CHAPTER 55
Qinghan Meets His End
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"How about it? Shiyu didn't arrive too late, did she?"
Li Shiyu rushed over, plopping down between Dongfang Jue and Su Cheng, her face brimming with anticipation.
Ever since she began cultivating the Immortal-tier cultivation technique, her strength had surged dramatically. The more powerful she grew, the more clearly she could perceive just how terrifying Qinghan's strength truly was!
After all, she was now a Golden Core cultivator, bolstered by Immortal-tier cultivation techniques!
Yet even so, she couldn't reach even one-tenth of Sister Qinghan's former level…
And that was Sister Qinghan back when she had just established her Foundation! Now, Ye Qinghan was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment! How terrifying must she be now!
Few in this world truly grasped the gravity of this fact!
Li Shiyao also yearned to witness Sister Qinghan's current might. If she could steal a trick or two, she'd look down her nose at even the elders!
Beside her, Dongfang Jue looked utterly dejected. "It's already over…"
Li Shiyao glanced at the arena. Only Ye Qinghan stood there, her opponent nowhere to be seen.
"Huh? Shiyu finished her own match and rushed straight over—did she miss it?"
"Er… That Linlang was nearly kicked to death by your Sister Qinghan."
Li Shiyu wasn't surprised, but she regretted not seeing Sister Qinghan's moves!
"Where's Lin Langren? Even if he lost, he didn't need to leave so quickly."
"He was carried away for treatment. If they hadn't hurried, it wouldn't have been nearly kicked to death—it would have been nearly saved…"
Li Shiyao froze too. Mid-Foundation Establishment—just as she'd expected, terrifyingly powerful!
"Since the duel's over, why isn't Sister Qinghan leaving yet?"
Dongfang Jue shook her head. She didn't know either. Based on her understanding of Ye Qinghan, she should have been glued to her master by now.
The elder then began announcing the next match.
"Next match: Lingxian Hall, Ye Xiaohan."
Uh… Hearing the Elder's announcement, the crowd was taken aback. Many spectators in the stands were cultivators from the Southern Region, and they had heard of Lingxian Hall.
The fact that Lingxian Hall had only one disciple was no secret.
Just as the crowd began speculating, Ye Qinghan appeared in the center of the arena, dancing like a flower fairy. Her sleeves swayed gently, her slender waist swayed alluringly. With a single turn, she had changed into a different outfit.
Nearly every male present found themselves unable to look away, desperately trying to etch this peerless beauty's transformation into their memories!
A sheer veil veiled her face, adding an air of mystery that drew shouts from the men and hushed curses from the women!
"Lingxian Hall, Ye Xiaohan."
Ye Qinghan's crimson lips parted softly as she addressed the elder…
The elder acting as referee had assumed Ye Qinghan was offering advice to her junior sister competing next—only to realize she was Ye Xiaohan herself!
"Miss Qinghan, isn't this a bit…"
"Elder, I am Ye Xiaohan, second disciple of Lingxian Hall."
"…
The competition rules stated that a sect or family could send a maximum of three disciples—but nowhere did it say those three couldn't be the same person!
"Miss Qinghan, the rules…" The elder looked utterly helpless. This was the first time he'd ever encountered such a situation…
But no one had ever imagined one person could take on the role of three. After all, those who made it here were essentially prodigies from various sects.
Even the most powerful, if uninjured, required time to recover from the energy expenditure of divine abilities. While someone might conceive of such a scheme, no one would actually attempt it.
Ye Qinghan, however, was different. With her formidable mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation, defeating mere Golden Core opponents was as easy as taking candy from a baby. Reading palm lines with a flick of her wrist required no energy expenditure at all!
It was even less taxing than assisting her master in the kitchen!
"Ye Xiaohan!"
"Um…"
"Xiaohan!"
The elder was speechless. Fine! You win!
The elder gave up trying to force the issue and simply called the opposing contestant to enter the arena.
In the audience, Dongfang Jue's face darkened!
"This guy isn't leaving anyone else a chance! He wants to sweep the top three spots all by himself!"
Li Shiyao hadn't grasped it before, but hearing Dongfang Jue's explanation now, she finally understood!
Adopting an expression that was seven parts innocent and three parts serious, she addressed Dongfang Jue solemnly.
"Sister Dongfang, Sister Qinghan might be planning to sweep the top three spots all by herself!"
Dongfang Jue thought, You're too clever!
Su Cheng smiled, slowly rising to his feet. Under the puzzled gazes of the two beside him, he walked steadily toward the sidelines.
Ye Qinghan froze in surprise. What was happening?
Since the opposing cultivator hadn't entered the arena yet, Ye Qinghan felt no urgency. She decided to head to the sidelines to see her master.
"Master, what is it?"
"I have some matters to instruct you on, Qinghan. Do not blame me for being long-winded."
"How could I?"
Ye Qinghan felt a twinge of fear. Though his master's demeanor was unchanged from before, Ye Qinghan had known him for years—how could he not sense something was off?
She promptly knelt before Su Cheng with utmost reverence. This scene left the spectators in the stands utterly dumbfounded.
"Qinghan, your actions have always been too flamboyant. With me here, you needn't hold back. Even if you pierce a hole in the heavens, I'll clean up your mess."
Ye Qinghan was scared to tears. At that moment, she felt just like Xu Zhanfeng, unable to control the trembling of her body, feeling as if she might wet herself…
"Disciple… dares not."
【Ugh, did I go too far? She is a girl after all. What should I do? Sigh…】
【Better to be direct. If I spoil her too much, I fear I'll ruin her.】
"Stand up and speak."
"Yes."
"I do not blame you, but I hope you will not push others away. Cultivating the Immortal Way requires cultivating both body and mind. You must not become arrogant and haughty, lest you suffer great loss."
"Your teachings are wise, Master." Ye Qinghan hung her head, her pitiful expression nearly breaking Su Cheng's heart. Yet he pressed on.
【Oh dear, that little expression—my precious Qinghan is so terribly wronged!】
"Qinghan, I'm not scolding you."
"As you say, Master."
【This vixen… how does she feel…?】
"Do you truly understand?"
Ye Qinghan pondered. She understood all too well—she knew Master's every thought inside out! Could anyone in this world possibly grasp Master's intentions better than she did?
"This disciple understands."
【If only you weren't some Demon Emperor, but just a little fox, living carefree in the courtyard every day.】
【Then I could protect you for a lifetime.】
【I am deeply grateful you chose me as your master at the initiation ceremony. I vow to grant you a lifetime of peace. I will risk my very life to exchange one calamity for another.】
Su Cheng gazed thoughtfully at Ye Qinghan, who listened silently.
First the spatial anchor point, now this calamity… What does it mean? Are these future enemies?
"Good that you understand."
Ye Qinghan now understood the complex thoughts swirling within Su Cheng. His concern stemmed from fear that her tendency to make enemies everywhere would bring harm upon her.
His master had never changed—always the same master whose eyes were filled only with his disciple. He had never worried about his own weakness, instead breaking his heart over this troublesome disciple who stirred up trouble everywhere.
Her initial fear stemmed from dreading that even her Master might see her as inherently wicked.
Her current composure stemmed from knowing her master remained unchanged—still the same fox mother who doted on her like a cherished child.
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