Ning Xi silently gave herself a thumbs-up…
It felt a bit cold.
A bit slippery.
That was Ning Xi's first impression when she grabbed Pei Bu Chen's wrist. The texture under her touch was strange—unlike the skin of a living person, more like grasping a smooth, hard piece of jade.
But she had no time to dwell on it, her mind solely focused on getting Pei Bu Chen away from this place.
Behind her, Pei Bu Chen remained silent, probably startled by her audacious move and unable to react in time.
She dragged Pei Bu Chen down five steps in one breath when a startled exclamation erupted behind them.
"Hey, there really is a crack!" the execution disciple exclaimed in surprise.
Ning Xi's steps faltered, nearly missing a step, but fortunately, the person behind her pulled her back.
The hand that had been gripping Pei Bu Chen's wrist was now held by him instead. Da Shi Xiong steadied her and let go once she was upright: "Be careful, Junior Sister."
He tilted his head to listen to the commotion on the Pou Xin Stage and also seemed surprised: "It seems they've discovered damage to the Poxin Hammer. Would you like to go see what happened?"
Ning Xi hadn't expected this turn of events and nodded blankly before following him back.
On the Pou Xin Stage, candle stands of all sizes were lit, illuminating the Poxin Hammer on the treasure rack. Its radiance shimmered, clearly no ordinary artifact.
Yet, a fine, winding crack marred the smooth surface of the hammer. Unless examined closely under candlelight, it would have gone unnoticed.
The disciple holding the candle close to inspect the Poxin Hammer saw Ning Xi and Pei Bu Chen returning and snorted coldly: "You were actually right."
Ning Xi thought for a moment before replying: "Perhaps the Poxin Hammer has deteriorated from long disuse."
The disciple remained skeptical, unwilling to let it go: "A top-grade immortal artifact like this, crafted from carefully selected materials with meticulous techniques—how could it just break? Isn't it more likely that someone intentionally damaged it to evade punishment?!"
Ning Xi thought to herself how unjust this accusation was.
In recent years, the Xian Sect had been peaceful, with few incidents. The Pou Xin Stage had fallen into disuse, visited only occasionally by outer sect disciples performing routine cleaning duties. Almost no one came near it.
Who could know how or when the hammer had been damaged?
"Neither of us are experts in artifacts, so arguing further is pointless," Pei Bu Chen said with a light laugh. "Why not hand it over to the Weapon Peak first? Let the elders there examine it and find a way to repair it."
With no other options, the Helian disciple replied sarcastically: "The Pou Xin punishment is postponed for now. But please remain calm, Fellow Daoist Pei. Until your suspicion is cleared, do not entertain any other ideas."
His words blatantly treated Pei Bu Chen as a suspect.
Ning Xi thought this person was truly detestable.
She also recognized him as the one who had earlier mocked her for being a "frivolous admirer," and she couldn't help but clench her fists.
While she stewed in indignation, the person in question, Pei Bu Chen, remained unperturbed. "Then I shall wait here for a while. However, someone must deliver the Poxin Hammer to the Weapon Peak. May I trouble you to make the trip, Fellow Daoist?"
The disciple's vanity was greatly flattered by such courtesy from the esteemed chief disciple of Baiyujing. Putting on airs, he hummed but still picked up the Poxin Hammer, summoned his Life-Bound Sword, leaped onto it, and rose into the air on his sword. In the blink of an eye, he reached the edge of the Pou Xin Stage.
The catastrophe struck at that very moment.
Boom—
With a deafening blast, the Poxin Hammer exploded. The hammer, the flying sword, and the disciple riding it were instantly shattered into fragments.
For a moment, flesh and blood flew everywhere, creating a scene of utter carnage.
Amid the chaos—cries for help, shouts for others, and general clamor—someone stood behind Ning Xi, sighed softly, and raised a hand to gently cover her eyes.
Pei Bu Chen remained courteous and proper, avoiding direct contact with her skin, instead using his wide sleeve to shield her vision.
A faint scent of white cherry blossoms drifted over, overwhelming the pervasive smell of blood.
"How could this…" Ning Xi's thoughts were in disarray.
"The Poxin Hammer must be compromised," Pei Bu Chen said calmly. "Someone doesn’t want it sent to Weapon Peak for inspection."
Ning Xi’s mind went blank for a moment before she grasped his meaning. "The Poxin Hammer wasn’t just worn out from age—it was deliberately sabotaged?"
Suddenly, it all made sense. No wonder such a precious and sturdy immortal artifact had cracked so easily, with no one noticing, and just before Da Shi Xiong was to be punished.
Pei Bu Chen chuckled softly.
Standing so close to shield her from the gruesome scene, his laughter seemed to brush right past her ear.
After a pause, he added, "So, Shimei didn’t know about this?"
Ning Xi didn’t know how to respond and could only manage a dry, "Ah."
Pei Bu Chen laughed again, as if her reply held some inexplicable amusement for him.
"Then, does Da Shi Xiong know who damaged the Poxin Hammer?"
"Probably someone who holds a grudge against me."
Hearing this unexpected answer, Ning Xi instinctively turned to meet Pei Bu Chen’s gentle smile.
Her thoughts raced like lightning.
Of course.
In recent years, the Pou Xin Stage had fallen into neglect, and the Poxin Hammer, as an ancient artifact, wasn’t easily damaged. An ordinary person wouldn’t go to such lengths for so little gain.
But if the goal was to harm Pei Bu Chen, that was another matter entirely.
He was Baiyujing’s Da Shi Xiong—a prodigy whose fall could benefit countless others. While many admired and adored him, just as many envied and resented him.
The human heart is inscrutable. Having lived through her previous life’s trials, Ning Xi understood this truth all too well.
A strange discomfort settled in her chest, and she couldn’t help stealing another glance at Pei Bu Chen.
The renowned Da Shi Xiong wore a refined, approachable smile, his skin pale as jade, save for the faint shadows beneath his eyes.
Logically, as a Golden Core cultivator with an eternally youthful appearance, dispelling such minor fatigue would be trivial. Yet, for some reason, he allowed the traces of his tireless work to remain.
Thinking back, Pei Bu Chen’s injury on the Pou Xin Stage in her past life wasn’t an accident—it was deliberate.
Who could harbor such deep hatred for him?
Da Shi Xiong was such a good person—protective of his peers, aiding those in distress, slaying demons to save lives… How could anyone wish him harm!
Her chest tight with emotion, Ning Xi blurted out, "I’ll help Da Shi Xiong find the culprit!"
Pei Bu Chen raised his brows in surprise, as if taken aback by her declaration.
In the narrow shadow cast by his sleeve, the young girl lifted her pale face, her heterochromatic eyes clear as amber, and stared at him earnestly. "I won’t let Da Shi Xiong die… or get hurt again. I’ll protect you!"
Pei Bu Chen fell silent for a moment, then smiled wryly.
His free hand lifted, hovering above her head as if to pat it, but he ultimately withdrew it and simply said, "Thank you, Shimei."
The sudden death of the He Lian Family disciple on the Pou Xin Stage alarmed the powerful figures gathered in Wen Xian Tang.
After Pei Bu Chen escorted Ning Xi off the stage, someone came to summon him. Though he had just narrowly escaped disaster at the Pou Xin Stage, he still had many matters to attend to.
He bid Ning Xi a polite farewell before hurriedly riding his sword away.
Ning Xi watched the vanishing speck of light disappear into the sky, only then realizing she had never even told him her name.
Scratching her head, Ning Xi was about to return to the Outer Sect Peak when melodious bell chimes rang out, accompanied by ethereal voices chanting: "Immortals approach—mortals make way—"
"Helian Tingchuan, acting head of Kunlun Hill, approaches—"
"Nan Gong Pei, elder of Kong Sang, approaches—"
"Gongsun Xie of Taiji Sword Sect approaches—"
"Holy Maiden He of Xiaoyao Medicine Sect approaches—"
…
The resonant voice announced over a dozen names in succession, all renowned great masters within the Xian Sect. Even someone like Ning Xi, who paid little attention to external affairs, recognized several familiar names.
She stood together with other Baiyujing disciples, respectfully bowing her head with lowered eyes to listen to the sect leader's address above. Occasionally pretending her neck was sore, she slightly raised her head to steal glances at the immortals riding swords among the clouds.
They were too far away for her to clearly see their faces, so she could only distinguish them by their sect uniforms.
Those wearing resplendent golden peony patterns with flowing crimson gauze robes naturally belonged to the Helian Family of Kunlun Hill, known for their love of magnificence and grandeur.
Ning Xi's sharp ears caught nearby discussions among disgruntled Helian disciples about handling matters after the Poxin Hammer's destruction.
With the Poxin Hammer destroyed, the originally scheduled interrogation of Pei Bu Chen had to be canceled. This order came directly from acting family head Helian Tingchuan, suppressing all dissatisfaction among Helian disciples as they followed instructions to collect their fallen comrades' remains.
In her previous life, Ning Xi had only superficial understanding of the complex relationships among noble families. Preferring tranquility, she had limited contact with outsiders and was only familiar with two people from Kunlun Hill's Helian Family: her father's former friend Helian Qingyu and her fiancé Helian Wei. Unfortunately, neither had come today.
After the immortals passed overhead, disciples gathered before Wen Xian Tang's square gradually dispersed in small groups. Though occasional whispers could be heard during the departure, order remained impeccable.
Amid the quietness, someone's call stood out distinctly: "Hey, were you the one who discovered the Poxin Hammer was damaged today?"
The approaching figure stood straight with high-ponytailed hair, narrow phoenix eyes tilted upward like a proud crane raising its head.
Ning Xi recognized her as the female cultivator who had earlier stood before the petitioning disciples, arguing vehemently with Helian cultivators.
The woman showed Ning Xi the token at her waist, introducing herself succinctly: "Lin Hening, disciple of Weapon Peak."
"Yes. May I ask why Sister Lin seeks me?"
Lin Hening said: "Drop the 'Sister' address. As an outer sect disciple, you don't qualify as a proper Baiyujing member."
Quite unfriendly from the start.
Ning Xi: "Oh."
Lin Hening stated: "I'm here under orders to investigate the Poxin Hammer's damage. Describe everything that happened today in detail."
Weapon Peak's investigation likely aimed to repair the hammer. Without suspicion, Ning Xi thought carefully and slowly recounted everything she remembered.
Lin Hening listened expressionlessly, offering no thanks before turning to leave immediately.
Accustomed to such condescending attitudes from inner sect disciples, Ning Xi didn't take it to heart and returned to the Outer Sect Peak along her original path.
After another stretch of walking, when she pushed open the door to the Disciple Residence, no lamps were lit inside—still pitch dark. Her roommates had likely all rushed off to see the commotion and hadn’t returned yet.
Ning Xi relied on her memory of hiding food and pulled out a paper-wrapped white steamed bun from under her pillow. She hastily took a few bites, washing it down with cold water, then collapsed onto the bed to sleep.
Before closing her eyes, her heart swelled with a sense of happiness.
On the first day of her rebirth, she had already prevented Da Shi Xiong from ascending the Pou Xin Stage. Since Da Shi Xiong remained unharmed, it wouldn’t spark conflicts between Baiyujing and other Xian Sects. This way, when the demonic creatures attacked in the future, Baiyujing wouldn’t be left isolated and helpless.
Ning Xi silently gave herself a thumbs-up under the covers.
Next, she needed to worry about the demonic assault on Baiyujing—how could she prevent the tragic annihilation of her sect from her previous life?
However, the demon invasion was scheduled for early spring, three months later, in the 84th year of Tian Shu. She still had plenty of time to prepare.
The more she thought, the drowsier she became. Her mind grew muddled, and she gradually drifted off to sleep.
Until midnight, when the Xuanhuang Bell suddenly tolled loudly.
Ning Xi nearly tumbled off the bed, her spirit instantly clear and alert.
That bell, that bell—
In her previous life, it was after this majestic bell had rung that demonic evils broke into Baiyujing!
Kneeling on her bed, Ning Xi’s mind was consumed by a single thought: How could it be so soon