My Damn Pride

Watching the woman from the Yunyan Sect depart, Su Luo turned to Nangong Xiyun and asked, "Are you sure saying that was alright?"

"What's the problem?"

"If my identity gets exposed, your reputation will be ruined."

Situations like these usually don’t end well.

Su Luo could already imagine a hundred-episode drama about the forbidden love between a demonic cultivator and a righteous one.

"What’s the big deal? As long as no one finds out."

Nangong Xiyun only let others know that she had someone she liked—she didn’t have to reveal who it was.

Let them guess.

"You do have a point."

Given their cultivation levels, exposing the truth would be quite difficult.

Just then, Nangong Xiyun spoke up, "I think I need to leave for a while."

"What’s wrong?"

"The sect leader is summoning me."

Only now did Nangong Xiyun notice the sect leader’s message, which had been sent days ago.

She had been too preoccupied with one matter to notice.

Now, she had to return to explain the situation and take care of some business.

"Alright, be careful on your way."

"Hearing that warms my heart."

No one ever said such things to her because she was so strong.

But Su Luo did.

It felt nice.

Nangong Xiyun left, flying toward the Seven Stars Sword Sect.

Su Luo also returned.

"Where’s Nangong Xiyun?" Jiang Ningshu asked.

"She went back to the Seven Stars Sword Sect."

"Leaving right after having her fun, how bold."

"Do you have some kind of grudge against Nangong Xiyun?"

"Hard to say. What, already taking her side? Should I also have a relationship with you?"

"Cough, that’s not the point."

"I know."

Jiang Ningshu was just teasing. She knew Su Luo wasn’t so shallow as to let something like that affect their bond.

......

Meanwhile, back at the sect, Nangong Xiyun briefly reported to the sect leader.

She also mentioned Su Luo in passing, explaining that he couldn’t return yet as he still had important matters to attend to.

The sect leader sighed. "I was hoping to meet Su Luo and reward him."

Though the final battle against the Heavenly Demon Sect was largely credited to the Northern End Demon Lord—at least in terms of undercover contributions—Su Luo had done plenty before that.

He provided intelligence during the Heavenly Demon Sect’s attack on the Emperor Heaven Sect, revealed the locations of the totem altars, was involved in the deaths of the Seven Heavenly Demon Disciples, and much more.

The sect leader didn’t want Su Luo’s efforts to go unrecognized.

Nangong Xiyun smiled. "I’ve already rewarded him."

"Oh? That’s good then."

With that, Nangong Xiyun left, but she had one more thing to do.

She sought out Li Siyi.

"Master!"

Li Siyi hadn’t expected to see Nangong Xiyun.

"Got a moment? Let’s talk."

"Sure."

The two found a quiet spot.

"I’m sorry, Siyi."

"Why are you apologizing, Master?"

"Su Luo and I… we’ve been intimate."

Li Siyi froze. She had considered the possibility, but not so soon.

She had already made up her mind, yet her master had beaten her to it.

Even though she had known Su Luo the longest.

After a long silence, Li Siyi finally spoke. "I knew it."

She felt like she was about to cry.

"Sorry, I couldn’t hold back." Nangong Xiyun also felt a little guilty—she knew Li Siyi had always liked Su Luo.

Li Siyi didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t exactly blame her master.

After all, she and Su Luo had never officially confirmed their relationship. What right did she have to complain?

Nangong Xiyun offered, "How about I take you to see Su Luo?"

Li Siyi’s eyes lit up, but she quickly shook her head. "No need. I can find him myself."

Nangong Xiyun studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

"Was there anything else, Master?"

"Actually, yes. Did you know Little Yu also slept with Su Luo?"

"Wha—really?"

Li Siyi hadn’t heard about that. Given Little Yu’s personality, she thought it would take much longer, yet Little Yu had actually gone through with it.

"So, want to go find Su Luo together now?"

"No, thanks."

"Fine. Then let me teach you a spell to locate him."

Nangong Xiyun didn’t push further and passed the spell to Li Siyi.

After exchanging a few more words, she left.

Once Nangong Xiyun was gone, Li Siyi immediately crouched down, clutching her head. "Ugh, this stupid pride of mine!"

If only she had made her move while Su Luo was still at the Seven Stars Sword Sect, she wouldn’t be in this mess now.

She did want to see Su Luo, but having her master take her there felt humiliating.

Such a pointless sense of pride—yet she couldn’t bring herself to let it go.

"Sigh."

Li Siyi took a deep breath, straightened up, and told herself: Don’t rush. Take it step by step.

......

"Hey, shouldn’t we find something to do?"

Su Luo mused. Though he was content lazing around, conversations like these often turned to future plans.

Nangong Xiyun hadn’t returned yet, but she probably had nothing urgent either.

Jiang Ningshu shrugged. "With the Heavenly Demon Sect gone, I’ve got even less to do. Got any suggestions?"

She tossed the question back at Su Luo.

Little Yu chimed in, "I’m focusing on cultivation."

Su Luo realized he didn’t have anything lined up either.

"If there’s nothing else, might as well write in my diary."

He opened his journal.

[The Heavenly Demon Sect affair is over, but Lin Xuan’s story continues.]

[This time, it’s about Elder Yan.]

[After long preparations, we’re finally ready to help Elder Yan forge a new body.]

[As expected, it succeeded.]

[But there’s always an unexpected twist.]

[Elder Yan’s unconventional revival caught the attention of a reclusive clan.]

[And one key figure from this clan had a dark history with Elder Yan—having betrayed him long ago, leading to Elder Yan’s fate as a spirit mentor.]

[Lin Xuan learned of Elder Yan’s past during this time. Hearing of his suffering, Lin Xuan—who already saw him as family—was furious.]

[Thus, Lin Xuan began hunting down Elder Yan’s betrayer, seeking vengeance.]

[......]

[The reclusive clan was powerful, but Lin Xuan was no pushover. With Elder Yan, he stormed their stronghold, demanding they hand over the traitor.]

[......]

[Lin Xuan succeeded in killing Elder Yan’s enemy, avenging him.]

[Elder Yan couldn’t land the final blow himself—he was held back in battle.]

Su Luo closed the diary.

[Diary entry completed. Reward: Constitution +2, Strength +2.]

[Acquired special ability: Void Hand.]

[When evading an attack, Void Hand automatically counterattacks. No stamina cost. Power scales with user’s strength.]

An offensive skill.

Though it’s more of a support ability—triggered by dodging, which is pretty convenient.

For Su Luo’s current level, the skill wasn’t exactly essential.

But as always, having it was better than not.