[Deng Rusong is dead]

[You stand before Deng Rusong's bed, silent for a long time]

["No more waiting now." Yan Zhixue's voice suddenly appears]

[You startle in alarm, turning to see Yan Zhixue who had somehow appeared beside you]

["Sect Leader Yan, you..."]

[Yan Zhixue's demeanor remains gentle, her smile elegant: "Back then, he said to come find him after he became family head. Now, he said to come find him after his death. I'm always waiting."]

[After pondering, you choose your words carefully: "Perhaps the sect leader simply didn't wish Sect Leader Yan to see his... diminished state these past two years."]

["But I never actually waited." A faint smugness flashes in Yan Zhixue's eyes. "I watched him from afar every day back then. And these past two years, I never left for a single day."]

[Yan Zhixue maintains her slight smile, showing no trace of sorrow. You can't decipher her emotions]

[After speaking, she turns to you, smile unchanged, yet you feel an inexplicable pressure]

[Without another word, Yan Zhixue gives a light laugh and departs immediately, without hesitation]

[The news of Deng Rusong's death spreads, and the entire Danxia Sect dons mourning white]

[Many disciples weep genuine tears]

[The next sect leader, Ruan Bai, cries the most dramatically]

[He hadn't wept this bitterly even when his master You Yun died]

[Shen Dingyuan and Bi Wenyu also cry - so hard they nearly laugh aloud]

[At the funeral, Yan Zhixue returns]

[She stands quietly before Deng Rusong's grave for a moment, then leaves directly]

[She comes and goes the same day]

[Not a single tear falls during the funeral]

[Only when Yan Zhixue finally flies away do you see her rub at her beautiful eyes midair]

[Perhaps the winds up high were too strong, irritating her eyes]

[Hu Zhongxuan rushes over the same day he receives your message]

[He brings Deng Wanshu along, having upgraded her equipment]

[The cold jade bed has become a cold jade coffin - now with sliding lid]

[Very convenient for Hu Zhongxuan to take Deng Wanshu out]

[Upon arriving, Hu Zhongxuan takes full control of Danxia Sect affairs per Deng Rusong's instructions]

[Hu Zhongxuan ensures Ruan Bai's smooth succession]

[Ruan Bai officially becomes the new Danxia Sect leader]

[Under Hu Zhongxuan's forceful suppression, Shen Dingyuan and Bi Wenyu dare not make trouble]

[Two months later, Ruan Bai gradually consolidates control]

[One day, Hu Zhongxuan finds you]

[He warns you not to touch Duan Qian, as Duan Qian has extremely close ties to Prince Yongning Li Yu]

[Targeting Duan Qian means targeting Li Yu, which means provoking the entire Li imperial clan - unthinkable consequences]

[You smile: "Don't worry, Uncle-Master. I know what to do."]

[Hu Zhongxuan considers this, then nods and leaves]

[That same day, Hu Zhongxuan departs Danxia Sect. Shen Dingyuan and Bi Wenyu begin stirring again]

[As Ruan Bai always considers the bigger picture and maintains impartiality, appearing to treat all equally without favoritism, he actually pleases no one and offends everyone]

[Disciples feel following Ruan Bai makes no difference from not following him, so why bother?]

[Thus Ruan Bai lacks any strong faction or steadfast supporters, his foundation weak]

[Shen Dingyuan notices this and begins lobbying factions - offering benefits, mixing threats with rewards. Within half a year, he wins over more than half the sects]

[Ruan Bai's position becomes precarious again]

[One morning, just as you wake, Shen Dingyuan visits your courtyard again]

[This time he's smarter - standing inside your courtyard so he can't be locked out]

[Not just Shen Dingyuan and Bi Wenyu come, but representatives from three other elder factions too]

[Shen Dingyuan says they need you to represent Xie Huide's faction in jointly deposing Ruan Bai and installing Bi Wenyu as leader]

[Still wary of your connection to Hu Zhongxuan]

[He says politely: "Nephew He, just publicly support us at tomorrow's assembly. Name any condition."]

[This Shen Dingyuan buzzes around like an annoying fly - his third attempt to recruit you]

[You'd tolerated him twice out of respect for Deng Rusong's former subordinate, but this leech won't detach]

[Your patience finally snaps]

[Today you'll show them something colorful]

[Or they'll keep mistaking your silence for weakness]

[You glare coldly at Shen Dingyuan and slowly rise: "Didn't I say last time was the final warning?"]

[Your direct challenge humiliates Shen Dingyuan before the others]

[Bi Wenyu flares up at your disrespect: "He Yu! Know your place! I don't need your support to become leader!"]

[The calmer Shen Dingyuan scolds: "Wenyu! Stand down!"]

[Bi Wenyu wants to argue but shrinks under Shen Dingyuan's glare]

[You observe Shen Dingyuan, thinking how experience trumps youth]

[Shen Dingyuan forces a laugh: "Nephew He, Wenyu spoke out of turn..."]

[Your gaze shifts to Bi Wenyu]

[Your Soul Awakening Blade materializes in hand, its darkness like a black hole drawing all eyes]

[Seeing you draw your weapon secretly pleases Shen Dingyuan]

[At mid Dragon Transformation stage, he considers peak Organ Fortifying realm no threat]

[He hopes you'll attack first - killing you could be framed as self-defense even Hu Zhongxuan couldn't dispute]

[His tone turns sharp: "He Yu! How dare you draw your blade! Even your dead master wouldn't be this insolent!"]

[Your gaze slowly shifts from Bi Wenyu to Shen Dingyuan]

[Your calm voice drips menace: "You compete for everything. Even cutting in death's line."]

[As words fade, you vanish. Shen Dingyuan only sees a blur]

[Before he comprehends, alarm bells scream in his mind!]

[Death's approach chokes him]

[Shocked, he instinctively retreats]

[But you anticipate this, flashing behind him]

[Now facing Shen Dingyuan's back as he stumbles backward toward you]

["No—" Shen Dingyuan glimpses you with peripheral vision]

[Screeee—]

[The blade flashes]

[Shen Dingyuan's terror cuts off mid-word]

[Thud—]

[His body hits the ground]

[In the spreading blood pool lie two halves - one is Shen Dingyuan, the other is also Shen Dingyuan]