After My Death, the Female Lead Breaks the Heartless Path - Chapter 58

Ai Yanran waited a while longer at the gathering spot before the others finally arrived.

She knew this was the Celestial Venerable’s way of putting her in her place, forcing her to rein in her behavior. The people sent this time were all aligned with the Celestial Venerable their mission was not to assist her but to monitor her.

Ai Yanran sneered inwardly, though her face still wore a gentle smile. She then turned to the person standing beside her and said, “You don’t need to come. Our group alone is sufficient for this trip.”

Qu Tao was stunned. Was she deliberately excluding him? “What do you mean? Wasn’t it already agreed upon?”

Ai Yanran knew he was referring to the [Heavenly Decree] that required her to support him. Her already foul mood grew even darker, and she nearly lost her composure. Taking a deep breath, she barely managed to calm herself. “What agreement? This mission is of utmost importance. All irrelevant personnel are forbidden from joining. If you insist on going, you can take it up with the Celestial Venerable.”

“You!” Qu Tao pointed at Ai Yanran but couldn’t find the words to respond. He could feel the unfriendly gazes of those around him. If the Celestial Venerable would even bother with him, why would he be stuck by the side of such an incompetent goddess?

Ai Yanran reached out and pressed his hand down, then wiped her own hand slowly. “Time is of the essence. We’ll be leaving now.” With a wave of her hand, she led the “monitors” away, paying no further attention to Qu Tao.

The [Heavenly Decree] might have instructed her to support Qu Tao, but why should she? She wasn’t here to be a nanny. And Qu Tao? Was he even worthy?

As soon as they descended to the mortal realm, Ai Yanran waved her hand, and all the monitoring devices on the celestial soldiers were instantly destroyed. These soldiers, assigned by the Celestial Venerable, were all highly capable each one stronger than Ai Yanran.

Yet, with just a wave of her hand, their equipment was rendered useless. Uncertain of Ai Yanran’s true capabilities, the celestial soldiers chose not to act.

Ai Yanran adjusted her sleeve as if it were nothing and said, “I don’t care for traitors, nor do I appreciate being watched. Since you’ve chosen to come with me.” She paused, smiling sweetly. “Don’t even think about running. Swallow these, or die.”

The celestial soldiers widened their eyes in shock. The leader stepped forward and said sternly, “What is the meaning of this, Goddess?”

Ai Yanran toyed with her hair, looked up, and replied with a smile, “You’re free to refuse. I won’t stop you. You can leave right now if you wish.”

The celestial soldier hesitated, eyeing her suspiciously. He took a cautious step back and, seeing that Ai Yanran remained standing there with a smile, turned to leave without hesitation.

With someone taking the lead, others naturally thought to follow. But before anyone could move, the leader suddenly burst into flames.

The celestial soldier screamed in agony, reaching out and stumbling toward the others, pleading for help. Yet, horrified by his plight, they all backed away, unwilling to get close.

In the end, with one last piercing scream, the soldier turned to ashes and vanished.

“Oh? It seems there’s been a little mishap?” Ai Yanran smiled as she approached, holding out a handful of pills. “Now, what will it be?”

The celestial soldiers exchanged glances, then stepped forward one by one to take the pill and swallow it. Seeing this, Ai Yanran nodded in satisfaction. “Since you’ve taken the medicine, it’s best to obey me obediently. Do not betray me. I despise betrayal and disobedience.”

As for Qu Tao? She had already done all she could for him. If someone lacked ability, relying on others was useless.

When Ai Yanran set out, Qu Tao had indeed considered using the power of his senior to follow her, but the senior that is, the [Heavenly Law] directly stopped him.

“Senior, what do you mean by this?” Qu Tao stood stubbornly at the edge of Penglai Island, his eyes red with anger.

That woman had descended to the mortal world to seek opportunities, yet he was left behind? He was the Child of Destiny! How could he simply hand over such chances?

The [Heavenly Law] tried to persuade him patiently for a long time, but Qu Tao remained obstinate, standing there until even the [Heavenly Law] grew impatient and fell silent.

If only it had chosen someone slightly smarter back then.

With the senior no longer speaking, Qu Tao’s resentment grew even stronger. Yet, he didn’t dare to jump down just like that. In the end, he could only flick his sleeve in frustration and leave.

After staying in his small room for a while, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. But here, aside from the [Heavenly Law], no one cared about this disfigured and incompetent outsider. Everyone had only tolerated him out of respect for the Goddess; otherwise, he would have been thrown off the island long ago.

A few more days passed, and still, no one came to comfort him. Qu Tao grew increasingly hungry and began to feel a sense of dread. It was then that the [Heavenly Law] finally appeared.

“Get yourself together. We’ll take this opportunity to set out,” the [Heavenly Law] said coldly.

Qu Tao, dizzy from hunger, asked, “Huh? Where to?”

“To conquer,” the [Heavenly Law] replied. “To fully win over Chen Yulan and take her fortune.”

Given his current status, entering the Hehuan Sect was extremely difficult. Even when he was the leader of the resistance, it had been a challenge. Now, he could only rely on the [Heavenly Law] to get in.

After taking a pill to stave off his hunger and tidying himself up, Qu Tao knocked on the door.

Chen Yulan opened the door with curiosity, but the moment she saw Qu Tao, her good mood plummeted. Still, she maintained a polite demeanor. “So it’s Fellow Daoist Qu. What brings you here?”

To this day, she still didn’t know how this person had entered the Hehuan Sect or why he carried the aura of Penglai. Unsure of his intentions, she could only continue to tread carefully.

Come to think of it, this was only their second meeting.

Xu Jingqiu was still resting and couldn’t be disturbed. “Let’s move to the reception room, Fellow Daoist Qu.”

“Ah, yes, of course. Let’s go,” Qu Tao replied with a beaming smile.

As soon as they reached the reception room, before even sitting down, Qu Tao spoke up. “I’ve come to discuss matters of the future with you, Fellow Daoist.”

This again? What was the point of all this empty talk? Chen Yulan inwardly scoffed but continued to receive him courteously. “Please, have a seat, and we can discuss in detail. Ling’er, bring some tea.”

“Yes,” the maid Ling’er replied, turning to leave. She soon returned with tea, placing it on the table as Qu Tao launched into his grand speech.

Just like last time, this man had little substance to his words, repeatedly harping on the same themes of Penglai’s backward rule and inequality. If anyone here had ulterior motives and reported this to the outside world, Qu Tao would surely face dire consequences.

Where did he get the audacity to act so arrogantly?

As he continued, he brought up his own rebel force: “Fellow Daoist Chen must have heard of the rebels, right? That was my former faction.”

Chen Yulan set down her teacup and nodded with a faint smile. “Of course.” She had noticed the rebels when they first emerged, but they were insignificant and disorganized, so she hadn’t paid them any further attention.

Seeing Chen Yulan nod, Qu Tao’s confidence surged, and he felt more assured about his plan to win her over. “That was just a trial run. I have more plans ahead, I will overthrow Penglai’s outdated rule and create a new world where everyone is equal!”

Chen Yulan thought of Qu Tao’s so-called rebels and silently chuckled to herself. Equality for all? Even if they succeeded, it would only mark the beginning of another form of tyranny.

And as for success? Unless the gods descended to the mortal realm, it was utterly impossible.

Qu Tao stared at the stagnant progress of his “conquest meter,” racking his brains for a way forward. Then, a sudden inspiration struck him: wasn’t it said that genuine emotion in the face of hardship moves people the most?

“I recall that Fellow Daoist Chen was once framed and had to flee the Joyful Union Sect, right?” Qu Tao spoke to himself, lost in admiration of his own cleverness, completely unaware that Chen Yulan’s expression had darkened for a fleeting moment.

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