Zi Lingling's heart churned like a stormy sea.
Old Du's words struck her mind like a klaxon.
The last vestiges of primordial chaos qi in the world!
The medium and key to breaking through the Emperor realm!
These two points alone were enough to incite cultivators across the entire Tianyuan Continent to hunt her down.
To think she had once used the chaos qi to gravely injure the short man, and in her anger, to deal with Ye Lingyuan.
Now, it seemed she was like a prodigal son meeting a prodigal father – a complete financial ruin!
Even more terrifying was that she had been playing with fire without even realizing it.
Zi Lingling broke out in a cold sweat at this thought.
She exclaimed vexedly, "You old scoundrel! Why didn't you mention something so important earlier?"
Old Du turned his head away, proudly stating, "Didn't you not ask?"
Zi Lingling was furious, gritting her teeth, "You old geezer, are you afraid no one will hunt me?"
Old Du snorted, "I wish you were chased every day!"
He wasn't cursing Zi Lingling, but rather that cultivators inherently defied the heavens. Only by facing death could one grow rapidly.
The logic was simple: flowers in a greenhouse could not withstand the ravages of wind and rain, whereas those that struggled to grow on cliffs could find a sliver of life.
While the logic was sound, Old Du's tone was infuriating.
Consequently, Zi Lingling's lungs felt like they would explode. She gnashed her teeth and declared, "You old scoundrel, if I'm chased every day, you'd better be prepared to bathe in the latrine every day!"
Due to her extreme anger, her aura began to fluctuate uncontrollably. Sudan Novels.
Ye Lingyuan's attention had been fixed on Zi Lingling. When he noticed her aura fluctuating rapidly, he became worried.
At this point, he no longer cared if Zi Lingling was angry with him.
His spiritual energy surged, and he appeared beside Zi Lingling.
He grabbed Zi Lingling's hand, holding it tightly, and asked with concern, "Ling'er, what's wrong?"
Zi Lingling was arguing with Old Du and therefore was not on guard against Ye Lingyuan, allowing him to easily grasp her hand.
Just as she was about to unleash her anger, she heard Ye Lingyuan's voice, slightly trembling with worry.
Zi Lingling was suddenly startled, and her angry eyes turned towards Ye Lingyuan, meeting his dark, worried gaze.
Her heart trembled, and her anger instantly began to dissipate.
Her formerly fiery words softened considerably.
"I'm fine!"
A hint of tenderness crept onto Ye Lingyuan's handsome face. He said gently, "What happened?"
Should she tell him? Or not?
If she told him, would he also try to snatch the chaos qi?
After all, he was already a Saint King realm expert, and breaking through to the Emperor realm was imminent.
Never mind, she wouldn't tell him.
After all, one could not read another's heart, and their relationship had not yet reached the point of complete openness.
Zi Lingling shook her head and said, "Nothing!"
A flicker of disappointment crossed Ye Lingyuan's dark eyes, which then slowly morphed into sorrow, then self-mockery, and finally settled into a placid lake.
How could he not tell that Zi Lingling was hiding something from him!
Ye Lingyuan said with a hint of heartache, "It's good that you're fine. Let's go!"
In his view, Zi Lingling had no intention of accepting his feelings, which was why she refused his concern.
Of course, Zi Lingling couldn't be entirely blamed; Ye Lingyuan had only just revealed his feelings.
However, the observer's paradox blinded Ye Lingyuan, and he overlooked this point.
Zi Lingling's heart ached from his gaze and smile. She forced a bitter smile and replied, "Yes, let's go!"
If Ye Lingyuan couldn't even grasp this simple fact, then there was no need to cling to the three-month trial period.
Although she was hiding things from Ye Lingyuan, it could also be considered a test for him.
Both lost in their own thoughts, they fell silent, and the atmosphere turned awkward.
Inside the Nine Spirit Ring, Old Du said with seasoned wisdom, "Girl, don't be angry! That kid is definitely new to romance."
Zi Lingling looked at Old Du in surprise and asked, "How do you know?"
Old Du stroked his goatee and proudly declared, "This venerable one is experienced! This kid is clearly a novice, hence his anxiousness about your response. He's not angry that you're hiding something, but afraid you won't accept his feelings."
Zi Lingling smiled bitterly, "It's not that I don't accept his feelings, but rather I don't know how much of it is genuine and how much is false. My mother once told me that things too easily obtained are not cherished."
Old Du chuckled, "Girl, so you're testing him!"
Zi Lingling said with a faint smile, "It's not exactly a test! It's a chance for him and me to clarify our own thoughts. After all, matters of the heart are not based on impulse alone; it requires continuous adjustment to know if the other person is suitable for you, or if you are suitable for them."
Old Du shook his head, "You girl are simply a cunning little fox, always leaving yourself a fallback. Aren't you afraid of losing him through all this adjustment?"
Zi Lingling smiled faintly, "If it's destined to be, it will be! If he is truly the one destined for me, then he can't run away or be lost. But if there's no fate between us, even if we force ourselves together, we'll eventually go our separate ways."
Old Du nodded, "A fine saying, 'If it's destined to be, it will be!' But don't forget, we cultivators are all fighting against fate."
A spark flashed in Zi Lingling's eyes.
Fighting against fate?
Then let's fight against fate!
Old Du looked at the fighting spirit rising in her soul and shook his head helplessly, murmuring, "Meeting you, little fox, that boy is destined for a bumpy romantic journey!"
Then, he glanced at Ye Lingyuan outside the Nine Spirit Ring and chuckled, "Kid, good luck!"
Ye Lingyuan, who was pondering whether Zi Lingling had feelings for him or not, suddenly sensed a divine sense sweeping over him.
His brow furrowed slightly, and he shouted coldly, "Get out!"
Long'er and the Winged Phantom Tiger, who were on their way, were startled by him and stopped in their tracks, looking at him.
Zi Lingling, who was only a few steps away, immediately crossed the distance and stood beside him, looking around vigilantly and asking with concern, "What's wrong?"
Ye Lingyuan carefully sensed his surroundings and then said with a frown, "A divine sense just swept over me, but when I tried to perceive it, I found nothing."
As he spoke, he suddenly looked up and met Zi Lingling's concerned gaze.