Chapter 25: Five Years Ago… It Was Not Me…
Chang Le An’s origins were clouded in shadow.
His parents walked the dark path of the Fiend Dao, hunted down by righteous swords until none remained. Alone beneath endless skies, Chang Le An wandered through harsh trials, finally reaching the gates of the Sword Sect, seeking a master’s guidance. He held promise, possessing an Earth Spiritual Root of singular purity.
Yet whispers followed him, shadows cast by his bloodline. How could the Sword Sect embrace the child of Fiend Dao traitors? Debates shook the sect halls, fierce as sword duels, until the elders finally agreed. Chang Le An had virtue in his heart and talent enough—they would grant him a chance, steering him toward the righteous path.
Still, none among the five Peak Masters would willingly accept him, fearing misfortune. Thus, the Sect Leader himself placed Chang Le An upon Spirit Void Peak.
At first, Chang Le An was a disciple in name only, no True Immortal’s chosen apprentice. Due to his dark past, others looked down upon him, whispering cruel names—Fiend Dao Scoundrel, Bringer of Misfortune, Heavenly Fiend Lone Star.
Li Shuang understood his sorrow, for she too was an orphan, knowing the taste of solitude. Whenever she saw others bullying him, she stepped in, yet little changed.
Thus, Li Shuang devised a subtle plan.
She quietly left treasures on the paths Chang Le An often walked, guiding fate itself into his hands.
As days turned to months, the whispers transformed. Gone were the curses of misfortune; instead, disciples spoke of Chang Le An as one blessed by the heavens, a bearer of miraculous luck.
Even Chang Le An himself began to believe.
Once his heart cast aside darkness, his talent shone brightly. Soon True Immortal Ling Xu noticed him, accepting him formally as a True Disciple.
Yet Li Shuang continued her hidden support.
In secret realms, she placed rare herbs before his footsteps.
On perilous missions, if Chang Le An chose a path, Li Shuang swiftly cleared it of lurking Demonic Beasts.
Thus, Chang Le An became renowned throughout the Sword Sect, praised as a child of great fortune.
Li Shuang lowered her gaze in quiet contemplation.
The image she had painstakingly woven, he now flaunted as his own prideful banner.
She glanced briefly at Chang Le An, filled with excitement, yet chose to ignore him completely. Stepping forward, she spoke to Enforcement Hall Master Pang:
“Hall Master Pang, Eldest Senior Sister and Second Senior Brother acted within limits today. Third Senior Sister did not even summon spiritual energy—she merely pushed Ye Zhao Zhao aside. Junior Brother Shen Yue is already a Golden Core cultivator; he should not be so frail. Spirit Void Peak claims Shen Yue remains unconscious, yet perhaps there is another reason. Instead of endless debate, why not examine Shen Yue’s true condition first?”
Her calm words startled all present.
True Immortal Ling Xu frowned, casting a glance toward Sheng Yuan.
Sheng Yuan quickly replied, “Little Junior Sister has been tirelessly caring for Junior Brother Shen Yue. Nothing could have gone wrong.”
Li Shuang responded evenly, “If that is true, then why did you claim Shen Yue was gravely injured? Do you truly worry about him, or is there another motive?”
She genuinely wondered.
If Shen Yue were seriously wounded, why waste time arguing rather than rushing to his aid? But if Shen Yue was unharmed, why cause such turmoil? Either way, blame would inevitably fall on both sides.
Sheng Yuan flushed with embarrassment under her questioning, stammering, “Junior Brother Shen Yue is indeed injured, but I trust Little Junior Sister’s care.”
Li Shuang nodded. “Then let us all personally verify Shen Yue’s condition first.”
Finally, progress emerged from confusion.
Pang Zhi Xue nodded approvingly, “Indeed, let us proceed as Li Shuang suggests.”
Chang Le An glared fiercely at Li Shuang. “See! It was your actions that harmed Second Senior Brother, forcing Little Junior Sister to exhaust herself caring for him. Do you feel no shame?”
Li Shuang merely glanced at him briefly, silent, walking past without concern.
Chang Le An trembled, lips quivering with anger. [What arrogance!] Did she not understand? He was the Child of Fortune—his rise was unstoppable!
Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, he silently followed the group toward Spirit Void Peak.
Sheng Yuan took the lead, saying solemnly, “Just ahead lies Second Junior Brother’s chamber. Little Junior Sister has been tending to him diligently…”
As they approached the doorway, Sheng Yuan’s expression suddenly darkened.
Something felt wrong!
Why was a flickering firelight coming from Shen Yue’s chamber?
All the disciples of Spirit Void Peak had rushed to Enforcement Hall to see the earlier commotion. Had no one noticed the flames?
Wait—where was Little Junior Sister?
Little Junior Sister was supposed to be inside!
Could she have met with trouble?
Alarm surged within Sheng Yuan’s chest. Without thinking twice, he kicked open the door and rushed inside.
Within the chamber, only Shen Yue lay writhing in agony, flames wrapped around him like a fiery serpent.
But Ye Zhao Zhao was nowhere to be seen!
Calamity!
Had something terrible happened to Little Junior Sister?
“Master!” Sheng Yuan shouted urgently. “Second Junior Brother has fallen into qi deviation, and Little Junior Sister is missing!”
Chang Le An’s fiery gaze turned sharply toward Li Shuang. “Was it you again?! Did you harm Little Junior Sister?”
“Have you lost your minds?” Luo Ming Yue scoffed coldly. “Li Shuang and I just returned from the Market. How could we possibly harm your beloved Junior Sister?”
Just then, a clear voice broke the tension.
“What happened? Why is everyone gathered here?”
Ye Zhao Zhao approached, looking puzzled.
She, too, was confused. To escape notice from Spirit Treasure Pavilion, she had taken a winding route back. But upon her return, she found this scene of chaos awaiting her.
“Little Junior Sister?” Sheng Yuan stared in disbelief. “Weren’t you here taking care of Second Senior Brother?”
Ye Zhao Zhao’s heart jumped, and she hurriedly explained, “I—I stepped out briefly. When I left, Second Senior Brother was perfectly fine!”
Sheng Yuan sensed something amiss. But glancing at Shen Yue’s suffering form, he said gravely, “Second Junior Brother has fallen into qi deviation. We must suppress his internal flames immediately!”
“His spiritual root aligns with fire. Only ice-attribute qi can suppress this inferno.” True Immortal Ling Xu’s sharp gaze landed on Li Shuang. “Li Shuang, come forward and quell these flames.”
Li Shuang remained calm. “I am merely at the Energy Refining Stage now. My strength alone cannot subdue such flames.”
True Immortal Ling Xu’s face stiffened slightly. He had forgotten that Li Shuang’s cultivation was destroyed.
Li Shuang smiled softly. “Five years ago, when Junior Brother Shen last suffered qi deviation, wasn’t it Little Junior Sister who cared for him so skillfully? With her here, why worry?”
Her tone was serene, without any bitterness.
Five years prior, she had first discovered Shen Yue’s qi deviation. She spent an entire night suppressing his flames with her ice-attribute energy, suffering burns herself. Only after stabilizing his condition did she quietly retreat to heal, not wishing Shen Yue to feel indebted.
Yet upon returning, she faced accusations instead. Everyone claimed she had abandoned Shen Yue. Ye Zhao Zhao, who stayed afterward, was praised and credited for Shen Yue’s recovery.
No one listened when she explained. They mocked her, accusing her of seeking undeserved glory.
Now, with her powers gone, she could not help even if she wished.
Let them see clearly whether Ye Zhao Zhao’s famed care truly held such power.
At Li Shuang’s words, all eyes fell upon Ye Zhao Zhao.
“Zhao Zhao,” Sheng Yuan urgently pleaded, “this time, you must aid Second Junior Brother again.”
Ye Zhao Zhao trembled nervously. “I…”
She had no idea how to handle qi deviation!
Under the expectant gazes, she stepped forward unwillingly.
Yet as soon as she touched Shen Yue’s fiery aura, she screamed in pain and withdrew her hand sharply.
“Little Junior Sister?” Sheng Yuan called anxiously. “Did you not care for him the same way before? Do exactly as you did then! Second Senior Brother cannot hold on much longer!”
Ye Zhao Zhao stared fearfully at the flames surrounding Shen Yue. Trembling, she reached forward again, but her hand recoiled before even touching the fire.
“Zhao Zhao?” True Immortal Ling Xu’s eyes narrowed in confusion.
Ye Zhao Zhao struggled internally before whispering in defeat, “I…I never dealt with flames before. Five years ago, when I found Senior Brother Shen, he was unconscious but not burning.”
Shock rippled through everyone present.
Sheng Yuan felt as though lightning struck his chest. Turning abruptly, his eyes fixed on Li Shuang!
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation