Atop the Eternal Retribution Cliff, the highest point in that desolate realm, sat two figures: an old woman and a young woman named Su Yin. The old woman radiated an ancient aura, twisting the surrounding space like a tempest, while Su Yin sat beside her, serene and unaffected by the oppressive atmosphere, her otherworldly beauty exuding a noble calm.
"Young lady, what crimes have you committed to land in this gloomy place? You don't seem like someone who belongs here," the old woman said, her eyes glinting with curiosity as she studied Su Yin, whose presence seemed to soothe the turbulent air around them.
Su Yin offered a faint smile. "I've done many things," she said in a calm voice. "One of which was devouring the forbidden fruit crafted by Her Majesty, the Heavenly Empress."
The old woman's brows shot up, her eyes flashing with shock. "You… you… you…" she stammered, words failing her. For someone as ancient as she, to be left speechless was a rare event, her eyes wider than they had been in eons.
"I'm more surprised you're still alive after that than the act itself!" she finally exclaimed.
Su Yin merely smiled at the words.
Suddenly, the old woman burst into laughter. "I can just imagine the Heavenly Empress's furious face when she heard the news! Hahaha! Young lady, I like you! What's your name?"
The ancient aura around her had dissipated, and she now resembled a kind grandmother, warm and approachable.
"My name is Su Yin," the young woman replied.
"Su Yin… would you like to leave this place?" The old woman grinned, revealing two rows of yellowed teeth.
For the first time, Su Yin turned to look at the old woman's face. It was wrinkled, like a dried fruit, yet her eyes shone clear as water, brighter than the stars in the eternal night sky.
"What's the point?" Su Yin said after a pause. "Even if I leave, it will only inflame the Heavenly Empress's anger further. I'd rather sit here until my soul fades than face her wrath endlessly."
"What if I said you could leave without worrying about the Heavenly Empress?" The old woman's grin held, but a profound light flickered in her gaze.
"Then what?" Su Yin asked. "Should I return to the sinful life I've lived for thousands of years? Or seek vengeance on those who falsely accused me?"
"That… is up to you."
Su Yin reached toward the night sky, her hand closing as if to grasp the stars above. "Then… if I ever decide to leave, I will…" She paused, then smiled. "Forget it. I'd rather stay here, lazing until I fade away."
The old woman laughed again. "You're too young to hide your desires from an old one like me, young lady! Even if you stay here forever, can you truly fade from old age? An immortal like you? Hehehe… your wish… I shall grant it!" She stood abruptly and waved her sleeves. The eternal night sky, unchanged since the cliff's creation, turned to day, bewildering every soul dwelling there.
"You… who are you?" Su Yin stared at the grinning old woman with wide eyes.
"Just an old woman with nothing better to do," she replied. "Oh, and before I send you away, I'd like to thank you for what you did…"
"Thank me? What do you mean by tha—"
Before Su Yin could finish, a blinding white light engulfed the world, stealing her vision.
The moment the white light faded, Su Yin felt a sharp pain near her heart, as if pierced by a sword. Her eyes snapped open to find a beautiful young woman with a vicious grin standing before her on a wide stage, a steel sword in her grasp.
"Tch, I narrowly missed her heart," the young woman muttered.
Su Yin looked down to see a sword embedded in her body and instantly became alert. "Scram!" An overwhelming aura, thick with killing intent, erupted from her, forcing the young woman and the dozens of spectators around the stage to cough up blood.
The young woman, standing closest to Su Yin, collapsed unconscious from the force.
Silence fell over the scene. Su Yin pulled the sword from her chest, ignoring the pain, and quickly sifted through her memories.
In them, she discovered she inhabited the body of a young cultivator also named Su Yin, with the same appearance as her younger self. But the similarities ended there. Her cultivation base was a shadow of her former power, and she was now a disciple of the Profound Blossom Sect—a place dedicated to dual cultivation, where men and women engaged in intimate practices for cultivation. It was as if she had been thrust back to her youth, when she was just beginning her journey as a cultivator.
As for her current predicament, the previous Su Yin had attempted to court a male disciple named Xing Xing, offending his partner, Yan Mei, the unconscious young woman before her. This had led to a deathmatch between them.
"What in the heavens is happening?" Su Yin muttered, recalling the old woman's promise to free her from the Eternal Retribution Cliff.
"Did she send me back in time? No… I don't recall ever being a disciple of this Profound Blossom Sect… Then…"
A loud shout shattered the silence. "Everybody halt your movements!"
A middle-aged woman leaped onto the stage, frowning at Su Yin and the unconscious Yan Mei. "Who authorized this deathmatch today? Scram before I call the disciplinary squad!"
"Yes, Elder Sun!" The disciples around the stage scattered, leaving only Su Yin and Yan Mei.
Su Yin decided to leave and ponder later. As she stepped off the stage, Elder Sun looked at her and asked, "What's your name?"
"Su Yin," she replied calmly.
Elder Sun nodded, then turned to carry the unconscious Yan Mei away.
Su Yin, searching her new memories, began walking toward her living quarters.