One Step, One Realm

The Azure Emperor had somehow made her way to Bai Qiangu’s side.

The Azure Emperor’s face was just as pale. Her eyes held anger, humiliation, and a trace of despair that was difficult to detect.

She looked at Bai Qiangu and said hoarsely, “You understand now, don’t you? This little maid is nowhere near as simple as she appears.”

Bai Qiangu whipped her head around, her eyes brimming with murderous intent. “Of course she isn’t simple! She’s a scheming slut! She deceived all of us!”

“And what if we were deceived?” The Azure Emperor let out a bitter laugh, her voice filled with helplessness. “Ye Xuan trusts her. What can we do?”

A vicious glint flashed through Bai Qiangu’s eyes.

“Kill her.” Her voice was cold enough to freeze the air. “Only by killing her can we take our husband back.”

The Azure Emperor’s expression changed drastically. She hurriedly glanced around and, after confirming that no one was nearby, lowered her voice. “Are you insane? This is the Sword God Palace—the territory of Ye Jiuhuang! You dare to act here?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Bai Qiangu gave a sinister laugh. “As long as we do it cleanly, who will know I was responsible? Besides, she’s just a lowly maid. So what if she dies? Do you really think Ye Xuan would kill me for her?”

The Azure Emperor fell silent for a moment, her gaze gradually growing deeper.

“What do you plan to do?”

A cruel smile curled Bai Qiangu’s lips. She raised a hand and wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, her eyes filled with malice. “An opportunity will come sooner or later. I refuse to believe that little bitch stays at our husband’s side every moment of every day. The moment she’s alone… I’ll make her wish she were dead.”

The Azure Emperor opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, she merely sighed and said nothing.

She neither stopped Bai Qiangu nor agreed with her. But her silence was itself a form of consent.

Three days later.

The Azurewave Pool in the rear mountains of the Sword God Palace.

Ying’er sat alone on a bluestone by the pool, her bare feet gently swinging in the water.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves and fell upon her, coating her in a faint golden glow.

She wore a pale green dress, her long hair spilling over her shoulders. A tranquil smile rested on her face, making her look like an innocent young girl.

She hummed an unknown tune, her clear, melodious voice like a mountain stream flowing over smooth stones.

The surface of the Azurewave Pool was as calm as a mirror, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and lush trees along the shore.

Several immortal cranes played in the distance, occasionally letting out one or two clear cries.

Everything appeared peaceful and serene.

That tranquility, however, was soon shattered.

A red figure descended from the sky and landed on the opposite side of the Azurewave Pool.

Bai Qiangu wore a long crimson dress, her hair cascading like a waterfall. Her alluring phoenix eyes were filled with murderous intent.

In her hand, she carried a pitch-black sword. Dark-red demonic energy coiled around its blade, radiating a terrifying killing aura.

She stared fixedly at Ying’er, a hideous smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“Sister Ying’er, enjoying yourself, are you?” Bai Qiangu’s voice was sweet, yet carried a bone-chilling coldness. “Doesn’t it get boring washing your feet here all by yourself?”

Ying’er raised her head. The moment she saw Bai Qiangu, a frightened expression immediately appeared on her face.

She shrank her neck and spoke timidly. “Sister Qiangu… What brings you here?”

She pulled her feet from the water, hurriedly put on her shoes, and stood up in a panic, as if she were ready to flee at any moment.

Bai Qiangu slowly advanced, the black sword in her hand dragging across the ground and carving a deep mark into the earth.

The smile on her face grew increasingly sinister, and the killing intent in her eyes was completely undisguised.

“I came because I wanted to have a little talk with you, Sister Ying’er.” Her voice was gentle, yet contained a terrifying murderous intent. “Let’s talk about how you framed the Azure Emperor and me. Let’s talk about the way you flaunted yourself before me. Let’s talk about how you humiliated us by relying on our husband’s favor.”

Ying’er retreated again and again, the fear on her face growing more pronounced. She waved her hands and spoke in a trembling voice. “Sister, you’ve misunderstood… I didn’t… I really didn’t…”

“You didn’t?”

Bai Qiangu’s expression suddenly twisted into something ferocious, and her voice became shrill and piercing. “Do you take me for a blind woman? Do you think I’m stupid? I saw through every one of your little tricks!”

She took a single step forward, and her figure instantly appeared before Ying’er. The black sword shot out with a sharp sound as it tore through the air, thrusting straight toward Ying’er’s throat.

The strike was as fast as lightning, leaving Ying’er no time to react.

Yet, just as the tip of the sword was about to pierce Ying’er, she extended two fingers and casually clamped down on the blade.

Bai Qiangu’s pupils contracted sharply.

Her full-powered attack had actually been caught between two of the other woman’s fingers?

How was that possible?!

Ying’er lifted her head. The fear and timidity on her face vanished without a trace, replaced by a cold, mocking smile.

“Sister Qiangu, is this the extent of your strength?” Ying’er’s voice remained as gentle as flowing water, yet sent a chill down the spine. “You’re a little… weak.”

Before the words had even faded, Ying’er lightly twisted her fingers.

Crack!

The black sword snapped in two.

Bai Qiangu’s pupils shrank violently, and a storm of shock erupted in her heart.

Without a second thought, she retreated explosively, putting distance between herself and Ying’er.

Ying’er, however, was even faster.

A flash of green passed by, and she had already appeared before Bai Qiangu.

She extended a small, fair hand and casually swept it toward Bai Qiangu’s face.

The motion appeared incredibly slow, as if she were merely giving her a lazy slap.

But Bai Qiangu was horrified to discover that she could not dodge it at all.

That hand had sealed off every avenue of retreat. There was nowhere she could escape.

Smack!

The crisp sound of the slap echoed around the Azurewave Pool.

Bai Qiangu’s body flew backward like a cannonball and slammed heavily into a cliff dozens of yards away.

The tremendous impact split the cliff behind her, sending rocks tumbling down with a rattling roar.

Her left cheek swelled instantly, five bright red finger marks standing out clearly.

“Pfft!”

Bai Qiangu spat out a mouthful of blood, her eyes filled with disbelief.

She struggled to climb out of the cliff face and looked toward Ying’er with terror.

She had not even seen that slap coming.

Its speed, strength, and angle had all far exceeded anything she could comprehend.

Ying’er still stood by the Azurewave Pool, her pale green dress fluttering in the breeze.

An innocent smile remained on her face, and her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze.

“Sister Qiangu, how did you fly all the way over there? Are you feeling unwell?”

Bai Qiangu’s entire body trembled, endless fear surging in her eyes.

She finally understood.

This maid had been pretending from beginning to end.

Her true strength was far, far beyond Bai Qiangu’s own.

“Who… who are you?” Bai Qiangu’s voice was hoarse, her eyes filled with shock and horror. “You can’t possibly be an ordinary maid! Who are you really?!”

Ying’er tilted her head, her smile growing even sweeter. “I’m Ying’er. Just a lowly maid.”

As she spoke, she slowly advanced toward Bai Qiangu.

With every step she took, the aura surrounding her surged higher.

First step: Core Formation.

Second step: Nascent Soul.

Third step: Deity Transformation.

Fourth step: Void Refinement.

Fifth step: Body Integration.

Sixth step: Tribulation Transcendence.

Seventh step: Grand Ascension.

The Eighth Step: True Immortal!