The members of the Hundred Martial Sects were not fools.
Since the Demoness had given them a chance to survive, of course they had to seize it.
“Greetings, Sect Master! May the Sect Master be at peace!!”
The Old Sect Master and all the disciples knelt down, pledging allegiance to Yu Yi in unison.
Only Wei Ying remained standing, refusing to kneel.
The Old Sect Master noticed and his old face twitched with fear. He quickly lowered his voice and angrily scolded Wei Ying, “You fool! What are you doing? Do you want to die? Hurry up and kneel!”
Wei Ying, however, stood tall and proud, her voice righteous and unwavering.
“I will never bow to the Demonic Path! Kill me if you must—I am not afraid!”
“Foolish!”
The Old Sect Master could hardly contain himself, his face flushing red with anger.
“Your life is worthless! Don’t drag everyone else down with you! Kneel!”
Yu Yi was unconcerned with their quarrel and glanced at Wei Ying with an indifferent gaze.
Wei Ying’s trembling legs betrayed her fear.
Despite her terror of death, she still summoned the courage to speak such defiant words before the Demoness.
She was, at least, a girl of considerable backbone.
“Is this your choice?”
Yu Yi looked at Wei Ying, asking casually.
Wei Ying bit her pale lips and nodded firmly.
“Very well.”
Yu Yi clapped her hands and ordered Blue Ling’er beside her, “Kill all those who are kneeling.”
“Yes, Master.”
Blue Ling’er nodded slightly.
The members of the Hundred Martial Sects exploded in panic at her words.
“W-why!?”
The Old Sect Master hurriedly stood up, bewildered, and questioned Yu Yi.
“We’ve already pledged our loyalty—why do you still want to kill us!?”
Before he finished speaking, Blue Ling’er struck.
An ice shard pierced the Old Sect Master’s knee, forcing him to kneel before Yu Yi once more.
“When did I ever say that surrendering would spare your lives?”
Yu Yi spoke coldly.
The Old Sect Master froze in shock.
He finally realized that from beginning to end, Yu Yi had toyed with them in the palm of her hand.
Their fate had been sealed from the start.
“Demoness… You’re despicable! Shameless!!”
The Old Sect Master let out a heart-wrenching roar and lunged in a final attempt to resist.
But after battling with Shadow Shatter, his energy was depleted and his body was weak.
“Greedy thieves have no right to judge me.”
Yu Yi shook her head.
The next moment, a chill spread.
The Old Sect Master’s legs froze solid, several ice spikes impaled his body, and blood sprayed out as he died instantly.
The disciples of the Hundred Martial Sects, who had previously rushed into the Shushu Pavilion like bandits, were likewise dealt with by Blue Ling’er.
As they cursed Yu Yi and screamed in agony, their voices soon faded into silence.
The air returned to stillness.
Wei Ying stood rooted to the spot, unable to move.
There was a small area around her feet where the ground had not frozen.
Beyond that circle, the cold was bone-chilling, and shattered corpses had become frozen crystals scattered everywhere, like fragments of blood-red jade.
“Your name is Wei Ying, isn’t it?”
Yu Yi addressed Wei Ying.
“I admire your resolve. A young person like you shouldn’t walk among hypocrites.”
“What… what do you intend to do to me?”
Sweat slid down Wei Ying’s delicate neck as she swallowed hard, her voice trembling.
“I have granted you a chance to live. As it happens, the mountain gate is short on hands. Why not become a Servant under me, responsible for sweeping leaves and tending to weeds?”
Yu Yi slowly stood from her ice throne, gazing around with deep meaning.
“Among the Colorful Clouds is a good place for cultivation. Although you are not my disciple, if you encounter any problems, you may seek guidance from my two disciples.”
Wei Ying’s expression was one of disbelief.
To be allowed to cultivate in the spiritual energy-rich Among the Colorful Clouds as a simple Servant?
And to be able to seek help if needed?
What a tempting offer!
However, even though Wei Ying’s heart was pounding with excitement, she did not immediately agree.
Seeing her brows tightly knitted, Yu Yi chuckled.
“What, you don’t trust me?”
“The Demoness’ words… How could anyone trust them so easily? I came here to destroy your Shushu Pavilion. I can’t think of a reason for you to spare my life, unless…”
“You think I have some hidden motive for keeping you?”
Yu Yi shook her head.
“Don’t overthink it. You don’t possess such value. The only reason I’ve spared you is that I find you interesting—and Among the Colorful Clouds needs Servants to do the chores.”
Wei Ying was stunned, then frowned, lost in thought.
“Indeed… How could a nobody like me catch the Demoness’ attention?”
“But… according to the rumors, Lady Demon Yu Yi Jue is supposed to be tyrannical and cruel, yet today…”
“Have you made up your mind?”
Yu Yi’s words interrupted Wei Ying’s contemplation.
“Can I… truly stay in Among the Colorful Clouds and continue to cultivate?”
She asked.
“As long as you do your daily chores well, I will not interfere with your life.”
Yu Yi paused.
“Of course, if you plan to secretly contact the Righteous Faction and plot against me, you’d better find some stronger allies.”
Yu Yi’s confidence made Wei Ying abandon any such notions.
For now, survival came first.
At last, Wei Ying knelt solemnly before Yu Yi and pledged her loyalty.
“Junior Wei Ying, willing to serve Among the Colorful Clouds.”
Yu Yi nodded in satisfaction and called to Blue Ling’er.
“Ling’er, take her to choose a place to stay.”
Blue Ling’er acknowledged and led Wei Ying away.
“Doudou, follow.”
Yu Yi said to Huang Doudou, then walked toward the Shushu Pavilion.
“Okay.”
Huang Doudou replied, scampering after Yu Yi.
In her memory, the original owner seldom visited the Shushu Pavilion, usually leaving its management to the disciples.
If she didn’t bring Huang Doudou along, she’d spend too much time looking for the desired books.
Upon arriving at the Shushu Pavilion, Yu Yi was stunned by the sight before her.
The pavilion towering before her resembled a luxurious seven-story inn at first glance.
“How many years did she spend wandering outside for her disciples…?”
Yu Yi marveled inwardly.
If every floor was packed with precious books, how much effort had it taken to achieve this?
“Master?”
Huang Doudou tilted her head at Yu Yi, who was standing motionless at the entrance.
Perhaps spending so much time with Blue Ling’er had made her more clever.
She quickly continued.
“Master wants to check if her disciple completed the previous task, right? Hehe, you can see for yourself—guaranteed perfection!”
Previous task?
What task?
Yu Yi had no memory of this, but since it involved the Shushu Pavilion, it was likely something like organizing the bookshelves.
“Let’s go in.”
Yu Yi nodded slightly.
Huang Doudou pushed open the heavy wooden doors, and the two of them entered the Shushu Pavilion together.
The next second, upon seeing the interior, Yu Yi was dumbfounded.