This Should Not Be

Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect, Martial Void Arena.

Xu Jin landed steadily in the center of the arena, his gaze fixed on Yanyun, who stood with an exceptionally combative posture.

Compared to Yanyun, who seemed perpetually honed for battle, Xu Jin had been far more relaxed in recent days.

He trained when necessary, rested when needed, and occasionally spent his free time discussing Tianyan Sect’s proposals with his master and a group of elders.

Though Chu Xingchen had employed illusions, survival in life-and-death battles relied entirely on one’s own abilities—there was no room for criticism.

Rumor had it that Chu Xingchen’s methods were just as ruthless, and he too had reached the Unity Realm.

No one could have guessed that Tianyan Sect had concealed such a sharp blade within its ranks, and now was the time for that blade to bare its fangs.

Thus, Xu Jin understood that this sparring match had lost its original significance. No matter how seriously he took it, the outcome would remain unchanged.

He intended to treat it as a mere formality, exchanging a few moves before gracefully accepting victory. Tianyan Sect, aware of the underlying circumstances, likely wouldn’t push too hard—just a perfunctory bout before letting him win.

After all, Tianyan Sect had already secured some substantial gains; it was only fair to leave a little face for others.

However…

Xu Jin studied Yanyun’s fiercely determined stance before him and couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t here for a mere show.

Why did it seem like she was preparing for a life-or-death struggle?

Or was it simply Tianyan Sect’s habit of putting on a convincing act?

Regardless, Xu Jin clasped his hands politely and spoke in a mild tone:

"Let us learn from each other."

Yanyun gave a slight nod, decisively drawing her spirit treasure sword. Her voice was solemn as she replied, "Let us learn from each other."

The match would begin with the toll of a bell.

Though this was likely just a formality, Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect had still stationed disciples around the formation barrier in advance, ready to intervene if necessary. The last clash between core disciples had been eye-opening—better safe than sorry.

Xu Jin summoned his own spirit treasure, standing casually at the center as he waited for the bell.

From what he knew, even if he won this match, Chu Xingchen wouldn’t participate in the following bouts.

It was a pity he wouldn’t get to witness Chu Xingchen’s prowess firsthand.

He’d heard that Chu Xingchen had recently grown close to Daoist Yuyang, even forming a friendship.

Chu Xingchen was said to be somewhat unpredictable, but his nature seemed straightforward.

Daoist Yuyang was also someone Xu Jin found agreeable. It was just unfortunate that they had already become friends on their own.

Next time, forging such a bond would be far more difficult.

After this match, everything would come to an end. By now, his master was likely finalizing the last details with Tianyan Sect’s leader, Lv Xuan.

Opportunities for such carefree encounters would be rare from now on. Friendship, after all, required fate.

Countless people passed through life without ever truly connecting. Those of equal talent and cultivation were even rarer.

In this world, aside from spouses, friendships also required compatibility—equal standing, strength, and shared aspirations to create common ground.

Superficial camaraderie was meaningless.

But so be it.

The next moment, the resonant toll of the arena’s bell rang out.

Xu Jin’s expression sharpened instantly—Yanyun had already closed the distance in the blink of an eye, her overwhelming aura surging forth as stars flickered to life around her.

The sword in her hand transformed into a blinding white arc, slashing toward him.

Xu Jin was certain now—Yanyun was treating this as a true battle to the death.

He reacted swiftly, channeling his spiritual energy without delay.

Yet, in a clash of this caliber, even the slightest underestimation came at a cost.

And Yanyun had been tempered under Bai Xuanling’s guidance for far too long.

Boom!

Xu Jin’s body was sent flying backward, the force of Yanyun’s star-infused strike relentlessly eroding his defenses. Still, his spiritual sense and vision remained locked onto her.

Good… Yanyun was holding absolutely nothing back.

She pursued him mid-air, her momentum undiminished, as if a star itself were crashing down upon him.

The surrounding spiritual energy grew sluggish under the oppressive weight of her power.

Xu Jin’s expression turned ice-cold. Without hesitation, he drew his own spirit treasure sword and met her strike head-on.

If she wanted a real fight, then he would test the mettle of Tianyan Sect’s so-called core disciple!

Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect, Council Hall.

Lv Xuan had once again skipped Yanyun’s match today, leaving Bai Xuanling to oversee it. As always, each had their own responsibilities.

Unless absolutely necessary, Lv Xuan wouldn’t bring Bai Xuanling to negotiations—especially now that the situation had stabilized, with only minor consensus issues remaining.

Though inwardly pleased, Lv Xuan maintained the dignified composure befitting the leader of a top-tier sect, betraying no emotion.

Accompanying Tianyan Sect’s delegation were two elders, along with Chu Xingchen and Xie Lingyu, who had already taken their seats.

Li Moze of Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect sat at the head of the hall, his expression unreadable.

Today, Luo Yue—one of the key figures who had remained absent until now—sat quietly in a solitary seat.

The hall was divided into three factions.

Luo Yue, a lone spirit, stood apart, representing none but itself.

Behind it, there was no one.

Luo Yue lowered its gaze slightly. It had imagined this moment countless times over the centuries—sitting here, negotiating for its kin’s rightful place in this world.

It had dreamed of standing before a crowd of hopeful spirits, declaring that the promise it had made had been fulfilled.

That it had succeeded through its choices, through its sacrifices.

But reality was cruel.

The reason it sat here now was because someone else had stepped forward.

Perhaps out of mutual benefit, perhaps for other reasons.

Yet the truth remained—someone had spoken for it.

Luo Yue had no part in the discussions, the debates, or even the finalization of terms. It was only present now for the verdict.

Still, it had to be grateful. Because… it had no other choice.

Just as the silence behind it was deafening.

This was the final chance to speak—even if the words didn’t come from Luo Yue itself, it had to seize this opportunity.

Li Moze’s gaze fell upon the frail spirit before him. Its aura was so weak it likely hadn’t even reached the Foundation Establishment Realm.

It had been centuries since such a feeble being had set foot in this hall.

Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect’s concessions were inevitable, but Tianyan Sect would also have to yield in turn.

After all, between top sects, face was something given mutually.

The terms had already been settled.

Li Moze spoke first: "You are called Luo Yue?"

Luo Yue raised its eyes, meeting the gaze of the Great Ascension Realm cultivator without flinching. Calmly, it nodded. "Indeed."

Li Moze gave a faint nod and continued, his tone indifferent:

"Leader Lv Xuan has previously mentioned your matter to me. Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect naturally takes it seriously."

"A promise made by our sect, no matter how much time has passed, shall be honored—so long as we still possess the means to fulfill it."

"I have personally reviewed our sect’s archives and historical records. The name ‘Luo Yue’ does appear in our annals."

"However, there are no records pertaining to you within our sect. If you were truly a contingency left behind by Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect, your existence should have been clearly documented—not lost to time, unknown to all."

"Perhaps your case was classified during that era. The war back then did inflict heavy losses upon us, leaving gaps in our history."

"But with no proof, no records, and only your word to go by… it is impossible for us to simply accept this claim."

"Not just anyone can waltz into the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect with a history book and demand an audience, so this matter cannot be acknowledged—nor should it be."

Luo Yue's expression couldn't hide a trace of desolation. Along the journey, it had become painfully clear just how colossal the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect had grown.

What could it do if they refused?

Now, it was nothing more than a barely surviving, broken spirit—a weakened demon too frail to even raise its spear again.