Upon witnessing this scene, Murong Liyue could no longer maintain her composure. She had been searching for a suitable beast soul since breaking through to the mid-stage of the Soul Contract Realm, but the Spirit Illusion Butterfly was an extremely compatible beast soul for her.
Seeing the Phantom Butterfly's weakened state, the others saw this as a rare opportunity and rushed towards it. In an instant, a fierce battle erupted.
Seeing the longing in Murong Liyue's eyes, you quickly said to her, "Miss Liyue, you can go and sign the contract with the Spirit Illusion Butterfly without worry. I'll hold off the others and create an opportunity for you."
[Murong Liyue looked at you with some surprise, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes: "How can you hold off so many people by yourself? This is too dangerous."]
You smiled slightly, your handsome face radiating nonchalance: "Miss Liyue, don't worry about me, I have my own way. This is a rare opportunity; if you miss it, who knows when you'll encounter another like it. Besides, we're companions who came together, so we should help each other, shouldn't we?"
Hearing your words, Murong Liyue bit her lower lip, knowing the situation was urgent and she couldn't afford to think too much. She then gave you a grateful look, her tone no longer as cold as before, and said, "Then be careful. I'll complete the contract as soon as possible." With that, she rushed towards the direction of the Spirit Illusion Butterfly.
Looking at the crowd before you, you took a deep breath, your hands quickly forming hand seals. An immense spiritual energy barrier unfolded before you, blocking the cultivators rushing towards the Spirit Illusion Butterfly.
Fortunately, most of these cultivators were at the eighth or ninth level of the Spirit Vortex Realm, with only one or two at the early stage of the Soul Contract Realm. Thus, your vast spiritual energy effectively kept them at bay.
However, this good fortune was short-lived. Two days later, news of the ethereal butterfly spread rapidly, and a large number of cultivators began to flock to the area, including many late-stage Soul Contract Realm cultivators.
Their arrival instantly shattered the existing balance. Those cultivators you had previously blocked made way for them, knowing they were no match for a late-stage Soul Contract Realm cultivator, but wanting to see the outcome of the contest.
[You showed no panic on your face, but you knew in your heart that things were starting to get complicated. Murong Liyue was still trying to establish a contract with the Spirit Illusion Butterfly, but time was running out. You kept strengthening your spiritual energy barrier, but faced with the powerful spiritual energy attacks of a group of late-stage Soul Contract Realm cultivators, the barrier began to crumble.]
At this moment, a strange woman in the late stage of the Soul Contract Realm slowly walked out. She wore a long purple dress, the hem embroidered with exquisite spiritual patterns, and with each step she took, a faint spiritual light emanated from beneath her feet. In her hand, she held a plant that emitted a dreamlike glow, its fragrance permeating the air, seemingly capable of bewitching the heart.
[Star Dream Orchid! A cultivator in the arena immediately recognized it. It is said that the Star Dream Orchid is a rare spiritual plant that the Spirit Illusion Butterfly loves to feed on.]
The unfamiliar woman gently waved the Star Dream Orchid, and a soft wave of spiritual energy pierced through your spiritual energy barrier, spreading towards the Illusory Butterfly.
The ethereal butterfly, which had initially shown some resistance towards Murong Liyue, suddenly became docile upon contact with this fluctuation of spiritual energy. It flapped its wings and slowly flew towards the unfamiliar woman, dancing gracefully around the Star Dream Orchid in her hand.
Seeing this, Murong Liyue's face turned pale. She immediately increased her spiritual energy output, trying to regain the Spirit Illusion Butterfly's attention, but all her efforts were in vain. The strange woman smiled victoriously, gently stroking the Spirit Illusion Butterfly's wings, and then without hesitation, she signed a contract with it. Runes slowly merged into the Spirit Illusion Butterfly's body, completing the contract.
Thus, this great struggle has come to an end.
Murong Liyue stopped what she was doing, her eyes filled with disappointment and resentment. You dispelled your spiritual barrier, walked to Murong Liyue's side, and gently comforted her, "Miss Liyue, don't be too sad. This is just an opportunity; there will be better ones in the future."
Hearing your words of comfort and seeing the disordered spiritual energy around you stirred something within Murong Liyue. She knew that during the recent struggle, you had expended a great deal of spiritual energy to help her fend off those cultivators, leaving you with chaotic spiritual energy and several injuries. Yet, in this situation, your first thought was to comfort her.
The coldness and aloofness in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a barely perceptible tenderness. "Qin Luo, thank you so much this time. You didn't have to go to such lengths for me." Her voice was incredibly gentle now, a stark contrast to her previous coldness.
You waved your hand and said with a smile, "Miss Liyue, since we've come here together, helping each other is only right. Besides, I'm also very sorry that you didn't get the Spirit Illusion Butterfly."
Murong Liyue sighed softly, "Perhaps this is fate. But after breaking through to the mid-stage of the Soul Contract Realm, I've been desperately searching for a suitable beast soul, and I thought today my wish would finally be fulfilled..." Her sigh was filled with helplessness.
Seeing her dejected look, you felt a pang of pity and couldn't help but take her small hand in yours, comforting her, "Miss Liyue, I know your regret. But don't worry, after this experience, I will pay closer attention to such matters, and if a suitable beast soul is found for you, I will definitely let you know."
[When you suddenly took her hand, Murong Liyue froze, her face instantly flushing red, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes. She instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but feeling the warmth of your palm and that sincere gaze, she stopped halfway.]
Her heart suddenly raced; this intimate gesture was something she had never experienced before. Throughout her cultivation journey, she had always maintained a distance from others, and few had ever dared to get so close, let alone hold hands like this. She looked at you, somewhat bewildered, her usually cool eyes now filled with panic.
However, Murong Liyue quickly calmed down, realizing that you meant no harm and were simply trying to comfort her. She gently bit her lower lip, the blush fading slightly from her face, and said softly, "Qin Luo, you...you don't have to be like this, but thank you for your kindness anyway." Although she tried her best to remain calm, the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her inner turmoil.
You then realized your actions had been somewhat abrupt, and quickly released her hand, saying apologetically, "Miss Liyue, I'm sorry, I was just trying to... comfort you, I didn't mean to offend you."
Murong Liyue shook her head: "It's alright, I know how you feel. Let's think about what to do next." Although she pretended to be nonchalant on the surface, her heart was like a calm lake tossed with a pebble, creating ripples on the surface.
For a while after that, she would often steal glances at you, harboring inexplicable feelings for you, the person who had suddenly entered her world and was gradually drawing closer to her heart.
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