"Both of you are mistaken! If this girl had not brought people to stir up trouble in Qingshui County, I would never have taken action against her."
The green light between Yue Qingsu's brows flared brilliantly, his killing intent sharp and oppressive.
"But she has casually provoked the authority of Wuxiang Sect, slandered Wuxiang Sect, twisted the truth, and even had Tang Qianqing assassinate one of our hall masters. As an elder of the sect, if I do not execute her here and now, how could I face all of Central Domain?"
Yao Ranran tilted her head, dazed. "Elder Yue, the people of Central Domain are actually very busy. They don't have time to see you at all."
Mu Jialing tried to argue against Yue Qingsu, but the words caught in his throat.
Strange. Why did what she said sound so reasonable?
Yuan Kong could not help but chuckle, pressing his palms together. "Amitabha. The Fairy is wise. Central Domain is indeed beset by calamities now and truly has no time to concern themselves with Elder Yue's daily affairs."
"Pfft!" Qin Lǚsha covered her mouth with a coy smile. "Elder Yue, you think too highly of yourself. Central Domain is vast, who would care about what you do?"
"Exactly, exactly!" Xiao Rong stuck out his tongue at Yue Qingsu.
The fury in Yue Qingsu's eyes blazed up to his brows. Behind him, a towering statue-like figure manifested, majestic and oppressive, filling the entire inn.
"Stop playing the fool! It was my carelessness before that left me unprepared for your immortal artifact. But now you can prepare to die!"
Seeing the colossal green giant appear, Yu Weifeng's pupils shrank sharply. "Yue Qingsu actually perfected the Yue Family's heaven-grade top-tier technique that has been passed down for tens of thousands of years!"
The motion of Yuan Kong's prayer beads faltered for an instant, his compassionate gaze flickering with surprise.
"Indeed, Yue Qingsu is worthy of being the last genius of the Yue Family. Heaven-grade top-tier techniques are not only rare but also incredibly difficult to master. That he has achieved this level… no wonder even Shen Jianjun in his youth once lost to him… once."
Mu Jialing's sorrowful expression rippled with sudden tension. "Master, do you think Fairy Ranran's robe can withstand his full strike?"
Yuan Kong lowered his eyes helplessly, shaking his head.
"You mean Fairy Ranran cannot withstand it?"
Mu Jialing's grief-stricken face collapsed in alarm. His figure flashed like the wind, golden shadows trailing into a line, rushing swiftly before Yao Ranran.
Yuan Kong lifted his eyelids, only to find Mu Jialing's figure gone from sight, his eyelid twitching violently.
"My disciple, I had not yet finished speaking!"
In an instant, a clash of techniques erupted, drowning out the weary voice of Yuan Kong.
Qin Lǚsha was blocked by Lu Ziqian, her eyes filled with confusion.
Lu Ziqian only said, "Do not worry. With Master here, she will act."
"But that was a late Nascent Soul cultivator's full strike…" Qin Lǚsha gaped as the raging aftermath dissipated.
Violet skirts fluttered, lotus petals danced.
Yao Ranran stood gracefully amid hazy white radiance, unscathed, her left hand still holding onto someone.
She turned curiously. "Fózǐ, why are you here? That was really dangerous just now!"
Mu Jialing stared blankly at the shredded green robes drifting like broken dolls. "Yes… just a little more… just a little more and you would have fallen…"
"My foolish disciple!"
Yuan Kong sighed heavily as he saw Mu Jialing unharmed.
"You rushed out before I finished. You were never this reckless before."
Xiao Rong stretched his hands out playfully, catching the fluttering scraps of cloth. "Exactly! Grandma Zhang always told me, 'If you don't listen to your elders, you'll suffer losses before your eyes!' You must not do this again. What if Boss doesn't have a free hand to protect you?"
Mu Jialing: "…"
Xiao Rong patted his small chest proudly. "Look at me, I never cause Boss trouble. I just stay obediently at her side and don't bother with anything!"
Mu Jialing remained silent: "…"
It was the first time he had ever met such a girl…
Not even twenty-six years old, yet able to defeat Yue Qingsu. Even if Shen Yue returned here, could he kill Yue Qingsu in a single move? No way…
"Elder Yue… Elder Yue is dead?"
The panic of the crowd suddenly fell into silence. They stared blankly at the tattered green robes, unable to believe their eyes.
Yao Ranran put away the Nine Lotus Ring and tilted her head. "Yue Qingsu was late Nascent Soul. He shouldn't have died from that, right?"
The crowd: "…" You ask me? Who should I ask?
Qin Lǚsha floated down, her sleeve sweeping away the fragments, revealing Yue Qingsu's body half-buried in the earth.
She quickly examined him, then turned. "Xiānzhǔ, he has not fallen. He still has a breath left."
Yao Ranran exhaled in relief, nodding. "That's better. I didn't use much force. He won't die."
"…"
Silence.
Silence filled the ruined Guangxuan Inn.
Xiao Rong ran over carelessly. Seeing Yue Qingsu's body bare, he clicked his tongue.
"All that, and you only used a little strength?"
Yao Ranran's eyes were pure and sincere. "Yes, I really didn't plan to kill him. My cheap master once said, too much killing brings heavy karma and risks falling into inner demons. So I don't want to kill him."
In truth, back in the Demon Abyss, An Xiaolin had once come out to see her. At that time, he was so startled by the baleful aura around Lu Ziqian that he nearly struck him down on the spot.
Luckily, Yao Ranran stopped him in time and explained Lu Ziqian's special constitution, saving his life.
After that, An Xiaolin especially cautioned her, reminding her again and again to avoid needless killing.
Thinking of the advice of someone who had lived through such dangers, Yao Ranran found sense in it. So she only used thirty percent of her strength on Yue Qingsu.
But even then, she nearly killed him.
"What a sin, what a sin! What are you all standing around for? Hurry and save him!"
Yao Ranran's worry outstripped even that of the Wuxiang Sect disciples nearby. Even if Yue Qingsu had to die, he must not die by her hands. Now that she held power and status, killing was not something she should stain her own hands with. A demon soldier could handle that sort of thing.
The Wuxiang Sect disciples scrambled, dragging Yue Qingsu several zhang away, nearly fleeing Qingshui County entirely.
Qin Lǚsha frowned. "You're just letting them go like this?"
Yao Ranran glanced at Xiao Rong and Meng Xiangxiang. "Do you still want to kill him?"
Meng Xiangxiang stroked the phoenix's beautiful feathers, shook her head at the crowd of Qingshui County.
Xiao Rong's eyes sparkled as he stared at Yao Ranran's violet skirt.
"Boss, forget that elder. I only want to know—where did you get this immortal artifact?"
He looked up at her with anticipation.
From his gaze, Yao Ranran clearly saw the words "I want it."
She lowered her head slightly, a mysterious smile curling her lips. "Of course, it was made with spirit stones and spiritual materials. Do you want one too?"