Chapter 73: The Prophecy and the Ambush

So, what exactly did Hua Xiangrong do, and why did Ji Ling gather her forces to move against Qing Luo? Let us rewind the clock to one day prior.

“Tomorrow, I will accompany you to Xiaoyao Hall for your shift.”

“Thank you, Yan’er. I’m so glad to have you.”

At the midday meal table in the small courtyard of Sleeping Cloud Peak, Hua Yan promised to accompany Yun Xueshang to Xiaoyao Hall the next day.

Hua Xiangrong, who was gnawing on a lamb chop nearby, blinked her large eyes several times upon hearing the news.

[Host, Host, Yun Xueshang just said Ye Qingyuan left, right? Does this mean our plot is about to begin!]

The voice quickly resounded within her mind.

“Indeed,” Hua Xiangrong replied mentally, setting down a bone she had picked clean and reaching for a new one.

‘Sect Master Ye Qingyuan of the Carefree Sword Sect journeying to the South Sea means the hidden evil cultivators are about to make their move. This segment of the novel’s plot is about to commence.’

The original novel didn’t describe this part extensively. How exactly was it written?

The small system quickly retrieved the records.

[Reporting, Host. The original description is as follows:

Yun Xueshang recuperated for several months on Sleeping Cloud Peak after being severely injured.

During this time, Peak Master Ji Ling of Danxia Peak—though harboring resentment towards Yun Xueshang due to the death of her master, Jiang Changge—still diligently treated her injuries under pressure from the sect.

However, this act caused Ji Ling’s secret dealings with evil cultivators to come under suspicion.

After Ye Qingyuan left the sect for the South Sea Secret Realm, the evil cultivators ordered Ji Ling, acting as the interim sect master, to harm Yun Xueshang.

The reason given was that Yun Xueshang’s performance in the competition was too dazzling, and if not eliminated, she would become a formidable threat.

Ji Ling attempted to refuse, which only deepened the evil cultivators’ suspicions. Ultimately, a few days before Ye Qingyuan’s return, Ji Ling was lured out by a crucial clue.

Disregarding the warnings of Yue Jue and others, she went alone to the rendezvous, where she was ambushed and killed by the evil cultivators.]

[The subsequent two chapters of the original work also mentioned that after Ji Ling’s death, Yun Xueshang emerged from seclusion.

Upon learning the truth, she discovered that this elder, long before Jiang Changge’s death, had been approached by Qing Luo—who also resented Jiang Changge—and became a spy for the evil cultivators, due to her hatred for Jiang Changge’s heartlessness.

Although her undercover work did not prevent Jiang Changge’s death, her feigned satisfaction after Jiang Changge’s demise, and her persistent dissatisfaction with Jiang Changge’s disciple, Yun Xueshang, successfully earned her further trust from the evil cultivators.]

[These two chapters, through Ji Ling’s death and Yun Xueshang’s grief, further reinforced Yun Xueshang’s ‘tragic heroine’ persona, earning plenty of tears from readers.]

‘Alright, alright, no need to say the rest.’

Hua Xiangrong pouted, setting down another clean bone.

‘Mother is such a wonderful person, yet the original author insisted on such a tragically beautiful and strong character design, not hesitating to torment the protagonist.

It was purely seeking trouble. The novel turned good people into crippled remnants, couldn’t even explain how they defeated the evil organization in the end, so the collapse of the ending was well-deserved.’

‘Let’s not talk about that anymore. Let’s talk about Elder Ji.

Although the civilization we are facing now isn’t as terrifying as in the original work, Mother still defeated her and, just like in the original, advanced to the Soul Transformation stage.

I believe the evil cultivators still won’t be able to sit still and will force Elder Ji to act against Mother while Grandpa Sect Master is away from the sect.’

‘Based on our understanding of Elder Ji, she will certainly try to push back, just like in the original.

This will deepen the evil cultivators’ suspicion of her, potentially leading to her being ambushed again—but due to the butterfly effect, the exact timing is difficult for us to grasp.’

‘However, this matter isn’t difficult to resolve,’ she mused in her mind, tilting her small face up. She let Yun Xueshang gently wipe the oil from the corners of her mouth, then sweetly said, “Thank you, Mother.” ‘We just need to trick Elder Ji a little.’

[Trick? Confused.]

‘Hmm, don’t I have the Heavenly Favor Dao Body?’ Hua Xiangrong picked up her orange juice and took a sip, a glint of cunning in her eyes.

‘Later, I’ll tell Mother and my other Mother that I’ve ‘seen the future’ again. I’ll tell them Elder Ji will be harmed if she continues her undercover work, and then have them persuade Elder Ji together.’

‘Elder Ji has never told Mother about her spy identity, so she will definitely believe my prophecy and change her plans.

We just need to use this false prophecy to heighten her vigilance. As long as she is willing to shed her spy identity, she naturally won’t die. Perhaps she can even team up with Mother and the others to turn the tables on Qing Luo.’

‘This way, our side gains a great cultivator at the late Soul Transformation stage, while the evil cultivators lose a great demon of the same level.

Although this matter’s impact on the ending is not as significant as we initially predicted, no, it’s not that big, it still adds an extra layer of certainty.’

‘Moreover, Elder Ji was a great contributor to bringing Mother and my other Mother together. Both emotionally and logically, I don’t want her to die an unclear death. Otherwise, how sad Little Pomegranate would be later.’

She set down her wooden cup, blinked, and a plan had already formed in her mind.

Thus, as the lunch drew to a close, the pink-haired girl suddenly spoke with a tearful urgency:

“Mother, Mother, I’ve seen the future again! You must save Elder Ji!”

***

The subsequent developments, as Hua Xiangrong had predicted, were largely similar.

Although both Hua Yan and Yun Xueshang were somewhat surprised to learn of Ji Ling’s spy identity, they quickly brought Hua Xiangrong to Ji Ling.

After listening to their accounts, Ji Ling fell silent for a moment. She eventually decided to work with the other Peak Masters to formulate a plan to shed her spy identity and ambush Qing Luo.

Such was the full story of the events.

***

Time returned to the present moment.

Cough, cough, cough…

The dark green colossal python lay limp on the ground, the surrounding land scarred by corrosion and sword qi. The entire hill had been leveled—this was even with the Dao Sect members controlling the extent of the destruction.

Qing Luo’s scales were ruffled, sword marks of varying depths covered her body, one eye was already blind, and her largely severed tongue hung limply. With her last vestiges of strength, her sole remaining golden eye fixed on the approaching figures—

Especially Ji Ling, who stood with her hands behind her back, her black robes fluttering, and a milky-white sword pellet hovering before her.

“I’ll give you one last chance,” Ji Ling said, her expression impassive and her tone frigid. “Tell me your lair’s location and disclose any information I don’t yet know. I’ll grant you a swift end.”

“Heh heh… Cough, cough! Ji Ling! You fool! Don’t even think about it!”

Qing Luo glared at her fiercely, hissing her defiance while secretly gathering her last strength, preparing to self-detonate.

‘You want to kill me… you’ll have to be buried with me! Don’t think you’ll succeed so easily!’

‘Did Jiang Changge ever love any of us back then? That heartless, ungrateful woman only cared about her little disciple! Even so… you still protect Yun Xueshang?!’

‘I’ll tell you! When we ambushed Jiang Changge back then, she could have escaped on her own. It was entirely because she insisted on protecting Yun Xueshang that she fell into desperation! Hahaha! She didn’t love you at all! Yet you still…’

*Swish—!*

Ji Ling’s thoughts stirred. The sword pellet before her instantly transformed into a streak of light, piercing into Qing Luo’s seven-inch vital point.

It instantly pulverized her nearly self-detonating, almost depleted demon core, annihilating the primordial spirit attempting to escape within it.

“I knew I shouldn’t have wasted words on you.”

A stiff, faint curve appeared at the corner of her lips, yet a strange sense of relief flickered in her eyes.

‘Finally, I can personally avenge you, you fool.’

“Elder Ji.”

Yun Xueshang stepped forward, looking at Ji Ling’s slightly stooped back, and spoke softly.

“Alright, don’t overthink it.”

Ji Ling glanced at her, straightened up again, her tone as impolite as ever.

“I won’t blame Jiang Changge’s death entirely on you, as Qing Luo claimed, but don’t expect me to be nice to you from now on. I’ve never liked you anyway.”

“I understand, Elder Ji.”

The white-clad maiden paused slightly, then nodded in agreement.

“Hmph, still putting on that act of being well-behaved and clever.”

Ji Ling snorted, waved her hand to collect Qing Luo’s corpse, and turned to leave.

“Oh, Xiaoxueshang, don’t listen to Little Lingling. She’s just being stubborn. She’s actually always cared about you.”

Yue Jue sidled up to Yun Xueshang, winking playfully. Her voice was low, yet clear enough for the highly cultivated individuals present to hear.

“Mm, I know.”

Yun Xueshang nodded earnestly.

“Elder Ji, she has always been that Elder Ji.”

“It’s good that you understand. Our Xiaoxueshang has always been so endearing since childhood, unlike some people, tsk tsk…”

Yue Jue shook her alluring head, chattering on.

“Yue Jue! Are you ever going to stop!”

Ji Ling’s angry roar came from ahead.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop then, won’t I? She’s hundreds of years old, and her temper is still so unlovable…”

The woman hugged her arms and muttered softly. Suddenly remembering something, she hastily chased after the black-robed figure about to fly far into the night sky.

“Hey—! Hey! Little Lingling! Don’t hog Qing Luo’s demon body all to yourself! That’s a Xuanming Green Python, late Soul Transformation stage, it’s super valuable!”

“I put in so much effort today, and my makeup is ruined~~~ I won’t ask for much—the snake scales, snake gall, and snake fangs are mine! You can have the rest of the snake meat and whatever else!”

“Get lost! Don’t crowd me!”

In the night sky, Ji Ling’s impatient scolding, accompanied by Yue Jue’s chattering pursuit, dissipated into the evening breeze.