Chapter 1: Transcendence

Agonizing pain!

That was Shen Qinghe’s first sensation upon regaining consciousness.

It felt as if her internal organs were being scorched by searing flames; each breath carried the taste of blood.

A buzzing filled her ears, mingling with shrill, clamorous voices:

“Senior Brother Zhao Shi kindly used the Spirit Rain Technique to water our spirit fields—why is it only Shen Qinghe’s field that’s having problems?”

“It’s clearly her own lack of skill, yet she tries to blame Senior Brother Zhao Shi for the trouble in her spirit field!”

“She even dared to attack him when her ploy failed—she’s lucky Senior Brother Zhao showed mercy and didn’t kill her!”

The harsh words pierced her mind like steel needles. Shen Qinghe forced herself to listen through the discomfort, and though she didn’t fully understand, it was clear that all their accusations were aimed at her.

“Elder Sister... wake up... how can they treat you like this...”

A tearful young girl’s voice sounded by her ear, making her realize she was leaning against someone’s arms.

Spirit Rain Technique? Spirit field? Elder sister?

What on earth was all this?

She distinctly remembered being in the experimental field, recording data, and had only wanted to take a brief nap during her lunch break.

Shen Qinghe tried to open her eyes to see who these people were.

Suddenly, a violent headache seized her, and a torrent of unfamiliar memories surged into her mind.

When the pain finally receded, an astonishing realization took root—

She had transmigrated.

This was the Azure Cloud Sect, a cultivation sect.

Her predecessor had joined the sect at fifteen as an outer disciple. Because of her five-spirit-root constitution, she had remained at the first level of Qi Refinement for three years, her cultivation stagnant, and had been assigned to tend the spirit fields.

That morning, her predecessor had discovered that the carefully nurtured Purple Cloud Ginseng had all withered. After some inquiries, she learned that yesterday, while she’d been away, Zhao Shi had used the Spirit Rain Technique on several nearby fields—including hers.

Given their history, she doubted Zhao Shi’s intentions.

This spirit field, near a spiritual spring, was rich in spiritual energy and fertile soil—a prime plot coveted by many. Zhao Shi, at the fifth level of Qi Refinement, had long envied it. He had tried to barter for it, even resorting to threats, but her predecessor had always managed to fend him off, resulting in long-standing animosity.

Upon learning what had happened, her predecessor had immediately gone to confront Zhao Shi.

But the man, taking advantage of her unpreparedness, had launched a surprise attack, severely injuring her and claiming her life.

Even more despicably, Zhao Shi then twisted the truth, accusing her predecessor of attacking him in a fit of rage when her attempt to frame him failed.

This blatant distortion of the facts incited the disciples who had benefited from Zhao Shi’s help to denounce her.

Coughing up a mouthful of clotted blood as fragmented memories settled, Shen Qinghe finally opened her eyes.

She found herself surrounded by more than a dozen outer sect disciples, their faces etched with scorn. Some even pointed at her, whispering.

At the center of the crowd, Zhao Shi, clad in blue robes, wore an expression of feigned anguish.

“It’s good that Junior Sister Shen is awake,” Zhao Shi said, his voice tinged with guilt. “I acted in haste and lost control. Please forgive me, Junior Sister. It was only because you suddenly attacked me that I—”

Shen Qinghe’s knuckles whitened, her nails nearly digging into her flesh.

Acted in haste?

She remembered, with vivid clarity, her predecessor’s final moments—the cruel smile on Zhao Shi’s face and the glow of spiritual power forming in his palm.

That strike had been meant to kill.

Suppressing the pain, she tried to rise but was gently restrained by the person behind her.

“Don’t move, Elder Sister. You’re badly hurt, perhaps internally...” The same concerned, gentle voice sounded in her ear.

Shen Qinghe didn’t need to look to know who it was.

It was Liu Qingqing, her junior by two years, with a three-spirit-root constitution. They both lived in the same small courtyard. Having entered the sect later and possessing modest talent, Liu Qingqing had often been cared for by her predecessor and was her only true friend in the Azure Cloud Sect.

“Why should Senior Brother Zhao apologize to her?” A sharp-faced female cultivator stepped forward, her words laced with accusation, “I’ve already reported this to the disciplinary elder. Soon, someone will come to take this shameless girl away!”

“How can you say that, Senior Sister Li!” Liu Qingqing protested anxiously, trying to defend Shen Qinghe. “It was clearly Zhao Shi who—”

“Qingqing!” Shen Qinghe interrupted her softly. “Help me up. I want to see the Purple Cloud Ginseng in the spirit field.”

“What are you going to the field for?” As Liu Qingqing, obediently supporting Shen Qinghe, helped her to her feet, Senior Sister Li’s eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to find another way to slander Senior Brother Zhao?”

The others glared at her as well, their hostility palpable.

Shen Qinghe stood straight, her gaze sweeping coolly over Li and the gathered crowd. “With all of you here watching, what could I possibly do?”

Her words left them speechless, and they grudgingly moved aside.

Yet their eyes clung to her every move like shadows.

With Liu Qingqing’s support, Shen Qinghe approached the ruined spirit field. Once lush and thriving, the Purple Cloud Ginseng was now withered; the yellowed leaves drooped weakly, like elderly men at the end of their days.

She bent down to investigate.

“Be careful, Elder Sister,” Liu Qingqing fretted, reaching out to steady her.

“I’m fine.” Shen Qinghe gently waved her off.

Strangely, despite the body’s recent severe injuries, she found herself mostly recovered after transmigrating. There was only lingering weakness; she could move without real difficulty.

To the watching disciples, this only confirmed their suspicions that she had been feigning the severity of her injuries. Only Zhao Shi’s eyes flickered with a hint of doubt.

Disregarding the rest, Shen Qinghe squatted down and casually pulled up a withered stalk of Purple Cloud Ginseng.

The moment its root broke free from the soil, she paused, slightly startled.

“Who’s causing trouble here?”

A stern voice rang out. Two black-robed disciplinary disciples strode over, the jade plaques at their waists glinting coldly in the sunlight.

“Senior Brother, Senior Sister!” Senior Sister Li rushed to meet them, eagerly embellishing her account of what had happened. At the end, she pointed at Shen Qinghe and added, “Just now, Shen Qinghe tried to tamper with the spirit field again!”

The male disciplinary disciple frowned.

Zhao Shi put on another display of remorse. “The fault lies with me. I am willing to accept any punishment.”

“A whole acre of Purple Cloud Ginseng withered—this is no trivial matter,” the female disciplinary disciple said coldly. “Both of you, come with us to the Deacon Hall. The elders will decide the matter.”

Zhao Shi agreed readily.

Seeing Shen Qinghe still squatting by the field, the disciplinary disciples’ expressions darkened. Only then did Shen Qinghe calmly pocket the ginseng and rise, replying, “As you command.”

“Let’s go.” The two were led away by the disciplinary disciples.

As they left, Shen Qinghe heard mocking laughter behind her.

Only Liu Qingqing watched her go with deep concern.

Passing through the spirit fields, they soon arrived at the foot of Jade Spirit Peak.

The Azure Cloud Sect was nestled within the Azure Mountains, its main peak piercing the sky, seventy-two lesser peaks stretching in a mist-shrouded array. A high-grade spiritual vein lay hidden beneath the main peak, sending branches throughout the sect and forming an immense protective formation.

From this spiritual vein, numerous offshoots extended, nourishing large tracts of spirit fields beneath many of the peaks.

Jade Spirit Peak was one such place.

At the Deacon Hall halfway up the mountain, an elderly man with white hair and beard was poring over the accounts.

He was the deacon responsible for managing Jade Spirit Peak’s spirit fields, a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage—Deacon Chen.

“Greetings, Elder,” the four greeted him respectfully.

Deacon Chen set aside his records and raised his hawk-sharp eyes. “Well, tell me—what happened?”