Chapter 422: Better to Kill Her Sooner

Once a decision was made, sticking to it was no longer difficult.

Master Qian He looked earnestly at the Lingjian Sect Leader. "At the very least, aside from Lu Sangjiu’s identity, I see no other trace of a trap."

"Once this contract is signed, it will bind both our parties. I truly cannot think of any loophole to be exploited."

"Furthermore..." He gave Lu Sangjiu a deep look. "I cannot guarantee what kind of person she truly is, or if her reasons for infiltrating my Seven Emotions Sect were as simple as she claims."

"But I can confirm that during her time with the Seven Emotions Sect, she has never once done anything to harm the sect."

"I wouldn’t go so far as to say her contributions have been immense, but at the very least, she has never wronged her fellow disciples, nor me, her Sect Leader."

"I’m willing to trust my intuition this once. I’m willing to take this chance... What about you?"

Master Qian He’s speech was both emotional and sincere. The Lingjian Sect Leader could feel his earnestness and couldn’t help but be moved himself.

Hua Jianzhi and Master Wuliang were also beginning to waver.

They recalled their past encounters with Lu Sangjiu, or rather, Gu Huang.

Lu Sangjiu had saved the Gold and Silver Gate, and she had saved the Joyful Union Sect as well.

And as Gu Huang, she had saved Hua Jianzhi’s life centuries ago.

It was one thing to not think about these matters, but once they were brought up, their resolve naturally began to shake.

Seeing the change in their expressions, Ye Zhiyao was about to lose her mind. "What kind of spell has she cast on you? She’s the Demon Cultivator Gu Huang! That Great Demon!"

"After all this, you’re still going to believe her?"

She roared in a frenzy, completely unable to comprehend the situation, especially Master Qian He’s stance.

"Have you forgotten who protects the Seven Emotions Sect? The Supreme Elder is inside my body, yet they were all just about to kill me! And now you’re going to believe *them*?"

"Qian He, are you trying to betray your own master and sect?!"

Unfortunately for her, her furious roars no longer had any effect on them.

In fact, it could be said they were having the opposite effect.

Because as everyone looked at Ye Zhiyao’s hideous expression, they couldn’t help but recall her past behavior. While her actions might not have been unpardonably evil, they were certainly disgusting.

Sometimes, her brand of petty-mindedness and jealous snarl was even more repulsive than outright villainy.

After all, some people, even if they were unpardonably evil mass murderers, would at least openly admit to their own wickedness.

But Ye Zhiyao was different. Everyone could see that she had exposed Lu Sangjiu purely out of a personal grudge, yet she continued to shamelessly wave the banner of righteousness, fooling no one but perhaps herself.

No one paid any mind to Ye Zhiyao’s crazed fit. After a moment of silence, the Lingjian Sect Leader turned to Hua Jianzhi and Master Wuliang.

"Seniors... what are your thoughts?"

The two of them, Hua Jianzhi and Master Wuliang, exchanged a look and spoke almost in unison. "...I believe what Master Qian He said is not without merit."

This meant they were in agreement.

Since everyone was in agreement, and the Lingjian Sect Leader was not one to be indecisive, he pondered for a second before finally nodding. "Fine... I’ll sign!"

Lu Sangjiu had all but given up hope, never expecting such a sudden, favorable turn of events.

Her expression slowly shifted from astonishment to elation—elation at the turn of events... and at their change of heart.

A moment ago, reason had told her their hesitation was understandable. ’If I were in their position, I might not have been able to make such a leap of faith either.’

But... it still hurt.

In her journey through the Cultivation World, she had made many friends worth having, and she had also seen the ugliness in many people’s hearts.

Having seen all walks of life, she had long since understood that all beings were equal, and she no longer held any innate animosity toward the people of the Cultivation World.

In fact... without even realizing it, she had begun to feel a strong sense of belonging.

She felt a sense of belonging to both the Western Demon Realm and the Cultivation World, yet she also always felt a barrier between herself and both sides.

To the Western Demon Realm, her letting go of her hatred for the Cultivation World was perhaps a form of betrayal.

For that reason, she had never considered returning to the Western Demon Realm.

And as for the Cultivation World, she had once been the Demon Cultivator Gu Huang. Once that identity was known, the Cultivation World would surely cast her out.

She felt a connection to both worlds, yet she understood that neither was truly her home.

She was like a piece of duckweed adrift in the world, belonging wherever she landed, yet having no true home.

It wasn’t until this very moment, hearing the words of Master Qian He, Hua Jianzhi, and Master Wuliang, that she finally felt a sliver of peace and a sense of belonging in the depths of her heart.

’So, in this vast world, I’m not completely alone, with nowhere to go.’

In that instant, Lu Sangjiu felt as if she had been granted some form of salvation.

Taking a deep breath, her eyes slightly red, she looked at each of them in turn. Finally, she gave a solemn bow with clasped hands. "Thank you... Seniors!"

Cangming could feel the shift in Lu Sangjiu’s emotions. His icy expression gradually softened... and he cast a deep glance at the cultivators.

’These sanctimonious fools... I suppose they’re useful once in a while.’

They had expected Cangming to put up more of a fight, but surprisingly, he said nothing and simply turned to walk back.

"If you’re going to sign, then hurry up. Stop dawdling."

"However, I’m adding one more condition this time."

He turned his head, his face devoid of expression, and looked at the devastated Ye Zhiyao. "That woman’s life is mine."

Master Qian He was startled. "But our Supreme Elder..."

Before he could finish, Cangming cut him off. "It’s merely a Nascent Soul temporarily residing in her body. Don’t worry, I have a Secret Technique that can extract the Nascent Soul before I kill her. I won’t harm your Supreme Elder in the slightest."

"If you don’t believe me, we can add that to the contract as well."

Hearing Cangming’s proposal, Master Qian He hesitated. He thought of his sect’s Supreme Elder... but while Ye Zhiyao was his grand-disciple, she had certainly done many foolish things.

She had blatantly tried to have Lu Sangjiu killed time and time again. There was no reason to protect her now and prevent them from taking their revenge.

And so, hardening his heart, he finally nodded. "Fine... but she is still a member of my sect. I cannot tie her up and hand her over to you."

"I can only promise that I will not interfere when you make your move. Who wins and who loses will depend on your own abilities."

As a mighty cultivator at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, Cangming naturally paid Ye Zhiyao no mind. A cold sneer touched his lips as he glanced at her, then he nodded. "Deal."

That single glance made Ye Zhiyao shudder, her face instantly turning deathly pale. In that moment, she truly felt the mortal peril she was in.

’Am... am I going to die here?’

’No, I won’t accept this!’

Her venomous gaze fell upon Lu Sangjiu. ’Even if I die, I’ll drag you to Hell with me!’

Sensing her malice, Lu Sangjiu glanced back at her.

Her expression was impassive, showing neither the excitement of finally being able to kill her nor any anxiety about doing so.

Times had changed. Lu Sangjiu’s perspective had long since moved beyond a mere Ye Zhiyao.

’In the end, she’s nothing more than a puppet.’

Ye Zhiyao’s life and death no longer mattered to her as much as they once did.

’Of course... it would still be good to get rid of this person who’s caused me so much trouble, the sooner the better.’