."
He really wanted to kick her straight to the opposite palace roof.
Slowly, he withdrew his hand and retreated to the far side of the windowsill, pretending he hadn’t heard a thing.
Luo Luo cleared her throat and put on a serious face, steering the conversation back to business. "Chen Xuanyi has the Taiyi Sword."
She’d once clashed with him head-on, but given her strength, she couldn’t even begin to gauge the depths of that divine blade.
She explained, "You might not know this, but the Taiyi Sword is a relic of Taiyi Jun, one of the Three Sovereigns of antiquity. If this sword claims to be second, then nothing in this world dares call itself first."
He laughed.
His tone was lazy, yet brimming with arrogance. "Chasing after famed swords? That’s beneath you. What’s truly superior? Any blade in my hand—that’s the one that becomes legendary."
Luo Luo froze.
Within her sword repository, Changtian let out a mournful hum.
Li Zhaoye had once coaxed it the same way, spinning grand promises, using ordinary materials to trick it into unleashing extraordinary power.
It felt like yesterday.
Luo Luo forced a bright smile and turned her gaze out the window, blinking at the sky.
"You’re right," she said. "I’ll definitely defeat Chen Xuanyi! I’ll make a name for myself!"
Wait—
The whole world would soon know: the champion of the Grand Cloud Assembly was none other than Luo Luo, the one who treated Yu Fusheng like a daily meal. Now that would be some reputation.
"..."
Night fell. One slept in bed, the other on the windowsill, neither disturbing the other.
Luo Luo’s mind was fixated on the Grand Cloud Assembly, cycling through sword forms and mantras.
For several nights in a row, she didn’t dream of Li Zhaoye.
Peace reigned.
That day, the Holy Maiden Wu Xie hinted at a meeting with Luo Luo and handed her a Qiankun pouch containing the aphrodisiac Yu Fusheng.
"Twenty women have been prepared, all with fertile constitutions," Wu Xie said expressionlessly. "When will you use them?"
Luo Luo waved her hand. "No rush. Wait for my signal."
Wu Xie replied, "Better hurry. The time I can buy for you is limited."
Luo Luo: "Oh."
Wu Xie added, "Aside from me, the others in the Divine Palace prefer more forceful methods."
Luo Luo: "Oh."
Wu Xie studied her expression—another failed attempt.
Clever people were truly annoying.
Getting any hint from her face was no easy task.
After bidding farewell to the Holy Maiden, Luo Luo returned to her chambers and emptied the contents of the pouch, Yu Fusheng, onto the bed.
One after another, pools of spring-like liquid shimmered, dazzlingly bright.
She mused aloud, "You and I will test it first. If there are no issues, we’ll bring in the corpse puppets."
He: "..."
The logic made sense, but the phrasing sounded odd.
She picked up a pair of crystal-clear frost vials, handed one to him, and clinked them together.
"Bottoms up!"
A wave of spring-like liquid slid down her throat, warmth gradually spreading, sweetness clinging to the back of her tongue.
She glanced at him and saw his face twisted in disgust as he flung the cloyingly sweet vial far away.
"Hey—" He raised a hand in warning. "Don’t blame me if I didn’t warn you. Try anything funny, and you’ll lose a hand or a leg."
Luo Luo’s face flushed red. "I wouldn’t dare."
A mere aphrodisiac like Yu Fusheng? She had experience—last time, she had toyed with Chen Xuanyi until he was half-dead with pleasure.
As the heat surged, her consciousness blurred slightly.
Luo Luo murmured, "If you have no memory, then the illusion should be drawn from mine."
The most passionate, most intoxicating scene in her memory? Undoubtedly, it was that scalding, unconsummated kiss amid the mountains of corpses and seas of blood in the Abyssless Valley.
She seized the moment to warn him: "There might be a lot of blood."
He waved a dismissive hand.
The lazy, arrogant look was so reminiscent of Li Zhaoye.
Luo Luo finally succumbed, her eyes closing as she plunged into darkness.
"Crash—crash—"
What was that sound?
A familiar wave of heat washed over her body, her breath filling with sweetness.
This time, Luo Luo was prepared. After a brief moment of thought, the words "Yu Fusheng" surfaced in her mind.
Grasping that thread of memory, she quickly recalled.
She and the Divine Lord were in bed, using Yu Fusheng.
"Crash—crash—"
It was the sound of waves, not the Abyssless Valley.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself beneath a bloody twilight. Barefoot on the sand, a massive black reef stood beside her.
The dusk filled her with unease, her heart pounding wildly.
She sensed a terrifying pull—coming from the beach behind the reef.
The Divine Lord was there.
Luo Luo steadied herself, suppressing the dread, and stepped around the dark crimson rocks.
"Please don’t tell me he’s actually a fish..." Luo Luo muttered.
If some brain-dead sea creature crawled out of the water and she ended up lusting after it, the image was too absurd to contemplate.
She wanted to laugh, but an icy fear welled up endlessly from the depths of her heart.
No. Impossible.
She never dwelled on that battle on the shore.
She had deliberately avoided it, wrapping layer after layer of numbness around the memory, burying it in the darkest corner of her mind. She knew that tearing open that blood-soaked shell would hurt worse than death.
But why was there suddenly a stretch of beach before her eyes?
The setting sun cast its glow upon the translucent sand, dyeing vast swathes of it crimson like blood.
Luo Luo trembled, step by step, as she skirted around the jagged rocks and lifted her gaze.
A massive, blood-red sun hung on the verge of sinking into the western sea, and there, silhouetted against its center, stood a figure.
Tall and slender, his form seemed drenched in blood.
No—not just seemed.
He stood with his back to her, his entire body bathed in gore, a broken sword gripped in his hand.
In the illusory dreamscape of Yu Fusheng, she had conjured a battle-worn Li Zhaoye!
Luo Luo struggled to breathe.
Each step she took felt like sinking deeper into the sand, as if she lacked the strength to pull herself free.
Staggering forward, she stumbled toward him, her hand reaching out desperately.
Hearing the disturbance, he tilted his head slightly to glance back.
His profile, sharp and striking, was outlined against the sunset—dark shadows edged with a bloody glow.
He clicked his tongue lightly. "Damn, that’s a lot of blood—you’ve got some twisted tastes!"
