Into the Trap of Blood and Thunder

Life-Severing Sect?

Why the Life-Severing Sect?

If Qi Xiao remembered correctly, that Crimson Lotus woman should be the Holy Maiden of the Life-Severing Sect. Was there some inevitable connection?

Or perhaps the Sect Master had already learned that members of the Life-Severing Sect had infiltrated the sect, and intended to wipe them out in a single stroke?

As for the Heart-Gouging, Bone-Carving Curse, she knew of it.

That was something created by Junior Brother—more precisely, by the old master behind him.

It was meant to be used on Senior Martial Sister, in conjunction with the Bliss Curse.

But Qi Xiao had never actually seen Junior Brother use it on Senior Martial Sister.

Was Junior Brother planning to destroy the demonic sect that had once taken him in?

So that he could then join the Heavenly Dao Sect with a clean slate, washing himself completely white?

If someone later accused Junior Brother of being from a demonic sect—

“Go investigate. The Life-Severing Sect is gone.”

Given Junior Brother’s ruthlessness, this was absolutely something he was capable of.

But…

“Second Senior Martial Brother, in two days we depart to exterminate the Life-Severing Sect. Senior Martial Sister and Master will likely not emerge from seclusion. This time, the battle merits of Dao Sword Peak will probably depend on the two of us.”

“Junior Brother need not worry. We will do our utmost. What matters most is preserving ourselves. The Demon Extermination Campaign is no child’s play. The Life-Severing Sect is absolutely not an opponent that can be defeated casually. We must be careful—extremely careful.”

Qi Xiao smiled.

“Senior Brother, rest assured. I will definitely be cautious. You as well, Senior Brother—you have always hated evil as if it were a personal enemy. During this campaign, remember to remain calm. Don’t let hatred cloud your judgment. Otherwise… something very bad may happen.”

“Junior Brother speaks rightly. I do need to be careful.”

Of course, what Qi Xiao meant was not exactly that—but Chu Jiao probably didn’t understand her implication.

The disciples of each peak returned to their cave dwellings to prepare.

Everyone seemed somewhat rushed.

In a war like this, one could easily fall.

But it was also an opportunity to rise.

Someone might strike it rich in a single battle.

Danger and fortune went hand in hand.

“Junior Brother, the extermination target is the Life-Severing Sect. This time, the Seven Righteous Sects seem to be targeting only them. Does this have anything to do with you?”

“Anything to do with me?” Li Wangyan looked puzzled. “The Life-Severing Sect once showed me kindness as well. Now the Heavenly Dao Sect wants to exterminate them—I’m caught in the middle. Truly… it’s hard to satisfy both sides.”

He looked rather pained.

But Qi Xiao didn’t believe him at all.

You believe Junior Brother has humanity?

Ridiculous.

“But speaking of which, Senior Sister—will you accompany me during this operation?” Li Wangyan suddenly asked. “If you were by my side, I’d feel much more at ease.”

“You clearly plan to take action against Second Senior Martial Brother, yet you want me beside you?”

“Eh~ Senior Sister, it’ll be a good show. You can just watch.”

“No need.”

Qi Xiao had no interest in such things.

Moreover, she suspected Li Wangyan wanted to kill a chicken to warn the monkeys—to deal with Second Senior Martial Brother as a way of intimidating her.

To be honest, Qi Xiao sometimes felt confused.

This person… if she hadn’t helped him back then, she would surely have faced retaliation.

But having helped him, being pursued by him didn’t seem much better.

Though he didn’t use troublesome methods, this kind of relentless entanglement was still…

Well, Qi Xiao herself didn’t care all that much.

“Yu Lian’s strength has increased greatly. Is that due to the Mystic Maiden’s Mirror?”

“No. It’s the result of dual cultivation with Senior Sister Yu Lian.”

Qi Xiao froze.

“Dual cultivation?”

“It’s exactly what Senior Sister is imagining.”

“Not… with Yu Lian? Not Senior Martial Sister?”

Li Wangyan nodded solemnly.

“Only Senior Sister Yu Lian. You wouldn’t believe it—she was quite proactive. She said she likes me and hopes I would marry her.”

Qi Xiao stared straight into Li Wangyan’s eyes.

She found that he didn’t seem to be lying.

“Yu Lian… how could that be?”

“I don’t know either. But Senior Sister Yu Lian is indeed very good. Very gentle. No matter what I do to her, she endures it silently. Very obedient, very compliant…”

“…Then why not request Master to propose on your behalf? It wouldn’t be a bad thing for Dao Sword Peak and Heaven Law Peak to form a union.”

“Master is about to enter Oblivious Meditation,” Li Wangyan suddenly said. “Actually, I hope Senior Martial Sister can reach Nascent Soul before that. Or… could Senior Sister achieve Nascent Soul before then?”

“Breaking into Nascent Soul depends on opportunity. It’s not something you can force. If the opportunity doesn’t come, it simply won’t happen.”

Qi Xiao left Li Wangyan’s cave dwelling.

She was very surprised about Yu Lian. She couldn’t understand how Yu Lian could accept things so easily.

Senior Martial Sister had resisted fiercely—she had even knelt and begged her to ask Li Wangyan to let her go.

And Senior Sister Yu Lian didn’t seem like someone who would easily fall for another person.

What kind of methods had Junior Brother used…?

This was very unfavorable for her.

So far, she hadn’t been targeted by Junior Brother because he liked her—she was his white moonlight.

But if he truly developed that kind of romantic relationship with Yu Lian…

Then her own position would become extremely awkward.

What would Junior Brother do to her then? Would his attitude change?

And more importantly—

Qi Xiao had previously believed that if Junior Brother liked her, then half of the Mystic Maiden’s Mirror should belong to her.

But if things continued like this, the Mystic Maiden’s Mirror would become Yu Lian’s!

That was the Mystic Maiden’s Mirror!

Not some ordinary magical treasure—an immortal artifact! Something absolutely unique in this world!

To say she had no greed? Impossible.

With an immortal artifact in hand, the Great Dao would be within reach!

Qi Xiao was devoted to the Dao. If there were no opportunity, fine.

But this was right in front of her.

To say she didn’t want it?

That made no sense.

But the situation between Junior Brother and Yu Lian…

Wait.

This might be Junior Brother’s feigned retreat strategy—deliberately acting this way to provoke her thoughts.

No. That itself was also an open scheme.

She, Qi Xiao, could not gamble on Junior Brother not genuinely developing feelings for Yu Lian.

She herself could not like Junior Brother—but Junior Brother had to like her.

Perhaps she needed to take action.

Two days later, flying vessels rose from the various peaks.

Qi Xiao stood in the core area of one vessel.

“Disciples of Dao Sword Peak, heed my command!”

“We obey Senior Brother’s orders!”

“Dao Sword Peak represents the killing force of the sect! All disciples must steel their spirits! When the sect demands the sword be drawn, unleash all killing intent! Strike once and shatter the demonic sect! Can you do this?!”

“We will not shirk! We will not shirk!!!”

Qi Xiao steered the vessel forward.

She knew Master was among them—disguised as that young woman named Ning Shuang.

Lin Wushuang was also aboard, currently in a hidden chamber of the vessel.

Junior Brother was with her… as for what they were doing, it was hard to say.

Qi Xiao’s gaze fell on Chu Jiao.

Chu Jiao looked bright and upright—thick brows, large eyes, a smiling face that inspired goodwill.

Qi Xiao was curious what he would look like as a woman.

But she was even more concerned about something else.

Everyone knew Junior Brother needed a secluded environment to transform someone into a woman using his method.

He couldn’t do it in public—it would be far too blatant.

If the secret leaked, no one would benefit.

So he would definitely create a situation where he could be alone with Second Senior Martial Brother.

That meant—

He hadn’t discussed countermeasures with her, yet still believed he could isolate Chu Jiao.

Which meant… the demonic sect had arranged something.

Their flying vessel would likely be attacked.

However, Junior Brother might be underestimating her.

She had broken through via lightning, and her comprehension of thunder arts had reached the pinnacle of the Golden Core realm.

During the previous assembly, that Mirror Sea—

Qi Xiao felt she could also shatter his “Moon Over the Sea.”

Aside from spiritual power reserves and recovery speed, she believed her mastery of techniques was inferior to no law cultivator.

Over a hundred flying vessels, carrying countless righteous disciples, surged toward the Life-Severing Sect, intending to erase it from the world in one battle.

Declaring war on the entire demonic alliance would be risky.

But targeting only the Life-Severing Sect?

The other demonic sects would merely watch.

They certainly wouldn’t help—these were demonic cultivators, after all.

Not stabbing them while they were down would already be considered benevolent.

Of course, they definitely would stab them while they were down.

The Life-Severing Sect’s stronghold was far away. The disciples rested and meditated during the journey.

After two days of flight—

“Everyone! Alert! We’ve fallen into a formation! The sect elders are breaking it!”

A pitch-black gale swept into the vessel.

This was clearly demonic handiwork.

“Hold for one quarter-hour!”

Lightning flashed in Qi Xiao’s hands, instantly dispersing the black gale inside the vessel.

“All disciples! Use your cultivation to protect yourselves! This is an evil wind—it corrodes the mind! Do not let it enter your bodies! Just one quarter-hour! The elders will break the formation!”

At that moment, Chu Jiao also acted.

He raised his hand sharply.

A square-shaped, sword-like longsword suddenly expanded, hovering above the vessel.

White qi flowed from it.

“This is Second Senior Martial Brother’s righteous qi! The bane of evil winds!”

Qi Xiao stepped out from the core area.

“Second Senior Martial Brother’s righteous qi has grown even more refined. It truly is the ultimate treasure against evil cultivators. This junior truly admires it.”

“Junior Brother’s lightning arts surprised me. I almost thought you were from Heaven Law Peak—so powerful, so purely yang and resolute. This Demon Extermination Campaign will provide many chances for Junior Brother to shine.”

They exchanged polite praise.

Then Qi Xiao said, “Just one quarter-hour and this will be resolved. It shouldn’t consume too much. Second Senior Martial Brother… Second Senior Martial Brother?!”

She looked up.

Chu Jiao had already flown into the sky, gripping the square sword again.

Shielded by righteous qi, he plunged straight into the evil miasma.

“Green-Bearded Old Fiend! Die!”

Qi Xiao unleashed even more lightning to block the evil wind from entering the vessel.

At the same time, she saw Li Wangyan dive into the darkness as well.

“…This is bad.”

The Green-Bearded Old Fiend.

She remembered—Second Senior Martial Brother’s cultivation partner had died at that man’s hands.

Master had searched for him back then, but never found him.

So he had joined the Life-Severing Sect?

This was definitely Junior Brother’s doing.