Unable to hide guilt

For Ye Ji, the time spent by Zhong Qing's side was absolutely the happiest and most unforgettable period of her life.

Every day, as long as she could see Zhong Qing, her heart felt as if it had been smeared with honey.

Every time she sacrificed for him, an indescribable sense of satisfaction would arise in her heart.

If she could make Zhong Qing smile, there was truly nothing happier in the world.

Ye Ji was immersed in this ocean of happiness, unable to extricate herself.

It wasn't until Fire Enchantress's arrival that she realized this happiness could not last.

At the same time, Fire Enchantress's arrival also caused her heart to sink continuously, and her face became extremely unsightly.

On her, the communication jade slip was emitting waves of fluctuations.

She knew without looking that this must be Fire Enchantress's message.

"What's wrong?"

In the small courtyard, Zhong Qing immediately noticed the change in Ye Ji's expression, his gaze shifted slightly, and he asked meaningfully.

Ye Ji forced a smile and said, "Nothing."

"Young Master, may I go handle some private matters?"

Zhong Qing nodded indifferently.

Ye Ji's face lit up with joy, and she quickly thanked him, "Thank you for your permission, Young Master!"

After Ye Ji cupped her hands in a respectful farewell to Zhong Qing.

She immediately transformed into a streak of light and quickly left the Phoenix Feather Sect.

Watching Ye Ji's departing back, Zhong Qing's gaze shifted slightly, deep in thought.

Soon, he withdrew his gaze and strode towards Pill Refinement Peak.

He hadn't refined pills for a long time; today, he would go find his touch!

...

Chaotic Land!

Snow stretched endlessly, and the cold wind howled, as a fiery red figure stood in the long sky.

This was truly a rare beauty; her features were like a painting, her skin like congealed fat, and her fiery red hair cascaded over her shoulders, exuding a vibrant crimson charm, like a fire spirit, standing unblemished and aloof in the vast white snowy realm.

Especially those captivating eyes, as if they could mesmerize all living beings.

Seductive, charming, noble, mature, and possessing an unusual allure, she was truly a peerless beauty in the world.

Her gaze looked into the distance, and when she saw a long rainbow approaching from afar, a playful smile curled at the corner of her lips.

"Ye Ji, long time no see!"

She folded her arms, revealing a striking curve across her chest, and her voice was neither cold nor indifferent as she scrutinized the approaching person from above.

Ye Ji looked at Fire Enchantress, her expression complex!

These were truly two women who were perfectly exquisite yet completely different.

One red and one white figure, as if they had become the two greatest beauties in the world.

One was captivatingly seductive, the other was elegantly ethereal.

The cold wind suddenly stopped, and the continuous blizzard also ceased abruptly at this moment, as if unwilling to disturb such peerless beauties.

The world was silent, only Fire Enchantress's alluring voice echoed through the mountains and forests.

"Lord Gu Chenxian asked us to work together to explore the Phoenix Feather Sect, and it seems you've gotten a head start on me."

"How is it? Any gains!"

Ye Ji hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Could she say that her greatest gain was being able to follow the Young Master?

However, this posture, in Fire Enchantress's eyes, was clearly interpreted as something else.

"I knew it, with your ability, it's impossible for you to make any progress."

"This matter, only with me, Fire Enchantress, taking action, can I truly share the Lord Gu Chenxian's worries and solve his problems."

If it were before meeting Zhong Qing, Ye Ji would never have tolerated Fire Enchantress's attitude.

But now, her entire heart was devoted to Zhong Qing.

She no longer had any desire to compete for favor.

All she felt was endless guilt.

After all, strictly speaking, she had betrayed her sect, betrayed her own stance, and betrayed the Lord Gu Chenxian's kindness and trust.

They say that the one who understands a person best is often their enemy.

Fire Enchantress and Ye Ji, though not truly enemies in the strict sense, were rivals in a certain sense of competition.

Ye Ji's attitude instantly made Fire Enchantress sense something amiss.

She carefully scrutinized Ye Ji.

Her brows furrowed slightly.

"You're not right!"

"Very not right!"

"In your eyes, I see guilt, I see remorse."

"Although you failed to complete the task given by Lord Gu Chenxian, you should indeed blame yourself."

"But from what I know of you, after a failed mission, you would definitely try your best to remedy it."

"What are you feeling guilty about?"

"Could it be?"

At this point, Fire Enchantress's eyes narrowed, staring at Ye Ji with extreme aggression, "Did you do something to betray Lord Gu Chenxian?!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Ji's pupils contracted.

She felt as if she had been completely seen through by Fire Enchantress, with no privacy or secrets whatsoever.

Fire Enchantress, who had only been guessing, saw this and her face instantly turned cold.

The already extremely cold temperature around them seemed to drop by tens of degrees out of thin air.

"Ye Ji, how dare you betray Lord Gu Chenxian!"

In Fire Enchantress's heart, Lord Gu Chenxian was a being like an immortal or a god.

Although she had always disliked Ye Ji, both of them had been serving Lord Gu Chenxian.

Ye Ji was also considered her rival.

Their relationship was very subtle, competing with each other, yet sometimes having a mutual appreciation.

But now, the other party dared to betray Lord Gu Chenxian, which ignited an unprecedented flame of anger in Fire Enchantress's heart.

Facing the aggressive Fire Enchantress, Ye Ji opened her mouth, wanting to explain something.

But she found that all explanations were so pale and powerless.

After all, the moment her heart stirred for Zhong Qing, strictly speaking, she had already become a traitor.

At this moment, Fire Enchantress's face was even colder: "Ye Ji, tell me the truth, what did you do to betray Lord Gu Chenxian?"

"If there's a justifiable reason, I'll consider pleading for you to Lord Gu Chenxian!"

Ye Ji's face was ashen.

She could have ignored Fire Enchantress's arrival today.

But everyone must be responsible for their own actions.

Asking Heart Sect had treated her with immense kindness, and Lord Gu Chenxian's grace towards her was as vast as the sea.

She had to provide an explanation.

Otherwise, her conscience would not be at peace!

Between heaven and earth, there was silence.

Above the vast white snow, Ye Ji's tragically beautiful and ethereal silhouette was reflected.

Her eyes, filled with longing and reluctance, took a deep look at the Phoenix Feather Sect, and finally, she said calmly, "I am guilty!"

"I betrayed Asking Heart Sect, I betrayed Lord Gu Chenxian, take me back to be punished!"

For Ye Ji, the moment she stepped out of the Phoenix Feather Sect, she had already considered the current situation.

The only way to give an explanation to Asking Heart Sect, and even to the Lord Gu Chenxian behind Asking Heart Sect, was to surrender and accept judgment.

This journey might lead to death!

But she had no regrets!

In the Phoenix Feather Sect, she experienced the most beautiful and unforgettable time of her life.

If time could rewind, she would still unhesitatingly follow Zhong Qing like a moth to a flame.

Her only regret was that the time she spent with Zhong Qing was too short.

If heaven could grant her more time to accompany him, how wonderful would that be?

She just didn't know if the Young Master would be anxious about her sudden disappearance this time?

If so, then that would truly be a great sin of hers!

Fire Enchantress looked at Ye Ji, who directly confessed and was ready to surrender, and she was slightly stunned.

She had imagined thousands of scenarios for meeting Ye Ji, but she had never expected it to be like this.

This made her feel endless melancholy.

She frowned and said in a low voice, "I'm very curious, what exactly did you do?"

At this point, Ye Ji had nothing left to hide.

She said indifferently, "I fell in love with a man whom I, in my position, should not have loved!"

Upon hearing this, Fire Enchantress only felt that the matter was too absurd.

What kind of existence was Ye Ji?

One of the few capable assistants under Lord Gu Chenxian.

Noble in status, high in power and authority.

She had seen countless young talents.

Her own cultivation was at the Saint realm.

How steadfast and extraordinary was her mind?

Yet, at this moment, she had fallen for a mortal?

What else could this be but absurd?

"Who is he?"

"The Sect Master of Phoenix Feather Sect—Zhong Qing!"