Abused Female Lead And Beautiful Villainess (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 158. Becoming Cultivation Partners? The Spiritual-Roots-Excavated Kind (10)

Over twenty years had passed. In the ordinary mortal world, countless changes would have occurred.

Even in the cultivation world, due to Shen Wan’s massive sale of spirit roots and deliberate instigation of conflicts, chaos had reigned for the past decade.

Countless “geniuses” with premium spirit roots had risen to power. Some chose to establish their own sects, competing for resources with the major sects.

Others opted to join smaller sects that hadn’t offended Shen Wan, using them as a starting point to ultimately vie for resources against the former major sects.

After over twenty years of strife, the once-imposing major sects had lost their former glory. The small sects and clans they once trampled now stood above them, metaphorically defecating on their heads.

No matter how furious they were, they could do nothing about it.

What could they do? Any small sect or clan now boasted at least three to five cultivators with premium spirit roots. After years of cultivation, their powers had reached levels beyond easy control.

Even if they could deal with one small clan or sect, countless others lurked nearby, waiting for them to make a move.

Some stubborn sects did mount all-out attacks to exterminate these upstart clans coveting their resources.

The results differed from their expectations. Surrounding small clans and sects united against them, inflicting crushing defeats. These once-great sects now languished as mid-to-low tier, with many of their resources seized.

Shen Wan and Xie Yunfu emerged relatively late.

By then, the most intense conflicts had subsided, with various factions gradually stabilizing and numerous new and small sects rising to prominence.

It was no longer the cultivation world dominated by the likes of the Void Sect. After countless battles, that generation of major sects had either disbanded or fallen to minor status. The clever ones preserved their strength, barely maintaining their positions.

How long they could hold out remained uncertain.

The cultivation world teemed with premium spirit root cultivators, while their sects had only one or two rarities. In just twenty years, this disparity had emerged. In another twenty, their decline seemed inevitable, barring the emergence of an unparalleled genius. Even then, time and resources would be needed.

They regretted their past actions. Why had they antagonized a woman who bore them no grudge, all for the sake of the Void Sect?

Had they not offended her and instead cooperated, would their situation be so dire today?

As Shen Wan and Xie Yunfu emerged to witness the transformed cultivation world, Shen Wan felt little. Sect changes were normal; she had merely accelerated the process.

Xie Yunfu, however, glanced sidelong at Shen Wan, noting her calm demeanor, seemingly unaffected by her past actions.

“Did you anticipate this outcome over twenty years ago?”

“I did. The more I thought about it, the more excited I became. After all, I ushered in a new era for the cultivation world. The era of premium spirit roots. For years to come, countless people will discuss the spirit root girl from ancient times. They’ll probably only remember two things about me: I had many spirit roots and liked wearing green. Isn’t that thrilling?”

Xie Yunfu thought: Truly thrilling! What kind of person had she befriended?

“The spirit root girl has been gone for over twenty years. Do you think she’ll appear again?”

“Who knows? Perhaps not. So much has happened in these two decades, yet she never surfaced. It seems she has no intention of returning. Those sects that offended her and sought her life now struggle daily. Even if they conserve their strength, facing the tide of change, lasting another ten years would be impressive, let alone twenty.”

“I suspect the spirit root girl foresaw the consequences. Perhaps her actions were meant as revenge. Everything unfolded as she predicted. She might be hidden somewhere, watching it all unfold.”

“I can’t fathom the thoughts of such a great figure.”

“By the way, Xie Yunfu hasn’t been seen for a long time either.”

“Why mention that demoness? Do you want to be dealt with? Don’t speak of her. If you truly summon her, see how you’ll manage.”

Shen Wan and Xie Yunfu exchanged glances. Shen Wan whispered, “Miss Xie, your reputation remains poor.”

“They fear my lingering influence. Whether good or bad, a reputation that intimidates suffices.” Xie Yunfu remained unperturbed. “Let’s go. We’re here to see Yin Jue at the Void Sect, right? We’ve heard no news of the Void Sect on our journey. I wonder how it has fared after twenty years.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

However, when they arrived at the Void Sect’s entrance, they were stunned by the name on the stone tablet.

The characters that once read “Void Sect” had been replaced. Judging by the attire of the disciples guarding the entrance, this was no longer Void Sect territory.

“Has the Void Sect vanished?” Shen Wan mused. “Who did this? How cruel, to swallow such a large sect whole.”

“What about Yin Jue?” Shen Wan fidgeted, disappointed. “I hadn’t even dealt with him properly, and now his sect is gone. Could he be gone too?”

If Xie Yunfu didn’t know of Shen Wan’s grudge against Yin Jue, she might have thought Shen Wan genuinely cared for his fate.

“Let’s find someone to inquire.”

As Xie Yunfu spoke, she kept watch outside the entrance. Finally spotting a disciple leaving, she flashed over, subdued him, and brought him before Shen Wan. “Here, I’ve brought you someone. He should be a disciple of this Clear Void Sect and likely knows what you want to ask.”

Suddenly grabbed and immobilized, the Clear Void Sect disciple turned pale, collapsing to the ground and trembling as he gazed at Xie Yunfu.

Shen Wan crouched down. “This is the Clear Void Sect?”

“Yes, this is indeed the Clear Void Sect. May I ask what business the two ladies have? I’m just a lowly disciple. If you have any grievances, I can introduce you to an Elder or the Sect Leader. I’ve only joined the sect two years ago and haven’t done anything wrong…”

“I remember this was the Void Sect over twenty years ago. How did it become the Clear Void Sect?” Shen Wan asked, chin in hand. “Speak quickly. Once you tell me what I want to know, I’ll let you go.”

She found the disciple’s reaction odd, as if people often came looking for trouble.

Hearing Shen Wan mention the Void Sect from over twenty years ago, the disciple’s expression turned peculiar. “This was indeed the Void Sect in the past, but it became the Clear Void Sect over a decade ago.”

“What happened? Was the Void Sect destroyed and this place occupied?”

“It wasn’t exactly destroyed,” the disciple hesitated before continuing. “Sect Leader Chu subdued the Void Sect and renamed it the Clear Void Sect. Now, the entire Clear Void Sect is under Sect Leader Chu’s control. If you have a grudge against former Elders or the Sect Leader, you should seek them out directly. Sect Leader Chu will ensure justice is served.”

Over the years, many had come seeking to settle scores with the former Void Sect Leader. The former Sect Leader was named Yin Jue, and it was said that most cultivators with premium spirit roots in the cultivation world had some grievance with him.

Each time someone came, there would be a commotion. Sect Leader Chu stated that since these were troubles caused by Sect Leader Yin, he should resolve them himself.

Although Sect Leader Yin had regained some mobility years ago, able to walk and work, the poison had completely sealed his spiritual energy, rendering him essentially powerless.

Those people didn’t seek Yin Jue’s life; they merely came to beat him and leave.

Hence the disciple’s earlier reaction.

Shen Wan and Xie Yunfu were stunned by this information.

How pitiful. Periodically brought out by Chu Qing as a scapegoat to be beaten, they wondered if Yin Jue’s survival was fueled by lingering resentment.

When the disciple mentioned that Chu Qing had even become Lan Wanling’s Dao partner, Shen Wan’s expression became indescribable.

Yin Jue was truly pitiable.

Not only cuckolded, but he had lost the Void Sect and become a punching bag.

While others enjoyed domestic bliss, Yin Jue wore a green hat and endured beatings.

“I want to see Yin Jue,” Shen Wan stated her intention, causing the disciple to sigh in relief.

“So the lady wishes to see him. Please, follow me.”

The disciple led Shen Wan and Xie Yunfu into the Clear Void Sect, heading towards the outer court rather than the main peak.

Soon, Shen Wan saw Yin Jue.

Dressed in drab gray clothes with rolled-up sleeves, he gripped an axe. With a forceful downward swing, the wood split in two. Yin Jue was chopping firewood.

“All this firewood must be chopped today. No food until it’s done.” A fierce overseer lashed Yin Jue’s back, causing him to cry out in pain. Already sweating profusely from the heat, he now shed droplets of sweat that quickly dampened a small patch of ground.

Yin Jue kept his head down, chopping wood without daring to utter a word of defiance.

Upon hearing the disciple inform him that Shen Wan and Xie Yunfu had come for Yin Jue, the overseer’s face twisted into a cruel, meaningful smile. He gave Yin Jue a deep look before turning and leaving with his whip.

“Ladies, please proceed,” the disciple said before running off.

Yin Jue kept his head down, seemingly aware of the new arrivals but not looking up.

A flash of viciousness crossed his eyes. He’d heard the spirit root girl had vanished for over twenty years.

Back then, she had poisoned him. It took him a long time to regain bodily movement, but he still couldn’t circulate his spiritual energy, as if the poison had blocked it within his body.

He had witnessed the changes over the years, all caused by that detestable woman.

And his cousin Lan Wanling – he had given her his whole heart. For her to cultivate, he had even selected a disciple with a premium wood spirit root, extracted it, and given it to her, helping her embark on the path of cultivation.

To alleviate her cultivation pains, he had risked going to a secret realm alone, only to fall victim to that mysterious woman’s schemes. Now he was like a useless invalid, and what of Lan Wanling? Seeing him reduced to this state, she cozied up to Chu Qing.

After the Void Sect’s decline and Chu Qing’s transformation into the Clear Void Sect, she had abandoned him, becoming the Clear Void Sect Leader’s wife.

For over a decade, she hadn’t visited him once.

Each time someone came to trouble him, he didn’t believe she was unaware.

He had once snuck out to see her, clearly seeing the disgust in her eyes.

Yin Jue gripped the axe tightly, gritting his teeth. That ungrateful woman who had cuckolded him – if he ever had the chance, he would not spare those two cheaters.

When the expected fists and whip didn’t fall, Yin Jue instinctively looked up. He wasn’t curious about the newcomers but wanted to remember those who came to humiliate him, for future revenge when he rose again.

But as he raised his head, he froze.

Even after nearly thirty years, he still recognized that face.

Yet her form seemed ethereal, unlike an ordinary person. Even if she were ordinary, she looked only seventeen or eighteen. When he had extracted her spirit root, she had been fifteen or sixteen. By now, she should be in her forties, not so youthful.

Could someone whose spirit root was extracted still cultivate?

Yin Jue gazed at Shen Wan in confusion, unsure whether to believe his eyes. Memories of the past surfaced. Back then, this little girl he had brought to the mountain to teach had looked at him with eyes full of admiration, just as his eyes had been full of Lan Wanling.

When he extracted her spirit root, he had seen the disbelief and agonizing sorrow in her eyes.

But he had done it anyway, because Lan Wanling couldn’t wait.

“Xiao Wan?”

Yin Jue called out tentatively, not expecting a response. To his surprise, Shen Wan nodded. “It’s me.”

“Xiao Wan!!”

Yin Jue’s axe fell to the ground as he staggered quickly towards Shen Wan. Just as he was about to embrace her, a slender hand extended, slapping him away and pulling Shen Wan back.

“He dug out your spirit root,” Xie Yunfu warned loudly. “This guy is ruthless. Don’t be fooled by him. Do you want to suffer again?”

Xie Yunfu wasn’t acting. She had seen too many lovestruck fools in the cultivation world who never learned their lesson, getting hurt again and again, entangling themselves with their abusers until they lost their lives. What if Shen Wan felt pity seeing Yin Jue’s miserable state?

This Yin Jue was truly ruthless.

“Xiao Wan, is it really you?” Yin Jue’s eyes dimmed. “I’m sorry for what happened back then. I was wrong.”

Xie Yunfu inwardly scoffed, her hand heavily on Shen Wan’s shoulder as she spoke through gritted teeth, “No matter what he says, don’t believe his lies. Now that he’s cornered, he’ll say anything to get your help.”

“Xiao Wan, you’ve come to seek revenge, haven’t you? I might be angry if others came for revenge, but from you, it’s justified.”

Shen Wan removed Xie Yunfu’s hand. Though Xie Yunfu was displeased, she didn’t insist further. “Don’t be foolish.”

How strange, she thought. If that girl wanted to court death, let her. Why was she so anxious?