In the secluded bamboo forest behind Tianyin Pavilion, Xuying sat cross-legged, her gaze fixed on the sea of clouds in the distance. Chiyin stood beside her, toying with a Spirit Stone in his hand, his expression grave.
"Chiyin, how did you feel when you crossed swords with Yuyi?" Xuying's voice was calm as water, yet carried a barely perceptible trace of concern.
Chiyin stopped his hand movements, his gaze becoming profound. "Yuyi's sword art is swift as lightning, his killing intent piercing. Every strike contains a determination to kill, as if his sword dao was born for slaughter."
Xuying nodded slightly, a complex look flashing through her eyes. "The Killing Sword Art has reached the realm of transformation, its sword intent incomparably sharp. His cultivation path is destined to be a lonely path of slaughter."
"If not for my profound cultivation base, I would have fallen long ago." Chiyin sighed. "Yuyi's strength far exceeds cultivators of the same realm. His sword has already transcended the scope of sword arts, becoming an art of slaughter."
Xuying fell silent for a moment. She knew that Yuyi was Chiyin's fated enemy, and also the shadow in her heart. That young man who once fought alongside her had now become a sword cultivator who struck terror into the hearts of the cultivation world.
"Chiyin," Xuying said softly, "although Yuyi's sword dao is sharp, it is too extreme. The path of slaughter will eventually backlash upon itself. Be careful—his sword intent contains a meaning of extinction, a power that destroys everything."
Chiyin gripped the Spirit Stone tightly, his gaze resolute. "I understand. But I will become stronger. One day, I will surpass him."
Xuying looked at Chiyin's determined face, complex emotions welling up in her heart. She knew that the fated battle between Chiyin and Yuyi would eventually come. And she, caught between the two, how would she choose?
"Let's go. Xueji and Hanshuang are waiting for us." Xuying stood up, brushing the dust from her robes. "Whatever the future holds, we must face it."
Chiyin nodded and followed Xuying toward the Tianyin Pavilion main hall.
The Tianyin Pavilion main hall was dark and deep. Xueji sat upon the main seat, her gaze like a blade. Hanshuang stood to one side, her cold, frosty face showing no expression. Xuying brought Chiyin into the hall, feeling an oppressive atmosphere.
Hanshuang's gaze swept over Chiyin, a trace of killing intent flashing in her eyes. That gaze was bone-chillingly cold, as if it could freeze one's very soul.
"Xuying." Hanshuang's voice was cold as ice. "You should let him leave."
Xuying's heart tightened. She understood Hanshuang's implication: Chiyin's presence had already aroused Xueji's dissatisfaction. The rules of Tianyin Pavilion did not allow outsiders to remain for long.
Chiyin sensed the oppressive atmosphere. He looked at Xuying, his gaze filled with reluctance and worry. Xuying nodded gently, signaling him to leave.
"Xuying, take care." Chiyin said in a low voice, then turned and walked toward the hall's exit. His footsteps were heavy, each step seeming to tread upon Xuying's heart.
Xuying watched Chiyin depart, unease welling up in her heart. She knew that this parting might mean their love would face a tremendous trial. But she also understood that in the cultivation world, strength determined everything. To protect what one cherished, one must possess sufficient power.
Xueji's gaze fell upon Xuying, her voice cold. "Xuying, you have passed the trial. From this day forth, you are Tianyin Pavilion's fifth Demon Princess Xuying. You are qualified to cultivate all of Tianyin Pavilion's sect techniques."
Xuying knelt to express her gratitude, yet complex emotions welled up in her heart. Becoming a Demon Princess meant she would possess supreme power, but it also meant she would bear heavy shackles.
Xueji continued, "But the position of Demon Princess requires a blood sacrifice mission to prove loyalty."
Xuying raised her head, her gaze resolute. "This disciple understands."
Xueji detailed the powers and obligations of a Demon Princess: "A Demon Princess may cultivate all of Tianyin Pavilion's sect techniques, including the pavilion's ultimate arts. But a Demon Princess must complete blood sacrifice missions, slaughtering designated sects. Among Demon Princesses, there is no sisterhood—only strength reigns supreme."
Xuying silently accepted these rules. She knew this was the price of becoming strong. In the cultivation world, strength determined everything. To protect what one cherished, one must possess sufficient power.
Xueji announced Xuying's first blood sacrifice mission: "Your first blood sacrifice mission is to slaughter Xuantian Sect."
Xuantian Sect. Xuying's heart trembled. That was a major sect in the cultivation world, with hundreds of disciples. Slaughtering a sect meant her hands would be stained with blood.
"This disciple accepts the command." Xuying's voice was calm, but her heart surged with complex emotions.
Xueji waved her hand, signaling Xuying to withdraw. Xuying rose and walked toward the hall's exit.
Walking out of the main hall, Xuying stood on Tianyin Pavilion's square, gazing at the sea of clouds in the distance. She knew that from this moment on, she would tread a bloody path. But to protect what she cherished, she was willing to pay any price.
Xuying found Chiyin and informed him of the blood sacrifice mission. Chiyin fell silent for a long while, his gaze filled with pain and struggle.
"Xuantian Sect, hundreds of lives." Chiyin's voice was low. "Xuying, do you really have to do this?"
Xuying looked at Chiyin, her gaze resolute. "In the cultivation world, strength determines everything. Love needs strength to protect it. I must complete the blood sacrifice mission and become a true powerhouse."
Chiyin fell silent for a moment, then finally said, "The battlefield is merciless, but our love is eternal."
Xuying and Chiyin reached an understanding: in the cultivation world, to protect love, one must possess sufficient strength. Xuying decided to complete the blood sacrifice mission and become a true powerhouse.
Several days later, Xuying led Tianyin Pavilion disciples toward Xuantian Mountain. Xuantian Sect was situated atop Xuantian Mountain, surrounded by clouds and mist, filled with ethereal immortal qi. Hundreds of disciples cultivated at the mountain gate, unaware that death had already descended.
Xuying stood at the mountain peak, looking down at Xuantian Sect below. Complex emotions welled up in her heart, but she knew she had no retreat. To become a Demon Princess, she must complete the blood sacrifice mission.
"Attack." Xuying's voice was cold, devoid of any emotion.
Xuying unleashed Tianyin Pavilion's secret arts, leading the disciples in a charge into Xuantian Sect. Battle erupted instantly. Xuantian Sect disciples fought desperately, but Xuying's sword art was incomparably sharp, each strike claiming a life.
Xuantian Sect's Sect Master led the disciples in a desperate resistance. His cultivation base had reached the late Golden Core Realm, but before Xuying, it was still insufficient. Xuying slashed with her sword, the sword light like a rainbow. Xuantian Sect's Sect Master's head flew up, blood gushing forth.
The battle lasted for several hours. Xuantian Sect's disciples suffered heavy casualties. Xuying's sword art was like the scythe of the death god, harvesting one life after another. Her eyes held no pity, only coldness and determination.
Blood stained every inch of Xuantian Mountain's soil. Screams, roars, and the clash of weapons intertwined, forming a hellish scene. Xuying's figure weaved through the battlefield, each swing of her sword taking a fresh life.
Xuantian Mountain flowed with rivers of blood, corpses littering the ground. The once-glorious Xuantian Sect, at this moment, became a nightmare in the cultivation world.
The Heavenly Dao's voice resounded throughout the cultivation world: "Tianyin Pavilion's Demon Princess Xuying has slaughtered Xuantian Sect. Xuantian Sect has been exterminated."
The cultivation world trembled, everyone fearing for themselves. Tianyin Pavilion's fifth Demon Princess Xuying's name became a new terrifying legend in the cultivation world.
Xuying stood atop the ruins of Xuantian Sect, holding her blood-stained long sword. Her gaze looked into the distance, complex emotions welling up in her heart. She knew that from this moment on, she was no longer that innocent young girl, but Tianyin Pavilion's Demon Princess, a slaughterer with hands stained with blood.
But to protect what she cherished, she was willing to pay any price.
Chiyin's figure appeared in her heart—that gentle man, the man willing to spend his life with her. Xuying knew that her love with Chiyin would be tested on this bloody path.
But she had no regrets.
Because in the cultivation world, only the strong can protect everything they wish to protect.