CHAPTER 105
The Descendant of Nüwa, Smoothed by Society
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The artifact proved remarkably responsive to control, leaving Yu Lan astonished. In the blink of an eye, the two had arrived at the room.
Yu Lan glanced at Su Cheng, then at the artifact, feeling a pang of emotion.
This artifact felt a bit too effortless to use…
Is this a Immortal-grade artifact? In Yu Lan's experience, only Immortal-grade artifacts could provide such a sensation.
"This artifact…"
"Er… I acquired it by chance…" Their gazes met, and Su Cheng quickly looked away.
While Su Cheng's progress unfolded more smoothly than he'd anticipated, an unexpected turn of events unfolded elsewhere, leaving Ye Qinghan somewhat astonished.
Shangguan Rou's visit had been specifically for this matter.
After some playful banter and teasing, Dongfang Jue excused himself, and Shangguan Rou took the opportunity to send Su Muchan away.
Ye Qinghan smiled. "Sister Shangguan, could it be you truly possess some secret technique? Why all this mystery? Now that it's just the two of us, I'm sure you can speak freely. Your younger sister will take careful note."
"Qinghan, you tease. But I do have a few words of caution for you this time."
"I'm eager to hear it~" Ye Qinghan narrowed her fox-like eyes, not out of caution but genuine curiosity about what Shangguan Rou was about to say.
Shangguan Rou sighed with apparent resignation, her gaze turning slightly sorrowful as she looked at Ye Qinghan before parting her pink lips.
"Our master has already prepared to take action against you. For this martial contest, you'd best be prepared and exercise caution."
Ye Qinghan wasn't surprised by the warning itself, but hearing it come from Shangguan Rou's lips was unexpected.
"Why tell me this?"
"You might think I'm betraying Master, but in my eyes, this is protecting Master, isn't it?"
Ye Qinghan chuckled. She had to admit, Shangguan Rou truly lived up to her reputation as the First Disciple of the Heavenly Dao Pavilion. No wonder the Master had been so wary of her all along—it made perfect sense!
Looking around at those present, regardless of their stance, even Li Shiyao, who had already joined the sect, likely didn't see things as clearly as Shangguan Rou did.
"I must admit, you're quite right. I won't hide it from you, Sister. Since Qinghan became a disciple, the Master only got angry once—and then Pingyun Sect ceased to exist."
"It's obvious. Just look at the way Sect Master Su gazes at you—it speaks volumes about how much he cherishes you."
Shangguan Rou had heard about this too—Ye Qinghan being ambushed by Pingyun Sect disciples wasn't exactly a secret. She continued,
"I don't know what measures my master might take, but please be careful."
Ye Qinghan smiled. This Shangguan Rou truly seemed like a different person. Compared to the defiant spirit she'd displayed upon their first meeting, she now appeared like a hero past her prime, her sharp edges worn smooth by the world.
"Though my master has long prepared for Qinghan, I'm still grateful you informed me."
Shangguan Rou was genuinely surprised by this. Even she had only just learned of the matter, yet Master Su had already made preparations to deal with it?
"Master Su had prepared for this?"
Ye Qinghan smiled without reply, pouring Shangguan Rou another cup of tea.
Before long, Su Muchan returned, and the two women resumed their conversation about matters between girls.
"Sis, you truly live up to being Nüwa's descendant! When it comes to crafting little people, you're the one to turn to!"
Su Muchan and Shangguan Rou both froze in surprise…
Shangguan Rou wondered inwardly, Was she talking about me? How come I've never heard of this?
Ye Qinghan glanced at the two and sensed something was off. Was this some kind of secret?
But she had overheard Su Cheng's thoughts to learn this. So few people knew about it?
Ye Qinghan had assumed it was as widely known as her innate allure! Dongfang Jue's status as a princess wasn't a secret either! And Su Muchan's identity as a witch was common knowledge!
"Um… I think I might have had a bit too much to drink…"
"Qinghan, are you talking about Sister? The descendant of Nüwa?" Shangguan Rou was also curious. This was the first time she'd heard about such a thing…
Since she'd already let it slip, Ye Qinghan decided not to hide it anymore.
"I heard it from my master too. Didn't you know, sister?"
Shangguan Rou shook her head. What difference did being a descendant of Nüwa make?
"I've never heard anyone mention it."
"Then consider it never said, sister. Little sister drank too much and was talking nonsense." Even as Ye Qinghan stuck out her little tongue in a playful, stubborn manner, her words sounded no different than a threat to the two ears listening.
"It seems none of us are ordinary people after all." Having spoken her mind, Su Muchan had gradually come to understand Ye Qinghan over time. As long as she didn't set her sights on her master, Ye Qinghan wasn't so difficult to deal with.
Ye Qinghan curled her lip. "Ordinary people? Not many can even be called human. Only Dongfang Jue counts as a person. Even my junior sister is only half a person."
Shangguan Rou chuckled, "Given Qinghan's temperament, I never imagined she'd actually accept that Li Shiyao."
"My junior sister possesses brilliant talent. Since she caught our master's eye, it must be her destiny."
Shangguan Rou smiled thoughtfully, steering the conversation back to the topic of creating doppelgangers.
The tea gathering of the four beauties didn't last long. Ye Qinghan soon excused herself, leaving only Shangguan Rou and Su Muchan behind.
"Sister Shangguan, you seem to have a rather good relationship with Miss Qinghan?"
Shangguan Rou gave a wry smile. "Let's just say it's average. That Ye Qinghan nearly killed me last time."
Su Muchan was utterly shocked upon hearing this. So, out of the four at the table, three had been beaten by Ye Qinghan!
As the First Disciple of the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, Su Muchan enjoyed special privileges on Ling Mountain. She was exempt from the preliminary rounds and had already been internally selected as one of the top eight contestants.
Thus, aside from cultivation and attending to her master, she had little else to occupy her time. Ling Mountain had prepared a premium suite for Su Muchan, and she accompanied her back to the mountain.
The two chatted pleasantly along the way. However, to Shangguan Rou's surprise, they had barely reached the foot of Ling Mountain when she received a message from her master, summoning her to come immediately for an audience.
This wasn't unexpected. Night had already fallen, and though Shangguan Rou wished to continue chatting with Su Muchan, her master's command took precedence. She dared not disobey.
Su Muchan smiled and bowed her hands in understanding.
What else could Shangguan Rou possibly need at this hour? Su Cheng had already taught Su Muchan this lesson during their very first meeting!
Shangguan Rou had come to the same conclusion. She didn't mind. Though she didn't understand the reasons behind it, she knew she still loved Cheng Liang.
She had come to a realization: loving those who loved her was enough. Her past losses stemmed from wanting too much, only to discover in the end that what she thought she'd lost had never truly been hers to begin with.
What Cheng Liang did or wanted to do no longer concerned her. All she needed was to be by his side.
Traveling between Ling Mountain and the Celestial Path Pavilion posed no trouble for Shangguan Rou. Her Golden Core cultivation level already towered above all others in this mortal realm.
Slowly descending outside the hall, Shangguan Rou smoothed her long hair and the hem of her robe before stepping inside.
Inside, only her master remained, currently resting his head on the desk. After a day of relentless busyness, such a moment was inevitable.
"Rou'er, you're here."
Shangguan Rou bowed slightly in greeting before approaching and circling behind Cheng Liang to knead his shoulders.
"I know this period has been difficult for you, my child. You've endured much."
Cheng Liang turned his head, gazing at the jade-like hands resting on his shoulders. He clasped her cool, small hands and pulled her delicate frame into his embrace. Shangguan Rou was slightly startled. Master…
"Master, you needn't blame yourself. It was all my incompetence. It has nothing to do with you."
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