Chapter 227: Where Could Such a Big Wang Sheng Have Gone?
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
In the secluded courtyard of the Grand Elder, Hermit Bao Hua withdrew her divine sense and addressed the Grand Elder and Sect Master Ji Yuan: “His soul is fractured, and his Sea of Consciousness is in chaos. It shows clear signs of collapse.”
Sect Master Ji Yuan asked urgently, “Is there any way to alleviate it?”
Hermit Bao Hua shook her head, her expression somber.
The Grand Elder’s face seemed to age even more in that instant. Sect Master Ji Yuan, unwilling to accept the grim reality, pressed further, “But he was clearly still…”
“Ji Yuan,” the Grand Elder interrupted him, “see Hermit Bao Hua to her quarters.”
“…Yes.”
Sect Master Ji Yuan responded quietly, lowering his head.
Hermit Bao Hua gave a small nod to the Grand Elder before rising to leave. Sect Master Ji Yuan followed alongside her.
The Grand Elder gazed at the unconscious Master Qing Yan, whose brows remained furrowed even in his stupor. His eyes reflected deep regret and sorrow.
“Master!”
As soon as Hermit Bao Hua emerged, Yao Wu Ji hurried over to greet her.
Hermit Bao Hua shook her head, signaling her to stay silent for now, before turning to Ji Yuan. “Although Qing Yan harmed my disciple, I would never conceal his injuries out of personal spite. Burning one’s soul is an act against the heavens. Back then, Master Wu Sang and I exhausted countless rare elixirs just to stabilize his crumbling soul. Now that his soul has dispersed, even the descent of a Golden Immortal would be powerless to save him.”
Sect Master Ji Yuan’s tone was bitter. “Bao Hua, you don’t need to explain. Both the Grand Elder and I are well aware of your character. It’s just…” He paused, clearly struggling to accept the reality.
Listening to this shocking revelation, Yao Wu Ji nearly gasped aloud. She had to pinch her leg hard to keep from making a sound.
When Ji Yuan finally escorted the master and disciple duo back to their quarters, no sooner had he left than Yao Wu Ji impatiently asked, “Master, is it true that Master Qing Yan has no hope of survival?”
Hermit Bao Hua cast her a sly look. “Yes. Are you happy now?”
Unexpectedly, Yao Wu Ji clutched her chest and let out a dramatic wail. “Ah! If I had known his life was this short, I wouldn’t have handed over the Longevity Fruit. What a waste!”
“Longevity Fruit? You foolish girl! If you had such a treasure, why didn’t you give it to your master?”
Hermit Bao Hua was so exasperated that she almost poked a hole in Yao Wu Ji’s forehead with her finger.
Yao Wu Ji covered her forehead, looking pitiful. “I didn’t know Master Qing Yan’s injuries were this severe.”
She had only handed over the Longevity Fruit out of concern that she couldn’t safeguard it herself. If she had known, she would have kept it…
“Wait, Master, the Longevity Fruit wasn’t mine to keep. Even if I hadn’t handed it to Sect Master Ji Yuan, I wouldn’t have been able to keep it.”
Realizing something, Yao Wu Ji quickly recounted her deal with Yu Zhao, leaving nothing out.
A glint of intrigue flashed in Hermit Bao Hua’s eyes. “Oh? It seems that this Yu Zhao girl truly has sincere intentions toward you.”
“Yes! Yu Zhao is my best friend, Master~” Yao Wu Ji leaned against Hermit Bao Hua’s leg and began to massage it flatteringly. “Since she treats me so well, could you spare a few extra pills for her?”
Hermit Bao Hua snorted lightly. “You’re quick to use others’ generosity to play the philanthropist.”
“Hehe, Master is the best!”
“Bring her to meet me someday. If she’s truly as good as you say, I’ll naturally thank her.”
“Thank you, Master!” Yao Wu Ji exclaimed joyfully. “Master, I’ve actually prepared a gift for you as well. I promise you’ll like it.”
“Oh? Let me see.”
“Wait here, Master. I’ll fetch it right away!”
Yao Wu Ji dashed back to her own residence, only to find her courtyard empty. Confusion clouded her face.
Where was he?
Where could such a big Wang Sheng have gone?
“Fourth Senior Brother, you’ve just recovered from a serious illness. You should come out and walk around more…”
Ye Cong Xin rambled on for a while but received no response from the person next to her. A hint of frustration crossed her face, but she quickly turned her head, replacing it with a bright smile. “Fifth Senior Brother, don’t you think I’m right?”
Quan Ye snapped out of his daze, realizing Ye Cong Xin was addressing him. He nodded emphatically. “Yes, Little Junior Sister is right. Fourth Senior Brother, it’s not good to stay cooped up in your room all the time. You should stretch your legs and move around a bit.”
Cui Jue’s expression remained indifferent. He neither agreed nor declined, showing no discernible emotion.
Having said his part, Quan Ye seemed relieved, as if completing a task, and went back to daydreaming.
Seeing the two men so disengaged, Ye Cong Xin bit her lower lip in frustration.
Her Eldest Senior Brother, Fang Cheng Lang, had been confined after attempting to harm her, though he avoided imprisonment in the Black Prison under Master Qing Yan’s orders. Her Second Senior Brother, Lan Zi Yu, was recuperating from severe injuries. Her Third Senior Brother, Su Ming, vanished as soon as they returned to the Five Elements Dao Sect. Left with no one else, she focused her attention on Cui Jue and Quan Ye.
Recently, she had neglected her cultivation to assist Master Wu Sang of the Green Wood Sect in treating Cui Jue. She worked tirelessly, hoping Cui Jue would appreciate her efforts once he recovered. However, it seemed the prolonged poisoning had dulled Cui Jue’s emotions. He treated everyone with the same cold indifference, including her.
If she hadn’t asked Quan Ye to drag Cui Jue out of his room, he would still refuse to go outside with her.
In her determination, she hadn’t noticed Quan Ye’s distracted demeanor lately. He seemed lost in thought, detached from the present.
But Ye Cong Xin was not one to give up easily.
If Cui Jue didn’t want to talk to her, she would take the initiative. Once, he had been just as unattainable, yet she had won his heart. She was confident she could do it again.
She kept the conversation going, laughing sweetly now and then. The Moonstone Earrings she wore swayed gently, adding a soft chime to her laughter.
Whoosh—
Suddenly, a shadow darted in front of her. Before she could react, a pair of hands gripped her neck, slamming her to the ground.
Pain from suffocation and burning skin overwhelmed her. Ye Cong Xin’s eyes widened in agony as she stared at the beautiful yet terrifying face before her, emitting broken cries of distress.
“Little Junior Sister!”
Quan Ye was startled by the noise and turned to witness the horrifying scene. Rage contorted his face as he sprang forward, locking his arms around the attacker’s neck in an attempt to drag him away.
However, even as his face turned purple from lack of air, the man refused to release Ye Cong Xin.
Quan Ye’s tugging only resulted in the man dragging Ye Cong Xin along. Desperately, she clawed at his hands while calling out to her system in her mind, but there was no response, as if it had ceased to exist.
“F-Fourth… Senior…”
Through tear-filled eyes, Ye Cong Xin glanced at Cui Jue, standing tall and motionless. Her gaze pleaded for help.
Cui Jue met her eyes for a fleeting moment, then calmly averted his gaze.
His cold detachment mirrored the first time they met—aloof and unapproachable.
Cui Jue!
Summoning strength from an unknown source, Ye Cong Xin gathered her scattered spiritual energy into her palm and struck.
Crack!
The man’s hand snapped audibly, forcing him to let go.
Ye Cong Xin rolled away, coughing violently as she propped herself up with one hand. Despite her shaky breaths, her gaze remained fixed on Cui Jue.
“Little Junior Sister, are you alright?”
Quan Ye kept a tight grip on the man’s neck, not daring to release him. His voice brimmed with worry.
Ye Cong Xin spat out a mouthful of blood-tinged saliva and let out a low, hoarse chuckle.
“I’m not dead yet.”