When the Thunder-Struck Wood was presented to Xia Lingshuang once again, the shock in Xia Lingshuang’s eyes could not be concealed.
That piece of Thunder-Struck Wood lay quietly in the box, its entire body crystal clear, flowing with a warm and gentle luster. Where was there even a hint of the previous violent and dry aura?
Even someone who did not understand alchemy could tell at a glance that this Thunder-Struck Wood was absolutely the finest among the finest.
“You… actually did it?”
Xia Lingshuang looked at Wu Yan, her gaze somewhat complicated.
She could sense Wu Yan’s weakness.
This wicked disciple had not even hesitated to damage her own foundation just to refine this Thunder-Struck Wood for her.
Was she truly the Female Devil from the previous life who had betrayed her master and destroyed the sect?
“This disciple was merely doing her duty.”
Wu Yan lowered her head, her voice somewhat ethereal and weak.
“Please inspect it, Master.”
Xia Lingshuang reached out, her fingertips touching the piece of Thunder-Struck Wood.
A warm, pure power traveled along her fingertips, causing the Spirit Chi that had originally been stagnant in her body to begin flowing.
There were no problems.
At least with her current Divine Sense and eyesight, she could not see any issues.
This could be said to be a perfect medicinal primer.
“Very well.”
Xia Lingshuang put away the brocade box and gave a rare word of affirmation, although her tone remained cold.
“You have handled this matter well. For your cultivation resources this month, you may collect double.”
Although the blood feud from the previous life still existed, one thing was separate from another.
At the very least, Wu Yan indeed had merit in this matter, and she could not ignore Wu Yan’s contribution.
“Thank you, Master.”
Wu Yan did not say much more, bowing as she took her leave.
That night.
In the side hall of Zhuqu Peak.
The fragrance of medicine permeated the air.
Under the protection of Yu Qingyao, Xia Lingshuang consumed the Five Elements Meridian-Connecting Pill brewed with that piece of Thunder-Struck Wood.
Wu Yan did not join them.
Like a scarecrow in a rice field, she stood alone under the long corridor outside the hall, leaning against a pillar, listening to the movement coming from inside.
The wind was somewhat strong, making Wu Yan’s long robes snap and flutter.
“Master, how do you feel?” Yu Qingyao’s concerned voice came from inside.
“…Much better.”
Xia Lingshuang’s voice sounded somewhat pleasant—it was the feeling of comfort after the medicinal power dissolved, as well as the tingling sensation as her meridians began to recover.
“This medicinal power… is indeed gentle. I can feel my severed meridians recovering.”
Hearing Xia Lingshuang’s words, the corners of Wu Yan’s mouth also curled up slightly.
This was great; it was effective.
She touched her chest, which was still faintly aching, and felt an unprecedented sense of relief.
And in a place she could not see, the inner Wu Yan was sitting cross-legged, listening to the conversation outside, laughing so hard she shook like a flowering branch.
“Eat up, eat up.
Once your injuries are healed, you can only serve as my stored provisions~
Little Wu Yan, oh little Wu Yan, you really are such a good helper to me!”
Under the moonlight.
Wu Yan’s shadow was stretched very long, looking somewhat lonely.
She thought she was atoning for her sins.
She did not know that she had personally placed a lethal shackle upon Xia Lingshuang.
—
Peaceful days were the calm before the storm.
After consuming the Five Elements Meridian-Connecting Pill, Xia Lingshuang’s vigilance toward the medicine Wu Yan sent over clearly decreased a bit.
Perhaps because she was keeping her promise, every night when the medicine was delivered, Xia Lingshuang would drink it all before Wu Yan even had time to remind her.
Under the effect of the medicine, her body’s recovery speed was significantly faster.
Her original appearance as a sickly beauty gradually became healthier.
Half a month later, a loud and distant chime of a bell resounded throughout the Piaomiao Sect.
That was the Gathering Bell; once the bell rang, all disciples had to immediately go to the square of the Main Peak to assemble.
Inside her cave dwelling, Wu Yan was practicing the Supreme Heart-Cleansing Art.
The Soul-Nourishing Jade floated in front of her, emitting a light that enveloped both her and the inner Wu Yan.
Hearing the bell, she slowly opened her eyes, her gaze somewhat dazed.
“It’s coming.”
“Are you excited? Little Wu Yan!” The inner Wu Yan rubbed her hands excitedly. “The Five Sects Tournament is starting soon! That is my home turf! This time we must take first place! We’re going to stomp all those people we don’t like under our feet! Especially that chief disciple of the Sword Sect next door—in my previous life, he actually dared to call me ugly. In this life, I’m going to knock his teeth out!”
Wu Yan ignored her fanaticism. She stood up, straightened her robes, and shouldered her long sword on her back.
…
The Main Peak square.
Thousands of disciples stood in formation, a grand scene. The air was filled with excitement and anticipation.
Because the Sect Master was in secluded cultivation, Xia Lingshuang presided over the event today.
Xia Lingshuang stood on the high platform, her complexion rosy and her eyes bright and piercing; clearly, the medicinal effects had already taken hold.
By now, her strength had likely recovered to around the middle stage of the Golden Core.
“According to the rules, with the Five Sects Tournament approaching, the Grand Disciple of the Piaomiao Sect, Wu Yan, can automatically obtain a slot and lead the team.”
Everyone’s gaze simultaneously turned toward Wu Yan, who stood at the very front. Her tall and straight figure appeared somewhat solitary and proud under the sun.
“However.”
Xia Lingshuang’s tone shifted, her voice becoming cold and carrying a hint of deliberate judgment. Her gaze landed on Wu Yan, her eyes filled with deep testing and calculation.
“Given that Wu Yan’s… state of mind has been unstable recently, this seat has decided that this slot will be temporarily pending.”
The entire field erupted into an uproar.
The disciples began to whisper among themselves; this wasn’t just “pending,” this was clearly the rhythm of judging this Eldest Senior Sister who had a bad reputation!
Regarding this matter, most people still held an attitude of gloating over her misfortune.
After all, Wu Yan’s reputation in the entire Piaomiao Sect was indeed not very good. Before Xia Lingshuang was injured, she used to ignore those rumors and dote on this Grand Disciple of the sect.
Who would have thought that after getting injured, Xia Lingshuang would become like a completely different person, possessing what could be called extreme loathing for Wu Yan?
For those disciples who had been bullied often by Wu Yan in the past, this was a heaven-sent piece of good news.
They couldn’t wait to see Wu Yan fall out of favor and then quickly tumble down from the summit.
“Of course, this is also an opportunity for you, Wu Yan.”
Xia Lingshuang raised her voice, her aura pressing down toward Wu Yan like a massive mountain.
“In half a month, the sect will hold an internal selection. You will need to accept challenges from all disciples. Challengers can engage in a gauntlet of consecutive battles; there are no limits on the challengers’ cultivation levels or their arts. As long as you can win three consecutive matches, then this slot will still be yours.”
“Conversely! If you fail to successfully defend the arena, then the person who defeats you will possess this slot.”
Xia Lingshuang’s voice was clear and cold.
She wanted to see if, under the public gaze and the pressure of being challenged repeatedly, this wicked disciple who once used any means necessary to achieve her goals would show her true colors.
The inner Wu Yan floated beside Wu Yan, nearly exploding with rage: “This is too much! Is she trying to exhaust you to death? A gauntlet? She wants to see you make a fool of yourself! Little Wu Yan, don’t endure it anymore. Go up there and just tear that platform down! Pull that old woman down and give her a sound beating for me!”
Wu Yan took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions in her heart.
She took a step forward and cupped her hands in a salute toward Xia Lingshuang on the high platform.
Her voice, bolstered by Spirit Chi, spread throughout the square:
“This disciple accepts the command.”