Chapter 25: Slapping Roy's Face

The disciple on duty was momentarily stunned, but he was adept at reading faces and had witnessed many similar situations in the Registration Hall. Seeing the expression on Luo Lei’s face, he began to make some guesses in his heart.

He hesitated and said, “But Junior Sister Jiang has just broken through to the fourth level of Qi Refining. According to the sect’s rules, she is now an official outer disciple.”

“What?”

Luo Lei’s smug expression froze on his face.

Fourth level of Qi Refining?

Five spiritual roots, barely in her teens, and already at the fourth level?

“No, no, no, you’re so young, how could you possibly be at the fourth level?” Luo Lei stepped back, then suddenly recalled something and demanded harshly, “Did you use some evil cultivation technique? How could someone with five spiritual roots advance so quickly?”

Jiang Min merely sneered, “Everyone knows that cultivating in the Spirit Gathering Valley for a few days is equivalent to several years in the outside world. I received rewards from the Azure Cloud Assembly, gained great progress in the Spirit Gathering Valley, and with the help of spiritual pills, isn’t it perfectly reasonable?”

“Luo Lei, think carefully—what will happen if you slander an outer disciple?”

Luo Lei certainly knew, but he simply couldn’t accept such an outcome. He had been in the sect for years and had never seen a servant successfully promoted to outer disciple—let alone someone he hated most. How did she pull it off?

What about the grudge of being kicked?

What about the hatred for his broken arm?

What should he do?

Ah, there was still Jiang Ziyi—she must have a solution.

Luo Lei took a deep breath, suppressing all the rage and resentment in his heart. He forced a sycophantic smile and said obsequiously, “Senior Sister Jiang, I was impulsive just now—spoke nonsense, please don’t take it to heart.”

“I’ve wronged you in the past, but you are magnanimous and won’t hold a grudge. Please understand, I’m only trying to earn a living.”

“I’ll visit you personally another day to apologize. Surely there’s no real enmity between us, right?”

But Jiang Min was unmoved, smiling gently, “Apologies are unnecessary. You’ve already offered me your arm—what else could you possibly give?”

Luo Lei was struck right at his sore spot and could no longer keep up the pretense. He snapped, “You!”

Pointing at Jiang Min with his remaining left hand, his voice turned sinister, “Don’t get too proud—Jiang Ziyi is still above you, and inner disciples will always outrank you!”

With that, he angrily swept his sleeve and stormed off.

“Jiang Ziyi...”

Jiang Min watched Luo Lei disappear into the swirling snow, silently repeating the name in her heart. So she had already formed her foundation and become an inner disciple.

Luo Lei had been instructed by Jiang Ziyi to come to the Registration Hall and select a servant, specifically naming her. Clearly, Jiang Ziyi still suspected her of killing Li Mao and had not abandoned her schemes. Had she not reached the fourth level of Qi Refining, she would have been transferred to Jiang Ziyi’s side, her fate entirely at Jiang Ziyi’s mercy.

Now, as an outer disciple, at least she no longer had to live in constant fear.

“Junior Sister.”

A voice, carried by spiritual force, sounded by her ear.

Jiang Min turned around—it was the disciple who had recorded her name.

“Inner disciples possess great privileges. The triannual outer disciple trial is led by them. I have said all I can.”

---

“Thank you for the warning, Senior Brother.”

Jiang Min expressed her gratitude and took her leave. As for the trial, she kept it firmly in mind. If Jiang Ziyi intended to use the trial to target her, she would need to prepare in advance.

Three years remained. In that time, she must strengthen herself.

...

Stargazing Peak.

Jiang Ziyi sat upright in her newly arranged cave residence, holding a jade talisman in her hand. The talisman’s intricate patterns glowed with mysterious light.

A woman’s voice came from the talisman, “Ziyi, have you found the murderer who killed Mao’er?”

Jiang Ziyi infused spiritual energy into the talisman and replied, “Aunt, give me a little more time. I’ll find them soon.”

After a moment, the talisman flickered and the voice returned, tinged with resentment. “All these years and still nothing? Ziyi, are you really searching?”

Jiang Ziyi felt a wave of frustration rise within her. Was she not searching? She had even personally apprehended suspects, but the sect had its own rules—even if she wanted Jiang Min to pay, it had to be under certain conditions.

“I’ve been investigating through the Disciplinary Hall and making inquiries myself. Rest assured, I will do my utmost.”

She had only just joined the inner sect, and immediately sent Luo Lei to the Registration Hall to settle the matter of selecting a servant. Soon, Jiang Min would be brought before her, ready for her to deal with. She couldn’t act on Flowing Cloud Peak, but Stargazing Peak was her domain.

Once Jiang Min was in her grasp, she could report back to her aunt.

But soon after, the woman’s plaintive voice sounded again from the talisman, “Ziyi, do you remember your promise to me—to take care of Mao’er? If you can’t find his killer, I’ll never have peace. Your marriage is approaching, but I have no heart to attend. All I want is to see the murderer torn to pieces!”

Jiang Ziyi clenched the talisman tightly.

Her aunt was threatening her.

The Dao companion ceremony with Zhang Xun was imminent. If her aunt’s Li clan refused to attend the wedding, many would take notice.

“Aunt, rest assured. I will give you and Cousin Li Mao a proper answer.”

After sending her message, Jiang Ziyi waited, but there was no reply. She put the talisman away in her spatial pouch.

Now,

She simply awaited Luo Lei’s arrival.

“Master Jiang, disciple Luo Lei has urgent matters to report.”

Just in time.

Luo Lei’s voice rang out from outside the cave.

Jiang Ziyi was delighted and quickly stood up, walking briskly toward the entrance. But upon stepping outside, she saw only Luo Lei; Jiang Min was nowhere in sight.

“Where is Jiang Min?”

Jiang Ziyi’s tone turned icy.

Luo Lei bowed quickly, his anger barely contained, “Master Jiang, that wretched girl Jiang Min—she’s reached the fourth level of Qi Refining!”

---

Jiang Ziyi was startled.

Fourth level of Qi Refining? So young—already at that level?

Though cultivation slows as one ascends, Jiang Min’s speed rivaled those with three spiritual roots. She must possess some secret to advance so quickly.

She quickly realized, “So she’s now an outer disciple?”

“Precisely. I encountered her registering at the Registration Hall.”

Jiang Ziyi’s brows furrowed slightly. It would not be easy to deal with an outer disciple—how could she explain this to her aunt?

With her wedding approaching, she could not let her aunt sulk and refuse to attend. She knew her aunt’s temperament well: if she said she wouldn’t come, she truly wouldn’t, and might even keep the entire Li clan away.

She looked at Luo Lei, her gaze cold. “I understand. You may go.”

“What about her—”

“I’ll handle it. You need not concern yourself further.” Her tone brooked no argument.

Luo Lei felt slightly relieved, bowed, and said, “Yes, disciple will take his leave and not disturb your cultivation.”

He turned to head toward the ferry point on Stargazing Peak.

“Ah…”

After a few steps, Luo Lei suddenly gasped, disbelief clouding his face as he looked down at the sword blade protruding from his chest. Blood gushed forth, dripping onto the ground.

“Jiang... Jiang…”

He tried to speak, but felt his strength ebbing away, weaker and weaker, until everything went black and he lost all sensation.

Behind him, Jiang Ziyi watched impassively as Luo Lei’s tall body crashed to the ground. Her gaze remained cold and indifferent. She took out a spatial pouch and stored his corpse inside.

“As Li Mao’s closest friend, you may as well go join him.”

Jiang Ziyi put away the pouch. For now, she could use Luo Lei’s corpse to placate her aunt, fabricating a story that Luo Lei had resented Li Mao for his connections and coveted his wealth, thus murdering Li Mao and stealing his treasures.

Someone needed to quell her aunt’s grief.

As for the death of a mere servant, the Disciplinary Hall would conduct a perfunctory investigation and leave it be. What did the life of an insignificant servant matter compared to an inner disciple?

Had Jiang Min been here, it would have been her who died. Unfortunately, Jiang Min remained on Flowing Cloud Peak, beyond her reach.

“In three years, another round of outer disciple trials will come.”

Jiang Ziyi stood with her hands clasped behind her back, gazing out at the vast sea of clouds and thought:

“Jiang Min, when the time comes, I will deal with you myself.”