Chapter 51: Wow, that's the feeling of a heart flutter

Shi Ran cautiously glanced at the sky; it was cloudless under a vast expanse of sunshine, which just means…

If the protagonist doesn't follow the plot, Heaven can't do anything, right!

Exactly! She herself is a living example; she should have died in chapter ten-something, but she stubbornly survived to now thanks to her own effort—Heaven can't force her to die!

So, the master can also, through her own effort, avoid becoming the demonic master!!! Things are in human hands; she need not intervene in words, but can subtly make other supporting characters agree with her viewpoint!

Thinking this through, Shi Ran excitedly clapped her hands—great! The master is saved!

Originally everyone was silently cleaning up the battlefield debris; Shi Ran's clap made everyone notice her.

"Ah! Shi junior sister! Your wound split open!" Ruan Xinli, lost in her thoughts, looked up and saw that Shi Ran's abdomen was completely stained red.

This is the little disciple of Elder Lingxiao! Oh no, she jumped in fright, turned to go over, but didn't watch her step, tripped on a protruding stake, was about to crash into the boulder, and was steadied by a strong arm.

"Be careful." A low, steady voice sounded above Ruan Xinli's head, carrying an undeniable sense of force.

Who is he? Second Senior Brother Qi Chengshuang of the Floating Dream Sect? He had somehow rushed up, steadying the panicked Ruan Xinli with one hand, but his gaze fell on Mei Ruoxue embraced by Gu Yusheng.

Turns out, we're both wanderers adrift in the world! Ruan Xinli whispered her thanks: "Many thanks, Senior Brother Qi!"

Her voice was soft and weak, tender and sweet, just like little Ah Xue from childhood! Qi Chengshuang then turned back; the female cultivator before him, though lowering her brows, could not hide her beauty—like a gentle breeze guiding a willow, yet expressing all of spring's breeze.

It was Ruan Xinli, the proud disciple of Wen Ying; Qi Chengshuang nervously said, "Thanks for your trouble! Junior Sister Ruan Ruan need not stand on ceremony!"

"Junior Sister Ruan Ruan?" Ruan Xinli lifted her eyes.

Good grief, what's he nervous about! Qi Chengshuang lowered his head.

Their gazes locked, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment.

In Ruan Xinli's eyes lay a hint of post-daze bewilderment and lingering worry, like autumn water veiled in thin mist.

She blinked, and that bewilderment quickly faded, replaced by clear confusion and a hint of inquiry not easily noticed.

She clearly felt the arm supporting her waist was as stiff as a stone, the unnatural tension palpable even through her clothing.

His breathing seemed a bit hurried; though he strained to suppress it, the slight rise and fall of his chest still gave him away.

"Senior Brother Qi?" Ruan Xinli spoke softly, questioning. She tried to shift slightly, hoping to steady herself and break free from his support.

That movement seemed to startle Qi Chengshuang.

He jerked his arm from her waist as if scalded, the motion so swift it even stirred a breeze.

That faint, barely discernible ambiguous moment was forcibly suppressed; he quickly lifted his gaze, but his eyes were evasive, daring not to meet hers, and instead glanced hastily at the ground behind her.

"Cough." He cleared his throat, his voice deliberately calm yet unable to hide a faint hoarseness and tension: "Junior Sister Ruan Ruan, watch your step."

These words were spoken so formulaically, as if that moment's stiffness and lapse had never happened—although, he still got her name wrong.

Having said that, he almost immediately turned, his gaze drifting to distant Mei Ruoxue, and said in a low voice: "Shi junior sister's injury is serious; I'll go see if the eldest senior brother needs help over there."

Before his words even faded, he strode over with long legs, reaching Luo Changfeng's side in a few steps, as if fleeing, leaving behind a somewhat hurried back view.

Ruan Xinli stood where she was, feeling at her waist the lingering trace of that brief yet unusually clear touch and force—carrying an irresistible sense of protection, yet also betraying the master's indescribable panic.

She watched Qi Chengshuang's near‑flight back, then glanced down at the stake that had tripped her; her delicate brows rose slightly, and in her clear eyes her confusion deepened, mixed with a hint of contemplation.

That usually stern Senior Brother Qi… just what was that demeanor earlier? She lightly pressed her lips, and a strange ripple quietly passed through her heart.

"Shi Ran!" Xiao Muru's startled cry snapped Ruan Xinli to attention; she quickened her steps to Shi Ran's side, only to see blood already soaking her clothes, while Shi Ran smiled at her and said, "Senior Sister Ruan Ruan, sorry to trouble you again!"

Even though the excitement on Shi Ran's face hadn't fully faded, she looked at Ruan Xinli and smiled, only then feeling a wave of dizziness as her body went limp and began to slide downward.

"Shi junior sister!" Ruan Xinli jumped, reaching to lift Shi Ran, but didn't expect someone faster—two hands swept past her and securely lifted Shi Ran up.

It was… Ruan Xinli looked up—it was Elder Lingxiao!

He's back!

Lingxiao held Shi Ran steadily, his gaze lingering on the red‑stained cloth, "Medicine!" His voice was concise and powerful, bearing an unquestionable command. He carried Shi Ran quickly to a relatively flat spot nearby covered with a felt mat.

The nearby disciples who had come to their senses hurriedly searched their pockets for medicine. A female disciple acted fastest, swiftly presenting a lustrous white jade bottle: "Elder, this is a top‑grade hemostatic and flesh‑growing pill!"

Lingxiao gently set Shi Ran down, letting her lean half‑against his arm. He took the jade bottle, tipped out a longan‑sized pill exuding a fresh medicinal aroma.

Lingxiao lightly pried open Shi Ran's blood‑pale lips, fed her the pill, then flicked his fingers like swords, swiftly striking several major points on her chest; warm, pure spiritual power flowed in, helping her absorb the medicine while forcibly suppressing the surging blood.

The pill melted on contact, a warm current surged through her limbs, the severe abdominal pain eased by half, and the dizzying sensation that caused panic faded considerably.

Shi Ran's ragged breathing gradually steadied, her focus sharpened to see the master Lingxiao holding her, brows furrowed, and the concerned fellow sect brothers gathered around; finally her gaze fell on Ruan Xinli and Qi Chengshuang's faces.

If she hadn't misread just now, didn't a tiny spark seem to have ignited between those two?

"Speak, what happened?" Lingxiao let Shi Ran lean against him, then turned his gaze to Luo Changfeng.

Luo Changfeng trembled all over; he knew Lingxiao too well—his calm meant he was furious, this was the stillness before the storm! Luo Changfeng blinked, then pointed at Qi Chengshuang and said: "Master, it's the second junior brother; he had the little junior sister come out to… uh… blow some wind!"

What wind! No way he'd lie! Shi Ran closed her eyes; given her relationship with Qi Chengshuang, Lingxiao would believe he'd slit her throat if he said he cared about her?

Hah, might as well believe a sow will climb a tree!