Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Man in Blue

Outside the Evil Sect lay a barren wasteland, devoid of any sign of life. It was even bleaker than within the sect itself, where at least flowers bloomed and one might encounter a few ghosts—startling at first, but often quite talkative. As Xie Yingying stepped out, her gaze swept across a desolate landscape, and in the distance, a turbulent river of blood surged, its surface littered with countless ghostly skulls. They clawed at the air and grinned with eerie smiles toward the two travelers.

A shiver ran through her body; she suddenly regretted venturing out.

The man in blue, however, seemed accustomed to such sights. Noticing Xie Yingying’s unease, he asked, both curious and concerned, “What’s wrong?”

She coughed lightly, unwilling to let him discover she was not her original self—for who knew what her fate might be then? So she answered coolly, “It’s nothing.”

He remained somewhat puzzled but did not press further.

They rode their magical artifacts, pausing occasionally, yet their pace was swift. The man’s residence lay nearby, and within an hour, they arrived.

As Xie Yingying approached his estate, she was surprised. Clear streams encircled the mansion, in which swam fish with little horns and sharp fangs. At first glance, they seemed fierce, but upon closer inspection, rather adorable. All around grew strange plants, found only in the domain of the Evil Sect. Some were vivid red, towering into the clouds; others deep blue and seductive, clustered together; still others were dark and somber, entangled in knots.

She had not expected such beauty amid the desolation—though the flowers and trees were peculiar, they possessed a unique charm distinct from the refined and muted elegance of the Immortal Sect’s territory.

Seeing her admiration, the man in blue lifted his chin with a hint of pride. “My mother and I planted these ourselves. The river, my father and brothers dug together.”

“Your family must be quite refined and artistic!” Xie Yingying exclaimed.

“Would you like to come inside for a while?” he asked with a smile.

She glanced at the sky, a trace of regret on her face. “It’s getting dark. I should return soon, or my master will catch me, and I’ll be in trouble,” she said helplessly.

In truth, Huo Tianqing cared little for her whereabouts, so long as she didn’t bring home any troublesome admirers to annoy him. Her words were merely an excuse; she feared what the man might do to her. The place was beautiful, yes, but it would be safer to visit with others next time.

The man in blue saw through her thoughts. Having resolved to let her go, he would not force her to stay. A fleeting sadness crossed his eyes, but he smiled and said, “If that’s the case, you’d better hurry back.”

She nodded, raised her hand, and waved. “Goodbye.”

He nodded gently and turned to enter his estate.

Only then did Xie Yingying breathe a sigh of relief. She hurried back along the path, glancing over her shoulder as if afraid someone might emerge and drag her inside.

The journey here had been slow, with many stops, but now she flew straight back to the Evil Sect, arriving in less than half an hour.

As she stepped through the gates, she encountered Silver Bell strolling nearby.

Xie Yingying immediately altered her steps, pretending not to see her.

Silver Bell, noticing the feigned ignorance, grew angry and stomped her foot, calling loudly from behind, “Senior Sister!”

Xie Yingying kept her head down, acting as though she hadn’t heard.

Silver Bell chased after her, calling out, “Senior Sister! Wait for me, I have something to ask you!”

Xie Yingying walked faster, silently chanting to herself: You never saw me, you never called me, you certainly won’t ask about the dispersal of the harem!

She had long guessed that, after dissolving her harem, Silver Bell would be the first to come interrogate her.

Silver Bell gritted her teeth in frustration: The more I shout, the quicker she runs!

But she was swift as well. Seeing Xie Yingying turn a corner, she leapt into the air, her purple dress swirling, and landed lightly on the eaves of the great hall. After a few quick steps, she dropped down to block Xie Yingying’s path.

Xie Yingying’s expression grew complicated.

This time, Silver Bell wasted no words. With a solemn look, she asked directly, “Senior Sister, why did you disperse your harem? Have you really fallen for Bai Shengyun?”

“How could that be?” Xie Yingying was baffled as to why everyone kept asking her the same thing.

“Let me tell you!” Silver Bell stepped forward, grasping her hand with a grave expression. “Bai Shengyun practices the Path of Ruthlessness. Those who follow that way are even more heartless than those on the Supreme Path of Detachment! They have no kindness, no feelings. If not for Bai Shengyun’s status and his orthodox techniques, no one would dare criticize him. In truth, he is a merciless demon who kills without blinking! He will never love you, only use you again and again, hurting you each time!”

Xie Yingying was surprised at how accurately Silver Bell had guessed Bai Shengyun’s nature, despite never having met him.

“Yes, I know,” she replied, giving Silver Bell a reassuring look. “I won’t fall for him. I’m already trying to stay away!”

Silver Bell blinked, her gaze pure. “Then why did you dissolve your harem? Why change your path so suddenly?”

Xie Yingying knew she wouldn’t be allowed to leave without a convincing answer. With a helpless tone, she said, “Since entering Gu Feng Mountain, I realized how lacking my combat skills were. I no longer wish to rely on others to improve my cultivation. Gaining practical experience is the only way I can truly move between the two sects and seek revenge against Bai Shengyun, isn’t it?”

She gently pushed Silver Bell’s hand away. “Besides, the Evil Sect has a long history, but very few have truly mastered the art of succubus cultivation. I want to achieve my own path and become strong, to avenge the humiliation I suffered at Gu Feng Mountain!”

Silver Bell, seeing her determined gaze and the hint of resentment, guessed that Xie Yingying had indeed suffered at Gu Feng Mountain and felt sympathy for her.

“Enough said, I need to go and cultivate properly now,” Xie Yingying patted Silver Bell’s shoulder. “Let’s work hard together! Goodbye!”

Silver Bell nodded, her heart ignited with the desire to rise and stand alongside her senior sister, and she nodded solemnly.

After bidding farewell, Xie Yingying strode away, appearing eager to begin her training. Yet it was difficult to hide the sly smile on her face.

Indeed, everything she had just said was a lie. Talk of cultivation, revenge against Bai Shengyun—nonsense, all to be discarded.

Revenge against Bai Shengyun? Xie Yingying couldn’t help but recall how Bai Shengyun treated Shen Ruru and Ning Qingqing, and she trembled all over.

If there was to be any revenge against Bai Shengyun, it would have to wait until the next life, when he was still a child.

Still... she frowned in thought: she did need to cultivate diligently. With her current abilities, if she ever crossed paths with Bai Shengyun again, she truly wouldn’t know how she’d meet her end.

As she pondered this, the purple-gold bell on her ankle shimmered with a faint, violet-gold light.