After Faking Her Death and Escaping, the Junior Sister Fell to the Demonic Path - Chapter 62

Bai Qiyue was furious, pointing and unleashing a torrent of abuse at Qin Qingyi and the others.

Once the halos dissipated, revealing her considerably matured and beautiful face, the crowd finally belatedly recalled the identity of the person before them.

Someone from Medicine King Valley, and someone who had previously stayed at the Sword Sect.

That left no one but Bai Qiyue.

“It’s you.” Hu Yu looked at her and nodded indifferently. “The one who used to stir up trouble. What are you doing at the Sword Sect now?”

Had he not spoken, it might have been better, but with his words, Bai Qiyue, who had yet to find an outlet for her frustration, immediately turned her barrage onto him: “This young lady is here on behalf of Medicine King Valley. The Sword Sect invited me; do you think I’m very free?”

Hu Yu didn’t indulge her either, and they began arguing back and forth.

The scene quickly became chaotic.

Qin Qingyi didn’t get involved; she just looked at Bai Qiyue, subtly raising an eyebrow.

Bai Qiyue’s arrival meant that everyone from Medicine King Valley had arrived.

Sure enough, as Qin Qingyi’s gaze swept behind, she saw a group of dazzling light clusters with the same type of halo as Bai Qiyue rushing towards them from a distance.

Rushing with them were the Sword Sect’s Sect Master and elders.

Before long, they arrived, a large crowd gathered before Qin Qingyi and the others.

“Qingyi, are any of you injured?”

Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person (Wen Qing Zhenren) was the first to arrive, rushing anxiously to the disciples of Hidden Snow Peak, scrutinizing them to see if any of her disciples were hurt in this hasty battle.

When the Demon Race first launched their sneak attack, she was in the main assembly hall, discussing countermeasures with Shangguan Yu and the other elders. When she noticed the Demons’ arrival, she wanted to rush back to Hidden Snow Peak to find her disciples immediately, but Shangguan Yu stopped her before she could leave.

“I know you worry about your disciples, but they now have the ability to protect themselves. If you go looking for them now, and the other elders follow suit, each only protecting their own disciples, then who will stop these Demon Generals?”

“Are we to allow them to enter the Sword Sect and wantonly massacre the disciples? Who will bear the consequences then?”

Therefore, Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person gritted her teeth and stayed, rushing with the others to the mountain protection array to engage the Demon Generals that had come to launch the surprise attack.

At this moment, seeing that Qin Qingyi, Xie Su, and the others showed no obvious injuries, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Zhou Zhixue’s pale face made her frown: “What happened to her?”

She bent slightly and asked.

Zhou Zhixue was currently leaning in Qin Qingyi’s arms, looking lethargic, a clear sign that something was wrong.

The heart of Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person, which had just relaxed, tightened again. Could it be that her most powerful junior disciple was injured?

“Junior Sister overused her spiritual power and is exhausted from saving me and treating the injured senior and junior disciples earlier.”

Qin Qingyi gently explained to Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person.

She also explained that the wounds of the injured currently lying on the ground were surrounded by demonic energy, and the method to dispel it.

Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person first felt relieved—it was good that she wasn’t injured; spiritual power exhaustion could be recovered with rest. But then—

Hearing that the method to dispel the demonic energy was so complicated, Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person furrowed her brows. “Is it really that troublesome?”

Bai Qiyue, who was eavesdropping nearby, heard the True Person’s concern and immediately jumped out eagerly: “That’s easy. We have plenty of Water and Wood spiritual roots in Medicine King Valley. I assume we have enough people. True Person, you don’t need to worry. I will instruct them immediately. I guarantee all injured disciples will be treated within an hour.”

Her eyes, looking at Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person, were bright, full of admiration and respect.

Qin Qingyi saw it clearly and couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

Ten years had passed, and she was still like this.

No different from the little girl who, in the past, was single-mindedly determined to become Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person’s disciple, traveled thousands of miles to the Sword Sect for it, and endured many hardships practicing the sword.

Her overly enthusiastic gaze made Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person pause slightly, leaning back and scrutinizing Bai Qiyue for a moment before putting on an official smile.

“Is that so? In that case, we truly trouble Medicine King Valley.” Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person said courteously, and seeing Bai Qiyue waiting for a response, she added:

“And thank you for your hard work, Qiyue.”

Her thanks were sincere. The girl’s initial antics were only due to her young age and lack of sense. She had paid the price she deserved then, returned to Medicine King Valley afterward, and took over her mother’s mantle.

Over the years, the Medicine King Valley Saintess has become famous. Her talent in medicine is far greater than in the way of the sword. In just over a decade, she has achieved considerable success, reaching a height others could only look up to.

Presumably, she has let go of her initial obsession and is no longer fixated on a path that wasn’t suited to her.

Bai Qiyue, having received a thank you, immediately cheered up. She didn’t care much about the strange looks from the people around her, happily acknowledged the compliment, and skipped off towards the Medicine King Valley group, hands on her hips, directing the Medicine King Valley disciples to start treating the wounded.

After Shangguan Yu questioned Feng Ning and understood the situation, she hadn’t even had time to ask Medicine King Valley for help when she saw the Saintess of Medicine King Valley and the disciples who came with her to the Sword Sect had already thrown themselves into the work of saving people.

And their enthusiasm was very high.

Shangguan Yu was slightly stunned, then, realizing something, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

Bai Lan walked over with a sullen face, looking at Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person with irritation: “I don’t know what’s so great about you, captivating my troublesome daughter so much. After all these years, I thought she had already forgotten you. I didn’t expect a single glance to make her completely sell herself out.”

She was full of resentment, looking with disappointment at Bai Qiyue, who was busy tending to the Sword Sect’s injured disciples in the distance.

Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person shrugged. She had no idea she possessed such great charm to make a child remember her for one or two decades.

But what was most important now wasn’t that. Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person sobered her expression and discussed with Shangguan Yu: “Senior Sister, now that the people from Medicine King Valley have arrived, the people from the other sects will probably arrive in the next day or two. Let’s arrange their accommodations first.”

Shangguan Yu nodded, granting her suggestion, and then summoned Feng Ning: “Didn’t I tell you a few days ago to prepare lodgings for the major sects coming to discuss important matters? Is it all arranged properly?”

Feng Ning nodded, replying: “Reporting to Master, everything is arranged properly.”

“That’s good.” Shangguan Yu looked at her sole disciple with appreciation, praising her ability to handle affairs. “Then wait a few hours. Once our guests from Medicine King Valley have finished treating our sect’s disciples, take them to their accommodation to rest.”

Feng Ning responded smoothly, “Yes,” and then turned to join the effort to treat the injured.

Shangguan Yu watched her leave, then turned back to Bai Lan, who was still clearly resentful: “Alright, don’t be angry.”

She comforted Bai Lan: “In any case, Qiyue is willing to inherit your mantle and preside over Medicine King Valley in the future. Are you still worried that she will run off to the Sword Sect?”

Bai Lan snorted: “That’s hard to say. That dead child is too clever; I can’t keep an eye on her.”

Saying that, she glared at Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person again, wishing she could use her eyes as knives to cut off a piece of the True Person’s flesh.

Is she really clever? Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person muttered internally, standing to the side. Feeling Bai Lan’s hostility, she quietly edged closer to Shangguan Yu, her body language clearly conveying:

Senior Sister, save me.

“The most pressing matter right now is to attack the Demon Race,” Shangguan Yu sighed softly. Seeing Bai Lan still prejudiced against Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person, she advised: “Since you’ve come, you must be on the same front as us. Come and rest for a bit before we discuss further.”

At the mention of this, the expression on Bai Lan’s face softened. She recalled the situation on the day she opened the invitation.

Several days ago, Shangguan Yu, in the name of the Sword Sect, had sent invitations to the major sects of the Xuan Tian Realm, asking them to come to the Sword Sect for a meeting.

As for the content of the invitation, Shangguan Yu wrote nothing; it was a blank invitation.

But a small piece of footage was included in the invitation—

A Demon had confidently declared that the Demon God would descend again within a few years, and by then, the Demon Race would flatten the entire Xuan Tian Realm.

That was what Qin Qingyi had risked recording at the Black Water Cliff Demon Den.

If it were just one Demon exaggerating, it would be fine.

But two days later, Bai Lan heard rumors circulating from various parts of the Xuan Tian Realm.

These rumors, which had sprung up from unknown sources, claimed that the Demon Emperor had not truly died back then, but had reincarnated and was now lurking in the dark, watching the Xuan Tian Realm with covetous eyes, waiting for the moment his power was strong enough for the Xuan Tian Realm to face utter catastrophe.

She had come to the Sword Sect precisely because she wanted to consider the truth of this matter.

————————

Several days later, the foremost major immortal sects of the Xuan Tian Realm had all gathered at the Sword Sect.

Medicine King Valley, Kunwu Sect, Tianyan Sect, Ten Thousand Buddha Hall… all who could come had come.

Aside from a portion of elders left behind to guard the sects, the Sect Leaders of each sect, along with their elite disciples, all came to the Sword Sect.

Fortunately, the Sword Sect was large enough to accommodate so many guests. The sect competition of previous years was often chosen to be held at the Sword Sect, so in terms of hosting guests, the Sword Sect had always excelled.

For several days straight, the Sect Leaders and elders, along with Shangguan Yu and Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person, gathered in the main assembly hall. The sounds of arguing and discussion emanating from inside would hardly cease until the moon was high in the sky.

“What exactly are my mother and the others talking about? Why does it take so long every day?” Bai Qiyue wrapped her arms around herself, leaning against a tree trunk, her brows furrowed into a knot, looking at the tightly shut door, dissatisfiedly puffing air out of her nose.

She had waited for three days. Her mother kept saying she was busy. She had clearly promised to introduce her to Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person, so how could she go back on her word?

Feng Ning was guarding the door of the main assembly hall. Seeing her coming every day, always full of resentment, she couldn’t help but advise: “You should give up on that idea. Now is a crucial time for discussing the subjugation of the Demon Race. Even Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person, whom you are looking for, is extremely busy, and probably has no time to see you.”

Saying this, Feng Ning couldn’t help but smile: “Did your mother, the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley, not tell you when you came to the Sword Sect that this is for discussing the major matter of attacking the Demon Race, not for a leisurely trip?”

Bai Qiyue understood everything upon hearing this. Her mother had been fooling her from the start!

She immediately turned away in anger, summoned her magical artifact, and headed to the martial arts arena.

Currently, the disciples of the various sects were sparring at the martial arts arena. She was the only one single-mindedly wanting to see Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person, so she hadn’t gone to the arena every day to practice.

Feng Ning saw her leave without a greeting but didn’t look angry. She only glanced worriedly at the assembly hall behind her.

She wondered when her Master and the others would be able to come up with a conclusion.

“Why the long face?”

Feng Ning looked up when she heard the voice and saw Feng Ying standing before her.

“Why are you here?” Feng Ning asked in surprise.

“To bring you food.”

Saying this, Feng Ying tossed her a food package, gesturing for her to eat quickly: “Guarding this place all day, unable to go anywhere, is your good Sect Master Master trying to work you to death?”

Her words were quite sharp. Feng Ning unwrapped the food package and took a bite. Hearing this, she looked up and retorted: “Don’t say that. Master only has me as a disciple. She probably wouldn’t feel at ease with anyone else guarding. Besides, I’ve already reached the stage of bigu (abstaining from grains), so eating or not doesn’t matter.”

Feng Ying disagreed with this statement. She thought of the others: “Are Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person and your Master not close enough? Why don’t Qin Qingyi and the others need to guard?”

Feng Ning just smiled and didn’t argue, only continuing to praise how delicious Feng Ying’s food package was.

————————

At the martial arts arena, a thrilling four-person duel was underway.

Two warrior monks from the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall were battling two Daoist cultivators from the Kunwu Sect.

Golden light from Buddhist spells and blue light from Daoist techniques flashed and glittered on the stage, the battle was intense and exhilarating.

Those who came to the Sword Sect this time were the most outstanding elite disciples from each sect, most of them being top talents on the Heaven-Piercing Stone Stele rankings. Young heroes, many were unruly and full of self-pride.

Of course, they would often look down on disciples from other sects. After all, there were many sects that were secretly at odds with each other. Naturally, there was no need to say much about the disciples of those opposing sides. While they might not have personal grievances, their sects’ positions were there, making them naturally look at each other with dislike.

But since they were guests at the Sword Sect, they couldn’t act recklessly. So they reached a tacit agreement to come to the martial arts arena, essentially engaging in mutual combat under the guise of sparring.

The rules of the martial arts arena were in place, so they wouldn’t seriously injure each other. If they won, it would also bring honor to their sect.

The fight on stage was exciting, and the audience below was equally thrilled, with constant cheers, and some had even started betting on which side would win.

“Achoo!”

Just as she was watching intently, Qin Qingyi suddenly sneezed. She rubbed her sore nose, her head feeling a bit foggy.

“Senior Sister, did you catch a cold?” Zhou Zhixue next to her cast a worried look.

Qin Qingyi shook her head, indicating she was fine.

It’s just… logically speaking, as a cultivator, one shouldn’t sneeze.

Qin Qingyi pondered, quickly performing a small divination for herself.

But after performing a few hand seals, she couldn’t figure anything out.

“Could it be that someone is cursing me behind my back?”

Qin Qingyi was completely bewildered.

Zhou Zhixue noticed her small movements, and her lips curled slightly. The aura of ‘no one should approach’ surrounding her melted away with this hint of a smile, making her appear less unapproachable than usual.

Qin Qingyi noticed her smiling and couldn’t help but smile too.

“Junior Sister should smile more.”

She said softly.

Zhou Zhixue heard her, turned her head slightly to look at Qin Qingyi, her pupils clear as glazed glass and mysterious as a celestial lake.

“Then Junior Sister, I will smile more for Senior Sister to see from now on.”

The young girl’s affection was unconcealed. Qin Qingyi looked into her eyes, feeling like the moon had fallen into the lake, shattering a pool of spring water.

She abruptly turned her head away, not daring to look anymore, pretending to watch the competition seriously.

But her wildly thumping heart and already erratic breathing made the Carefree Immortal Venerable restless.

“Your heart is troubled.”

Qin Qingyi remained silent, only clenching her back teeth.

“She is my Junior Sister after all. I cannot cross the line.”

She was met with only a sigh.

The martial arts arena was a scene of jubilation, but in the main assembly hall, the noisy discussions finally ceased.

The procedures that couldn’t be finalized for several days, the results that couldn’t be discussed.

Today, they would finally come to an end.

Realms-of-Scented-Snow True Person couldn’t hide her excitement. She looked at Shangguan Yu, urging: “Senior Sister, announce it.”

Many of the people present knew that it was a critically important moment. The decision made next could affect the fortune of the immortal sects for a hundred, even a thousand years.

Thus, they all softened their breathing, the only sound in the room being their own frantic heartbeats. Their hearts grew increasingly tense.

Shangguan Yu, as the Sect Master of the Sword Sect, stood at the head, her hands resting on the stone table, her eyes deep and suppressing many emotions.

She scanned the people sent by the various sects for the discussion. At this moment, these people were also looking at her.

Shangguan Yu heard herself say:

“Begin the war.”

“It will be a fight to the death with the Demon Race!”