Yu Zhao’s cultivation in her past life had been severely hindered due to injuries that damaged her foundation. Her ability to absorb spiritual energy was significantly impaired. Half of the energy entering her body would be reabsorbed, while the other half would dissipate during her breathing cycles. This often left her feeling powerless and frustrated.
However, in this life, her injuries had not yet reached an irreversible state. The impact was still minor, allowing her to relish the joy of cultivation once more.
As Yu Zhao immersed herself deeper into cultivation, a sudden loud noise erupted outside her door. She abruptly awakened from her meditative state, her eyes flashing with a brief surge of hostility. Spreading her divine sense, she identified the figures of Fang Cheng Lang, Ye Cong Xin, and others nearby. The source of the commotion was Quan Ye, who was pounding furiously on her door.
Yu Zhao let out a cold laugh. These people truly baffled her. In her past life, she had sought their closeness, only for them to avoid her like the plague. Now, when she had resolved to keep her distance, they wouldn’t leave her alone.
Her gaze flickered as a plan formed in her mind. She deliberately waited, ignoring Quan Ye’s increasingly frenzied pounding until she finally opened the door.
Caught off guard, Quan Ye nearly struck her by mistake. He frowned and grumbled, “Little Six, you’re so slow! If I hadn’t been quick to react, I would’ve hit you just now. And you knew we had a gathering today, yet you’re late, making us all wait. What a hassle!”
Without waiting for a reply, he turned to walk toward where Fang Cheng Lang and the others stood. But after a few steps, he noticed the absence of any sound behind him. Turning back, he found Yu Zhao still standing in the doorway, unmoving.
His irritation deepened, and he barked, “Why are you just standing there? Let’s go!” His voice boomed like rolling thunder, oppressive and commanding.
“Don’t,” Su Ming quickly stopped her. “Those two are always like this. Just let it be.”
Fang Cheng Lang hesitated, feeling uneasy, and was about to step forward when Lan Zi Yu firmly held him back. “Let’s wait and see.”
Both Lan Zi Yu and Su Ming shared the thought that Yu Zhao had grown too arrogant lately. They felt it was fitting for Quan Ye to teach her a lesson.
Fang Cheng Lang reluctantly stopped, though unease gnawed at him.
Quan Ye, though beginning to exhibit the makings of a future Beast King, still retained a hint of boyish immaturity. Despite being around Yu Zhao’s age, he was a head taller, forcing her to look up to meet his gaze.
In that moment, Yu Zhao realized how calm she felt upon seeing Quan Ye again. The fear she once harbored had vanished, as if extinguished by her previous death. Now, she could calmly utter words she would have never dared to say before.
She asked, “Are you afraid of hitting me?”
Quan Ye froze, taking a moment to comprehend her question. When he finally did, anger flared in his eyes. “Yu Zhao!”
She found herself wanting to laugh. Within his rage, she detected a faint guilt he was desperately trying to conceal. So, he knew he’d gone too far before. Yet, he still did it. Refusing to face his own shortcomings, he forbade anyone from mentioning them—especially her, the victim.
“Am I wrong? Or do you want to hit me again?” Yu Zhao stepped closer, her lips curving into a mocking smile. “You don’t dare defy Master’s orders, and you can’t overpower the senior brothers. So, you satisfy your pitiful self-esteem by bullying me, the weakest on Lone Moon Peak. Quan Ye, you’re a hypocrite.”
It wasn’t until she was expelled from the Five Elements Dao Sect in her past life that Yu Zhao understood why Quan Ye targeted her.
Initially, he had chosen sparring partners of equal strength within the sect. However, his heavy-handedness had prompted numerous complaints from the elders, leading Master Qing Yan to confine him to Lone Moon Peak. Deprived of outside targets, Quan Ye redirected his overwhelming energy toward his fellow disciples.
The eldest senior brother, Fang Cheng Lang, and second senior brother, Lan Zi Yu, were both Golden Core cultivators. Although they occasionally sparred with him, their vast strength disparity denied him the visceral satisfaction he craved. Thus, his attention shifted to Yu Zhao—the weakest, most accommodating choice on Lone Moon Peak.
Yu Zhao’s words tore away the facade Quan Ye had carefully constructed. Rage surged within him, and his long-ingrained habits spurred him to vent it on her.
Whoosh!
His massive palm swung down, the wind whistling in its wake.
Yu Zhao quickly formed a hand seal, summoning a water shield while shielding her face with her arms.
Splash!
The palm smashed through the water shield and landed on her arms. Pain coursed through her limbs, forcing her to stagger back, her face flushing unnaturally.
“Quan Ye! Stop!”
“Little Zhao!”
“Fifth Senior Brother!”
The others hadn’t expected Quan Ye to strike so suddenly. Caught off guard, they failed to intervene in time. Seeing Yu Zhao injured, Fang Cheng Lang lashed out, a streak of spiritual light darting toward Quan Ye.
Yet Quan Ye, blinded by fury, ignored the outcry and delivered another punch.
This time, Yu Zhao seemed to try avoiding him. A pillar of water rose beneath her, lifting her into the air. But before she could escape, a blurred shadow surged forward, striking her dantian.
In an instant, the world fell silent.
As everyone watched in horror, a faint cracking sound echoed.
Quan Ye stared at Yu Zhao’s ashen face in shock. An unthinkable realization dawned on him.
No, it couldn’t be…
“Pfft!”
A mouthful of blood sprayed onto Quan Ye’s face. He didn’t dare wipe it away, frozen as he watched Yu Zhao plummet. The spiritual energy around her turned violent, and her internal energy rapidly drained away.
“Little Six!”
Fang Cheng Lang darted forward to catch her mid-fall. His fingers pressed to her wrist as his divine sense probed her dantian.
The shattered spiritual vortex sent chills down his spine.
“Quan Ye!” Fang Cheng Lang’s voice trembled with rage, his eyes red with grief and fury. “You’re despicable! Little Six’s foundation… it’s shattered! You destroyed it with a single punch!”