Forcing the Aloof Master to Madness - Chapter 44

Yunsha  returned to Wang Xi’s  courtyard several days later. There was still a formation set up by Wang Xi at the entrance, but this one was much more complicated than the last.

Judging by the technique, it wasn’t set by Immortal Venerable Jiyue herself, but was likely some kind of formation artifact.

If it were just Yunsha alone, it would have been difficult to crack this time.

But Yunsha carried with her Feng Nianzhen’s  high-grade artifact for breaking formations.

She summoned the artifact, forcibly broke the formation, pushed the door open, and re-entered the bleak little courtyard.

The ancient peach tree in the courtyard was in full bloom, and the petals dancing in the wind covered the entire yard in a sea of pink, making this desolate place suddenly look enchanting.

But within this pink, there was a figure of pure white. She was the dividing line; everywhere she stood was desolate and cold.

She sensed the formation had been broken, slowly turned around, and her cold gaze met Yunsha, who had just stepped through the door.

In an instant, an aura like mountain rain pouring down from the vast sky rushed toward Yunsha with a booming intensity.

Although Feng Nianzhen was the Peak Master of Talisman Peak, she rarely pressured others with such overwhelming presence.

Firstly, the cultivation method she practiced was indeed not as domineering as Wang Xi’s. There was no spiritual power in the world more commanding than that of the Exquisite Heart.

Secondly, Feng Nianzhen was inherently easygoing and lazy. In all the years Yunsha had been her disciple, she had only seen her genuinely lose her temper once with the Head of Zhuxin Academy.

She was so angry that she smashed her favorite blue-glazed Qilin treasure vase, and then Feng Nianzhen rushed to Youfang Academy overnight.

She set up a powerful celestial formation in front of the Youfang Academy gates, but didn’t go in. She just stood at the academy entrance and publicly cursed the Head of Zhuxin Academy as a heartless person.

This made her relationship with the Head of Zhuxin Academy known to the entire world.

Feng Nianzhen was never harsh with Yunsha. Aside from teaching and during competitions, Yunsha rarely faced pressure from her.

And the Immortal Venerable Jiyue before her—the surging spiritual power was more terrifying than anything Yunsha had ever witnessed.

Last time, the Immortal Venerable showed mercy. This time, as Yunsha broke the formation and re-entered, the spiritual power accompanying her icy gaze held no restraint.

Yunsha instantly felt an unprecedented danger. The spiritual power, striking like a tidal wave, threatened to ruthlessly swallow her, instilling fear in her heart.

But the Immortal Venerable did not directly attack. Her spiritual power was a deterrent, but it had not yet become a direct weapon.

Yunsha took a deep breath, and the ripples of a high-grade spell formation suddenly lit up around her.

It was Feng Nianzhen’s Natal Artifact, the Fifteen Frost Order.

When not activated, this artifact was a black-brown scepter, engraved with a vigorously written character for “Nian”. Encircling the character were fifteen precious pearls.

These fifteen pearls corresponded to fifteen supreme-grade spell incantations. When the artifact was activated, the fifteen pearls would transform into fifteen spiritual talismans surrounding the user and illuminate a sturdy protective shield.

Wang Xi naturally recognized this item. She hadn’t expected Feng Nianzhen to lend out even her Natal Artifact.

She could certainly break this artifact. After all, it wasn’t being used by Feng Nianzhen, and Yunsha could not utilize even one-tenth of its power.

But Feng Nianzhen lending out her Natal Artifact wasn’t intended for Yunsha to use it proficiently, but because she was certain that Wang Xi, upon recognizing the artifact, would not genuinely strike a killing blow.

After all, if the Natal Artifact were to shatter, it would harm Feng Nianzhen’s cultivation.

She only did this to protect her disciple’s life and to pressure Wang Xi.

Yunsha’s purpose in displaying this artifact was also not to confront Wang Xi recklessly. She stood extremely carefully, keeping her distance. If Wang Xi showed any genuine intention to attack, she would have no choice but to retreat today.

Her Master had sent her with the artifact to probe, not to fight carelessly.

Now, seeing that Wang Xi no longer pressed forward, Yunsha breathed a slight sigh of relief. It was indeed as her Master had predicted; Immortal Venerable Jiyue, out of consideration for old times, would be hesitant because of this artifact.

Yunsha then took a step forward and respectfully said to Wang Xi: “I am here by my Master’s order to take Junior Sister Shen away.”

She was respectful on the surface but stood with a straight spine, neither servile nor overbearing, and her tone was slightly forceful, “The master-disciple relationship violates morality, and the Immortal Venerable is coercing her. Please do not persist in your delusion.”

This was also why Feng Nianzhen was willing to let Yunsha try. Although Wang Xi had always held deep affection for her disciple, Shen Lezhi, she had never been so possessive until now.

When Feng Nianzhen last saw Wang Xi, the aura on her body was surprisingly very different, which worried Feng Nianzhen slightly.

Now, upon hearing about Wang Xi and Shen Lezhi’s entanglement, she sent Yunsha to offer a warning.

But the warning was also a test. She didn’t want her young disciple to lose her life. Feng Nianzhen had already instructed Yunsha that if Wang Xi did not attack, she could proceed with the attempt. If the other party attacked, she must flee immediately.

The artifact she provided, while unable to fight Wang Xi, was sufficient to ensure her escape and safety.

“On your authority?” Wang Xi’s imposing aura surged again. These words enraged her. Even with Feng Nianzhen’s Natal Artifact protecting her, Wang Xi’s spiritual power came surging fiercely.

Her tone was icy, so cold that Yunsha found it hard to bear, but having come this far, there was no reason to retreat.

“Does the Immortal Venerable intend to trap her for life?!” Yunsha resisted with all her might. Feng Nianzhen’s artifact was fully lit, and the fifteen precious pearls had transformed into spiritual talismans, flashing with strange lights.

The runes inscribed on the pearls desperately resisted Wang Xi’s spiritual power. Even so, Yunsha still felt immense pressure.

Hearing her words, Wang Xi’s eyes chilled further: “Why not?!”

She replied this way, but deep down, she was already prepared to let Shen Lezhi go.

But she didn’t need anyone, especially this junior before her, to instruct her.

However, Wang Xi would not share this thought with anyone, and Yunsha had no way of knowing. Hearing the reply, she was utterly exasperated. “She has hands and feet; she will escape one day. Does the Immortal Venerable want to cripple her by trapping her for life?!”

“She is not willing, and now harbors a desire to die. How does the Immortal Venerable plan to keep her?” Yunsha lowered her head and spoke sorrowfully.

Yunsha had essentially watched Shen Lezhi grow up. Since Shen Lezhi was in her teens, Yunsha had perhaps spent more time with her than Immortal Venerable Jiyue.

In the past, she simply regarded her as an obedient and sensible junior sister in the sect, not much different from others.

But recently, Shen Lezhi had become lively and vibrant. Although she developed some strange preferences, when she spoke of them, her eyes sparkled like stars, and her expression was as warm as the morning sun.

It was the first time Yunsha had seen her like that, radiating a firmness and sunshine that seemed contagious.

The last time, at the arena, she witnessed Shen Lezhi’s high-spirited, dazzling and magnificent demeanor, which Yunsha engraved in her mind.

But when she saw Shen Lezhi recently, the other party spoke so calmly about having only one year of life left, clearly harboring a death wish. If she were to remain confined by Wang Xi’s side, the next time Yunsha saw her, it might only be Shen Lezhi’s corpse.

Yunsha did not want the lively and vibrant Junior Sister Shen to meet such an end.

She wanted to save her, even if it was just an attempt.

Yunsha’s words stung Wang Xi. She could use the Dual Cultivation technique to repair Shen Lezhi’s meridians, but staying by her side, Shen Lezhi’s emotions were becoming increasingly unstable.

Only when their spiritual consciousnesses merged could Wang Xi see some reaction from Shen Lezhi—intense craving. As soon as the Dual Cultivation ended and the afterglow faded, Shen Lezhi would always sit listlessly in the room, refusing to speak a single word.

“Why doesn’t the Immortal Venerable let Junior Sister Shen leave? I will take her to Canfeng City to seek out Daoist Guisheng (鬼生道人). Perhaps she can save Junior Sister Shen’s life,” Yunsha offered her suggestion at this point.

Daoist Guisheng was not a medical cultivator but specialized in forbidden techniques, the way of yin and yang, life and death. There was no one she couldn’t bring back to life. However, what state they would be in afterward depended on the favor of the heavens.

But since even the Medical Immortal couldn’t help, the only option now was to try Daoist Guisheng.

After all, Yunsha didn’t know that Wang Xi could save her through the Dual Cultivation technique.

“What if I refuse?” Wang Xi said coldly.

“Then this junior can only forcefully take Junior Sister Shen away.” As Yunsha’s words fell, another person entered the small courtyard—it was the Head of Zhuxin Academy, wearing a jade crown and holding a green-leaf fan.

The green-leaf fan “swished” open. The fan surface was radiant, and golden Thousand-Character Classic characters faintly floated in the light.

This was the unique feature of the Head of Zhuxin Academy’s artifact. Every character on the fan surface was a spell.

When the Head of Zhuxin Academy unleashed his spiritual power, he could activate the special spells on the fan surface.

The Head of Zhuxin Academy and Yunsha stood together in front of Wang Xi, their artifacts lit up, ready to be deployed.

Wang Xi’s gaze fixed on the two people before her. Suddenly, everything around them began to freeze with frost.

A chilling air spread through the atmosphere. Wang Xi formed a spell seal with her fingers, and the peach blossoms flying through the air instantly froze, transforming into sharp projectiles.

The ice-formed petals shot quickly toward Yunsha and the Head of Zhuxin Academy. The sky-full of ice flowers was like a spectacular wonder descending upon the mortal world, beautiful to the extreme.

But there was fierce killing intent in the ice flowers. Each one contained immense spiritual power. The artifacts of Yunsha and the Head of Zhuxin Academy “jingled” wildly, and everything around them was destroyed by the ice flowers.

Yet, despite how vicious it looked, Yunsha and the Head of Zhuxin Academy exchanged glances, having already found their answer.

Shen Lezhi awoke amidst this clamor. She had no intention of concerning herself with what Wang Xi was doing, but suddenly heard Senior Sister Yunsha’s faint voice.

Only then did she slowly get up, subconsciously looking toward the closed window.

It was then that Shen Lezhi distinguished the sounds of two sides fighting. Frowning, she walked out of the room.

Her arrival instantly froze the tense atmosphere. Wang Xi’s eyebrow twitched, and she was forced to retract the ice flowers filling the courtyard, lest she accidentally injure her.

Yunsha also put away her artifact, but looked at Shen Lezhi, and suddenly smiled at her: “Lezhi, would you like to see the Fluffy Vine Grass  in the south?”

“It covers the mountains and fields. Its shape is strange, and it tastes sweet when eaten.”

This was a spiritual plant that only grew in Canfeng City. Its shape resembled a ball with small fuzz on the surface. Because it proliferated greatly in Canfeng City, it covered the wilds there.

The spherical leaves could be refined into a Grain-Eliminating Pill, and even if picked and eaten raw, it had a delicious sweetness.

By asking Shen Lezhi this, Yunsha was asking if she wanted to leave.

This was essentially a gamble. Facing Immortal Venerable Jiyue, no one dared to claim they could fight her alone, but the Immortal Venerable, out of consideration for her past affection, had consistently failed to use her full strength. Even after fighting for this long, she, a sword cultivator, had not even drawn her Natal Artifact, the Azure Dragon Sword.

This was why Yunsha and the Head of Zhuxin Academy still dared to stand here.

This was also the condition Feng Nianzhen had instructed: only in this situation was she allowed to attempt to take Shen Lezhi away.

Shen Lezhi’s eyes finally showed a faint light upon hearing this. Senior Sister Yunsha had mentioned a few days ago that she would come to take her away. She hadn’t taken it seriously, as no one in the cultivation world dared to openly contend with Wang Xi.

Knowing Wang Xi wouldn’t let her go, she hadn’t entertained any hope from Senior Sister Yunsha’s suggestion.

But now, the other party appeared again, and the artifact sparkling around her glowed like Senior Sister Yunsha’s determination.

Shen Lezhi looked up at her. Senior Sister Yunsha was a gentle and kind person, and the gaze she directed at her now was still full of warmth.

She smiled faintly, her lips slightly curled, patiently awaiting Shen Lezhi’s answer. Her slightly curved eyes seemed to say that whatever decision Shen Lezhi made, she would respect it.

That’s good.

However, Shen Lezhi wasn’t particularly happy. Whether it was Wang Xi or Senior Sister Yunsha, all the preference and hatred from everyone here were directed at the original heroine, having nothing to do with her, Shen Lezhi.

She was tired of playing someone else, tired of enduring someone else’s life.

“Okay,” she still agreed to Senior Sister Yunsha’s words. More than anything else, Shen Lezhi didn’t want to stay by Wang Xi’s side.

That repeated merging of their spiritual consciousnesses was an offense to her, an endless humiliation.

Wang Xi refused to accept that she was not the original Shen Lezhi, denying her words and pulling her into constant immersion in lust.

Shen Lezhi could not control herself, repeatedly sinking into it. Now, as long as Wang Xi’s spiritual power invaded, she would immediately surrender, unable to help herself.

But detached from the spiritual union, she hated this union, hated her lack of control, and hated Wang Xi’s despicable tactics.

She had once liked Wang Xi, but that affection had been pushed into the deep recesses by the other party, making her despise it and want to forget it.

Shen Lezhi walked toward Senior Sister Yunsha. Just two steps into her walk, Wang Xi’s spiritual power surged over.

It invaded her body, like a cold snake, slithering inside her.

But she was neither afraid nor fearful, and she continued to walk firmly toward Senior Sister Yunsha.

Seeing this, Senior Sister Yunsha immediately sprang forward, and the Head of Zhuxin Academy’s green-leaf fan also waved, the Thousand-Character Classic characters suddenly appearing.

Wang Xi’s spiritual power was laced with monstrous anger, causing the heavens to change color and the plants to tremble.

Shen Lezhi stood amidst the storm. Her weak body swayed precariously. It was the Weeping Soul Tassel extending its vines to support her, and Senior Sister Yunsha’s outstretched hands protecting her.

She did not look back at Wang Xi again. She did not see the sorrow that flashed in Wang Xi’s eyes as she stared at her retreating back.

The Head of Zhuxin Academy’s Thousand-Character Classic cultivation method was extremely unique. Each spell was concealed within the green-leaf fan beforehand, and when the user cast the spell, it did not require an equivalent amount of spiritual power. This allowed the Head of Zhuxin Academy, despite having lower cultivation than Wang Xi, to contend with her for so long.

Yunsha quickly left with Shen Lezhi on her sword, while the Head of Zhuxin Academy only hindered Wang Xi, launching attacks but avoiding prolonged battle. Only when Yunsha and Shen Lezhi were safely away on their swords did he breathe a slight sigh of relief.

Feng Nianzhen had truly given him one good task after another!

On the other side, Senior Sister Yunsha flew rapidly with Shen Lezhi on her sword, not daring to stop for a moment. After flying for a day and a night and covering a thousand miles, they arrived at a wooden house where a high-grade spell formation had been set up in advance.

Hua Man  was already waiting there. Shen Lezhi was slightly dazed when she saw her, having never expected to escape from Wang Xi so easily.

She had been confined in Wang Xi’s room for quite some time, only seeing the same boring scenery every day.

Now, looking at the cramped wooden house, the thick forest outside the window blocked her view. It was likely deliberately chosen for concealment.

But in this concealed environment, Shen Lezhi finally felt a release from the oppressive aura. Shen Lezhi looked up at the sky, only barely able to see a sliver of warm light through the narrow gaps between the layers of leaves.

But Shen Lezhi took a deep breath, as if truly inhaling the air of freedom.

The three of them tidied up the wooden house and prepared to leave again.

Senior Sister Yunsha erased the traces they had left and then sighed softly at Shen Lezhi, who was looking out the window.

“Lezhi, it’s time to go,” she said gently.

Shen Lezhi turned around then, neither asking why Senior Sister Yunsha was so determined to save her nor where they were going.

She seemed indifferent to everything, only agreeing to leave with Senior Sister Yunsha because she wanted to escape Wang Xi.

But she still obediently listened to Senior Sister Yunsha. When the other party said it was time to leave, she stood up and followed Senior Sister Yunsha’s steps.

Her appearance pained Senior Sister Yunsha greatly. She raised her hand to stroke her hair as before. Her fingertip rested on her cheek, and she spoke to her gently and softly: “Lezhi, would you like to visit Shenwu Square? There’s a celebration going on there now. You’ve never left the sect before, didn’t you always wish to go out and have fun?”

Shen Lezhi was startled by Senior Sister Yunsha’s intimate gesture, momentarily mistaking it for the touch of that person’s fingers.

But Senior Sister Yunsha’s fingers were warm and gentle, like the most comfortable temperature on a spring afternoon.

Shen Lezhi paused and lowered her eyes, subtly avoiding the contact.

The original heroine’s relationship with Senior Sister Yunsha made Shen Lezhi hesitant. At this point, she truly didn’t want any overly intimate relationships with anyone in this world anymore.

“Okay,” she responded softly to Senior Sister Yunsha, but without any surprise or joy in her heart.

Shen Lezhi had indeed wanted to go out and see the world before. She had been transmigrated here for so long and had never seen the scenery and customs of other places.

But the person Senior Sister Yunsha spoke of, the person she made a wish for, the person she wanted to comfort, was not the current Shen Lezhi.

Shen Lezhi had no intention of arguing. She had already experienced Wang Xi’s disbelief once. Moreover, she was occupying someone else’s body, so what right did she have to argue?

“Sister, aren’t you afraid she’ll chase us?”

There was no need to specify who “she” was. But Shen Lezhi was also curious why Senior Sister Yunsha wasn’t afraid of Wang Xi pursuing them. Did Senior Sister Yunsha have a way to counter her?

But Senior Sister Yunsha smiled softly upon hearing the question, shaking her head and replying with a touch of helplessness: “Lezhi, do you think Head of Zhuxin Academy and I could genuinely defeat the Immortal Venerable?”

Senior Sister Yunsha looked at Shen Lezhi. Her weak expression and pale face were heartbreaking. While Senior Sister Yunsha was angry at Wang Xi’s behavior, she also found her contradictory.

“Even if my Master were here, if Immortal Venerable Jiyue insisted on keeping you, none of us could take you away today.” When Shen Lezhi walked toward Senior Sister Yunsha, Senior Sister Yunsha’s gaze swept toward Wang Xi, only to feel that the solitary, upright figure was instantly filled with desolation.

But even so, Wang Xi ultimately did not draw the Azure Dragon Sword, nor did she genuinely try to fight them.

Wang Xi wanted to let Shen Lezhi leave.

Shen Lezhi paused upon hearing this and did not reply, simply lowering her head and remaining silent.

As the three of them left the small wooden house, they saw the Head of Zhuxin Academy approaching. The three immediately halted. The Head of Zhuxin Academy stopped his sword flight in front of them.

“This is what Feng Nianzhen instructed me to give you. Be extra careful from now on.” The Head of Zhuxin Academy took out a Bag of a Hundred Treasures from his spatial ring and handed it to Yunsha and Hua Man.

Yunsha respectfully accepted it and bowed to thank him: “Thank you, Head.”

The Head of Zhuxin Academy waved his hand, then turned to Shen Lezhi, taking out two items from his spatial ring as well.

One was a white jade medicine bottle, and the other was Shen Lezhi’s small white sword.

“The bottle contains pills prescribed by the Medical Immortal. Take them to alleviate your pain.” The Head of Zhuxin Academy handed the two items to Shen Lezhi. Seeing that Shen Lezhi did not reach out to take them, he was not in a hurry.

He continued to say, “Immortal Venerable Jiyue has a message for you.”

The Head of Zhuxin Academy did not wait for Shen Lezhi’s response and spoke with an elegant clarity: “She said: ‘This is your small white sword. The sword has recognized its master. Do not abandon it.'”

Others might not understand the meaning of these words, assuming Wang Xi was merely urging her not to discard her sword.

But Shen Lezhi’s head snapped up upon hearing this, her eyes surging with emotion.

This is her small white sword.

Wang Xi knew that the Shen Lezhi of the previous life had named this sword the “White Jade Flood Dragon Sword,” yet she said these words to her.

Shen Lezhi was profoundly shocked. With trembling fingertips, she accepted the two items from the Head of Zhuxin Academy. Her thumb brushed against the cold scabbard of the small white sword.

She pursed her lips and bowed to the Head of Zhuxin Academy, “Thank you, Head.”

She then tightly hugged the small white sword to her chest, a trace of bitterness remaining in her eyes.

This was the first person in this world to acknowledge her.

Even if that person was the one she was desperately trying to escape from.