After tricking Tusha into helping her refine the soul strand she’d left in her, Chun Xu used her knowledge of the mark flashing on the bellies of Xinzi’s creampie victims to control the narrative and lead the girls into exile.
First, she convinced A’Zhi, A’Zhu and Yan Le that Xinzi’s seed carried demonic properties, properties that would sooner or later turn them into demonesses. That the more the mark flashed, the closer they were to demonization.
The crimson marks brought cultivation benefits so overwhelming that most would liken them to demonic practices. At the same time, the three girls all knew that Xinzi practiced infernal techniques and had already demonized himself. So, they believed Chun Xu, and offered the Dark Chamber of Commerce as a temporary hideout where they could wait for Xinzi to return and handle the situation.
However, that option presented too many pitfalls. Chun Xu knew that without Guang Fanghu’s support, the Dark Chamber of Commerce could never be a reliable hideout. They also had to leave the sect without alerting any of the elders, Zi Yao, and bring Dong Ling with them. That being the case, Chun Xu told Guang Fanghu the truth:
“Master has made her plans clear. She will send Dong Ling and I to try for the Imperial Wind Academy so we can get acquainted with the Eastern Spirit Empire’s elite. As you know, Imperial Wind Academy is by no means a safe learning environment. The meteoric rise of the Zhenwu clan has intensified the animosity between human and spirits. And though now in control, the Zhenwu themselves are scum of the worse kind. They walk and act as if everything across the East belonged to them. Taking whatever they want, however they want it. I owe my life to master and you, so I have no choice but to obey. But still, Dong Ling is your daughter. Are you sure you want to send her to that place?”
“OVER MY DEAD BODY!” Chun Xu’s words sent Guang Fanghu into a murderous rage. He contacted his agents in the Dark Chamber of Commerce, then leveraged his network and broke his savings to give the girls rank-six Stealth Talismans to escape the sect with. Subsequently, he feigned ignorance and used his bottled-up rage to draw Zi Yao into a brutal fight.
Everything was going smoothly, but instead of going to Xihai’s capital, Chrysanthemum City, Chun Xu pretended to take a less known road so they could more easily cover their tracks, and led them all to Nameless City. Dong Ling, Yan Le, A’Zhi and A’Zhu had never once tried to find this place, and therefore couldn’t tell where Chun Xu was leading them to. By the time they saw through the trick, it was already too late. Needless to say, they lost their shit.
“Wow, how the hell did we get here? I can’t believe it. Must have taken the wrong road and brought us to Nameless City by mistake. But now that we’re here, we might as well investigate the place and get some benefit. After all, we each have a rank-six stealth talisman, meaning that even the average Divine Transformation level expert cannot find us easily.” Taking a page off Xinzi’s book, Chun Xu played the shameless ignorance card.
At first, her words did make some sense. As the legacy of a Loose Immortal—a man that failed to break through to the Immortal Realm, but still somehow survived heavenly tribulation—the Nameless Sword Tomb hid countless treasures and tremendous benefits. But the talismans couldn’t shelter the girls indefinitely and would burn out at some point. By then, how could they guarantee that they could safely reach the Xihai Capital? Days passed, with none of them being able to understand the secret sword patterns hidden in the mirror.
Without those sword patterns, they couldn’t attempt to break the protection barrier. And even with the patterns, nothing guaranteed that they could break through without a hitch. Failure equaled death, so they only had one shot.
Soon, the talismans neared exhaustion. Finally, Dong Ling had enough, broke through to the Foundation Building realm, and challenged Chun Xu for leadership.
Aware that once exposed, they had to give themselves the best chances at survival, one after the other, the girls all broke through as well, relying on 10,000 Spiritual Drops, the crimson marks, and the resources taken from the Liberation Temple, to all build extraordinary foundations. Only Chun Xu refused to break through. Likewise, she ignored Dong Ling’s challenge, sitting crossed-legged before the mirror. The talismans burned out here, exposing the girls to the world.
“Chun Xu, this isn’t a joke. I know that you rank high on Dongli’s list of sword fanatics, but I never pegged you for a reckless bitch. The Sword Tomb isn’t a secret. Every single person throughout the Eastern Continent knows where the Nameless Sword Emperor has been buried. For thousands of years, foreign experts poured into this place to try and get the legacy, but without exception, all got killed!
Now, this is a haven for the scum, dealers and traffickers that even Chrysanthemum City’s black market lords want nothing to do with! Rogue cultivators of the worst kind have caves scattered throughout this shithole, forming gangs typically led by at least one early-stage Golden Core level expert! These people don’t know the definition of fear, and would dare to abuse the Heavenly Emperor’s daughter if she stood before them! Are you trying to get us all killed? We have to leave—NOW!” Dong Ling made a strong case, and if not for their fear of factionalism, the Li clan initiates would be on her side as well. A’Zhi and A’Zhu nodded in approval, confused as to why someone as clever as Chun Xu would risk so much for an opportunity that she likely couldn’t touch.
“Young Lady, you’re being unreasonable. Dangers and benefits go hand-in-hand. The Sword Fairy is the number one sword talent in the history of the White Immortal Sect. By denying her the chance to snatch this legacy, you’re threatening to stifle the growth of my abbot’s official Dao Companion, and sect’s most promising female disciple. I can’t have that.” Yan Le sent veiled jabs, not only hinting at Chun Xu being a more gifted sword master than Dong Ling, but also Xinzi’s official Dao Companion.
Needless to say, that made all other partners side chicks. Yan Le was fine being a side chick. But could Dong Ling stomach it?
Indeed, Dong Ling’s gaze chilled at Yan Le’s word—making the Yan daughter’s lips curl up.
Yan Le never liked Dong Ling. In her eyes, Dong Ling represented all the injustice of the cultivation world, a girl born in golden sheets, with a father that would put the world at her feet, resist thunder and firestorms, all so she could live a splendid life.
Yan Le too was born from a mighty father. In fact, one that could smack Guang Fanghu to death with one slap. However, that father only gave her loathing and scorn. Even though the abuse Yan Le’s mother endured throughout her pregnancy was the main reason why her innate talent was so low, Yan Zhong showed her no mercy.
Yan Le hated Yan Zhong, hated the Dong Lings of the world, useless men, weak women, and all that remotely reminded her of her father and mother. So, just like she couldn’t stomach Dong Ling, she loved Chun Xu for being this bold at such a tender age.
“‘Young Lady?’ Why do you keep calling me that?” Dong Ling asked in a mellow tone, as if dissatisfied by the distance that those words put being Yan Le and her.
“You’re the White Immortal Sect’s young lady, Guang Fanghu’s darling daughter. How else should I call you?”
“Very well, since you still see yourself as a White Immortal Sect disciple, shut your bloody mouth, fall in line, and follow your young lady out of this god-forsaken place!”
“You!”
“Me what? I own you! Dissatisfied? Pull out your sword and fight! I’d like to see how many rounds you can take before I put you in a bodybag! The nerves of the bitch, you’re just the second-hand goods that Xinzi deigned to dump his seed into. Second-hand goods should have the humility of second-hand goods. In the hierarchy of sluts, you will always rank at the bottom, an afterthought that’d do well to learn her place before reality barrels into her brain-dead face!”