Volume 1, Chapter 22: Can Arguing Also Advance Quest Progress?

When Xin Zi emerged from the terrace, she caught Pei Xi gently wiping away Xu Qingning’s tears. The heartache in his eyes was so overflowing that it sent sharp, stabbing pains through her own heart. Consumed by a wave of jealousy, she stepped forward, intent on pulling the two apart, but froze in her tracks the moment she saw Pei Xi shield Xu Qingning behind him.

"Pei Xi..."

Hearing her voice, Xu Qingning peeked out from behind Pei Xi and poked his arm. "Mr. Pei, Miss Xin is calling you."

He raised a hand to stroke her head. "Are you in much pain? Let me take you to get some medicine."

Xu Qingning held him back, looking toward Xin Zi. "I wonder what price the Xin family will pay for this slap Miss Xin gave me..."

When Xia Haoran came to his senses, he realized his parents had stopped practicing and were standing to the side, looking at him with expressions of pure adoration. He was startled. "Adoration? I’m seeing this word in my parents' eyes—I must not have slept well. I’m hallucinating," he muttered to himself.

They prepared to take their seats. After some polite deferring, they seated Elder Lu at the head, with Luo Feng hosting, and everyone took their places, though two seats remained empty.

Gui Li’s eyes flashed with brilliance as he considered the implications. Since the Wan Du Sect was not responsible, this poison must have originated from the Chang Sheng Hall.

Li Er asked a question with some trepidation. As he looked around, he noticed the once-dilapidated temple had been tidied up remarkably well, leaving him feeling quite surprised.

However, dealing with Zhang Liang was not their goal, so they decided to join forces to intercept the formidable Yin Queen.

After a day and night of rain, the next morning brought a magnificent sun. The gentle, warm sunshine of June made everyone feel exceptionally good.

"Love comes when it’s least expected. My luck has arrived." Ma Qi had never been so happy. Watching Lu Ailin leave, he spoke these words, his heart truly light and joyful.

Zhao Zixian smirked. "Good. Let the lot of you taste my Samadhi True Fire." With that, he extended his right hand out the window and struck with his palm. A thread of fiery energy shot out in an invisible form, striking the hood of the lead car as it pursued them.

***

As soon as they went upstairs, the old man opened fire, pointing a finger at Li Chen’s nose and launching into a long list of grievances.

Ten minutes later, as the scattered crystalline particles from the white cotton of the raw stone continued to flake off the jadeite, Master Zhao’s expression grew increasingly grim.

Ling Sijue had just entered the room when a fragrant breeze brushed past his nose, and someone lunged from behind to wrap her arms tightly around his waist. Ling Sijue did not pull away, but he did not respond either.

"I did nothing wrong! Nothing!" he shouted, sweeping a cup off the table. Those guarding outside rushed in, but it was not just his men who entered; they were joined by the men of Song Yan.

As for Young Master Pei, she had sent someone to the neighboring city to inquire about him and had specifically informed him about Lin Chuxia. Consort Li’s goal was nothing more than to ensure Lin Chuxia would not appear in the Imperial City.

Meng Yinhai was quite baffled, assuming he was going to fetch a contract or something similar, and was feeling smug when he suddenly saw Wang Ha pull out a large, heavy butcher’s knife for slicing meat.

"Then, Sister, could you perhaps yield the Prince to me?" Su Xuerou grabbed Lin Chuxia’s wrist, pleading.

They had both come from the Zuihong Pavilion, yet Lin Chuxia had managed to ascend to the position of Imperial Consort while she had failed. It was truly unfair of heaven to treat her this way.

Deep down, Shen Chengren did not believe Xu Lin would act this way. Yet, the reality stood naked before him, and there was no way for Shen Chengren to escape it.

Upstairs, Shi Jie couldn't refuse the Dean, and he remained distracted throughout his meal with Vivian. He seized the moment he went to the restroom to make a phone call.

After Tang Qi left the palace, he went directly to see Yu Chong. Tong Yuqing was unable to move her hands and required Yu Chong to serve her every meal. At first, she found it romantic and sweet, but by the third or fourth time, she began to find it unbearable.

Even if there were obstacles in their future, he would never retreat a single step.

Because she had been running so fast, Qian Qingxi felt as if the wind were beneath her feet. She had brought Qian Yun and Qian Ran back with such incredible speed that even she found it unbelievable.

Whether it was a hallucination or not, a malicious smile flashed across Gu Shenge’s face. In the next second, Gu Shenge launched an unexpected attack on the person holding the long sword. A flicker of triumph crossed the eyes of the masked swordsman. *Finally, you couldn't help yourself? You really are just a youth.*

He swept her up into a princess carry, startling Xu Tiantian, who instinctively wrapped her arms around Xuan Ye’s neck.

***

Everyone around Zhu Zhu gasped, wondering if their big brother’s romantic fortune was finally arriving.

As the wedding officiant announced the final words, Xue Cheng took Ji Hongxue’s hand, and they were about to step into the back hall.

From then on, San Yue Xue stopped speaking, and no one knew what she was thinking. But Baili Nuyun knew something was amiss, though he could only bury the doubt in his heart, unable to ask.

Sun Wei’s expression was ghastly. He had received word that Sun Pingyan had fallen, and he discovered that the men Uncle Yun had taken with him had not yet returned. Clearly, the mission had gone poorly.

As they discussed the credibility of the news, Chang Yuan Tu sent word that the people from the Xuan Xin Zhu Hai Sect had arrived and wished to meet with them.

A light rose from the zombie’s head, finally condensing in mid-air into a red, crystal-like object.

Feeling the dense killing intent radiating from Fusu, the three of them trembled, a sudden and inexplicable urge to kneel and submit rising within them.

Jin Tong did not refuse, but as the Princess Consort to the Prince of Jing, many people came to flatter and curry favor with her. Truly annoyed by the hollow laughter and compliments, she stood up, intending to take her leave.

In her past life, this maid had betrayed her. She believed that in this life, the maid’s nature would be no different. She did not trust Xue Zhu.

However, there were ways to achieve the best of both worlds. For instance, she could freely use anything that had already been exchanged through the historical exchange system.

"Have you forgotten something?" Li Jingzhi effortlessly dodged the incoming slap, hovering just in front of the tall Asura, his lips curled in a look of disdain.