31 - The Cannon Fodder is Prepared to Divorce

The following day, the news of the demon cultivators' night attack on Elder Liuli had spread throughout the entire Sanqing sect, and Qi Feng was brought to the main hall for trial. Despite such a significant incident, the small-scale competition continued as usual. Rumors abounded, and besides the competing disciples, many people gathered in small groups, whispering about the event. "Senior Brother Qi?" Luo Changhe frowned, "Impossible, right? Didn't he just return a few days ago?" "I don't know either..." Zhao Qi, who was beside him, said, "Where's Ye Er?" Ye Er had been taken away by Ji Wuning. She was directly brought to the Luanching Main Hall to witness Qi Feng's trial. Zhao Zichen sat in the main seat, and below him were the elders of various immortal sects. Ji Wuning brought Ye Er into a corner of the hall, where they could barely see the figure drawing all the attention among the sea of heads. The refined gentleman from yesterday had become a prisoner, disheveled, with bloodshot eyes. "Qi Feng, do you know the penalty for falling into demonic cultivation?" The oppressive aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator pressed down, making the already kneeling man even more prostrate, his lips curling in contempt. "Falling... into... demon... what... sin..." Ji Wuning's fingertips trembled, noticed by Yue Bai. Indeed, the road ahead is without regret. Zhao Zichen withdrew his oppressive aura, looking like Qi Feng hadn't said anything outrageous, "Since you have already fallen into demonic cultivation, why return to Sanqing? What is your purpose?" With his hands bound behind him, Qi Feng stood up awkwardly. He scanned the hall and laughed, "Sect Master, I'm a nobody with mediocre talents, why would so many gifted disciples of the immortal sects waste their time on me..." He lowered his head, "No, you all don’t care about me... you just want to know why despite being laden with demonic aura, no one could detect it..." "Heh," he let out a cold laugh, "If it weren't for that protective talisman..." Hatred burst from his blood-red eyes, "Liuli, you should be just like me..." His gaze shifted, landing on another hidden figure amidst the crowd, "And you, do you think you can escape?" Fists clenched, it was unusual for Ji Wuning not to smile. "You all have exceptional talents," Qi Feng laughed, lowering his head, "let's see if it's the same on the demonic path." "What did you do?" Elder Mingyun Wuxing sipped his tea, exuding an immortal aura. Qi Feng, like a serpent, smiled chillingly. *** In the evening, back at the Qinglin Hall, Ji Wuning was silent, leading the normally chatty Yue Bai to follow suit. After that bout of provocation, Qi Feng remained silent. Though he underwent punishment, his mouth couldn't be pried open. Even if his method of hiding demonic aura was known, Yue Bai's mission was still incomplete. "Master." "Mm?" Ji Wuning, upon returning, lay down on a recliner in the yard, watching Yue Bai practice swordsmanship. The disciple's posture was elegant. Despite being referred to as a stubborn farm child, she now exhibited a faint immortal essence, like a gentle breeze or a frosty winter. Perhaps in a few more years, she would gradually showcase that aspect of herself. Yue Bai, too beautiful, though Ye Er might not possess such mesmerizing beauty, would still be a striking figure. Ji Wuning thought of the soft sensation on her lips from the day before, and her cold heart warmed slightly. Why, instead of pushing her away, was there such tenderness? And "Don’t retreat,"—why say it to her? Sheathing her sword, Yue Bai noted Ji Wuning's slightly upturned lips but downcast eyes. "Master." "Hm?" "Why did Senior Brother Qi fall into demonic cultivation?" Ji Wuning hesitated, then laughed like a plum blossom in winter, "Little Ye Er, do you know what it means to fall into demonic cultivation?" "From the Sect Master's words," Yue Bai approached her, "it seems to be something bad." "Never heard of it down the mountain?" Ji Wuning sat up, letting the disciple share the recliner with her, holding her close to probe her thoughts. Yue Bai, obedient, "I’d like to hear Master explain." "Falling into demonic cultivation..." Ji Wuning pinched her disciple’s smooth cheeks, "means indulging oneself, acting on every whim." It didn't seem inherently bad. Yue Bai wanted to turn her head but was hindered by Ji Wuning's face pressed close. "But falling into demonic cultivation is like a sweet trap..." From Yue Bai's perspective, she could vaguely see Ji Wuning's high nose bridge, her voice ethereal. "The more you indulge, the more you despise; the more you despise, the more you indulge. After indulging to your heart's content, you find you can no longer act as you wish because you have lost your heart..." Ji Wuning sighed lightly, "Senior Brother Qi thought no one in the house could see him, not realizing he was the one least seen by himself." A respectable Golden Core disciple had thus lost their path. Instead, they gained a heart of jealousy, a tool to expose demonic aura. "Master, it seems Senior Brother Qi wanted to lead you into demonic cultivation..." Yue Bai asked softly, "Are you afraid of falling into demonic cultivation?" The question was audacious, but Ji Wuning responded calmly, "Not afraid. Falling into demonic cultivation would make one forget many things, perhaps live more easily..." She nuzzled Ye Er’s face, "But some people are destined to remain awake, and the pain upon waking has long nullified that ease." "Seems like she has experienced it..." Jiu Yi muttered halfway, recalling Ji Wuning had indeed been tormented by demonic aura, and fell silent. Yue Bai remained quiet, not understanding Ji Wuning's source of pain. "Ye Er." "Master?" Ji Wuning's tone was low, "If I fall into demonic cultivation, will you follow me?" Her fingertips caressed the Feng Yu sword sheath, its coldness more intense than the night. Yue Bai raised her sword, "I will follow." She had come for Ji Wuning; naturally, she would follow her through all realms. After all, this person's thoughts were tricky and unpredictable. Not following her, she feared she couldn't return home. By her side, low laughter, nuzzling her neck. Yue Bai did not stop her, her gaze falling on the sword in her hand, "Senior Brother Qi once borrowed my sword to have a look and praised Master's extraordinary talent... He also mentioned Master spent half her spiritual blood to craft Xifeng... so this Feng Yu...?" "Naturally also infused with my spiritual blood," Ji Wuning smiled, holding Yue Bai's hand with hers, "Little Ye Er, you see, what Master gives you is also unique and unparalleled." Yue Bai’s eyes darkened, looking at Ji Wuning's waist. Today, she wore a black-clouded hook with an attached jade pendant. "Why did Master forge swords with her spiritual blood back then?" Ji Wuning was momentarily puzzled, then laughed, "Back then Master gifted me Baiyun Sui, but that fellow was too crude, not my style, so I had to break and remake it into a handy sword." Baiyun Sui, a single strike shattering clouds. To dismiss a famed sword of the era so disdainfully was a talent of Ji Wuning's own. “...Maybe the Sect Master kept it secret to save face for the divine weapon...” Jiu Yi muttered dryly. "Master, weren’t you afraid of punishment back then?" "Punishment?" Ji Wuning savored the word, "Baiyun unruly, Xifeng easily wielded... If I couldn't control my own sword, what could I grasp in this world?" Was Ji Wuning so eager to grasp something back then? Then why forge another Feng Yu? Was it really just to gift it to her? Too many questions flooded her mind, but Yue Bai didn't want to voice any. Slowly laying down her sword, Ji Wuning's hand remained on hers. "Ye Er," Ji Wuning embraced her, "Did Qi Feng borrow your sword?" "Mm," Yue Bai responded softly. "Give me Feng Yu tomorrow, I need to investigate." "Yes, Master." *** Ji Wuning questioned Liuli and tried to touch the demonic aura on Qi Feng. When Feng Yu made contact with the demonic aura, the sword emitted a surge of black mist, which was then enveloped by the Xifeng sword's aura, eventually dissipating into the air. Everyone was astounded, their expressions changing repeatedly. Qi Feng sneered, his eyes deep and unreadable as he looked at Ji Wuning. "Truly gifted." "Triggering demonic aura..." Ji Wuning withdrew Feng Yu, approaching Qi Feng amidst everyone's gaze, "Why place it on this sword?" Why not directly target her? "Junior Sister Wuning," Qi Feng chuckled, "Why did you give this sword to your disciple?" Ji Wuning's grip on the sword tightened. "I envy you so-called talented people," Qi Feng laughed softly, his mission and goals now utterly failed, "and yet you like to band together... heh." He muttered, "Yes, your talent is faultless, but is it wrong for me to be envious?" Ji Wuning wanted to say there was no fault, but her gaze shifted to the cold-faced Qi Yue Elder nearby. Even if Qi Feng claimed he was of mediocre talent and overlooked, he was still a child raised under Qi Yue Elder's watch. With Feng Yu in hand, Ji Wuning retreated to Zhao Zichen's side, quietly listening as he pronounced Qi Feng’s verdict.