Chapter 46: Xu Yao, with All Your Deep Affection—Who Do You Think You Are?

“What have you done to Brother Yan Chen? How could you be so heartless? Why did you show me this!” When Xu Yao awoke from unconsciousness, she was like a woman possessed, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, gazing at Ling Tian in utter grief and despair.

No one can remain unscathed when the one they love hands them over to someone they despise, using them as little more than a bargaining chip. How could he do such a thing? Despite all her affection for him, he treated her merely as a tool to achieve his own ends.

Even Chen Ningshuang, who had been chasing Liu Yang, halted and looked towards Ling Tian’s direction. Following Ling Tian’s instructions, after Yan Chen left with him, she had produced the memory stone and handed it to Xu Yao.

Xu Yao had wept for a long time after seeing its contents, even contemplating suicide. Chen Ningshuang had no choice but to knock her out. She hadn’t expected Xu Yao to awaken now, confronting Ling Tian in person.

To be honest, she too had watched the memory stone, and Yan Chen’s actions truly went beyond forgiveness. He had used Xu Yao as a mere instrument for his own ambitions. Yet, pitiful Xu Yao, even after being so used, still believed in him deep down.

After consulting Lin Chuchen and receiving confirmation, Xu Yao, in her madness, had skinned Lin Chuchen alive, letting him bleed to death. Chen Ningshuang knew that Ling Tian, for all his gentle appearance, was a man of decisive action.

She was unsure what fate awaited Xu Yao now that she had come forward to question him. After all, this had begun as Yan Chen and his conspirators plotting to kill Ling Tian; he had only defended himself.

“I showed you this because I thought you deserved to know the truth. If you’d rather remain in the dark, it’s no concern of mine. But if you’ve come seeking vengeance on behalf of your dear Yan Chen, don’t blame me for being merciless!” Ling Tian raised his brow, having assumed that once Xu Yao learned the truth, she would be heartbroken but eventually see Yan Chen for what he was and move on. He hadn’t expected her to choose self-deception instead. He had to admit, Yan Chen’s charm was formidable indeed.

“Ha… revenge? For him? He couldn’t even defeat you—how am I to avenge him? Fine, let him die. It's better this way... Now he doesn’t have to explain himself to me, and I no longer have to torment myself…” Xu Yao gave a sorrowful laugh, then gathered her spiritual energy in her palm and struck at her own heart.

Wu Dawei tried to stop her, but it was too late.

“Junior sister, why put yourself through this?” Chen Ningshuang hurried to Xu Yao’s side with a sigh. Of all present, she had spent the most time with Xu Yao, offering what comfort she could. In her eyes, Xu Yao had talent and need not have thrown her life away for a man like that.

“Senior sister, this is fate. I’m tired… You know, being by his side, I could sense his changes. How could I not? But I… This has nothing to do with Tian Ling. Please, don’t let my grandfather cause him trouble…” Blood welled at the corner of Xu Yao’s lips as she shook her head bitterly. She felt she could trust this outwardly cold but warm-hearted senior sister with the truth in her heart.

As the saying goes, the words of the dying are always kind. Xu Yao had not been ignorant of Yan Chen’s change—she had simply refused to see it, deceiving herself until she was too far gone. Her last words were for her family’s sake, hoping not to cause them further trouble.

With her final instructions given, Xu Yao closed her eyes.

Ling Tian witnessed the scene, opening his mouth as if to speak, then closing it again. He wanted to say just one thing: Yan Chen isn’t dead!

He hadn’t expected Xu Yao’s devotion to run so deep. What is love, that it drives people to pledge their lives and deaths to one another?

Yet, she died at a moment she thought fitting—a mercy, perhaps. Otherwise, what would become of her if she met Yan Chen again? Would he accept a Xu Yao like this? Who could say…

Hu Yunyin, eyes wide, watched the unfolding scene in confusion, wondering what they were talking about. Xiao Ling’er popped a candy into her mouth, an expression of melancholy on her face.

“Well, now that everyone’s here, let’s seek out our fortunes. In another day, we’ll have to leave the secret realm,” Wu Dawei said, enveloping Xu Yao’s body in spiritual energy to preserve it. He would not abandon so many disciples simply to escort her remains out of the realm.

The disciples of the Divine Fire Sect nodded in agreement.

Time slipped by, and a day passed in the blink of an eye.

“Tsk, tsk, this is a King-tier spiritual herb, isn’t it? I can’t believe you got your hands on it!”

“Says you—what about that spiritual weapon you’re holding? Isn’t that King-tier too?”

As they left the secret realm, the disciples of the Divine Fire Sect chatted excitedly. This excursion had gone more smoothly than any before—encountering few disciples from other sects, and wherever they explored, they found opportunity after opportunity. It made them wonder if the other sects and rogue cultivators had no interest in such fortune.

They didn’t know that many disciples from other sects had already been slaughtered by the Fourth Demon, Han Yuntian, and the survivors, seeing their numbers dwindle, had left the secret realm early.

Since Ling Tian had slain Han Yuntian, there was no more danger to face. Of course, over a dozen Divine Fire Sect disciples had died, but such losses were expected in competition—no one comes through unscathed. Yet, compared to the fortunes they’d gained, it was a small price.

Those who lived rejoiced in their bounty; those who died knew nothing. Only joy remained—was that cold-hearted? Perhaps, but it was the truth.

The group exited the secret realm amidst lively chatter. No sooner had they appeared than they sensed something was wrong. The disciples and elders from other sects were staring at them intently.

“Divine Fire Sect disciples truly are remarkable—so many of you made it out! Yet our disciples claim there was a powerful demon cultivator inside!” sneered an elder from the Puppet Sect, eyeing the few survivors from his own sect with a mix of envy and malice.

At his words, others began to echo his insinuations. Was the Divine Fire Sect in league with the demon, since their disciples emerged unscathed while others fell?

“Are you accusing our sect of colluding with the demon clan? If that’s so, none of you will leave here alive!” Xiao Ding, towering and unyielding, snorted coldly. He had no intention of explaining himself—if they wanted a fight, they’d get one. Here, he feared no one, especially not with Luo Changsheng present; even if the other sects joined forces, they had nothing to fear.

“Sect Master Xiao, you may silence us here, but can you silence the world?” The Puppet Elder grunted, his face contorted with resentment. Even if they couldn’t obtain the treasures, they could at least sully the Divine Fire Sect’s name.

As for Xiao Ding—should he kill them, rumors would only grow darker. As the saying goes, people care not about the truth, only the story they wish to believe. Soon, the top factions would have cause to move against the Divine Fire Sect, and then, their downfall would be inevitable.

Xiao Ding’s expression grew colder, tension mounting.

“Enough—calm yourselves. I can prove the Divine Fire Sect has no ties to the demon clan,” Ling Tian spoke up, his voice soft yet resonant.

“Who are you to speak?” snapped the elder of the Harmony Sect, a voluptuous but chilling woman. Her appearance, it seemed, reflected her heart.

“Who am I?” Ling Tian scoffed, extending a finger and pressing down lightly in the air toward her. Instantly, to everyone’s shock, the Harmony Sect elder fell from the sky, pinned firmly to the ground.

A Saint! The onlookers stared in disbelief. Was this youth also a Saint? But if so, how could he have entered the secret realm?

“He is the disciple of my Sacred Land’s Supreme Elder.” As the crowd puzzled, Luo Changsheng stepped from the void and revealed Ling Tian’s identity. Inwardly, he sighed—he had become nothing more than a tool for others to show off.

“That’s the Lord of Luo Qiu Sacred Land!”

“The Supreme Elder’s disciple—then this youth must be… Tian Ling!”

“The genius whose sword bell rang nine times three years ago!”

As realization dawned, those quick-witted among the crowd exclaimed Ling Tian’s name. He had intended to use this identity for training—no need to hide it. Since Xiao Ling’er would be leaving with him, there was no sense in leaving such a mess for Xiao Ding to handle. Besides, this was a perfect opportunity to win people over.

“So, who am I?” Ling Tian smiled faintly, approaching the pinned Harmony Sect elder and looking down at her.

“I—I was blind to your greatness, and have offended you. I am guilty and willing to offer treasures as compensation,” she stammered, her face pale as she realized whom she had provoked. She might as well have lit a lantern in a latrine—seeking death.

“The demon cultivator in the secret realm was slain by me. The Divine Fire Sect had no part in his actions,” Ling Tian declared, ignoring the Harmony Sect elder as he glanced around. Then, he projected the memory stone showing him slaying Han Yuntian for all to see. Such caution was second nature—had someone else made such a claim, they might have been doubted, but coming from a genius like him, it carried weight.

Immediately, other sects distanced themselves from the Puppet and Harmony Sects, some even leaving in haste. With no chance to gain anything and disaster looming, it was best to avoid trouble.

Ling Tian produced another memory stone, a faint smile on his lips that made the Puppet Elder’s heart tremble. Then Ling Tian’s voice rang out:

“The Puppet Sect and Harmony Sect disciples conspired to slaughter Divine Fire Sect disciples, then slandered them with false accusations of collusion with demons. Unless you offer a satisfactory explanation today, neither of you shall leave…”