Chapter 57: Chapter Fifty‑Seven: The Person in Her Eyes

In the howling mountain wind, Shi Ran's white clothes clung tightly to her, making her look especially frail and weak; she pressed one hand tightly against her abdomen, her fingers tensed from the effort, her face as pale as paper, fine cold sweat beading on her forehead—she resembled a delicate white flower savagely battered by a raging storm, pitiful and frail.

But Shi Ran's demeanor, as seen by Mei Ruoxue, Gu Yusheng, Xiao Muyu, and the others, evoked an inexplicable sense of unease in their hearts.

As Shi Ran drew nearer, everyone felt the strange sensation in their chests grow stronger; in unison, without a word, they retreated half a step, leaving space for Shi Ran and their Master.

It wasn't that they weren't concerned for their fellow disciple; rather, Shi Ran's soft, weak demeanor was utterly unlike her usual self—normally thick‑skinned, a big eater, and prone to causing trouble over nothing!

The contrast was too stark; everyone felt uneasy inside. Gu Yusheng and Xiao Muyu exchanged a glance, pulling the still‑confused Mei Ruoxue back a big step, saying, "Master, let's go check whether any other part of the Cloud Boat has been damaged."

Ling Xiao nodded silently, knowing full well that these disciples weren't really inspecting the Cloud Boat for damage—they just didn't want to be near this puzzling Shi Ran.

Unaware of the subtle reactions of the crowd, Shi Ran fixed her gaze on Ling Xiao, took another step forward, and spoke in a timid, shy voice, like a budding flower in spring, trembling as she asked, "Master? Are you alright?"

Ling Xiao coughed, a faint flicker of doubt crossing his brow; he instinctively raised a hand to lightly cover his chest, and for no reason, the moment he saw Shi Ran he felt a subtle yet distinct chill there, as if a cold wind from the clouds had blown straight through him.

Ling Xiao said nothing, only gazing at her with a deep look; Shi Ran's eyes were vacant, yet her tone grew more urgent as she called again, "Master!"

Looking at her pale little face, Ling Xiao sighed inwardly, having already guessed what Shi Ran would do next; though his heart felt heavy as if a great stone weighed upon it, he answered calmly, "It's nothing!"

Before his words faded, the concerned expression on Shi Ran's face receded like a tide; she jerked her head up, the corners of her mouth twisting into a cruel, mad grin, her eyes devoid of warmth, filled only with endless killing intent!

She gave a brilliant smile, which on her pallid face looked eerily feral: "Then that's good!" Before the words could disperse on the wind, her left hand flashed with cold light—Ice Stream shot forth like a venomous snake thrusting its tongue, stabbing straight toward Ling Xiao's chest!

Exactly as expected! Ling Xiao furrowed his brow, reacting even faster—he seized Shi Ran's hand just before the Ice Stream could tear his clothes, preventing her from advancing further.

Again aiming for his heart? He snapped his head back to look at Shi Ran, and saw a red thread swiftly winding down her pallid face.

Again, it's the red thread entangling?!

Ling Xiao's heart jolted—how could this be? Hadn't the red thread been temporarily suppressed? He glanced at Shi Ran's hair; the hairpin that should have been there was gone, and she never treasured her magical implements! He flared with sudden anger.

The first strike missed! Shi Ran's eyes blazed with greater ferocity; she dropped all pretense, seeming to have lost all control—even with one hand restrained, she kept struggling against Ling Xiao's grip.

Her other hand gathered a searing ball of flame; upon closer look, what should have been pure, blazing fire was threaded with strands of black aura, exuding a violent, destructive fury, and she slammed it straight at Ling Xiao's vital dantian without warning, shouting hoarsely, "Die!"

The three disciples heard the commotion and rushed back! "Shi Ran, what are you doing?" "Shi Ran, stop!" "Shi Ran, have you gone mad?" But their voices shattered in the wind, seemingly unable to reach her ears; she behaved like a mad demonic cultivator, striking left and right, desperate to slay Ling Xiao right then and there beneath her pomegranate skirt.

Xiao Muyu watched Shi Ran's frenzied actions, feeling like crying but unable to shed a tear—'Damn, will this ever end?' Since boarding the splendid yet poorly feng shui Cloud Boat, there's never a moment of peace! One battle ends, another begins!

Ling Xiao glanced back, giving the three a slight shake of his head—he could handle this situation himself; if they intervened, they'd only make things worse and might even seriously injure Shi Ran, so they'd best stand down.

Facing Shi Ran's frenzy, Ling Xiao gripped her wrist and exerted a subtle force; the clever pressure made her wrist ache, and Ice Stream slipped from her grasp, its fragile brilliance shattering as it clattered to the ground.

At the same instant, he shifted his body with fluid, exquisite precision, using his left hand to guide and redirect her palm, which was coalescing Black Flame; the scorching fire swept past his robe's edge with a howl, leaving a clear scorch mark on the Cloud Boat's deck.

In the flash of lightning and strike of stone, Ling Xiao neutralized both of Shi Ran's attacks in turn; his lips pressed tight, his eyes blazing with mountain‑fire anger, his fingers flicked like lightning to strike several of her major acupoints.

The frenzy and ruthlessness in Shi Ran's eyes snapped off; she closed her eyes and slumped limp.

Ling Xiao spread his arms and caught Shi Ran securely in his embrace, yet he felt none of the expected heat—her body was as cold as ice, her temperature shockingly low.

Ling Xiao lowered his head, touching his forehead to hers; it was icy, devoid of any warmth—if Shi Ran weren't still breathing, he would have thought...

How dare they target Shi Ran—these demonic cultivators deserve death! Ling Xiao scooped her up in a waist hold; her pallid face leaned softly against his chest, the faint red thread having vanished, and he instinctively tightened his arms, his deep eyes holding a barely perceptible ache of pity.

"Master!" the three other disciples hurried over, looking at Shi Ran in Ling Xiao's arms and asking, "Master, is Shi Ran alright?"

"She's been corrupted by demonic qi!" Ling Xiao let out a barely perceptible sigh, "It's nothing serious; I'll have her restore her foundation and regulate her breath a few times and she'll be fine."

Ling Xiao carried Shi Ran, strolling down the long deck to her quarters; upon turning back, he saw his three good disciples still following him and said, "Go rest on your own—she's fine."

In truth, they were more worried about Ling Xiao, but as disciples they could not question their master's decision; they exchanged a glance, bowed, and took their leave.

After the three left, Ling Xiao finally dared to let his fingers lightly brush Shi Ran's cheek; the affection in his eyes could not be hidden—this little disciple of his truly keeps him on his toes!

She's either injured or on the way to being injured—when did this start? Ling Xiao jerked his hand back as if startled; when did he begin to feel this tender affection for her?

Ling Xiao was astonished at his own reaction, not noticing a shadow flicker past the window....