Fifteen victories in a row.

The sword hurtling straight toward Cui Huai’s back drew closer—one foot, half a foot, an inch... Lin Fengyang smiled; he was about to succeed. This detestable female cultivator would pay dearly for her words and actions!

Just as the sword was about to pierce Cui Huai’s body, she seemed to have eyes in her back. With her right hand, she grasped her unsheathed sword and blocked it behind her. The sword’s tip came to a dead stop, unable to advance even an inch.

Cui Huai couldn’t help but smile. Finally, this useless fellow had fallen into her trap.

After pressing Lin Fengyang’s sword down, she turned her head, her face a mixture of shock and anger: “Fellow Daoist Lin, how could you stoop to such despicable conduct?”

“Lin Fengyang, how could you act so disgracefully? Losing a contest is one thing, but deliberately trying to kill someone is utterly disgraceful. Fortunately, Fellow Daoist Cui’s strength was sufficient to block you in time,” the surrounding cultivators watching the spectacle complained indignantly at the sudden turn of events.

Hearing this, Lin Fengyang’s eyes grew even redder. Recklessly, he raised his sword and thrust again toward Cui Huai.

“Fellow Daoist Cui, be careful!” the onlookers shouted in alarm.

This time, Cui Huai showed no mercy. With one sword strike, she knocked Lin Fengyang’s weapon aside, then raised her foot and fiercely kicked him in the chest.

A sharp crack echoed—the unmistakable sound of ribs breaking.

Lin Fengyang fell heavily to the ground, the sword he had been holding falling to the earth mere half an inch from his forehead, with half its blade embedded in the soil. Had it been any closer, he would not have survived.

Curled in pain on the ground, Lin Fengyang groaned. Cui Huai apologized softly, “Earlier, you struck hard first. I admit I responded strongly. Are you alright?”

She leaned closer to examine him, pressing an iron palm against his injured chest, causing Lin Fengyang to scream in even greater agony.

Hmm, no more, no less—four broken ribs. Cui Huai thought to herself, as expected from her strike, precise to a fault.

Squatting beside Lin Fengyang, Cui Huai gripped the Qingning Bell she had “borrowed” from the grove that morning, turning her back to the watching crowd and lowering her voice: “The woodcutter was innocent. You broke two of his ribs. As a cultivator, you’ll heal quickly. Just mend the four ribs you broke. I’ve paid the woodcutter’s medical fees on your behalf, but you’ll cover your own.”

Having said this, she released the soundproofing of the Qingning Bell, and Lin Fengyang’s furious roar echoed across the clearing: “Wretch! Was this deliberate?”

Was there any doubt? Only a fool wouldn’t see it was intentional.

If today she had come alone to seek revenge on the Maze Sect, despite her power being limited by the system, she would not have hesitated to storm the sect and overturn the real culprit.

But now, with both her strength and her mind formidable, she wasn’t backed by the overwhelming power of the Boundless Sect, but by the small, weak Xiao Yao Sect. The Maze Sect was stronger than Xiao Yao; she could not recklessly stir trouble for a small sect because of her own affairs.

She was no fool, though in the past her strength had been so great she never had to think twice. Now, having climbed up from the bottom, she knew when it was time to use her head.

First, she provoked Lin Fengyang under the guise of a contest. Such a petty and arrogant man would surely become furious and lose control. He struck first with deadly intent, and Cui Huai responded with justified punishment. Under such circumstances, the Maze Sect could hardly shamelessly cause trouble for the Xiao Yao Sect.

Sure enough, Cui Huai bore a look of grievance. Before she could respond to Lin Fengyang’s insults, the Maze Sect disciples watching couldn’t stand it and spoke up for her:

“Lin Fengyang, how can you be so sore a loser?”

“Yeah, you wanted to harm Fellow Daoist Cui’s life, but she only dealt a small punishment. How dare you still insult her?”

“I’m ashamed to have you as a fellow disciple.”

...

Back and forth they went, Lin Fengyang’s face growing paler and paler, utterly speechless.

---

When he injured the woodcutter, the woodcutter must have felt the same way. The retribution of the Heavenly Dao may come at any time, but Cui Huai had taken matters into her own hands, making him pay for his misdeeds.

Standing up, Cui Huai didn’t glance at Lin Fengyang anymore. “Fellow Daoist Lin, you’d better rest well—cultivate both your body and your heart.”

Before leaving, Cui Huai found the apparent leader among the Maze Sect disciples and informed him that the troublesome signpost was located within the boundaries of Mount Fuyang, which was territory of their Xiao Yao Sect. To avoid future conflict, she requested that the Maze Sect move the signpost to unclaimed land or their own territory.

With such a reasonable demand, and under the watchful eyes of many, the Maze Sect leader could not refuse: “Alright, we will relocate the signpost shortly.”

With the matter settled, Cui Huai flicked her sleeve, feeling immensely proud. Truly, she was clever beyond compare!

***

Upon entering Mount Fuyang’s domain, she saw Master Qingyan flying overhead with his family, heading toward the Maze Sect.

Could it be that he was coming for her?

That morning, the Xiao Yao Sect was peaceful. Because the senior disciple Jiang Xuan was not diligent and often late, the morning class was set for a later time.

When Master Qingyan arrived, he glanced around and noticed only four of the five disciples were present. Without a doubt, Jiang Xuan was missing again.

But upon closer inspection, he realized he had jumped to conclusions too quickly and could have caused a misunderstanding.

Today’s absence was not Jiang Xuan’s fault, but none other than Cui Huai herself.

The top troublemaker Jiang Xuan grinned and teased, “Third Sister never misses class. Have you succeeded in guiding Qi into your body and are about to enter seclusion? Master, is it time to announce this good news?”

Master Qingyan himself was in the dark, no one had told him anything. After knocking at Cui Huai’s door for a long time with no answer, he worried, thinking, “Oh no, has she gone alone to the Maze Sect?”

The previous night, Cui Huai had unusually asked about the local power divisions, subtly trying to gauge just how strong the Maze Sect was. Once he heard her mention the Maze Sect, he understood her unusual behavior.

He had learned that a woodcutter had been injured by a Maze Sect disciple over a directional signpost—the very one Cui Huai had reversed.

Fearing the child would blame herself too much, he comforted her, “That signpost is on Mount Fuyang, our Xiao Yao Sect’s territory. No disciples used to come here anyway, so I turned a blind eye to the Maze Sect’s placement. But now, because of a signpost not belonging to them, someone was injured. The fault lies with them.”

“This is our land. Even if you changed the signpost’s direction daily, I wouldn’t consider it a mistake. As long as you’re content.”

They agreed that he would personally accompany her to the Maze Sect to clarify matters and ensure that the offending disciple was punished. He had an acquaintance among the Maze Sect elders, whose words carried weight.

In his eyes, it was an agreement, but to Cui Huai it was a unilateral promise—she had not consented. Her principle was to solve her own problems without borrowing favors.

She had hoped to return quietly before morning class, but walking on two legs was slow, and so she was late. Now, as she spotted familiar figures flying overhead, she tentatively waved.

Master Qingyan did not see her, thankfully Fu Qin was sharp-eyed and called for their master to stop—the sought-after junior sister was right below.

Jiang Xuan and Zhao Zhixu leapt down from a sword. As soon as Jiang Xuan landed, he began chattering: “We noticed you were missing early this morning. Master guessed you went to the Maze Sect. We were worried you’d be at a disadvantage, so we all came along.”

The second sister looked worried, patting here and there: “Junior Sister, are you hurt?”

Cui Huai shook her head. “The matter’s been settled. No harm done, no injuries.”

---

Master Qingyan relaxed seeing her unharmed, wanting to scold her for taking such a dangerous risk alone but found himself unable to speak.

This child was clearly used to acting alone, unwilling to depend on others, unaware of the hardships she had faced before.

In the end, he only smiled and praised her: “Impressive, handling everything alone. But next time, if you need help, don’t hesitate to call on me. At the very least, I’m tougher than you.”

Cui Huai was somewhat moved. Her previous master had said the same—that she could call on him if she couldn’t solve things herself. She had believed him, but in the end, that master became her greatest problem.

What about Master Qingyan?

He wasn’t particularly powerful. If trouble arose, would he betray her even faster?

***

On the way back, Jiang Xuan kept asking how Cui Huai had punished the Maze Sect disciple without a scratch. Each time she shared a bit, he praised her: “Junior Sister, you’re so cool! Next time there’s something like this, take me along. I may not be able to fight, but I can follow behind and bask in your glory!”

Though Jiang Xuan was neither strong nor clever, he at least had some sense—he admired her strength and wisdom.

Returning to Xiao Yao Sect, Zhu Yu hurried to greet them. As the only member without combat ability, he didn’t seek out Cui Huai to avoid being a burden, instead playing to his strengths by guarding the rear.

Seeing the relaxed atmosphere and that the fourth sister was unharmed, Zhu Yu greeted them warmly before turning to Third Senior Brother Fu Qin: “Third Senior Brother, you asked me to prepare some healing pills earlier. You’d cover the spiritual stones, right? Now that Sister is fine, no injuries, but I’ve already made the pills. Are you going to back out?”

Fu Qin wanted to silence Zhu Yu immediately. Earlier, Cui Huai had thanked him for checking on her, but he had claimed he wasn’t really concerned—he just came by to watch the fun!

The biggest flaw of this sect was how many poor members it had!

Couldn’t he just be approached privately? Afraid he’d renege? Do spiritual stones have legs and run away?

Seeing Cui Huai’s knowing look, Fu Qin grit his teeth and said, “I’ll pay—go do your medicine properly.”

Since his previous pride was broken, Fu Qin threw caution to the wind: “Junior Sister, I’ve covered the woodcutter’s medical fees—you don’t need to repay.”

“Why?” Cui Huai asked.

“Because on the day I became a disciple, I moved that signpost too. If there’s retribution, I’m involved as well—consider it bad luck. Also, asking you for money would probably cause more trouble for myself.”

In truth, seeing her alone, painstakingly seeking justice for a mere mortal, had changed his opinion.

He had thought she was arrogant, unreasonable, shameless, and greedy...

But now it seemed she wasn’t without merit.