I Ruined the Long Ao Tian Script-Chapter 61

Execution

The white-robed Wei Xuandao was instantly sucked into the painting, while the black-robed one, standing further back, reacted swiftly. With a spin, he retreated, narrowly avoiding the mysterious artifact, his right hand already drawing a pitch-black sword to guard his stance.

He seemed determined to embody the essence of "I am malice" in every detail—not just his dark attire, but even the sword he wielded was entirely black.

"Who dares?!" Mid-argument, his sparring partner had vanished. The black-robed Wei Xuandao roared in fury, slashing his sword toward the painting. Xu Shulou leaped forward, intercepting the scroll midair before he could strike.

The black-robed figure immediately redirected his attack toward her. Xu Shulou twisted midair with a surge of spiritual energy, barely evading the blade. At close range, she sensed the chilling, sinister aura emanating from his sword intent.

"A Soul-Siphon Blade?" Xu Shulou recognized it instantly—such weapons were rare in the cultivation world. The blade bore a groove designed to drain an opponent’s essence with even the slightest cut, inflicting grievous harm without needing to strike a vital point. It was a weapon despised by righteous cultivators, colloquially known as the "Soul-Siphon Blade" for its cruel efficiency.

The black-robed Wei Xuandao, ever concerned with prestige, corrected her haughtily, "This is the Soul-Severing Asura Blade."

"...Which is still just a Soul-Siphon Blade." The difference was merely one of crude nickname versus lofty title.

Their exchange didn’t slow their clash. Xu Shulou’s folding fan shimmered, transforming into a gleaming sword.

Her robes fluttered as she dodged another strike, her sword energy carving a radiant arc that forced the malevolent Wei Xuandao back.

The black-robed figure finally recognized her. "Xu Shulou? How did you find this place?"

Xu Shulou flicked her wrist, her blade darting toward his throat. "Secrets never stay buried."

"Where did you take him?" The black-robed figure parried. He held no love for the white-robed Wei Xuandao, but he knew the latter was their key to ascension—rescue was unavoidable.

"Don’t worry. I’ll reunite you soon enough."

The black-robed figure’s sword tore through the air like a venomous serpent, its icy edge lunging for Xu Shulou. "Then don’t blame me for killing you and taking that treasure! Xu Shulou, you could’ve been useful to me. Why must you insist on courting death?"

"You’re the one courting death. Did you think I traveled thousands of miles just for the pleasure of cutting you down?" Xu Shulou’s sword twisted, her intent coiling around his blade. A numbing shock jolted through the black-robed figure’s hand, forcing him to release his grip.

Wei Xuandao was at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage. Even split into two, neither half should’ve faltered so quickly. The black-robed figure paled. "What realm have you reached?"

Xu Shulou didn’t answer, pressing forward relentlessly. Her sword blazed, its tip aimed at his brow.

The strike was straightforward, yet he couldn’t evade it. As the sword energy surged toward his face, he frantically summoned a protective artifact to shield his forehead. At the last moment, Xu Shulou’s blade veered slightly, shearing off his topknot instead.

The blade grazed his scalp, leaving his hair unevenly scattered—and a bald patch right at the crown.

Before he could lament his sudden baldness, Xu Shulou’s sword abruptly dropped, its hilt slamming into the bare spot and knocking him unconscious.

She tossed the black-robed figure into the painting, then leaned against the cliffside to catch her breath. The fight had drained her. After a brief rest, she resignedly pulled out a shovel and began digging.

She didn’t dare blast the ground open with spiritual energy—what if Xiao Ruzhuo was barely clinging to life and her carelessness finished him off?

After digging for the time it took an incense stick to burn, her shovel struck something hard with a metallic clang. Peering into the hole, she spotted Xiao Ruzhuo’s handsome, unconscious face illuminated by the faint glow of an ice coffin.

She unearthed the coffin and, after a moment’s thought, decided to take him back to Dustless Island first.

With living beings inside, the painting couldn’t be stored in a Qiankun Bracelet. Xu Shulou hoisted the coffin over her right shoulder, clutched the scroll in her left hand, and flew toward Dustless Island like a one-woman caravan.

———

On Dustless Island, the sect leader had just returned from assisting an old friend through a tribulation. He’d lit incense in his bamboo grove, prepared fine tea and wine, and was savoring a rare moment of leisure—until Xu Shulou landed before him, ice coffin in tow.

The sect leader winced, sorely tempted to revoke her access to the main peak. Instead, he set down his delicate teacup, craned his neck to peer at Xiao Ruzhuo in the coffin, and sighed. "How much of my time is this trouble going to consume?"

"Hard to say. But there’s a quick solution," Xu Shulou offered helpfully. "Just chop Wei Xuandao’s head off."

The sect leader covered his eyes in despair. "Please don’t tell me you brought Wei Xuandao back too."

Xu Shulou almost pitied him too much to reveal that she’d brought back not one, but two Wei Xuandaos.

She patted the painting, letting reality deliver the blow. "Spit them out."

A seasoned cultivator, the sect leader barely blinked as the unconscious black-and-white duo tumbled onto the ground. He merely rubbed his temples. "Did you knock out all three?"

"Xiao Ruzhuo wasn’t me…" Xu Shulou quickly explained the situation.

By the end, the sect leader’s eyes had glazed over. "This is complicated. I’ll need to send a missive to Lingxiao Sect—their leader can’t shirk responsibility this time."

Wei Xuandao was temporarily imprisoned in Dustless Island’s disciplinary hall. The sect leader summoned a physician for Xiao Ruzhuo, while Xu Shulou, after notifying Xiao Ya, finally turned her attention to the painting. "What did you do to the two I sent in?"

"Nothing," the painting replied innocently. "Didn’t you tell me to stop tormenting people? I’ve been very obedient."

"..." You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?

"What’s wrong?"

"Then what exactly did you do to him?"

The painting lowered its voice conspiratorially. "I tried guiding him toward virtue."

"Virtue?" Xu Shulou raised an eyebrow. "How’d that go?"

"Not well. Of all the people who’ve entered my realm, he might be the wickedest. I didn’t even need to place him in a ‘paradise’ trial—he was already rotten," the painting admitted, sounding dejected. "I crafted a nurturing environment for him, yet he still chose evil... I even gave him a compassionate, gifted dao companion to heal and redeem him, to guide his heart toward goodness. But he found a way to drain her essence instead... Though I didn’t have much time to experiment. When you called, I erased his memories and ejected him."

"The one who drained his dao companion—that was the malevolent half, right?"

"Weren't both of them evil incarnations? I was referring to the one in black robes earlier."

"What do you mean?"

"I placed the one in white in an identical painted realm. In front of others, he acted lovingly with his Dao companion, but behind their back, he dug out his companion’s spiritual root, trying to transfer it to himself through a secret method—though he failed," the scroll mused, perplexed. "Why do you call the black-robed one evil? He himself claims to be evil... By my standards, both of them should be considered wicked. Is there some principle in the cultivation world I don’t understand?"

Xu Shulou raised an eyebrow. "Wei Xuandao has already excised his evil incarnation, declaring himself a vessel of pure goodness. I assumed the one in white, even if his virtue was questionable, at least wouldn’t commit such atrocities..."

The scroll asked, "What’s so strange about that? Wei Xuandao’s evil arose from within himself—not forced by circumstance, nor imposed by external forces. Even if he excised it, his nature would gradually regrow malice."

Xu Shulou looked at it in surprise. "You’ve actually said something profound for once."

"I’ve always been profound!" The scroll fell silent for a moment before adding, "Could you specify which part was profound just now?"

"..." Xu Shulou ignored the question. "It seems Wei Xuandao’s so-called 'pure goodness' might only have lasted a few days after the excision. After that, he would inevitably become tainted again. Given a few decades, perhaps another black-robed incarnation could be carved from his main soul..."

The scroll seized the moment to advise, "You see, you really ought to share my disillusionment with human nature."

Xu Shulou sighed. "Next time, I’ll introduce you to some good people."

"Whatever," the scroll replied, disinterested. Then, as if remembering something, it added proudly, "Oh, to analyze his thoughts, I specifically observed Wei Xuandao’s mental process while he committed his crimes. Would you like to hear it?"

"Not interested. This isn’t an illusionary realm," Xu Shulou shook his head. "In the real world, wrongdoing demands punishment. His motives, his so-called hardships—they mean nothing to me."

Having failed to pique his interest, the scroll fell silent. Xu Shulou shook it out and hung it back atop Bright Moon Peak.

———

The matter was grave, and the Lingxiao Sect could not afford to take it lightly. To interrogate Wei Xuandao, ten elders arrived, and Sect Master Ling Li finally emerged from his secluded mountain cave to personally attend Dustless Island.

Alongside them were several of Wei Xuandao’s disciples.

Xiao Ruzhuo had been revived but remained dazed, lingering outside the Hall of Discipline for hours before ultimately deciding not to face Wei Xuandao.

Wei Xuandao, for his part, showed little desire to see him either, requesting only a private meeting with his eldest disciple, Lu Beichen. Dustless Island had no reason to refuse, so Lu Beichen was permitted to visit the prisoner.

When brought before the Lingxiao Sect Master and the assembled elders the next day, the white-robed Wei Xuandao appeared calm and composed—so much so that even the black-robed incarnation couldn’t help but glance at him, wondering what strategy he had in mind.

Sect Master Ling Li regarded them both coolly. "Wei Xuandao, do you admit your wrongdoing?"

The white-robed main soul answered, "I do."

"You harmed your fellow sect member. Since you admit guilt, you shall be executed."

A murmur of shock spread among the Lingxiao Sect elders. Ling Li’s verdict seemed almost rushed, as if he were in a hurry.

Xu Shulou, however, understood—he likely was in a hurry, eager to return to his cultivation. His indifference was consistent. Just as he had shown no concern for Zhang Baihe’s death, he now regarded Wei Xuandao’s fate with equal detachment. To him, these matters were mere distractions from his ascension.

"Sect ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‍Master, shouldn’t we ask a few more questions?" A white-bearded elder stepped forward. "The witnesses, Xiao Ruzhuo and Xu Shulou, haven’t even spoken yet. Besides, Wei Xuandao is still an elder of our sect. How can we execute him so hastily? At the very least, we should clarify the full sequence of events."

"Then ask," Ling Li replied, closing his eyes to meditate.

The white-bearded elder reluctantly took charge, questioning the witnesses as protocol demanded.

Xiao Ruzhuo bowed respectfully. "That day outside my master’s door, I didn’t overhear anything critical—only Senior Zhang Baihe’s name. My master’s cultivation far surpasses mine, so he detected me quickly. I don’t know what he thought I heard that warranted silencing me."

Xu Shulou recounted the conversation in the cave truthfully.

One was a disciple of the sect; the other, a renowned prodigy. Coupled with the undeniable presence of the black-and-white Wei Xuandaos, the Lingxiao Sect members collectively gasped upon hearing of Zhang Baihe’s fate. Some refused to believe it, others pointed at Wei Xuandao in furious condemnation, and one even spat in his direction. Among the crowd, Xiao Ya tightened her grip on her sword hilt.

The white-bearded elder glanced at the black-robed figure, whose bald patch lent him a somewhat comical appearance, then decisively addressed the white-robed one. "Senior Wei, how could you be so misguided?"

"It was my mistake. In pursuit of the Great Dao, I abandoned my principles."

"But—but—"

Seeing his hesitation, another elder cut in bluntly, "Senior Wei, let me be direct—is this 'evil-excising' secret technique of yours real or not?"

The white-robed Wei Xuandao looked at his black-robed counterpart. "Isn’t the answer obvious?"

The questioner exchanged glances with another elder in the crowd, cleared his throat, and pressed, "Senior Wei, can you prove it?"

The white-robed Wei Xuandao smiled. "If the fellow cultivators of Dustless Island agree to remove my chains, I can reclaim the evil incarnation into my body right now as proof."

Under the eager gazes of the onlookers, the Dustless Island Sect Master gave a slight nod, and someone stepped forward to unlock Wei Xuandao’s restraints.

Before the assembled crowd, the white-robed figure activated his technique, his robes fluttering without wind. A moment later, he extended a finger and pressed it against the black-robed incarnation’s forehead. As the latter stared in shock, his body fragmented piece by piece, dissolving into the white-robed form.

The Dustless Island disciples promptly re-shackled him.

Watching this, Xiao Ya noticed with sudden clarity that while most of the Lingxiao Sect members still burned with anger, a few now gleamed with something else—greed.

Her heart lurched. Of course—if this technique could excise evil and aid in transcending tribulations, there would inevitably be those who coveted it. Were they... planning to spare Wei Xuandao for the sake of his method?

No wonder he had been so composed. He knew his sectmates all too well...

It wouldn’t take all of them. Even two or three elders siding with him would be enough.

She bit her lip. She hadn’t anticipated this turn. He was still her master, yes—but with Wei Xuandao’s nature, given the chance, wouldn’t he seek revenge against Xiao Ruzhuo for testifying today? Wouldn’t he trace the threads back to her, the one who had brought Xu Shulou into this?

Sure enough, an elder spoke up: "Sect Master, Elder Wei is still a member of the Lingxiao Sect, and his victims were also from our sect. This matter has little to do with Dustless Island. In my opinion, shouldn’t we take him back to the Lingxiao Sect for judgment?"

This reasoning was not entirely without merit, and the furious elders did not refute it. In their eyes, it would not be too late to execute Wei Xuandao according to the sect rules after returning to the Lingxiao Sect.

But Xiao Ya knew better. Once he stepped back into the Lingxiao Sect, such an opportunity would never arise again. The sect leader paid little attention to affairs, and Wei Xuandao had too many loyal followers within the sect... She tugged at the sleeve of the man beside her. "Senior Brother Lu, you—"

Lu Beichen, the head disciple of the Lingxiao Sect, held enough sway to speak before the sect leader. In her desperation, Xiao Ya had hoped to seek his help, but he only turned to her woodenly, his eyes filled with pain and confusion.

"You—" Given his state, it seemed Xiao Ya would have to console him instead.

"Indeed, Sect Leader," another elder chimed in. "The matters of the Lingxiao Sect should be settled behind closed doors—"

Just as Ling Li impatiently opened his eyes, seemingly about to nod in agreement, the elder's voice abruptly cut off in the midst of Xiao Ya's mounting anxiety...

Her gaze snapped back to the scene before her. A sword named "Youth's Recklessness" had already pierced through Wei Xuandao's chest.

Xu Shulou withdrew the blade, her face splattered with blood. As she watched Wei Xuandao's body crumple to the ground, she lifted her head and smiled at the stunned crowd. "The criminal Wei Xuandao has been executed."