Elder Wang’s eyes blazed with blinding golden flames.
The spiritual power of a Spirit Emperor Stage powerhouse erupted like a volcano dormant for ten thousand years.
The surrounding space twisted and warped under the intense heat.
Behind her, a dazzling golden sun disk materialized, embedded with a blood-red longsword.
With a furious roar, the disk spun at high speed with a piercing, ear-splitting whistle.
It scorched the surrounding air until it tore and collapsed, transforming into a golden streak of light that shot straight toward Pei Yunqing.
Seeing Pei Yunqing about to be slain on the spot, the Mistveil Pavilion members rose in alarm.
Xiao Qinghuan’s eyes nearly split open as spiritual power surged wildly within him, looking as if he was ready to fight to the death.
Luo Na’s sharp shout exploded like thunder.
“All of you, stay where you are! Do you want to start a war with Red Sun Phoenix Heaven Sect?!”
Her roar stopped the Mistveil Pavilion group in their tracks.
Luo Na was about to restrain Chu Mo beside her when she saw that the Mo Yuan Sword had already been unsheathed.
Chu Mo was circulating the Xuan Phoenix Emperor Scripture at full power.
Her eyes were bloodshot, looking as though she was ready to defy her superiors for Pei Yunqing’s sake.
“Damn it!”
Luo Na cursed inwardly and shot forward like lightning from the spectator stands.
No matter what, she had to protect her sect’s True Disciple today.
Just as the spinning disk was only a few dozen meters away from Pei Yunqing, it suddenly traced a strange arc in the air and screeched toward Chu Mo instead.
The disk collided with the Mo Yuan Sword.
Terrifying spiritual power erupted from the impact.
The deafening boom nearly shattered everyone’s eardrums.
Many disciples couldn’t withstand the pressure and fled while covering their ears.
Even the sturdy bluestone structures began cracking inch by inch.
However, Chu Mo’s sword-holding hand suddenly trembled.
Something was wrong!
Sure enough, the blood-red longsword on the disk had already flown out, turning into a silent shadow that raced toward Pei Yunqing.
The massive display was nothing but a distraction.
From the very beginning, Elder Wang had only one goal.
To kill Pei Yunqing!
The sword was too fast. A Spirit Emperor Stage powerhouse’s furious strike was not something a half-baked cultivator like Pei Ruanyan could stop.
Although Pei Ruanyan was closest to Pei Yunqing, a complicated look flashed in her eyes.
In that split second between life and death, she pretended to be overpowered and coldly watched as her own son faced death.
At this moment, Pei Yunqing had already broken free from the gu’s influence after being struck by Elder Wang’s spiritual power.
However, being locked onto by a Spirit Emperor Stage expert with death only seconds away caused him to collapse instantly.
He was like a rabbit about to fall into a tiger’s jaws.
He didn’t even have time to realize the catastrophic mistake he had just made.
A rush of heat spread between his legs as he wet himself—both solid and liquid—staining the moon-blue fabric a deep, dark color.
A nauseating stench of urine spread through the air.
His hair stood on end.
His face scrunched into a wrinkled mess.
Snot, tears, mud, and blood mixed together, making him look like a dried-up, moldy, discarded steamed bun thrown by the roadside.
“It wasn’t me! Chu Mo, save me! Ahhhh! Save me! I didn’t want to treat her! It was Chu Mo who made me do it! She was jealous of Yan Qingge! She told me to harm Yan Qingge! I didn’t want to hurt Yan Qingge!”
His voice was shrill and piercing.
Every word was a shameless attempt to shift blame and beg for mercy.
It sounded as ugly as the wail of an evil ghost from the deepest hell!
Just as Pei Yunqing was about to die under the sword, a white light burst from his body.
A grand, bell-like hum resounded through the heavens.
It was the protective jade token Chu Mo had given him at the welcome banquet that saved his life.
“Die!”
The furious word “die” caused the blood-red sword to press forward a little more.
The jade token’s projection dimmed significantly as cracks spread from the sword’s tip.
“Ah!” A mournful scream rang out.
The lethal sword edge kept advancing, separated from him by only a thin projection.
The terror of not knowing when it would break through was unbearable.
Pei Yunqing’s eyes rolled back.
His body convulsed violently like a sieve.
He had scared himself unconscious.
At that critical moment, a cold snort pierced through the sky.
The air seemed to freeze instantly.
A silver halberd carrying unmatched domineering force slammed down from the sky toward Elder Wang, forcing her to recall her sun disk and longsword to defend herself.
The newcomer was Su Yunluo, Peak Master of Breaking Abyss Peak, at the first layer of the Spirit Sovereign Stage.
“You dare act like this on the territory of my Xuan Phoenix Sacred Sect? Do you really think we have no one capable?”
Her questioning voice echoed in the air.
Su Yunluo stood with her hands behind her back, her black hair dancing wildly in the wind, her eyes sharp and icy.
Su Yunluo glanced at the Inner Gate training field. What had happened was obvious.
She and Luo Na exchanged a look.
In the next instant, the pressure of a Spirit Sovereign Stage cultivator locked down the entire venue.
Luo Na spoke coldly, “Elder Wang, today’s incident was never the intention of Xuan Phoenix Sacred Sect. However, attempting to kill someone within our sect’s grounds is overstepping your bounds.”
She paused, her tone turning grim.
“Once you leave Xuan Phoenix Sacred Sect, whatever you wish to do is none of our concern.”
The meaning was crystal clear.
Chu Mo looked at Luo Na in shock, her fingernails digging deep into her palms.
Cold. Chu Mo felt bone-chilling coldness throughout her body.
Pei Yunqing’s shameless words kept echoing in her ears.
Was this the white moonlight she had protected for so many years?
Her lips turned pale as she trembled uncontrollably.
She wanted to say something, but what could she say?
Question Pei Yunqing?
Or plead for him?
The words rolled in her throat, but before they could emerge, Su Yunluo’s icy gaze froze them in place.
“Lin Rou, go save True Disciple Yan,” Luo Na took a deep breath.
“Elder Wang, the only one who can stabilize True Disciple Yan’s condition right now is Lin Rou. If we delay any longer, the consequences will be unacceptable for everyone.”
Elder Wang’s expression shifted rapidly.
Finally, she gritted her teeth and said, “Fine. If anything happens to Qingge, I will risk my life to drag all of you down with me!”
***
That night, a cold crescent moon hung in the sky like a hook.
The news that Pei Yunqing had failed, wet himself in fear, and tried to pin all the blame on Chu Mo spread through the sect like wildfire.
The once exalted Senior Sister Chu had now become the laughingstock of the entire sect.
“Blinded by love” had practically become her new nickname.
Inside the Sect Master’s Hall, the atmosphere was suffocatingly heavy.
Nalan Qingjue sat at the highest position.
Luo Na and the six Peak Masters were seated on either side.
In the center of the hall, Chu Mo knelt alone like a soulless puppet.
“Lin Rou, speak,” Nalan Qingjue ordered.
Lin Rou stood up with a tired expression, her usual smile nowhere to be seen.
“Thankfully, True Disciple Yan’s foundation is not damaged, but I could only stabilize her injuries. If a medical expert highly skilled in demon race poisons were present, the situation might improve. However, no matter who treats her, a complete cure will likely require going to Medicine King Valley. Moreover, it will need the old Medicine King to take action personally.”
Everyone in the hall drew in a sharp breath at her words.
Nalan Qingjue gave a slight nod.
Her gaze shifted and landed on the silent Su Yunluo.
“Su Yunluo.”
Su Yunluo replied in a deep voice, “Reporting to the Sect Master, I have already arranged for Breaking Abyss Peak’s most elite disciples to secretly take over security at the residences of Mistveil Pavilion and Red Sun Phoenix Heaven Sect. We will not give them any chance to kill in secret as revenge or do anything that would damage Xuan Phoenix Sacred Sect’s reputation.”
She paused for a moment, a ruthless glint flashing in her eyes.
“I will keep a close watch on Pei Yunqing. Before he steps out of the mountain gates, I will know even if a single fly enters the Mistveil Pavilion residence—male or female.”
After listening, Nalan Qingjue gently tapped her fingers on the armrest.
In the vast hall, each dull thud sounded as if it was striking Chu Mo’s heart.
“Approved.”
Nalan Qingjue waved her hand indifferently, her voice carrying unquestionable authority.
“Handle the remaining trivial matters according to precedent. Dismissed.”
“Yes.”
From beginning to end, Chu Mo remained like a kneeling statue.
No one spared her even a single glance.
Once only the master and disciple remained in the hall, Nalan Qingjue spoke slowly, “Do you know why I agreed to your ridiculous request?”
Chu Mo kept her head lowered. Her voice was dry and hoarse beyond recognition.
“This disciple… does not know.”
“Because I, Nalan Qingjue, and Xuan Phoenix Sacred Sect can afford to pay this price.” Nalan Qingjue walked down from the high platform and personally helped Chu Mo to her feet. Looking into her disciple’s eyes—once filled with pride, now dull and ashen—she sighed.
“I allowed Pei Yunqing to try because I wanted you to see clearly just how worthless this person truly is. I wanted you to understand what kind of thing your so-called white moonlight and savior really is.” Nalan Qingjue’s tone was stern.
“Chu Mo, your talent is not inferior to mine. You are destined to stand above all living beings. Is the person you want as your future dao partner really such a despicable coward who would push you forward as a shield when facing disaster and publicly soil himself?”
Chu Mo bit her lip hard. Her eyes turned red as large tears fell onto the cold floor tiles.
“Cut all ties with him cleanly. From today onward, you and Pei Yunqing have nothing to do with each other. If he leaves Xuan Phoenix Sacred Sect and is killed by Red Sun Phoenix Heaven Sect, that is his fate.”
Nalan Qingjue gently stroked Chu Mo’s head, her voice softening slightly.
“As for your friend Yan Qingge, I will personally go to Medicine King Valley to ask the old Medicine King to take action. This mess—I will clean it up for you as your master. But Chu Mo, do not let yourself down again.”