Xue Yueliang stood there stiff, with her hand still touching the mural and made no movements after she said those words. It was almost like her soul had left her body, leaving behind an empty husk. However, anyone who had sharp enough eyes would notice that she was, in fact, inheriting a supreme technique.

The demon, god, and all that surrounded them turned into pieces of scattering ash, forming the visage of an old expert. This expert was neither her old master nor anyone she had ever seen before. He gave off an aura filled with the vicissitudes of time and flashed a kind, elderly smile toward her.

"Young girl, you have perfectly answered this puzzle and have the right to be named heir of my sect. " A grieved expression appeared on his face as he continued, "Alas, we have been destroyed to our roots, and I'm the only survivor. I can not allow the inheritance to end with me, so I can only give you the power without the status. Protect yourself well, youngster. And if you ever have the chance, restore my legacy. "

The elder showed signs of disappearing, causing Xue Yueliang to hurriedly call out, "And may ask for your noble name, elder?" She had no idea who he was or what his sect was named, so if she one day decided on fulfilling his wish, where would she even start? Wasn't disappearing like this much too irresponsible?

"Why, of course," the elder said, leading her lips to twitch, as this was a voice she recognised, "I'm Yao Ming of the Invincible Dao sect. " He said teasingly. "Who else would be at my inheritance site? "

"That's what I have been wondering." Xue Yueliang grumbled, "Master, I have been through death and back. I hope you are not planning on cheating me of my inheritance. " She said while outstretching her palm.

Yao Ming took his turn to grumble, "Dying is not a great thing." He said, "And do you think you would have been the first to comprehend if I hadn't intentionally misled those juniors?"

Xue Yueliang was about to agree with his words and then realised that they weren't the only ones he tricked, wasn't she also lied to? She just hadn't paid much attention to his words which allowed her to discover that he walked on the path of invincibility and not murder as he claimed.

"At least I'm still alive and not a wandering ghost, tricking the junior generation," she sharply retorted.

Yao Ming was shocked at her harsh words, and the master-student duo stared at each other in dissatisfaction. Each was wondering whether they had made the right choice or not. Finally, Yao Ming gave in. He waved his hand and imprinted his sword inheritance directly on her soul. She thanked her master, sat down in the lotus position, and began to digest the information she was given.

The inheritance came in images, and they showed a marvellous sword technique. The sword technique was named the Invincible Sword Art, showcasing elegant but powerful moves; that could rip the heavens apart. Although Xue Yueliang had no trouble viewing it, she knew that that was because it was slowed down for her. If the shadowy being wished to attack her, she would not know how she died. Xue Yueliang stood up and practised the sword along with the figure. She swerved when he did, stabbed in tandem with him and slashed her sword. She closed her eyes and tried to understand the profundities within, impressing her master.

From afar, this scene appeared magical, as a young girl wielded a sword of more than half her length with more elegance than they could ever achieve. Soon after, her face could not help but frown, and her attacks lost their previous grace. Her swings became more forceful, more enraged and focused on power rather than swiftness, seemingly unbeatable, embodying the invincible path of her master.

"Why is your inheritance filled with so many traps?" She complained as she swung her sword at him. Though she knew she could not harm him, she wanted to vent her anger. Tricking her once or twice was fine, but a third time meant he was taking her for a fool. She had nothing against him using his older age to his advantage, but this was too much. She was his disciple, after all.

"I gave you both the sword and the sword techniques. Aren't you being too ungrateful?" He screamed as he dodged her sword. He found this entire situation amusing and was glad he finally got the chance to get payback. She had conned him of his Blood Moon Sword earlier.

"What gracefulness were you on about? Even a hoodlum has more grace than you!" She had no idea why he was being like this; one or two traps were understandable but wasn't lying to her at every turn a bit too much.

"Shouldn't women have a graceful bearing?" He said, causing Xue Yueliang to roll her eyes.

He awkwardly coughed and said: "My inheritance is not only sword arts. It also contains one of the top ten legendary flames, the Berserk Dragon Flame. "

He released a marron coloured flame and circled it around himself a few times, showing its power and ability. It seemed to warp space, releasing fiery energy that excited her.

That power would be hers. As Xue Yueliang was still excited, she noticed her master take away an ember's worth of fire, keeping away the rest. "Why?" She asked disgruntedly.

"Do you think you can subdue the entire flame?" He asked disdainfully. "And if I give it all away, I would be the first you kill."

"I'm not that unappreciative." She mumbled but did not bother arguing much further.

The fact that they did not trust each other made their entire relationship a joke, but she wasn't ready to lower her guard. Especially after he had tricked her a few times already and watched her as she died. She accepted the small blaze, guiding it to her meridians and refining it into her own power. The refinement process went smoothly due to her powerful divine sense. The fire did not once deviate from the path she had set out for it. It circled her dantian a few times, purifying it further before settling next to the blood-red lightning. Her master sighed in amazement and wondered if he should give her more of the flame, but his thoughts were interrupted.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Xue Yueliang was startled at the presence of the lightning and stared at her master. "Why is there lightning located in my dantian?" She asked.

"Your body could not refine the remaining energy, so I had restrained it for you," he indifferently replied. "But you only thanked that little girl, forgetting about your own master."

"Thank you, master. " She complied and then thought of an idea. After communicating it with her master, a mischievous grin appeared on their faces. Xue Yueliang left the mural's realm and looked at the cultivating trio before her gaze landed on her brother.

She disappeared from her spot and swung the Blood Moon Sword, beheading him in one swing and using the Berserk Dragon Flame to incinerate his corpse. She dispersed the ashes and looked up at her master, "It's your turn now."

Her master smiled and asked, "Are you sure about this? There's no turning back." Xue Yueliang ignored his words, as there was no one happier with the current development than him. A person with no roots and no one to fall back on was easy to control - precisely what she was about to become. She soon felt her mind clear and let out a smile of relief, marking her end as Qin Yao.

As soon as Xue Yueliang felt relief overcome her a disturbance occurred in the Qin Clan.

"Patriarch! Patriarch, something has happened in the Soul-Keeping Array. " An elder yelled while rushing into the Qin Clan's head's room.

The Soul-Keeping Array kept a part of the direct descendants' souls so that if they died outside, they could retrieve their corpses and - if needed - avenge them.

"What's the matter?" He asked, frowning.

Seeing that he angered the patriarch, the elder stammered, hoping that his following few words won't lead to him being killed with a hand wave. "Both Young Master Qin Yundi and Young Miss Qin Yao died in quick succession to each other." He said.

The patriarch's face communicated his confusion, wondering why this news was worthy of disturbing him. After thinking again, they were his kids, and Qin Yundi was his successor, it was not weird for people to expect him to care.

"Retrieve the corpses." He ordered, his expression appearing like he was told that another's food was lukewarm. Completely indifferent.

"Patriarch, do you not want to avenge them?" The elder asked, stunned by his lack of care.

The patriarch looked at him like he was a fool, "They probably killed each other, " he said. "And even if not, what's the point? Their death just proves their uselessness, and if someone brags about killing them and damages the Qin Clan's name. Only then would I bother moving."

"Patriarch is wise!" The elder exclaimed, but a cold sweat covered his back. Although having a level-headed patriarch was good, being so ruthless to his own kids did not sit well with him. If one day the clan was unable to support him pr benefit him in any way, wouldn't he turn his back on them? The elder ordered a few disciples to retrieve their corpses and met with the other elders; something did not feel right.

Meanwhile, Xue Yueliang killed Sha Ren and then turned to go. Nothing else here interested her, and it was best for her to leave, practice her sword arts and leave the entire kingdom.

"Wait," the princess' voice sounded, her words having the natural ability to enchant. "Why don't we sit for tea?" She asked, and Xue Yueliang found it difficult to ignore her words. She nodded and sat in front of the princess and waited for her to take out the tea - she did not have a tea brewing set. Yao Niang was happy that Xue Yueliang had accepted her request, and two cute dimples formed on her face. She took out an intricate tea brewing set and was about to begin brewing when Xue Yueliang interrupted her, "Let me, princess."

"Yao Niang," she smiled, gesturing to Xue Yueliang to do as she pleased.

"You are as pretty as your name, " Xue Yueliang laughed, causing the princess to feel pleased. Xue Yueliang picked up the tea leaves; they were tender and released a fresh smell, seemingly like they were gathered just a few moments ago. Xue Yueliang used the Berserk Dragon Flame to boil the water, and unlike its name, it was tame in her hands. Her control surprised both the princess and her master, and an extra point of respect was added to the princess' eyes. She knew that Xue Yueliang had just gotten the flame.

As soon as she had boiled the water to the desired temperature, she used it to warm up the tea set but didn't wash the leaves, seeing as they were already cleaned. She then boiled the tea leaves for a quarter of an incense stick's time and used her Qi to stir the tea. After pouring the tea, Xue Yueliang handed it to the princess and noticed her astonishment.

"Even if you decided against being a cultivator, you would live a great life as a noble lady, " Yao Niang laughed. She did not expect Xue Yueliang to have this skill, especially since her assumption of her was someone who would swim in the blood of her enemies.

Before Xue Yueliang could even reply, she heard an unsatisfied voice resounding in her head, "You serve this little girl tea but not your master?" He asked, his tone showing how frustrated he was. "Master, can you please not get jealous of a junior? Can you even drink tea as a ghost?"

"Are you looking down on your master?"

Xue Yueliang helplessly sighed and poured another cup of tea, and she held it with both hands and turned next to her, "Master may you accept this cup of tea from your disciple." Soon after her words landed, his figure materialised beside her, shocking Yao Niang. Yao Ming accepted the tea and took a sip before exclaiming, "Such good tea!"

Embarrassment filled her from his overboard actions, and she poured herself a cup, taking a sip; her eyes could not help but widen. This was indeed good tea. Seeing the princess' bashful expression, Xue Yueliang could not help but turn red. She cursed her master for being such a country bumpkin in her head and quietly enjoyed the tea. After a while, her master must have realised how awkward he had made the scenario and took off to leave, allowing the other two to sigh in relief.

Xue Yueliang took that chance to dispel the uncomfortable atmosphere and tried to get to know the princess. She did not believe that she was kind to her for no reason and hoped to find out why but Yao Niang's mouth was tightly guarded. She did not give any more information than she needed to. Directly asking her about it was out of the question unless she wanted to completely offend her, so she became quiet.

Yao Niang asked, "If you are the daughter of the Qin Clan, why not stay there? They have all the resources you need. It is much faster than being a rogue cultivator." She was very curious about this, as having power behind her was always something desirable. Giving it up so easily was foolish, and with the power, she showed today, the Qin Clan would be more than willing to groom her.

Xue Yueliang took another sip and carefully formulated a response, "I have always been seen as a good-for-nothing." She began, "Changing that impression of me would be much too hard, and besides, I could never achieve ultimate power there." She looked deeply at the princess, saying, "As a woman, the conservative elders of my clan will refuse to acknowledge me and try to put me down at every turn. I'm sure that's something you're very familiar with, princess. It's not worth it in my eyes."

Yao Niang's expression turned complicated, and she couldn't help but sigh.

Xue Yueliang's words were not wrong.