The sharp sword qi from Shen Mingzheng was blocked.
Due to her limited spiritual power, Lu Mingyi hadn’t used spiritual energy to shield her body, aiming to minimize extra expenditure.
The pouring rain drenched her newly bought white robes thoroughly. Her long, upturned eyelashes were soaked, gathering into tiny droplets of water.
As if finally overwhelmed, her long lashes trembled, and the droplets fell before her eyes again, forming a fine, dense curtain of rain that made it look like she was crying.
This curtain of water shielded Lu Mingyi from the falling rain but also blurred her vision of the scene ahead. The red figure opposite her grew even more indistinct.
Lu Mingyi raised her hand to wipe her eyes, clearing her sight. When she opened them again, she saw the calm and elegant figure who had landed beside her.
The wind sweeping through the valley, mingled with rain, tousled Xiao Yuxie’s white hair, yet it left no trace on her. The raindrops seemed to seep into her body upon contact, vanishing without a trace.
Sensing Lu Mingyi’s gaze, Xiao Yuxie’s head twitched slightly, as if she wanted to turn and look at her, but she restrained herself in the end.
Xiao Yuxie drew a soft breath and lifted her eyes to Shen Mingzheng opposite her. Her seemingly serene and gentle face carried a hint of chill: “Junior Sister Shen, you’ve gone too far. Do you even know what you’re doing?”
As she spoke, she tightened her grip on Flying Light, keeping a close watch on Shen Mingzheng’s movements.
Given Shen Mingzheng’s temperament, being called “reckless” would surely enrage her. And after the setback she’d just suffered at Lu Mingyi’s hands, Xiao Yuxie’s appearance was undoubtedly a flashpoint to redirect her fury.
But the expected thunderous rage didn’t come. Shen Mingzheng stayed rooted in place, locking eyes with them across the layer of mist.
Through the water curtain, Lu Mingyi couldn’t make out her expression, only seeing her head slightly bowed, as if gazing at Gu Li in her hand.
Had Xiao Yuxie not appeared, that last sword strike would surely have wounded someone.
Shen Mingzheng’s hand trembled faintly again, and the sword light around Gu Li faded completely.
Seeing this, Lu Mingyi felt a touch of surprise. Retracting the sword light meant Shen Mingzheng had no intention of continuing the fight.
But this wasn’t good news for her at all… after all, Xiao Yuxie was still here.
Without the sword light’s glow, Vermilion Flame Silk lost its former brilliance. And since rushing out from the council hall, Shen Mingzheng hadn’t shielded herself with spiritual energy, letting the rain soak her through.
From her hair to her clothes, she was drenched, looking utterly disheveled.
Xiao Yuxie seemed surprised too, but her grip on Flying Light didn’t loosen.
Shen Mingzheng let out a cold snort and said icily, “What I’m doing? I know perfectly well! Xiao Yuxie, you always show up to stir things up, don’t you?”
“This is Tianyan Sect. And… Fellow Daoist Jing is an honored guest now. How can you resort to such violence?” Xiao Yuxie replied measuredly.
“Hmph, playing the good guy now, are you? Back in the secret realm, who was it that struck first?” A mocking smile had just begun to curl on Shen Mingzheng’s lips when she glanced at Lu Mingyi, and it fell away.
She lowered her eyes, speaking to no one in particular: “I bet you really don’t want to see me right now. Fine, let’s see how you fare out here on your own!”
With that, Shen Mingzheng actually stepped onto Vermilion Flame Silk and turned to leave!
She flew away swiftly. Lingering a moment longer in confrontation with Lu Mingyi only amplified that rare taste of embarrassment and humiliation.
The instant she returned to her room, Shen Mingzheng hurled both Gu Li and the Emerald Jade Pendant she’d always worn around her neck to the floor.
But as she threw them, she seemed to lose all strength herself, collapsing to her knees.
The crisp clatter echoed through the room as they struck the floor tiles.
The guards outside heard the noise and asked anxiously, “Young Lord?! Is something wrong?”
Shen Mingzheng’s Young Lord robes, soaked by the rain, clung coldly to her body. She didn’t know if it was the chill or something else making her shiver uncontrollably, her throat burning with pain.
“I’m fine!” Shen Mingzheng shouted hoarsely, refusing to let the guards enter.
Her gaze flickered as she stared at the gleaming golden immortal sword and the jade on the floor, mist welling in her eyes.
Gritting her teeth, she circulated the Fire Spiritual Root in her dantian—the one that was originally hers, both strange and familiar.
This is who I am, she thought, the once-in-a-millennium prodigy Pill Cultivator of the Shen Family—not some Sword Cultivator!
Even if Gu Li was a rare immortal sword in the world, even if she truly had no intention of returning it after learning Lu Mingyi was back… she absolutely wasn’t coveting its immense power…
But just as her palm, brimming with Fire Spiritual Root energy, was about to grasp Gu Li’s hilt, the image flashed before her eyes: that year, Lu Mingyi wielding Gu Li like a heavenly soldier, shredding the Demon Sect’s formation to reach her side.
Shen Mingzheng’s movement halted. The fire-attributed spiritual power was suppressed entirely.
She clenched her fist and slammed it heavily into the floor.
The Lu Mingyi left behind hadn’t expected things to unfold this way.
She’d braced herself for a full-on brawl with Shen Mingzheng, but watching that red silhouette fade into the rain curtain stirred even more complex emotions in her heart.
Her fingertips traced Billowing Waves’ shaft, recalling those days of arguments, scuffles, and reconciliations. She knew they could never return.
But compared to Shen Mingzheng, the one beside her now was the real trouble.
Xiao Yuxie’s perceptiveness far exceeded others’, and she excelled at advancing by retreating.
Shen Mingzheng had struck at her several times, even wielding Gu Li—Qi Yinxue had sensed something off. How could Xiao Yuxie not see through it?
Or did it not matter who she was anymore? This body was what mattered now?
Remembering her past grievances with Xiao Yuxie, the wistfulness in Lu Mingyi’s eyes slowly faded, replaced by deep-seated coldness and mockery.
No matter what Xiao Yuxie was thinking, as she herself had said, this was Tianyan Sect under watchful eyes. She was no longer the helpless prey from the secret realm.
Facing Xiao Yuxie, Lu Mingyi dropped all pretense and said directly, “Pretty lucky today, huh? The Xiao Family Head’s switched from capturing to saving people? Then I won’t waste your time—farewell.”
Xiao Yuxie’s hand trembled slightly as she hurriedly said softly, “Can we talk?”
Lu Mingyi didn’t pause her motion to mount Billowing Waves and fly off: “We have nothing to talk about.”
Such a decisive refusal left no room for maneuver.
Xiao Yuxie read the signal clearly. By her experience, pursuing now would only deepen the animosity.
She should wait, just like today. Seize the chance, and perhaps Lu Mingyi’s attitude would soften someday.
If only her split soul hadn’t been so gravely injured in the secret realm—she still hadn’t recovered, or she could use an avatar again…
In that moment of hesitation, Lu Mingyi’s pale figure nearly vanished into the rain curtain.
Xiao Yuxie looked up, realizing she could barely see Lu Mingyi’s back. Her pupils contracted, and raw emotion overrode reason. She chased after her.
Sensing someone following, Lu Mingyi glanced back and saw it was Xiao Yuxie. She sneered inwardly but paid it no mind.
Xiao Yuxie was nothing like Shen Mingzheng.
This former senior sister always prioritized her family’s honor and interests—even the one she cherished most was her blood-related cousin.
Someone like that, even with ulterior motives, wouldn’t strike in a crowded place like Tianyan Sect.
Night had fully fallen. After getting rained on and nearly coming to blows with Shen Mingzheng, Lu Mingyi just wanted to return and rest.
Yet that person shadowed her all the way, like a persistent ghost.
Lu Mingyi knew Xiao Yuxie well—every word and action served some purpose. She wouldn’t follow just to look; she’d intercept before Lu Mingyi entered her room.
Sure enough, as Lu Mingyi reached for the door, a slender figure appeared at her side.
As if afraid of making her uncomfortable, Xiao Yuxie’s right hand only loosely grasped her wrist. Under the soft moonlight, she was bathed in a silvery glow, looking all the more fragile: “Just a few minutes… can we talk?”
“Family Head Xiao, you’re too kind. Who am I to waste your time?” Lu Mingyi narrowed her eyes and flicked her hand free with a casual lift.
Xiao Yuxie was a bit startled but then realized this was the Taiqing Sect disciples’ quarters— she probably didn’t want to ruin her public image.
“No, really, just… just a moment…” Xiao Yuxie’s voice grew hoarse as her other hand clutched the one Lu Mingyi had shaken off.
Lu Mingyi glanced down casually and noted how Xiao Yuxie’s already slender fingers looked gaunt and emaciated, her body frail to the extreme.
Even a split soul injury shouldn’t reduce her to this.
Doubt flickered in Lu Mingyi’s mind, quickly followed by chill and schadenfreude as she recalled the five sword wounds from the secret realm. She crossed her arms against the door: “Oh? So enthusiastic, Family Head Xiao? Fine, let’s hear what this is about.”
Seeing Lu Mingyi willing to talk, Xiao Yuxie’s usually steely heart pounded wildly, making breathing hard. She coughed a few times, color faintly tinting her deathly pale face.
Over these past one hundred eighty years, Xiao Yuxie had gained resounding fame across the Nine Provinces. Countless praised and followed her; the once-scattered southwest even looked to her as leader. Her social graces and rhetoric were unmatched.
Yet now, facing this stunningly beautiful woman, all her prepared words fled her mind.
Her companion of a century, the inseparable part of her bloodline, the piece she’d lost and regained…
Xiao Yuxie could see the mockery and coldness in Lu Mingyi’s arched brows. No matter what she said, it likely wouldn’t matter—might even breed more disgust.
But… but…
Her pale lips trembled, palms slick with sweat. Like her first speech before the sects and clans, she stumbled: “I know… I made a grave mistake before. You probably never want to see me again…”
Just the first sentence sent a jolt through Lu Mingyi’s heart.
This isn’t words for someone she struck five times— this is directed at me, Lu Mingyi!
Had Xiao Yuxie truly guessed her identity from Shen Mingzheng’s behavior?!
“But it was my fault, causing you harm. This… this can’t just be brushed aside…”
Xiao Yuxie’s sorrowful gaze fell on Lu Mingyi’s unfamiliar face. Breathing deeply, as if steeling herself, she continued:
“Whether atonement or compensation, whatever it is, I can do it for you…”
Hearing this, Lu Mingyi’s lovely face blanked for an instant, then she shook with laughter.
It took her mind a moment to process Xiao Yuxie’s words, followed by absurdity and amusement.
“Pfft! Haha…” Lu Mingyi laughed a few times, but the mirth faded quickly. She looked down coldly at the restrained Xiao Yuxie and said flatly, “Anything at all, Family Head Xiao? You sure talk big.”
Facing the sarcasm, Xiao Yuxie only gazed at her softly: “I know you don’t trust me anymore, but I’ll prove it.”
“Then prove it now!” Lu Mingyi seized Billowing Waves, pressing its sharp tip against Xiao Yuxie’s frail shoulder. “In the secret realm, you slashed me five times for your new cousin. Now I want payback.”
Xiao Yuxie didn’t even blink: “Thrust away. Five spears, ten—however deep, it’s fine.”
Lu Mingyi’s eyes narrowed as she tossed out, “But five spears are far from enough.”
At that, Xiao Yuxie’s Storage Ring flashed on her finger, producing a pale cyan jade token.
She held it out to Lu Mingyi: “This is the Xiao Family’s Young Lord Token—nearly equal to the Family Head Token. From now on, the entire Xiao Family is yours to command.”
Seeing the jade token, Lu Mingyi stiffened for a moment.
She had only wanted to see just what Xiao Yuxie would pull out, but she never expected the other woman to hand over the Young Lord Token just like that!
The Young Lord Token, of course, couldn’t be faked. For someone like Xiao Yuxie, who placed such great importance on her family, to go this far…
But the problems between her and Xiao Yuxie went far beyond just family matters.
Family was merely secondary.
The shock in Lu Mingyi’s eyes gradually faded as she regained her calm. She let out a light chuckle. “The Xiao Family Head is truly generous… But what would I even do with the Young Lord Token? I’m not part of the Xiao Family. As for my other demand…
“In the Secret Realm, your new cousin humiliated me—and didn’t you demand that I kneel and apologize to her? This surely isn’t the first time she’s pulled something like that. Well, I’m not so vindictive. How about this: have your dear cousin kneel and apologize to everyone she’s ever humiliated, myself included?”
The demand sounded quite difficult at first glance, but considering Xie Wenxin’s behavior those few times, it wasn’t hard to infer the kind of person she was on a daily basis. There had to be no shortage of people she’d bullied.
If Xie Wenxin actually went through with the apologies, it might even mark the beginning of reshaping her character.
However, upon hearing Lu Mingyi’s request, Xiao Yuxie’s brows twitched faintly. It took her a long moment before she murmured lowly, “Wenxin… she does have some issues with her temperament, but that’s all my fault. If you’re angry, even if you want me to kneel at your doorstep for days or nights on end, I’d do it willingly.”
Her words were so humble and self-deprecating that they instantly reignited the anger Lu Mingyi had been suppressing.
Lu Mingyi let out a few cold laughs, her tone turning mocking. “Oh? The Xiao Family Head truly dotes on her cousin, doesn’t she? Knowing full well it’s the cousin’s fault, yet still taking the blame herself? Willing to hand over the Xiao Family’s Young Lord Token, but not willing to make her cousin apologize?”
Xiao Yuxie’s gaze trembled violently, anxiety bleeding even into her voice. “No, that’s not it, Xiao Yi…”
The moment that form of address reached her ears, the blue glow of Billowing Waves in Lu Mingyi’s hand flared brilliantly. With a slight flick of her right wrist, the spear tip plunged into Xiao Yuxie’s shoulder. A stifled grunt escaped her lips, and a few drops of blood pattered to the ground.
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