Rising From the Ashes of Betrayal

I was the daughter of the Azurez Sect’s leader and its next heir.

Unfortunately, on the eve of my succession ceremony, an accident occurred while I was descending the mountain to eliminate vengeful spirits. At a critical moment, my powers spiraled out of control, and I succumbed to demonic backlash.

The spirits wounded me, and in an instant, all my cultivation was destroyed.

My fiancé, Julian Zackman, ventured alone into the spirits’ lair to save me. He battled them for three days and three nights before finally bringing me back.

However, in doing so, he lost an arm and a thousand years’ worth of cultivation. From that day on, he could no longer wield a sword.

I was consumed with guilt. I even convinced myself that I would leave everything behind and live in seclusion with him, living a simple life together.

However, by chance, I overheard a conversation between him and my father.

“I know what I did to Queenie was wrong, but she was too powerful. I had no choice but to slip some of the delusional powder into her sachet to make her go astray. I needed to make sure Wendy could become Sect Leader.”

My father looked at Julian’s empty sleeve with regret. “I understand your intentions, but you didn’t have to sacrifice your arm. You are my most gifted disciple. Without it, how will you ever wield a sword again?”

“Master, don’t worry. It was only an illusion to deceive her. Once Wendy takes over the sect, I’ll arrange a place for Queenie at the foot of the mountain. Without cultivation, she’s worth nothing to Azurez Sect. She might as well live down there, farming, raising chickens, and living as a peasant woman. At least she’ll have a stable life that way.”

My heart sank.

Everything he did had been a lie.

It was all to force me to give up my place.

If the world had turned its back on me, I would tear it down in return.

Ever since I came back to the sect, Julian Zackman stayed by my side, caring for me with devotion. He never complained, even though he had lost an arm and everything was inconvenient for him.

Every morning without fail, he would bring me my medicine. He would gently blow on it to cool it down, then lift the spoon to my lips. “Queenie, be good. Drink your medicine. You’ll recover faster if you take it.”

His acting was so flawless, as if he were still the Julian who loved me to the core.

However, recalling his conversation with my father from the day before, I could not help but doubt the contents of the medicine. I clenched my teeth and refused to open my mouth.

Julian assumed I was afraid of the bitterness when he saw me refusing to drink the medication. A doting smile appeared on his face as he took out a piece of candied fruit he had prepared in advance.

“I know you don’t like bitterness. I brought this just for you. Be good and take your medicine after eating this.”

The tenderness in his expression was the same as when we first met, and for a moment, I felt dazed.

The first time I saw him was at the sect tournament.

His masterful swordsmanship cut through the air, sparking a feeling in me. From that moment on, I fell in love at first sight with this elegant senior disciple.

When I grew older, my father seemed to notice my feelings and betrothed me to Julian.

I still remembered the excitement I felt when I heard the news. I lost my composure, jumping barefoot in joy.

After that, we stayed by each other’s side, and in the blink of an eye, thousands of years passed.

His love for me was evident. We had agreed that once I inherited the position of Sect Leader, we would be married.

For the sake of that promise, I cultivated day and night without rest.

However, what I received in the end was not his fulfillment of that promise. All that awaited me was his betrayal.

What chilled me even more was that my father, whom I respected so deeply, knew the truth and still chose to be Julian’s accomplice.

All my years of effort had ended with me giving everything up to someone else.

The thought overwhelmed me. My emotions surged, aggravating my injuries, and I coughed up a mouthful of blood.

“Queenie! Queenie, what happened to you? Don’t scare me!” Julian shouted anxiously.

His eyes were full of concern. However, I had seen the relief that flashed past his face a moment ago.

My father rushed over at the sound and grabbed my hand, channeling spiritual energy into me.

“Queenie, I know this is too painful for you to bear, but we can’t rush things. Don’t worry. I’ll find a way to restore your cultivation. I won’t let you become useless.

“As for the vengeful spirit that harmed you, we’ve already imprisoned it in the Demon-Slaying Tower. It won’t be long before it’s destroyed. Its soul will scatter soon, and it will never reincarnate.”

They placed all the blame on the vengeful spirit.

However, the masterminds behind my suffering were the two people I trusted most.

The disappointment in my heart flared into pain once more. A tear slid down my cheek as I looked at them.

“Julian… Father… I remember there was a secret treasure that can rebuild cultivation. Could you help me find it?”

This was the first time I had ever begged them. It was also a test to see whether they still cared about me at all.

A flicker of struggle crossed Julian’s eyes, but after a moment’s thought, he shook his head.

“There’s no such treasure in this world. That’s just a legend.”

My father chimed in. “All you have to do now is to recover. Cultivation is not important as long as staying alive.”

My last shred of hope was shattered.

Hidden beneath the blanket, my hand clenched tightly into a fist, my nails digging into my flesh.

“Then… Does that mean I’ll be useless for the rest of my life?”

Julian pulled me into a tight embrace, tears streaming down his face.

“I’ve already lost an arm. I can’t wield a sword anymore. I’m useless too. Don’t worry! I’ll be with you forever. We can build a small house at the foot of the mountain and live a simple life. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

It was not that I had never considered living an ordinary, peaceful life with Julian.

However, the moment I learned of their betrayal, everything changed.

Now, there was only one thing left in me: vengeance.

I would make everyone who had hurt me pay the price.