Chapter 18: Fool, Prepare to Regret It

This entire spectacle was originally the scene in which Shi Muran met her demise, only that she and Shen Beijia’s interference altered part of the storyline.

In the original plot, after Zhai Zhe shattered the golden pill, Shi Muran’s Divine Phoenix bloodline would be stripped away.

Mo Zichuan himself would painstakingly peel off the Divine Phoenix bloodline and the root bone.

Literally, he would use a blade to carve away Shi Muran’s flesh and bones piece by piece until he found the root bone belonging to the Divine Phoenix!

The blood wouldn’t be wasted either; there was a special container upon which Shi Muran would be placed to absorb all the Divine Phoenix blood, which Zhai Zhe would then refine into a pill and feed to Jiang Wanwan.

Once the Divine Phoenix bloodline was completely stripped, Zhai Zhe would keep Shi Muran barely alive with the pill as if bestowing a meager mercy.

“To contribute to Wanwan’s success is your blessing. Considering you were once my disciple, our sect spares your life.”

Those words were spoken as if being kept alive was the highest honor for Shi Muran.

But to live like a ghost, neither fully human nor spirit, was far more agonizing!

Though it was the original plot, Shi Muran could vividly relive the experience as if she were there.

It only fueled her burning hatred for Zhai Zhe.

And that wasn’t all. After the three major factions came knocking, Jiang Wanwan’s sudden act of kindness was to hand over the divine medicinal treasure to Shi Muran.

Standing on the side of righteousness, she expressed a willingness to set aside past grievances and treat Shi Muran.

Her hope was that the divine medicine could restore Shi Muran’s foundation and make her the favored daughter of heaven once more.

For such a deed, the Heavenly Dao Sect unanimously praised Jiang Wanwan’s benevolence and cheered for her.

Yet just as Shi Muran received the divine medicine, she was expelled from the sect, hunted by the three great powers, and met a tragic demise, her cultivation destroyed!

Witnessing this ending, the crowd merely scoffed: “Hmph, as expected, a schemer is useless even when given a chance.”

“Even with Wanwan’s divine medicine, she couldn’t break through. She can’t even hold onto a thing—what’s not hers will never be hers!”

Such a painful experience.

Shi Muran couldn’t help but sigh, wondering just how much the author of this script despised the white lotus.

Though the system demanded she die according to the plot as a shield, Shi Muran refused to accept the original storyline in full.

From the moment she and Shen Beijia entered this world, they began to strategize, twisting the entire narrative.

The three great factions knew from the start where the divine medicine was and exposed Jiang Wanwan prematurely.

And what would the protagonist’s aura make her do?

Ignoring the frantic shouting in her mind from Cang Yuan begging her not to court death, Shi Muran turned her gaze toward Jiang Wanwan.

Suddenly, Jiang Wanwan surged forward on her sword and flew before Zhai Zhe, shouting loudly,

“Master! I have something to say!”

Zhai Zhe, who had been squabbling with Yi Xing and unaware of the commotion here, frowned slightly upon seeing Jiang Wanwan, but still nodded.

Tears welled up instantly in Jiang Wanwan’s eyes. “Master, I feel we have been too cruel to Shi Muran.”

“Though she has committed many mistakes, to descend the mountain wounded and untreated, she won’t survive!”

Hearing this, the forces outside stared at Jiang Wanwan, eager to see what she planned to do.

Shi Muran sent a reassuring glance toward Shen Beijia in the distance.

See? Jiang Wanwan would still, as in the original plot, hand over the item to her.

Only now, the divine medicine Jiang Wanwan gave was real, not the forged one from the original story.

With so many forces witnessing this, no matter how reluctant she was, Jiang Wanwan had to bring out the genuine article.

Yi Xing, once in possession of the treasure, could hardly be unaware of its true nature.

If Jiang Wanwan wanted to completely separate herself, she had no other choice.

Sure enough, before everyone, Jiang Wanwan took the legendary divine medicine from her space ring.

It was a herb resembling an ordinary ginseng; to the naked eye, it looked no different.

But with cultivation to inspect closely, one could see its roots faintly glowing with golden light.

Shan Qixiang’s eyes gleamed with greed. “This is the chance for ascension?”

“It’s definitely no simple thing. If only I could get half of it...”

Those who understood the significance of this divine medicine were all itching to seize it.

Jiang Wanwan clearly felt the heavy gazes from the great figures upon her, making her uneasy all over.

“I have a precious medicine here that might cure Shi Muran. This can fulfill the bond between us as fellow disciples!”

“I hope, under Master’s witness, to end the karma between us!”

Zhai Zhe, unsure of what to make of this, only gave a low hum after a long pause.

Looking at the divine medicine in her hand, which she hadn’t yet taken, Jiang Wanwan’s heart ached. Gritting her teeth, she flew toward Shi Muran.

Shangguan Yun, who was protecting Jiang Wanwan, instinctively raised a hand, but was blocked by Shi Muran.

Jiang Wanwan was so angry she nearly fainted, silently cursing Shangguan Yun.

Well, Shangguan Yun, you fawned over me before, but now you protect Shi Muran so thoroughly! After today, I refuse to believe you won’t come back to me!

“Senior sister, this is the last time I will call you that. Though we’ve had many misunderstandings, I still respect you.”

“This treasure was obtained by chance. Since your cultivation is ruined, it might offer you another chance to cultivate.”

“It’s not that our Heavenly Dao Sect is heartless. I believe you are a good person, but I still hope you won’t bring disgrace to the sect in the future.”

Jiang Wanwan spoke a string of kind words, all meant to showcase her righteousness and pure kindness to everyone.

After her speech, the disciples of the Heavenly Dao Sect truly believed her.

Perhaps some doubted—after all, her motives were too obvious, and anyone with sense could see something was amiss.

But this was currently the best decision for the sect. Everyone could see the three great powers had come solely for the divine medicine.

The Heavenly Dao Sect had already suffered too much; if they fought the other forces, it would only bring disaster.

If the three factions united and annihilated the sect, they would have nowhere to cry.

So even if they saw through it, they chose to pretend they did not.

“Is this our new senior sister? My goodness, she’s too kind!”

“I thought our new senior sister was too weak, but with a heart like hers, I accept her! As for strength, Big Senior Brother is enough to cover that!”

“What does Shi Muran deserve? Why does she get such kindness from Wanwan?”

“Sigh, the former senior sister really disappointed me, but at least Wanwan is good...”

Jiang Wanwan, initially uncertain, heard the disciples praising her just as she handed over the divine medicine to Shi Muran.

Her unease settled, and she looked at Shi Muran with pride.

Zhai Zhe still didn’t fully understand the divine medicine’s significance, but hearing the disciples’ praise, he thought Jiang Wanwan had done the right thing.

He waved his hand, ordering Shi Muran to leave the sect. He had to deal with the sudden assault from the three great powers and had no time for petty matters.

“Enough. Since you’ve been compensated, never set foot in the Heavenly Dao Sect again! Leave at once!”

Shi Muran held the divine medicine tightly, bowing her head to conceal the excitement shining in her eyes.

Hahaha, fools, regret it now.

“Very well.”