But soon, the light in Long Xiaoxiao’s eyes vanished.
It was not that she doubted Chu Feng, but this was the Long clan.
She knew her father’s character all too well.
What he hated most was outsiders meddling in their family affairs.
When he decided to punish her mother, even the pleas of many supreme elders were useless.
Someone like Long Shengbu had even been imprisoned for it.
Faced with such a father, no matter how capable Chu Feng was, he could not help.
Besides, Chu Feng was just a junior. How great could his abilities be?
Unless a major figure from the Sacred Light Clan stepped in, probably no one in the entire Sacred Light Galaxy could assist her.
Even knowing Chu Feng could not save her, Long Xiaoxiao was still happy to see him.
“Young Benefactor, did you come here specifically to find me?”
“I’m really sorry for letting you see me like this.”
Long Xiaoxiao sounded a bit dejected.
She naturally hoped Chu Feng would see her at her most radiant, not in her current state.
“Xiaoxiao, everything will pass. But… how did it come to this? Did your mother really commit a grave error?”
Chu Feng asked.
“Young Benefactor, in families like ours, even full siblings can become enemies over interests, let alone half-siblings?”
“My mother and Long Mumu’s mother were the two wives my father loved most.”
“He favoured them not just for their beauty, but because they were both highly capable.”
“But working for my father inevitably requires some ruthless methods. How could they not have done questionable things?”
“When in favour, my father overlooked them.”
“But if favour is lost one day, those past deeds become evidence to cast someone into the abyss.”
As she spoke, Long Xiaoxiao gave a helpless smile.
Yet that smile held not only helplessness, but endless bitterness.
Though her words were brief, Chu Feng understood.
It was all about favour.
When the Long clan leader was pleased, even wrongs were not wrongs.
But if favour was lost and the still-favoured struck while someone was down, even innocence became guilt.
So Long Xiaoxiao and her mother had not committed great wrongs; they had simply fallen from grace.
This made Chu Feng sense the clan leader’s coldness, the coldness of the great Long family.
But in truth, it was not just the Long clan. All families were like this.
Chu Feng had experienced it himself.
When his father erred, many in the Chu Heavenly Clan had kicked him while he was down.
Even when he returned to the Chu Heavenly Clan, there were still clansmen who wanted to harm him.
Though all human, people truly differed.
Chu Feng had seen those who valued loyalty and would risk life for friends.
But he had also seen close kin turn enemies over profit.
Such things were heartbreaking, yet not hard to comprehend.
“Princess Xiaoxiao, though it is your family matter and outsiders should not interfere.”
“But as a friend, I hope I can help you.”
“And now there is an opportunity. Perhaps… I really can assist you.”
Chu Feng said.
“An opportunity?”
Long Xiaoxiao’s eyes brightened again.
Hearing Chu Feng say it himself, though still surprised, she began to believe.
“Do you know of your clan’s Dragon Vein Source?”
Chu Feng asked.
“The Dragon Vein Source? Of course I do.”
Long Xiaoxiao said.
“The Dragon Vein Source has shown unusual activity recently. Perhaps we can use this chance to open it.”
“Your Long clan values it greatly, and your father values it even more.”
Chu Feng said.
“Really? It truly showed activity?”
Long Xiaoxiao asked.
“Xiaoxiao, it’s true. I saw it with my own eyes.”
Long Nanxun said.
“Wonderful, this is wonderful. Has heaven finally favoured our Long clan?”
Hearing this, Long Xiaoxiao seemed to forget her plight and genuinely rejoiced for the clan.
From this, Chu Feng could tell that Long Xiaoxiao held no deep resentment towards the Long clan. On the contrary, she still felt strong affection for it.
“Not only has it shown activity, but it is very likely to be successfully opened.”
“My master and I came to the Long clan precisely to open the Dragon Vein Source.”
“Now, my master is working on it. If successful, it will be a great merit. Perhaps then my master pleading for your mother will help.”
Chu Feng said.
“It will help, it definitely will.”
Long Xiaoxiao said excitedly.
She knew how important the Dragon Vein Source was to the Long clan.
Whoever helped open it would be a hero to the Long clan.
Even her father would feel gratitude.
A plea from such a person would surely work.
“But pleading after the Dragon Vein Source opens still has many uncertainties.”
“If we plead before it opens, the outcome would be far more promising.”
Chu Feng said.
“That might not be appropriate.”
Yet Long Xiaoxiao shook her head.
“Why not?”
Chu Feng asked.
“I know my father’s character.”
“He hates being threatened most.”
Long Xiaoxiao said.
“Xiaoxiao, I understand your concern, but the situation now is somewhat complicated.”
“Because my master has already told your father that opening the Dragon Vein Source carries mortal danger. Our master and disciple are willing to risk it because you once saved my life.”
“So, do you understand?”
Chu Feng explained the full circumstances and the leverage they now held to Long Xiaoxiao.
Being clever, she quickly grasped his meaning.
“Chu Feng, how can I ever thank you?”
Long Xiaoxiao’s eyes were already red.
Before, in that ruin, Chu Feng had saved her once.
She had not expected that, when she was at her wits’ end, Chu Feng would appear again.
And this time, he might truly succeed in helping her.
She genuinely did not know how to repay him.
“Then consider it a favour you owe me. Repay it later.”
Chu Feng said.
“Alright, I will repay it, I definitely will.”
Long Xiaoxiao’s eyes brimmed with tears, but she nodded vigorously like a pestle pounding garlic.
“However, your body needs treatment now. If you don’t mind, let me help you recover.”
Chu Feng said.
Long Xiaoxiao’s current state resulted from taking forbidden drugs while cultivating a forbidden technique, only to fail in the end.
In fact, her condition was already a relatively good outcome.
Forcibly cultivating a forbidden technique to break through cultivation was extremely dangerous. One could easily suffer qi deviation or even lose their life.
Though the result was not too severe, her body was still very weak and needed immediate care, or it would only worsen.
