Zheng Peng clearly hadn't expected Qin Luo to be able to set up spiritual plants right under their noses, but upon realizing that Qin Luo's cultivation was only at the mid-stage of the Soul Separation Realm, he thought disdainfully:
"What kind of powerful formation could a mere mid-stage Soul Separation Realm brat possibly set up? It's nothing but a charade!"
Zheng Peng was filled with disdain, believing that Qin Luo's actions were merely a desperate struggle.
However, when the spirit array completely surrounded them and they felt the ever-present spiritual power, Zheng Peng's heart began to be filled with panic.
Then they saw the vast, ethereal prison descend upon them.
Zheng Peng was shocked and hurriedly activated his spiritual energy. His ten fingers moved rapidly between his hands, instantly transforming into a screen of dark light.
With all their might, they managed to barely hold back the cages that were almost touching them, but after all that effort, they only managed to drive them back from one cage!
In the blink of an eye, four or five cultivators at the Soul Separation Realm around him were imprisoned in cages, their bodies firmly locked and unable to move at all.
The faces of those cultivators were filled with terror. They struggled and twisted, only to find that they were tightly bound by an invisible force, and the circulation of spiritual energy in their bodies was difficult and slow, almost stagnant.
......
Outside the formation, Qin Luo gazed at Dan Bingli, whose expression was complex, and slowly spoke:
“Miss Dan, your actions just now seemed a bit too emotional. Anyone with eyes can see that Zheng Peng’s cultivation level is far above yours. You were provoked by his mere words and acted rashly. If you were to be captured by him, do you know how unimaginable the consequences would be?”
"I know that you are of noble character and cannot tolerate such blatant disrespect from others, but in this dangerous place, it is still necessary to protect yourself."
At this point, Qin Luo paused, as if considering his words, before continuing:
"Furthermore, the reason I initially partnered with Miss Dan was because I valued your calm and composed nature, which is like a deep pool. However, along the way, I have noticed that you have gradually deviated from your former composure and have become increasingly impulsive. This is quite unlike the Miss Dan I first met."
Dan Bingli understood the meaning behind Qin Luo's words. If she had heard such words before, she would have just ignored them. But being humiliated in front of him was something she couldn't accept.
She didn't want to leave even the slightest stain on Qin Luo's heart, so she couldn't help but take action, even knowing the difference in their strength.
But now, hearing Qin Luo's words, tinged with a lecturing tone, Dan Bingli stubbornly raised her head, her eyes welling up with tears, her pearly teeth biting her lower lip, and said with a hint of sobs and grievance:
"But...but they insulted me like this...I...I also have my own pride..."
Seeing Dan Bingli's appearance, Qin Luo suddenly felt a sense of confusion, and he was at a loss for what to do.
He had indeed prioritized the gain or loss of the Origin Spirit Liquid, which led to that scene. This left Qin Luo somewhat confused, wondering if he had ever had any special feelings for Dan Bingli.
He had only managed to keep her by his side through scheming all along. Looking at Dan Bingli, who was independent and decisive but had now become pitiful due to his indirect influence, with tears welling up in her eyes as she tried to hold back her grievances, a subtle and indescribable ripple stirred deep within his heart.
"I'm afraid all of my actions are to make up for the guilt I feel for using her to obtain the system's refund?"
At this moment, Qin Luo felt lost and began to reflect on his behavior, wondering if he had overlooked some of her feelings.
Indeed, from Xia Zihan, Yi Ting, and Murong Liyue to Dan Bingli, all his interactions with them were purposeful. Although he had shared hardships with them, a voice deep inside him would always remind him in the quiet of the night that all of this might have originated from the invisible instructions of the system.
He raced headlong down the path of pursuing system rewards, leaving deep or shallow marks in their worlds, and also putting a shackle on his own heart that he himself was unaware of.
Now, faced with Dan Bingli's grievances, he realized that he might have lost his way on this utilitarian path and lost some purer and more precious things, such as—sincere treatment.
"It seems that I have been weaving every moment I spent with them with lies. From the initial deliberate approach to the later fighting side by side, the friendship seemed deep, but in fact, there was an ulterior motive hidden beneath the false appearance."
"I used sweet words and seemingly reliable actions to lure them step by step into the scenario I had set up, making them pawns in my efforts to achieve the system's goals."
“I thought that as long as I gave them enough protection and made it seem fair in the distribution of benefits, I could make up for my guilt.”
"But...why do I feel a sense of pale helplessness when I see Dan Bingli's tears that she is trying so hard to hold back? I know that at this moment, just a few simple words of comfort would be enough to calm her down, but are those words really what I want to say?"
After a fierce internal struggle and self-questioning, Qin Luo's gaze focused on Dan Bingli's slightly trembling body.
Then, he slowly raised his hand from his side, with a hint of hesitation and a surge of impulse, and reached out towards Dan Bingli's fair and beautiful face, which was as white as frost and snow.
Dan Bingli sensed his intention. Due to the lingering grievance deep in her heart, she subconsciously tilted her head slightly and leaned back, cleverly avoiding Qin Luo's touch.
However, her eyes were filled with even more mist, yet she stubbornly bit her lower lip, refusing to let the tears fall again.
However, the instant Qin Luo dodged, he suddenly stretched out his arm, moving so fast that Dan Bingli had no time to react.
That hand steadily covered Dan Bingli's cheek, the movement gentle yet carrying an undeniable firmness.
His thumb gently slid across the corner of Dan Bingli's eye, softly wiping away the tears that were about to spill out and turn into beads.
At this moment, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, leaving only Qin Luo's slightly deep voice:
"sorry."
The three words echoed in the silent open space, carrying a deep sense of apology. It was unclear whether they were apologizing for the actions just taken or repenting for the previous scheming.
Dan Bingli stared into Qin Luo's eyes, those eyes that were once like a bottomless pool, and she could never see through them to the true feelings hidden within.
However, at this moment, she found that her own image was being reflected for the first time in those originally deep pupils, like a long-awaited ray of dawn piercing through the gloom and shining straight into her heart.
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