Yun Xi was stunned for a moment. In all her life, she had never been refused by anyone. She could not help but ask, “Young Master Ye, what do you mean?”
Ye Qiu said, “Thank you for your kindness, Fairy. I am but a lone cultivator with no sect or faction, and I do not like being bound by rules. So please forgive me.”
Yun Xi was astonished.
He truly refused me?
Does he not know what becoming the divine son of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect entails?
Yun Xi said, “Young Master Ye, do not refuse so hastily. Hear me out first.”
“Our Azure Cloud Sword Sect is the greatest sect in the Eastern Wastelands, with a million sword cultivators. Yet there are only three divine sons.”
“These three are currently all at the Transcendent God realm.”
“The divine sons hold an exalted status. They sit on equal footing with the elders in the sect, and they participate in deliberations whenever major sect matters arise.”
“Not only that, they have priority access to all cultivation resources in the sect.”
“Most importantly, the future sect master of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect will emerge from among the divine sons.”
“In other words, as long as Young Master Ye joins our Azure Cloud Sword Sect, you may one day become the master of the foremost sect in the Eastern Wastelands. Does that not interest you?”
Ye Qiu remained utterly calm and said once more, “I thank you for your kindness, Fairy, but for now, I have no intention of joining any sect.”
Real Person Changmei, hearing this, was so furious that he itched to smash Ye Qiu with a brick.
Little did he know, Ye Qiu had come to the cultivation world solely to find Ye Wushuang and Huzi, to slay Dragon Bodhisattva, and to help Fairy Baihua track down the culprits behind the Hundred Flowers Palace’s destruction. Once those matters were settled, he planned to return to the mundane world.
Cultivation was fine, but was it as good as lounging in the embrace of tender affection?
Ye Qiu had no interest whatsoever in becoming some sect master. He did not want to return one day only to find Lin Jingzhi and the others aged and faded.
Real Person Changmei did not understand, and Yun Xi understood even less. “Young Master Ye, you…”
“Fairy, there is no need for more words. I truly do not wish to join the Azure Cloud Sword Sect.” Ye Qiu did not wait for Yun Xi to finish before stating his position clearly.
Yun Xi sighed inwardly with melancholy. Then, another idea struck her. She abruptly tore off her veil.
In an instant, a face of unearthly beauty appeared before Ye Qiu.
For that moment, it seemed the mountains and rivers lost all colour.
Everyone present was utterly transfixed.
Even though Ye Qiu had glimpsed Yun Xi’s appearance inadvertently before, now that this face reappeared before him, he was still shaken to his core.
Her skin was like jade, her brows like ink.
Ye Qiu could find no words to describe it. One could only say it was a work of heaven and earth, stunning gods and ghosts alike.
Fairy Baihua and Green萝 were also dumbfounded.
“So beautiful!” Green萝 could not help exclaiming.
Fairy Baihua had always been confident in her own beauty. Yet at this moment, upon seeing Yun Xi’s face, a sense of inferiority welled up unbidden in her heart. It was not that Yun Xi was far prettier than her, but rather that the delicate, pitiable air between Yun Xi’s brows made one glance at her and feel an irresistible urge to cherish and protect.
“If even I am like this upon seeing her, what chance do men have?”
As Fairy Baihua thought this, she prepared to pinch Ye Qiu, only to notice that his eyes were clear and showed no sign of infatuation.
Hm?
Fairy Baihua was immensely surprised. Then, a spark of secret delight rose in her heart. She thought to herself, “At least he knows his place. He did not let her steal his soul.”
Yun Xi was also surprised. She had been watching Ye Qiu’s expression closely. She noticed that the moment she removed her veil, astonishment clearly flashed in Ye Qiu’s eyes. Yet in less than five seconds, his gaze returned to clarity.
In that instant, Yun Xi felt a twinge of disappointment, mingled with admiration.
“Even the divine and holy sons of those great sects, upon seeing me, either leer with lust or become utterly bewitched. Yet Young Master Ye’s gaze is pure and untainted, free of any stray thoughts. It shows he is a man of upright character and noble temperament.”
At once, Ye Qiu’s image in Yun Xi’s mind grew taller.
Little did she know, the reason Ye Qiu was not captivated by her was threefold. First, he had seen many peerless beauties before. Second, he knew she had suddenly removed her veil to employ the beauty trap against him. Third, Fairy Baihua was right beside him.
“Yue’er is just like Bing-jie, both jealous vats of vinegar. If I show even the slightest lapse, she will not hesitate to pinch me to death!”
Ye Qiu feigned ignorance and asked, “Fairy Yun Xi, what is the meaning of this?”
Yun Xi smiled. “Young Master Ye saved me. I felt it was impolite to keep speaking to you with my veil on, so I simply removed it.”
“Young Master Ye, my invitation to join the Azure Cloud Sword Sect is sincere. Are you still unwilling now?”
As Yun Xi spoke, she looked at Ye Qiu with a pair of beautiful eyes full of anticipation, making it hard to refuse.
Real Person Changmei whispered beside Ye Qiu, “Little brat, what are you hesitating for? Agree at once!”
“Even if you do not wish to become the divine son of the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, do you not wish to win Fairy Yun Xi?”
“By joining the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, you can become a divine son and claim the beauty. What is there to lose?”
Though Real Person Changmei’s voice was low, everyone else present heard it clearly.
Yun Xi’s face flushed crimson, and she bowed her head.
Ye Qiu noticed her action and gave her a light glance. Four words popped into his mind.
Immeasurably deep!
Green萝 shot Real Person Changmei a fierce glare, thoroughly displeased.
As for Fairy Baihua, she could no longer hold back. “Daoist, Ye Qiu’s choice is his own affair. You need not concern yourself.”
Real Person Changmei chuckled slyly. “Fairy, do not be angry. I am only thinking of what is best for the little brat.”
“Hmph!” Fairy Baihua snorted coldly.
Yun Xi raised her head and looked at Ye Qiu with puzzlement. She asked, “Were you not called Ye Changsheng? Why does Fairy Baihua call you Ye Qiu?”
Ye Qiu was about to explain when Fairy Baihua interjected first. “Ye Qiu is his real name. Only those close to him address him so.”
The implication in her words was clear: I am close to Ye Qiu, whereas you are far from it.
Who would have thought Yun Xi would follow up with, “Young Master Ye, may I call you Ye Qiu from now on?”
“Of course.” As Ye Qiu spoke, a sharp pain stabbed at his waist.
Damn, she is jealous too?
Ye Qiu hurriedly changed the subject. “We should get out of here quickly!”
Yun Xi said, “Young Master Ye, you all go first. I still have matters to attend to.”
“Could it be you seek the saint’s inheritance?” Ye Qiu asked.
Yun Xi nodded and said, “The disciples from the various sects came here precisely for the saint’s inheritance.”
Real Person Changmei said, “Fairy, there is no need to seek the inheritance. It has already been claimed by someone else.”
Yun Xi’s expression shifted slightly. “Could it be Lin Tian who obtained the saint’s inheritance?”
“He has already been slain by me.” Ye Qiu said.
Yun Xi looked at Ye Qiu twice, as if understanding something. She smiled and said, “Very well, let us leave the tomb!”
With that, the group departed from the place.
Yun Xi led them to a fissure in the saint’s grand array. Before they could exit, they sensed an earth-shattering killing intent permeating the outside.
