This two-hundredth anniversary sacrificial ceremony for Grandmaster Beichen was originally intended for the Six Sects to display their mighty power, firstly to intimidate the Demonic Cult, and secondly to show off to the other righteous sects. Who knew the ceremony would be full of twists and turns, and the result would be the complete opposite of what was intended. Not only did it expose the discord behind the Six Sects' facade of harmony, but it also ended with the shocking and appalling tragedy of Wu Yuanying.

Just as Cai Zhao had said, this ceremony was truly unlucky.

Originally, a grand three-day banquet was planned after the ceremony. But now, the numerous sects gathered on Myriad Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff sensed the embarrassment and displeasure of the Six Sects of Beichen and hastily took their leave, not even staying for dinner. Although the innkeepers in Qingque Town all wore the deadpan faces of unpaying debtors, no matter how bad the food was, it couldn't possibly poison someone to death.

The first to leave was the considerate Evergreen Monastery. Before departing, Venerable Fakong glanced back at the magnificent Twilight Palace and suddenly said to Cai Pingchun, 'This old monk has often thought of your esteemed older sister lately.'

Zen Master Juexing did not leave with them. As planned, he took his younger sister Ning Xiaofeng, his nephew Cai Han, and a large pile of chests and bundles to visit the gravely ill Old Madam Ning. Before the nuns of Xuankong Nunnery departed, he enthusiastically invited Abbess Jingyuan to go with them, saying it might be the last time the old sisters would see each other. Who knew this would instead earn him a lecture from Abbess Jingyuan about how 'nuns should be free of worldly attachments and untainted by dust.'

Only after Abbess Jingyuan had left did Zen Master Juexing say to the young Cai Zhao siblings: "Nuns are born of parents too. If they truly want to sever all family ties and renounce the mortal world, they might as well give up the fruit and vegetable gardens around the temple and go begging for alms together."

There was a large age gap between the siblings Juexing and Ning Xiaofeng. Before Ning Xiaofeng had even stepped into the Jianghu, Juexing had already completed his training. It was said that in his youth, the Zen Master had spent six years as a scruffy monk out in the world.

For the first three years, he roamed the Jianghu, his conduct free and unrestrained. His 'business' was not limited to vegetarian matters; he got into plenty of fights and had his fair share of wine and meat pass through his gut.

For the next three years, he was a gentle and nurturing influence among the common folk in the city, enthusiastically helping neighbors resolve their worries and difficulties. His forte was mediating disputes between mothers- and daughters-in-law, conflicts between sisters-in-law, and brothers dividing the family property.

If not for Nie Hengcheng's sudden perverse actions, prompting Evergreen Monastery to urgently summon him back to protect the temple, he would have nearly established an 'unclean-robed' branch of Evergreen Monastery himself. The incense-burning business would have surely been more prosperous than the main headquarters.

Of the Six Sects, the first to leave was naturally the Grand Beginning Abbey. Everyone understood the reason, so no one tried to make them stay. Only Qi Yunke pulled Wang Yuanjing aside to offer some words of encouragement, to the effect of not being discouraged and working hard to restore the sect's reputation, and so on.

The heavily injured Wu Gang and Wu Xiong were left on Myriad Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff to recuperate. Once they recovered, they would be free to go wherever they pleased.

In truth, this was also the result of discussions between Qi Yunke and Zhou Zhizhen and the others.

The two were Wu Yuanying's paternal cousins, brought to the Grand Beginning Abbey and raised by him since childhood, so they were naturally loyal to their older cousin. Although Qiu Yuanfeng was now dead, his trusted disciples would inevitably harbor resentment toward these two. If any further incidents were to occur, the reputation of the Grand Beginning Abbey would only be worsened.

The next to leave were the Vast Heaven Sect and the Siqi Sect.

Song Shijun was anxious to return and put his sect in order. Once he returned, he was determined to treat the corrupt stewards, big and small, with the ruthlessness of a harsh winter; to treat the orphans and widows of Thunder Duke Fortress with the blazing passion of the summer sun; and finally, with the sincerity of an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, to properly sort through the disciples within the sect, striving to purge defiant and resentful individuals like Qiu Yuanfeng.

Yang Heying left because his young son had been frightened and was clamoring to go home. As a doting father, Sect Leader Yang naturally complied.

The people of Peiqiong Mountain Manor were the most courteous. They helped the disciples of the Qingque Sect clean up the messy Chaoyang Hall before taking their leave.

Zhou Zhizhen patted Cai Zhao's head and told her that if she couldn't stay at the Qingque Sect, she should go to Peiqiong Mountain Manor.

Zhou Zhixian also patted Cai Zhao's head, reminding her to eat well and not to catch a cold.

Zhou Yuqian and Zhou Yukun also giggled and tried to pat Cai Zhao's head, but were ferociously slapped away by her, one for each of them.

Then came Falling Blossoms Valley.

Cai Pingchun saw off Zen Master Juexing, his wife, and son, but was not in a hurry to return to the valley. He planned to first visit the ruins of the breached Chang Family Fortress, and then return to discuss avenging the entire Chang Family with Qi Yunke.

In the end, only Cai Zhao was left.

She stood dazedly before Myriad Waters Thousand Mountains Cliff for a long time, watching the people on the iron chains walk further and further away, eventually disappearing into the dense fog.

Chang Ning knew this was her first time leaving her parents and relatives, so he tried to console her: "Look on the bright side, people have to grow up and be independent eventually. Look at me, my family was destroyed, but aren't I doing just fine?"

Cai Zhao: "...I'm begging you, next time you try to console someone, don't use your mouth."

Cai Zhao finally saw the Lodge of Longevity that Qi Yunke had meticulously prepared for her. As expected, the residence was exquisite and the scenery was graceful. There were flowers and trees in the front and a stream in the back. One could admire flowers in spring and fish in summer. The sight left Cai Zhao feeling refreshed and delighted. The only drawback was that it was a bit close to the residences of her other martial siblings, especially Song Yuzhi. Their two homes were separated only by a small stream and two rows of green bamboo. If Qi Lingbo were to run over and molest Song Yuzhi, he would only need to shout once for Cai Zhao to come over and right the injustice.

Chang Ning completely disagreed with Cai Zhao living here. He insisted that she move near his own residence, so that she could protect him personally.

Cai Zhao was naturally unwilling, preferring that Chang Ning move into the Lodge of Longevity instead. However, Chang Ning argued with conviction—

"Do you know why Wu Yuanying ended up in such a wretched state?"

"...Because the Demonic Cult is cruel."

"Has the Demonic Cult only been this cruel since yesterday? We should look more for the cause within ourselves," Chang Ning said earnestly and tirelessly.

"Because Qiu Yuanfeng was despicable and cold-hearted, and Cangqiong Zi was too selfish?"

"Wrong! The human heart is often evil; good people are in the minority. The likes of Qiu Yuanfeng and Cangqiong Zi can only be considered average. The biggest mistake the Grand Beginning Abbey made was choosing the wrong friends!"

Cai Zhao looked completely baffled.

Chang Ning asked her: "If that Elder Kaiyang had been captured by your granduncle at the cost of his own life, would your aunt and father be willing to trade him for Wu Yuanying?"

"Of course they would!" Cai Zhao said decisively. "In my aunt's heart, a hundred villains are not worth one good person. At worst, they could play some tricks in secret, cripple that old scoundrel before the exchange. As long as it could save Great Hero Wu, it would be well worth it."

"You see, that's the difference," Chang Ning scoffed. "Old Sect Master Yin was unwilling."

He continued, "Even if Falling Blossoms Valley didn't have a hostage to trade, if Canghuan Zi had been willing to put aside his prejudice back then and sincerely request your aunt's help, would Heroine Cai have ignored him, given her character?"

Cai Zhao imagined her aunt's usual conduct and murmured, "No matter what, she would have at least gone to check on Great Hero Wu's situation herself."

Chang Ning: "Your aunt would have a tough time killing Nie Hengcheng, but dealing with an elder or two and getting away unscathed would be no problem for her, not to mention she was surrounded by hot-blooded, trouble-loving brothers back then."

Cai Zhao thought for a moment and felt that what Chang Ning said was true.

Chang Ning said: "Just because a sword was broken, the master and disciple duo of Canghuan Zi felt they had lost a great deal of face. They put on airs and wore cold expressions, refusing to lower themselves to ask for help. Instead, they treated that old fox Yin Dai... as their closest friend, not realizing that for decades, the man has been as slippery as an eel. He might help with small matters, but how could he possibly shoulder a major crisis for you?"

"Is it really necessary? It's just about where I live. Was such a long-winded speech required?" Cai Zhao said. "What exactly are you trying to say? If you keep beating around the bush, I'm leaving."

Chang Ning frowned: "For those who are not worth befriending, don't you think you should stay far away from them? The three of them, Canghuan Zi and his disciples, ended up in such a miserable state precisely because they made the wrong friends. Haven't you gained any insight from this?"

Cai Zhao certainly had gained some insight, but not the kind Chang Ning was talking about.

She said slowly: "My aunt once said, don't laugh at pitiful people. Even if pitiful people have their detestable aspects, they are already suffering the consequences. Others shouldn't mock them."

"..." Now it was Chang Ning's turn to gain some insight. He said with emotion, "Heroine Cai has a truly compassionate heart."

"I like the sound of that," Cai Zhao smiled. "Alright, I'll have someone move my luggage to your place."

Chang Ning: "...How did you agree so readily?"

"Harmony brings wealth—Besides, if I didn't agree, you'd cry and make a scene until I did, so I might as well save some energy." Cai Zhao clasped her hands behind her back, leaving him with the leisurely, old-fashioned back of a much older person.

Chang Ning's residence was called Qingjing Study. It backed onto a mountain and faced a forest, making it very secluded. Nearby to the right was the Apothecary, convenient for brewing and fetching medicine, while to the left was a hot spring nestled in a mountain hollow, convenient for circulating internal energy to dispel poison. It must be said that Grand Sect Master Qi had taken great care of Chang Ning, the son of his old friend. Unfortunately, with a mother-daughter pair who couldn't be beaten or scolded messing things up on the side, there was nothing he could do.

Across from Chang Ning's residence was a row of vacant rooms. Cai Zhao asked Fan Xingjia to have someone come and clean them up, and then had her own servants move all the still-unpacked luggage and chests over to be settled in.

The servants Ning Xiaofeng had left behind were very capable. Without needing to trouble the stewards of the Qingque Sect, the two maids and several other servants silently tidied up the few empty rooms and the storage building behind where miscellaneous items were kept. They even brought out two small red clay stoves to brew tea and burn incense, and could also brew medicine for Chang Ning on the side.

When Zeng Dalou came running over nonstop to dissuade her, he saw that the Qingjing Study was already completely transformed. The curtains fluttered, a subtle fragrance filled the air, and the beds, tables, chairs, cups, bowls, and fruit plates were all neat and bright. A beautiful young girl was dozing in a large rocking chair under the eaves, and a warm, gentle atmosphere greeted him.

"Where's Chang Ning?" Zeng Dalou looked around.

The round-faced maid replied: "Young Master Chang is in the inner room circulating his energy to heal. Our young lady is keeping watch outside."

Zeng Dalou scratched his head: "Zhaozhao should still move back to the Lodge of Longevity. This... isn't quite proper."

The melon-seed-faced maid said: "The young miss said she will report to the Sect Master herself, so others need not bear any responsibility."

Zeng Dalou was at a loss for words. Fan Xingjia smiled and smoothed things over: "Have you two served our junior sister since you were children? What are your names?"

The round-faced maid was called Furong, and the melon-seed-faced maid was called Feicui. Cai Zhao had given them both their names.

Fan Xingjia praised them greatly: "Your names suit you well. Junior sister chose these two names wonderfully."

Furong said: "Actually, my original name was Hibiscus Tofu, and hers was Jadeite Shrimp. Later, when we were two years older, the young miss found the names too long and planned to remove two characters from each. Luckily, the eldest young miss stopped her, otherwise we would have almost been called Tofu and Shrimp."

Feicui said: "Poor Elder Sister Xiajiao, she's already married and has children, but everyone still only remembers to call her Xiajiao."

Fan Xingjia: ...

Zeng Dalou had no choice but to go and report back to Qi Yunke.

Qi Yunke didn't object. He had hoped for Chang Ning to be properly protected anyway. His only concern was that Cai Zhao's new lodgings weren't spacious or comfortable enough. He could only say that the Lodge of Longevity would be kept for Cai Zhao, and she could move back in once Chang Ning recovered.

Furthermore, Qi Yunke engaged his young disciple in a cordial and friendly conversation about her future life in the sect. "Since you're already here, why not cultivate alongside your fellow martial brothers? You can make friends and improve yourself at the same time. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Cai Zhao declined. Since she had no intention of roaming the Jianghu in the future, why bother befriending people from the Wulin? It was better to keep to herself and live a peaceful life. "Just think of me as someone borrowing a place to stay at the Qingque Sect. After three years, I'll go get married. You must come to my wedding banquet then. Oh, and also, can I go to the Treasure Pavilion to borrow books? If there's anything I don't understand, I'll come and ask you."

Qi Yunke sighed. What else could he do but agree?

The day after the failed ceremony, Cai Zhao performed the disciple initiation rites: a deep kneel, kowtows, burning incense, reciting an oath, learning the rules, understanding the etiquette, and honoring the ancestors. Qi Yunke muttered under his breath, praying to the Three Pure Ones to bless the little girl Cai so she could have a smooth time in the sect and please, please not cause any trouble.

Based on his past experience, even if trouble wanted to avoid Cai Pingshu, Cai Pingshu would barge in and drag the trouble out. He hoped Zhaozhao's luck wasn't like her aunt's. Amitayus Buddha.

The disciple initiation banquet that night was exceptionally lavish and sumptuous. Aside from dragon's liver, phoenix's gall, soup boiled from a thousand-year-old turtle, and wine brewed from mermaid's tears, it had everything else one could imagine. This was because all the precious ingredients originally prepared for the three-day grand banquet were used here.

Watching the sect disciples toast Cai Zhao one after another, Qi Lingbo looked as if she had been fed a fly. She couldn't eat a single bite of food. Twisting her slender waist, she tearfully burrowed into Yin Sulian's arms to badmouth Cai Zhao.

The seemingly glamorous Cai Zhao was challenged three times during the course of the meal.

First was Second Senior Brother Dai Fengchi. While his mouth said, 'Junior Sister Cai's skills are extraordinary; I wish to befriend you through martial arts,' his eyes drifted over to Qi Lingbo, who was in Yin Sulian's arms with red-rimmed eyes—it was obvious he was here to stand up for his sweetheart.

Cai Zhao was amused. "If we compete and I win, I'll definitely send carrier pigeons overnight and shout it so that half the Wulin knows that a little lady who has never left home defeated the renowned 'Wind-Chasing Swordsman,' Young Hero Dai, as soon as she arrived on the mountain. If I lose, I'll definitely go cry before our master every day, saying that you, Second Senior Brother, bullied the weak and deliberately made things difficult for me—you'd better think this through, Second Senior Brother. There's no turning back once the arrow is loosed from the bow."

Dai Fengchi froze. In truth, he wasn't afraid of winning against Cai Zhao; even if his master scolded him, it would be worth it to win Qi Lingbo's favor. But if he lost... that would be a huge embarrassment, and he wasn't confident that he could definitely win.

Seeing this, his lackey stepped forward and said, "How can a friendly spar between fellow disciples be broadcast to the entire world? Junior Sister Cai seems a bit narrow-minded..."

"When experts are talking, can the less skilled please roll aside?" Chang Ning's handsome eyes were full of mockery. "Senior Brother Dai, you see, even I don't dare to interrupt." The implication was: Dai Fengchi, if you can't control your lackey, then I'm going to start talking too.

Dai Fengchi had clearly experienced Chang Ning's 'eloquence' before. He immediately said, "Junior Brother Cui, stand down." Then he pretended to concede, "Since Junior Sister Cai is unwilling, let's just forget about the duel."

The second to challenge her was Song Yuzhi.

The hall was brightly lit, and luminous pearls on the palace walls shone, illuminating the handsome man, making him appear heroic, stern, and upright.

He also 'wished to befriend her through martial arts,' but he was clearly much more sincere than Dai Fengchi. Unexpectedly, he was still flatly refused by Cai Zhao.

Song Yuzhi was stunned. "Why is that?"

"I don't duel with people who have fiancées," Cai Zhao said with a grin. "To prevent the fair lady from getting jealous and coming to find trouble with me later." Since ancient times, there have been countless stories in the Wulin where enemies become lovers after fighting, not to mention that Qi Lingbo was a magnet for trouble.

Song Yuzhi's eyes flickered. Under the lamplight, the young girl had pearly teeth and bright eyes. She was carefree and at ease, like a refreshing mountain breeze.

He silently drained his wine in one gulp, and after sitting down, did not say another word.

Chang Ning was still unhappy. He felt that Song Yuzhi had looked at Cai Zhao for too long, his gaze somewhat unbefitting of a betrothed man. He wished he were healed at this very moment, so he could let the little girl surnamed Cai know what it meant to compare the light of a firefly to the bright moon!

Unfortunately, he could not.

The last one to issue a challenge was Ding Zhuo.

Ding Zhuo didn't even hold a wine cup. He stood ramrod straight before Cai Zhao like the edge of a sword. "There is an empty space in the back mountain where I practice martial arts year-round. When we duel, we won't have any onlookers, and the outcome need not be known to others."

Cai Zhao became serious. In Ding Zhuo's eyes, she saw the fervor of a true martial artist—one who sought not fame nor fortune, and did not even care about winning or losing, but only pursued advancement in the martial arts.

She thought for a moment and replied, "Alright. But it will have to be in a few days. I have been lax for a long time since leaving Falling Blossoms Valley. I need to tighten up my muscles and bones before I can accept the challenge."

A smile spread across Ding Zhuo's handsome face. He knew that although Cai Zhao was a young girl, she already understood that the way of the warrior was not to be taken lightly. She was not frivolous and reckless like Qi Lingbo.

According to legend, when top masters dueled, they would always choose a place on a mountain peak amidst the clouds, burn incense, purify their bodies, and fast for three days to show respect for their opponent. It was nothing like now, where duels required a large crowd of onlookers, surrounded by the noisy clamor of people shouting and jumping around as if watching a monkey show.

Within the famous and righteous sects, there were many disciples who grew up in luxury. From a young age, they enjoyed superior provisions and had the best cultivation environment, yet they never understood the meaning of practicing martial arts—the very essence that distinguished them from ordinary mortals.

It was better for the men; if they didn't cultivate diligently, they could easily be marginalized to the mortal world, or even become commoners after being expelled from the sect. Women, however, still had the path of marriage, which gave them an excuse to slack off in their cultivation.

He had always looked down on such people, regardless of gender.

But Cai Zhao was not one of them. Although her clothes and accessories were a bit too exquisite, her eyes held the sharp spirit of a martial artist.

"Then in ten days, I will await your esteemed arrival, junior sister," Ding Zhuo said in a clear, resonant voice.

Cai Zhao: "It's a promise."