The news spread quietly.
Things like how Eldest Senior Brother Lin Wushuang had always been female, but because she cultivated the Ruthless Sword Dao and didn’t want personal entanglements to hinder her cultivation, she presented herself as male to avoid attracting suitors.
Now that her cultivation had reached a certain level, she had restored her female form.
Then, people went to look up information about the Ruthless Sword Dao.
Of course, looking didn’t mean they intended to cultivate it, but upon looking, they understood.
So, Eldest Senior Brother… now Eldest Senior Sister, wanted to fall in love! Having reached this stage in her cultivation, she needed to experience romance, then sever the ties of affection to finally achieve the true Ruthless Sword.
For a time, many disciples on Dao Sword Peak were eager to see what their Eldest Senior Sister looked like now.
But when they truly saw her, they still gasped in shock.
“On Dao Sword resides a beauty, standing apart from the world! One glance topples my peak; a second glance topples my sect!”
Someone blurted out such a poem.
Lin Wushuang emerged wearing a black robe, yet her face was bewitching all beings. Merely casting a fleeting glance over made one feel full of charm, as if sending secret signals, beckoning you forward to be intimate.
Many male cultivators present slightly bowed.
They also noticed a small bell tied to her ankle, not making a sound. Clearly decorative.
Someone decided to pursue Eldest Senior Sister.
What? She would later sever emotional ties? So what? Could such beauty be left to others?
However—Dao Sword Peak Steward Li Feiyu walked out.
He naturally held Lin Wushuang’s hand.
“Eldest Senior Sister, you just returned to the sect. Perhaps there are places you are unfamiliar with. I happen to be acting Peak Lord. Let me show you around?”
“…Mmm. Thank you, Junior Brother.”
“Li Feiyu! You are going too far!”
Finally, someone couldn’t hold back. Someone stepped forward.
“You merely caught Senior Brother Qi’s eye by chance and became acting Peak Lord—and you dare act so recklessly! First forming cultivation partnerships with Senior Sister Ning and Senior Sister Qi, now laying hands on Eldest Senior Sister! What are you trying to do?! Is Dao Sword Peak your private property?!”
A late Foundation Establishment disciple stepped forward.
“Eldest Senior Sister! You must not be deceived by this person! He is already two-timing! Now he flirts improperly with you! How can the sect allow such a scoundrel to corrupt customs here?! Eldest Senior Sister should report to the True Master and request punishment!”
Well said!
Lin Wushuang wanted to say that, but she knew it was meaningless. She merely looked at Li Feiyu.
“Senior Sister Ning and… Senior Sister Qi?”
That late Foundation Establishment disciple, hearing Lin Wushuang ask, beamed with joy, quickly explained.
“Senior Sister Ning is the True Master’s niece, brought back to the sect by the True Master. Perhaps inexperienced in worldly matters, she was deceived by this person into becoming his cultivation partner. Senior Sister Qi is Senior Brother Qi’s younger sister, also deceived by him. Who knows what methods he used to make both women become his cultivation partners… perhaps some shameful methods! Eldest Senior Sister must be careful! Keep your distance from him! Don’t fall into his trap!”
Although this person said so, Lin Wushuang only felt a chill in her heart.
Senior Sister Ning? Senior Sister Qi?
Master would go looking for a niece? That’s nonsense! Wouldn’t I know if Master had a niece?
As for Qi Xiao’s younger sister?
Even more laughable. Qi Xiao severed ties with his family over a decade ago, wholeheartedly following the Immortal path, traveling thousands of miles to join the Heavenly Dao Sect. He had a younger sister?
These Senior Sisters Ning and Qi were clearly Master and Qi Xiao… no, Qi Xiao was now Qi Xiao!
She looked at Li Wangyan.
Li Wangyan smiled.
Everything was understood without words.
She bit her lip, appearing somewhat wronged, then looked at the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had stood up.
“Matters between the Peak Lord and me—are they for you to manage? Who told you to question my decision?”
Instantly, everyone withdrew. They suddenly remembered this charming beauty was indeed the former Eldest Senior Brother, the one who cultivated the Ruthless Sword Dao.
“Instead of spending time competing for attention, you’d be better off diligently cultivating. The Demonic Extermination Conference is approaching. Even if you aren’t required to participate on stage, won’t you join the extermination of the demonic sects? Or do you want to die in this war? Step forward now, and I’ll first satisfy his wish!”
The disciples all bowed their heads.
“We thank Eldest Senior Sister for her teachings!”
Lin Wushuang snorted coldly, then said to Li Wangyan,
“Junior Brother, come with me to see Master, how about it?”
“Since Senior Sister invites, I dare not refuse!”
After saying this, Li Wangyan even cast a mocking smile towards the disciple who had jumped out earlier, as if saying, “Clown, your nose fell off. Hurry and put it back on.”
That disciple was angry but dared not speak.
Li Wangyan, of course, knew what Lin Wushuang wanted to discuss with Master by taking him there. But on the way, he started laughing.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Senior Sister, you already guessed some things. What’s the point in verifying? Moreover, will what you get truly be the result you want?”
Li Wangyan seemed suggestive.
“You want Master to give you an explanation, want to question Master about something… I understand your feelings, Senior Sister. But are you truly prepared to accept Master’s answer?”
“I…”
Lin Wushuang abruptly stopped. This sudden motion caused the bell on her ankle to slightly ring. Her body instantly went soft, having to lean on Li Wangyan.
“Senior Sister being so proactive puts this two-timing person in quite a difficult position! How will I explain this to my Shuang’er and Huan’er? Ah, speaking of which, Eldest Senior Sister, you could also be Shuang’er~ How interesting. Did Master think of you when naming her?”
He almost said it directly, leaving nothing to act out.
She softly lifted her head, showing a pleading expression.
“Li Wangyan, what do you really want? What are you going to do to us? In the past, though I didn’t help you, I also didn’t harm you. Master merely followed sect regulations. Moreover, there are hidden circumstances in that matter. Why do you want our master-disciple…”
“Oh? Does Senior Sister think only tangible losses count as harm? My feelings back then, my despair—aren’t those part of my hatred? If that’s the case, when Senior Sister’s family was annihilated by demonic sect members, though you lost parents and family, you yourself didn’t suffer losses. Instead, you joined Master’s sect, now achieved Golden Core. Shouldn’t you thank that demonic cultivator from back then?”
Li Wangyan sneered.
“In that case, why does Senior Sister cultivate the Ruthless Dao? Hmm?”
Lin Wushuang opened her mouth but couldn’t refute. Because she herself couldn’t let go of that past, which was why she took the Ruthless Sword path—to make the pain no longer exist in her heart, to make herself feel better…
By saying this now, Li Wangyan made her understand the pain and betrayal he felt back then, letting her know the hatred he harbored. No matter how justified her actions were, no matter how many reasons she had, the fact that he hated her, hated Master, wouldn’t change.
“You… you hate us, but Qi Xiao she…”
“Senior Sister Qi is different from you. Don’t compare.”
Li Wangyan didn’t elaborate further, letting Lin Wushuang imagine for herself.
“Alright, Senior Sister. Weren’t we going to see Master? Shall we go?”
“I… I think… that might not be necessary…”
“That won’t do, Senior Sister. I also want to see what Master’s thoughts will be upon seeing you.”
Of course, upon truly seeing…
Seeing her stunning and imposing master, for some reason… Lin Wushuang felt herself calming down.
Although she herself seemed quite charming, Master wasn’t much less impressive. Though Master’s appearance seemed somewhat cold.
The two looked at each other wordlessly…
She had originally harbored some resentment. She wondered, knowing Li Wangyan hated her, why didn’t Master tell her? While she was away, why did Master summon her back? Master clearly…
There were many things she wanted to say, but upon seeing Master, she couldn’t utter them.
Master must have already heard the news, but it wasn’t as shocking as seeing her in person. Only now did she gain real feeling—they were being avenged by the man beside her.
She angrily looked at Li Wangyan.
“What have you done to Master?!”
“Done?” Li Wangyan smiled.
Just as True Master Dao Sword thought he would reveal the things between them, Li Wangyan said,
“Haven’t done anything yet. Master is, after all, a Nascent Soul cultivator. Though she can’t do much to me either, it’s also difficult for me to do much to her… As for you, Senior Sister, perhaps you should take care of yourself.”
True Master Dao Sword was taken aback. Then she suddenly remembered Li Wangyan saying he wanted to pursue Qi Xiao, so he wanted to end their relationship, pretend nothing happened between them.
She thought that was just Li Wangyan talking. After all, his desires were so strong, and he and Qi Xiao weren’t in that kind of relationship. If he had those thoughts, he would definitely come find her…
But it seemed he didn’t mean it that way?
A sudden ominous feeling arose in her heart.
Was he planning to have Shuang’er… take her previous place?!
No, that’s not right. If that were the case, he wouldn’t need to sever ties with her. After all, what’s the difference between doing those things with her and with Shuang’er? Since he wants to pursue Qi Xiao, he shouldn’t be doing those things.
“Is… is that so, Master?”
“Yes, Wushuang—these matters are quite complicated. Master can slowly explain to you. Wangyan, you…”
Li Wangyan smiled, his gaze sweeping over both of them.
“I thought something interesting might happen… Well, I do have things to attend to. I won’t disturb your master-disciple conversation.”
He actually turned and left.
As if it truly had nothing to do with him anymore.
True Master Dao Sword watched his departing figure—she couldn’t figure out what Li Wangyan was really thinking.
If You Notice any translation issues or inconsistency in names, genders, or POV etc? Let us know here in the comments or on our Discord server, and we’ll fix it in current and future chapters. Thanks for helping us to improve! 🙂