117.1 - All Eyes Are On The Peasant Family’ Adorable Baby Girl

Chapter 117: A New Spirit Shen Su harbored built-up anger in her heart, just waiting for a moment to explode. Wei Nan Yi could clearly see that Shen Su was angry. She was also angry. The thought of her daughter, her junior sister, and even the contemporaries she had admired being mere accessories in someone else’s story, destined to meet the same fate as Ning Cheng, made her heart ache as if it were being cut by knives. She reached out and gently stroked the back of Shen Su’s hand. It looked like she was comforting Shen Su, but she might as well be comforting herself. After fully integrating the Mirror Lake Water Spirit bloodline and soaking in the Mirror Lake water, Shen Su's skin seemed even smoother and tenderer, like the touch of fine jade under the fingertips. The warmth that passed through this touch calmed Wei Nan Yi. She hadn't been like this before. Now, she needed the comfort of her lover to soothe her inner pain. Wei Nan Yi felt she was becoming less like Shen Yin Xue and more like Jiang Rui Ping, seeing her lover as a remedy. Jiang Rui Ping was indifferent to the demise of a completely unrelated life. She lacked strong empathy and even the perception of love was thin. To her, Ning Cheng was merely a stranger. She was only slightly dissatisfied when she learned that even Feng Yin Yue was involved. Cen Yin would have even less reaction. She was selfish to the extreme. Although she claimed to like Shen Yin Xue, she had used Shen Yin Xue's life as a stepping stone for herself, of course not caring about Ning Cheng's life or death. Timid and cowardly A Ling finally spoke up because of Ning Cheng’s situation, saying in a tiny voice, "How could they be so bad? If A Ling encountered them, A Ling would chop them into seven or eight pieces!" She was indignant on Ning Cheng's behalf, catching Ruo Qing's attention. Ruo Qing, a spirit, had a keen perception, especially regarding bloodlines, stronger than anyone present. The moment she saw A Ling, Ruo Qing knew A Ling had the Full Nine Kills Broken Spirit Root. Ruo Qing was also displeased with the situation, hence her tone. Inherently compassionate, Ruo Qing sympathized with Ning Cheng. While pitying Ning Cheng, curiosity about the girl who shared this sentiment arose. Her deep blue eyes quivered slightly, staring unblinkingly at A Ling. "Are you really the Nine Kills Broken Spirit Root?" When Shen Su first encountered A Ling, she was just four years old. Even though twenty years had passed, A Ling was still quite young. With her strong innate talent and slow aging, she looked slender and delicate, no more than fourteen or fifteen. Her way of speaking remained timid like when she was little, but she always accomplished tasks despite her fear. Aside from occasional radical thoughts, she did not seem particularly vicious. Under Ruo Qing's stare, A Ling blinked nervously. Her dark pupils disappeared, replaced by an icy blue. Snowflakes suddenly appeared around her, flying toward Ruo Qing. It was an instinctive defense. Ruo Qing did not take offense, gently touching A Ling's forehead, saying, "I mean no harm." A deep blue peony bloomed before A Ling’s eyes, causing the snowflakes to spiral to the ground. A Ling's eyes gradually returned to their usual color. This was the first time A Ling had ever retracted her power instinctively. Feeling lost, she looked at Ruo Qing, who smiled, saying, "I really mean no harm. I just think, as another Nine Kills Broken Spirit Root, you have a kinder heart than Jiang Rui Ping." Praising A Ling, Ruo Qing couldn't resist comparing her to Jiang Rui Ping, who could not put up with this slight. Jiang Rui Ping wished she could break free from the formation and give Ruo Qing a beating, but she remained bound, left only to glare. "Ruo Qing, you better shut your mouth." Ruo Qing was not like Cen Yin; she wouldn't use spiritual power to attack Ruo Qing, especially knowing Shen Yin Xue’s spirit followed her, since she wanted to see Shen Yin Xue even a bit happy. In life, Shen Yin Xue had been protective of her sword. Moreover, Ruo Qing was not as easy to deal with as Cen Yin. She was just a wisp of consciousness; a touch of spiritual power might make her disappear. Jiang Rui Ping, who had just wanted to send Ruo Qing away personally, now didn’t. Having known Jiang Rui Ping for thousands of years, Ruo Qing naturally knew what Jiang Rui Ping was thinking, letting her words become increasingly unrestrained. She even asked brightly, "So, do you think she has a kinder heart than you?" Jiang Rui Ping scrutinized A Ling. Though they shared the same bloodline, A Ling showed no deep-seated hatred for the world, nor enough bold bravery. Under Jiang Rui Ping's gaze, she instinctively averted her eyes. She was timid. Jiang Rui Ping snorted, "She is not me. She has not gone through what I have. She has a better fate than mine; there’s no point in comparing." Gone through what? Perhaps it was the harsh treatment from relatives, the hope gradually worn down, finally escaping the cage only to be trapped in a dark formation, enduring a relentless blood cleanse day and night without sunlight, never seeing Shen Yin Xue again, with only endless killing awaiting her. She wasn’t just a Nine Kills Broken Spirit Root but a weapon forged by Wu Liang Yu, a weapon just for killing. A Ling was not. For once, there was a trace of despondency in Jiang Rui Ping's voice. Ruo Qing's smile faded. She murmured, "Jiang Rui Ping, I’ve never figured it out all these years. Is the weapon for killing deserving of more death, or the person who forged the weapon?" Shen Su and the others clearly understood that Ruo Qing was referring to Jiang Rui Ping and Wu Liang Yu, leading them into deep thought. Wei Nan Yi tentatively said, "It should be the person who forged the weapon who deserves more death." They pondered, except for Jiang Rui Ping who smiled brightly and cheerfully. "I used to think about this, but not anymore. As long as I don’t want to die, none of you can kill me." "Oh, so Jiang Rui Ping, Elder Jiang, doesn’t want to die anymore, huh?" Everyone could see the teasing in Ruo Qing's eyes, Jiang Rui Ping’s rare blush surfacing. She muttered incoherently, even Wei Nan Yi and Shen Su, closest to her, could not make out her words. Shen Su glanced at A Ling. The child, always so timid around them, often made Shen Su overlook her significant talent. After all, she was someone Shen Su had raised, and she felt protective. "Elder Ruo Qing, A Ling's talent is high. Could she become Yu Mu Han's new spirit root?" Wei Nan Yi became nervous upon hearing this. Their daughter had just escaped the fate of becoming a spirit root; they couldn't let their disciple fall into the same trap. "No," Ruo Qing denied without hesitation, as if with a hint of implication, even briefly glancing at Jiang Rui Ping. "Which man would want a murderous weapon among his beloved ones? Things they cannot control, they naturally wouldn't want." Ruo Qing was clearly covertly criticizing, and Jiang Rui Ping glared back. Ruo Qing altered her words, "Men may not want it, but women certainly might." "Ruo Qing, you'd better say less," Jiang Rui Ping threatened lightly. She had a big temper and a difficult personality but was surprisingly easy to placate, provided one caught her in the mood. Shen Su guessed Ruo Qing’s intention. She merely wanted to see if Jiang Rui Ping truly had no desire to live anymore. While Ruo Qing's words seemed to incite anger, when truly provoked, she knew how to mollify her. Though appearing to have a poor relationship with Jiang Rui Ping, Ruo Qing knew better than anyone how to shut her up using Shen Yin Xue. Jiang Rui Ping clearly didn’t want to die anymore, previously telling Ruo Qing to hush, now actively grilling her, "Ruo Qing, is it that immortals have faulty brains? Such a story wouldn't even make sense in fiction." Ruo Qing gazed at Jiang Rui Ping, whose eyes were gradually clearing, the redness at the corners fading, emerging from sorrow with a renewed vigor. Satisfied, Ruo Qing even responded more amiably, pleased by Jiang Rui Ping’s challenge. "Yu Mu Han is the chosen one, so he is paired with women. In this world, there's also a destiny called the Divine Woman Fate, where in a woman’s story, men will be the supporting characters. It’s not that their brains are faulty; it's that they lack the ability to empathize with ants. It’s not about what kind of story Yu Mu Han wants, but what kind of story they want to see at that moment. Most of them become immortals through diligent cultivation and rigorous practice, severing emotions and enduring hardship all their lives. Even in the mortal world, they endured cold stares and scarce warmth. When they encounter a chance to shape others' destinies, they naturally want to see a smooth-sailing story – one without obstacles, where everyone works to help the protagonist ascend to immortality." "Why would the storytellers bother asking the characters if they are willing to accept their fate?" Ruo Qing's smile widened at Jiang Rui Ping's evident disgust. "Jiang Rui Ping, to put it another way, if you had the chance to shape the protagonist's story, what kind of story would you create?" Jiang Rui Ping didn't respond, so Ruo Qing answered herself. "You'd probably create a Divine Woman Fate story, with your senior sister's purest love, and your senior sister fighting against the world for her. In Yu Mu Han’s story, the sacrifices are only the outstanding ones, but in your story, every blade of grass and every tree would be sacrificed. You’d probably want to take everyone's life." Her guess was so accurate that Jiang Rui Ping didn't even have the confidence to refute. Even if Jiang Rui Ping wasn't in her own story, just being in Yu Mu Han’s story made her want to kill everyone. Shen Su understood a bit; Yu Mu Han's story was purely one of wish-fulfillment, where everyone sacrificed for him, and its audience were those who had achieved immortality through hard work and suffering. They themselves had experienced hardship, so they wanted to give a story without obstacles to those who came after them, one that they themselves wanted to see. This is also why Ruo Qing believed that if Yu Mu Han’s story was altered and his destiny destroyed, he would be abandoned. If the story wasn’t exciting anymore, how could it keep the viewers? They all became immortals through diligent cultivation, enduring countless hardships. If Yu Mu Han couldn’t make the most of the most favorable destiny they gave him, no one would struggle for him anymore. They'd just think of him as mud that can't hold up a wall. So their task was merely to make Yu Mu Han an abandoned pawn and let his destiny collapse. But Shen Su wasn't as optimistic as Ruo Qing, concerned still. "Elder Ruo Qing, if we destroy Yu Mu Han’s destiny, will a new chosen one appear?" Ruo Qing shook her head. "A Child of Destiny appears once in ten thousand years. There won't be another. Even if there is, it should be for the next generation to stop him from becoming immortal. Miss Shen, rest assured, not every chosen one can ascend to the immortality realm." Ten thousand years; that felt very distant to Shen Su. As Ruo Qing said, it wasn't something she needed to worry about. After all, in ten thousand years, the next chosen one might not be a man; it could be a Divine Woman Fate, a completely different story, and who knows who might be unlucky then. Yu Mu Han was incredibly fortunate. A once-in-a-ten-thousand-year's chance, and it landed on him. Hearing that destiny could be altered, Cen Yin's eyes regained their sparkle. "I am willing to help." Her speaking out prompted Jiang Rui Ping, long silent, to finally voice, "I’m still alive; do you need to help?" Jiang Rui Ping giving her voice gave Ruo Qing a chance to mock. Ruo Qing's apparition smiled faintly. "Weren’t you the one who wanted to die? Regretting it now?" Shen Su remembered seeing Ruo Qing once in Falling Moon City. Judging by the time, that Ruo Qing hadn’t yet returned through time. Shen Su remembered Ruo Qing being very gentle back then, speaking softly and never antagonizing Jiang Rui Ping. She wondered whether time travel had changed her or if it was due to Jiang Xu being present then. Seeing Jiang Rui Ping fuming without an outlet, Shen Su thought it was likely more to do with the latter. At the beginning, Ruo Qing had been gently pleading with Jiang Rui Ping. Now, having found Shen Yin Xue’s remaining soul, Ruo Qing was sure Jiang Rui Ping wouldn’t die, which changed her tone. Had she spoken this way consistently, Jiang Rui Ping might have half the reason to imprison and refine Ruo Qing into a sword spirit. Jiang Rui Ping fell silent, and Ruo Qing took a step forward. She squatted in front of Jiang Rui Ping, smiling, "Jiang Rui Ping." As Jiang Rui Ping looked over, Ruo Qing pointed to the spot on her shoulder. "Come find me, and I’ll let you see your Shen Yin Xue." Finishing her words, Ruo Qing's apparition dissipated into pale blue light, disappearing instantly. Gone in a flash, leaving only an enraged Jiang Rui Ping, "Damn it!" Moments ago, Shen Su thought Ruo Qing was a good elder. Now, even the sword spirit seemed abnormal. Everyone around Shen Yin Xue seemed atypical—a master wanting to turn her disciple into a killing weapon, a junior sister madly cutting people all the time, a sword spirit asking sweetly then backstabbing cynically, frequently provoking a madwoman. Plus, those who professed love yet stabbed her hardest. No wonder Shen Yin Xue’s emotional stability was impressive despite everything. Nevertheless, with Ruo Qing gone, even Shen Su couldn't see Shen Yin Xue now. They could only watch Jiang Rui Ping staring off into space. When Shen Yin Xue’s remaining soul disappears, they wouldn't know. Jiang Rui Ping grew increasingly agitated and called out to Wei Nan Yi. "Nan Yi, is it this obvious I don’t want to die? Why did she stop pleading with me?" Wei Nan Yi, pondering how to pull the women away from the fate of being spirit roots, was startled by Jiang Rui Ping’s call. Seeing Jiang Rui Ping, recently clouded with exhaustion and on the brink of death now with an eyebrow lifted in delight and hints of anger, Wei Nan Yi lowered her head, pretending not to see or hear. "Uncle Master, let’s first get you out of the formation." Jiang Rui Ping nodded. If she didn’t want to die anymore, she naturally needed to get out of the formation. As Wei Nan Yi approached, Jiang Rui Ping suddenly said, "But resurrecting someone needs an appropriate destiny, a complete soul, and a body." Shen Su and Wei Nan Yi tensed up, fearing she’d say she didn’t want to live anymore. Jiang Rui Ping, however, mused, "The Spirit Shattering Pearl among the Twelve Relic Pearls can reassemble a soul. The Yin-Yang Twin Pearls can attract chaotic qi from heaven and earth, regenerating bones and flesh. I guess I need to find these pearls." Phew. Wei Nan Yi and Shen Su both exhaled in relief. Though Jiang Rui Ping was extremist and lacked empathy, she thought of everything when it came to Shen Yin Xue. Yet, speaking of finding the Twelve Relic Pearls, others might not know their whereabouts, but Shen Su did. "Elder Jiang, the Spirit Shattering Pearl is with Yu Mu Han. We saw him use it when we were at Yan Bi Mountain." Jiang Rui Ping's eyes brightened. "Then I’ll snatch his pearl." Wei Nan Yi frowned, speaking softly, "Uncle Master, according to Elder Ruo Qing, it seems we can’t just take his things. If an old spirit root dies, a new one replaces it. If an old treasure gets lost, he will find newer and better treasures." This was something Shen Su hadn’t considered before. Since they already held the Thunder Crushing Pearl and Ice Crushing Pearl, wouldn't that mean Yu Mu Han would receive two even better treasures? If spiritual treasures were like spirit roots, then if a spirit root could break fate by changing hearts, then a spiritual treasure should also be able. Though the Ice Crushing Pearl had been somewhat unwilling when it first came to her, even resisting her, it behaved much better in A Ling’s hands. The Thunder Crushing Pearl was more obedient to Ruan Tong than Yu Mu Han. If the spiritual treasure changed hearts, it shouldn’t count as robbery, and no new treasures should replace them. But if taken directly from Yu Mu Han, it would certainly count as robbery. Shen Su pondered a while and suddenly recalled that in the original text, Yu Mu Han had given the Spirit Shattering Pearl to Lin Qinghuai. Since he was willing to give it to Lin Qinghuai, he might also be willing to give it to Bai Ruoyi. "Madam, Elder Jiang, we could have Sect Leader Sheng ask Bai Ruoyi to get it. Bai Ruoyi is Yu Mu Han’s destined wife. If she asks, he might give it to her directly, and that wouldn’t count as us robbing." Though it felt a bit wrong to exploit the heroine, Shen Su thought she needed the Spirit Shattering Pearl for Shen Yin Xue. Shen Yin Xue was not only Bai Ruoyi’s master ancestor but also the key to stealing Yu Mu Han’s destiny. Bai Ruoyi helping them was also helping herself to escape fate’s control. Wei Nan Yi thought this plan was feasible, but such a roundabout method was bound to be a hassle for Jiang Rui Ping. Jiang Rui Ping probed, "Can’t we just kill him straight up? If I burned him into pieces, could he really come back to life?" After contemplating for a moment, Shen Su responded, "I think he could. You mentioned that the Yang Shattering Pearl and the Yin Shattering Pearl together could attract chaotic qi to form a new body. If we can use them, he certainly can too, and he’s likely to get those pearls before us. If they become his sacrificial items, what will we use to reassemble Sect Leader Sheng’s body?" Hearing that Shen Yin Xue might not be able to reassemble her body, Jiang Rui Ping’s face changed immediately. She no longer mentioned killing Yu Mu Han and obediently followed Shen Su's arrangement. "Let's find Qingning first." After a moment of thought, Jiang Rui Ping added, "Shen Su, the title you're using is improper. There are many elders in this world; how will people know you're addressing me? Why not address me as Uncle Master like Nan Yi does? Anyway, Yiwen is dead, he can’t hear, and it won’t mess up the seniority. If it really bothers him, he can just call you Senior Sister like Nan Yi; I won’t mind." Jiang Rui Ping’s words were exactly what would make Shen Yiwen cry if she heard them. Jiang Rui Ping was indeed partial, utterly biased toward Wei Nan Yi, indifferent to how her own disciple felt about being addressed. Except for her generosity in sharing her knowledge of murder, she behaved like a good master. Wei Nan Yi shot a sharp glance at Shen Su, as if to say, "Uncle Master, why do you and she think alike?" If it weren't for Jiang Rui Ping’s watchful eyes, Shen Su might have told Wei Nan Yi that their thoughts do differ. After all, Jiang Rui Ping wanted Shen Yiwen to call her Senior Sister, while Shen Su wanted Shen Yiwen to call her Senior Sister’s spouse. As night deepened, darkness swallowed the pure, unblemished moonlight. Wei Nan Yi, sensing the direction connected by the array, slowly infused spiritual power into it, steadily peeling apart the connection between the array and Jiang Rui Ping. Following Wei Nan Yi’s guidance, Shen Su positioned herself in a spot entirely different from Wei Nan Yi’s to help separate Jiang Rui Ping from the array. Jiang Rui Ping had sealed herself within the array, making it difficult even for Wei Nan Yi to peel them apart. Jiang Rui Ping, being impatient, grew restless. She gestured to A Ling, "Come here." Although Jiang Rui Ping didn’t look fierce, her movements must have seemed terrifying to A Ling, who had witnessed everything. Even with her master’s assurance that Jiang Rui Ping was the martial aunt, she still feared her. "What do you want to do?" She dared not approach, and Jiang Rui Ping, unlike her treatment of Cen Yin, did not forcefully drag A Ling over but rather explained, "I need some of your blood. I’m trapped, and waiting for your master to dig me out takes too long." Wei Nan Yi guessed what Jiang Rui Ping intended and quickly cautioned, "Uncle Master, don’t act impulsively." Jiang Rui Ping frowned, standing her ground, coaxing A Ling, "You have to know, my array is very powerful. Your master digging me out is really exhausting for her. As a filial disciple, you wouldn’t want to see her exhausted, would you?" A Ling, unable to resist the coaxing, obediently approached Jiang Rui Ping. Still slightly fearful, she timidly asked, "Elder Jiang, why me?" Jiang Rui Ping, with some disdain, poked A Ling’s forehead. "Why are you so stupid? Unlike Nan Yi’s disciple, your bloodline is like mine." A Ling’s moment of distraction brought a strange sparkle to her eyes. She laughed self-deprecatingly, "They always said A Ling's bloodline was evil and could only harm people. Never thought it could save someone." Really, it was not as if the girl in front had not experienced difficulties, which Jiang Rui Ping understood. Though she lacked empathy, she was also a Nine Kills Broken Spirit Root and knew the hardships this bloodline entailed. Even without the bloodshed, the Nine Kills Broken Spirit Root could live like ordinary people, though those who chased and condemned them were far worse. Pausing for a moment while poking A Ling’s forehead, Jiang Rui Ping increased the force. "They say you're evil, so you are?" Her expression suddenly grew desolate. "Actually, you and I are different. I am the real evil." A Ling covered her poked-red forehead, looking up at Jiang Rui Ping. "Elder Jiang, you seem fierce, but you’re not all that bad. You even cried just now, and quite pitifully." She could have chosen not to say the last part. It’s Shen Yin Xue's fault, making her lose face even before a child. Unable to face A Ling’s gaze, Jiang Rui Ping made a cut on A Ling’s arm, pressing her palm against it. As their blood mixed, Jiang Rui Ping's beautiful eyes turned crimson, demonic light flooding her pupils. Flames suddenly erupted on Jiang Rui Ping, engulfing her, and she pushed A Ling out of the fire with her body. A Ling clutched her burnt arm, a fine ice mist emerging to lower the temperature, yelling, "Master, Elder Jiang is burning!" Wei Nan Yi noticed too, resignedly retracting her hand and signaling Shen Su to stop. Together, they watched the fire-engulfed Jiang Rui Ping. Unsure, Shen Su asked Wei Nan Yi, "Madam, will Uncle Master be okay?" Following Jiang Rui Ping’s suggestion, Shen Su changed her address naturally. Wei Nan Yi didn’t notice, her eyes fixed on the flames, shaking her head gently. "Uncle Master controls fire. She’ll be fine, but forcibly severing the array connection will injure her." ‘Injury’ is an understatement. Jiang Rui Ping emerged with severed legs and arms, her face charred black, making Shen Su almost break down. She’d never seen anyone turn themselves into a stump before. Shen Su always thought Jiang Rui Ping was ruthless and mad, but she didn't expect her insanity to extend so far. She was harsher on herself than anyone else. Knowing what she intended, Wei Nan Yi quickly had Shen Su take the last few coalescence pills out, stuffing them into Jiang Rui Ping’s mouth. Then, she silently wrapped Jiang Rui Ping in cloth, holding her like a human-shaped ceramic. Shen Su couldn’t hold it in, pressing her aching head, not daring to look at Jiang Rui Ping. Jiang Rui Ping commented nonchalantly, "We can leave now; my limbs will grow back in four hours." If Shen Yin Xue truly liked Jiang Rui Ping, being together was a torment. Jiang Rui Ping treated her own body with such disregard, explaining her harshness to others. Shen Su tied her up with a rope while Wei Nan Yi sealed her meridians. She led the rope, holding the terrified A Ling's hand, following Wei Nan Yi down the mountain. Wei Nan Yi intended to avoid alarming anyone from Mount Lingxian. She had yet to settle the score with Jiang Xu, not wanting to attract attention. They had just started moving when a woman in green appeared in the formation. Standing under the faint moonlight, silver-white mist on her skirt edge, the woman seemed to notice Wei Nan Yi and her party, approaching purposefully. Wei Nan Yi immediately wanted to change direction but found the green-robed woman already approaching. Standing gracefully, with thin, rosy lips and soft, alluring eyes, the woman’s elegance exuded a beautiful charm. Recognizing her, Wei Nan Yi faltered, "Qingning?" The woman in green, none other than Sheng Qingning, the current sect leader of Lingxian Mountain and Wei Nan Yi’s junior sister. But why was Sheng Qingning here? According to Jiang Rui Ping, the Yan Bi Mountain secret realm had opened, and all forces were headed there. Even Jiang Xu was after Jiang An, so why was Sheng Qingning not at Yan Bi Mountain? This was significant. In the original text, sect leaders like Sheng Qingning, Lin Qinghuai, and Bai Ruoyi went to Yan Bi Mountain, not just for negotiation but to assert their presence. Logically, Sheng Qingning shouldn't be here. Shen Su doubted it was any illusion or phantom; both Wei Nan Yi and Jiang Rui Ping were well-versed with Lingxian Mountain arrays, recognizing any illusion. Hence, the person before them was undoubtedly Sheng Qingning. "Senior Sister," Sheng Qingning called softly, lowering her head, her gaze fixed on her shoes, not lifting her eyes again. Jiang Rui Ping knew Sheng Qingning well. Although she did not treat Sheng Qingning as well as she did Wei Nan Yi, Sheng Qingning had always been respectful and affectionate towards her, often clinging to her affectionately—something even her sole direct disciple, Shen Yiwen, could not compare to. Sheng Qingning had become much steadier after becoming the sect leader, but Jiang Rui Ping still found the current Sheng Qingning unusually withdrawn. She called out, "Qingning." Hearing Jiang Rui Ping’s voice, Sheng Qingning walked forward with her head lowered, "Uncle Master." "Uncle Master, why did you come out?" Her voice was hoarse, tinged with a crying tone, a hint of accusation mixed in. Even Shen Su, an outsider, felt something was off with Sheng Qingning. "Elder Jiang, be careful." Just as Shen Su finished speaking, Wei Nan Yi swiftly seized Sheng Qingning's wrist. Sheng Qingning was holding a short blade, its tip aimed straight at Jiang Rui Ping’s heart, making even Wei Nan Yi’s heart turn cold. "Sheng Qingning, what are you doing?" She no longer addressed Sheng Qingning as “Junior Sister.” Sheng Qingning raised her head, a confused look in her eyes for a moment, but it quickly hardened again. Softly, she pleaded with Wei Nan Yi, "Senior Sister, Mu Han said Uncle Master cannot leave Lingxian Mountain. Uncle Master will cause trouble for Mu Han. Please, Senior Sister, let me kill Uncle Master." Jiang Rui Ping was infuriated, her crimson eyes fixed on Sheng Qingning. "Sheng Qingning, have you lost your mind?" Perhaps Jiang Rui Ping’s aura was too daunting, or perhaps Sheng Qingning had lived in fear of her for too long, for she suddenly seemed to awaken, murmuring, "It hurts, Uncle Master, it hurts." Wei Nan Yi’s heart softened, thinking to ask where it hurt. But Sheng Qingning’s grip on the short blade relaxed, her other hand quickly seizing the blade to stab at Jiang Rui Ping again. With a frown, Wei Nan Yi retreated with Jiang Rui Ping, handing her over to Shen Su. Once Shen Su had secured Jiang Rui Ping, she faced the frenzied Sheng Qingning directly. A Ling clung to Shen Su’s side, watching intently as her master and Uncle Master fought, their similar moves drawing gasps of surprise. Unable to hold back, she turned to Shen Su, "Sect Leader, could it be that Elder Sheng is Yu Mu Han’s new spirit root? She listens to him so well, even to the point of killing her own Uncle Master." Without speaking, Jiang Rui Ping’s face darkened completely. Jiang Rui Ping finally felt regret. She shouldn't have burnt off her limbs; otherwise, she could have rushed up and slapped Sheng Qingning twice. She wanted to ask what kind of story made Sheng Qingning so obedient to Yu Mu Han when she had never listened so well to her. It was almost certain that Sheng Qingning was the new spirit root. It was truly unfortunate. Just worrying about A Ling becoming Yu Mu Han’s spirit root had now been replaced by the revelation that Sheng Qingning had been dragged into the trap. Wei Nan Yi’s heart must be aching, fighting her junior sister amidst this struggle. Especially since Sheng Qingning’s story likely involved loving the protagonist to the point of betrayal, even more intense than a love-at-first-sight story. Sheng Qingning, originally a high mountain, had crumbled under fate. How could those close to her not feel sorrow? Shen Su never anticipated disaster striking so swiftly. Sheng Qingning, once capable of standing alongside Wei Nan Yi and Jiang An, could now firmly hold her position as sect leader of Lingxian Mountain. Her bloodline and talent far surpassed many. The strength of Yu Mu Han’s spirit root augmented to this extent would only boost his power significantly. Cen Yin laughed maliciously, "Jiang Rui Ping, who’d have thought not just I, but even your junior sister's disciple, would end up as a spirit root. Looking at her face and her level of obsession, she’s bound to lose much more than I have." "Shut up!" Jiang Rui Ping’s heart ached. She hadn’t expected to see Sheng Qingning, already in the spirit root trap, so quickly. Nor had she anticipated Sheng Qingning would come with a blade to kill her, "When I last saw her, she didn’t seem..." The last time Jiang Rui Ping saw Sheng Qingning was probably during Jiang Xu’s apprenticeship ceremony. Lin Qinghuai, Cen Yin, Wei Jin, and the others were all still alive; Ning Cheng was safely alive too. Only Jiang Xu had escaped the spirit root trap. Sheng Qingning's normal appearance then indicated she hadn't been caught in the plot at that time. Now, with so many vacant spots, Sheng Qingning had been pulled in. If Bai Ruoyi knew her master was infatuated with the same man as she was, she would... Shen Su, watching Wei Nan Yi clash with Sheng Qingning, was equally uneasy. Anxiously, she clasped her hands, "Sect Leader, what should we do now?" For a moment, Shen Su was at a loss. She had assumed Ruo Qing’s comment about better replacements meant slightly better. Comparing Ning Cheng, Lin Qinghuai, and others to Sheng Qingning, the latter’s status and talent were vastly superior. Sheng Qingning could almost compare with the tenth spirit root, Bai Ruoli. No wonder Ruo Qing had advised them not to kill Cen Yin. Killing Cen Yin might bring in someone like Wu Xiu as a replacement. Jiang Rui Ping, feeling concerned in Shen Su’s arms, yelled, "Nan Yi, she stabbed me. Stop holding back!" Wei Nan Yi’s attacks intensified. Though she had been holding back out of affection for Sheng Qingning, Jiang Rui Ping's urging pushed her to be more aggressive. Though strong, with cultivation above Wei Nan Yi's, Sheng Qingning—using techniques taught by Wei Nan Yi—could not match her senior sister. When Wei Nan Yi spared no effort, Sheng Qingning quickly fell. Knocking Sheng Qingning unconscious, Wei Nan Yi cradled her and brought her to Jiang Rui Ping, "Uncle Master, Junior Sister Qingning was merely led astray. Don’t blame her; she..." Jiang Rui Ping said plainly, "You don’t need to explain; I know it was fate playing tricks. But her willpower is too weak. With her status and age, how could she be so easily influenced by someone much younger like Yu Mu Han?" Seeing Wei Nan Yi’s complexion change with worry, Jiang Rui Ping's gaze shifted to Shen Su, her face stiffening. "No, Nan Yi, I wasn't criticizing you. It's different—it’s different because Shen Su is pretty and she’s your junior’s descendant. It’s only right for you to look after her." Shen Su held Jiang Rui Ping rigidly, almost dropping her, "Elder Jiang, perhaps you should say less." Aware of her slip, Jiang Rui Ping fell silent. After a moment of quiet, Wei Nan Yi suggested, "Shen Su, bring Uncle Master and Qingning. We're going to Yan Bi Mountain together." Not feeling well, Wei Nan Yi’s face showed her distress over her long-time junior sister being stained by others. Even Shen Su, who had no connection with Sheng Qingning, felt uncomfortable. Sheng Qingning had become someone else’s spirit root. Without intervention, who knew what she might become? Watching her might prevent Yu Mu Han from further manipulating her. Shen Su believed Sheng Qingning wasn’t entirely under control. If she had been, she might have killed Jiang Rui Ping at Yu Mu Han’s orders rather than acting only when Jiang Rui Ping was about to leave Lingxian Mountain. Caught between respect for her Uncle Master and fate’s manipulation, Sheng Qingning was no longer fully herself.