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The Sect Leader believed that the sect valued my performance and wanted to place their bets on me, seeking an ally for Miss Shu to counter the Grand Elder.
Ye Xiang nodded frankly, "That's right."
Qi Xiao was even more confused. No matter how chaotic the Grand Elder was, it was still an internal conflict within Miaochun Valley. Even for his own interests, the Grand Elder would take care of Miaochun Valley. But if he dragged me into this mess, things would become complicated. The Sect Leader wasn't afraid of inviting wolves into the fold, but feared internal strife?
"That's not for you to worry about. Since I brought up this idea, I have my own confidence. Just tell me whether you agree or not."
Qi Xiao furrowed his brows, his voice heavy. "Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader, but I have no interest in worldly affairs; I only wish to pursue the Dao."
Ye Xiang frowned slightly. "What’s wrong with Qing'er? Do you dislike her? Do you think she is unworthy of you?"
"Miss Shu is indeed very capable," Qi Xiao replied, "but my aspirations lie elsewhere."
"Even if you are not interested in women, do you not understand what marrying Qing'er would bring you?"
"She is the Young Sect Master, which means she will be the future Sect Leader! If you marry her, your future cultivation resources will be plentiful. You were expelled from Qingjing Peak; don’t you want to turn things around?"
"Sect Leader, I do wish to prove myself, but not for the opinions of those at Qingjing Peak—it's for myself."
Qi Xiao sighed lightly. "Moreover, Sect Leader, you misunderstand. My cultivation method is indeed special and not something the Sect Master has specifically nurtured. Even if you arrange a marriage between me and Miss Shu, it won’t grant you the support you desire from Xiaoyao Sect."
Ye Xiang snorted lightly, unconvinced. "Where else could Qi Xiao have obtained such a unique cultivation method if not from Fan Wuyou? Even if it truly isn't from him, the fact that he acquired such a method on his own speaks volumes about his extraordinary fortune—he is certainly someone worth winning over."
As for Fan Wuyou, upon hearing about Qi Xiao, his attitude had been vague; he acknowledged knowing him but didn’t seem to regard him highly and spoke casually. However, when she jokingly suggested taking Qi Xiao under her wing, Fan Wuyou became anxious.
"What do you mean he's not around? He’s definitely someone worth keeping an eye on!"
That old man was trying to deceive her!
It was this meeting that made Ye Yan determined to win Qi Xiao over.
She coldly pressed, "With so many opportunities before you, yet you choose to ignore them. Do you look down on my Miaochun Valley?"
As she spoke, a sudden wave of pressure descended upon Qi Xiao. He gritted his teeth, his legs trembling, yet he forced himself not to kneel, responding word by word, "I have no such intention."
In her anger, Ye Yan was about to continue her intimidation when a figure rushed in and knelt before her.
"Master, it’s all my fault! This matter has nothing to do with him; please spare him!"
"If you are angry, punish me instead. I will have no complaints!"
Ye Yan felt a lump in her throat, suddenly realizing how disappointing her young disciple was. What she intended as a mere show of anger towards Qi Xiao had turned into genuine fury.
"Qing'er, didn’t you hear what he just said?"
Shu Qingyao stubbornly lifted her head, her gaze resolute.
"I heard him. What he said is what I think as well. I can protect Miaochun Valley without relying on anyone!"
Her eyes reddened as she continued softly, "Master, it was you who taught me that on the path of cultivation, the most important thing is to never be timid or discouraged."
"I am foolish; I lack the extraordinary talent of Senior Brother Ji from Qian Sect and do not possess your bravery when you faced two Transformation Stage cultivators alone."
"I have persevered in my cultivation for many years because I remember your teachings from that day. I wish to act accordingly."
Ye Yan stared blankly at the defiant young woman before her, lost in thought for a long time.
The girl’s delicate and youthful face was so familiar yet so foreign. For a moment, Ye Yan seemed to see her own reflection in the girl.
She felt as if she had aged significantly in that instant; her complexion faded as she murmured softly to herself, "Could it be that I was truly wrong?"
Her throat tightened, and she suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Shu Qingyao panicked and pulled out a silk handkerchief, wanting to rush forward to help her wipe it away, but Ye Yan raised her hand to stop her.
"Step back."
Shu Qingyao's eyes brimmed with tears as she stamped her foot in frustration. "Master!"
"Step back!" Ye Yan barked coldly.
At that moment, she could no longer contain herself and coughed up more blood—dark and thick—indicating that her condition was quite severe.
Ye Niang pressed her hand against her chest, coughing weakly, her complexion pale and frail.
Shu Qingyao bit her lip. Although she was worried and knew that her master did not want her to see this, she couldn't help herself. She pulled Qi Xiao along as they left the main hall. As soon as they stepped outside, she called over a nearby disciple on guard and instructed him to find the elder of the pharmacy.
Watching the disciple hurry away, Shu Qingyao suddenly crouched down, covering her face as she began to sob.
"It's all my fault. Master is gravely ill; if it weren't for my provocation, she wouldn't be so angry and wouldn't be coughing up so much blood."
She bit her lip, tears streaming down her face as she slapped her own cheeks in frustration. Qi Xiao couldn't bear to watch any longer and quickly grabbed her hand, frowning as he scolded her.
"Do you really think that by torturing yourself here, the Valley Master will come back to life?"
Shu Qingyao glared at Qi Xiao fiercely. "What do you know? Don't lecture me!"
Qi Xiao chuckled in anger. "Yes, I may not understand everything, but I see things more clearly than you do. The Valley Master has worked hard for your future; she didn't do all this just to watch you hurt yourself."
He crouched down to meet her gaze, softening his tone. "Do you really believe that your thoughts and feelings are wrong?"
Shu Qingyao hesitated for a moment before more tears fell. "I don't know, but if something happens to Master because of me, I could never forgive myself. I might as well have listened to Master and married Ma Yang!"
"You see? You're just forcing yourself; you don't genuinely believe there's a problem with this situation."
"In this matter, you're not at fault, and neither is the Valley Master. You both made your own choices. Even if this hadn't happened now, this day would have come eventually."
"The Valley Master has always considered you; she wouldn't truly blame you."
Upon hearing this, Shu Qingyao could no longer hold back and threw herself into the boy's arms, crying uncontrollably.
"I don't know what to do! I'm so scared! I'm afraid of Master; I'm afraid of the Grand Elder and Ma Yang bullying me! I'm afraid I won't live up to Master's expectations!"
Qi Xiao stiffened for a moment before gently patting her back in a rare moment of comfort. "It's okay; everything will be alright."
Shu Qingyao felt a lump in her throat as tears continued to fall. She was in a difficult situation, filled with pressure and grievances. In such a vast Miaochun Valley, she could only confide in Qi Xiao, an outsider. Without him by her side, she truly didn't know what to do.
She wiped her tears and choked out, "Thank you."
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