Lao Chen's heart was filled with regret, but at this point it was already too late.
Qin Ping's expression darkened. He spoke softly, "Sect Master, may I be the one to end this?"
Yun Jin gave a calm nod. "You may."
Lao Chen looked toward Qin Ping, eyes filled with silent pleading. But Qin Ping's gaze held only pain. Without hesitation, he raised his palm. In the next breath, his strike fell. Lao Chen closed his eyes in regret, his body collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud.
Qin Ping summoned his life-bound artifact. Golden light surged forth, burning Lao Chen's body into nothingness, and even his Yuányīng was erased completely.
After doing all this, Qin Ping stood frozen for a moment before bowing to Yun Jin in guilt. "Sect Master, it was my oversight. You saved all of us, yet this man could cast aside even such a debt of life.
A soul so vile does not deserve rebirth. I took the liberty of erasing his spirit completely. I beg Sect Master's forgiveness." His voice was low and heavy.
He could, with difficulty, understand those who had never directly received Yun Jin's grace. If they were bought over by Qingxiao Pavilion, perhaps that could still be excused.
But this man…
Without Yun Jin, they would have long been tortured to death. And it was obvious—the upheaval in the Imperial capital had Qingxiao Pavilion's hand behind it. Yet Lao Chen not only ignored their benefactor's kindness, he even chose to defect to the enemy. Such conduct betrayed the fallen compatriots and disgraced the innocents who had died. Qin Ping could not forgive it.
Yun Jin nodded. "Then let him be destroyed."
She saw the sorrow in Qin Ping's expression and offered a word of comfort. "To truly see through another's heart is no easy task. Every person must pay for their own choices. This is not your fault, nor should you burden yourself with all responsibility."
Qin Ping was not one to dwell in grief. He inclined his head. "Sect Master, I will be the first to enter the Trial Tower."
Yun Jin nodded again.
Qin Ping stepped forward and disappeared into the tower.
Only two remained, trembling, refusing to move.
Yun Jin had no patience for their hesitation. With a sweep of her spiritual power, she forced them forward. As expected, both were revealed to harbor malice toward Wushuang Sect. They too were cast into reincarnation, just like the first traitor.
With that done, those who remained in Wushuang Sect could, at least for now, be trusted. As the sect grew stronger and ties deepened, the chance of betrayal would only shrink further.
Yun Jin also believed this:
After witnessing miracles with their own eyes, after personally testing the Trial Tower and the disciples' quarters, none of them would willingly betray such fortune.
For these structures were real beyond all doubt. The moment one grew disloyal, the sect would immediately sense it. Today's thunderous punishment of traitors served as warning. She hoped no such situation would ever occur again.
An Tong, watching Yun Jin's every move, could not hide the awe in his eyes.
He glanced at her, dazed. How long had it been since he first met Yun Jin? Not long at all.
Back then, he had doubted why the Master would choose someone like her as heir. When her terrifying talent was revealed, those doubts had begun to fade.
But now…
Master truly was Master.
For the Young Master's methods had already surpassed anything even Master could have achieved. This time, Master had found Wushuang Sect not just a successor, but a true pillar to rely on.
"One rises to the heavens, and even the chickens and dogs ascend with them. One rises to the heavens, and all around benefit…" An Tong muttered under his breath.
The feeling was undeniable: following Yun Jin meant all of them were about to soar.
Clinging to such a great thigh… it felt too good to be true.
Eyes shining with tears, An Tong rushed forward and grabbed Yun Jin's leg. "Sect Master, you are incredible! These buildings, even the Four Great Holy Lands would never have them. No, they are not even worthy to dream of them! Sect Master, you must be a god reborn. How could they ever compare to you? When you ascend back to the divine realm, you must remember—"
Still babbling, An Tong was abruptly cut off by Yun Jin's twitching lips. "Shut up."
"Yes, Sect Master." An Tong obediently closed his mouth, though he still looked at her with wide, questioning eyes.
His mind was burning with curiosity.
Surely the Tian Po Sword, which had always followed the Young Master, must know why she was so incredible?
But the truth was…
The Tian Po Sword was just as stunned, and now deeply regretful. So regretful he could claw at his heart. Brothers, who can understand this pain? He had only gone into slumber because the Young Master's constant showing off was too much. But in those very days…
Had she awakened memories of her divine past life? Had she grasped powers capable of creating such miracles? And he, in his foolish nap, had missed the grand moment entirely?
The Tian Po Sword could have cried. If the Young Master loved showing off, then let her show off! What harm was there in just listening? Instead, because of one short slumber, he missed the awakening of her true identity. A loss beyond measure.
The Tian Po Sword swore to himself: next time, no matter how arrogant she sounded, he would listen patiently, for hidden in her words might be secrets of her true origins.
Perhaps she had been too irritating in the divine realm and was chased down to the mortal world.
Perhaps she had shown off too much and been cast down by rivals.
Perhaps she had driven others to despair and been exiled.
These were all possibilities.
The Tian Po Sword's spirit burned with resolve. From now on, unless absolutely forced, he would never slumber again.
And in the corner of his heart, a faint hope stirred. If Yun Jin truly was the reincarnation of a divine being, and her memories were beginning to return, perhaps she could one day locate the souls of Wushuang Sect's fallen members. He did not ask for much, only the chance to honor them properly.
"You and the Lava Dragon wait outside. I will enter the tower as well."
With that, Yun Jin took out her Sect Master's token.
There was still one last reward from the system she had not used—the residence of the Sect Master. But that building concerned no one else, a private benefit meant only for her. She planned to find a quiet place later and summon it casually.
After all, with this identity of a god reborn now attached to her, conjuring one more miraculous structure would hardly raise suspicion.
Yes, it would be fine.
Yun Jin thought of this with satisfaction and stepped into the Trial Tower. She was curious as well. The system's description said this tower could greatly increase the strength of those who entered.
And the system never exaggerated. But how, exactly, did the Trial Tower enhance one's power? Yun Jin intended to find out.
===
Handbook Update!
My third guide, "The Webnovel Handbook: A Guide to Slang, Tropes, and Inside Jokes" has passed vetting and is now available on my profile!
It's your go-to for decoding slang like "tea art" or "golden thigh," understanding popular tropes, and all those fun cultural footnotes. For now, the entries are still few, but I'll keep adding more as I find interesting misc info!
Add it to your library so you don't miss updates! Happy reading! (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ