The Substitute Female Supporting Character Sees the Bullet Screen

Chapter 5

Presumably, Sang Wumian was too busy treating Xiao Ling's injuries to control what the disciples of the sect were saying.

The whole Cloud Scripture Sect was discussing this matter. Even though the disciples deliberately avoided Nie Yinzhi, some idle chatter still managed to reach her ears.

It's quite amusing. It seems that everyone knew she was Xiao Ling's substitute, and she was the only one left in the dark.

Even her maids, Ah Huan and Cheng Bi, had heard quite a bit of gossip. They came to Nie Yinzhi, fuming with anger, "Miss, why is it that all the senior brothers and sisters in the sect are saying that you were accepted as a disciple by the Immortal Master because of Xiao Ling?"

"They also said that you've usurped someone else's nest, enjoyed special treatment for many years, and now you have to give it all back. They said you're Xiao Ling's substitute, and now that Xiao Ling is back, you, this inferior product, can't show your face anymore, and also..."

Ah Huan couldn't finish the rest of the sentence because it was too hurtful. She was so angry that she started crying, "I'm so mad. Why haven't we heard any of this before?"

"Before, they certainly didn't dare let us hear these things," Cheng Bi said.

Nie Yinzhi was calm. The Cloud Scripture Sect had indeed broken many rules for her. She had been arrogant in the past, and there must be many who wanted to see her fall.

She looked up at Cheng Bi, "What happened to your face?"

Cheng Bi turned her face slightly to avoid her gaze, "I accidentally fell and scraped it."

Nie Yinzhi looked at Ah Huan, who said angrily, "That's not true. It was Brother Zou from the Internal Affairs Hall who was gossiping behind your back. Cheng Bi couldn't stand it and went to argue with him, and he pushed her to the ground."

Nie Yinzhi asked, "Full name."

"Zou Chenghua."

Cheng Bi quickly said, "Miss, I'm fine. I just need to apply some medicine."

"You're fine, but your mistress's face is not."

-

A white light shot into the Internal Affairs Hall of the Cloud Scripture Sect, landing on a person in front of the Treasure Pavilion. When Zou Chenghua saw who had summoned him, his face turned pale.

The person next to him saw his expression and asked, "Brother Zou, what's wrong? Who summoned you?"

"Sister Nie." Zou Chenghua guessed why she had summoned him.

In the early morning, he had said a few idle words behind her back, and just by chance, Nie Yinzhi's maid heard him. If it weren't for her making a fuss, he wouldn't have bothered to lay a hand on an ordinary person without any cultivation.

Zou Chenghua thought that Nie Yinzhi was too busy to care about these trivial matters.

However, he was an inner disciple after all. Nie Yinzhi couldn't do anything to him just because of a maid. Still, he brought a junior brother with him to the Pill-Forming Peak.

The Pill-Forming Peak was filled with sea begonias that bloomed all year round, exuding a faint fragrance. There were exquisite buildings and courtyards among the clusters of flowers. Nie Yinzhi was from a water town, and her residence was specially built in the style of her hometown.

Cultivators were known for their self-discipline and avoidance of worldly desires, but Nie Yinzhi was an exception. There were more than ten servants on Pill-Forming Peak, and every day, smoke could be seen rising from the cooking fires.

"Did you injure Cheng Bi's face?" Nie Yinzhi asked without any expression.

Zou Chenghua didn't show his disdain. He glanced at Cheng Bi and explained with a bow, "I'm sorry, Sister Nie. Miss Cheng Bi suddenly pounced on me. I was caught off guard and accidentally pushed her down. It wasn't intentional."

Cheng Bi pursed her lips and remained silent.

Zou Chenghua lowered his eyes in satisfaction.

Nie Yinzhi had no intention of listening to his explanation. She rubbed her slender, fair fingers and picked up a willow branch from the table.

If the usually calm Cheng Bi could be provoked to act, he must have said something offensive. She kicked Zou Chenghua over and immediately whipped his face with the willow branch.

The willow branch was imbued with sword energy, effortlessly tearing through his spiritual defense and leaving a bloody wound on his face. Zou Chenghua fell to the ground, clutching his stinging cheek, completely stunned.

Another disciple from the Internal Affairs Hall was at a loss, "Sister Nie, please show mercy!"

?Wow, the lady is really arrogant?

?She can't take even a bit of disadvantage, no wonder she hates the female lead so much later?

?How can someone like this be a substitute for Ling Ling? Sang Wumian must be blind?

?Please, the one who flirts is the cheap one, the female side character is just defending her maid, although her methods are a bit too much?

?Nie Yinzhi did a great job, Sang Wumian is ready to take action, run fast?

?What the hell, what's all this mess? In the original story, Nie Yinzhi would never stand up for a maid, she should be thinking about how to kill the female lead, has her character collapsed??

?Hahaha if the female side character doesn't court death, then what's the excuse to dissect her golden core?

Nie Yinzhi found it amusing. They spoke as if she could gain mercy and fair treatment by following the rules and swallowing insults.

What's more, she'd rather die than grovel to those who are insincere.

The tender green willow leaves were scattered all over the ground, and the branch was broken. Zou Chenghua was in a sorry state. He roared, "Nie Yinzhi, don't think you're so great. You're only able to act this way because you're under Sister Xiao's protection. Now that Sister Xiao is back, you're nothing. You're not even worthy of carrying Sister Xiao's shoes!"

"I'm not worthy, but you are." Nie Yinzhi laughed lightly, "I don't have a hobby of being a dog and carrying shoes for others."

"I was born with a spiritual bone. I can advance just by drinking water. I reached the Golden Core realm in just five years. I'm worthless? Then what about you? Isn't calling you 'trash' a compliment?"

Zou Chenghua, clutching his wounded arm, had eyes full of resentment. He wanted to spit it out, but he couldn't refute her.

Nie Yinzhi's talent was obvious to all. Because of her exceptional talent and preferential treatment, she effortlessly trampled on the achievements that others had to work thousands of times harder for.

Yet she was so ostentatious, as if reminding everyone all the time that there was no such thing as hard work compensating for lack of talent.

But Sister Xiao was different. Xiao Ling's hard work and diligence were exemplary in the sect, and her character was gentle and friendly. She often taught everyone how to cultivate, and everyone in the sect liked her.

Because of Nie Yinzhi's arrival, they had to be extremely cautious even when mentioning Sister Xiao. Why should this be the case?

Nie Yinzhi brushed her skirt and gave him a faint smile, "Alright, you can leave now."

Zou Chenghua was beaten up after offering himself up, so angry that he vomited blood. He fainted from anger as soon as he left the Pill-Forming Peak.

Nie Yinzhi instructed her two maids to pack up and leave. Ever since she found out the truth, she had been gradually dismissing the servants on Pill-Forming Peak. Now, only Ah Huan and Cheng Bi remained.

Ah Huan said indignantly, "Exactly, we're leaving. We're not interested in staying here to be mistreated."

Nie Yinzhi waved her hand, "I'm not going." If Sang Wumian wanted her golden pill, he would find her wherever she went. The Nie family was wealthy, but they were only mortals after all.

"Why? If Miss doesn't leave, we won't leave either."

Nie Yinzhi couldn't be bothered to explain. She hung a bunch of talismans on them and handed them over to the immortal crane.

She holed herself up on Pill-Forming Peak, studying the array she had learned from Xiang Sijue. She didn't have much curiosity about Xiao Ling, nor was she interested in causing her trouble.

The mark on her wrist was definitely related to the demon that appeared that night. The demonic aura hadn't dissipated, indicating that he wasn't dead yet.

Nie Yinzhi's initial plan was to lure Xiang Sijue into summoning the demon early, to give Sang Wumian something serious to do. Unfortunately, she wasn't successful, so she had to try it herself.

[What's this ring on the female lead's wrist? It looks like it's embedded in her skin?]

[It's quite pretty, like a floral tattoo. To be honest, she really knows how to pamper herself. Which cultivator would wrap a soft silk around the sword hilt to prevent chafing?]

[Speaking of a cultivation sect, can these mortals just leave if they want to?]

[To the previous commenter, would you care if a few ants left your house? The male lead knows that the female lead has sent away the servants, as long as she doesn't leave, it's fine.]

[Why does Ah Yin want to stay? Knowing that she is a substitute, she should run away.]

[She sent all the servants away, I think she's planning something big.]

[If the female lead doesn't mess with my goose and directly targets Sang Dog, I'll respect her as a real man.]

Not long after noon, Meng Jin led a few disciples to land on Pill-Forming Peak.

Nie Yinzhi was watering the begonia flowers in the courtyard. She was brought before Sang Wumian by Meng Jin. The elders of the Cloud Scripture Sect were also present. Judging from the situation, they were preparing to question her.

Sang Wumian sat above, his cold eyes filled with a touch of disappointment, "Ah Yin, you have taken it upon yourself to punish a fellow disciple. Do you understand your crime?"

Nie Yinzhi laughed, "Zou Chenghua was disrespectful, I was teaching him how to respect his fellow disciples. What's wrong with that? Is there a need for such a big fuss?"

"Ridiculous! This is not teaching, even if Zou Chenghua did something to offend you, it's not a crime deserving death." The elder of the Internal Affairs Hall said angrily.

Nie Yinzhi tilted her head to look at him, "Wait, did Zou Chenghua die?"

"Don't play innocent." The elder of the Internal Affairs Hall was furious. Zou Chenghua was his disciple, and he was determined to seek justice for him.

Back and forth, Nie Yinzhi finally understood. Zou Chenghua was beaten to death by her willow whip. At the time of his death, his meridians were severed, and his internal organs were shredded by sword energy, dying a gruesome death.

She didn't hold back when she hit him, and this incident quickly spread throughout the Cloud Scripture Sect, causing a terrible impact. The elder of the Internal Affairs Hall had to demand an explanation from Sang Wumian for the sect.

Nie Yinzhi glanced at the disciple of the Internal Affairs Hall in the hall. Indeed, she had seen him before, probably here as a witness.

Meng Jin's face was full of sorrow, "Nie Yinzhi, he was your fellow apprentice, a living person. How could you be so ruthless for a mere verbal dispute, torturing him to death?"

"Torturing to death? I wouldn't dare to admit. At most, I just made him suffer a little, when I finished beating him and let him go, Zou Chenghua was still cursing me with full vigor, saying I wasn't even worthy of carrying the shoes for the eldest sister."

The disciple from the Internal Affairs Hall gathered his courage, "After leaving the Pill-Forming Peak, Brother Zou was vomiting blood and fainting. His body was torn apart by the erupting sword energy. I saw it with my own eyes!"

Nie Yinzhi shrugged indifferently, "Perhaps he was so ashamed after hearing my words that he exploded and died."

Meng Jin was in disbelief, "Nie Yinzhi, how could you change like this?"

Nie Yinzhi smiled, if she wanted to kill him, she wouldn't have waited for Zou Chenghua to leave the Pill-Forming Peak, "If you want to blame me, there's always a reason. Since you all believe he died by my hand, what do you plan to do with me?"

The elder of the Punishment Hall said, "Confine her to the Reflection Cliff for ten years."

"Will I be able to come out after ten years?"

"If you realize your mistake, the sect will give you a chance."

Nie Yinzhi shook her head, "I'm afraid I won't have that chance anymore. My master has already arranged it for me, hasn't he?"

Sang Wumian frowned, Nie Yinzhi continued, "I was still guessing what you would do. So, you want to frame me, lock me up on the Reflection Cliff, and quietly take my golden pill and eyes."

After she finished speaking, Sang Wumian's face changed, and he rebuked, "Nonsense."

Nie Yinzhi raised the corner of her mouth, not backing down at all, "Well then, Master, do you dare to swear in front of everyone that you have no intention of taking my golden pill to heal Xiao Ling?"

"Presumptuous." Sang Wumian's icy gaze was like a sword, pinning her down. The overwhelming pressure made Nie Yinzhi kneel on the spot and spit out a mouthful of blood.

She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, changed her posture, and sat down on the spot, mocking, "You dare not."

Jing Chongshan stepped forward, "Nie Yinzhi, don't try to twist the truth. Your master is the head of the Cloud Scripture Sect, a real immortal. If such a vow were to spread, it would cause misunderstandings."

Nie Yinzhi sneered, and transmitted her thoughts, whispering in Sang Wumian's ear, "Master, you're afraid of causing misunderstandings with a mere vow. What about your inappropriate relationship with Xiao Ling? How are you going to handle that?"

Sang Wumian suddenly lifted his head, a cold sword aura shooting from his palm. The blade's light thrust towards Nie Yinzhi's heart, deviating upwards by a few inches, piercing through her shoulder.

At the same moment, Nie Yinzhi's speech and consciousness were sealed.

Blood gushed from her shoulder, the bright red liquid quickly solidifying on the marble floor, forming a formation. A surge of black air, like a flood, gushed out from the formation.

"Demonic energy!"

"Nie Yinzhi, what have you done?"

A sacrificial formation!

Sang Wumian recognized it the moment the formation appeared. He could not allow her to succeed, otherwise, even if Nie Yinzhi's golden core was extracted, it would be tainted with demonic energy.

The people in the hall were horrified. Sang Wumian drew a long sword from the void and, without any reservation, swung it towards the formation. The terrifying pressure from the sword forced everyone to retreat in a hurry, and the hall was instantly covered in ice.

However, that thunderous sword stopped outside the blood formation's light. The surging black air gushed out from the blood formation, enveloping Nie Yinzhi.

"It's you." A familiar male voice came from within the demonic energy, sighing, full of annoyance, "Why can't you pray to the gods and Buddha for your wishes? Why must you provoke this demon?"

Sang Wumian's silence spell failed. Nie Yinzhi tore off the ribbon on her hand, revealing the mark on her wrist, "The gods and Buddha won't care about my life or death."

"But I guess, you will."