Refusing to Show Mercy When in a Position of Power

Three days later.

A figure clad in a floor-length black dress stepped out of the cave, her perfect curves wrapped just right, exuding an alluring yet dangerous aura—like a blooming black rose with thorns.

Her once-familiar face no longer held any trace of gentleness, replaced instead by ruthless indifference. A palpable killing intent swirled around her, making her seem like an entirely different person.

Xu Ling'er, a disciple of the Hundred Flowers Heavenly Sect, landed nearby, her face pale with disbelief as she hastily bowed.

"Se—Senior Sister?"

Lu Caiwei glanced down coldly, her seductive voice laced with frost.

"Oh? So it's you."

"It took you this long to find me after gathering information? Seems you truly no longer regard me as your senior sister."

Under that icy gaze, the young girl trembled in fear.

"N—No, Senior Sister, that's not it—"

Before she could finish, a terrifying force yanked her forward!

She struggled with all her might, but it was futile.

"No! Senior Sister—!"

In an instant!

She was in Lu Caiwei's grasp.

Despite her cultivation at the Second Stage of the Saint Realm, she was as powerless as a lamb!

Her Dao energy and life force drained away like water. The girl's body visibly withered, her cries of terror fading into the howling snowstorm…

Until only a few plain robes remained, fluttering in the wind.

Feeling the surge of power within her, Lu Caiwei tilted her head back with a satisfied smile.

"Such power… it's intoxicating."

She tossed aside the discarded robes, her beautiful eyes now filled with malice.

"From this day forth, I shall reign supreme over the Southern Li Heavenly Domain!"

"Everything that was mine will be reclaimed. Those so-called 'prodigies,' who relied on mere luck, are unworthy of their titles. Every humiliation they inflicted shall be repaid a thousandfold!"

Clenching her black-gloved fist, Lu Caiwei's confidence burned fiercely in her gaze.

"No matter what backing they have, no matter what forces stand behind them—before the power I now wield, they are nothing but ants. I can crush them with a mere flick of my hand!"

"Hahaha—!"

Her demonic laughter echoed, the blizzard itself recoiling from her terrifying aura.

Lu Caiwei laughed wildly, sweeping her hand to disperse the snow.

She examined her flawless jade-like fingers, savoring the monstrous strength within. A triumphant light gleamed in her eyes.

"With this power, I will become a peerless prodigy revered for eternity! Those two bitches will grovel beneath my feet!"

In her sea of consciousness, a swirling black mist cackled hoarsely.

"Keh keh…"

"You have inherited my demonic legacy. This power is only the beginning—your future growth will far surpass your imagination. Standing atop the entire Blue Star is within your grasp."

"Your enemies are mere fledgling Heavenly Realm cultivators, unworthy of comparison. This venerable one shall rest for now. Go forth and fulfill your desires…"

The raspy voice faded as the black mist in her mind fell silent.

Lu Caiwei's eyes shimmered with anticipation.

"Standing atop the Blue Star…"

"Now this… is true destiny!"

"Zhong Limeng, Qing Yin Xianyun… it's too late for regrets. I will make you beg on your knees! My path to eternal glory begins with your downfall!"

A cruel smirk twisted her flawless face as she tore through the void and vanished.

Now at the Early Heavenly Realm, her divine sense had expanded a hundredfold. Every whisper, every conversation, was laid bare before her.

Not a single moving figure escaped her perception.

Relishing the overwhelming sense of control, Lu Caiwei's lips curled. She had been reborn, now standing above the entire Southern Li Heavenly Domain.

She was confident—even the ancient monsters of the Heavenly Sects would struggle against her.

And this was only the beginning. The demonic legacy was terrifying indeed. Her future was boundless.

Today, vengeance would be hers.

Drunk on her newfound might, Lu Caiwei soared toward the Moon God Pavilion with unbridled ambition.

Suddenly—

Several figures streaked across the low sky, their urgency evident.

The crowd grew, their heated discussions rising in fervor.

"Saintess Qing Yin is at the Heavenly Blade Sect up ahead!"

"Is this true?!"

"The Heavenly Blade Sect has sworn allegiance to the Moon God Pavilion! Rumor has it Saintess Qing Yin Xianyun is overseeing the transfer—I heard it myself!"

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go pay our respects! Who knows, we might all end up under the Moon God Pavilion’s banner soon. Better get acquainted early!"

"What an honor! Just a glimpse of the Saintess would make this life worthwhile!"

"Damn it! You bastard, don’t cut in line!"

…

Lu Caiwei sensed everything. A spark of delight flashed in her eyes.

"Qing Yin Xianyun is here? How convenient. Saves me a trip to the Moon God Pavilion."

Looking down at the dozens of figures scrambling forward, she scoffed after a long pause.

"Hmph. The world is full of bootlickers and lechers."

"Today, I’ll show you all what a true prodigy looks like. That so-called Saintess is nothing but a stepping stone beneath my feet!"

With a cold glance, she soared forward, pride burning in her gaze.

A streak of black light split the heavens, its terrifying aura drawing gasps and fearful stares from those below.

…

Heavenly Blade Sect.

The allegiance ceremony had concluded, yet the sect gates remained packed with onlookers.

Sect Master Feng Sandao bowed deeply, his tone reverent.

"Saintess, your presence humbles us."

"From this day forward, the Heavenly Blade Sect obeys the Moon God Pavilion’s every command. Our loyalty is unwavering—heaven and earth bear witness!"

Qing Yin Xianyun, clad in an elegant white dress, returned the gesture gracefully.

"Sect Master, you honor me too much."

Her soft-spoken words carried no arrogance, only warmth. Paired with her pristine gown and peerless beauty, the crowd erupted in admiration.

"The Heavenly Blade Sect has sharp eyes. Swearing fealty to the Moon God Pavilion now makes them founding elders. Given the Pavilion’s recent momentum, their future is bright indeed!"

"No kidding! Saintess Qing Yin’s cultivation and talent are unmatched, yet she remains so humble. Such grace and wisdom are beyond mortal reach. The Heavenly Blade Sect’s judgment is impeccable!"

"The Moon God Pavilion is on the rise, and the Saintess’s future is limitless!"

"Saintess Qing Yin truly lives up to her title as a prodigy!"

Amid the reverent chatter, joy filled the air.

Qing Yin Xianyun acknowledged the crowd with a modest nod, her every movement exuding grace. Her demeanor only elevated the Moon God Pavilion’s prestige, solidifying its path toward becoming a top-tier Heavenly Sect.

Just as she descended the jade steps—

BOOM!

A violent black light exploded before her!

A terrifying pressure radiated outward, sending guests stumbling back in shock. The Heavenly Blade Sect’s members paled—this was the aura of a supreme expert!

"Whoosh—!"

The force was like a gale, repelling hundreds.

Qing Yin Xianyun swiftly raised her sleeve, barely neutralizing the impact.

As the light faded, a stunning yet chilling figure emerged.

Floor-length black dress, cascading ink-black hair.

Her voluptuous figure was accentuated by the dazzling gown, her jade-like legs faintly visible—a breathtaking sight at first glance.

Yet, despite her beauty, an icy indifference clung to her, freezing the crowd in awe.

No one dared speak, their gazes locked in stunned silence.

Only Qing Yin Xianyun managed to bow cautiously, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Senior Sister… Lu?"

Though her demeanor had drastically changed and her cyan dress had been replaced with a coldly elegant black one, Qing Yin Xianyun could still recognize that peerlessly beautiful face.

Hundreds of years ago, during a certain sect competition, Lu Caiwei had stunned the entire audience, earning the title of a prodigy in one fell swoop. She was considered a senior among their peers, and even now, the memory remained vivid in Qing Yin Xianyun’s mind.

Hearing the greeting, Lu Caiwei let out a cold laugh, her eyes filled with disdain.

"Qing Yin Xianyun, you are now one of the famed 'Twin Jewels of the Southern Expanse.' How could I, Lu Caiwei, possibly deserve being called 'senior sister' by you?"

The seductive yet icy voice echoed, sending a wave of unease through Qing Yin Xianyun’s heart.

A woman’s intuition told her that the visitor was seething with jealousy and likely harbored ill intentions. Noticing the unfamiliar aura and attire—cold yet tinged with a sinister air—she couldn’t help but grow cautious.

With a graceful nod, Qing Yin Xianyun responded politely once more.

"Senior sister, you flatter me. These are but empty titles, nothing more."

In the brief exchange, the surrounding guests finally snapped out of their daze, and murmurs gradually rose among them.

"Isn’t that… Lu Caiwei from back then?"

"One of the three prodigies who once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Holy Maiden?"

"No wonder the Holy Maiden addressed her as 'Senior Sister Lu'—they must be old acquaintances!"

"Eh? This Fairy Lu is just as stunning as ever. How did she suddenly fall out of the limelight? No one even mentions her these days."

"Tch, what’s the use of just having looks? Without cultivation and presence, it’s all for nothing. Even if she had some fame centuries ago, that’s all in the past now."

"True. How many prodigies shine only briefly? It’s all too common!"

The hushed discussions grew increasingly cutting.

Such was the way of the world—especially in one where strength reigned supreme.

Sensing the tension escalating, Qing Yin Xianyun forced a smile and attempted to mediate.

"Senior Sister Lu, these are merely worldly vanities. From the competition back then till now, I’ve always believed you to be the true prodigy of our generation. I wouldn’t dare compare myself to you."

Since her recent breakthrough, her mindset had shifted entirely. Bearing the expectations of the Moon God Pavilion, her sole focus was cultivation. The distant dream of the Domain Sovereign’s Heavenly Sect left no room for distractions.

Empty titles had long since become fleeting clouds to her.

Her words drew another wave of admiration from the crowd.

At the same time, they caused Lu Caiwei’s expression to darken, her smile turning sharp and aggressive.

"Heh."

"You believe?"

"You may say that, but do you truly mean it? Enough talk. Who the real prodigy is will be decided in a match. What’s mine—no one can take it away!"

Her frigid voice, laced with terrifying pressure, spread through the hall, causing everyone’s expressions to shift abruptly.