Volume One, Chapter 12: Without Me, Who Would Know Who You Are?

“Don’t call me ‘Master’s Wife’ anymore. From now on, if you acknowledge me, call me ‘White Immortal.’ If not, then we are strangers.”

Spare them from death was already an act of mercy, given that she had raised them since childhood. But from now on, they must never provoke her again.

Otherwise, she would show no mercy.

With a flick of her hand, the Thunderstrike Blade landed firmly in her grasp.

With her Nascent Soul cultivation, how could these junior disciples possibly resist?

“Hand over all the magical artifacts and spirit treasures I gave you. Don’t make me take them personally.”

Her voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable authority. The crowd exchanged terrified glances, their confusion, panic, and anger evident at White Immortal’s sudden change in demeanor.

All the weapons and magical tools they held were originally crafted by White Immortal herself.

“White Immortal, you’re going too far!” Yuan Lingqing immediately stepped forward to rebuke her, an inexplicable unease stirring within.

Master Chenqing had only these two disciples. As a wandering hermit, his whereabouts were uncertain, and for a century, they had depended on each other.

And now, over such a trivial matter, White Immortal was severing ties with him?

Or perhaps...

His gaze darkened as it shifted to Jiu Ze.

“Is it because of... him?”

“Oh, and you too,” White Immortal said coldly, glancing at Jiu Ze before pulling him slightly behind her. “Your destined magical artifact was also made by me, and out of mercy, I gifted it to you. But the seven other treasures you carry should be returned in full, shouldn’t they?”

“You...”

“What? Without my little crafts, you think Yunqing Sect can’t survive?”

That remark utterly enraged Yuan Lingqing.

“There isn’t only you in the world who can forge magical artifacts! Don’t think you’re so indispensable!”

Her words failed to stir even a flicker within White Immortal’s heart.

“Of course, I’m sure you’ll find some sucker willing to craft pills and artifacts for free.”

She smiled faintly, emphasizing the word ‘free.’

Seeing that indifferent smile, Yuan Lingqing felt a hollow emptiness and instinctively softened his tone.

“Don’t be so angry. It’s just a small matter; there’s no need to take it so seriously.”

“Hand them over. I won’t say it twice.”

“You...”

Yuan Lingqing’s face flushed with rage as he reluctantly took out the seven magical treasures and tossed them at White Immortal’s feet.

Seeing their master surrender his treasures, the junior disciples also unwillingly retrieved theirs and handed them over with heavy hearts.

After a quick count, White Immortal nodded in acknowledgment.

Her gaze then turned cold as she looked toward Lin Caibing, who was cradled in Zhou Yan’s arms.

“Lin Caibing, Miss Lin, do you want me to take action myself?”

Lin Caibing trembled upon being singled out.

She knew exactly how all the magical treasures, artifacts, and pills she possessed had come into her hands.

“Bing’er, give it to her. If you ever want anything else, your master will buy it for you. We don’t need those worthless scraps she made!”

Yuan Lingqing’s defiant spirit remained strong as he held the empty spirit stone box, still managing to appear resolute.

“But...”

Lin Caibing’s voice wavered, not from fear but from the deep hatred and unwillingness she felt.

Why...

Why must everything that belonged to her since childhood be taken away?

Not even from her own brother would she forgive such injustice...

Clenching her fists tightly, she struggled to suppress the strange, surging anger within and softened her voice, almost weeping.

“Master, I know you’re angry with me. Bing’er apologizes. You are still our master, forever...”

“While I still consider you human, please try to act a little more respectable.”

White Immortal stepped forward, her intimidating presence overwhelming.

Yuan Lingqing instinctively shielded Lin Caibing behind him, the scene chilling to witness.

Biting her lip, Lin Caibing reluctantly took out the items one by one.

White Immortal glanced over them—fifteen in total.

The crowd displayed a variety of expressions upon seeing the quantity and quality.

“You really have been spoiling your little disciple with all my good things over the years.”

White Immortal gathered all the items into her spatial ring and turned to leave.

Fortunately, the ring’s space was large enough; otherwise, it couldn’t have held so many treasures.

“White Immortal! Don’t regret this! You think that after leaving Yunqing Sect and mingling with the demon clan, anyone will still look at you with respect?”

“Sorry, you’ve got it backwards. Without me, White Immortal, who else would even know what a third-rate sect Yunqing is?”

White Immortal pulled Jiu Ze along for a few steps, then suddenly remembered something.

“Oh, you’re planning to go to Canglang Mountain, right? Then you better hurry up and equip your good disciples with proper weapons!”

With that, she glanced coldly at the empty-handed disciples and sneered.

She took out the Void-Breaking Mirror, and with a flash of ghostly light, the two vanished from the spot.

The crowd stared silently in the direction she disappeared.

“How did our master become like this?” Cheng Yang suddenly exploded with anger, unaware of the dark expression on Yuan Lingqing’s face.

“Abandoning us in our hour of need, breaking ties, stealing spirit stones and treasures, and now flaunting that demon boy around Yunqing Sect as if he belongs here!”

He rambled on, but no one dared to continue his words.

...

Two figures landed outside Wutang Town.

“Let’s go,” White Immortal said softly.

Seeing her in a bad mood, Jiu Ze unusually refrained from teasing.

So many of the magical artifacts and pills had been made by White Immortal herself, and witnessing the others’ attitude toward her, Jiu Ze didn’t know what to say, only feeling a strange mixture of respect and regret.

“Master, will you teach me how to refine pills and forge artifacts?”

Hearing that title, White Immortal paused.

“What did you call me?”

“Uh... I mean, I want to learn pill refining and artifact forging.”

Jiu Ze’s ears turned red as he awkwardly looked away.

White Immortal’s once icy heart suddenly warmed.

“Good. But you’ll have to endure hardships. Are you afraid?”

“What hardships am I afraid of?!”

“You’re stubborn, aren’t you?”

The two walked toward the small town, talking and laughing.

“Let’s stay here for now.”

This was the most remote inn in Wutang Town—quiet and secluded.

“Are you really never going back to Yunqing Sect?”

Jiu Ze asked calmly, holding an entire roasted chicken, his cheeks puffed out, though a trace of nervousness lingered beneath.

Despite the day’s events, no one at Yunqing Sect had spoken out, but their hostile gazes were unmistakable.

Especially Yuan Lingqing’s, which felt as if it could pierce through him a hundred times.

White Immortal ate slowly, “Being a wandering cultivator isn’t bad. Traveling and training with a mischievous disciple like you isn’t too bad either.

Starting tomorrow, training will intensify. Be prepared—I’m very strict.”

Hearing this, Jiu Ze bit into the chicken, snorted coldly, and looked away, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward unconsciously.

As night fell, White Immortal sat cross-legged in her room, meditating, when suddenly she felt something and abruptly opened her eyes.

That familiar aura was...

Her eyes brightened, and without a sound, she vanished from the room.