The person in front of her had such a gloomy expression and such cold eyes that Ji Su's mind went completely blank.

"No... that's not it... Junior Uncle, I, this disciple didn't mean that. This disciple just felt that Junior Uncle was very kind."

She didn't seem to be lying. Qi Yue raised an eyebrow, and the gloom in her eyes dissipated in an instant, as if it had never existed, and she returned to her previous kind and gentle demeanor.

"Is that so? That's good then. I thought..."

"No, this disciple absolutely had no such thoughts, nor would I dare to disrespect Junior Uncle," Ji Su hurriedly denied in a panic.

Qi Yue smiled and patted his head: "That's good. I'm doing this for your own good. Xunhui Sect cannot tolerate a disrespectful disciple."

Her voice was very soft and gentle, with a persuasive quality.

The tension in Ji Su's heart slowly dissipated in that gentle smile. So what if it was a sect? The only thing he cared about from beginning to end was his junior uncle's opinion. As long as his junior uncle didn't dislike him, that was enough.

But soon, a single sentence from Qiyue made him instantly put away his inappropriate thoughts.

July said, "I can't tolerate it either."

Her smile remained unchanged, and her expression was clearly gentle, but her eyes revealed a chilling coldness.

Ji Su was stunned, her expression dazed.

Yes, he forgot that in his junior uncle's heart, nothing was more important than his master, junior uncle, and grand-uncle.

He knelt down and said, "Junior Uncle has saved my life, Master has taught me, and Senior Uncle and Grand Uncle have protected me. I will never do anything to betray the sect in my life. If that day ever comes, I will definitely commit suicide in front of Junior Uncle."

"Oh dear, why are you making things sound so serious? Junior Uncle, I believe in you no matter what, even if others don't."

She smiled and helped Ji Su up, but her eyes were icy cold.

So what if you rebelled against your sect? I've already stolen the protagonist's destiny. Even if that day comes, there's no need for you to kill yourself; I'll tear you to pieces.

"Thank you, Junior Uncle."

Looking at Qiyue, Ji Su dared not have the same thoughts as before. Even if she did, she kept them deep in her heart, locking them away and not daring to let them surface even slightly.

"Now that you have made some progress in your cultivation, you lack experience, so it is time for you to go down the mountain and gain some experience."

"Yes." Ji Su answered obediently, a strange light in his eyes. Judging from his junior uncle's words, it seemed that he wanted to go with him. That was good. Since becoming a disciple, he had never had the chance to be with his junior uncle.

“I happen to have something to do and need to go down the mountain this time, so I’ll ask your master to take you along for training to be on the safe side. What do you think?” Qi Yue’s eyes were deep.

Ji Su was unwilling, but on the surface she didn't dare to refuse, so she smiled obediently and nodded.

"This disciple thinks Junior Uncle's arrangement is excellent."

She found Yun Huai and told him her thoughts. Yun Huai did not refuse. In fact, even if her junior sister hadn't said anything, he was going to arrange for the boy to go down the mountain for training in the coming days.

After all, the Alchemy Guild has something important to do recently.

"For this training, I require you to win first place in the alchemy competition. Do you have any objections?"

At Wanbaolou, Yun Huai sipped his tea, his gaze towards Ji Su calm and unwavering.

A flash of hatred crossed Ji Su's eyes, but it was gone in an instant. Then he said, "Master, rest assured, your disciple will certainly live up to your expectations."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Qi Yue's eyelids twitched as Ji Su left.

[The Alchemy Grand Competition? Could it be the one in the original story where Ji Su and the female lead reunite? Wait a minute! Isn't that competition still a year away?]

Oh? Interesting.

Upon hearing Qiyue's thoughts, Yun Huai's gaze darkened, and he said seemingly unintentionally, "This competition is being held by the Alchemist Guild. It is said that the prize for first place is a Soul Nourishing Pill, a ninth-grade Heaven-rank pill, a fifth-grade Heaven-rank Ice Mountain Snow Lotus, and a sixth-grade Heaven-rank ginseng."

"I hope this kid won't let me down."

As he spoke, he kept observing Qiyue's expression, not missing any opportunity.

really!

[It really is the second match between the female lead and Ji Su! And it's been moved up a whole year! That scoundrel Tiandao is really going too far!]

"Don't worry, Seventh Senior Brother. You are an eighth-grade alchemist, and this kid was taught by you. It's easy for him to become the number one in the Alchemy Guild."

July's inner thoughts and spoken words rang out simultaneously. She maintained a calm smile on her face, but inside she was seething with hatred.

[Damn it! If I don't tear that dog-like Heavenly Dao apart at least once in my life, I'm practically unworthy of being human!]

[The more that dog Tiandao protects his own daughter, the more I'll make her suffer a horrible death!]

Oh dear, junior sister is angry!

Yun Huai glanced cautiously at Qi Yue, and looking at her calm eyes and smiling face, he almost laughed. If he couldn't hear his junior sister's thoughts, he would have doubted her good temper.

"Seventh Senior Brother, I'm going out for a bit." Qi Yue stood up abruptly, said this, and went straight out the door.

Yun Huai blinked, then followed after him, still feeling uneasy.

Based on Jin Linshu's information, Qiyue found Yuan Ji in the secret room, where she was on the verge of death.

After personally feeding Yuan Ji a life-saving pill, Qi Yue sat cross-legged and began to channel spiritual energy into her.

Soon, Yuan Ji woke up.

Looking at Qiyue, Yuanji knelt down in front of Qiyue with a pale face and begged for forgiveness: "Yuanji failed in her duties and begs for punishment from her master."

"Tell me what happened first?" Qiyue asked expressionlessly.

Yuan Ji was lost in memories.

“About three months ago, Ling Qing’er had a big fight with the Demon King and ran away from the Demon King’s Palace. I followed her all the way to the edge of Sunset Forest, but we were discovered by the Holy Sect.”

"Holy Sect? Describe in detail what that person looked like and dressed?" Qi Yue narrowed her eyes slightly.

Yuan Ji recalled: "That person was very young, dressed in bright yellow, holding a fan, with a handsome appearance, and was treacherous and scheming. He was surrounded by numerous experts, and there was also an old man in the Nascent Soul stage protecting him in the dark."

"Luo, Wu, Ji." Qi Yue immediately guessed who Yuan Ji was referring to.

Yuan Ji asked in surprise, "Master, do you know this person?"

"I wouldn't say I know him; he's just my enemy." Qi Yue's eyes were icy, and her whole body radiated killing intent.

The original owner's spiritual root was dug out, and this person is inextricably linked to it. The female lead's enduring luck is also closely related to this person. This person must die!

"That person mistakenly thought that I was trying to ambush Ling Qing'er. Without saying a word, he attacked me. I was no match for him and was captured and taken to a sect. Every day, he drained my spiritual power. When I was conscious, I could vaguely hear that the person was a woman in their conversation."

"The way Master called her, the way Luo Wuji addressed her, was very intimate. What was it...?"

At this point, Yuan Ji paused, thought for a moment, and then said, "Qing'er..."