My Dear Student, Why Did You Betray the Teacher Just Because of So-called Love

The Immortal Realm, Wuji Divine Hall.

Wuji was once again convening a grand assembly. Below, atop the celestial lotus platforms, the expressions of the gathered immortals varied.

In recent years, vast amounts of immortal power and resources had been poured into the River of Time, all in pursuit of the traces of the former Immortal Emperor, Ling Xiao. Yet, to this day, not a single clue had been found!

The expenditure had been immense, pushing the already-struggling Wuji Celestial Court further into hardship, to the point where its control over the Immortal Realm had begun to weaken.

It was no secret that the Immortal Realm had never been a peaceful place. Across its boundless territories, countless races stood tall, and mighty experts were as numerous as the clouds. Among them, the Celestial Court was the most dominant force, suppressing the chaos of the realm and maintaining order under the heavens!

Of course, that was only true when the situation remained stable.

Once the Celestial Court’s grip on the Immortal Realm began to slip, all manner of demons and devils would inevitably rear their heads!

Wuji’s rise to power—plotting for countless eons to overthrow Ling Xiao—was no exception. He was merely the victor in a path of conquest that had never lacked challengers!

To rule the Celestial Court and command the heavens—that was the ultimate ambition!

Many officials of the Wuji Celestial Court had noticed unusual movements within their jurisdictions recently. Investigating them would require resources and manpower, but turning a blind eye? Well, the opposition had grown bold enough to openly offer bribes and promises!

Of course, feigning ignorance didn’t mean they dared to defy Emperor Wuji!

Though his foundation was still unstable and his rule was marked by austerity, none could deny his overwhelming strength—the kind that could overturn the board entirely!

Today’s assembly was meant to discuss the future direction of the Wuji Celestial Court, with many attempting to persuade Wuji to halt his relentless pursuit of Ling Xiao.

As for the thoughts of these ministers and the undercurrents stirring across the Immortal Realm, Wuji was well aware!

But he didn’t care.

He had risen through rebellion—he had experience and methods to spare. Did these fools think they could walk the same path he had?

Hah! They could be crushed with a mere wave of his hand!

The true variable that could spell his doom lay not here, but in the lower realms. These clowns were nothing more than fleeting distractions!

He had been searching for an excuse to deal with them, and now they were delivering themselves to his doorstep?

Then he wouldn’t hold back!

Everything was proceeding as planned.

So, as the ministers took turns voicing their concerns, Wuji remained unmoved, silently ignoring them all.

After the assembly concluded, the idle Thunder Tribulation Enforcer did not leave immediately. Instead, she lingered, watching as Wuji activated the Heaven-Gazing Mirror, projecting an image and manipulating the figures within as if playing some strange new game.

"Teacher Wuji, you asked me to stay. Do you have a new assignment for me?"

The Thunder Tribulation Enforcer was a gentle-faced female immortal, her voice soft and serene.

"Lingyun, how long have you been with me?" Wuji asked, his back still turned to her, his tone distant.

"Fifty-two million, one hundred thousand years. I still remember the hand you extended to me back then," the Thunder Tribulation Enforcer replied, her eyes flickering with nostalgia.

Her name was Zi Lingyun, once the young princess of the Thunder Spirit Clan. A calamity had destroyed her homeland, wiping out her entire clan. Only she had escaped, shielded by her elders.

But the pursuers had been relentless, vicious killers determined to eradicate every last trace of her bloodline. They had chased her to the ends of the earth, leaving her no refuge...

At her most desperate moment, when all hope seemed lost, it was Teacher Wuji who had reached out to her.

He had been like a beam of light piercing through the icy darkness of her heart. From that day forward, she had followed him, becoming his most loyal disciple, his eyes, his shield...

"Yes, it has been so long. I have always trusted you. And yet, my dear student... why did you betray me?"

Wuji slowly turned around, his gaze cold as it settled upon her.

"I don’t understand!"

"What kind of poison did Wu Jinzhou feed you? To make you betray your teacher, your savior, even the very ideals you once held dear?"

Before his words had even faded, the Heaven-Gazing Mirror behind him flickered, projecting another scene.

Beneath a crimson sky, a grove of phoenix trees stood encased within a golden-red barrier.

A handsome man clad in fiery cloud-patterned robes raised his hand, flames gathering at his fingertips as he pressed them against the edge of the barrier. The flickering embers instantly transformed into chains of order, melting the surrounding laws and carving out a safe haven, shielding them from all prying eyes.

This man was Wu Jinzhou, titled the Blaze Heaven Immortal Venerable. Once the Fire Division Master of Ling Xiao’s Celestial Court, he had defected to Wuji’s side during the great war. His clean background and notable contributions had earned him the position of East Heaven Gate Guardian after the conflict, tasked with suppressing the ancient evils of the Desolate Lands.

But later, the Archives Bureau’s review of Ling Xiao’s remaining records revealed discrepancies—his identity was fabricated, his history riddled with gaps. Further investigation exposed him as an imposter, not even a native of the Immortal Realm!

His motives were inscrutable. With the Celestial Court’s approval, an arrest warrant was issued, and the Heavenly Punishment Division mobilized to capture him.

Yet Wu Jinzhou’s instincts were sharp. Sensing the shift in the wind, he vanished without a trace.

The Heavenly Punishment Division’s search yielded nothing—after all, who would have guessed that Emperor Wuji’s own disciple would shelter a fugitive?

"You’re using that dangerous method again."

In the scene reflected by the mirror, Zi Lingyun descended gracefully, her moon-white sleeves brushing past Wu Jinzhou’s hair as her jade-like hands summoned thunder, masking the searing flames.

"If the patrols discover this, even I won’t be able to protect you," she murmured softly.

Wu Jinzhou seized her wrist in return, the scorching heat seeping through her sleeve. His eyes burned with passion.

"My flames can scorch through the Nine Heavens... yet they cannot melt your heart."

Zi Lingyun’s ears flushed pink, the lightning adorning her hairpin crackling. She opened her mouth to speak, but Wu Jinzhou suddenly pulled her close by the waist.

"On the first day of next month, the purple epiphyllum of West Kunlun will bloom."

His voice, laced with warmth, brushed against her ear. In the flames dancing upon his palm, the silhouettes of their embrace flickered. Her gaze grew hazy.

"This time... I’ll take you to see them."

The vision dissipated.

Wuji sighed deeply.

"My dear student, you are not one to be blinded by love. Tell me... what truly drove you to betray me?"

Zi Lingyun fell silent for a moment before her eyes blazed with uncontainable hatred.

"You dare ask me why? Do you truly believe you left no evidence behind?"

"The River of Time may have erased that history, but traces remain! Ninety-eight thousand, two hundred and sixty-one souls of my Thunder Spirit Clan—all slaughtered by your hand!"

"If not for Jinzhou uncovering the truth, I would have never known that the teacher I revered, the savior who pulled me from despair... was the very monster who destroyed my people!"

She laughed, the sound tearing from her throat like shattered glass, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

"What does it matter if I know now? It’s too late! Far too late!"

"Yes, it was me! It was Jinzhou who helped me conceal the anomalies in the Thunder Tribulation!"

"The variable you've been guarding against so fiercely has been growing right under your nose, yet you remain completely unaware!"

"Even if you've discovered it now, what can you do? Even if you order the laws of the Heavenly Tribulation to be altered, do you think preventing it from descending to the mortal realm will stop the interference of this variable?!"

"Let me tell you—he has already gained momentum. There’s nothing left for you to stop!"

"Such a pity I won’t live to see your final downfall... Mother, Father, and Jinzhou, have you come for me?"

"I truly did my best..."

Her voice grew fainter, and as the last word faded, her body collapsed, dissolving into scattered motes of starlight.

Wuji watched the scene in silence, making no move to intervene.

He merely turned away calmly and resumed manipulating the Heaven-Gazing Mirror, losing himself once more in his game.