Chapter 6: The Price of Vengeance and Unexpected Spoils

Gazing at the fallen corpse, Lian Yueying’s brows furrowed tightly.

Only after confirming the Azurewood Sect disciple was truly dead did she turn away, struggling to suppress a wave of nausea.

Back then, in her tender youth, she had killed for the first time.

Her senses, numbed by a sea of blood-soaked vengeance, had felt nothing at the moment.

Yet, in the years that followed, she would repeatedly wake in a cold sweat from nightmares of that scene, unable to stop herself from retching.

Now, this was her second time.

Lian Yueying had believed she would be accustomed to it, but she had gravely overestimated herself.

[It’s not over yet. He still has sect brothers and sisters, who might have been among those who cornered me back then.]

A thick, cloying scent of blood permeated the air.

Lian Yueying, with her eyes squeezed shut, fumbled blindly over the corpse.

Unable to locate the storage pouch after a prolonged search, she was forced to open her eyes and confront her “masterpiece” directly.

A dry retch, however, escaped her throat.

[How truly weak I am. Weak in talent, weak in cultivation, and now even my mental fortitude is so pathetic.]

After chastising herself, Lian Yueying opened her eyes once more.

She snatched the storage pouch and, after confirming there was nothing else on the body, immediately stood up to leave.

However, after only a few steps, she discovered her soles were thoroughly stained with fresh blood.

At that moment, Lian Yueying’s scalp tingled with dread.

Disregarding the battle raging outside, she hastily moved to the side, manipulating water to thoroughly cleanse her feet.

She rinsed them repeatedly, several times over, before finally putting on her shoes and socks.

The brief interlude allowed Lian Yueying to regain some composure.

She returned to the corpse, and, steeling herself, began to circulate the Sea Convergence Art.

Ten breaths later, three points of light drifted from the corpse’s dantian, merging into her glabella.

There, they spun rapidly, gradually transforming into three luminous pathways—azure, blue, and red—which flowed through her meridians, continuously converging towards her own dantian.

‘Sunlight illuminates the sea into clouds; clouds birth thunder, transforming into rain; rain falls to the mortal realm, entering rivers; rivers converge, returning to the sea.’

These twenty characters formed the opening lines of the Sea Convergence Art.

The first time Lian Yueying had circulated this art, it was to absorb the cultivation of others, though, of course, it had not been by her own volition.

Transforming into clouds meant converting another’s sea of qi back into spiritual energy.

Transforming into rain meant condensing it into points of light that fell into her glabella.

Entering the river represented the luminous pathways, and returning to the sea signified its convergence into her own sea of qi.

This process was exceedingly lengthy, often requiring more than half a day.

However, the progress it granted was swifter than months of meditative breathing.

Yet, just as no two people in this world were exactly alike, even among those with identical Five Spirit Roots, each individual’s spiritual energy varied greatly.

While absorbing cultivation could indeed lead to rapid advancement, it would also render one’s spiritual energy exceedingly muddled and cause their foundation to become increasingly unstable.

However, Lian Yueying had only taken ten breaths just now; in truth, she was merely drawing upon the spirit root’s essence.

In Lian Yueying’s view, meridians were akin to the course of rivers, while spirit roots represented the type of river.

Although the ultimate destination for all was the sea of qi in the dantian, the varying flow methods naturally led to differing speeds.

This was a solution she had only deduced after several years of practicing the Sea Convergence Art.

Cultivation techniques were rigid, but people were adaptable.

There was never just one way to use them, a truth imparted to Lian Yueying by her savior.

Within a few breaths, Lian Yueying opened her eyes.

Honestly, whether this maneuver was truly effective remained an elusive mystery; she felt no immediate, discernible change.

However, she could now gaze at the headless corpse without a flicker of emotion.

[Hunters and prey can inherently switch roles at will, can’t they?]

Lian Yueying believed her heart had grown stronger, unaware that a faint smile perpetually curved her lips whenever she looked at the corpses.

Mustering her spirits, she walked towards the eastern cave entrance.

Before even stepping out, she could hear the sounds of combat and shouts.

Peeking out to observe, she saw the Azurewood Sect disciple was surprisingly able to hold his own against two opponents without showing any signs of decline.

[It’s him, after all. Everyone who pursued me back then called him Senior Brother. He, a ninth-level cultivator, can contend with two eighth-level cultivators; he must be a direct disciple of the Azurewood Sect. However, those two Peak Hall disciples don’t seem to be fighting with their full strength. Aren’t they afraid that the enemy’s fellow disciples will stabilize their injuries and join the fray?]

Lian Yueying did not rush out.

Even in the brief moment she had spent contemplating, she had observed many different applications of the Grand Might Blade.

[When the Grand Might Blade is primarily earth and secondarily metal, it can harness the earth’s profound weight to imbue its cleaves with greater power. Conversely, a horizontal slash can enhance its sharpness. The Azurewood Sect disciple… truly worthy of being a direct disciple. Leaving aside the Azure Edge Shuttle for a moment, he can shatter the Grand Might Blade with just the azure glow of his sword qi.]

Lian Yueying watched the three cultivators battling, her eyes filled with envy.

Each of them possessed spells she lacked.

The Azurewood Sect’s techniques, in particular, were entirely new to her, and she coveted them greatly.

[Right, there might be good things in the storage pouch on the corpse. I should check.]

Seeing that none of the three could gain the upper hand, Lian Yueying had just finished erasing the mark on the storage pouch.

Suddenly, she saw a streak of light flying towards them from afar.

Terrified, she hastily put the storage pouch away.

The newcomer, visible now, was striding upon a flying blade.

Upon seeing this, the Mount-Bearing Sect disciples exchanged knowing glances and nodded.

They immediately distanced themselves from the Azurewood Sect disciple, cupping their fists and simultaneously calling out, “Senior Uncle!”

Hearing this, the Azurewood Sect disciple’s face turned ashen.

He retreated a few steps, only to find his path blocked by a Thousand-Jin Blade.

“Since Senior Uncle Zhou has already broken through to Foundation Establishment, why trouble a junior like me? It would only invite ridicule if word got out.”

His answer came in the form of a domineering cleave from the Thousand-Jin Blade.

Not only did it shatter the longsword in his hand, but it also dispersed his protective golden aura, and a distinct snap of bone echoed from his right arm.

[I remember this Azurewood Sect disciple being quite clever. Without him, I might have been able to kill all three others. However, against absolute power, all efforts are futile; Foundation Establishment against Qi Refinement is nothing short of a massacre.]

“Zhou Zhongchen! I am the grand-nephew of an Azurewood Sect elder! If you kill me, he will not let you off!”

[Zhou Zhongchen, it’s Senior Brother Zhou! Oh, now I should call him Senior Uncle Zhou. I remember he was always very kind to his fellow disciples.]

The Azurewood Sect disciple’s reply came in the form of yet another Thousand-Jin Blade.

Zhou Zhongchen, his expression devoid of emotion, ignored the man’s threat, and cleaved him directly in half.

Then, with a clean and swift use of Object Manipulation, he retrieved the storage pouch, and the corpse was instantly incinerated.

“You should have anticipated this day when you hunted down my fellow disciples.”

Zhou Zhongchen slowly descended.

The two disciples stepped forward, cupped their fists, and laughed, “Senior Uncle is truly mighty! These Azurewood ruffians only engage in despicable schemes and even take smug pride in them. This time, it was right to suppress their arrogance.”

“Senior Uncle, there are still Azurewood comrades in the cave over there. Delaying might lead to complications.”

“No need.”

Zhou Zhongchen glanced at the cave, then called out to it, “We are all fellow disciples here. How long do you intend to hide?”

Lian Yueying only knew about divine sense, but was unaware of its wondrous nature.

Knowing she could no longer conceal herself, she simply stepped out and appeared before the three of them.

“Senior Uncle Zhou, Senior Brothers, I am an inner disciple of Lake Hall.

Just now, I happened to walk to the western side of this cave, thinking there might be some treasure inside, so I went in to explore.

Unexpectedly, I saw an Azurewood Sect disciple healing his injuries.

I seized the opportunity to ambush and finish him off.

The corpse is still inside, please rest assured.”

Zhou Zhongchen raised his eyes and gazed at the cave, clearly using his divine sense to probe it.

After a few breaths, he nodded and extended his hand towards Lian Yueying, which made her a little nervous.

[Oh no, he couldn’t possibly want the storage pouch, could he? I should have known better than to watch the show.]

“What are you gawking at? Do you have it or not?”

The Peak Hall disciple beside her spoke, making Lian Yueying even more bewildered.

Zhou Zhongchen looked at her and said, “Lake Hall… I remember you. You weren’t in the center of the valley earlier.”

[It shouldn’t be the storage pouch he wants. Zhou Zhongchen is an upright man; he must be asking for something else.]

Lian Yueying glanced at the other two disciples, pondered for a moment, then smiled at Zhou Zhongchen.

“Senior Uncle has always shown much care for us juniors, and I’ve always wanted to find an opportunity to express my gratitude.

Most of the senior brothers and sisters in the center of the valley are at the eighth level of Qi Refinement, and with my low cultivation, I would only be a burden if I went.”

“Do not belittle yourself.”

Zhou Zhongchen clearly disliked her words, adding, “Check that man’s storage pouch for a letter.”

Hearing this, Lian Yueying quickly took out the storage pouch, infused it with spiritual energy to explore, and indeed pulled out a letter, saying, “There is indeed one. Is it this one?”

The three clearly hadn’t expected the man to have it.

The letter immediately flew into Zhou Zhongchen’s hand.

He opened it and read it carefully, a look of disappointment crossing his face.

“It’s not this one.”

Zhou Zhongchen passed it to the other two for a look, then returned it to Lian Yueying.

[This is… a love letter?]

Not having found what he wanted, Zhou Zhongchen frowned.

The Peak Hall disciples nearby clearly did not trust the solitary Lian Yueying either.

[It seems I can’t clear my suspicion… Senior Brother Zhou, he should be trustworthy.]

Lian Yueying gritted her teeth and handed the entire storage pouch to Zhou Zhongchen.

Zhou Zhongchen understood, probed it for a moment, then glanced at Lian Yueying, meeting her wary, beautiful eyes.

He thought for a moment, then returned the storage pouch to her.

“There truly isn’t anything. It seems this person isn’t a core disciple anyway, so even if there were important items, they wouldn’t be on him.”

Zhou Zhongchen was able to convince the Peak Hall disciples.

After speaking, Zhou Zhongchen stepped onto his long blade, leaving a parting instruction to “proceed with caution” before flying into the distance.

[He really did break through to Foundation Establishment. Foundation Establishment… when will I ever reach Foundation Establishment?]

Lian Yueying watched Zhou Zhongchen’s retreating figure with envy, then smiled at the remaining two disciples and said, “Senior Brothers, you’ve worked hard. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Junior Sister, wait.”

Just as Lian Yueying was about to depart, one of them spoke to detain her, “The valley is in chaos right now; everyone is fighting with bloodshot eyes.

If Junior Sister travels alone and encounters disciples from the other two sects, wouldn’t that be throwing your life away needlessly?”

“That’s right, Junior Sister, it would be more convenient to travel with the two of us.

If you encounter anyone from the Azurewood Sect, just send a signal and Senior Uncle will come.”

Lian Yueying didn’t know them and was somewhat cautious.

Furthermore, she was eager to cultivate, so she refused, saying, “Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brothers, but I am not skilled in combat.

I’ll have to trouble you two to pursue the villains. Farewell.”

With that, Lian Yueying activated her full escape art and left without looking back.

“This… Senior Brother, should we pursue her?”

“Forget it. She seems to know Senior Uncle Zhou, and her attitude is so resolute. Trying to split the storage pouch with her probably won’t work. Let’s focus on our main task.”

Lian Yueying had already fled far away and naturally couldn’t hear their conversation.

She now only wanted to see what good things her spoils of war contained.

Thus, she cautiously traveled for a while, finally finding another suitable cave.

After setting up her defenses, Lian Yueying initially intended to sit down and meditate, but she couldn’t suppress the joy in her heart and took out the storage pouch again.

The pale green storage pouch was stained with some of its previous owner’s fresh blood.

Embroidered on it was a beautiful orchid, and it was clear the person who embroidered it had been meticulous.

[An orchid. That letter also mentioned Li Xiaolan missing him. This item must have been a gift from her. What a pity… no, there’s nothing to pity. Blame only him for striking first.]

Lian Yueying’s grip on the storage pouch tightened slightly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in her beautiful peach blossom eyes before they returned to normal, and she began to count the contents.

Aside from spirit stones, talismans, and several longswords, what interested her most were the cultivation techniques and spells.

[Azure Edge Shuttle! I’ve witnessed the power of this art; it’s small in size but its might is considerable. It truly is a good item. But why didn’t this person use it when he cornered me?]

She probed again, her gaze sweeping over the longswords, which varied in length, width, and thickness.

[These items probably aren’t all his. Some are likely relics from his fellow disciples, and this ‘Azure Edge Shuttle’ probably came from one of them as well.]

Lian Yueying pocketed the ‘Azure Edge Shuttle’, intending to practice it and master it upon her return.

Then, she turned her attention to the cultivation technique book, flipping through it with some disappointment.

[Alas, it doesn’t seem to be a core Azurewood Sect technique. However, it does contain some insights into healing. It’s worth looking over when I get back.]

Finally, Lian Yueying took out the longswords and flicked each one.

Their material and craftsmanship felt rather ordinary; they should probably just be sold off.

Excluding the Azure Edge Shuttle, the total value of these items was no more than three hundred spirit stones.

Mediocre.

However, Lian Yueying was not so easily dissatisfied; after all, she had practically stumbled upon these.

Once she mastered the Azure Edge Shuttle, despite its inconvenience for use within the sect, it would undoubtedly be an unexpected killing move outside.

Especially since such a spell, requiring no deliberate manipulation, could also be inscribed into a true talisman, she would no longer be limited to just the Grand Might Blade in the future.

Filled with the joy of her harvest, Lian Yueying gradually entered a meditative state, following the rhythm of her own breathing, and in the blink of an eye, the second day arrived.

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