Chapter 12: What a Huge Unfair Accusation
[Story Quest: Feign Death and Escape, Survive Until the End (Incomplete)]
...
The Crematorium System offers great freedom. Before the torturous early stages of the crematorium mode begin, the final story quest always has only one goal: survive until the very end.
Because only by surviving the final death scene can Shi Murong truly start collecting regret points and achieve the crematorium achievement.
During this period, the host faces no restrictions in what actions to take; how the story changes depends entirely on Shi Murong’s abilities.
"Do I have enough points to exchange for the feigned death escape?"
Looking at the over 400,000 points in her account, Shi Murong felt quite wealthy.
After successfully seizing a great opportunity, the system generously awarded points.
Feigning death in front of the entire Celestial Dao Sect would not be easy for Shi Murong alone.
After all, she was only at the Golden Core stage; to pull off a trick before a group of much stronger cultivators without a protagonist’s aura, she could only lightly use cheats.
For this goal, she had been saving points to exchange for items.
[Ding! The “Perfect Death Shield” item requires 888,888 points. Considering the host’s situation, a newbie discount applies, now only 444,444 points!]
[Ding! Exchange failed. Please keep striving, host!]
Shi Murong’s smile froze as she pondered for a moment.
By this calculation, she was still short on points.
“Such a rip-off, one item costs so much.”
Originally feeling rich, Shi Murong suddenly felt poor.
So the points given were generous, but the items were outrageously expensive—even with newbie discounts.
She had to work harder to earn points! The original death scene was approaching quickly.
She hoped Jiang Wanwan’s mischief would help her earn points faster so she could exchange for the item sooner.
In the system’s store, there was nothing Shi Murong couldn’t think of and nothing she couldn’t buy.
Especially treasures that could boost her strength—she craved them deeply.
In a world ruled by the strong, her realm was truly insufficient; she urgently needed to grow stronger.
Just as she was thinking this, a rumbling sound suddenly arose.
“Boom!”
Like thunder exploding or mountains and seas collapsing.
The area where Shi Murong was confined suddenly rose upward, and a strong, dazzling light shone from above, striking her face.
---
The ancient stone wall sealing the Nine Nether Cave split open as if cleaved by a great force, forming a huge gap!
Trapped inside like a caged beast, Shi Murong looked up to see a group of Celestial Dao Sect disciples towering above, their fury blazing.
Then she saw Zhai Zhe, upright and righteous, his immortal demeanor shining brilliantly in the sunlight, leading four inner sect elders flying on swords at the highest point, looking down on her with disdain.
“Traitor, do you know your crimes?”
His voice was void and ethereal, like an immortal descending to the mortal world, his immense pressure sweeping over Shi Murong.
At that moment, Shi Murong stood in darkness while the light in front of her passed judgment.
Her figure was shrouded in shadow, only her stubborn little face illuminated by the glaring light, which was so close yet alien to her.
She wondered how the Celestial Dao Sect’s discipline had deteriorated to such an extent, mobilizing so many people—anyone unaware would think she had committed an unforgivable crime.
Hearing this familiar accusation, seeing the massive expedition against her, Shi Murong felt a chill run through her body.
She felt as if she were the obedient child her elders had hoped to see, only to be hurt again.
The joy and grievance she had felt toward Zhai Zhe vanished in an instant.
From now on, she no longer harbored any hope for these people.
Her back straightened, her face twisted into a mocking smile as she repeated words she had once said: “Disciple, what crime have I committed?”
Seeing this obstinate attitude, Zhai Zhe frowned displeasedly. “Hmm? Stubborn to the end!”
In an instant, the atmosphere grew tense.
Among the crowd, Shangguan Yun paced anxiously, clenching and unclenching his fists repeatedly, revealing his restless heart.
He was the first to see the flicker of hope in Shi Murong’s eyes and the full change of expression—at this moment, he felt immense heartache.
“So Senior Sister has been bearing all this blame all along?”
No wonder she changed, no wonder she disliked him.
So this was how they had all hurt her!
Look! She genuinely knew nothing! How could the sect leader not know?
That Jiang Wanwan was clearly hiding something!
And Mo Zichuan, he obviously knew, too!
Having seen through Jiang Wanwan’s disguise, yet still trying to cover up and frame Senior Sister!
He must find a way to help Senior Sister!
In the entire sect, only Shangguan Yun cared for Senior Sister the most!
Only he could save her now!
His protective instincts fully ignited, he cast hostile looks at Jiang Wanwan and Mo Zichuan.
---
“Traitor, will you continue to deny it?”
The tense standoff between Zhai Zhe and Shi Murong was broken by Zhai Zhe’s angry outburst.
His authoritative voice shocked Shi Murong, knocking her back against the cage.
“Pfft!”
Shi Murong’s pale face spat out blood, but her stubborn and mocking expression only grew stronger!
Struggling against the oppressive pressure, she trembled as she rose, her frail body swaying slightly.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
“Traitor? Hah.”
Shi Murong sneered bitterly. “Sect leader, you jest. I am merely a sinner expelled to the outer sect, not your disciple.”
Her strength intertwined with fragility, breaking hearts and piercing the crowd with pain.
Zhai Zhe felt uneasy, his fury flaring as he raised his hand to teach Shi Murong a lesson.
At that moment, Mo Zichuan rushed forward, ostensibly shouting at Shi Murong but actually blocking Zhai Zhe’s attack.
“Sect sinner Shi Murong, you damaged the seal and released the Beast King, endangering the sect—do you know your crime!?”
As he spoke, he winked at Shi Murong, signaling her to admit guilt quickly.
The master still cared deep down; if she confessed, the master would surely stop further punishment.
No matter how disappointed, Mo Zichuan could never bear to abandon Shi Murong.
He couldn’t help but watch over her, feeling heartache for her.
“Senior Sister, everyone knows you did it. As long as you admit it, you’ll remain the master’s disciple. Big troubles will be minimized, small troubles resolved—don’t be so stubborn!”
Seemingly fearing Shi Murong didn’t grasp the stakes, Mo Zichuan reminded her explicitly.
But Shi Murong only found this unbearably ironic.
What a monstrous load of blame.
Was she supposed to be grateful for carrying such a black pot on her back?
“Oh? So if I confess, you won’t hassle me anymore and restore all I once had?”
“Why has your face turned so pale, junior brother?” Shi Murong tilted her head, her gaze sincere.
“If I confess as you say, are you planning to let me continue to endure so-called punishment and atonement? Will I have to destroy my cultivation, or sever my future?”
“Or is it just a pretext for punishment, to hand over the fading Divine Phoenix bloodline to someone who needs it more? ... Like Jiang Wanwan?”