Chapter 1

I was the most prized disciple of the Grandmaster of Highcrest Order, yet I fell blindly in love with a low-tier fox demon.

To stay with him, I gave up my birthright as the sect’s rightful heir and spent years by his side in the demon realm.

Ignoring every warning from my mentors and friends, I even spat out my own spiritual core to protect him during his heavenly ascension.

Yet the moment he ascended, his very first act was crushing my core into dust.

Then, he shoved a sword straight through my heart.

With my blood still dripping from his blade, he knelt gleefully before my younger sister to pledge his loyalty.

Only then did I realize he was a social climber who only bowed to power.

His heart had always belonged to my sister, Yvaine, who was hailed as the greatest prodigy of Highcrest Order.

When I opened my eyes again, both the fox demon and I had returned to the day the sect disciples chose their spirit beasts.

He was already on his knees before Yvaine, begging her to take him in.

The entire hall waited to mock my humiliation.

Instead, I casually pointed at the sickly, dying little snake in the corner.

The fox demon had no idea.

As long as I breathed, Yvaine would never become number one!

01.

The agonizing memory of my core shattering knocked the breath out of me.

My eyes snapped wide, locking onto Huxley.

The tall figure in front of me blurred, replaced by a dense crowd of cultivators, and our Grandmaster’s cold voice boomed from above.

“Insolence! Lysandra is the prime disciple of Highcrest. How dare a filthy fox demon like you act so picky?”

“Grandmaster, forging a bond is a mutual choice,” Huxley pleaded, bowing low. “Though I am of lowly birth, I should at least have the right to choose.”

“My heart has long belonged to Lady Yvaine. I beg you to grant my wish!”

The familiar voice rang in my ears.

He looked at my sister with the exact same desperate, adoring gaze he once directed at me.

Yvaine shot me a smug, mocking look.

Her lips parted, mouthing three silent words at me.

“You have lost.”

In my past life, I was utterly blinded by him.

Despite his weak magical power, I insisted on taking him as my bonded beast.

I forfeited my seat as heir and spent day and night cultivating beside him in the demon realm.

I gave him my whole heart, even spitting out my spiritual core to shield him from the heavenly tribulations.

In return, he crushed my core and pierced my chest.

I could never forget how he knelt before Yvaine, presenting my still-beating heart like a trophy.

Seeing him kneel before her now was hardly surprising.

He had always coveted Yvaine’s title as Highcrest’s top prodigy and her position as heir.

I just had not expected him to be this impatient in our second chance at life.

Before I could speak, Grandmaster lost his temper, raising his palm to strike.

Huxley immediately shot Yvaine a panicked look of desperation.

The next second, Yvaine stepped forward, shielding the fox behind her back.

“Grandmaster, Huxley is only speaking from the heart. Highcrest is the greatest sect under the heavens. We would never beat an innocent beast to death just because he refused to be claimed, right?”

“What do you think, Senior Sister Lysandra?”

She emphasized the last few words with venomous glee.

She wanted to see me break down and cry.

Too bad for her.

I had zero interest in a traitorous dog.

“I agree with my junior sister,” I said calmly. “Grandmaster, please grant Huxley and Yvaine your blessing so their love story can have a happy ending.”