Dao Companion Crippled, Coveters Move

Chapter 259 257: When Pei Yuhang Discovers Yueqiu Is Starting to Distance Herself

Pei Yuhang stood on the White Jade Square before the Sect, his gaze locked on the horizon, which was awash in golden sunlight.

"They're here."

The moment Pei Yuhang spoke, a magnificent Spiritual Giant Wheel broke through the heavy Cloud Sea in the distance and slowly sailed toward them.

As the vessel drew near, it came to a steady stop over the vast Cloud Sea in front of the Sect. A low, rumbling hum from the giant wheel echoed from above.

The disciples on board mounted their swords one after another, transforming into streaks of light as they flew down from the deck. They soared into the Sect to return home and report to their respective masters.

Pei Yuhang's gaze swept quickly through the crowd, searching for a familiar silver-haired figure. However, though he looked again and again, he couldn't find any sign of Qing Yueqiu.

'That's strange. Didn't that girl, Yueqiu, used to be the first one to come see me?'

The anticipation in his heart gradually gave way to anxiety. Pei Yuhang's brow furrowed slightly, and his fingers unconsciously tightened around the hilt of the sword at his waist.

Although his Dao Companion had told him that Yueqiu had met with no mishaps in the Kunlun Mountain Secret Realm, Pei Yuhang still felt a growing unease in his anxiety.

WHOOSH—

The sound of rushing wind drew closer. When Pei Yuhang saw it was Elder Xiao's only grandson, Xiao Chenyu, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Xiao Chenyu noticed the change in Pei Yuhang's expression and looked slightly awkward. Still, he respectfully bowed to the senior Sword Immortal and said:

"Palace Master Pei, I previously visited the Dust Saint Son, hoping to arrange a meeting with Ji Xichan. He said that Ji Xichan is currently at your residence..."

"Is there something you need, Young Master Xiao?"

"I want to fight Ji Xichan again!"

Xiao Chenyu spoke with a hint of coldness in his eyes. "During the Sect Grand Competition, that woman publicly humiliated me in front of countless disciples. After the battle, it left me with a Heart Demon."

"If I don't return that humiliation a hundredfold, then I, Xiao Chenyu, will never be able to advance my Dao Practice by even half a step!"

Pei Yuhang looked at Xiao Chenyu's face, full of fighting spirit, and inwardly lamented that he hadn't uttered the Xiao Family's classic line. 'Otherwise, he might have stood a chance.'

Considering that Elder Xiao had helped him with quite a few things before, Pei Yuhang had no reason to refuse to help Xiao Chenyu arrange this fight. As for whether Ji Xichan agreed to it, that had nothing to do with him.

'Although,' Pei Yuhang mused, 'if Ji Xichan really does agree to the fight, Xiao Chenyu will probably just have his Dao Heart shattered all over again. I'm afraid Elder Xiao will have to seriously consider finding a new grandson to raise then...'

Pei Yuhang sighed inwardly, then nodded.

"Alright. After she comes out of seclusion, I'll ask her for you."

"Thank you, Palace Master Pei!"

After bowing to Pei Yuhang, Xiao Chenyu departed on his sword.

After Xiao Chenyu left, Pei Yuhang looked at the empty White Jade Square around him and shouted, "Qing Yueqiu, why are you still hiding from me? Get out here!"

The White-clothed Sword Immortal's voice materialized into tangible Runes in the air, slowly rippling outward with the sonic waves.

A moment later, a graceful figure slowly flew down from the Spiritual Giant Wheel.

The figure was as light as a feather. Her silver hair fluttered in the wind like cascading Moonlight, carrying an untainted purity that complemented her snow-white skin, making her seem cool and noble.

However, a layer of white gauze completely covered her eyes and ears, obscuring her cold and stunningly beautiful face.

"Yueqiu, your eyes and ears?"

Seeing his head disciple in this state, Pei Yuhang thought she had been gravely injured. It felt like a knife to his heart. He hurried over, wanting to support his disciple, but saw Qing Yueqiu tremble and actually take a small step back, avoiding him!

Her movement was slight, but it was like an invisible barrier, suddenly pulling the distance between them apart and causing the expression on Pei Yuhang's face to freeze.

'This scene... it seems familiar, but the roles are reversed.'

Qing Yueqiu lowered her head slightly. Her expression was hidden beneath the white cloth, but her voice was still calm, as if she were recounting the most ordinary of matters:

"Master... please don't come any closer. I'm fine, I can walk on my own."

"As for my eyes and ears, I did suffer a small injury in the Secret Realm, but it's nothing serious. I took the Spirit Pill that Elder Lu gave me. I'm sure I'll be fine after a few days of rest."

Pei Yuhang keenly detected the almost imperceptible tremor in her voice.

Having been by her side as she grew up, Pei Yuhang knew that his head disciple was nowhere near as calm as she appeared.

His brow tightened. He wanted to get closer, but saw Qing Yueqiu take another half-step back...

Pei Yuhang gave a bitter smile. So as not to startle her, he could only remain where he stood.

He knew Yueqiu must be hiding something from him, but since she didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't press her.

Pei Yuhang's voice was as gentle as ever as he said softly:

"Are you really alright? If you feel any discomfort, you must tell me. Don't try to be strong."

Qing Yueqiu nodded lightly, a faint smile touching the corners of her lips.

"Don't worry, Master. I'm really fine."

"Let's... go home now."

Pei Yuhang was taken aback for a moment. He was just about to summon his Flying Ship to carry Yueqiu back with him when he saw her step onto her Luminous Shadow Sword and fly off on her own, not waiting for him at all.

'This girl... is she really okay?'

Pei Yuhang watched the unprecedentedly cold Qing Yueqiu with a complicated expression, an indescribable feeling welling up in his heart.

...

...

Like a lonely cloud, Qing Yueqiu flew on ahead, silently moving out of Pei Yuhang's line of sight.

Only when she was certain her master could no longer see her did she slowly extend the hand hidden in her sleeve.

Her once jade-white wrist and palm were now covered in several hideous scars. Crimson beads of blood were slowly seeping from the wounds, staining her sleeve and dripping from her fingertips.

These wounds were all self-inflicted, from her own scratching—each scar was a testament to her inner struggle.

'I'm sorry, Master. I wasn't avoiding you on purpose... I just didn't dare get close.'

Sorrow filled Qing Yueqiu's eyes, hidden behind the white cloth. Tears soaked the fabric and streamed down her pretty face.

In truth, she had been the first disciple to step onto the deck of the Spiritual Giant Wheel.

From a distance, she had seen her master standing on the square, waiting alone for her return.

No one could ever know the joy and sweetness that had surged in her heart at that moment, as if all her exhaustion and pain had been smoothed away in an instant.

How she had wanted to boast loudly to the other disciples, 'Look! That's my master, Qing Yueqiu's master! He came to welcome me personally! None of you get this kind of treatment!'

But in the very next instant, at the peak of her joy, the half-butterfly-wing Curse Seal located between the back of her neck and her shoulder suddenly erupted with an icy power.

Qing Yueqiu's body trembled violently, as if countless fine needles were stabbing into her very marrow, causing a pain so intense she wished for death.

At the same time, the world before her eyes began to twist, turning a sickening, bloody red. A low, decadent sound echoed in her ears, like a demon's whisper, urging her again and again: "Kill him... kill that man..."

"KILL, KILL, KILL, KILL, KILL, KILL—!!"

A primal desire from the depths of her bloodline, like a wolf's instinct to prey on a sheep, was irresistible and impossible to suppress.

Qing Yueqiu's head felt like it was splitting apart. She crouched on the ground, clutching her head, not daring to look at her master for even another second.

'No... I can't hurt Master... I absolutely can't...'

Qing Yueqiu's nails dug deep into her palms, blood dripping between her fingers. Yet, it was as if she couldn't feel the pain, only repeating the warning to herself over and over in her mind.

Her breathing grew ragged, and a cold sweat beaded on her temples. She felt as if she were struggling between ice and fire.

In the end, she could only choose to flee. She even had to numb her senses with pain, covering her eyes and ears, before she dared to face her master.

She didn't dare let her master see her in this state, and she dared not let herself get close to him.

She was afraid that if she lost control, she would do something she would regret for the rest of her life.

Even though Qing Yueqiu understood that she couldn't hurt her master even if she did lose control, still—

She absolutely could not imagine being treated like a monster by her master!

That would be far too cruel.