Sang Ruo watched Rong Ji leave, her eyes lowering slightly as she quietly finished the meal on the table.
Not long after Rong Ji departed, Lan Shijiu and Jilan knocked on the door. Sang Ruo invited them in. Compared to Sang Ruo’s memories of them, both girls had changed, appearing much more mature.
Sang Ruo had reviewed their profiles through the System. Lan Shijiu was responsible for managing the God-Worshiping Land in Rong Ji’s absence, occasionally traveling to the Central Plains to report on her duties. Jilan, having shown a natural talent for finance, had studied under the court officials before following Rong Ji to the Central Plains to manage her affairs. Now, even within the cultivation world, they were figures of significant influence.
Upon entering, they bowed to Sang Ruo, looking somewhat constrained. After all, ten years had passed. While Sang Ruo had left a profound impression on their memories, their actual time spent together had been brief. Nevertheless, they were genuinely happy to see her.
“Sit,” Sang Ruo said.
From Lan Shijiu and Jilan, Sang Ruo gained a general understanding of Rong Ji’s life over the past decade.
On that day in the God-Worshiping Land, Sang Ruo had inexplicably lost all vital signs, and Helian Yun had used a teleportation talisman to escape. Rong Ji had stood her ground against all opposition, suppressing rumors that Sang Ruo was a major suspect and sealing Sang Ruo’s body within an ice coffin. To investigate the events of that day, Rong Ji had defied ancestral ancestral mandates to open the Great Array. The small island, secluded for thousands of years, returned to the eyes of the world.
“It was not merely an impulsive act,” Lan Shijiu explained. “The High Priestess said that the efficacy of the Great Array had been declining in recent years. Furthermore, with Helian Yun escaping to the outside world, it was inevitable that he would gather strength to move against us. Rather than waiting passively, it was better to strike first.”
Jilan agreed. “Facts proved that the High Priestess’s decision was correct. Helian Yun indeed gathered forces and watched us like a hawk.”
“And Helian Yun’s personal character is exceptionally poor!” Lan Shijiu added indignantly.
During their time in Ganmu City, Lan Shijiu had somewhat admired Helian Yun. However, after leaving the city and seeing the data on him, her disillusionment was severe. Helian Yun not only frequently committed murder for treasure, but he also deceived so many girls. Among those girls, some were ambitious and stayed with him voluntarily, but many more were coerced, lied to, or manipulated.
“But that is wrong,” Lan Shijiu continued. “Love that can be divided into so many portions is not love. Following such a person would never bring them the happiness they sought. The High Priestess sought out those who had blood feuds or shared interests against Helian Yun, while also persuading those girls to turn back. She actually managed to convince many of them.”
Since those girls had caught Helian Yun’s eye, they were naturally the best in their respective fields. They had their own pride; many had felt vaguely uncomfortable but were blinded by the prevailing environment. Once someone woke them up, these talented daughters of the cultivation world realized that while their love had been real, they felt no regret in discarding a man who built his success on women.
“In the end, the two forces reached a stalemate, though the High Priestess actually held the upper hand. After years of tug-of-war, the curtain finally fell a few days ago.” That was also the moment Sang Ruo had awakened from her slumber.
Sang Ruo found this interesting. Did Helian Yun’s end count as karmic retribution? He was ambitious, wanting to stand at the peak of the cultivation world with beauties in his arms. Yet, while climbing the ladder and trying to pull others down to use as stepping stones, the steps beneath him vanished, sending him into an abyss.
If something belonged to him, it was his; if it did not, no amount of scheming or dirty methods would keep it. This feeling of things being set right was quite pleasant.
After chatting for a while, Sang Ruo pretended to be tired.
Lan Shijiu asked directly, “Are you sleepy? Should we leave so you can rest?”
Jilan was more observant. Catching a glimpse of a hickey on Sang Ruo’s neck, she lowered her head in embarrassment and tugged on Lan Shijiu’s sleeve. The two took their leave.
Before departing, Jilan hesitated for a moment and whispered, “Benefactor, at the beginning, we all thought the High Priestess had lost her mind. She visited you almost every single day. She even brought you with her during the campaign against Helian Yun.”
Sang Ruo raised an eyebrow. “What are you trying to say?”
Jilan summoned her courage. “She truly loves and treasures you.” After saying this, she apologized and pulled Lan Shijiu away, carefully closing the door behind them.
The System asked cautiously: 【Are you angry?】
“Why would I be angry?” Sang Ruo replied.
【It is good that you are not angry.】 The System paused, then could not help but ask, 【What do you plan to do? Honestly, since the protagonist has been weakened and the target is no longer in danger, you could choose to log out directly.】
Sang Ruo shook her head slowly, sipping her tea with an unreadable gaze. “I need a few days to think.”
She needed to think about how to handle her relationship with Rong Ji. On one hand, learning of Rong Ji’s feelings left her caught off guard. On the other hand, Rong Ji was a dear friend she had forgotten. Once she recovered her missing soul fragments and remembered everything, how would the two of them interact?
The following days were calm. Recently, there were signs of demonic intrusion. Consequently, while Rong Ji negotiated with other sects on how to distribute Helian Yun’s remaining assets, she also had to discuss strategies against the demons. She was busy every day.
After the execution of Mei Si, the legacy Mei Si had hidden returned to Rong Ji’s hands. She had directly inherited the cultivation of the previous High Priestess, making her a top figure even in the wider cultivation world. However, others from Ganmu City were different; most had thin bloodlines and lacked cultivation methods, so their overall strength was lower than other factions. Dealing with these major powers required significant effort from Rong Ji.
According to Jilan, who visited Sang Ruo from time to time, Rong Ji worked until late every night. Despite this, she still ate with Sang Ruo daily and shared interesting stories, never crossing any boundaries.
Sang Ruo was thoughtful. Rong Ji did not overly restrict her freedom either. The God-Worshiping Land now held a city in the cultivation world as a base called Fuqu City. As long as she stayed within the city, Sang Ruo could move as she pleased, provided she took along the two powerful attendants Rong Ji had assigned to her.
The two attendants were sisters from the Bamboo Tribe, Zhu Shiyi and Zhu Shier. Zhu Shiyi was cold and detached, while Zhu Shier was lively and talkative. Before long, Sang Ruo had unintentionally befriended Zhu Shier.
Feeling cooped up in her room, Sang Ruo often went out. One day, hearing there was a temple fair in the city, she went to join the festivities without informing Rong Ji. She knew her movements would be reported regardless.
The fair was indeed lively. After wandering for a while, Sang Ruo casually bought a piece of blood jade to wear, though she felt somewhat bored. Just as she was preparing to return, a young girl in red blocked her path. The girl was strikingly beautiful with a fine figure, her brow carrying the arrogance of someone used to being pampered, though she was not entirely unlikable.
“Hey, you are the one the High Priestess of the God-Worshiping Land is hiding…”
Sang Ruo looked at Zhu Shier, who whispered an answer. “This is Xuan Huaiyu, the daughter of the City Lord of Sumeru City.”
The cultivation world was divided into the Central Plains and the Western Demon Realm. The Central Plains consisted of twenty-seven cities mostly populated by righteous cultivators. Sumeru City was mid-tier—neither exceptionally powerful nor at the bottom. However, as the City Lord’s daughter, Xuan Huaiyu’s starting point and vision far exceeded that of ordinary people.
Even staying in the palace, Sang Ruo had heard rumors about Xuan Huaiyu. It was said that Rong Ji had once saved her. Initially, she was stubborn and refused to be grateful, but she was eventually won over and began relentlessly pursuing Rong Ji. With the demonic intrusion, various city lords had come to Fuqu City to discuss matters, and Xuan Huaiyu had followed. Her purpose was self-evident.
Seeing she was being ignored, Xuan Huaiyu puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction. “You do not ask me, yet you talk to the attendant next to you.”
Sang Ruo gave her a quiet look. For some reason, Xuan Huaiyu’s resentment and jealousy momentarily faltered.
In a city, news could never be kept secret. People of status like her knew that the powerhouse who had appeared out of nowhere a few years ago was recently keeping a “canary” in her chambers. Hearing this, Xuan Huaiyu’s jealousy nearly boiled over. The High Priestess was a mysterious person. No one knew her name or her face; they only saw those cold, beautiful eyes and heard that aloof voice. Even Xuan Huaiyu, who chased her daily, had not moved her in the slightest.
Could such a person really keep a “canary”? Xuan Huaiyu found it hard to imagine. But it had happened. Ever since hearing the news, she wondered what kind of celestial beauty could captivate someone as indifferent as a snow-capped mountain. But the High Priestess protected her too well, clearing the area whenever she went out. It was only because of this temple fair and the High Priestess being tied up with business that she found an opportunity to rush here after hearing a report from her subordinates.
Now that she saw her, it was indeed unexpected. She was not the flirtatious or vulgar woman she had imagined. The woman was exceptionally beautiful in a way that felt almost aggressive. She wore a black robe embroidered with gold thread, her hair simply pinned with a jade hairpin. Her dark, deep eyes suppressed the sharpness of her features, making her appear more reserved.
It seemed possible that the High Priestess could fall for a woman of such grace. Unfortunately, she could not sense any cultivation from her; she was likely just an ordinary person. Xuan Huaiyu felt a bit of pity. How many couples with such a vast difference in status could last? Either internal cracks would form, or the weaker party would die at the hands of an enemy.
Seeing the other party about to leave, Xuan Huaiyu called out, “Hey, what is your name?”
Sang Ruo paused, her fingers lightly brushing the jade pendant at her waist. “I do not give my name to rude people who address others with ‘Hey’.”
With that, Xuan Huaiyu watched as the woman walked right past her. She was truly angry now; a favored daughter of heaven had never been so disrespected. She turned to call her back, but her steps immediately froze.
At the end of the road, she saw a white figure who should not have been there. The High Priestess.
The people at the fair made way as the High Priestess walked up to Sang Ruo. Xuan Huaiyu had never heard the High Priestess speak in such a gentle tone.
“Why have you come out?”