Then Selena's voice sharpened, "However—and this is the absolutely crucial detail you need to understand, Simona, so I need you to really hear what I'm saying here—Her Highness has zero tolerance for incompetence or failure. Not a shred. Not the tiniest fragment of mercy or patience. From every account I've gathered, every story I've heard, every pattern I've identified in her behavior, Fairy Lith's eyes have never held even the smallest measure of compassion for those she deems worthless or inadequate to the tasks she sets before them. She doesn't coddle failures, doesn't make excuses for incompetence, doesn't shelter the weak simply because she once saw potential in them. When someone fails to meet her expectations, when they prove themselves unworthy of the investment she's made in their development, she discards them as coldly and efficiently as you'd discard a broken tool that no longer serves its purpose."
"So here's what all of this means for your situation, little sister. Even assuming that Fairy Lith is genuinely interested in this Lordi Payne character, even granting that she intends to provide him with real opportunities for advancement and growth rather than just using him as disposable cannon fodder, her support almost certainly extends only to granting him assignments that suit his particular skill set—tasks where underhanded methods and cunning schemes matter more than straightforward cultivation prowess or martial ability. Based on everything I've learned about how her faction operates, she's using him as a tool for dirty work in the Outer Sect, the kind of shadow operations and subtle manipulations that require a certain moral flexibility and willingness to get one's hands dirty. Essentially, he's a useful implement for specific purposes, nothing more. He's not her personal apostle, not someone she's invested her reputation in. He's just another piece on the board, valuable only insofar as he continues to prove useful."
"Which means, Simona-chan, if you can defeat Lordi Payne in open combat, if you can demonstrate clear and undeniable superiority in straightforward cultivation ability and martial prowess, then Fairy Lith almost certainly won't intervene on his behalf. Think about it logically. Based on everything I know about her philosophy and the way she evaluates people, Her Highness actually cultivates useful tools and competent subordinates who can accomplish the missions she assigns them. She doesn't raise beloved pet birds who must be protected in gilded cages from all consequences of their actions. If Lordi Payne falls in legitimate combat to someone he wronged, then he's demonstrated exactly the kind of weakness and incompetence that Fairy Lith despises. She won't waste political capital or personal resources protecting someone who's already proven themselves inadequate to the challenges they face. That's not how she operates, not how she's built her reputation as the sect's most promising successor."
To illustrate her point more concretely, Kim Selena offered a relevant example. "Consider the case of Kinson Wexford himself. He maintains blood relations with Sect Successor Lith—they're distant relatives connected through family ties that theoretically should matter. Yet when have you ever seen either Miu Tyanh of Wraithbone Bloodline or myself show him the slightest deference or restraint based on that connection? We've publicly humiliated him multiple times, stepped on his authority. Fairy Lith, Her Highness, has never once taken action against either of us because of how we've treated her relative. She doesn't protect incompetent connections from the consequences of their own inadequacy. She respects strength and despises weakness, regardless of whose banner that weakness hides behind."
Her voice took on encouraging. "Therefore, if you genuinely want to extract revenge for what was done to you, if you want to make that bastard Lordi Payne suffer consequences for his crimes, the upcoming Grand Outer Sect Tournament represents an absolutely perfect opportunity! It's a legitimate arena where personal grudges can be settled through sanctioned combat. No one can object to challenges issued within that context."
Simona took a deep, steadying breath, forcing herself to approach this situation with the same methodical precision she applied to her alchemical work rather than simply charging forward on pure emotion. When she spoke again, her voice carried solemn determination. "I understand the wisdom of your counsel, Eonni. You're absolutely right about the approach we should take. Going forward, I'll dedicate myself completely to preparation for that confrontation. Over these next three months leading up to the competition, I'm going to push myself harder than ever before. My goal is to break through to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement Stage before the Grand Tournament begins. Once I've solidified that layer's base, I'll formally issue a duel challenge to Lordi Payne in front of the entire Outer Sect."
"I'm going to defeat him in completely fair and honorable combat, with no tricks or schemes—just pure superiority of cultivation and technique. I'll crush him so thoroughly. I'll wash away every bit of the humiliation he inflicted on me, reclaim my dignity, and make him regret ever setting foot in my place."
Kim Selena released an audible sigh of relief through the transmission, clearly pleased that her little sister had embraced the strategic approach. Her smile was evident even through the spiritual communication. "Good! Very good! That's exactly the kind of spirit and wisdom I expect from our Kim's Phoenix Child. You're thinking like a true cultivator now, planning properly rather than acting rashly. Now then, here's what we'll do to ensure your success: for the duration of this three-month preparation period, I want you to completely cease all pill refinement activities. I know how much you love your alchemical work, but this is more important. You need to focus every single bit of your time, energy, and attention on advancing your personal cultivation. Nothing else matters right now except breaking through to the Ninth Layer."
"To facilitate your breakthrough, I've specifically acquired a very special earth treasure for you—a century-old Clam Demon Monster whose spirit essence has matured to an extraordinary Foundation Stage degree. These creatures are incredibly rare, and one of this age is almost priceless. As long as you properly absorb and refine its soul and spirit essence, I can virtually guarantee that you'll smoothly advance to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement Stage in a week. Your pillar base will be solid, your spirit energy reserves will be abundant, and you'll be in peak condition for the Grand Tournament. I'll arrange to have someone from our faction deliver it to your dwelling within the next few days. Guard it carefully and begin the absorption process as soon as you're ready."
The Kim Sisters continued their conversation for a while longer, discussing various practical details about training regimens, resource allocation, and strategic considerations for the upcoming Grand Tournament. They touched on matters of family business, recent faction politics within the sect, and various other concerns that required coordination between them. Eventually, having covered all the necessary topics and aligned their plans, they concluded the spiritual transmission and severed the Fulu communication link.
"Hmph, Lordi Payne..." Simona muttered the hated name under her breath, her brow furrowed in concentration as her mind churned through possibilities.
She found herself contemplating exactly what she would do to that despicable thief after she defeated him in the arena, imagining various ways she might properly express the full depth of her fury and humiliation. How could she make him suffer appropriately? What punishment would adequately address the violation he'd committed? She was so absorbed in these vengeful fantasies, mentally rehearsing the confrontation and savoring imagined scenarios of his defeat, that she barely registered when another voice transmission Fulu activated in her hand.
This piece of human skin flared green light. Its sender was Ruru Rosa.
The moment Simona recognized who was contacting her, guilt immediately flooded through her consciousness, displacing her vengeful thoughts.
After all, she had explicitly promised this particular senior sister that she would participate in the task to the Hanz Clan Estate, had committed to joining that Thorn Squad and taking elixir refinement responsibility. But then, because of Lordi Payne's unexpected intrusion and the subsequent catastrophic failure of her body tempering process, she had been completely unable to fulfill that promise. She'd simply failed to show up without providing any explanation, without sending even the most basic courtesy message informing Ruru Rosa that she couldn't make it.
Heat rushed to her cheeks, a shame so profound it was physical. How could she possibly face this call? What words could possibly bridge the chasm of her rudeness and unreliability?
Simona was still formulating an appropriate apology in her mind, trying to craft words that would properly express her regret and explain the circumstances without revealing too much about the humiliating details of what had actually happened, when Ruru Rosa's voice emerged from the Fulu paper.
However, instead of the reproach or irritation Selena's been expecting, the senior sister's tone carried nothing but enthusiastic approval and genuine warmth.
"Chan-chan-chan! Simona-chan!"
"Hey Junior Sister Kim, you truly possess the most discerning eye when it comes to judging character and potential that I've ever encountered in all my years in the holy sect!"
"Seriously, your ability to evaluate people is absolutely extraordinary, it's like you can see straight through to someone's true nature and capabilities in ways that the rest of us mortals simply cannot manage."
"Ha! You've found yourself an absolutely outstanding man, someone genuinely exceptional in every possible way!"
"I mean it, Simona-chan, this man is remarkable—talented, brave, handsome, everything you could possibly want. Congratulations sis! You must be so proud of your excellent judgment and your incredible fortune in securing such a catch!"
Simona: "...?"
Her mind went completely blank, unable to process what she was hearing. A single massive question mark seemed to appear in her thoughts, representing her utter confusion.
What?
What was Ruru Rosa talking about? What man? What judgment of character?
Before Simona could formulate any kind of coherent response, her bestie continued speaking with undiminished enthusiasm. "This task assignment to the Hanz Estate that I mentioned it turned out to be far, far more dangerous than anyone had anticipated when we accepted it!"
"Everything that could possibly go wrong did go wrong, multiplied by about a thousand, and the entire situation deteriorated so rapidly that we barely had time to realize how much trouble we were in before we were fighting for our very lives. It did really killed everyone involved—I'm not exaggerating even slightly when I say that."
"If it weren't for your exceptional judgment in selecting such a capable and reliable boyfriend, I am absolutely certain— hat the entire expedition would have ended in total annihilation. Every single one of us would have died there, Simona. Our bodies would be rotting in some forgotten corner of that haunted estate right now."
"But! Simona, it's your boyfriend, he was the only reason that I finally survived!"
"I owe him a debt I can never truly repay, and by extension, I owe you for having the excellent judgment to choose such a person as your spouse!"
"Wh—" Simona tried to interject, but Ruru was already continuing.
"So obviously, given everything that's happened, given how this wonderful man saved my life and proved himself to be absolutely extraordinary in every way, I have to ask you the important question!" Ruru's voice took on a tone of playful conspiracy.
"Tell me, Simona-chan, when are the two of you planning to officially formalize your relationship as Dao Spouse?"
"Surely you must be making arrangements for the ceremony soon, right?"
"The two of you are clearly perfect for each other, anyone with eyes could see that, and I'm sure you've already discussed the future of your cultivation path together!"
"Huh...?" This time Simona managed to force out an actual syllable, though it emerged sounding strangled and weak, completely lacking in her usual composure and confidence. Her brain felt like it was trying to process information in a language she didn't speak.
Boyfriend?
Dao Spouse?
What in the nine abyss was happening right now?
Had Ruru Rosa been hit on the head during this apparently catastrophic Outer Sect task and suffered some kind of brain injury that caused her to confuse Simona with someone else entirely?
"When you do hold the ceremony, this senior sister absolutely insists on being invited! You could absolutely count on me to be your bridesmaid, Simona, I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world. I want to properly thank that young man who saved my life—"
"Huh? Wait, what?" Simona finally managed to break through the stream of words.
Her confusion intensified exponentially. She remained utterly baffled by what Ruru Rosa could possibly be referring to, what series of events could have led to such a massive misunderstanding. Attempting to work through the puzzle logically, she mentally reviewed the people in her life who might conceivably be mistaken for a romantic partner. Over the past five years of her life in the Outer Sect, the only male cultivator she'd maintained any regular social contact with, the only one whom she'd been seen in public regularly enough to potentially spawn rumors, was Shaun Zet.
Latching onto this as the only logical explanation for the confusion, Simona hastened to correct what must be an embarrassing misunderstanding.
"Senior Sister Ruru—!"
"I'm afraid there's been a significant miscommunication that needs to be cleared up immediately."
"Please! Please do not misinterpret my relationship with Senior Brother Zet based on superficial appearances. The truth is that Senior Brother Shaun Zet and I only maintain contact because our families have long-standing ties—we're family friends whose clans have been connected for generations, which naturally leads to somewhat more frequent interaction than I have with most sect comrades. But that's purely the extent of our relationship. I can assure you with complete certainty that I harbor absolutely no romantic feelings toward him whatsoever. Senior Sister Ruru, you know my character and priorities well enough by now—I'm currently focused exclusively on advancing my understanding of the Path of Alchemy and have no interest in romantic entanglements at this stage of my development. Furthermore—"
"Wait, Shaun Zet? What are you talking about? Why would I be referring to that guy?" Ruru's voice cut through Simona's explanation with obvious bewilderment, interrupting before she could continue building her defensive argument. "Do you think I don't have a clear understanding of what that man is actually worth? I'm perfectly aware of Shaun Zet's mediocre capabilities and limited potential. Where would someone like him possibly obtain the ability, the power, the sheer competence to accomplish what I'm talking about?"
Simona, "?...!!!?"
"No, I'm obviously talking about Junior Brother Payne! Lordi Payne!" Ruru continued, as though this should have been perfectly obvious from the start. "Don't you remember? Just before we departed for the mission. According to our previous arrangement, I came to your groto courtyard to collect you so we could travel together to join the Thorn Squad? When I arrived at your door and announced myself, you and Lordi were clearly in the middle of... well, engaged in intimate activities. You know I naturally I didn't want to interrupt such a private moment between you lovebirds, so I waited outside politely rather than barging in."
Lordi Payne?! What the fuck?!
"Then Lordi emerged to speak with me privately and explained that you were suffering from sudden physical discomfort that made you unable to participate in the Hanz Clan Estate task as you'd originally planned. But despite your inability to go, he insisted on traveling to the Hanz Estate in your place specifically to ensure you could still obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill alchemy formula and the Crimson Whisker Vine that the task offered as rumored rewards. He was determined to secure those resources for you. That level of devotion is truly—"
The name hit Simona like a boot stomping on the brain.
That filthy bastard Lordi Payne?!—the same despicable thief who had broken into her home, who had stolen her premium level Jade Tempering Pill right under her nose, who had made off with her precious Nether Chill Spring while she was naked cultivating in the bath, who had caused her body tempering to catastrophically fail and nearly killed her in the process, who had almost violated her virtue and dignity while she lay helpless and unconscious?
That mother fucker Lordi Payne?!
Simona couldn't even formulate words to respond. Her mouth opened and closed soundlessly as her brain struggled to process this information.
Holy abyss FUUUUCCKKK!
When exactly had that scum criminal somehow been promoted in people's minds to the status of being her man, her romantic partner, her Dao Spouse?
——
PSA: I wrote this chapter with the dumbest grin on my face. Laugh with me? Hope you have an awesome weekend!