Chapter Sixteen: To Praise Excessively Is Also to Destroy

Tia saw heaven in her dream.

It was a place of dazzling light, where golden stairs spiraled upward, each step inlaid with glittering jewels. She was barefoot, yet warmth radiated from the steps beneath her feet. Angels’ wings circled overhead, scattering shards of light.

“When a mortal ascends the golden stairway and touches the radiance woven by angels, eternal happiness shall be crowned upon the chosen, and the stars will bow beneath the moon.”

She recalled the prophecy of that renowned diviner, and her lips curled unconsciously into a smile.

Just as she was about to step onto the final stair, a pale hand suddenly reached out from the darkness, seizing her lower body. The sensation was so vivid she could even feel the chill of those fingertips piercing through her undergarments.

Terrified, Tia looked down, but saw nothing but a void.

“No!”

She woke with a scream, her forehead slick with cold sweat. Her light beige nightgown was soaked, clinging damply to her skin.

She glanced at her full chest, then reached down to touch her plump flesh. The sensation from the dream seemed to linger there.

“Damn it!” she muttered, the image of Bai Yujing’s calm face flashing through her mind. Even though she hadn’t seen his features clearly in the dream, she just knew—it must have been that man trying to hinder her.

Taking several deep breaths, Tia threw off her covers and slipped her bare feet into the plush slippers. The faint light of dawn crept through the gap in the curtains. She walked to her wardrobe and absentmindedly picked out a short-sleeved T-shirt and loose sweatpants.

Temperature had never been an issue for her. Whether in scorching summer or biting winter, she could sense the changes in temperature acutely, but never felt discomfort because of them.

Dressed, Tia entered the living room.

Roland was already waiting, a bag filled with groceries in hand.

“Miss, these are the ingredients you asked me to buy.”

Roland offered the bag respectfully.

Tia took it, her fingertips unintentionally brushing his hand. In that instant, she felt again the icy touch from her dream.

Suppressing her unease, she said coldly, “Take care of the things I asked for as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Miss,” Roland answered with a slight bow.

...

The sky was gray, and even the archway of Azure Cloud Sect had lost its usual brilliance. The leaves in the mountains had begun to yellow, the air tinged with autumn’s chill.

Tia appeared beneath the archway, pausing to look sideways. Without a sound, a tall figure materialized at her side.

Today, Liushuang Ling had her glossy black hair coiled at the back of her head, with a playful fringe left over her forehead.

“Good morning, Senior Sister,” Tia greeted with a smile, a bag of fresh ingredients in her hand.

“Good morning.” Liushuang Ling replied cheerfully.

They climbed the steps to Azure Cloud Sect side by side.

Tia asked casually, “What kind of person do you think the Sect Master is?”

Liushuang Ling pondered before replying, “Self-important. Outwardly, he abides by rules and justice, but in reality, he only upholds his own version of order and righteousness.”

“Does he have any hobbies?”

“He’s almost completely disconnected from the internet,” Liushuang Ling shook her head. “Besides teaching us, he’s dedicated to fulfilling orders on the Demon-Hunting App, all to build up Azure Cloud Sect.”

A glint flashed in Tia’s eyes. “That’s his weakness.”

“I’d advise you to be careful,” Liushuang Ling lowered her voice. “Azure Cloud Sect is the Sect Master’s reverse scale—don’t touch it lightly.”

“I know what I’m doing.”

Tia smiled, the outline of a plan forming in her mind.

Slandering Azure Cloud Sect outright was clearly impossible, but perhaps she could kill with kindness instead. She could hire internet trolls to lavishly praise Azure Cloud Sect online, dragging it into every power ranking debate and stirring up animosity with other sects.

Of course, the plan needed refining. She needed to study Bai Yujing’s character more deeply to ensure nothing would go wrong.

Chatting as they walked, the two soon arrived in front of Azure Cloud Sect.

Tia pushed open the door, revealing a courtyard paved with bluestone.

Bai Yujing was reclining on a rattan chair, gently rocking as if still half-asleep.

Tia and Liushuang Ling exchanged a glance and, in silent accord, tiptoed toward the kitchen, careful not to disturb him.

They didn’t notice that, as they turned away, Bai Yujing’s lips curved ever so slightly—a faint, knowing smile.

Were they deliberately discussing their plans to deal with him right at the gates, just to see how he’d react?

If he didn’t stop them, they’d probably go ahead with it.

But Bai Yujing had no intention of interfering. As long as it wasn’t slandering Azure Cloud Sect, the rest didn’t matter.

After all, empty boasts remain mere boasting only if they can’t be realized; once they become reality, they’re ironclad facts.

...

After breakfast and their usual cleaning, it was time for the customary morning sparring.

Bai Yujing didn’t join in himself. The two were evenly matched; he just needed to watch from the side, making sure they didn’t genuinely injure each other in their all-out efforts, ensuring sustainable training.

When their spiritual pressure was nearly spent, he called a halt.

Tia and Liushuang Ling were both breathing heavily, their faces flushed with sweat.

Bai Yujing lounged in a grand armchair, phone screen glowing in his hand.

“Go wash up,” he said without looking up, “then head to Feng’s Tailor Shop in Shanghai. I made an appointment online for you two to have Azure Cloud Sect uniforms custom-made. They’ll need to take your measurements.”

“Why the sudden interest in uniforms?” Liushuang Ling asked, wiping sweat from her brow.

Tia grinned. “He must have remembered after seeing Sister Luo in her sect uniform yesterday. Now he wants us to have our own too.”

Bai Yujing raised an eyebrow—these two were quick; they’d already blocked the excuse he’d planned to use.

Indeed, it was Luo Lingxi who’d reminded him. In the past, Azure Cloud Sect had no standardized uniforms, but if they wanted to grow, they needed a distinctive look—something that would make disciples instantly recognizable.

“Enough chatter,” he waved them off. “Go wash up. Don’t be late.”

After they left, Bai Yujing’s phone chimed with a notification.

He opened the Demon-Hunting App. A Class C mission had appeared: “Escort a vehicle of prisoners to Shanghai First Prison. Base reward: fifty thousand yuan. If anyone attempts a rescue, bounty supplements will be awarded based on the enemy’s strength, with no upper limit.”

Without hesitation, Bai Yujing accepted the mission.

He called out, “Remember to return to Azure Cloud Sect after your measurements!”

As his words faded, an invisible wave radiated from him, blanketing the entire city of Shanghai.

He locked onto the location of the Six Gates, and activated Void Resonance.

He vanished soundlessly, leaving only the grand armchair behind, still warm from his presence.