I Ruined the Long Ao Tian Script

In the Void Abyss Secret Realm, there lay a breathtakingly beautiful sea. Under the glow of two and a half suns, it shimmered like an endless sapphire, its sparkling waves blending seamlessly with the sky.

A group of travelers rode dolphins across the rolling waves, playful fish leaping alongside them. Sentient coral trees flaunted their vibrant forms, while the massive silhouettes of mystical beasts occasionally broke the surface before vanishing into the depths. When waves surged, they charged forward to meet them. As the sun dipped westward, the moon rose over the sea, leaving the group in awe of nature's profound and wondrous beauty.

Under the cover of night, they set foot on an unfamiliar stretch of sand, bidding farewell to the dolphins with gratitude. Just as they were about to light a bonfire for a seaside barbecue, a cry for help echoed from nearby.

Rushing to the source, they pulled a drenched woman from the water. Bai Roushuang took a closer look—it was none other than Xiao Ya, the imperial princess of the Lingxiao Sect. Her robes were disheveled, her body trembling, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes as she pleaded, "I got separated from my group... I was nearly assaulted and had to jump into the sea to escape. May I stay with you for now?"

The decision naturally fell to Xu Shulou. Bai Roushuang sighed inwardly, certain her senior sister would soften at the plea.

Sure enough, Xu Shulou smiled and said, "Of course. You’re welcome to join us."

Xiao Ya immediately overflowed with gratitude. Seeing their plans for a barbecue, she insisted everyone rest while she busied herself roasting serving after serving of meat, sweat beading on her forehead.

Xu Shulou then directed her to slice spirit fruits, pour wine, serve tea, fan the group, and even clean up a spilled platter of roasted meat—keeping her in constant motion.

Once the feast concluded, Xu Shulou had her tidy the beach before finally tilting her head with a smile and asking, "Are you angry?"

Xiao Ya shook her head. "I wouldn’t dare."

"Really? Not even when I knocked over the plate of meat you poisoned?"

Xiao Ya’s forced smile froze. "What do you mean, Miss Xu?"

"You’re not a very convincing actress. Given your temperament, this act doesn’t suit you."

Xiao Ya was the kind of princess Bai Roushuang had imagined—raised in luxury, never knowing hardship. The royal family of Xiao Kingdom had lavished treasures to secure her a place as a direct disciple under a Lingxiao Sect elder. Whether in tales or reality, this imperial princess was notorious for her pride, unwilling to bow or yield. Why, then, would she grovel before Xu Shulou?

With those words, Xu Shulou flicked her folding fan, immobilizing Xiao Ya with spiritual energy. Her left hand made a grasping motion over the woman’s face, peeling away a faintly flesh-toned, translucent film. Beneath it was a far plainer face.

Bai Roushuang gasped. "You—you’re that woman we robbed in the ice cave! You’ve been following us?!"

"... " The Dustless Island group had meandered leisurely, feasting and resting often—hardly a challenge to track. The woman glared at Xu Shulou. "How did you know which plate I poisoned...?"

Xu Shulou smiled. "I had the little fox keep an eye on you, just in case. Your cooking was excellent—such a waste otherwise."

Bai Roushuang seethed. "You tore your clothes and faked an assault just to exploit my sister’s kindness! What were you planning? To poison us all and steal our treasures?!"

The woman ignored her, staring only at Xu Shulou. "You knew all along? Why not expose me earlier?"

Xu Shulou blinked innocently. "We needed someone to handle the barbecue."

"... " You’re truly despicable.

Xu Shulou toyed with the translucent film. "I’ll keep this. I won’t interrogate your motives, but you’ll trade a life-saving treasure for your freedom."

Seeing no escape, the woman reluctantly offered her storage pouch for inspection.

"Ah, shape-shifting grass. Perfect." Xu Shulou plucked a spirit herb and handed it to the little fox, who erupted in excited gratitude.

"Don’t thank me," Xu Shulou said, pointing at the woman. "Thank this kind stranger for delivering gifts. Come, everyone, pick something—no need to hold back."

The woman’s eye twitched, noticed immediately by Bai Roushuang. "Were you about to insult my sister?!"

"... " Listen to what she’s saying—does it not warrant cursing?

Xu Shulou selected a porcelain vial, uncorked it, and frowned at the scent before tossing it into the bonfire. Flames erupted in blue-green hues. "‘Immortal’s Bane.’ A rare poison—no wonder you used it sparingly."

She studied the woman, hesitating briefly before pressing a palm to her dantian.

"Your methods are too vicious. I won’t take your life, but with a heart so twisted, you’ll relearn humility from the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Please, no! It took me decades to reach Core Formation!"

Her shrieks were laced with terror. She’d trailed Xu Shulou from afar, witnessing her mercy, gambling she wouldn’t kill. Never had she anticipated this.

To demote a cultivator from Core Formation to Foundation Establishment required at least peak Nascent Soul power—yet Xu Shulou’s precision, sparing every meridian, suggested something beyond even that.

Above Nascent Soul… What realm was that? She couldn’t be at the Divine Transformation stage—no cultivator that young could reach such heights.

Defeated, the woman clutched her dantian and slunk away like a beaten dog.

As Xu Shulou watched her leave, Bai Roushuang watched Xu Shulou. She’d seen her sister’s fleeting hesitation before acting and now sighed softly, taking her hand.

Xu Shulou was gentle by nature. Had fate let her remain a sheltered noble, it would’ve been heaven’s greatest kindness. But destiny had placed her here, where bloodshed was inevitable.

After a peaceful night, Bai Roushuang awoke to find her senior sister floating midair—literally.

Xu Shulou drifted like a weightless leaf, cradled by the wind, carried afar only to be swept back.

Is she… kite-flying with herself? Bai Roushuang stifled a laugh.

Jiang Yan handed her breakfast, explaining, "Elder Sister likes to float while thinking."

Bai Roushuang nodded, biting into a steamed bun. Nearby, Ji Ci plucked at a zither—a treasure looted from the ice cave, ill-suited to his hotheaded swordsman persona. The delicate instrument screeched like a saw under his rough handling.

The noise must’ve disturbed Xu Shulou, who descended gracefully. "That’s a musical cultivator’s artifact. At its peak, it can kill without a sound."

She strummed the strings twice. Bai Roushuang promptly covered her ears.

Xu Shulou laughed. "Why the panic? I’ve no skill in musical cultivation."

Bai Roushuang awkwardly offered a flattering remark: "In my eyes, Senior Sister is capable of anything."

The little fox, waiting until they reached a safe place to consume the shapeshifting herb, had reverted to its beast form. It gathered a bundle of wildflowers from the mountainside, arranging them into a delicate bouquet of soft pinks and light reds, then carried them back in its mouth and presented them to Xu Shulou.

Xu Shulou bent down and scooped up both the fox and the flowers, cradling them in her arms. She stroked its ears and gave its tail an occasional playful tug.

No wonder everyone despises fox spirits, Bai Roushuang thought bitterly as she took a vicious bite of her steamed bun. Enchanting in human form, utterly adorable in beast form—did they leave any room for others to compete?

Nearby, another female demon cultivator having breakfast seemed envious. Out of the corner of her eye, Bai Roushuang spotted two fluffy white ears suddenly popping up from the woman’s hair. She glared at her furiously—one fox was already too much, and now another?

Under her fierce gaze, the demon cultivator’s ears shrank back in fright, and she nibbled on her spiritual herbs with a pitiful expression.

"Miss Xu, try this—I just found these spirit fruits," a clear, unfamiliar female voice chimed in.

Bai Roushuang turned toward the sound, momentarily stunned, then quickly nudged Jiang Yan beside her. "Fifth Senior Brother, who is this now?"

"While you were asleep, Senior Sister rescued a pair of lovers from a swarm of venomous bees."

"..."

Wonderful, Bai Roushuang mused with wry amusement. By the time they encountered the Lingxiao Sect again, their own group might just outnumber their hundred-strong squad.