Translator: CinderTL
The sword intent suddenly eased. Fang Qingge raised his longsword high, paused to consider, then glanced at the two elders glaring fiercely behind Xu Sanyan before finally lowering his weapon.
This is just a friendly spar, he thought. There's no need to risk everything.
"Brother Xu, hold your strike. I concede," Fang Qingge said, clasping his hands in a reverse fist salute.
Xu Sanyan halted, his Dao form dissolving back into his human form. He shook his head slowly, unwilling to take advantage of Fang Qingge's concession. "The battle remains undecided. There's no need to concede. Let's call it a draw this time. We can settle the score another day."
"Very well," Fang Qingge replied, sheathing his sword with a hint of regret. "It's a pity you've strayed onto the demonic path, Brother Xu. Otherwise, we might have become good friends."
Xu Sanyan scoffed. "You pride yourself on following the righteous dao. Does that guarantee none of your sect's disciples will ever commit evil?"
"No, but I can guarantee that I will never commit evil," Fang Qingge replied, his voice soft yet unwavering.
With their paths diverging, there was little more to say. Fang Qingge's words were merely a wistful observation.
"Farewell."
Fang Qingge turned to leave, Wei Xunzhi glanced back at Xu Sanyan before following him.
Xiang Tan retrieved a crimson robe from her storage pouch and draped it over Xu Sanyan's shoulders, sighing, "There's no smoke without fire. Fang Qingge truly lives up to his reputation, managing to hold his own against Senior Brother."
"Indeed..."
The two elders behind them exchanged a silent glance. They had initially respected Xu Sanyan solely for his status, harboring little regard for his actual strength. But after witnessing this battle, they realized the holy son had been concealing his true abilities all along.
Even as mere observers, they had felt the terrifying pressure of the Qingge Sword Intent. The holy son, who had been at its epicenter, must have endured unimaginable strain, yet he had managed to push back against the tide, proving his extraordinary prowess.
Meanwhile, Junior Sister Yu remained lost in thought, unable to shake off the intensity of the recent battle. She had never imagined anyone could truly match her senior brother in combat.
"Xu Sanyan is remarkably skilled," Wei Xunzhi remarked, impressed.
Fang Qingge nodded in agreement. "Indeed. In a life-or-death struggle, I wouldn't be confident of victory."
"Where should we go next?" Junior Sister Yu asked.
Fang Qingge pondered for a moment before retrieving a mother-child stone. "I'll check the Luo Family Siblings' location. We can go find them."
"Alright."
Lin Fan sat cross-legged, pressing one hand against Zuoqiu Yi's back as he channeled his Spiritual Power to heal her injuries.
The pair had lingered on the fifth floor for quite some time. Lin Fan needed to replenish his Spiritual Power, while Zuoqiu Yi's severe injuries required time to recover.
"Feeling better?" Lin Fan asked.
"Mm, I'm mostly fine now," Zuoqiu Yi replied, rising to her feet. Her gaze flickered evasively, her earlier carefree demeanor completely gone.
"Then shall we...?" Lin Fan gestured toward the staircase, asking if she wanted to continue upward or return the way they came.
Zuoqiu Yi lowered her eyes. "You decide."
"Hmm... then let's go. With our current strength, we've probably reached our limit here. Continuing upward might be too dangerous." Lin Fan prioritized Zuoqiu Yi's safety.
"Alright."
The two descended the staircase step by step. As they emerged from the drum tower, Lin Fan's expression froze.
"Why are there so many people?"
Zuoqiu Yi scanned the crowd, her face lighting up with surprise. "Oh, Eldest Sister, Third Sister, Fourth Sister, Sixth Sister! You're all here?"
Lin Fan's heart skipped a beat. Crap, I'm meeting the family already? And I'm not even prepared! He frantically straightened his clothes and hastily smoothed his hair behind his ear, trying to look presentable.
"How did you two end up together?" Qin Manyang asked, her gaze fixed on Lin Fan.
Only then did Lin Fan notice Qin Manyang. He quickly bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Elder Qin."
Zuoqiu Yi had been regaling her sisters with tales of their journey when she suddenly remembered Lin Fan was still behind them. She tugged on her eldest sister Zuoqiu Shu's arm and introduced him in a gentle tone: "This is my dear friend, Lin Fan, a disciple of the Harmonious Heart Holy Sect. And this is my eldest sister."
"Greetings, Elde... uh."
Lin Fan hesitated, realizing calling her "Elder Sister" felt inappropriate. He froze, unsure how to address her.
Zuoqiu Shu studied the pair, her heart sinking. Her usually boisterous younger sister, who acted more like a man, was now blushing and speaking in a softer voice. It was clear to her that Zuoqiu Yi had developed feelings for this boy.
This won't do, she thought. The Zuoqiu Clan was a noble family of the righteous path; they couldn't afford to be entangled with the demonic sect. Deliberately maintaining a neutral tone, she said, "So you're a distinguished disciple of the demonic sect. Thank you for taking care of my sister on this journey. Please accept this small token of gratitude."
With that, she retrieved some spirit stones from her storage pouch and offered them to Lin Fan, attempting to sever any connection between them.
Zuoqiu Yi and Lin Fan were both stunned by this attitude. Zuoqiu Yi immediately exploded, "Eldest sister, what are you doing? Lin Fan and I are good friends! This is an insult to him!"
Lin Fan's expression darkened as well. "Senior, there's no need for such formality. Lingmei and I were merely helping each other. There's no need for thanks."
Zuoqiu Shu sighed inwardly, her face clouding with worry. She didn't want to act this way, but her third sister had grown close to Elder Qin, her seventh sister was entangled in a romantic affair with a Demonic Sect disciple, and she herself had caught the eye of the Demonic Sect Holy Son...
How did so many troublesome things happen during this one trip to the secret realm? she wondered.
Oh, right, she didn't even have any...
Regaining her composure, Zuoqiu Shu turned to Qin Manyang. "Then let it be. Since your sect's Holy Son is also here, you two may stay and wait. My sisters and I will take our leave."
With that, she grabbed Zuoqiu Yi by the arm and began to walk away.
Qin Manyang's smile remained unchanged as she nodded farewell to Zuoqiu Hui. She understood Zuoqiu Shu's concerns perfectly well; it was only natural.
"No, you go ahead. I want to train alone!"
Zuoqiu Yi jerked her wrist free from her eldest sister's grasp, glaring at her with the stubbornness of a mule.
Zuoqiu Shu's voice turned icy. "Enough nonsense. Come with me!"
The Zuoqiu Clan had to sever ties with the demonic sect. Failure to do so would invite suppression from all sides, plunging the family into calamity.
"No!" Zuoqiu Yi's tone was resolute.
"Do you even recognize me as your eldest sister anymore?"
"If you don't, then..."
Seeing the situation escalating, Lin Fan pressed his lips into a thin line and interrupted Zuoqiu Yi with a heavy tone. "You should go back with your sister first."
Zuoqiu Yi's eyes widened in disbelief as she slowly turned her head. Doesn't he realize everything I've done is for him?
I even spoke harshly to my own sister for your sake, and this is how you repay me?
A sense of betrayal washed over her, and tears began to well up in her eyes.
Lin Fan's heart ached at the sight, but his own weakness prevented him from changing the situation. He could only offer a solemn promise. "Don't worry, I'll come find you. I swear I will!"
"Even if it costs me my life, I will never give up!"
Though spoken softly, the words carried unwavering resolve.
Zuoqiu Yi wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes and nodded emphatically. "Yes, I'll wait for you!"
With that, she tossed a handkerchief, which fluttered through the air and landed directly in Lin Fan's hand.
Qin Manyang watched the scene with a radiant smile, amused to witness such a dramatic display of emotion.
Lin Fan met Zuoqiu Shu's gaze, his expression solemn. "I don't know why you disapprove of me, Senior, but thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—don't underestimate a young man in poverty!"
Zuoqiu Shu felt goosebumps rise across her skin. For some reason, hearing those words made her feel strangely embarrassed. Do all young people these days resort to such clichés?
"Fine, good luck."
She rolled her eyes inwardly and pulled her sister away. At the same time, she mentally scoffed, After all this, I'm the villain tearing apart a young couple?
Zuoqiu Shu paid no heed to Lin Fan's words. In her eyes, the pair had only known each other for less than two days in the secret realm. How deep could their feelings possibly be?
If we separate them, they'll forget each other completely within a month.
Time is the best medicine for healing emotions.
(End of the Chapter)
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