I Ruined the Long Ao Tian Script

Xu Shulou stepped out of the temporary inn where she was staying and noticed someone was tailing her.

For several days in a row, that person remained.

She pretended not to notice, going about her daily business as usual.

Until one night, just as dusk fell, a figure carrying demonic energy passed by the inn. It was immediately detected, and a red-clad figure darted out from the guest room, leaping into pursuit.

Meanwhile, atop the tallest tower in Frostless City, members of the Lingxiao Sect observed the scene from afar.

"I don’t understand," Xiao Ya said bluntly. "Why send someone to lure Xu Shulou away?"

Fan ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍Yang replied coldly, "Precisely so she won’t catch it."

"Why?" Xiao Ya pressed.

"Are you questioning my decision?"

Xiao Ya stiffened. "As a disciple, I have no right to question the elder’s decisions. But as for the next steps, I must excuse myself from participating."

With that, she walked out, and no one stopped her. The countless treasures of the Xiao Kingdom’s royal family had bought her a relatively detached status. As one who had benefited from those riches, Fan Yang, though displeased with her, did nothing beyond a cold snort at her retreating figure.

"Junior Sister Xiao has a temper, but she’s not wrong," Lu Beichen interjected, still carrying the sense of righteousness typical of a renowned sect’s disciple. "It’s just a demonic creature. The priority should be swiftly eliminating it to bring peace to the people. Who catches it shouldn’t matter."

Fan Yang glared at him. "This is the sect leader’s secret order. Do you dare defy it?"

Lu Beichen startled slightly. "This disciple wouldn’t dare."

Fan Yang’s expression softened slightly. "It’s just as well Xiao Ya isn’t joining. Our scouts outside the city just reported traces of the demon. Prepare to follow me out."

Fan Zhi was absent—she was the one tasked with posing as the demon to divert Xu Shulou. Skilled in lightness techniques and equipped with a rare flight artifact, she could ensure Xu Shulou wouldn’t catch up anytime soon.

"Acknowledged," Lu Beichen replied, though inwardly dissatisfied. Fan Yang, knowing a battle was imminent, had dispatched a key combatant to distract Xu Shulou—hardly a strategic move.

As they left the city, they immediately encountered the creature. Several Lingxiao Sect disciples were struggling to hold it back, and Lu Beichen rushed to assist.

Up close, the stench was overwhelming. The creature was humanoid, clad in tattered clothes stained with dried blood, its face obscured by matted hair.

Ravenous, it clawed at a disciple’s chest mid-fight, as if eager to tear out organs for a meal.

Disgusted, Lu Beichen swung his sword. Strangely, the creature hesitated upon seeing him. After a few exchanges, Lu Beichen slowed his strikes, growing uncertain.

"What are you dawdling for?!" Fan Yang barked, attacking while berating him. "Strike now!"

"But its movements—"

"Enough talk! Kill it quickly and burn the remains. Didn’t you say you’d bring peace to Frostless City?"

The creature, nearly mindless, suddenly grew agitated at these words. With a guttural cry, it slashed a disciple’s chest, leaving bloody gashes. Lu Beichen had no choice but to focus on the fight.

Fan Yang’s eyes gleamed ruthlessly as he swung his blade at the creature’s head.

"My, what a lively scene." A leisurely, almost amused voice cut through the night. Under normal circumstances, Fan Yang might have found the clear, melodious tone pleasant, but recognizing its owner, he found it grating.

"Xu Shulou? How are you here?" If Xu Shulou had turned back, Fan Zhi should have signaled.

"Who said the person in my room was actually me?" Xu Shulou smiled. "From the second day I noticed your surveillance, it wasn’t me staying there anymore."

A similarly built disciple from the Joyous Love Sect had impersonated her. Fan Zhi, wary of Xu Shulou’s strength, had fled without stopping to check.

Fan Yang’s attacks slowed, his mind elsewhere. Seizing the moment, Xu Shulou raised her sword.

"Let me help you!" Fan Yang shouted.

But his spiritual strike wasn’t aimed at the creature—it hit the thick layer of fallen leaves on the ground.

The swirling foliage obscured Xu Shulou’s vision.

Ever curious, the more Fan Yang tried to keep her from the creature, the more determined she became to see it.

She shot through the leaves, her blade slicing toward the tangled hair hiding the creature’s face.

Fan Yang deliberately blocked her path. Xu Shulou resisted the urge to redirect her strike at him, holding back her irritation.

The flurry of leaves also distracted the other disciples. Amid the chaos, the creature seized its chance, knocking one aside and fleeing into the distance.

Lu Beichen hesitated, strangely reluctant to chase.

Xu Shulou stepped forward, but Fan Yang intercepted her, turning the blame on her. "If not for your interference, we’d have already slain the demon! Truly, Dustless Island’s teachings shine through!"

Xu Shulou laughed. "Elder Fan, your act is rather clumsy."

Unfazed, Fan Yang glowered. "You dare laugh? Letting a demon escape—I’ll report this to your sect and see you punished!"

Before he finished, the creature reappeared in their sight—intercepted and dragged back.

The newcomers wore flowing, multicolored silks, barefoot and exquisitely beautiful. They were disciples of the Joyous Love Sect, each enchanting in their own way, yet now encircling the creature with weapons drawn, their demeanor unexpectedly solemn under the moonlight.

"You allied with the Joyous Love Sect?" Fan Yang spat, furious. "Then again, with your looks, you’d fit right in. Why not join them outright? I’m sure you’d get along famously with those vixens!"

Xu Shulou planted her sword on the ground. "A reminder: if you can’t beat me, you’d best speak politely."

Power dictated terms. Swallowing his rage, Fan Yang could only watch as Xu Shulou approached the creature, subduing it with the Joyous Love Sect’s aid.

Lu Beichen stared intently, stirring Fan Yang’s frustration further. He’d brought Lu Beichen to distract Xu Shulou, yet the man couldn’t even manage a word in front of his betrothed.

The humanoid creature reeked of demonic energy, its mind long gone. When Xu Shulou reached out, it snapped at her.

Dodging, she gently brushed aside the greasy, tangled hair obscuring its face. Her breath hitched. Carefully, she wiped away the dried blood with a damp cloth.

Beneath the grime emerged a face of striking refinement.

"......" Xu Shulou was momentarily speechless. "It's you?"

Lu Beichen's face was equally filled with shock. "Junior Uncle?!"