Qiu Yue’s Realization and Cunning Schemes

‘I… forgot one person.’

She had been hindered in her understanding by so-called common sense. No wonder she couldn’t find Lin Mo, or see that familiar figure, even after searching through all the new disciples she had taken in this year…

On the ascension steps, she had disdained even a single glance at the so-called Lin Wan’er. Her eyes had relentlessly scanned the multitude of disciples, seeking only Lin Mo’s figure.

Now, she realized the person she had yearned for day and night was right by her side?

Not only that, but he had been constantly clinging to this junior sister of hers?!

In an instant, her usually gentle gaze, upon falling onto Liu Ruyan, transformed into pure venom and bitter resentment.

This… this harlot, cloaked in the skin of a child… had actually been constantly pestering her Lin Mo?

And she herself had been offering advice, even suggesting Lin Mo bathe with Liu Ruyan to deepen their bond?!

A towering inferno of rage surged within her, akin to ferocious waves pounding the coastline, threatening to shatter everything into oblivion.

Her hands trembled, almost beyond her control. Liu Ruyan’s slender neck appeared so temptingly vulnerable, much like her immodest bosom, inciting an almost irresistible urge to lay hands upon it.

Yet, one urge was to caress, while the other… was to twist and break her neck!

Fury.

Hatred.

Then—

A stillness descended, bordering on the absolute calm of death.

After a few short, ragged breaths, Qiu Yue regained her composure.

It was not born of mercy, but rather the stark realization that killing Liu Ruyan now would leave her no escape; Qing You would undoubtedly capture and imprison her on the spot.

Her esteemed status did not render her truly invulnerable. Provoking her adversary into desperate action would only lead to her own detriment.

First, she must calm herself.

The most pressing matter now was to confirm whether that Lin Wan’er truly was her Lin Mo.

If it was—no, it absolutely had to be.

It was indeed worthy of her beloved; to have survived until now, and even to have become the Sect Master’s direct disciple. While she knew not what methods had been employed, this astonishing feat was likely unprecedented and would remain unrivaled.

Given Mu Qingli’s cultivation, it would be impossible for her not to have discovered Lin Mo’s true gender.

Thus, the only logical conclusion was that a transaction had been made.

What this transaction entailed remained a mystery for now, but she was certain it would eventually become her hidden advantage.

Qing You surely remained unaware of Lin Mo’s disguise; otherwise, the Sect Master’s position would have long since changed hands.

Her primary dilemma now revolved around how to extricate Lin Mo.

Lin Mo was currently someone Qing You also coveted. If the Xuan Nv Sect’s leader, who harbored an extreme aversion to men, could tolerate taking Lin Mo as a disciple, then would Qing You not follow suit?

No, she most certainly would.

Qing You, despite knowing full well that she was searching for every disciple from that day’s acceptance ceremony, had watched her spend an entire month searching in vain, yet had never revealed that another direct disciple of the Sect Master had been taken in that very same ceremony.

It dawned on her: that old woman must have already realized that the person she sought… was none other than that Sect Master’s direct disciple!

This explained why Qing You had consistently withheld detailed information, instead subtly hinting at the direct disciple’s purported weakness and Mu Qingli’s supposed shortcomings as a mentor, all while steadfastly refusing to disclose the disciple’s name or appearance.

At the time, Qiu Yue had been so consumed by her search that she had paid no mind to the direct disciple.

She had initially wondered why Qing You kept the disciple’s identity and appearance a secret, now understanding it was a deliberate tactic to buy time.

Once she entered the Hall of Clarity, her sworn protector would be unable to remain by her side. Within that confined environment, even if she recognized Lin Mo, she would be utterly helpless and unable to extricate him.

Her family certainly did not fear the Xuan Nv Sect, yet distant water could not quench a nearby fire. Now that she was deeply ensnared within the Xuan Nv Sect, no matter how formidable her personal guards were, they were not so powerful as to single-handedly decimate an entire sect.

In an asymmetrical confrontation, she would merely be a liability; her Foundation Establishment cultivation rendered her utterly incapable of escaping the Xuan Nv Sect, and she might not even be able to send out a distress signal.

Furthermore, and most crucially, her family would never forcibly engage in war with a distant local power solely for the sake of a man.

She would simply be forcibly removed, destined to lose Lin Mo forever!

Her unilateral decision to join the Xuan Nv Sect as a disciple had, she surmised, already been communicated by Qing You to her family via a letter dispatched during her time in the Hall of Clarity. Once her training there concluded, she would be forcibly escorted back home.

By then, even the solace of madness or self-harm would be denied to her.

Qing You had consumed her offered resources, yet still kept Lin Mo.

Hmph, truly worthy of that despicable, shameless old woman—her calculations were indeed meticulous!

Anger still coiled in her chest, yet eclipsing both fury and hatred was—an exhilarating thrill.

At this moment, she had indeed fallen entirely into Qing You’s intricate snare.

Nevertheless—what did it matter?

To be ensnared did not equate to a predetermined defeat.

Surely, this made things far more interesting, did it not?

What flavor did a life of unblemished smoothness possess? Furthermore, for the sake of her beloved, even if it meant being utterly shattered, she would dismantle every conspiracy. Would not such a reckless, devoted pursuit further illuminate the invaluable preciousness of their love?

Would it not make Lin Mo love her more, cherish her more, fear her, and thus never dare to leave her?

Suddenly, Qiu Yue felt a tug on her sleeve, abruptly yanking her thoughts back to the present.

“Senior Sister, Senior Sister, what’s wrong?”

Only then did Qiu Yue notice that everyone seated was staring at her with expressions ranging from fright to utter bewilderment.

All had been too intimidated to disturb her, save for Liu Ruyan, who, in her naivety, had failed to perceive Qiu Yue’s simmering fury.

Startled, Qiu Yue immediately regained her composure, realizing she had let her emotions show.

Yet, Qiu Yue showed no trace of panic. Instead, she calmly and deliberately settled back into her seat, her eyes lifting to cast sharp, assessing glances at those around her.

Only when her gaze met Liu Ruyan’s did it swiftly soften, becoming tender once more.

She gently stroked Liu Ruyan’s head, murmuring, “Ruyan, would you be a dear and fetch a wooden box from the bed in my dormitory? It holds something important that everyone here needs to see.”

“Okay~” Liu Ruyan chirped sweetly, instantly leaping from her chair. Clutching the token Qiu Yue had handed her, she scampered out the door.

Once Liu Ruyan had completely departed, Qiu Yue’s expression shifted once more, settling into a grave seriousness.

“Everyone, I did not partake in the disciple-acceptance ceremony, and after my initiation, I cultivated directly under my master, thus I never gained a detailed understanding of the events that transpired during that day’s ceremony. I had always assumed that the Sect Master’s direct disciple, whose advent was marked by a celestial phenomenon, was an event from an earlier time. After all, the Xuan Nv Sect’s acceptance ceremony typically spans several days. I had also never learned about that direct disciple before my time in the Hall of Clarity, nor had I pressed my master for details, which led me to believe there were two direct disciples of the Sect Master. If she truly bears that name, then there is no longer any cause for concern.”

They had assumed Qiu Yue’s uncharacteristic outburst stemmed from a belief that Lin Wan’er possessed some remarkable ability, thus provoking her loss of composure. Yet, they had utterly failed to anticipate that it was, in fact… pure disdain?

“That Lin Wan’er is nothing more than a purveyor of rumors and a cunning swindler. She possesses rare treasures that allow her to mask her spiritual root, enabling her to infiltrate various sects and perpetrate deceptions. She even managed to swindle a precious artifact from my family. However, that scoundrel is extraordinarily crafty, fortified by secret treasures, elusive in her movements, and aided by powerful experts. For a time, my family was utterly powerless against her. To think I would encounter her here in the Xuan Nv Sect! It truly is a blessing from the heavens!”

At these words, a collective gasp rippled through the assembly, quickly followed by a palpable sense of relief.

No wonder the usually refined and elegant Disciple Qiu had suddenly erupted in such fury; she had, it seemed, finally encountered a sworn enemy!

All, that is, except for Nangong Xuan.

Her brow furrowed, a look of profound skepticism clouding her features.

How was it that she had never heard of such an extraordinary person or tale?

Suddenly, clarity struck her.

This Qiu Yue was undeniably fabricating a story.

How could anyone possibly deceive all those sects, let alone the formidable Qiu family? If such a secret treasure truly existed, its wielder would hardly stoop to such petty schemes.

These fledgling Qi Condensation cultivators simply failed to grasp the terrifying might of true peak cultivators.

Deceiving minor sects was one thing, but to attempt to deceive the Qiu family?

Were they truly so weary of living?

Qiu Yue, it appeared, was leveraging the ignorance of these individuals to orchestrate a grand scheme.

As for the precise nature of this elaborate trap, Nangong Xuan found herself quite intrigued to observe its unfolding.

After all, life could be dreadfully dull.

She craved excitement.

She craved humiliation.

For humiliation, she could target Lin Wan’er.

For excitement, she could engage Qiu Yue.

Finally shedding her usual rigid demeanor, she allowed herself a wide, unrestrained grin, laughing freely behind the delicate veil that concealed her face.

She reveled in the anticipation of the impending turmoil, even savoring the subtle pain as the corners of her mouth stretched against her slightly swollen cheeks.