Chapter 2: Gone in the Blink of an Eye

The little girl glanced back at the house not far behind her, wondering how her father was getting on with the food. Judging by the delicious aroma wafting through the air, it should be nearly ready. Yes, it smelled like grilled fish.

Her father's grilled fish was always delicious, though today's sudden arrival of a villain had somewhat spoiled the mood.

Dressed in black, Blood Impermanence stared in astonishment at the little girl. Not only did she show no fear of him whatsoever, but she even seemed distracted, looking about absent-mindedly.

Was this some sort of joke?

Was his appearance still not terrifying enough, if he couldn’t even frighten a little girl? He had always thought he could easily scare children to tears.

"Fine, in that case, killing one more foolhardy little girl is nothing," he sneered, raising his blood-red sword and charging toward her.

"Stop, you devil!" Mu Wanqing cried out in alarm, scrambling to her feet and rushing forward without a second thought.

Then, she froze.

Whoosh—

The little girl had already reached out her tiny hand. With a flick of her delicate finger, an endless torrent of flames burst forth from her childish middle finger, instantly engulfing Blood Impermanence.

A blood-curdling scream echoed amid the sea of fire.

Mu Wanqing stood rooted to the spot, her mouth agape, wide enough to fit a goose egg.

Through the flames, she could vaguely see Blood Impermanence’s body twisting in agony, then melting, his liquefied remains dripping to the ground.

In the blink of an eye, the frightening fire vanished.

Blood Impermanence had disappeared as well, leaving not a trace behind, as if he had never existed here at all.

A snap of the fingers, and he was reduced to ashes!

"Gone... Blood Impermanence is dead… completely gone?"

The scene made Mu Wanqing draw a sharp breath, her limbs icy cold, the whole thing feeling like a dream.

The infamous villain, Blood Impermanence, dead in the blink of an eye—destroyed utterly by a girl of only eight or nine.

Terrifying. Too terrifying!

"A little girl? A hidden master?"

Mu Wanqing suddenly snapped back to herself, her soul trembling. What had she encountered? This delicate, porcelain-like child was actually a hidden master of unimaginable power.

The girl glanced back at the house once more, relieved to see her father had not come rushing out. As expected, when her father was cooking, nothing could disturb his focus.

What a remarkable father!

She walked up to Mu Wanqing, comforting her, "Sister, you don’t need to be afraid anymore. The bad man is already dead."

"Thank you, exalted one, for saving my life!"

Mu Wanqing was so terrified she nearly collapsed to her knees in gratitude, but the little girl, startled, quickly held her up.

Then, the girl thought for a moment and said earnestly, "Sister, you mustn’t let my father know about this. He doesn’t like such things—he only likes planting trees, growing flowers and herbs, and making delicious food."

"Your father..." Mu Wanqing was stunned.

This child was already so fearsome—what about her father?

She drew another sharp breath, heart quaking with dread.

Just then, a man’s voice called out from within the house, "Die’er, what are you doing out there causing such a commotion? Looks like you’re not hungry yet."

"Ah, Father, I’m starving! I’m really, really hungry!" the girl quickly replied, secretly relieved. Thankfully, her father only noticed the noise and didn’t realize she had just killed someone.

She took Mu Wanqing by the hand and led her toward the house. "Father, we have a guest. You might need to grill another portion."

"Little sister—oh, no, exalted one, are you inviting me into your home as a guest?" Mu Wanqing was nearly petrified with fear. This was the home of a hidden master—the girl could reduce Blood Impermanence to nothing in an instant. Her father, she imagined, could likely obliterate her with a mere breath.

What should she do?

Mu Wanqing was so nervous that even her legs trembled.

"Ah, so there really is a guest. Rare indeed. But it seems you’re injured," Chen Changsheng remarked as he regarded Mu Wanqing, his eyes flashing with admiration.

He had lived here with his daughter for three years, and this was their first visitor, so he showed genuine warmth. One look revealed she was a cultivator—and a beautiful one at that. Naturally, Chen Changsheng had no reason to refuse hospitality, despite her apparent fright and injuries.

"It’s nothing, just a minor wound," Mu Wanqing hurriedly waved her hand, her eyes full of awe and caution, afraid to do anything that might incur Chen Changsheng’s displeasure.

"No need to be so reserved. By the way, let me introduce myself—my name is Chen Changsheng."

He scooped his daughter up, his face softening with doting affection as he ruffled her little head. "This is my daughter, Chen Die’er."

"Chen Changsheng…" Mu Wanqing searched her memory but couldn’t recall any master by that name on the Snowy Continent—certainly not one so young and handsome.

"My name is Mu Wanqing," she replied with a respectful salute.

"Please, come in," Chen Changsheng said.

He ushered Mu Wanqing inside. "Miss Mu, feel free to sit wherever you like. I didn’t expect a guest, so there are only two portions of grilled fish for myself and my daughter. I’ll make another for you. Die’er, pour Miss Mu a glass of water."

"Alright, Father," Chen Die’er replied sweetly and went to fetch the water.

Mu Wanqing sat on a chair, barely daring to breathe. Fleeing Blood Impermanence’s pursuit, she had stumbled upon this terrifying father and daughter—who had, with a flick of the finger, reduced Blood Impermanence to nothing. Even now, it all felt like a dream.

A faint aroma drifted through the air.

Only then did Mu Wanqing notice the plate on the table, holding two grilled fish. The fish looked rather unappetizing—most of the exterior was burnt black.

Could this grilled fish even be eaten?

She had been hungry before, after being chased all this way by Blood Impermanence, but seeing those two charred fish, her appetite vanished instantly.

Well, what would a hidden master know about grilling fish? The fact that any came out at all was already impressive.

"Sister Mu, have some water," Chen Die’er said, handing her a cup, her face bright with innocent cheer. Yet Mu Wanqing couldn’t help but tense up, the earlier scene of Chen Die’er annihilating Blood Impermanence replaying endlessly in her mind.

"Sister Mu, you really don’t need to be so nervous. Father is a good person," the little girl said, a bit bored, resting her chin on her arm as she watched Mu Wanqing, who was still visibly tense.

This sister is so pretty, she thought.

She matches Father rather well!

Mu Wanqing, feeling the girl’s gaze, grew even more flustered, fumbling to pick up the cup and take a sip.

Slurp.

Ah, how sweet!

Mu Wanqing froze.

No, not just sweet—it carried an ethereal quality, as if she were about to ascend to immortality. A surge of spiritual energy flooded her body, spreading rapidly before being absorbed. She felt as though she were treading on clouds, the sensation so transcendent she nearly cried out.

This wasn’t ordinary water—it was clearly liquefied spiritual energy.

It was madness!

Gulp!

So much for elegance! So much for being a lady!

Mu Wanqing downed the entire glass in one go. The wild spiritual energy coursed through her, threatening to overwhelm her very meridians.