Chapter 40

“Today, I will start learning the integration technique from him.”

The more Qu Panyan thought about it, the more she felt that A Yiduo’s agreement to the alliance was related to her, and the Qu Clan was suffering because of her. She even implicated Qu Muqiu, who loved and cherished her, to be threatened with a forced marriage by Liu Yizhi.

All these sudden changes were like invisible threads crisscrossing around her. With each heavy thought, these fine threads tightened by an inch, eventually completely restraining her, making it difficult for her to move in her own guilt, her mind restless.

She needed to overcome the Minor Heavenly Punishment and quickly return to her former state!

“Panyan, what are you thinking?” 

Su Lingyu’s cold voice came from beside her, and when Qu Panyan looked up, she found herself caught in Su Lingyu’s deep ink-like pupils. Those calm and starry eyes, which usually have been the most indifferent, now held a hint of tenderness.

Their gazes met, and Su Lingyu’s clear eyes seemed to be filled with concerns and hidden emotions, concealing her joy and smile. Su Lingyu’s heart suddenly softened, and she lovingly held Qu Panyan’s hand, leading her forward slowly.

Su Lingyu walked gracefully, gently guiding her along a path paved with blue stones. She held Qu Panyan’s hand firmly, displaying both gentleness and determination. The sunlight around them silently fell upon their intertwined hands, casting a faint layer of golden aura.

“You feel guilty,” Su Lingyu suddenly spoke. Her tone was firm and affirmative.

“Is it because you think it’s your fault that A Yiduo agreed to the alliance?” 

Qu Panyan was slightly surprised. Damn, how did this celestial sister guess so accurately?!

She admitted it frankly.

Since she could see through Su Lingyu’s thoughts when she was self-blaming, Su Lingyu could also see through hers when she was self-blaming. Because they had both opened their hearts, revealing their most authentic selves to each other. Therefore, there was no need for many words; a single glance was enough to understand what the other was self-blaming for.

Su Lingyu asked again, “Did you make A Yiduo form an alliance with the Liu Clan?”

Qu Panyan hurriedly shook her head.

Su Lingyu asked again, “Did you make A Yiduo deal with the Qu Clan?”

Qu Panyan’s head shook like a tambourine.

Su Lingyu suddenly stopped, turned around, and calmly looked at her. “If you didn’t do any of that, then why do you feel guilty?”

“Throughout history, large clans have always been filled with hidden currents, balancing and opposing each other. Even if there was no A Yiduo or Skyfire Tribe, the Liu Clan would not have given up targeting the Qu Clan. It’s not a small and simple matter that you can easily change.”

She gently raised her hand and lightly tapped Qu Panyan’s delicate nose, helplessly whispering, “Do you understand now?”

Qu Panyan looked into her eyes, nodded, and her nostrils unconsciously twitched, which amused Su Lingyu as the corner of her lips raised slightly, finding her cute and silly, so she affectionately pinched her nose and said with a smile, “Silly little fool.”

—Bang!

Qu Panyan’s heart instantly exploded into the most dazzling firework in the sky.

She couldn’t help but wonder why—why could Su Lingyu be so alluring even when calling her “silly little fool”?!

Sister, do you have any idea that by flirting with me like this; it’s practically equivalent to marrying me?

Qu Panyan stared with her wide, bright eyes at Su Lingyu, thinking: No, I need to flirt back!

Then, she dove into Su Lingyu’s soft embrace, greedily inhaling her unique fragrance, and happily responded, “Got it!”

Su Lingyu was right. Even without A Yiduo, the Qu Clan would still have its troubles. She was being foolish by blaming herself first when dealing with trouble. Self-blame should come after solving the problem—besides, she did nothing wrong, so there was no need to blame herself.

She needed to buck up, intensify her cultivation, not hold back Qu Muqiu, and not make Su Lingyu worry for her.

Sister Lingyu is so nice, she’s really too good!

Qu Panyan blushed shyly as she buried herself in Su Lingyu’s embrace.

And it’s so fragrant and soft!

—I’ve successfully closed the distance with Sister Lingyu today!

She immediately started her mental calculations again.

If touching is the same as hugging, and hugging is the same as sleeping—then I’ve slept with Sister Lingyu! Great, we’re locked in! I’ve thrown away the key!

Naturally, Su Lingyu had no idea about the little schemes in Qu Panyan’s mind. Ever since she realized her feelings, she had grown even fonder of Qu Panyan’s intimacy. Thus, she welcomed the affectionate gestures that seemed to come willingly from Panyan.

Only through closeness could affection grow over time.

She hugged Qu Panyan back, gently rubbing her black hair. “Hmm, Panyan, you’re such a good girl.” She then caressed her shoulder and spoke earnestly, “If you want to learn the integration technique, I won’t stop you. But no matter what you cultivate, you need a calm and focused mind, not disturbed by external factors, and never rush for quick results. Otherwise, it might disrupt your qi and blood, leading to a demonic cultivation path.”

This was one of the reasons why Su Lingyu was advising her.

Regardless of the cultivation path, it was a gradual process that required great patience and a tranquil heart. If she practiced with feelings of self-blame, it would easily disturb her mind, make her emotionally low, and prevent her from concentrating on cultivation, eventually causing harm to herself.

Su Lingyu didn’t want to see her being sad, let alone to see her get hurt.

The earnest concern from her beloved made Qu Panyan’s heart warm. Unable to contain her happiness, her lips curved upward softly and she whispered, “Sister Lingyu, rest assured, I will cultivate with a tranquil heart.”

Su Lingyu smiled in response, “Mm.”

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Liu Yizhi, on the other hand, didn’t find the rumored beautiful dishwashing person in the kitchen. He remembered how A Yiduo had crudely put it, saying that the dishwashing girl was beautiful enough to captivate Su Lingyu.

But the people in the kitchen at the Xianmeng Sect were all ordinary-looking, not even half as attractive as him. If he couldn’t captivate Su Lingyu, how could they?

Liu Yizhi tapped his fan and started doubting whether A Yiduo had deceived him or if there was a problem with the aesthetic sense of people in the Skyfire Tribe—perhaps being ordinary-looking was considered divine beauty in their tribe.

He had no idea who A Yiduo took Su Lingyu to be. Could Su Lingyu be easily bewitched by people so casually? She wasn’t someone who could be easily enchanted. Even if he had been her master, he also wouldn’t dare to regard Su Lingyu so lightly.

Liu Yizhi scanned the kitchen, but he couldn’t find the rumored dishwashing maiden. Although he outwardly praised the breathtaking scenery of Xianmeng Sect, Yue Xiaomeng still felt that, deep down, his enthusiasm clearly wasn’t as high as it was in the kitchen.

How could the dignified head of the Liu Clan be so interested in someone’s kitchen? She wondered, finding it rather peculiar.

Liu Yizhi lost interest in looking further but didn’t forget the excuse for his visit to the Xianmeng Sect—to check on Yue Xiaomeng. 

So he turned to her and inquired about her well-being, presenting her with various gifts. Yue Xiaomeng, like a startled rabbit, immediately hid behind Yue Qianlang.

She was afraid of him because she found him very strange and impolite for trapping Qu Panyan’s sister against a pillar earlier!

Liu Yizhi chuckled and said, “Sixh Miss Yue, I really don’t bite people.”

Yue Qianlang’s expression turned serious as he protected Yue Xiaomeng and spoke in a low voice, “Clan Leader Liu, my sister is timid. Please be more considerate.”

Liu Yizhi opened his folding fan and replied, “It’s okay to be timid. She’ll get used to it with more practice.”

Yue Qianlang’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, “There’s no need for Clan Leader Liu to concern himself with this matter.”

“Well then, let me show my concern in something else,” Liu Yizhi’s gaze suddenly changed, becoming as sharp as a cold blade piercing towards Yue Qianlang, “Does Second Master Yue like the head of the Qu family?”

Between rivals, they were highly sensitive to each other’s reactions and could determine whether the other also had feelings for the same person with just a glance or a few words.

Yue Qianlang’s seemingly simple remark in defense of Qu Muqiu actually exposed his feelings for her to Liu Yizhi.

And Liu Yizhi’s seemingly casual remark made Yue Qianlang realize something.

Yue Qianlang’s expression remained unchanged, but his eyes turned as cold as frost, sending a shiver down one’s spine, “This matter doesn’t concern Clan Leader Liu either.”

“Who Second Master Yue likes is Second Master Yue’s freedom, of course, and I certainly have no right to inquire,” Liu Yizhi said with a smirk and continued saying, “But if Second Master Yue’s affection affects the relationship between our two families, then I can’t just sit idly by.”

He had long been aware that the Yue Clan would remain neutral in their conflict with the Qu Clan, but with the Ancestor of Fire as their trump card, he was indifferent now. However, he didn’t want to see Yue Qianlang obstructing things, pushing the Yue Clan towards the Qu Clan, or worse…Qu Muqiu choosing to marry into the Yue Clan.

He had set up such a grand scheme precisely to suppress the Qu Clan and secure Qu Muqiu; missing either of these outcomes was unacceptable!

Yue Qianlang responded, “I have no right to meddle in the dealings between our families. If Clan Leader Liu has any complaints, you can discuss it with my father.”

Liu Yizhi’s phoenix eyes narrowed as he approached a few steps, provokingly looking at him while saying, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll expose your thoughts to the old master of the Yue Clan?”

Yue Qianlang gazed back, “Clan Leader Liu, which one do you think is more threatening, the son’s thoughts or the thoughts of his allies?”

He wasn’t the designated successor of the Yue Clan; he was just one of his father’s six children. Would it be a big deal to his parents if one of their children fell in love with someone?

It was, however, different for an ally. If the old master of the Yue Clan knew about Liu Yizhi’s feelings for Qu Muqiu, suspicions would arise, significantly affecting the alliance between the two families. The trust between the two powerful leaders would be shaken, and the alliance would be in jeopardy.

Liu Yizhi laughed, his laughter clear and confident, tinged with a hint of arrogance that made Yue Xiaomeng instinctively hold onto Yue Qianlang’s robe and weakly call out, “Second Brother…”

Yue Qianlang immediately spoke, “Please refrain from laughing too loud Clan Leader Liu. My sister is frightened.”

Liu Yizhi’s laughter came to an abrupt halt as his gaze moved past Yue Qianlang’s shoulder and rested on the slightly exposed little head. He slowly waved the folding fan, squinted his eyes, and let out two soulless “hahas,” as if celebrating the successful completion of his “visit” to Yue Xiaomeng today.

Yue Xiaomeng shivered. This Clan Leader Liu was really terrifying!

Yue Qianlang: “…”

Why was this person so childish?!

Liu Yizhi nonchalantly said as if nothing had happened, “Then I’ll take my leave here. I won’t disturb the deep sibling affection between Second Master Yue and Sixth Miss Yue any longer. Goodbye.” With that, he went to find the guiding spirit servant on his own.

Upon returning to the Liu Residence, before his feet even touched the ground, he saw a dark-skinned, tall, burly man standing at the front of the steps, with a spirited and charming young girl sitting on his shoulder—A Yiduo.

A Yiduo immediately spoke, “Liu Shizhi, have you seen her?”

Liu Yizhi slowly got off the carriage and took the trouble to correct her irritably, “It’s Liu Yizhi. I haven’t seen her.”

A Yiduo’s expression changed on the spot, “Why are you so useless?”

Liu Yizhi raised his eyes, his expression unchanged, “Oh? I’m useless?”

He turned back and ordered the servant, “Bring a mirror.”

A Yiduo was puzzled, “A mirror? Why? What do you need it for?”

Liu Yizhi smiled faintly, his demeanor calm.

“Just to see if I’m really useless.”

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: iToon

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