Chapter 4: Pretending to Be Ill

In the morning, Shi Luoyi rose to groom herself. Huixiang initially thought she was preparing to attend the early morning lesson.

But after waiting for a while and not seeing Shi Luoyi leave, Huixiang grew puzzled and cautiously peeked out with a leaf tip. Suddenly, an alert voice from inside asked, “Who’s there? Is that you, Huixiang?”

Caught off guard, Huixiang had no choice but to reveal herself. To her shock, she saw a face drained of all color, deathly pale.

“Miss!” Huixiang gasped. “Why does your complexion look so terrible?”

Shi Luoyi placed a finger over her lips. “Shh, just watch a good show.”

Though confused, Huixiang obediently followed Shi Luoyi’s instructions and transformed into a potted medicinal herb, staying near the window frame.

Meanwhile, Shi Luoyi lay back down on the bed.

Shortly after the hour of Mao, a senior sister dressed in green arrived to deliver an identity token to Shi Luoyi. Months ago, when Shi Luoyi moved from Buye Immortal Mountain to this independent courtyard, the sect leader had given her time to adjust. Today was the day she was supposed to attend the morning lesson.

Every disciple of Mingyou Mountain had an identity token, and for their first attendance, a guide would lead them.

The green-robed senior sister was here for that purpose.

Shi Luoyi whispered, “Senior Sister, the door isn’t locked. Please come in.”

When the senior sister entered, she was startled to see Shi Luoyi lying on the bed, her face as white as paper, looking like she might take her last breath at any moment. “You… what’s wrong with you?”

“I fought a ferocious beast yesterday, but it’s nothing serious. Since I promised Sect Leader Shibo that I’d attend the morning lesson, I’ll get up now.”

With that, Shi Luoyi struggled to rise, took the Mingyou Mountain disciple token from the senior sister’s hand, and made her way toward the main hall for the morning lesson.

Her figure was frail, her face pale, and she looked utterly weak.

Even the senior sister sent to escort her couldn’t help but frown. She had almost wanted to tell Shi Luoyi to go back to bed. But before coming, she had received explicit orders: no matter what, she must ensure Shi Luoyi arrived at the Mingxin Hall for the morning lesson on time. If Shi Luoyi refused, she was to mention her father.

Since Shi Luoyi was cooperating willingly, what else could she say? With that in mind, the senior sister closed her mouth and said nothing.

At this hour, most of Mingyou Mountain’s disciples were already awake and on their way to the morning lesson.

As the gates opened one by one, Shi Luoyi, with her deathly pale face, followed the senior sister through the crowd, drawing everyone’s attention.

The senior sister led the way with a cold expression, unease growing in her heart.

Sure enough, not long after, the weakened Shi Luoyi suddenly closed her eyes and collapsed, too weak to stand.

The senior sister froze for a moment before quickly turning around to catch her.

The other disciples’ gazes turned strange. The senior sister escorting Shi Luoyi also realized something was amiss. Logically, disciples who were unwell should be allowed to rest, not forced to attend lessons. Her actions now seemed like she was compelling an injured disciple to attend class!

The senior sister wanted to explain but found herself at a loss for words—there was no defending her actions.

Gritting her teeth, she carried Shi Luoyi back to her courtyard and rushed to report to her superiors. She also arranged for a pill master to come and treat Shi Luoyi’s condition.

What kind of situation was this? Even the senior sister found it odd. Why such an unusual order? In the past, she had escorted many disciples, but never had she been instructed to ensure they attended under any circumstances.

Once she left, Huixiang reappeared in the room, vaguely understanding something. Her expression darkened.

Shi Luoyi opened her eyes.

Huixiang hesitantly began, “Miss, the sect leader…”

Shi Luoyi shook her head at her, and Huixiang fell silent. However, a chilling sensation spread from the depths of her heart.

There were things she hadn’t understood before, but now everything clicked. Why, despite Daojun Shihuan’s fame throughout the four seas and his noble sacrifice, had his daughter, Miss Luoyi, fallen into such dire straits instead of being protected and respected by all?

Shi Luoyi rose, a faint coldness flickering in her eyes.

Ten years ago, after Daojun Shihuan fell into slumber, she had initially stayed within Buye Immortal Palace, closing herself off to focus on cultivation. Then, one day, rumors began to spread: Luoyi was lazy, cowardly, kept monsters in the mountain, and lived lavishly under her father’s protection without contributing anything to the sect.

The proud young woman naturally felt indignant.

Shi Luoyi had thought that living high up in Buye Immortal Palace meant she didn’t need to interact much with her peers outside the mountain. But after Bian Qingxuan joined the sect and gained prominence, anyone praising her would instinctively belittle the “little fairy” of Buye Mountain. Wanting to change the situation, Shi Luoyi actively took on sect missions. However, far from improving, the situation only worsened.

It was then that the Hengwu Sect leader—her senior uncle—had someone fetch her down from the mountain. He claimed that without a peak master, Buye Immortal Mountain had lost its protective array and was no longer safe. As her senior uncle, he would take good care of her, bringing her to Mingyou Mountain to be raised and educated. With her wedding approaching, it would also give her time to build a relationship with Wei Changyuan and prepare for their marriage.

For a time, Shi Luoyi had been grateful to this senior uncle.

On this day in her previous life, she hadn’t pretended to be ill and skipped the lesson. Instead, she gritted her teeth and dragged her injured body to attend. During the sparring session, a Foundation Establishment cultivator knocked her to the ground, injuring her further and making her condition even worse. All she gained was ridicule, with no benefit whatsoever.

She had just arrived at Mingyou Mountain and already felt wronged, fully expecting her senior uncle, the sect leader, to protect her. Holding back tears, she complained to him. But to her shock, her senior uncle looked at her with a dark expression, his tone filled with disappointment: “Luoyi, your father spoiled you too much. Even though you’re injured, as a Core Formation cultivator, losing to a Foundation Establishment disciple is truly…”

Those unspoken words loomed over her like a dark cloud, pressing down mercilessly. Shi Luoyi felt confused and unsettled. Was she really as inadequate as her senior uncle implied?

Looking up at the sect leader, once kind and benevolent but now cold and scrutinizing, a deep fear welled up inside her.

Later, whenever Shi Luoyi was bullied or oppressed, her senior uncle would only shake his head in disappointment: “Luoyi, you’re truly a disgrace. You’ve tarnished your father’s honorable name.”

From that moment on, Shi Luoyi began to sense something amiss.

When she requested to return to Buye Immortal Mountain, her request was denied. The sect leader claimed it was no longer safe, as it had become a target for all kinds of demons and monsters, fearing something might happen to her if she returned. When she argued her case, her peers scolded her for being unreasonable and failing to understand the sect leader’s good intentions. Later, the bounty placed on her by the sect was also issued by the sect leader himself.

A person living for a hundred years could already experience changes of heart—how much more so for cultivators who fought against the heavens? How many could truly maintain their original intentions until the end?

One day, during a torrential downpour, the fallen Shi Luoyi took shelter from the rain by the roadside and overheard someone praising the Hengwu Sect leader’s illustrious reputation.

It was then that she finally caught a glimpse of the filth beneath the surface.

When Shihuan was alive, the world only knew of Daojun Shihuan, not the Hengwu Sect leader. But after Shihuan’s death, with his daughter disgraced, the sect leader’s fame grew even greater.

Later, Shi Luoyi would sometimes wonder: Could Bian Qingxuan, who had only been in the sect for three years, really single-handedly shift the mindset of the entire sect’s disciples?

No, absolutely not.

If there were someone who could effortlessly bring her reputation to ruin, who would it be?

Though she had once suspected her senior uncle, everything that happened in her past life seemed reasonable at the time. Shi Luoyi had even questioned whether her own lack of talent or her inner demon had led to her downfall.

But now, given a second chance, she decided to test her suspicions from the very beginning.

Today, she rose early and deliberately made herself appear frail and weak.

The entire sect already knew she had been injured yesterday. If the sect leader truly cared for his junior brother’s daughter, he would have allowed her to rest and recover properly.

If he harbored ulterior motives, he would insist on her attendance.

Sure enough, her suspicions were confirmed—he was pushing her step by step into a situation where she would be mocked and belittled.

Under such probing, even Huixiang began to sense that something was wrong.

Huixiang’s face turned pale. She never expected the truth to be so grim. Before Daojun awakened, could Miss survive on Mingyou Immortal Mountain?

“Huixiang,” Shi Luoyi said, “do you believe in me?”

Huixiang looked up anxiously.

“I will live well here. One day, I will take you with me and return to Buye Immortal Mountain.”

The light in the young woman’s eyes was unwavering, and Huixiang couldn’t help but nod.

Shi Luoyi lowered her gaze and said, “We will go home.”

No matter how many obstacles lay ahead—be it the sect leader or Bian Qingxuan—she would no longer be manipulated by them.

Today was already a good start, wasn’t it?

Bian Qingxuan arrived at the main hall for the morning lesson before the hour of Mao, her mood better than it had been in a long time.

As the one orchestrating the game, she naturally had confidence that the jealous sect leader would force the little peacock of Buye Immortal Mountain to attend the morning lesson.

By then, that pitiful creature would become nothing more than a laughingstock.

She exchanged a glance with a Foundation Establishment disciple seated in the front row. The disciple’s face flushed red, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Bian Qingxuan bashfully lowered her head, knowing this fool was entirely focused on avenging her. She had already sent him numerous pills to boost his cultivation.

Forget early Core Formation—it was possible for even late Core Formation cultivators to put up a fight.

Her heart felt light, enough to offset the cold shoulder she’d received earlier that morning. As usual, she had gone to check on Bian Lingyu before leaving.

Bian Lingyu had risen even earlier than her, reading a book in the courtyard.

She softened her voice and said, “Brother, the snow melted last night, making it colder than when it was snowing. Did Ding Bai take good care of you?”

The youth turned a page, his face as cold as fresh snow, carved from ice.

Bian Qingxuan continued, “Your health will only get worse. You may not care, but I do. In the next few days, I’ll refine some pills for you—they’ll surely help. If you throw them away again, even I will get angry.”

Bian Lingyu acted as though he hadn’t heard a word.

She took a deep breath, her worried expression vanishing, replaced by cold disdain. “Bian Lingyu, today is the first time Shi Luoyi will attend the morning lesson at Mingxin Hall.”

The youth paused mid-page-turn, finally raising his eyes.

His voice was icy: “What are you planning to do?”

Under his gaze, she smiled with satisfaction. “You’re finally looking at me. What do you think I’m going to do?”

Bian Lingyu: “I’ve told you to stop.”

Bian Qingxuan pressed her lips together. “I’ve also told you to stop clinging to her. She won’t love you, even without Wei Changyuan—there’s still Li Changyuan, Song Changyuan. She treated you so poorly, yet you still hold onto hope for what?”

The youth gripped the pages tightly, silent for a long moment before lowering his gaze again.

They parted ways in discord.

Over the past three years, such scenes had occurred countless times. Whether Bian Qingxuan was fussing over him with concern or hurling insults and tantrums, he never reacted.

At first, Bian Lingyu’s gaze toward her was like looking at a lowly, stubborn stone, which infuriated her.

Later, he simply ignored her completely.

The only thing that ever elicited a reaction from him was when she planned to do something to Shi Luoyi.

He couldn’t help but warn her to stop.

Bian Qingxuan knew he was powerless to intervene now, but she enjoyed seeing the cold frustration and anxiety on his face.

Falling into the mortal realm, loving someone who doesn’t love you back, and refusing to repent—you deserve this.

You feel pain too, she thought with satisfaction. Experience my anger and unrequited longing.

Today was like this, and every day after would be the same. She would never spare you another glance—you’re even more pitiful than me.

Bian Qingxuan sat in her seat, greeting her fellow disciples with friendly smiles. Her face radiated warmth, and even the nearby senior sister couldn’t help but ask, “Junior Sister, why are you so happy today? Is something good happening?”

However, the hour of Mao had already passed, and Bian Qingxuan still hadn’t seen Shi Luoyi’s figure appear.

The smile on her face faded. What was going on?

Given Shi Luoyi’s pride, as long as someone mentioned her father in front of her, she would crawl here if she had to, just to avoid tarnishing her father’s name.

She stared at the entrance, almost willing it with her eyes, but who would have thought that even the immortal masters had entered the hall, yet Shi Luoyi still hadn’t come.

She tugged at the sleeve of a nearby senior brother. “Senior Brother, I heard that Senior Sister Luoyi would attend the morning lesson today. The time has come—why hasn’t she arrived?”

The senior brother hesitated, lowering his voice. “Are you talking about Junior Sister Luoyi? She was severely injured yesterday, and it’s said that she’s terribly ill today. Some disciples are saying she might not have long to live. I don’t know why, but the senior sister sent by the sect leader insisted on making her attend class anyway.”

“…” Ridiculous!