Chapter 89: Shiyuo, You're a Tough One!
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The Holy Mountain's Referee Elder watched the scene, utterly dumbfounded!
"Still won't admit defeat? Shiyu reckons you're a tough nut to crack!"
As he spoke, the little fists kept pounding!
Thud!
"Still not admitting defeat, huh?"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"You want to embarrass Shiyu in front of her master and senior sister, huh?"
The referee elder rushed over to grab Li Shiyu's arm, but the little fool, caught off guard, swung right through the referee, sending him stumbling…
"Miss Shiyu, stop fighting! If you keep this up, we won't be able to save him!"
Li Shiyu glanced at the referee elder, then seized the young man's throat with one hand and declared.
"He's a tough guy! He took all those punches from Shiyu without uttering a sound! And he still won't admit defeat!"
With that, Li Shiyu swung her arm, ready to deliver another hammer blow!
"Hey! You've won! Stop hitting him!"
Several elders rushed forward, one on each side, lifting Li Shiyu to stop her from striking again while hurriedly carrying away the unfortunate young man.
Li Shiyu wrenched free from the elders, her pouty little mouth turning into a puffed-up face like an angry pufferfish!
"Is that so? Why didn't you say so earlier? He wouldn't admit defeat either, and we fought for so long—it's exhausted me!"
The referee was a bit speechless. People from Lingxian Hall were all a bit strange…
But the young man you knocked out of the sky lost consciousness—how could he concede?
Now, as Shi Mingyi looked at Su Cheng's face, covered in black lines and tinged with a hint of melancholy, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the Sect Master.
Now he understood why Su Cheng had repeatedly warned Li Shiyu to be careful!
Turns out it wasn't about being cautious against opponents, but about being careful not to kill them!
"In just ten short days, Master Su managed to make the Holy Maiden's strength skyrocket. Truly impressive."
"Um… I don't exactly want her to…" He trailed off. "Never mind, it's nothing." Su Cheng felt a bit flustered at that moment…
[It's all my fault! But what could I do?]
【Whether it's Qinghan or Shiyao, they haven't done anything wrong.】
【It seems this matter requires serious consideration.】
His gaze swept over to Ye Qinghan beside him. She was also looking at Su Cheng. Their eyes met, and their expressions alone seemed to convey every emotion.
Ye Qinghan remained silent, her gaze fixed on her master with unabashed adoration until his eyes drifted elsewhere.
Li Shiyu on the stage suddenly seemed to grasp what had transpired, staring blankly at her clenched fists.
"The victor! Holy Mountain, Li Shiyu!"
As the elder announced the outcome, Li Shiyao's match concluded.
Li Shiyu snapped back to reality, bowed once more in her master's direction, and then slowly exited the arena.
She hadn't paid much attention to Dongfang Jue's match, still immersed in an indescribable emotion.
She didn't quite understand these feelings. They were unlike anything she'd ever experienced before—not quite sorrow, yet not exactly guilt either.
During their time in the secret realm, such thoughts had never crossed her mind. Back then, she had only felt that those people deserved to die.
If they drew their swords, they should be prepared to surrender their lives to the art of swordsmanship.
Besides, if she hesitated, she would be the one to die.
But this time, it was different. Though she had no desire to save the masses, she also had no intention of harming anyone.
In this regard, she was still far from matching Ye Qinghan's clarity.
On the way back, the usually restless Li Shiyao had grown unusually quiet. Shi Mingyi even wondered if she was sick.
Was it because she’d wounded her opponent and feared her master’s punishment?
Given Su Cheng's temperament, even if Ye Qinghan had slaughtered an entire family, Su Cheng wouldn't have cared. Surely he wouldn't be concerned about something like this?
But Shi Mingyi could never have imagined that among these three disciples, two were merely sixteen-year-old children. Moreover, Su Cheng had come from another world, possessing a distinctly different understanding of good and evil.
In this regard, the trio fell short even of Dongfang Jue. His title as Prince of the North wasn't mere prestige—no empty title could subdue that army of wolves.
Back in their room, the three girls shared a space once more. Dongfang Jue suggested going out to play, but Shi Yao—usually meek and compliant—refused.
"Shiyao wants to see our master. I won't be going," Li Shiyao sat on the edge of the bed, looking as listless as a frost-bitten eggplant.
"Shiyao? Would you like me to accompany you?" Ye Qinghan asked softly. As a senior sister, caring for her junior was her duty; as a member of the Su family, looking after family members was also part of her role.
"Senior Sister… is that okay?" Li Shiyu had agonized over this for a while, afraid her master would think she was a weakling.
In truth, Ye Qinghan suspected that even if she didn't go, the Master would likely summon her soon enough…
Unlike Li Shiyu, Ye Qinghan didn't dwell on such matters. She never gave them a second thought.
From the moment she escaped the demon city reduced to ashes, Ye Qinghan had discarded kindness. It wasn't a necessary quality for becoming strong, nor was it useful in this world.
"Of course, Shiyu needn't be so afraid. The Master isn't going to eat you."
Dongfang Jue understood this wasn't a conversation for an outsider like her to eavesdrop on, so she simply went off to play with Cheng Liang.
It must be said that aside from Shangguan Rou, who remained perpetually lukewarm, the Heavenly Dao Pavilion treated her far better than Ye Qinghan ever had.
Without delay, Dongfang Jue soon arrived at the residence prepared for the Heavenly Dao Pavilion on Ling Mountain, where Cheng Liang and several elders were temporarily staying.
The Sacred Mountain had actually prepared accommodations for her and Li Shiyao as well. Though cultivators didn't really need sleep, it was only proper to make arrangements.
However, Dongfang Jue didn't particularly like this place. She felt like someone was always coming to disturb her. Compared to being disturbed, she preferred disturbing others.
This time, however, she spotted a peculiar figure.
Cheng Liang still had matters to attend to, so Dongfang Jue decided to wander outside. There, she spotted a beauty rivaling Shangguan Rou sitting on the steps, her face etched with sorrow.
How could such a beauty exist within Ling Mountain's domain?
"Are you here to see Master Cheng?"
It was none other than Su Muchan. She had few friends in the Southern Region, knowing only Shangguan Rou. They had exchanged a few words during her late-night visit last time.
"You are… Miss Dongfang…?" Su Muchan pondered, unable to recall her name. "This humble maiden is Su Muchan. Pleased to meet you."
"Dongfang Jue. Are you here alone, young lady? Is there something you need?" Dongfang Jue adored beauties! Could he possibly let such a peerless beauty slip away?
Su Muchan's willow brows furrowed slightly. Dongfang Jue was the Southern Region's princess—her status placed her above all others. Su Muchan had certainly heard of her, though this was their first meeting.
"I came seeking Sister Shangguan to ask about certain matters, but it seems she is occupied."
Was this what they meant by a major sect? Compared to Sect Master Su, who spent her days practicing calligraphy and perfecting culinary arts, Cheng Liang was truly a busy bee.
As the First Disciple, Shangguan Rou naturally enjoyed little leisure time either.
After explaining her purpose, Su Muchan made her intentions clear. What else could she be here for? Naturally, to inquire about Ye Qinghan!
She still carried the poison Ye Qinghan had inflicted upon her! Every fortnight, she had to seek out Ye Qinghan to purchase medicine!
The time was fast approaching.
But she only knew Shangguan Rou. Since Su Cheng and Cheng Liang were fellow disciples, and both Shangguan Rou and Ye Qinghan were First Disciples, Shangguan Rou should know something about Ye Qinghan.
After sizing Su Muchan up from head to toe, Dongfang Jue exclaimed in surprise.
"I don't know where Shangguan Rou is, but Ye Qinghan was just at the inn. But from what you're saying, Ye Qinghan poisoned you? Now that's interesting!"
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