The Villain Marked the Protagonist's Fiancée (Through the Book) - Chapter 31

Over twenty days ago, the leaders of the Four Great Sects gathered at Azure Cloud Sect.

After exchanging pleasantries, Sect Leader Wan reluctantly steered the conversation to the matter at hand, forcing a wry smile. “You’ve all likely heard of the battle at Dreamcloud Mountain. That Jade Flood Dragon’s audacity knows no bounds. Not only did she injure two of our Heavenly Evolution Sect’s Supreme Elders, but she also humiliated them.”

Before anyone could respond, he raised his voice sharply. “Today, the Jade Flood Dragon insults and humiliates our Heavenly Evolution Sect. Tomorrow, she will turn her gaze upon your three sects!”

Xu Zhenghong, Sect Leader of Kaiyang Sect, countered, “Sect Leader Wan’s words require careful consideration. From what I understand, the Jade Flood Dragon didn’t harm your Supreme Elders without cause. Rather, she has forged a mortal feud with them.”

He gestured lightly, his voice resonant. “In that case, this is a private vendetta between the Jade Flood Dragon and your sect’s Supreme Elders. It’s natural for the Heavenly Evolution Sect to protect its own, but we are different. If we intervene, wouldn’t we be needlessly entangling ourselves in another’s karma?”

Zhuo Ying, Sect Leader of Limitless Sect, nodded in agreement. “Sect Leader Xu speaks wisely. Our predecessors have lingered in this realm for so long precisely because their karmic burdens are too heavy.”

Wan Xuan turned his gaze to Yu Hui, reminding her, “Immortal Fang Jie of your sect participated in the battle at Broken Cliff five hundred years ago. The Jade Flood Dragon never forgets a grudge. Isn’t Elder Yuhui afraid that when she regains her senses, she’ll turn her wrath on the Azure Cloud Sect?”

Yu Hui’s expression remained calm as she sipped her tea, replying unhurriedly, “Sect Leader Wan need not concern himself with this. What is fated cannot be avoided—whether it be fortune or calamity. This is a karmic entanglement between my disciple and the Jade Flood Dragon, and she must resolve it herself.”

Wan Xuan persisted, pressing, “Immortal Fang Jie’s cultivation is inferior to the Jade Flood Dragon’s. Isn’t Elder Yuhui afraid he’ll be killed by her?”

Yu Hui’s hand, resting on her lap, stiffened momentarily. Of course she was afraid.

Fang Zhiluo was the most promising candidate for ascension in the Heavenly Origin Realm. If she were to perish because of the Jade Flood Dragon, the Azure Cloud Sect would lose a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator, and their sect’s standing would inevitably suffer.

Maintaining her composure, she replied, “A disciple’s path is beyond her master’s control. This is her own affair, and she must make her own decisions.”

Zhuo Ying and Xu Zhenghong exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting unwavering resolve.

If the Jade Flood Dragon were merely a minor figure, offering assistance might be considered. But she was a late-stage Tribulation Transcendence powerhouse, capable of destroying heaven and earth, and had even comprehended the Killing Domain. To make an enemy of such a being would be utterly unwise.

Having reached this point, Wan Xuan knew there was no way to persuade the trio to agree today.

He stopped there, rising to his feet. “You’ve traveled far. Why not rest first? We can discuss this matter further later.”

After all, they shared centuries of friendship. Even if he desperately wanted to avoid involvement, he couldn’t simply turn his back and leave.

Yu Hui was about to rise and exit the hall when Wan Xuan called out to her.

“Elder Yuhui, please wait.”

No need for speculation—Yu Hui knew Wan Xuan hadn’t given up and intended to continue persuading her.

She settled back into her seat, curious to hear his approach.

A few breaths later, Xie Yunfan appeared at the head of the table. He glanced up at the ceiling and smiled. “Immortal Fang Jie, since you’ve come so far, why not show yourself and join us?”

Yu Hui’s expression darkened. As the negotiator, she had brought a Supreme Elder with her.

If word of this got out, what would others think of her?

Fang Zhiluo wasn’t surprised to be discovered. Five centuries ago, Yun Xiao had told her about the Primordial Spirit residing in Xie Yunfan’s Sea of Consciousness.

Though she and Xie Yunfan were both Tribulation Transcendence cultivators, her cultivation was higher, and she had concealed her aura. Logically, he shouldn’t have been able to detect her.

It seemed the Primordial Spirit residing in Xie Yunfan’s Sea of Consciousness had grown stronger alongside his cultivation.

So, Yun Xiao’s earlier words were true: the Primordial Spirit’s ultimate goal was to possess Xie Yunfan, to replace him entirely?

Breaking free from her thoughts, Fang Zhiluo materialized in the grand hall.

Understanding Xie Yunfan’s subtle cue, Wan Xuan approached Yu Hui. “Elder Yuhui, shall we move our discussion elsewhere?”

With outsiders present, Yu Hui couldn’t openly express her displeasure. Before leaving, she shot Fang Zhiluo a pointed glance, demanding a proper explanation later.

Fang Zhiluo felt guilty, knowing a scolding was inevitable. But that was a minor matter; her focus now was on dealing with Xie Yunfan.

With no one else around, Xie Yunfan dropped his pretense. “Do you really think you can escape unscathed?” he sneered. “From the moment you ambushed her, she’s considered you her enemy. She won’t let you off the hook.”

The word “enemy” stung particularly hard. She didn’t want to be Yun Xiao’s enemy.

Concealing her thoughts, Fang Zhiluo replied calmly, “This is a debt I owe her. It must be repaid.”

Ever since realizing her feelings for Yun Xiao, Fang Zhiluo had resolved that as long as Yun Xiao returned, she would accept any revenge Yun Xiao sought.

Xie Yunfan’s words struck like a fist against cotton, his voice rising involuntarily as he resorted to his old tactics. “You’re truly devoted to her, aren’t you? Four hundred years ago, you went to such lengths to break off our engagement, resorting to such underhanded methods. But don’t forget, she approached you solely to get back at me. She’s just playing with you.”

He threw his head back and laughed uproariously. “How laughable! The most promising Tribulation Immortal, Fang Jie, has fallen for a Demon Cultivator who’s merely toying with him. When this gets out, not only will your Master’s reputation be ruined, but the entire Azure Cloud Sect will become a laughingstock!”

After Yun Xiao exposed his secrets to Fang Zhiluo, he had considered silencing her permanently. But since returning to the sect, Fang Zhiluo rarely left the grounds, denying him the opportunity. Fortunately, she hadn’t mentioned the matter to anyone.

Just as he was about to agree to Sect Leader Wan’s proposal for an auspicious wedding date, Fang Zhiluo confronted him, threatening to reveal his secrets—including his murder of Second Senior Sister Hua Xuan—to the Sect Leader unless he broke off the engagement.

He didn’t know how Fang Zhiluo had discovered that he was responsible for Hua Xuan’s death. All he knew was that if the former Sect Leader found out, it would spell serious trouble.

Everyone in the Heavenly Evolution Sect knew how highly the former Sect Leader regarded Hua Xuan. Some even whispered that she was destined to become the sect’s next leader.

Still reliant on the sect’s resources, Xie Yunfan couldn’t afford to burn bridges with the former Sect Leader. He reluctantly agreed to Fang Zhiluo’s demands, swallowing his humiliation.

Fang Zhiluo’s expression remained unchanged, as if Xie Yunfan weren’t even addressing her. Her voice was cold as she retorted, “Are you finished? If so, I’m leaving.”

The humiliation of being “played” by Yun Xiao had haunted her for decades.

Another Flood Season had ended, yet Yun Xiao’s image lingered stubbornly in her mind. Frustrated and restless, she ventured into the Mortal Realm.

There, she witnessed a woman being brutally beaten by her drunken husband. Just as the woman was about to succumb to the man’s fists, Fang Zhiluo intervened.

The woman, fearing harm to her husband, tearfully begged her to show mercy. She reminisced about how kind he had once been, how he had never struck or scolded her, nor resented her for failing to bear a child after three years of marriage.

After hearing this, Fang Zhiluo was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure how to judge the woman’s situation.

If a woman’s greatest fortune was merely to avoid being beaten, scolded, or scorned, what then were Yun Xiao’s actions? Yun Xiao had gifted her Spirit Treasures, indulged her every whim, and even gone to great lengths to make her smile.

That year, she traveled extensively, witnessing the myriad sufferings of humanity and experiencing genuine human warmth.

Gradually, she came to realize that while Yun Xiao might have concealed her true identity, her kindness and affection toward her had never been feigned.

She had been blinded by her own obsession. Protecting the safety of the Azure Cloud Sect disciples was her responsibility, not Yun Xiao’s.

Ultimately, it was she who had insisted on bringing Xie Yunfan along, despite knowing he had provoked the Black Heaven Giant Python.

Yun Xiao had confronted the python, risking her own life, and later struck a deal with it: she would allow the python to kill Xie Yunfan. Though the python had injured some Azure Cloud Sect disciples, it ultimately spared them.

From Yun Xiao’s perspective, using the python to eliminate Xie Yunfan was a win-win situation. After all, Yun Xiao had no personal vendetta against the creature.

She had been too harsh on Yun Xiao, believing she shouldn’t have gambled with the lives of the Azure Cloud Sect disciples and that she should have slain the python to eliminate the threat.

Fang Zhiluo’s unnervingly calm demeanor infuriated Xie Yunfan. “Do you really think she still cares about you?” he snapped, his voice dripping with contempt. “Wake up! You plunged a sword into her vital point and cast her into an abyss. If I were her, I’d want to devour your flesh and drink your bl00d.”

Catching a flicker of pain in Fang Zhiluo’s eyes, he pressed his advantage. “She won’t spare you, nor will she spare the Azure Cloud Sect. When the time comes, every disciple you’ve sworn to protect will die in her Killing Domain.”

“No,” Fang Zhiluo countered, her voice firm. “She won’t slaughter the innocent.”

Xie Yunfan laughed mockingly. “Won’t slaughter the innocent? Five hundred years ago, countless Nascent Soul cultivators fell by her hand. And what about the cultivators buried alive in the Remnant Mansion during the Dreamcloud Mountain battle?”

“Those Nascent Soul cultivators sought to kill and plunder,” Fang Zhiluo retorted. “Her actions were justified. As for the cultivators who died in the Dreamcloud Mountain Relic Estate, they were victims of their own greed. Twenty Azure Cloud Sect disciples went there; three perished, while the rest, who followed orders, returned safely.”

Seeing Fang Zhiluo’s unwavering resolve, Xie Yunfan’s fury surged. “Stubborn fool!” he spat through gritted teeth. “I’ll be watching to see what fate awaits you.” With a flick of his sleeve, he vanished from the hall.

Fang Zhiluo knew she couldn’t remain at the Heavenly Evolution Sect any longer. She returned to the Azure Cloud Sect.

To force herself to focus and banish thoughts of Yun Xiao, she retrieved an ancient Formation and resumed her study.

Upon receiving Chu Hui’s message that Yun Xiao had achieved Sudden Enlightenment in Flower City, causing a tremendous commotion, Fang Zhiluo immediately abandoned her Formation and teleported there.

Over the past month, countless cultivators had flocked to the scene, partly to assess the situation and partly to bask in the spiritual resonance of Yun Xiao’s Sudden Enlightenment and the Heavenly Dao’s subsequent reward of Spirit Rain.

This was, after all, a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator’s Sudden Enlightenment. Even a mere drop of Spirit Rain would grant profound benefits.

Fang Zhiluo, unwilling to miss such an opportunity, meditated and cultivated at night while voluntarily guarding Yun Xiao during the day.

Even with this routine, her cultivation had begun to loosen after just half a month.

Noticing the instability in Cangwu’s spiritual energy, indicating an imminent breakthrough, she immediately said, “Go ahead and break through. I’ll watch over things here.”

Cangwu’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Don’t even think about it! I have to stay and protect Elder Sister. I won’t let a backstabber like you get another chance to harm her.”

Xiangyun nudged Cangwu’s earlobe with her tail and transmitted telepathically, “I don’t sense any malice from her toward Yun Xiao. In fact, she seems to admire her.”

Cangwu leaped to his feet, his suspicion of Fang Zhiluo deepening. “Keep your thoughts to yourself! Elder Sister said that if she ever sees you again, she’ll demand retribution for that sword and palm strike!”

Fang Zhiluo’s heart ached, but she forced a smile. “Then I have even more reason to stay here, to make it easier for her to take her revenge.”

If returning that sword strike and palm strike would earn Yun Xiao’s forgiveness, she was willing.

This was what she owed her.

With this thought, she retrieved a Communication Talisman and cast a spell to prevent sound from escaping. This was a private matter between her and Yun Xiao; even if she died by Yun Xiao’s sword, it would be what she deserved.

Cangwu, unable to drive Fang Zhiluo away, sat cross-legged in place, suppressing his cultivation while seething inwardly.

Two months later, the surrounding streets were completely packed, with cultivators sitting cross-legged in meditation covering every inch of ground and sky.

Yun Xiao had grasped a sliver of stellar energy. She slowly opened her eyes, inadvertently meeting Fang Zhiluo’s gaze across the way.

In that shared glance, she momentarily forgot her pain. Her vision focused solely on Fang Zhiluo, clad in white robes, her eyes brimming with a gentle smile—a sight she had never witnessed before, one that existed only in her imagination.

Fang Zhiluo desperately restrained the urge to reach out and touch Yun Xiao. The emotions that had long taken root in her heart overflowed from her eyes. She couldn’t bear to blink, fearing that the next moment Yun Xiao would revert to her cold, distant demeanor.

Spirit Rain began to fall softly from the sky. Cultivators who absorbed the rain cheered joyously, while those who missed out resorted to various methods to draw it in, though they dared not go too far, lest they anger Yun Xiao.

Cangwu, being closest to Yun Xiao, absorbed the most Spirit Rain. His face flushed crimson, he blurted out, “Elder Sister, I can’t hold on any longer! I’m going to break through!” Before the words had even left his lips, he had already leaped into the air.

Yun Xiao withdrew her gaze and followed behind Cangwu. “I’ll protect you while you undergo your tribulation.”

Fang Zhiluo also trailed after them, eager to catch another glimpse of Yun Xiao.

Ignoring Fang Zhiluo, Yun Xiao probed her Storage Pouch with a wisp of Divine Sense and retrieved two Ninth-Tier Supreme-Grade Magic Treasures, tossing them to Cangwu. “Take these. Better to be prepared.”

Cangwu caught the artifacts and landed on a desolate mountain over five thousand miles from Flower City. Glancing up at the roiling Heavenly Lightning, she called out, “Elder Sister, move back a bit. I’ve got this.”

With that, she peeled the impatient Xiangyun off her shoulder. “You wait nearby too.”

Xiangyun transformed into her human form and darted to Yun Xiao’s side, her eyes filled with worry as she watched Cangwu brace herself against the Lightning Tribulation. “Won’t she be hurt? Why aren’t you even a little concerned?”

Yun Xiao reclined on her noble consort’s chair, answering languidly, “She’s a dragon.”

The Dragon Clan’s physical resilience far surpassed that of other Demon Clans. Yun Xiao had endured over a hundred strikes herself; Cangwu would undoubtedly fare even better.

Xiangyun’s tears vanished as she crouched beside Yun Xiao, her voice pitiful. “Do you have another chair? Can I have one too?”

Fang Zhiluo chimed in opportunistically, “I want one as well.”

Yun Xiao glanced sideways at Fang Zhiluo, her tone icy. “After Cangwu survives the Lightning Tribulation, it will be time for you and me to settle our scores.”

Fang Zhiluo swayed slightly, his clenched fingers turning white at the tips. Pain and despair swirled in his eyes as he whispered, his voice trembling, “Very well.”