The aura of the Hundred Martial Sects surged like a rainbow.
After using the Barrier-breaking Disc to dispel the illusions set by the Ghost Shadow Sect, they advanced straight into the depths of Among the Colorful Clouds.
The Ghost Shadow Sect disciples they encountered along the way never expected an attack from outsiders and were all slain.
The most ferocious killer among them was the Storyteller.
When the Storyteller untied her hair, removed her chest binding, and changed her clothes, only then did Yu Yi and the others realize she was a female martial artist disguised as a man, named Wei Ying.
Wei Ying’s cultivation was at the third stage of Martial Sect—though not a great powerhouse, she was still a rising star among young experts.
Led by the people of the Hundred Martial Sects, they arrived at an open space.
Silent pavilions surrounded them, seemingly deserted.
Yu Yi glanced around, surveying her “old lair.”
A flood of memories surged in her mind.
Where was the Shushu Pavilion, where was the Training Chamber, where was the Confinement Room—all of it, Yu Yi now understood.
In her memory, Among the Colorful Clouds was once a place where rainbows shone after rain, with winding paths of deep grass and courtyards filled with floral fragrance.
But now, where was the beauty of the past?
Dim light, withered flowers and grass, desolate and lifeless.
Perhaps it was the Ghost Shadow Sect occupying the nest of another, or perhaps it was the betrayal of so many disciples that had changed the face of Among the Colorful Clouds.
While Yu Yi was silently sighing, the shouts of the Hundred Martial Sects echoed in her ears:
“Second Seat of the Ghost Shadow Sect, Broken Shadow—where are you? Come out and die!!”
“Today is the day your Ghost Shadow Sect is erased!!”
This scene…it felt like they’d witnessed it many times before.
Yu Yi and her two disciples all shared the same feeling.
However, compared to the righteous Alliance’s earlier crusade, the Hundred Martial Sects’ current declaration of war against the Ghost Shadow Sect felt far less grand.
The Hundred Martial Sects’ members shouted several times, their voices echoing through the mountains, but no response came.
Where had the other Ghost Shadow Sect members gone?
“Heh, even the Second Seat Broken Shadow doesn’t dare show themselves. In the end, the Ghost Shadow Sect is nothing but a bunch of cowards waiting to pick up scraps.”
The Old Sect Master stroked his long beard and laughed.
“We of the Hundred Martial Sects prepared meticulously for this moment. They never expected our sudden assault today. Most likely, they’re hiding to preserve their strength, too scared to come out.”
The other members of the Hundred Martial Sects burst out laughing in ridicule.
“Hahaha! I thought the Ghost Shadow Sect was some big deal—so this is all they’ve got?”
“Turns out they’re just a bunch of turtles hiding in their shells!”
After laughing, the Old Sect Master restrained his joy, feigning seriousness as he ordered,
“All right, act according to the original plan.”
“Yes, Sect Master!”
Wei Ying replied, then prepared to start a fire and make torches on the spot.
However, at that moment, the Old Sect Master coughed twice.
“A Ying, follow the others.”
“Follow the others?”
Wei Ying was stunned, then looked toward the others—only to see them scrambling to rush toward a certain pavilion, as if afraid of being a step too slow.
“Sect Master, they…”
Wei Ying’s confusion deepened—their actions didn’t match the plan at all.
Yu Yi also cast her gaze toward the Hundred Martial Sects’ group.
“The direction they’re running is…the Shushu Pavilion?”
Yu Yi frowned.
She had more or less guessed the real purpose of the Hundred Martial Sects’ crusade against the Ghost Shadow Sect.
Legend said the Demoness, for the sake of her Seven Disciples, had traversed the Great Yan Territory, seizing countless rare Martial Manuals, Peerless Martial Arts, and precious Treasures.
Simply put, Among the Colorful Clouds was a natural treasure trove.
Not only that, but the Lingqi here was abundant—a prime cultivation land.
The Ghost Shadow Sect, relying on their unique Ghost Shadow Technique, might not need the Demoness’s Martial Manuals—but occupying Among the Colorful Clouds was likely meant to help their First Seat, the Broken Shadow Demon Lord, break through a major barrier.
But for the Hundred Martial Sects, it was different.
The many rare Secret Manuals within the Shushu Pavilion were their true goal.
The Old Sect Master’s next words confirmed Yu Yi’s guess.
“A Ying, I didn’t tell you before, but our plan ran into a problem, so we made a last-minute change.”
The Old Sect Master spoke with hidden meaning, wearing an expression that said he didn’t want to explain further and wanted Wei Ying to obey.
“A problem? Our original plan was to burn down the Demoness’s Shushu Pavilion to prevent other demonic followers from sneaking into Among the Colorful Clouds, stealing those manuals, and spreading evil. Where’s the problem in that?”
Wei Ying was utterly confused and pressed further.
Seeing Wei Ying unwilling to let it go, the Old Sect Master sighed helplessly and laid his cards on the table.
“Other than demonic arts, burning the remaining Secret Manuals would be a waste. It’s better to use their value…”
The Old Sect Master hadn’t finished before Wei Ying interrupted.
“Sect Master! How are we any different from thieves or bandits who rob and kill for loot?!”
Her tone was filled with disbelief.
The next second, the Old Sect Master’s palm struck Wei Ying’s face with a resounding slap.
“Pa!”
“Unfilial disciple!”
The Old Sect Master dropped all pretenses, glaring and rebuking her.
“Those Martial Manuals and Secret Manuals were stolen by the Demoness from others to begin with. We’re merely returning them to their rightful owners! Rather than leave them in her hands, it’s better we safeguard them and present them to the Sacred Majesty! Yet you call us thieves and bandits?”
As a dignified Sect Master, being called a thief and a bandit by his own direct disciple was a slap to his pride.
But since Wei Ying was the disciple he’d raised, after striking her, he lowered his anger slightly.
“Go! If you’re too slow and others take the manuals suited for you, you’ll regret it!”
Wei Ying did not respond.
She’d been slapped, and coupled with the Old Sect Master’s words, her mind buzzed—unable to recover for a long while.
Seeing this, Yu Yi thought that Chi Ming might be able to bond with her over these feelings.
When Wei Ying failed to move and Yu Yi’s trio continued to watch silently, the Old Sect Master felt awkward but maintained his high-and-mighty pose, looking at Yu Yi.
“The three lady heroes also contributed. Rest assured, once my disciples return, I’ll select a few lesser Treasures to reward you as thanks.”
Blue Ling’er and Huang Doudou exchanged glances, barely restraining their laughter.
This sanctimonious old man—plotting right in front of the mistress of Among the Colorful Clouds—how amusing.
They saw through it but chose not to expose him, merely smiling.
How could the Old Sect Master guess their true thoughts? Seeing them smile, he assumed they were pleased.
“Then I must thank the Old Sect Master.”
Yu Yi replied with a polite smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
So you’re planning to empty out my Shushu Pavilion, huh?
If you’re going to steal, just steal. If you’re going to rob, just rob.
Why bother with the pretense of ‘helping to safeguard’?
Who are you trying to fool?
And presenting them to the Sacred Majesty?
I bet you’ll keep everything you want first and only send the leftovers to the palace.
Such a masterful scheme.
When Yu Yi learned that the original owner had a Shushu Pavilion filled with a lifetime’s knowledge, she couldn’t help but sigh in relief.
As long as she visited the Shushu Pavilion daily to study the Secret Manuals, she could steadily awaken her memories.
In time, Yu Yi could master all the Martial Arts and become a ‘complete Demoness’—rather than a beauty who only knew a few flashy moves.
But now someone wanted to loot her Shushu Pavilion?
Wouldn’t that cut off her path entirely?
However, just as Yu Yi was about to instruct her two disciples to handle the Hundred Martial Sects’ group…
A chorus of earth-shattering screams suddenly erupted from the direction of the Shushu Pavilion.