When Qin Jianglan taught swordsmanship to Gujian Sect disciples, Elder Yi and several other elders also mixed among the disciples to listen, all benefiting greatly.
Elder Yi gained insights under the influence of sword intent and planned to enter seclusion, but he was currently acting as interim sect master and couldn’t just abandon his responsibilities. Thinking of the deceased Sect Master Duan made him feel quite sorrowful.
Sect Master Duan had good aptitude and strong abilities, but he wasn’t the Gujian Sect’s most formidable sword cultivator.
Because he spent much time handling sect affairs, while other elders and cultivators would seclude themselves for a century at a time. Previously, he only knew that being a sect master was glorious. When he wasn’t chosen back then, he’d felt uncomfortable, which was why he spent so much time outside. Though he genuinely loved spirit beasts, staying away from the sect for decades or centuries at a time, in the beginning, wasn’t it also because he was somewhat resentful?
Only now did he realize how much Sect Master Duan had sacrificed for the sect.
Elder Yi wanted to enter seclusion, but the Gujian Sect couldn’t be without leadership. The seriously injured elder from Precept Peak had been in seclusion for a long time and couldn’t even participate in the ancient secret realm treasure hunt. After the traitor from Tool Peak died, he was now managing that peak too. Elder Mei was originally someone who didn’t concern himself with worldly affairs—if not for the sect this time, he wouldn’t have come down the mountain at all. Of the remaining two peak elders, one was seriously injured and the other was learning swordsmanship from Qin Jianglan even more eagerly than ordinary disciples, currently having no mind for management. So Elder Yi thought of Su Zhuyi.
Su Zhuyi was now Luoxue Peak’s only successor.
Her strength was formidable, her status and position unquestionable. The spirit creature Wu’er she raised, and the mysterious man Qin Jianglan behind her, his strength could rank among the top few in this cultivation world. He’d believe it if told he was number one under heaven. Therefore, with Su Zhuyi supporting them, the Gujian Sect could weather any storms.
Of course, Yi Lian didn’t want Su Zhuyi to become sect master and manage sect affairs. Gujian Sect was a prestigious righteous sect with a long history—even temporarily without leadership, disciples from each peak would fulfill their duties and keep the sect running. He just hoped Su Zhuyi could make decisions when the sect faced major issues, and most Gujian Sect disciples would surely accept her decisions. After all, she had extremely high prestige in the Gujian Sect, with the mysterious Sword Venerable Qin Jianglan standing behind her.
Moreover, having known Su Zhuyi for so long, he understood this disciple somewhat. At least he knew she was very clever and definitely wouldn’t let sect cultivators suffer losses. That was enough.
With this purpose, Yi Lian came before Su Zhuyi and took out a small jade-carved sword, presenting it to Su Zhuyi. “This is the sect master’s token. Seeing this sword is like the sect master’s personal presence—even those elders among sect cultivators must heed your commands.” Yi Lian was a bit afraid Su Zhuyi would refuse and had prepared a whole set of arguments, but seeing Su Zhuyi’s expression now, his prepared words were useless.
Su Zhuyi’s eyes lit up. Her eyes, already like black obsidian, seemed to sprout two small flames.
In her previous life she was a villain. Later, after leaving Xueluo Sect, she’d gained some influence, but compared to a great sect like Gujian Sect, her small demonic sect was insignificant. Now being given the sect master’s token to manage Gujian Sect, Su Zhuyi was immediately eager to try—she wanted to create the world’s number one sect.
Not like Yunxiao Sect’s number one righteous sect.
But one that both righteous and demonic paths would respectfully call number one.
Number one under heaven.
Whether righteous or demonic path, every ten or hundred years, they’d have to pay tribute to the Gujian Sect. No matter where sect disciples went, none would dare bully them in the slightest.
Achieving this goal wasn’t difficult either. She’d just lead a group to challenge various sects, fighting through both righteous and demonic paths until all the disobedient were beaten down. She didn’t believe that Qin Jianglan and Little Skull could run into any iron plates.
“Of course, you cannot violate the greater righteousness,” Elder Yi said, seeing Su Zhuyi’s suddenly glowing eyes that looked greenish like a hungry wolf, and suddenly felt somewhat regretful. Had he made the wrong decision?
“If opinions conflict and elders firmly oppose, it requires a joint decision by several elders. If truly unable to decide, then summon me from seclusion…”
“Oh, got it.” Su Zhuyi reached for the small sword, but after grasping the hilt, found Yi Lian hadn’t released it. She frowned and glanced at him—just this faint glance made Yi Lian feel even more uneasy. He felt like he’d recruited a wolf?
The Golden Sparrow on his shoulder called twice, saying shrilly, “Su Zhuyi, why don’t you think about it more, consider carefully?”
“I’ve thought it through.” Su Zhuyi pulled with slight force. Her physical body had been refined in the Pangu clan’s Rebirth Pond and was quite strong. With this tug, Yi Lian couldn’t hold on and watched helplessly as Su Zhuyi took the jade sword, weighed it a few times, then directly stored it in her storage treasure.
Her agreeing so readily made Yi Lian even more uneasy. But the token was already handed over, and Su Zhuyi had saved them and fought bloodily for the sect. Back then, on Luoxue Peak, Su Zhuyi had risked her life to block the evil Longquan Sword and burned her lifespan like the sect master. No matter what, he shouldn’t doubt Su Zhuyi’s loyalty to the Gujian Sect.
She was the person Luo Ying had chosen.
Also, the master chosen by a heaven and earth spirit creature like Wu’er.
Moreover, she was someone who acted chivalrously and left a righteous name under heaven. Though she showed no mercy when dealing with the Dong Fushang Sect, her clear distinction between gratitude and resentment was what Yi Lian admired. He disliked those who repaid evil with kindness. Therefore, Yi Lian paused and smiled, “Then during my seclusion, Gujian Sect is entrusted to you.”
“Don’t worry.” Su Zhuyi nodded. She could finally have a grand undertaking. Of course, her freedom to act was still limited—she needed to first extract the Breath Soil from her body and get it into the Liuguang Mirror. Otherwise, this heavenly fate would still be difficult to reverse, and everything they’d gained now would ultimately be lost.
The lives of everyone she cared about.
Including herself.
So the matter of the Reincarnation Dao still had to be the priority.
That night, when Qin Jianglan returned, he saw Su Zhuyi sitting on the bedside wearing only an undergarment and underpants. A brilliant, luminous pearl hung above her head like a lantern suspended overhead, gathering that beam of light onto the scroll in her hands, covering the scroll she held with a layer of bright radiance.
Qin Jianglan swept with his divine consciousness, then chuckled softly. “What made you think of reading mortal storybooks?”
Su Zhuyi had always loved reading. She’d learned much and was skilled at many things. Back then, on the Wangtian Tree, she’d read quite a few storybooks. He hadn’t expected her to somehow obtain mortal things again, sitting there with crossed legs, reading with great interest.
Her trouser legs were rolled up to her knees. Those fair, slender calves gleamed like jade under the luminous pearl’s illumination. Her jade feet were delicate, seemingly graspable in one palm, with pink, tender nails. The white jade feet with round, pink, tender nails—held in hand, they’d be like a pink lotus blooming in the palm, with white petals but pink tips.
Qin Jianglan entered the room, but Su Zhuyi remained buried in her book without even glancing at him.
He reached out to grasp her jade foot, his other hand lightly stroking her calf a few times. “What are you reading that’s so absorbing?”
Only then did Su Zhuyi look up. She directly covered Qin Jianglan’s face with the scroll in her hands, frowning. “Why so late today?”
“Two disciples comprehended their sword intent. I guided them a bit.”
Qin Jianglan removed the scroll and glanced casually. Those two pages of text were imprinted in his mind. He’d originally thought it was the spring palace illustrations Su Zhuyi used to enjoy, but unexpectedly, it was mortals’ conception of the underworld and eighteen levels of hell—folk mythology.
First level, Tongue-Pulling Hell.
Those who in life sowed discord, slandered and harmed others, were glib-tongued, clever in argument, or lied to deceive. After death, they were cast into Tongue-Pulling Hell, where little demons pried open their mouths, clamped their tongues with iron pincers, and tore them out alive. Not in one pull, but stretched long and slowly dragged, then sent to Scissors Hell and Iron Tree Hell.
“Second level, Scissors Hell. Third level, Iron Tree Hell…” Su Zhuyi saw that Qin Jianglan had read the scroll. She propped her cheek with one hand, smiling. “These mortals’ imagination is quite remarkable. The punishments inside could indeed serve as a reference.”
“With Qinghe’s blue-faced, fanged appearance, having him handle this would surely be twice as effective.” Qin Jianglan smiled without speaking, using the scroll to pat her head.
“What the Liuguang Mirror currently lacks is continuous life force.” Su Zhuyi rested her calves on Qin Jianglan’s legs, rubbing twice. “Time is of the essence—shall we depart for Quicksand River tomorrow?”
Speaking of this, Su Zhuyi pulled out the jade sword and waved it before Qin Jianglan. “The sect master’s token. Elder Yi is entering seclusion, so from now on, I have the final say in Gujian Sect affairs. I want to make Gujian Sect the world’s number one great sect.”
As she spoke, she was animated with joy, wanting to stand on the bed. But Qin Jianglan smoothly reached out to catch her jade foot. Her body fell backward, but didn’t hit the bed—instead, a gentle breeze pulled her forward while Qin Jianglan simultaneously sat on the bed’s edge, so Su Zhuyi’s legs ended up across his lap.
He reached out and pulled the fallen Su Zhuyi into his arms to sit. “I still remember the wish you spoke when you fell from the Wangtian Tree.”
“To become the world’s number one person, to seek the great dao of longevity.”
“How about it?” She raised her eyebrows, thinking her past self must have been extraordinarily imposing.
“Quite good.”
She was completely unclothed, firmly locked in his embrace. Hearing her speak such bold words, his feelings were complex then, but recalling it now, he only wanted to smile.
Yet his heart still answered: May your wishes come true. If the Reincarnation Dao could truly succeed, they would also have achieved the great dao of longevity.
Not entering reincarnation, forever accompanying each other.