Chapter 54: Zhao Qingqing Faints from Despair and Rage, A Grade Four Miraculous Medicine Appears! Death at a Single Glance

In front of the Morning Glow Sect, everyone looked intently at Zhao Qingqing and Bai Zhixi.

As they looked closer, they indeed noticed that the disciples of the Morning Glow Sect behind the two wore indifferent expressions and cold gazes. This was hardly a polite send-off by the sect's disciples; they were clearly being driven out!

Everyone found it incredible.

A Morning Glow Sect disciple held out a hand and said, "Please leave, two Fairy Maidens. Our Morning Glow Sect does not welcome you. There is no need for either of you to visit us ever again, or we will not be so polite next hearing!"

Hearing this, Zhao Qingqing and Bai Zhixi turned Crimson with anger and humiliation.

Were the two of them truly driven away by the Morning Glow Sect?!

"Fine! Very well! What is so great about your Morning Glow Sect? Do you really think we have nowhere else to go?" Bai Zhixi's face was dark, her heart intensely agitated. She could not understand why the Morning Glow Sect's attitude toward them had changed so abruptly.

Expelling them without a moment's hesitation in full view of everyone caused her to lose all her face.

The Morning Glow Sect disciple remained silent, merely staring at them.

Zhao Qingqing took a deep breath. Though burning with resentment, she said nothing more. "We will leave, then."

The two walked away while nearby cultivators cast strange, sidelong glances at them.

"Wonderful. Fortunately, they didn't accept my gift," Tong Heng could not help taunting, feeling a sudden surge of comfort in his heart.

Bai Zhixi and Zhao Qingqing glared at him, prompting Tong Heng to unhesitatingly reveal his Spirit Refining aura.

With a cold snort, the two women departed.

In front of the Morning Glow Sect, the crowd erupted into a flurry of discussions.

"Zhao Qingqing and Bai Zhixi weren't allowed in? They were chased out? Don't they have close friends among the true legacy disciples inside the sect?"

"No way. Could it really be because of that Li family? What kind of existence is the Li family anyway, that they could force the Morning Glow Sect to expel these two?"

Being driven away greatly exceeded everyone's expectations. They had been here for a long time and had witnessed Zhao Qingqing and Bai Zhixi entering and leaving the Morning Glow Sect on numerous occasions.

Never before had they seen the two turned away from the gates.

This was far more than simply being turned away—they had been literally driven out!

And to think they had previously assumed the Li family had no impact on Zhao Qingqing whatsoever. Now it appeared the Li family truly could not be underestimated!

A deep sense of curiosity sprouted in their hearts—an intense curiosity. Could another major power be on the rise?!

***

After leaving the vicinity of the Morning Glow Sect, Zhao Qingqing and Bai Zhixi pondered the possible reasons, yet could find not a single clue.

Could it be because of the Li family? A thought flashed through Zhao Qingqing's mind.

No, impossible. The Li family simply did not possess that kind of power!

"Hmph, let's go. What a fine Morning Glow Sect! The day will come when they regret this!" Zhao Qingqing sneered, and Bai Zhixi nodded fiercely in agreement.

After a moment of thought, Bai Zhixi asked, "Should we inform Nie Mie about Gui Xing's situation?"

Given Gui Xing's altered attitude and the incident at the Morning Glow Sect, Bai Zhixi felt it best to notify Nie Mie, especially since Gui Xing was supposed to be their friend.

Zhao Qingqing shook her head. "No, Gui Xing should be fine. Brother Nie Mie is at a crucial juncture right now; he still has to participate in the Medicine King Valley's Sequential True Legacy Assembly. Let's wait until I investigate everything and join a Holy Land first!"

Zhao Qingqing felt the need to join a Holy Land, but she intended to heal her injuries first and then select the finest Holy Land to enter!

At this moment, Zhao Qingqing's confidence remained undiminished. The Morning Glow Sect's rejection meant nothing to her. Once she joined a Holy Land, the Morning Glow Sect would apologize to her a hundred times over!

As for those ungrateful wolves of the Li family, they would kneel and beg for forgiveness in person!

Not long after, before the gates of the Martial Flower Sect, a disciple of the sect spoke with strict politeness, "The two of you, our Martial Flower Sect does not welcome you."

Zhao Qingqing and Bai Zhixi's bodies trembled. The Martial Flower Sect was another nearby sect known for its exotic flora. In the past, Zhao Qingqing had even received a promise that she could come to the sect to claim a top-grade exotic flower.

Yet now, the Martial Flower Sect firmly refused her entry.

Zhao Qingqing's expression grew slightly gloomy. How could this be?

She refused to believe it!

At the Immortal Butterfly Sect, a fairy maiden looked at the two with a faint smile. "Fairies, our Immortal Butterfly Sect does not welcome you. Please leave quickly."

When Zhao Qingqing asked for the reason, no answer was given.

At the Radiant Light Sect, a fierce-looking brute glared at the two women. "Scram! Get lost quickly! Our sect orders you to scram!"

An overwhelming aura radiated from the burly man.

The two women left in disarray.

Sect after sect they visited—some of these sects housed their friends, others had elders Zhao Qingqing knew, and several had previously made her promises—yet every single one of them refused their entry!!

They could not understand. They simply could not understand why this was happening!!

In a small town, Zhao Qingqing was covered in dust, her face pale and skin clinging to her bones. Bai Zhixi looked equally disheveled.

"No, how could this be? How can this be?" Holding a cup of tea in her trembling hands, Zhao Qingqing shook as if she had contracted some terminal illness. Her body had been drained to fuel her Qiongqi bloodline, and she was now reaching her limit.

Her chest heaved violently as anger and terror warred within her heart. She could not fathom the reason behind all this.

The sect disciples who once greeted them with smiling faces, the sects they used to walk in and out of at will—all of them had rejected her!

The two decided to head to the Holy Lands, to seek out the elders who had previously expressed a desire to take Zhao Qingqing as a disciple. They refused to believe that the elders of a Holy Land would reject Zhao Qingqing!

Her confidence partially restored, Zhao Qingqing gritted her teeth. "I refuse to believe it!"

With fury flashing in her eyes, she swore that once she joined a Holy Land, she would tear whoever was pulling strings behind her into a thousand pieces!

Soon enough, Zhao Qingqing and Bai Zhixi stood before a magnificent Holy Land, feeling as though they had been struck by lightning. Zhao Qingqing was rejected; before she could even set foot inside the Holy Land, an elder sent a disciple to turn her away.

Her eyes split with rage. "How can this be?!"

A stifled sensation gripped her chest, and she spat a mouthful of blood. Bai Zhixi was equally stunned, failing to steady Zhao Qingqing as she collapsed.

Zhao Qingqing could not believe it, nor could she bring herself to accept it.

Shortly after, the two departed and visited several other Holy Lands. Without exception, every single one of them rejected Zhao Qingqing.

Outside yet another Holy Land, Zhao Qingqing trembled uncontrollably, threads of blood spilling from the corners of her mouth as she stared blankly, her mind adrift.

Who was it? Who possessed such formidable power and connections to move against her?!

To what end?!

What wrong had she ever committed?

Bai Zhixi tried to comfort her. "It's fine, Qingqing. It's just that they are blind! Come, let's go to my sect! I'll have my master heal your injuries."

The sect she belonged to was the Ascending Moon Sect. Zhao Qingqing nodded faintly; at this point, she had only Bai Zhixi and Nie Mie left.

Everyone else was an ungrateful wolf!

Once she, Zhao Qingqing, rose to prominence, she would make every single one of them regret this!

Before the gates of the Ascending Moon Sect, Bai Zhixi led Zhao Qingqing inward, but a voice rang out, "Bai Zhixi, you have already been expelled from the Ascending Moon Sect. Why are you still trying to enter?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Bai Zhixi shuddered. She jerked her head up and stared at the elderly man not far away in utter shock and confusion. "M-Master, what are you talking about?"

***

The elder sneered, "I said you have been driven out of the Ascending Moon Sect! Someone, throw these two out!"

Bai Zhixi's eyes widened in sheer disbelief. "What do you mean? What mistake did I make?! Master, why are you expelling me from the sect?!"

"You know very well what you did wrong." The elder commanded his men to cast the two out immediately.

Standing outside the Ascending Moon Sect, Bai Zhixi and Zhao Qingqing were left utterly bewildered and lost.

Zhao Qingqing swayed on her feet, murmuring, "What on earth is going on?"

Her heart turned deathly cold. She was not a fool; these consecutive encounters made it clear that a giant hand was at work behind the scenes.

No, it was a massive net—a giant net enshrouding her!

Someone was coldly watching her every move!

How vicious, what a ruthless heart!

This was driving her to a dead end with no path to heaven and no door to earth. They wanted her dead!

"Zhao Qingqing."

A familiar figure appeared. Zhao Qingqing snapped her head around, her eyes fixed with seething hatred on Zhao Xin and the attire he wore. "Zhao Xin! You joined the Li family?!"

Zhao Xin nodded slightly, his gaze heavy as he looked at her. "Zhao Qingqing, come back to the Li family with me. I have implored the Ancestor, and he has agreed. As long as you genuinely repent, the Ancestor will spare you."

Hearing this, Zhao Qingqing sneered. "Repent for what? What wrong have I done? Are you seeing me in my down-and-out state and wanting to drag me back to the Li family? Tell Li Xuan to give up that pipe dream! No matter how fallen I am, I will never return! What a joke of a Li family! How could they ever match my worth?"

*Slap.*

Without hesitation, Zhao Xin struck Zhao Qingqing across the face. His expression grew dark. "Cease addressing the Ancestor by his given name!"

Bai Zhixi remained dazed, still failing to snap out of the shock of being cast out of her own sect.

Zhao Qingqing was stunned by the blow, her facial bones throbbing with pain and her head spinning dizzyingly. It was evident Zhao Xin had held nothing back.

Unable to bear his foolish sister's blindness any longer, Zhao Xin had resorted to heavy measures!

Clutching her cheek, Zhao Qingqing stared at Zhao Xin in disbelief, her teeth grinding in profound hatred. "You hit me? You actually hit me?! Get lost! I will never return to the Li family, and I have no brother like you."

A heavy ache filled Zhao Xin's heart. Realizing he could no longer persuade this sister of his, he nodded. "Very well. I hope you do not regret this. This was an opportunity I begged the Ancestor to grant you; the Ancestor has already shown you immense mercy!"

"Everything you have encountered—the Ancestor is well aware of it all!"

Zhao Qingqing's heart skipped a beat, but she let out a harsh laugh. "Are you trying to say that everything I've suffered was orchestrated by the Li family and that so-called Li family Ancestor? Do you expect me to believe such a thing?"

She felt as though Zhao Xin was speaking nonsense. Did the Li family possess such terrifying capabilities?!

Could the Li family Ancestor force every single Holy Land and sect to shut their doors to her?

She did not believe a single word of it!

Without another word, Zhao Xin gave her a look of utter disappointment and turned away.

Furious, Zhao Qingqing's chest heaved. A raging fire of agitation surged within her, and for the first time, a sense of absolute despair gripped her soul. No, it couldn't be—she was Fairy Qingqing!

A series of cracking sounds echoed from within Zhao Qingqing's body. Her Dao heart shattered.

With a darkening vision, Zhao Qingqing collapsed and lost consciousness entirely.

***

Soon after, Zhao Xin returned to the small town to help pack up the remaining belongings for the move. Having not yet officially become a member of the Li family, he still had a blood feud to settle. Once he tracked down his enemies and exacted his revenge with his own hands, he would formally join the Li family.

Storing the items in his profound ring, Zhao Xin followed the members of the Li family out the front gates.

"Pardon me, fellow Daoist, is this the Li family residence?"

A middle-aged man blocked Zhao Xin's path. Glancing at the stranger, Zhao Xin felt a subtle ripple in his heart.

The man was in disguise, but his aura felt vaguely familiar to Zhao Xin—not the familiarity of an old acquaintance, but a distinct, peculiar sensation.

Nodding slightly, Zhao Xin offered a kind warning, "This is the ancestral grounds of the Li family, but they have already relocated to the former territory of the Great Dragon Sect."

Expressing his gratitude, the middle-aged man quickly departed.

***

At the Great Dragon Sect—now the Li family estate.

Zhao Xin bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Ancestor."

Li Xuan was perusing a book. Glancing up at Zhao Xin, he smiled. "Did not bring her back?"

With a bitter smile, Zhao Xin replied, "Reporting to the Ancestor, no."

Li Xuan felt no surprise. He had already harvested a substantial amount of villain value and lifespan from Zhao Qingqing. Along the way, Zhao Qingqing had suspected the Li family's involvement yet refused to believe it—until Zhao Xin explicitly stated that it was all engineered by the Li family Ancestor, causing Zhao Qingqing to instantly forfeit a hundred years of her lifespan in sheer shock.

It wasn't that she didn't believe it; rather, she dared not believe it, nor could she afford to. As for what she felt deep inside...

Hah.

"No matter. Since you have chosen to join our Li family, I naturally reserve a place for her."

Naturally, the plan was to have Zhao Qingqing enter the Human Emperor Sword, allowing Zhao Xin to see her whenever he wished, right?

Li Xuan had discovered that ever since Su婉, the discarded destiny-child, entered the Human Emperor Sword, the artifact had taken on a rather eerie quality.

Hearing this, Zhao Xin was both pleasantly surprised and startled, quickly dropping to his knees. "This junior leaves everything to the Ancestor's discretion."

Li Xuan gave a slight nod. As expected, not all destiny-children were alike; Zhao Xin was quite decent. Not only did he consistently contribute lifespan and villain value, but he was also genuinely useful.

Zhao Xin then recounted the incident with the stranger outside the Li family gates.

Li Xuan nodded. "I am aware."

As Zhao Xin bowed and prepared to withdraw, Li family head Li Zhan approached. Noticing Zhao Xin, Li Xuan waved a hand to dismiss any concern.

"Ancestor, a fourth-grade exotic medicinal herb has appeared on one of our spiritual veins."

A wave of excitement washed over Li Zhan. The Li family was indeed on the path to rise! A fourth-grade exotic herb might very well allow the Ancestor to advance even further.

After all, fourth-grade exotic herbs possessed effects that could influence even Saints.

A fourth-grade exotic herb? Li Xuan recalled what Zhao Qingqing had said about Nie Mie—the youth who supposedly discovered an exotic herb.

Could it be...

A thought stirred in Li Xuan's mind.

At that exact moment, a disheveled Li family disciple covered in blood rushed over, dropping to his knees outside Li Xuan's courtyard.

"Ancestor, Family Head, we discovered that the spiritual vein containing the fourth-grade exotic herb has been occupied by outsiders, and they beat our people!"

Kneeling on the ground, the disciple Li远 (Li Yuan) trembled slightly. His face was pale and unsightly, filled with mortification over their defeat. To make matters worse, he had been sent to seek reinforcements from the Ancestor and the Family Head.

Inside the courtyard, Li Zhan's expression shifted drastically as he glanced toward the Ancestor.

Li Xuan maintained a serene and tranquil expression. With a flick of his wrist, a stream of divine brilliance flew out, enveloping Li Yuan. The next instant, Li Yuan felt a warmth wash over him, and as the scenery before his eyes shifted, he found himself standing inside the courtyard.

Looking up with reddened eyes, Li Yuan kowtowed to Li Xuan. "This junior has failed the Ancestor's cultivation and let the Ancestor down!"

"It was the Earth Dragon Sect, along with the Zhou family and people from Sky-Grieving City! They occupied our spiritual vein, assaulted our men, and even said..."

Tears welled in Li Yuan's eyes. He could not accept this; the Ancestor had nurtured them without sparing precious resources like spiritual herbs, yet on their very first battle after relocating to the Great Dragon Sect's territory, they had suffered a defeat and lost their family's spiritual vein.

Li Zhan's expression turned grim. He had never anticipated such a development. "What else did they say?"

"They said they had never heard of the Li family, and asked what the Li family even was..."

Gritting his teeth in hatred, Li Yuan wished he could tear those people to shreds for daring to humiliate the Li family so thoroughly...

Naturally, both Li Xuan and Li Zhan knew those individuals likely said far worse.

Standing up with a smile, Li Xuan said, "Someone has occupied our family's spiritual vein, and you're crying? Let's go. I'd like to see just how bold these people really are."

"Ancestor, should we assemble the clansmen?" Li Zhan asked.

Li Xuan shook his head. "There is no need. I alone am sufficient."

"Ancestor!" Li Zhan and Zhao Xin called out instinctively, eager to accompany him and contribute their share of strength.

"If you wish to come, follow along."

With his hands clasped behind his back, Li Xuan suddenly turned his gaze toward the outer perimeter of the Li family estate.

A considerable crowd had already gathered in the distance outside the gates—some were residents from Yu City who had followed the Li family's relocation and intended to settle nearby, while others were mortal dynasties and cultivators who had traveled from afar hoping to join the former Great Dragon Sect.

Right at that moment, a loud roar accompanied by a burst of brilliant light shook the ground before the Li family gates, sending gravel scattering in all directions.

"All you Li family members, get out here! How dare you injure our people from Sky-Grieving City? You're courting death!"

Several figures appeared before the gates, draped in gorgeous ceremonial robes bearing the character "Grieving" (殇) embroidered across the chest.

Staring at the plaque of the Li family, Hao Long sneered, "Get out here at once!"

Hao Long was burning with rage. He and his men from Sky-Grieving City had sensed the maturing aura of the fourth-grade exotic herb, only to discover that it had already been found by these so-called Li family members, which subsequently drew in forces from the Earth Dragon Sect and the Zhou family.

At this very moment, a three-way standoff was ongoing at the spiritual vein.

And yet, his own son—the second manager of Sky-Grieving City—had actually been injured by a Li family member, who then had the nerve to flee!

Unforgivable! The Li family was simply courting death!

While the fourth-grade herb might be out of his reach, wiping out the Li family would still net him a tidy sum of resources!

Without hesitation, he had come straight for the Li family!

"Dad, let's just slaughter our way in!" Hao Long's son roared.

What Li family? They had never even heard of it.

Outside the gates, the people from Yu City felt they lacked worldly experience—did outsiders always act this reckless?

Were they rushing to throw their lives away?

Did these people not know the Li family had completely eradicated the Great Dragon Sect?

"Who dares come to my Li family to act wildly!"

Several Li family disciples charged out, glaring at the contingent from Sky-Grieving City.

Sweeping a disdainful gaze over them, Hao Long didn't deign to take them seriously. With a flick of his finger, an overwhelming Transformation Realm aura pressed down upon the disciples.

"Is this all the Li family has? Then don't blame me."

"Kill them! Wipe out the Li family!" Hao Long's son bellowed in rage. He felt profoundly humiliated that he had been wounded by a mere Li family member; if word got back, his peers would mock him mercilessly. The Li family had to be eradicated.

The terrifying Transformation Realm pressure left the onlookers in the distance suffocating, prompting the ordinary mortals and minor cultivators to hurriedly retreat.

"The Great Dragon Sect... no, this Li family has actually provoked Sky-Grieving City. They're finished!"

"I was passing by Sky-Grieving City and decided to check out the Great Dragon Sect instead, only to find the sect destroyed?! And now this Li family is about to be wiped out too!"

"Judging by you, Sky-Grieving City probably didn't want you either. Still, you have a point—how could the Li family possibly match Sky-Grieving City? The one making a move right now is the second manager under the second city lord of Sky-Grieving City, a mighty Transformation Realm expert!"

The people from Yu City chuckled upon hearing these remarks. A mere second manager and they were calling him a mighty Transformation Realm expert?

"Don't worry, the Li family isn't going down. Just wait and watch the show."

The Yu City folk reminded them.

***

Hearing Hao Long's arrogant words, the blood of the Li family members boiled with blazing fury.

Daring to insult their Li family was an unforgivable crime. Attack!

Right at that moment—

"Greetings, Ancestor."

Instantly, the tension among the Li family members melted away. They looked with fanatical reverence as Li Xuan calmly stepped forward, filling everyone present with absolute confidence!

Li Xuan gave a slight nod without speaking, nor did he even deign to look at Hao Long and his Sky-Grieving City faction. Instead, he gave Night Qingcheng a light kick. Why was this creature shedding fur? What was wrong with her?

She was a Supreme being, for crying out loud! What business did a Supreme have shedding fur?!

Night Qingcheng let out a couple of snorts. She shed fur because she was proud of it—this was the secret to longevity! Did he think just anyone could shed fur even if they wanted to?

"Are you the Li family Ancestor? How audacious! You see me arrive and yet you don't immediately kneel? Go to hell!!"

Seeing this scene, Hao Long was so furious he laughed. He had never encountered someone so arrogant!

With a ferocious expression, his hand morphed into the claw of a dragon as he slammed a palm downward toward Li Xuan. In his mind, this Li family ancestor might not die instantly, but he would certainly be crippled.

"Hahaha, what kind of Li family thinks they can insult me! Die!"

"The second manager is truly mighty! Peerless in grace!"

At that precise moment, Li Xuan finally raised his gaze to look at them.

In an instant, Hao Long's eyes bulged. His ferocious expression dissolved into extreme terror and shock.

*Bang!*

Hao Long exploded into a mist of blood, showering the rest of the Sky-Grieving City contingent from head to toe as gore rained across the ground.

***

*Author's Note:*

*Dear bosses, if you feel this chapter is a bit dragged out, I'll adjust this writing style in the future. It's another huge chapter, so please vote and support me, bosses!*

*It's been quite chilly these past couple of days...*

*(●''●)*

*I wonder if you prefer single massive chapters or splitting them into two?*