Inside the Ancient Ruins!

Bai Xueqing and the other participants from the Heaven Sword Sect had arrived — and just like everyone else, their reactions were the same: cautious awe and rising tension.

Bai Xueqing noticed how everyone kept scanning their surroundings—clearly searching for clues, hidden dangers, or any sign of treasure that had to be somewhere around here.

The area they had been teleported to looked like a deserted city. Crumbled buildings, dust-filled streets — nothing really stood out… except for one thing.

A massive, sealed door.

It was ridiculously huge, and clearly the centerpiece of this ruin.

Everyone could tell at a glance — this was it. The main entrance. Whatever secrets or treasures the Ancient Ruins had, they were behind that door.

Naturally, a bunch of cultivators immediately ran up and tried to force it open.

Didn’t budge!

Not even a millimeter!

“Damn! Why is this door so sturdy?”

“Move! Move it!”

“Hey! Why are you all just standing there? Help us open this thing!”

…

The ones trying to force the door began to complain, annoyed that most others were just standing around and watching — not lifting a finger.

Bai Xueqing was among the ones observing silently.

Then there were others who weren’t watching or door-bashing — they were fighting.

Grudges, old hatred, whatever it was — without elders or clan protection here, the arrogant young masters relying on background were becoming easy targets.

So right now, you had two types of people:

Either trying to enter the Big Door Or trying to beat the crap out of someone.

Soon enough, a particular conflict grabbed everyone’s attention — and of course, it had to be the clash between the Bai Clan and the Li-Zhao Clan.

Everyone knew there was bad blood between those groups. That they’d fight was expected.

And considering both were among the strongest clans in the Desolate Heaven Empire, it wasn’t a surprise that this fight became the center of attention.

“Everyone, look — the Bai Clan is fighting the Li-Zhao Clan!”

“Looks like the Bai Clan’s screwed.”

“Hmph, serve them right!”

…

Bai Xueqing frowned when she saw what was happening.

Looking at the numbers, the Bai Clan was clearly outmatched.

“What the hell are they doing?”

She muttered under her breath.

Why had they entered so late? The Li-Zhao side had time to gather, regroup, and wait to ambush.

She couldn’t just stand by.

“I’m going to help them.”

Bai Xueqing announced to the other disciples of Heaven Sword Sect. They neither stopped her nor were they going to help her.

After all, antagonizing the Li-Zhao Clan was the best move for any of them unless they were from the Bai Clan.

But the only other Bai Clan member, Bai Xinyue, didn’t have a good relationship with the Bai Clan either.

Although she didn’t help, she indeed was also watching the conflict between the Bai Clan and Li-Zhao Clan.

“I’ll come with you!”

Chu Ziyan declared. If Bai Zihan was in trouble, this was the perfect chance to repay his favor — and besides, he was her fiancé.

Whoosh!

They were about to move out — but someone suddenly appeared in front of them.

A dark, sinister Qi spread through the air, halting them in their tracks.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

The voice was sharp, arrogant, and cold.

“Dugu Lianxin!”

Bai Xueqing narrowed her eyes.

It was her. The Saintess of the Hundred Sins Hall — a Demonic Sect monster known to be just as ruthless and terrifying as Mo Tianji.

The name alone made most cultivators tremble.

But Bai Xueqing? Not even flinching.

She looked rather pissed.

“Are you helping the Li and Zhao Clans now?”

Bai Xueqing asked with a scowl.

“Hmph! Those idiots? Not worth it.”

Dugu Lianxin snorted. Just the idea of her helping the righteous cultivators disgusted her.

“Then why are you blocking me?”

Bai Xueqing asked with a frown.

“Because of you!”

Dugu Lianxin replied coldly.

This wasn’t their first encounter.

Bai Xueqing, righteous prodigy of the Heaven Sword Sect, and Dugu Lianxin, twisted genius of the Hundred Sins Hall, had clashed before.

Bai Xueqing — Nascent Soul at sixteen, a rising star.

Dugu Lianxin — Saintess of a demonic sect, a terrifying talent in her own right.

But in their last fight, it was Bai Xueqing who came out on top.

That loss had shattered Dugu Lianxin’s pride. Losing to someone her own age for the first time—her ego couldn’t take it.

She’d sworn revenge.

And now here she was, having trained obsessively ever since and conveniently, her target was walking right into her path.

“Move!”

Bai Xueqing’s voice was ice-cold. It wasn’t a request rather an order or perhaps a warning.

But Dugu Lianxin wasn’t here to let her pass.

Slash!

Bai Xueqing wasn’t going to repeat and waste time. She immediately attacked after Dugu Lianxin showed no intention of moving away.

Clang!

The moment Bai Xueqing attacked, Dugu Lianxin blocked it with her giant black scythe.

“Hehe… Why so impatient?”

She smiled cruelly.

Chu Ziyan, seeing a chance, tried to slip past and go help Bai Zihan.

But—

“Going somewhere?”

More disciples from the Hundred Sins Hall appeared, blocking Chu Ziyan.

They weren’t nobodies — each one had murderous auras, and even Chu Ziyan had to take them seriously.

Clash! Slash!

Bai Xueqing’s frustration boiled over, but despite her fury, Dugu Lianxin held her own.

Then, on the other side—

Mo Tianji entered the fray between the Bai Clan and Li-Zhao Clan.

Bai Xueqing frowned even more upon seeing that.

Mo Tianji began by killing one of Li-Zhao Clan disciples.

But Bai Xueqing knew this wasn’t some heroic save-the-day move.

No — that guy was dangerous. Probably had his own twisted plans.

“So, you’re trying to wipe out the Bai Clan?”

She snarled, realizing that with Dugu Lianxin blocking her and Mo Tianji butchering people near the Bai Clan, it was starting to look like a setup from the Demonic Sect.

“Don’t lump me with that lunatic!”

Dugu Lianxin replied sharply.

“I’m only here to fight you. That’s all!”

Honestly, she didn’t give a damn about Mo Tianji’s motives. She didn’t like being lump together with someone as senseless as Mo Tianji.

Although this time, his presence worked in her favor—if he really was aiming to massacre the Bai Clan, then this could really hurt Bai Xueqing.

Then Mo Tianji did make his move and went for one of the Bai Clan Members.

But what followed shocked everyone.

Bai Zihan, who everyone assumed was the weak, suddenly appeared.

And slammed Mo Tianji into the ground like a ragdoll.