In theory, the two of them now stood at about the same rank. But while Yan Cai’er had spent these years immersed in cultivation, Li Xun had been out in the world, winning honor after honor for the sect. In the eyes of the elders, their positions were far from equal.
That much could already be read between the lines of Madam Yan’s decree.
Normally, when a master sends a directive to a disciple, it’s either a “Soul Leaving” order—meant to convey a message or command. Or a “Soul Binding” order, which signifies scolding or punishment.
But what Madam Yan had sent was a “Flying Soul,” the kind used between peers. Strictly speaking, that crossed the boundary between elder and junior, but it also showed that she regarded him in a special light.
Li Xun understood this, and Yan Cai’er understood it even better.
In a demonic sect like the Shadow-Devouring Soul Sect, strength and rank meant everything. So even though Li Xun’s heavy-handed show of authority had left her fuming, this normally arrogant young cultivator didn’t dare voice her displeasure. In the end, she only curled her lips.
“How could I compare with someone so high-spirited, whose name echoes across the land? You kept us waiting two whole days. I thought we’d have to collect your corpse. Anyway, here, the sect master’s decree!”
The middle of her sentence was so indistinct that even Li Xun’s sharp ears couldn’t catch it. What did surprise him, though, were her last words.
“The sect master’s decree? Not Madam Yan’s?” he asked as he took the jade slip she handed over. Sweeping it with his divine sense, he absorbed the message within. “A commendation order? Ha, the sect master is generous indeed.”
“Of course he would. You wiped out more than half of the Eighteen Nether Generals and humiliated Yuan Nan in front of everyone. Even that sickly old ghost himself admitted it: ‘Since Master Ghost, the sect has seen no genius of this caliber.’”
The “sickly old ghost” Yan Cai’er mentioned was, of course, none other than the sect master of the Shadow-Devouring Soul Sect, the Underworld flame Yama himself.
As Madam Yan’s disciples, both Li Xun and Yan Cai’er treated that frail, disease-ridden elder—who had held the reins of power for centuries—with far more caution than respect. Calling him that was hardly surprising.
She went on, “Hmph, that old ghost feels his end is near, so he’s being extra generous. Well? He must’ve given you quite a few benefits! By the way, you’ve been here more than twenty days now. What exactly have you been up to?”
Li Xun didn’t care much for the so-called commendation, and he was even less inclined to respond to what sounded like a casual probe from Yan Cai’er.
He crushed the jade slip in his hand and brushed off the dust. “This matter isn’t worth mentioning. Madam wouldn’t have sent you here just for this. Go on, what are her instructions?”
That was as good as leaving Yan Cai’er’s words hanging in the air. Granted, a master’s orders came first, but did he really have to trample on Miss Yan’s dignity like that?
She thought back to how low-key “Hundred Ghosts” had been when he first joined the sect, then looked at his current arrogance. The contrast was so sharp she nearly ground her teeth to bits. Her reply came out edged with her usual spoiled temper: “Of course Madam has instructions. But I asked you first, didn’t I? Can’t you at least answer me?”
She hadn’t completely lost her head; her words still carried a hint of playful wheedling. Even if she had defied him, it shouldn’t have gone too far…
But before her calculation was finished, she suddenly saw Hundred Ghosts reach out, pinch her chin, and force her face upward with a firm squeeze.
His movement wasn’t fast, yet somehow she couldn’t evade it. The yin fire inside her flared several times, only to be effortlessly suppressed. Only then did Yan Cai’er realize just how vast the gap between them truly was.
Fear stirred in her heart, but the proud young cultivator refused to believe Hundred Ghosts would actually harm her. Temper flaring, she stuck to her habitual defiance, eyes flashing sideways with a mix of defiance and feigned indifference. “What, grown strong enough to bully people now?”
Li Xun’s lips curved in a half-smile. “Nothing like that. I only wanted to see what’s changed in Senior Sister Yan these past two years… and why you keep pushing Ye Ru to stand against me.”
Yan Cai’er’s face paled at those words, though she kept her mouth hard. “Ye’er doesn’t like you. Does that count as standing against you? When have I ever pushed her?”
“Gui Wuzang should have been lesson enough.” Li Xun sighed, leaning forward. With the pressure of his hand, their faces drew so close they could feel each other’s breath. “You should remember,” he whispered, “back then it was because Madam stood behind us that we disciples followed willingly. But now… where is Madam?”
Yan Cai’er’s face grew even paler. Li Xun gave a thin smile. “Why don’t we test it out. See whether Madam dotes on you more, or values me more?”
“Of course Master dotes on me!” Yan Cai’er tried to hold firm, but her voice lacked conviction.
Li Xun’s lips twitched into a cold, cutting smile. “Yes, Madam dotes on you. But if things turn ugly between us… if I were to do as Gui Wuzang once did, treating you as he treated Ye Ru, what would Madam do then, hmm? Senior Sister Cai’er?”
At last, fear showed plain on her face, and even her voice began to tremble. Yet, impressively, she still clung to her pride. “I knew it. You’re no different from Gui Wuzang. No, you’re a hundred times more hateful! A thousand times more treacherous!”
Li Xun let out a harsh laugh, and with a twist of his hand forced Yan Cai’er’s delicate face even closer to his own.
Yan Caier gasped softly and squeezed her eyes shut. She felt him brush lightly against her cheek, her lips, pecking at them a few times.
At first her body was rigid, but when their lips finally met, her strength seemed to melt away. A soft, muffled sound escaped her throat. Whether it was resistance or yearning, even she couldn’t tell.
When their mouths parted, Li Xun pressed his lips into a thin line. His other hand rose, three fingers pinching her wrist, and between them gleamed a faint, chilling edge.
Her last trick had been seen through. Instead of fear, a mocking laugh broke from her. Turning her head aside, she snapped, “Fine, I admit defeat. Go ahead then. I’ll just take it as being bitten by a dog.”
But at that moment Li Xun broke into a smile, one that carried both indifference and ridicule. “Enough. I told you. It was only a ‘what if.’ If Senior Sister Cai’er takes it seriously, isn’t that a bit small-minded?”
His shifting expressions left Yan Cai’er utterly bewildered. She could no longer make sense of what was in Hundred Ghosts’ mind. To her, this man who seemed to act purely on whim had a hidden weight behind every word. His sentences looked casual, yet each was faintly linked to the next in ways she couldn’t unravel.
She had always thought herself far from foolish, yet right now she couldn’t tell what was true, what was false, and her composure was in shambles.
Flustered and out of sorts, she no longer had the energy to spar with words and could only throw out the proper business to shield herself. “If you don’t go around harming people, who would bother with you? I actually came to talk about serious matters…”
The moment she said it, she realized she had been the one to provoke him first, and a trace of awkwardness crept in.
But since the words were already out, she pretended not to notice and went on. “Master asked me to tell you this: that sickly old ghost won’t last much longer. The sect is already in chaos. When you act outside, you need to be cautious and keep a low profile… It’d be best to play it safe and stay in Tenghua Valley for a while.”
Li Xun frowned. “That’s it?”
Instinctively, Yan Cai’er shot him a glare, but the memory of what had just happened made her falter, and she turned her eyes aside.
“Also, a few days ago Elder Yin Jin told Master that she intends to retire. That will leave an elder’s seat vacant. The sickly old ghost wants to fill it with one of the great-family disciples. If you’re interested, Master will support you.”
After speaking at length, Yan Cai’er felt her mood begin to steady. Taking advantage of the moment, she secretly studied the changes in his expression.
But to her disappointment, his face remained fixed in that same faint, unreadable smile. Neither showing interest nor indifference.
She had no choice but to follow the method Madam Yan had given her. She added, “If you ask me, the sect has never been picky about how it uses people. You don’t need to hold back. Just show everything you’ve got.”
No sooner had she said this than she felt Hundred Ghosts’ gaze sweep over her. The sharp glint in his eyes made her heart skip, and she didn’t know why, but she went and spoiled it by adding, “Uh… actually, I think this is what Master wants too!”
“I understand Madam’s meaning,” Li Xun said with a half-smile, lowering his eyes again. “Madam has always looked out for me, and of course I have to repay that kindness. In my opinion, among all the elders of the sect, in terms of boldness and skill, only Madam can truly stand shoulder to shoulder with the Sect Master.
“Of course, you know that’s just polite talk. What I really mean is this: in the sixty-some years I’ve been here, has Madam ever seen me get close to anyone? At a time like this, you have to know who’s near and who’s distant. Please tell Madam not to worry.”
He had already laid it out so openly that Yan Cai’er couldn’t say anything more. She could only nod in agreement. Then a thought suddenly occurred to her. “From the sound of it, you're not planning to return to Tenghua Valley?” she asked.
“I still have matters to take care of these next few months. I’ll probably return to the sect around next year’s ancestral ceremony.”
Li Xun did a quick calculation in his mind. The Ghost Spirit Return Festival, which had once meant little to him, had now clearly taken on great importance.
Still, in a short while he would have to go to Mocang Ridge to keep an appointment, and there were also matters at the Mingxin Sword Sect that needed handling. That schedule wasn’t likely to change.
After saying all this, Yan Cai’er had finally recovered from the awkwardness just moments ago. Yet the “lesson” Li Xun had given her was still fresh in her mind, and she didn’t dare overstep again. With a stiff face, clinging to the last of her dignity, she prepared to take her leave of him.
But Li Xun spoke first.
“There’s something else I’d like you to pass on to Madam. The situation in the southeastern forest is in chaos. It seems connected to Mist-Hidden Pavilion, one of the Six Forbidden Lands. But the deeper I wade into this mess, the murkier it becomes. I’m outnumbered and outmatched, and I’ve decided to step aside.
“If Madam or the sect has an interest, they could send some people. But as for Heart-Consuming Concubine, Skyfaring Ape Demon, Bone Rot Child…”
He went on to list more than a dozen cultivators of True Person rank before giving a wry smile. “Trying to snatch spoils from the likes of them would be near impossible. Madam will have to make her own call. Give her my regards.”
Catching Yan Cai’er still stunned, he turned and left.