Chapter 55: The Veil Removed

Ye Shiyuan gave a slight nod in agreement.

"Mm, that’s true. Master did the right thing."

Xu Feng had been waiting for Ye Shiyuan to plead on his behalf.

He had never expected that Ye Shiyuan would actually agree instead...

Finally, he could not hold it in any longer.

"Master, Senior Brother, the two of you are too much! I can already foresee how miserable my future at Baize Peak will be."

"You’re the last to enter the sect. If we don’t bully you, who else should we bully?" Bai He replied bluntly, offering no mercy.

Xu Feng snorted softly. "Fine, I won’t argue with you. When Master takes in more disciples in the future, I won’t be the youngest anymore."

Following his words, Bai He said, "That’s actually not a bad idea. Next time I’ll take in a female disciple. But that female disciple will surely be someone even I wouldn’t bear to bully, so you can forget about it."

A faint smile appeared on Ye Shiyuan’s face; he seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood.

He had grown used to the way Bai He and Xu Feng interacted.

It was quite amusing.

"Master, in the next match I will also give it my all and end it quickly," Ye Shiyuan said.

Although he was smiling, his expression was very serious.

When Bai He met his eyes, a trace of fluster rose in his heart.

Could he not smile at him with that face?

Who could possibly withstand that?

Bai He quickly shifted his gaze away. "Mm, I understand."

Ye Shiyuan’s smile deepened.

He walked to stand behind Bai He and said nothing more.

He simply accompanying him as they continued watching the arena and waiting to see who his final opponent would be.

Who else could it be?

Other than Xue Yanming, there was likely no one else.

Bai He was indeed growing a little sleepy.

After all, he had been watching for three consecutive days.

He propped his head up with one hand, his eyes slightly drowsy.

Beside him, Zhou Yifei could not help but remind him, "Junior Brother, don’t actually fall asleep."

Bai He gave an awkward smile. "I won’t."

Falling asleep at an occasion like this would be no different from completely embarrassing himself in public.

How would he ever show his face again?

"That’s good. I know this has been hard on you. If not for your disciple participating, you wouldn’t have had to endure this."

In the past, Bai He rarely came.

Even if he did, he would not stay for long.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister."

Fortunately, the match ended rather quickly.

Within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, it was over.

After the match concluded, there would be another hour of rest to allow Ye Shiyuan and Xue Yanming to recover fully before proceeding with the final battle.

Bai He had matters to attend to with the various elders and Yao Xiangli, so he left with them.

Ye Shiyuan could only remain with Xu Feng and waiting for the upcoming match.

"Ye Shiyuan!"

When he turned around, he found that it was a disciple from Qixiu Valley.

It was Su Yuluan.

Because of her performance in this competition, she had become quite well-known; even Xu Feng remembered her.

"Greetings, Miss Su."

"Ye Shiyuan, may I speak with you alone for a moment?"

Xu Feng was perceptive enough. So, he pointed ahead and said, "Senior Brother, I’ll wait for you up front."

"Mm."

After Xu Feng left, Su Yuluan stepped forward a couple of paces somewhat shyly.

The place was secluded and there was no one else around.

"Ye Shiyuan, do you remember me? In the previous competition, I came with my master and senior sisters, though I didn’t have the chance to compete... But last time, a sword flew off the arena. It was you who saved me."

In truth, Ye Shiyuan had little recollection of it.

However, since she had said so, he could only respond accordingly.

"There’s no need to be so polite. It was merely a small effort."

"Perhaps to you it meant nothing, but to me, you saved my life. Ye Shiyuan, I have always wanted to repay you."

So it turned out that she had come to repay a debt of gratitude.

"There’s no need. Miss Su, please don’t take it to heart. I believe that in such a situation, not only I, but anyone would have stepped in to help."

Su Yuluan slowly raised her hand and removed her veil just like that.

Her beauty was unmatched.

Even among the many beauties of Qixiu Valley, she was considered first-rate.

She believed that no one who had seen her face would remain unmoved.

Ye Shiyuan froze slightly for a moment, then quickly shifted his gaze away.

"Miss Su, I am aware of Qixiu Valley’s rules. Please put your veil back on at once. If someone sees you, you will be punished."

Su Yuluan had never expected Ye Shiyuan to say such words.

Could it be that he truly felt nothing at all?

Her face turned pale, yet she still forced herself to steady her voice.

"Ye Shiyuan, can you not see? It is because I admire you that I removed my veil. Of course I know Qixiu Valley’s rules. But Qixiu Valley also has a rule that if one finds someone they truly love, they may remove their veil."

Ye Shiyuan’s expression remained calm, yet he still did not allow his gaze to fall upon Su Yuluan.

From her words, he had already understood her meaning.

"Thank you for your admiration, Miss Su. But I do not harbor such feelings for you."

Only at this moment did Su Yuluan’s face truly turn unsightly.

If he did not return her feelings, then after removing her veil, the consequences for her would be endless.

"But I have already removed my veil. Shiyuan, if you do not like me, if you cannot prove that you truly love me, my master will punish me."