Only the cult leader accepted my confession.-Chapter 22 - : Is This the Fruit of My Junior Sister’s Love?

Qing Yunzi wasn't the least bit surprised when Ye Shu stepped forward. Instead, his lips curled into a smirk.

"So, you've finally decided to face me?" His tone was laced with amusement. "I was going to seek you out sooner or later, but I must admit, I didn't expect you to be so eager."

He glanced around at the gathered disciples of Tiansha Palace and let out a chuckle.

"It's getting boring trampling over these small fries. It's about time I tested the true depths of Tiansha Palace." He lifted a foot and stomped the ground dramatically, as if gauging its depth. "Tell me, Ye Shu, is your sect as shallow as it seems, or will I find something of substance beneath the surface?"

His arrogance sent waves of fury through the disciples.

"You arrogant fool! Do you even know who you're speaking to?"

"Our Tiansha Palace stands above Demon Sword Mountain! What makes you think you have the right to mock us?"

They seethed with rage. The reputation of Tiansha Palace among the ten great demonic sects was undeniable. Even Demon Sword Mountain, despite its renowned sword cultivators, had always ranked beneath them. And yet, this exchange disciple dared to spout such blasphemy?

Qing Yunzi scoffed, arms crossed.

"Yes, Tiansha Palace is mighty. But only because of its leader—the Nine Nether Demon, Luo Jiuyan! Without her, do you really believe you would hold such a lofty position?"

His words carried undisguised contempt. The only person in Tiansha Palace he acknowledged was Luo Jiuyan. The rest? Nothing but a disorganized rabble.

Except, of course, for one other person.

Bai Rourou.

In the past half-month, he had defeated disciple after disciple, solidifying his belief that none of them were worth his time.

As for Ye Shu?

Hah. Apart from his rapid cultivation speed and his admittedly handsome face, what else did he have? Qing Yunzi was convinced that it was only a matter of time before he crushed him as well.

But Ye Shu simply stared at him, undisturbed. His fingers lightly traced the blade of his Taiyin Sword, a faint dragon's roar echoing from within.

Qing Yunzi's eyes narrowed as he focused on the weapon.

"That sword... What is it?"

Ye Shu ignored the question. "You claim to look down on me. But tell me, Qing Yunzi... do you think I look up to you?"

Qing Yunzi's expression darkened.

"You—!"

Before he could retort, Ye Shu gave him a lazy smile. "Interesting. You've been enjoying yourself these past few weeks, haven't you? But tell me, how does it feel to finally meet someone you can't underestimate?"

Qing Yunzi clenched his jaw, his previous amusement replaced by burning irritation.

"If you're so eager to be humiliated, then allow me to grant your wish!"

Spiritual energy erupted from his body, surging outward like a tidal wave. The sheer force of it sent a shiver through the watching disciples.

"Oh no... His aura is terrifying."

"I heard he reached the Golden Core Stage, but seeing it up close..."

"Even Senior Brother, who's at the mid-Golden Core Stage, lost to him!"

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

"This is bad! Master Mozi only recently broke through to Golden Core. How can he possibly win?"

A heavy silence fell over the group. Even Bai Rourou, standing beside Ye Shu, looked deeply concerned.

She had fought against Ye Shu before. She knew he was strong. But Qing Yunzi...

He was a natural sword cultivator, a prodigy who had already achieved the Golden Core Stage at twenty and could challenge those above his level.

Logically speaking, Ye Shu's chances of victory were slim.

"Junior Brother, don't be reckless." Bai Rourou whispered urgently. "This matter can be left to Master."

Ye Shu... couldn't afford to lose.

If he lost, it would shatter the morale of Tiansha Palace's younger disciples.

And if the outcome was already clear, then wasn't it better to simply... not fight?

Yes. If they avoided the battle entirely, then at least they wouldn't lose!

---

At the same time, high above the courtyard, two figures watched the unfolding confrontation.

A stunningly beautiful woman dressed in black and purple robes stood with her arms crossed, her piercing gaze locked onto the scene below.

Beside her, a dignified woman in a sword-patterned dress smiled knowingly.

The latter was Wu Meiyue, the wife of the Lord of Demon Sword Mountain and Qing Yunzi's mother.

She turned to the first woman with a teasing smile.

"Well, Big Sister? What do you think of my son? This is the fruit of my love, after all."

Luo Jiuyan, the Nine Nether Demon and the master of Tiansha Palace, remained silent, but her eyes flickered.

Deep in her heart, she was unsettled.

Because she had to admit—this brat Qing Yunzi was truly a sword genius.

That fact annoyed her to no end.

How in the world had her fool of a junior sister given birth to such a prodigy?

She stole a glance at Wu Meiyue.

This woman... was not just the wife of Demon Sword Mountain's Lord. She was also her junior sister, someone who had once trained under the Supreme Demon Lord alongside her.

And now she had birthed a genius like Qing Yunzi?

Luo Jiuyan clenched her fists.

This is the fruit of their love, huh?

Her mind wandered, and before she could stop herself, an image surfaced—

A face so handsome, so perfect, that words could not do it justice.

It belonged to none other than Ye Shu.

For some reason, her heartbeat quickened.

If she and Ye Shu were to...

Wait, what am I thinking?!

She snapped herself out of it, pinching her thigh hard enough to make her wince.

Wu Meiyue, unaware of Luo Jiuyan's internal turmoil, let out a triumphant laugh.

"Big Sister, don't tell me you actually think your disciple can defeat my son?"

Luo Jiuyan took a deep breath, regaining her composure. She shot Wu Meiyue a calm, unreadable glance.

"This is natural," she said coolly.

But deep down, she wasn't certain at all.

Could Ye Shu really win?

Qing Yunzi wasn't just a talented cultivator—he was a sword cultivator, one who specialized in lethal, precise strikes. Ordinary Golden Core cultivators couldn't compare to him.

And Ye Shu...

Luo Jiuyan exhaled slowly.

At this moment, all she could do was place her trust in him.

---

Meanwhile, below, Ye Shu seemed to sense the weight of expectation upon him.

He exhaled calmly and tightened his grip on the Taiyin Sword.

Then, flashing a confident smile, he took a step forward.

"Qing Yunzi," he said smoothly, lifting his sword. "Let's see if you're as impressive as you claim to be."

The battle was about to begin.