13: Chapter 13: The junior sister witnessed the whole thing and imagined a shocking drama!

Two hours later.

"Creak—"

The tightly closed wooden door of the back mountain attic was finally pushed open from the inside.

Yu Linglong staggered across the threshold.

Her purple palace dress was still luxurious, and her hair bun showed no signs of disarray.

As soon as she stood steady outside the door,

Yu Linglong seemed unable to hold on any longer; she suddenly bent over, clutching her chest tightly with one hand, and began to cough violently.

"Cough... cough cough... ugh... cough cough!"

The intense coughing made her delicate body tremble uncontrollably, and she even made retching sounds.

In that state, she didn't look like a high-and-mighty Late Golden Core Stage Cultivator, but rather like a weak mortal woman, a flickering candle in the wind that could collapse at any moment.

Leng Qingyue, hiding behind an ancient tree several hundred meters away, felt her heart tighten painfully at this scene.

How could this be?!

A Golden Core Cultivator's Physical Body has long since been reborn, their Qi and blood as stable as a mountain; ordinary injuries and illnesses cannot even get near them.

Unless she had suffered an extremely tragic and heavy blow, or...

Had her Origin forcibly drained, she could never appear in such a weakened state!

In Leng Qingyue's mind, several vicious dual cultivation arts recorded in the Hehuan Sect's forbidden texts immediately surfaced.

Plundering vitality! Destroying the Foundation!

These evil methods could invisibly steal a Cultivator's essence to strengthen oneself, while the victim would suffer damage to their Foundation, regression in cultivation, and even the exhaustion of their Lifespan!

Could it be...

Just as this thought arose, Cao Kun's tall figure slowly walked out from the attic.

He walked with a powerful, confident stride, looking refreshed and spirited, his face carrying a look of endless, lingering satisfaction.

His full and energetic state formed a tragic contrast with the tottering Yu Linglong outside the door!

At this moment, the suspicion in Leng Qingyue's heart was completely confirmed!

That beast!

He really is using evil methods to harm Revered Master!

Just as Leng Qingyue was overcome with fury and almost couldn't control herself from drawing her sword and rushing out,

Cao Kun's actions made her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.

She saw Cao Kun step forward quickly and, with incredibly natural movements, support Yu Linglong's slender waist, pulling her halfway into his embrace.

Then, with a flip of his wrist, a cup of spiritual tea still emitting wisps of heat appeared out of thin air in his palm, and he held it to Yu Linglong's lips without allowing any argument.

"Revered Master, it's all your disciple's fault."

"I was too intense just now and didn't control the heat well, causing you so much exhaustion."

"Quick, have a drink of water to soothe your throat and warm your body."

Although Leng Qingyue couldn't hear what was being said,

These frivolous actions were enough to explain everything.

This wasn't concern; it was clearly a demon hypocritically showing off and bestowing charity after tasting his sacrifice!

Yu Linglong's delicate body stiffened for a moment in Cao Kun's arms.

She looked up, her beautiful peach-blossom eyes filled with overwhelming shame, indignation, and killing intent.

But when she met Cao Kun's smiling eyes, all those emotions receded like the tide, leaving only numb despair.

She snatched the teacup away, as if to shut Cao Kun's mouth or to vent her frustration, and drained the scalding spiritual tea in one gulp.

Then, using all her strength, she pushed Cao Kun away fiercely.

She fled without looking back.

Watching Yu Linglong's panicked, departing figure, Cao Kun didn't restrain himself at all; instead, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted loudly toward the sky without any scruples:

"Revered Master—!"

"That tune I gave you, don't forget to learn it when you get back!"

"Next time we meet, your disciple will personally... examine you—!"

His voice rolled out, spreading across half the back mountain.

That extremely arrogant shout completely shattered the last sliver of hope remaining in Leng Qingyue's heart.

A tune?

Examine?

He... he actually treats Revered Master like a courtesan in a Music Bureau meant for people's amusement?!

What a humiliation!

This is a trampling of Revered Master, of the entire Lianxiang Peak, no, of the entire Hehuan Sect!

"Weng—"

The snow-white longsword in Leng Qingyue's hand let out a mournful cry.

Killing intent!

It boiled in her chest!

She could even feel that the cold poison in her body was suppressed a bit by this extreme rage.

I can't be impulsive!

This person's methods are strange; even Revered Master, at the Late Golden Core Stage, is being toyed with in the palm of his hand.

If I, a mere Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, rush up, how is that different from seeking death?

Revered Master's grudge must be avenged!

But not in such a foolish way!

Since force won't work, then... I'll use wit!

This scoundrel can control Revered Master, so he must hold some kind of fatal leverage over her, or use some sinister Restriction or secret technique.

What I need to do is stabilize him first, feign obedience, and find out the means he uses to control Revered Master.

As long as I can find a flaw, I can kill him with one strike and save Revered Master from this misery!

Having made up her mind, Leng Qingyue no longer hid her presence.

She stepped out and walked toward the attic.

...

Back inside the room, Cao Kun's mood was exceptionally pleasant.

The massage service from a Golden Core powerhouse was a top-tier experience.

He was just about to continue converting Chaos energy.

But from outside the attic, a faint knocking sound came.

"Knock, knock-knock."

Cao Kun raised an eyebrow.

"She just left, and she's already had a change of heart?"

He muttered to himself, but a wicked smile unconsciously curled at the corners of his mouth.

It seems the Great Revered Master still has a very strong spirit of service.

Cao Kun strolled over and pulled open the wooden door.

Standing outside the door was not the charming purple figure he had expected.

Instead, it was Leng Qingyue, dressed in a plain white gown with a cold aura.

Under the moonlight, her already exquisite face gained a touch of ethereal beauty.

However, the lingering coldness between her brows made her seem somewhat unapproachable.

Before Cao Kun could speak, Leng Qingyue took the initiative to bow slightly.

"Manager Cao."

In her hands, she held an ancient white jade wine pot, with two matching wine cups beside it.

"Regarding the events of the day, Qingyue was impulsive and reckless, misunderstanding Manager Cao. I truly feel ashamed."

"I have specifically brought my long-cherished Snow Lotus Heart-Clearing Wine to apologize to the Manager. I hope you will not take offense."

Her words were impeccable, and her posture was very humble.

If it were anyone else, facing such an active gesture from an icy beauty, they would likely be lightheaded and lose track of time.

But Cao Kun looked into Leng Qingyue's eyes, which held no hint of apology,

And at her acting, which was so clumsy it was practically an insult to one's intelligence; he was already sneering in his heart.

A weasel giving a New Year's greeting to a chicken—she's up to no good.

This girl was publicly scolded by Revered Master during the day; who knows how much she hates me. And now she's here to apologize?

Who is she trying to fool?

However, Cao Kun did not expose her on the spot.

Instead, he quickly stepped aside to make way.

"Oh, so it's Junior Sister Leng! Please, come in!"

"Those were just small misunderstandings during the day; we're all family here. Junior Sister, you're too polite. Come in and sit; it's so cold standing outside."

This warm attitude made Leng Qingyue despise Cao Kun even more.

As expected, he's just an Outer Sect Disciple who hasn't seen the world, relying on some crooked methods to cling to Revered Master. Give him a little bit of a good face, and he shows his true colors.

"Thank you, Manager Cao."

Leng Qingyue suppressed her disgust and stepped into the attic.

However, as soon as her front foot stepped in, the wooden door behind her closed with a "bang" as Cao Kun shut it with his hand.

Cao Kun leaned against the door, arms crossed, looking at her with a beaming smile.

"Junior Sister, the wine is good wine."

"But just drinking is so boring."

"How about... we play something more exciting?"

Leng Qingyue