Tianxing Sect.
Once every five years, the grand disciple recruitment ceremony was held. The sect's broad square teemed with a sea of new hopefuls, all young and full of dreams. Yun Jin stood silently at the center of the crowd, her expression indifferent.
Thousands of years? Tens of thousands?
So much time had passed, yet she could still vividly recall everything that had happened that day.
"Xiao Jin." A worried voice called out.
She turned her head slightly. At the edge of her vision, a familiar figure came into view, bringing with it the ghost of a smile to her lips.
"Ye Danxia. Long time no see."
"Xiao Jin." Ye Danxia's brows were furrowed in concern. "I just finished the first test—the spiritual root evaluation. I was identified as a Heavenly Spirit Root, while you… well, you got the lowest-grade Five Spirit Roots. If things continue like this, you'll definitely fail the sect's entrance trials."
"Oh?" Yun Jin remained noncommittal. "Do you have any suggestions, then?"
Ye Danxia's eyes flickered with hidden amusement as she smiled gently.
"You saw it too, didn't you? My test results were amazing. If it weren't for the formalities, the Sect Master would've accepted me as a direct disciple on the spot."
"Your aptitude may be poor, but it's fine. We're old friends, after all. I've already asked around. Official disciples are allowed to bring a servant or maid to attend to them. When the time comes, I'll just say you're my maid. That way, you can stay in the sect with me."
As she spoke, a trace of smugness flashed in her eyes. Yun Jin. The once-esteemed eldest daughter of the Yun clan. And herself? Just a pitiful orphan adopted by the Yun family.
All those years in the Yun household, she had lived like she was walking on thin ice, unsure whether she would see the next morning. Perhaps even the heavens had taken pity on her, for fate had now spun a completely different thread.
The Yun clan had fallen overnight, reduced to ruins. Only Yun Jin and Ye Danxia had escaped alive. With nowhere else to turn, they arrived at Tianxing Sect's open recruitment, hoping for a chance.
Who could've imagined?
During the first test, both of them passed—but Yun Jin was deemed to have the lowest-grade Five Spirit Roots.
While she—
Possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root, a talent that appeared only once in a century!
At this moment, Ye Danxia felt nothing but exhilaration.
"So what if she was the Yun family's young mistress?"
The wealth of mortals was nothing compared to the path of immortality. That family was gone now. All Yun Jin had left was a single heirloom ring and nothing else. Their paths would never cross again.
Still…
Ye Danxia considered herself kindhearted. The Yun family had taken her in, after all. Taking Yun Jin in as a servant was a generous return.
Yun Jin regarded Ye Danxia quietly, then, suddenly, she smiled.
"What are you smiling at?" Ye Danxia frowned. "Xiao Jin, now isn't the time to act like some pampered young lady. The cultivation world doesn't care about your past status. I only suggested this because I knew you'd be kicked out otherwise. If you don't want to accept my help, just forget I said anything."
Yun Jin's smile grew brighter.
In her past life, Ye Danxia had said the exact same thing.
Back then, she had been weak and gullible, actually believing her lies and agreeing to become her maid just to stay.
And what happened?
Ye Danxia became the Sect Master's disciple, doted on by him and her senior brothers, never allowed to suffer the slightest grievance. Since she couldn't be wronged, all the suffering fell onto Yun Jin.
If Ye Danxia was injured, Yun Jin would be scolded for failing to protect her mistress.
If Ye Danxia was in a foul mood, Yun Jin would be interrogated and accused of wrongdoing, always ending in the same conclusion—she had angered her.
And every time, Ye Danxia would stand to the side, shedding crocodile tears, pretending none of it had anything to do with her. Her sycophants, meanwhile, tormented Yun Jin behind the scenes.
Yun Jin endured it all.
Ye Danxia had once promised to help her cultivate. Yun Jin believed her. After a year of tireless service, she finally gathered the courage to ask for a few simple Qi Gathering pills.
Ye Danxia agreed with a smile.
Yun Jin thought her efforts had finally been acknowledged.
But the very next day, she was kidnapped by Ye Danxia's obsessive admirer.
The madman said she was ungrateful for making such an unreasonable request. Claimed that Ye Danxia had nearly cried trying to get those pills. That giving her a place to stay was already a heavenly favor—how dare she ask for more?
All Yun Jin had wanted were the most basic pills.
To Ye Danxia, they were nothing.
But with a few tears and a show of grievance, she twisted the situation until Yun Jin became the villain. Yun Jin tried to explain, but the madman unleashed soul-devouring ants on her. She was bitten all night.
By the time Ye Danxia found her, she was barely clinging to life. Ye Danxia cried a little, and once again, everyone came to comfort her. No one spared a thought for Yun Jin. By some miracle, she survived. Realizing Ye Danxia had no intention of ever helping her, Yun Jin tried to leave.
And what did Ye Danxia say?
She acted hurt. Asked why Yun Jin would abandon her after she had been so kind. Before Yun Jin could even answer, Ye Danxia's sycophants swarmed in, branding her as ungrateful, greedy, shameless.
Eventually, even the Sect Master issued a personal decree forbidding her from leaving the sect grounds. Still, Yun Jin didn't give up. She waited, hoping for a chance to escape.
Then came the final blow.
Ye Danxia's official lover was none other than a Demon Sovereign from the demon realm. He snuck into Tianxing Sect one night to see her, but was discovered, alerting his enemies.
That night, the demon clans attacked.
Tianxing Sect suffered devastating losses.
Those enemies knew the Demon Sovereign had someone he loved dearly in the sect. They planned to kill her, to make him suffer. Somehow, they mistook Yun Jin for Ye Danxia.
They didn't even give her a chance to speak. They simply tore her apart.
After her death, she drifted as a ghost, watching Ye Danxia and the Demon Sovereign indulge in their twisted love. Wherever they went, people died. Only the two of them emerged unscathed, their love as flamboyant as it was cruel.
Even Ye Danxia's admirers met miserable ends.
Only she and the Demon Sovereign ascended to the Upper Realm together.
How absurd.
Even as a ghost, Yun Jin couldn't understand—what had she done to deserve this?
Later, she was bound to a Quick Transmigration System and realized the truth: her world was nothing but a novel, with Ye Danxia and the Demon Sovereign as its protagonists.
As for her?
She wasn't even a proper supporting character—just an early stepping stone.
The hero and heroine were destined to reign supreme. She was only ever meant to be beneath their feet.
But—
Why?
She refused to accept it!
She wouldn't!
Without hesitation, she accepted the system's missions, traversing countless worlds and completing tasks for others. When she finally completed her hundredth mission, she was granted freedom—and a golden finger of her choice.
She chose to return.
She would never follow the novel's script again!
"Xiao Jin! What's wrong with you?" Ye Danxia snapped, annoyed. "I'm only saying this for your sake! I know being a maid is humiliating, but at least you'll have a chance to cultivate! With our friendship, I'll help you in the future. Isn't that better than living as a mortal with a mere hundred-year lifespan? Besides, didn't you swear to uncover the truth behind your family's massacre? Only immortality can give you the power for revenge!"
Yun Jin looked at her as if watching a clown's performance and smiled. "Thanks for your concern, but I'd rather try on my own."
Ye Danxia's face darkened. "With your trash Five Spirit Roots, what's there to try? Yun Jin, if you keep being this stubborn, I'll really ignore you!"
Yun Jin nodded. "Good. Then ignore me."
Ye Danxia: "??"