Chapter 32: The Judgment
Voices condemning Ye Zhao Zhao rose like a storm across Spirit Void Peak, their echoes roaring through the heavens.
True Immortal Ling Xu remained calm outwardly, but a shadow crossed his face as the cries surged around him, irritation flickering within his heart.
[Have these disciples gone mad?]
What did Li Shuang’s affairs have to do with them? Since when had Sword Sect disciples become this meddlesome?
Ye Zhao Zhao, feeling relief when True Immortal Ling Xu spoke for her, now trembled again as waves of anger surged from every direction.
[Why are these disciples interfering now?]
Fear grew rapidly within her heart.
When she chose Li Shuang as her vessel for parasitic possession, the System had shown her Li Shuang’s destined future:
Li Shuang, destined to shine brightly, had been True Immortal Ling Xu’s most treasured disciple. She would become Spirit Void Peak’s Eldest Senior Sister and be known as the Peerless Genius of Sword Sect. Holding the sword Dragon’s Roar, she would triumph in the Grand Competition of the Six Great Sects, rising step by step until finally she led Sword Sect to unmatched glory.
At last, amid the admiring gazes of countless cultivators, she would slice through heavenly tribulation clouds with a single sword stroke and ascend beyond this mortal realm.
The System had estimated this glorious destiny with ninety percent certainty, considering Li Shuang’s extraordinary talent and luck.
For ten years, aided by the System, Ye Zhao Zhao had slowly stolen everything belonging to Li Shuang.
She had been certain she had completely replaced her.
She believed Li Shuang’s future was now hers, that she was the true daughter of destiny, meant to command the Sword Sect and stand atop the world.
Yet now, upon facing the wrathful eyes of the crowd, Ye Zhao Zhao felt panic rising endlessly within her.
This scene…
It matched the future she had once seen for Li Shuang.
In that vision, Li Shuang had been the one whose call united countless disciples, revered and supported by all.
Ye Zhao Zhao had believed Li Shuang was finished. Without her Nascent Soul strength, reduced to mere Energy Refining, she should have become insignificant.
Yet so many still supported her?
Was this the true power of the Heavens’ Chosen Heroine?
Then what had her ten years of plotting amounted to? That shining future she had imagined now felt as fragile as a dream, crushed beneath countless accusing eyes.
Meng Yi Fei, seeing emotions spiraling, raised his hand slightly.
An invisible force spread, and silence instantly returned. All gazes turned toward him.
As Sect Leader, Meng Yi Fei rarely revealed his true power. He preferred calmness, harmony, and smooth waters.
But—
When he delivered judgment, few in Sword Sect dared oppose him.
Calmly, Meng Yi Fei met True Immortal Ling Xu’s eyes. “Ye Zhao Zhao deliberately plotted against Li Shuang. Regardless of success, malicious intent alone is enough to punish. Now, Spirit Artifact Pavilion has shown clear proof. Ye Zhao Zhao, do you have anything to say for yourself? Speak now, or face punishment according to sect rules.”
Li Shuang’s eyes flickered slightly, unsurprised by Meng Yi Fei’s decision.
Meng Yi Fei had always governed this way. If Ye Zhao Zhao’s schemes hadn’t been so openly exposed, perhaps he would have brushed things aside to keep Spirit Void Peak at peace.
But now, things had changed.
The envoys of Spirit Artifact Pavilion had personally come forward!
Hundreds of disciples had seen and heard everything. If Meng Yi Fei continued to hide the truth, how could he calm their hearts?
If Ye Zhao Zhao was left unpunished, unrest would surely spread throughout the sect.
Thus, as Sect Leader, Meng Yi Fei had no other choice but to act decisively.
True Immortal Ling Xu’s expression darkened, lips moving slightly, but no words emerged. He knew Meng Yi Fei’s temperament. Once the Sect Leader spoke, his decision could not be altered.
“Junior Sister, hurry and explain yourself! Surely, there’s a misunderstanding?” Chang Le An still held hope.
Ye Zhao Zhao’s lips shook, eyes reddening with helplessness. “I…I didn’t mean it. Second Senior Brother had been robbed and severely wounded. I was angry and lost myself! I acted recklessly! I just wanted to recover Second Senior Brother’s spirit stones—I truly meant no harm…”
Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Master, Eldest Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother—you all know me! I’m not evil! After retrieving Second Senior Brother’s treasures, I planned to find another way to repay Senior Sister Li!”
Her sorrow was deep enough to soften even Sheng Yuan’s heart.
Deep within, he had always known—Master and the others had truly been unfair.
Even Sheng Yuan himself felt troubled by Ye Zhao Zhao’s behavior.
But…
Did they truly need to push Little Junior Sister to the edge?
Little Junior Sister had always been gentle and kind-hearted. Once, Sheng Yuan had casually complained about the mortal world’s lack of good storybooks. Hearing this, she spent many sleepless nights carefully writing one just for him.
The story was beautiful. He could hardly imagine how much heart and spirit she had poured into those pages.
Now…
Yes, Little Junior Sister had made a mistake.
But did that mistake warrant complete abandonment?
Back then, when Li Shuang had abandoned Little Junior Sister alone atop Snow Mountain, wasn’t that also a heavy wrongdoing? Yet, Sheng Yuan never sought harsh punishment for Eldest Senior Sister.
All he ever wanted was a simple apology from Eldest Senior Sister.
Now, fate had turned. Sheng Yuan spoke with a voice roughened by sadness, “Eldest Senior Sister, Little Junior Sister indeed made a mistake. Allow her to apologize. Please… let us not press this matter too harshly.”
His eyes carried a quiet plea.
He now understood clearly—his past favoritism toward Little Junior Sister had caused Eldest Senior Sister’s heartache and rash actions on Snow Mountain.
He had chosen forgiveness for Eldest Senior Sister.
Could Eldest Senior Sister not show mercy to Little Junior Sister just this once?
“Zhao Zhao is simply childlike. How could one call her actions schemes?” Chang Le An stepped protectively in front of Ye Zhao Zhao.
Li Shuang cast an indifferent glance toward the disciples of Spirit Void Peak before turning calmly toward Meng Yi Fei. “Sect Leader, Ye Zhao Zhao’s excuses are empty before the truth shown clearly in the Recording Stone. The facts are as sharp as a sword’s edge. I ask the Sect Leader and Hall Master to deliver justice.”
Li Shuang’s firm words caused unease among the Spirit Void Peak disciples.
In their hearts, Li Shuang had always been their Eldest Senior Sister, strong enough to silently bear any injustice.
Yet, this dispute between her and Zhao Zhao—could it not be settled quietly within their own Spirit Void Peak? Why must it reach the Sect Leader?
“Sect rules are your responsibility, Hall Master Pang. I entrust the final judgment to you.” Meng Yi Fei turned, solemnly regarding Pang Zhi Xue.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation