Chapter 270: Perhaps It’s Fate
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
“Ye Cong Xin, what are you doing here?”
Just as Ye Cong Xin thought about Xiu Luo, Xiu Luo appeared behind her like a wandering ghost.
Startled and angry, Ye Cong Xin exclaimed, “Xiu Luo, you’re stalking me!”
“No, it’s a coincidence,” Xiu Luo replied with a serious expression.
“I don’t believe you! How is it possible that I run into you everywhere I go?”
“I’m curious too. Perhaps it’s fate,” Xiu Luo said, refusing to admit anything.
Ye Cong Xin had no choice but to glare at her in frustration. With an annoyed huff, she turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Xiu Luo trailed behind her, maintaining a measured distance—not too far, but not too close either.
When other disciples saw Ye Cong Xin, they instinctively wanted to greet her, but upon noticing Xiu Luo following at a distance, they quickly changed course and walked away.
“Xiu Luo!!!” Ye Cong Xin spun around in exasperation.
“What now?”
Xiu Luo, petite with a baby face and almond-shaped eyes, pursed her lips innocently. Her appearance could easily deceive those unfamiliar with her.
But Ye Cong Xin knew better. Beneath Xiu Luo’s harmless exterior was a violent beast devoid of typical human emotions. Even a goodwill score of 90 wouldn’t win her over—she was exceedingly difficult to deal with.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Cong Xin calmed herself, suppressing her irritation. Without another word, she headed toward Lone Moon Peak.
As a forbidden zone within the Five Elements Dao Sect, only those from Lone Moon Peak were allowed to enter. Sure enough, Xiu Luo stopped at the foot of the mountain, watching Ye Cong Xin ascend before finally leaving.
Instead of wandering elsewhere, Xiu Luo went straight to the Main Peak to find Zhang Jun and reported what had happened.
“Thanks for your effort,” Zhang Jun said, pouring her some water with an ingratiating smile.
Initially, Zhou Jin Yue had tasked Zhang Jun with monitoring Ye Cong Xin.
On the first day, he lost track of her.
On the second day, while trying not to lose her again, he nearly got himself lost. If not for Xiu Luo stumbling upon him shamelessly circling Ye Cong Xin and noticing something amiss, she wouldn’t have stepped in and dragged him away. He might have defected that very night.
Realizing he would botch the task if he continued, Zhang Jun managed to convince Xiu Luo to take over the surveillance.
At first, Xiu Luo was unskilled, but after some practice, she became the metaphorical adhesive Ye Cong Xin couldn’t shake off.
“I swear on my reputation as an inner disciple, Ye Cong Xin is definitely hiding something!” Xiu Luo declared.
“Why do you say that?” Zhang Jun asked.
“She’s been too active lately, acting out of character. Each time I find her, she’s either chatting with disciples from various peaks or heading toward those peaks. Her behavior is too deliberate not to arouse suspicion.”
Xiu Luo didn’t know Ye Cong Xin well; most of her impressions came from others’ accounts. Yet, during this period of observation, she realized the rumors about Ye Cong Xin didn’t entirely match her actual persona.
For one, Ye Cong Xin had a temper. The way she looked at Xiu Luo seemed as if she wanted to tear her apart.
But in public, Ye Cong Xin was always gentle and composed.
This contrast reminded Xiu Luo of Yu Zhao. She now understood how rumors about Yu Zhao might have started and why Yu Zhao insisted on leaving Lone Moon Peak despite the backlash.
Zhang Jun’s smile faded, replaced by a furrowed brow. While Ye Cong Xin’s actions were suspicious, they lacked concrete proof of ill intent. Their leads were still insufficient.
With the grand senior sister in seclusion, Zhang Jun had no one to consult.
“Xiu Luo, I’ll have to trouble you to keep an eye on Ye Cong Xin a while longer. Let’s see what she’s up to.”
“Alright.” Xiu Luo nodded but then asked, “How long am I supposed to follow her?”
“Um…” Zhang Jun scratched his head. “Until the grand senior sister comes out of seclusion.”
Xiu Luo rolled her eyes. She regretted asking.
She stood to leave.
Zhang Jun jumped up nervously. “You’re leaving already?”
“Yes.”
“What about the surveillance?”
“Why are you asking? I already said yes! You’re so annoying!”
“Okay, okay. I won’t ask anymore.”
Watching Xiu Luo leave, Zhang Jun wiped the sweat off his brow. Interacting with women was exhausting—especially powerful and assertive women.
He was having such a hard time! “Grand Senior Sister, when will you come out of seclusion? I can’t hold on much longer.”
While Zhang Jun lamented his plight in the Five Elements Dao Sect, Quan Ye was enduring an even harsher trial on Green Hill Mountain.
“Ahhhh!!!”
His anguished screams pierced the sky.
Quan Ye’s limbs were firmly restrained on a wooden board. His body was riddled with wounds, blood seeping continuously from his convulsing frame.
The pain was unbearable—excruciating.
Quan Ye had lost his senses, his mind a chaotic void. His body, controlled purely by instinct, emitted beastly roars.
Watching this, Bai Ling and Jiu Wei had vastly different expressions.
“He’s at his limit,” Bai Ling said, unable to bear it.
Jiu Wei remained indifferent. “Not yet.”
As the successor of the Azure Dragon bloodline, Quan Ye couldn’t afford to falter. If he failed the trial, it would mean he wasn’t chosen by the Demonic Race.
Pop!
A small blood flower bloomed under Quan Ye’s thigh.
Its appearance signaled a chain reaction of bursting wounds, turning Quan Ye into a human sieve. Blood sprayed everywhere.
Then came the sickening sound of bones rearranging themselves.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Ahhh!” Quan Ye’s eyes turned blood-red as he thrashed violently. His body collided repeatedly with the wooden board.
He struggled for almost the time it took to burn an incense stick before quieting down. His flushed face turned pale, his tall frame collapsing in on itself. His breathing was as faint as a flickering candle in a storm.
Bai Ling grew increasingly anxious.
Only when Quan Ye was barely hanging on did Jiu Wei retrieve a bamboo tube from her storage space.
Splitting it open, she revealed a single green droplet. Its rich bamboo scent filled the air.
Reluctance flashed in Jiu Wei’s eyes, but after a brief hesitation, she fed the green droplet to Quan Ye.
The liquid entered his body smoothly, releasing a burst of green light that enveloped him.
His wounds began healing at a visible pace. His ashen complexion regained color, and a faint oppressive aura emerged around him.
Bai Ling’s eyes lit up with joy. “His body is starting to adapt to the Azure Dragon bloodline!”
“We’ve given him so many valuable resources. If he still fails, he’s a waste,” Jiu Wei said coldly, her brows furrowed.
She harbored complex feelings toward Quan Ye. Despite his Azure Dragon bloodline, his behavior and demeanor irritated her. Worse, his troublesome master loomed as a constant issue.
Jiu Wei doubted Quan Ye would genuinely serve the Demonic Race.
Yet, frustratingly, she couldn’t find a better candidate.
Just then, a shadowy figure flitted across her mind.
Perhaps she was looking in the wrong place. If that person could succeed, should she give them a chance?