“Little Martial Aunt, it’s me,” Luo JinXiao said, gripping her hand. Her palm was cold, and Luo JinXiao tightened her hold, trying to warm it.
Qu WeiYin, gasping for breath, fully awoke and, upon seeing Luo JinXiao’s face, froze, lost in thought.
She coughed, hiding her emotions as she withdrew her hand, speaking coldly, “Why are you here?”
Luo JinXiao hesitated, stammering, “I came, I…”
“To persuade me?” Qu WeiYin’s words were sharp.
Luo JinXiao seemed at a loss, unable to speak. How could she advise when she didn’t understand Qu WeiYin’s suffering?
The pressure from the Dragon-Binding Whip weighed heavily, sapping her strength. Even after a few moments, Luo JinXiao felt a dull pain in her chest. Desperate, she grabbed Qu WeiYin’s arm again, pleading, “Little Martial Aunt, we need to find a way out. If you keep this up, you’re just waiting for Qu Chengzhou to get rid of you.”
“The Dragon-Binding Whip isn’t so easily escaped. This doesn’t concern you, so leave!” Qu WeiYin pushed Luo JinXiao forcefully, her brow furrowed in anger.
“My affairs are not yours to meddle in. Don’t trap yourself in the same predicament,” Qu WeiYin said, nearly gritting her teeth.
“I have my own matters to attend to. Everyone has their fate. You’re not weak anymore; stay away to avoid my misfortune rubbing off on you.”
Detecting a hint of blame in Qu WeiYin’s tone, Luo JinXiao felt guilty and quickly said, “I didn’t mean to hide my cultivation. Elder Liu told me to, so…”
“I’m not blaming you,” Qu WeiYin cut her off, her demeanor cold and distant.
Despite knowing Qu WeiYin’s nature, Luo JinXiao felt a chill in her heart, as if something had frozen inside her.
She pressed her lips together, steeling herself to pull Qu WeiYin closer, placing her palm on her shoulder, forcibly channeling her spiritual energy to protect her heart.
“Luo JinXiao!” Qu WeiYin struggled, but exhausted, she was powerless, her eyes glaring.
“You’ve saved me many times. How can I ignore that?” Luo JinXiao bit her lip, her eyes misty, her tone gentle yet firm.
Silence enveloped them. Qu WeiYin seemed moved, her gaze lingering on Luo JinXiao’s tear-filled eyes, saying nothing.
Rarely had she felt so helpless, but this was the pinnacle.
Outside might have been another world, the room isolated by the Dragon-Binding Whip’s barrier. Luo JinXiao’s hand trembled as she persevered, shielding Qu WeiYin from harm.
“Let go,” Qu WeiYin said.
Luo JinXiao shook her head, steadfastly protecting Qu WeiYin from the whip’s damage.
“Little Martial Aunt, I won’t persuade you. You have your reasons,” she said.
“But I can’t just stand by,” Luo JinXiao leaned closer, using her energy to create a barrier. “You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met.”
Qu WeiYin looked at Luo JinXiao’s face, inches away. The girl’s lips trembled slightly, her eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight, her breath warm on Qu WeiYin’s forehead, making her heart flutter.
“Childish,” Qu WeiYin muttered, her nose tingling with emotion.
She gazed at Luo JinXiao for a moment, then slowly stood, bracing herself on the floor, refusing Luo JinXiao’s offered hand.
“I’ll take you out,” she said.
Luo JinXiao panicked, rising to follow. “What are you going to do?”
“He wants to be the family head? I won’t contest it then,” Qu WeiYin spoke lightly, but Luo JinXiao knew this decision was incredibly difficult for her.
“Revenge can wait. There’s no rush,” Qu WeiYin shook her head, surprisingly not succumbing to her demonic urges.
Perhaps living for two thousand more years had taught her some diplomacy, or maybe it was something else.
Watching Qu WeiYin move toward the door, Luo JinXiao’s mind was chaotic. She closed her eyes, trying to calm her thoughts. There must be another way.
Qu WeiYin should be fearless, acting freely, not bowing to her enemy.
The door was knocked, and Qu WeiYin’s hoarse voice called, “Open the door.”
Outside, Qu Chengzhou’s voice boomed with righteous indignation, “WeiYin, disrespecting the elders and speaking nonsense—do you admit your wrongs?”
Qu WeiYin’s nails dug into her palms. Taking a deep breath, she said, “WeiYin admits her wrongs.”
Her tone was neither humble nor arrogant, her fingers unfurling to reveal specks of blood. Luo JinXiao found the sight painfully glaring.
The door swung open, sunlight spilling over Qu WeiYin’s face. She squinted, gazing at the blue sky. Those waiting outside felt the courtyard brighten.
“If you knew this would happen, why did you do it?” an elder with white hair and a black beard tapped his cane.
Qu WeiYin stepped out, each stride steady, showing no weakness. Those she glanced at felt a chill of fear.
Qu Chengzhou smirked as Qu WeiYin approached, his satisfaction clear. “Admitting your mistake is good. Remember not to repeat it.”
“Since there’s no objection, the next family head will be Elder Qu Chengzhou,” the white-haired elder slowly announced.
Applause erupted, though sparse. Some supported him, while others shook their heads but dared not object.
Though Qu Chengzhou had managed Qu family affairs for years, it was clear he was taking Qu WeiYin’s place.
But such talk remained private. No one dared speak openly, as Qu Chengzhou was now the head in terms of ability.
No one wanted to offend him.
Under the elder’s lead, they all bowed, calling him head. Only Qu WeiYin stood unmoving.
“WeiYin, don’t be stubborn. Childish,” Qu Chengzhou feigned helplessness.
“Qu WeiYin, with the head and elders present, how can you be so disrespectful?” the elder scolded.
Qu WeiYin took a deep breath, about to speak when Luo JinXiao dashed out, grabbing her wrist and spinning her around, her skirt fluttering gracefully.
“Luo JinXiao,” Qu WeiYin frowned, warning her not to interfere, but Luo JinXiao ignored her, smiling brightly. “Little Martial Aunt, do you trust me?”
Qu WeiYin’s lips parted, but she didn’t answer.
Luo JinXiao, too nervous, had forgotten this plan. A sudden thought had brought her rushing out, hoping there was still a chance.
“Luo JinXiao?” Qu Chengzhou’s brow furrowed, sensing trouble. His expression darkened as he barked, “This is the Qu family. How dare you intrude!”
Luo JinXiao ignored him, holding something in her hand. She quickly covered Qu WeiYin’s mouth, slipping a pill inside.
Qu WeiYin instinctively tried to spit it out, but Luo JinXiao held her tightly, preventing it.
“Don’t move, you’ll choke,” Luo JinXiao whispered, only releasing her once she was sure she’d swallowed.
“What is this?” Qu WeiYin’s eyes widened, glancing at Luo JinXiao’s hand, her cheeks flushed from the shock. She covered her face with her sleeve, leaving only her eyes visible.
Seeing her flustered, Luo JinXiao found it endearing. She revealed the wooden box from her sleeve, smiling warmly. “An elixir.”
Qu WeiYin blinked, and suddenly, the clear sky darkened as if ink had spilled across it.
Thunder rumbled, echoing with the rolling clouds, shaking everyone to their core.
“Someone’s advancing in cultivation!” someone in the crowd shouted, everyone looking around, speculating who it was.
Such a celestial phenomenon indicated a leap in levels, significant enough to cause such a disturbance.
Qu WeiYin clutched her chest, incredulous as she looked at Luo JinXiao.
“The Shifang Gathering’s elixir? It’s precious, you…” Qu WeiYin trailed off, overwhelmed as spiritual energy surged through her, mending her damaged heart and reshaping her with a steady flow.
Seeing her cultivation rise, Luo JinXiao couldn’t help but smile broadly. Boldly, she reached out, patting Qu WeiYin’s wind-tousled hair.
“Little Martial Aunt, my gratitude for saving me,” she said softly.
Nearby, Qu Chengzhou stepped forward, but Qu WeiYin’s suddenly flaring robes forced him back, nearly toppling. He steadied himself, furious. “WeiYin!”
“Silence,” Qu WeiYin’s gaze was icy, her presence expanding. Her tribulation-stage power radiated like a storm, scattering the crowd.
Under the faint sunlight, her red dress billowed, making her seem like a celestial demon, both cold and enchanting.
“Step back, lest you get hurt,” she said, glancing at Luo JinXiao with mock annoyance. “Such presumption, I’ll deal with you later.”
Luo JinXiao laughed, obediently retreating.
Such a fine elixir was a loss, but she didn’t regret it. Luo JinXiao settled into a carved chair, watching Qu WeiYin’s graceful figure in the wind.
Seeing a fight brewing, the Qu family scattered, hiding under eaves or in corners to watch, even the fierce elder fleeing with his cane.
“I should inherit the family head position. If Elder Qu wants to contest it, let’s settle it the old way—with a duel.” Her robes fluttered, and the Crescent Moon Star Sword appeared, surrounded by fire and lightning, amplifying its power.
“Tribulation stage,” Qu Chengzhou stated, his expression as dark as the sky.
“No, Elder Qu, it’s second-level tribulation,” Luo JinXiao helpfully corrected, prompting Qu Chengzhou to angrily point his sword at her, commanding silence.
Seeing this, Qu WeiYin sent her sword flying, knocking his weapon aside. She raised an eyebrow, “Elder Qu, I said, don’t touch her.”
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