Chapter 20: Childhood Sweethearts, Innocent and Carefree

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present changed their gaze toward Ye Qingran.

People originally thought Ye Qingran wore a veil to keep a low profile. After all, in her early years, her reputation as the first beauty of Xiliang City was known to all. Who would have thought she wore the veil because she is ugly?!

Could it be that after disappearing five years ago, Ye Qingran was truly disfigured?

Someone raised a doubt.

Moreover, she is the daughter of the Female War God Yun Sui Feng, yet she cannot cultivate—this is nothing short of losing all face for her mother, the Female War God!

"Sister, if I were you, I would honestly stay home today for this occasion." Ye Sisi said with a cold smile.

Seeing Ye Sisi's lovely appearance and her close relationship with the Seventh Prince, people thought she would likely become the future prince consort; moreover, considering her high cultivation talent, they instantly felt that Ye Qingran, the legitimate daughter of the Female War God, was inferior to a concubine-born daughter.

"You are not me, and you could never become me!" Facing the humiliation from the Seventh Prince and Ye Sisi, Ye Qingran remained calm, like an outsider.

A single sentence came from beneath the veil, calm and undisturbed.

Her voice rang out like jade shattering on Kun Shan.

Han Xing Leng Yue showed a look of disdain.

Her miss is none other than the renowned Medicine King Gu Gu Master of the continent.

Ye Sisi would spend her whole life chasing after her and still not be able to catch up to her coattails!

"Xing Er, Yue Er, what are you standing there for? Go in." Ye Qingran, too lazy to deal with the two, took the lead and walked toward Wuji Hall.

Han Xing Leng Yue followed closely behind.

Everyone gazed at that slender, graceful back, bright and shimmering, unable to help but fall into a daze.

With such grace and beauty, could she truly be a cultivation waste?

Beneath the veil, is what is hidden truly a face without salt?

Ye Sisi and Dongfang Xuan stared at Ye Qingran's back and, in unison, clenched their fists.

Their recent series of humiliations felt like punching cotton.

That breath stuck in their throats, unable to go up or down, nearly choking them to death!

In contrast, Ye Qingran was unharmed, making them look like jumping clowns.

On this side, as Ye Qingran had just reached the nine stone steps before the Wuji Hall gate, a voice laden with suppressed anger came from beside her.

"Ye Qingran, who let you come here!"

A voice tinged with a hint of anger came from beside her.

Ye Qingran blinked slightly.

In her mind, it seemed as if a thread was pulling.

This voice was familiar yet strange.

Looking askance, three extraordinary figures stood out in the bustling crowd. They wore matching attire—long white robes whiter than snow, with silver thread embroidered on the cuffs and hems.

On their chests, a soaring dragon and phoenix dancing "Xuan" character was pierced through by a sharp sword.

A three-foot green blade was slung across their backs.

Xuan Yuan City, disciples of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect!

These three outstanding individuals instantly captured countless gazes.

The crowd sized them up, their eyes full of envy and respect.

The Xuan Yuan Sword Sect is one of the seven great sects of the Central Region!

Within the sect, heavenly prodigies abound; every disciple is a dragon among men, a phoenix among phoenixes!

Ye Qingran's gaze fell on the person at the front, her pupils flickering slightly. After a moment, some memories surfaced in her mind.

He is Ye Li.

Back then, Yun Sui Feng, while campaigning on the battlefield, picked up an orphan from among the corpses wrapped in horsehide and left him at the Ye Residence to be raised as an adopted son.

Their first meeting: Ye Qingran was five, Ye Li was eight.

When she was twelve, Ye Li went to the army camp to temper himself; thereafter, the number of times she saw Ye Li could be counted on one's fingers.

At fifteen, due to his exceptional talent, Ye Li was noticed by the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect and entered its cultivation.

Between them, they gradually drifted apart, living as if in two different worlds.

Ye Qingran tugged at the corner of her mouth beneath the veil, nonchalantly.

Speaking of which, this Ye Li counts as her older brother.

"What am I here for? Naturally, to attend the grand gathering."

Ye Qingran's tone carried a hint of faint mockery.

Although she herself had no contact with Ye Li, the original owner truly cherished this older brother. As childhood sweethearts, innocent and carefree, later, with Yun Sui Feng's departure, they gradually drifted apart.

Even until death, Ye Qingran hoped to see this so-called older brother one more time.

But what about Ye Li?

Having received Yun Sui Feng's favor, he promised her he would look after Ye Qingran. All these years, in the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect, he has been looked up to—when has he ever cared about Ye Qingran's life or death?

Now Ye Li has sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, a firm outline, and an extraordinary bearing. Having been taught by the War God since childhood, his demeanor carries a hint of iron and blood.

He sized up Ye Qingran, his brows knitting together.

He felt displeased at Ye Qingran's rash decision to come participate in the Wuji Hall's Azure Cloud Grand Gathering.

"Go back quickly!" He merely issued a low-voiced command, allowing no rebuttal.

Ye Qingran found it extremely amusing.

After all these years of ignoring her, when he reappears, he puts on the airs of an elder brother—who is he trying to impress?

Ye Qingran only felt a stifling qi in her chest, making her irritable to the extreme.

"Why should I go back? And besides, who are you?"

"Who are you again?"

Four words, like four swords, stabbed into Ye Li's chest.

In her memory, whenever A Ran sees him, she smiles sweetly, her painted brows and eyes gentle and soft.

Now, the woman's brows and eyes lack the familiar gentle smile, leaving only aloof detachment.

He couldn't help lamenting how fleeting youth is, like flowing water.

He didn't think Ye Qingran had forgotten him; he assumed she still resented his silent departure years ago and their ensuing estrangement.

He suppressed the sourness in his heart, his tone softening: "A Ran, behave; today's gathering is not suitable for you."

Not suitable for her?

Ye Qingran scoffed: "What do you mean, sir? Disciples of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect are qualified to participate, but I am not—are you looking down on people?"

Ye Sisi and Dongfang Xuan also walked over then; upon seeing Ye Li, Ye Sisi still worried that Ye Li would protect her. After all, they had all grown up together in the Ye Residence when young, and Ye Li treated Ye Qingran extremely well, even closer than blood siblings.

When they were young, if she and Ye Huanhuan bullied Ye Qingran, Ye Li would always shield her in front.

Times have changed.

People indeed all change, and Ye Li is no exception.

Former vows were as steadfast as mountains, yet ultimately could not withstand the merciless erosion of time.

After weathering great rivers and seas, who would still look down on Ye Qingran, this foul ditch?

"Sister, Li Gege is right; today's gathering is not suitable for you. After all, sparring and competitions are inevitable at such events, and you, lacking a Spiritual Root, cannot cultivate..."

Ye Sisi covered her mouth after speaking, looking panicked as if she had said something wrong.

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

Indeed, the rumor is true. Ye Qingran back then did not lack a Spiritual Root; she had one but could not cultivate. Five years ago, when Ye Qingran disappeared, not only was her appearance ruined, but her Spiritual Root was also dug out!

Recalling the past, Yun Sui Feng outshone all flowers, victorious in every battle, unmatched in fame.

But now, her daughter—her appearance ruined, her Spiritual Root dug out—is worlds apart from her mother!

Alas, how lamentable!

Ye Li's gaze swept coldly over Ye Sisi.

"Ye Sisi, if you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!"

His voice was icy cold, carrying a hint of anger.

Ye Sisi's heart jolted; she lowered her head. She had feared Ye Li since childhood, and now that he is a disciple of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect, she dares not provoke him.

"What Sisi said is correct; Wuji Hall is the turf of cultivators. Ye Qingran, you good-for-nothing, if you have any self-awareness, just get lost now! Otherwise, when you're driven out later, it'll be ugly!"

Dongfang Xuan doesn't fear Ye Li; he is a Prince, and moreover his elder brother the Crown Prince is also a disciple of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect.

"Seventh Prince, whether Ye Qingran leaves or not is not up to you to say!" Ye Li narrowed his eyes, his attitude unmannerly, and he did not even regard Dongfang Xuan's princely status.

Everyone's hearts jolted.

Thinking that the Seventh Prince, after all, is a member of the Imperial Clan, yet Ye Li publicly slighted him—clearly the disciples of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect have confidence.

Dongfang Xuan's face darkened; he was about to speak when Ye Qingran's voice drifted over faintly.

Dongfang Xuan, it seems that day at the Ye Residence, your kneeling wasn't thorough enough.

Everyone looked at Dongfang Xuan in surprise.

Ye Qingran meant: Did the Seventh Prince have her kneel at the Ye Residence?

What situation is this?

Dongfang Xuan, both ashamed and angry, shouted at Ye Qingran, "Ye Qingran, what nonsense are you spouting?!"

"I'm spouting nonsense? Seventh Prince, dare you swear that day at the Ye Residence, you and Ye Sisi didn't make me kneel?"

Dongfang Xuan had no rebuttal.

Ye Sisi's face was also extremely grim.

Everyone grew more convinced that Ye Qingran's words were true.

How interesting: the Seventh Prince, a noble member of the Imperial Clan, actually knelt for Ye Qingran.

For a moment, everyone's gaze toward Dongfang Xuan was strange.

Dongfang Xuan, I say the one who should leave today is you—do you believe me?

Dongfang Xuan laughed in anger: "Ye Qingran, you good-for-nothing, actually have the nerve to say that I should leave? What a huge joke!"

What the Seventh Prince said is correct: Ye Qingran, you are the one who should leave today!

A sharp voice came from within Wuji Hall; immediately, a lovely figure emerged, escorted by servants, walking slowly.