“Stop!”
With that command, three white flashes burst in from outside. One struck the half-human-high stone in the arena, another knocked down the Shadowless Sword under Xiao Lingyu’s control, and the last flew straight toward Xiao Lingyu’s chest.
“Stop!” Another familiar voice rang out, accompanied by a dazzling flash of light. The white flash aimed at Xiao Lingyu’s chest collapsed to the ground. A white short sword appeared, though its form was nearly obliterated by the electric light, barely distinguishable in shape or color.
“Boom!” The white flash that had struck the stone exploded it into fragments scattered across the ground. A cyan figure dashed forward at incredible speed, enveloping Xiao Lingyu protectively in their embrace.
The Ghost Spirit Sect disciples at the side of the arena were stunned. Who could explain what on earth had just happened?
No one spoke; they stared at the four figures in the arena with bewilderment. In the center, Chu Mingwei, tense, held Xiao Lingyu close, patting his back gently and repeatedly. Meng Fan’s sharp eyes noticed that the usually stoic Chu Mingwei’s hands were trembling slightly, and in that instant, he understood.
Only when Xiao Lingyu was safely in his embrace did Chu Mingwei’s long-suspended anxiety finally settle. He could hardly imagine what he had seen moments ago: the white flash had been aimed directly at his junior brother’s heart. Even the most capable cultivators, with abilities that pierced heaven and earth, would have no chance of survival if their heart meridian were severed. Who could be so merciless?
Xiao Lingyu, sensing the familiar embrace, felt all the anger and frustration over his failed plan and the sudden assault vanish completely. He could feel Chu Mingwei’s trembling and fear. Although the white flash was of no real danger to him, the gentle, rhythmic patting of Chu Mingwei’s hands sparked a strange, unfamiliar warmth in his heart.
The other two in the arena reacted differently. Xu Xuan looked pitiful and trembling at her own hands, almost unable to believe what she had seen. Upon seeing Leng Hanyuan regain consciousness, her concern turned toward him, eyes reddened, lips lightly bitten.
At the moment the Shadowless Sword was knocked away, Leng Hanyuan had already regained his senses. His murderous intent vanished, replaced by confusion as he looked at the sword on the ground. “Why is everyone here? What happened?”
While asking, he subtly glanced at Xiao Lingyu, who had intended to strike him in the illusion. Was Xiao Lingyu influenced by the illusion, or had he seen something previously?
As Leng Hanyuan calculated how to escape if Xiao Lingyu had truly seen something, he looked around in confusion. Seeing Xu Xuan’s wronged expression, his surprise deepened. “Disciple Xu, what exactly happened?”
Su Wan, observing the four with expressions ranging from confusion to grievance—or entirely unreadable—internally grumbled. This so-called sect dispute is really just a tangle of affections: I love him, he doesn’t love me, I love another, he loves someone else. Why must I be the one to step in at such a moment?
Despite her internal complaints, Su Wan maintained a solemn expression, briefly explaining what had happened.
When the Ghost Spirit Sect entered Green Mountain, they stayed together due to sectal secret arts. Later, by chance, they saved Xu Xuan, who had been trapped by monsters, and accompanied her to this location. They witnessed Xiao Lingyu forming sword seals to strike Leng Hanyuan. In her panic, Xu Xuan shouted, “Stop!” The other two disciples either struck the stone that created the illusion or knocked down Xiao Lingyu’s controlled treasure. As for the sword aimed at Xiao Lingyu, Su Wan looked awkwardly at Xu Xuan.
Xu Xuan’s eyes reddened; tears threatened to spill. She glanced at Xiao Lingyu and was about to speak when Chu Mingwei furrowed his brow, naturally pulling Xiao Lingyu closer with one arm and said solemnly, “I believe this incident with Lingyu striking Disciple Leng is a misunderstanding. Lingyu was influenced by the illusion. This stone is ancient and has a profound effect on emotions.” He paused, instinctively drawing Xiao Lingyu closer, a faint blush appearing. “Lingyu has always been friendly toward his fellow disciples; he would never strike Disciple Leng without cause.”
The old ghost chuckled at Chu Mingwei’s defense. “Your dear senior brother is truly protective of you.”
Xiao Lingyu felt pleased but refused to acknowledge it, saying, “Senior Brother is just stating the truth. I was influenced by the illusion.”
“Do you not plan to expose Leng Hanyuan?”
“How could I? Do you have evidence? By the time the Ghost Spirit Sect arrived, Leng Hanyuan had already returned to human form. Can you extract his demonic aura? Besides, while we suspect Leng Hanyuan is linked to the ancient demons, others probably don’t even know what the ancient demons are. There’s no way to explain this clearly.”
The old ghost sighed. “Regardless, you should be more cautious around Leng Hanyuan. The ancient demons…”
Xiao Lingyu ignored the remark, wearing an expression of contrition and frankly apologizing, “Disciple Leng, I’m sorry. When I came over, I saw you fighting monsters. I wanted to help, but the illusion misled me, almost causing you harm. Please don’t take offense.”
Leng Hanyuan immediately smiled warmly. “Junior Brother meant well. How could I blame you? You didn’t hurt me; let’s leave it at that.” He studied Xiao Lingyu’s expression, noting how natural and sincere it was. Seeing that he had returned to human form, Leng Hanyuan felt reassured but resolved to resolve the matter definitively when the opportunity arose.
Once the misunderstanding was cleared, Chu Mingwei lowered his gaze at Xiao Lingyu, then looked at Xu Xuan. If Xiao Lingyu’s actions had been a misunderstanding, Xu Xuan’s strike was clearly malicious. Yet, why would she harbor such intent toward a junior brother she rarely interacted with? Chu Mingwei found it perplexing.
His gaze piercing, Xu Xuan felt her inner malice toward Xiao Lingyu fully exposed. Yes, the sword had been meant to take his life. Initially, her intent might have been to stop him in surprise and anger, but seeing Xiao Lingyu vulnerable in the illusion, her impulsive thought had reflected her inner desire—an unadmitable truth.
Resolved, Xu Xuan looked timidly at Xiao Lingyu. “I’m sorry, Senior Brother Xiao. I really didn’t mean it. When I saw you strike Disciple Leng, I acted out of sudden emotion and didn’t realize what I was doing. Please forgive me.”
As she apologized, glancing at Leng Hanyuan, the onlooking disciples of the Ghost Spirit Sect realized it was a case of impulsive emotion upon seeing someone they cared about in danger. Observing Xu Xuan’s sincere remorse, reddened eyes, they softened internally, recognizing that this incident had arisen from the illusion, making her effectively innocent.
Xiao Lingyu did not need to look at them to know their expressions—they surely understood it was a misunderstanding and that Xu Xuan’s act was innocent. It was best to respond magnanimously. Insisting on pursuing Xu Xuan’s accountability would only cast him as cruel, unkind, and persecuting his fellow disciples.
Seeing the sympathy on the disciples’ faces, Chu Mingwei’s heart grew angry. Xu Xuan had first shouted “Stop!” and only after Su Wan had restrained the junior brother did she strike—clearly intentional. Yet, her words painted her as blameless. If he had not arrived in time, what would have happened to the junior brother?
Chu Mingwei’s expression darkened as he opened his mouth, but Xiao Lingyu spoke first, serious and measured: “This matter is not Xu Xuan’s fault. She cares deeply for Disciple Leng. Given the circumstances, it was natural for her to act impulsively toward me. It arose entirely from the illusion; Xu Xuan need not dwell on it.”
Su Wan watched their exchange, glancing at the displeased Chu Mingwei. No wonder the sect leader always said, when it comes to emotions, avoid entanglements if possible. Whether Xu Xuan acted intentionally or not, the events were connected: her impulsive act toward Xiao Lingyu was understandable. Had Xiao Lingyu insisted on blame, he would appear to be pressuring his fellow disciple. Chu Mingwei, perceptive as always, still could not resist obsessing over those he cared about.
As Su Wan was about to step forward, Meng Fan laughed and said, “We’re all fellow disciples. It’s just a misunderstanding. No need for forgiveness back and forth. Senior Brother, right? Besides, this place is dangerous; we should figure out how to leave first.”
Meng Fan’s words made Chu Mingwei pause. He looked at the Ghost Spirit Sect disciples and said firmly, “Correct. This place is full of anomalies. We should leave.”
After brief discussion, everyone headed toward the mountain summit. Xiao Lingyu glanced at the scattered stone fragments. Zhu Yurun, quick to understand, leapt forward, carrying a piece of stone, wagging his tail at Xiao Lingyu.
Xiao Lingyu looked at Chu Mingwei as if to ask, and Chu Mingwei indulged him, saying, “It’s just a stone. Zhu Yurun likes it. Junior Brother, you should keep it for him.”
Xiao Lingyu nodded happily, heartened by Chu Mingwei’s words.
Leng Hanyuan glanced at the stone with suspicion. The ancestor had awakened too suddenly, only mentioning that the stone contained a Qianhuan Stone capable of generating illusions, without describing its appearance. Zhu Yurun likely just liked the stone itself.
Before leaving, Xiao Lingyu glanced toward Xiao Hezi’s location. His spirit sense swept the area—empty. Xiao Hezi had quietly departed, likely to search for Ying Jiuhua. Xiao Lingyu felt no concern. Holding the two Qianhuan Stones in his embrace, he casually glanced at Xu Xuan, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips.