The Ancient Path of Ruthlessness is the purest and simplest divine path in the world.
All beings in the Three Realms cultivate immortality, from immortals and demons to gods, enduring Tribulation Thunder repeatedly to break through each realm, ultimately achieving godhood.
However, the Ancient Path of Ruthlessness is not like this—it is a great Dao law that exists within the ancient true gods.
All living beings are born with love threads, and those with love threads find it difficult to maintain a purely unwavering Dao Heart. The great Dao is vast, and those who fail to transcend the tribulation of love will perish. Even those who kill their wives and children to prove their Dao have, over millions of years, never achieved godhood through such means.
The Path of Ruthlessness itself is the sole exception—it allows Cultivators to be devoid of emotion and love. Without needing to endure tribulations, their Cultivation advances by leaps and bounds.
Achieving godhood takes merely a century.
Only a phoenix reborn from nirvana can, by a twist of fate, cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness. No other cultivation method suits her as well as this one.
Qu Xuanzi explained patiently: "The great Dao is inherently ruthless, yet it shows compassion to all things. Cultivating the Path of Ruthlessness allows one to achieve godhood the fastest, without suffering the agony of Heavenly Thunder. But Su Su, if you cultivate this path, you will never again experience the feeling of loving someone."
You will feel compassion for all living beings, yet you will never develop affection for any single person in this world.
Su Su's fingers curled slightly, her eyes momentarily dazed.
Then, those past experiences will gradually fade away, won't they?
She will be able to feel joy and all beautiful emotions, but the memories of her time in the mortal realm will slowly dissipate. Isn't this the path she has always sought?
"Su Su, do you choose it?"
Unnecessary attachments—she ought to forget them all.
Even if she doesn't forget, she has no desire to remember.
Su Su turned to look at Qu Xuanzi and nodded.
She would cultivate the Ruthless Divine Path.
Romantic love is the most illusory thing in the world. She once dared not let herself fall in love, yet when she began to succumb to it, she was forced to kill Tantai Jin.
Used, imprisoned, abandoned...
Since this was her original intention all along, what could be wrong with cultivating the Path of Ruthlessness?
When she stepped out of Qu Xuanzi's hall, a tall, straight-backed figure in white was waiting for her.
"Fuyai." She patted his shoulder and called out to him with a smile.
The youth turned around—it was Yue Fuyai.
Usually rigid and stern, he alone showed a rare hint of shyness when facing her: "Are you still angry with me?"
"Angry about what?"
After a pause, Su Su found the reason in her memories.
"Because you mistook me for someone else?"
It was quite a coincidence—in Yue Fuyai's memories from before he entered the Immortal Path, there was also someone named Li Susu.
Yue Fuyai nodded.
Su Su curved her eyes: "I'm not angry anymore."
The maiden in white had clear, pure eyes, her long skirt trailing on the ground, the cinnabar between her brows as vibrant as fire. The wind rustled the jade-green bells at her waist, tinkling softly.
Yue Fuyai had long known she was beautiful—even before she came of age, her beauty was the talk of their sect, inspiring admiration and longing. Yet, it was only now that he truly acknowledged her loveliness.
He couldn't help but turn his head away, avoiding her gaze.
No.
He suppressed his chaotic heartbeat. Long ago, when his heart first stirred, he had already met someone he loved. That person carried him on her back to escape the abyss, and together they witnessed the last god in the world.
Even if his senior sister shared the same name, he must not waver.
The white-robed Cultivator stiffened his expression and departed on his sword toward the foot of the Immortal Peak.
Su Su used to prefer living on Changze Immortal Mountain. Changze was tranquil, the highest peak in Hengyang Immortal Realm, and naturally felt familiar to her with its phoenix trees.But this time upon returning, she had too many people and things she missed, so instead of staying at Changze Mountain, she resided in the place where she had learned her skills as a child.
Bamboo flowers bloomed among the bamboo grove, giving the place its name—Bamboo Flower Abode.
Su Su began to study and comprehend the Path of Ruthlessness.
Since her "seclusion ended," people came to see her almost every day, sometimes bringing delicious food, sometimes fun trinkets.
Not far from Bamboo Flower Abode was the guest reception area of the Hengyang Immortal Realm. Recently, Su Su often saw shimmering rosy glows, indicating that the guest quarters were gradually filling with people.
Su Su asked her senior sister who had come to visit her.
"Is something major happening at the Hengyang Sect?"
The senior sister glanced at her with a smile. "You silly, have you forgotten about the Immortal Realm Grand Competition?"
Su Su was momentarily stunned.
So, the centennial competition was still being held?
In her past memories, demonic beasts ran rampant, and the Immortal Realm was barely surviving like rats hiding from the light, with cultivation being extremely difficult.
The centennial Immortal Sect Grand Competition had long ceased to be held.
Only by dispersing could the immortals have a greater chance of survival.
Yet now, the Immortal Sect Grand Competition had persisted, with all notable sects gathering at the Hengyang Sect.
Su Su had once heard the curved jade speak of it.
The Immortal Sect Grand Competition had been preserved for thousands of years for two reasons:
First, the disciples participating in the competition must have a cultivation level below the Nascent Soul stage. This meant that almost all participants were young, exceptionally talented Fairies and Immortal Lords from their respective sects. The various sects could spar with one another and unite to combat the demonic beasts plaguing the world.
Second, each Immortal Sect Grand Competition would award the ultimate victor a treasure. The lowest grade of these treasures would be rare spiritual artifacts, and there were even instances of Immortal Artifacts or supreme-grade Pills—all items that were hard to come by.
Winning the competition not only brought glory to one's sect but also secured a stroke of fortune for oneself.
"Right," the Fairy senior sister said with a smile. "The top prize for this competition is the legendary Soul Calming Lantern!"
"Soul Calming Lantern," Su Su repeated softly. Was it the legendary Soul Calming Lantern that could retrieve lost Souls?
The Fairy said, "In the previous two Immortal Sect Grand Competitions, Senior Brother Gongye became renowned across the Three Realms for his astonishing talent. However, he won't be participating in this competition anymore, as he has broken through the Golden Core stage and reached the Nascent Soul level in cultivation. You and Fuyai, though, could give it a try."
Many sect elders only possessed Nascent Soul level cultivation, so such a prodigy was truly enviable and admirable.
Heeding her senior sister's words, Su Su paid closer attention and noticed that the Hengyang Immortal Realm was indeed bustling with activity.
This competition was being held within the Hengyang Sect, and everyone from the sect leader down to the outer disciples took it very seriously. Whenever a sect leader or elder arrived with their young disciples, the Hengyang Sect would immediately guide and accommodate them.
As Su Su had begun cultivating the Path of Ruthlessness, she naturally would not participate in such contests.
However, one night, a sword-embracing youth sat under the moonlight outside her room.
The youth gripped his spiritual sword and glanced at her.
"Everyone has prepared gifts for your emergence from seclusion. I will go win the Soul Calming Lantern for you."
Su Su propped her chin on her hand, smiling brightly as she watched him from the window.
"Alright, do your best, Fuyai!"
Yue Fuyai pressed his lips together, ignoring the faint amusement in her eyes, and left using Sword Control.
Seeing how solemn he was, Su Su found it somewhat amusing.
Fuyai... somehow gave her a familiar feeling, though she couldn't pinpoint where it came from.
She believed in Fuyai's strength. Although her junior brother wasn't as naturally gifted as Gongye Jiewu, he was diligent and hardworking.
Perhaps her junior brother would truly win the Soul Calming Lantern.
*Su Su's name was originally on the competition list.
Qu Xuanzi knew his daughter had just begun cultivating the Path of Ruthlessness. As the Divine Path was inherently domineering and formidable, Su Su needed time to comprehend it thoroughly. To avoid unfairness to others, Qu Xuanzi instructed the elders to remove Su Su's name, allowing another young disciple to participate instead.
On the Chixiao Sect's side, Cen Mixuan pursed her lips in displeasure upon hearing the news and said, "Are you telling me that Immortal Venerable Li's daughter isn't participating, so I can only compete with a bunch of trash from other Immortal Sects?"
Hearing her refer to other disciples as "trash," Yingzhuang quickly lowered his voice and said, "Junior Sister! You mustn't speak like that."
Cen Mixuan snorted.
In her view, having come from the Upper Clarity Immortal Realm, these people truly weren't worthy of competing with her. The only one with a higher status than her was the daughter of the Hengyang Sect's leader.
Qu Xuanzi possessed profound cultivation, and the Hengyang Sect had always been renowned for its steadfast Dao Heart.
The Chixiao Sect leader hoped Cen Mixuan would come to the Hengyang Immortal Realm to cultivate her Dao Heart and honor Qu Xuanzi as her master. Since Qu Xuanzi didn't accept disciples easily, Cen Mixuan wanted to demonstrate her abilities to this Immortal Venerable.
Before coming, she had gone to great lengths to gather information about Li Susu, intending to surpass her in both appearance and cultivation. Naturally, she was displeased to find her efforts had been in vain.
Yingzhuang couldn't afford to be angry with her and carefully explained, "Besides the disciples from the Chongxu Sect and Cuishan Sect, one of Junior Sister's opponents is a disciple of Leader Li, also Gongye Jiewu's junior brother, named Yue Fuyai. I've heard he's young but quite accomplished, already at the Golden Core stage. Junior Sister, protect yourself and don't underestimate him."
"Gongye Jiewu's junior brother?" Cen Mixuan's eyes lit up with interest. "So he's also Li Susu's junior brother."
She stroked the newly acquired Immortal Artifact in her hand and curled her lips into a smile.
"Without Gongye Jiewu and Li Susu, facing this Yue Fuyai will still be worthwhile. Senior Brother Ying, don't worry. I won't lose."
Yingzhuang had no doubt about her claim that she wouldn't lose.
He glanced at the whip in Cen Mixuan's hand—a mid-grade Immortal Artifact. The Immortal Sect competition didn't restrict what weapons disciples could use; the only rules were to stop at the point of contact and avoid causing injury.
Having a superior weapon was considered part of one's capability and fortune, counted among their overall strength.
Cen Mixuan had come prepared. Her cultivation was already solid, and with the mid-grade Immortal Artifact and the spirit pills her master had given her, she had no match among disciples below the Nascent Soul stage.
No matter how talented Yue Fuyai was, he couldn't compare to Junior Sister's innate advantages.
The next day, the competition officially began.
Early in the morning, Su Su spotted a bright figure among the bamboo blossoms—an old acquaintance with spirited, charming features: Yaoguang.
"Senior Sister Yaoguang."
Yaoguang affectionately took her hand. "Su Su, no cultivation today! Come watch the competition!"
Not wanting to dampen the mood, Su Su smiled and agreed, following Yaoguang as they flew over on their swords using Sword Control.
Elders and disciples from various sects took their seats in turn. A piece of sandalwood spun rapidly, transforming into a broad, level ground. The Hengyang Sect's law enforcement elder formed hand seals, setting up a Barrier over it. With so many Immortal Sects participating, nine such arenas operated simultaneously. Competing pairs would fight within the Barriers while other disciples could observe without risk of being injured by stray spells.
Before heading over, Yaoguang looked Su Su over carefully and shook her head playfully. "That face of yours is too striking. Maybe you should cover it up, so the competing disciples don't get distracted staring at you."
Since Su Su began cultivating the Path of Ruthlessness, she had long moved past the sorrow she felt upon waking.She followed Yaoguang's advice and took a piece of mermaid gauze from her Universe Bag, covering her face with it. Instantly, her features became blurred.
Yaoguang nodded in satisfaction and said, "Let's go."
They arrived late, and Su Su hadn't informed Qu Xuanzi or the elders of her arrival, so she didn't take a seat beside Qu Xuanzi. Instead, she stood with Yaoguang among the disciples below the competition arena.
Qu Xuanzi spotted her at once, shaking his head with a soft sigh. Su Su grinned at her father.
The competition had already begun.
Teng Zhuang wasn't participating. His only task was to follow his master's orders and keep an eye on Cen Mixuan to prevent her from causing trouble. As soon as Cen Mixuan stepped onto the stage, Teng Zhuang positioned himself beneath the platform.
In the first match, Cen Mixuan faced a female disciple from the Chongxu Sect. The disciple happened to be at the early Golden Core stage of Cultivation. Without even summoning her Immortal Artifact, Cen Mixuan effortlessly defeated her.
Her immortal techniques were fierce, leaving no room for courtesy.
Fortunately, the female disciple maintained her composure. She rose from the ground, pressed her lips together, and said, "My skills are lacking. I admit defeat."
Cen Mixuan curved her red lips into a smile.
Yaoguang whispered into Su Su's ear, "This Fairy from Shangqing is going too far."
Su Su nodded and continued watching with Yaoguang.
In the second match, Cen Mixuan faced a male disciple whose moves were ruthless. At first, she struggled to grasp his techniques and could only defend. But she proved clever enough to quickly turn defense into offense, taking some time but ultimately securing victory.
Teng Zhuang breathed a sigh of relief.
It wasn't until a male disciple carrying a sword stepped onto the stage that Teng Zhuang perked up. His junior sister had already faced all the previous opponents, leaving only one final challenger—
The male disciple appeared young, even sporting a somewhat boyish face. He carried his sword in a proper manner, its scabbard devoid of any decoration, looking more rigid than some elders.
He wore the distinctive white robes of the Hengyang Sect, with a high-quality spirit jade hanging from his waist and his hair tied up with a Jade Crown.
It was unclear how skilled he was, as he carried no other magical tools besides his sword. In terms of appearance alone, he was exceptionally handsome.
With neither humility nor arrogance, he bowed properly and said, "I am Yue Fuyai of the Hengyang Sect. I seek your guidance, Senior Sister."
Yaoguang remarked, "It's your junior disciple brother. Let him temper Shangqing's arrogance."
Su Su recalled how, two days prior, Fuyai had vowed to win the Soul Calming lamp for her.
Behind them, someone murmured, "I heard that at the rarely watched competition arena over there, someone is incredibly strong and has already won nine consecutive matches."
"Nine matches! In such a short time?"
Su Su turned to look. Far in the distance, there was another competition platform, but it was too far away to see clearly.
She could barely make out a figure in black robes, decisive and ruthless in his movements.
For some reason, her fingers unconsciously tightened.
"Su Su?" Yaoguang called to her. "The match has begun."
Su Su paused, then withdrew her gaze.
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