The Villain Marked the Protagonist's Fiancée (Through the Book) - Chapter 34

Fang Zhiluo’s already pale face turned deathly white. She clenched her hands at her sides, her gaze unwavering. “These two things aren’t mutually exclusive. If she were truly the type to lash out in anger, the Azure Cloud Sect would already be in chaos, and the Heavenly Evolution Sect would be in utter disarray.”

Yu Hui’s brow furrowed deeply as he rebuked her sharply, “You dare contradict me repeatedly for the sake of a Demon Cultivator? Do you still see me as your Master?”

He pointed a finger to the side, his voice icy. “Her appearance in Cloud City makes her intentions clear: she intends to wage war against the Heavenly Evolution Sect. Hmph, so much for your claim that she doesn’t lash out in anger.”

Fang Zhiluo explained, “Master, every word of your teachings is etched in my heart, never forgotten.” She met Yu Hui’s eyes, which were simmering with fury, and continued, “Five hundred years ago, she repeatedly aided me and even saved over a dozen disciples from the Azure Cloud Sect. She may not hold me to that debt, but I cannot fail to repay it.”

“I thought you made your choice five hundred years ago when you struck her down from Broken Cliff,” Yu Hui said with a sneer. “What use is there in rehashing this now?”

His words struck Fang Zhiluo like a physical blow, jolting her awake. She stumbled backward several steps, her eyes filled with remorse and guilt.

Yes, how could she have forgotten Yun Xiao’s kindness all those years ago?

To personally kill one’s savior was no different from repaying kindness with malice.

“So, I’ve become the very person I despise most,” Fang Zhiluo murmured, turning mechanically and dragging her heavy steps toward the couch. “I have no face to face her, no right to beg for her forgiveness.”

Seeing Fang Zhiluo’s disconsolate state, Yu Hui’s brow furrowed into a deep frown. She raised her voice, “Fang Zhiluo, you did nothing wrong. You simply did what you had to do.”

She stepped closer to Fang Zhiluo, offering comfort. “If you had stood idly by back then, the Cloud Blossom Tribulation Immortal would have used it as an excuse to attack the Azure Cloud Sect.”

Fang Zhiluo smiled, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.

She had protected the Sect, but in doing so, she had killed the person whose entire world revolved around her.

The cruel irony was that, given the chance again, she would still prioritize the Sect’s responsibilities, standing resolutely beside Yun Xiao to point her sword at Xie Yunfan.

Fang Zhiluo collapsed weakly to the ground, muttering to herself, “I owe nothing to the Azure Cloud Sect, nothing to the Heavenly Origin Realm, only to her.”

She turned helplessly to Yu Hui. “Master, can she forgive me? Will she ever forgive me?”

Yu Hui’s gaze was icy, like a volcano about to erupt. But when she saw the confusion and despair in Fang Zhiluo’s eyes, her anger deflated. “Your every action reflects on the Azure Cloud Sect’s reputation,” she said, her tone a mix of disappointment and exasperation. “How could I have raised such an incompetent disciple? You’ve utterly disgraced me.”

In the past, such words would have filled Fang Zhiluo with anxiety, prompting her to swear she would never dare to repeat the offense.

But after a long wait, the expected panic never materialized. Fang Zhiluo remained frozen on the ground, unmoving.

This infuriated Yu Hui. She realized that as long as the Jade Flood Dragon lived, her composed disciple, who had always prioritized protecting the Sect, would never return.

“Tend to your injuries. The Sect Leader will decide the Sect’s affairs,” Yu Hui declared, turning to leave.

She needed to personally visit the Heavenly Evolution Sect and ensure Bai Mofengxing didn’t make any missteps.

Cloud City.

Yun Xiao frequently sensed intense spiritual power fluctuations heading toward the Heavenly Evolution Sect, confirming that the Sect had called for reinforcements.

Leaving her rented Cave Abode, she casually tossed the Storage Pouch in her hand. Inside were her newly refined, improved Thunderclap Orbs.

These enhanced Thunderclap Orbs possessed double the destructive power. A single strike could injure even a Body Integration cultivator.

Having crafted two hundred of them, she could level the Heavenly Evolution Sect to the ground.

Glancing sideways at the male cultivator staring at her, Yun Xiao’s right lip curled into a faint smile. Using teleportation, she arrived above the Heavenly Evolution Sect and unleashed her overwhelming spiritual pressure.

Within moments, over a dozen figures materialized several miles away.

Yunhua roared, “Audacious fiend! How dare you provoke my Heavenly Evolution Sect!”

Yun Xiao rolled her eyes and hurled a Thunderclap Orb at Yunhua, sneering, “You foul-mouthed wretch! These two Thunderclap Orbs will cleanse you.”

Even with Yunhua’s lightning-fast reflexes, his Magic Robe was damaged by the blast, and his neatly tied hair was singed at the edges.

The Body Integration cultivator standing behind him fared far worse. Caught off guard, his Magic Robe was completely destroyed, and he suffered internal injuries, a trickle of bl00d still clinging to the corner of his mouth.

Lu Bo’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Yun Xiao had actually refined Thunderclap Orbs capable of harming a Body Integration cultivator.

Could it be that Yun Xiao rented the Cave Abode not to heal, but to refine pills?

The thought tightened his brow. He demanded in a low voice, “What do you want?”

Yun Xiao’s fingers flickered, her peach-blossom eyes hardening. “Five hundred years ago, Xie Yunfan tried to bind me with a contract, but when he failed, he sought to kill me. My mother confronted him to save me and died tragically by his sword. Afterward, Xie Yunfan sent disciples of the Heavenly Evolution Sect to hunt me down, all to steal my treasures.”

“This vengeance will not be satisfied until I avenge her death,” she declared, her tone shifting. “I’m a reasonable person. Hand over Xie Yunfan, and I won’t harm the innocent.”

Amplified by her Technique, her words echoed clearly not only throughout the Heavenly Evolution Sect but also to every cultivator within a thousand-mile radius.

She hadn’t explained the reason earlier because she didn’t want to reveal her wounds, even if they were from her original body. But now, with half of the Tribulation Transcendence cultivators from the Four Great Sects gathered here, she had to set the record straight. Otherwise, the Heavenly Evolution Sect would undoubtedly slander her behind her back.

Yunhua’s aura surged with malice as he gritted his teeth, “Don’t you dare slander my disciple!”

Yun Xiao scoffed, “I may not be a gentleman, but I’m certainly not a hypocritical scoundrel like Xie Yunfan.”

Her gaze landed on the mountain peak where Xie Yunfan’s aura lingered, and she mocked, “A seven-foot man hiding in his Cave Abode? What’s wrong? Afraid you’re no match for me?”

Her Technique remained active, ensuring every word reached Xie Yunfan’s ears.

If Xie Yunfan had even a shred of dignity, he wouldn’t remain hidden.

True to form, Xie Yunfan emerged, but he stopped behind Lu Bo.

Yun Xiao laughed again. “Weren’t you so smug before? What was it you said? You’d tear me to pieces?” She crooked a finger at him. “Come on, then.”

Xie Yunfan’s clenched fists bulged with veins, his inner energy churning violently. His eyes burned crimson as he recklessly drew his sword and slashed at Yun Xiao.

Yun Xiao summoned Purple Frost, effortlessly parrying the strike, and immediately unleashed her improved Thunderous Fury.

Xie Yunfan, still recovering from old injuries, failed to block Yun Xiao’s sword strike and was wounded by the sword qi.

Seeing Xie Yunfan’s pale face, his eyes burning with fury and resentment, Yun Xiao felt a surge of satisfaction. She laughed, “This repays the sword qi you once forced into my body. If you can’t withstand it, perhaps the Primordial Spirit hiding in your Sea of Consciousness can help you.”

“Nonsense!” Yunhua roared, refusing to let Yun Xiao continue. He lunged forward, his sword slashing toward her. “Today, you’ll find there’s no return from this battle!”

Though Lu Bo harbored doubts, he understood his priorities and immediately joined the fray.

The other Body Integration and Great Ascension cultivators formed a tight circle around Yun Xiao, seeking opportunities to strike from the shadows.

Yun Xiao unleashed her Killing Domain, directly targeting the three Tribulation Transcendence cultivators entangled in combat with her.

Lu Bo, having anticipated this, evaded the domain.

Yunhua and the other Tribulation Transcendence cultivator were less fortunate, trapped within the Killing Domain.

The eight Body Integration and Great Ascension cultivators retreated hastily, fearing being drawn into the domain’s vortex.

Yun Xiao’s gaze settled on Lu Bo’s livid face. “Well? Are you still determined to protect this useless wretch to the end?”

Before Lu Bo could answer, she continued, “Cultivating to your current level is no easy feat. To die for someone so insignificant—it’s not just a waste, it’s an insult to your efforts.”

As Yun Xiao’s words hung in the air, the eight cultivators exchanged hesitant glances, each seeing doubt reflected in the others’ eyes.

Lu Bo had no desire to confront Yun Xiao, but having enjoyed the Heavenly Evolution Sect’s patronage for so long, he had no choice but to serve their interests. Moreover, with representatives from the other Three Great Sects gathered here, surrendering Xie Yunfan now would shatter the Heavenly Evolution Sect’s hard-earned reputation, making them the laughingstock of the entire Heavenly Origin Realm.

Without a word, he launched an attack on Yun Xiao.

In the Main Peak Great Hall, Wan Xuan retreated to stand behind Mu Tian, who sat on the main throne.

Mu Tian, the Heavenly Evolution Sect’s sole Tribulation Transcendence Peak cultivator and the leader of the Five Grand Elders, spoke in a deep voice: “I know doubts linger in your hearts. To be frank, I only obtained this Manual recently. My original intention was to share it within the sect, but the Jade Flood Dragon’s arrogance has forced my hand.”

Shangqing of the Kaiyang Sect immediately interjected: “By my reckoning, no cultivator has ascended from the Heavenly Origin Realm in over a thousand years. We old fogies have been searching for opportunities to ascend for years, all without success. Now you suddenly claim to have obtained this Manual? How can we possibly believe you?”

Wuwei of the Azure Cloud Sect echoed his sentiment: “Fellow Daoist Shangqing speaks the truth. Words alone carry no weight.”

Mu Tian chuckled softly. “No hawk is released until the rabbit is seen. I shall grant you your wish.” With a flick of his wrist, a dark yellow manual materialized, hovering above the Main Peak Great Hall.

The pages turned at his command, revealing glimpses of its contents. Seeing the Tribulation Transcendence cultivators’ eyes light up with excitement, he abruptly stopped the demonstration and tucked the manual back into his sleeve.

Mu Tian’s voice rang with authority. “Esteemed cultivators, my sincerity has been demonstrated. If you wish to ascend to the Upper Realm with me, you must help me slay the Jade Flood Dragon this time.”

Shangqing glanced sideways at Wuwei, trying to gauge his intentions. Wuwei’s expression remained impassive, betraying no hint of his thoughts.

Behind Wuwei, Yu Hui’s eyes flashed with urgency. After a moment’s hesitation, she sent a telepathic message: “Martial Ancestor, the Azure Cloud Sect cannot fall behind the other two sects.”

A cold glint appeared in Wuwei’s eyes. “My actions are not for you, a mere junior, to question.”

Yu Hui felt deeply humiliated. She had hoped Wuwei would at least show her some consideration for Fang Zhiluo’s sake. Suppressing her resentment and shame, she fell silent.

Unable to discern Wuwei’s intentions, Shangqing shifted his gaze to Yuheng of the Limitless Sect.

Yuheng, like the others, had been stuck at the peak of Tribulation Transcendence for over three centuries. Even if this might be a trap set by Mu Tian, he was willing to take the risk.

If he couldn’t find an opportunity for ascension within the next five hundred years, his only fate would be to dissolve his body and return his spiritual power to the world.

He declared, “I will assist the Heavenly Evolution Sect in slaying the Jade Flood Dragon. This is my personal decision and has nothing to do with the Limitless Sect.”

Shangqing immediately followed suit, stating, “My sentiments align with Brother Yuheng’s. This is my individual choice and bears no connection to the Kaiyang Sect.”

Ascension was paramount, but he couldn’t abandon his family and sect for it.

Mu Tian was clearly displeased with their responses. Lu Bo was already at a disadvantage, and Yun Xiao hadn’t even unleashed her full power yet.

The fate of Yunhua and the other cultivator trapped within the Killing Domain remained uncertain.

Catching Wan Xuan’s subtle glance, Mu Tian turned to Wuwei and asked, “Brother Wuwei, what are your intentions?”

Wuwei rose from his seat and replied, “In that case, let’s go meet them.”

The Four Great Sects had an equal number of Tribulation Transcendence and Great Ascension cultivators. With Shangqing and Yuheng already committed, they wouldn’t allow him to remain on the sidelines.

Thus, he decided to seize the initiative and turn the tables.