In the mountain forest.
Su Yuexi was somewhat dazed by Lu Ning’s sudden display of antics.
For the first time, a look of undeniable astonishment appeared on her gentle, beautiful face.
‘This… what is the situation?’
‘Why is this great demon not following the script?’
‘Shouldn’t she be threatening that sword fanatic with empty bravado? Why is she taking the initiative to shoulder the trouble for me, the Young Mistress?’
‘And what happened to the Young Mistress identity we agreed on? How did I become the “Eldest Disciple”?’
Watching Lu Ning’s calm “the Master has her own arrangements” expression, Su Yuexi found herself unable to see through the woman for a moment.
Just as a thousand thoughts were swirling in Su Yuexi’s mind, Lu Ning’s voice, carrying a hint of “Masterly dignity,” rang silently in her ear via telepathy.
“Sect Leader Su, do me a favor.”
“I know your strength is unfathomable. Dealing with this single-minded sword fanatic shouldn’t be a problem for you.”
“As long as you help me fool her and get her to obediently join the Tianmo Sect, we’ll consider today’s matter settled.”
“Once we return to the Tianmo Sect, I guarantee I will give you a “satisfactory reward.””
Hearing this transmission, a sharp glint flashed through Su Yuexi’s gentle eyes hidden beneath her veil.
‘So she’s asking for my help?’
This realization instantly made Su Yuexi feel exceptionally joyful.
What she loved most was seeing this once-aloof woman forced to bow her head and beg for assistance.
The corners of Su Yuexi’s mouth slowly curled into a meaningful arc as she responded privately through telepathy, “My dear Master, this is the first time you’ve ever asked your disciple for a favor.”
“Naturally, I cannot refuse.”
“However…” Su Yuexi’s tone shifted.
“You also know that I never make a deal that loses me money. After I help you resolve this trouble, shouldn’t you give your disciple some kind of “reward”?”
“For example, just like back in the Cave Dwelling… how about you proactively “serve” me one more time?”
Lu Ning felt her scalp go numb upon hearing those words.
‘This enchantress!’
‘Even at a time like this, she’s actually thinking about that kind of thing!’
But she had no choice right now.
“Fine… I promise you,” Lu Ning responded with difficulty.
‘Forget it, forget it. It’s not the first time anyway; I just need to get used to it.’
‘As long as I can solve the trouble in front of me, paying a little price is worth it.’
After receiving Lu Ning’s reply, Su Yuexi’s mood became even more pleasant.
She took a step forward, shielding Lu Ning behind her, and that gentle smile returned to her face.
She looked at the battle-hungry Saintess of Xuantian and spoke slowly.
“Saintess Murong, if you wish to challenge my Master, you are indeed not yet qualified.”
“As the Eldest Disciple, I shall be the first to experience the Saintess’s high-level techniques.”
“Let us see if you, the number one sword cultivator of the Northern Region’s younger generation, truly have the qualifications to make my Master act personally.”
On the other side, Murong Xi’s mind was already reeling from Lu Ning’s earth-shattering bet.
Now, seeing this woman calling herself “Su Yue” step forward to fight on her Master’s behalf, her brows furrowed slightly.
‘When did this demon take another disciple?’
Furthermore, looking at the other woman’s Golden Core stage cultivation and her gentle, weak aura, she didn’t look like someone who could trade blows with her at all.
Could it be that this demon was trying to humiliate her in this manner?
By making her fight a mere Golden Core disciple?
‘This is simply outrageous!’
A flash of anger crossed Murong Xi’s eyes, but in the next moment, it was as if she had suddenly figured something out.
A much stronger fighting spirit instantly erupted in her brilliant eyes.
‘I understand now!’
‘This so-called “Su Yue” is definitely not as simple as she appears on the surface!’
‘Her Golden Core stage cultivation and that gentle aura are certainly just a disguise!’
‘Her true identity must be that peerless genius who is rumored to be my equal, the one hailed as the future ruler of the Demonic Path!’
‘The Saintess of the Tianmo Sect, Gu Qinghuan!’
Murong Xi’s gaze continuously appraised Su Yuexi, as if trying to see through her entire being.
“If this Saintess isn’t mistaken, “Su Yue” is merely your alias, right?”
“Your current Golden Core stage cultivation is also just a disguise to deceive others.”
“As far as I know, among the disciples under the Tianmo Sect Master Lu Ning, there is only one who truly qualifies as a personal disciple.”
“That would be the one who stands on equal footing with me, the one hailed as the future of the Demonic Path—the Saintess of the Tianmo Sect, Gu Qinghuan.”
“Am I right? Gu… Qing… Huan!”
Murong Xi uttered the name one syllable at a time.
The immortal sword Wentian in her hand let out an even higher-pitched hum, as if it were also excited for the impending fated duel.
She had always wanted to fight Gu Qinghuan.
In the entire younger generation of the Northern Region, only that woman was qualified to be her opponent.
The Orthodoxy’s Murong Xi and the Demonic Path’s Gu Qinghuan.
The two were like natural enemies, destined to have a battle.
She had originally thought this fight would occur on some grand, spotlighted stage in the future.
She never expected it to play out ahead of time in such an unexpected way.
‘Perfect!’
‘As long as I defeat Gu Qinghuan here, I will be the undisputed number one of the younger generation!’
‘When that time comes, it will be even more justified for me to challenge that demon!’
Thinking of this, the sword intent radiating from Murong Xi climbed to its peak.
Meanwhile, on the other side…
Lu Ning and Su Yuexi were completely dumbfounded after listening to Murong Xi’s well-reasoned and logically rigorous “deduction.”
The two looked at each other, seeing deep shock in the other’s eyes.
‘This… what is going on?’
‘This sword fanatic’s brain circuitry is way too bizarre, isn’t it?’
‘How did she mistake Su Yuexi for Gu Qinghuan?’
Aside from the fact that both were very beautiful, their temperaments and techniques were at complete opposite ends of the spectrum.
One was as gentle as water, while the other was as cold as frost.
‘She can even get this wrong?’
Lu Ning complained wildly in her heart.
She finally understood why the character Murong Xi was called a “sword fanatic” in the game.
Aside from swords, this woman probably couldn’t fit anything else in her head.
However, before Lu Ning could decide how to handle this massive misunderstanding, Su Yuexi suddenly laughed.
Looking at Murong Xi’s battle-ready posture, a glint of cunning flashed through Su Yuexi’s gentle eyes.
She slowly nodded toward Murong Xi.
Although her voice remained gentle, it now carried a trace of the coldness and aloofness belonging to a “Tianmo Sect Saintess.”
“Not bad.”
“As expected of the number one sword cultivator of the Northern Region’s younger generation, your vision is indeed extraordinary.”
“I didn’t expect that even though I disguised myself so perfectly, I would still be recognized by Saintess Murong.”
“You guessed correctly. I am indeed the Saintess of the Tianmo Sect, Gu Qinghuan.”
“Let me test just how strong the rumored monstrous talent of the Sword Path really is.”
“However, to be honest, you probably won’t even be able to block three moves from me as you are now. To be my Master’s honorary disciple… she is still too merciful.”
Lu Ning: “????”