Dao Companion Crippled, Coveters Move

Chapter 319 317: A Grand Dream of 1000 Years (1): Scholar Yuhang and Daoist Nun Qianyan

Ji Xichan heard Pei Yuhang approaching from behind. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and her heart, which had been pounding wildly, miraculously began to calm.

Her lips parted, and her voice, though soft, carried an imperceptible tremor.

"Pei Sword Immortal, do you hate me?"

'Hate you?'

Pei Yuhang's brow furrowed slightly. He didn't seem to understand why Ji Xichan had suddenly brought this up.

But he could hear the undercurrent of sorrow beneath her calm tone, so he answered her.

"Ji Xichan… You've done some despicable things to me in the past. But sometimes I wonder, were you always so malicious, or was I the one who made you that way?

If my very existence drove you to madness…

Then my answer is this: I once hated you, but now, more than anything, I feel sorry for you. I hope you can break free of my influence… and go back to being your true self."

Pei Yuhang lowered his gaze, his eyes filled with pity as he looked at Ji Xichan's trembling shoulders.

"And so?"

Ji Xichan's voice remained calm, but her fingers clenched her sleeve so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

"After we return to the Cold Palace Sword Mansion, I'll have Chen Tiansheng come and take you away."

"And what if I refuse? Aren't you afraid I'll kill myself? Don't forget, your little disciple is still…"

Ji Xichan's voice suddenly rose, taking on a sharp, threatening edge.

But Pei Yuhang cut her off before she could finish.

"Ji Xichan, I already had Qianqian take a look… There is no trace of any curse binding you and Xiaoxiao. The Jade Pool Sacred Land is unparalleled in the art of Talismanic Seals; Qianqian wouldn't be mistaken.

So, don't try to lie to me with that again."

Pei Yuhang's voice was gentle. After having fought side-by-side with Ji Xichan, he no longer faced her with any sense of accusation.

"Ji Xichan, it's time for you to be yourself again."

A silent smile touched the young woman's lips, her face already streaked with tears.

Her eyes were filled with pain and resentment. Tears streamed down her cheeks, dripping onto her robes and leaving a dark, wet stain.

"Why…? Why, no matter what, won't you have me—"

Pei Yuhang simply watched her in silence, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.

His lips pressed together as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just sighed softly and gave no response.

'In matters like this, was there ever a reason why?'

Pei Yuhang had lived for more than 180 years and had seen far too many women become infatuated with him. He knew it wasn't love. Those women were simply "cursed" by his charm.

He couldn't possibly reciprocate the feelings of every woman who became obsessed with him.

His greatest wish now was to take Liyuan and Yueqiu into seclusion, to live a simple yet harmonious life away from the world.

His heart already belonged to two people; it couldn't be divided any further…

VMMMM—

Just then, a powerful spatial fluctuation erupted from behind them. Clearly, Lin Qianyan had arrived with Qing Yueqiu.

Ji Xichan lifted her eyes, red and swollen from crying. The confusion in them had been replaced by resolve.

'Pei Yuhang… Our talk just now was my last attempt to make you stay.'

'But you still chose to let me go.'

'In that case—'

In the distance, Lin Qianyan saw the massive Mirage Dragon lying motionless on the ground, and a look of delight crossed her face.

"Wonderful! As expected of Brother Pei, he took down the Mirage Dragon all by himself!"

Beside her, Qing Yueqiu heard this and replied with unconscious pride, "Of course! That's my master!"

The next moment, however, Qing Yueqiu's crimson eyes narrowed.

The motionless Mirage Dragon on the ground suddenly flared its scales, and a tidal wave of golden Mirage Qi erupted from its body.

'This is bad! Master is still over there!'

Just as Qing Yueqiu was about to speed up, she saw Lin Qianyan use some kind of Secret Technique and vanish on the spot.

「Before the Mirage Dragon.」

When Pei Yuhang saw the behemoth suddenly show signs of waking, he instinctively reached for Ji Xichan's hand.

Ji Xichan let Pei Yuhang take her hand, not resisting in the slightest.

The domain of the Goddess Statue had already been unleashed, powered by the Mirage Dragon's Inner Core.

The Mirage Qi was now irrelevant; the unseen Illusionary Divine Abilities had already locked on to Pei Yuhang.

'Soon, we will enter a dream where we love each other—'

CRACK!!

Just then, the unexpected struck.

The Jade Pendant of the Jade Pool at Pei Yuhang's waist suddenly cracked, and a small Space Array formed from within.

Surprise flashed in his eyes, quickly replaced by a grave expression as he seemed to realize something.

Lin Qianyan emerged, having forcibly torn through space with a Secret Technique. The instant she appeared, her face paled. Fine beads of sweat broke out on her forehead, and her breathing grew ragged. Clearly, the maneuver had consumed a massive amount of her strength.

This was an emergency measure she had given to Pei Yuhang. If he ever encountered the Mirage Dragon and needed to escape, she could use the Teleportation Array within this Jade Pendant to forcibly appear at his side.

Although her Primordial Qi would be damaged after teleporting, leaving her unable to fight at full strength, she would still be able to get Pei Yuhang away to safety.

In that moment, Pei Yuhang and Lin Qianyan shared a perfect understanding. They exchanged a glance, and Lin Qianyan immediately struck Ji Xichan with her palm.

"Miss Ji, we're stronger. We can last longer in the Mirage Qi. You escape first!"

Caught off guard, Ji Xichan was struck by the palm. The force, wrapped in Spiritual Qi, sealed her within a Spiritual Energy Ball, which was then sent flying away with a BANG.

By the time Ji Xichan came to her senses, the world around her was rapidly receding. Lin Qianyan had already sent her far away from Pei Yuhang.