Chapter 14
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This chapter is edited by Farouq Omileye. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 14: You Are Right. I Really Thought That Way
Qing Luan’s Tao heart shattered.
When Hong Luan realized this, it felt as if her own heart had been struck by a sledgehammer.
She was utterly confused.
How did this happen?
It was the Tao heart.
For a cultivator, a broken Tao heart meant that their path to immortality was forever closed.
Throughout the thousands of years of recorded history in the Eastern Divine Land, there had been only a handful of people who managed to recover from a shattered Tao heart.
Hong Luan’s knees buckled without warning.
She sank to the ground, holding Qing Luan, who was curled up like a shrimp, trembling with every painful spasm.
Each time Qing Luan’s body jerked, it felt as though a knife had pierced Hong Luan’s own soul.
This was the last thing she ever wanted to see.
She had designed the perfect path for Qing Luan’s growth.
But now, everything had collapsed.
It was all her fault.
Qing Luan’s Tao heart had shattered after their conversation.
She should have been a better example, but instead, she had failed miserably.
Qing Luan must have been so disillusioned with her, so disappointed, that it led to this.
Hong Luan pressed her left hand into the ground, leaving a deep mark.
Regret flooded her, but it was pointless now.
She had to act. Standing here, helpless, would solve nothing.
“Qing Luan!”
The scream erupted from deep within her throat.
The sound ripped through the air like the roar of a cannon, echoing around the area.
“What’s going on?”
“What’s happened to Martial Sister Qing Luan?”
At the sound of her cry, those nearby saw Hong Luan, her eyes filled with anguish, rushing out of the room while carrying the unconscious Qing Luan.
Her eyes were bloodshot with fury, and anyone who dared to look at her with indifference immediately cowered.
When Hong Luan’s figure disappeared from sight, a wave of relief swept through the onlookers.
“Quick! Go to the top of the mountain! Tell the sect leader!”
The panic quickly spread to the Elders on Yunluo Peak, rousing them from their calm.
Hong Luan knelt before them, begging for their help, tears streaming down her face as she recounted everything that had transpired with Qing Luan.
“I’m so stupid,” she sobbed.
“If it weren’t for me, Qing Luan wouldn’t be like this.”
A quarter of an hour later, even Bai Lian, who had been quietly sipping tea at Qiongming Peak, was alerted.
Xiao Jinse and Tong Yao hurried in, breathless.
“Martial Sister Bai Lian, something’s wrong!”
“Wrong?”
Bai Lian placed her tea cup down, a confused expression crossing her face as she looked at the out-of-breath second Martial Sister and Tong Yao.
“It’s on Yunluo Peak,” Tong Yao explained, her voice heavy. “Elder Martial Sister Qing Luan’s Tao heart is broken.”
“?”
Bai Lian’s face froze.
Qing Luan’s Tao heart shattered?
Such misfortune only befalls cultivators who experience monumental changes.
And speaking of the upheaval that had befallen Qing Luan…
Bai Lian’s expression darkened.
She quickly pieced things together, and a chilling thought crossed her mind. Could it be… that the so-called “Peace of Mind” method had caused Qing Luan’s Tao heart to break?
How horrifying.
Bai Lian’s voice trembled with urgency. “Is this true?”
Tong Yao sighed deeply. “It’s true. My younger Martial Sister witnessed it herself. And I heard… it’s connected to you, Martial Sister Bai Lian.”
“!”
It was over.
It was over now.
Bai Lian turned pale.
She had known that her actions would be discovered, but she hadn’t expected it to unfold like this.
Tong Yao seemed to be trying to help, standing up for her when things had gone awry.
Bai Lian’s heart stirred. She hadn’t expected this girl to speak up for her in such a critical moment.
“How is Qing Luan’s master now?” Bai Lian asked, her voice laced with concern.
Tong Yao shook her head, her voice filled with sorrow. “Her master was furious. If the sect leader hadn’t intervened, I’m afraid someone would have died.”
What?
Died?
Who could withstand that?
Bai Lian felt a wave of hopelessness crash over her.
She wanted to run.
If she could just escape before everyone realized what had happened, maybe she would survive this.
Her Shifu and younger Martial Sisters would have to fend for themselves.
But this wasn’t a permanent goodbye.
As long as she could escape, there was still a chance to return in the future.
Damn it!
Why hadn’t the system warned her?
She had deliberately chosen the safer options, but the outcome was far worse than she’d ever imagined.
This perverse world… was it really going to kill her?
“Alas,” Bai Lian sighed. “Thank you for the warning.”
Suddenly, without thinking, she opened her arms and hugged Tong Yao.
“?”
Tong Yao froze.
Bai… Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian… is hugging me?
No, it was all too sudden. Her mind and body weren’t prepared for this at all.
Yet, there was a rush of excitement inside her. She had finally gained Martial Sister Bai Lian’s recognition!
But soon, that excitement shifted to confusion.
Tong Yao felt an unmistakable sense of danger behind her—two death rays piercing through her clothes and skin.
The source was clear.
It was Bai Lian’s two younger Martial Sisters standing nearby.
“Ah, ah, ah—”
Xiao Jinse was utterly bewildered.
Who was she? Where was she? What was she doing?
She had been secretly and openly competing with the third Martial Sister for so long, but now, Tong Yao had stolen the prize!
Why not stab Tong Yao while Martial Sister Bai Lian isn’t paying attention?
No, no.
Xiao Jinse shook her head, realizing that Tong Yao was stronger than her. Only by teaming up with the third Martial Sister could they stand a chance against her.
With that thought in mind, Xiao Jinse saw Bai Lian release Tong Yao and walk toward her.
Hum?
“Take care of yourself in the future,” Bai Lian said, her voice steady.
Then, without another word, she embraced Xiao Jinse.
Xiao Jinse’s body went rigid, but in an instant, she melted under Bai Lian’s embrace.
Martial Sister Bai Lian had hugged her!
Forget uniting with the third Martial Sister.
Xiao Jinse felt her resolve crumble.
Bai Lian patted her on the back. “I don’t have time. Please tell the third Martial Sister to take good care of herself while I’m gone!”
Her tone was serious.
She didn’t want to leave, but there were times in life when she had no choice.
Bai Lian reluctantly let go of Xiao Jinse.
She took a deep breath and strode toward the door.
She couldn’t let the tears fall.
She couldn’t look back. If she saw the second Martial Sister’s face again, she knew she wouldn’t be able to leave.
This wasn’t just a fleeting goodbye.
“Wait for me to return!” Bai Lian thought to herself as she walked into the rising sun.
She walked faster and faster, her feet practically running out of the yard.
“Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian!”
Xiao Jinse and Tong Yao ran after her, but they were lost.
When they finally emerged from the yard, the situation became clear.
Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian was stopped.
It was Hong Luan.
Hong Luan, whose hair was in disarray, her spirit utterly crushed, stood before her.
“Bai Lian, save Qing Luan. I beg you. Now only you can save her.”
“I was wrong. I shouldn’t have hurt you. I shouldn’t have been so obsessed with the sect leader’s position.”
“I am guilty, but Qing Luan is innocent. You are a Natural Saint. You must have a way to save her!”
“….”
Bai Lian, whose thigh was gripped tightly by Hong Luan, felt completely lost.
Qing Luan’s sister was here!
She was doomed.
If Bai Lian recalled correctly, Hong Luan was at the Soul Changing Stage.
If she had known, she would never have wasted time with her goodbyes to Tong Yao and the second Martial Sister.
Bai Lian’s heart sank further.
At that moment, a new task appeared before her eyes:
[Task 1: Stupid woman, do you think I’ll forgive you? Get out of my way. (Reward: Best Magic Tool – Square Purgatory Flag)]
[Task 2: What are you saying? (Reward: Secret Medicine – Jiao Dragon Enters the Sea)]
[Task 3: Promise her. (Reward: Light Skill + 2)]
Bai Lian’s expression darkened.
“You should let go of me first. If you hold me like this, how can I save Qing Luan?”
“Ah! Yes, I’m sorry.”
Hong Luan quickly released her grip, fearful of further angering Bai Lian.
Meanwhile, Tong Yao, watching from a distance, nodded in understanding.
“I get it now.”
“What do you mean?”
Xiao Jinse raised an eyebrow.
Tong Yao explained, “Martial Sister Bai Lian must have expected Hong Luan to come and see her before heading out. She was afraid that what Hong Luan said just now might have been driven by concern that they might encounter a Tao heart breaking too.”
“I see!” Xiao Jinse also understood.
She lowered her head, feeling a deep sense of shame. It turned out that Martial Sister Bai Lian didn’t suddenly embrace Tong Yao because she liked her.
Alas.
Xiao Jinse pinched her cheek. She had behaved so unsteadily. Would this cause Martial Sister Bai Lian to despise her?
Hong Luan spoke softly to Bai Lian, “Let’s go to Yunluo Peak.”
“…” Bai Lian felt like she had no choice but to follow. But… Hong Luan’s attitude seemed off.
Under normal circumstances, shouldn’t she have come up and punched her in the face?
No, now wasn’t the time to think about such things.
“Let’s go,” Bai Lian summoned her courage and spoke.
Though she was desperate, she felt that there was still some fight left in her. She couldn’t just give up and confess her guilt without at least trying to say a few words to explain herself, could she?
Seeing that Bai Lian had responded, Hong Luan wasted no time. She quickly led Bai Lian towards Yunluo Peak.
If the air had no restrictions, she would’ve flown directly.
Xiao Jinse and Tong Yao hurried to follow.
On the way, Bai Lian was full of worries. She continuously simulated confrontations with Jue Yunzi and the others in her mind. The situation felt grim.
Moments later, Bai Lian arrived at Yunluo Peak, the eyes of whispering disciples upon her.
She looked up and saw Elder Gaoyi approaching, his expression as dignified as ever.
Damn it!
Why did she have to meet this selfless guy now?
Even with the blessing of the Innocent Heart, Bai Lian felt like she might shout out in despair.
“Elder Gaoyi,” Bai Lian forced a smile.
Elder Gaoyi shook his head. “Don’t be sad. You’ve done a good job.”
Ah?
Bai Lian was stunned, unsure if she had heard correctly.
Elder Gaoyi continued, “If Qing Luan’s Tao heart had not been broken, your handling would have been perfect.”
Is he sneering at me?
“Alas,” Elder Gaoyi suddenly sighed. “I didn’t expect this to happen.”
“…”
Why don’t I just confess?
Bai Lian thought to herself.
“Come with me.”
Elder Gaoyi turned and left, prompting Bai Lian to follow him.
Once inside, Elder Gaoyi instructed her to wait at the gate of the main hall. He and Hong Luan entered the hall one after another.
Bai Lian stood nervously in place.
What kind of punishment awaits her?
Are they going to kill me outright?
Xiao Jinse and Tong Yao were silent, but the disciples gathered around couldn’t help but whisper amongst themselves.
“Alas, I didn’t expect Martial Sister Hong Luan to be like this.”
“Yes, Martial Sister Bai Lian is so magnanimous.”
“Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian is too kind. If I were her, I would never talk to Hong Luan again.”
“Exactly.”
“What happened? What’s going on?”
Bai Lian had been calm at first, but when she overheard the gossip about the supposed “Martial Sister Bai Lian vs. Hong Luan” drama, her expression finally shifted.
Who made this up?
They were spreading rumors!
Wait…
If I “admit” it, doesn’t that mean I have nothing to do with Qing Luan’s broken Tao heart?
Bai Lian’s face grew serious as she raised her head.
“You’re right. I really thought that way!”
