In ordinary times, being chosen as a nominal disciple by a celestial sect is already an immense opportunity for a mortal. Even just having a title is enough to bring glory to a mortal family for generations, allowing them to roam freely in the city. If one is fortunate enough to become a formal disciple, it is an even greater event, bringing honor to one's ancestors and elevating the status of the entire family, even earning the respect of the royal family.
But now, these once-admired "official disciples" statuses are utterly worthless in front of Xia Qingdai, despised by all the major sects!
"A formal disciple? Is that even worthy of Fairy Xia?!"
"Your Xuantian Sect is far too ungrateful!"
"With a talent like Fairy Xia's, she should be made a Supreme Elder of our sect!"
...
Xia Mingde was pushed to the outermost edge of the crowd, desperately trying to get closer by standing on tiptoe, but was rudely pushed aside by several cultivators. He staggered a few steps and almost fell to the ground, but he didn't dare to utter a single complaint—these were all people from the immortal sects that he could never even look up to on ordinary days!
He watched helplessly as those high-ranking figures bowed and scraped before his daughter, fawning and flattering her, and felt a pang of anguish in his heart.
"If only I had been kinder to her back then..."
This thought, like a leech, gnawed at his heart. He could have used his daughter's fame to rise to the most honored person in the entire dynasty, someone even the emperor would respectfully bow to. But now… everything had fallen apart!
"Retribution..." Xia Mingde gave a bitter laugh, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
——
On the other side, Xia Yuwei stood in the shadows, her carefully applied makeup already smudged with tears, making her look disheveled.
She stared intently at Xia Qingdai, who was the center of attention on stage, her fingernails digging deep into her palms, blood dripping from between her fingers, yet she remained completely unaware.
"How could this be... How could that bitch possibly..." Her voice trembled, her eyes filled with disbelief.
There was a time when, whenever she and Xia Qingdai appeared together, all eyes would be on her. Young masters from prominent families fawned over her, noble ladies vied to please her, and even many of the most promising young men were infatuated with her.
But what about now?
Those who had once flattered her now scrambled to get close to Xia Qingdai, but couldn't even touch the hem of her clothes.
But Xia Yuwei was like a forgotten ant, ignored by everyone.
"No...it shouldn't be like this..." she murmured to herself, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes.
——
Not far away, Duan Xiuyuan looked at the stage with a complicated expression.
He remembered how he had disdainfully refused when his family suggested he marry Xia Qingdai—
"She's just a country bumpkin, does she even deserve me?"
That's what he said at the time, with an extremely contemptuous tone.
Now, that "wild girl" is being recruited by various sects, and many sects have even personally invited her to serve as a guest elder, offering conditions that even the royal family would envy!
"I was so blind..." Duan Xiuyuan shook his head self-deprecatingly, a sense of regret he had never felt before welling up inside him.
He turned to look at Xia Yuwei—that face that had once captivated him now appeared so ordinary and laughable under Xia Qingdai's radiance.
If only he had married Xia Qingdai back then...
Once the thought surfaced, it coiled around his mind like a venomous snake, impossible to shake off.
—
Bai Ying ultimately declined the generous invitations from the various sects, leaving only a brief statement: "I am grateful for your kindness, but since I have already joined the Xuan Tian Sect, I will leave it at that for now."
Her words, spoken casually, sent the entire Xuan Tian Sect into a frenzy of joy! Several elders were so excited their beards bristled, and the sect leader was beaming, repeatedly exclaiming, "Excellent! Excellent! The fairy is indeed loyal and righteous!"
She was willing to stay entirely because of Master Wei Ji!
Xia Mingde rushed back to the Xia family home in a great hurry, hastily instructing the servants: "Quickly! Take out all the best medicinal herbs and treasures from the storeroom! Also, find some rare items; you must satisfy Qingdai!"
He paced back and forth in the hall, rubbing his hands together. Suddenly, he stopped, turned to Madam Xia, and asked, "By the way, what does Qingdai like? I'd like to prepare some too."
He asked so urgently that he didn't notice Xia Yuwei behind him, whose nose was red from crying.
Seeing her daughter wronged, Madam Xia was heartbroken. She pulled Xia Yuwei into her arms and glared at Xia Mingde: "How would I know what that girl likes? What, why did you give her things? Let me tell you, I only recognize Yuwei as my daughter! That Xia Qingdai dared to hurt Yuwei; she can forget about ever stepping foot in the Xia family again!"
"Foolish!" Xia Mingde's forehead veins throbbed with anger. "Do you even know Qingdai's status now? The Xuantian Sect has even offered her an elder position to keep her! And you're still throwing a tantrum?"
He suppressed his anger and pressed again, "Stop talking nonsense, just tell me, what exactly does Qingdai like?"
Madam Xia was taken aback by his shout, then shrieked, "I...how would I know? That girl didn't grow up by my side, how would I know what she likes?"
Xia Mingde was struck dumb, his eyes widening in disbelief: "You remember perfectly well what Yuwei likes—the fine silks, satins, and jewelry—and you throw lavish celebrations for her birthday every year. But Qingdai is your own daughter! How can you not even know what she likes?"
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