"Now that you see I can Cultivate, now that you see I have value, you want to take me back?"
"For sixteen years, in the eyes of the Main Family, I was nothing more than the'Shame of the Ye Family,' a Branch Family waste that you couldn't even be bothered to glance at!"
"My father traveled to every city in the Eastern Region he could reach to seek medicine for me and consulted every doctor he could invite. Did the Main Family ever grant even half a Medicinal Pill? Did you ever ask a single question?!"
Ye Linger's voice trembled slightly, but she spoke with even more force:
"Now that I have a Master and a new life, you want to 'take me back'?"
She took a deep breath, the light in her eyes like frozen flames:
"Today, if you insist on forcing me to leave Master and return with you..."
A cold light suddenly flashed in her hand as a short sword appeared, pressed against her fair neck!
"Then I, Ye Linger, shall prove my resolve with blood today!"
"Even in death, I will not go back with you!"
The short sword was incredibly sharp; it was a top grade Profound Rank Magical Artifact given to her by Gu Han.
With just a light touch, a tiny line of blood was sliced into the delicate skin of her neck.
A drop of bright red blood slid down the ice-blue short sword, reflecting a piercing light in the sun.
"Linger!"
Ye Nantian's eyes nearly split with rage as he tried to rush forward.
"Don't come over!"
Ye Linger shook her head at her father, her gaze fixed deathly on Ye Zhenyue in the air.
"My life was saved by Master, my Cultivation Technique was bestowed by Master, and my future was given by Master!"
"Whoever dares to touch my Master or force me to betray my sect..."
Her voice suddenly rose, carrying a shrill desperation like one burning their bridges:
"I will die here immediately! I'll make sure your Ye Family gets nothing!"
The entire scene fell into a dead silence.
Inside and outside the Ye Residence in Luoxing City, everyone was as still as wooden chickens.
No one expected that this usually gentle and quiet, even somewhat timid girl,
Could erupt with such a fierce and resolute Aura at this moment!
Threatening with her own death!
Rather die than obey!
Ye Zhenyue's expression was extremely ugly, turning shades of blue and white.
He was ordered to "bring someone back," not to drive someone to their death!
Especially since this Ye Linger was suspected of possessing some powerful Physique; if she really died here and the Family Head blamed him... Cold light flickered in Ye Zhenyue's eyes as anger churned in his chest.
As the grand Third Elder of the Ye Family and a Fusion Peak great Cultivator, when had he ever been threatened like this?
And by the threat of a little girl who had just entered the Qi Refinement Stage!
But... he didn't dare to gamble.
The resolve in this girl's eyes couldn't be faked.
She really dared to die!
More importantly, that silver-haired woman behind her who had remained calm throughout... Ye Zhenyue's gaze fell upon Gu Han once more.
Gu Han was currently watching Ye Linger as she blocked the way in front of her.
She looked at the girl's thin yet straight back, and her slightly trembling yet refusing-to-lower hand.
Deep within those eyes that were as calm as a deep pool, a complex ripple passed through.
Surprise? Gratification? Being touched?
Perhaps all of them.
A child who had once suffered cold treatment and had just gained a new life.
She had originally thought that taking Ye Linger as a Disciple was bestowing an Opportunity upon her, changing her fate.
She hadn't expected that this seemingly weak Disciple would, at a critical moment, turn around and try to "protect" her in her own way.
This sentiment, this courage, this almost pure protection... caused Gu Han's long-stagnant Dao Heart to stir slightly.
It was a bit warm, and a bit... unfamiliar.
She slowly reached out and gently placed her hand on Ye Linger's tense shoulder.
The movement was very light, yet it carried an unquestionable gentle strength.
"Linger."
Gu Han's voice rang out, carrying a few more degrees of genuine warmth than usual.
"Put the short sword down."
"Master, but the Ye Family..."
Ye Linger's body trembled, but she didn't move, still staring deathly at Ye Zhenyue.
"Be good."
Gu Han's voice remained calm, but it carried a strange soothing power.
"What Ye Family? With your Master here today, even if that Empress Qing Xuan came herself, your Master would not fear her."
Hearing Gu Han's casual words, Ye Linger instantly froze, her mind going blank!
Empress Qing Xuan... that was a supreme titan who had lived for tens of thousands of years, dominated the Eastern Region, and could decide the life and death of billions with a single word!
She was the greatest pillar upon which the Ye Family stood in the Eastern Region, a deity in the clouds that all Eastern Region Cultivators looked up to!
Master... she actually said that even if Empress Qing Xuan arrived in person, she wouldn't be afraid?
"Master!"
Ye Linger suddenly turned her head, her eyes full of urgency and worry, even forgetting that the short sword was still against her neck.
"You might not be very clear; that Empress Qing Xuan is a legendary Ascension Realm Great Expert who has awed the Eastern Region for tens of thousands of years, possessing vast Divine Abilities and boundless magic power!"
"The Ye Family's Old Ancestor is precisely her..."
She thought her Master had lived in the Southern Region for a long time and perhaps didn't know much about the Peak experts of the Eastern Region.
She was terrified that her Master would get into monstrous trouble because of her.
"Silly girl."
Gu Han's heart softened as she saw her urgent explanation and tearful eyes.
She reached out, her fingertips gently brushing over the tiny bloodstain on Ye Linger's neck.
The wound healed instantly, leaving not a single trace behind.
At the same time, her other hand gently took the short sword from Ye Linger's hand.
"No more crying."
Gu Han's voice carried a rare tenderness as she used her finger to gently wipe away the teardrops falling from the corners of Ye Linger's eyes.
"If you keep crying, you won't be pretty anymore."
These words, spoken as if coaxing a child, made Ye Linger daze for a moment.
The panic in her heart was strangely diluted a bit, but her worry still hadn't dissipated.
"But Master, that Empress Qing Xuan, she really..."
"Linger."
Gu Han interrupted her, leaning close to her ear and speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Master will tell you a little secret."
She paused, looking into Ye Linger's tearful, doubt-filled eyes.
The corners of her mouth curled into a faint smile that seemed capable of enchanting all living beings:
"Master... is also Ascension."
Also... Ascension?!
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