Chapter 26

As the strongest of the thirty‑first century, she never boasts; if she wills it, the path lies beneath her feet, reaching the other shore is merely a matter of time.

Everyone was stunned into silence.

In a private room on the second floor, Dongfang Mo sat by the window, his handsome visage emanating a faint jade glow.

Like a banished immortal.

Beneath him was a wheelchair.

"What a fine saying: how could sparrows know the ambition of swans…"

He gave a light smile, filling the room with radiance; even the splendid peony blooming in the corner paled in comparison.

Ting Yu Xuan

Ye Qingran sat cross‑legged; her peerless beauty, usually sharp, softened a bit and grew gentler.

Silver light flowed around her, appearing and disappearing like silvery threads, strand after strand.

Suddenly, Ye Qingran opened her eyes, a look of joy appearing on her face.

"Jiu Tian Xi Rang!" she whispered, her voice unusually excited.

Her Shen Nong Space is closely tied to the ancient ancestors Yan Di and Huang Di; it contains Yan Di's Shennong Power, and the Jiu Tian Xi Rang used when Yan Di and Huang Di jointly defeated Chi You is said to be hidden within that space as well.

But she had never seen it in all these years.

Now, the Jiu Tian Xi Rang has actually revealed itself!

Jiu Tian Xi Rang is the source of all earth, capable of birthing myriad things and forging divine weapons!

However, the Jiu Tian Xi Rang in her Shen Nong Space amounts to only a handful, pitifully little.

Even so, Ye Qingran is already quite content.

Ye Qingran eagerly tried it: she planted a Snake‑Tooth Fruit seed, then surrounded it with activated Shennong Power, but after a while nothing happened.

Ye Qingran frowned in thought, then inspiration struck.

Spiritual liquid…

Ye Qingran suddenly recalled the spiritual liquid she had drawn at the Trading Market that day; after a drop was poured on it, something miraculous occurred.

See, the Snake‑Tooth Fruit seed sprouted instantly, then visibly flowered and bore fruit; a plump, brightly colored Snake‑Tooth Fruit matured in just fifteen minutes!

"This is… heaven‑defying!" Ye Qingran was stunned.

She had grown things in her Shen Nong Space before, but the soil was ordinary; even with Shennong Power's boost, growth was only twice the normal rate. With Jiu Tian Xi Rang, however, this speed is simply heaven‑defying!

Afterward, Ye Qingran tested other items and found that the rarer the thing, the slower its growth—a fact she could understand.

Still, she felt satisfied. Someday, if she finds a Five‑Colored Imperial Flower and buries it in the Jiu Tian Xi Rang, she'll have two Imperial Flowers the next day—just thinking about it makes her grin.

"It just consumes a bit of Shennong Power and spiritual liquid."

Shennong Power regenerates naturally, but spiritual liquid is hard to come by; thus mass‑producing copies in a short time is difficult.

Even so, Ye Qingran remains full of hope for the future.

At that moment, Leng Yue's voice came from outside.

"Miss, Ye Yu sent someone over, saying Ye Li has arrived and asks you to come to the front hall."

Ye Li?

In the Ye Residence front hall, when Ye Qingran arrived, Ye Li and Ye Yu were chatting intermittently.

"Ran'er has come; hurry and greet your brother Li." Ye Yu said with a smile.

"What do you want with me?" Compared to Ye Yu's enthusiasm, Ye Qingran wore an indifferent expression.

"Ran'er, what attitude is this?!" Ye Yu furrowed his brows, displeased with Ye Qingran's demeanor.

Although Ye Li was an adopted son of Yun Sui Feng, he possesses extraordinary talent, joining the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect in cultivation while still young. Moreover, before Yun Sui Feng's death, he left Ye Li many good things; even her former subordinates get along very well with him.

Therefore, to Ye Yu, Ye Li's potential is limitless, and maintaining a good relationship with him is essential.

"Lord Ye, I'd like to have a private talk with A Ran."

Upon hearing this, Ye Yu's expression stiffened, then he smiled and nodded: "Fine, you youngsters chat."

"A Ran, let's go to Xuan Yuan City together."

After Ye Yu left, Ye Li rose and said.

Without waiting for Ye Qingran's reply, Ye Li continued: "Over these many years, I failed to look after you; I know you've had a hard time. So from now on, if you go with me to Xuan Yuan City, I will take good care of you."

Ye Qingran gave a light smile and countered: "Why should I trust you?" For all these years since Yun Sui Feng's passing, Ye Li has been virtually zero in Ye Qingran's memory.

Where was he when she needed him most?

Now they want her to go with him, alone to the unfamiliar Xuan Yuan City—on what basis?

Ye Li's face darkened instantly.

He admits that these years of neglecting his sister led to her being framed and disappearing for years; he has also been searching for her whereabouts, but to no avail.

Upon learning she had returned to Xiliang City, he rushed back from Xuan Yuan City.

"I know you resent me, but the past cannot be changed; may I use the rest of my life to make amends?"

"You're wrong; I don't hate you."

Ye Qingran spoke lightly, as if already detached: "Between us there is no blood tie, nor even friendship, so nothing you've done is wrong."

Furthermore, how can you guarantee future success when you couldn't even do it before?

Ye Qingran realizes that, deep down, she actually harbors an obsession toward Ye Li.

To her, the world's faces are too ugly; Ye Li is the only kin besides her mother.

She too once longed for this brother to lend a hand when she was down and out.

But Ye Li never did.

"A Ran…"

"Young Master Ye Li, if you're doing this only because of my mother's last wish, there's no need. From now on, let us forget each other in the rivers and lakes."

Ye Qingran's attitude was resolute, without the slightest hesitation.

Forgotten in the jianghu?

At that moment, Ye Li felt as if he had never understood this sister.

"Wait a moment."

Seeing Ye Qingran resolutely leave, her back view cold and aloof, Ye Li couldn't help but shout.

"Young Master Ye Li, is there anything else?"

Her gaze was clear, her smile faint, as if looking at a stranger.

"This letter is something your mother left for you…"

Ye Qingran froze slightly.

The letter paper in Ye Li's hand had yellowed, exuding a sense of the weight of years.

Ye Qingran took it, held it in her hand, and said a word of thanks.

Watching Ye Qingran's departing figure, Ye Li's expression grew desolate; after a long while, he let out a soft sigh.

"A Ran, when you see this letter, Mother is already gone. Many things, Mother cannot explain clearly to you, but you must remember: in dealing with the world, you must stay low-key! Mother does not ask you to rise swiftly, only wishes you to live out your life in safety and peace. If you encounter difficulties, you can go find A Li; he is trustworthy. Mother loves you!"

Only a few strokes, each stroke urgent.

Ye Qingran sensed from between the lines that there were thousands of words to say, yet felt an helpless inability.

She was not certain whether this letter was truly written by Yun Sui Feng's own hand.

If so, why did Yun Sui Feng urge her to remember to stay low-key?

"Could it be that she offended some powerful enemy?"

Ye Qingran couldn't figure it out, so she simply didn't insist further.

"Meiren Sister!"

At that moment, outside came Mo Xiaohu's cheerful voice.