Chapter 50

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Chapter 50: Title

"Aunt Yan, what… what did I do wrong…?" Suiyin forced out, face purpling as oxygen deprivation blurred her vision.

"You did nothing wrong." Yan Ge released her fingers one by one, letting the girl collapse.

Resettling at the table, Yan Ge commanded, "Speak. What did you witness during today’s sword trial?"

Suiyin struggled to rise from the floor.

When the girl’s knees began bending toward the ground, Yan Ge’s brow furrowed. A surge of spiritual power yanked Suiyin upright.

"Kneel, and I’ll kill you." Her voice turned glacial. "Not even one knee touches earth for anyone – including myself."

How could one bearing the Divine Bone kneel?

"Yes!" Suiyin stiffened to attention, voice trembling. "During the trial… I saw someone inside the consciousness sea. Her name was Tiansui."

Having been away too long, she’d nearly forgotten Aunt Yan’s unpredictable moods.

"And then? What did she tell you?" Yan Ge’s voice held a drowsy nasal tone, fingers tapping irregularly against the table.

"She inquired about you."

Knuckled fingers froze mid-air. "Go on."

Suiyin murmured, "She asked how you’ve been these years. Said you were old friends."

Stillness abruptly filled the room, so complete Suiyin almost thought herself alone.

The laughter exploded without warning. "Old friends? Hah! She told you we’re old friends?"

Mirth vanished as the woman’s voice turned venomous. "How fitting for the leader of the Immortal Capital – that celestial being floating above mortal concerns."

Suiyin kept her head lowered, becoming air itself.

"Ah Yin, this sword stays with you now."

"Come."

Yan Ge crooked a finger.

Before the command fully formed, Suiyin’s legs moved without consent – three mechanical steps to the table before folding into a crouch.

"Aunt… Aunt Yan?"

Icy digits seized her chin, forcing eye contact with flawless features. The woman’s upturned eyes radited coldness, like hellspawn coiling round its prey.

Saint and sinner.

This version of Aunt Yan hadn’t appeared in years, yet still churned Suiyin’s stomach with primal fear.

"Have I neglected to mention whose flesh-shell you’re wearing?"

The growled words vibrated in her skull. "Yours," Suiyin rasped.

"That Xia Shi receives special treatment, hmm?" Yan Ge’s thumb stroked the captive chin before brutally yanking upward. "Divine connection? Enjoyable? Shall I expect bedsprings creaking within days?"

Suiyin’s strained denial emerged distorted. "No."

Red fingerprints bloomed. Yan Ge frowned, soothing the marks with feather touches until they vanished. Her usual languid posture returned, though poison lingered in her tone. "Have your divine connections with whoever you please. But while wearing this vessel…"

A fingernail tapped Suiyin’s lips. "No kisses."

Slid down to hook her collar. "No hands under clothes – yours or hers."

Landed finality between their faces. "No coupling."

"But… isn’t divine connection worse?" Confusion wrinkled Suiyin’s brow. "Our consciousnesses entangled completely – isn’t that deeper than physical…"

Aunt Yan withdrew her hand and said coldly, "Divine connection depends on consciousness, not your physical shell."

"Remember what I just said, or…" Yan Ge chuckled, "I’ll make her die before your eyes."

The ethereal presence vanished instantly, leaving only Suiyin in the room. Her ragged breaths and thundering heartbeat echoed in the silence.

The Wugui sword trembled, sensing its familiar companion had departed.

Suiyin placed the blade on the table and collapsed onto the bed, throat still throbbing. That moment had been real – Aunt Yan’s killing intent pulsed sharper than any blade.

Because the sword chose her?

This weapon rightfully belonged to Senior Tiansui. Aunt Yan’s reaction suggested deeper history between them than mere acquaintanceship.

Rolling onto her back in the dimness, Suiyin pressed a hand over her eyes. Her consciousness writhed like a trapped beast, shackled by the jade bead encircling her wrist.

This shell…

————

The Immortal Sect Conference ended with Wugui sword’s master selection. Sects dispersed to organize evil-purge campaigns across Nine Realms.

Elite disciples from Sanqing Realm, Liujin Pavilion, Taiyi Sect, and Realm of Canghai spearheaded hunts for Thirteen Ghost Domains remnants. Qingyun City garrisoned Sixteen Peaks of Dark Domain, sealing all passages.

Five major sects mobilized most cultivators. Sect leaders commanded while elders deployed en masse, determined to annihilate all ghost realm intruders.

Sanqing disciples divided into teams under Senior Sister Zuo Ji and Qi Sheng, escorted by Elder Fan Wen.

"Sect Leader, I request mountain leave." Medicinal herbs clung to Xia Shi as she entered Yuxing Hall.

Ye Xiao didn’t glance up. "Leave and I’ll break your legs."

Xia Shi’s fists clenched. "Lu Qingyu might be alive."

The sect leader froze. Slowly, he raised his head. "Repeat that."

"Feng Yi saw her. She might survive." Xia Shi’s gaze hardened. "I must find answers about that year."

"Denied."

"You can’t cage me."

"I know." Ye Xiao’s emotionless gaze met hers. "You heed only Master. Not me as sect leader. Not even common sense."

Xia Shi blinked. She’d braced for shouting, restraints, fury. Not this glacial calm.

"Senior Brother, I…"

"Go."

Xia Shi froze.

Her iron-disciplined sect leader… approved?

"Permission granted." Ye Xiao restated.

Joy erupted through Xia Shi. "Gratitude, Senior Brother Sect Leader!"

She practically flew back to Autumn Forest Peak.

After she left Yuxing Hall, Ye Xiao’s eyes darkened as he summoned Yan Li.

Soon, Yan Li entered the hall and bowed respectfully.

“Master.”

“You won’t accompany the disciples when descending the mountain this time.” Ye Xiao descended the steps slowly, stopping before her with a grave expression. “I need you to protect someone.”

“Guard her with your life.”

Yan Li stiffened. “Understood!”

Two days later, at Chengxian Restaurant.

“You’re upset?” Lu Ciyou propped her chin on the table, eyeing Suiyin’s gloomy face.

Suiyin—listless-eyed and sullen—muttered, “No.”

Lu Ciyou stared.

Suiyin might as well have “UNHAPPY” plastered across her forehead.

“Cheer up. They’re here.”

She nudged Suiyin and tilted her head toward the stairs.

Suiyin turned—and froze.

A Li climbed the steps, her half-covered mask in place, but Xia Shi trailed right behind her.

Suiyin’s dull eyes lit up instantly. She shot to her feet, waving eagerly.

The young lady snorted.

No backbone at all.

“Now that everyone’s here, let’s go.”

Xia Shi glanced sideways at Yan Li, brows arched in silent question.

Yan Li murmured, “They’re also heading to Canghai. Lu Ciyou owns a flying boat.”

Flying boats were fast.

Xia Shi followed without protest. Riding a boat beat wasting spiritual power on sword flight.

True to her status as Liujin Pavilion’s young master, Lu Ciyou produced a flying boat glittering with gold and gemstones.

The three-tiered vessel boasted viewing decks and ornate furniture on its top level.

Suiyin gaped at the mermaid pearls decorating the table.

Lu Ciyou seized the moment. “Well? Consider leaving Sanqing Realm for me.”

They said money moved mountains. Flashing her wealth might tempt Suiyin.

Suiyin played along. “I’ll consider it.”

The young lady grinned, tugging A Li closer. “How about joining Liujin Pavilion?”

Yan Li: “……”

She wanted to poach all these people; Liujin Pavilion’s recruitment this year depended entirely on their young master.

Next would probably be Xia Shi.

"You there, the Xia one. Want to join us?" The young lady’s invitation sounded forced yet sincere.

Yan Li: "……"

Xia Shi: "……"

Getting no response, Lu Ciyou pouted. She’d known recruiting wouldn’t be easy.

Even with the flying boat, reaching the Realm of Canghai would take three to four days.

By the second day, Lu Ciyou grew restless and demanded to stretch her legs.

Four people occupied the flying boat. Xia Shi and A Li sat silently all day, while Suiyin brooded without speaking.

She’d brought three mutes along.

They disembarked outside Ping City.

Lu Ciyou thrust her spear into A Li’s arms and sauntered toward the gates. "This young master’s treating everyone to a feast."

Two sword-bearing cultivators blocked their path. "Show your tokens."

The leading sects were purging Thirteen Ghost Domains members, forcing some to disguise themselves in cities.

Lu Ciyou shook her waist pendant. Spiritual power activated its faint glow, molding a crane shape. The others displayed matching jade tokens with Six-petal flower emblems. Yan Li quickly pocketed hers after flashing it.

Seeing Liujin Pavilion and Sanqing Realm insignias, the guards bowed. "Proceed."

Inside the gates, a scarred man with a broadsword intercepted them. "Halt! Where’re you from?"

The gatekeepers whispered, "Liujin Pavilion and Sanqing Realm."

"Those two sects together?" The man gripped his weapon. "Everyone knows they’d never ally!"

Lu Ciyou’s mood soured. "Who’re you? We’re cleared already!" Her spear shielded the group.

Suiyin and Yan Li sandwiched Xia Shi, eyeing encircling cultivators. Tension crackled between both sides.

Lu Ciyou tilted her spearhead at the man. "Can’t recognize the Soaring Dragon?"

He sneered, "Oh I recognize it – that’s why you’re suspicious."

"The young master of Liujin Pavilion detested the Sanqing Realm most. How could he possibly journey with disciples from that very realm?"

"Out with it! Are you from the Thirteen Ghost Domains?"

Lu Ciyou: "……"

So this was now her fault.

"What’s this commotion at the city gates?" A woman’s voice cut through the tension.

"Feng Tao."

Feng Tao, the blade-wielding leader, immediately hunched in obeisance. "Token Lord! What brings you here?"

Token Lord…

Could this be the Silver Token Lord from Canghai realm?

Lu Ciyou studied the familiar face. Scraps of memory surfaced – "Jiang… Jin?"

The Silver Token Lord of Canghai.

Jiang Jin turned with a forced smile on her delicate features. "Young Master Lu! Our deepest apologies."

Her palm cracked across Feng Tao’s cheek before the words faded, snapping his head sideways. Blood seeped from his lip.

"Blind fool! You dare obstruct Liujin Pavilion’s young master?"

Feng Tao kept his eyes lowered. "This subordinate erred!"

He kowtowed to Lu Ciyou’s group. "Our humblest regrets!"

"Subordinate?" Lu Ciyou’s brow furrowed. "Since when does Ping City answer to Canghai? Since when are city guards Token Lords’ underlings?"

Feng Tao began slapping his own mouth. "Wrong words! My mistake!"

Jiang Jin’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. "The fool misspoke. Forgive our intrusion, Young Master."

She vanished in a streak of light toward Canghai before Lu Ciyou could respond.

Feng Tao signaled his cultivators to bow. "We beg your forgiveness!"

Lu Ciyou tossed her spear to A Li. "Enough. Let’s eat."

Ping City’s Taohua Hall drew even grain-abstaining cultivators with its famed cuisine.

The group approached through swirling floral air.

Suiyin sneezed violently.

The cloying perfume held bitter undertones. She edged away from the source.

Clearer thoughts came with each breath of faint medicinal bitterness.

“You’re about to shove me into the river if you keep moving,” Xia Shi blurted out.

Suiyin looked and saw their shoulders were pressed together, half of Xia Shi’s body hanging over the bridge’s edge.

Below, flowing water carried windblown petals across its surface—pink and white mingling into a pretty sight.

Lu Ciyou tilted her head at the drifting petals and caught one. “Peach blossoms shouldn’t bloom this season.”

“Defying heaven’s order.”

A raspy voice cut through the air.

They turned to see an old beggar slumped at the bridge’s end, face hidden under grimy hair. A young man lay motionless at his feet, equally ragged.

The young man wasn’t breathing.

The beggar stared at the four girls and abruptly kicked the corpse, flipping it onto its back.

Matted hair slid aside, exposing half the dead man’s face.

“Jiang Xinian!?”