Chapter 197: Meow~ Meow Meow~ Meow-woo~
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"Mother, do you know where I can find Ice-Ling Flowers?"
Her mother was momentarily stunned. Was her daughter seriously planning to search for that Ice Gale Flower?
"You're not seriously planning to find the Ice Storm Flower? Have you lost your mind?"
Miaomiao nodded. She was indeed determined to go. Regardless of what Sect Leader Su intended, since he had saved her mother, she would honor her promise.
"Mother, I have my own plans. I'll be careful."
After some probing, she managed to extract information about the Ice Mist Flower from her mother.
It was said that someone had spotted the Ice Mist Flower on the mountaintop south of the town.
Miaomiao no longer needed the fancy clothes meant for blending into crowds. She threw on a warm coat and headed out.
At the inn, Su Cheng hadn't rested for a moment either. Just moments ago, Yu Lan had been waiting in his bed for dinner, only to be dragged away by Ye Qinghan.
No sooner had he sat down than he saw Li Shiyu peering through the door crack, her little head poking out.
"Master, can Shiyáo sleep with you? Shiyáo wants a child…"
Her words trailed off mid-sentence as a muffled "Mmm~" sounded—as if she'd been snatched away by some mysterious force!
Without needing to think, Su Cheng knew that was his senior sister's "special attention."
Just as he was about to lie down, three loud thuds echoed from the window.
Su Cheng got out of bed to open the window and let that little female brat in. She hadn't starved her these past days, so why was her appetite growing stronger?
"Yu Lan, tonight I absolutely must…"
He opened the window mid-sentence, but it wasn't Yu Lan outside. His words caught in his throat.
"Master? It's Jue'er~"
Su Cheng felt a bit helpless. He’d made a fool of himself…
He wished he could dig his way out with his toes, but he was used to it by now. These disciples never played by the rules.
"Why is Jue'er here?"
"Jue'er snatched Father's magical artifact. But Master, were you waiting for Elder Yu Lan? Must it be tonight?"
"Um… Elder Yulan's matter—best not to speak of it. Have you finished handling the affairs at Lihé Pass?"
Dongfang Jue briefly outlined the current situation to Su Cheng. Essentially, it was resolved—all that remained was the formal initiation.
Su Cheng nodded. Dongfang Jue had acted swiftly and competently, demonstrating both tact and decisive force. By his standards, she deserved an 80 out of 100.
However, Su Cheng also realized something: once the Southern Domain affairs were settled, it meant…
This guy was about to take a long vacation…
Just as Su Cheng was about to speak, he heard three thuds against the window…
Followed immediately by: "Meow~ Meow meow~ Meow woof~"
…Was this tonight's secret signal?
No need to guess—this time it was definitely Yulan… Was tonight a role-playing night?
Su Cheng had assumed she really liked handcuffs—after all, handcuffs and female little devils go together perfectly.
Before Su Cheng could move, Dongfang Jue went over to open the window~
"Wow~ It's Elder Yulan! Jue thought it was a little cat~"
Yu Lan was equally surprised: "Miss Dongfang, what brings you to the Sect Leader's quarters so late?"
"I'm the Master's… um… uninitiated direct disciple!"
Dongfang Jue nearly blurted out the truth and silently thought, That was close!
Yu Lan froze for a moment, then glanced at Su Cheng, seeking his reaction. Seeing Su Cheng nod, he turned his thoughtful gaze back to Dongfang Jue.
With Su Cheng's tacit approval, Yu Lan's demeanor shifted completely.
"So you are the future Third Young Miss. My apologies, Third Young Miss. Please forgive my rudeness."
Dongfang Jue was taken aback. Was the difference really that stark?
Upon learning she was the personally taught third disciple, Elder Yu Lan's tone had softened considerably!
Earlier, though not outright hostile, it felt like he was saying, "None of your damn business!"
She! Dongfang Jue! Had finally! Risen!
But she understood this didn't mean Yu Lan feared her, nor was it flattery. It was simply because she had transitioned from an outsider to one of their own.
Ever since that night when Su Cheng accepted her request to become his disciple, she had understood.
All Su Cheng wanted was for the sisters to be happy and avoid conflict. Everything else was trivial to him!
"Elder Yulan, you flatter me. Jue'er is new here and ignorant of many things. I hope Elder Yulan will kindly offer timely guidance."
The two then engaged in a lengthy exchange of mutual compliments, serving as a brief introduction.
It must be said, Yu Lan could see that Dongfang Jue was far more adept at socializing than her two senior sisters.
But that style didn't fly in Lingxian Hall. No one there played those roundabout games. Except for sneaking snacks, which had to be done quietly, everything else was spoken plainly.
Assessing the situation, Yu Lan concluded there was likely no opportunity for him and reluctantly withdrew.
"Master, Jue'er wishes to stay by your side."
Su Cheng sat on the bed, honestly feeling a bit sleepy…
These days had been filled with endless tasks, one after another, leaving him overwhelmed. It had been ages since he'd had a proper rest.
Su Cheng found it strange. He had clearly attained the Foundation Establishment cultivation level, yet he still couldn't achieve fasting or cultivate.
Then again, she didn't have any usable cultivation techniques to begin with…
"Understood. There's still space in Qinghan and the others' quarters."
"Jue'er thanks you, Master!"
Dongfang Jue had also noticed that as her address shifted from "Master Su" to "Master," Su Cheng's attitude toward her had changed.
To be honest, it wasn't obvious, but she was observing carefully. Master Su was gradually accepting her as his third disciple!
She took her leave and headed to the disciples' quarters next door. She knocked lightly on the door without speaking.
She wasn't sure if her two senior sisters had retired for the night. After all, while she'd been in Su Cheng's room, she hadn't heard any movement from next door.
But Ye Qinghan and Li Shiyao were clearly still awake. After just two knocks, the wooden door before her opened a crack, and immediately, a jade-like hand adorned with the Lust-Suppressing Bracelet reached out!
It seized Dongfang Jue's collar with deadly force. Before she could react, the view before her eyes shifted from the wooden door to the ceiling…
As Ye Qinghan pinned her to the floor by the collar, the Ling Shuang Sword pressed against her throat!
Honestly, she never expected this!
She had suspected Ye Qinghan might struggle to accept the truth, but she never imagined Ye Qinghan would want to kill her!
"Senior Sister! Spare her life!" Dongfang Jue cried out urgently, fearing the Frostsword, already embedded in the floorboards, would swing down like a guillotine!
"Enough talk!"
With that, Ye Qinghan pressed down on the sword hilt, clearly intending to kill Dongfang Jue!
The two struggled, one pressing down, the other pushing up. But who was Ye Yanwang? Even with Dongfang Jue's desperate resistance, it was but a drop in the bucket, merely delaying the inevitable.
What Ye Qinghan hadn't anticipated was Li Shiyu's intervention. She stepped forward swiftly, one hand seizing her senior sister's wrist, the other gently patting her shoulder.
"Senior Sister, the Master has already accepted her. She is your junior sister and mine."
As she spoke, Li Shiyu saw her senior sister ease her grip and promptly tugged at Dongfang Jue's clothes, pulling her out from beneath Ye Qinghan.
Dongfang Jue was genuinely terrified—Ye Qinghan truly intended to kill her!
She recalled Ye Qinghan's words: if she resorted to tricks, even after becoming a disciple, Ye Qinghan intended to eliminate her…
"Senior Sister, Jue'er was wrong before. Jue'er had impure thoughts, but Jue'er has truly changed this time. Jue'er has no ulterior motives!"
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