Ten Thousand Swords Piercing the Heart
“You still want to duel with me?”
Yun Zimo raised his eyebrows, a mocking smile on his lips.
“I’m not like Fourth Brother. I won’t suppress my cultivation, and I won’t feel guilty about using my full strength against a disloyal traitor like you!”
Zhang Hanxiao had impulse and arrogance—but Yun Zimo was different.
He was smarter, more calculating.
Unlike Zhang Hanxiao, who squandered his spirit stones, Yun Zimo was known for saving resources, refining weapons, and setting up formations. He had many flying swords at his disposal, making him a far more dangerous opponent.
But Li Qingran’s gaze remained steady.
“Third Brother, are you afraid?“
Yun Zimo scoffed.
“You won’t provoke me so easily.“
Reaching into his storage bag, he withdrew a new flying sword.
His eyes flicked toward Li Qingran’s Suxian Sword, lips curling in disdain.
“Your sword is impressive, but I won’t make Fourth Brother’s mistake. I have plenty of swords—I won’t be at a disadvantage!”
A Challenge to the Sect Master
Ignoring Yun Zimo, Li Qingran turned to Sect Master Wu Duantian.
Her voice rang clear across the sect square.
“Sect Master Wu, Qingyun Sect upholds the principle: ‘Evil must not be allowed to thrive, and good must not be falsely accused.’“
“Slandering a fellow disciple and colluding to frame them—is this considered a serious crime?“
Wu Duantian, lost in thought about Dantian-repairing elixirs, took a moment to respond.
“…Yes, that is correct.”
“Li Qingran! What are you insinuating?” Yun Zimo’s voice trembled slightly.
But he forced himself to stay calm.
He had covered his tracks well—even if Li Qingran accused him, she had no proof.
“What punishment does the sect impose for such a crime?”
Wu Duantian’s expression darkened.
“For slander and false accusations, minor offenders receive a warning from the Law Enforcement Hall. Repeated offenders are exiled to the Cliff of Repentance.“
“But if a disciple conspires to harm a fellow cultivator, the punishment is severe.”
“If found guilty, they shall have their tongue cut out, eyes gouged, molten iron poured into their ears—and receive no medical treatment for one month.“
The crowd shuddered.
For cultivators, such injuries could be healed.
But the pain and isolation of such a punishment were as cruel as death.
Li Qingran’s Accusation
Li Qingran bowed once more.
“Yun Zimo, Third Disciple of Chixiao Peak, colluded with Outer Sect elders to slander and frame a fellow disciple.“
“Qingyun Sect is a righteous sect. Surely, it will not tolerate such treachery?”
A wave of tension spread through the crowd.
Though Li Qingran had not spoken explicit names, everyone understood her meaning.
Yun Zimo’s face twisted in anger.
His clenched fists betrayed his panic.
Nearby, Outer Sect Elder Wang Chuanhe glared at Li Qingran, his expression filled with murderous intent.
Several outer disciples who had been involved in the scheme lowered their heads and stepped back into the crowd.
“Bastard!“
Taoist Qingxuan slammed the table, his sword already half-drawn.
“You dare commit such disgraceful acts?!“
A violent spiritual pressure exploded outward, making his long black-and-white hair rise like a storm.
But before he could act—
A voice echoed in the void.
[Tsk. I told you to SIT DOWN.]
A terrifying spiritual force descended, as if Heaven itself had spoken.
Taoist Qingxuan’s face turned stiff.
Three deep breaths later, he resheathed his sword.
The Sect Master’s Judgment
Wu Duantian’s expression grew somber.
If Li Qingran had remained silent, he could have ignored this.
But now, the entire sect had heard her accusation.
Had it been any other disciple, he might have covered it up.
But standing behind Li Qingran was an unknown yet terrifying powerhouse.
Could he risk offending such a figure?
His eyes flickered toward Taoist Qingxuan.
For once, the arrogant peak master looked subdued.
This was his problem now.
Wu Duantian exhaled, then turned to Yun Zimo.
“Yun Zimo, are these accusations true?“
His spiritual pressure locked onto Yun Zimo, pressing down like a mountain.
Yun Zimo’s legs trembled.
Still—he refused to admit it.
“Sect Master! I have never done such a thing! Li Qingran is slandering me!“
Wu Duantian’s gaze sharpened.
He had already seen the truth.
But he still needed evidence.
“Li Qingran, do you have proof?“
A Deadly Oath
Li Qingran’s heart turned cold.
She had never trusted Wu Duantian—his so-called justice was not for her sake.
It was for the senior behind her.
“Yes, I have proof.”
She raised her chin.
“Before I was expelled, I bribed an Outer Sect disciple with a thousand spirit stones.“
“He confessed everything.“
“But he made me swear a Dao oath.“
Li Qingran’s eyes darkened.
She had once hesitated to expose Yun Zimo.
Back then, she still clung to hope—
That one day, Chixiao Peak’s disciples would accept her again.
That they would welcome her back.
That they would stand together once more.
But those delusions died when Zhang Hanxiao threw her away like trash.
She had no more mercy left.
[Senior, I will not disappoint you!]
Her voice rang clear and sharp.
“…Otherwise, I shall suffer the pain of ten thousand swords piercing my heart.“
The Oath is Fulfilled
SWOOSH!
A phantom sword materialized—
And plunged straight through her back.
Li Qingran’s body convulsed.
Her face turned ghostly pale.
A thin line of blood trickled from her lips—
And fell to the ground with a soft ‘drip… drip…’
Her hand trembled, fingers weakly grasping the Suxian Sword.
And then—
More swords rained from the void.
Each one pierced her body.
Like a thousand blades tearing through her flesh.
Like a swarm of venomous insects devouring her nerves.
A strangled gasp escaped her lips.
Blood poured from her mouth, her nose, her eyes—
Dripping onto the stone tiles.
The sect square fell into absolute silence.
In less than two breaths—
Her body was riddled with swords, turning her into a human pincushion.
Her black hair pooled on the ground, soaked in crimson.
Only kneeling on one knee kept her from collapsing entirely.
Runes of ancient Dao scripture shimmered along the phantom blades.
The Dao oath had been fulfilled.
In full view of everyone.
