C19 Killing Intent

What makes you think you're good enough for me?

Upon hearing the name Mo Yunxi, Lin Yu's thoughts raced. Truth be told, he was no longer the Lin Yu of old, and the memories of his former self were too hazy to recall what that person even looked like. But since she had made the effort to seek him out, he felt compelled to see her. They shared a history, after all.

Yao Xi's thoughts were less tangled. She couldn't fathom why a disciple from the Inner Sect of the Profound Heaven Sect would deign to visit. It seemed unlikely that she was there to cause trouble, but what then was her purpose? And the name Mo Yunxi rang a bell, though Yao Xi couldn't quite place where she'd heard it before.

With their own agendas, the two quickly made their way to the guest room of the Myriad Mile Sword Crafting Pavilion, where Yao Xi caught sight of a striking girl in red, around seventeen or eighteen, with a cool, aloof demeanor that seemed to ward off strangers.

'She's quite beautiful,' Yao Xi mused silently.

Mo Yunxi, noticing their arrival, paused, her expression quickly turning frosty.

"So it's you, Miss Mo... it's been a while," Lin Yu said, his tone casual as he warmly greeted her. To anyone watching, they might have seemed like old friends. At least, that's what Yao Xi assumed.

Yao Xi hadn't expected Lin Yu to be acquainted with someone from the Inner Sect of the Profound Heaven Sect. This could work to her advantage—she'd let him handle the reception. She decided then and there.

Mo Yuntian snapped out of his surprise, his gaze filled with contempt. "Lin Yu, it's you?"

"Indeed, fate has a way of bringing people together. But rest assured, my words carry no hidden meaning—I have no intention of rekindling any past misfortunes with your sister," Lin Yu replied cheerfully.

"Rekindling past misfortunes?" Yao Xi was taken aback once more. Could it be that Lin Yu and Mo Yunxi had been romantically involved?

"Hmph, you're pathetic. Watch your tongue. Even though this is the Myriad Mile Sword Crafting Pavilion, I won't hesitate to kill you—and no one would dare stop me," Mo Yuntian said icily.

"Absolutely, I'm well aware that you'd find killing me as simple as squashing an ant, but let's not forget that Miss Mo is an Inner Sect disciple—a goddess placed upon a pedestal, untouchable. Imagine the scandal if word got out that she stooped to brawling with commoners in the Common World. That would hardly be a flattering reputation, would it?" Lin Yu said, his smile masking the tension. He could see Mo Yuntian barely containing his fury, ready to erupt at any moment, while Mo Yunxi remained serene, seemingly indifferent to his words.

Her emotions were unreadable. It was clear why she had made a name for herself among the elite in the Inner Sect of the Profound Heaven Sect—she certainly had something extraordinary about her.

"What makes you think you're in any way deserving of me?" Mo Yunxi finally spoke, her voice cool and detached.

For some reason, Lin Yu felt a twinge of heartache, as if a raw nerve had been touched, and his gaze filled with a mix of anger and humiliation.

Mo Yunxi's piercing gaze didn't miss the subtle shifts in Lin Yu's expression, her disdain growing. She turned away, refusing to look at him. To her, acknowledging such a failure was beneath her dignity.

Lin Yu found the whole situation oddly unsettling. He was a seasoned veteran, having faced down numerous formidable opponents without batting an eye. Yet now, Mo Yunxi's words had shaken him—a reaction that would normally be inconceivable.

It must be the remnants of Lin Yu's own consciousness stirring within, revealing the depth of his wounds. Even after death, the resurgence of such intense resentment was telling of his suffering—a truly pitiful soul.

Lin Yu exhaled deeply, channeling his spiritual energy to soothe the lingering resentment. "Rest assured, now that I inhabit your body, I vow to seek the justice you deserve. I don't make promises lightly, but I always see them through." It took some time, but Lin Yu managed to quell the resentment, only to catch Mo Yuntian's sneering gaze.

The dynamics between them were somewhat complex. Yao Xi stood by in silence, the gears turning in her head as she finally placed why the name Mo Yunxi rang so familiar. It was a recent memory—when she and her grandfather had visited the Profound Heaven Sect's Outer Sect in search of Lin Yu, they had heard the name from their guide, Hong Lin.

It appeared that Lin Yu, oblivious to his own good, had boldly confessed his feelings to Mo Yunxi, only to be humiliated to the point of nearly passing out. The uproar that ensued from the incident was still simmering. It begged the question: What was Lin Yu thinking? Knowing full well who Mo Yunxi was, why would he still seek her out? His prowess in the Sword Crafting Technique was commendable, but that didn't hold a candle to martial talent. With his limited gifts, why provoke a prodigy like Mo Yunxi?

Yao Xi was at a loss for words, her concern for Lin Yu growing. She feared that Mo Yunxi might lash out in a fit of rage and strike Lin Yu down with a single sword blow. She kept shooting him warning looks, urging him to hold his tongue, because when you're under someone else's roof, you bow your head.

But Lin Yu seemed utterly oblivious to Yao Xi's silent pleas. He stepped forward and declared with an icy edge, "Isn't it premature to discuss worthiness? One day, I will make it to the Inner Sect, and when that time comes, I will challenge you..."

"The Inner Sect? Hahaha... The Inner Sect? You're killing me, Lin Yu! You have the audacity to speak of the Inner Sect? Do you even qualify? Someone like you, who can't even cut it in the Outer Sect, dares to dream of the Inner Sect? Hahaha, you're not just a failure; you're a fool." Mo Yuntian burst into uncontrollable laughter, and even the usually stoic Mo Yunxi couldn't hide a sneer. Lin Yu's dreams were indeed a distant fantasy.

Enough was enough. Lingering here served no purpose. Her initial intentions of befriending Yao Wanli had significantly waned. Standing up slowly, she cast a nonchalant glance at Lin Yu, who visibly brightened, though his complexion turned deathly pale in an instant.

'Profound Rank Level Nine Peak?!' Lin Yu was taken aback. By the time he snapped back to reality, Mo Yunxi and her brother had vanished without a trace.

"Lin Yu, are you okay?" Yao Xi inquired, steadying Lin Yu who seemed ready to topple over. But she quickly realized her question might be superfluous. After being publicly humiliated and slandered, how could anyone be okay?

"Lin Yu, what's the point of all this? If you knew it was Mo Yunxi, why bother coming?" Yao Xi asked with a sense of resignation.

"Exactly because it's her, I had to come. This trouble has been brewing for a long time. Without seeking justice, the dead won't find peace," Lin Yu replied, managing a wry smile.

"But your gift..." Yao Xi started, intending to point out that Lin Yu's martial arts talent paled in comparison to Mo Yunxi's, that no amount of effort could unsettle Mo Yunxi, and that it might be best to let go. Yet, seeing the resolve in Lin Yu's eyes, Yao Xi bit her tongue and let out a deep sigh, "I'm afraid your actions today have once again provoked Mo Yunxi and her cohort. They're not going to let this slide."

"Even without today's incident, Mo Yunxi wouldn't have spared me," Lin Yu said, smiling.

...

Stepping out of the Myriad Mile Sword Crafting Pavilion, Mo Yuntian was still reeling with disbelief. That so-called trash, Lin Yu, had the audacity to vow entry into the Profound Heaven Sect's Inner Sect? Hahaha, it was laughable. Just like the rumors suggested, there was definitely something off with that one. The Inner Sect isn't a place you just waltz into on a whim.

Mo Yunxi, however, continued on her path in silence. It was only after a considerable pause that she spoke, "I don't want to see that person again..."

"Hmm?" Mo Yuntian was momentarily taken aback, not quite catching on, as he stood frozen, watching his sister's figure recede into the distance. Then a dark chuckle escaped him; he got it. His sister belonged to the Inner Sect, an exalted figure, far above the likes of Lin Yu, who was no more significant than an ant. It wasn't her place to deal with him directly, which meant the dirty work was his to do.

"Hehe, Lin Yu... you'd better not disappoint me," Mo Yuntian muttered with a sinister grin.