“Nalan Yunyan is too impulsive, too immature. That is what you’re thinking, right, Qinghan?”
On the other side, watching Nalan Yunyan as she sat cross-legged beside the Cloud-Weave Star Venerable, Yingning suddenly questioned the disciple standing next to her.
Gu Qinghan did not answer.
That was exactly what she was thinking.
Even she could see through the Cloud-Weave Star Venerable’s schemes, yet Nalan Yunyan had failed to notice. ‘That is unwise.’
The Cloud-Weave Star Venerable currently beside them was a puppet, while her true body was likely already inside the Cave Residence, preparing to possess Qian Yu.
‘That is unobservant.’
Creating such an impulsive scene gained her nothing but a bit of emotional satisfaction, and instead, it brought trouble to her family.
‘That is unrighteous.’
How could such a person be called clever? If it were her —
“If it were you, you would definitely plan meticulously and proceed slowly, right?”
Gu Qinghan nodded.
“In that case, the Half-Yao named Qian Yu would be dead.”
Yingning paused for a moment before continuing, “Nalan Yunyan indeed failed to actually stop the Cloud-Weave Star Venerable. However, it was precisely her outburst that drew the attention of many Venerables, delaying the time it took for the Sect Master to switch places with her puppet.”
“And that little bit of time was exactly what that Half-Yao lacked.”
“My disciple, dying once gave you more experience, but it also placed heavy shackles upon you. Without the courage to press forward, you will never achieve the Great Dao.”
Yingning, who had been teasing her disciple moments ago with the appearance of a charming young girl, now displayed a rare sense of insight and weariness that could only be accumulated through countless years.
She patted Gu Qinghan’s shoulder, her tone earnest.
“But, impulsiveness leads to death…”
Gu Qinghan pursed her lips, her usually ice-cold expression showing a rare flicker of emotion.
“You weren’t impulsive, and didn’t you still die?”
Yingning said, striking a nerve.
“That’s still better than…”
Gu Qinghan wanted to say more.
She and Qian Yu were only ordinary friends, and the girl had even been her enemy in her past life.
What was wrong with hesitating?
How did that translate to a lack of courage?
However, her Master, who had been so satisfied with her not long ago, directly interrupted her.
Her gaze turned somewhat disappointed.
“I’ve told you that you have a wooden head. Say no more. Keep watching, and you will soon feel uncomfortable.”
?
Gu Qinghan frowned and looked over.
The gate symbolizing the entrance to the Cloud-Weave Star Venerable’s Star Sea Grotto-heaven suddenly swung open.
A radiant light flowed out, and first, the tip of a cloud-patterned shoe stained with stardust and signs of struggle emerged.
Then, a small, fluffy, snow-white figure appeared.
It was Qian Yu.
She looked exhausted, and her snow-white hair was a bit disheveled.
However, unlike her previous timid self, her eyes were very bright.
Her amber pupils were clear and luminous under the glimmer of the Star Sea, as if she had just finished a treacherous journey and finally seen a familiar light.
“Qian Yu?!”
Seeing that familiar small figure, Nalan Yunyan immediately stood up.
Her face first showed a flash of joy, but after remembering something, she quickly suppressed it.
“Don’t get too happy when you find out what happened here later. This young lady only took an interest in your talent.”
She spoke quite indifferently.
After casting another glance at Qian Yu, she turned to leave.
She did not want anyone to think she was some kind of gentle or kind-hearted person.
She did everything just to tell everyone that the Nalan Family would provide protection to any force or individual loyal to her.
That was what Nalan Yunyan thought, but a slightly childish voice suddenly called out to her from behind, “Senior Sister!”
“What is it?” Nalan Yunyan knit her brows and said impatiently to the girl who called her, “If it is words of gratitude, then save it. You were just lucky, if it were anyone else — “
“I know.”
Qian Yu’s youthful voice was suddenly very close.
Nalan Yunyan’s magnificent golden pupils suddenly constricted, and her already tense body stiffened further.
It was that familiar touch again, that familiar softness.
That Half-Yao — that stupid, foolish, unwise, unobservant, and ignorant Half-Yao — had actually hugged her again.
In front of so many people, she had hugged her from behind!
What an offensive act.
Shock, confusion, irritation, and the displeasure of having her personal space violated in public washed over her.
Nalan Yunyan’s entire body froze.
She instinctively wanted to blast this “ungrateful” brat away, but in the next moment, her fingers hanging by her sides curled slightly.
She heard Qian Yu’s soft, gentle voice.
“I know. But Senior Sister Nalan, I still want to thank you. You saved my life.”
“Then you shouldn’t return kindness with such an offense…”
Nalan Yunyan’s breath hitched.
She had helped many people in her life, and many times, she had arrogantly declared her help was merely a handout, just as she did today.
Every time she made such a haughty statement, those who received her help would not dare to speak further.
They would either look at her fearfully while lowering their heads in silence, or they would act like fools, mechanically repeating their thanks like a program before being impatiently driven away by her.
Nalan Yunyan knew they weren’t thanking her — they were thanking her Spirit Stones, her resources, and her status.
If someone else with the same status but a better personality helped them, they would be even happier. Regarding her herself, at the end of the day, it was still fear.
Therefore, Nalan Yunyan never asked for gratitude and would coldly push people away every time.
Before today, Nalan Yunyan had only met three people who gave such sincere and determined gratitude. One was the former Tang Qiurou, and another was the now-absent Xiao Ya.
The last one was Qian Yu behind her.
Qian Yu was different from the other two.
When Xiao Ya and Tang Qiurou thanked her, there was still a hint of fear.
But Qian Yu was not afraid at all; her gratitude was purer and more steadfast.
Just like her hug, it was gentle, yet one could still feel the warm strength hidden within.
Ultimately, Nalan Yunyan did not throw Qian Yu away.
However, she noted down the grudge of being embarrassed in public.
“Tsk, what does a Half-Yao know about gratitude? You are just too starved for affection, which is why you get all emotional over such a small thing. If it were someone else, you would probably even give them a kiss.”
She decided to retaliate, speaking quite “cruelly.”
Qian Yu’s voice did not respond.
She only silently released her hold on Nalan Yunyan.
The blonde young lady’s heart skipped a beat.
She thought she would breathe a sigh of relief once released, but instead, a wave of guilt washed over her, making her wonder if she had been too harsh.
“Senior Sister Nalan, I really don’t understand much about how to show gratitude, so I will use this to express it.”
“What could you possibly have to thank me — “
In the next moment, the item Qian Yu brought out caused the entire field to fall into a dead silence.
Nalan Yunyan could not believe her eyes.
After a moment, Qian Yu looked behind her toward the Cloud-Weave Star Venerable, whose expression had been uncontrollably ugly since she emerged.
Qian Yu smiled and said, “Martial Aunt, right now, you and Senior Sister Nalan are the two most important people to Little Yu.”
“So, there is a share for me as well?!”
The one who spoke was the Cloud-Weave Star Venerable.
This Sect Master, whose mind was deep enough to scheme against everything, was currently unable to control her emotions.
She shouted out the question before Qian Yu could even finish.
Because the item the girl had produced was nothing else but a… Yi Pan, carrying the power of a Sacred Body.