79 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

Chapter 79: Fall into Darkness Suddenly, Chu Fu's eyes widened in shock. Yan Jue's piece of Northern Sea Black Iron around her neck abruptly detached, forming a massive sail in the sky. The sail shimmered in a light golden hue, reminiscent of a dragon's wings. Yan Jue gripped both ends of the sail, adjusting its direction and angle, trying to catch the crosswind. Immediately, she felt less resistance and could move much more smoothly. In an instant, she activated the Swallow Step, her figure transmuting into a fleeting shadow in the air. Yan Jue leaped up, shouting powerfully mid-air: "Ten Thousand Sword Technique!" A flash of golden light appeared, and the two great sails beside her transformed into a small golden flying sword, which rapidly fragmented into countless smaller swords hurtling towards Chu Fu. Chu Fu stared, wide-eyed, his incantation abruptly interrupted: "Wind—" The fierce wind magnified the power of the Ten Thousand Sword Technique, with countless small swords propelled by the wind breaking through his wind barrier. Chu Fu was thrown off the martial platform, tumbling to the ground. The referee raised the flag, signaling the end of the match. Yan Jue was victorious. The audience erupted into cheers. "I won! I betted on Yan Jue at the Emerald Altar yesterday, saying she would definitely win, and now I've hit the jackpot!" "Yan Jue was probably just distracted by love. See, once she let go of her feelings for Chu Fu, she regained her focus. Love truly can mislead." The whispers around reached Chu Fu’s ears clearly. Intense pain surged from his wrist. Chu Fu clenched his fist, still hearing the mocking laughter from onlookers. “Hahaha, useless! Even at the integration stage, look how easily he crumbles against others.” “I thought he was something extraordinary.” “Just a pretty face, what's so special about that?” Chu Fu's fist tightened until his blood felt as though it was flowing in reverse. A profound melancholy spread throughout his chest. In this world, everyone was mocking him! Chu Fu understood clearly: it was because he wasn't strong enough. He wasn't strong enough to instill fear in others. That’s why these people, like pigs, dared mock him. Suddenly, Chu Fu’s eyes narrowed sharply. Yan Jue quickly descended from the stage to confront Qi Xian Qing. Qi Xian Qing stood there in her bluish-green pleated skirt adorned with floral patterns, her dark hair pinned up, eyes cast downward at Yan Jue. Yan Jue said something to her, and Qi Xian Qing smiled slightly, averting her gaze without a word. Even Qi Xian Qing ignored him repeatedly. Chu Fu clenched his arms tightly, and suddenly, black mist erupted from his body. Wave after wave of dark mist spread from the young man, swirling into circles of dense clouds around him. In an instant, a golden net shot out from Chu Fu's sleeve! The golden net seemed almost translucent, elusive in the air, and in a blink, it was shooting towards Qi Xian Qing. While others joked and laughed, no one noticed Chu Fu’s actions. Yet Yan Jue caught the brief moment of pallor on Qi Xian Qing's face. Qi Xian Qing frowned slightly, suddenly dizzy, raising a hand to steady her forehead. Yan Jue paused, her gaze turning sharply towards Chu Fu's direction, immediately spotting the semi-transparent golden net in the sky! The golden net, like a vast cage, aimed to capture Qi Xian Qing within! This was a controlling artifact Yan Jue had read about in the original story, a tool the male protagonist used after succumbing to darkness! Yan Jue suddenly realized. The male protagonist intended to fall to darkness and take Qi Xian Qing away! Yan Jue's expression darkened; she dashed forward to shield Qi Xian Qing. In the next instant, the black iron around her neck transformed into a gleaming flying sword, quivering madly in the air before rocketing towards Chu Fu and striking him harshly. Chu Fu rolled pathetically on the ground, chanting incantations under his breath. Yan Jue closed the gap with a step, stomping her right foot forcefully onto the ground. The small flying sword fractured into hundreds, simultaneously attacking Chu Fu, who raised his right hand, instantly manifesting a shield. He continued chanting steadily. Even the slowest observers realized something was wrong with Chu Fu now. Yet, they merely saw it as Chu Fu’s imbalance after losing, retaliating against Yan Jue, blind to his true intentions. Yan Jue lunged forward, delivering a kick to Chu Fu before pinning him beneath her! The crowd let out a collective gasp. What madness—all that pummeling on stage and now relentless assault off it? Women… truly terrifying... Yan Jue clenched her fists tightly, punching Chu Fu’s face. Instantly, an already blackened burn from heavenly lightning across her knuckles gained a new crimson streak. Clenching her teeth, she spoke with a voice imbued with a metallic tang, "Stop your chanting!" Zhou Leng suddenly exclaimed, "Senior Sister!" Qi Xian Qing’s face was ashen, her vision dim, barely using Zhou Leng to steady herself. Only hesitating for a moment, Qi Xian Qing quickly calmed herself, swiftly reciting a mantra to stabilize her spirit. Her eyes, cold as ice, focused on Chu Fu. As if realizing something, she slowly drew her sword from its sheath. Yan Jue's punch and kick retained both hard and soft energy. Grabbing Chu Fu's left hand, she twisted it behind him with all her might. The air echoed with the sound of breaking bones. Chu Fu finally stopped chanting, releasing a scream, "You vile woman, release me!" Undeterred, Yan Jue reached into his waistband. The onlookers were baffled, still failing to grasp what was happening—why was she searching him? Yan Jue immobilized Chu Fu, quickly extracting something cold and hard from his belt pouch. It was a wooden figure, inscribed with talismans faintly showing Qi Xian Qing's name. A wave of disgust surged inside Yan Jue. She violently stomped on the figure until it shattered, revealing flesh and blood within. Devil Cult's witchcraft! Suddenly, a spine-tingling surge of electricity emanated from behind. The pale blue long sword flashed free, instantly unleashing a torrent of lightning. Qi Xian Qing's face turned cold as she gazed at the golden net in the sky. Her sword cut through with a single stroke, reducing the net to fragments. Yan Jue breathed a sigh of relief. It was fortunate that this was Qi Xian Qing. Chu Fu's treasure known as "Heaven’s Net" was weak, but if someone unwittingly entered it, escape would be impossible. Dark energy enveloped Chu Fu entirely as the Devil Lord’s seal from last night vibrated violently, emitting waves of red aura. Under its enhancement, Chu Fu’s cultivation had skyrocketed to the fifth realm. Using newfound strength, Chu Fu violently thrust Yan Jue aside with immense spiritual power, sending her flying backwards. Chu Fu slowly approached Qi Xian Qing again, watching Yan Jue return to block his path. With a cold glare, Chu Fu muttered two words: "Step aside." Inside him, a forceful, unwavering thought crystallized. Mocked and despised, he needed to flee with Qi Xian Qing! None could inhibit him. He had seen enough of the self-righteous faces of the orthodox sects. He longed for the Devil Sect. If not for the restrictive orders of that damned Devil Lord, he would have surrendered to darkness long ago. Today’s defeat only cemented his resolve to depart from Wulong Sect! Fed up with even the Devil Lord’s audacity, no one would halt him. Yan Jue stood firmly in front of Qi Xian Qing, her face solemn as she eyed Chu Fu. Looking at Yan Jue, Qi Xian Qing paused. Unexpectedly, she recalled that day by the freezing lake when, attacked by a black python, that fiery-red fox shielded her with the same determined, unwavering gaze. As the final match of the day concluded, the crowd was sparse. At that moment, a streak of red light flashed through the sky. An elder in crimson robes descended, seemingly only at the fifth realm level: "How dare you. In Wulong Sect's bounds, how could a Devil Sect disciple acts so brazenly!” With a flick of the elder’s hand, a slender rope gleamed, preparing to restrain Chu Fu. Yan Jue suddenly recalled the Binding Soul Cord in her storage pouch, ready to assist. But before she could act, a gust of wind rose beside her. Taken aback, Yan Jue watched as Qi Xian Qing moved towards Chu Fu. She felt a slight embarrassment… Indeed, the heroine never needed protection. Chu Fu hesitated, witnessing the white-skinned girl in a bluish-green pleated skirt coolly approaching. His heart quickened, instinctively extending a hand towards Qi Xian Qing: "Senior Sister, let us..." For some reason, a surge of emotion and fervor arose… Chu Fu barely stretched out his hand when he suddenly froze. Watching Qi Xian Qing draw her long sword, it flashed up and down, with a slice aimed his way. A streak of pale blue sword energy accompanied by thunder assaulted Chu Fu. A strike from Qi Xian Qing, filled with power, was potent enough to pulverize upon contact. Chu Fu's eyes rimmed with crimson, his fists clenched tightly. Unexpectedly, the girl he liked would, on this very day, turn her sword against him. In an instant, Chu Fu's body was shattered by the blade of light. Suddenly, waves of black mist surged forth. His body reappeared there! Li Dai Tao Jiang! Chu Fu summoned his long sword, leaping gracefully into the air and landing steadily upon it. "One day, I'll make all of you regret this!" He quickly retrieved something from his bag and slapped it onto his forehead, and with a deafening explosion, everything went dark around the onlookers. Thick black smoke spread all around, prompting cries of alarm. By the time the smoke cleared, Chu Fu had vanished. --- Due to Shui Yun Zong’s talented disciple Chu Fu succumbing to darkness during the fifth round of the tournament, the entire sect entered a state of emergency. The situation was neither significant nor trivial. No one was sure if Chu Fu's sudden descent into darkness was the result of deliberate enticement by the Devil Sect or if his own unstable heart led him astray. The Wulong Sect Summit was temporarily suspended, with disciples from various sects who had come to observe beginning to return. The elders gathered at Jin Gang Sect for a two-hour meeting, yet reached no conclusion. At the You hour, in the Frigid Springs Pavilion. Qi Xian Qing, dressed in a bluish-green pleated skirt and carrying a long sword, walked into the courtyard with a stoic expression. Under the verdant spiritual plants, Wulong Sect’s leader Mu Zhong Zi stood with his hands behind his back. With the setting sun casting hues, his snowy brows and thin crane-like frame radiated an ethereal aura. Qi Xian Qing approached and knelt before Mu Zhong Zi, hesitating as she asked, "Master Uncle, you wanted to see me?" Mu Zhong Zi pondered silently, and after a long pause, he turned and handed Qi Xian Qing a secret report. Qi Xian Qing briefly hesitated. The Northern Territory's demon clan had allied with the Devil Sect. This was not good news. Since the great war a millennium ago, the Devil Clan's power had waned, and the demon clan remained neutral. But if the demon clan sided with the devils, it would undoubtedly bolster the Devil Sect's strength. This meant the resurgence of the Devil Path. Mu Zhong Zi spoke slowly, "I was right in my guess. The Devil Sect has resumed its activities, and the demon clan is beginning to lean towards the demonic path!" Qi Xian Qing read the report silently, saying nothing. Mu Zhong Zi continued, "After this Wulong Summit concludes, I will send you to the Northern Territory to eradicate these rebellious demons." Qi Xian Qing's expression sharpened. Mu Zhong Zi implored, "Xian Qing, never forget the hatred. Never forget how the demon clan condemned your entire family to ruin." Under the blood-red sunset, Wulong Sect's leader's face darkened as if recalling the demons stirred an intense animosity within him. His emotions surged fervently. "Humans and demons have always been opposing factions, like water and fire. They will only continue to betray us, ensnaring the world in chaos. Humans and demons can never become friends." Qi Xian Qing furrowed her brow slightly, responding in a low voice, "Yes." --- The Wulong Chronicle was abuzz with the news. Returning to her dormitory, Yan Jue sat on her bed reading the latest issue of the Wulong Chronicle and couldn't help but feel bemused. She had known the protagonist would eventually succumb to darkness, but she hadn’t expected it to happen earlier than depicted in the original story. What was this shift in the timeline about? And he even wanted to take Qi Xian Qing with him. Did he not know his place? Wulong Chronicle, Issue 598. Wulong Sect’s talented preparatory disciple Chu Fu fell to darkness during the summit? Was this due to external manipulation, or was he unable to overcome his inner demons? Wulong Sect dispatched disciples to investigate... As Yan Jue read the paper, there was a sudden knock at her door. She ran over to open it, unexpectedly finding Qi Xian Qing standing there. It was an overcast day, and the sky was completely dark. Qi Xian Qing stood in the hallway wearing a snow-white dress, with a long sword on her back, quietly gazing at her. The oppressive aura she exuded made Yan Jue take an involuntary step back, cautiously asking, "What do you want?" Qi Xian Qing replied, "Thank you, Junior Sister Yan, for saving me today. I have something else to inform you." Yan Jue said, "...Oh." Qi Xian Qing clasped her hands behind her and entered, "The sect elders are in a meeting. I reported the cliffside cave incident, stating there have already been signs of the Devil Sect within the sect. On the day of the competition, Senior Sister Lin Xi’s behavior was strange, as if she, too, had succumbed to darkness." Yan Jue furrowed her brows slightly. Qi Xian Qing suddenly raised her hand, offering Yan Jue something. "These three Bone-Piercing Nails are items from the Devil Sect, but the Artifact Refining Hall has cleansed them of evil and added a layer of frost power." A few days ago, during the cleanup of the treasures from the cave, Qi Xian Qing had sent some of the evil-tainted artifacts to the Artifact Refining Hall and was surprised to receive them back so soon. Yan Jue's eyes lit up as she looked at the three Bone-Piercing Nails in Qi Xian Qing's hand. Yan Jue’s spiritual roots had already evolved into an aberrant Ice Spirit Root, and she commonly used ice-based spells, which Qi Xian Qing knew well. Yan Jue accepted the nails from Qi Xian Qing: "These are for me? Thank you." Qi Xian Qing advised, "Bone-Piercing Nails are extremely vicious. Unless you're in life-threatening danger, use them sparingly." Yan Jue was aware of that. Moreover, Bone-Piercing Nails are consumables; once used up, they’re gone, so naturally, they should be used judiciously. Yan Jue stored the nails in her Qiankun bag: "Thank you, Senior Sister." Qi Xian Qing raised her hand, holding a jade seal of verdant green. "And this seal as well." The Wan Gu Seal. Qi Xian Qing explained, "After the poison function was cleansed, it was imbued with a healing function." As they conversed, rain sounds began seeping in from outside, bringing a slight mist. Yan Jue muttered, “…" Qi Xian Qing lifted her gaze to glance outside. "It’s raining; what should we do?" Yan Jue tentatively asked, "Do you know any rain-avoiding spells?" The Rain Avoidance Spell allowed cultivators to make a sign to ward off rain. It was one of the foundational arts taught within the sect. However, Yan Jue was uncertain whether Qi Xian Qing had learned water-based techniques. Qi Xian Qing flatly replied, "I don’t." As darkness enveloped the sky and the rain intensified, the trees outside thrashed about in the wind like screaming babies. Just as Yan Jue hesitated, footsteps echoed down the hallway. Du Ming rushed over: "Yan Jue! Yan Jue!" Yan Jue let out a small exclamation, exchanged a glance with Qi Xian Qing, and went to the door, opening it a crack: "What?" Du Ming said, "Are you not decent? Why didn’t you open the door?" Yan Jue answered, "I’m not dressed." Du Ming nodded, "Oh, just received a notification from Kong Qing Mansion. Tonight, there will be a blast of violent wind on Wulong Mountain; it’s already started. Everyone should stay indoors—be cautious and avoid wandering around." Yan Jue paused, "I understand." Closing the door, she turned back to Qi Xian Qing: "The windstorm has begun." If Yan Jue remembered correctly, these violent winds occurred every three years, causing significant property damage and posing serious dangers to the townspeople. In such times, it was best for Qi Xian Qing not to go out. The two of them fell into brief silence. Yan Jue hesitated slightly, "Would you like to stay here for the night?" She knew Qi Xian Qing was very particular about cleanliness and wasn’t sure if she’d be willing to stay. Both being women, it was no issue, and Yan Jue had no qualms about offering her room to Qi Xian Qing. Surprisingly, Qi Xian Qing glanced at the darkening sky and said, "Alright." Knowing Qi Xian Qing bathed every evening, Yan Jue thought it best to draw some hot water before the storm intensified. Just as she was about to leave, she remembered something. Reaching into her Qiankun bag, Yan Jue retrieved a fruit tray. "I made this a few days ago… if you’re hungry, you can have some." Qi Xian Qing often had a habit of snacking at night. Yan Jue regularly visited the Ice Peach Garden in the evenings and would find Qi Xian Qing eating. As the host within Shui Yun Zong, Yan Jue wouldn’t forgo courtesy even in hosting Qi Xian Qing. Qi Xian Qing looked at the offerings on the fruit tray, slightly taken aback. Fire-red fruits had been sliced into small pieces, marinated in sugar and spices, exuding a faint aroma of sweet and sour. It was reminiscent of the spiritual candle fruits she had left behind the other day. Yan Jue had transformed them into spiritual fruit preserves. Qi Xian Qing took a piece and tasted it, the sweet and sour flavor bursting on her tongue, accompanied by a subtle spiritual power. Her eyes slightly crinkled, harboring complex emotions. Delicious!