Chapter 28:Yujing City in the Sky-Part 6

Jiang Xuehe wanted to say that Chen Zichun had misunderstood.

But looking into the red eyes of the young man, Jiang Xuehe paused, and an idea came to mind—

After experiencing such events, Chen Zichun’s trust in others must be extremely low. Moreover, Hua Shi was in the Yujing Sect, and Chen Zichun was terrified of this young lady, scared to death.

Yet, he and Ti Ying had just saved him.

A life-saving favor can be exchanged for many things.

Now, for some reason, his second junior brother had not come, and the messages he sent received no reply. Ignoring this variable, since Ti Ying was determined to stay in the Yujing Sect to learn swordsmanship, it would be better for her to have one or two trustworthy companions.

On the path of cultivation, both the Dao and companions are important.

Chen Zichun was a good choice.

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In the inner sect disciple competitions, the trials used an artifact called “Heaven’s Eye” to randomly select two disciples to enter a secret realm chosen by “Heaven’s Eye.”

It didn’t matter if the two disciples’ cultivation levels were vastly different, as “Heaven’s Eye” would compress these differences. The secret realm chosen for the competition would create harsh conditions, bringing the disciples’ levels closer together.

Each secret realm had different winning criteria, and only when the disciples’ levels were similar could “Heaven’s Eye” fairly determine the winner.

During the past few days of the “Heaven’s Eye” competition, it was rumored that there had been many different types of tasks.

Some entered the secret realm to compete in gathering spiritual herbs; some competed in who could endure the cold the longest; some in the number of fierce beasts they could kill; and some in direct duels between disciples.

Both inner and outer sect disciples competed with tasks set by “Heaven’s Eye.”

Through continuous selection, the disciples met each other again and again, gradually determining their ranks.

These disciples praised the competition highly, making Elder Chen very proud—he was a master of artifact crafting, and “Heaven’s Eye” was his most successful creation in recent years, still undergoing continuous optimization.

Elder Chen agreed to lend out “Heaven’s Eye” for the disciples’ competitions for two reasons: one, Shen Xingchuan had pressured him with the Chiyue Sword, and two, Elder Chen wanted to use the disciples’ performances to further refine and improve “Heaven’s Eye.”

Ti Ying was quite fond of the artifact “Heaven’s Eye” as well.

Since she began cultivating, her level has always been a bit behind that of her peers. However, without the suppression of her level, Ti Ying had never lost a fight.

This was much better than the trials in the Five Poison Forest.

This confidence was why Ti Ying dared to boast to Jiang Xuehe about her desire to apprentice under Shen Xingchuan—she felt she had performed quite well.

However, wanting to apprentice was one thing; her senior brother pushing her to cultivate without a moment of rest was another. If she wasn’t competing, she was made to cultivate, and she had started to become a bit afraid of Jiang Xuehe.

How could someone with such a gentle demeanor, who usually treated her kindly, turn into a different person when it came to learning?

After the new day’s competition, Ti Ying was chatting with a few inner disciples in the hall.

Hua Shi, having just exited the competition, entered the hall and saw them.

The blindfolded girl, Nan Yuan, sat coolly and quietly by the window, alone, ignoring everyone. Initially, people tried to talk to her, but upon realizing her continued silence, they stopped bothering her.

Li Bu leaned against the wall, his eyes reflecting a deep, contemplative light as he rested his chin on his hand, casually glancing around the hall, occasionally fixing his gaze on Ti Ying.

Hua Shi remembered this boy.

An All-Encompassing Spiritual Root!

However, from what she had heard, Li Bu had lost his last competition quickly.

Hua Shi frowned. This didn’t align with the common understanding of an All Encompassing Spiritual Root.

Her father had said that people with the All Encompassing Spiritual Root had such excellent aptitude that even just sitting and drinking water would steadily improve their cultivation; their talent was frighteningly good.

Hua Shi had been anxious about this for a day and a night.

If she wanted to become the top inner disciple and apprentice under Elder Shen, Jiang Xuehe would be her biggest rival, right?

However, Jiang Xuehe himself was extremely low-key.

He was always with Ti Ying, and occasionally, an outer disciple named Chen Zichun would join them. When encountered in private, Jiang Xuehe spoke steadily but never revealed any crucial information.

How frustrating.

Hua Shi had no choice but to approach Ti Ying—though Ti Ying had a sharp tongue, she was still easier to deal with than the hypocritical Jiang Xuehe.

Hua Shi coughed lightly and walked over to Ti Ying.

A few inner disciples were chatting with Ti Ying about their ages and their stories before joining the sect. After comparing, they concluded, “You’re the youngest, so you’re the little junior sister of the inner sect.”

Ti Ying was used to being the junior sister. Switching to a different sect and still being the little junior sister was something she accepted calmly.

But then an annoying voice cut in sarcastically, “It’s still uncertain if you’ll be the little junior sister. With your level…”

A human grade spiritual root!

As poor as the outer disciples, how did she even get into the inner sect?

Ti Ying looked up at Hua Shi.

The other disciples stood up straight and respectfully said, “Senior Sister…”

Though the ranking wasn’t decided yet, given Hua Shi’s status, calling her Senior Sister was appropriate.

Ti Ying blinked quietly and smiled.

“Annoying Senior Sister, you’re here again?”

Hua Shi: “…?”

Annoying Senior Sister?!

Ti Ying continued, “Don’t you think you’re quite strange?”

Hua Shi remembered her goal of trying to make friends. She took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress her irritation.

With a forced, friendly smile, Hua Shi said, “How am I strange?”

Ti Ying replied, “Wherever you go, it becomes dead silent. Maybe that’s why people find you hard to approach?”

A vein throbbed on Hua Shi’s forehead.

She jumped up, furious, “Ti Ying!”

Seeing that Hua Shi was about to summon her artifact, the other disciples quickly stepped aside. Ti Ying hurriedly interjected, “Fighting is forbidden in the competition hall, you know.”

Sure enough, Hua Shi couldn’t draw her sword at all—a formless power restrained her, and no one in the hall could use their spell.

She looked suspiciously at Ti Ying: Is this why you speak so rudely?

Ti Ying, feeling proud as if she could read Hua Shi’s mind, said, “Nope, I’ve always been this bad.”

Hua Shi: “…”

She took a deep breath.

Forcing a smile, she awkwardly patted Ti Ying’s arm. “We’re fellow disciples; I won’t hold a grudge against you. You’re really cute; everyone likes you, and your senior sister likes you too.”

The disciples nearby stole glances at them: “…”

Really?

I (we) don’t believe it.

Sitting by the window, Nan Yuan was surprised to see that Ti Ying’s few words had provoked Hua Shi. She turned her face to “look” over.

She remained silent for a while.

She knew Ti Ying’s cultivation was poor. If Ti Ying agreed to compete with Hua Shi outside the hall, as Ti Ying’s future friend… should she lend a helping hand?

Countless lines of potential futures appeared in Nan Yuan’s mind. She controlled these lines within her consciousness, sometimes unable to distinguish between reality and illusion, which made others perceive her as aloof.

Meanwhile, Li Bu’s eyes lit up.

With a cold smile, Li Bu watched Ti Ying.

However, Hua Shi truly intended to befriend Ti Ying.

Under Ti Ying’s puzzled gaze, Hua Shi dismissed the other disciples and sat down beside Ti Ying.

But Hua Shi, being accustomed to her willful and arrogant ways, didn’t waste time with small talk. She leaned in and whispered directly to Ti Ying, “Do you know what spiritual roots the inner disciples have? I do.”

Ti Ying’s eyes widened.

Hua Shi whispered, “Jiang Xuehe has the All-Encompassing spiritual root!”

Ti Ying blinked.

Hua Shi repeated, “…The All-Encompassing spiritual root!”

Her tone was filled with unmistakable envy and bitterness.

However, Ti Ying’s reaction was indifferent.

“Oh.”

Hua Shi: “…?”

Seeing that Ti Ying wasn’t surprised, envious, or shocked, Hua Shi was momentarily at a loss. She had assumed that such an annoying girl as Ti Ying would be just as petty and would resonate with her.

Unwilling to give up, Hua Shi said, “Do you even know what the All-Encompassing spiritual root is…?”

She was about to forcibly explain when a commanding voice interrupted, “Hua Shi is forbidden to speak!”

Shen Xingchuan’s voice suddenly rang out.

Hua Shi immediately found herself unable to speak.

The chatting disciples quickly stood up, including Ti Ying, who had been bantering with Hua Shi.

Everyone respectfully greeted, “Elder Shen!”

The hall door opened, and someone entered.

It was not Shen Xingchuan.

After delivering his command, Shen Xingchuan fell silent again, as if his consciousness had already departed.

The person who entered was a steward, followed by Jiang Xuehe.

Jiang Xuehe still wore a veiled hat to avoid incessant inquiries about his injuries.

(T/N: huhuu….I’m sooooo sorrrrrrry after so many chapters, I finally realized that I mistakenly translated the veiled hat as hood..what Jiang Xuehe wears is not a hood but a veiled hat…. Please forgive this novice translator…huhuuu)

Seeing Jiang Xuehe reminded Ti Ying of her late-night cultivation, making her face turn slightly pale.

However, the person with the worst complexion was Hua Shi, who stood rigidly.

In front of everyone, she had been silenced by Shen Xingchuan and couldn’t utter a word… and given Shen Xingchuan’s strictness, he wouldn’t lift the restriction voluntarily.

Hua Shi’s face turned from green to white, her eyes reddening slightly as she tightly pressed her lips together in silence.

The steward glanced apologetically at Hua Shi.

He coughed and announced, “I am here to inform you of your punishment. After discussion among the elders, it has been decided that Jiang Xuehe, Hua Shi, Li Bu, Nan Yuan, and Ti Ying, starting today, will each copy the sect rules ten times a day in the library for a month. Only after completing this task will the punishment end.

“If there are further offenses, you will be expelled from the sect.”

There was an uproar.

The confused disciples exchanged bewildered looks.

The steward continued sternly, “The results of the inner sect spiritual root tests are always kept private. Yet each of you has found out about the inner disciples’ spiritual roots through your own means. Knowing the prohibition, you blatantly violated it. Shouldn’t you be punished?”

Ti Ying was stunned.

She thought to herself, Well, I guess if I’m being punished, I’ll accept it. But…

Before Ti Ying could finish her thought, Li Bu spoke with a smile, “But as far as I know, Miss Nan Yuan never even approached the testing hall.”

The steward glanced at him.

“Private divination counts as well,” he said.

Before the disciples could protest, he turned to Nan Yuan and conveyed the elders’ decision. “Miss Nan Yuan, your cultivation seems related to divination, correct? As a cultivator of your kind, you must be aware of the accuracy of your own divinations.

“When you cast the turtle shells, you already knew your results would be accurate. The elders have decided on this punishment accordingly. Do you have any objections?”

Nan Yuan replied, “No.”

Li Bu, not giving up, added, “As far as I know, Jiang Xuehe hasn’t approached the testing hall either.”

Ti Ying quickly interjected, “That’s right, that’s right!”

She shot a furtive glare at Li Bu.

Who is this person? Why is he stealing my lines?

Li Bu’s smile deepened, and through the veiled hat, he stared intently at Jiang Xuehe. “Our brother Jiang here, looking so refined and elegant, doesn’t seem like the type who would care about spiritual roots. I don’t think brother Jiang would approach the testing hall voluntarily, unless…”

He smiled, his eyes narrowing. “He did it for his little junior sister.”

He continued, “Or maybe his little junior sister peeked and told him on purpose. He’s quite innocent, really.”

Ti Ying: “…”

—Say that again!

Who is this annoying person?

Ti Ying stammered, “I…”

The steward coughed and looked at Jiang Xuehe behind him.

Jiang Xuehe said gently, “Please, go ahead, sir.”

The steward looked apologetic but continued, “Jiang Xuehe is being punished, but not for that reason.”

The disciples murmured, “Then what for?”

The steward explained, “He is the informant.”

Everyone was stunned.

Ti Ying: “…?!”

The steward remained serious: “While the Yujing Sect prohibits disciples from probing into spiritual roots, it also forbids tattling among fellow disciples. Jiang Xuehe will be punished along with you.

“From today onwards, no disciple is allowed to discuss spiritual roots. Anyone who violates this rule will be sent to the Discipline Hall for punishment.”

Jiang Xuehe, with his actions, effectively banned all discussions about spiritual roots.

With Hua Shi being silenced by Shen Xingchuan and those few disciples being punished, no one else dared to discuss spiritual roots in private.

This was precisely Jiang Xuehe’s goal.

But it came with a small downside—

The inner disciples began to view Jiang Xuehe strangely.

Ti Ying was also conflicted.

She wanted to defend her senior brother, but she also felt annoyed with him.

After all, she had to endure the punishment too.

Ti Ying was not happy.

She thought, If I had known, I wouldn’t have told my senior brother.

Hmph.

Regardless, Ti Ying had to compete every day, endure punishment, and, in the evening, be pushed to cultivate by her senior brother…

She really started to dread seeing Jiang Xuehe.

However, Jiang Xuehe was incredibly resourceful; no matter how she tried to avoid him, he always found her.

But Ti Ying still tried to hide.

One day, Ti Ying emerged from the “Heaven’s Eye” trial.

She had narrowly won once again, though she had sustained some injuries.

However, Ti Ying never cared about these injuries.

When she came out and was resting in the council hall, she noticed an unusual silence around her.

Such silence…

Wouldn’t that make it easier for her senior brother to find her?

Ti Ying mumbled to herself, “Where has everyone gone?”

A lazy young voice answered, “The Great Heavenly Official from the Wushen Palace has arrived. The four major sects are jointly selecting disciples, but the other sects have been slow to arrive. Now that the Wushen Palace has finally come, everyone has gone to watch.”

Ti Ying looked up and was startled to see Li Bu in the corner.

He had been sitting in the dark corner, watching her for who knows how long.

Meeting her gaze, Li Bu flashed her a bright smile.

Ti Ying asked, “Wushen Palace?”

The name sounded familiar to her… It must have appeared in her childhood memories.

Li Bu casually explained, “Cultivators in the world are divided into three types: Dao cultivators, Buddhist cultivators, and a third type, Shen cultivators. The Wushen Palace is the most orthodox lineage of Shen cultivation in the world, based in Zhongzhou, and has been the backbone of resisting the demonic tide for hundreds of years.

“Their lineage is quite powerful.”

A thousand years ago, the world’s only immortal was left to subdue demons. Since then, there have been neither demons nor immortals in the world.

This was both an opportunity and a blow to cultivators.

If, no matter how advanced one’s cultivation became, one could not become immortal, then what was the purpose of cultivation?

Because of this dispute, cultivators split into two factions: one continued to pursue immortality, while the other turned to Shen Cultivation.

Shen cultivators rely on the power of faith and offerings.

If the faith and offerings are high enough, perhaps they won’t become immortals, but they can become gods. They can transcend life and death and roam the myriad realms.

This was the path that the Wushen Palace found for themselves.

The disciplines of the Wushen Palace are called “Goddess” for females and “Heavenly Official” for males.

Below the Goddess are witch; below the Heavenly Official are Divine Son.

The highest leader of this generation’s Wushen Palace, Nan Hong, is a man, respected by the world as the “Great Heavenly Official.”

Li Bu recounted these details as if they were common knowledge.

Ti Ying’s heart clenched.

She remembered now.

Goddess, Witch…

In her childhood, she was called “Little Witch” by the villagers.

It was a past buried in her memory, one she didn’t want to touch. Every time she recalled it, it felt like a venomous snake biting her.

Even though she had been on the path of cultivation for many years, the dark, bloody stories from her past still sent chills down her spine and filled her with fear and confusion.

Ti Ying suddenly stood up, deciding to go see the commotion—

Could the Wushen Palace really be connected to her childhood experiences?

Li Bu called out to her, “Little Ying, remember to repay the favor I did for you.”

Ti Ying turned back, confused.

“Are you also an inner disciple? But who are you?”

Li Bu: “…?”

What an arrogant and annoying girl.

His smile turned almost grim. “Little Ying, my name is Li Bu. You better remember it.”

Ti Ying responded perfunctorily, “Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.”

The Great Heavenly Official of Wushen Palace, Nan Hong, had arrived.

Nan Hong was the very same person whose chubby figure appeared when he sent his divine sense to Yujing Sect the night the Sect master Bai passed away.

Despite being a bit overweight, he had a handsome face.

Behind him, a group of veiled men and women followed respectfully, their clothes fluttering in the wind. As they ascended the steps, silence fell around them.

The five elders of Yujing Sect came out to greet them, while the disciples curiously gathered below the steps, whispering among themselves—

“I heard that from top to bottom, the goddesses of Wushen Palace are all beauties, and the Heavenly officials are all very handsome.”

“Of course, they practice Shen cultivation. If they weren’t good-looking, how would humans, spirits, and demons in the mortal world worship them?”

“What exactly is Shen cultivation?”

Dao cultivators didn’t really understand what Shen cultivation was, but the five elders standing on the high steps to welcome Nan Hong were all on high alert, closing off their senses and avoiding eye contact with the beauties of Wushen Palace.

Other cultivators might not be as vigilant.

However, the theology of Wushen Palace is centered on the concept of “Heaven’s Mandate.”

Their eyes perceive the cause and effect of the world, and from these, they choose the best possible path. By constantly seeking Heaven’s Mandate, their cultivation increases.

The five elders knew that they must not meet the eyes of the people from Wushen Palace and must not reveal their karma to them.

Especially since the person before them was the Great Heavenly Official of Wushen Palace, Nan Hong.

Nan Hong’s divine sense had been quite impolite towards Yujing Sect previously, but in person, he appeared amicable.

The elders avoided his gaze, keeping their heads bowed, but Nan Hong laughed heartily, not minding at all.

Nan Hong said, “Could it be that Sect Master Bai failed his final tribulation and thus passed away?

“I told him long ago that the path to immortality was cut off. No one in this world can become immortal. Instead of trying to change this Heaven’s Mandate, why not summon your sect’s immortals to help out? Otherwise, all your efforts are in vain.”

Elder Hua, maintaining his composure, replied calmly, “A thousand years ago, our ancestor, Lord Qingmu, sealed the demons together with the great demon. Now that there are no demons in the world, it is all thanks to his efforts. If we were to wake him now, the demons might also revive.

“I think the world has been peaceful for too long, and the Great Heavenly Official, not having witnessed those events, does not understand the horror of demons.”

Nan Hong’s eyes flashed with a ghostly light.

He replied slowly, “If the sect master Bai had listened to this old man,he wouldn’t have died so early.”

The crowd fell silent.

Nan Hong smiled faintly.

He had come to probe Yujing Sect and had particular interest in their next Sect Master. As he observed Elder Hua’s bowed and aged appearance, he chuckled softly.

No hurry.

This was just the first day.

Nan Hong said, “Allow me to offer incense to the sect master Bai first.”

He walked forward.

Suddenly, Nan Hong’s body froze.

His pupils dilated, and a vision appeared before his eyes—a scene shrouded in mist, filled with blood.

A sword emerged from the mist, flying straight towards Nan Hong.

The sword was sharp and cold, filled with murderous intent.

No matter how he tried to escape, Nan Hong couldn’t avoid it. The sword pierced his heart, causing him to vomit blood and die instantly.

On the high platform of Yujing Sect, the five elders saw Nan Hong suddenly stagger, his fat body swaying, almost falling.

Others: “Great Heavenly Official?”

Although they feared the divination technique of the Great Heavenly Official, they still quickly glanced at Nan Hong.

In that glance, they saw Nan Hong’s muscles trembling, sweat pouring down, and his face pale without a trace of color. Despite trying to hold himself together, his eyes betrayed much distraction.

Nan Hong suddenly turned around and looked towards the densely packed disciples of Yujing Sect below the platform—

In that moment, his divination warned him that one day, a disciple of the Yujing Sect below would kill him.

He would perish by that sword.

How could this be!

Nan Hong’s mind fluctuated, and he solemnly said, “It’s nothing; I just foresaw some things.”

Elder Hua and the other elders exchanged glances.

Nan Hong regained his composure and said, “It’s okay, I’ll take another look.”

He focused his gaze and then turned to look at the disciples below the platform.

The expressions of the elders changed.

They feared this kind of divination technique wielded by the Great Heavenly Official.

Shen Xingchuan stood in front of Nan Hong and said, “Great Heavenly Official, let’s burn incense first.”

Ti Ying was squeezed in the crowd, looking up, unable to see clearly.

Those people were wearing veiled hats, just like her senior brother. Really, even if they weren’t as handsome as her senior brother, why wear a veiled hat?

As she stood on her tiptoes, someone reached out from the side and pulled her into a corner.

Ti Ying: “Ah…”

Her mouth was covered.

Ti Ying didn’t even get a good look at the appearance of the Great Heavenly Official before being stopped by Jiang Xuehe.

Jiang Xuehe took her away and found a secluded place before letting her go.

Ti Ying was cornered against the wall, looking up at him, her lips pursed in an attempt to appear strong—

The terrifying senior brother had come again.

Brave little Ying, meet the challenge head-on.

Jiang Xuehe: “Junior sister, it’s time to go to the library to receive punishment.”

He listed out: “You also need to copy the rules, read books, meditate, and practice cultivation…”

Ti Ying’s expression changed. “Why are you here again?”

She was panicked. “Didn’t we just go through this yesterday?”

Jiang Xuehe: “Isn’t it time for it again today?”

Ti Ying: “You’re a traitor among us.”

Jiang Xuehe: “Junior sister is right.”

Ti Ying: “Don’t you feel like you’re abusing children?”

Jiang Xuehe: “Children can fight back if they’re abused.”

Ti Ying: “I only have twenty-four hours in a day to complete all your arrangements!”

Jiang Xuehe remained composed, “Senior brother will strive to help you cultivate diligently, allowing you to have twenty-four hours in a day sooner.”

Ti Ying: …I hate you!

Ti Ying: “Aren’t you ashamed?”

Jiang Xuehe: “I am ashamed.”

But he may be ashamed, but he didn’t go easy on her either.

Ti Ying struggled to cling to the corner of the wall and a tree: “I want to watch the excitement…”

Jiang Xuehe slowly pulled her down from the tree trunk: “Let’s go.”

He was pulling a radish.

Ti Ying, being short and weak, couldn’t compete with him.

Annoyed.

The little girl grumbled and bargained with him for a while, but he remained unmoved.

Feeling helpless, she let out a cry and turned to run away.

As Ti Ying ran a distance away, Jiang Xuehe realized—

Did he raise Little Ying with some issues?

Her master didn’t raise her to be so stubborn.

How did he end up raising her to be so stubborn?

Where did the refined Little Ying go?