The Villainous Demon Lord’s Handbook for Success: Rebirth - Chapter 5

The soft sensation lasted only for a fleeting second before it turned ice cold.

“You brat, are you trying to tire me to death!”

A clear woman’s voice rang out, and Ning Fuyi’s vision suddenly restored. Looking into the void before her, she saw a boundless meadow where a young woman was holding a round-faced baby girl, scolding her loudly.

“Fly, fly-fly, fly-fly-fly…” Six-year-old Ning Fuyi completely ignored the woman’s anger, stretching out her short arms and fluttering them like a bird.

“What did I do to deserve this, giving birth to a little monster like you!” Ning Changfeng rolled her eyes so hard they nearly disappeared into the back of her head. She tossed Ning Fuyi onto the grass and wiped the sweat from her brow, looking nothing like a dignified Sect Leader.

“It is a pity that my peerless foundation and talent resulted in such a dummy. Usually, the children of cultivators have a bit of immortal energy by the age of six. But you? You can’t even speak yet!” Ning Changfeng barked, hands on her hips.

The six-year-old Ning Fuyi didn’t understand why she was being scolded. She bit her finger with teary, aggrieved eyes for a moment before forgetting all about it and reaching for the sky again. “Fly, fly, fly…”

“Fly your head!” Ning Changfeng snapped, but she ultimately couldn’t win against the child. She bent down and hoisted the girl onto her shoulder.

“Where are we flying this time?”

Ning Fuyi beamed, revealing a mess of scattered baby teeth, and pointed toward the far east.

“Dammit, pick another direction! Any further and we’ll fly right out of the Eight Desolations!”

“Fly!”

The scene before her was gradually covered in mist. Ning Fuyi snapped her eyes open, her breathing rapid and her eyes damp.

Staring at the ceiling painted with colorful patterns, she quickly reached up to wipe away her tears and prepared to sit up warily. However, a pair of soft hands reached out from the side, supporting her arms to help her up.

Looking up, she saw Liu Wenzhu gazing at her with concern. “Yiyi, are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Ning Fuyi froze for a moment, looking around in a hurry. She was in a spacious room filled with the scent of incense. Several mahogany beds lined the walls, each separated by a screen. Outside the window, it was already dark, so quiet that only the motionless silhouettes of the mountains were visible.

This was the disciples’ sleeping quarters.

Didn’t I fall into Chu Qingqiu’s arms? Why am I lying here? Could it be that Chu Qingqiu sent me—

As if sensing her confusion, Liu Wenzhu explained gently, “You suddenly ran out of Yunshen Hall earlier. I followed you, fearing that your body hadn’t recovered and something might happen. It’s a good thing I did, or you would still be lying on the mountain peak right now.”

As expected, she had been overthinking. A person like Chu Qingqiu would never be willing to bring her back.

She wouldn’t even be willing to help her turn over.

Ning Fuyi rolled her eyes inwardly and looked down at herself.

The pain in her body had vanished, and her immortal energy seemed to have recovered slightly. Although it was still incomparable to others, it was better than being nearly depleted as it was before.

Since her rebirth, all of Chu Qingqiu’s actions had differed from her previous life. She had suddenly developed a suspicion earlier, but after this bout of unconsciousness, that guess felt absurd. She didn’t know how to ask about it without making Chu Qingqiu suspicious.

Whatever, since that was the case, it wouldn’t be too late to ask in the future.

“Where is everyone else? There’s no training today; where did they go?” Ning Fuyi suddenly remembered something and asked with a frown.

A flash of awkwardness crossed Liu Wenzhu’s face. She lowered her autumn-water eyes for a moment before answering with determination, “Yiyi, the Sect Leader passed away due to cultivation deviation, causing her spiritual soul to shatter. It is difficult for her to reincarnate.”

“So at this hour, everyone should be gathered outside the Ancestral Shrine, waiting to reconvene the Sect Leader’s spiritual soul.”

Reconvene the spiritual soul… A surge of rage welled up in Ning Fuyi’s heart. She stood up abruptly, but a mass of black mist flooded her vision again. She quickly grabbed the screen to steady herself.

“Yiyi!” Liu Wenzhu anxiously stepped in front to support her. “I was afraid your body wouldn’t be able to hold up; that’s why I followed Elder Pingyao’s instructions and didn’t tell you.”

“Reconvening the spiritual soul requires a protector of immediate kin. If I’m not there, who else…”

Mid-sentence, Ning Fuyi paused. Her words then turned into a knowing, cold sneer.

If she wasn’t there, naturally someone else would be. Even if she were there, the one protecting her mother might not necessarily be her.

“Li Chaoan?” Ning Fuyi asked, raising an eyebrow.

Knowing that Ning Fuyi and Li Chaoan had always been at odds, Liu Wenzhu could only nod.

How did Ning Fuyi know? Because in her previous life, it was Li Chaoan who acted as the protector for Ning Changfeng. Everyone felt that it was only right for Li Chaoan to do so.

Why? Because Ning Fuyi was the biological daughter, while Li Chaoan was the adopted daughter. Ning Fuyi was a waste, and Li Chaoan was a genius.

Li Chaoan had been brought back right when Ning Fuyi finally learned how to speak. At that time, Ning Fuyi was about ten years old, still looking like a small child, but her mind was as clear as a mirror. She knew that almost everyone in the sect except her mother believed she was destined to be a dull-witted fool for the rest of her life.

Perhaps her mother thought so too, but she never said it; she would only pull Ning Fuyi’s ears and scold her for knocking over her food.

But Li Chaoan was different. She was the daughter of Ning Changfeng’s childhood friend. She was born amidst five-colored rays of light, possessed immortal veins at one year old, reached the Initial Realm at three, and broke through the Mortal Realm by ten.

She was also pleasing to the eye with large eyes and cherry-like lips. After arriving at the Yunjia Mountain Sect, she won the affection of all the elders and fellow disciples. The disciples often whispered that the Sect Leader brought Li Chaoan back specifically to train her as the next successor.

After all, since the biological one was a failure, she had to train a new one.

“Wenzhu, I want to go to the Ancestral Shrine,” Ning Fuyi suddenly told Liu Wenzhu. There were still lingering tears clinging to her eyelashes.

“I want to see Ning Changfeng. Will you take me there?”

The night grew heavier, like congealed ink that no amount of candlelight could disperse.

Liu Wenzhu was not qualified to enter the shrine. Ning Fuyi walked alone through the rows of disciples bowing their heads in silent mourning, standing outside the shrine doors to look up at the plaque.

Four large characters were carved on the plaque: Dropped Dead On The Spot.

The name was given by Ning Changfeng and written in her own hand. The four characters were crooked and messy, looking quite hideous.

Aside from the Ancestral Shrine, other areas of the Yunjia Mountain Sect—such as the bedroom named Once Asleep Never Wake and the latrine named A Thousand Miles Of Diarrhea—were also in Ning Changfeng’s handwriting. The remaining pleasant names, such as Yunshen Hall, were the result of the four Great Elders being unable to endure it any longer; they had specifically traveled to Zixia Peak to beg Chu Ling to bestow the names.

It wasn’t that others couldn’t name things, but Ning Changfeng refused to use any names given by others.

There were many things to remember today. Too many memories Ning Fuyi had forgotten were resurfacing in her mind one after another, giving her a headache. She pressed her fingers against her temples and stepped firmly inside.

The shrine was huge—large enough to hold all the disciples of the sect. It was also high; one couldn’t even see the head of the stone statue in the center when looking up. Currently, it was empty and silent; the elders were nowhere to be seen.

In the center of the shrine sat a transparent ice coffin emitting clouds of cold mist. Ning Fuyi naturally knew what was inside, and she hurried toward it.

The coffin was filled with blooming gardenia flowers. A woman dressed in magnificent robes lay inside as if sleeping peacefully. Her features were cold and sharp, bearing a seventy percent resemblance to Ning Fuyi.

The thirty percent that differed was a lack of Ning Fuyi’s underlying wickedness.

“Ning Changfeng,” Ning Fuyi murmured. She reached out, wanting to touch her mother’s face, but a harsh wind suddenly blew from the side, striking her hand away and leaving a deep red mark on her fair wrist.

“What are you doing!” a sharp voice cried out. Footsteps followed. Ning Fuyi clutched her wrist and turned around. A mountain of killing intent surged from within her, making her vision swim.

Walking at the very front was a girl with bright, beautiful eyes. Her dark hair was tied into several bundles and secured with a flower wreath. her dress was as vibrant as spring in full bloom under the sun.

“Li Chaoan,” Ning Fuyi said each syllable slowly as she turned around.

Many people had arrived, all familiar faces. Most were sect elders and high-ranking inner disciples, all looking solemn as they stood before Ning Fuyi.

Beyond the crowd stood a white figure. Ning Fuyi cast a glance in that direction.

“Fuyi, what are you doing here?” Elder Pingyao stepped forward, her tone scolding.

“This is my mother. Am I not allowed to touch her?” Ning Fuyi ignored Pingyao, addressing Li Chaoan first before turning back to the Elder. “I am here, naturally, to see my mother off.”

“Godmother’s spiritual soul is already incomplete. Who knows if your clumsy hands will scatter what remains!” Li Chaoan said sharply. She shoved Ning Fuyi aside and stepped forward, blocking the path between Ning Fuyi and the ice coffin.

Ning Fuyi clenched her fists.

“Enough,” Elder Pingyao strictly interrupted the two of them. “Fuyi, you go out first. Wait until we have reconvened the Sect Leader’s spiritual soul; it won’t be too late to say your goodbyes then.”

“What if I refuse?” Ning Fuyi said softly. “The one lying in the coffin is my biological mother, not Li Chaoan’s. Naturally, I should be the protector.”

“With your abilities?” Li Chaoan looked Ning Fuyi up and down, saying disdainfully, “Your cultivation level is not worthy of protecting Godmother.”

“Protection only requires blood; what does it have to do with cultivation?” Ning Fuyi refused to yield an inch. “Is your status worthy of protecting my mother?”

She emphasized the word “mother” heavily, leaving Li Chaoan speechless and her face flushed red.

“Fuyi, Chaoan is right. Your cultivation is too low. If something goes wrong, it will be even more troublesome. It’s better to leave it to Chaoan,” another middle-aged male elder spoke up.

“Indeed. Even disregarding cultivation, your current physical state probably couldn’t handle the strain. Besides, the Sect Leader loved Chaoan dearly. She would likely be satisfied having her as the protector,” an inner disciple added.

Each word added to the rising malice in Ning Fuyi’s heart, like a fire burning inside her that could explode at any moment.

Although Ning Fuyi lacked talent, she had always been protected by Ning Changfeng. She never had to bow her head to anyone. Similarly, only Ning Changfeng could make her willingly bend her back.

Like in her previous life, no one allowed her to be the protector. In order to see the final moments of Ning Changfeng’s spiritual soul, she had knelt before Chu Qingqiu’s door, begging for a day and a night with cries of blood.

At that time, she believed she was a waste and that this was what she deserved.

But now, she was no longer that Ning Fuyi who had never experienced the storms. She feared nothing, and she begged no one.

“Chaoan, don’t waste any more time.” The male elder glanced at the hour and waved his hand. The Everlasting Lamp rose into the air and landed in Li Chaoan’s hands.

The Everlasting Lamp was a divine artifact of the immortal world, and there was only one in existence, kept right here in the Yunjia Mountain Sect. It was said this lamp could stay lit for thirty thousand years and could bridge the heavens and the earth to find the souls of the deceased, gathering them in the wick for salvation.

Li Chaoan gave Ning Fuyi a triumphant look. She held the lamp in her left hand and prepared to draw blood with her right. Suddenly, a sound like something piercing the air was heard, and she felt a slimy sensation on her wrist.

She looked down and couldn’t help but let out a piercing scream. She instinctively swung her arm hard, nearly tossing the Everlasting Lamp away. A startled Elder Pingyao quickly summoned immortal energy to retrieve the lamp.

“What is this!” Li Chaoan was pale with fright, shaking her right hand violently. But the slimy thing on her wrist seemed to have burrowed into her skin; no matter how she shook it, it wouldn’t come off.

The elders nearby had no idea what had happened. They looked at each other, but no one moved. Finally, an inner disciple pointed at Li Chaoan’s wrist and cried out, “What is that thing?”

“Oh no, it’s a Gu insect!” The male elder turned pale with shock. He reached out to remove it, but Elder Pingyao held his hand back.

“Wait! Gu techniques are sinister; do not act rashly.” She looked up angrily. “Gu techniques are forbidden! Who dares be so bold!”

A laugh came from the side. Several people were shaken, looking in disbelief at Ning Fuyi, who was hooking a slender finger, her eyes devoid of any mirth.

“Fuyi! You know the Sect Leader ordered that Gu techniques are not to be practiced! Furthermore, the Sect Leader’s immortal body is right here! Stop this nonsense!” Elder Pingyao’s face flushed red with anger as she scolded sharply.

The girl stood tall. Her slightly curled lips gave her a hint of sinister malice. She didn’t look at Elder Pingyao; instead, she fixed her gaze on the weeping Li Chaoan. With a slight flick of her finger, the long, slimy Gu insect suddenly raised its head, making a move to burrow deeper into Li Chaoan’s skin.

Although Li Chaoan was a cultivation genius, she had always been terrified of insects, let alone a disgusting Gu worm. Her body went stiff and she screamed, appearing as though she might faint at any moment.

Watching her like this, Ning Fuyi felt a surge of satisfaction.

“I don’t care how high her cultivation is, nor do I care how Ning Changfeng treated her. My mother’s soul cannot be touched by outsiders,” Ning Fuyi said, tapping her fingertip. The firelight cast shadows across her face, radiating a dangerous aura.

Though Ning Fuyi had been a shiftless student in the past, she had never shown such a sharp edge. No one had ever seen her like this, and they were all momentarily shocked.

“My mother, only I can protect her,” Ning Fuyi spoke again, her voice low and obsessive.

She had lost much and was used to losing, so she had developed this obsessive personality. Whatever she wanted to obtain, no matter the situation or the price, she didn’t care.

Though she had no magic power now, she had been a Demon Lord for hundreds of years. She still knew how to cast simple illusions and low-level tricks to deceive people.

Dealing with Li Chaoan was more than enough.

“Ning Fuyi, how dare you!” The male elder, who was Li Chaoan’s master, couldn’t contain his rage at seeing her suffer. He raised his hand and summoned a streak of cold light.

Elder Pingyao didn’t have time to stop him. As the cold light flew toward Ning Fuyi’s face, the others gasped.

Ning Fuyi had expected this. The smile on her face didn’t fade; she merely tilted her head slightly, preparing to take the lashing head-on.

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