She Chose Him Before He Chose to Break Her

“Senior Brother Chu, you needn’t worry. Although something seems to have happened in the Heavenly Dao Sect, the impact doesn’t appear to be significant.”

On the flying vessel, Chu Jiao stood at the very front, watching as it cleaved through layers of clouds and pressed onward.

Hearing the voice beside him, Chu Jiao turned gently.

“Junior Martial Sister Liu, I’m naturally aware of that. Besides, both Master and Junior Brother have already contacted me, assuring me that everything is fine. There’s nothing to worry about. It’s just… my heart longs for home, that’s all.”

“Senior Brother truly cherishes the bonds between sect siblings and honors teachers and elders. Such benevolence and virtue—if only you were our senior brother in the Blossom Sect, how wonderful that would be.”

“Junior Sister flatters me. The senior and junior sisters of the Blossom Sect are all benevolent and virtuous as well. During my stay, I was deeply moved by everyone’s care and concern. I feel truly ashamed, yet also full of admiration.”

They exchanged smiles.

“Senior Brother Chu, in just one more day we’ll reach the Heavenly Dao Sect. We’ll stay there for several days to attend the Demon Extermination Assembly. By then, we might even meet on the arena platform. I hope Senior Brother will show mercy.”

“Junior Sister’s strength is formidable. I’m the one who should ask for mercy.”

They smiled once more.

When the flying vessel landed outside the sect gates, Qi Xiao was already waiting.

“I welcome Second Senior Brother back to the sect! I also welcome our fellow Daoists from the Blossom Sect. Please, this way!”

There was no helping it—Junior Brother couldn’t very well come out to greet Second Senior Brother. So Qi Xiao was forced to “end her seclusion.”

“Junior Brother Qi, long time no see!” Chu Jiao’s eyes lit up. “You’ve broken through to the mid–Golden Core stage?!”

“I had a sudden insight during cultivation recently.”

“That’s wonderful news! Where are Master and Senior Brother?”

“Master has had a sudden realization and will soon attempt a breakthrough to late Nascent Soul. As for Senior Brother… Second Senior Brother should already know about the previous attack. And the fact that Senior Brother is actually Senior Martial Sister.”

Chu Jiao’s expression grew solemn.

“I know… It was unexpected. I never imagined Senior Martial Sister would conceal it for so long. She even claimed she didn’t know the Mirror Flower, Water Moon Technique. I was deceived all along.”

“Senior Martial Sister was attacked by the demonic sect and is currently recuperating in seclusion. She likely won’t attend the Demon Extermination Assembly. Once the war truly begins, there’s a chance she’ll emerge.”

“In that case, Dao Sword Peak has only the two of us left to uphold its honor.”

“That’s right.”

After a moment of thought, Chu Jiao said, “Qi Xiao, escort the Blossom Sect guests to their accommodations first. We’ll discuss everything afterward.”

“Alright.”

Qi Xiao turned toward the Blossom Sect disciples.

“Senior Sisters, Junior Sisters, please follow me. I’ll introduce the scenery of the Heavenly Dao Sect along the way.”

“We’ll be troubling you, Senior Brother Qi.”

* * * *

What exactly was Li Wangyan’s goal?

Lin Wushuang was no fool.

It was just that too many things had happened recently—far too much for her fragile heart to bear.

Now, with someone “supporting” her from behind, she felt she had regained a measure of strength.

So she began to think calmly.

First, Li Wangyan had placed the Bliss Curse and the bell on her.

Did that mean he coveted her body?

No.

Her Master was more beautiful than she was.

Since Li Wangyan had already “conquered” her Master, there was no reason for him to focus on her body.

And indeed, he hadn’t done anything excessively physical to her.

What he wanted was humiliation—
to shatter her Dao Heart,
to force her to reveal an ugly, disgraceful side of herself.

Just as he’d said:
to make her experience what he once had.

Lin Wushuang didn’t believe her sin warranted such punishment.

But she also didn’t believe someone like Li Wangyan would ever let her go.

As for Qi Xiao—only now did she faintly understand why Qi Xiao had given her despair back then.

Because Qi Xiao was in conversation with Li Wangyan.

She had no concrete evidence—only intuition.

Qi Xiao and Li Wangyan weren’t allies, yet they were the same kind of existence—
not quite human.

Though she had once said boldly, “I still have things I can do.”

But what, exactly, could she do?

Only one thing.

Go find Li Wangyan.

Going to Qi Xiao was meaningless now. She understood that clearly.

She had no bargaining chip capable of moving Qi Xiao’s heart.
She couldn’t offer what Qi Xiao needed.

But Li Wangyan was different.

His hatred toward her might itself be her leverage.

At the very least—
if she was to be a toy,
she should have the value of being played with.

So Lin Wushuang went to Li Wangyan’s cave dwelling.

* * * *

“This is unexpected—quite a shock. Isn’t this my dear Senior Martial Sister? What brings you here?”

“I… have something I wish to discuss with you.”

Li Wangyan nodded.

“Alright. Please, come in.”

The moment she entered, Lin Wushuang felt a violent surge of lightning-aspected spiritual energy.

“What is this?”

“A method Senior Sister Qi used for forced breakthrough recently. It’s called the Lightning Attraction and Spirit Conversion Pearl. It can regulate lightning power to a certain degree. Combined with her thunder cultivation, lightning body-tempering technique, and the cultivation-enhancing effect of the Mystic Maiden’s Mirror as an immortal artifact, she directly used lightning to force her way into mid–Golden Core.”

He stared at the pearl.

“She said that after some recuperation, and refining a stronger version, she could attempt the late Golden Core stage within three months.”

Li Wangyan slowly put the pearl away.

“This is Senior Sister Qi. Cultivation is everything to her. Everything else means little. Even when you begged her, it was the same. If you want her help, you must present value that benefits her cultivation.”

Though he hadn’t been present, he spoke as if he knew exactly what had transpired.

So it was true.

That day, Qi Xiao and Li Wangyan had been using her as a medium—
a clash of wills.

“Did she give you this method? Doesn’t that mean you can break through quickly as well?”

“Perhaps. But that’s after I form my Golden Core.”

He looked at her.

“Enough about Senior Sister Qi. Why did you come today?”

Lin Wushuang met his gaze.

“If I were truly willing to become your cultivation partner… would you let me go?”

“Cultivation partner?”

Li Wangyan froze, clearly caught off guard.

Then he smiled faintly.

“What need do I have for a cultivation partner? Everything a cultivation partner can do, I can already do to you. And things a cultivation partner can’t do—I can do those too. Why would I accept you as one?”

“I know I have no qualifications to make demands.”

“So I’m only asking… You turned me into this. If I must choose a cultivation partner, I can only choose you.”

“Oh?” His expression sharpened. “Are you suggesting I take responsibility? Have you ever seen a demonic cultivator take responsibility for a woman?”

Lin Wushuang shook her head slightly, helplessness flickering across her face.

“I’m not asking for responsibility. I just… feel that I like you.”

“…What did you say?”

“I said—I like you.”

Li Wangyan stepped back instinctively, eyes filled with wariness.

“Do you understand what you’re saying? If you think this will let you escape what I intend to do to you, you’re far too naive. I won’t fall for this.”

“I’m serious.”

Lin Wushuang’s voice was steady.

“I know you still have methods—use them. Interrogate my true heart however you wish. You know I’m fragile. You can use every method you have.”

She looked straight at him.

“I like you. That is the truth.”

“That’s impossible!”

Li Wangyan vehemently opposed this notion, a cold sneer on his face.

“Senior Sister! You know there is something called the Bliss Curse inside you. It corresponds to that silver bell on your left foot.”

“Mn.”

“Here, I also have something called the Heart-Gouging, Bone-Carving Curse. It corresponds to this black bell.”

He took out a black bell.

“As for its effect, I think just from the name, you should know, right? It will bring you the most intense pain in the world, pain akin to having your heart gouged and bones carved. Tell me, if I use it together with the Bliss Curse… what would happen?”

Lin Wushuang’s body trembled.

“It seems Senior Sister can already imagine it… Yes. From bliss to a hell of pain, and from a hell of pain back to bliss. The demonic sect has already conducted corresponding experiments. Even the most vicious demonic fiends, under the combined effects of these two methods, had their souls shattered after no more than three cycles, turning into living corpses. Does Senior Sister want to give it a try? Don’t worry—I won’t destroy your soul. I will keep proper restraint. Once Senior Sister recovers, we can have a second round. By then, I will naturally know Senior Sister’s true heart.”

No.
This must not be allowed to happen.

Lin Wushuang’s heart was filled with overwhelming terror. She had never imagined that Li Wangyan planned to do such things to her afterward.

But she knew—she had to make a choice immediately.

She lunged forward.

Wrapping her arms around Li Wangyan.

“If you need to prove it this way… then put it on me yourself.”

She blinked, her eyes full of seductive charm.

At last, she began to use the only weapon she currently possessed that might still be effective against Li Wangyan.

She realized she might actually have talent for this—

Because she did it so smoothly, so effortlessly.

Li Wangyan hesitated for a moment, then put away the black bell.

“I’m not completely sure what scheme you’re plotting now, Senior Sister. However, for the time being, I won’t do anything to you. That will wait until after the Demon Extermination Assembly. Ruining you now wouldn’t be a good thing. You can still enjoy a period of freedom.”

“Then, during this time, I will make you understand just how much I like you.”