Chapter 6:

Xue Ying: “…”

The voice of the Earth-Listening continued, rising and falling in cadence. [Du Yizhou’s heart was wracked with pain. Had he ever mistreated them? That wretched pair had lived off him, only to toy with him in the end.]

Lin Jiujiu’s gaze shifted from terror to fury. She stepped out from behind Du Yizhou, pointing at Xue Ying and shouting, “Xue Ying, you already have Liu Junzhuo. Why must you provoke Eldest Senior Brother? Our Taichu Sect is not your harem. If you want to play with men, go back to your Tai Xuan Sect!”

Xue Ying: “I—”

[Lin Jiujiu recalled the past—how her once-dignified Eldest Senior Brother had been reduced to dust before Xue Ying. A bitter taste rose in her mouth. This was the senior brother she revered most. How could Xue Ying humiliate him like this?]

The Qixia Pavilion was eerily silent. Xue Ying’s gaze swept over Lin Jiujiu before settling on Du Yizhou.

Objectively speaking, Du Yizhou was indeed handsome—his features sharp and cold, his thin lips hinting at ruthlessness. He rarely smiled, and his gaze carried an innate arrogance, further amplified by his status as the Taichu Sect’s Eldest Senior Brother, making it seem as though he was born to command.

“I don’t know what you’ve been through, but Senior Brother Du and I have a clean relationship.”

The Earth-Listening voice chimed in, [You and Du Yizhou have no story, but add Wen An, and it becomes a 300,000-word tragic novel.]

Xue Ying: “Shut the hell up!”

She looked up, trying to communicate telepathically with Du Yizhou, but his sword was already coming for her.

When Dahan was drawn, snow would surely fall. Frost instantly coated the Qixia Pavilion, the spiritual tea freezing solid. Lin Jiujiu, with her weak cultivation, couldn’t withstand the sword’s aura. Her lips turned purple as she collapsed into her maid’s arms, trembling uncontrollably. Seeing this, Xue Ying had no choice but to retreat from the pavilion. Du Yizhou removed his crane-feather cloak and tossed it aside carelessly.

The cloak still carried a faint, cold fragrance—like the “Water Dragon’s Chant” incense often burned in Du Yizhou’s quarters. Lin Jiujiu clutched the garment, a sweet warmth blooming in her heart.

Eldest Senior Brother truly cared for her.

Free of the cumbersome cloak, Du Yizhou ignored Lin Jiujiu behind him and strode out of the pavilion, sword in hand.

Their eyes met. Du Yizhou wiped his blade. “Draw your sword.”

Xue Ying shook her head. “We share the same lineage. I won’t draw my sword against you.”

[Du Yizhou tightened his grip on his sword. She still looked down on him. Ever since his defeat at Xue Ying’s hands years ago, he had trained relentlessly, believing he had finally earned the right to stand before her as an equal. Yet here she was, humiliating him again.]

Xue Ying nearly stumbled mid-air. Taking in Du Yizhou’s icy expression and the sword intent radiating from him, she couldn’t help but add, “Senior Brother Du, it’s really not necessary. Truly.”

There was no doubt Du Yizhou was talented. Among his peers, he was the only one to master the Taichu Sect’s Harmony Light Art to the fifth layer, far surpassing the rest. He was the undisputed Eldest Senior Brother of the Taichu Sect. But there was something fundamentally wrong with his mindset—he abandoned his own sect’s techniques to obsess over the Tai Xuan Sect’s Dustfall Sword Art.

His reasoning? “If Xue Ying can do it, so can I.”

The problem was, Xue Ying wasn’t even that proficient with the Harmony Light Art. She had only learned it for one move—”Nine Heavens Thunder Call,” which had auto-targeting capabilities. Du Yizhou, on the other hand, wanted the entire Dustfall Sword Art, from start to finish.

In all of history, only the Taichu Sect’s founder had mastered both the Harmony Light Art and the Dustfall Sword Art—a legend among legends. Du Yizhou’s stubborn insistence on “I can do it too” would eventually be the death of him.

Du Yizhou’s response to Xue Ying was two icy flying swords.

Where the swords passed, winter descended. Frost coated most of the vegetation, only to be shattered by Xue Ying’s sword aura, turning everything to dust—including many rare spiritual plants. Xue Ying winced, dodging left and right, terrified of damaging anything else and bankrupting herself.

After half a day of watching Xue Ying flee, Du Yizhou’s fury only grew.

“You and Wen An are the same—you both look down on me!”

Xue Ying: “…”

Du Yizhou summoned his spiritual energy, a massive formation appearing behind him. Countless flying swords materialized in the air as the temperature on Bihuo Peak plummeted. Xue Ying noticed Lin Jiujiu stepping out of the Qixia Pavilion.

Like a fragile butterfly, she swayed in the wind, powerless against the sword auras of the two combatants—yet she still came out to mediate.

“Eldest Senior Brother…”

Xue Ying sighed inwardly. Gripping Bailu, she turned back to Du Yizhou. The sword trembled slightly in her hand, sensing a worthy opponent. Understanding its intent, Xue Ying charged straight into Du Yizhou’s sword formation. One sword against ten thousand, her sword aura slashed toward the formation behind Du Yizhou. He instinctively dodged, but Xue Ying was already in front of him. Before he could raise his sword to defend, Bailu pierced his abdomen.

Xue Ying: “This spot was… convenient.”

The formation shattered. The uncontrolled flying swords exploded mid-air, shards flying toward Lin Jiujiu. Before she could react, Xue Ying was already before her, blocking the fragments with her sword.

Lin Jiujiu was both shocked and terrified, unsure how to face Xue Ying. When the dust settled, Bihuo Peak was in ruins. Xue Ying sheathed her sword, glaring at the pale-faced Du Yizhou with anger.

“Give me the Twin Carps.”

Du Yizhou leaned on Dahan to steady himself. Defeated by Xue Ying once again, his expression was bleak. When she demanded the Twin Carps, he instinctively refused.

“No. Unless it’s a matter of grave importance between our sects, the Twin Carps cannot be used.”

Xue Ying rolled her eyes. “Cut the crap. I used to call you with it all the time.”

After a long silence, Du Yizhou reluctantly handed over the Twin Carps—a pair of communication artifacts shaped like golden koi, held by the chief disciples of each sect for inter-sect communication.

Back then, Du Yizhou and Wen An had chatted happily… until that incident happened…

She sent Lin Jiujiu to help Du Yizhou inside, then called Wen An.

After a brief silence, Wen An’s voice came through. “Du Yizhou?”

Xue Ying spoke up. “Eldest Senior Brother, it’s me. Senior Brother Du says he’s had a change of heart and wants to talk about… that matter.”

Wen An paused, his voice still gentle as ever. “There’s nothing to discuss.”

Xue Ying: “Then prepare yourself. The Taichu Sect’s compensation bill is coming your way.”

The call ended abruptly. Xue Ying tugged at her robes—high-quality gear really was worth it, surviving such a battle unscathed. Wiping her face, she surveyed the devastation on Bihuo Peak. Great. She couldn’t afford this.

Her only option was to beg Lin Jiujiu for forgiveness.

Returning to the Qixia Pavilion with the Twin Carps, she found Du Yizhou reclining on the couch, his waist stained with blood. Lin Jiujiu frantically brought over a pile of spiritual medicines. Xue Ying glanced at them discreetly.

Top-grade Foundation Pills, top-grade Spirit-Restoring Pills, supreme Golden Sore Ointment, and a host of other elixirs she couldn’t even name—enough to make a country bumpkin like her drool.

So envious.

Du Yizhou remained silent. Gritting her teeth, Xue Ying spoke. “Junior Sister Lin, let me explain about Senior Brother Du and me.”

Lin Jiujiu kept her head down, ignoring her. Xue Ying pressed on. “The Tai Xuan Sect isn’t like the Taichu Sect. With massive expenses and no income, we’re always strapped for cash. To make ends meet, my senior brother had to sell paintings.”

[Erotic paintings.]

Lin Jiujiu’s hands trembled. She shot Xue Ying a strange look. Xue Ying defended her honor fiercely. “They were artistic figure studies!”

“His skills were excellent, and for a time, demand outstripped supply. Overwhelmed, he asked for my help. Back then, Senior Brother Du only saw us working late on paintings—nothing else happened. If you don’t believe me, ask him.”

This revelation seemed to shatter Lin Jiujiu’s worldview. She looked to Du Yizhou for confirmation. His expression darkened, but he admitted, “He wouldn’t let me help.”

There was a hint of grievance in his voice.

Afraid Lin Jiujiu still doubted her, Xue Ying even exposed Wen An’s pseudonym. “My senior brother is Yan Ermie—extremely famous. Many collectors compete for his works.”

Lin Jiujiu: “…”

Mid-conversation, the koi in Xue Ying’s hand began to thrash. She quickly answered, shooting Du Yizhou a meaningful glance.

Du Yizhou took the koi without a word. Wen An’s voice came through. “Du Yizhou.”

Pursing his lips, Du Yizhou reluctantly replied under their combined stares. “It’s me.”

Wen An sighed, exhaustion creeping into his tone. “Xue Ying said you wanted to talk about… that matter.”

Du Yizhou clenched the koi, then released it. “Wen An, my painting skills have improved.”

Wen An paused. “So?”

Du Yizhou: “I think I can—”

“I think you can’t. This is Tai Xuan Sect’s internal affair. It has nothing to do with you.”

“Don’t you consider me a brother?”

“You destroyed eight of my drafts and sixteen half-finished pieces back then. Xue Ying and I had to work overtime, and I lost nearly 30% of that batch’s commission. That’s when I knew—we could never be brothers.”

“I compensated you.”

“Compensation means nothing when your skills are that abysmal. To meddle without talent—Du Yizhou, you’re the first!”

“I told you I’ve improved! I’ve even published a collection!”

Xue Ying, Lin Jiujiu: “…”

Wen An gasped on the other end, his gentlemanly composure crumbling. “Your Taichu Sect is rolling in wealth, yet you steal business from me? Du Yizhou, are you insane?!”

Du Yizhou retorted righteously. “As Taichu Sect’s Eldest Disciple, anything you can do, I can do too.”

Wen An likely wanted to call him an idiot, because he hung up immediately. Blacklisted unilaterally, Du Yizhou turned to Xue Ying in confusion. “Does he not see me as a brother?”

Xue Ying: “Well…”

[Wen An not only refuses to see you as a brother—he wants you dead.]

Xue Ying: No one thinks your sweet talk is sweet.

Hearing this, Du Yizhou’s expression darkened further. He stood and walked out. Lin Jiujiu called after him instinctively. “Senior Brother, where are you going? Your injuries—”

Du Yizhou paused. Thinking he’d listened, Lin Jiujiu held out the medicines eagerly. “Senior Brother, your medicine.”

She stood by the table, her dark hair framing snow-white skin, her slender neck wrapped in white feathers. She smiled—a gaze so captivating, no one could refuse.

Du Yizhou studied her for a moment. Then, “Why are you wearing my clothes?”

Lin Jiujiu: “…”

He took back the crane-feather cloak, retrieved medicine from his spatial pouch, and gripped Dahan again.

The sword’s aura was too much for Lin Jiujiu. Her teeth chattered from the cold. Finally noticing, Du Yizhou frowned. “I forgot—your cultivation is still weak.”

Lin Jiujiu forced a smile. “It’s nothing. To witness Senior Brother’s swordsmanship, a little cold is worth it.”

“Don’t come to next month’s tournament. Give your spot to someone else.”

Lin Jiujiu: “…”

With that, Du Yizhou left. Once he was gone, Xue Ying sidled up to Lin Jiujiu with an ingratiating smile. “Junior Sister, now that the misunderstanding’s cleared up, what about the Crimson Star Dust and Boundless Rain…”

Still shivering, Lin Jiujiu hugged her arms. “They’re yours, Senior Sister.”

“And Bihuo Peak’s damages…”

Lin Jiujiu shook her head. She was exhausted—mentally drained. She wanted nothing more to do with them. “A trifling sum. Don’t trouble yourself over it.”

Xue Ying nearly jumped for joy. The reborn Lin Jiujiu was amazing! She grabbed Lin Jiujiu’s hands sincerely. “Junior Sister, you’re my savior.”

“If you ever need me, just ask.”

With her treasures secured, Xue Ying floated away, leaving Lin Jiujiu alone amidst the wreckage of Bihuo Peak. A thought struck her.

Had she… reborn the wrong way?

—

With the Crimson Star Dust and Boundless Rain in hand, half her problems were solved. Xue Ying handed them to Ziya and settled in to wait for Guanhuo’s completion, idly browsing gossip in the meantime.

**Headline News:** Genius Girl Dissatisfied with Sect Arrangements, Disappears for a Decade.

*Taichu Sect Leader:* “I refuse to inherit this so-called leadership. This corrupt Taichu Sect suffocates me—this isn’t the life I want!”

**Daily Gossip:** Shocking! Taichu and Tai Xuan Sect’s Eldest Disciples Clash Over Love—Reason: Tai Xuan’s Number One Beauty.

*Reports indicate that on Taichu Sect’s disciple recruitment day, Tai Xuan’s top beauty paid a visit. Later, Taichu’s Eldest Disciple sought vengeance against Tai Xuan’s top disciple. Bihuo Peak was ravaged in the battle. Peak Owner Lin declined all interviews, citing poor health.*

Xue Ying: …My melon suddenly lost its flavor.

Flipping through the tabloid, the rest was dull.

**This Year’s Love Guide:** Taiyi Daozi predicts: “The Red Karma Star stirs this year—ideal for escaping poverty. Single cultivators, don’t forget these accessories!”

**Taishu Valley’s Latest Skincare:** Endorsed by renowned physician Cangwu. *Immortal Pearl Soul-Cleansing Pill—just one keeps you forever young.*

Xue Ying: Too expensive. Can’t afford.

Tucking the tabloid away, she lay back on a tree branch, recalling the mess the Earth-Listening voice had caused—especially with Lin Jiujiu and the repeatedly mentioned Liu Junzhuo. Would Du Yizhou tell Eldest Senior Brother about this…?

With a sigh, she decided to go back and beat up Liu Junzhuo later.

*You’re nothing but trouble!*

Fortunately, crafting Guanhuo didn’t take long. A few days later, it was ready.

That evening, Ziya came to find her, presenting the freshly made Guanhuo with excitement.

Re-donning the veil, Xue Ying felt the world clear—free of the Earth-Listening voice at last.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Ziya shook his head. “It was nothing.” Hesitating, he asked softly, “Senior Sister… are you free? Could you… accompany me somewhere?”

Xue Ying agreed without a second thought—Ziya was half her benefactor, after all. They went to the Serenity Platform, a secluded spot for Taichu disciples to meditate, rarely visited. Climbing to the highest point, Xue Ying looked down at the sea of clouds, the faint outlines of mountains, and the scattered stars against the vast sky.

Nice view.

Ziya, usually in simple attire, was dressed in elaborate robes today—a Xiang-colored brocade embroidered with gold and silver threads, mythical beasts adorning the hem, a folding fan at his waist. At a glance, he truly resembled nobility.

“How do I look today?” he asked nervously, adjusting his collar.

Xue Ying glanced over. “Expensive.”

“Anything else?”

“Not practical for fighting or forging. Change later—would be a shame to ruin it.”

“Oh.” Ziya deflated.

After critiquing his outfit, Xue Ying suggested, “This spot’s perfect—overlooking the mountains, broadening the mind. Want to meditate together?”

Ziya declined politely. After a long silence, his youthful heart couldn’t hold back. “Senior Sister, since you’re here, I… I prepared something for you.”

Xue Ying blinked. “But you already made Guanhuo for me.”

Ziya shook his head. “This is different.”

Staring at his shoes, he finally mustered his courage. “I arranged a fireworks show for you.”

With a flick of his fan, the night sky erupted in color. Fireworks bloomed before Xue Ying’s eyes, painting the darkness in vibrant hues. Though the veil obscured her face, it didn’t hinder her enjoyment.

Ziya stood beside her, watching the display with forced bravado. “Do you like it, Senior Sister?”

Xue Ying nodded dreamily. “Beautiful.”

Hearing her praise, Ziya couldn’t suppress a smile. He’d fallen for her at first sight—this beautiful, powerful senior sister who shielded him from storms and promised to protect him.

She was so wonderful. He had to work harder to catch up to her.

“Senior Sister, I lo—”

Xue Ying turned. “Just watching fireworks is boring. Let me teach you some swordplay. Draw your sword.”

Ziya: “…”