"Bai Shuo!" Zhe Sang’s voice cut sharply through the hall, interrupting her just as she was about to speak. "Stealing the Zhenshan Jade Scroll is no minor offense. You’d better think this through."
Her pupils contracted as she noticed Zhe Sang’s hand rising, with a faint charm glowing on his wrist—the Shadowbinding Curse, the spell he’d cast on Mu Mu. If she exposed Zhe Sang’s coercion, it would undoubtedly reveal Fan Yue’s true identity as a demon to all of Miao Miao Island. An outsider hiding a demon would never be believed, no matter what she said.
The words caught in her throat, and she found herself unable to speak.
Seeing Bai Shuo fall silent, Zhe Sang smirked. "Yet, as my junior sister mentioned, you’ve contributed your share by making medicinal elixirs for our sect over the years. If you admit who truly directed you, I’ll request leniency on your behalf and ensure mercy is shown."
"Bai Shuo, why did you try to steal the Zhenshan Jade Scroll?" Er Yun’s voice was grave. She didn’t want to see this crime tied to Chong Zhao, but with everyone watching, she couldn’t ignore it.
"Very well, I’ll tell you…" Under their relentless gaze, Bai Shuo finally spoke.
A hint of satisfaction appeared on Zhe Sang’s face.
"It was for myself."
Her voice resonated in the silent hall, and Zhe Sang’s smile froze as he stared at her.
"Senior Sister Er Yun, you know my spiritual roots are weak. I took the jade scroll to improve my own cultivation," she continued calmly.
"That’s ridiculous," Zhe Sang spat angrily. "You’re a half-immortal—you wouldn’t even know how to use the jade scroll!"
"Who says I can’t?" Bai Shuo’s gaze met his, steady and unyielding. "If you use heart’s blood as a sacrifice, even a half-immortal can extract the spiritual essence from an instrument."
The hall fell silent as Bai Shuo’s words hung in the air. Forcibly seizing the power of a spiritual instrument was a forbidden technique—a path of corruption.
"Absurd! Such methods might help you attain the status of an immortal in one leap, but you would forever be stuck. No one would use such a method to sever their own future potential," Zhe Sang retorted with scorn.
"Someone with weak spiritual roots who will never become a true immortal has nothing to lose," Bai Shuo replied evenly. "What’s so wonderful about being a half-immortal anyway? Always being looked down upon, constantly treated with disdain. Ask them—who wouldn’t want to be a Liuyun disciple, admired by everyone?"
She looked around the hall, her words directed at the disciples. A few avoided her gaze, and Er Yun visibly relaxed.
As long as Chong Zhao wasn’t involved, Bai Shuo’s selfish intentions were of no concern to her.
Zhe Sang clenched his hand hidden beneath his sleeve, fury simmering within him. He had planned meticulously, hoping tonight’s incident would drive Chong Zhao from Miao Miao Island. Yet Bai Shuo would rather risk death than implicate him! Foolish woman!
"Bai Shuo, stealing the Zhenshan Jade Scroll is punishable by death!" Zhe Sang growled, his eyes flashing with cold malice.
"I understand. But if the alternative is being a worthless, bullied herbalist, I’d rather take the risk. I got caught because my luck ran out; if you want to kill me, go ahead!" Bai Shuo settled herself onto the spirit net, wearing a defiant expression.
"You!" Zhe Sang’s face twisted with rage. "If you’re so determined to die, then you can’t blame the sect for being ruthless. Guards! Bai Shuo has betrayed her master and stolen the sect’s sacred treasure. Take her away and extract her spirit bones!"
Just as he was about to mete out punishment, a grave voice interrupted him.
"She has admitted to stealing the jade scroll for her own use and that Chong Zhao is not involved. Therefore, this matter falls on her alone."
Sect Leader Songfeng stepped out from the inner hall, and the disciples quickly sheathed their swords and bowed.
"Greetings, Sect Leader."
"Uncle."
"Master." Zhe Sang adjusted his expression and bowed respectfully.
"Bai Shuo, is what you said true?" Songfeng waved his hand, releasing her from the spirit net, and looked down at her with a piercing gaze.
From the moment the jade scroll was touched, Songfeng had sensed it. He had been present in the hall the entire time but chose this moment to reveal himself.
"Sect Leader…" Bai Shuo, who had lived on the outer island, had only seen Songfeng once before—three years ago when she rescued Songhe. Now, faced with his question, she paled, knelt down, and lowered her head. "Disciple acted out of selfishness and has committed a grave sin."
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