Bei Ming Holy Palace.
Xuan Ice Prison.
"Wake up, still alive?"
Smack!
A wide palm struck down. Bai Qingwu's left cheek swelled red at once. She bit her lip and cursed weakly in anger.
"I am the Holy Maiden of Bei Ming Holy Palace. According to the Palace rules, none of you have the right to torture me!"
"Hmph, even now you think yourself still the Holy Maiden of the Holy Palace?"
The cold, merciless voice rang beside Bai Qingwu's ear. She raised her head, her vision slowly clearing.
"It's you? Senior, please, save me!"
She cried out in surprise, desperately seeking rescue.
Smack!
Another sudden slap sent her head to the side.
"Save you? You fool, you killed my two younger brothers. What right do you have to beg me for salvation?"
A pair of eyes brimmed with hate, the rest of the body hidden beneath a black robe.
Bai Qingwu was stunned, her mind blank. She muttered, "Senior, what are you saying? When did I ever kill your two younger brothers?"
"Still playing dumb!"
Smack, smack, smack!
The black-robed man vented his fury, striking her face left and right until she could no longer speak. Only then did he stop.
"Heh, you want me to save you? Fine, I'll grant your wish right now!"
Several black beads flew from his hand, detonating in midair. The Xuan Ice Prison rained shards of ice, layer after layer breaking apart, crashing against the ground in a cacophony.
"No…" Bai Qingwu's cheeks were grotesquely swollen. Looking at the savage face beneath the hood, she no longer dared to follow him anywhere.
"Great Elder, Second Elder… save me! Someone is breaking me out of prison!"
With the last trace of her hidden spiritual power, she screamed outward.
But a palm pressed against her lips, swallowing her cries instantly.
"Save me… save me… no, I don't want to be saved anymore!"
Tears streaked down Bai Qingwu's battered face.
When she had come to the Holy Palace, it was to steal treasures under the guise of Holy Maiden. Who could have predicted Wan Huaiyuan and Qian Zhi would suddenly return, ordering disciples to capture her and throw her into the Xuan Ice Prison?
Because of Palace rules, they dared not harm her, but the endless imprisonment still made life unbearable.
She had prayed day and night for Senior Xuan Yi to rescue her.
But though the black-robed man came, his purpose was only to torment her!
Bai Qingwu wept bitterly.
If she had known, she would rather have rotted to death in the Xuan Ice Prison.Who was behind this? When had she ever killed the man's younger brothers?
What happened in Bei Ming, Yao Ranran never paid attention to.
After helping lay Meng Shengqian on his bed, he happened to receive a transmission talisman.
Upon hearing its message, his face changed immediately, and he hurried out.
"Fairy Ranran, may I ask you to come inside?"
His eyes swept the surroundings, signaling for Yao Ranran to follow him alone.
Nie Rong and Zhou Lili were still wholly absorbed with their new flying boats, noticing nothing.
Yao Ranran stepped inside, frowning in doubt.
"Sect Master Zhou, what matter is so urgent?"
Zhou Shengqian handed her the talisman. "The master of Suohong Tower, Qin Louzhu, has come. She requests an audience with you."
Yao Ranran's mind immediately flashed to her enchanting visage.
"At this time? If the Demon Sect spies see her leaving Suohong Tower, wouldn't that expose it to destruction?"
Zhou Shengqian pondered. "Qin Louzhu once offended Fairy before. Now that Suohong Tower and Yun Gu Sect are in dire peril, perhaps she comes risking everything to beg forgiveness."
And… to seek Fairy Ranran's aid.
He did not finish the words, but Yao Ranran already understood.
"Offended me? Hardly worth calling offense, just a small clash."
She had not truly suffered at Qin Lüsha's hands. On the contrary, it had even led her to uncover Tang Xiangyin's true identity. She had never cared to keep such a petty matter in heart.
Zhou Shengqian shook his head. "Fairy's magnanimity is beyond us. But at that time, Qin Louzhu openly accused you of seizing the spiritual treasure Chi Lingzhi, nearly striking at you before a crowd. That is no small clash!"
He lowered his head, sighing heavily.
Whether Fairy Ranran's gentleness was blessing or curse, he could not tell. Had Qin Lüsha succeeded in smearing her, even in Central Domain she would have been hunted by great sects, forced to surrender a treasure she never even had.
"Misunderstanding?" Yao Ranran blinked. "Perhaps it was no misunderstanding at all."
She left only this sentence before turning to go.
Zhou Shengqian, halfway through shaking his head, froze. His eyes bulged wide.
"No… not a misunderstanding?"
He swallowed hard.
"If not a misunderstanding… then the Chi Lingzhi… Truly is in Fairy's possession!"
Zhou Shengqian sucked in a sharp breath. His body stiffened, collapsing flat onto the ground.
A few passing villagers rushed to lift him, carrying him to lie beside Jiang Shengxiang.
"Did Zhou sect master and Village Chief Jiang both suffer strokes?"
The villagers exchanged baffled looks, then quietly dispersed.
Outside Longyin Village.
The guards continued checking identities, while disciples of Biliu Sect stood in two lines, keeping watch on all entering cultivators and mortals alike.
Yao Ranran, not wanting to draw attention, stood quietly upon a rooftop, searching for Qin Lüsha's silhouette.
Not far away, a slim figure veiled in blue gauze caught her eye.
She flicked a talisman, which Qin Lüsha caught. Moments later, their eyes met.
Qin Lüsha entered through a small breach in the formation Yao Ranran opened.
Removing her veil, she gave a bitter smile. "How fate twists. That little girl of the past now dominates entire regions, while I, once a high and mighty tower master, must come secretly to beg an audience."
Yao Ranran studied her, answering modestly, "Qin Louzhu flatters me. I am still only walking the path, far from ruling anything.
Besides, Suohong Tower's businesses span the lands. With spirit stones, Qin Louzhu holds all the foundation a cultivator needs."
Qin Lüsha: "…"
"Walking the path to domination, are you? Could it be… Fairy Ranran intends to become master of the Eastern Wilderness?"
After the bitterness, her eyes quivered, locking onto Yao Ranran.
Yao Ranran sighed. "It is not that I wish to be. Life has forced me. I have no choice."
Qin Lüsha: "…"
As Tower Master, unifying the Eastern Wilderness had been her lifelong dream. But this woman before her spoke as if being forced into ruling, burdened by annoyance rather than ambition…
Bitterness welled in her chest. Qin Lüsha suddenly dropped to her knees.
"Eastern Wilderness Immortal Lord, please accept the obeisance of Suohong Tower! We are willing to serve, even through fire and blood, without regret!"
Yao Ranran was stunned.
At their first meeting, she had thought Qin Lüsha was someone who knew how to advance and retreat. But she had not expected her to pledge allegiance so swiftly, without the slightest hesitation.
After a pause, Yao Ranran silently helped her up, softly speaking only two words:
"Not good."
Qin Lüsha: "…"
It mattered little. Before she came, she had already prepared herself for any outcome.
Such is the unpredictability of fate.
===
Qin Louzhu= Tower Master Qin
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