For a moment, the entire Stone Platform Square was eerily quiet, with only the heavy breathing of those around filling the air.

"Evil creature, how dare you!" Sect Leader’s furious shout seemed to activate a pause button on time itself. The dazed crowd snapped back to reality, and screams echoed above the Sword Sect.

The disciples from visiting sects exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what had occurred.

The elder leading them made a swift decision, shielding the disciples as they retreated. Meanwhile, the True Monarch Elders of the Sword Sect drew their swords and advanced, attacking Su Li with various sword techniques.

No questions asked about right or wrong. The disparity between a True Monarch and a junior disciple was self-evident.

The Sect Leader’s sword strike contained nine layers of his strength. Filled with rage and a murderous intent, he only wanted to tear Su Li to pieces.

Master Hao Yuan was the greatest hope for the Sword Sect in millennia, and witnessing him being crippled in front of his own eyes, his hope shattered, leaving him consumed by anger and devoid of reason.

No one could survive when all the True Monarch Elders of the Sword Sect made their move.

At least, that’s what everyone thought.

But as the sword light dissipated, the woman with an eerie aura smiled, raising her eyebrows and scanning the crowd.

The tip of her thin sword touched the ground, and blood trickled down the blade, forming a pool at the sword’s tip.

The blood coagulated without dispersing, exuding a sickly sweet fragrance.

Those who saw this shrank their pupils in shock, their minds thrown into chaos. Su Li watched, seemingly of low cultivation, yet she withstood the attacks of all the True Monarchs without a scratch.

Recalling the current Cultivation World, even the patriarchs of sects who haven’t emerged in ages likely couldn’t achieve such a feat.

The Sect Leader dared not act rashly, exchanging a glance with Master Bi Hai and Master Zhiyu.

Master Bi Hai pursed his lips, remaining motionless, pretending not to notice the Sect Leader’s signals, his mind contemplating deeply.

In contrast, Master Zhiyu, recovering from her shock, was consumed with rage. She felt the stares of others burn her face.

Her whole life she craved strength, valuing her reputation above all. Yet on this day, her daughter, her own flesh and blood, committed the heinous act of slaughtering sect members and Daoist partners.

Almost without needing the Sect Leader’s prompting, Master Zhiyu stormed to the front, raising her hand to strike Su Li’s face.

Unlike the others who exercised caution, Master Zhiyu felt nothing but anger, not a shred of fear.

Why should she fear? This ungrateful child was born of her own womb; surely she wouldn’t kill her own mother.

But before her hand could touch Su Li’s beautiful face, not even grazing a hair, it was caught mid-air.

"Ah!" A piercing scream erupted from Master Zhiyu’s mouth.

"Yu’er..." Master Bi Hai, no longer indifferent, showed anxiety and nervousness on his face.

Su Li waved her hand, and Master Zhiyu was blasted back as if struck by a great force.

Master Bi Hai dashed forward, catching her in his arms, but the residual force didn’t dissipate, dragging him along. They crashed into a giant bell twice their height before stopping.

The bell rang out loudly from the impact, like a muffled thunderclap in everyone’s hearts.

Master Bi Hai and Master Zhiyu were truly her biological parents.

Master Bi Hai opened his mouth, coughing up a mouthful of blood. "You..." He found himself unable to say a word of rebuke, as if glued shut by adhesive.

Especially when faced with those cold, guiltless eyes, his heart sank to rock bottom.

Master Bi Hai suddenly recalled many memories from the past. Back then, didn’t he always look at others with such an emotionless gaze?

Only when pain strikes oneself does one understand how excruciating it is.

Master Bi Hai held his chest in silence, supporting his terrified wife, retreating quickly, clearly indicating their intention to evade.

Master Zhiyu’s eyes widened, never leaving Su Li’s figure. But all she saw was Su Li’s indifferent gaze skipping over them, as if she had merely brushed away an annoying fly.

Her heart ached, as if a part had been carved out. Tears streamed down unconsciously, and like a marionette, her husband gently led her away.

Her injuries were severe, yet none compared to the stabbing pain in her heart.

How did it come to this...?

Hiding among the crowd, Su Buyu, like a cowering mouse, held her breath, afraid to be noticed by the deranged Su Li.

If she could harm her own parents, what mercy would she have for a sworn enemy like herself?

A familiar soft laugh echoed in her ears. Su Buyu, burying her head, heard a sweet voice speak directly into her mind: "Senior sister, you are quite amusing."

Su Buyu shivered, looking up sharply, seeing Su Li staring directly at her.

Ah, she noticed me.

In that moment, she marveled at her former fearlessness, brazenly confronting Su Li repeatedly without getting killed. Perhaps she was truly formidable too.

The extreme fear made Su Buyu’s legs weak, her breath erratic, and her head dizzy.

The mere gaze from Su Li brought more dread than facing the Sect Leader or the ancestors.

Could it be that Su Li’s cultivation surpassed even the ancestors?

Indeed, despite being besieged by several True Monarchs, they couldn’t do anything to her. The mighty Master Hao Yuan still lay gasping on the ground.

Su Buyu sank into despair, fearing an imminent attack.

Yet Su Li merely turned away with a knowing smile, paying her no more attention.

Su Buyu felt like she had narrowly escaped death, her entire body trembling slightly, a testament to the immense willpower she had used to keep from collapsing.

Having frightened the little mouse, Su Li relaxed her gaze lazily, strolling gracefully towards Master Hao Yuan.

Seeing this, the Sect Leader hurriedly shouted to stop her: "Su Li, Master Hao Yuan cared deeply for you in the past. For the sake of bygone days, you..."

"Spare him? I never intended to deal with him in the first place, so what is there to spare?"

The Sect Leader was taken aback, instinctively reflecting on Su Li’s words.

Su Li said, "Didn’t anyone see that Master Hao Yuan wanted to kill his wife to prove his Dao?"

"I am his Dao; it truly is like that." Su Li murmured softly, like a lover’s tender words, yet each syllable spread chills through everyone, fear lurking in every detail.

Indeed, it seemed like... it was both of them who acted simultaneously.