The First Summoner - Chapter 45

Shen Yan and Jiang Xianyue exchanged a look.

The same thought crossed both their minds.

The Qiutian Sect still cared about appearances.

Jiang Xianyue lowered her voice.

“The sect may offer such a high-sounding explanation in public, but it will continue searching for the true killer in secret. Be careful.”

Shen Yan understood.

Jiang Xianyue smiled.

“I may have to return to Xuanwu Kingdom early. When I have time, I’ll visit you in Nanxiao Kingdom.”

“All right.”

Shen Yan did not refuse.

…

After the Qiutian Sect’s announcement, the competition could not possibly continue.

The nine kingdoms’ factions and surviving contestants had no choice but to leave in disappointment.

Five or six hundred people had died.

Some were unknown youths. Others had been celebrated geniuses across the nine kingdoms.

The contestants gathered outside Lingyan Forest and waited for nearly half an hour before the Qiutian Sect allowed them to depart.

Those with the most severe injuries had already been taken away.

Shen Yan looked at Jiang Xianyue.

“I’m leaving.”

Jiang Xianyue beamed.

“We will definitely meet again.”

Shen Yan gave her a cool glance, then nodded.

She walked out of Lingyan Forest alone.

The crowd beyond the entrance was chaotic. Voices rose everywhere as people discussed the competition and worried over those involved.

Hongri and Yinyue spotted Shen Yan at once and hurried to meet her.

Yinyue’s expression tightened.

“Miss, are you hurt?”

“Only minor wounds.”

“Now that the competition has ended, we should leave this dangerous place immediately.”

Yinyue swept a wary gaze over the crowd, afraid someone might target Shen Yan.

“Mm.”

Shen Yan was about to follow the two women into their carriage when a gentle voice sounded behind her.

“Sister Yan’er, are you truly not returning to the Shen family with us?”

Shen Yan turned.

Shen Xue stood there, her face slightly pale, sorrow between her brows. Her gaze shone with carefully performed sincerity.

“The Shen family has nothing to do with me.”

Though weak from her injuries, Shen Xue continued her earnest persuasion.

“Sister Yan’er, how can you say that? Please stop throwing a childish tantrum.”

Shen Yan enunciated every word.

“Stop performing in front of me. The sight of you makes me want to vomit.”

Shen Xue’s expression shifted.

Her gaze had just turned vicious when she noticed the family head and the others approaching.

She immediately hid it.

Her brows drew together.

“Sister Yan’er, the Shen family has treated you so well. If you insist on leaving, how can you face Grandfather and the elders?”

Shen Yan ignored her and turned away.

“Shen Yan!”

The family head’s furious shout rang out.

She did not even look back.

With Hongri and Yinyue beside her, she continued toward the carriage.

The old man’s expression darkened at her attitude.

“Do you truly intend to sever your relationship with the Shen family?”

Shen Yan stopped.

She looked back at the family head, the elders, and the gathered disciples.

Her expression was cool and indifferent.

“Yes.”

Not a trace of hesitation.

The family head had expected her to beg for permission to return.

Instead, he received the exact opposite answer.

His clouded old eyes grew inscrutable.

“Then don’t regret it.”

“I never will.”

Shen Yan boarded the carriage.

Hongri and Yinyue followed, and Hongri immediately ordered the driver to leave.

The family head stared after the departing carriage, face grim.

For reasons he could not explain, unease crept through his heart.

The Grand Elder laughed.

“Family Head, her decision to break from us is a good thing. Even if Tianhao rages, he has no proper reason to blame us. We didn’t expel her.”

The Third Elder sneered.

“Without the Shen family’s protection, that useless girl will come back crying sooner or later. She’ll kneel and beg our forgiveness.”

“She is still the young master’s flesh and blood…”

A younger elder tried to defend Shen Yan.

The Grand Elder cut him off.

“So what? Has she not brought enough shame upon the Shen family? We have already treated her with more than enough generosity.”

The family head’s gaze shifted.

Shen Xue lowered her eyes.

“Grandfather, Elders, this is all Xue’er’s fault. If I did not exist, Sister Yan’er would never have become angry enough to sever ties with the family…”

The Grand Elder regarded her kindly.

“Xue’er, you are badly wounded. Don’t concern yourself with that useless girl. Since the Qiutian Sect is no longer an option, prepare for the Western Region Academy’s entrance examination and bring honor to the Shen family.”

Shen Xue lowered her eyes and nodded obediently.

“Xue’er will do her utmost. I will not disappoint Grandfather or the elders.”

…

By the time Shen Yan returned to the residence, evening had fallen.

She was hungry after expending so much energy.

Fortunately, both Hongri and Yinyue were excellent cooks.

While they prepared dinner, Shen Yan returned to her room and carefully took out a blood-red pearl.

She examined it.

The pearl was crimson throughout and surrounded by a faint halo.

It felt unnaturally cold, like a piece of ice in her palm.

Feng Xingyao’s voice sounded in her sea of consciousness.

“When do you want to remove the poisonous seal from your Core Spirit Bone?”

Shen Yan answered without hesitation.

“Tonight.”

“Mm.”

Neither spoke again.

Shen Yan put away the Blood-Devouring Pearl.

Then she ordered Feng Xingyao and Ninefold to close their eyes. She needed to inspect her wounds, some of which lay in private places.

Feng Xingyao gave an indifferent hum of acknowledgment.

“Yes, Master,” Ninefold answered.

Shen Yan removed her outer robe.

Bandages covered most of her body, and blood had already seeped through several.

Ever since arriving on the Guiyuan Continent, she seemed to have done nothing but suffer injuries.

She did not fear pain or wounds.

She was simply tired of being trapped in such a powerless position.

Her desire to begin cultivating had become urgent.

Only then would she no longer be at anyone else’s mercy.

…

Half an hour later, Hongri and Yinyue finished preparing dinner.

That evening, Shen Yan ate with them.

Both women appeared to have something they wanted to ask.

“Say whatever is on your minds.”

Hongri spoke carefully.

“Miss, I heard Nangong Yu died in Lingyan Forest. Did you know?”

Shen Yan nodded.

“Mm.”

She had killed him herself.