At this moment, Dongfang Jue was dressed in a red silk robe, wearing a soft armor corset over her chest and a skirted black-iron battle armor at the waist. Her hair was tied with crimson cords, red lips curled in a smile, and her eyes held a heroic sharpness.
She held a long spear in her hand, her aura bold and unrestrained, like a modern-day Hua Mulan from the army.
With such stunning beauty, it was no surprise she was the object of countless young nobles’ desires within and beyond the palace walls.
With unmatched talent, all the top sects in the world longed to recruit her.
It wasn’t Ye Qinghan’s first time seeing her. Their last encounter was at the martial arena on Spirit Mountain, where Dongfang Jue had been her opponent.
But Ye Qinghan was a prodigy too. Since their last battle ended in a draw, Dongfang Jue had seemed especially dissatisfied with her.
Call it mutual admiration among heroes, or call it envy—either way, every time Dongfang Jue saw Ye Qinghan, she had to throw in a taunt or two.
Now that she learned Ye Qinghan had joined that rundown sect, the Soaring Immortal Hall, just for the sake of some broken sword…
Dongfang Jue found it laughable and ridiculous. Among her peers, the only one who could fight her to a draw was Ye Qinghan.
Yet she’d wasted such potential, all for a single sword, and thrown away a bright future by joining Soaring Immortal Hall.
Watching the treasure hall’s gate slam shut the moment she entered, Dongfang Jue showed a victor’s smile.
But as she turned around, even someone as gifted as Dongfang Jue could no longer smile.
The two mutts she’d seen earlier had now swollen to several times their original size, transforming into the fierce beasts Xu Zhanfeng had described.
They perfectly replicated Dongfang Jue’s cultivation—both were at the late stage Foundation Establishment Realm!
“…Damn, that’s intimidating!”
Dongfang Jue spat and twirled her spear. “Heh, I’m itching for a try!”
Ye Qinghan was in no rush. She casually pulled a chair from her jade pendant and sat at the entrance to watch.
“Miss Dongfang has such fine skill!”
Shiyao, unbothered, plopped herself down right on Ye Qinghan’s lap.
Ye Qinghan blinked. Huh? This brain-dead Saintess sure had no boundaries!
“Yes, yes! Shiyao has long heard that Sister Dongfang’s spearplay is like a dance of the gods. Seeing it today, the rumors were true indeed!”
Dongfang Jue was so enraged she nearly cursed aloud!
So she was in there fighting fierce beasts, and those two were just sitting outside watching!?
And not only watching—but running their mouths the whole time!
“Shut your mouths! Watch as I…”
Mid-sentence, Dongfang Jue got swatted into the wall by a beast’s paw.
“Hahahahaha~ Oh dear, how could Miss Dongfang be so careless~” This story is hosted at g.com.
Ye Qinghan laughed heartily, genuinely delighted.
Didn’t you love to flap your mouth?
Didn’t you love to show off?
Why aren’t you making noise now?
“Huh? Why isn’t Miss Dongfang saying anything? Is she naturally quiet?”
You love to steal the spotlight! You love to snatch Master’s treasures!
Then go on—steal it!
“Ye Qinghan, just you wait! After I take care of these beasts, I’ll deal with you next!”
Ye Qinghan didn’t mind stirring up more trouble. If not for the gate blocking her, she might’ve gone in to help beat Dongfang Jue herself.
She said nothing, but Shiyao, sitting on her lap, looked worried. Seeing the beasts charge again, she quickly called out.
“Ah~ Miss Dongfang, watch out behind you! Don’t get killed by those little pups!”
Ye Qinghan chatted and laughed with Shiyao, watching Dongfang Jue struggle and get thrashed. At this moment, Shiyao didn’t seem so annoying anymore.
But of course, this dull routine was soon to be disrupted—because the person Ye Qinghan had been waiting for… had arrived.
“You little whore, I finally found you!”
Xu Zhanfeng abruptly turned, ready to kill the newcomer and earn some merit in front of Great Aunt!
But before he could act, Ye Qinghan raised a hand to stop him and said, smiling with curved eyes,
“I thought you ran off or died. Didn’t expect you’d actually dare come find me?”
Ye Qinghan was a little surprised. Judging by Shangguan Rou’s tone, she’d probably had a breakthrough and now thought herself capable.
“Heh, arrogant little bitch. Big mouth—but let’s see how much power you really have!”
As she spoke, Shangguan Rou channeled her true Qi, her long sword resting at her side. Her strength now matched Li Shiyao’s, clearly preparing to show Ye Qinghan how strong she had become.
Ye Qinghan blinked. Sure enough, this girl had reached the Golden Core Realm. Aside from Xu Zhanfeng, she was now the strongest in this secret realm.
But this true Qi…
Was this Golden Core diluted with water or what? This was true Qi? It wasn’t even stronger than her usual protective Qi.
“Sister Qinghan, be careful. She’s really strong! Shiyao thinks she probably broke through inside this realm! She’s at the Golden Core Realm now!”
“You don’t need to narrate. I can see it myself.”
Ye Qinghan rolled her eyes. You’re supposed to be the simple-minded one—just stick to your role!
Responding to her only helped her act more dramatic.
“Miss Shangguan, may I ask why you hold such hatred toward me?”
Ye Qinghan smiled, not in a hurry to slap her down—just hoping to avoid unnecessary trouble later. This story is hosted at g.com.
Hearing this, Shangguan Rou was furious. Now that she was at Golden Core Realm, there was no need to rush—she could take her time killing this bitch.
“You still have the face to ask?”
“Oh? Do explain.”
“You faked your intentions to become a disciple, used filthy tricks to steal magical treasures—do you admit it?”
“You used seductive tactics to lure the sect masters of rival sects—isn’t that true?”
“On the surface you act well-behaved, but secretly you’re ruthless, slaughtered the entire Tranquil Cloud Sect, dug up ancestral graves, and stole their valuables—which of these didn’t you do?”
Ye Qinghan laughed. Heh heh!
Yes, she did all of that! Everything she said was true!
But Ye Qinghan still needed to clarify one thing—she never seduced any sect master!
No making up nonsense! If her master heard about that and stopped liking her, what would she do?
That would be the greatest injustice ever!
“Since becoming a disciple, I’ve focused entirely on cultivation. How could my intentions be fake?”
“And as for seducing some sect master? I wish that fool Cheng Liang would stay far away from me!”
“Sometimes I think you’re really dumb—seriously! You actually like a guy like Cheng Liang? What do you even see in him?”
“Besides, if I really wanted to seduce him, do you think you could stop me? Go look in the mirror—what are you even worth? What’s Cheng Liang worth?”
“Do you really think I ever took you or your precious master seriously?”
“As for the rest, you got those right. But think about it—if the entire Tranquil Cloud Sect wasn’t even my match, what makes you think you are?”
Shangguan Rou sneered, unaware of the danger she was provoking.
“Heh, save your lies. Let’s fight!”
Ye Qinghan didn’t mind. Some people just don’t deserve mercy.
Whether she had lost her mind or was just plain dumb—it didn’t matter. Whether Golden Core or Nascent Soul Realm—it made no difference to Ye Qinghan.
Sure, she thought Shangguan Rou was dumb—but she could understand it. If she hadn’t heard some of her master’s little secrets herself, she might not have believed any of this either.
Ye Qinghan had no doubt—her master had never accepted her for her talent, nor out of desire for her beauty. It was simply because she had knelt there all day, showing pure sincerity.
If someone else had knelt for a whole day, Master probably would’ve offered them the Frost Edge Sword too—to test them.
But to Ye Qinghan, that was what people called a fated encounter.