Chapter 89: Mi Yuan’s Death

                    

After resting and letting the fatigue subside, Meng Ruji felt a surge of power from her dantian—the Inner Core power long suppressed by the rules of the Land of No Reprieve.

The familiar energy coursed through her veins, so strong she had to restrain it. Closing her eyes, she regulated her breathing, channeling the spiritual power into her meridians.

Her body grew light again. With a wave of her hand, mystical arts condensed at her fingertips, no longer bound by “lack of money.” Excitement surged, but she knew the most important thing now was not to dwell on it.

She extended her spiritual sense, searching. Winds carried her aura outward, but soon it was blocked by layers of malevolent energy. Mu Sui’s presence was hidden.

She frowned, then turned her focus. Shang Lan’s aura appeared at the foot of Hengxu Mountain.

The sects of the world had been nearly destroyed by Mo Yi, leaving Hengxu Mountain and three others struggling. Shang Lan guarded Hengxu Mountain and managed the refugee settlement.

Meng Ruji descended to meet her. But at the foot of the mountain, chaos reigned.

The refugee camp was in the midst of a fight—not against Nether Monsters, nor Mo Yi’s pressure, but over territory.

Meng Ruji saved a child from a cultivator and learned the truth. Ordinary people, wandering cultivators, and remnants of prestigious sects clashed. Old hierarchies had not vanished. Sect cultivators, stripped of treasures by Mo Yi, still clung to pride, while those once suppressed refused to yield.

Conflict erupted.

Meng Ruji saw Shang Lan trying to separate fighters, hesitant to use deadly force lest innocents be harmed.

Then a mystical art streaked through the sky—slender as an arrow feather, white edged with red, tail flaring like phoenix feathers.

Meng Ruji dissolved it with a wave, scattering fighters with wind. All looked up, thinking an immortal had descended.

Clouds parted. An immortal lord appeared, pristine robes untouched by chaos. Sect cultivators bowed: “Immortal Lord Mi Yuan.”

He ignored them, gaze cold.
“I wonder which immortal friend dispersed my Immortal-Slaying Arrow Feather?”

Sect cultivators grew arrogant. Wandering cultivators shrank back.

Shang Lan stepped forward. “Immortal Lord Mi Yuan, please command restraint. The current situation—”

“You.” Mi Yuan cut her off. “Guardian Shang Lan, the way you bow is already disrespectful.”

His arrogance grew. “Even if your Mountain Lord Meng awakened, she would address me as Immortal Venerable. Kneel.”

Shang Lan’s face darkened. Hengxu disciples gripped sword hilts.

Meng Ruji laughed, stepping from the shadows.
“Since the day I established Hengxu Mountain, we have never had the custom of kneeling.”

Her voice carried across the camp.

Shang Lan gasped: “Master…”

Meng Ruji nodded. “Thank you for your hard work. I was lucky to return early.”

Disciples bowed: “We respectfully welcome the Master.”

Meng Ruji waved them off, turning to Mi Yuan. “Rather than titles, I want to know one thing.”

Spiritual energy condensed into arrows, surrounding him.
“Your Immortal-Slaying Arrow Feather—was it yours alone, or known to your sect?”

Mi Yuan frowned. “Meng Ruji? Weren’t you dead—”

An arrow grazed his ear, blood flowing.

“Answer.”

“It’s… my exclusive secret technique…”

“In the past, did you destroy a small town?”

“What?”

“Answer.”

An arrow pierced his arm. He roared: “Meng Ruji! You’re going too far!”

She clenched her hand. Arrows broke his defenses, stabbing acupoints. He screamed, kneeling.

“In the past, did you destroy a small town?”

“Which one!?”

“How many did you destroy?”

“How would I remember! I’ve cultivated for years—how would I remember those!”

Ordinary people nearby trembled, hatred flickering in their eyes.

Meng Ruji nodded calmly. “Then the case is solved.”

Arrows rained down, piercing him. His body shattered, leaving only blood.

Silence followed. Sect cultivators collapsed in fear.

Meng Ruji closed her eyes. Miaomiao, your revenge is done. I did not break my word.

Opening her eyes, she addressed the camp:
“I killed him for other reasons, but take it as an example. Hengxu Mountain protects the weak. Those who lord over others are not welcome.”

Her gaze swept coldly.
“I slept eight hundred years. Many don’t know my temperament. Today you learn it. At Hengxu Mountain, I set the rules. Whoever tests me—I’ll twist off their head.”

Terrified silence.

“Those unwilling to accept Hengxu Mountain’s protection, leave. The world outside is vast.”

A thunder of malevolent energy roared outside the barrier, Nether Monsters shrieking. No one dared leave.

Meng Ruji turned to ascend the mountain. Shang Lan bowed, commanding:
“Clean this up. Notify the other guardians—the Master has returned.”

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