Gu Yu looked at Xiao Man's departing back, scratching his head in confusion. "I didn't say anything, yet she already knew. Knew what?"
Seeing Gu Yu's bewildered expression, Ze Fang smiled with his eyes crinkled. He had transformed so much that not only Gu Yu, but even the sect leader might not recognize him.
Shan Yun appeared at the Five Poisons Sect's stronghold. The Five Poisons Sect was preparing for their recruitment. Seeing Shan Yun standing at the entrance, someone reminded her, "Tomorrow is the recruitment day, young lady. You're a day early."
"I'm looking for Qi Hong."
The person, who had been busy, looked up upon hearing Qi Hong's name. "What do you want him for?"
"I'm his friend. Is he in?" Shan Yun asked cautiously.
"Likely heard that he's made it big and came to curry favor, haven't you?" one of them sneered sarcastically. "He's a favored person in front of the Elder now. He might not be willing to see you."
"Esteemed fellow cultivator, please tell Qi Hong that my name is Shan Yun and I need to see him about something." Shan Yun slipped a spirit crystal to him. "Thank you for your trouble."
The person looked at the spirit crystal in his hand and thought, this one is smart. "Wait, I can pass on a message for you. But whether he's willing to see you, I can't guarantee."
"You just need to pass on a message. It's fine if he doesn't want to see me."
"Alright, wait here."
Since being brought back by Elder Wu of the Five Poisons Sect, Qi Hong had been cultivating under Elder Wu. Today, Elder Wu happened to be out, allowing him a rare half-day of leisure.
Qi Hong was very satisfied with his current life. He had beautiful maids to serve him, and a Golden Core stage master for cultivation. His own cultivation had soared. In a short period, he had reached the early stage of Foundation Establishment. Even if Xiao Man had great talent, she couldn't possibly have a higher cultivation than him. The next time he saw Xiao Man, he could proudly boast to her that he was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator!
"Senior Brother Qi, there's someone outside who claims to be Shan Yun and says she's your friend, requesting to see you. Do you wish to see her?"
Qi Hong had been lying on a lounge chair, opening his mouth to accept the spirit fruit fed by the maid, his eyes narrowed in enjoyment. He came from the Eight Tribes, considered the lowest of the low. He never expected that he would one day have a chance to ascend to heaven!
"You said who's looking for me?" Qi Hong sat up, asking in confusion.
"Shan Yun."
Qi Hong fell silent, slowly leaning back. He tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingers, a mocking smile appearing on his face. Women, truly creatures who loved vanity. Back in the tribe, Shan Yun had never actively sought him out. Now that she knew he had become a direct disciple of the Five Poisons Sect, she was rushing to see him?
"Let her in," Qi Hong said slowly. He also wanted to see what kind of look Shan Yun would give him when she saw his current appearance. Would it be admiration, envy, or jealousy? Thinking of this, Qi Hong couldn't help but chuckle.
"Young Master, is something amusing?" the maid asked charmingly.
Qi Hong looked at the beautiful maid and smiled, "Just thinking of some interesting things."
"What interesting things? Is there something you're willing to share to make this servant happy with you?"
Qi Hong's gaze shifted towards the entrance as two figures walked in.
"Senior Brother Qi, I've brought her."
Qi Hong waved his hand, signaling the disciple to leave. Shan Yun stood in place, her gaze unfamiliar as she looked at Qi Hong, who was reclining on the lounge chair, clad in luxurious brocade robes, a half-smile on his face.
"Qi Hong?" Shan Yun called out, sounding unsure.
"What, haven't seen me for a few days and you don't recognize me?" Qi Hong got up from the lounge chair and circled in front of Shan Yun. "Yun'er, do you think this outfit looks good on me?"
Shan Yun's brow furrowed even tighter. The Qi Hong in front of her gave her a very strange feeling, as if she had never known this person before.
"Qi Hong, you... you defected to the Five Poisons Sect?"
"Yun'er, what do you mean by 'defected'? What do we cultivate so hard for? Isn't it to enter one of the Seven Great Sects? Now that I've entered the Five Poisons Sect early and become a direct disciple, shouldn't you be happy for me?" Qi Hong spread his arms. "This is the first time I've learned that becoming a direct disciple of a Great Sect can lead to a life of superiority. Yun'er, do you want to come to my side?"
"Qi Hong, why would the Five Poisons Sect choose you as a direct disciple?" Shan Yun asked calmly. "Have you thought about the reason?"
"Of course, it's because of my exceptional talent. My master has discerning eyes and took an immediate liking to me," Qi Hong said confidently. "Yun'er, so, do you want to come to my side? I can give you much more than Xiao Qin can."
"I came here to warn you. The Five Poisons Sect's choice to take you as a disciple has ulterior motives. You need to be careful."
"Ulterior motives?" Qi Hong was amused by Shan Yun's words. He, who had nothing, who would have ulterior motives towards him? As fellow tribesmen, did Shan Yun just dislike seeing him do well?
"Shan Yun, you can't stand to see me doing well, can you?"
"Qi Hong, I'm telling the truth!"
"I, who have nothing, what is there for others to covet?" Qi Hong asked with a cold laugh. "I have nothing but myself. I've finally gained this superior life. It's one thing if you don't congratulate me, but you're even saying such divisive words. Do you take me for a three-year-old child?"
"Qi Hong, I'm worried about you!"
"Enough, I don't want to hear it!" Qi Hong roared. He had expected Shan Yun to be happy, envious, or jealous. He had never imagined that she would try to sow discord. Moreover, her expression was filled with mockery. Even though he was dressed in luxurious robes, in her eyes, he was just a clown. "Throw her out. And never let her step foot into the Five Poisons Sect again."
Shan Yun was dragged out and fell to the ground in embarrassment.
"I thought Qi Hong was someone who remembered old affections, but it turns out he's just like any other," the gatekeeper said, glancing at Shan Yun lying on the ground, and slowly shook his head before closing the gate.
Shan Yun got up from the ground, brushed the dust off her clothes, and looked at the tightly shut gates of the Five Poisons Sect again. Although she had prepared herself mentally before coming, being driven out still hurt her heart.
"Let's go, let's go back," Du Niangzi said, putting an arm around Shan Yun's shoulder. "You did your best. We all live at the bottom. Once we have something and then lose it, it's more painful than cutting flesh. You can't convince him."
"I thought, at least for the sake of our tribesmen, he would believe me. But he said I couldn't stand to see him do well," Shan Yun sighed, deeply disappointed. "He's so unfamiliar now, so unfamiliar that I don't recognize him at all."
"Humans have their paths, and dogs have theirs. That's why they say, those with different paths cannot plan together," Du Niangzi comforted her. "Qi Hong wants to rise to prominence. What do you want?"