The Villain Marked the Protagonist's Fiancée (Through the Book) - Chapter 28

“Hmph, don’t try to cozy up to this Dao Lord,” Elder Cui sneered, unleashing his oppressive aura upon Yun Xiao. Before he could even spit out the word “scram,” he coughed up a mouthful of bl00d.

Yun Xiao shook her head lightly. “Truly, arrogance and bullying run in the family. Well, you’ve kicked a steel plate this time.”

Cangwu slid down Yun Xiao’s wrist, flew before Elder Cui, and transformed into human form. She began slapping the elder’s face left and right.

“Elder Sister, Clan Elder Grandpa said, when dealing with people who look down on others, you should just beat them to a pulp!” she declared with mock seriousness.

As Elder Cui’s face visibly swelled, Yun Xiao’s lips twitched. Where had her innocent, adorable little White Dragon gone?

The Clan Leader seemed like such a dignified person—how had he taught Cangwu to act like this?

The Heavenly Evolution Sect disciples observing the scene immediately recognized Elder Cui, a late-stage Void Refinement cultivator, being utterly helpless against a young girl. They promptly activated their Communication Talismans to report to Xie Yunfan.

Elders and disciples from the other three major sects also sent urgent messages back to their respective Sects.

All of them shared the same burning question: Where had these two female cultivators—one young, one older, both with unfathomable cultivation levels—suddenly appeared from?

After a quarter of an hour of being pinned to the ground and relentlessly pummeled, Elder Cui was barely clinging to life.

Courtesan Xiangyun, who had witnessed the entire ordeal while perched on Yun Xiao’s shoulder, gently nudged Yun Xiao with her tail. “Are you just going to stand there and let her beat him? This man seems to hold a high position. If you provoke Immortal Xie Jie, things could escalate dramatically.”

Yun Xiao, finding standing uncomfortable, tossed out a chaise lounge and sprawled across it with a sigh. “This is the life.” Back when her cultivation was inferior, she had been hunted across half the Heavenly Origin Realm. Now, she feared no one.

She had a premonition: once she killed Xie Yunfan, her cultivation would advance to the peak of Tribulation Transcendence, perhaps even granting her a glimpse of the opportunity for ascension.

“Don’t underestimate this. Above Immortal Xie Jie, there’s also the Cloud Immortal—”

Cangwu cut in, “What’s there to fear? If they come in pairs, we’ll beat them in pairs.”

With that, she clapped her hands, rose to her feet, and kicked Elder Cui toward the Azure Cloud Sect disciples who were anxiously circling in the distance. “Take this trash back. Next time, send someone who can actually fight. This one was no challenge at all.”

Yun Xiao’s eyes twinkled with amusement as she retrieved two Top-Grade Spirit Fruits from her Storage Pouch and handed them to Cangwu. “Well done.”

Cangwu took the fruit, popped it into his mouth, and immediately began eating. After swallowing the first bite, he declared, “Elder Sister, this isn’t as good as lotus fruit.”

Xiangyun quickly interjected, “Then give it to me! I don’t mind if it’s not delicious.”

It was astonishing how these two treated Top-Grade Spirit Fruits like mere snacks.

Cangwu deliberately dangled the fruit in front of Xiangyun, teasingly waving it back and forth without letting her have a bite.

Enraged, Xiangyun transformed into her human form, her cheeks flushed crimson and her eyes shimmering with autumn light. “Are you going to give it to me or not?” she demanded, her cheeks puffed out in a pout.

Cangwu stared unblinkingly into Xiangyun’s luminous, autumn-like eyes, reaching out to touch them but falling short.

In the next instant, her figure elongated, her chubby cheeks instantly slimming into a sweet and playful face.

She finally touched those startled eyes, her dimples flashing as she chirped, “If you cry out a few pearls, I’ll give it to you.”

Xiangyun’s eyes widened slightly. How could someone so adorable utter such a terrifying thing? She recoiled, her resistance clear.

Yun Xiao interrupted Cangwu’s retort, “With your cultivation level, you can’t handle the spiritual energy of a Top-Grade Spirit Fruit.” She produced a High-Grade Mist Fruit. “Eat this instead.”

Xiangyun happily accepted it.

Cangwu pursed his lips, his displeasure evident on his face.

Yun Xiao sighed helplessly and transmitted telepathically, “Only tears shed by Merfolk in moments of extreme joy or sorrow can transform into pearls.”

Cangwu’s eyes lit up. “Ah Hua said Dual Cultivation leads to supreme bliss! I want to practice Dual Cultivation with her!”

Yun Xiao coughed lightly. What kind of lewd nonsense have these demons been telling Cangwu?

“Ah Wu, Dual Cultivation requires mutual consent. If Xiangyun doesn’t feel affection for you, her tears won’t turn into pearls.” She wasn’t sure if Cangwu would understand, but in that moment, she felt the helplessness and heartache of a mother.

She feared she hadn’t explained clearly enough, lest some scoundrel lure Cangwu away. Yet she also worried that Cangwu, in his naivety, might recklessly harm someone.

Enough. Now isn’t the right time for this conversation. We can discuss it another day.

Cangwu squatted beside Yun Xiao, propping his chin on his hand, occasionally glancing at Xiangyun with a puzzled expression.

So Dual Cultivation really doesn’t produce pearls?

Xiangyun’s voice was beautiful, even when she cried. The image of her shedding pearls during Dual Cultivation seemed particularly intriguing.

Sensing his gaze, Xiangyun flinched and hid behind Yun Xiao, shielding herself from Cangwu’s view.

This little creature was more terrifying than anyone Yun Xiao had ever encountered.

Xie Yunfan, alerted by the commotion, descended from the sky, his face twisting as he glared down at Yun Xiao. “Azure Flood Dragon,” he snarled, summoning his Lifebound Sword, “you’re still alive? I let you escape by chance five hundred years ago, but today you will die.”

The final word was cut short by Yun Xiao’s sudden attack.

With a single strike, Yun Xiao knew Xie Yunfan was no match for her. His cultivation felt hollow, likely artificially boosted through external means.

Xie Yunfan subtly sent a message to his master, Yunhua, hoping to join forces and eliminate Yun Xiao.

Yun Xiao didn’t miss his little maneuver. A sardonic smile curled her lips. “Trash,” she mocked, “you were my defeated opponent five hundred years ago, and you remain so today.”

Those words echoed like demonic whispers, dredging up memories of the days after Xie Yunfan’s Dantian had been shattered.

The cultivators who envied his innate talent had secretly cursed him as worthless.

Even his fellow disciples had scorned him for wasting the Sect’s resources during those years. The weight of their gazes, when he recalled them now, still felt fresh in his memory.

Fortunately, his master hadn’t given up. After searching several Secret Realms, he finally found the Heavenly Dragon Lotus, which could repair Xie Yunfan’s Dantian.

The day his Dantian healed, years of resentment and bitterness finally found release. He returned to his former glory, where a mere hint would have others acting on his behalf.

Those who had once called him trash were now the true failures.

Yet the very first person to call him trash stood before him, unscathed. How could he not hate her?

His eyes burning crimson, he completely disregarded the disciples below and the cultivators who had entered the Remnant Mansion, unleashing his full power against Yun Xiao.

Yun Xiao effortlessly countered his attacks, her gaze locking onto Xie Yunfan. “Now it’s my turn,” she purred, her voice dripping with malice.

Seeing Xie Yunfan try to flee, she immediately unleashed her Killing Domain.

Ironically, Xie Yunfan himself had contributed to her early mastery of Domains.

When her Cultivation reached the Tribulation Transcendence stage, she could perceive the threads of karma in the Void. Among those threads, one stood out—thick and crimson red. Who else could it be but Xie Yunfan?

It was during a chance encounter with a Demon Cultivator who sought to spar and discuss Dao that she experienced a Sudden Enlightenment, and the Killing Domain was born from that moment of insight.

Yunhua teleported to the scene, but he was half a step too late, forced to watch helplessly as Xie Yunfan was engulfed by the Killing Domain.

His eyes turned icy as he glared at Yun Xiao. “Release my disciple at once,” he roared, “or this immortal will flay you alive, you beast!”

Cangwu lunged forward, but Yun Xiao held him back. “I’ll handle this.”

With that, she tossed Xiangyun, who had been clinging to her shoulder, to Cangwu and summoned Purple Frost. “Go.”

Since obtaining the sword technique manual from the Golden Immortal’s Cave Abode, she had diligently studied it daily, integrating her own insights into the art.

When it came to swordsmanship, she feared neither Yunhua nor his disciples.

After thirty-odd exchanges, Yunhua had to concede that Yun Xiao’s swordsmanship was remarkably refined.

Yet, compared to his own, it still lacked a crucial edge.

Yun Xiao recalled Purple Frost, merging with the blade to deflect Yunhua’s attacks.

The two clashed in the heavens, their battle darkening the skies and shaking the earth. The cultivators below had long since fled the moment the situation turned dire.

Those who had entered the Remnant Mansion and heeded the warnings had already retreated to safety under the Elders’ protection. The stubborn ones remained, continuing their treasure hunt within the collapsing structure.

Rumble! The Remnant Mansion, unable to withstand the residual force of the Tribulation Transcendence cultivators’ battle, began to crumble. Cultivators who failed to escape in time were buried beneath the collapsing ruins.

The quick-thinking ones narrowly avoided being crushed and desperately scrambled toward the entrance.

Rumble! A massive boulder crashed down, blocking most of the entrance, leaving only a narrow gap wide enough for one person to squeeze through.

In their desperate scramble for the exit, the cultivators turned on each other, creating an opening for those who had lagged behind.

But Yunhua and Yun Xiao wouldn’t let him succeed. At the last moment, they jointly seized the man, dragging him back, ensuring no one escaped.

Xie Yunfan, whom Yun Xiao had hurled into the Killing Domain, was now covered in wounds, his body a bloody mess.

This lush, verdant land was teeming with hidden dangers, a lesson Xie Yunfan had learned through bl00d and tears.

He scanned his surroundings warily and asked, “Old Qiu, have you figured out a way to break this? I don’t want to stay in this cursed place for another moment.”

“Only Earth Immortals with exceptional comprehension can manifest a Domain. She’s merely at the Tribulation Transcendence stage, yet she’s not only created a Domain but also this Killing Domain, where death lurks at every turn.”

Xie Yunfan gritted his teeth. “I asked you to find a solution, not praise her.”

For decades, he had felt increasingly powerless. He had investigated every possible cause, but none explained his decline. Then he remembered his life-or-death battle with Yun Xiao, when she claimed Old Qiu was helping him only to seize his body.

He had tested Old Qiu several times, but the old man never betrayed himself.

The more Xie Yunfan tried, the more suspicious he became.

“First, we need to find the Domain Core to stop this Killing Domain from functioning.”

Suppressing his thoughts, Xie Yunfan pressed, “Where is the Domain Core?”

“I don’t know.”

Xie Yunfan narrowly dodged a stream of nectar that shot from a vibrant flower, panting heavily. “If I die, do you think you’ll survive alone?”

“Every Domain is unique. How could I know what she would set as the Domain Core? This… the Domain has changed! Has she actually manifested a dual-layered Domain?”

Azure Cloud Sect, Main Peak.

Sect Leader Bai Mofeng picked up the Communication Spirit Jade and tapped it with his finger. A male voice echoed through the hall.

“Sect Leader, twenty-three individuals have been successfully evacuated. It has been confirmed that the female cultivator is Yun Xiao, the Azure Flood Dragon who clashed with Immortal Xie Jie five hundred years ago. Not only did she survive, but her cultivation rivals that of Cloud Blossom Tribulation Immortal.

“She… she has even manifested a Domain, trapping Immortal Xie Jie within it. Reinforcements from the Heavenly Evolution Sect are already en route. Sect Leader, should we offer assistance?”

Bai Mofeng’s hand trembled slightly as he held the Communication Spirit Jade. After a few breaths, his composure returned, and he transmitted his orders: “Withdraw immediately.”

Hearing the transmission, Chu Hui rose to leave. “I’ll go report to Martial Aunt Fang.”

“Stay put. Do not disturb Martial Aunt Fang’s seclusion,” Bai Mofeng instructed his eldest disciple, who stood nearby. “Ziqian, summon all Elders and Peak Lords to the Main Peak for an urgent meeting.”

“Understood.”

Chu Hui returned to her seat, noticing Bai Mofeng’s furrowed brow. “Senior Brother, are you worried Senior Yun might retaliate against the Azure Cloud Sect?”

Bai Mofeng shook his head slightly. “Senior Yun distinguishes clearly between grievances. Even if she harbors resentment, it would be directed at Martial Aunt Fang, not innocent bystanders.”

He rose and walked to the hall’s entrance, clasping his hands behind his back. His voice deepened. “The heavens of the Heavenly Origin Realm are about to change.”

Five hundred years had passed. Chu Hui was no longer the naive young girl she once was. Now, as one of the Elders responsible for safeguarding the Sect, she quickly grasped the implications of Bai Mofeng’s words.

“The Heavenly Evolution Sect has five Supreme Elders. Cloud Blossom Tribulation Immortal’s cultivation ranks among the top two, yet even he was helpless against Senior Yun. This time, Senior Yun has thoroughly humiliated the Heavenly Evolution Sect, grinding their dignity into the dust. They won’t let this go unpunished.”

Bai Mofeng added, “Over the past two centuries, tensions between the human and demon races have been escalating. Senior Yun’s actions risk igniting a full-scale war between the two.”

Chu Hui clenched her fists. “How dare they?”

Bai Mofeng cut to the heart of the matter. “For the past two centuries, the Heavenly Evolution Sect has acted with unchecked arrogance. Where is the righteous spirit of a true disciple? Without righteousness, they are unbound by morality.”

“Then what about us?”

“A war between the races, regardless of who wins or loses, will drain the Sect’s resources for decades, perhaps even centuries. The Azure Cloud Sect cannot afford such a drain.” As Sect Leader, Bai Mofeng understood the Sect’s reserves far better than Chu Hui. If war erupted, they would have to sacrifice half, or even more, of their reserves to minimize casualties.

The resources being sacrificed had been earned by the Sect’s Elders and disciples through bl00d, sweat, and even their lives.

Thus, what was being given up wasn’t just resources, but twice the effort and sacrifice.

On Dreamcloud Mountain, Yun Xiao, while battling Yunhua, had to spare attention for Xie Yunfan within the Killing Domain.

Perhaps that old man who’d been advising Xie Yunfan had given him another trick. From initially being a sitting duck, Xie Yunfan was now managing to evade some of the killing intent.

Heh, let’s see if your brain can keep up with the Killing Domain’s shifting speed.

Doubling the pace meant Xie Yunfan would now face twice the killing intent.

After breaking another of Yunhua’s attacks, Yun Xiao asked mockingly, “Yunhua, are you aware that a Divine Soul has been residing in your precious disciple’s Sea of Consciousness all this time? Given how flimsy that trash’s cultivation is, could it be that Divine Soul’s doing?”

Yunhua raised an eyebrow. “Nonsense. His cultivation has simply advanced too quickly.”

“You’re not a child, so why believe everything he says?” Yun Xiao retorted mercilessly. “His cultivation might be advancing quickly, but can it match mine? Look at how I’m making you piss your pants—can he do that?” She refused to believe Yunhua was genuinely oblivious; he was merely feigning ignorance.

Originally, Yun Xiao hadn’t planned to eliminate the old man residing in Xie Yunfan’s Sea of Consciousness so quickly. But the old man kept interfering, always helping Xie Yunfan.

Besides, she always sensed that the old man was up to no good. If she didn’t deal with him early, he might become a major threat.

Yunhua choked, his face turning ashen. “Beast! How dare you speak such madness!”

Yun Xiao’s fury surged. She tossed several Top-Grade Spring Return Pills into her mouth and unleashed the final move of her Sword Manual: Divine Might Concealment.

Yunhua couldn’t withstand it, taking a sword strike to the body. Yun Xiao pressed her advantage, striking Yunhua’s chest with a palm strike. “You call me a beast? I’ll beat you until you’re less than one!”

The anger still burned within her. She unleashed her Killing Domain again, pulling Yunhua into its vortex.

Lu Bo, the Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Evolution Sect, arrived with Cangwu in hand, threatening, “Boy, release Yunhua and Xie Yunfan now, or else—”

Yun Xiao devoured two Top-Grade Spirit Fruits to replenish her Spiritual Energy, replying calmly, “Your Heavenly Evolution Sect is truly amusing. Old and young alike resort to underhanded tactics.”

Swallowing the last bite of Spirit Fruit, she clapped her hands lightly. “Originally, this was just a private feud between me and Xie Yunfan. But your actions have displeased me greatly.” Her eyes darkened, a chilling glint flashing within them. “I might just raze your Azure Cloud Sect to the ground.”

Lu Bo sensed the formidable aura emanating from Yun Xiao, his brow furrowing deeply. This brat has been battling Yunhua for so long, yet her energy remains so potent.

He softened his tone. “Two for two. You won’t lose out.”

Yun Xiao’s gaze swept over the Heavenly Evolution Sect reinforcements arriving—two Great Ascension cultivators and four Body Integration experts. They’re really pulling out all the stops for this useless Xie Yunfan.

“Elder Sister, don’t worry about me,” Cangwu insisted stubbornly. If only I hadn’t argued with Xiangyun earlier.

This old man is too cunning, resorting to sneak attacks at his age.

Yun Xiao’s peach-blossom eyes narrowed slightly. She knew that letting Xie Yunfan go this time would make him wary, making it harder to strike later.

Oh well, time is all I have plenty of now.

With a casual wave, she released the half-dead Xie Yunfan. “Release your people,” she said coldly, “or I’ll send you all into my Killing Domain.” She nodded toward Xie Yunfan. “See? He makes the perfect test subject.”

Lu Bo remained unyielding. “Two for two.”

Yun Xiao scoffed. “Such a nuisance.”

She still released Yunhua, stepping on his chest right in front of Lu Bo. “Apologize.”

Since being honored as the Sword Sovereign, Yunhua had never been so humiliated. His face flushed crimson and then paled to green, all thanks to Yun Xiao’s provocation.

Yun Xiao paid no heed to Yunhua’s anger, pointing her finger at his nose and snarling, “You filthy old geezer! Did you learn your manners from a dog’s belly? Your disciples are just hypocritical trash—”

Though the insults were directed at Yunhua and his disciples, Lu Bo still felt his own face burning with shame. He snapped, “Enough! You’ve had your say. Let’s release them together.”

Yun Xiao lifted her foot from Yunhua’s chest, and Lu Bo kept his word, releasing Cangwu.

Suspecting Lu Bo might try to trick her, Yun Xiao subtly signaled Cangwu to prepare for instant teleportation, using her Killing Domain as a shield.

Azure Cloud Sect, Forbidden Zone of the Back Mountain.

Fang Zhiluo opened her eyes, her hand instinctively pressing against the faint ache in her chest. This sensation had only ever occurred when she thought of that person. Yet these past two days, she hadn’t consciously recalled them. Why now?

Could she have returned?

The thought arose, only to be swiftly suppressed.

Five hundred years had passed. If that person still lived, how could they have remained hidden for so long?

Her gaze fell upon the glowing Communication Spirit Jade. Hearing the words “Senior Yun has returned,” the jade slipped from her grasp.

In the next instant, Fang Zhiluo’s figure vanished from the Cave Abode.

The closer she drew to Cloud Dream Mountain, the faster her heart raced, her breath growing ragged.