Chapter 10: How Could This Be?

Yet, Feng Qingjue spoke not a word. Rising silently, he strode toward Luo Qingyao, who stood motionless nearby.

The onlookers exchanged puzzled glances but dared not utter a single question.

As Feng Qingjue approached, Luo Qingyao suddenly felt herself regain movement. Clearly, he had lifted the restraint that bound her.

Having stood in one position for so long, fatigue weighed heavily upon her. Without pausing to express gratitude, she twisted her body, easing the stiffness in her limbs.

“Will you accept me as your master?” Feng Qingjue asked Luo Qingyao abruptly.

Those few words struck the assembly like thunder.

Especially Jade Dragonfly and Wen Yue, who stared in disbelief.

Feng Qingjue, of all people, intended to take this supposed wastrel as his disciple? Impossible. He was meant to be here merely as a witness—how could he suddenly be recruiting a student?

The shift was so sudden, so profound, that it defied comprehension.

Even Luo Qingyao herself thought she had misheard. Eyes wide with astonishment, she fixed her gaze upon him and asked, “What did you say?”

Feng Qingjue, long known as the aloof Young Master Leng, now smiled gently at Luo Qingyao. That smile was like the turning of winter into spring, the blossoming of countless flowers, captivating countless hearts. Nearby, Lan Ruoshui was utterly entranced, nearly throwing herself at Feng Qingjue in a desperate declaration of love.

“Will you accept me as your master?” Feng Qingjue’s voice shed its earlier chill and became as clear and refreshing as a spring brook, flowing softly yet with unmistakable clarity into the ears of all present.

Yun Yi stood lazily among the crowd, clad in elegant white robes that billowed with carefree grace. He radiated a refined, gentle aura. His smile was timeless, his sword-like brows slightly raised, his eyes deep and inscrutable, betraying no hint of inner feeling.

He seemed merely a spectator, as if none of this concerned him.

“Hmph, dare to compete with me for disciples? Bring it on!”

“Ah! How could this be? No, I refuse! Absolutely not!” Lan Ruoshui suddenly screamed, rushing fiercely to stand beside Feng Qingjue and Luo Qingyao. Pointing an accusing finger at Luo Qingyao, she spat venomous words, “You worthless wretch! I never imagined you could be so despicable, daring to seduce Young Master Feng! Do you even know who you are? Such a shameless lowlife! No wonder you refused to join Jade Pure Palace—you’ve had your eyes on Young Master Feng all along. You deserve to die! I will kill you!”

As she spoke, her sword gleamed with a blinding, icy light as she lunged toward Luo Qingyao.

But before the blade could graze even the hem of Luo Qingyao’s garment, it was halted.

Two beams of light shot forth simultaneously, one striking the sword’s blade and piercing a hole clean through it, the other striking Lan Ruoshui’s hand. With a cry of pain, she was forced to drop her weapon.

Clearly, one beam had been fired by Feng Qingjue, shattering the sword’s edge.

The other came from Yun Yi in the crowd, striking Lan Ruoshui’s wrist.

Clutching her right wrist with her left hand, Lan Ruoshui screamed in agony. In a single move, her right hand was rendered almost useless—immobile and wracked with pain.

Compared to Feng Qingjue’s precision strike that merely pierced the sword, Yun Yi’s blow was far more brutal.

No one had expected Lan Ruoshui, who had intended to attack, to end up injured herself. For a moment, the crowd was stunned into silence.

At that very moment, the long-silent Luo Qingyao finally stirred.