Yang Mi continued, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia, "You were once regarded as one of the sect's brightest talents."
"Three years ago, despite only being at the Qi-Solidification Realm, you could fight Peak-Stage Foundation Establishnt cultivators without even using techniques."
"Your prowess sparked envy in every genius within the sect."
Reon's thoughts ca to a screeching halt.
'...What?'
'Xue Taiyang... was that much of a genius three years ago?!'
'The novel never ntioned any of this!'
Yang Mi didn't notice his inner turmoil and carried on.
"But then, suddenly, your cultivation stagnated. You were unable to break through, and at so point, your cultivation even began to regress. That's what I found out from my research."
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "And after witnessing your strength today... I think those rumors about you were true."
Reon's mind reeled.
'No, no, no. You sawmy strength today. Not Xue Taiyang's.'
His grip on the chair tightened slightly.
"You had a bad reputation," Yang Mi continued. "But from what I learned, you never tried to defend yourself.
When you tried to save a disciple in danger, it backfired, and the rumors against you only grew worse. Eventually, the entire sect thought of you as a scoundrel."
'Hah... so Xue Taiyang was actually misunderstood?'
'I suppose he's just as unlucky as I am.'
'But, I never knew any of this...'
Yang Mi studied him carefully before speaking again.
"I don't know why you joined Niu Ling, but I doubt it was out of loyalty. You must have had a hidden agenda—or perhaps you were forced into it.
And when you realized things were spiraling out of control, you deliberately provoked my brother to get yourself demoted to the Outer Sect. Am I right?"
A knowing smirk curled on her lips. "So, you've recovered—and all this ti, you've been secretly hiding your true strength."
Her eyes glead with sharp intuition. "You went to the Outer Sect to rebuild your power... and now, you're planning to strike back at Niu Ling. Aren't you?"
Reon let out a soft chuckle, a strange smile flickering across his face.
"Hah... You figured that out pretty easily," he mused, amusent lacing his tone.
"Haha!" Yang Mi chuckled, a hint of pride in her voice. "Obviously. I am a genius, after all."
'Genius? You muscle-brained idiot... That's precisely what I wanted you to believe from the very beginning,' Reon scoffed inwardly.
Yet... sothing still gnawed at him.
Xue Taiyang's past...
'How could the novel leave out sothing this important?'
'I have no idea how many more secrets about him are still hidden from ...'
Yang Mi leaned forward. "So, what do you think? Do you trust now?"
Reon snapped back to the present.
"Let's say I trust you," he said slowly. "But what about your brother?"
"He won't do anything to you," Yang Mi replied confidently. "I know my brother."
Reon's gaze sharpened. "Are you saying that because you asked him? Or because you assud it yourself?"
Yang Mi hesitated for a split second before answering, "I'm saying it myself. But I don't believe you've done anything to deserve being killed. And I don't think my brother is that unreasonable."
Reon's gaze sharpened. "Are you certain?"
"If anything happens, I'll take full responsibility," Yang Mi declared firmly.
Reon remained silent for a mont before letting out a soft chuckle.
"And how exactly do I believe you?" he asked. "When the ti cos, won't you prioritize your brother over ?"
His thoughts darkened.
'I can't trust her. I can't trust anyone in this world. Words an nothing. People change the mont it benefits them.'
'And she would definitely do anything for her brother. I have to be careful.'
Yang Mi clenched her fists.
"Fine," she said. "Then I'll take a Dao Heart Oath."
Reon tilted his head.
"Hmm... Dao Heart Oath isn't bad," he murmured.
Reon's mind raced as he thought inwardly.
If I rember correctly, Yang Lie's system has an item that can nullify a Dao Heart Oath...
His thoughts paused, the possibility lingering in his mind.
Although it was costly, such a thing did exist.
But... even within the system, no thod existed to counter that.
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
Yes, I'll make her do that.
Reon's eyes glinted coldly.
"No. That's not enough," Reon said, his tone unwavering.
Yang Mi furrowed her brows in confusion. "What? Why?"
"I want a Blood Oath," Reon declared.
Yes, the System can't counter a Blood Oath, he thought inwardly.
Yang Mi's breath hitched.
"A... Blood Oath?"
The Blood Oath.
A vow feared among cultivators of the righteous path.
It was a thod used only by the Demonic Path of the Northern Province—where trust was nonexistent, and strength ruled all.
Unlike the Dao Heart Oath, which would strip soone of their cultivation and prevent reincarnation upon betrayal...
A Blood Oath was far worse.
The mont the slightest violation occurred, the oath-taker would die in agony—blood seeping from their seven orifices as they perished in a cruel, torturous, unforgiving manner.
Yang Mi's hands trembled.
A Blood Oath...
It was dangerous. But if it ant protecting her brother...
She had no choice.
And she trusted her brother.
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