Chapter 19

"This damned Ye Qingran, why doesn't she just go die!" Zhao Shi swept everything on the table onto the floor, making a clattering sound, and the expensive tea set shattered everywhere.

Zhao Shi's face twisted with anger.

Because of Ye Qingran, she not only lost face today but also had a big argument with Ye Yu, their relationship grew more distant, and she also lost the Ye Residence's financial authority.

How could she not be angry?

Ye Sisi also trembled with anger; today's uproar made them both uncomfortable, but Ye Qingran became the sole winner.

"Mother, we can't wait for older sister to return; this Ye Qingran must not be left alive, we must deal with her as soon as possible!"

"Do you have any good ideas?" Zhao Shi looked at Ye Sisi, her eyes glinting slightly.

Ye Sisi curled her lip, smiling confidently: "You also know, Mu Qingrou and I get along well. A few days ago she told me she ran into Ye Qingran at the Trading Market and invited Ye Qingran to join the Azure Cloud Gathering."

Upon hearing, Zhao Shi immediately frowned: "Why would Mu Qingrou invite that lowly slut to the Azure Cloud Gathering? What qualifications does that trash have to participate?"

The Azure Cloud Gathering is for cultivators; what right does Ye Qingran, a waste, have to participate?

"Mother, hear me out." Ye Sisi pursed her lips: "Mu Qingrou isn't that kind-hearted. She invited Ye Qingran merely to publicly humiliate her in front of Wuji Hall. You know, on the day of the Azure Cloud Gathering, many prominent figures will appear. Moreover, the Mu Family are stewards of Wuji Hall; in other words, it's Mu Family turf. If Ye Qingran goes, wouldn't she be fish on Mu's chopping block?"

Ye Sisi smiled, especially sinister: "As long as I add fuel to the fire, I will surely make Ye Qingran lose both reputation and standing!"

After hearing Ye Sisi's plan, Zhao Shi rarely curled her lips into a cold smile.

Ye Qingran, this time I will surely make you suffer eternal damnation!

Ting Yu Xuan

Ye Qingran lifted her head from the pharmacopoeia, a hint of gloom hidden in her brows and eyes.

Lacking a Spiritual Root, she succeeded in cultivating via a secret method. However, that method is not invincible; without a Spiritual Root, she cannot later advance to higher realms.

She searched through ancient texts and finally found a prescription for reforging the Spiritual Root.

However, many of the herbs listed in the prescription are extremely rare; even if gathered, refining them into pills and taking them carries great danger—one misstep could lead to eternal damnation.

Still, she has no retreat; she must try!

"Xing Er, Yue Er, have you made any progress finding the herbs?"

Han Xing Leng Yue stood by attending: "Miss, we are still lacking Extreme Martial Grass, Magic Cloud Fruit, and Five-colored Emperor Flower."

Ye Qingran nodded.

Magic Cloud Fruit and Extreme Martial Grass currently have no leads, but there is one stalk of Five-colored Emperor Flower, located in the bamboo grove of the Guoshi Fu.

"Send more people to search Mo Yuan." Mo Yuan lies hidden among high mountains and vast marshes, abundant spiritual sources, rich heavenly treasures and earthly gems; there is a higher chance to find these rare herbs there.

"What about the Five-colored Emperor Flower?"

"The Five-colored Emperor Flower, as far as we know, one stalk is in the Guoshi Fu; for now, do not act rashly"

As for the Guoshi Fu, after her previous intrusion, defenses are likely even tighter. Moreover, the Guoshi Fu is unfathomable; the true identity of the National Master is a mystery—one careless misstep could lead to the Guoshi Fu investigators uncovering her true identity.

"Yes!"

Han Xing Leng Yue received the order and went out, one before the other.

Qin Ge

Mo Xiaohu lay on the windowsill, awaiting Ye Qingran to come find him.

Over these few days of interaction, he grew ever fonder of this beautiful lady he met by chance, thinking she was the most beautiful and best person in the world.

"Little master, Xiao Huihui is hungry; can you give Xiao Huihui something to eat?"

Mo Xiaohu glanced disdainfully at Xiao Huihui: "Xiao Huihui, we just finished eating, didn't we? How are you already hungry?"

Xiao Huihui poked its wings and whispered: "Actually, Xiao Huihui isn't hungry; it's just that its mouth feels lonely."

Mo Xiaohu found it nothing strange.

After Xiao Huihui said that, his mouth also seemed to start feeling lonely.

"Then what do you want to eat?"

"Xiao Huihui wants to eat the special spirit fruit from Mo Yuan." Xiao Huihui smacked its lips, suspicious fluid trickling from the corner of its mouth.

Mo Xiaohu let out an "oh," then produced a pile of spirit fruit from his space.

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.

All colors are present, seven-colored and vibrant, like a rainbow.

If an expert were present, they would surely be shocked, for each of these spirit fruits, even a single one taken at random, is rare and precious; moreover, among them is the Magic Cloud Fruit that Ye Qingran has been desperately searching for.

"Pick for yourself."

"Xiao Huihui likes Magic Cloud Fruit the most." Then he picked several purple fruits the size of chicken eggs from the pile.

Mo Xiaohu also took a red fruit and stuffed it into his mouth.

The person and bird began to feast heartily; before long, that pile of spirit fruit was mostly devoured.

If anyone saw this scene, they would surely vomit blood.

Treating rare spirit fruit like candy beans is utterly wasteful of heavenly bounty!

His mouth finally not lonely, Mo Xiaohu rubbed his belly: "Xing Er sister said the beautiful lady will go to Wuji Hall to attend that gathering today; let's go check it out."

Wuji Hall was founded by a certain great expert and has continued to the present.

The Wuji Hall of Donglin Country is merely a branch; its headquarters is said to lie within Xi Ji Shengyu.

Wuji Hall oversees all mystic practitioners.

In other words, mystic practitioners on the continent must register with Wuji Hall and receive a medal to be considered legitimate; otherwise they are black households, unwelcome by all major forces and unable to move an inch.

The Azure Cloud Gathering is actually a medal-bestowing conference.

Each year on the Lantern Festival, Wuji Halls of all nations hold a mystic practitioner aptitude test and competition; all mystic practitioners can enter the Dao Ranking, but only those of Upper Grade Mystic King or higher can receive a medal.

The day medals are conferred is in mid-March.

This day is what is called the Azure Cloud Gathering.

Whenever Wuji Hall's Azure Cloud Gathering opens, the inside and outside of Wuji Hall are always bustling.

At this moment, outside Wuji Hall, the crowd was packed with people looking for excitement.

"This year's Qingyun Grand Event is even more lively than last year's!"

"Indeed, several princes will attend. It is even said that a few Heavenly Pride from the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect rushed over from Xuan Yuan City."

"Ye Huanhuan went to the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect to take a master; this year it's uncertain whether she can attend the Wuji Hall event. At last year's event, Ye Huanhuan stole the spotlight; no one could surpass her."

Ye Qingran appeared before Wuji Hall accompanied by Han Xing Leng Yue.

Today she deliberately wore a veil.

It attracted countless gazes.

"Miss, your veil not only fails to keep you low-key, it actually draws even more attention!" Han Xing felt the hot gazes surrounding her and helplessly retorted.

Originally, the lady of her family already possessed excellent temperament and a slender figure; wearing a veil that was half hidden, half revealed only added a touch of mystery.

"Seems that way," Ye Qingran gave a low smile, yet did not remove the veil.

The reason she wore the veil was indeed another purpose.

At this moment, a stir arose from the crowd.

A luxurious carriage slowly arrived and stopped at the entrance of Wuji Hall.

The carriage bore the distinctive bright‑yellow qilin emblem, marking the noble status of a prince.

"It's the Seventh Prince!"

Someone called out softly.

The crowd followed the voice, their gazes fervent.

The Seventh Prince and the reigning Crown Prince are brothers; among all princes, their status is even more illustrious. Moreover, the Seventh Prince's handsome looks and extraordinary bearing make him one of the top in appearance among the princes.

Therefore, in Xiliang City, he attracts considerable attention from women.

Ye Sisi rode in the same carriage as the Seventh Prince Dongfang Xuan; after Dongfang Xuan disembarked, gazes fell upon her, instantly making her the focus of everyone's attention.

She even heard some jealous whispers about her.

"Ye Sisi, how lucky is your fate? The noble Seventh Prince even attended the Qingyun Event with you; it's truly enviable!"

"The most handsome Crown Prince and Seventh Prince have both been taken by the Ye family's two daughters; do we really have no chance at all?"

"It drives me mad! When will the Seventh Prince's gentle gaze linger on me?"

A sudden surge of superiority rose in Ye Sisi's heart; driven by vanity, she lifted her chin slightly, clasped the Seventh Prince's hand, and proclaimed her claim.

The Seventh Prince is hers; Ye Sisi will become a noble prince consort in the future.

But Ye Sisi's smug smile didn't last long; she saw Ye Qingran and the other two, and the loss they suffered at Ye Qingran's hands made them look like they'd eaten flies—how could they still smile?

"Damn, why is Ye Qingran everywhere?!"

Ye Sisi squinted, then thought of something, and turned to show a malicious smile.

Dongfang Xuan's expression darkened instantly, his aura around him grew heavy. The humiliations Ye Qingran had inflicted on him the previous two times were still vivid, and his good mood vanished without a trace!

"Who did I think I was? Turns out it's Ye Qingran!" Dongfang Xuan, followed by his guards, walked slowly toward Ye Qingran, a wicked grin appearing on his face.

Today, he will certainly retaliate tooth for tooth, making Ye Qingran look ugly!

Dongfang Xuan's voice was loud, attracting many people's attention.

"I was just guessing who this young lady was, and it turns out she's Ye Family's eldest daughter Ye Qingran?!"

"I heard Ye Qingran returned recently; I thought it was a rumor, but it turned out to be true."

"Is she Ye Qingran? Why do you say she's wearing a veil? Is she too beautiful?"

"Too beautiful? I think she's rather ugly! After Ye Qingran disappeared back then, it's said someone ruined her looks..."

Hearing someone bring up Ye Qingran's past disgrace, Dongfang Xuan's mood improved a bit.

"Ye Qingran, you are quite self‑aware, aren't you? You even know you're a failure; appearing before Wuji Hall disgraces your mother, the Female War God, so you might as well hide your unsightly appearance."

This sentence not only mocks Ye Qingran as a cultivation failure, but also hints at her ugly looks.