Chapter 6: Severing Soul, Refining Bone—A New Beginning
“Luo Ming Yue!” Sheng Yuan’s cry rang out like the clash of swords. His eyes burned like hot coals as he glared at her. “What are you doing? Who gave you the right to meddle in the affairs of Spirit Void Peak?”
“Affairs of Spirit Void Peak?” Luo Ming Yue raised an eyebrow with a sneer. “Clearly, you are bullying my Junior Sister!”
Sheng Yuan let out a bitter laugh. “Your Junior Sister? And who might that be?”
“Of course, it is…” Luo Ming Yue turned. In that moment, she saw her clearly.
Her face was pale as fresh snow, her features delicate and coldly beautiful.
Luo Ming Yue froze. Unwittingly, a familiar name slipped from her lips, “[Li Shuang?]”
She had rushed here, feeling danger in the air and ready to defend someone in need. Now, she realized with a start whom she had come to protect.
Li Shuang—the legendary prodigy of Spirit Void Peak!
Her name had once echoed like a mighty gong throughout the sect. When she first arrived, her supreme Ice Spiritual Root sparked fierce duels among the Peak Masters. Even the Sect Master had considered taking her as a disciple.
Then, True Immortal Ling Xu declared, “From today forth, you shall be my Chief Disciple. Guard Spirit Void Peak well.”
Moved by Ling Xu’s trust, Li Shuang stayed with Spirit Void Peak without a second thought.
Her cultivation soared like an arrow in flight, and soon she became unmatched among the young disciples. True Immortal Ling Xu often spoke with pride of her talent.
But that was ten years ago.
Then came Ye Zhao Zhao.
Whispers floated like falling autumn leaves in the corridors, saying that Ye Zhao Zhao was favored by Heaven—a child who surpassed even Li Shuang’s great strides. Rumors spread that Li Shuang’s heart had darkened with envy and that she had lost the kindness expected of an Eldest Senior Sister. Gradually, her once-bright name faded.
Once known as one of the sect’s Twin Blossoms, Li Shuang had always been the elusive shadow that Luo Ming Yue chased, never quite within reach.
Now, a decade later, Luo Ming Yue had reached the Divine Spirit Transformation Stage, while Li Shuang remained at the Nascent Soul Stage.
Luo Ming Yue could hardly believe that the person her Master sent her to find was Li Shuang!
Shock surged through her heart. “Li Shuang, your cultivation—!” she cried.
“What is wrong with her cultivation?” Sheng Yuan snapped. “Senior Sister Luo, step aside!”
Luo Ming Yue ignored him. Her sharp eyes fixed on the scars across Li Shuang’s chest. Danger flashed in her gaze. “You have severed your own cultivation. Now you stand at a crossroads, forced to rebuild your inner strength from nothing. Who did this? Who dared harm you?”
Sheng Yuan’s face fell.
“Severed her cultivation?” he murmured, his voice trembling like a weak breeze. Dread crept into his heart. “What do you mean? Who severed her cultivation?”
Luo Ming Yue’s tone turned as cold as winter frost. “Li Shuang has chosen the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art. Her former cultivation is gone! Now she is only at the Energy Refining Stage. These wounds—they are clearly the work of a disciple from the Sword Sect. Speak! Who would dare attack a fellow disciple?”
A deadly intent filled her words, and the air grew sharp with an icy menace.
Sheng Yuan’s heart pounded with terror.
Had she truly forsaken the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art? Had she lost all her cultivation?
[Impossible!]
He stretched out his spiritual senses toward Li Shuang and staggered back, shocked by what he discovered.
“Eldest Senior Sister, where is your Nascent Soul—your cultivation?!” His voice trembled with alarm.
Luo Ming Yue’s eyes darkened with suspicion. “Could it be you who wounded Li Shuang?”
Sheng Yuan froze, staring helplessly at Li Shuang, his mind awhirl with confusion. “Eldest Senior Sister, what is happening?!”
Li Shuang’s expression remained calm and deep, like a still lake under the moon.
“Severing soul, refining bone—it is a fresh start,” she said softly.
A fresh start…?
Sheng Yuan’s lips trembled.
[How has everything fallen apart?]
Had not our Eldest Senior Sister once soared like an eagle over snowy peaks?
Now, her words spoke of severed souls and shattered bones.
[Who broke her spirit? Who shattered her resolve?]
Sheng Yuan gripped his Sinking Water Sword tightly. He had trained under Li Shuang and knew well the hardships she endured to master her martial arts.
Each dawn, he had watched her practice with unyielding focus.
Each night, her sword sang in the silent night.
Even in those ten long years, when progress was as elusive as a drifting cloud, she had never wavered.
Only relentless training and unwavering determination had forged her great strength.
Yet now, her words made it seem as if she could set aside all her power with a mere thought.
Panic spread through Sheng Yuan like ink dissolving in water.
Ye Zhao Zhao was also shocked by Li Shuang’s sudden change. A faint smile played on her lips, though worry shone in her eyes.
“Eldest Senior Sister, why are you so reckless? None of us blame you. Even Master has not yet passed judgment. Yet you punish yourself harshly.”
Her words jolted Sheng Yuan. His eyes burned like blood-red lanterns as he stared fixedly at Li Shuang.
“Eldest Senior Sister, if you have erred, you must face the consequences! You cannot act so rashly! Today, you must return with me to see Master.”
Li Shuang had just dispersed her cultivation. Perhaps it was not too late to restore it?
He reached out to grasp her hand.
Luo Ming Yue swiftly swatted his hand aside, her voice dripping with disdain. “Li Shuang has shown too much mercy to you ungrateful juniors. How can someone raised by her speak so rudely?”
Sheng Yuan ignored her words. His eyes were fixed only on Li Shuang. “Eldest Senior Sister, you must return with me to Spirit Void Peak!”
His voice held firm determination.
Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes darkened as she watched. Though she had planned carefully, it was clear that affection for Li Shuang still lingered among the disciples of Spirit Void Peak.
But that mattered little.
Time was on her side.
Luo Ming Yue turned softly to Li Shuang. “Li Shuang, will you return with them?”
If Master truly favored Li Shuang at Spirit Void Peak, then the situation would quickly tangle. Luo Ming Yue felt uncertain about her next move.
Li Shuang shook her head gently. “Master no longer regards me as his disciple. Spirit Void Peak is no longer my home. I have come here for one reason only—to speak directly with the Sect Master.”
“Master no longer recognizes you?” blurted Luo Ming Yue, barely hiding her joy.
Li Shuang looked at her in puzzled silence.
Quickly, Luo Ming Yue cleared her throat, trying to hide her excitement. “Ah, nothing! I meant—I will go with you to see the Sect Master!”
She stepped in front of Li Shuang, her eyes blazing as she glared at Sheng Yuan and Ye Zhao Zhao. “Li Shuang does not wish to return. You have no right to force her!”
Sheng Yuan’s face darkened like gathering storm clouds.
“Let us go,” Luo Ming Yue whispered. Without another word, she took Li Shuang’s hand and led her away.
As the two figures faded into the distance, Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes gleamed with secret plans. “Second Senior Brother, we must quickly inform Master of Eldest Senior Sister’s return.”
Awakened from his shock, Sheng Yuan nodded hurriedly. “Yes! Once Master speaks, Eldest Senior Sister will not dare defy his command!”
In his haste, he nearly forgot why he had come to the Scripture Pavilion.
A dangerous light flashed in Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes.
Everyone knew that True Immortal Ling Xu was the one Li Shuang cherished above all.
Ye Zhao Zhao knew this better than anyone.
A wound inflicted by True Immortal Ling Xu cut Li Shuang deeper than any other.
If Sheng Yuan failed her, then it was time for True Immortal Ling Xu himself to make his move.
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