Even Qiu Yue, renowned for her effortless composure, found her serene demeanor cracking like thin ice across a lake, each fragile inch giving way with Lin Mo’s sweeping kick.
A maelstrom of emotions erupted within her, instantly obliterating every vestige of her composure and grace.
One month!
Just one month!
Lin Mo’s meteoric rise had caught her utterly unprepared.
In her memory, Lin Mo had always been a delicate creature, akin to a newborn kitten. Though he possessed a certain innocent wildness, bluffing with hisses and roars, even daring to scratch and bite at her without grasping the true scale of the world, it was merely the untamed impulse of youth.
Now, a decade later, Lin Mo had long since been domesticated by her, rendered gentle and subservient.
Her sweet, charming lover, whom only she could protect and bring happiness to in this tumultuous world.
He needed protection; he needed love.
Only she possessed the power to shield him; only Qiu Yue could be his unwavering anchor amidst this turbulent age!
Yet, the breathtaking spectacle unfolding on the arena before her—his barehanded deflection of a lethal innate spiritual flame, the explosive, ferocious might of a Great Perfection cultivator, and the flawlessly calculated evasions with every step…
How could this possibly be the same frail, helpless kitten she once knew?
Where was the need for anyone’s protection now?
His latent power, his astonishing courage, and his unfathomable combat instincts struck Qiu Yue’s heart like a devastating blow from a heavy hammer.
The lingering trace of Lin Mo’s scent on her hand now felt both scorching and foreign, a stark reminder.
‘Lin Mo…’
‘He actually worked so hard for me…’
A tempest of powerful emotions surged within Qiu Yue’s chest, causing even her eyes to mist over.
He had always maintained a low profile, concealing his true abilities, even deliberately diminishing his own appeal.
He had played the part of a bumbling, ineffectual clown in the eyes of others. Yet, he possessed such formidable strength, so why had he chosen to act in such a manner?
‘Ah, he had been biding his time, concealing his brilliance, solely to make a spectacular debut! And now, upon their reunion, he had abruptly unveiled his full power…’
‘Was this not clear enough?’
‘Lin Mo was clearly intent on showcasing his prowess before her, hoping to capture her affection!’
Suddenly, everything clicked into place.
All the fury she had harbored regarding Lin Mo’s escape and perceived betrayal now dissipated like smoke.
She had been wrong to blame him.
He sought to prove himself an unparalleled genius, one who could stand as her equal, Qiu Yue!
A man worthy of her, one who could stand tall and proud!
Just as the romantic tales often described.
A fervent impulse seared through her nerves: ‘I must seize him, now, and pull him back to my side!’
She could no longer wait. She yearned to intertwine with Lin Mo, to kiss him passionately, to feel the warmth of his body and the familiar, fierce rhythm of his heart against her chest.
She longed to bite him gently, to leave tooth marks across his entire body, to imprint every silver thread from her lips onto his skin, to ensure Lin Mo’s entire being bore her scent.
Lin Mo was utterly foolish, adorably so.
Why did he need to prove anything? Her presence, Qiu Yue’s presence, was more than sufficient!
He had no need to prove himself; her mere existence was enough.
‘My darling, my love for you is enough.’
No one would dare to object, no one could object.
As her gaze settled upon his figure on the arena, an ineffable pride mingled with her surging possessiveness. Who, after all, could ever refuse their beloved displaying such devastating brilliance for them under the watchful eyes of thousands?
To showcase his heroic bearing to the world, to reveal this truly perfect man?
But—
“So… so handsome! I thought Disciple Lin was all flash and no substance, but I never…”
“I never imagined… he would be so astonishing! Truly worthy of being the inheritor of the Bright Jade Profound Yin!”
‘They are clearly all women, yet this charm… I simply cannot resist.’
‘It feels… as if my heart is seizing, I can barely breathe.’
“Then you must like him, you’ve definitely fallen for Disciple Lin.”
These words pierced Qiu Yue’s heart like a thousand needles, relentlessly pricking her.
The smile that had barely graced her lips now dissolved into nothingness.
She had nearly forgotten, almost overlooked the fact that, at this very moment, tens of thousands of…
…eyes were greedily fixated on Lin Mo, coveting what rightfully belonged to her, Qiu Yue’s Lin Mo!
A furious karmic blaze instantly surged through Qiu Yue’s heart, crashing like a tidal wave.
If not for the powerful figures observing from above, if not for the sanctity of the Xuan Nv Sect itself…
She would surely make those people rue the words they had uttered!
This was neither Luofeng City nor the Qiu family.
Here, she was merely another disciple, no different from the rest.
Initially, she had waited with a semblance of patience. After all, what significant growth could one achieve in merely a month?
She had merely wished to savor Lin Mo’s endearing struggles.
Yet now, given the talent Lin Mo had so magnificently displayed, an immediate marriage would face no opposition whatsoever.
Not only had he mastered the Bright Jade Profound Yin, but he also possessed exceptional spiritual roots, coupled with…
…unwavering courage, profound insight, and unparalleled combat talent. A marriage to Lin Mo would now face no…
…further opposition from anyone!
She couldn’t wait!
She couldn’t wait!
She couldn’t wait!
Her heart was ablaze with impatience!
She finally, slowly, withdrew her fingers, which still bore Lin Mo’s lingering scent, a motion as agonizing as if she were peeling away…
…her own flesh.
A shimmering, iridescent crystal earring slid from her storage ring into her palm.
Its cold, metallic clasp bit fiercely into her earlobe.
It was a communication stone.
Its efficacy rivaled the thousand-mile sound transmissions of high-level cultivators, yet it offered superior concealment and was utterly untraceable.
The cost, however, was that it would completely dim after merely three minutes of use, requiring half an hour…
…to cool down, and its effective range extended only a few kilometers.
Were it not for the “stone’s” dazzling, crystal-like exterior, which could also…
…be fashioned into exquisite pendants, capable of bursting with radiant light under the sun…
…its inherent value would likely be entirely overlooked.
This particular pair of earrings was not something everyone possessed.
She had only ever bestowed one upon a particular individual—someone willing to resort to any means to ascend.
‘Lu Ping’an, the plan is being moved up. I need to transmit a message.’ Her mental whisper…
…transformed into a secret message, instantly relayed into the mind of Lu Ping’an, who wore the earring.
The moment these words registered, Lu Ping’an’s spirit jolted!
Yet, it was not panic that seized her, but exhilaration.
The pivotal turning point in her life was finally at hand.
Her resolve solidified, betraying an unparalleled determination. “Please, Young Miss Qiu…”
“…command me as you wish. Your subordinate shall endeavor to fulfill your every instruction.”
‘I saw it. You fed the poison pill I gave you to Wei Qing, didn’t you?’
Lu Ping’an paused for a moment before responding mentally: ‘…Yes,’
‘…to avoid interfering with Young Miss Qiu’s plan.’
She had kept the poison Qiu Yue gave her that day.
She had originally intended to poison Wei Qing, circumventing Young Miss Qiu’s intentions, but Lin Mo had kicked her unconscious, preventing Young Miss Qiu from triggering the poison’s effects.
‘Once she awakens, find a way to make her go on stage and confront Lin Mo!’
‘As for you, I am quite pleased. You needn’t go yourself; simply leave her the mark I spoke to you about previously.’
‘You will stay and continue to assist me. Help me frame Lin Wan’er.’
Having spoken, Qiu Yue removed the earring and returned it to her storage ring.
Her gaze remained fixed on the arena, a brilliant smile blossoming on her face as she watched her beloved now defeat four opponents in a row.
She now understood Lin Mo’s potential, and that was enough.
Her next step was to find a way to make her lover love her even more.
What could be better than falsely accusing him, and then remaining by his side to support and accompany him?
If You Notice any translation issues or inconsistency in names, genders, or POV etc? Let us know here in the comments or on our Discord server, and we’ll fix it in current and future chapters. Thanks for helping us to improve! 🙂