After Severing Her Emotions, the Whole Sect Was Overwhelmed with Grief - Chapter 14:

Chapter 14: Bai Ying Captures Everyone’s Heart

Everyone turned their eyes toward Xiao Yu—even Ruan Xinyou was staring at him. Under their gazes, Xiao Yu frowned and said, “Bai Ying has already cultivated the Emotionless Path. She will no longer develop feelings for anyone. She can’t marry anymore.”

The sect master hadn’t expected that Bai Ying was cultivating the Emotionless Path. “I see…”

Xiao Yu let out a heavy sigh of relief. He thought the sect master would abandon the idea. But unexpectedly, the sect master only said, “The Emotionless Path isn’t an issue. It doesn’t interfere with cultivation. In fact, she might even progress better alongside Yizhi.”

Clearly, the sect master cared more about cultivation than emotions. He didn’t expect the two to form any deep romantic bond anyway. In the cultivation world, many become Dao Partners not because of love, but because they benefit each other’s growth.

Xiao Yu looked at him in disbelief, feeling as if a chunk of his heart had been gouged out. A scene formed in his mind—Bai Ying, dressed in bright red wedding robes, marrying Lin Yizhi. Would she sew her own gown again, just as she had done when she had wanted to marry him?

The sect master’s son’s wedding would be extravagant, undoubtedly much grander than what Xiao Yu had ever prepared. Would Bai Ying be happy?

He couldn’t bear to think further. No. This couldn’t happen. How could Bai Ying marry Lin Yizhi?

His fingers clenched tightly, his face turning pale. Fortunately, the sect master didn’t finalize anything. “No rush. We’ll need to hear what the two of them think.”

Just then, two people entered hurriedly to speak with the sect master, and he nodded at them before leaving.

Xiao Yu stared at the sect master’s departing figure, his heart filled with unspeakable dread. He had never felt this kind of panic before. He never considered that Bai Ying might marry, or be with another man. Even though he had been the one to reject her first, it was he who now found it unbearable.

Bai Ying was cultivating the Emotionless Path. She wouldn’t agree to it! Xiao Yu kept telling himself that, trying to comfort his aching heart.

Meanwhile, the cultivators present were clearly curious about Bai Ying’s choice to cultivate the Emotionless Path.

“Do you think practicing the Emotionless Path makes one suddenly stronger?”

“I don’t think so. I heard it just helps you concentrate better during cultivation.”

“Then why would Bai Ying choose to cultivate the Emotionless Path?”

Someone suddenly lowered his voice, glancing toward Xiao Yu while speaking. “I heard it’s because she loved Xiao Yu but couldn’t have him. She fell into despair and turned to the Emotionless Path.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, she was even dressed in wedding robes, ready to marry him. But he flatly rejected her.”

As soon as that was said, everyone turned their eyes to Xiao Yu.

Though the speaker didn’t want Xiao Yu to know it was him, a curious cultivator asked directly, “Xiao Yu, why did you reject Bai Ying? She’s amazing! Even the sect master wants her as a daughter-in-law. How could you not want her?”

Xiao Yu’s expression stiffened immediately.

Before he could answer, someone pointed at Ruan Xinyou and said, “Xiao Yu already has someone he likes—Ruan Junior Sister. I remember him saying he’d only ever love her in this life.”

“No wonder.”

“No way,” someone muttered sarcastically. “Xiao Yu has such poor taste? He rejected Bai Ying for Ruan Xinyou?”

That comment came from someone who had just been deeply impressed by Bai Ying’s strength and didn’t care to spare Ruan Xinyou’s pride. Ruan Xinyou’s face turned rigid with awkwardness, her eyes reddening. She lightly tugged at Xiao Yu’s sleeve, whispering, “Senior Brother.”

In the past, Xiao Yu would have immediately comforted her. But now, he was overwhelmed himself, his face full of disarray.

Then someone added, “Still, Xiao Yu, I should thank you. You rejected Bai Ying—so now I’ve got a chance to pursue her.”

Still dazed from the earlier humiliation, Xiao Yu suddenly stiffened when he heard that. “You want to pursue Bai Ying?”

“Of course. You don’t like her, so why can’t someone else? Bai Ying is amazing—she’s my dream goddess. Thank goodness you rejected her. Now I’ve got a shot.”

After he finished, more people in the crowd stirred.

“Bai Ying really is great—beautiful, powerful… I think I like her too.”

“Exactly. Even the sect master wants her as a daughter-in-law. That says everything. If Bai Ying doesn’t like Lin Yizhi, maybe we still have a chance.”

Bai Ying’s stunning performance had captivated many hearts. Even knowing the sect master was interested in her, many still didn’t want to give up.

Listening to their chatter, Xiao Yu’s expression grew darker and darker.

…

Inside the trial, Lin Yizhi walked awkwardly behind the group. His companions, however, were full of enthusiasm, calling Bai Ying “Boss” nonstop. Xiahhou Ming was especially eager, constantly offering Spirit Fruits to her.

As they walked, they reached a fork in the path and were suddenly blocked by a group of four people.

The one in the lead was a tall man who stepped forward and said to Lin Yizhi, “Hello, I’m Han Xiu, a cultivator from Mingyang Sect. Would you consider teaming up with us? We found a large quantity of Mystic Crystal Stone ahead, but it’s guarded by a Two-Headed Python. If we work together to defeat it, we’ll split the spoils evenly. What do you say?”

Bai Ying’s purpose in coming to this trial was precisely for Mystic Crystal Stone. She had no reason to decline and immediately said, “Alright.”

But Han Xiu acted like he didn’t see her and continued speaking to Xiahhou Ming, who was walking at the front. “So, do you agree?”

Xiahhou Ming frowned but, after seeing Bai Ying nod, replied, “Fine.”

“Then follow us,” Han Xiu said, leading the group forward.

Soon, they arrived at the cave where the Two-Headed Python dwelled.

“The python is inside this cave,” Han Xiu explained. “We’ve set up a formation at the entrance. If someone lures the beast out, it’ll be easy to take it down.”

As he said this, everyone turned to look at Bai Ying, their expressions turning cold and unfriendly.

Han Xiu arrogantly pointed at her. “You. Go lure the Two-Headed Python out.”

The Two-Headed Python was a ferocious creature, far beyond what someone at the early Foundation Establishment Realm could handle. Its hearing and vision were poor. Usually, it wouldn’t attack unless provoked—unless prey was delivered right to its mouth. After eating, it would wander outside to hunt for more, which is when it would fall into their trap.

What they meant wasn’t “lure it out”—they meant to use Bai Ying as bait. Let her get devoured first, then once the python emerged to search for more prey, it would walk right into their trap.