Chapter 36

The candlelight quietly burned within the inner hall. Under the pearly inner wall, a jade slip emitted a faint spiritual glow. A thin figure peeked furtively from outside the hall door—it was Bai Shuo. She stealthily pushed open a corner of the hall door and quickly walked into the inner hall, arriving under the jade slip.

Bai Shuo glanced around. The night was silent. She reached out towards the jade slip, and the moment she touched it, a beam of spiritual light shot out from the slip, striking Bai Shuo. An immortal net descended from above, enveloping her and suspending her in midair.

Before Bai Shuo could react, the inner hall was suddenly ablaze with light. The hall door was pushed open, and Er Yun led the inner disciples in single file. The disciples raised their immortal swords, pointing them at Bai Shuo.

Bai Shuo’s pupils contracted. This was bad. Had she been discovered? No… hadn’t Zhe Sang already transferred away the disciples guarding the hall?

“Bai Shuo? What are you doing here?” Er Yun was equally surprised, not expecting that after a night of ambush, it was Bai Shuo they had caught.

“Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, Senior Sister Er Yun. I came to clean the inner hall.”

“Clean the inner hall? At this hour?” Er Yun looked suspicious.

“I…” Bai Shuo stammered, unable to come up with a reason, when suddenly a voice sounded beside her.

“Junior Sister, don’t be fooled by her.”

Zhe Sang emerged from behind the disciples, speaking calmly, “An outer island medicine disciple sneaking into the forbidden chamber of the inner hall in the dead of night—how could it be just to clean? I think she clearly wants to steal the Mountain-Guarding Jade Slip.”

Seeing Zhe Sang appear and the disciples’ ambush, Bai Shuo’s heart sank.

Oh no, she was calculated; Zhe Sang deliberately tricked her to take the mountain-guarding jade slip!

But didn’t Zhe Sang want to cultivate the spiritual arts on the jade slip? If he wanted to frame her, wouldn’t it be easier to just expose Mu Mu to the Sect Master? Harboring a demon clan was enough to get her expelled from Piao Miao.

“Bai Shuo, why are you stealing the jade slip?” Er Yun’s eyes darkened.

“I, I…” Bai Shuo couldn’t fathom Zhe Sang’s motive for framing her and was sweating profusely.

“Even if she took the jade slip, it wouldn’t be of much use to a half-immortal. I think she’s being instructed by someone else,” Zhe Sang squinted his eyes and suddenly spoke.

Bai Shuo was stunned. Was this man stupid? She hadn’t implicated him yet, and he was already admitting guilt?

“Instructed by someone? Senior Brother, what do you mean…?”

“Junior Sister, the Mountain-Guarding Jade Slip contains the spiritual energy of our sect’s predecessors. If someone swallows the spiritual energy within the slip, it can equal hundreds of years of cultivation. She taking it is useless, but for Junior Brother Chong Zhao, it’s a different matter.”

Zhe Sang’s words were earth-shattering. Bai Shuo’s pupils shrank as she finally understood Zhe Sang’s intention—to frame Ah Zhao!

Mu Mu was currently just an unawakened little demon. Even if the sect master discovered she was harboring a demon, at worst she’d be expelled from Piao Miao. In the eyes of the sect, Ah Zhao hadn’t been close to her since joining. As long as the sect master was inclined to protect Ah Zhao, her harboring the demon wouldn’t implicate him. But now, stealing the Mountain-Guarding Jade Slip is a far more serious crime. Moreover, as a half-immortal, she couldn’t even activate the jade slip. Unless she was instructed by someone…

She and Ah Zhao joined Piao Miao together and were old acquaintances from the mortal world. Besides Ah Zhao, who else could command her?

Caught red-handed, Bai Shuo now couldn’t explain herself, no matter what.

This former top disciple of Liuyun, who had been away from Piao Miao for three years, was truly insidious and ruthless!

She blamed herself for being foolish, thinking she was clever after outwitting the evil Bodhi once on Fire Ice Island.

Bai Shuo felt bitter, but Er Yun suddenly spoke.

“Senior Brother, be cautious with your words. Although Junior Brother Chong Zhao and Bai Shuo were old acquaintances in the mortal world, since joining the sect, Junior Brother has been focused on his cultivation and never meddles in sect affairs, nor has he had contact with Bai Shuo. With his talent, in just three years, he’s already reached the rank of Immortal Lord. With such potential, why would he need the Mountain-Guarding Jade Slip?”

Finally, someone sensible! Bai Shuo felt a surge of hope.

“Senior Sister is absolutely right!”

“Junior Sister, you can know someone’s face but not their heart. Junior Brother Chong Zhao joined our sect only three years ago. Do you really think he has no secret dealings with Bai Shuo? And that his rapid progress is solely due to his own cultivation?”

Er Yun frowned, “What do you mean, Senior Brother?”

“Why don’t you ask this little medicine disciple how Chong Zhao defeated me two years ago?”

With Zhe Sang’s words, everyone turned to look at Bai Shuo.

“If it weren’t for you refining pills for Chong Zhao, boosting his spiritual energy overnight, how could he have beaten me in that competition?”

The disciples were in an uproar, whispering among themselves.

Two years ago, Zhe Sang had already touched the threshold of the Immortal Lord realm, while Chong Zhao had just built his foundation. Even with the former Sect Master’s spiritual energy inheritance, he still should have been no match for Zhe Sang, who had cultivated for two hundred years.

Even Er Yun felt doubtful, her face showing anger. But whether her anger was because Chong Zhao won with Bai Shuo’s pills or because he still secretly interacted with Bai Shuo was unclear.

“Senior Brother Zhe Sang, losing is losing. You issued the challenge back then. Even if you’re resentful, you can’t falsely accuse others!” Bai Shuo shouted, “At that time, I had just started learning alchemy. I couldn’t have refined a second-grade elixir that would let Ah Zhao defeat you overnight!”

Forcibly elevating an immortal’s cultivation requires a second-grade elixir. At that time, Bai Shuo had just entered Piao Miao and, indeed, didn’t have that ability. Otherwise, her alchemy talent would have been so remarkable that even the Heavenly Palace would have recruited her.

Bai Shuo blatantly lied with her eyes wide open. No matter how clever Zhe Sang was, he couldn’t know about her mysterious spiritual blood. The fact that she could refine second-grade elixirs was a secret known only to the old turtle; everyone else in Piao Miao thought she just helped the old turtle refine third-grade elixirs.

Er Yun’s expression eased slightly, her spirit lifting, “Indeed, Senior Brother. If Bai Shuo had such talent, she wouldn’t still be half-immortal. The matter of two years ago…” She paused somewhat helplessly and said, “Senior Brother, let it go.”

The disciples, remembering the entanglements among the three, looked at Zhe Sang with some hesitation.

Zhe Sang’s expression stiffened. He hadn’t expected Bai Shuo to be so difficult, but he snorted coldly, “This was just my conjecture. Whether it’s true or false, we’ll ask Junior Brother Chong Zhao when he comes out of seclusion. However, Bai Shuo, you can’t deny that you tried to steal the Mountain-Guarding Jade Slip tonight. The ‘Wutong Martial Banquet’ is imminent, with talents emerging from the Three Realms. Even if Junior Brother Chong Zhao advances to Immortal Lord, winning first place won’t be easy. Junior Sister, who gets the first place in the Martial Banquet, gets to enter the Heavenly Palace. Who wouldn’t be tempted by such an opportunity? What if he coveted the jade slip for this reason?”

Er Yun’s expression faltered. Her uncle had placed all his hopes on Chong Zhao, wishing for him to bring honor to Piao Miao at the Martial Banquet. But Junior Brother Chong Zhao had been injured…

Although Fan Yue took away Er Yun’s memories, she vaguely remembered the night they fought evil spirits. Chong Zhao was severely injured, leading to his seclusion for recovery. Only she and her uncle knew this. Junior Brother always valued the sect’s honor above his own life. Using the jade slip’s spiritual energy to heal was a major taboo in the immortal sect. Her uncle would never allow him to use the jade slip for healing. But if Junior Brother Chong Zhao had a moment of weakness…

“If not for Chong Zhao, why would Bai Shuo, a mere half-immortal, dare commit such a serious crime?”

“Senior Brother Zhe Sang, don’t blame everything on Ah Zhao. Since joining the sect, Ah Zhao has had no dealings with me…” Bai Shuo frowned, just starting to speak, when Zhe Sang flicked his sleeve. A flash of spiritual light appeared on her chest, tearing open her collar and causing a bamboo flute to fall out.

The jade flute gleamed with a faint spiritual light.

“No contact, you say? And yet he made a foundation spiritual tool for you?”

Spiritual tools carry the spiritual energy of their maker, which others might not recognize. However, Er Yun, who often trained with Chong Zhao, was very familiar with the energy on the jade flute.

Creating spiritual tools consumes a lot of spiritual energy. Bai Shuo, carrying this jade flute, spoke volumes about her importance to Chong Zhao.

Er Yun’s expression changed. She had seen this flute on Fire and Ice Island, but her memory of that night had been taken by Fan Yue, so she couldn’t recall it.

Bai Shuo’s face stiffened. She quickly gripped the shaking flute against her chest. “This is just something Chong Zhao gave me for self-defense, Senior Sister Er Yun; don’t misunderstand…”

Seeing the disciples swayed by Zhe Sang’s words and even Er Yun looking uncertain, Bai Shuo knew she couldn’t let the matter of stealing the jade slip involve Chong Zhao. If it did, Chong Zhao would be despised by the entire Three Realms. Three years ago, she had caused Chong Zhao’s family to be destroyed; she couldn’t let him suffer again.

“My theft of the jade slip tonight has nothing to do with Chong Zhao. It was…”

She would rather expose the true nature of this devious first disciple of Piao Miao!

“Bai Shuo!” Zhe Sang’s voice suddenly turned angry, interrupting her.

“Stealing the Mountain-Guarding Jade Slip is no small matter. You better think carefully.”

Bai Shuo’s pupils shrank. She saw Zhe Sang raise his hand, a faint spell mark flickering on his wrist.

A shadow-following curse! The curse Zhe Sang placed on Mu Mu! If she revealed that tonight’s events were all forced by Zhe Sang, Mu Mu’s demon identity would be exposed to the entire Piao Miao.

A half-immortal harboring a demon wouldn’t be believed, no matter what she said!

Bai Shuo choked on her words, unable to speak.

Seeing her silence, Zhe Sang smiled faintly. “But I’ve heard that despite all these years, you’ve contributed to the sect by making spiritual medicine. If you reveal the person who made you do all this, if their reasons are understandable, I will plead with Master to spare your life.”

“Bai Shuo, why did you steal the Mountain-Guarding Jade Slip?” Er Yun asked solemnly. She didn’t want to connect this grave crime with Chong Zhao, but she needed answers for Piao Miao.

“Fine, I’ll tell…” Bai Shuo finally spoke under everyone’s gaze.

A smile touched Zhe Sang’s lips.

“It was for myself.”

Her voice echoed in the silent hall, making Zhe Sang’s smile freeze. He abruptly looked at her.

“Senior Sister Er Yun, you know I have weak spiritual roots. I stole the jade slip for my own cultivation.”

“Nonsense! You’re a half-immortal who doesn’t even know how to use the jade slip,” Zhe Sang shouted.

“Who says I don’t know?” Bai Shuo raised her head.

“By sacrificing blood from the heart, even a half-immortal can seize the spirit of the tool.”

Her words brought silence to the hall. Forcibly seizing the spirit of a spiritual tool was a forbidden practice.

“Ridiculous. Using such a forbidden method, you might reach the level of an Immortal Lord instantly, but you’ll never progress further. No one would choose such a way to cultivate!”

“I don’t have immortal roots. If I can become an Immortal Lord, and I have a chance to rise instantly, why wouldn’t I take it?” Bai Shuo replied calmly.

“Being a half-immortal is miserable—always bullied, always scorned. Ask them, who wouldn’t want to be a disciple of Liuyun and be respected?”

She pointed to the disciples in the hall, her voice ringing out.

Many disciples looked away awkwardly, but Er Yun felt a sense of relief.

As long as the theft had nothing to do with Chong Zhao, she didn’t care about Bai Shuo’s dirty intentions.

Zhe Sang clenched his hand, hidden in his sleeve. He had planned to use this incident to expel Chong Zhao from Piao Miao, but Bai Shuo would rather die than involve Chong Zhao!

What a foolish woman!

“Bai Shuo, stealing the Mountain-Guarding Jade Slip is a capital crime!” Zhe Sang declared, eyes cold.

“I know, but I’d rather risk it than be a bullied herb gatherer. If caught, it’s just bad luck. Do what you will!” Bai Shuo sat in the immortal net, defiant.

“You! If you seek death, don’t blame the sect for being merciless. Someone, take Bai Shuo out and strip her of her immortal bones…” Zhe Sang began to order the punishment when an elderly voice interrupted.

“Since she has confessed that the theft was for her own cultivation and has nothing to do with Chong Zhao, then she alone bears this crime.”

Song Feng stepped out from the inner hall, and the disciples quickly sheathed their swords and saluted.

“Greetings, Sect Master.”

“Second Uncle.”

“Master.” Zhe Sang quickly composed himself and respectfully saluted.

“Bai Shuo, is what you just said the truth?” Song Feng raised his hand, causing Bai Shuo to fall from the immortal net to the ground. He looked at Bai Shuo and asked solemnly.

The moment the jade slip was disturbed, Song Feng sensed it. He had already been in the inner hall but only revealed himself now.

“Sect Master…” Bai Shuo had lived on the outer islands for a long time. This was her second time seeing Song Feng, the first being three years ago when she saved Song He. Faced with Song Feng’s questioning, Bai Shuo turned pale, kneeled on the ground, and didn’t dare to look up. “Disciple’s selfishness led to a grave mistake.”

“The path of immortality is inherently difficult. No immortal fate means no immortal fate. You have a talent for refining medicine; being an alchemist is not without merit. But a moment of greed has led to a great mistake.”

Song Feng sighed lightly.

“Considering your contributions to Piao Miao over the past three years, I’ll give you a chance.”

“Master!” Zhe Sang’s expression changed. Before he could speak, Song Feng looked at him calmly, and Zhe Sang, sensing his master’s warning, closed his mouth.

“The Xuan Ice Cave in the back mountain is a place where we punish inner disciples. If you can endure three days of the cold punishment in the cave, it will be seen as the mercy of immortals and the will of heaven. If you survive after three days, I will let you leave Piao Miao.”

Though Song Feng saw Bai Shuo’s clear eyes and believed she wasn’t seeking immortality out of greed, he guessed she and Chong Zhao shared a deep bond. She probably knew about his injury and stole the jade slip tonight for him. However, given the public’s scrutiny, if she wasn’t punished, it would be hard to appease everyone.

Three days later was also the day for another competition among Piao Miao disciples and the day Chong Zhao was expected to emerge from seclusion. Now an Immortal Lord, breaking into the Xuan Ice Cave wouldn’t be hard for him. Clearly, Song Feng’s words were giving her a lifeline.

Thinking she was doomed, Bai Shuo felt grateful and bowed her head to the ground. “Thank you, Sect Master.”

“Whether you survive depends on your fate. Go now.”

Song Feng waved his hand, and a disciple stepped forward to lead Bai Shuo out of the hall.

Having narrowly escaped death, Bai Shuo obediently followed the disciple without saying a word.

In the hall, Zhe Sang’s eyes were filled with resentment and anger. He knew well that the sect master valued Chong Zhao and that this arrangement was meant to reassure him. If Bai Shuo died, Chong Zhao, currently in seclusion, would sense it. At this critical stage of his cultivation, if his Dao heart was affected, he risked going berserk. This is why Song Feng spared Bai Shuo.

But Zhe Sang had returned to Piao Miao for Chong Zhao. Even if tonight’s events can’t implicate Chong Zhao, the half-immortal who thwarted his plans must die.

“Master, I’ve heard that Junior Brother Chong Zhao has advanced to Immortal Lord, securing our place in the upcoming ‘Wutong Martial Banquet.’”

“Indeed.”

Song Feng nodded.

“After hundreds of years, Piao Miao will finally be able to attend the grand event of the Three Realms on Phoenix Wutong Island.”

“Disciple has been away from Piao Miao for a long time and has a request for Master.”

“What is it?” Song Feng was taken aback.

“Disciple has been away from Piao Miao for a long time and has a request for Master.”

“What is it?” Song Feng was taken aback.

“Disciple has been training outside for several years and once gained enlightenment after slaying a fierce beast in the North Sea. Now I have also achieved the body of an Immortal Lord. I wish to bring glory to Piao Miao at the ‘Wutong Martial Banquet.’ In the disciple competition three days from now, I would like to battle with Junior Brother Chong Zhao once more. If I am fortunate enough to win, I ask Master to allow me to represent Piao Miao at Phoenix Wutong Island.”

As soon as Zhe Sang finished speaking, the entire hall was shocked. They saw him slowly straighten his bowed body, his spiritual energy surging, clearly possessing the body of an Immortal Lord.

Outside the hall, Bai Shuo paused in disbelief and turned back. Suddenly, she quickly took a small paper figure from her Qiankun bag and threw it behind a pillar. Before she could do anything else, she was escorted away by the disciples.

In the demon realm, at Cold Spring Palace.

Fu Ling was cultivating in the hall when a feather imbued with immortal energy flew directly in.

Fu Ling suddenly opened her eyes and caught the feather. She quickly read it, then casually tossed it into the nearby brazier, a smile curling on her lips.

A maid beside her noticed Fu Ling’s good mood and curiously asked, “My Lord, what has made you so happy?”

“Nothing much. To think that a dog I saved unintentionally has put on quite a show for me.”

“Is my lord referring to that immortal disciple we saved in the North Sea a few years ago? I remember his name being something like Sang… He seemed to be from some declining immortal sect in the East Sea…”

“Piao Miao,” Fu Ling’s eyes gleamed with a hint of meaning.

“It is indeed a declining sect.”