Chapter 429: 15: Before the Storm Comes

Chapter 429: Chapter 15: Before the Storm Comes

Hearing Xue Zhenghao’s accusatory tone, the blue-robed young girl said, “It’s true she went for cultivation, many fellow sisters can testify to this.”

“Hmph.” Xue Zhenghao’s expression was gloomy as he coldly said, “I don’t believe that Zi Ling’er can keep hiding from me!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xue Zhenghao strode towards the exit.

The blue-robed young girl let out a sigh of relief, thinking to herself that now Ling’er could temporarily avoid this villain.

Although she felt deeply sorry for Ling’er, there was nothing she could do, given her limited cultivation.

“Senior Brother, please wait…” But just then, a voice rang out, followed by the appearance of a blue-robed young girl named Lan Tian’er, who was also an Outer Disciple.

“What is it?” Xue Zhenghao’s face looked unpleasant.

Lan Tian’er said, “Senior Brother Xue Zhenghao, Li Qingxuan is lying. Zi Ling’er did not go out for cultivation. Just now, when Li Qingxuan saw Senior Brother coming, she ran over to snitch, letting Zi Ling’er go out early to hide. Several other times Zi Ling’er hid away were also because Li Qingxuan snitched.”

Hearing this, the pretty face of the green-robed young girl changed dramatically.

In the courtyard, many female disciples gave Lan Tian’er disdainful looks. They liked Zi Ling’er much more than Lan Tian’er, who was always calculative, but they felt powerless to help.

Facing the angry glares from her fellow sisters, Lan Tian’er wore a look of disdain, even daring to challenge them with her stare.

In Lan Tian’er’s opinion, Xue Zhenghao would soon become a significant figure in the Yin Yang Realm, and if she could connect with Xue Zhenghao now, her status within the sect would naturally rise in the future.

“Slap…”

A loud slap resonated.

Xue Zhenghao raised his right hand, fiercely slapping it across Li Qingxuan’s cheek.

A bloody handprint immediately appeared on Li Qingxuan’s face.

Xue Zhenghao grabbed Li Qingxuan by the neck and roared, “I wondered how that bitch Zi Ling’er kept evading me, it turns out you, this bitch, have been helping her. Tell me quickly, where is Zi Ling’er, otherwise, I’ll take your life.”

Li Qingxuan, terrified by Xue Zhenghao’s ferocious expression, still shook her head resolutely. She would never forget how, when she had just joined the sect and was bullied by fellow disciples, unable to even eat, a sweet little girl shared her own things with her, the playful little girl who used to share with her the stories of her and her brother.

The Ancient Sect is a brutal world, where those without talent are doomed.

Without that little girl, she might have given up on cultivation long ago, perhaps accidentally killed in a spar by a Senior Brother or Sister.

Or even become the tool for some Senior Brother’s desires, but it was that naïve little girl’s encouragement that made her strong.

Later, that little girl had also grown up. Over a year ago, when she learned of her brother’s death, that once cheerful girl became helpless, pained, without a smile anymore, and Li Qingxuan felt very heartbroken.

“Even if it kills me, I will not disclose Ling’er’s whereabouts,” Li Qingxuan silently told herself. Her neck was tightly clutched by Xue Zhenghao, her face turning extremely pale, but her eyes were staunchly fixed on Xue Zhenghao, without a hint of submission.

A female disciple spoke up, “Senior Brother Xue, do you really want to kill Sister Qingxuan? Although we Outer Disciples have a lower status than you, we are still disciples of the sect. If Senior Brother truly kills Sister Qingxuan, despite your status as a Core Disciple, won’t the sect have to hold you accountable?”

Xue Zhenghao gave a cold glance to the talking female disciple and then threw the nearly strangled Li Qingxuan to the ground.

Then, the female disciple named Lan Tian’er said, “Senior Brother, please don’t lower yourself to argue with these worthless women. I know where Zi Ling’er is hiding, and I can take you there.”

“Lan Tian’er, you wretched woman, committing such cruel and unjust acts, you will eventually meet your retribution,” Li Qingxuan glared at Lan Tian’er filled with resentment.

Yet, Lan Tian’er stepped forward and slapped Li Qingxuan, shrieking, “Li Qingxuan, who do you think you are to dare insult me?”

“Ha-ha, well done, well done. Your name is Lan Tian’er, right? I’ll remember you. Just let me find Zi Ling’er, and I will commend you greatly!”

…

“Thank you, Senior Brother, for your guidance.” Lan Tian’er hurriedly bowed, her face beaming with joy.

However, Xue Zhenghao grabbed Li Qingxuan by the hair and yanked her up, then harshly kicked her, coldly saying, “If that little wench Zi Ling’er dares to disobey, I’ll use you to threaten her and see if she obeys me then.”

“No, I won’t go, let me go,” Li Qingxuan struggled intensely.

“Lead the way,” Xue Zhenghao said sternly.

Lan Tian’er led the way ahead, while Xue Zhenghao dragged the struggling Li Qingxuan by her hair towards a distant location.

“What do we do now? I’m afraid Ling’er might not escape his clutches this time, but we are powerless and can’t help her.”

“Alas, we can only hope that Ling’er prays for her own safety.”

Many female disciples were anxiously pacing.

Thinking of the arduous path of cultivation, they couldn’t help but feel a deep sorrow.

…

“Senior Brother, the courtyard up ahead is where Junior Sister Zi Ling’er resides. Originally, Senior Brother Zixiao had his own separate residence where he lived with Junior Sister Zi Ling’er. But after Senior Brother Zixiao died tragically, the sect reclaimed his residence and sent Junior Sister Zi Ling’er to live here mixed with the other Outer Female Disciples,” Fan Qiangfu said cautiously, uncertain of the relationship between Lin Feng and Zi Ling’er, and worried about provoking Lin Feng’s wrath which might befall him given the sect’s treatment of Zi Ling’er.

Lin Feng chuckled coldly, saying, “Indeed, a very pragmatic sect!”

Fan Qiangfu gave a wry smile and dared not reply.

Lin Feng and Fan Qiangfu entered the separate residence, where the female disciples inside were still discussing Zi Ling’er. Seeing Fan Qiangfu arriving, they quickly paid their respects, “Greetings to Senior Brother Fan.”

Fan Qiangfu waved his hand, saying, “Where is Junior Sister Zi Ling’er? This gentleman is a major figure from the Martial Soul Hall, seeking audience with her.”

“A major figure from the Martial Soul Hall?” The eyes of many female disciples suddenly lit up, turning towards Lin Feng wearing a straw hat, although they could not clearly see his face. Uncertain why a bigwig from the Martial Soul Hall would seek out Zi Ling’er, the disciple previously frightened by Xue Zhenghao hurriedly said, “Sir, please save Ling’er. If it’s any later, she might be defiled. Junior Sister Ling’er is only twelve years old; if she’s harmed, how will she live her life?”

Upon hearing this, Lin Feng’s heart tightened immediately, and his expression became extremely grim as he asked, “What happened?”

“Sir, it’s too late for explanations. Can we talk on the way? I’m afraid if we delay even a moment longer, Junior Sister Ling’er’s purity will be sullied,” the female disciple said.

At that moment, Lin Feng was nearly bursting with fury. Although he was unaware of the full extent of the situation, the few words from the female disciple told him that Zi Ling’er was in great danger. If anything were to happen to Zi Ling’er, how could he ever face Zixiao? Lin Feng felt a terrifying surge of homicidal intent brewing in his chest, his voice sounding as if it came from the depths of hell, “Lead the way…”

“Follow me, Sir!” The female disciple hurried towards the distant woods, with Lin Feng quickly following behind.

“Oh no, Xue Zhenghao is going to cause a huge mess.”

Fan Qiangfu’s face paled, well aware of the feud between Xue Zhenghao and Zixiao, and the fact that Xue Zhenghao had demanded Zi Ling’er from the sect after Zixiao’s death. Evidently, the Martial Soul Hall’s bigwig seemed to have a deep connection with either Zi Ling’er or Zixiao, and his murderous intent was evident. Anticipating trouble, Fan Qiangfu quickly flew towards the Main Peak to report the matter to the Qingyang Sect’s upper echelons.