Chapter 153

"Xiangxiang, did you really see clearly that the person who struck you was Yao Yao?" At that moment, Qian Jueshan's voice sounded slowly.

Lu Xiangxiang's memories were interrupted; she lifted her head to look at the silver-haired man seated in the place of honor, his gaze aloof and detached.

Not as before.

Lu Xiangxiang suddenly felt weary; she shook her head. "Perhaps I was mistaken."

"Xiangxiang, you shouldn't bother the Master over such a trivial matter; I'll take my leave."

She lowered her eyes, not giving Qian Jueshan another glance, turned, and strode away.

If Yuan Yao did not exist in this world,

Would she still be the Carefree Sect's most favored person?

But without Yuan Yao, Qian Jueshan would not have taken her as a disciple.

All of her grudges and grievances with the Carefree Sect began with Yuan Yao.

In her previous life, Yuan Yao died early, and she couldn't contend with her.

In this life, Yuan Yao not only didn't die but has lived this long. She also eagerly awaits to see whether in the end it will be her who dies, or Yuan Yao.

Qian Jueshan rose and said lightly, "Lingwei, take her to find Master Qu for treatment."

Xiao Lingwei agreed upon hearing that.

"Yes, Master."

Xiao Lingwei, Yuan Yao, and a few others exchanged glances, then quickly caught up to Lu Xiangxiang, intending to take her to Master Qu for treatment.

Upon hearing Qian Jueshan's words, Lu Xiangxiang's face grew colder; she shook her head, seemingly feigning indifference as she said, "It's just a minor injury."

"Seventh Junior Sister, even a minor injury needs treatment." Xiao Lingwei said, then forcibly led Lu Xiangxiang to Master Qu's location.

Lu Xiangxiang's face darkened further.

She will never forget today's grudge.

One day she will surely imprison Yuan Yao, flog her daily, and make her wish she were dead.

Inside the main hall, only Qian Jueshan, Song Yan, Cang Li, Xue Jin, Ying Wuji, and Yuan Yao remained.

Qian Jueshan stared coldly at them.

Finally, his gaze fell upon Yuan Yao.

"Such conduct is truly rash."

Yuan Yao snorted coldly, "Master, she wanted to kill me; beating her once is already lenient."

Qian Jueshan: "……"

"Master, please calm down," Cang Li said with a hehe laugh.

"Master, this has nothing to do with them," Yuan Yao said. "I didn't inform them before I acted."

She had merely arranged in advance to meet them at the Bright Moon Hall in the Carefree Practice Court; after beating Lu Xiangxiang, she would rush to the Bright Moon Hall to tell them.

Qian Jueshan furrowed his brows slightly, wanting to say something, but ultimately only let out a helpless sigh.

Song Yan suddenly stepped forward, lifted his robe, and knelt.

He spoke solemnly, "Master, the Junior Sister is young and unaware; it is my failure as Eldest Senior Brother to have not fulfilled my duty to guide her. I beg your punishment."

"Eldest Senior Brother!" Upon hearing that, Yuan Yao hurried to Song Yan's side, intending to pull him up, but meeting his clear gaze, her hand stalled.

She took a deep breath.

"Eldest Senior Brother, do you think I'm wrong?"

Song Yan hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

"Eldest Senior Brother, do you need to watch me die at her hands before you'll see her ill intentions?" Yuan Yao said solemnly, "Eldest Senior Brother, I am not wrong!"

"Furthermore, if I ever get the chance, I'll beat her every time I see her! Lu Xiangxiang and I are mortal enemies—she must die, or I will never relent!"

Song Yan's pupils contracted slightly, as if he were utterly shocked.

Yuan Yao composed herself, crouched to meet Song Yan's gaze eye to eye, and said, "Eldest Senior Brother, I know what worries you. You once told me that even if I feel aversion toward Lu Xiangxiang, I must still fulfill my duty as a senior fellow disciple. But the premise is whether they regard us as senior fellow disciples."

Song Yan pressed his lips together.

He gently stroked Yuan Yao's head, saying, "Yao Yao, you're right; the Eldest Senior Brother is just being overly stubborn and inflexible."

Yuan Yao looked at Song Yan and gave a heavy "hmm".

Immediately, Song Yan rose and helped Yuan Yao to her feet.

Cang Li couldn't help but smile at the sight.

Song Yan bowed respectfully to Qian Jueshan, saying, "Master, the Junior Sister is blameless; earlier it was Ah Yan who mishandled things—please punish me."

"It's late; you should all go rest." Qian Jueshan rose slowly, glanced at them, and headed toward the outside of the main hall.

As Qian Jueshan walked, Yuan Yao's playful voice came from behind.

"Seeing off the master respectfully!"

"Master, rest early!"

Qian Jue Shan's lips twitched slightly, then he resumed his indifferent expression, never turning back, continuing forward.

In the main hall, Cang Li walked up to Yuan Yao, reached out and vigorously rubbed her head, messing up her hair.

"Fortunately, the master didn't hold it against you."

Yuan Yao slapped his hand away, glared at him, and said, "I was just fighting back; I didn't do anything wrong."

"Why didn't you call us?" Cang Li said.

Yuan Yao said, "I can beat her alone; I don't need you."

Xue Jin slowly lifted his eyes and said, "You won't let us attack her just so you can beat her yourself?"

"Exactly." Yuan Yao crossed her arms.

Ying Wuji said softly, "From now on, you need to be more careful in your actions."

Cang Li sighed, palms together, "That lay patron Lu Xiangxiang surely guessed that the one who beat her is you; given her temperament, she definitely won't let you off. One must guard against people's hearts, ah, lay patron Yuan Yao, from now on everything you eat and use must be carefully inspected."

"I don't beat her, she also won't let me off." After Lu Xiangxiang breaks ties with the Carefree Sect, whenever she meets Lu Xiangxiang, she beats her once!

Until I have conquered a hundred million target individuals, then I will kill her!

"Eldest Senior Brother, stay away from her a little." At that moment, Ying Wuji spoke.

Song Yan stared for a moment, his lips twitching a few times, finally finding it hard to speak, he asked: "Am I that close to her?"

Ying Wuji said expressionlessly: "Her gaze toward you is not simple. If she wants to drive a wedge among us fellow disciples, she will certainly start with you. Eldest Senior Brother, you have always been the softest-hearted; if she sheds tears for you, she definitely intends to scheme something from you."

Song Yan froze; at that moment, the gazes of several people all fell on himself.

He helplessly chuckled, "Rest assured, I won't be soft-hearted."

He is neither someone who cannot tell right from wrong, nor someone who only tells right from wrong.

He thought.

If his junior brothers and sisters commit heinous crimes, he will protect them if he can; if he cannot…

Then he will first step over his corpse.

Seeing Eldest Senior Brother laugh, Yuan Yao and the others couldn't help but laugh along.

…

On the third day, all was calm and tranquil.

And on the morning of the fourth day, more than seven hundred sect teams headed toward the Grand Competition venue.

Today marks the start of the finals for the thousand disciples.

As Yuan Yao followed the Carefree Sect team into the Grand Competition venue, her gaze involuntarily turned toward Lu Xiangxiang beside her.

Lu Xiangxiang's injuries had mostly healed; the original bruises and swelling on her face had faded, though her complexion was somewhat wan and pale, making her look pitifully endearing.

Lu Xiangxiang had long noticed Yuan Yao's gaze, but she never looked at her.

Yet Yuan Yao insisted on coming to speak with her.

"Seventh Junior Sister, why aren't you dressed up today?"