The Grotesque Miss’s End Story v3c24

Chapter 24: The Xuanyuan Mu Yan Makeover 

On the desolate, barren plains outside the void of Zhuolu’s Battlefield, a faint, desolate breeze blew, not with gentle caress, but with the abrasive feel of sandpaper against skin, a slight sting.

Xuanyuan Mu Xue, having finished her other duties, arrived with the red crow on her shoulder. Xuanyuan Mu Yan, summoned by her mother, had been waiting for some time, several nervous, visibly uncomfortable, hulking men standing nearby.

As Xuanyuan Mu Xue’s elder sister, at least in terms of appearance, Xuanyuan Mu Yan was almost identical to her younger sister. The same white hair, the same ethereal beauty of an exiled sword immortal, but their auras were vastly different. If Xuanyuan Mu Xue resembled an otherworldly sword immortal, then Xuanyuan Mu Yan was a sharp blade honed by countless battles, her mere presence, leaning casually against a tree with her sword, enough to make others flinch.

Her presence in this team, sent to Zhuolu’s Battlefield to honor their ancestors, automatically made her the leader, even Xuanyuan Mu Xue, the designated tomb guardian, had to take a back seat.

Most of the chosen Xuanyuan members had initially been relaxed, knowing this operation was just to check on the grave robbers, see how thoroughly they had been dealt with by the ancestral spirits.

But seeing Xuanyuan Mu Yan, their relaxed demeanor vanished.

Not just out of slight fear of Xuanyuan Mu Yan, who had inherited her mother’s title of “Bloodsoaked Warfiend,” but also realizing this operation wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have needed this powerhouse.

“Xue, you’re late,” Xuanyuan Mu Yan said, opening her eyes and looking at her younger sister appraisingly.

“…Clan matters… I was delayed…” Xuanyuan Mu Xue mumbled, shrinking back slightly, an instinctive reaction. Although she was the Second Elder of the Enforcement Hall, her position higher than her elder sister’s, she still couldn’t help but fear her.

Xuanyuan Mu Yan held no official position in the clan. She only did two things: cultivate, and kill. And she excelled at both. Her cultivation was on par with anyone in the clan, including their granduncle, the clan leader, and her swordsmanship, always stained with blood, second only to their mother’s in its ferocity.

“Time management is fundamental. Be more mindful in the future.” Although her tone was calm, not accusatory, Xuanyuan Mu Xue nodded repeatedly, practically groveling. Luo Ling, watching this, was stunned. This wasn’t the ethereal, heroic swordswoman she knew. Why was she so… subservient…?

Xuanyuan Mu Yan’s gaze then shifted to Luo Ling, her pupils briefly constricting, but her expression remained unchanged as she nodded slightly.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Crow. I’m this little girl’s elder sister, Xuanyuan Mu Yan. Call me Mu Yan.”

Luo Ling nodded. It seemed either Xuanyuan Mu Xue or Linglong had informed her elder sister of her presence. Luo Ling could sense a hidden sharpness in Mu Yan, a restrained power only hinted at in her subtle movements. It was hard to understand why the hulking Xuanyuan members and her younger sister were so afraid of her…

“Now that everyone’s here, listen up,” Xuanyuan Mu Yan said, looking around, her gaze meeting theirs, their expressions serious and focused, as if preparing for a life-or-death battle.

“This time, our opponents are likely… clan leader level,” she said directly.

“What!”

Everyone, including Xuanyuan Mu Xue, was shocked.

Clan leader level…

…practically the peak of power in this world, including the other Origin Points, not just the Great Xia Imperial City.

Among those capable of wielding Authority-level power, the current Xuanyuan clan leader, Xuanyuan Gong, was undoubtedly top-tier.

He could single-handedly fight a deity, even challenge a Taboo, having once defeated the most troublesome Guixu Godchosen in the Great Xia Imperial City.

Among the three most active Taboo Godchosen, although the Naraku Godchosen were infamous and universally despised, their numbers were few, incredibly rare, as not everyone was qualified to touch Omniscience, even a fragmented version.

The Knight Godchosen were mostly active in Valhalla. The Xuanyuan clan was often compared to the “Knight Godchosen” of the Great Xia Imperial City, but they were fundamentally different from those battle-crazed maniacs.

Those individuals lived for battle, like indiscriminate terrorists, dying quickly, their numbers also few.

But the Guixu Godchosen were different. They proclaimed themselves harbingers of immortality, spreading “Immortality’s glory,” causing countless disasters, even plaguing the Xuanyuan clan.

Until Xuanyuan Gong, along with several elders, including Xuanyuan Linglong, stormed their headquarters, slaying their leader and earning a fearsome reputation, finally curbing their activities.

The Guixu Godchosen wielded the Taboo Authority, Immortality, unmatched in its life-preserving abilities, yet even they couldn’t withstand Xuanyuan Gong’s axe, a testament to his power.

“Challenging deities, touching Taboo.”

These words described these peak-level powerhouses.

Below them were those who skillfully wielded Authorities, comparable to the Company’s five-member group in Victoria. Xuanyuan Mu Xue belonged to this level.

They were also considered top-tier combatants, their combined strength not to be underestimated.

Even the first tier had to be cautious, as carelessness could lead to defeat and even death, a common occurrence in history.

Then came those who wielded Authority Sacred Tools, equivalent to the Company’s branch directors. Most of the Xuanyuan team members belonged to this level.

As for Eldest Sister Xuanyuan Mu Yan, she was undoubtedly a peak-level powerhouse, capable of challenging a Taboo.

Of course, these levels didn’t represent an absolute, insurmountable difference in strength, nor did it mean those within the same level were equal. Battlefield conditions, adaptability, and proficiency in using Authorities all played a role.

For example, although the Company’s five-member group and Xuanyuan Mu Xue were on the same level, the former would likely be stronger.

The reason was simple: the closed Victoria had limited their growth. Otherwise, they would all be comparable to Xuanyuan Gong.

In any case, they had expected petty thieves sneaking into Zhuolu’s Battlefield, but they were facing a major threat, comparable to Xuanyuan Gong himself.

Among them, only Xuanyuan Mu Yan had the strength to fight such an opponent.

The others…

…could at best stall, buying time for Xuanyuan Mu Yan, or at worst, become cannon fodder.

Anxiety filled the team.

As Xuanyuan clan members, they weren’t afraid of death, but dying like this… seemed pointless.

“Don’t worry, we won’t directly confront them, at least not you,” Xuanyuan Mu Yan said gravely. “Actually, according to our granduncle, you don’t even need to know about this. I simply felt it shouldn’t be kept from you.

“In short, your only task… is to send me inside. That is all.”

Xuanyuan Mu Yan raised her head slightly, her eyes burning with a fierce light.

“……”

Everyone, including Xuanyuan Mu Xue, was silent.

Xuanyuan Mu Xue now realized that after following her mother’s advice and summoning her elder sister, the plan had changed significantly, all because of her.

Xuanyuan Mu Yan’s words were simple: she would enter Zhuolu’s Battlefield alone and deal with these powerful enemies.

The saying “an elder sister is like a mother” was apt for Xuanyuan Mu Yan, the most similar to their mother among the siblings, both in personality and actions, to the point where it was unclear whether it was her true nature or a deliberate imitation.

Xuanyuan Linglong had done something similar before, single-handedly storming Penglai Island, assassinating several healers—even the backups—to avenge Penglai Island’s betrayal of the Xuanyuan clan during a past war.

She had forced the Fairy to personally come to Kunlun’s Ruins and apologize, finally easing the tension.

Of course, Xuanyuan Linglong had also paid a price, the scar on her face a permanent reminder.

“…Yes.”

Xuanyuan Mu Xue’s face paled slightly, but she nodded reluctantly.

She didn’t want her sister to risk such danger, possibly even suffering injuries like their mother.

But this was her sister, just like their mother, once she made a decision, it was irreversible.

“Miss Crow, come here,” Xuanyuan Mu Yan said, gesturing towards Luo Ling. “My mother said you can… alter flesh and blood. I need you to create a disguise for me—consider it a request.”

“It’s not a request, just a small favor.”

This wasn’t a problem for Luo Ling. Her plan was to drag the Xuanyuan clan into this mess, assisting them until her goal was achieved.

She flapped her wings and landed on Xuanyuan Mu Yan’s shoulder, then, after a moment of hesitation, said,

“However, I must remind you, I can only alter the physical body, not the soul or consciousness. If your opponent can perceive souls, my disguise will be useless.”

Luo Ling thought it best to warn her.

Moonflower walked the Nightmare Path, her abilities related to the soul, but Luo Ling didn’t know the specifics. If Moonflower could perceive souls, this physical disguise would only make her more conspicuous.

“That’s not a problem, proceed with the disguise,” Xuanyuan Mu Yan shook her head. “The Xuanyuan clan has methods of shielding our souls. Although not foolproof, it’s enough for deception.”

“Alright.”

Luo Ling nodded slightly.

The others were curious about this talking bird, but they didn’t dare say anything in Xuanyuan Mu Yan’s presence, only watching from the side.

Luo Ling quickly extracted some fungal threads, covering Xuanyuan Mu Yan’s face. In moments, her beautiful, oval face transformed into a plain, round one, like a farmer’s.

Luo Ling even used some fungal threads to alter her figure, making her appear larger and less graceful, her previously slender and tall frame now bulky.

Finally, Xuanyuan Mu Yan let down her long white hair, cutting it short and dyeing it a dull, flaxen color.

Even her sister couldn’t bear to look, but Xuanyuan Mu Yan seemed satisfied.

“Few in Wa Huang Palace possess such skills, you’re not one of them,” Xuanyuan Mu Yan whispered to Luo Ling, then quickly changed the subject. “One more thing, please hide in my pocket.”

She patted her pocket, sealed with a secret barrier, concealing its contents.

Luo Ling didn’t say anything, simply flying into the pocket and settling down.

She knew she couldn’t infiltrate the team in her current form. Her initial plan had been to have Xuanyuan Mu Xue remove one of the crow’s eyes and wear it, allowing her to observe the outside world.

But Xuanyuan Mu Yan’s hidden pocket was even more convenient.

“Let’s go.”

Xuanyuan Mu Yan strode towards the team. The others instinctively took a few steps back, then, remembering their mission, stopped, not even daring to show any sign of avoidance, lest this terrifying woman punish them later.

Every Xuanyuan member of this generation who entered the battlefield had been trained by Xuanyuan Mu Yan.

She held no official position, but being familiar with battle and the daughter of Xuanyuan Linglong, she was essentially their instructor.

Needless to say, given her personality, her training was brutal, a memory that still made them shudder, earning her the title “Demoness” in private.

They couldn’t exactly avoid her, but they were terrified of her.

“Mmm…”

Xuanyuan Mu Xue couldn’t bear to see her beautiful sister’s current… state… after the Black Crow’s makeover, forcibly averting her gaze.

She took a deep breath and retrieved a jade talisman, the key to Zhuolu’s Battlefield’s Kingdom.

Unlike ordinary intruders, entering with the key provided some protection, recognizable by the ancestral spirits, but it wasn’t a guarantee of safety.

After all, “Zhuolu’s Battlefield at the Final Hour” was tainted by Doomsday; anything could happen.

The jade talisman floated in midair, emitting a warm light that enveloped them.

After a moment, their forms gradually faded, vanishing as they entered “Zhuolu’s Battlefield at the Final Hour.” The operation officially began.

But this wasn’t all.

A seemingly kind and jovial, stout man stood nearby, a wheelchair beside him, a disabled woman, her chin resting on her one hand, watching her two daughters depart.

“Tsk, Little Crow is quite ruthless, making my beautiful daughter look like this, even I wouldn’t recognize her.”

If Xuanyuan Mu Yan in her current state stood beside Xuanyuan Linglong, no one would be able to tell who was the mother.

“Doesn’t this demonstrate the little girl’s skill?” Xuanyuan Gong chuckled. “I actually think Yan’er looks more like her usual self like this… no, no, no, I take it back, I take it back!”

Xuanyuan Linglong withdrew the sword she had placed against Xuanyuan Gong’s neck and snorted.

“Everyone says she looks like me, so you think I should also be such a… hag?”

“No, no, of course not, let’s… not talk about this…”

Xuanyuan Gong’s handlebar mustache trembled. He said the words, but his true thoughts were unknown.

But his expression quickly turned serious.

“Since the children have departed, I should also get going.”

Although the Xuanyuan clan didn’t want to be the first to act in these turbulent times, it didn’t mean they were weak. Just because a tiger was full didn’t mean one could dance on its head.

Those who dared target the Xuanyuan clan had to be prepared to pay the price.

War was their most direct and brutal method, but they had other means as well.

“Qing Qiu Kingdom, Penglai Island, Xi He Kingdom… it’s time for a visit,” Xuanyuan Gong said softly. “I haven’t… exercised… in a while. It seems some people want to test… the sharpness of the Xuanyuan clan’s blade.”

“Or perhaps… you just want to collect some… resources… to subsidize the clan’s expenses,” Xuanyuan Linglong said, still resting her chin on her hand. “The clan can barely afford my retirement pension, they still owe me last month’s—if they can’t pay, I’ll just take it myself.”

Xuanyuan Gong’s serious expression crumbled, and he said with a mournful face,

“Sister Linglong, you know the clan’s current situation, just give us another month, next month, next month for sure!”