Chapter 3: Martial Sister, You Don't Have to Work Hard!

Su Youwei was deeply disappointed. She had hoped that her past life experiences would enable her to change the Su family's elders, but she realized she had been too naive. Their shortsightedness seemed ingrained, and they failed to see how her sudden improvement in cultivation could elevate the Su family to prominence in the Sand Region.

"Nonsense."

"Do you think we're fools?"

Taunting words echoed in Su Youwei's ears. She clenched her fists, nearly drawing blood from her skin as anger trembled through her body. It was hopeless, truly. She needed to escape the Su family, for the fifth elder and her aunt's sake. If not for them, she might have already wiped out the entire Su family. But that would only soil her already tainted soul.

Her breathing quickened, a red light flashing in her eyes—a rising desire to kill. With a deep breath, she suppressed the urge. Her immediate concern was securing the safe escape of the fifth elder and her aunt.

"If only I were stronger, if only I could shift the timing of my rebirth…"

Su Youwei's thoughts took a confused turn. If she couldn't save her relatives, what was the purpose of her rebirth?

Pitter-patter.

Suddenly, a figure stood before her. Su Youwei's frown deepened.

"You…"

Suppressing the urge to shout, she assessed Bai Lian's strength. However, Bai Lian's power was like an endless abyss, completely ensnaring her weak divine sense. She realized she was no match.

Forcing herself to remain composed, Su Youwei asked, "What do you want?"

Bai Lian nodded silently, appreciating her Third Martial Sister's sharpness. Despite her young age, she possessed remarkable astuteness. Fooling her would not be easy.

After a brief thought, Bai Lian opted for honesty. "Don't worry, I mean no harm."

Su Youwei's expression remained unchanged. The opening line of a villain's pitch was often exactly this. Did this girl truly believe she could be enticed with candy?

Undeterred, Bai Lian continued, "Are you concerned about how to free your relatives from this situation?"

Su Youwei retorted, "I'm a Su family member. How is the Su family my confinement?"

Clearly, she was cautious. Bai Lian had anticipated this reaction.

"I'm aware of everything," Bai Lian admitted.

"?"

"In fact…" Bai Lian revealed that she hailed from the Duxian Sect. "Although I can't assist you in punishing those who covet you, I can ensure the safe departure of you and your relatives from the Sand Region. Once within the Duxian Sect, you won't have to worry about such matters."

Bai Lian gave Su Youwei an earnest gaze, her words laden with sincerity.

Come to me.

Bai Lian regarded Su Youwei with affection, her heart reaching out. She wished to offer her Martial Sister solace—there was no need for her to struggle.

This feeling was genuine.

In the game, the Third Martial Sister was the most tragic of all. After her rebirth, she sought revenge, obtained the relics of an immortal, yet succumbed to fatal injuries. The Third Martial Sister met the enigmatic "Bai Lian," who harbored the desire to conquer her due to her strong resistance. The Third Martial Sister's unwavering spirit ignited "Bai Lian's" desire, leading to harsh retribution. Although other Martial Sisters merely severed "Bai Lian's" head, she was dismembered by the Third Martial Sister.

Su Youwei stared at Bai Lian, speechless.

The Duxian Sect?

The name sounded strangely familiar, sparking distant recollections. She remembered encountering a female disciple from the Duxian Sect while fleeing a powerful force in the Sand Region. The disciple had mentioned events within the sect, and one name that stood out was "Bai Lian."

Bai Lian, disciple of Qiongming Peak and a Natural Saint.

Martial Sister Bai Lian was initially kind-hearted, universally respected. Yet, since being named the next sect leader, everything had changed. Those who disliked her faced accidents, and her admirers fell silent in her presence.

Suspicion arose when people were alone with her. Upon investigation, the shocking truth emerged: Martial Sister Bai Lian had defiled her younger Martial Sister.

It was a massive scandal that rocked the Duxian Sect.

The title of Natural Saint crumbled.

Initially, the sect leader and elders dismissed the claims, but an extensive inquiry revealed many disciples' experiences of persecution at Martial Sister Bai Lian's hands.

The sect leader couldn't bear it. He stripped Martial Sister Bai Lian of her cultivation, exiling her to the sect's iron prison. Tragically, she was found dismembered in her cell a few days later.

"Alas, I never anticipated Martial Sister Bai Lian harbored such darkness, or that her Natural Saint status was a sham. Everyone believed that the Duxian Sect would flourish under her leadership."

Su Youwei snapped back to the present. Yes, the woman with the appearance-altering artifact hailed from the Duxian Sect. Her disdain for the sect deepened, fueled by the shadow cast by "Bai Lian."

Yet, one word from Bai Lian struck a chord—a chance to secure the fifth elder and her aunt's safety before quietly departing the sect. If Bai Lian spoke the truth, it might be a golden opportunity.

Su Youwei inquired, "Are you testing me?"

Bai Lian shook her head. "If you doubt me, I swear upon the heavens."

Su Youwei's expression remained impassive. "I don't trust oaths."

Despite her skepticism, Su Youwei's doubt seemed to waver. Bai Lian's proposal was indeed tempting.

"Can you tell me your name?" Su Youwei requested.

Bai Lian nodded. "Certainly, my name is Bai Lian."

"???"

Su Youwei wondered if she'd misheard.

Bai Lian?

"I $@ &%…"

Wasn't that the name of the antagonist she'd just recollected? The one who defiled her younger Martial Sister?

Her body stiffened, and a series of strange images flashed before her—a cruel and twisted figure tormenting her.

A rare flicker of fear pierced her immaculate eyes. She couldn't comprehend why Bai Lian had singled her out. But regardless, she couldn't accompany her.

When faced with Bai Lian's invitation, new mission options emerged.

[Task 1: Subdue Su Youwei until she surrenders (Reward: Intermediate Spirit Tool - Qianyuan Whip)]

[Task 2: Abduct her directly, saying "No one will save you even if you shout!" (Reward: Nine Turns Earth Energy Pill)]

[Task 3: Temporarily retreat (Reward: Cooking +2)]

Frustration gripped Bai Lian. Safely returning the Third Martial Sister seemed an even more daunting challenge now.