Chapter 509 474: Ye Liyuan Exits Seclusion

However, Nangong Jin's next words left him stunned.

"Have you realized, Brother Pei? I was deceived."

"Junior Sister, you…"

Nangong Jin calmly lifted the porcelain cup. She lowered her gaze to her reflection in the tea, her voice as faint as a sigh.

"When the Forgetfulness Dao reaches the Extreme Realm, a Cultivator retracts all of their spiritual focus from its chaotic, outward projection, and instead concentrates it entirely on themself.

"Through this careful self-examination, I discovered the flaws in that person's deception from all those years ago."

Pei Yuhang immediately clenched his fists, his voice laced with urgency.

"Junior Sister Nangong, once you realized you'd been tricked, why didn't you tell me what you'd been through right away!"

Nangong Jin slowly shook her head, a few strands of dark hair slipping from her shoulder. Her gaze was terrifyingly calm, like a pool of stagnant water without a single ripple.

"Because it would have been pointless."

She set down her teacup, and the crisp clink of porcelain was exceptionally piercing in a room with only the two of them.

"By the time I discovered that flaw from the past, I was already too far down the path of the Forgetfulness Dao to turn back… She had already won."

"With absolute rationality, I knew that even if I told you, Brother, it wouldn't be a case of mending the fold after the sheep were gone. It would only create a useless karmic bond.

"And so, I let go of that entanglement."

"What do you mean?"

Looking at the Nangong Jin before him—as cold and silent as a machine, both strange and familiar—Pei Yuhang felt an inexplicable surge of irritation.

Just then, Nangong Jin looked up, meeting Pei Yuhang's gaze. Her eyes were vacant, utterly devoid of light, and the sight made Pei Yuhang's throat tighten.

"Because the person I am now… I no longer understand and have forever lost the ability to 'love.'"

"Brother Pei, we've already missed our chance. Dwelling on what happened back then will only invite unnecessary trouble… It will only add to your suffering."

"If I could, I never would have given you those letters. But alas, it was a lingering attachment from before I mastered the Forgetfulness Daoist Skill… That was my last thread of affection for you. If I hadn't given it to you, my Dao Heart would have been flawed.

"Now, I have let go… Brother Pei, you should let go, too."

Pei Yuhang was silent for a moment. His eyes became bloodshot, yet his voice was frighteningly calm.

"Junior Sister Nangong, you already know who that person is, don't you?"

"Tell me."

Nangong Jin looked at Pei Yuhang, her eyelashes trembling faintly. "Brother, do you really want to know?"

For the first time, her voice wavered.

"I suggest you seal your memories of today and put this matter to rest completely. Otherwise…"

"Tell me."

Pei Yuhang took a step closer, his tall frame completely enveloping Nangong Jin. They were so close they could feel each other's breath.

He looked down at Nangong Jin's coolly elegant face and felt that, despite being so close, she seemed impossibly far away.

Sensing Pei Yuhang's resolve, Nangong Jin closed her eyes. Her voice grew softer and softer until it was little more than a sigh.

"Very well… I cannot defy your wish, Brother. I only ask that you prepare yourself."

"After all, you trusted her and were fond of her more than anyone."

…

…

「Xuanyuan Dao Sect, Cold Palace Sword Mansion.」

Sword light flashed within the courtyard. The longsword in Yu Xiaoyan's hand moved like a clear autumn stream, tracing a cold arc through the air.

She suddenly halted her movements, her delicate brows furrowing as she looked up toward the sky above the rear mountain.

"Senior Sister, look—" Yu Xiaoyan's voice was clear and bright, her eyes reflecting the gathering storm clouds.

Qing Yueqiu's fair hand rested on her sword hilt. She followed Yu Xiaoyan's gaze, and her crimson pupils constricted slightly.

In the sky above the rear mountain, dark clouds churned like ink. Muffled thunder rumbled, like the low growl of an ancient beast.

She pressed her lips together, her fingers tightening silently within her sleeve.

"The Divinity Transformation Celestial Tribulation… The master's wife is emerging from seclusion."

"The master's wife broke through from Nascent Soul to Divinity Transformation so quickly… How long was she even in seclusion?"

Yu Xiaoyan said, her voice filled with envy.

Qing Yueqiu gently shook her head. "The master's wife is simply retracing her cultivation path. Her Dao Heart was flawed before, which kept her from breaking through. Now that the flaw has been mended, her success is only natural."

"When Master returns and hears that his wife has broken through, he'll be overjoyed, won't he?"

As Qing Yueqiu spoke, however, a dimness flickered in her crimson eyes.

'After the master's wife breaks through, Master's attention will be completely focused on her… And in this final stretch of time, I just wanted Master to pay more attention to me.'

'HEH HEH HEH…' A demonic laugh echoed in Qing Yueqiu's Sea of Consciousness. 'You've already dug bloody crescents into your palm, little slut, and you still want to act all pure and innocent in front of your junior sister?'

'You're practically dying of jealousy for your own master's wife!'

Hearing Ji Shenyun's mocking voice, Qing Yueqiu frowned, a decision already forming in her mind.

'I had planned to spend a little more time with Master before setting out to find Bei Lingyin and deal with this Ji Shenyun matter.'

'But since the master's wife is out of seclusion now, it's time for me to go.'

'I can't guarantee how much longer I can suppress Ji Shenyun. Naturally, the sooner I resolve this problem, the better!'

"Junior Sister, I'm heading back now."

Qing Yueqiu spoke abruptly, her voice somewhat hoarse. Before Yu Xiaoyan could react, she transformed into a rainbow of sword light and shot into the sky, leaving behind only a swirl of kicked-up snow mist dancing in the wind.

"Why'd she leave so suddenly? So strange…"

Yu Xiaoyan only grumbled for a moment, not paying much mind to where Qing Yueqiu had gone.

She stared blankly at the sky. The first bolt of tribulation lightning tore through the dark clouds, its flash stretching her shadow long across the ground.

She saw a Fairy rise into the air from the rear mountain via Sword Control, heading straight for the lightning in the sky.

Ye Liyuan was facing her tribulation!

…

…

「One hour later.」

The last sliver of dark, lingering cloud was shattered by a brilliant white beam of sword light.

Ye Liyuan was curled up like a newborn, floating above the clouds. Arcs of lightning still crackled around her body.

With a soft hum, her eyelashes trembled as she opened her eyes, releasing a vast spiritual pressure from her body.

"Since that disastrous day… I've finally returned to the Divinity Transformation Realm."

A joyful smile graced Ye Liyuan's lips as she excitedly stretched her graceful body.

"Where did Ah Han go? Why isn't he here to greet me?"

Ye Liyuan enveloped the entire Cold Palace Sword Mansion with her Divine Sense, but after searching for a long while, she couldn't detect Pei Yuhang's aura. Her bright, excited expression dimmed.

"Did Ah Han leave the mansion on some errand?"

Ye Liyuan stomped her foot in a small fit of pique.

"My breakthrough as his Dao Companion is such a momentous occasion, and Ah Han isn't even here with me! Hmph. When he gets back, I'll be sure to punish him properly!"

"Ah Han always used to make me wear a bunny costume; this time, I'll punish him by making him wear a white fox costume! HEH HEH HEH!"

Although she grumbled about Pei Yuhang, Ye Liyuan was still in high spirits, obviously not holding any real resentment toward him.

After returning to the Cold Palace Sword Mansion, she found Yu Xiaoyan. She planned to ask where Ah Han had gone so she could go find him and give him a surprise!

"Master's wife, I saw Master leave with Elder Lu this morning…"

"What? Ah Han left with Senior Sister?"

After getting her answer from Yu Xiaoyan, Ye Liyuan immediately took out a Transmission Token and sent a message to Lu Ruoxi.

"Liyuan, are you out of seclusion already? That was so fast."

"Senior Sister, I've returned to the Divinity Transformation Realm!"

"Really? Congratulations, Liyuan…"

"Is Ah Han with you now, Senior Sister? Where are you? I want to come over and surprise him!"

Ye Liyuan said eagerly.

'She was already imagining Pei Yuhang's reaction when she appeared before him—first surprise, then a look of loving tenderness as he pulled her into his arms.'

'It would be even better if I could sneak a kiss in front of Senior Sister, a little public display of affection…'

For some reason, ever since becoming Dao Companions with Ah Han, Ye Liyuan had loved letting others see their affectionate daily interactions.

Unfortunately, Pei Yuhang preferred to be low-key and was always reserved in public, so he wouldn't be openly affectionate with her in front of others…

Just as Ye Liyuan was daydreaming about how to make a dazzling appearance before Ah Han, the voice from the Transmission Token made her freeze.

"Sorry, Liyuan. Junior Brother Pei and I have left the sect. We're on our way to pick up Junior Sister Nangong right now.

"Junior Sister Nangong has been out gaining experience for many years and is finally returning. The four of us from our generation can finally be reunited!"

"Huh? Nangong Jin is coming back…?"