The library nestled in the mountains was serene, with dappled shadows of trees filtering through wooden windows, casting swirling patterns on the stone floor, a stark contrast to the heat outside. Luo JinXiao often visited, knowing it was usually deserted, which only heightened her wariness as she tightened her grip on her sword hilt.
Turning deeper into the library, light diminished, leaving only a few luminous pearls embedded in the walls casting a soft glow. Wooden shelves lined with scrolls, some worn with age, exuded the scent of decaying bamboo.
In the shadows ahead stood a tall, thin figure—not Elder He. Luo JinXiao raised an eyebrow, turning to leave when a gust of wind brushed her face, and the figure appeared before her, blocking her path.
“Elder Qu,” Luo JinXiao stepped back cautiously, recognizing him.
As expected, it was a trap. Knowing her interest in the Yin Meridian, they used Elder He’s name to lure her here. Truly cunning and shameless.
Qu Chengzhou smiled benevolently, his right hand behind his back. “Luo JinXiao, we meet again.”
Luo JinXiao forced a smile, “If Elder Qu wished to meet, you could have said so directly. Why bother using Elder He’s name? What is your intention in going to such lengths?”
“Merely a pretext, nothing to worry about,” Qu Chengzhou waved dismissively. “After all, you’re curious about your celestial vein. I’m just here to clarify.”
“I’m all ears,” Luo JinXiao replied, subtly tightening her grip on her sword.
“You’ve apprenticed under Elder Liu. Did he ever explain what the Yin Meridian is?”
“Not in detail,” Luo JinXiao shook her head.
“Obtaining a strand of the Yin or Yang Meridian can significantly boost one’s cultivation. Two strands even more so, until the soul is drained. This method is forbidden but highly effective, especially post-Nascent Soul stage,” Qu Chengzhou explained slowly, his eyes deep and partly shadowed, sending a chill down one’s spine.
Luo JinXiao couldn’t help but widen her eyes, but Qu Chengzhou suddenly laughed heartily. “No need to fear; I won’t harm you. If I intended to, you couldn’t escape anywhere.”
These words were even more unsettling, sending a chill down Luo JinXiao’s spine.
“Did you summon me just to clarify my doubts?” Luo JinXiao maintained her smile, though her body was tensed, calculating her chances if they fought.
She evaluated—a Gold Core against an Ascension stage—deciding escape was the best option.
“I’ve noticed you’ve been close with WeiYin lately,” Qu Chengzhou noted.
“Elder jokes. Little Martial Aunt Qu is as aloof as autumn frost, pure as jade. I merely admire from afar,” Luo JinXiao replied dryly.
“WeiYin has always been peculiar. We elders guided her strictly to prevent her from straying. Be cautious if you associate with her,” Qu Chengzhou sighed, shaking his head slightly.
As he spoke, he stepped forward. Luo JinXiao instinctively retreated, feeling a soft breeze with a powerful aura behind her.
Realizing danger, Luo JinXiao prepared to summon her divine sword to escape when another burst through the wall with such force that several large sandalwood shelves toppled, filling the room with choking dust.
Coughing, Luo JinXiao barely dodged the falling shelves. Qu Chengzhou was nearly hit, but he scowled, raising his hand to shatter the shelf above him to dust.
Scrolls scattered, and as gold light flashed, the falling scrolls turned to ash. Meanwhile, the powerful aura behind her ceased abruptly, vanishing.
A red figure appeared before Luo JinXiao, pulling her hand and shielding her, holding the fiery Crescent Moon Star Sword in the other, matching her fierce and passionate demeanor.
Luo JinXiao’s heart skipped, and she clutched her chest, watching the figure’s graceful yet icy form, as if born of frost.
The flames spread from her sword, igniting everything, casting deep shadows around them but without fear.
Because she stood behind her.
“Qu WeiYin?” Elder Qu’s tone was displeased, his expression sour.
“It’s me. So what?” Qu WeiYin looked at him, her expression neutral but her eyes seething with a desire to kill.
“Little Martial Aunt Qu…” Luo JinXiao began, but Qu WeiYin cut her off.
“Be quiet,” Qu WeiYin ordered, ignoring Luo JinXiao. Her fiery sword swung at Qu Chengzhou, who easily dodged.
“Such behavior in the library, what a disgrace,” Qu Chengzhou scolded, his gaze unleashing a powerful pressure that nearly forced Qu WeiYin to her knees.
“I warned you,” Qu WeiYin gritted her teeth, standing firm as her sword sent meteor-like flames at Qu Chengzhou.
He blocked them with a wave, shaking his head slowly, pity in his eyes. “WeiYin, you’re too impulsive. With such a temperament, you’ll suffer.”
Qu WeiYin detested his pious facade, her patience snapping. With a furious shout, she pushed Luo JinXiao aside.
“I’ve decided to protect this girl today. Even if I can’t kill you, I won’t let you touch her,” Qu WeiYin sneered, her eyes narrowing with contempt and a hint of mischief.
“Get back,” she said to Luo JinXiao, then unleashed a blinding gold light throughout the library, illuminating the once tranquil space. As everything began to collapse, shelves split, and even the walls cracked.
Qu Chengzhou quickly summoned his spiritual power to stop Qu WeiYin. Luo JinXiao, hiding nearby, seized the opportunity to mutter a spell, shooting a shadowy light from the corner that sent Elder Qu back a few steps.
A thunderous crash ensued as the library crumbled, engulfed in flames that devoured the land, the books reduced to ashes.
“Qu WeiYin!” Elder Qu’s enraged, raspy voice echoed through the flames as a bolt of lightning pierced the smoke. Qu WeiYin smiled, seemingly satisfied, then grabbed Luo JinXiao’s arm, and they vanished into the smoke.
When Luo JinXiao opened her eyes again, she and Qu WeiYin stood by a cliff. She landed abruptly, nearly losing her balance, instinctively clutching the figure standing straight beside her.
The body stiffened momentarily before pulling away and steadying her.
“Are you alright?” Qu WeiYin asked, the fierceness in her eyes not fully faded. Despite the ordeal, she remained poised, her red dress pristine, untouched by dust.
In contrast, Luo JinXiao was disheveled, her face smudged with ash, her clothes singed with holes, her hair a tangled mess. Qu WeiYin frowned, casting a spell that left Luo JinXiao feeling refreshed, as if bathed.
“Little Martial Aunt, you learned it?” Luo JinXiao exclaimed, surprised.
Qu WeiYin nodded, “I saw you use it well, so I tried.”
Then her tone turned serious, “Why did you go alone? Didn’t I tell you to stay away from him? Without me, how would you handle it with your skills?”
Luo JinXiao was taken aback by the barrage of questions, momentarily speechless.
“He sent word that Elder He wanted to discuss the celestial vein. I thought it might be urgent, so I went…” Luo JinXiao’s voice trailed off.
“That old fox is all talk. You’re foolish to believe him…” Qu WeiYin stopped herself, perhaps realizing she was too harsh.
Luo JinXiao didn’t mind, feeling warmth and a bit of guilt. Qu WeiYin’s anger indicated genuine concern.
Qu Chengzhou and his associates were formidable, but with her Gold Core cultivation and divine sword, she had some chance to escape.
Yet, Qu WeiYin didn’t know this. To outsiders, she was barely at the Foundation stage, hence Qu WeiYin’s worry.
Moreover, Qu WeiYin had charged in without hesitation, destroying the library with fire and lightning, which Luo JinXiao hadn’t expected.
“But Little Martial Aunt, it’s not yet time for class. How did you know I was there?” Luo JinXiao suddenly asked, glancing at the sun.
She expected that if she wasn’t back by class, it would be time to seek Qu WeiYin’s help. Yet, it had only been a short time, and Qu WeiYin had arrived.
Hearing this, a hint of guilt crossed Qu WeiYin’s stern face.
“Elder He’s in seclusion today. He asked me to teach in his place. I arrived early, didn’t see you, and asked Lu FanZhi,” Qu WeiYin explained.
“She said Elder He called you to the library, so I knew something was off,” Qu WeiYin added.
“So you came to save me?” Luo JinXiao’s eyes curved with a smile, feeling a surge of joy. Qu WeiYin hadn’t come because she was asked but chose to save her.
This thought alone dispelled the earlier terror.
“I was just passing by,” Qu WeiYin frowned, maintaining her cold demeanor.
Luo JinXiao nearly laughed. Passing by? Just happened to destroy the library before class?
“Time for class, let’s go,” Qu WeiYin said curtly, turning to leave.
“Wait, Little Martial Aunt!” Luo JinXiao caught her sleeve, releasing it quickly under Qu WeiYin’s glare.
“What is it? Speak quickly,” Qu WeiYin said, glancing at her rumpled sleeve.
“Thank you for saving me,” Luo JinXiao said sincerely, bowing deeply.
When she rose, her eyes were clear and serious, without a hint of jest, her demeanor calm and gentle.
Qu WeiYin felt a slight stir in her heart, looking down. “During class, I’m the teacher. Protecting disciples is my duty. No need for thanks.”
Luo JinXiao, familiar with her contradictions, shook her head and continued, “Before I came, I asked Lu FanZhi to seek your help, promising any reward if you saved me.”
“Though I didn’t ask, a promise is a promise,” Luo JinXiao said with conviction.
“Anything?” Qu WeiYin’s eyes lifted, meeting hers.
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