Chapter 070
Chapter 70: This Heart Has No Regrets
After the white-bearded elder walked far enough away, Xu Zhou Ye turned his wary, hostile gaze toward Shi Zi Chu, saying harshly, “Why have you come here?”
“To visit the Sixth Junior Sister,” Shi Zi Chu replied with a gentle smile.
Xu Zhou Ye felt this smile was both hypocritical and repulsive. He sneered coldly, not caring that Ye He Qi was present, and immediately scolded Shi Zi Chu, “If you hadn’t wasted that Drifting Flower on someone useless, would Little Junior Sister have ended up injured this badly?”
“If you hadn’t instigated Young Master Jiang, would we and Little Junior Sister have suffered so severely from Gu venom?”
“Shi Zi Chu, all of this is your fault! What gives you the face to visit Little Junior Sister?! Get out of here!”
Faced with Xu Zhou Ye’s agitation, Shi Zi Chu instinctively took two steps back to avoid his saliva.
Ye He Qi also quietly stepped aside, ensuring Shi Zi Chu wouldn’t bump into him.
Without further argument, Shi Zi Chu lowered her eyes, her voice soft and forlorn as she said, “If that’s how you feel, I shall leave.”
Observing Shi Zi Chu’s withdrawn and downcast expression, Ye He Qi immediately understood her next move.
She would surely find Venerable Xing Lan and shed a few crocodile tears while recounting her grievance…
Abruptly, Ye He Qi reached out as if to support Shi Zi Chu, gently reminding, “Daoist Shi, take care of yourself.”
Shi Zi Chu naturally leaned against Ye He Qi’s arm, appearing so heartbroken she couldn’t stand on her own.
Just like that, Ye He Qi escorted Shi Zi Chu away.
At the Main Peak.
Shi Zi Chu led Ye He Qi beyond the protective formation and suddenly halted her steps.
Ye He Qi stood two paces behind her, his usually affectionate eyes turning thoughtful as he said, “The second Shared Life and Death Talisman was nearly triggered. Your intention was to leave Zhi Rou beyond any hope of recovery.”
Shi Zi Chu raised her eyebrows, feigning innocence.
Her expression seemed to say, [You accuse me without proof~]
“The relationship between you and Venerable Xing Lan…” Ye He Qi narrowed his eyes slightly.
Why would Shi Zi Chu be so sure that Venerable Xing Lan would willingly pour all healing resources into her alone?
Moreover, Venerable Xing Lan’s words at the hall yesterday had been strange indeed—like declaring ownership, yet also proclaiming absolute possession over Shi Zi Chu.
Combined with previous events, it now appeared far more serious than simple favoritism.
The relationship between Venerable Xing Lan and Shi Zi Chu did not resemble mere Master and Disciple.
At the very least, Venerable Xing Lan’s behavior clearly exceeded normal boundaries.
“Master and disciple, of course~” Shi Zi Chu said cheerfully.
Ye He Qi smiled slightly in return.
Firstly, he was no fool; secondly, even fools would see through such a blatant lie.
Two pairs of smiling eyes silently clashed with hidden hostility.
Finally, Shi Zi Chu softly reminded, still smiling, “I thought Clan Chief Ye knew me better.”
Ye He Qi paused, eyes widening in sudden realization.
Indeed, he understood Shi Zi Chu quite well.
So would someone as ambitious as Shi Zi Chu ever let go of Xing Lan, this stairway straight to heaven?
The answer… was never!
And Xing Lan’s own attitude confirmed it.
Shi Zi Chu had succeeded.
She had truly climbed this stairway to heaven!
Looking into Shi Zi Chu’s smiling eyes, devoid of warmth, Ye He Qi was momentarily at a loss for words.
Because this was Xing Lan!
Cold-blooded! Merciless! Powerful!
A killing deity who single-handedly caused upheaval throughout the Devil Realm!
Shi Zi Chu was far more reckless than he’d imagined!
Once the shock subsided, Ye He Qi began to piece things together.
“This was why you risked severe injury a second time. You weren’t sure Venerable Xing Lan would fully support you if you hesitated, so you risked it all at once.”
Shi Zi Chu glared briefly, “You’re truly irritating.”
Observant to the finest detail, meticulous in thought, frighteningly intelligent.
Ye He Qi knew he had guessed correctly.
After careful thought, his gentle, graceful voice spoke again: “In the end, Venerable Xing Lan indeed placed all resources into your care.”
Shi Zi Chu only smiled quietly in response.
Silence was sometimes the clearest answer.
Ye He Qi laughed lightly, saying, “Daoist Shi truly is my dependable and reliable ally.”
“Then could Clan Chief Ye perhaps plot against me a little less often?” Shi Zi Chu smiled back.
“…I’ll try my best.”
…
When Meng Xi Yu crossed the protective formation, he saw the two standing not far away.
Since they seemed to be deep in conversation, Meng Xi Yu chose not to interrupt.
Ye He Qi glanced behind, his eyes settling upon Shi Zi Chu again.
So, what exactly was the relationship between Shi Zi Chu and this Young Sect Master Meng?
Seeing Ye He Qi’s probing look, Shi Zi Chu tilted her head slightly and asked softly, “If I said we weren’t close, would Clan Chief Ye believe me?”
Ye He Qi’s eyes softened in amusement, silently asking if she really thought he was a fool.
“Unrequited love?”
Shi Zi Chu waved Meng Xi Yu over.
Meng Xi Yu approached, greeted Ye He Qi, and Ye He Qi nodded politely before departing.
“Father asked me to deliver a booklet to Venerable Xing Lan,” Meng Xi Yu said, then paused briefly before adding, “Between you and Venerable Xing Lan…”
Shi Zi Chu noticed how he abruptly stopped speaking, his face growing noticeably colder.
Venerable Xing Lan’s feelings towards Shi Zi Chu certainly crossed the boundary!
And Shi Zi Chu… was almost certainly the one who stepped over that line first.
Meng Xi Yu felt jealousy toward Xing Lan but also found himself compelled to look up to him, feeling inferior.
Compared to Venerable Xing Lan, he had almost nothing remarkable to offer.
Yet, he was unwilling to let go.
Shi Zi Chu’s expression didn’t change at all. Clearly, she wasn’t surprised.
Xing Lan’s territorial behavior yesterday wouldn’t have been missed by Ye He Qi alone.
Meng Xi Yu noticing was entirely expected.
And wasn’t this precisely what Xing Lan desired?
For Meng Xi Yu and Yan Zhou Bai to give up willingly.
Facing Meng Xi Yu, whose aura had noticeably chilled, Shi Zi Chu maintained a gentle and steady smile, softly saying, “A’Yu, I’m giving you one last chance to turn back. If you regret now, it’s still not too late.”
Meng Xi Yu was simply too good—so good that she would willingly grant him another chance.
“This heart has no regrets.”
Meng Xi Yu spoke without hesitation.
As long as he wasn’t forced away from her into being a stranger, what did it matter if she used him?
He accepted it willingly.
Shi Zi Chu brushed past him, heading toward the back mountain, murmuring softly, “Idiot.”
Meng Xi Yu quickly caught up, grasping her wrist. Seeing that she didn’t resist, his mood instantly improved.
As they neared the back mountain, Shi Zi Chu glanced down at her wrist, still held in his grasp.
Her voice, gentle and graceful, reminded Meng Xi Yu, “Do you truly wish to be thrown from Rising Succession Peak?”
Xing Lan was not known for patience or kindness.
Meng Xi Yu quickly released her wrist, stepping back slightly to follow behind.
At the Artifact Refining Room.
When they arrived, Xing Lan was still forging artifacts.
“There.” Shi Zi Chu pointed at the man forging artifacts inside, telling Meng Xi Yu, “He’s busy right now.”
Judging by the situation, it wouldn’t end anytime soon.
Meng Xi Yu handed the booklet to Shi Zi Chu, “This contains the menu for the banquet. You can decide in his stead.”
He dared say this because Xing Lan typically allowed Shi Zi Chu to handle small matters.
Shi Zi Chu shook her head, “I’ll give it to Master, and he’ll discuss it directly with the Sect Master later.”
If she chose, every banquet dish would cater only to her preferences.
In Xing Lan’s banquet, she wouldn’t take center stage.
Meng Xi Yu agreed softly, casting another glance toward the refining room and back to Shi Zi Chu.
As Shi Zi Chu turned to leave with Meng Xi Yu, a surge of spiritual power suddenly drew her into the Artifact Refining Room.
Simultaneously, the refining room’s door slammed shut.
Meng Xi Yu, left outside, stood silently for a moment, inwardly cursing Xing Lan’s petty jealousy, before politely bowing and departing.