14: Chapter 14 The Unfamiliar Liu Yuqin

Although Leng Hanshuang believed Su Yun's story about the "Divine Blade Sect poisoning,"

now that her anger had subsided, an abnormal grayish-blue hue surfaced on her face.

"Cough, cough..."

She clutched her chest as a trace of dark red leaked from the corner of her mouth.

Before the blood droplets could hit the ground, they froze mid-air into ruby-like ice crystals, shattering with a crisp "clink."

In an instant, the temperature in the hall plummeted to freezing, and even the flowing air began to frost over.

"Revered Master!"

Liu Yuqin's expression changed drastically as she rushed forward to support the teetering Leng Hanshuang.

"What's wrong? Weren't you in seclusion to break through to the Void Refining Realm? Why would..."

Leng Hanshuang waved her hand, her aura withered. Her once sharp Phoenix eyes were now filled with exhaustion, and her voice carried a hint of helplessness.

"The Breakthrough failed."

"Back then, to help Aotian seize that Ten-thousand-year Snow Lotus, I took a direct hit from the guardian beast Ice Jiao's Origin Breath. The cold poison seeped into my bones. Though I've suppressed it for years, at the critical moment of the Breakthrough... it finally erupted."

Below the steps.

Su Yun lowered his eyelids, concealing the fleeting mockery in his eyes.

Lin Aotian, oh Lin Aotian, you really are a "great protagonist."

Not only did you treat Liu Yuqin as a spare tire, but you even screwed over your own Revered Master until her Dao foundation was nearly ruined.

Levelling up with resources women risked their lives for, then leaving them to carry a lifetime of injuries for you—this "soft rice" you're eating is even tougher than mine.

"cold poison in the bones..."

Liu Yuqin muttered to herself, then her eyes suddenly lit up as she whipped her head around to look at Su Yun.

That look was like a hungry wolf seeing a meaty bone, or a drowning person grasping at a floating log.

"Revered Master! There's hope!"

Liu Yuqin's voice was urgent.

"You heard it just now, Junior Brother Lin Chen possesses the Nine Yang Extreme Dao Body! His body contains Pure Yang True Fire, which specifically counters all the yin-cold things in the world!"

"Since he could dispel the 'Cold Fiend Yin Poison' in my body, he can surely neutralize the Ice Jiao cold poison within you, Revered Master!"

As soon as she said this, the atmosphere in the hall shifted abruptly.

Su Yun stood there with a look of panic on his face, but inside, he was overjoyed.

What a great assist!

My "hard work" these past few days hasn't gone to waste.

However, someone was unhappy.

"No!"

A delicate shout rang out abruptly.

Lin Rou stepped forward, shielding Su Yun. Her beautiful face was filled with vigilance and dissatisfaction.

Her peach blossom eyes glared at Liu Yuqin as she sneered inwardly.

You little hussy, you've had your fill, and now you want to give away my "medicinal primer"?

That's mine!

After last night's encounter, Lin Rou had already developed a taste for it.

She hadn't had enough of that ultimate Pure Yang experience; how could she let someone else have a share?

Even if that person was the Sect Master, it wouldn't do!

"Junior Martial Uncle Lin Rou, what is the meaning of this?"

Liu Yuqin's brows furrowed deeply.

"Revered Master's life is at stake. Do we still need to worry about some worldly etiquette?"

"Etiquette be damned, I'm afraid he'll die!"

Lin Rou snorted, finding a high-sounding excuse.

"The Sect Master is at the Great Perfection of Spirit Transformation, and the cold poison in her body originates from the ancient exotic beast, the Ice Jiao! Lin Chen is just a Qi Refining Stage was... Mortal! Even with a special Physique, what would happen if you drained him dry?"

"I'm afraid before the cold poison is even dispelled, he'll turn into a dried-up husk first!"

Saying that, Lin Rou turned around, pretending to check Su Yun's physical condition.

In reality, shielded by her wide sleeves, she gave the soft flesh at Su Yun's waist a vicious pinch.

Her gaze clearly warned: Just you try agreeing to this!

Su Yun's expression remained unchanged. He even politely cupped his hands toward Lin Rou, as if he didn't feel the sharp pain at his waist.

Inside, he was laughing: Cousin Aunt, you're quite protective of your food.

"But..." Liu Yuqin still wanted to argue.

"Enough."

Leng Hanshuang spoke weakly, interrupting their dispute.

Her beautiful eyes fell upon Su Yun with a complex gaze.

As a Soul Transformation Cultivator, she was most sensitive to auras.

Su Yun stood there like a walking furnace.

The vigorous, restless Yang Qi within him made the cold poison churning in her body feel a hint of fear just by being near him.

He was indeed the antidote.

And a rare "great medicine" in this world.

If she could use a special Cultivation Technique to guide and absorb this Pure Yang Qi...

Not only could the cold poison be dispelled, but she might even be able to use the Yin and Yang harmony to break through to Void Refining in one go!

The temptation was enormous.

But...

Leng Hanshuang looked away, a trace of struggle flashing in her eyes.

"If Aotian knew that for the sake of healing, I actually... borrowed another's Yang Qi..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear.

She couldn't let go of that man.

Even though that man had already ascended to the Upper Realm, even though he had left her with nothing but endless waiting and a body full of pain.

Is this the intelligence-lowering halo of a "tragic female lead"?

Su Yun sneered in his heart.

You're about to die and you still want to stay chaste for Lin Aotian? Are you planning to build a chastity arch and take it to your grave?

"Revered Master!"

Liu Yuqin suddenly raised her voice, her tone filled with dissatisfaction.

"Your life is your own! Is Senior Brother Aotian really more important than your life?"

This shout directly stunned everyone in the hall.

Liu Yuqin took a deep breath and looked directly at Leng Hanshuang.

At this moment, her eyes no longer held the longing and blindness she used to have when mentioning Lin Aotian.

In its place was an extreme calmness, even... coldness.

After her body and Soul were completely conquered by Su Yun, that once unattainable "Senior Brother Aotian" had already crumbled into dust in her heart.

"Senior Brother Aotian is far away. You stay chaste for him, suffering the torture of cold poison and living in agony day and night—does he know? Does he care?"

"Besides, this is to save your life! It's medical treatment!"

"If Senior Brother Aotian truly cared for you, Revered Master, and learned that you acted out of necessity to survive, he would surely feel distressed by your hardships. How could he possibly blame you?"

"If he despises you because of this..."

Liu Yuqin let out a cold laugh.

"Then why would such a heartless and ungrateful person deserve such sacrifice from you?!"

Boom!

These words were like a thunderclap, striking hard in the center of the hall.

Lin Rou's red lips parted in shock as she looked at Liu Yuqin in disbelief.

Was this still the devoted Saintess who would do anything for Lin Aotian and always had "Senior Brother Aotian" on her lips?

These words were practically putting Lin Aotian on the roasting spit!

That's... that's so damn logical!

Leng Hanshuang was even more thunderstruck, her entire body freezing on her Profound Ice Throne.

She looked at her most prized Disciple as if meeting her for the first time.

This figurative slap not only shattered her reserve but also forcibly blasted a crack in her solid concept of "maintaining chastity."

Su Yun stood to the side, suppressing a smile, the corners of his mouth curling up wildly.

Refreshing!

This is so damn satisfying!

Is this the power of the Nine Yang Imperial Phoenix Technique?!

What Senior Brother, what true love?

In the face of absolute loyalty and Soul branding, it's all bullshit!

As for Lin Aotian?

Who's that? Never heard of him.

"Cough..."

Seemingly realizing she had appeared too "heartless," Liu Yuqin quickly lowered her head, feigning a wronged expression.

"Revered Master, I was just acting out of desperation... I don't want to lose you. In my heart, your safety is more important than anything."

Although this attempt to smooth things over was stiff, to Leng Hanshuang, it sounded like pure filial devotion.

Her heart softened, and the hesitation in her eyes gradually loosened.

Indeed.

I've sacrificed so much for him, and what did I get in return? Only this bone-deep cold pain and a wait with no end in sight.

If I had to choose between death and "healing"...

Leng Hanshuang's gaze fell on Su Yun once more. This time, there was less scrutiny and more of an... indescribable longing.

It was the instinct of a long drought meeting sweet rain.

Just by meeting her eyes, Su Yun could feel an icy, bone-chilling, yet fatally tempting Divine Sense.

It swept over him repeatedly, as if evaluating the potency of this "medicinal primer."

After a long while.

Leng Hanshuang exhaled a deep breath of cold air, as if making a difficult decision, or perhaps as if escaping.

Waving her sleeve, she said tiredly, "Let us... speak no more of this. I know what to do."

Having said that, her gaze swept across the three of them, finally settling on Liu Yuqin, her eyes becoming deep and inscrutable.

"Yuqin, follow me into the Inner Hall. I have something to ask you privately."

"As for Lin Rou and Lin Chen..." Leng Hanshuang paused. "You may leave."

Su Yun's heart stirred.

A private questioning?

It seemed that although this Sect Master said "speak no more of this," the door to her heart had already been pried open a crack.

"This Disciple takes his leave." Su Yun bowed respectfully, without any lingering.

Too much is as bad as too little.

The seed had been planted; now, all it needed was a little time to ferment.

As Su Yun turned to leave and passed by Lin Rou, he felt his palm being scratched hard.

Looking sideways, he saw Lin Rou's eyes were like silk, yet they held a fierce intent to devour him. Her red lips parted slightly as she silently mouthed a sentence to him.

"Tonight, come to my room to settle the score!"