Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

The awakening of Shi Yunzhao and her clearing of the truth for Ning Yincheng was like a small stone cast into a lake. Though ripples briefly appeared, the surface soon returned to calm.

With the upcoming Lingyun Sect’s minor competition, disciples devoted most of their energy to cultivation. This competition offered generous rewards, and those who stood out might even earn the chance to represent the sect in the grand contest among the seven great sects.

Ning Yin paid little heed to the prizes or the opportunity to participate in the grand contest. Under Yan Hanzhou’s guidance, her cultivation had advanced rapidly, and she now wielded the Radiant Light with ease. She believed she would not disgrace herself on the arena. Moreover, this competition was to be conducted without fatal injuries.

Counting carefully, as the sect leader’s top senior disciple, Si Heyu, even if he bore a grudge against her, could he truly lay a heavy hand on a Foundation Establishment junior sister like her, given his Nascent Soul-level cultivation, especially under the watchful eyes of everyone?

As for Yu Lingyi, the Radiant Light Sword’s original owner in the novel, though she had a grudge with Ning Yin over the sword, Ning Yin trusted that as a member of the protagonist group, Yu Lingyi’s heart would not be petty enough to seek personal revenge.

Except for one—

Sang Wan, a disciple from the Qiyun Peak, mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Though not part of the main group, she was talented. In the novel, she fell into obsession over love, ultimately severed her attachments, returned to the righteous path, broke through to Nascent Soul, becoming one of the rare Divine Transform cultivators in the Jiuzhou Continent. Later, she rose to become an elder of the Lingyun Sect, a pillar of the sect.

She was among those who, despite opposing the protagonists, ended with a good fate.

For someone so obsessed and harboring deep hatred toward her, Ning Yin could only pray that luck would favor her in any confrontation.

After several days of secluded cultivation, the day of the sect’s minor competition finally arrived.

At the Lingyun Sect’s martial arena, elders from the twelve peaks were present. Hundreds of inner disciples stood in neat rows. Ning Yin stood in the middle, bored, half-listening to a disciple under an elder explaining the competition rules and precautions. Drowsiness crept over her, and she mused that whether in the real world or this cultivation realm, pre-match briefings followed the same tedious pattern.

At the leader’s command, three massive arenas rose in the center of the martial field. Along the edges, intricate runes carved by the sect’s array elder glowed softly with a faint golden light, forming an impenetrable barrier that completely isolated the inside from the outside.

At the same time, fierce battles raged atop the three arenas.

Surrounding the arenas, disciples from various peaks crowded the stands and open spaces, their expressions focused as they silently analyzed the moves on stage, excitedly discussing the thrilling moments from the bouts.

After all, only the most promising disciples dared step onto the arena in these competitions, each with unique insights into their techniques and cultivation, making it an excellent learning opportunity.

Above the arena, spiritual birds chirped clear calls. The clang of weapons, the roar of spells, and the shouts of encouragement from onlookers blended into a stirring wave of excitement that echoed throughout the Lingyun Sect.

Originally somewhat fearful of the competition, Ning Yin now felt her blood stir with passion. Luckily, her name had yet to be called in the early rounds, allowing her ample time to observe and gauge the cultivation levels of her fellow disciples.

But after watching several bouts, she found the ruthlessness of these disciples somewhat alarming.

“Did you see the clarification notice posted a few days ago? Do you think what it says is true or false?”

“Senior sister has cleared it for her, so it should be true.”

“Then doesn’t that mean we wronged her before?”

“...”

“Even if it’s true, a leopard can’t change its spots. Have you forgotten what she did before? Not to mention the past, when Sang Wan awakened her spiritual root, she nearly ruined it. Narrow-minded and malicious, it’s no wonder people accused her.”

“But—let’s separate the facts from feelings…”

Listening to the whispers, Ning Yin raised her voice, “If you have something to say, say it to my face. What’s the use of whispering behind my back?”

The few speaking immediately fell silent.

“Hmph, what is there to fear?” a disciple sneered, unafraid of Ning Yin’s glare. “Don’t think that because of the leader’s clarification notice you can turn the tables. What you did before isn’t covered by just these two incidents.”

“Let’s not mention the distant past, how did you treat Sang Wan before her spiritual root awakened? After it awakened, you almost crippled it. During the forbidden land trial, when sect disciples found the immortal herb spirit beast, you just snatched it. An outer disciple said something you didn’t like, and you seriously injured him. If it weren’t for Elder Yu Wei protecting you, according to sect rules, you would have long been expelled!”

“...” Ning Yin was at a loss for words about what the original self had done.

Glancing around at the sect disciples, she saw their eyes filled with distance and wariness. Her earlier resolve to change her image and reverse the initial impression wavered.

“Sang Wan is here!”

“When Sang Wan’s spiritual root was nearly ruined by Ning Yin, if they meet in this competition, do you think Sang Wan would hold a grudge and cripple Ning Yin’s spiritual root?”

“But isn’t the competition to stop at a point? No killing allowed.”

“Even if no one dies, if someone goes all out, the elders and sect leaders won’t stand by.”

Amid the crowd, Ning Yin spotted Sang Wan.

Among so many disciples, she actually didn’t know who Sang Wan was. But the blazing hatred in her eyes was impossible to ignore.

That gaze was like a dagger at the back, a sword at the throat, an unbearable prickling sensation.

Sang Wan stared unwaveringly at Ning Yin and slowly approached her.

This was the first time in five years Sang Wan faced the once lofty Ning Yin. The respect, fear, and timidity she once felt had transformed into boundless resentment.

“Princess, you are the princess of the Cheng Kingdom, and I am your subject. Whether you beat me or scold me, I never blamed you. But you should never have broken my engagement with Mu Chi, ruining my life!”

Isn’t her cultivation almost at the Golden Core stage? Hasn’t she felt the benefits of cultivation yet? So obsessed with love?

Ning Yin took a deep breath. “It was wrong to force you to stay in Lingyun Sect without considering your wishes. But did you ever think that when you joined Lingyun Sect, and even when you awakened your spiritual root, it had only been a year? In that year, your beloved hastily married another woman. Don’t you have to thank me for screening out a scumbag for you? If he truly loved you, he wouldn’t have given up, no matter the dangers.”

“You say it so lightly. How could a man without a spiritual root face such dangers for you?”

No spiritual root? Ning Yin scanned the crowd, then waved to Yan Hanzhou.

He walked to her side.

“Let me introduce you, Yan Hanzhou, one whose spiritual root was destroyed.”

Sang Wan understood Ning Yin’s meaning and paled slightly.

“I’m not trying to show off. I just want to tell you, if someone truly loves you, no matter the hardships, they will overcome them. If they can’t, it’s a matter of ability. But if he doesn’t even have the courage to try, it only proves he doesn’t love you. Why cling to someone who doesn’t love you?” She nudged Yan Hanzhou’s elbow. “Am I right?”

Sang Wan’s determined eyes dimmed. She took a few steps back, murmuring, “I only wanted an ordinary married life with him. It’s you who destroyed everything. I have a clear conscience!”

“A clear conscience?” Yan Hanzhou sneered. “If he loved you, he wouldn’t have married and had a child within a year. If you truly loved him, you could have destroyed your spiritual root and descended the mountain to live an ordinary life with him after awakening. But you didn’t. You say Ning Yin broke you up, but in truth, you and your beloved are both hypocrites, unwilling to break free from your shackles. Now you want to blame others. Since you value love so much, why do you still cultivate diligently in Lingyun Sect? If you destroyed your spiritual root and left now, I might respect you more.”

His words caused a stir among the surrounding disciples.

“Ning Yin, Yan Hanzhou! Back then, you selfishly kept Sang Wan in Lingyun Sect as a servant, beating her and breaking her engagement. And now you want to use this to provoke her? You two are cut from the same cloth!”

“Stop talking nonsense! You two better pray we don’t face each other on the arena, or I won’t hold back!”

“Blaming others? If not for Ning Yin, Sang Wan would have been happily with her beloved!”

“Sang Wan, don’t listen to them; this is all Ning Yin’s fault. You’ve done nothing wrong!”

Amid the noise, Sang Wan’s gaze grew firmer. Looking at Ning Yin, she spoke each word with hatred: “From the day I entered Lingyun Sect, I severed all worldly ties. I hate my own helplessness, but I hate the instigator more. Without Mu Chi, everything I have is meaningless. In this competition, I won’t hold back. I will seek justice for Mu Chi!”

Ning Yin retorted fiercely, “Fine, I’m waiting for you!”

As their eyes met, Ning Yin saw the obsessive hatred and deadly intent buried deep in Sang Wan’s gaze.

Watching Sang Wan’s retreating figure, she sighed helplessly. “Less talk of love in the cultivation world. Look at Sang Wan—she’s on the verge of obsession. How frightening.”

Yan Hanzhou’s expression darkened, his voice low: “Her cultivation has reached Golden Core, but she hasn’t broken through yet because she suppresses herself. You’re no match for her.”

“But didn’t she want an ordinary married life? I’ll grant her that.”