After Changing to the Ruthless Way, the Brothers Cried and Begged for Forgiveness-Chapter 408: Disguised Among the Pearls, Boastful Without Shame

Surrounding the Dao Field were familiar faces Yu Zhao recognized. Close friends who shared unbreakable bonds, comrades who fought alongside her, and adversaries with whom mutual disdain simmered. Yet, Yu Zhao felt no relief in their presence; instead, an overwhelming weight pressed on her chest.
Moments ago, she had defied the will of Dao Lord Tai Wei.
Lowering her gaze, she stumbled upon an astonishing realization—she could no longer recall the Dao Lord’s appearance. Though she had just looked up and spoken directly to her, her memory offered only a blurred, indistinguishable visage. This was the power of an Ascension-stage cultivator’s divine abilities, Yu Zhao thought, her unease deepening.
“Yu Zhao,” the Dao Lord’s voice was devoid of warmth, the faint hint of displeasure chilling her further. “You may be a prodigy in your Small World, but in the Northern Region, prodigies are abundant. Even the last-ranked genius on the Northern Region Talent List is a Fusion-stage cultivator.
“As you are now, you are nothing. You are unqualified to bargain with me. Do you understand?”
Noticing Yu Zhao’s resistance, Dao Lord Tai Wei’s tone turned cold, her earlier leniency evaporating. Her words carried the undeniable weight of authority, compelling submission.
Yu Zhao remained silent.
The cultivation world had struggled relentlessly to rebuild the Heavenly Ladder, and her efforts were merely a fragment of that monumental task. The Seven Great Sects, as well as figures like White Feather, Nine-Tailed Fox, and countless others—some known, some hidden—had all poured their hearts into this cause. How could she be selfish enough to prioritize her future over the hopes of every cultivator?
Though she knew her actions might anger Dao Lord Tai Wei, Yu Zhao had made her choice. Not for glory or personal gain, but to remain true to her conscience.
“This time, I’ll overlook your transgression since it’s your first offense,” Tai Wei declared. “If you wish for me to repair the Small World’s Passage sooner, then prove your worth. Do not disappoint me again.”
“…Yes, Senior,” Yu Zhao replied, her voice laced with resignation.
The overwhelming power of an Ascension-stage cultivator left her no choice but to comply. However, Yu Zhao’s pride had always driven her to set high standards for herself, regardless of external pressure. Now, with Tai Wei’s veiled threat hovering over her, she felt an even greater urgency to push her limits.
Satisfied with Yu Zhao’s acknowledgment, Dao Lord Tai Wei’s mood softened slightly. “The timing is critical. If they don’t wake soon, they might never awaken. Consider this an act of salvation on your part.”
Yu Zhao’s breath hitched as the Dao Lord’s words sank in. Her realization struck like a lightning bolt: the Dao Field, meant to illuminate and guide, was in truth an unforgiving trial. Only the victorious survived, securing unimaginable opportunities, while the defeated were discarded like nameless stones.
If she hadn’t comprehended the Reincarnation Dao, would they all have perished here? And what of those waiting in the cultivation world, unaware that their return might never come?
As these thoughts raced through Yu Zhao’s mind, they lasted no more than an instant.
With a wave of her sleeve, Dao Lord Tai Wei released a cascade of golden light. Some enveloped her face once again, masking her features, while the rest rained down upon the unconscious participants. Moments later, anguished cries echoed as some of them stirred awake.
Ye Cong Xin was the last to regain consciousness.
Unlike the others, who were either panicked or bewildered upon waking, Ye Cong Xin merely blinked in confusion, as though roused from a long, hazy dream.
“The teachings have concluded,” Tai Wei announced. “Among you, only Yu Zhao has grasped the true essence of the Reincarnation Dao. I will accept her as my disciple and bring her to the North Abyss Realm. Should fortune favor you, and you escape the Small World, you may come to the North Abyss Realm and rekindle ties.”
Tai Wei rarely spoke so generously, but discovering such a rare gem as Yu Zhao had made her uncharacteristically talkative. What she did not expect was someone daring to oppose her after her declaration.
The crowd’s reactions to Yu Zhao’s selection varied. Most were happy and proud, but Ye Cong Xin clenched her fists until her nails bit into her palms, fury blazing in her eyes.
It was Yu Zhao. Again.
Yu Zhao had stolen Fang Cheng Lang’s attention, Cui Jue’s admiration, and even Master Qing Yan’s favor. Why did even this superior Dao Lord now choose Yu Zhao over her?
She had worked tirelessly to improve herself, yet no one noticed her achievements. Why did everything come so effortlessly to Yu Zhao? Why?
“I refuse!” Ye Cong Xin erupted, her delicate features twisted by jealousy and rage.
“We’re both at the mid-Nascent Soul stage. Why her and not me? I can do better than she ever could!”
“Disguised among the pearls, boastful without shame,” Tai Wei sneered. Though her power was restricted, her perception remained unmatched. She had already seen through Ye Cong Xin’s flaws but deemed them beneath her notice. Yet now, this woman dared to make herself a comparison to Yu Zhao. It was absurd.
“Disguised among the pearls?” Ye Cong Xin staggered, her face paling. The words had pierced her deeply, exposing her buried insecurities to the crowd.
Their gazes felt like blades, slicing her into shreds. Humiliation coursed through her as she silently screamed for her System, but as expected, it did not respond.
Lifting her trembling head, Ye Cong Xin locked eyes with Yu Zhao, her hatred palpable.
“Why do you hate me?” Yu Zhao asked, her confusion evident. In both her previous life and this one, she had rarely interacted with Ye Cong Xin. She even went out of her way to avoid her, yet Ye Cong Xin’s enmity only grew stronger, inexplicably.
The others, like Fang Cheng Lang and Su Ming, looked at Ye Cong Xin with equal bewilderment.
Ye Cong Xin let out a bitter laugh. “You don’t know why I hate you, Yu Zhao?”
Yu Zhao frowned. Was there some long-forgotten event between them?
“Clearly, you’ve forgotten,” Ye Cong Xin spat before turning to Cui Jue. “And you, Cui Jue? Have you forgotten too?”
Cui Jue’s brows furrowed as he strained to recall the connection Ye Cong Xin referred to. At last, a distant memory surfaced.
At the same time, Yu Zhao also remembered. Years ago, during her fourth year on Lone Moon Peak, she had stumbled upon an unconscious Ye Cong Xin, her illness flaring dangerously. Out of kindness, Yu Zhao had taken her back to her residence and even asked Cui Jue to treat her.
From that point on, Ye Cong Xin’s interactions with Lone Moon Peak had grown frequent.
Yu Zhao’s frown deepened. She had saved Ye Cong Xin, yet she earned her hatred in return? What kind of reasoning was this?
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation