Looking into Qin Yu’s resolute gaze, Qin Yushan found it difficult to say anything more, so he simply gave a nod.
“The Ancient Secret Realm will open in half a year. Use this time to cultivate in tranquility,” Qin Yushan suddenly remarked.
Hearing this news, Qin Yu froze. So soon? It seemed her suspicions were indeed correct. Ever since she had arrived in this world, everything had accelerated its pace, including massive narrative milestones like the Ancient Secret Realm.
“Father, during this period, I would like to stay at the Lotus Pavilion.” Qin Yu stammered slightly, finding it difficult to meet Qin Yushan’s gaze.
She felt like a child caught by their parent for puppy love, yet still sneaking off to run to their partner’s side right in front of that very parent.
When it came to this daughter of his, Qin Yushan ultimately conceded.
“Go ahead. Oh, and do not forget to bring the soul jade with you,” Qin Yushan instructed.
Qin Yu had been feeling uneasy for days, constantly harboring a vague sense that something was about to happen.
Hearing Qin Yushan mention the soul jade reminded her that she had buried it away back then.
However, she could not let Qin Yushan know about that incident, so she simply brushed past the topic with a vague reply.
As soon as she stepped out of the room, she ran into Qingxu, whom she had not seen for several days.
“Are you looking for me?” Qin Yu looked at Qingxu, who was dressed in a long black skirt, and noticed that the girl had blossomed quite a bit during this time, truly living up to her status as a member of the male protagonist’s harem.
“I have not seen you for several days. Did Senior Sister not miss me at all?” Seeing Qin Yu, the usually aloof face of Qingxu blossomed into a faint smile.
Hearing Qingxu’s somewhat intimate tone, Qin Yu’s expression unconsciously relaxed.
After arriving in this world, she had chosen Qingxu to become a disciple of the Ancient Tree Sect.
During their time at the Ancient Tree Sect, Qingxu had consistently looked after her daily living arrangements, causing the bond between the two to leap forward and transform them into good friends.
People naturally enjoyed receiving special treatment, and everyone hoped they were different to someone else than anyone else was.
“Of course I missed you, but I need to leave for a little while longer. Sister Qingya’s mood has not been very good lately on account of the sect leader’s passing, so I want to go to the Lotus Pavilion to keep her company.”
Hearing this, a flash of unreadable, deep emotion flickered through Qingxu’s eyes. “Senior Sister is going to the Lotus Pavilion? Then what am I supposed to do?”
“This…” Qin Yu hesitated, unsure of how to respond.
“I have not seen Senior Sister in ages, and now Senior Sister is off to somewhere else again.” Qingxu gently tugged at Qin Yu’s sleeve, complaining with the petulance of a young maiden.
Qin Yu felt somewhat conflicted. After all, Yu Qingya’s emotional state could hardly be described as good.
More importantly, she had no desire to break her promise to Yu Qingya.
Such private partiality was something she simply could not articulate aloud.
“Why not bring me along, Senior Sister? Would that not be the best of both worlds?” Qingxu offered, as if coming up with a flawless solution for Qin Yu.
Qin Yu wondered if agreeing to this might be a bit inappropriate, yet she had no way to consult Yu Qingya’s opinion beforehand.
Pounded by Qingxu’s relentless nagging and wearing down, Qin Yu ultimately gave in.
After all, the girl wore an expression that suggested she would refuse to let Qin Yu leave unless she agreed, and Qin Yu found herself unable to withstand that kind of pressure.
However, Qingxu clearly refused to let the matter drop today. “Senior Sister Xiaoyou, may I ask why you treat Yu Qingya so exceptionally well?”
Hearing Qingxu’s inquiry, Qin Yu had no idea how to reply.
Was she supposed to confess her romantic feelings for Yu Qingya just like she might confess to her own father? But Qingxu was a core member of the male protagonist’s harem and as straight as an arrow. If she spoke such words, would the two of them even be able to remain friends?
“Sister Qingya is also my good friend. Is it not natural for me to treat her well?” Qin Yu thought of a compromise, hoping to use it to fend off Qingxu.
“That is different.”
“How is it different?” Qin Yu felt a trace of curiosity. Could her unusual bias toward Yu Qingya be so obvious that even someone as completely oblivious to romance as Qingxu could spot it?
“We are all good friends, but the way you look at me is completely different from the way you look at her. Senior Sister, could it be that you are in love with Yu Qingya?”
Qingxu seemed uncharacteristically sharp today, possessing an almost frightening perspicacity, while her words pressed forward with relentless aggressiveness.
Qingxu’s words caught Qin Yu completely off guard, never expecting the girl to bluntly voice out her hidden feelings for Yu Qingya like this.
If even Qingxu could see it, what about Yu Qingya? What did Yu Qingya think of her? Had she been acting too blatantly obvious lately? Qin Yu’s inner alarm bells suddenly began to ring.
Faced with Qingxu’s probing expression that demanded to get to the bottom of the matter, Qin Yu finally cracked under the pressure and nodded. “Yes, I like her.”
After all, the other person was her good friend. Ever since arriving in this world, everything felt like a fresh start to Qin Yu, leaving her with very few friends, which made her deeply cherish every single friendship.
A complex emotion flashed through Qingxu’s eyes that remained impossible to read, though she said nothing more.
Seeing that Qingxu stayed silent for so long, Qin Yu felt a drum beating anxiously in her chest. Am I about to lose such a wonderful friend?
“Do you mind this sort of thing?” Qin Yu asked with a hint of uncertainty. It was true that some rigid-minded people might harbor a natural aversion toward those who swung differently.
While Qin Yu had no desire to deceive the other girl, she certainly did not wish to forfeit such a valued friendship.
Noticing Qin Yu’s slightly uneasy expression, Qingxu broke into a smile. “How could that be, Senior Sister Xiaoyou? I was merely curious, so please do not be frightened.”
Qin Yu finally let out a sigh of relief. After chatting a little longer, the two of them returned to their respective quarters.
Yet the moment Qin Yu turned around, a faint, intangible chill surfaced within Qingxu’s gaze.
Senior Sister Xiaoyou, you were the one who chose me out of all those people.
I was not particularly outstanding back then, yet you chose me among a sea of faces. Since you must choose someone to love now, why will you not even look at me?
Before setting off, Qin Yu still felt a lingering unease and decided to swing by the site of the sect assembly.
The venue for this grand assembly was located in a mountain range just behind the Ancient Tree Sect. Before long, Qin Yu arrived at the destination.
Spotting the plot of land where she had buried it, Qin Yu crouched down to dig, only for her expression to instantly drain of color in sheer shock.
The soul jade that had originally been buried right here had completely vanished without a trace.
This was utterly baffling. Just where on earth could the soul jade have gone?
She searched numerous spots in the surrounding area, but it was nowhere to be found. She could only assume it must have been picked up by some fortunate passerby.
Fortunately, as long as whoever took it was not Yu Qingya, anything else could be managed.
When the designated day arrived, Qin Yu brought Qingxu along with her to the Lotus Pavilion.
The disciples standing guard did not attempt to stop Qin Yu when they saw her. Whether it was because of the token she shared as a pair with Yu Qingya or the fact that she had openly backed the Lotus Pavilion in front of so many people, every single disciple held a deep trace of respect toward Qin Yu.
Upon reaching Yu Qingya’s quarters, Qin Yu had just curved her lips into a smile, intending to step forward and greet her, when she caught sight of Yu Qingya’s deeply unfavorable expression.
“Why is she here?”