Chapter 81

In an instant, the close manner in which Ye Xuan spoke to Yu Ling’er evoked envy among the onlookers.

Most of these were fellow disciples, especially one named Qin Yushou, a senior brother with the title ‘Guardian of Jade’. His gaze towards them even held a tinge of resentment.

Having reached the Divine Transformation phase in cultivation, he couldn’t enter the Cosmic Cave Heaven.

Qin Yushou had heard of Yu Ling’er and was enchanted upon seeing her beauty in person. Yet, to his dismay, she seemed quite close to Ye Xuan, a cultivator deemed worthless for his lack of spiritual roots.

With a smile concealing his bitterness, Qin Yushou approached them and greeted, “I presume this is the newly recruited Brother Ye Xuan, and Sister Yu Ling? I’m Qin Yushou, the leading disciple of Qingguang Peak. I’ve long heard of your esteemed names.”

He believed his graceful and approachable demeanor would surely draw a shy response from a naïve girl like Yu Ling’er. However, as soon as he finished speaking, he saw Yu Ling’er looking at him with disdain, even a hint of hatred in her eyes.

Hatred? What on earth! Had he somehow offended her? Why would she hate him upon their very first exchange?

He began to doubt whether he had forgotten some basic etiquette like brushing his teeth, or if something dirty was on his face. But then, he remembered he hadn’t eaten in decades and thus had no need for brushing.

Dismissing his thoughts as a misperception, Qin Yushou coughed lightly and resumed his bright smile, expecting Yu Ling’er to look at him with admiration.

Instead, she said to Ye Xuan, “Brother Ye Xuan, I find this man so annoying. He’s blocking our way even though we don’t want to talk to him.”

Hearing this, Ye Xuan couldn’t help but chuckle and replied, “You could have just told me that. Saying it so loudly makes it rather awkward for him.”

At Ye Xuan’s words, Qin Yushou felt like spitting blood in frustration. How had he become the object of her dislike? And she called Ye Xuan, whom he considered a nobody, ‘brother’? What was happening?

Qin Yushou couldn’t shake off the feeling that Yu Ling’er was meant to be his, perhaps due to some predestined fate.

Yet, the girl he felt connected to was addressing another man as ‘brother’ and openly declaring her dislike for him. This realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.

Furthermore, this Ye Xuan, could he be mocking me? A worthless cultivator without even a spiritual root! If he dares to enter the Cosmic Cave Heaven, he might not even live long enough to choose to leave. How dare he mock me?!

Inside, Qin Yushou harbored intense jealousy, but his face wore a breeze-like gentle smile. He said, “Hehe, it seems I have disturbed you two.”

He couldn’t believe that his charm would be inferior to Ye Xuan, whom he considered a pretty boy. Ah, it must be because Yu Ling’er, upon seeing him, became too shy and ended up speaking in contradictions.

Yes, that must be it. He had experienced such admiration from junior sisters before, who, despite liking him, often spoke in contradictions to catch his attention. Hehe, so Yu Ling’er is also that type.

Despite her apparent closeness with Ye Xuan, she might actually see him just as a brother. Her harsh attitude towards him only made him believe that he held a unique place in her heart. After all, it was their first meeting; she had no reason to despise him so.

With this thought, Qin Yushou grew confident and said to Ye Xuan and Yu Ling’er, “I’m really sorry.” Though he apologized, he made no move to step aside.

Seeing Qin Yushou standing there confidently, with a smile on his face, Ye Xuan was puzzled. What was he doing?

Yu Ling’er had clearly shown her dislike, and he still doesn’t move away, thinking that just standing there with a charming smile would win a girl’s heart?

“Ling’er, let’s go somewhere else to talk,” Ye Xuan suggested to Yu Ling’er.

“Mm,” she nodded and left with Ye Xuan. She feared that if she didn’t leave with Ye Xuan soon, she might not be able to resist the urge to hit Qin Yushou.

The scene of Qin Yushou greeting Ye Xuan and Yu Ling’er had been witnessed by those around. They could easily tell that Qin Yushou was interested in Yu Ling’er and wanted to get close to her. Yet, to their surprise, she paid him no heed.

“Pfft… Hahaha…” Some people were laughing quietly.

A few even laughed out loud…

“Who is that senior brother? Did he offend Ye Xuan and Junior Sister Yu Ling? Why does it seem like they’re completely disregarding his presence?”

“Yes, I feel the same… Pfft… Hahaha…”

“That senior brother is the leading disciple of Qingguang Peak, surnamed Qin, with the title ‘Guardian of Jade’.”

“Senior Brother Yushou really should have noticed that those two are close. Approaching them at this time, isn’t it obvious what his intentions are?”

“Indeed, no wonder he’s being despised.”

“…”

Amidst the murmuring crowd, Qin Yushou’s face turned extremely unsightly. He had never expected to be so despised and ignored!

Could it be, as these people around suggested, that Yu Ling’er saw through his intentions, hence her disdain? Hmph, Yu Ling’er, Ye Xuan!

He managed to conceal his ugly expression, firming up his resolve internally. Turning his head to look at Ye Xuan and Yu Ling’er, who were deep in conversation, a radiant smile still adorned his face. The day will come when I win over Yu Ling’er and then let’s see if Ye Xuan can remain as smug as he is now!

In his eyes, as the leading disciple of Qingguang Peak and having reached the Divine Transformation realm, he was incomparable to Ye Xuan, the so-called worthless one. Even if Yu Ling’er truly liked Ye Xuan, he was confident he could sway her affections.

Yet, Qin Yushou was rather petty in nature. Since Yu Ling’er didn’t like him now, he planned to make things difficult for her once he won her over. But, that was just a thought; realistically, with Yu Ling’er’s talent, it wouldn’t take a century before she would ascend to immortality.

That was his true goal. After all, his talent was limited, and since reaching the Divine Transformation realm, his cultivation had hardly progressed.

Ye Xuan and Yu Ling’er were talking among themselves, but they were tacitly aware of something. Qin Yushou must die! Unfortunately, neither had the means to deal with him at the moment.

There was no need to ask Qingxue for help. With the opportunity in Cosmic Cave Heaven, once Ye Xuan emerged after a day, he would reach the Spirit Insight realm.

As said before, in cultivation, power isn’t always directly proportional to the level, unless the gap is too vast. For example, between mortals and those in the Object Manipulation realm, or between immortals and non-immortals…

In the Spirit Insight realm, Ye Xuan would be invincible under immortals. Moreover, with the power source of an immortal, despite lacking the explosive power of an immortal, his methods might not be inferior to a real immortal.

Even without Cosmic Cave Heaven, Ye Xuan was confident he could take revenge soon, without Qingxue’s help.

Similarly, Yu Ling’er was confident in her abilities. Having once reached the immortal realm, she planned to cultivate the Nine Heavens Mysterious Sword Technique in the Cosmic Cave Heaven. Once she emerged, eliminating Qin Yushou would be as easy as eating and drinking.

Before her rebirth, she owed Ye Xuan too much. All the grievances Ye Xuan suffered were because of Qin Yushou. Thus, she wouldn’t let Qin Yushou off.

Although killing a fellow sect member went against her principles, Qin Yushou was nothing more than a beast in human clothing; eliminating him wouldn’t weigh on her conscience. Yu Ling’er feared nothing!

If Qin Yushou, the original protagonist, knew that not only did Yu Ling’er hate him from their first meeting but also resolved to kill him, one wonders how he would feel. Probably enough to spit blood in frustration.

After all, Qin Yushou could never have known that Yu Ling’er was a reborn individual who had already seen the future script.

“Just after entering the Cosmic Cave Heaven, make sure to give that Ye Xuan a good lesson, preferably making it impossible for him to leave,” Qin Yushou was quietly instructing several newly initiated disciples of Qingguang Peak.

“Uh…” Hearing this, the new disciples hesitated.

“Don’t worry, as long as you do a good job, I’ll make sure you’re well rewarded,” Qin Yushou said. “Otherwise, don’t even think about getting an easy life in Qingguang Peak.”

“Uh… Yes, we’ll listen to the Senior Brother!” The new disciples dared not say much and agreed.

Although Taihua Immortal Sect is a righteous sect, there is no absolute good or evil in this world. Even within such a grand sect, there are acts of harboring dirt and filth.

Of course, some people only agree superficially, unwilling to engage in such deeds, while others gleam with eagerness, viewing Ye Xuan as prey.

“Disciples,” Daoqin, a true immortal, was speaking at the main hall to all disciples of Taihua. Regardless of the whispers below, her voice reached everyone’s ears: “Listen to me.”

The once noisy Taihua Grand Hall instantly quieted down, everyone’s gaze turning towards Daoqin. It’s said immortals are eternally youthful, but they too have lifespans.

Daoqin, an immortal with the youthful beauty of a twenty-year-old, had silver-white hair, indicating her many years of cultivation.