Regret

Once people return to their comfort zone, they grow complacent.

After returning to the Heart-Sword Hall, Gong Ning indulged in a long, soothing bath, then slept in for the first time in ages.

When she finally rose, she found the elders of the Heart-Sword Hall had already carried in a plaque—embroidered with four elegant characters: “Hui Zhi Ren Huai” — “Graceful in Nature, Benevolent in Heart.”

“What is this…?”

“Sent personally by Master Jichen of Yuqing Sect.

Apparently, the disciples submitted a joint request to honor you.”

“I couldn’t possibly accept this…

The ones who truly saved the day were all of us. How could I take sole credit?”

Though she said this, a quiet warmth bloomed in her chest.

Xue Yingdong, of course, knew exactly what was going on.

This woman just needed a little flattery before she’d stop pretending to be humble.

“Even if you’re embarrassed, it’s already here—can you really refuse?

Thanks to you, what could’ve been just a transaction turned into a lasting bond with Yuqing Sect.”

Bai Peilan sighed enviously.
“When they delivered this plaque, my disciple mocked me again—saying others’ Masters, even with lost cultivation, can still turn the tide… and I’m nearly two hundred and still reading beginner manuals…”

Bai Peilan was thirty to forty years older than Gong Ning, but on the grand scale of cultivation, that was nothing.

“Still… we can’t just hang this in the main hall, can we? The calligraphy is… well…”

“It’s the truth. Stop being so modest.”

Zhou Yu’an said, carefully lifting the plaque and stepping into the hall, gesturing for Bai Peilan to help hang it.

This was really…

Xue Yingdong patted Gong Ning’s shoulder.
“Just accept it with peace of mind. Those four characters suit you perfectly.

By the way—you’ve become quite famous now.”

“Famous? What do you mean?”

“Su’e’s inheritance! Everyone knows you’re her successor now.

Some even speculate you became a woman on purpose just to practice that technique.”

So Long Hanxi really had no mercy—she’d gone and spread it herself.

“Ah, Elder Xue, there’s something I need to discuss with you—”

Before she could finish, her arms were each seized—left and right.

“Jingzhi! Won’t you come with us? Yulinlang just got new stock!

You’ve returned even more beautiful than before—how do you do it?”

These two elders, by seniority, were technically her seniors—or at least like older sisters.

Yet they always acted like she was the center of attention.

Still, she did want to buy some new things.

“Then let’s go. Elder Xue, will you join us?”

“Pass. I have to clean up Jiang Yuyao’s mess.

Changsheng Abbey handed over Yan Sha too.

I need to negotiate the disposal plan with them before noon.”

Gong Ning didn’t insist.

Perhaps, compared to shopping, she preferred doing real work.

In Xuantian Sword Sect, everyone had their role.

Tao Lingling and Tang Qiaohuan were in their room—Tao Lingling diligently refining souls, Tang Qiaohuan scribbling away.

“Why didn’t you go bother her today?”

“My Master has her own things to do.

I don’t need to force her to be happy.

Just seeing me train seriously is enough to make her smile.”

Tang Qiaohuan couldn’t help but sneer.

How convenient—someone who could satisfy themselves with self-delusion.

“By the way, why didn’t you force your way along last time?

Weren’t you afraid something might’ve happened to her?

Even during the arena fight—weren’t you afraid you’d lose?”

This was what Tang Qiaohuan was curious about.

She had died first in the past life—knew very little—yet so many of her actions had been so certain.

“Didn’t I have you? And Senior Sister? And Jiang Yuyao?

Even if I weren’t there, you’d all risk your lives to protect her, wouldn’t you?”

No wonder she was so confident.

She was counting on others?

Then Tao Lingling added, “And even if… you didn’t protect her—don’t I still have the Taoist Devouring Life Record?”

Tang Qiaohuan suddenly understood.

So this one hadn’t changed at all.

She was just missing the hatred and misunderstandings—so she seemed cute.

But at her core, she was still that detestable person.

The moment someone harmed her Master—or crossed her line—she’d become the Vessels of Calamity, Demoness again.

“You’re refining souls?

Did you kill a few more in the Central Land?”

“Killed a few—but I’m not refining their souls.”

“Then whose are they?”

“From the last life.”

Just those few words made Tang Qiaohuan break into a cold sweat.

In truth, Tang Qiaohuan had done something in her past life that severed her ties with her Master.

At the time, the Vessels of Calamity was dominating Great Yan.

Because of her, the Taoist Devouring Life Record became wildly sought after—everyone wanted to use it to become a tyrant.

Yet no one achieved anything with it—even after her death.

So Tang Qiaohuan secretly studied her remains—behind her Master’s back.

And she did find the source.

She had been chosen by the Taotie.

The clue came from Yan Sha.

After Yan Sha broke free, it should’ve been unrestrained.

Yet it was still suppressed by the demoness.

Only one explanation: a being of higher status terrified it.

The Taotie, one of the ancient evil beasts, had long been sealed outside this world.

Unaffected by its rules, untouchable by its laws.

Whatever the reason for choosing her, one thing was clear—the Taoist Devouring Life Record granted her immense power.

She had thought, in this new life, since she hadn’t deeply cultivated the technique, the Taotie wouldn’t notice her.

She’d live an ordinary life.

Who could’ve guessed her past-life remnants could be brought forward?

Was it the Taotie again?

Lu Yunling also had her own matters.

Back in the Sword-Steering Hut, she submitted the mission report.

Perhaps due to her deep involvement, she was awarded one thousand spiritual merits.

One thousand merits could do a lot.

Its purchasing power was about a thousand copper coins—enough for a poor person to live comfortably for half a year.

But converted to the lowest-grade spirit stones, it was only two.

Sects weren’t businesses.

That’s why they used spiritual merits—a token currency only usable within the sect.

Many sect items had cultivation requirements.

For example, Yulinlang, the highest-end store, required at least Foundation Establishment Layer Five.

Ordinary disciples were restricted from high spending.

And merits were reset at year’s end.

So people couldn’t save much—better to spend them on cultivation resources.

Though some tried reselling, it was severely punished.

Few dared to be black-market traders.

Lu Yunling originally planned to buy two spirit stones.

But then a senior sister called her to the Hut.

The Hut Master sat on a straw mat, silently observing her.

“How was this trial?”

“Didn’t accomplish much. Just rode on others’ fame.”

“Heard you acted with the Heart-Sword Hall group.

How does her disciple compare to you?”

“Stronger, without a doubt.”

“That shouldn’t be.

You practice my technique.

You cannot be weaker.

She must’ve received excessive resources—temporarily ahead of you.

Come. Become my direct disciple.

You’ll receive no less.

In time, you’ll become Xuantian Sword Sect’s next Sword Immortal.”

Here we go again.

The Hut Master was good at everything—except this obsession with prestige.

Lu Yunling knew her secret.

She had once competed with another for the Sword Immortal title—and lost.

Later, she set her eyes on Jiang Yuyao—the current Sword Immortal.

But she lost again, failing to claim her as a disciple.

That disciple belonged to Gong Ning’s master.

Despite her cultivation level, she still clung to the Sword Immortal title—like it was a heart-devil.

Unfortunately.

“Yunling is deeply grateful for the Hut Master’s kindness in granting the Azure Cloud Sword Flight Formula.

But as I said before… my heart already belongs to another.”