Chapter 85: Blood Spilled in the Hall of Universal Splendor

Seeing the crimson slip, the most astonished of all was surely her master, Yan Changqing.

Yan Changqing was now the most awkwardly placed person on the Wan Tide Peak, and indeed throughout the entire Dan Cliff Sect. His days were harder than anyone’s: his own master, Sun Yougong, had gotten into trouble; and all five disciples he had once accepted were now implicated, with none remaining untouched. His most valued eldest disciple, Ding Chunxue, had died tragically; his two youngest apprentices had vanished. Now, suddenly confronted with Hongjian, the feeling that arose in his heart was not relief, but a deep, unsettling anxiety.

Before he could make a move, Mu Fengshan and Ying Qi had already left Le You behind and advanced.

Dai Mingchi’s group were dressed in somber attire, their expressions grave. After brief greetings, Mr. Gong introduced his companions to Mu Fengshan. When Mu Fengshan heard that the three had come specifically to offer incense to the two deceased, gratitude flickered in his eyes as he led everyone to the memorial tablets.

Dai Mingchi was the first to offer incense, then stepped aside, nodding courteously to the visiting sect leaders, Le You and Yin Quan.

Yin Quan returned the gesture, but Le You, regardless of whether Dai Mingchi was an ascendant cultivator or not, made an unceremonious challenge: “I heard that on the day of the Qingyun Festival, Sect Leader Dai was already at Dan Cliff. It was you who notified everyone when the incident occurred. Was it mere coincidence that you happened to witness it, or is Sect Leader Dai capable of foreseeing events?”

No one present was a fool; Le You’s words echoed the doubts of many. Yet most feared Dai Mingchi’s power and the might of the Talisman Map Sect, lacking the courage to confront him so directly.

Dai Mingchi had prepared an explanation—just as he and Mr. Gong had presented in the Huanhua Hall before the Dan Cliff elders on that day—but now, with Fang Hongjian at hand, he had a more reasonable account.

“Someone witnessed it firsthand,” he said, beckoning to Hongjian, who stood aside. “Come, Fang Hongjian, tell Sect Leader Le You what you saw.”

Hongjian answered crisply, “Yes.” Under the strange gazes of those present, she spoke clearly and loudly: “On the day of the Qingyun Festival, my grandmaster carried me on a flying artifact, saying we were going to cultivate. He brought me to a small island deep within the Endless Sea. I never saw the island itself—my grandmaster said it was actually an illusion set up by a Nascent Soul beast. Within it, all one saw was a vast expanse of white mist. Even someone of my grandmaster’s level could be deceived if not careful.”

At this point, even those who didn’t know her realized that the female cultivator accompanying Dai Mingchi was Sun Yougong’s grand-disciple, and moreover, a key witness to the incident.

Dai Mingchi supplemented, “The island within that illusion she described—this sect leader sent men to search for it and it has been found. To prevent doubt, those sent made sure not to disturb the Nascent Soul beast residing there. Go on, please.”

Hongjian took a deep breath, gazing at the curling smoke before the altar, her eyes clouded and unreadable. She thought, “Grandmaster, your unworthy grand-disciple must besmirch your name before so many. Compared to a reputation that looks good but is useless, let’s settle for something tangible.”

Everyone could see her hesitation, as if what she was about to say was difficult to utter. But the harder the choice, the more credible her words seemed.

“At that time, I heard thunder coming from the northeast. It stirred the spiritual energy nearby, and the wind picked up. Grandmaster said it was a master casting spells not far away.”

“The thunder rumbled continuously, and the northeastern sky suddenly brightened. Then I heard a dragon’s roar—a shadow of a blue water dragon approached, growing ever closer. I saw it clearly; it was Elder Jin’s ‘Light Dragon Carriage’.”

“At that moment, Grandmaster flew up to meet it, arriving before the ‘Light Dragon Carriage.’ Elder Jin shouted, ‘Go! It’s a demonic cultivator, you’re no match!’ But Grandmaster suddenly attacked.”

She swallowed, still bearing traces of fear from the scene she described. “Elder Jin was caught off guard, shattered in an instant, falling in every direction. Then, giant demonic shadows rose from the sea, intercepting those rays of light.”

“That’s impossible!” Huo Chuanxing exclaimed, agitated and furious. “Elder Jin was an ascendant cultivator. Even unprepared, how could Grandmaster defeat him in one move? Fang Hongjian, you’re slandering Grandmaster—what’s your motive?”

The elder from Xianxia Cave sighed, “What’s impossible? Haven’t you realized yet? Elder Jin was defeated by a demonic cultivator and had already abandoned his physical form. What your master struck was his soul. She’s just a young girl who’s barely built her foundation—how would she know such details unless she saw it herself? Who would have thought—the truth is thus.”

Huo Chuanxing nearly ground his teeth to dust, turning fiercely to Yan Changqing and shouting, “Look at your fine disciple!”

Yan Changqing’s face turned greenish, and he strode forward coldly. “Grandmaster treated you well. Who instructed you, you wretched girl?” Though he tried to suppress his rage, Hongjian sensed a killing intent and instinctively retreated toward Mu Fengshan and the others.

Dai Mingchi remained silent, but the sects could not let Yan Changqing act. Killing this female cultivator now would be tantamount to silencing her and admitting guilt. Le You intervened, “Wait!”

Le You had not known Hongjian before. He scrutinized the young woman before him, inexplicably sensing something odd about her, furrowing his brow and asking, “Do you think anyone would believe your story? Sun Yougong would commit such acts and be afraid of others not knowing, taking you along to witness? After the show, he’d bring you back from the deep sea?”

Everyone saw this as the biggest flaw in Hongjian’s account, but she calmly returned Le You’s gaze and replied, “Sect Leader Le You, who says Grandmaster brought me back from the deep sea? I suffered a severe shock, and was certain to die, but luckily, I was at the threshold of completing Qi refining. After falling into the water, I managed to build my foundation. Unconscious, I drifted far, and was later rescued by the elders of the Talisman Map Sect. That’s how I survived.”

Her explanation was far more thorough than what she had told Mr. Gong and his companions at the Qi family. Yuan Bijian and Qi Tianbao, who had heard both accounts, were quite satisfied, noting how carefully she had prepared.

Mr. Gong’s expression remained unreadable, but the two elders beside him narrowed their eyes: this time, she mentioned neither Ling Xuzi nor the sect’s jade slip. The two accounts differed greatly—there must be something hidden.

There was no time for further speculation. Yan Changqing had never claimed to be fond of this female disciple, but neither had he disliked her. He knew his own master well and believed that every word from this rebellious disciple was a lie. Yet everyone seemed to believe her, and he was nearly beside himself with rage. “Fang Hongjian, how dare you betray your master and grandmaster—”

Qi Tianbao, meanwhile, poured salt into the wound, lightly remarking to those of Wan Tide Peak, “Don’t blame just the disciple; look at the master and grandmaster! This young lady’s grandmaster Sun Yougong, her senior master Jing Baixi, and even several of her fellow disciples were all involved with demonic cultivators. How could a proper Daoist remain in such a sect?”

Hongjian could think of nothing else. Facing Yan Changqing’s fury, she bowed and said something that nearly killed him with rage: “Master, please forgive me. I have come today with Sect Leader Dai and the elders of the Talisman Map Sect to clarify what I witnessed, and also to bid you farewell. After what has happened, I cannot remain your disciple. The bond between master and disciple is severed. Please expel me from your tutelage and drive me out of Dan Cliff Sect—”

She had not finished the word “sect” before Yan Changqing, trembling with rage, cut her off through clenched teeth, “Expel? Very well, I agree. Traitor, prepare to die!”

He raised his hand and quickly formed a spell.

Dai Mingchi spoke in a deep voice, “Stop!” As an ascendant cultivator, he intervened. Even if Yan Changqing managed to cast his spell, it could be blocked.

Although Hongjian’s life was spared, Yan Changqing’s fury unleashed such pressure that she stumbled several steps backward. She had been standing among the Dan Cliff Sect’s members; now, after her stumble, she found herself beside Jing Li.

Yan Changqing intended to purge his sect, and the others from Dan Cliff Sect were unlikely to intervene—not helping was already generous. Jing Li, however, was not included in their silence.

Dai Mingchi had declared his intention to protect her, and with Jing Li positioned perfectly, he could not simply stand by. So he stepped sideways to shield Hongjian, extending an arm to restrain Yan Changqing. “Don’t be rash—”

He had barely spoken when pain suddenly stabbed his back. The attack was so abrupt that there was no warning. Jing Li sensed danger and tried to mobilize his spiritual energy in defense, but an unfamiliar fatigue overwhelmed him. The water element spiritual power he possessed at his Golden Core stage suddenly became stagnant, like a pool of dead water.

Hongjian’s dagger, coated in liquor infused with “Phantom Blue,” plunged hard into Jing Li’s back. Because she used no spiritual power and Jing Li’s body blocked the view, it appeared to those present as if she merely stumbled, pressing her hand against his back. Not even Dai Mingchi noticed the killing blow.

Jing Li’s expression changed drastically. He struggled desperately to escape, but Hongjian had plotted carefully, risking reputation and life for just this chance—she would not let this villain escape.

Seizing the moment when his spiritual energy was immobilized, Hongjian wrapped her arm tightly around Jing Li’s neck from behind, whispering in his ear, “This is from my senior brother. Cheap for you, you scoundrel!” With that, she thrust the dagger forward.

Jing Li felt Hongjian’s warm breath on his ear. Terror twisted his face, his eyes bulged, and he cried out hoarsely, “You—”

Under the effects of “Phantom Blue,” the energy within his body drained rapidly. His heart was pierced, his meridians shredded, and Hongjian behind him vented her hatred with relentless blows.

It was over. His intricate schemes had come to naught, and he was slain by a female cultivator who had only just built her foundation. Bitter regret flooded him as he collapsed before the altar, under the stunned gazes of all.

In his final moment, Jing Li sensed the force binding his spiritual energy dissipate. He tried desperately to retaliate, but the transition from life to death was instantaneous—his Golden Core only exploded halfway.

Amidst a shower of blood, all eyes beheld Fang Hongjian, dagger in hand, drenched in blood, declaring proudly, “Now that is cleansing the sect for Dan Cliff!”

She wanted nothing else, cared for nothing else, willing to fall to dust if only she could avenge Senior Brother Ding Chunxue.

ps: The first volume ends here, and the map will change next. Xin Yu is the sort who even writing three thousand words often has to stay up late into the night. After a week of double updates since going online, I feel thoroughly disoriented, so please allow me to return to a single update per day from today. Only one chapter, so don’t wait for more.