Chapter 1: No One Would Believe Her
Atop the Snow Mountain
Li Shuang staggered forward as if weighed down by iron. Each breath she took cut through the frigid air like a honed blade. Crimson blood marked the pristine snow like scattered red plum blossoms.
She had been trapped in this frozen realm for three long, bitter days.
Three Days Earlier
Her master had fallen into a dangerous imbalance—a cultivation deviation that left his spirit adrift. Only the legendary Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus could restore him. Rumor whispered that the rare lotus bloomed only at the mountain’s peak. Without a second thought, Li Shuang and her fellow disciples set out on the perilous climb.
But the mountain was as ruthless as an unyielding enemy. Ferocious winds roared like wild beasts, ready to sweep them off narrow paths. In the blinding snow, monstrous creatures lurked like famished wolves.
The youngest disciple grew careless and soon found herself surrounded by these savage Snow Monsters. With her heart pounding like the steady beat of a war drum, Li Shuang risked everything to seize the precious lotus. Pressing it into her junior sister’s trembling hands, she commanded, “[Run, and do not look back,]” urging her to rejoin the others and descend the deadly heights.
Then, with her blade gleaming under the snowy sky, Li Shuang turned to face the horde alone.
Time lost its meaning in the clash of steel. Her sword danced like a flash of lightning, cutting down foe after foe until the last creature lay defeated. Yet even in victory, fate was merciless. Another wave of creatures, drawn by the rare fragrance of the Snow Lotus, charged toward her retreating juniors.
The Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus must not be lost. Her juniors were weary and wounded, and as the Eldest Senior Sister, her duty was clear.
Clenching her teeth in determination, Li Shuang stepped back into the storm of clashing swords and snapping fangs.
Her blade whirled tirelessly in the bitter wind, felling countless foes. She lost count of the enemies vanquished and the wounds she sustained. When the battle finally ended, exhaustion claimed her. The relentless winds carried her away, trapping her in an endless sea of ice and snow.
For three days, the light within her dantian flickered weakly—fragile as the edge of a sharpened sword. She knew that she could hold on no longer.
Summoning every last bit of strength, Li Shuang bit her lip and swallowed her pride. Activating a Transmission Spirit Talisman, her heart whispered that by now her juniors should have returned safely with the lotus, and her master would be healed. If no one sought her out, perhaps they had no idea where she lay trapped.
Pouring her final energy into the talisman, she spoke urgently, “Master, I—”
Before she could finish, a cold voice, as harsh as frozen steel, cut through the howling blizzard.
“Rebellious disciple! How dare you reach out after your disgraceful deeds? Zhao Zhao risked her life to secure the Snow Lotus, battling monsters at the brink of death. Yet you stood by, watching her be overwhelmed and then fled like a coward! Li Shuang, after raising you for years, how could I have known you would commit such treachery?”
Li Shuang froze in shock.
[What is Master saying?]
None of it made sense.
When had she ever forsaken Ye Zhao Zhao?
She opened her mouth to explain, but the merciless wind stole her words.
“Master, please don’t blame Senior Sister,” came a gentle yet sharp voice. “Perhaps she simply did not see me.”
Li Shuang’s heart ached with a quiet despair.
[Ye Zhao Zhao—what does she mean?]
Though their bond had never been very deep, Li Shuang had never meant to abandon her junior sister.
Second Junior Brother Sheng Yuan sighed, “Zhao Zhao, you are too trusting. Our Eldest Senior Sister once led us with honor. But now, as your cultivation soars higher than hers, envy must have taken root in her heart. When you were surrounded by Snow Monsters, she likely saw a chance to rid herself of you. She never expected you to return safely with the lotus.”
“This cannot be,” Ye Zhao Zhao replied, her voice confused. “Even if Senior Sister bore ill feelings, she knew the Snow Lotus was vital for Master. Could she truly ignore Master’s need over a personal grudge?”
“I never imagined our Eldest Senior Sister could stoop so low,” Third Junior Brother Shen Yue said sharply. “When Little Junior Sister found us—wounded yet still clutching the untouched lotus—she showed true devotion. But our Eldest Senior Sister—her selfishness and betrayal are beyond belief.”
Fourth Junior Brother sneered, his words cutting like a sharpened blade, “If Zhao Zhao had not slain those Snow Monsters and struck fear into their hearts, escaping would have been impossible! Compared to her courage, our Eldest Senior Sister’s actions are nothing but disgrace.”
Accusations flew like arrows, each one striking deeper than the last.
Li Shuang’s heart cried out silently—no, this could not be true! [None of this is real!]
Ever since Ye Zhao Zhao joined the sect, Li Shuang’s cultivation had mysteriously stalled, her path blocked. Yet she had trained harder and never once blamed her junior sister.
Their conflict had roots in another time. Ye Zhao Zhao was the last to join Spirit Void Peak. With sweet words and radiant smiles, she charmed everyone—even Li Shuang had once cherished her.
Then came that fateful day…
Ye Zhao Zhao approached Li Shuang, claiming she struggled with her cultivation and pleading for guidance. Trusting her, Li Shuang reached out to help. But the moment their hands touched, Ye Zhao Zhao cried out in terror, begging, “Senior Sister, spare me!”
As if fate had set the stage, Master arrived at that very moment. He saw only what appeared to be Li Shuang tormenting her junior sister.
Faced with Ye Zhao Zhao’s tears, Li Shuang was left speechless, unable to defend her own heart.
From that day on, the same sorrowful pattern repeated.
Words failed Li Shuang, and suspicion grew in the hearts of her Master and Junior Brothers. They believed jealousy had driven her to harm Ye Zhao Zhao.
Yet, no matter how cold their feelings became, Li Shuang had never truly wished to hurt her sister.
Had all their shared years meant nothing?
Did Master and her brothers so easily trust the sweet lies of Ye Zhao Zhao?
Desperation welled up in Li Shuang as she tried again, “It isn’t as you think, I—”
“Enough!” boomed the voice of True Immortal Ling Xu, cold and final as the depths of winter. “Li Shuang, I once believed in your promise and talent, but you have disappointed me deeply. Since Zhao Zhao joined us, envy has clouded your mind. You plotted against her again and again. Yet, despite your schemes, her talent shines brighter than yours! And now, you even abandon her in danger? Today, I, True Immortal Ling Xu, cast you out of my sect!”
With one swift motion, the True Immortal shattered the bond of the Transmission Spirit Talisman.
The world around Li Shuang fell silent.
She stared blankly at the lifeless talisman, its glow now extinguished like fading embers.
Her spiritual energy was spent, leaving her unable to summon even the simplest talisman.
A bitter thought crept into her heart—
[If I reveal the truth now, will Master and the others ever believe me?]
A bitter smile curled upon her lips.
No, they would not. They had never believed her before.
No matter what Ye Zhao Zhao claimed, everyone trusted her completely.
No matter how Li Shuang pleaded for her innocence, all they saw was suspicion.
She had long been cast aside.
With great effort, Li Shuang turned her gaze toward the silent Dragon’s Roar Sword. It had been her sole loyal companion since her days of training in the Golden Core Stage.
As a devoted disciple of the Sword Sect, she had nurtured the Sword Spirit within it.
She whispered softly, “Long Yan, take Dragon’s Roar Sword and go seek help for me.”
The Sword Spirit emerged slowly—a faint, shimmering figure in the icy air.
Li Shuang hesitated, repeating gently, “Long Yan, you—”
Before her words could finish, the Dragon’s Roar Sword shuddered violently. It leapt forward like a streak of lightning and pierced directly into her dantian!
Li Shuang stared blankly at the blade embedded deep within her. Her mind faded into darkness, as if swallowed by the endless winter night.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation