On the peak of Qianxiao Peak, pale green mist swirled, the magnificent glow of dawn refracting through the hazy clouds like a serene and distant landscape painting.
At that moment, a figure in deep green suddenly leaped from the summit. With each step, clouds rose and vanished, the figure propelling the mist as it moved, like a brushstroke sketching a painting, the lingering sunset turning to silk, the water and wood pure and bright.
In the blink of an eye, the figure reached the main peak.
From Bai Shengyi’s perspective, half of the approaching figure’s face was illuminated by light and shadow. Clad in flowing green robes, upright and solemn like wind rustling through pines, the newcomer instantly made eighty percent of the men present appear ordinary.
"Qinglan... Senior Martial Uncle."
Upon clearly recognizing the arrival, Xia Xilou’s smile froze.
What was going on?
Hadn't they said Venerable Qinglan’s cultivation had encountered problems, and he was nearing his end?
Not only Xia Xilou, but Yun Kai was also perplexed, his complexion seeming even paler, perhaps due to the internal injuries inflicted by Qin Si.
Venerable Song Sheng frowned slightly, but quickly composed his expression and walked forward with a smile, "Brother, you've also come out..."
Qinglan strode past him.
Bai Shengyi blinked, then saw a man as beautiful as an elf walk up to her, asking, "Disciple, are you injured?"
Bai Shengyi’s hand still twirled the Reincarnation Brush. In her spiritual sea, the Reincarnation Brush and the Qimeng Vine were screaming.
"Danger! Master, quickly get away from him!"
"Master, Eldest Brother is right! You must be careful, he’s truly dangerous; even the little vine leaves are having trouble breathing."
The leaves of the Qimeng Vine drooped limply against Bai Shengyi’s wrist.
This was a phenomenon that had never occurred before. Bai Shengyi felt she should be wary, yet she felt no malice from Venerable Qinglan.
On the contrary, she found Venerable Qinglan’s aura to be comforting, and his attitude towards her was excessively friendly and familiar, as if this were not their first meeting.
"Disciple?"
Venerable Qinglan looked at Bai Shengyi with confusion. Even in this expression, his ethereal temperament was not diminished; instead, it carried a touch of childlike innocence, untainted by worldly affairs.
Bai Shengyi suddenly felt that the word "Master" was difficult to utter.
She frowned slightly, concealing this strange feeling, and smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Master, I am not injured."
While Bai Shengyi found it hard to speak, Qian Ying had no such trouble.
Qian Ying was so happy her mouth seemed about to split to the back of her head, her crimson eyes sparkling even brighter than the shimmering tassels on her attire.
In front of Venerable Qinglan, the eldest disciple sister’s usual composure and decisiveness shattered.
Qian Ying trotted forward, her beautiful eyes filled with grievance as she accused, "Master! Now is not the time to be exchanging pleasantries with Junior Martial Sister! Senior Martial Uncle Song Sheng wanted to kill Junior Martial Sister; shouldn't you be standing up for her?"
Qian Ying’s directness was one thing, but what surprised Bai Shengyi even more was Qin Si’s solemn, red-eyed declaration:
"Senior Martial Uncle Qinglan, Junior Martial Sister almost lost her life just now! Junior Martial Sister was the disciple I painstakingly chose for you."
Qin Si’s usual cold, composed, powerful, and reliable image also crumbled.
If Bai Shengyi hadn’t known clearly that Qin Si’s eyes were red from hating Song Sheng so much that he wanted to kill him, she would have almost believed he was on the verge of tears from being wronged.
Bai Shengyi hadn’t interacted with this master before and didn’t know his temperament, but the actions of Qian Ying and Qin Si were making her mind spin.
To make matters worse, Venerable Qinglan earnestly responded, "Yes, what you say is correct."
At this moment, Qian Ying leaned closer to Bai Shengyi, holding her hand as if to comfort her. Simultaneously, Qin Si seized the opportunity to stand on Bai Shengyi’s other side, using his wide sleeves to grasp Bai Shengyi’s other hand, then quickly let go.
Bai Shengyi looked up, but Qin Si quickly turned his head away.
Bai Shengyi felt something was amiss with Qin Si and was about to carefully observe his expression when Qian Ying pulled her arm.
"Senior Martial Sister?" Bai Shengyi shifted her gaze, looking at Qian Ying with confusion.
Qian Ying winked at her, her eyes curved into a smile, "Junior Martial Sister, look quickly, Master is here to back you up..."
So, Bai Shengyi looked up and saw her handsome master turn, facing Venerable Song Sheng with a blank expression, saying, "Junior Brother, Bai Shengyi is my disciple, yet you deliberately tried to kill her. Do you know your mistake?"
Venerable Qinglan’s question was direct and blunt. Venerable Song Sheng’s smile gradually vanished.
"Senior Brother, you misunderstand. Master merely wished to teach Junior Martial Sister a lesson," Xia Xilou quickly said with a gentle smile. "If Senior Brother doesn’t believe me, you can ask Junior Martial Sister. Junior Martial Sister, you agree, don't you?"
Qian Ying squeezed Bai Shengyi’s fingers, shaking her head almost imperceptibly.
Seeing Qian Ying’s action, Xia Xilou’s gaze flickered with displeasure.
He said pointedly, "Junior Martial Sister Qian Ying, Junior Martial Sister is still young and doesn’t understand many things, but as elder martial brothers and sisters, we should still teach her to be friendly to fellow disciples and respect our elders, right?"
Qian Ying’s crimson eyes suddenly turned even redder. She glared fiercely at Xia Xilou, about to speak, when Bai Shengyi took over Xia Xilou's words.
"Senior Martial Brother Xilou is right, and also not right. Although I don’t understand many things, I do know that good children cannot lie."
Bai Shengyi’s shoulders shrunk as if she were wronged.
Xia Xilou’s brow suddenly twitched.
"Master, I was almost scared to death by Grand Venerable Song Sheng just now, woo woo woo..."
With a slight sweep of fire spiritual energy at the corners of her eyes, Bai Shengyi’s eyes naturally filled with tears. Her eyes glistening, she said, "Woo... they were all bullying me just now, and she slandered my reputation!"
Bai Shengyi pointed at Yun Youyue.
Yun Youyue’s face instantly turned pale.
"He spewed nonsense, acted disrespectfully for his age, and helped his daughter slander me!"
Bai Shengyi’s finger turned towards Yun Kai.
Yun Kai swayed precariously.
"He used his power to bully me and wanted to force me to let bygones be bygones!"
"He wanted to kill me!"
Bai Shengyi pointed one by one at Xia Xilou and Venerable Song Sheng, then threw herself into Qian Ying’s arms, crying loudly, "Woo woo woo," as if heartbroken.
"There, there, Junior Martial Sister, don't be afraid. Master has come out of seclusion; he will protect you..." Qian Ying wiped away nonexistent tears. "Master, Junior Martial Sister has truly suffered great injustice!"
"Mhm. You are right," Venerable Qinglan nodded in agreement.
Venerable Song Sheng's expression darkened slightly. "Brother! Don't be led by the nose by a junior."
His voice was still deep and resonant, full of the bearing of a Grand Venerable, but for some reason, everyone present felt that his presence was weaker than Qinglan’s.
Even his tone of voice seemed to suggest he was somewhat afraid of Venerable Qinglan, sounding impatient.
Bai Shengyi couldn't help but lift her head from Qian Ying's embrace to look at Venerable Song Sheng.
"You also know that my disciple is a junior?" Venerable Qinglan's voice was clean and cool. "Song Sheng, matters between juniors should be resolved by juniors themselves. It is wrong for you elders to have intervened."
With a sweep of his cool, green pupils over Song Sheng and the others, Qinglan lightly raised his hand—
Pale green mist suddenly appeared, and the surroundings emitted a dazzling green light.
At that moment, Bai Shengyi didn’t even see what happened before she heard a grunt and two screams.
Then, as the light dispersed, Bai Shengyi saw Venerable Song Sheng’s face, a mixture of blue and white, looking extremely displeased. Xia Xilou and Yun Kai were kneeling on the ground, while Yun Youyue lowered her head, looking extremely fearful.
Especially Yun Kai, he was so weak he seemed to have only one breath left.
Bai Shengyi understood immediately that her master was standing up for her.
She buried her face in Qian Ying’s embrace again, chuckling muffledly, her whole body trembling with laughter.
"Junior Martial Sister, take it easy," Qian Ying whispered.
Bai Shengyi: "...Woo, Senior Martial Sister, what did you say?"
"Junior Brother, you are correct. It was the fault of Xilou and Yun Kai. I will take them back and teach them a lesson." Venerable Song Sheng’s expression changed several times before he finally waved his sleeve, blaming all the fault on Xia Xilou and the others.
Even so, Venerable Song Sheng’s face was thoroughly slapped by Venerable Qinglan today, and he had no desire to stay any longer.
"Junior Brother, I have just come out of seclusion, and my cultivation has not yet stabilized. I will come to catch up with Senior Brother in a few days," Venerable Song Sheng said, and was about to leave with Xia Xilou and the others.
"Wait!"
Bai Shengyi suddenly spoke.
"Junior Martial Niece, do you have any other matters?" Venerable Song Sheng asked Bai Shengyi with a smile, but his eyes held a restrained, cold impatience.
"This junior wishes to handle a small matter between juniors."
Her gaze fell upon Yun Youyue, who was at the very end of Venerable Song Sheng’s entourage.
"What?"
Before Venerable Song Sheng could react, Bai Shengyi curled her lips and said coldly.
"Yun Youyue, I invite you to the Battle Arena! Do you dare to accept?"