A Web of Silent Complicity

Chu Jiao personally felt that there was something strange about the atmosphere on Dao Sword Peak.

After all, since his return, the only person he had seen was Qi Xiao.

Neither Master nor Senior Martial Brother had shown themselves.

Of course, Qi Xiao’s explanations were perfectly reasonable.

Master was in seclusion, preparing to break through to the late Nascent Soul stage.

As for Senior Martial Brother—Senior Martial Sister—she was recovering from her injuries. Seclusion was entirely normal.

Should he disturb them simply because he had returned?

He wasn’t that selfish.

Moreover… he felt pressure.

Qi Xiao was several years younger than him, yet had already broken through to the mid–Golden Core stage, theoretically standing on the same level as him.

That was terrifying.

He himself had only reached mid–Golden Core a year or two ago.

Would it be that in a few more years, when Qi Xiao advanced to late Golden Core, he would still be stagnating at the mid stage?

The thought made his chest tighten.

If a senior martial brother’s cultivation lagged behind his junior’s, what then?

What face would he have to compete for the title of future leader of the Righteous Path?

This absolutely could not happen.

This truly made Chu Jiao feel pressure.

Had he been too lax in his cultivation these past years?

Thinking back carefully, it seemed that he had been constantly representing the sect—attending one event after another.

Although Master said this was also part of cultivating the True Path Sword, perhaps it really wasn’t ideal.

He needed to cultivate more diligently.

I must seize every moment to cultivate as well!

Dao Sword Peak fell into an eerie silence.

* * * *

“Yu Lian, your cultivation has become even more refined than before. With this level of strength, it’s not impossible for you to contend for the strongest among the Golden Core generation.”

Prison Law True Master looked at his disciple with surprise.

Yu Lian bowed respectfully.

“Although I suffered misfortune this time, I did gain some insights. As the saying goes, fortune and misfortune depend on one another. I did gain something.”

Of course, she couldn’t say that this strength came from cultivating together with Li Wangyan—
from comprehending various Dao principles through him, which held profound meaning for a law cultivator like herself.

In truth, she had never imagined she could reach such perfection at the Golden Core stage.

She felt that she was only lacking a single opportunity.

Once that opportunity arrived, she could break through to Nascent Soul.

Who would have thought that cultivating together could bring such tremendous benefits?

It was completely beyond her expectations.

No wonder the Joyful Supreme Venerable had once been so renowned—it was likely related to that powerful dual-cultivation technique.

“Yu Lian, the Demon Extermination Campaign is approaching. With your current cultivation, this campaign may very well be your opportunity. You must be especially cautious and prepare well. Perhaps during the campaign itself, your chance to break through to Nascent Soul will appear.”

“This kind of opportunity is rare. Not every cultivator encounters it. By then, if you succeed, your Master can finally rest assured and hand everything over to you.”

Yu Lian sensed hesitation in her master’s words.

In recent days, she had already noticed that her master indeed had ties to the demonic sect.

But… he likely wasn’t acting of his own will—he was probably forced by circumstances.

And what he had just said carried the unmistakable tone of entrusting his legacy.

As if once she broke through to Nascent Soul, he would die.

Yu Lian hesitated, unsure of what to say.

Perhaps… she could ask Li Wangyan?

Not because she believed a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him could truly resolve this, nor because she intended to rely on him.

It was just that… no matter what, they had already cultivated together.

And if his cultivation advanced further, if they truly became cultivation partners…

That might not necessarily be a bad thing.

Although Li Wangyan had taken advantage of her circumstances, that didn’t mean a person couldn’t change.

If guided properly—through words and example—perhaps he could develop the bearing of a gentleman.

In any case, what was done was done.

She couldn’t possibly go find another man to become her cultivation partner.

Accepting Li Wangyan was already a choice made out of necessity.

To find someone else?

She couldn’t do it.

That was too difficult for her.

From this perspective, if she were to choose a cultivation partner, Li Wangyan was her only option.

At the very least… he was the one who turned her into this.

And he knew she had once been male—yet he didn’t despise her.

When they cultivated together, he even seemed quite enthusiastic…

That made it easier for her to accept.

If possible, could she find a way to have Li Wangyan join Heaven Law Peak?

She knew Li Wangyan liked Qi Xiao.

She also knew Qi Xiao had been turned into a woman by Li Wangyan.

But so what?

Qi Xiao might not accept Li Wangyan.

She, on the other hand, could only choose him.

“In that case, Master, this disciple will take her leave.”

“Mmn. Rest well these next few days. I’ve heard Lin Wushuang may not be able to appear. When the time comes, the face of the Heavenly Dao Sect will depend on you to uphold.”

“This disciple will absolutely not allow the sect to be humiliated!”

* * * *

After leaving, Yu Lian went to Dao Sword Peak.

She arrived at Li Wangyan’s cave dwelling.

“Senior Sister Yu Lian?” Li Wangyan was slightly surprised. “Is there some matter from Heaven Law Peak, or the Law Enforcement Hall… or—”

Yu Lian wore a goose-yellow long dress that perfectly matched her gentle temperament, like a piece of fine jade placed before the eyes.

“If Junior Brother wants to hear some intelligence, why not invite me in?”

Li Wangyan hesitated.

Then Yu Lian understood why.

Behind him stood a seductively enchanting woman in a bright red dress, a small bell tied around her ankle.

“Lin Wushuang? What are you doing here?”

“Yu Lian? You’re from Heaven Law Peak—why are you here looking for Junior Brother? Planning to arrest him again?”

Yu Lian immediately pushed her way inside Li Wangyan’s cave dwelling.

She casually took a seat, assuming the posture of a hostess.

“I came to discuss important matters with Junior Brother. As for you—while I’ve been exerting myself for the Demon Extermination Tournament, you’ve suffered a cultivation setback and caused me tremendous pressure. Why aren’t you returning to cultivate properly instead of wasting time here?”

“Important matters?” Lin Wushuang didn’t back down. “I’m curious what they are. Junior Brother and I are from the same peak—there shouldn’t be anything I’m not allowed to hear, right?”

Li Wangyan watched the two women confront each other with obvious amusement.

“Oh? Wangyan, can this woman listen?”

“Mmn. It’s not directly related to Senior Martial Sister. Letting her listen doesn’t matter.”

Yu Lian suddenly realized something.

So Senior Martial Brother had originally been a woman—or rather, had been turned into one.

That meant she had misunderstood things before.

“My Master, Prison Law True Master, does indeed have ties to the demonic sect. But it’s more like they have leverage over him—he’s being forced. Today, he even subtly entrusted his legacy to me. I suspect he already intends to die in battle.”

Li Wangyan was surprised—but he didn’t doubt her.

“To be honest, we absolutely cannot let him succeed. He likely plans to take his secrets to the grave by dying in the Demon Extermination Campaign, preserving his reputation and clearing the path for you.”

“Once you break through to Nascent Soul, you could immediately take over Heaven Law Peak. From this angle, Senior Sister Yu Lian must stand above everyone else in this campaign and seize first place.”

“Even if Prison Law True Master falls, you could temporarily prevent the sect from appointing another elder.”

“My Master likely thinks exactly that.”

“I can’t let him succeed,” Li Wangyan said with a smile. “The clues lie with him. If he dies, how am I supposed to find the mastermind from back then?”

“This should also align with Senior Sister Yu Lian’s wishes. You don’t want your Master to die, do you?”

“I… of course I want Master to live. But what should I do?”

“I have my own arrangements. Senior Sister Yu Lian only needs to cultivate well.”

He paused, smiling faintly.

“Since today is convenient… Senior Sister Yu Lian, why don’t we spar a bit?”

Yu Lian’s cheeks flushed.

She glanced at Lin Wushuang.

“But she’s here…”

“Isn’t that perfect? Let Senior Martial Sister watch.”

“I… you…”

Yu Lian’s heart leapt.

She knew she couldn’t truly refuse him.

After all, Li Wangyan was not a benevolent person.

“If… if you insist…”

Her hands trembled as she began to loosen her robes.

“Senior Martial Sister, aren’t you going to do something?”

The red dress fell to the ground.

…

Last time, Master had been on the bed, and Lin Wushuang beneath it.

She had only heard the sounds, not seen anything.

This time, she witnessed the entire process with her own eyes.

Her face burned red, her legs weakened.

Yet Li Wangyan truly did nothing to her.

Even though she had been constantly preparing herself mentally…

He truly did nothing.

It wasn’t that she wanted such a thing—it was just…

What exactly did Li Wangyan want?

What did he want from her?

Still… she seemed to gain some understanding of that act.

She could feel the circulation of spiritual power between him and Yu Lian.

If she… if she cultivated with him…

Could she recover some of her lost cultivation?

Yu Lian clearly benefited greatly.

Her own problem lay in her mental state, not in her cultivation.

Though Yu Lian seemed embarrassed by being watched… she also seemed happy.

Cultivating with a demon among demons—yet feeling happy?

She refused to believe Yu Lian had been willing at first.

Li Wangyan must have used some methods.

If she…

No.

I don’t like him.

I’m just forcing myself to believe that.

I have to do this…