CHAPTER 298
RETURNING TO THE FAMILY HOME
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The Ling Mountain arena was vast, gathering cultivators from all corners of the land to witness the celestial prodigy's splendor.
The Holy Maiden from Holy Mountain, peerlessly radiant and outshining all others, possessed extraordinary prowess—none could withstand even a single exchange with her.
After dispatching the minor adversary on stage, Li Shiyu bowed slowly, paying her respects to her master seated in the viewing gallery.
With that done, Li Shiyu exhaled deeply and headed toward the exit, where Shi Mingyi had been waiting for some time.
"Shiyao, what did Immortal Su say?"
"I slipped out without informing my master."
Smoothing the hem of her robe, Li Shiyu brushed past Shi Mingyi with a stern and distant expression.
"How could you do that?" Shi Mingyi looked utterly bewildered!
She had specifically instructed Shi Mingyi to urge Shiyu to speak earnestly with Immortal Su, asking him to aid Holy Mountain!
Given Su Cheng's doting affection for Shiyu, he certainly wouldn't refuse!
"Elder Shi, Shiyu is indeed the Sacred Maiden, correct?"
"But without Immortal Su's assistance…" Shi Mingyi had been harboring some resentment, yet upon meeting Li Shiyu's gaze, he instantly fell silent!
He had never seen such an expression on Li Shiyu's face before—a resolve and solemnity that suggested no one could sway her decision.
"Yes, Your Holiness."
"Let's go."
As they walked, Shi Mingyi explained the complexity of the situation to Li Shiyu. Truthfully, the Holy Mountain now stood at the level of the top sects in the Eastern Realm.
While it still held influence, its voice inevitably carried less weight.
The position of Holy Maiden had remained vacant for nearly five hundred years. Even the Grand Elder had never laid eyes on the last one.
Only with true power would anyone heed your words.
Handing over Li Suyao meant they could avoid a complete breakdown in relations, buying them more time—hopefully enough to hold out until the day the Holy Maiden ascended to immortality.
Truthfully, the Lord felt he was being quite reasonable. After all, he wasn't demanding the Holy Maiden by force—this was the Sacred Blood he had agreed to receive!
The Holy Mountain, now reneging on its promise, seemed to be the unreasonable, tyrannical party, didn't it?
In the lord's eyes, the Holy Mountain had certainly reaped its share of benefits from him over the years!
This sacred blood—or rather, this alchemical vessel—was worth far more than any bride price!
Could all those years of favors possibly outweigh the splendor of a ten-mile wedding procession? What wife could be so precious?
Land, resources—what the Holy Mountain has gained far outweighs what it stands to lose.
From any perspective, it all seemed perfectly justified.
But what about Li Shiyao and Li Suyao's perspective?
What does any of this have to do with them?
What does this have to do with them?
Is it their fault that holy blood flows through their veins?
Li Shiyao hadn't returned to the Sacred Mountain in quite some time. Now, gazing at the cave once used to force her into seclusion for focused cultivation, it seemed eerily quiet.
But she wasn't afraid anymore. She wasn't just the Holy Maiden of the Sacred Mountain now—she was also the Second Mistress of Lingxian Hall, a treasure her master cherished above all else!
Besides, though she was only at the late Foundation Establishment stage, she felt even the senior disciple at the Golden Core stage might not be as formidable as her!
How clever she was!
Wasn't that exactly what her master had done?
She gazed at the Sacred Mountain's Pilgrimage Hall with a hint of nostalgia. Dozens of elders sat around a table, their faces grim as they whispered among themselves upon seeing Li Shiyao return alone.
The statue of the first Holy Maiden still stood tall—a young girl with her eyes blindfolded.
Truthfully, Li Shiyao didn't recognize her, nor had anyone ever seen this so-called first Holy Maiden.
Whether the statue truly represented the Holy Maiden seemed irrelevant now—her eyes were already veiled.
"Third Elder, take me to see Li Suyao."
Before Shi Mingyi could speak, the Second Elder asked, "Shiyu, where is Immortal Su?"
Shiyao exhaled deeply. "Lead the way."
"Shiyu, why didn't Immortal Su return with you?"
The Sacred Mountain had even prepared wine and dishes for Su Cheng and his three disciples, intending to entertain the Holy Maiden's master and fellow disciples.
After all, they were seeking a favor. The elders, especially the First Elder, had even prepared lavish gifts to present, awaiting Immortal Su's arrival to claim them.
Shi Mingyi was at a loss for what to do now. It had been him who had overruled everyone's objections and insisted that Li Shiyu seek out Su Cheng.
Who could have imagined that while Shiyu had readily agreed, the Holy Maiden had refused?
The Holy Maiden felt that this matter!
She could handle it!
"Shiyao, the Second Elder is speaking to you…"
"I can hear him, but I can't be bothered answering such stupid questions. Shut your mouth."
Li Shiyu tilted her head to look at the Second Elder, her eyes devoid of emotion.
The elders exchanged glances, stunned into silence by Li Shiyu's single sentence.
"Second Elder, there's something Shiyu still needs to address. You'd best find time to visit Lingxian Hall and clarify things with Senior Sister."
"Shiyao may be soft-hearted, but Senior Sister and the Master both speak with sharp tongues… yet harbor hearts as hard as stone!"
"You must have heard about the Northern Domain incident. Don't harbor any illusions."
"Do you think Senior Sister wouldn't know about your little affairs? Or do you think she'd spare me? Have you ever seen her show anyone mercy?"
"If Senior Sister truly comes looking, the entire lineage of the Second Elder might be wiped out!"
Watching the Second Elder's face contort with terror, Li Shiyu slowly turned to face Shi Mingyi.
"Elder Shi, lead the way."
It was nothing short of a show of force. The Holy Maiden's cultivation over these days hadn't merely strengthened her power.
This was the Grand Elder's courtyard within the Holy Mountain's annex. Though the Grand Elder himself was currently in the Sacred Hall questioning his existence…
Li Suyao, the sole girl in this courtyard, was not difficult to find. The moment Li Shiyu entered the courtyard, she spotted her.
Li Suyao possessed golden hair and a flawless figure, every curve perfectly placed according to one's desires.
Though sisters, only their hair color and figures shared that same flawless perfection.
They didn't look alike at all, making them easy to tell apart.
Li Shiyu looked like the type who wouldn't fetch much in the market, while Li Suyao radiated the aura of someone who knew how to make money.
Li Suyao wore the kind of white dress Li Shiyao used to wear often. She sat quietly in the courtyard, showing no surprise even when she noticed Li Shiyao's arrival.
"Li Suyao?"
Like a bird in a cage, a fish in a net, Li Suyao's world was as colorless as that white dress.
It was also the world Li Shiyu had once lived in, but now she had escaped.
This was the Shimmering Silhouette Dress—vividly colored, dazzlingly radiant, like a true immortal descended to earth, commanding reverence.
Worn by the already alluring "Little Cake," it was even more dazzling!
"Suyao, I greet the Holy Maiden."
"Hmm, no need for formalities. Long time no see. I thought I'd rush to embrace you, but clearly, you don't care for Shiyu, do you?"
Their conversation unfolded as if they'd known each other for ages, leaving Shi Mingyi utterly dumbfounded!
The Holy Maiden hadn't been like this before today.
Li Suyao hadn't been like this before today either.
"Yes, I hate Her Holiness. She took everything that should have been mine."
"Do you like all of this?"
"No, I don't! But it's unfair! It should have been mine!"
Li Suyao remained kneeling, seemingly oblivious to the command to rise. Yet this did not mean she was weak-willed. Though on her knees, her spirit remained fierce.
"Shiyao feels the same way. However, Shiyao doesn't need to kneel to discuss fairness now."
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