“The chief culprit who tarnished my name, Li Daotian, has already climbed so high?”
On the Fengshen Litter, Yu Yi took a light sip of green tea and spoke calmly.
Blue Ling’er had just summarized Yunzhou’s power dynamics to Yu Yi, allowing her to learn that the leader of the Xingyue Alliance, Li Daotian, was the first person to call her “Lady Demon” back then.
“Li Daotian has devoted himself to training the next generation all these years, so his cultivation shouldn’t have improved much. Besides, he’s old now—his strength is probably far from what it once was.”
Blue Ling’er observed Yu Yi’s expression, then smiled faintly.
“With Master’s current power, you could wipe out Li Daotian with a flick of your finger!”
Yu Yi gave Blue Ling’er a subtle look.
I was just making a casual comment, not saying I was going to attack Li Daotian.
Also, why does this scene feel so familiar?
Sure enough, Blue Ling’er realized her slip and hurriedly corrected herself.
“Disciple was thoughtless!”
Yu Yi knew Blue Ling’er was about to start her act again.
“The Recruitment Assembly is approaching, and cultivators from all over are gathering in Yunzhou. If Master personally kills Li Daotian, the leader of the Xingyue Alliance, wouldn’t that just prove everything Li Daotian said back then was true? By using his death, he could solidify Master’s ‘crime’ and be recorded in history—it’s a bargain for him.”
Blue Ling’er frowned in thought.
“So the best way is to let others bring down Li Daotian. Did Master bring me along for this purpose…”
Seeing Blue Ling’er overthinking, Yu Yi finally interrupted.
“Ling’er, in your own estimation, what are your chances against Li Daotian?”
“Disciple… probably less than thirty percent.”
Blue Ling’er answered with guilt.
“Although Li Daotian’s cultivation isn’t what it was, he’s still ranked third on the ‘Heroes Ranking’—he’s a top-tier powerhouse. There’s a gap between my strength and his. I’m not his match.”
“That’s why I won’t let you deal with him.”
Yu Yi said calmly.
“Does Master have someone else in mind?”
Blue Ling’er asked curiously.
“If we’re talking about cultivation… other than Master, only First Senior Sister could fight Li Daotian. But First Senior Sister left the sect early on and has since disappeared…”
The Lady Demon’s first disciple was shrouded in mystery.
She left no traces of her existence in Among the Colorful Clouds, and Yu Yi had no memories related to her.
At present, Yu Yi’s only impression of this first disciple came from past recollections with Blue Ling’er.
When Blue Ling’er joined Among the Colorful Clouds, she was still a little girl, and the eldest was still in the sect.
Later, the eldest left, and only then did Among the Colorful Clouds gradually accept the third and fourth disciples.
In other words, aside from Blue Ling’er, the other disciples hadn’t even met their First Senior Sister.
At this thought, Yu Yi couldn’t help but ask Blue Ling’er.
“Ling’er, do you think the damage to my reputation is connected to your Junior Sisters leaving the sect?”
“Aside from Little Junior Sister, I don’t think the others would believe anything Li Daotian said.”
Blue Ling’er replied.
“There must be deeper reasons behind why they left Among the Colorful Clouds.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because everyone knows Master’s character. Though you liked competing for cultivation resources, you always maintained a ‘if others don’t offend me, I don’t offend them’ attitude, and never harmed the innocent. Li Daotian’s slander about Master was always a ridiculous joke to us.”
Blue Ling’er paused, as if she wanted to say more but was hesitant.
“If you have something to say, go ahead.”
Yu Yi permitted.
Only then did Blue Ling’er speak.
“In truth, Disciple always felt that the way Master treated Little Junior Sister back then was a bit inappropriate.”
“Among the seven of us, only Little Junior Sister was personally saved by you. You were not only her Master, but also her lifesaver. She respected and admired you the most, and was also the most diligent among us. You shouldn’t have kept secrets from her—if there was something you didn’t do, why not make your innocence clear to her?”
Blue Ling’er’s emotions grew agitated.
“Precisely because you always kept things hidden from Little Junior Sister, when she heard the rumors from the outside world, the sense of betrayal became overwhelming, leading her to leave Among the Colorful Clouds. Master… it was you who destroyed Little Junior Sister’s trust with your own hands…”
Yu Yi fell silent.
Was it truly because the Original Host didn’t explain herself to Chi Ming, so Chi Ming believed the rumors and left the sect?
The reason probably wasn’t that simple.
Something must have happened between Yu Yi Jue and Chi Ming, something only the two of them knew.
After hearing the rumors, Chi Ming was reminded of that incident.
Coupled with her Master’s secrecy, she began to doubt her Master and ultimately left Among the Colorful Clouds.
As for what “that incident” was, and what compelled the Original Host to keep silent about it…
Yu Yi could only hope she would understand once she met Chi Ming.
Seeing Yu Yi lost in thought, Blue Ling’er hurriedly bowed in apology.
“Please forgive Disciple’s rudeness, Master—I meant no disrespect…”
“I understand, Ling’er. There’s no need to apologize.”
Yu Yi said calmly.
“As for Chi Ming, I will decide what must be done. She will return to Among the Colorful Clouds.”
“Yes.”
Blue Ling’er bowed her head respectfully.
Although this was yet another mess the Original Host had left her, compared to before, Yu Yi was no longer so impatient.
Although Yu Yi had taken over the Original Host’s body, the Original’s memories influenced her emotions and state of mind.
Resolving the misunderstandings with these disciples, bringing them all back, and restoring the sect’s unity—this was not only the Original Host’s wish, but also what Yu Yi truly desired.
“Master, Yunzhou City is just ahead.”
Blue Ling’er’s words broke Yu Yi’s train of thought.
Yu Yi returned to her senses, and when she saw Yunzhou City looming nearby, she almost panicked.
Crap, I got distracted thinking about other things!
If I fly directly into the city on the litter, it’ll draw too much attention and stir up trouble.
After all, Yunzhou is a place Demonic Path disciples dare not tread lightly.
Yu Yi wasn’t afraid, but if her identity was exposed, it could mean mountains of trouble.
So Yu Yi had originally planned to land outside Yunzhou City—like she did in Jintang County—and walk in.
But because she was lost in thought, she forgot how fast the litter was moving and overshot the city.
Now, it was too late for an emergency landing.
“This is a headache…”
Yu Yi muttered inwardly, but in front of Blue Ling’er, she kept up a composed facade.
“Master is so bold—there must be some deep meaning behind this.”
Blue Ling’er observed Yu Yi’s calm demeanor and thought to herself.
In truth, Blue Ling’er’s thinking had been the same as Yu Yi’s.
She believed landing outside Yunzhou City and entering on foot would be safer.
But when she saw the litter approaching the city without slowing down, she withdrew her “immature” thoughts in silence.
And so, the Fengshen Litter carried Yu Yi and Blue Ling’er straight into Yunzhou City.