The opportunistic little Wushuang

Because Mo Lanyi was in a rush, Yue Qing accompanied her to the Wu family that very day.

The Wu family was stunned when they learned that the Peak Lord of Zilin Peak from Yunlan Sect had arrived. They feared he was there to cause trouble. However, seeing Yue Qing's kindly smile, they immediately understood he had come as a mediator.

Wu Neng burst into laughter, ready to make a snide remark, but Mo Lanyi rose gracefully and spoke first. "Senior Wu, this conflict arose because of a moment of softness on my part. Neither my cousin nor my senior sister is at fault—it was merely a misunderstanding, an unfortunate accident. I've prepared some gifts as a token of goodwill. Please, Senior Wu, do not hold my cousin accountable."

Her tone was gentle, and the aura of her pure spiritual root made her appear like a flawless jade, radiating a beauty that charmed all who beheld her.

Indeed, even Wu Neng's hostility softened slightly. "Fine," he said gruffly. "You're just a junior. I won't argue with you. But the others from your sect are far too arrogant."

Others? Yue Qing frowned, wondering if more than just Ye Qian was involved.

Before he could dwell on it, Mo Lanyi had already placed the gift before Wu Neng. "Please, Senior, take a look."

Wu Neng, however, merely nodded coldly, not bothering to inspect it. After all, what could a mere Qi Refinement junior offer of value? Accepting her gift was already a great honor for her.

Mo Lanyi grew anxious. Why wasn't he opening it? What if he didn't discover the Longevity Pill inside? That would be a complete waste of a precious elixir!

"Enough," Yue Qing suddenly said. "Since the gift has been presented, let us take our leave."

Though Yue Qing was a mild-mannered and affable person, he couldn't help noticing how his disciple's obsequiousness toward Wu Neng surpassed even her respect for him. Was it simply because Wu Neng was at the Integration Stage?

"Master…" Mo Lanyi began.

Yue Qing lowered his gaze, his tone cooling. "It's getting late. We should go pick up your senior sister."

"But…"

Before she could finish, a servant rushed in with urgent news: members of the Yunlan Sect had arrived.

Yue Qing was puzzled. Hadn't he already "arrived"? Could there be others?

Before Wu Neng could respond, a piercing phoenix cry echoed from the skies—

"Chirp—!"

The entire Wu household trembled! Some disciples of lower cultivation nearly collapsed on the spot.

Yue Qing recognized the phoenix cry and the overwhelming aura—it was none other than the sect master's contracted beast, the Great Ming Bird!

He hurried outside, where the majestic silver-white divine bird descended slowly, like a celestial phoenix gracing the mortal realm.

Upon the bird's back stood not only Lian Xing but also three Grand Elders.

When the four of them saw Yue Qing and the radiant jade-like figure beside him, their expressions turned subtly peculiar. Chen Xuanji even leaned closer to Ji Wushuang and whispered, "Little Wushuang, is that Mo Lanyi?"

Ji Wushuang nodded. "Yes, that's her."

Chen Xuanji inclined her head. "Don't worry, Little Wushuang. I'll make sure to avenge you!"

Ji Wushuang remained silent. Did anyone believe her when she said she wasn't afraid?

For Chen Xuanji, there was no shame in "bullying the weak." She had cultivated diligently to act with unrestrained freedom. If she couldn't even openly stand up for her little ancestor, what was the point?

With a sly smile, Chen Xuanji addressed Yue Qing, "Ah, Ziyin Zhenren, have you come to stand up for your Foundation Establishment disciple who's been wronged?"

Ye Qian, the "Foundation Establishment disciple," sighed inwardly. It seemed she wasn't even worthy of a name.

Yue Qing hastily greeted them. "Ziyin greets the sect master and esteemed elders."

"There's no need for formalities," Chen Xuanji replied with a teasing smile. "Ziyin, you're truly a good master, coming all this way to defend your disciple."

Even Yue Qing, as slow-witted as he could sometimes be, caught the mockery in her tone. His face flushed crimson with embarrassment.

"Master!" Ye Qian couldn't bear to see her master so humiliated. She leaned out from the bird's back and called, "Master, I'm fine! Please don't worry about me!"

Yue Qing's heart softened. Suddenly, he felt it had been a mistake to follow Mo Lanyi to apologize to the Wu family. Why had he come in the first place?

As the four "troublemakers"—no, Daoists—descended from the Great Ming Bird, Wu Neng was nearly apoplectic with rage but had no choice but to suppress it. "Honored Daoists, didn't we just part ways? Why have you returned so soon?"

Lian Xing chuckled. "Wu Daoist, you must be mistaken. Didn't we agree to seek justice for our disciples, Little Ye Qian and Little Wushuang? Naturally, we've come to see it through. Have you forgotten already?"

Ye Qian's eyes sparkled with gratitude. Finally, someone remembered her name! Long live the sect master!

Wu Neng, on the verge of spitting blood, glared at Mo Lanyi, who was pale and desperately trying to shrink into the background. Inspiration struck him, and he said, "But your Peak Lord and his disciple already explained that this was a misunderstanding and even offered gifts to make amends, which I've accepted."

The four Daoists turned their gaze to Yue Qing, whose back was now drenched in cold sweat. Stammering, he tried to explain, "I… I didn't mean… That's not…"

Ji Wushuang, observing Yue Qing's flustered state, deduced that the gifts were likely Mo Lanyi's doing and that Yue Qing had merely accompanied her, thinking it was a minor dispute among juniors.

She glanced at Wu Neng—useless though he might be, he was still an Integration Stage cultivator. Mo Lanyi must have come to curry favor.

The gifts, then, must have been Mo Lanyi's own offering. And knowing her, it wouldn't be anything ordinary—perhaps even something as rare as the Elixir of Life.

It would be foolish not to take advantage of such an opportunity. Ji Wushuang immediately said, "Senior Sister, you've apologized to the wrong person. The one who was wronged is Senior Sister Ye. The gift should go to her. Surely, Senior Wu, as an esteemed Integration Stage Daoist, wouldn't pocket a gift meant for someone else?"

Wu Neng, oblivious to the gift's contents, dismissed it with a wave. "If it's meant for Ye, then let her have it. Bring the box here and hand it to her."

Mo Lanyi was dumbfounded.

"!!!"

No! That was her Longevity Pill! Curse you, Ji Wushuang!