Three months later, at the Ancient Tree Sect.
Qin Yu was lying idly in a tree, thinking about what they had said to each other on the day of their parting.
This was a male-targeted web novel, and it seemed that her own sexual orientation had no place existing within it.
That day, she had finally mustered up the courage to ask Yu Qingya what their relationship was, only to be reduced back to “just friends” by a single sentence.
Perhaps this was the pain of falling for a straight woman. After all, in this book, Yu Qingya was one of the female protagonists; how could she possibly have any romantic involvement with someone like Qin Yu, who was merely another female protagonist?
If she could stay by Yu Qingya’s side and protect her in the capacity of a friend, that should still be a rather good thing, right?
“Senior Sister Xiaoyu, why are you here? You have really given me a hard time looking for you.”
Qingxu ran over hurriedly, looking anxious.
“What is wrong? What is so urgent?”
Never had she expected that a disciple she had casually accepted back would constantly follow behind her and follow her every lead.
At first, Qin Yu had not been quite used to someone following her around like that, but due to Qingxu’s persistence, she had eventually just let her be.
“The Sect Master is looking for you, Senior Sister. It seems to be about something on Mount Fengqi.”
Qin Yu, who had still been relaxed just a moment ago, instantly opened both eyes wide. Mount Fengqi? That was the place where outsiders were first discovered in the story!
How could it be happening this early? It was even advanced by more than two years. Could it be that her arrival had changed everything? Qin Yu quickly stood up. “Hurry, take me there now.”
The two of them hurried back to the house, only to see Qin Yuanshan and Qin Huan with worried expressions.
“Father, Elder Sister, what is the situation right now?”
Qin Yu felt a vague premonition that something was going to happen, and asked with unease.
Qin Yuanshan sighed. “Qinglian Pavilion is on good terms with us, and this time, villagers from that area have come to petition us. They say there are evil spirits locally, and several hundred people have gone missing within just a few days. They hope we can send disciples to help out locally. However, it has turned out to be very tricky, so Qinglian Pavilion sent someone to ask if we could dispatch disciples to assist. What do you think…” Before Qin Yuanshan could finish hearing the words “Qinglian Pavilion,” he was directly interrupted: “Father, what are you waiting for then? Hurry up.”
The mere thought that Yu Qingya might be in danger caused Qin Yu to feel as though her entire body had been plunged into an ice cellar.
“But there are other matters that your sister needs to handle, I…”
“I will go, Father, let me go.” Qin Yu volunteered.
“But after all, you have never led this many people out for a rescue mission. I am afraid…” Qin Yuanshan still looked somewhat worried. Although Qin Yu had seemed to grow up quite a bit recently, Mount Fengqi was extremely dangerous, and he was afraid something might happen to his daughter.
Qin Yu thought of this as well, and she tightly grasped Qin Yuanshan’s hand. “Father, trust me this time. Your daughter has grown up and can share your burdens.”
Looking at Qin Yu’s firm gaze, Qin Yuanshan ultimately relented.
True enough, this daughter of his was naturally gifted, yet her temperament remained like a child’s. If actual field experience could help her grow, it would be all gain and no harm.
“Sect Master, rest assured, Qingxu will go along with Senior Sister,” Qingxu interjected, offering reassurance upon seeing Qin Yuanshan’s anxiety.
Over the past three months, Qingxu’s performance within the sect had been very appropriate. Hearing this, Qin Yuanshan finally set his mind at ease.
Seeing that Qin Yuanshan had agreed, Qin Yu could no longer wait; she was afraid that if she delayed any further, Yu Qingya might face danger.
She immediately gathered the manpower and rushed toward Mount Fengqi.
“Senior Sister, you do not need to worry too much. Yu Qingya is a once-in-a-century genius with formidable strength; she certainly will not run into any trouble.” Qingxu could not bear to see Qin Yu looking so anxious and spoke up to comfort her.
Qin Yu recalled that in the book, the group of outsiders this time still included a Seventh Elder of formidable strength. If it were Yu Qingya two years later, she certainly would not have any problems.
However, for a cultivator, time was also a factor that determined one’s strength.
Upon arriving at Mount Fengqi, they saw only a few remaining people wearing the attire of Qinglian Pavilion.
At this moment, Qin Yu could not be bothered with proper etiquette and directly asked one of the women, “Where is your First Senior Sister?”
When that woman saw that someone actually dared to speak to her like that, her expression instantly turned sour. “Who are you? What qualifications do you have to question our First Senior Sister?”
Qin Yu had no time to waste bickering with her and directly took out the jade pendant that Yu Qingya had given her.
When everyone present saw this jade pendant, their faces turned pale with shock, and they hurriedly pointed a direction out to Qin Yu.
Qin Yu dashed straight in that direction, and the rest of the group struggled to keep up with her pace.
“Senior Sister Qingya, are you inside?” Qin Yu asked repeatedly, unwilling to give up, but the mountain forest remained dead silent.
Continuous black mist surged toward them, pressing right up to their eyes.
“You all wait here for me, I will go inside and take a look.”
It was clear that this black mist intended to separate everyone so it could pick them off one by one.
Furthermore, she was here specifically to save Yu Qingya, and she could not let her junior brothers and junior sisters put themselves in peril.
“But Senior Sister, it is even more dangerous for you to go in alone. If we go in with you, we can at least help back you up.” Everyone echoed in unison, concerned for Qin Yu’s safety.
“I know you are all worried about my safety, but if everyone goes in now, I will just have to divide my attention to look after you. Do not forget, my primary cultivation is in spiritual power; I will not be affected by this black mist.”
Although Qin Yu said this out loud, she did not feel confident inside either.
However, she could not let it show.
Seeing Qin Yu’s persistence, the others had nothing more to say.
When Qin Yu entered the black mist, she did not open her eyes; instead, she closed them as she moved forward.
Cultivating spiritual power allowed the mind to act as one’s eyes. Even if her physical eyes could not see, it would not have any impact on her.
This eye of light was something she had only recently discovered, though she had to admit she was not very proficient at using it yet.
After employing her spiritual power, her overall sensory sharpness continued to heighten.
Soon, she heard the sound of breathing from a certain spot.
Channeling her cultivation, Qin Yu flew swiftly in the direction of the sound, and sure enough, she spotted a figure.
“Senior Sister Qingya, how did you get hurt this badly?” Qin Yu was completely stunned when she saw Yu Qingya’s condition; she had never seen Yu Qingya looking so disheveled.
Her white dress was tattered and stained with blood.
Yu Qingya’s face was pale; a single glance showed she was heavily injured.
“Go save Shumei quickly! I have already killed this boss, but his subordinates took Shumei toward that direction,” Yu Qingya said feebly.
“You are in this state and you still have the mind to worry about others? Let me get you out of here first,” Qin Yu said anxiously.
Yu Qingya coughed breathlessly. “No. As the future sect master, I have a responsibility to protect the safety of the disciples. I cannot abandon a disciple just for my own comfort. But I do not have enough strength left. Please go save Shumei for me, I can make it back on my own.”
Seeing that Yu Qingya was still putting up a front even in this condition, Qin Yu found herself unable to refuse.
After all, Yu Qingya cared deeply about the disciples’ safety; even if Qin Yu forcefully dragged her back, Yu Qingya probably would not have peace of mind.
“Elder Sister, you must make it out safely.”
Ultimately choosing to listen to Yu Qingya, Qin Yu gritted her teeth and walked deeper into the black mist.