How did a demonic witch become the leader of the righteous path?

Chapter 74 Yu Zhao: It's terrifying to think about, don't do this! (4,000-word chapter)

Just as Yu Zhao was about to try to forcibly refine the desolate tower, a loud noise suddenly rang out from the entrance between the second and third floors.

Immediately, a long purple dragon broke through the barrier and rushed out from the third level of the desolate tower.

Then Yu Zhao saw the three people following the purple dragon: the Nascent Soul Grand Master of the Dayan Royal Family and the Si siblings.

This Nascent Soul cultivator, carrying one of the Si siblings in each hand, charged out.

He didn't look well at all; there was a deep knife wound on his chest, exposing the bone, and blood was seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Where was even a trace of the majesty of a Nascent Soul cultivator?

Upon landing, the Nascent Soul cultivator collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, and the purple dragon dissipated.

The commotion was so great that it naturally woke up the cultivators still on the second floor. One of them quickly asked, "May I ask what happened on the third floor, senior?"

The cultivator was very polite, but the Nascent Soul cultivator completely ignored him. He set up a protective array to shield his prince and princess, then meditated and began to heal himself.

The cultivator had made a fool of himself, but he didn't dare to express his dissatisfaction with the Nascent Soul stage expert, so he could only leave with an awkward smile.

At this moment, everyone present, including Yu Zhao, was looking in this direction, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

However, after seeing the cultivator slink away, no one dared to approach him again.

After a while, another person rushed out from the third floor. It was Qingxuan, Yu Zhao and Shen Yunshu's nominal master.

She had previously taken the young monk Kongxiang into the third level, but now she came out alone.

Moreover, judging from her appearance, she was not in good condition; her face was pale, and she was clearly injured.

As a disciple, or at least a disciple in name only, Yu Zhao naturally couldn't pretend not to see her master like this. She quickly went to him and helped him up, "Master, what happened? How did you get so badly injured?"

While showing concern for Yu Zhao, he helped her to his own group.

After Yu Zhao helped him sit on the ground, True Man Chixia came over to check on Qingxuan's physical condition.

Although she didn't really like her daughter's master and thought he had ulterior motives, since her daughter had become his disciple, he had truly taught her with all his heart.

She certainly couldn't just stand by and watch the other person get into trouble.

Therefore, Master Chixia wanted to do his best to save her, but after examining Qingxuan's physical condition, Master Chixia shook his head at Yu Zhao and sighed, "I'm sorry, Zhao'er, I can't save her. Her golden core is shattered and her foundation is destroyed."

Hearing this, Yu Zhao was quite surprised. She herself could be considered a half-step Golden Core Realm cultivator, so she naturally had some understanding of this realm.

In this world, the Golden Core Realm simply means that a Golden Core is condensed in the Dantian, and all one's cultivation is gathered into a Golden Core.

In other words, the Golden Core is the core of power for cultivators at the Golden Core stage.

This golden elixir is not actually a real, physical object; it is something that exists between reality and illusion.

It is the product of a cultivator's understanding of the Dao, and the essence of a cultivator's entire cultivation.

Therefore, it generally won't have any problems, let alone break, because it's not a physical object, so how could it break? It's even more impossible to dig it out.

However, there are exceptions. When a Golden Core cultivator's belief collapses and their Dao heart shatters, their Golden Core will also shatter. Once the Golden Core shatters, their Dao foundation will be completely destroyed.

Yu Zhao knew Qingxuan quite well, and knew what kind of person he was, and what could have shattered his Dao heart. To be honest, she was somewhat surprised.

"Master, what happened to you?" she asked directly.

Although Qingxuan's face was pale, he did not seem to be too worried about his shattered golden core, and remained calm and composed.

"Sigh!" She sighed deeply and said, "Don't even mention it, I really messed up this time. Something happened just as we entered the third floor—"

Based on Qingxuan's account, Yu Zhao roughly understood what had happened on the third floor.

In short, it can be summed up in one sentence: They kill each other!

According to Qingxuan, the trials began after they entered the third level of the desolate tower.

All cultivators' cultivation levels were suppressed to the Foundation Establishment stage by a force, and then they competed with the ancient geniuses of the same realm within the illusion.

But when everyone came to their senses, they realized that it wasn't a battle with the illusory figures of ancient geniuses in an illusion at all; everyone had been deceived, and it was actually a fight to the death.

"If it weren't for that senior from the Dayan royal family noticing something was wrong and forcibly breaking the illusion with a secret technique, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to return."

As she spoke, Qingxuan's eyes revealed a sense of desolation. She was a dignified Golden Core Peak cultivator, a genius with the potential to attain Nascent Soul, but today she had fallen to the state of having her Golden Core shattered.

She couldn't help but feel a little sad.

He schemed for half his life, only to end up with nothing.

Although a broken golden core does not necessarily mean death, nor does it necessarily mean that the golden core cannot be rebuilt, that is too difficult. The opportunity to rebuild the golden core is not so easy to obtain.

Seeing Qingxuan sighing with his head down, Yu Zhao felt indifferent. She didn't think that what her cheap master said was the whole story. At least she didn't say where the little monk Kongxiang had gone, nor did she say why her Dao heart was shattered, which led to the shattering of her golden core.

Her words were highly suggestive; most people who heard them would subconsciously think that she had killed other cultivators because she was bewitched by an illusion, which led to the shattering of her Dao heart.

But Yu Zhao didn't think Qingxuan was such a good person. If his Dao heart could be so easily broken over something like this, then his cheap master would have been a cripple long ago.

Therefore, something else must have happened on the third level.

But since Qingxuan wouldn't tell her, she couldn't force him to tell her. What Qingxuan did was none of Yu Zhao's business.

So Yu Zhao simply comforted Qingxuan with a few words: "Master, don't worry, there's always a way to repair a broken golden core."

"Yes," True Immortal Chixia chimed in, patting the other's shoulder to comfort him. "Although a shattered Golden Core is a very serious injury, there are elixirs in Medicine King Valley that can repair it. I'll ask for one for you once we get out."

Qingxuan wasn't stupid; she understood the unspoken meaning behind Chixia Zhenren's words.

The plan was to use a spiritual pill to sever the karmic ties between her and Yu Zhao. Once she accepted the pill, the master-disciple relationship between her and Yu Zhao would be over.

After a moment's thought, Qingxuan made her decision. She stood up and bowed to True Person Chixia. "Thank you, Senior. I will remember your kindness. After receiving the elixir, I will be going into seclusion. I will have to trouble you to take care of my two disciples."

See, that's what emotional intelligence is.

It was clearly a transaction, but Qingxuan's words were just so pleasing to the ear.

With Qingxuan speaking like this, no one will gossip about it anymore. After all, Qingxuan is Yu Zhao and Shen Yunshu's master. For Chixia Zhenren to sever their master-disciple relationship with a single elixir is not only bad for Chixia Zhenren's reputation, but also for Yu Zhao and Shen Yunshu's.

Qingxuan's current statement makes it seem as if she is unable to continue taking care of her disciple due to her injury, and is therefore asking Master Chixia to take care of him.

Seeing that Qingxuan was so sensible, True Person Chixia smiled with satisfaction, and her gaze softened considerably when she looked at her. "Don't worry about that. Zhao'er is my daughter, and I've also adopted Shu'er as my goddaughter. I will definitely take good care of them."

"Now I can rest assured."

Qingxuan felt relieved. She had guessed that Yu Zhao's identity was unusual and that he must have a powerful family behind him. Now that she heard True Person Chixia admit it herself, it was a confirmation of her guess.

This kind of privileged girl is indeed unworthy to be someone's master forever. It's good to sever the karmic ties so that she won't get involved in any power struggles and end up not even knowing how she died.

Moreover, Master Chixia was already very kind; at least he promised to help her repair her golden core.

Furthermore, now that she has wisely severed the karmic ties, she has also made good friends with a Nascent Soul cultivator. If Yu Zhao and Shen Yunshu truly become powerful in the future, she might lend a helping hand if they encounter any trouble, out of consideration for their past relationship.

Chixia Zhenren didn't care what Qingxuan was thinking. After talking with her, she immediately set up an isolation array around herself, Yu Zhao, and Shen Yunshu, and spoke to the two women: "Zhao'er, Shu'er, I've taken the liberty of severing this karmic connection for you. Will you blame me?"

"Mother, what are you saying? There's nothing strange about us, mother and daughter." Yu Zhao reached out and hugged Chixia Zhenren's arm, giving her a sweet smile.

Shen Yunshu then hugged the other arm, pouting, "Sister is right. We know Mother would never harm us, and that's enough."

"You are truly my good daughters." Originally, True Person Chixia was a little worried, but after hearing her two daughters say this, she felt relieved and spoke up about her opinion of Qingxuan, "Your current master is not a good teacher, and his cultivation is too low. There is only so much he can teach you. In the future, I will find you another master, or I will teach you myself."

It's up to you to choose.

The evaluation of Qingxuan by the Crimson Cloud Immortal was actually quite tactful; she only said that he was not a good teacher. After all, he had helped her take care of her daughter for a period of time, so she gave him some face.

In fact, her true assessment of Qingxuan was: he was dishonest, good at manipulating others, and only cared about personal gain when interacting with people.

Master Chixia even felt that Qingxuan was someone anyone could abandon at crucial moments, someone who could become a stepping stone.

She naturally didn't want her daughters to have such a master. This kind of person was too cold-hearted and ruthless, and who knew if one day he would abandon his disciples for greater benefits.

They even used their apprentices to practice their skills.

Indeed, True Person Chixia felt that Qingxuan was more than a demonic cultivator than a demonic cultivator. At least a proper demonic cultivator was a true villain, while Qingxuan was a hypocrite.

It must be said that although True Person Chixia is sometimes crazy, she is not stupid. She has enough experience and insight to see through Qingxuan's pretense.

At this moment, she became curious about how her two daughters had come to know this master, so she asked, "Zhao'er, Shu'er, how did you two meet Qingxuan?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yunshu looked at Yu Zhao, her eyes asking if she could say this.

Yu Zhao ignored Shen Yunshu and began to tell her own story, "To be honest, Mother, we've only known Master Qingxuan for a short time."

We used to have a master, but that master was not a good person. He had lustful thoughts about Sister Yunshu, so one day we took advantage of his absence and ran away.

Later, we met Master Qingxuan at Luoyue Sect. Master Qingxuan was a good person; at least she taught us with dedication.

Yu Zhao mostly told the truth, but she omitted some things, such as that their previous master was a demonic cultivator, and that they killed their previous master.

She would never let a third person know about this in her entire life. Even if the King of Heaven himself came, she would never admit that she and her junior sister came from the Demonic Sect.

Hearing her story, Shen Yunshu was stunned; she hadn't expected it to be played like this.

My senior sister is indeed my senior sister; she spoke the truth, but she didn't mention anything important.

I learned something.

Master Chixia was filled with rage upon hearing this. "How could there be such a master? This person deserves to die!"

As a woman, it was naturally infuriating to hear that her master was concerned about her female disciple's health.

In her eyes, a master is like a father, and what difference is there between a master who cares about his female disciple and a father who cares about his daughter?

That's absolutely inhuman!

"Mother, don't be angry. It's all in the past. Besides, our master was only at the Foundation Establishment stage. He might have died long ago."

Yu Zhao comforted True Person Chixia, which lessened her anger somewhat. Then, as if remembering something, she asked Yu Zhao, "Zhao'er, is the Falling Moon Sect you mentioned the one in Zhenbei City of the Northern Region?"

"Yes, Mother, you know?"

Yu Zhao was somewhat surprised. She didn't expect her mother to know about Luoyue Sect. Was Luoyue Sect, a small sect, really that famous?

"It really is that Falling Moon Sect."

Having received an accurate answer, Master Chixia's tone was filled with emotion. Seeing her two daughters looking at her curiously, she smiled and explained, "It's truly fate. I am sworn brothers with the Daoist friend whose nickname is Master Luoyue, the leader of the Luoyue Sect."

One year, we met by chance in the Central Region. At the time, we were both chasing a notorious womanizer. My mother had saved her. Later, we chatted and found that we got along very well. So we drank and admired the moon together, and then we became sworn brothers.

You should also call her "Auntie." Once this matter is settled, I'll take you to pay her a visit.

Listening to what Master Chixia said, Yu Zhao seemed to have a flash of inspiration, as if he had grasped some key point, but for a moment it was still a bit blurry.

Next, Master Chixia pulled the two women aside and continued to tell them about his experiences with Master Luoyue, but Yu Zhao listened in one ear and out the other, her mind wandering as she pondered.

The fact that these two knew each other and had such a good relationship was beyond her expectations, and she couldn't help but think about it more, mentally going over her past experiences.

The more she thought about it, the less it seemed like a coincidence. It was as if an invisible thread was pulling her along, but Yu Zhao couldn't figure out what connection these people and events had.

It is known that Qingfeng Laodeng and Luoyue Sect have many connections, Qingfeng Laodeng is also related to Ziji Sacred Sect, and Luoyue Sect is also related to Ziji Sacred Sect.

Now even Master Chixia has become involved with them.

If you call this a coincidence, nobody would believe it.

But what secrets are hidden behind these connections?

What role does my cheap mother play in all of this? And is it really just a coincidence that Zhang Yanqiu found me and believed me to be the daughter of Lingxiao Celestial Master?

And this Crimson Cloud Immortal insisted that I was her daughter. Is this Crimson Cloud Immortal truly insane or just pretending to be?

Because of what Master Chixia said, Yu Zhao's paranoia resurfaced. She had originally thought that Master Chixia truly loved her like a mother, but now she had doubts in her heart.

It's no wonder she was suspicious. After Qingfeng Laodeng brought her back to Qingfeng Temple, Yu Zhao felt for a while that Qingfeng Laodeng was genuinely kind to her. It wasn't until her senior brother was refined into a pill that she realized the truth.

Past experiences made Yu Zhao suspicious, after all, it involved his own life.

My dear mother, I hope you won't make a mistake, otherwise your daughter will be heartbroken.

Yu Zhao muttered to herself, she didn't cry when she was sad, she only thought about killing the person who made her sad. She really didn't want to kill anyone, let alone her relatives whom she had just recognized not long ago.