Chapter Five: Reborn as the Eldest Daughter of an Immortal Sect

The Immortal Sect’s Arena Tournament.

Disciples like Bai Ruo usually only appeared at the very end. The day before, Bai Ruo found the sun particularly harsh and didn’t bother to watch. As expected, things unfolded exactly as Shen Miao and Little Scoundrel had predicted—she made it to the finals.

Having just been released from confinement, Shen Miao clung closely to her Brother Baili, acting the part of a delicate and coy maiden.

“Ahem, ahem.”

Bai Ruo, swaying her slender willow waist in an exaggeratedly feminine manner, took out a white silk handkerchief and covered her mouth with two soft coughs. “Brother Baili, would you ask your Dao companion to use less perfume? I’ve always been sensitive to strong scents. Since we’re sitting close, if it can’t be helped, I’ll just move a few steps over to my father’s side, shall I?”

Baili Ce had never heard Bai Ruo call him “Brother Baili” before. In his memory, Bai Ruo had always been forthright, never voicing her affections, but she would make special meals for him, which was why he had become a stand-out among the inner disciples. This version of Bai Ruo was utterly unfamiliar to him, and he couldn’t help but frown.

“Miaomiao, use less perfume next time. I’m not fond of the scent, either.”

“Yes, Brother Baili…”

Shen Miao’s grip tightened viciously around her whip, which was coated with both beast lure powder and a blend of slow-acting poisons. She wanted Bai Ruo dead! Even if she herself were shattered to pieces, Bai Ruo must—die!

Shen Miao knew she could never defeat Bai Ruo in a fair fight, nor had she ever considered trying. Sure enough, Bai Ruo unleashed two immortal arts, her gentle palm actually reinforced with half her spiritual power, and neatly sent the final seeded contestant flying off the arena.

Having never entered the arena, Shen Miao knew her moment had come.

“Bai Ruo versus Lin Jing—Bai Ruo wins!”

“Does any disciple wish to challenge further? If not, Bai Ruo will lead this expedition to the Glazed Secret Realm. Three… two—”

“Wait!”

Shen Miao leapt onto the stage and bowed to those present, especially Bai Ruo.

Bai Ruo returned the gesture with equal grace.

“Wait! Everyone knows how formidable Senior Sister Bai Ruo is. I, Shen Miao, know I can’t best her, but may I ask Senior Sister to give me a chance and let her junior have a go?”

Below, Baili Ce’s frown deepened. He’d given Shen Miao advice, but she’d clearly ignored every word.

“If you ask so sincerely, how could I refuse?” Bai Ruo replied. “How about this—I’ll give you three moves?”

“Fine! Three moves it is!” Shen Miao, seeing Bai Ruo’s relaxed attitude, curled her lips into a smile.

The more you underestimate me, the more miserably you’ll die, you sly fox!

“Hmph! Take this!”

Shen Miao formed seals with her left hand and wielded her whip with her right. As the techniques landed, the whip lashed out like a venomous snake, striking fiercely toward Bai Ruo’s position. In Bai Ruo’s eyes, Shen Miao’s spellcasting was as slow as sipping tea. If this were a real battle, Shen Miao would have died countless times already.

With a light tap of her foot on the arena, Bai Ruo slipped beside Shen Miao, smiling sweetly and looking particularly enchanting. “Junior Sister, that was your first move!”

Hatred surged within Shen Miao, so intense it nearly spilled over. Her second attack was even more vicious, every strike intent on taking Bai Ruo’s life—yet all were effortlessly neutralized.

Bai Ruo realized that, as things stood, Shen Miao would never land a hit. She needed to create an opening…

“Junior Sister, after months in confinement, why hasn’t your cultivation improved at all? How about this—I won’t even move. You can strike at will.”

The disciples below all thought their Senior Sister was truly magnanimous, even letting Shen Miao attack so she wouldn’t feel inferior. Truly worthy of being their goddess.

“Senior Sister, be careful! What if she accidentally hurts you?”

Bai Ruo feigned disdain. “Don’t worry. She,” Bai Ruo’s red lips curved, “can’t hit me…”

Shen Miao was now entirely consumed by malice, her mind lost to all reason. She brandished her whip madly at Bai Ruo, eyes bloodshot.

Can’t hit her! Can’t hit her? Can’t hit her!? Hit…!!

In her eyes, only Bai Ruo’s words echoed: can’t hit.

Bai Ruo had stolen her title, her honor, and now wanted to steal her Brother Baili as well. Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

Who else wouldn’t compete with her? Only the dead!

Yes!

Only the dead!

With her final lash, draining the last of her spiritual power, and with Bai Ruo intentionally misstepping, the whip finally struck Bai Ruo’s shoulder.

Seeing the red welt blossoming on Bai Ruo’s white robes, blood dripping one bead at a time, Shen Miao smiled triumphantly—then fainted on the arena floor.

“Damn! Shen Miao must be insane! She actually managed to injure Senior Sister—a total lunatic!”

“Exactly! Senior Sister still has to lead the team. Now that Shen Miao’s unconscious, she probably won’t be lucky enough to enter the secret realm!”

Bai Ruo calmly forced the poison out with her spiritual power, then produced a packet of medicinal powder—a special beast lure concoction made by Little Scoundrel, with unknown but certainly extraordinary effects.

“In this contest, Bai Ruo is victorious. Thus, Bai Ruo will lead the team. As for Shen Miao, send her back for treatment.”

“Elder, Bai Ruo has something to say.”

“Oh? Speak.”

“Junior Sister Shen Miao injured me. According to competition rules, she has the right to enter as well. If I recall, Elder Yao Su’s pills are said to restore the gravest injuries?”

The spectators began buzzing with admiration for Bai Ruo’s beauty, strength, and kindness.

Only Baili Ce felt vaguely uneasy about the whole affair, though he couldn’t put his finger on why. Perhaps it was just Shen Miao’s luck to have met Bai Ruo.

Summoned, Elder Su stroked his beard, chuckling and shaking his head. “You! Always worrying about others before yourself, even with your own injuries!”

He turned to a disciple beside him. “Huaize, go administer the medicine to Shen Miao. Bai girl, this pill is for you—your wound is no small matter.”

“Thank you, Elder Su!”

Soon, Shen Miao awoke. Hearing that Bai Ruo had insisted she be allowed to enter the secret realm, her heart soared with delight.

Bai Ruo, Bai Ruo, at first I had no intention of witnessing your death, but since you look down on me, I’ll reluctantly come along—and collect your corpse!

Bai Ruo smiled in Shen Miao’s direction, extending a hand in a mock gesture to help her up.

Alas.

Someone was not willing to accept it.

A gentle breeze swept by, and Shen Miao got up on her own, descending from the stage.

Bai Ruo dusted her hands and also turned to head toward the sect leader.