Recalling the scene she had stumbled upon in the Main Hall before, and Ye Ling'er's intense reaction at the time, Gu Luoli had a faint suspicion in her heart.
She sighed softly and shook her head, suppressing her messy thoughts.
These matters were not for her to interfere with.
She believed Master would have her own decision.
Right now, she needed to focus more on her own Cultivation.
The trip to the Secret Realm, as well as the successive appearances of these two Empresses, allowed her to see more clearly the gap between herself and truly Peak powerhouses.
The power of the heavy pupils, the Dragon Abyss Sword, the Nine-Pattern Golden Core... it was still far from enough.
She wanted to become stronger, strong enough to truly become a help to Master, rather than a Disciple who needed to be protected.
Gu Luoli took one last look toward the Main Hall, her gaze becoming firm and calm once more as she turned and walked toward the Myriad Phenomena Pagoda.
Seeing that both true-inheritance Senior Sisters had left, the other Disciples also gradually dispersed.
However, the shock and speculation regarding the two Empresses gathering at the Jade Pool Immortal Palace were destined to circulate within the palace for quite some time.
Ye Ling'er did not return to her residence, nor did she go to the Myriad Phenomena Pagoda to find Gu Luoli.
Like a lost young beast, she walked aimlessly through the Immortal Palace. Unknowingly, she actually arrived at the side of the Yaochi.
The vast, misty waters shimmered under the moonlight. On the island in the center of the lake, the Enlightenment Tea Tree emitted a hazy dao rhyme, quiet and mysterious.
Usually, this place could bring peace to her mind.
But today, looking at the pool water, she only felt restless.
She crouched down, hugged her knees, and buried her face in them.
The sourness, panic, and increasingly strong possessiveness in her heart coiled tighter and tighter like vines.
"Master..."
She murmured softly, her voice carrying a hint of a sob.
Bits and pieces of her time spent with Master uncontrollably surfaced in her mind.
One year ago in Falling Star City.
Master descended like a Heavenly God, helped her activate her Physique, taught her the Supreme Yin Manual, and led her onto the path of Cultivation.
When the main branch of the Ye Family wanted to take her away, Master acted domineeringly, taking her personally to Tianfeng City to settle the Family Karma.
When she was injured, Master would heal her, the warmth from her fingertips seemingly able to dispel all coldness.
When she was confused, though Master didn't say much, she could always enlighten her.
And yesterday... when she was unhappy, Master gently held her, wiped away her tears, and softly comforted her... that was the warmest and most reassuring moment in her memory.
Master was so wonderful—strong, gentle, cold yet inclusive—a light in her dark life.
She had never dared to hope for anything, only asking to stay by Master's side forever, to be her obedient Disciple, to Cultivate hard, and not to lose face for her.
But... why did others have to appear?
Why did they have to look at Master with those eyes?
Why could they get close to Master so naturally and even give personal bracelets, while she felt that even looking a bit longer was a desecration?
"I'm not reconciled... I'm really not reconciled!"
A clear thought, like a sharp blade breaking through ice, suddenly sliced through her chaotic heart—
She wanted to tell Master!
Tell Master her feelings!
Not the respect of a Disciple for a Master, but the admiration and love of one woman for another!
Once this thought was born, it was like a prairie fire, instantly swallowing all hesitation and fear.
Yes, she was going to say it!
Rather than watching others get close to Master, it was better to give her all and fight for herself once!
Even if she was rejected, even if Master was furious and even expelled her from the sect... she would accept it!
At least, she let Master know her heart.
At least, she had tried.
Ye Ling'er suddenly raised her head, the tears in her eyes already dried, replaced by a kind of resolution like burning her bridges.
She stood up and looked toward the Main Hall.
The hall doors were still tightly closed; she didn't know what Master and those two Empresses were talking about inside.
She couldn't wait anymore.
She had to find an opportunity as soon as possible to express her feelings to Master alone.
Ye Ling'er wiped away the remaining wet marks on her face, tidied her dress and hair, and tried to calm herself down.
She knew her current state wasn't right and she couldn't just go to see Master so recklessly.
She needed to be calm, she needed to prepare, she needed... to find a suitable moment.
She took one last look at the Main Hall, as if she could see through the layers of the palace to the cold and transcendent silver-haired figure inside.
"Master..."
She whispered to herself, her voice as light as a mosquito's hum, yet carrying an incomparably solemn promise,
"Wait for me."
After saying that, she resolutely turned and walked toward her own residence.
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