Chapter 27: Murong Qingxue

In the very next instant, Wang Laosan felt his blade freeze mid-swing. His whole body was locked in place, unable to move an inch.

“You dared trespass into this forbidden land. Today, this will be your grave!” A voice echoed down from the sky, clear and serene yet filled with an unyielding, divine authority that left no room for doubt. The sound rang in everyone’s ears—holy and merciless.

Suddenly, an otherworldly force descended like storm clouds, pinning everyone to the ground so heavily they couldn’t budge.

Chasing after the source of that voice, a figure materialized above them. Dressed in dazzling white that gleamed under the sun, she floated there—a striking woman with long graceful legs, flawless features, and an aura as sharp as the edge of a sword.

From above, she looked down at them all with eyes full of disdain, as though she was a goddess gazing upon mere dust.

“Since you dared set foot in the forbidden zone, you will pay the price.” Her voice, both ethereal and chilling, sounded like music from heaven laced with cruelty. “And the powers behind you—I’ll visit them myself one day.”

Crushed beneath the force and the weight of her presence, none could resist. Fear filled every heart as they recognized the vast power at work—and the awe-inspiring woman in the sky.

Bathed in this overwhelming, sacred aura, the truth set in for them: today’s reckless act had crossed the point of no return.

“A Demi-God—number one below the Sword God Realm!” Liu Mang, Wang Lin, and Wang Laosan looked up at the dazzling figure, trembling with despair. They couldn’t help but wonder why they hadn’t tried to escape sooner. It wasn’t just that they’d die here today—even their backers would be wiped out.

Heart pounding with terror, Liu Mang made a desperate decision. He dropped to his knees in a panic and knocked his head to the ground over and over. “Senior, our actions today have nothing to do with the forces behind us! For violating your domain, the three of us are willing to pay with our lives—only please, spare our families!”

“I grant your request.” The voice in the sky was as cold and ruthless as ever.

“Thank you, Senior!” All three faces lit up with relief. After exchanging a glance, they nodded in grim resolve.

With a silent understanding, each gathered their last reserves of spiritual power in their palms and struck their own temples.

Three sickening thuds echoed through the desert as their bodies went limp.

Blood and brain matter oozed onto the sand, staining the ground where they fell.

Murong Qingxue hovered in midair, her expression blank and icy. She watched the lifeless remains without a flicker of emotion, then gave a gentle wave. In an instant, the corpses dissolved into fine sand, carried away by the wind to nourish this desolate land.

With a thoughtful look, Murong Qingxue gazed at Gu Qingyi, who was already on the verge of death. She scanned his body for a moment.

The moment she discovered something remarkable, a glimmer of warmth crept into her otherwise frosty gaze.

Descending slowly, she let out a helpless sigh. “How did you end up so badly wounded? If I’d arrived any later, you’d be long gone by now.”

“Still, this guy’s willpower is incredible. An ordinary person would’ve died ages ago, but he’s managed to hang on by a thread.” She looked at Gu Qingyi, satisfied.

Murong Qingxue reached out with her slender, delicate hand, infusing Gu Qingyi with healing energy.

Though still unconscious, Gu Qingyi felt a warm current flow into his body, slowly mending his injuries.

In the time it takes for half a cup of tea to cool, he miraculously awoke.

Gu Qingyi found himself staring up at a strange woman standing nearby. Baffled, he blurted, “Miss, who are you? Didn’t I nearly die just now?” He patted himself all over, searching for wounds, but couldn’t find a single injury. His ruined clothes were the only trace of his ordeal.

Murong Qingxue replied coolly, “Don’t bother looking. Your wounds are all healed—I just treated you. And those three who attacked you are already dead.” With that, she pulled out a handkerchief and lightly wiped her hands, as if she’d done nothing of consequence.

“Thank you for saving me, Miss. I will never forget such kindness. If you should ever need anything from me—” Gu Qingyi bowed low in gratitude. “I would go through fire and water for you!”

Murong Qingxue gave Gu Qingyi a frosty glance. “You don’t have the strength to help me. Not right now.”

“But someday, perhaps you will.” Her words slowed as she sized him up.

Gu Qingyi could only force a bitter smile. “Miss, are you teasing me?”

“There’s nothing special about me. I was just born with a defective gift. It’s a miracle I survived until now, let alone improved my cultivation.” He lowered his head, eyes full of resignation.

Murong Qingxue’s face darkened. “I don’t appreciate being lied to. Anyone who tries to deceive me always regrets it.”

“You’re my lifesaver. How could I ever lie to you? If even my honesty counts as lies, I guess I can’t win.” Gu Qingyi shook his head and heaved a helpless sigh.

Murong Qingxue’s tone softened. “Are you telling me you really don’t know what your talent is?”

Gu Qingyi met her cold gaze and answered quietly, “The Talent Stone never picked anything up—so it must mean I have a useless gift. Nothing more.”

Murong Qingxue couldn’t help but smirk. For a moment, even her thousand-year glacier heart seemed to crack.

“A useless talent, huh? If you’re a waste, what does that make the rest of this continent? Just because the Talent Stone couldn’t measure your gift doesn’t mean it’s useless.”

“There’s another possibility—your potential is so unfathomable the stone can’t read it. In your case, that’s exactly what’s happening. So do you still think you’re useless?”

Her eyes flashed with an icy glint. “Or maybe… you don’t even come from this continent at all!”

“How could that be? I was born right here! Of course I belong!” Gu Qingyi panicked, unable to meet her sharp gaze.

“Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Look at you, so nervous.” Murong Qingxue finally cracked a faint smile.

Her face turned serious again. “Remember what I’m about to tell you. When you reach the legendary Divine Realm, seek me out right here.”

“Then, I want you to guard the border of the human race for a thousand years! This is the promise between us.” Murong Qingxue stepped forward, then suddenly turned back, her eyes sharp as blades.

Gu Qingyi stared at her, completely dumbfounded. “Huh? Guard the human border for a thousand years?” He jumped up, warily eyeing her. “Just who are you, Miss? What’s your name?”

“My name is Murong Qingxue. As for who I am—that’s a story for another time. Now then, who are you?” She shot Gu Qingyi a glance.

“My name’s Gu Qingyi.” Gu Qingyi gave her an awkward smile, taking in her celestial beauty.

“Follow my lead.” Murong Qingxue turned away.

[Cultivation ranks of Sword Qi Continent: Ordinary Person, Sword Practitioner Realm, Sword Qi Realm, Sword Sea Realm, Sword King Realm, Sword Emperor Realm, Sword Saint Realm, (Demi-God Realm), Sword God Realm]

[The Demi-God Realm has never appeared in the world, so most have forgotten it exists. It’s also called the False God Realm, and is clearly recorded in the ancient scrolls of inheritance.]