The next day.
The battles resumed once more.
But this time, the atmosphere was noticeably muted.
Wushuang Sect had already revealed that tortoise-shell-like defensive secret art, and in this round their opponent was merely an upper-grade sect. There was almost no chance of them losing.
Today would likely just be another day of watching Wushuang Sect flaunt themselves. The strength of the other sects was relatively transparent by now. Who would win and who would lose could be guessed at a glance.
Not only the spectators, even the gathered Sect Masters seemed distracted and half-hearted in their attention.
"Sect Master Yun," Liu Hua said with a squinting smile, "I heard yesterday that Sect Master Hua gave you a secret art to improve. I wonder, how is the progress now?"
Hm? Progress?
Yun Jin's gaze swept toward Hua Ran. Hua Ran's expression betrayed a faint tension.
Yun Jin immediately understood. This Sect Master Hua was rather interesting. She had come carrying a mission to test her, yet it seemed she hadn't reported her findings back immediately.
The corner of Yun Jin's lips curved into a subtle, knowing smile. So Hua Ran wanted to keep things hidden, perhaps to unveil a surprise of her own. In that case, Yun Jin saw no reason to spoil the reveal. She chuckled lightly. "Sect Master Liu's information is sharp indeed. Don't worry, you won't be kept waiting long."
Liu Hua narrowed her eyes, snorted coldly, but said nothing more.
Hua Ran, however, let out a discreet sigh of relief. She had deliberately concealed the matter precisely for this second round of the competition. If Bitao Sect could secure just one more victory, they would achieve the best result since the founding of their sect—entering the top four!
That would earn them the right to participate in the round-robin finals. There was even a chance at the top three. Such an opportunity to prove themselves was far too rare. Hua Ran would not let it slip away.
Besides, this had been Lin Xiao's idea in the first place, to use her sect as the test subject. At most, she was guilty of delaying her report, which was hardly a grave offense. Under Hua Ran's burning anticipation, the match between Bitao Sect and Yuehua Sect began.
Wen Fu sneered when he noticed her expectant look. "Sect Master Hua, are you… harboring unrealistic hopes for your disciples?"
Hua Ran remained silent, eyes locked firmly on the arena.
Wen Fu faltered slightly, unease creeping into his expression.
What was going on? It had only been a single night. Could Bitao Sect's disciples really have undergone some earth-shaking transformation?
At first, no one else noticed anything unusual.
The duel began without fanfare.
Bitao Sect's "Canglang Joint Strikes" had been seen many times before. Everyone knew its flaw. The technique carried only three blows of power.
If the opponent was defeated within those three, victory was theirs.
If not, then they would be left utterly defenseless afterward.
So whenever facing Bitao Sect, disciples from other sects would scatter the moment the battle began. Once scattered, Bitao Sect could not strike all at once, and after three futile attacks, they would be destined to lose.
Bitao Sect was well aware of this weakness, which was why in previous matches they always struck first, forcing their foes to take the blows head-on before they could spread out.
This time, however, Yuehua Sect's disciples were prepared with both contingencies: scatter if possible, or else endure the three strikes. Either way, they had a path to victory.
But curiously, Bitao Sect did not attack immediately as before. They waited until Yuehua Sect's formation had completely dispersed. Only then did they unleash their joint strike.
Wen Fu watched closely.
The first strike landed, driving one Yuehua Sect disciple out of the arena.
That was fine.
Bitao Sect could only take out three opponents in total. The remaining seven would still be more than enough to secure victory.
The second and third strikes soon followed, leaving seven Yuehua Sect disciples still standing.
Their faces showed no panic—only excitement.
The three attacks had ended.
Now was the moment to turn the tide.
The seven survivors activated their secret art together. Though it was broad daylight, silver-white moonlight seemed to descend, cold and ruthless, flooding the stage as it surged toward Bitao Sect's disciples.
The match was as good as decided.
Wen Fu exhaled slowly in relief.
So he had been worrying for nothing.
Then—
A sudden change.
The Bitao Sect disciples, who should have been powerless after three strikes, suddenly unleashed a fourth.
Wen Fu's expression froze, then darkened. He shot to his feet involuntarily. Before he could process it, a fifth strike crashed down. Then a sixth!
The Canglang Joint Strikes had shattered its old limit. Six strikes now roared across the arena. Could there be a seventh? An eighth? No one would ever know—
Because Yuehua Sect's disciples had already been knocked clean off the stage.
The entire crowd stared, mouths agape, minds blank. Never before had anyone seen a fourth strike, let alone six! What in the world had just happened? Had Bitao Sect secretly improved their sect's foundational art all along?
The stands erupted in shocked chatter.
Hua Ran's face could no longer hide her joy.
Victory. They had truly won!
One night. A single improved secret art. And the undefeatable foes of the past were swept aside like fallen leaves.
Yun Jin!
Such power was beyond belief.
Hua Ran instinctively glanced toward Yun Jin.
The others followed her gaze, realization dawning.
Could it be…?
Yun Jin let out a mischievous laugh. "My improved version of the Canglang Joint Strikes isn't too bad, is it? If any of you want your sect's arts refined, my door is always open."
She deliberately projected her voice so that all could hear.
The arena exploded with commotion.
Yesterday, Yun Jin had only just claimed she could improve secret arts. Today, Bitao Sect was already wielding one in live combat?
What speed was this?
Could it be that Yun Jin required no time at all to reform a technique?
And even more frightening—could disciples relearn her versions this quickly, too?
Coupled with Wushuang Sect's mastery of the Hunyuan Secret Art, a terrifying suspicion crept into everyone's minds.
Perhaps Yun Jin's refinements not only amplified power, but also lowered the difficulty of cultivation.
If that were true—
Then the cultivation world itself was on the brink of upheaval.
Lin Xiao's expression grew dark. He had merely wanted to use Bitao Sect as a test subject, never expecting Yun Jin's modification to be completed so swiftly—and to take effect the very next day.
What unsettled him most was the gleam in many eyes among the gathered sects. The results were too obvious, too immediate. And who didn't wish to become stronger?
In the cultivation world, strength was everything. Countless cultivators would throw themselves into demonic paths for the sake of power.
If all it took was a refined art to accelerate their path, what choice would they make?
If this spread unchecked, would the future belong to him, Lin Xiao… or to Yun Jin?
His face turned thunderous as he rose to his feet.
Casting a cold glance at Hua Ran, he declared, "So Bitao Sect had a hidden card after all. This secret art, clearly you have been secretly refining it for a long time, saving it for today's match."
The moment his words fell, the arena fell utterly silent.
Lin Xiao had made his stance clear. He would never admit Yun Jin's hand in this. Such a heaven-defying truth had to be smothered at all costs.
===
Just a quick personal note about After Killing Dao Partner, the Villainess Becomes the Demon Ancestor (✧ω✧)
I've translated all the chapters so far, and honestly? I'm really impressed. This novel is not your typical xianxia—schemes and plots are at the heart of the story. From the early chapters, you'll see layers upon layers of intrigue, and even beyond chapter 100, the scheming stays intense. You can't just skip to the fight scenes—the story lives in the tension, the planning, the clever maneuvers. It's almost like Gōngdòu (宫斗) but in a xianxia world, which is super rare and exciting to see.
Yun Qingyue, the protagonist, is sharp, ruthless, and not a saint. Watching her navigate the schemes, outwit her enemies, and crush anyone in her way is strangely satisfying. And when the fights do happen? They're well-written and complement the intrigue rather than overshadow it.
Personally, I also really enjoy the author's distinctive style. Translating it gave me this unique feeling that I haven't experienced in other novels—it's clever, tense, and full of character.
So yeah… if you want a xianxia that's more than just cultivation and fights, one that's full of clever schemes, morally gray characters, and surprises, I'd definitely recommend giving this a shot. It's one of those novels that keeps you thinking and entertained at the same time (≧▽≦)