Lu Qingli frowned slightly and paused at the door for a moment. Her cold voice broke the silence in the room: "Xiang Fan, I heard about your father."
Hearing Lu Qingli's voice, Xiang Fan raised his head, his eyes revealing a complex mix of emotions, but then he lowered his head again, gazing at Xiang Su. His voice was low and hoarse, tinged with suppressed anger: "Senior Sister, the spread of the poison has begun to affect ordinary people. My father... almost died. What else do those people want?"
His fists trembled slightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. His anger seemed to grow, but even more so, a deep sense of powerlessness. He was just a young cultivator in the Qi training stage. Faced with a situation as severe as the poison, he seemed powerless even to protect those around him.
Lu Qingli walked into the room, her gaze fixed on Xiang Su's frail face. A subtle trace of pity and heaviness flashed across her eyes. She spoke slowly, "The Sect Master has led the elders and Jindan disciples to the Baixing Sect. This is an order from the Star Lord's Mansion. The source of the poison has been confirmed: the Baixing Sect."
These simple words were like a huge rock hitting Xiang Fan's heart. His breathing hitched slightly, and his gaze shifted from his father's face to Lu Qingli. The weakness in his eyes gradually gave way to a cold emotion. He gritted his teeth and whispered the name again: "Hundred Star Sect..."
His voice was laced with deep hatred, as if squeezed from between his teeth. The image of his father being seriously injured surfaced in his mind, further deepening his anger and hatred for the spread of the poison.
He stood up, staring at Lu Qingli coldly, his tone firm and low: "Senior Sister Qingli, no matter who they are, they must pay the price for doing such a thing."
Lu Qingli was slightly startled, a fleeting hint of surprise crossing her cold features. Her gaze met Xiang Fan's, and an indescribable emotion welled up within her. The young man before her was usually taciturn, unremarkable within the sect, but at that moment, the rage in his eyes seemed to consume everything. That burning determination felt unfamiliar yet captivating to her.
She was silent for a moment, her voice softening slightly. "Xiang Fan, I understand how you feel, but this matter...is not something we can easily intervene in. The Sect Master and the Elders are already handling it. We just need to hold on to the Sect and protect this place."
Xiang Fan's expression didn't soften after hearing this. He clenched his fists once more, as if trying to grasp something. His voice was barely audible, yet it carried a deep, determined tone: "Defend the sect...guard this place, and watch the poison spread, implicate more people? Senior Sister, if even ordinary people can't avoid such a fate, then what's the point of cultivation?"
Lu Qingli was stunned, unsure how to respond to Xiang Fan's question. His words stirred a ripple within her, and she had to admit that Xiang Fan had a point. This crisis was no longer just a struggle between cultivators; it concerned the fate of the entire Yunxuan Star. However, the complexities of reality prevented her from easily supporting Xiang Fan's ideas.
She took a deep breath and tried to calmly persuade him, "Xiang Fan, I know you're unwilling, but the crisis of the poisonous insect can't be solved by one person. You're still too young and not strong enough. Forcing yourself to take action will only put you in danger."
Xiang Fan's gaze didn't flinch. He looked at Lu Qingli, and after a moment's silence, he whispered, "If you don't try simply because you're weak, you'll never be able to change anything. I don't know if I can do anything, but at least I want to try. One day, I'm going to be strong enough to no longer feel powerless."
As Lu Qingli listened to his resolute words, the complex emotions within her grew stronger. She looked at the young man before her, his once frail figure now appearing extraordinarily heavy. Perhaps, he truly was different. She sighed, her tone laced with a hint of helplessness and hope: "Xiang Fan, remember, no matter what you do, don't let anger cloud your heart. Cultivation is not only about the pursuit of strength, but also about upholding one's true heart."
Xiang Fan nodded, his eyes still firm. He turned to look at his father. Although Xiang Su's face was pale, his breathing had gradually become steady. This made him feel a little more at ease, but the anger buried deep in his heart still burned.
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