The great hall was brightly lit while gales howled outside and the gloomy sky pressed oppressively. This was the scene Bian Qingxuan saw upon opening her eyes.
Her clothes were tattered as she knelt on shattered colored glaze, both hands raising the over ten thousand catty cauldron of the Nine Tripod Cauldrons. Her entire body was drenched in rain.
The sky was pitch-dark, and a man with a head injury dressed in black robe with a hawk pattern and an injured head arrogantly approached with several malicious followers.
"Qingxuan, how many times have I told you not to compete with me?" The man used a folding fan to lift her chin and said mockingly, "Father has so many children but your heart is the wildest. Your mother was nothing but a wanton whore who slept with thousands and ridden by tens of thousands. My mother showed mercy and took her in. What's wrong with you staying in the wilderness, and stationed there obediently? See, trying yet failing to kill your elder brother left you in this state. Elder brother finds it very distressing to see you like this. After all, Qingxuan is the most beautiful little wild seed of our family."
The visitor claimed to be Bian Qingxuan's elder brother, but his face was completely different from Bian Lingyu's.
He used the folding fan to open Bian Qingxuan's lapel. Kneeling and lifting the heavy cauldron left her unable to resist or retaliate at all. The onlookers behind them witnessed Bian Qingxuan's miserable state and burst into laughter, their gazes lingering on her body.
"Kneel properly and beg my mother, perhaps she may show great mercy, sparing a breath for that sl*t mother of yours. Or perhaps you persevere a little longer and kneel until father's heart softens?"
He snorted, fluttered his sleeves and left, leaving behind a few men who didn't leave.
They exchanged glances and surrounded her.
"Qingxuan, is the look in your eyes dissatisfaction towards the eldest young master? The young master is too soft-hearted and is unwilling to discipline you, so the few of us can take care of it on his behalf."
She raised her gaze and clearly saw the lewd intentions in their eyes.
Bian Qingxuan was in a trance for a moment, then she gently smiled and said in a low voice, "You few want to take over on his behalf?"
Their hands had already reached her lapel, laughing brazenly.
Bian Qingxuan also laughed along, her smile was enchanting. Then she suddenly flung away the Tripod Cauldron she had been lifting up. The men were instantly smashed to the ground under its weight, their ribs shattered, blood spewing from their mouths.
They glared at her in shock and anger. "You're crazy!"
Bian Qingxuan stood up from the ground, and smiled with interest as she said softly, "Useless trash, you can't even catch the Tripod Cauldron, yet you dare to harbor thoughts of violating me?"
Blood trickled down from Bian Qingxuan's knees, where fragments of colored glass could vaguely be seen embedded.
She pondered for a moment, then smiled as she plucked out the sharpest and most intact shard from her knee, walking towards them. The group of men finally panicked, "What are you going to do, you lunatic! Get away, get away, Eldest Young Master, Eldest Young Master, save us!"
They tried shoving the cauldron of the Nine Tripod Cauldrons off yet the Tripod pressed down on their bodies as if it was bound by some invisible restraints, weighing even more than several mountains combined. Their faces flushed red from exertion but it didn't budge an inch.
"Shh!" Bian Qingxuan raised a finger to her lips. "Stop shouting. Being dragged into this place, I'm not in a very good mood right now."
The men cursed loudly, "You little bastard born to a slut! Let us go!"
Bian Qingxuan's eyes turned cold, and she said with a helpless expression, "Why can't you stay quiet? Then let's start by cutting off your tongues. Don't worry, your beloved eldest young master will soon join you to keep you company. Qingxuan promises it."
The sky was dark, with flashes of lightning and rumbling thunder.
Bian Qingxuan stood up from a pool of blood, an eyeball rolled to her feet which she casually stepped on and smiled contemptuously.
"A mirage?"
What great ability to bring her back to the day her mother died.
She wasn't in a hurry to leave. As far as she knew, the illusion wasn't a nightmare. It mirrored people's inner desires, eating them up in their beautiful dreams.
Of course, sometimes it was accurate, sometimes not. Because there were always some people without desires, and some... untransformed toads who hadn't completely lost their minds, and still retained desires and obsessions. It would go and plunder what it wanted.
So let her see what the mirage thought she desired. She sneered softly, knowing it would definitely not show her mother's body being devoured by beasts again. Besides making her angry, how would that tempt her to mate and be possessed?
As if confirming her guess, someone slowly approached her not long after she sat under the eaves.
The person held an umbrella and stroked her head, saying, "You're so dirty, do you want to come home with me?"
Bian Qingxuan's lips, which had been tinged with a smile, fell coldly as she expressionlessly slapped the hand away, cursing at the bad luck in her heart.
Just this? That's all?
She didn't want any of that! She didn't want warmth or pity from anyone! She wanted the utmost power in this world, the most powerful manā (spiritual energy) so that no one would ever dare to bully her again. She wanted to trample everyone under her feet. She wanted to kill her elder brother, kill her father, kill all the useless siblings!
She pursed her lips, there was a storm brewing in her eyes.
A jade white colored glaze flute suddenly appeared in Bian Qingxuan's hand out of thin air. As if understanding her, the flute spun and flew forth, shattering the mirage.
As it returned, it pierced through the head of the untransformed toad in front of her.
She caught the flute and chuckled coldly. "Idiot."
The original appearance of Qingshui Village appeared before her eyes. She was somewhat angry that the untransformed toad dared to toy with her like this. She indeed couldn't defeat it now, but the mirage? Illusion? Bewitchment? It probably didn't know who the true ancestor in this field was. Letting these small fries deal with her was seeking death.
She didn't even bother to conceal the golden glow emanating from the flute as she cautiously moved forward. The most powerful untransformed toad was still lurking somewhere. Although she could easily kill ordinary untransformed toads, she was still no match for that ancient remnant.
Without Bian Lingyu around, she didn't quite dare strike out. She only intended to eliminate demons as fun. She wasn't stupid enough to risk her own life.
The life-saving peach wood sword hung from her waist as she passed through many mirages. They were all insignificant, shattered by the jade flute one after another. She wondered where did the true untransformed toad go?
If that fiend personally controlled the situation, escaping the illusions wouldn't have been so easy.
She had a strange look on her face, carrying an ill-intentioned curiosity of watching a lively spectacle.
Could it be that Qingshui Village really harbored untransformed toads with lingering consciousness? And it just so happened someone it was obsessed with in life was among their group of people?
This was undoubtedly good news for Bian Qingxuan. If that unlucky guy was in danger, then she would be very safe. She might even have time to do other things.
Thinking of the currently uncontrollable Shi Luoyi, her eyes darkened.
Shi Luoyi had already given birth to inner demons once, so she might as well give birth to a second one as soon as possible.
Things couldn't continue this way. Since Shi Luoyi cared so much about Wei Changyuan, she would start with Wei Changyuan.
It had been three years. If it were anyone else, they would have long surrendered by now, but that young sword cultivator born with the Sword Bone was still resisting and wavering.
This was her best chance. Shi Luoyi, will he become your heart demon and lead you to destruction?
Bian Qingxuan's luck was indeed quite good. Often, she could easily encounter whatever she wished for.
Deliberately looking for Wei Changyuan, she really managed to find him.
Looking at the solemn grand hall before her, Bian Qingxuan's eyes flickered. The leader of the Cultivation Families, the famous Wei family.
Let's see who is the beloved person hidden in Wei Changyuan's heart currently.
Was it herself, or his little childhood sweetheart?
Wei Changyuan stood in the veranda.
The sound of his mother coughing came from inside the room. Wei's father pushed the door open and frowned at him. "Changyuan, must you be so stubborn and make me and your mother angry?"
The young man remained silent for a moment before saying, "Father once taught Changyuan that cultivators should not go against the will of heaven and should act with a clear conscience. Uncle Shi fell into a deep sleep for the sake of all living beings in the world. How can we betray and dissolve the engagement at this time?"
Wei's father looked at his son coldly. "Your father doesn't want you to betray your principles. You also know the current situation of the Wei family. For thousands of years, the cultivation families have been strict and conservative, stuck in their old ways. However, each generation's aptitude has been inferior to the previous one, and the inheritance has gradually been lost. Tens of thousands of years have passed, the former grandeur of our Wei family is still there, but it's far less than the clan's foundation days, and no one has ascended in so long."
"You are my only son, born with the best roots and bones, the most talented descendant of the Wei family. You were born with high expectations. I didn't keep you at home, but sent you to study at the Hengwu Sect, and even shamelessly sought a marriage alliance with the Daojun and the Princess, swallowing my pride. I had but one wish, for the Wei family to revive its past glory, and receive Daojun's protection and enjoy stability for a few more years, without being trampled upon. Cultivators fighting with the heavens is inherently cruel, have you forgotten the fate of the Jiang family? A thousands-year legacy was destroyed in an instant, leaving only Jiang Qi, a yellow-haired child."
"The Daojun, of course, upholds righteousness, sacrificing oneself for the greater good. But the Perpetual Bliss Mountain (Buye) doesn't have the protection of Daojun now, and what can Daojun's young daughter, who is only a hundred years old, achieve? Mount Buye has lost its master, and even its protective formation has dissipated. Do you know that the protective formation only dissipates when the peak master dies? Do you still believe that the Daojun is still alive and can wake up? How can Shi Luoyi protect Mount Buye, protect her father's legacy? She will only be devoured by the pack of wolves and tigers! You talk to me about righteousness? I, as your father, did not use this opportunity to covet the inheritance of Mount Buye, the legacy of Daojun. That is already the utmost righteousness. I can't let you get involved in this vortex anymore."
The youth clenched his fists stubbornly. "There's still my master. My master will protect her and I can do it too. I will cultivate even harder to protect her and Mount Buye. Please grant your approval, father!"
"Changyuan, you're still too young in the end." There was an indescribable meaning in his father's eyes as he coldly said, "Go see Xue Rao, your master's niece. She has always liked you since childhood, and I believe you will get along well."
Wind chimes lightly tinkled under the eaves.
The young man lowered his head, carrying his sword on his back. He knelt down without a word.
Clouds shifted and wind passed by. Wei's father swept his sleeves and left.
The young man raised his gaze to the sky, knitted his brows slightly, vaguely sensing that something was amiss. The long sword behind him hummed, and Wei Changyuan's expression turned cold. His sea of consciousness became clearer, and he vaguely remembered that he should be somewhere else, exterminating demons, rather than returning to his family.
Behind a pillar, Bian Qingxuan watched him nearly break through the illusion with folded arms and a sullen expression.
Perhaps appearing in Wei Changyuan's illusion realm, she was doomed to be unhappy. If Wei Changyuan fell for someone else, she would look down on him for his fickleness. But seeing him defy his father's orders and foolishly struggling to guard that little peacock left her annoyed.
She was certain that her gentle and considerate nature had moved Wei Changyuan, yet he still chose his original intent in the end.
How was she any worse than Shi Luoyi? No foresight.
In the end, it was all this bullshit illusion realm's fault. She could already guess what would happen next if Wei Changyuan didn't shatter the illusion.
In order to strip away Wei Changyuan's true form, the illusion realm would impregnate him as this scene would definitely make him successfully defy his parents and marry Shi Luoyi, consummating with her.
She frowned. A mere illusion realm actually dared compete with her over someone! And it was so useless that it hadn't even started, yet Wei Changyuan had already sensed something was off.
Well, let her lend it a hand! Bian Qingxuan moved her fingers, and a golden flute flew into the air, enveloping the surroundings in a silent halo of light, replacing the illusion.
After changing it, she smiled. "The Wei clan's spirit Jade has already been lent to me so why bother with this?"
The flute sank into Bian Qingxuan's body, and a hint of ridicule flashed across her face. She wondered how conflicted and tormented Wei Changyuan would be after the illusion. But so what? She wouldn't pity anyone obstructing her path!
After today, he will surely devote himself fully to protect me, thereby intensifying Shi Luoyi's heart demons.
The Unfounded Flute (Wúwàng Dí) emitted a faint golden light in the air, and the illusion collapsed and was rebuilt in an instant.
Wei mother was gravely ill and still needed a certain medicine.
The Wei family members were all worried. The medicine testers couldn't withstand the backlash of the elixir and dozens had already died.
Wei father's face was sullen as he ordered people to capture a mortal orphan to test the medicine.
Just as they were about to pour it down his throat, a hand stopped them. Wei father glanced over coldly. "Changyuan, let go. I didn't teach you to be so soft-hearted like women. Or do you want to watch your mother die?"
Wei Changyuan pursed his lips, snatched the medicine bowl from his father's hand, and drank it in one gulp. He said in a hoarse voice, "Father, don't harm others. Mother needs someone to test the medicine, I can do it."
Wei's father looked at him and sighed deeply.
At night, Wei Changyuan felt that something was wrong. The medicine he drank had the most potent ingredient of his mother's medicine, Nine-tailed Grass. It should have caused severe liver pain, but he only felt hot all over.
He endured for a long time, frowning as he tried to force the medicine out of his body. But the more he circulated his internal energy, the faster the medicine flowed through his body.
He could only soak in the courtyard's cold pond but the medicine couldn't be relieved. No matter how much Wei Changyuan resisted, his consciousness gradually became unclear...
Under the moonlight, a girl dressed in light gauze walked over gently.
Entering the cold pond, she gently embraced the young man's feverish body. "Senior brother Changyuan, are you very uncomfortable? Do you need Rao'er to help you?"
Wei Changyuan opened his eyes, his gaze was already unfocused. He bit his tongue till bleed, trying to summon his Qinghong Sword, but there was no response.
Exerting all his strength, he pushed her away. "Go away, don't touch me."
Xue Rao chuckled. "But this isn't Nine-Tailed Grass, it's Hehuan dan (Harmony pill). If not detoxified, senior brother Changyuan might explode and die. I know that senior brother Changyuan has a fiancée, and I know that senior brother won't like me. Tonight's affair is just fulfilling Rao'er's obsession. I won't tell anyone, as long as senior brother Changyuan doesn't say anything, she won't know about it."
She clung to him like a snake that couldn't be shaken off, her arms wrapped around him, as she leaned against his chest.
Wei Changyuan's vision blurred but he still stubbornly tried pushing her away.
Just as Xue Rao was about to make another move, she was suddenly blasted away. When she turned around, she found that the young man in the cold pond had been taken away by someone.
"Senior brother Changyuan, wake up." The girl shook him anxiously.
Wei Changyuan blurrily saw the figure before him had changed. He said hoarsely, "Junior sister?"
The girl smiled through her tears. "It's me. Senior brother Changyuan, you're safe now."
"I'm poisoned right now so stay away from me."
Bian Qingxuan asked worriedly, "How did this happen?"
The young man gasped with difficulty.
Bian Qingxuan gently placed her hand on his shoulder and bit her lip, saying, "If things continue like this, you will die. Senior brother Changyuan, I won't watch you die. Let me help you, okay? I want to save you."
The young girl's eyes were full of affection and tears as she leaned in and hugged him gently.
Wei Changyuan held onto her arm, as if wanting to push her away, but after a while, he slowly tightened his grip...
Bian Qingxuan buried her head in his shoulder, and smiled slowly.
The gauze curtains were drawn, the moonlight as cool as water.
Bian Qingxuan sat on the beam of the room, coldly watching the "her" entangled with Wei Changyuan in the illusion.
She sneered. "Men in this world! If you are determined not to, she can't force you. Besides, this is just an illusion, everything is an illusion."
If it was her elder brother, Bian Qingxuan thought, he wouldn't touch her even if he were to die; he would rather indifferently castrate himself with bone spurs than touch her."
But then, thinking about what happened between Bian Lingyu and Shi Luoyi a few months ago, fire surged in her eyes. If he really didn't want it, how could Shi Luoyi force him? That little peacock knows nothing!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She almost couldn't maintain the illusion realm. Her expression was overcast. Where is Bian Lingyu now? Would he be with Shi Luoyi again?!