Translator: CinderTL
On the street,
Zuoqiu Shu turned to look at the group behind her, a bitter smile on her face. "Now you understand the true gap between us and them, don't you?"
Zuoqiu Hui nodded, her expression melancholy. "We're all in the Dao Seeking Realm, so why is the difference so vast?"
Zuoqiu Xin chimed in, "Exactly! Xu Sanyan is practically inhumanly strong—it's terrifying. I can't believe I survived traveling with him for so long. I feel so fortunate."
"You should feel fortunate," Zuoqiu Hui agreed. "After the things you said, Xu Sanyan would have been justified in killing you."
"Eldest sister, why are they so much stronger despite being in the same realm?" Zuoqiu Yi asked, wiping sweat from her palms.
"Intent," Zuoqiu Shu replied after a moment's thought, nodding firmly.
"Intent? What does that mean?"
Instead of answering directly, Zuoqiu Shu turned the question back on her. "Who do you think are the strongest among them?"
"Hmm..." Zuoqiu Yi pondered. "Xu Sanyan, Fang Qingge, Jingyi, Mo Xianxian, Qi Liang, and Luo Qingwei—they're all incredibly strong."
"If you were to rank them, how would you order them?"
Zuoqiu Zhen interjected, "Xu Sanyan is obviously first, followed by Fang Qingge, Jingyi, Mo Xianxian, Qi Liang, and Luo Qingwei. Right, Eldest Sister?"
Zuoqiu Shu shook her head. "No. Let's set aside who's first for now, but Qi Liang is stronger than Mo Xianxian."
"Why?"
"Intent. Qi Liang has already grasped intent, while Mo Xianxian hasn't yet."
Zuoqiu Shu gazed up at the sky and sighed softly. "Fang Qingge's sword intent is cold and ruthless, Xu Sanyan's is as aggressive as fire, Qi Liang's heart is as desolate as death, and Jingyi's is as still as a placid lake. These are their intents."
Zuoqiu Yi still didn't understand. "So what exactly is intent?"
A wave of disappointment washed over Zuoqiu Shu as she turned and walked forward. "I don't know. Perhaps you can only understand it once you've grasped it yourself."
"Then what's the purpose of intent?"
Zuoqiu Shu's voice carried a hint of self-mockery. "How would I know? But I suspect that intent greatly enhances one's strength."
"Oh..."
Fang Qingge gazed at the unconscious Luo Family siblings beside him and chuckled wryly. "Brother Luo, you've really gotten me into a mess. Not only did we fail to protect the treasure, but I ended up with these injuries. Sigh..."
Junior Sister Yu, feeling his pain, stepped forward and embraced him comfortingly. "Senior Brother, it's not your fault. You did your best. Those demonic path demonfolk were just too vicious—they even ate people!"
Fang Qingge patted her small hand and smiled gently. "I did try my best, and they were indeed formidable..."
His mind flashed back to Xu Sanyan and Qi Liang, and he couldn't help but acknowledge their formidable strength.
At that moment, Wei Xunzhi approached, offering a slight bow with a complex expression. "Senior Brother Fang, the secret realm has only just opened, and there's still plenty of time left. We still have a chance to reclaim it. Don't be discouraged."
"Junior Sister Wei is right. There's still time. No need to rush," Fang Qingge replied with a polite smile, tinged with a hint of detachment.
Wei Xunzhi sighed inwardly. She knew her earlier refusal to help would leave a mark, but she couldn't risk her own people's lives.
Fang Qingge understood her reasoning, but understanding didn't erase the lingering resentment.
They were, after all, on different paths.
"Farewell."
Wei Xunzhi said nothing more, turning to leave with the Wei Clan.
Fang Qingge saw them off with a smile, knowing this marked the end of their connection.
Junior Sister Yu seemed pleased; the clingy follower had finally left.
Suddenly, a cry of alarm rang out from the distance, filled with concern. "Ah, Brother Fang, what happened to you?"
Fang Qingge turned to see a girl in a white dress rushing toward them, a delicate pink flower pinned in her hair, her face radiating youthful energy.
The sight of her made his head ache. It was Lu Wanzhe, the Little Princess of the Lu Family, Lu Wang's younger sister, and one of the emotional seeds he had sown.
Fang Qingge silently vowed to keep his "little brother" in check from now on, vowing never to sow seeds of affection indiscriminately again. Emotional debts were truly a headache...
Junior Sister Yu glared at the newcomer, her expression even darker than when facing Wei Xunzhi, revealing her deep disdain for the girl.
"Brother Fang, are you alright?" Lu Wanzhe asked, her eyes fixed on the bloodstains on his clothes. She gently touched his pale cheek, her heart aching with concern. "Who hurt you like this? I'll help you get revenge!"
"Pfft..."
An untimely snort escaped Junior Sister Yu's lips. "Help Senior Brother Fang get revenge? With your abilities?"
Lu Wanzhe's cultivation level was only comparable to hers, both at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Yet she dared to boast about avenging Senior Brother Fang without even considering her own capabilities.
Lu Wanzhe wrinkled her nose, her face flushed with indignation. "If I can't do it, my brother will! Or the Lu Clan elders! Someone will avenge Senior Brother Fang!"
Junior Sister Yu rolled her eyes. "Fine, then tell your brother to go kill Xu Sanyan. Just don't let him end up losing his life trying to avenge someone else."
"Who's Xu Sanyan?" Lu Wanzhe had never heard the name and dismissed it. "Just some nobody. I doubt he could beat my brother."
"I'm afraid even the entire Lu Clan combined might not be a match for him..." Junior Sister Yu said sarcastically.
Seeing the two were about to argue, Fang Qingge quickly intervened. "Alright, stop bickering. Junior Sister Yu was just joking, Wanzhe. Don't take it seriously."
Then, he turned serious. "But if you really encounter Xu Sanyan, remember to stay far away. He's the holy son of the demonic sect, with immense power—no weaker than mine. Never underestimate him."
"Oh," Lu Wanzhe replied, not entirely convinced. Her mind was entirely focused on Fang Qingge. She hurriedly pulled a porcelain bottle from her storage pouch. "Senior Brother Fang, this is a medicinal pill refined by my great-grandfather. It's for saving my life—it's really good! You should take it now."
Fang Qingge felt a surge of warmth. Though she could be a bit of a handful, she genuinely cared for him. He politely declined, "I can't accept it. Since it was given to you by Old Patriarch Lu, I absolutely cannot take it."
"No, you have to eat it! If I need more, I'll just ask Great-Grandfather again. Please, eat it!"
After some back-and-forth, Fang Qingge relented and swallowed the pill. The effects were indeed remarkable, living up to its reputation as a creation of a master pill refiner.
A member of the Praying Dao Sect stepped forward, cupping his hands in a respectful bow. "Thank you for your assistance, Young Master Fang. We'll take our leave with our Senior Brother and Senior Sister now."
"Wait..." Fang Qingge frowned slightly. "Brother Luo is still unconscious. Why not travel with us for now? It would be safer for all of us."
He worried that the Praying Dao Sect disciples might encounter Xu Sanyan again. With the Luo Family siblings still unconscious, they would likely be unable to defend themselves.
"Well... if you insist, then we'll accept your kind offer."
"Don't mention it."
Meanwhile, Jingyi led his group away without acknowledging Fang Qingge's party. The two groups had never been close, and there had even been some friction between them. Only the presence of the demonic sect had forced them into a temporary alliance.
The five Great Sects of the Central Region had always harbored mutual animosity.
(End of the Chapter)
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