Continue to Settle Accounts
“Fourth Senior Brother—no, Zhang Hanxiao—you lost.”
Li Qingran gazed at Zhang Hanxiao, who lay defeated on the ground. The oppressive weight in her chest was gone, replaced by an indescribable lightness.
The entire sect square fell into silence.
Every gaze was locked onto Li Qingran in disbelief.
Her spiritual energy fluctuations were clearly at the Qi Refining Great Perfection, yet she had just defeated Zhang Hanxiao—a cultivator in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
Yes, Zhang Hanxiao had suppressed his cultivation at the start, and yes, his flying sword had been destroyed.
But even so…
He should not have lost so miserably.
Sect Master’s Doubts
Even Sect Master Wu Duantian was astonished.
His stiff neck creaked as he turned to Taoist Qingxuan.
“Elder Qingxuan, was Li Qingran truly stripped of her spiritual roots and had her Dantian destroyed?“
At first, Wu Duantian had thought the punishment excessive.
But in Qingyun Sect, each peak managed its own affairs. His role as sect master was merely administrative.
Moreover, Taoist Qingxuan was the strongest cultivator in the sect, with ties to the Qingyun Patriarch.
So, he had turned a blind eye.
But now, seeing this battle’s outcome…
He was utterly confused.
His direct disciple, Zhao Lingtian, had also suffered a destroyed Dantian. Over time, his spiritual energy had completely drained, leaving him powerless.
If Li Qingran’s Dantian was destroyed as well—how was she able to fight like this?
Taoist Qingxuan’s Shock
Taoist Qingxuan remained silent, his sharp gaze fixed on Li Qingran.
What truly unsettled him wasn’t just her fighting prowess.
It was her swordsmanship.
He clearly remembered—Li Qingran had once sought his guidance on the Small Wuxiang Sword.
But his understanding of swordsmanship was shallow.
After explaining multiple times and seeing that Li Qingran still didn’t grasp it, he had grown impatient.
Eventually, he dismissed her, telling her to figure it out on her own or ask Lu Changtian.
Back then, she had only achieved minor success.
Yet now—
She had just executed ‘Swaying Tree Shadows.’
That meant she had at least reached major success!
How was that possible?
Even though Small Wuxiang Sword was only a Xuan-level technique, it wasn’t something one could master so quickly.
A Tense Atmosphere
“Junior Brother Zhang!“
“Fourth Senior Brother!“
Lu Changtian and the others rushed forward.
Yun Zimo helped Zhang Hanxiao up, while Xiao Yifeng quickly fed him a healing pill.
Meanwhile—
Mu Baishuang sobbed pitifully, burying her face in Zhang Hanxiao’s chest.
“Senior Brother… this is all my fault!” she wept.
“I shouldn’t have taken your sword. If you had it, you wouldn’t have been hurt!“
But in reality—
Her mind was racing.
If Zhang Hanxiao had used his sword, it would’ve been destroyed!
The sword in Li Qingran’s hand was clearly a treasure.
Even if Zhang Hanxiao had another sword, he still would’ve lost.
What happened to Li Qingran?
Who was the powerful cultivator supporting her?
Would he see through her disguise?
She couldn’t afford to be exposed.
Her young master was running out of time.
She had to help him survive until he could break through the bottleneck and contact the ancestor in seclusion.
That was their only chance.
Taking a deep breath, Mu Baishuang steeled herself and slipped behind Lu Changtian, lowering her head as she continued to pretend to cry.
Lu Changtian Accuses Li Qingran
“Li Qingran, you went too far.“
Lu Changtian’s expression was cold as ice.
“Zhang Hanxiao was your former senior brother—how could you be so ruthless?“
Li Qingran blinked.
“Ruthless?”
She tilted her head slightly, then spread her hands.
“I am only at the Qi Refining Great Perfection—not at Foundation Establishment.“
“I barely injured him. Do you really think I could’ve made him unconscious?“
Lu Changtian’s jaw clenched.
He turned to Zhang Hanxiao—who was clearly pretending to be unconscious.
His face was red as a brick.
“This idiot…”
Zhang Hanxiao was embarrassed.
His injuries were serious, but he wasn’t unconscious.
He just couldn’t accept that he had been beaten so badly by Li Qingran.
Taoist Qingxuan Questions Li Qingran
“Li Qingran.“
Taoist Qingxuan’s voice broke the silence.
“Has your Dantian been repaired?“
A collective gasp rippled through Chixiao Peak’s disciples.
Even Mu Baishuang peeked out curiously.
Li Qingran’s fingers brushed her hair, and she placed a hand on the Suxian Sword’s scabbard.
With lowered eyes, she stared at her toes—
And her ears turned red.
“Thanks to the senior’s generosity, my Dantian was restored.”
Her tone was soft.
But Mu Baishuang caught the subtle change.
Women understand women.
Li Qingran’s expression, her blush, her tone—
She had fallen for the mysterious cultivator.
But what about him?
Was his goal Li Qingran’s Taiyin Body?
If so—
How could she possibly compete against such a powerful figure?
Mu Baishuang Sows Doubt
“Senior Sister Qingran…“
Mu Baishuang timidly stepped forward.
“I heard from Master that the only way to repair a Dantian is with the legendary Hunyuan Bu Tian Dan.“
“But that elixir was lost long ago.“
“Are you sure your Dantian was truly repaired?“
“Be careful of people with ulterior motives, who only pretend to help while taking advantage of you…”
“Shut up!“
A murderous aura erupted.
Li Qingran’s grip tightened on the Suxian Sword, her knuckles turning white.
“How dare you insult the senior’s kindness?!“
The Battle Continues
Mu Baishuang’s face paled.
She quickly raised her hands in surrender.
“Ah! I-I’m sorry, Senior Sister! I was just worried about you—“
Swish!
A silver sword light cut through the air.
Li Qingran didn’t hold back.
The blade shot toward Mu Baishuang’s throat.
Mu Baishuang didn’t flinch.
She simply closed her eyes.
Because she knew—
Someone would move before her.
Clang!
A sword intercepted hers.
When Mu Baishuang opened her eyes, Yun Zimo stood in front of her.
Li Qingran’s cold gaze met his.
This was the same senior brother who once protected her.
Now, he stood against her.
How ironic.
But it didn’t matter.
She didn’t care anymore.
She touched the Suxian Sword’s tassel.
Her chilling smile widened.
“Yun Zimo…“
“Since you’ve stepped forward—let’s settle our accounts next.“
