Chapter 1: Rebirth
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“What bad luck! Of all days, it had to be today when we’re on duty. Now we can’t witness Master Qing Yan’s grand disciple acceptance ceremony.”
“Exactly. Master Qing Yan already announced that he’s accepting Junior Sister Ye as his last disciple. After this, there won’t be another chance. Missing this ceremony means we’ll regret it forever.”
“It’s all because of Yu Zhao! If she hadn’t been so envious and intentionally injured Junior Sister Ye during the sparring match, Master Qing Yan wouldn’t have punished her by confining her in the Black Prison, dragging us down with her.”
“…”
The space was dark and suffocatingly sealed.
A girl, about thirteen or fourteen years old, curled up in a corner with her eyes shut.
Her pale face was as white as snow, her hair disheveled, and blood stains marred her lips.
Even in her sleep, her brows were tightly furrowed, her lashes trembling like a butterfly with broken wings, betraying her unrest.
Suddenly, her eyes snapped open. They were clear as polished glass, brimming with fear, which gradually turned into confusion.
Wasn’t she dead?
Her hand instinctively clutched her chest.
Yu Zhao could vividly recall the cold, piercing pain of the sword that ran through her heart and the scornful, disdainful gazes of everyone around her.
Her gaze sluggishly swept across the surroundings.
All she could see was darkness—so complete that no light penetrated. The silence was oppressive, like the stillness of death.
A familiar fear surged within her.
Yu Zhao’s body trembled uncontrollably.
She realized where she was.
The Black Prison!
The Five Elements Dao Sect’s ultimate punishment ground for evil cultivators and heinous criminals!
She had been locked here once before.
Ever since that time, she developed a fear of darkness, becoming more timid and submissive.
But now…
Could this mean she had been reborn?
This realization felt like a weight crushing her chest, suffocating her. Her heartbeat pounded louder and faster.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Before the dizziness could overwhelm her, Yu Zhao bit her tongue hard.
The sharp pain and metallic taste of blood jolted her senses, clearing her mind instantly. Her lips curled into a mocking smile.
Having already died once, what was there left to fear?
In her previous life, she was an orphan with no memory of her parents, wandering aimlessly from a young age. At six years old, she encountered Master Qing Yan during one of his visits and was brought to the Five Elements Dao Sect, where she was given the name Yu Zhao.
At her initiation ceremony, her rare single water spiritual root was revealed, making her a prodigy. She naturally became Master Qing Yan’s sixth disciple, the youngest of all.
At that time, Master Qing Yan publicly declared before the entire sect that Yu Zhao would be his last and final disciple.
That promise still rang in her ears, yet, in the end, she was the only one who believed it.
She had tried her hardest to please everyone, only to be rewarded with a sword through her heart and the destruction of her body.
As memories of her past flashed like a whirlwind through her mind, the burning rage in Yu Zhao’s eyes gradually dimmed, leaving only a hollow emptiness.
In her past life, Master Qing Yan saved her life, and she repaid him with her own blood and flesh.
This time, she owed nothing to anyone.
At that moment…
Deliberate footsteps echoed closer.
Yu Zhao lifted her head.
A tall and upright figure stood before her.
“Junior Sister, do you know your mistake?”
The man wore white robes, his features clean and refined, exuding an air of elegance. A sword hung at his waist, complementing his noble demeanor.
It was her eldest senior brother, Fang Cheng Lang.
Yu Zhao’s eyes lingered on his face, observing every detail.
At this point in time, their relationship had not soured due to Ye Cong Xin, so she could still detect faint concern and worry in his gaze.
It was something she had yearned for in her previous life but could never attain.
Now, she no longer cared.
When Yu Zhao remained silent for a long time, Fang Cheng Lang frowned. “Junior Sister, you’ve gone too far this time. Do you realize that Junior Sister Ye was bedridden for three days because of you? She almost suffered a permanent injury.”
“To make amends for your actions, Master agreed to take Junior Sister Ye as a disciple.”
“Fortunately, Junior Sister Ye is kind-hearted and bears no grudge against you. As long as you sincerely admit your mistake, I’ll plead with Master to release you early.”
Yu Zhao sneered inwardly.
Indeed, in her previous life, she had envied Ye Cong Xin.
Master Qing Yan had six disciples in total, and as the youngest and only girl, Yu Zhao had naturally been favored.
Even the reclusive fourth senior brother, who rarely spoke to anyone, treated her with unusual patience.
But after Ye Cong Xin appeared, everything changed.
Ye Cong Xin was the only daughter of Elder Ye from the Five Elements Dao Sect. Born frail, Elder Ye had doted on her, raising her under his personal care.
Though physically weak, Ye Cong Xin’s lively and innocent nature quickly won over the senior disciples. It wasn’t long before the Solitary Moon Peak became a place she frequented.
Yu Zhao, barely thirteen at the time, felt uneasy when she saw her senior brothers’ attention drifting away from her.
She did many things to reclaim their focus but swore she never harmed Ye Cong Xin.
Ye Cong Xin’s injury was a setup from start to finish.
“I was wrong,” Yu Zhao lowered her gaze, her voice steady.
In her past life, she had stubbornly refused to admit guilt, spending an entire month in the Black Prison as punishment.
The unending darkness and silence had nearly driven her insane.
Eventually, a guard noticed her deteriorating mental state and reported it to the sect, leading to her release.
Even then, her reputation remained tarnished.
They had already labeled her guilty—what difference would it make if she confessed?
“So it really was you?” Fang Cheng Lang’s tone was laced with disappointment.
“Yes.”
“Very well. Since you’ve admitted your mistake, I’ll report to Master immediately and ask him to rescind his order.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother.”
Her voice remained cold and detached.
Fang Cheng Lang nodded and turned to leave. After a few steps, he suddenly paused.
Something about Yu Zhao’s behavior struck him as unusual.
After the public incident where she injured Junior Sister Ye, Yu Zhao had initially denied responsibility, pleading with him to investigate the truth.
Her sincerity had compelled him to act on her behalf, only to discover overwhelming evidence against her. Devastated, he had visited her in the Black Prison to encourage her to admit her fault.
He could still recall her despairing expression, filled with disbelief.
Yet now, after only three days, her attitude had completely shifted.
Was this genuine remorse or…
Fang Cheng Lang glanced back instinctively.
Yu Zhao sat silently, her head lowered. Her frail figure seemed to merge with the darkness, her expression unreadable.
The unfamiliar sight filled Fang Cheng Lang with unease. He opened his mouth to say something but ultimately left without a word, his departing figure tinged with confusion.
*Nom nom* Delicious.