Chapter One: The Enchantress Encounters a Formidable Foe

At seven in the morning, the sky was faintly brightening. The first light of dawn filtered through the thin mist, bathing the courtyard of the Azure Cloud Sect in a gentle golden glow that gilded the blue stone paving.

Bai Yujing offered incense to his sect elders, as he did every day, right on time.

Ten years ago, he had crossed into this dangerous world. It was the former sect master, Qingyangzi, who welcomed him into the Azure Cloud Sect and imparted to him the methods of spiritual cultivation.

In order to grant Bai Yujing better resources for his training, Qingyangzi and his six senior disciples had resolutely answered the government's call to join the first wave of demon realm exploration.

Tragically, the expedition encountered a powerful fiend in the demon realm. Despite fighting with all their might, they could not prevail and perished to the last man.

Thus, the Azure Cloud Sect was awarded the plaque of a hero’s sect. The sole surviving disciple received special resources from the Xia Kingdom, which enabled his current achievements.

“Master, I will first fulfill my promise to make the Azure Cloud Sect the foremost righteous sect, and then I will find a way to sweep clean the demon realm!”

Bai Yujing bowed deeply and left the room, preparing for the upcoming interviews.

The first step to revitalizing the sect was, naturally, to recruit disciples.

He hoped that among the thirty-six applicants to the Azure Cloud Sect, there would be a few promising talents worth nurturing.

…

The interview had already gone on for more than five minutes.

Liu Shuangling, however, remained unhurried. She leisurely tied her long, jet-black hair into two thick braids that draped over her shoulders and hid part of her face.

She put on a pair of unfashionable black-rimmed glasses.

Her loose black T-shirt and black trousers concealed her ample figure, making her presence far less conspicuous.

At her waist hung a sword of unremarkable appearance.

From head to toe, she radiated an aura of sheer ordinariness.

This was entirely intentional on her part.

Liu Shuangling did not want to reveal herself too soon.

She wished only to quietly bide her time, growing stronger in the shadows until the final moment when she would reveal her true self and character, stunning all and dominating the world.

For this reason, Liu Shuangling had not chosen to join the renowned and prestigious sects, but instead selected the little-known Azure Cloud Sect.

According to her research, the previous sect master had led six disciples to join the first demon realm exploration team, with all perishing in the venture.

The sole remaining disciple had become the new sect master.

Given the time that had passed since the demon realm expedition, it was clear the current master’s strength would not have surpassed that of a fifth-rank spiritual master.

With her current abilities, Liu Shuangling could easily, and without anyone noticing, orchestrate an “accident” for the sect master.

Then, she would naturally assume leadership.

With the title of a hero’s sect, she could freely access the Central Spirit Library of the Xia Kingdom.

Those mediocre talents needed to be taught before they could learn anything.

She did not.

From the past to the present, any spiritual art—she could master it simply by reading.

Liu Shuangling looked at her reflection in the mirror, pushing up her glasses. The ambition in her eyes faded, replaced by gentleness.

Her lips curved in a faint smile. The next moment, she tapped lightly on the floor, and her figure vanished from the room like a fleeting shadow.

In an instant, the scenery around her twisted. Streams of cars, throngs of people, and buildings stretched into long, blurred lines, racing past her.

Only when she stopped did the world snap back into focus.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Now and then, the clear calls of mountain birds drifted through the air.

An ancient white archway stood before her, with stone pillars carved with auspicious clouds and cranes. At its center, three golden characters proclaimed: Azure Cloud Sect.

This was the starting point of her ascent.

Retracting her gaze from the archway, Liu Shuangling strode ahead with satisfaction, ascending the stone steps.

Halfway up, a group of people rushed down, bristling with discontent and muttering complaints to one another.

“Is this a joke? Even a small sect’s entrance test is this competitive?”

“Spiritual masters are worth nothing these days.”

“If I could pass a test like this, would I even need to join such a minor sect?”

Noticing Liu Shuangling climbing up, someone kindly warned, “Don’t go up there. The sect leader is a real freak.”

At that moment, Liu Shuangling was unaware she stood at a crossroads in her life.

She ignored the warnings, not even bothering to glance at these people.

A bunch of losers—studying six years and still stuck at second-rank, yet they had the gall to complain spiritual masters weren’t valued.

She sneered inwardly and continued up the steps.

Two ancient-style buildings appeared above the white courtyard wall, with flying eaves and ornate beams, exuding an air of solemn antiquity.

The main doors stood open. A man sat in the courtyard atop a wooden bench.

He possessed sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, his features strikingly handsome, with a sharpness between his brows.

He wore a sky-blue crane robe that shimmered in the sunlight, as if water flowed across its surface.

Damn…

Liu Shuangling’s pupils contracted. She knew at once her plan had hit a snag.

She could not sense the sect leader’s spiritual pressure at all.

This could mean only two things: either someone of equal strength was concealing their aura, or the other party’s cultivation far exceeded her own.

Without hesitation, Liu Shuangling turned to leave.

Bang—a muffled sound split the air. The man who had been sitting was now blocking her path. His wide sleeves rippled without wind, lending him an ethereal air.

He fixed his gaze on Liu Shuangling.

Gulping, she lowered her voice. “Sorry, but I don’t think the Azure Cloud Sect is right for me.”

“An eighth-rank spiritual master—at your age, such cultivation is remarkable. Yet your spiritual pressure is icy and laced with wickedness—something I have never encountered.”

Before the words had faded, Liu Shuangling sensed danger. A flash of cold light flickered behind her glasses.

Her fingers grasped the hilt of her Li Dragon Sword, but before she could draw it, Bai Yujing’s hand pressed down, stopping her.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t do anything so foolish.”

“What do you want?” Liu Shuangling’s voice was cold, her face clouded.

Bai Yujing’s expression remained calm, like a tranquil lake. His voice was icy. “Join the Azure Cloud Sect, and I will see that your talent is put to righteous use.”

A cold laugh escaped her lips. “Very well.”

She released the sword hilt, her face returning to its usual gentle smile.

Suddenly, a crisp crack sounded by her ear. The black-rimmed glasses on her nose shattered, scattering into countless fragments that sparkled like stars as they fell.

At the same moment, the hair-tie securing her braids snapped, and her jet-black hair tumbled loose, cascading down her back.

The moment the seal was undone, her beauty seemed cleansed by moonlight, radiating a dazzling brilliance.

Her flawless, oval face was framed by delicate brows, her phoenix eyes glimmered with a captivating light, and her pink lips were as sweet and tempting as cherry blossom cakes.

Her beauty possessed an almost unnatural, chilling allure—one that few dared meet head-on.

Bai Yujing glanced at her and said coolly, “As a disciple of Azure Cloud, you are forbidden from disguising yourself further.”

Liu Shuangling trembled—not from fear, but from anger and frustration.

She could not follow Bai Yujing’s movements, nor sense even a hint of his presence.

In front of him, she was like a doll, unmoving, at his complete mercy.

This helplessness was unbearable for one as proud and self-assured as she, who had always believed her talent unmatched.

Damn it, she vowed. One day, she would make Bai Yujing understand who the real master was!

Never underestimate a young woman!