Qu Weiyin was battling the Qiongqi with gritted teeth when Luo Jinxiao’s words disrupted her focus. In a moment of distraction, Luo Jinxiao, who had been under her protection, suddenly grabbed Qu Weiyin’s arm, pulling her out of the Qiongqi’s attack range.
Luo Jinxiao’s hands were slender and cold, as if covered in frost. She stepped in front of Qu Weiyin, silver-white light gathering in her palms. The cold wind lifted her hair, freezing the sweat into crystalline strands, making her dark hair shimmer with a silver sheen.
The red eyes of the Qiongqi seemed to dim slightly as it retreated with another roar. Fearing Qu Weiyin might get hurt, Luo Jinxiao pushed her away with her left hand and faced the Qiongqi with her right. The light in her palm collided with the beast’s breath, creating waves of energy that shattered the overhead luminous pearls, which fell and smashed on the ground.
It had been a long time since Luo Jinxiao felt such powerful spiritual energy coursing through her. She felt a thrill but also a hint of unease, knowing this was a forbidden art she would never use unless absolutely necessary.
Realizing her spiritual power, when fully unleashed, was formidable indeed, Luo Jinxiao deftly maneuvered between the Qiongqi’s four paws, attempting to bind it with her spiritual energy.
Qu Weiyin, momentarily stunned, quickly moved forward, her Remnant Moon and Star Sword rising into the air to shield Luo Jinxiao from part of the attack.
Cracks appeared on the hall’s walls as the fierce winds lifted everything light enough, including several redwood and gold-edged chairs, which soared into the air and crashed toward Luo Jinxiao.
Sensing danger, Luo Jinxiao sprang upward, her pale blue skirt dancing wildly in the wind.
Qu Weiyin’s heart tightened at the sight of her near collision, her brows furrowing as she moved to intervene.
In a split second, Luo Jinxiao casually grabbed the Remnant Moon and Star Sword in front of her. A swift shadow flashed, and the approaching chair was cleaved in two, scattering pieces everywhere.
Qu Weiyin was utterly shocked. The Remnant Moon and Star Sword was an ancient divine weapon, untouchable for ordinary people, yet Luo Jinxiao wielded it effortlessly, tossing it aside as if it were just a broom.
The Qiongqi, overwhelmed by the combined onslaught, soon tired, losing all its previous grandeur. It began retreating with whimpers, its fierce gaze softening into a look of pitiful dejection.
Luo Jinxiao, however, was spent, the forbidden art having drained her physical strength. She fended off the Qiongqi’s final foul breath and landed steadily on the ground.
As she touched down, her legs suddenly gave way, and she dropped to a half-kneel, her stomach churning violently with nausea.
Noticing her discomfort, Qu Weiyin rushed over, reaching out to support her but stopping short, retracting her hand as she asked, with an unchanged expression, “How are you?”
“Nothing serious,” Luo Jinxiao replied, forcing a bright smile to hide her weakness.
The Qiongqi, now subdued, retracted its wings and crouched in place, covering its face with its large, furry paws, as if too embarrassed to look at Luo Jinxiao.
Just as Luo Jinxiao was about to raise her head, her expression shifted. “Watch out!” she cried, launching herself like an arrow, pushing Qu Weiyin out of the doorway.
Qu Weiyin could have dodged, but Luo Jinxiao’s push sent them tumbling out together. Fortunately, the Remnant Moon and Star Sword, loyal to its master, formed a protective barrier behind them.
They landed in unison on the now-enlarged sword sheath, with Luo Jinxiao’s hands sliding slightly from Qu Weiyin’s shoulders as they fell.
A moment of silence ensued.
Qu Weiyin found herself pinned below, every hair on her body standing on end. She barely restrained herself from slashing at Luo Jinxiao, gritting her teeth as she ordered, “Get off!”
Feeling the softness beneath her, Luo Jinxiao blushed, hurriedly getting up and spreading her hands apologetically, not daring to touch anything further.
Qu Weiyin was both exasperated and helpless, about to speak when a series of earth-shattering crashes erupted. The once towering, sky-reaching Palace of No Regrets began to collapse, its supporting pillars breaking one by one until the entire structure lay in ruins.
Everyone present was utterly bewildered. Elders rushing over from all directions were stunned, some nearly fainting from the shock.
Luo Jinxiao turned to survey the destruction, swallowing nervously.
What now? Others might only need to clean up the Palace, but she had effectively demolished it.
Amidst the debris, a furry head emerged, shaking off dust with a flick of its tongue, starting to groom itself.
“Is that a giant worm?” an elder asked in disbelief.
“No, it’s a Qiongqi,” someone nearby corrected.
Elder He let out a long belch, collapsing to the ground.
Luo Jinxiao wanted to laugh but suddenly found herself in darkness, stumbling forward into a soft, fragrant embrace.
The person holding her instinctively stepped back but then bent down slightly, wrapping an arm around her slender waist to hold her securely.
Dazed, Luo Jinxiao returned the embrace, gently nuzzling her face against the body holding her before drifting into a deep sleep.
She slept for five long days.
In her dreams, she experienced many things, sometimes feeling trapped, other times carefree, dreaming through past and present lives. In her haze, she even saw a kingly figure who sternly tapped her forehead, declaring, “This is destiny.”
The figure morphed into Qu Weiyin, wielding a bloody sword, with eyes blazing red, filled with murderous intent.
While the king was tolerable, Qu Weiyin’s apparition frightened her awake, eyes snapping open.
She was greeted by a red curtain, with incense smoke curling from a fragrant burner beside her pillow.
The decor was elegant, with flowers placed throughout, resembling a young lady’s chamber.
Luo Jinxiao thought, given such a fresh and gentle room, the owner must be a kind, gentle, and pure-hearted young woman.
Slowly sitting up, she stretched her stiff limbs. The door opened, and the kind, gentle girl entered, clattering a washbasin onto the table with a cold voice. “Get up and bathe.”
Startled, Luo Jinxiao stared at Qu Weiyin, momentarily believing she was still dreaming.
“You’ve been lying there for five days. Elder Xie said if you didn’t wake today, tomorrow would be your seventh day,” Qu Weiyin remarked, sounding almost regretful. She tossed a few buns onto the table. “It’s been days, and you can’t even manage fasting.”
Luo Jinxiao didn’t know what to say, having grown accustomed to Qu Weiyin’s blunt manner. She felt oddly pleased, wondering if being in the demoness’s room meant she had been taken care of by her these past few days.
Could the demoness have a soft spot after all?
Her musings were interrupted as the once icy Qu Weiyin suddenly smiled warmly, taking a basket of meat buns to a corner, her voice dripping with tenderness.
“Come, it’s time to eat,” she cooed.
In the corner, the Qiongqi was using its giant paw to wipe its face. It glanced at Qu Weiyin with disdain, then turned its furry back to her.
Luo Jinxiao’s momentary joy vanished without a trace.
No wonder the demoness had been looking after her; it wasn’t out of kindness for her, but for her Qiongqi!
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