Zhao Wuji cast a glance at Ruan Jun. After a brief pause, he spoke slowly, his voice calm yet resolute.
"First, Ruan Jun did not act with intent. Second, Yun Jin has suffered no lasting harm. If I were to punish too harshly, it would be a show of bias. I will not, for the sake of my reputation, sacrifice the life of my disciple. I, Zhao Wuji, will never use a disciple's life to polish my own name."
His words were firm, righteous even—but in truth, it was nothing more than a veiled attempt at shielding his own. But his reasoning was convincing enough, at least to Ruan Jun, who immediately looked grateful.
Yun Jin narrowed her eyes. "Oh? No substantial harm—was it because he didn't want to, or because he couldn't? If the sect leader lets this slide so easily, isn't that unfair?"
Zhao Wuji replied indifferently, "Ruan Jun acted recklessly and does deserve minor punishment. To make amends for my disciple's mistake, Tianjian Peak's resources will be tripled for the next year—all from my personal reserves. Are you satisfied now?"
Tripled resources?
But there were countless ways to manipulate such allocations. Even if the quantity couldn't be altered, the quality certainly could. A few subtle adjustments would be effortless.
Yun Jin's eyes gleamed coldly.
Zhao Wuji was shameless—and utterly unapologetic about it. At the core, he relied on his father's influence in Qingxiao Pavilion.
As a native of this world, Yun Jin understood just how terrifying the legendary Four Holy Lands were. Outside the Holy Lands, Unity realm cultivators were the pinnacle of power. But within them? Even someone as formidable as Elder Jian was merely an outer disciple. The disciples of the Holy Lands were monstrously talented. In the original storyline, Ye Danxia later passed Qingxiao Pavilion's trials and became one of their disciples.
Among the Four Holy Lands, Kunlun Sword Sect once stood supreme. But once the female protagonist joined Qingxiao Pavilion, the balance shifted.
Later, when the demonic realm fell into chaos, sword cultivators rose to purge the demons—even the Demon Sovereign was slain by a single stroke from the Kunlun Sword Sect's leader.
Yet, the Demon Sovereign had been cultivating a secret art, allowing him to be reborn in human form. In the end, when the Demon Sovereign stormed Kunlun Sword Sect and drove his blade into the sect leader's chest, he whispered:
"Did you ever imagine this day, when you killed me?"
The sect leader recognized him in his final moments—but it was too late to expose the truth. He died with unseeing eyes. Meanwhile, the Demon Sovereign framed Kunlun Sword Sect for colluding with demons, while he himself became a paragon of righteousness.
For Ye Danxia's sake, he slaughtered demons en masse, and the two were hailed as heroes by the world.
Now that Yun Jin had returned, she had one goal:
The protagonists' enemies were her allies.
Those they sought to kill, she would save.
And in her eyes, neither Lin Ya nor the sword cultivators who later purged the demons had done anything wrong. They had merely stood in the protagonists' way—and were thus branded as villains.
This world's heavens were unjust.
So in this life, she would set things right.
She would inevitably cross paths with Kunlun Sword Sect—but for now, her priority was not to hide her strength. Instead, she needed to prove her worth as quickly as possible.
Elder Jian might favor her slightly, but at most, he would ensure her safety and offer a few fair words. Expecting him to openly oppose Zhao Wuji for her sake? Unrealistic.
Elder Jian didn't fear Zhao Wuji—but why would he go out of his way to make an enemy of him?
Even if he had given Yun Jin a jade token, if she called on him for every little thing—
Once, he'd help.
Twice, he'd help.
But three or four times?
He'd only see her as weak.
So this time, Yun Jin had to handle things herself—she couldn't rely solely on Elder Jian's power.
At this moment, Elder Jian watched the unfolding events with mild interest. Anyone who knew the truth understood that this "punishment" was no punishment at all—it was blatantly unfair to Yun Jin.
But in a world where the strong preyed on the weak, true fairness was a myth.
If Yun Jin wanted justice, she'd have to seize it herself.
If she begged for his help now, he would intervene—but his opinion of her would undoubtedly drop.
Yun Jin didn't even glance at Elder Jian. Instead, she calmly met Ruan Jun's gaze.
"Senior Brother Ruan, today's events played out before many eyes. Right and wrong—everyone knows in their hearts. But I understand one thing. Justice only exists within reach of the sword. Only strength is true authority. Earlier, my senior brother challenged you to a life-and-death duel. You did not dare accept. So now, if it is I who challenges you... do you dare?"
"You?" Ruan Jun thought he had misheard.
"Of course not now," Yun Jin said softly. "I am still too weak. But in three months, during the Ten Peaks Ranking Battle, when disciples of all peaks may fight for honor—I will enter the fray. Then, you and I will settle this in a life-and-death match."
"Little Junior Sister!" Si Wanning's pupils constricted in shock.
"Xiao Jin… what is she thinking?!"
Even if her cultivation method defied logic, she was still only at the Qi Refining stage.
Ruan Jun was already at the Nascent Soul realm.
Even if Yun Jin reached Foundation Establishment in three months—
A Foundation cultivator against a Nascent Soul? That was suicide!
"Well?" Yun Jin remained composed.
Ruan Jun finally processed her words, then burst out laughing.
"She wants to fight me—a Nascent Soul cultivator—in three months? And it's a life-or-death duel? If you're going to seek death, at least do it with some dignity."
"Wait, Junior Sister, you—" Yue Zhao tried to intervene.
But Ruan Jun eagerly cut in: "Since Junior Sister is so confident, how could I, as your senior brother, refuse? I accept your challenge!"
The Tianjian Peak disciples paled.
Si Wanning glared furiously at Ruan Jun.
"Even if Yun Jin was impulsive, how could he agree? This is outright shameless!"
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Ruan Jun smirked. "She was the one who challenged me. I'm just being polite."
He grinned broadly. He'd thought he'd have no way to deal with Yun Jin for the next year—but now, she'd handed him the perfect opportunity. Even Elder Jian couldn't object to a fair duel.
Yun Jin nodded. "It was my proposal. I'm glad you accepted."
Then she raised an eyebrow. "But you once promised to cut off your own head—and broke that vow. If you go back on your word again in three months, what then?"
"Me, go back on my word? Why would I need to?" Ruan Jun scoffed.
"I want to sign a contract," Yun Jin said, one word at a time. "And it will be written on golden contract paper."