Yu Zhao hadn’t been possessed.
Fang Cheng Lang should have felt relieved.
Yet, his sword felt unbearably heavy, and his chest burned with turmoil.
He couldn’t summon even the faintest smile.
“If Senior Brother still doesn’t believe me, we can go see Master together. He can use his divine sense to confirm the truth.”
The act of possession, where an intruder seizes another’s body, leaves subtle traces. Even if it’s outwardly undetectable, a skilled cultivator like their master could easily uncover the discrepancies with a careful examination.
Yu Zhao’s tone was forthright, her gaze steady and unwavering. No matter how reluctant Fang Cheng Lang was to believe her, he had no choice but to concede.
Reluctantly, he sheathed his sword, guilt flashing in his eyes. “Sixth Sister, I… misunderstood you. You—”
Fang Cheng Lang blinked, caught off guard. He instinctively shook his head.
“Then I’ll take my leave. I’m tired and need to rest.”
Yu Zhao was exhausted from their constant entanglements and didn’t want to hear another lecture. She decisively turned to leave.
“Sixth Sister!” Fang Cheng Lang called out, stepping forward to grab her wrist. “You’re hurt!”
“It’s nothing—just a small wound.”
“But—”
“Senior Brother!” Yu Zhao snapped, her voice rising in frustration. “I’m truly exhausted today. Can’t you let me have a moment of peace?”
Her sharp tone and unhidden irritation left Fang Cheng Lang stunned.
His grip loosened.
Meeting his bewildered gaze, Yu Zhao felt an exhilarating sense of satisfaction.
She was simply repeating the same words he had often used to dismiss her. Yet now, Fang Cheng Lang couldn’t handle it.
Did he have any idea how she had endured those years?
With a cold expression, she shook off his hand and strode into her cave dwelling, slamming the door shut behind her.
In the dim moonlight, Fang Cheng Lang stood motionless, his figure lonely and forlorn.
He replayed the scene in his mind, a complicated mix of emotions surging within him.
Yes, he used to find Sixth Sister overly dependent and lacking independence. She always hovered around him and their fellow senior brothers, never seeming to have her own pursuits.
Occasionally, her behavior even irritated him.
But now that she had changed—now that she no longer clung to him—he found himself unaccustomed to it.
He also remembered that Sixth Sister had always been afraid of pain.
After sparring with Fifth Brother, she would cry buckets, soaking the front of her robes with tears.
Yet now, even with blood dripping from her wounds, she acted as if she felt nothing at all.
What had happened?
A gnawing sense of unease gripped him. He suddenly recalled the real reason he had come—to ask Yu Zhao to apologize to Second Brother.
But now, the words were stuck in his throat.
He decided to wait for a better time, when Sixth Sister’s mood had improved. Perhaps it was his fault for neglecting her feelings lately, being too focused on Little Junior Sister’s initiation ceremony.
Once they talked things out, everything would be fine.
With a final glance at the tightly shut door, Fang Cheng Lang sighed and walked away.
Fang Cheng Lang’s sword had been drawn to intimidate, not harm, so Yu Zhao’s injuries were superficial. After applying a specially made healing powder, her wounds were almost healed by the next morning, leaving only a faint red mark.
She had spent the entire night anticipating her meeting with Elder Gu, Fang Cheng Lang’s actions already forgotten.
At dawn, she happily prepared to head to the Archive Pavilion. Opening the door, however, she was greeted by an unexpected visitor.
“Finally caught you, Yu Xiao Zhao!”
The young man grinned, his clean-cut features and bright eyes brimming with energy. Dimples flashed as he spoke.
It was none other than her Third Senior Brother, Su Ming.
Yu Zhao instantly guessed his reason for coming.
“I’m not lending you anything,” she said flatly.
Su Ming, before joining the Five Elements Dao Sect, had been a prince, accustomed to a life of luxury and excess. This upbringing left him with a carefree attitude toward money, spending lavishly without restraint.
Each month, personal disciples like Yu Zhao received a generous allowance: ten mid-grade spirit stones and five Replenishing Qi Pills. Even within the cultivation world, such resources were extraordinary.
But for Su Ming, it was never enough.
The moment he received his allowance, he would splurge on trinkets and curios at the sect’s market. Within days, his purse would be empty.
Somehow, Yu Zhao had become his unofficial lender.
Whenever Su Ming ran out of funds but spotted something he wanted, he would turn to her for “loans.” Of course, he never repaid them.
Yu Zhao, unbothered by material wealth, had always indulged him.
So today’s refusal left Su Ming stunned. But then he grinned. “Come on, Yu Xiao Zhao, don’t joke around. I really need it this time. I’ll pay you back next month—I swear!”
He reached for her storage pouch with practiced ease, but Yu Zhao sidestepped smoothly, her voice turning cold. “You can talk about borrowing after you repay the 688 mid-grade spirit stones you already owe me.”
Hearing the exact figure, Yu Zhao felt a pang of bitterness.
In her seven years at the sect, she had earned a little over 800 spirit stones. Most had gone to Su Ming, leaving her with almost nothing.
What stung more was that Su Ming had used her spirit stones to buy gifts for Ye Cong Xin.
And when she voiced her dissatisfaction, she was accused of being petty.
“Are you serious?” Su Ming’s tone grew serious.
Yu Zhao nodded.
There was no gratitude when she gave him spirit stones. She might as well have thrown them into a river—at least then, there would have been a splash.
“Yu Zhao, you’re being ridiculous. It’s just a few spirit stones. Do you really have to make a fuss? It’s not like I said I wouldn’t pay you back!
Anyway, I need them for a good reason this time—I’m preparing a gift for Little Junior Sister. You can’t seriously refuse me now, can you?”
His voice rose, his dimples vanishing beneath his irritation.
“I’m not lending you anything!” Yu Zhao said firmly.
“You—”
Su Ming choked on his words, his eyes bulging in frustration.
“I’ll say it again: no. Now move aside. You’re blocking my way.”
Under different circumstances, Yu Zhao might have argued her case further, insisting he repay part of his debt first. But her mind was on her meeting with Elder Gu, and she had no patience to waste on Su Ming.
“Fine! Yu Zhao, you’re unbelievable! No wonder people call you selfish and petty! I can’t believe I didn’t see your true colors sooner. Don’t worry—I’ll never ask you for anything again!”
Su Ming’s voice was loud with anger.
Yu Zhao, however, just smiled.
She’d heard worse. His words no longer had any power over her.
“Good. Remember what you said. Don’t ask me for anything in the future—I owe you nothing.”
Su Ming opened his mouth to hurl another insult but faltered when he met her unwavering gaze. Flustered, he huffed loudly and stormed off, his sleeves billowing dramatically.