For Murong Xi, this question had plagued her for a full six months.
On that day, she had watched with her own eyes as this man walked out from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, passing right by her side.
She could even smell the thick, metallic scent of blood clinging to him.
She knew that if that man had wanted to, she would have become another ghost beneath his blade in an instant.
But he had not.
He had not even spared her a second glance.
The humiliation of being completely ignored was more painful than being killed outright.
For the past six months, she had jolted awake from that nightmare every single night.
She could not understand it.
With that Great Devil’s vengeful personality, why would he let an enemy like her go when she was right within his reach?
This question had become an obsession, clouding her sword heart and causing her cultivation to stagnate.
Therefore, she had to get an answer today.
Hearing Murong Xi’s questioning, Lu Ning was slightly stunned.
She had not expected the other woman to be struggling with such a matter.
Memories of the plot from the game Immortal Demon Era regarding the battle at the Burial Immortal Mountain flashed through Lu Ning’s mind.
In that battle, the original Lu Ning had indeed gone on a killing spree.
She had fought alone against dozens of righteous path experts at the Great Completion Stage, including three absolute powerhouses at the peak of the Great Completion Stage: the Xuantiān Holy Lord, the Master of Wanjian Mountain Manor, and the Master of Miaoyin Pavilion.
Although she had heavily dealt a blow to the righteous path in that battle, she had also been ambushed by the three leaders, suffering severe injuries that nearly exhausted her very foundation.
By the time she walked out of the Burial Immortal Mountain, she had used every last drop of her strength just to stay standing.
At that time, far from attacking Murong Xi, she barely had the energy to speak more than a few words.
That was why she had said the words “Excuse me” to the young girl blocking her path.
It was because she really just wanted to get through.
Recollecting this part of the plot, an idea instantly formed in Lu Ning’s mind.
She knew this was a golden opportunity.
It was a chance to completely hoodwink the stubborn “Sword Idiot” before her and perhaps even take her in for her own use.
Lu Ning met Murong Xi’s obsession-filled gaze.
At this moment, her face—which looked somewhat sallow due to her disguise—betrayed a trace of faint loneliness and aloofness.
Her voice carried a sense of weariness, as if she could see through everything in the world.
“That is because you did not take the initiative to attack this seat at that time.”
Hearing the answer she had longed for day and night, Murong Xi’s body trembled violently.
Her brilliant eyes were filled with disbelief.
Just… just because of that?
“I, Lu Ning, have never killed without cause in my life.”
Lu Ning’s voice rang out again as she took a slow step forward.
Her invisible aura made the surrounding air grow heavy.
“This seat is different from your so-called righteous sects. I have never deigned to use those low-life tactics of sneak attacks and schemes.”
“This seat believes in using absolute strength to suppress all who are defiant.”
“The title of a ‘Great Devil’ is nothing more than a misunderstanding the world has about this seat.”
Lu Ning spoke these words with powerful conviction and righteous indignation.
Her aloof posture of “being the only sober one while the world is drunk, the only clean one while the world is foul” was practically more righteous than the righteous path itself.
She silently gave herself a thumbs-up in her heart.
‘Not bad, not bad. My ability to bluff is getting stronger and stronger.’
‘As long as I become strong enough, I’ll never have to take any more crap from these women in the future. I can just slack off however I want.’
On the other side, Murong Xi was completely stunned after hearing Lu Ning’s words.
She stood frozen in place, her mind a total blank.
So that was how it was?
The reason he did not kill her was not because of disdain, but because she had not attacked him at the time?
This realization was like a clap of thunder, instantly shattering the obsession that had plagued her for six months.
She had always thought she was treated as an ant by the other party, and she had been too cowardly to even swing her sword at such a god-like figure.
She had spent half a year in regret and self-reproach for this.
She never expected that it was precisely her “cowardice” that had saved her life.
This… this was simply too ironic.
A bitter smile appeared on Murong Xi’s face.
As it turned out, she had been wrong all along.
This man was not a bloodthirsty devil.
He had his own principles and his own pride.
Perhaps he was a truly powerful individual.
He was a lonely traveler who disdained joining the common filth of the world and believed only in himself.
Beside them, Su Yuexi watched Murong Xi’s fluctuating expression.
A sharp glint flashed in her gentle eyes hidden beneath her veil.
She had not expected Lu Ning to baffle the arrogant Xuantiān Saintess with just a few words.
As expected of the Sect Master of the Demon Sect, her ability to manipulate hearts was indeed not simple.
She would have to be careful in the future.
After an unknown amount of time, Murong Xi finally snapped out of her complex emotions.
She took a deep breath and slowly bowed to Lu Ning, performing a salute from a junior to a senior.
“Sect Master Lu, I have judged a noble heart with my own petty mind.”
Her voice carried a hint of admiration.
“Six months ago, I regretted my cowardice in not attacking you to the point that I developed an obsession, clouding my sword heart.”
“Listening to your words today, I realize how horribly wrong I was.”
Murong Xi looked up, her clear eyes burning with an unprecedented fighting spirit.
“However, even though the misunderstanding is resolved, the grievance between us cannot end like this.”
“Today, I, Murong Xi, officially challenge you with the sword in my hand!”
“I hope you will use your true strength to fight me!”
“Regardless of victory or defeat, life or death, I only ask that after this battle, my thoughts may be clear and my sword heart will have no regrets!”
Her words were forceful, and an indomitable sword intent was instantly released.
Looking at her “eagerness for battle,” Lu Ning felt a headache coming on.
Fight?
With what?
She was currently just a “small cultivator” at mid-stage Nascent Soul.
Fighting against a peerless sword cultivator at mid-stage Body Integration—wasn’t that just a death wish?
But if she did not fight, judging by Murong Xi’s stance, the woman likely would not let the matter rest.
Just as Lu Ning was rapidly calculating how to refuse the challenge, an even bolder thought surfaced in her mind.
Although Murong Xi was stubborn, her talent in the Way of the Sword was top-tier.
It would be a pity to destroy or let go of the future number one sword cultivator of the continent.
The Xuantiān Holy Land had been one of the main forces in the ambush back then; that debt would have to be settled sooner or later.
If she could poach their future pillar of support, it would surely feel great.
Thinking of this, the corners of Lu Ning’s mouth slowly curled into an arc.
She looked at Murong Xi and spoke slowly.
“I can agree to your challenge.”
“However, I also have one condition.”
“What condition?”
A trace of doubt flashed in Murong Xi’s eyes.
“It is simple.”
Lu Ning’s gaze became sharp.
“If I win, from this day forward, you will no longer be the Saintess of the Xuantiān Holy Land.”
“You must leave the Xuantiān Holy Land, join my Tianmo Sect, and become this seat’s named disciple.”
“Do you dare to agree?”
As soon as those words were spoken, even the usually calm and composed Su Yuexi was dumbfounded.
To have the Saintess of the Xuantiān Holy Land—the future Sect Master—betray her sect and join the demonic path?
This… this was simply a fantasy!
Murong Xi was equally stunned by Lu Ning’s earth-shattering proposal.
She stared blankly at Lu Ning, lost for words for a moment.
She knew that once she agreed to this condition, it would mean completely betraying her master and her sect.
She would perhaps become public enemy number one for the entire righteous path and be despised by countless people.
But if she did not agree…
The crack in her sword heart that had just healed would likely shatter again.
Her path in the Way of the Sword would end right here for the rest of her life.
After a long time, Murong Xi slowly raised her head.
Only determination remained in her brilliant eyes.
“Fine. I agree to your condition.”
“Sect Master Lu, you were heavily injured six months ago. I suspect not even one-tenth of your strength remains. If you lose, I want you to disband the Tianmo Sect.”
“Good, it’s a deal.”
A satisfied smile appeared on Lu Ning’s face.
The fish had taken the bait.
For a “Sword Idiot” like Murong Xi, nothing was more important than her own Way of the Sword.
“However…”
Lu Ning’s tone shifted, and a hint of playfulness flashed in her cold eyes.
“Before you face this seat, you must first pass the test of my eldest disciple.”
As she spoke, she patted the shoulder of Su Yuexi beside her.
“As long as you can last three moves against my eldest disciple, you will have the qualification to fight me.”
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