From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 221 An Invitation from Powerful Forces: Xiao Yao's Path of Balancing Power

"Fairy Xiao Yao, I have long admired your name." As soon as the man in the fine clothes spoke, more people sprang up behind him like mushrooms after rain. Each of them was dressed in fine clothes and exuded a powerful spiritual aura, almost drowning me in a wave of flattery.

Demonic flames, bloodthirst, mystical winds...

These names, once powerful and influential in the cultivation world, now flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern. They either bowed and clasped their hands or tried to win me over with words. The scene was lively and bustling for a moment, but undercurrents were also surging beneath the surface.

Mo Yan spoke first, his scarlet eyes gleaming with greed. "Fairy Xiao Yao, join my Demon Clan, and you'll enjoy endless wealth and glory. The resources at your disposal will also be put to their maximum value." As soon as he finished speaking, Xuan Feng from the Immortal Realm sneered, "The Demon Clan is full of cunning schemes. Fairy Xiao Yao, don't be deceived by them! The Immortal Realm is your true home. I swear in the name of protection that I will ensure your safety."

I was so overwhelmed by this sudden "enthusiasm" that I was momentarily at a loss for breath.

This isn't an invitation, it's clearly a coercion!

The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder, and I could even feel several malicious gazes sweeping over me, as cold and menacing as the hiss of venomous snakes.

As the manager of the trading market, Ling Yu maintained a degree of neutrality. He coughed lightly, trying to ease the tense atmosphere: "Everyone, this is a trading market, please maintain order." However, his words were like a stone sinking into the sea, and no one paid any attention.

Blood Fiend, a notoriously brutal member of the demon race, was impatiently toying with the dagger in his hand, the cold glint of the blade reflecting on my pale face.

He chuckled sinisterly, "Fairy Xiao Yao, a wise person knows when to yield. Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit." The threat was blatantly obvious.

I suppressed my fear and tried my best to remain calm.

The surrounding noise and scheming made me feel lost.

All I want is to reach the top step by step through my own efforts, not to become a pawn in the struggle between these forces!

Just as I was about to be driven crazy by this oppressive atmosphere, a clear voice came from outside the crowd: "Hey, what's all the commotion about?" I looked in the direction of the voice and saw a familiar figure slowly walking towards me...

Qingyao, my good friend, is also the most well-informed intelligence broker in the cultivation world. Her appearance strangely eased the tense atmosphere.

She glanced at everyone with a half-smile, finally fixing her gaze on me: "Xiao Yao, it seems you're quite popular lately."

I forced a smile, but it looked worse than crying.

Qingyao's appearance ignited a glimmer of hope in my heart, but it was quickly extinguished.

Because I could clearly see that not far behind her, several furtive figures were following closely. They were hidden in the crowd, but they could not hide the chilling aura emanating from them—those were people sent by various forces to monitor Qingyao!

My heart sank suddenly and a chill ran from the soles of my feet to the top of my head.

Because of me, Qingyao was also drawn into this vortex!

Guilt and self-blame surged up like a tide, almost overwhelming me.

I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug deep into my flesh, but I felt no pain at all.

"It seems someone doesn't want me to get too close to you." Qingyao's voice rang in my ears, carrying a hint of coldness.

She looked around, her gaze sharp as a knife, as if she could see through all pretense.

I opened my mouth, wanting to say something, but I didn't know what to say.

I could only watch helplessly as she was surrounded by those watchers; the oppression and pain in my heart almost drove me insane.

As if things weren't bad enough, just when I was at my wit's end, all sorts of rumors started spreading in the trading market.

"Have you heard? That Xiao Yao is actually a spy sent by the Demon Clan!"

"That's right, all those rare resources she possessed were stolen from the demon race!"

"I heard that she was willing to sell her soul in order to gain power!"

These malicious rumors, like sharp blades, cut into my heart again and again.

I know that Mo Yan is behind this. He wants to ruin my reputation and leave me with no way out but to eventually have to rely on the demons.

Standing in the middle of the crowd, listening to those harsh comments, I felt as if I had been stripped naked and exposed to everyone's gaze.

Anger, resentment, helplessness...

A mix of emotions overwhelmed me, making me feel like I was suffocating.

A wave of loneliness washed over me, enveloping me completely.

Just then, Qingyao suddenly walked up to me and gently patted my shoulder.

She didn't say anything, but gave me a firm look.

At that moment, I seemed to see a glimmer of hope, flickering in the darkness...

"Xiao Yao," Qing Yao's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable force, "Come with me."

Qingyao pulled me through the crowd, and the harsh voices gradually faded away, but they lingered like maggots clinging to bones.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my wildly beating heart.

"They want you to make a choice, but you refuse." Qingyao's lips curled into a sly smile. "I like it."

I gave a wry smile: "What else can I do if I don't make a choice? Can I conjure up a force out of thin air?"

Qingyao stopped and stared intently at me: "Why not?"

I was stunned, and then a flash of inspiration suddenly struck me.

Yes, why not?

Rather than becoming someone else's pawn and being manipulated, why not build your own power and take control of your own destiny?

Once this thought arises, it grows wildly like weeds, becoming unstoppable.

My heart was pounding, and an unprecedented surge of excitement and exhilaration welled up inside me.

I suddenly raised my head, my gaze sweeping over the menacing figures around me, a confident smile playing on my lips: "Mo Yan, Xuan Feng, and everyone else, thank you for your 'kind invitation,' but I, Xiao Yao, have no intention of joining any faction!"

My voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the entire trading market.

The surroundings fell silent instantly, and everyone was stunned, as if they couldn't believe their ears.

"What...what did you say?" Mo Yan's face darkened.

“I said,” I said, meeting his gaze, emphasizing each word, “I want to build my own power!”

As soon as I finished speaking, a commotion erupted from the crowd.

The crowd buzzed with discussion, some mocking, some disdainful, while others expressed surprise and admiration.

"Has she gone mad? A rogue cultivator with no background or backing actually dares to try and build her own power?"

"Overestimating herself! Does she think building power is such an easy thing?"

"What a pipe dream! She'll regret it sooner or later!"

I ignored the ridicule and doubts, and stared firmly ahead.

I know this road will be difficult, but I've made up my mind and I will never turn back!

I took a deep breath and announced loudly, "I, Xiao Yao, hereby announce the official establishment of 'Xingyao Pavilion'! All like-minded fellow cultivators are welcome to join!"

No sooner had I finished speaking than a clear voice rang out from the crowd: "I'm joining!"

I looked in the direction of the sound and saw Qingyao looking at me with a smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Immediately afterwards, several more people stepped forward and expressed their willingness to join Xingyao Pavilion.

Although there were only a few of them, their presence gave me tremendous encouragement and confidence.

Looking at the people standing around me, I was filled with emotion and gratitude.

I know this is just the beginning.

“Xingyao Pavilion,” Qingyao whispered in my ear, “a good name.” She paused, then asked, “Where shall we stay?” Qingyao’s question brought me back to reality from my brief moment of joy.

Yes, Xingyao Pavilion is now just an empty shell; there's not even a place to settle down.

I looked around, and the representatives of those forces who had been eyeing me with predatory intent were now watching me with amusement, as if they were waiting to see me make a fool of myself.

I gritted my teeth, a surge of determination rising within me.

“Let’s go…” I paused, my gaze falling on a desolate mountain outside the trading market, “Let’s go there!”

That desolate mountain area had little spiritual energy and a treacherous terrain, and had always been regarded as a barren land, untouched by anyone.

But for me, it's a perfect safe haven.

"There?" Qingyao raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by my choice. "Are you sure?"

I nodded firmly: "There! The more deserted a place is, the safer it is. We will build our own home there!"

I led Qingyao and the original members to the foot of the barren mountain.

The area is overgrown with weeds and filled with jagged rocks, presenting a desolate scene.

But hope shone in my eyes.

"From today onwards, this is our territory!" I declared, waving my arms with boundless pride.

Everyone responded enthusiastically, and we began clearing weeds, moving stones, and building makeshift houses.

Despite the harsh conditions, we were all full of energy, as if we had inexhaustible strength.

In just a few days, a simple campsite rose up on the barren mountain.

Although it cannot compare to the magnificent palaces of those established powers, this is a home we built with our own hands, full of hope and vitality.

I set the motto of Xingyao Pavilion as "mutual assistance and mutual benefit, common development" and formulated a series of rules and regulations to ensure fairness and impartiality.

I also distributed the resources I obtained from the trading market to everyone free of charge to help them improve their cultivation.

My actions earned everyone's respect and love, and the cohesion of Xingyao Pavilion grew stronger and stronger.

Those forces that had previously looked down on us have begun to take us seriously.

"Xingyao Pavilion has actually managed to gain a foothold in the desolate mountains..."

"Xiao Yao, this woman is not to be underestimated..."

"Although Xingyao Pavilion is not large in scale, its development momentum is very strong..."

Various discussions reached my ears, but instead of feeling smug, I became even more vigilant.

I know that the rise of Xingyao Pavilion will inevitably affect the interests of some people, and the challenges ahead will be even more severe.

One evening, while I was cultivating, I suddenly sensed a powerful aura approaching.

I suddenly opened my eyes and saw a man dressed in black with a cold and stern face standing in front of me.

"Who are you?" I asked warily.

The man gave a cold laugh: "I'm here to give you a 'big gift'."

As soon as he finished speaking, he took a letter from his sleeve and threw it in front of me.

I opened the letter, and my expression instantly turned serious...

The letter contained only a few words: Three days later, a bloodbath will be carried out at Xingyao Pavilion.