The Villain Marked the Protagonist's Fiancée (Through the Book) - Chapter 33

The rain soaked Fang Zhiluo, strands of hair clinging to her face. Below her chest, her white robes were gradually stained crimson by the flowing bl00d. She stubbornly fixed her gaze on Yun Xiao, who stood just a few steps away, unwilling to miss the slightest flicker of emotion in her expression.

Yun Xiao snatched Purple Frost with a mix of shame and anger, sneering, “Since you’re so eager to die, I’ll grant your wish.”

The sword’s tip, stained scarlet by Fang Zhiluo’s bl00d, seemed to burn Yun Xiao’s eyes for some reason.

Fang Zhiluo seemed oblivious to the pain, her gaze never wavering from Yun Xiao’s face. A faint smile curved her lips as she murmured, “A’Xiao, you can’t bring yourself to do it.”

That single “A’Xiao” sent ripples through Yun Xiao’s heart. It was the name her mother had used for her, now spoken by…

Yun Xiao’s hand trembled as she gripped Purple Frost tightly, repeatedly reminding herself that the woman before her was her enemy—the enemy who had sought to take her life.

Only by killing her can you honor the drop of essence bl00d Cangwu forced from you. Only then can you give closure to the self you were five hundred years ago.

With this thought, Yun Xiao raised her sword high.

As if she hadn’t even noticed, Fang Zhiluo struggled to her feet, staggering toward Yun Xiao. She pressed a hand to her still-bleeding chest and whispered weakly, “A’Xiao, it hurts so much. Will you blow on it for me?”

“You said before, ‘A little blow will make it all better.'”

Yun Xiao had said those words long ago. If Fang Zhiluo acted like a spoiled child now, could she awaken Yun Xiao’s feelings for her?

Yun Xiao’s sword hand froze mid-air. She murmured, “You’re insane. No, you’re possessed.”

Her gaze sharpened as she seized Fang Zhiluo’s neck with her left hand, demanding, “Tell me, who are you really?”

The Fang Zhiluo she knew would never hand her a sword and ask her to strike again, much less act so clingy and affectionate.

Fang Zhiluo reached up to gently caress Yun Xiao’s face, her eyes filled with desperate longing. “A’Xiao, I was wrong. Can you ever forgive me?”

A’Xiao was right—she had gone mad.

It was she, she herself, who had killed the person who worried about her fatigue, who cared for her, who shielded her from all danger, who had even risked their life to protect her.

Knowing Yun Xiao would never forgive her, she still clung to the faintest glimmer of hope.

Seeing the tenderness and affection that had once existed only in her dreams, Yun Xiao’s resolve faltered, her grip loosening slightly.

She hated herself for lacking the ruthlessness to end it.

Hated how this person could still stir her emotions.

Enraged, she shoved Fang Zhiluo away with brutal force, turning her back to gasp for breath.

Cangwu used Instantaneous Shift Technique to appear beside Yun Xiao, his cold gaze fixed on Fang Zhiluo, who was struggling to sit up. “If you can’t finish the job, I will,” he said fiercely.

This woman… not only tried to kill my Elder Sister, but now she’s causing her such pain.

Chu Hui arrived to find Fang Zhiluo covered in bl00d, her eyes a mix of heartache and anger. She helped Fang Zhiluo sit up, fed her several High-Grade Spring Return Pills and Spirit Replenishing Pills, and cast a Spiritual Energy barrier to shield her from the rain.

After swallowing the pills, Fang Zhiluo grabbed Chu Hui’s arm and shook her head. “This is between her and me.”

Chu Hui understood the unspoken message: Don’t interfere.

In her memories, Martial Aunt Fang had always been powerful and aloof. Even when on the brink of death, she had never seen her so utterly wretched.

After a moment’s hesitation, Chu Hui turned to Yun Xiao’s profile. “Senior Yun Xiao, do you realize Martial Aunt Fang accepted this duel with the intention of dying?”

Ignoring Fang Zhiluo’s warning glare, she blurted out, “Martial Aunt Fang sent a message back to the Sect, instructing them not to investigate the cause of her death. Yes, she injured you before, but now she’s paid half her life as compensation. Are you satisfied?”

Cangwu retorted angrily, “Even if my Elder Sister had killed her, she would have deserved it!”

“My disciple merely did what she had to do. What fault lies with her?” Yu Hui hovered in the air, glaring down at Yun Xiao. “The Azure Cloud Sect will remember your injury to our Supreme Elder. We will settle this debt with you.”

With that, she lifted Fang Zhiluo and swept away.

Chu Hui inwardly cursed her blunder and quickly explained, “Grandmaster Yu Hui is simply protective of her disciple. Now that Martial Aunt Fang has spoken, the Azure Cloud Sect—”

Yun Xiao cut her off. “There’s no need. Whether your sect seeks revenge or allies with the Heavenly Evolution Sect, I will face you.” With those words, she used Instantaneous Shift Technique to teleport away, taking Cangwu with her.

“Elder Sister, why did you stop me from teaching that old demon hag a lesson?” Cangwu pouted, his childish face contorted with anger.

Yun Xiao replied, “It’s better to avoid trouble. Besides, she was right. Fang Zhiluo merely did what she had to do.” Her peach-blossom eyes flashed with mockery as she spoke.

As Xie Yunfan’s fiancée, shouldn’t she naturally share his hatred?

The irony was that she couldn’t bring herself to strike Fang Zhiluo down.

They showed me no mercy when they attacked.

With this thought, Yun Xiao’s resolve hardened once more.

Regardless of the outcome, she had already repaid Fang Zhiluo for the sword strike and palm strike she owed her, even though her soft heart had caused her to deflect the blade and strike shallowly.

Her feud with Fang Zhiluo ended there. Now it was time to settle her debt with Xie Yunfan.

The sliver of Stellar Force she had comprehended during her Sudden Enlightenment in Flower City amplified both her offensive and defensive capabilities. Combined with the Killing Domain she had mastered, she could now face even a full-scale assault by the Heavenly Evolution Sect’s Tribulation Transcendence cultivators without breaking a sweat.

“Hmph, if I ever see her again, I’ll settle both old scores and new ones!” Cangwu clenched his fist, his hatred for Yu Hui burning fiercely.

Yun Xiao consumed two Spirit Replenishing Pills and used the Instantaneous Shift Technique to teleport twenty thousand miles away to the Ice Plains. Extending her Divine Sense, she finally located a suitable location deep within the frozen wasteland.

She retrieved ten top-grade spirit herbs from her Medicinal Garden Space and handed them to Cangwu. “Focus on stabilizing your cultivation.”

Sensing something amiss, Cangwu asked, “Are you planning to confront the Xie family alone?”

Before Yun Xiao could answer, he continued, “Absolutely not! They have too many people. I’m coming with you.”

Yun Xiao said firmly, brooking no argument, “This is my karma, and I must sever it with my own hands. Focus on stabilizing your cultivation. By the time you emerge from seclusion, I might have already glimpsed the opportunity for Ascension.”

After Cangwu entered the Cave Abode she had temporarily carved out, Yun Xiao immediately activated the Ninth-Tier High-Grade Defensive Formation Plate.

This Formation Plate could withstand three strikes from a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator, a treasure she had stumbled upon in a Remnant Mansion within a Small World.

With this Formation Plate and the Storage Pouch she had given Cangwu, even a late-stage Tribulation Transcendence cultivator would find it difficult to gain the upper hand.

Concealing her aura and erasing all traces, Yun Xiao arrived alone at Cloud City.

In the Main Peak Great Hall of the Azure Cloud Sect, the Peak Lords and Elders had once again gathered.

Yu Hui declared furiously, “The Jade Flood Dragon has gone too far, severely injuring our Supreme Elder! We cannot let this matter rest!”

Chu Hui rose at the opportune moment and advised, “Martial Ancestor, Martial Aunt Fang sent a message from the front lines urging the Sect not to pursue this matter. She repeatedly emphasized that this is a personal feud between her, Yun Qian, and Yun Xiao.”

“She’s been bewitched by the Jade Flood Dragon!” Yu Hui retorted loudly. “If the Jade Flood Dragon dares to harm our Supreme Elder today, tomorrow she’ll dare to invade our Sect and challenge us directly! If we let her off lightly, what will others think of the Azure Cloud Sect? Where will our Sect’s reputation stand?”

Bai Mofeng frowned slightly. “If we follow Martial Ancestor’s suggestion, what course of action should we take?”

Chu Hui’s eyes widened in surprise. What’s wrong with Senior Brother?

Yu Hui’s eyes flashed with intense killing intent. “The Four Great Sects must cooperate to eliminate the Jade Flood Dragon,” she declared fiercely.

If the Azure Cloud Sect preserved its strength during the conflict, it might even rise to become the leader of the Four Great Sects.

If the Jade Flood Dragon grew even stronger, it might even threaten to displace the Heavenly Evolution Sect from the Four Great Sects.

Bai Mofeng’s gaze swept across the assembled cultivators, their expressions revealing that some also disapproved of Yu Hui’s proposal.

Having assessed the situation, he spoke slowly, “This matter is of grave consequence and requires the intervention of the Sect’s Tribulation Transcendence experts. I cannot make this decision alone. If Martial Ancestor can persuade Martial Aunt Fang to speak on our behalf, the chances of success would be significantly higher.”

Yu Hui’s expression darkened. “Sect Leader, are you prioritizing a brief acquaintance with that Jade Flood Dragon from five hundred years ago?”

Her words ignited a flurry of whispers throughout the hall, each cultivator speculating about the nature of Bai Mofeng’s relationship with the Jade Flood Dragon.

Bai Mofeng remained composed. “To be frank,” he said calmly, “during the Ancient Secret Realm incident five hundred years ago, I would have perished from the Ink Serpent’s venom had Senior Yun Xiao not intervened. Moreover, even the combined might of Cloud Blossom Tribulation Immortal and Immortal Xie Jie proved no match for Senior Yun Xiao. Her extraordinary strength is evident. Having recently achieved Sudden Enlightenment in Flower City, she is likely only half a step away from Ascension.”

He abruptly stood up, his voice sharp. “Whether for public or private reasons, I refuse to let the Azure Cloud Sect clash with Senior Yun Xiao.” His tone hardened. “I will not allow the Azure Cloud Sect to be destroyed under my watch.”

The hall fell silent. Even those who had harbored resentment earlier now reconsidered their stance.

With Ascension only a half-step away—the peak of Tribulation Transcendence—and Yun Xiao’s mastery of the Killing Domain, who could possibly stand against her?

Seeing this, Yu Hui’s anger surged. One by one, they’re all stubbornly clinging to their delusions.

No matter how powerful Yun Xiao is, can she truly surpass nearly twenty Tribulation Transcendence cultivators from the Four Great Sects?

The meeting adjourned in discord. At Bai Mofeng’s instruction, Chu Hui sent a message to Fang Zhiluo, relaying the day’s events.

Fang Zhiluo stared blankly at the Communication Spirit Jade in her hand. Why is Master so determined to confront Yun Xiao?

Master and Yun Xiao haven’t clashed directly. Logically, he shouldn’t harbor such intense animosity toward her.

Could Master be blaming Yun Xiao for my injuries?

But what about before? Why did he want to collaborate with the Heavenly Evolution Sect to kill Yun Xiao back then?

The Communication Spirit Jade lit up again. Fang Zhiluo touched it lightly, and Chu Hui’s urgent voice rang out.

“Martial Aunt Fang, Senior Yun has appeared in Cloud City. The Heavenly Evolution Sect is once again requesting assistance from the Three Great Sects, promising to share their insights on Ascension in exchange for aid.”

Fang Zhiluo immediately sat up on her couch. For centuries, no one had successfully ascended, and rumors even claimed that ascension from the Heavenly Origin Realm was no longer possible, causing widespread panic.

Each of the Four Great Sects had patriarchs stuck at the peak of Tribulation Transcendence, some having waited two or three centuries without grasping the opportunity for ascension.

Whether the Heavenly Evolution Sect’s ascension insights were genuine or not, they would undoubtedly alarm the Tribulation Transcendence patriarchs of the Three Great Sects.

If confirmed true, Yun Xiao…

No, she had to warn Yun Xiao.

Severely injured, Fang Zhiluo couldn’t use the Instantaneous Shift Technique and had to rely on a Spirit Tool for travel.

Before she could leave her Cave Abode, she collided with Yu Hui, who had arrived unexpectedly. She quickly stepped back and greeted, “Master.”

“Instead of resting properly in your Cave Abode, you’re rushing off somewhere? Where do you think you’re going?”

Fang Zhiluo hesitated, unable to reveal her true intentions. She mumbled vaguely, “I heard the Heavenly Evolution Sect claims to have ascension insights from their ancestors. I don’t know if it’s true, but I wanted to—”

Yu Hui interrupted, “Are you going to verify the truth, or to tip off that Jade Flood Dragon?”

She stepped closer, her gaze piercing Fang Zhiluo. “I’ve repeatedly taught you to prioritize the Sect’s interests above all else. Protecting the Azure Cloud Sect is your duty. What exactly are you doing right now? Hmm?”