The Great Changes

“!”

The moment she heard that voice, Su Wanqing’s body stiffened like a reflex—as if she’d been struck by lightning.

It wasn’t that she was overly sensitive.

It was simply because Chen Xueli’s actions were far too bold.

Not only were they extremely close, but her disciple had slid a hand from her waist all the way up to grasp her own hand.

Add to that the pressure against her back and the warm, damp breath at her ear—Su Wanqing felt utterly uncomfortable.

Not physically uncomfortable.

Quite the opposite—Chen Xueli’s touch was gentle. Even the ticklish spots felt pleasant.

The discomfort was entirely psychological.

The instant she heard that voice, her heart skipped half a beat.

She knew it.

Her peaceful days were over.

That rebellious disciple was back!

Chen Xueli had definitely heard her talking.

And with that girl’s intelligence, she had probably already pieced everything together.

“Master?”

“Won’t you turn around and look at your disciple?”

“Don’t you miss me at all?”

“Why are you frozen like that—”

As she spoke, Chen Xueli’s hands slid from Su Wanqing’s waist back down, gently kneading her slender midriff.

Because Su Wanqing was still rigidly straight, it didn’t feel soft—just like stroking fabric.

But strangely, that made it feel even more special.

“Is Master feeling this guilty? Even your usually soft waist is all tense?”

“Could it be that some of my tribulation lightning still clings to me and accidentally shocked you?”

Gradually, Chen Xueli shifted from simply hugging to fully embracing her.

She bent slightly, resting her head on Su Wanqing’s shoulder, arms wrapped tightly around her waist, soaking in the warmth and presence she had missed for two whole months.

“No matter whether Master thought of me or missed me these past two months…”

“I was going insane.”

“Sixty-seven days… a full sixty-seven days…”

“Finally feeling Master’s warmth again.”

Su Wanqing could clearly hear the longing in Chen Xueli’s voice—and the faint sob catching in her throat.

She was genuinely curious.

Was two months apart really enough to make her miss her this much?

To the point of almost crying?

Was this still the same villainess heroine from the original novel—the cold, ruthless woman who would betray her master and defy the heavens for immortality?

Right now, Chen Xueli seemed more like a child throwing a tantrum after being away from a parent for too long.

But Su Wanqing could understand it.

Ever since picking the girl up, they had never been apart for more than two weeks.

Suddenly separated for two months to break through—she could imagine how chaotic Chen Xueli’s heart must have been.

Though she didn’t want her back (seeing Ning Yuer would probably cause a bloodbath), saying she hadn’t worried or missed her at all would be a lie.

Even a pet raised for years disappearing would bring sadness and attachment.

Let alone a person she had cared for from childhood.

Rather than seeing Chen Xueli as a disciple, Su Wanqing had always treated her more like a daughter.

She had picked her up herself, knowing full well she would one day become a master-killing traitor, yet still raised her with all her heart.

This was exactly why she could never accept Chen Xueli’s romantic feelings.

Whenever she was pinned down and ridden, it felt like being… by her own “daughter.”

That violation of morals was…

As for Ning Yuer, she had learned from past mistakes and noticed the early signs.

Though the girl seemed normal now, she couldn’t rule out Oscar-level acting.

So she kept emotional distance—treating her purely as a disciple, not with the deep “child-like” attachment she had for Chen Xueli.

Even if Ning Yuer ever acted on feelings, the moral violation would be far less severe.

Of course, Su Wanqing knew herself well.

That was only because they hadn’t spent much time together.

Give it time, and she’d probably end up seeing this girl as another “daughter” too.

The thought of being pinned down by two people she saw as “daughters” gave her an immediate headache.

She’d break.

If they were going to like her, at least don’t make it this complicated…

“You…”

Su Wanqing placed her hands over Chen Xueli’s arms around her waist.

She wanted to pull them away, to break free.

But in the end, she didn’t.

Two months apart—let her have this once.

The longing and near-tears in her voice had been completely genuine.

She really had softened.

Of course, allowing this indulgence also stemmed from a bit of guilt.

She wasn’t sure why she felt guilty.

Taking a new disciple was perfectly normal.

Masters weren’t limited to one apprentice.

Wanting to pass on her teachings and grow her lineage was standard.

Yet she still felt guilty.

“You’re okay… that’s good.”

A thousand words reduced to one sentence.

Su Wanqing couldn’t bring herself to say “I missed you.”

She didn’t dare show any emotion.

Afraid the disciple would misinterpret and take her right there.

She wasn’t emotionally clueless.

She could feel the excitement radiating from the girl behind her.

Any hint of reciprocation, and she’d be devoured on the spot.

“Mm. The tribulation was a bit more than I expected, but your disciple made it back safe.”

Contrary to her fears, Chen Xueli’s reaction was oddly calm.

With her personality, learning about a new junior sister should’ve sparked rage—using it as an excuse to bully her, or worse.

But this calm… wasn’t normal.

“Hm? Was it even more dangerous than you predicted?”

Though surprised, Su Wanqing was genuinely worried.

Her disciple’s Golden Core tribulation was already far beyond normal.

If it had been worse—how had she survived?

“Want to know?”

“Of course.”

Chen Xueli had successfully piqued her curiosity.

“Then turn around and look at your disciple. Let me see you too.”

Following her words, Su Wanqing instinctively turned.

And discovered that Chen Xueli’s changes were far greater than she had imagined…