Chapter 23: A Reliable Patron

Yun Yi smiled casually, yet his tone carried an irresistible firmness. "It means exactly what you think it means!"

Beside them, Feng Qingjue watched as Yun Yi’s arm wrapped directly around Luo Qingyao. A dark, inscrutable look flashed through his cold eyes, as he became increasingly convinced that Luo Qingyao was the perfect seed he sought. "Qingyao is the destined disciple of the Jade Pure Palace. Since when has Young Master Yun developed a penchant for snatching what belongs to others?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Yi’s expression turned icy, his tone growing ever more overbearing and dominant. "As long as it concerns Yao’er, let alone snatching what others want, I would not hesitate to commit murder or arson if it came to that!"

Luo Qingyao’s face darkened. This man was relentless in his performance—was he actually addicted to it?

Hearing Yun Yi’s declaration of absolute intent, both Feng Qingjue and Yu Qingting’s faces sank. They threatened in unison, "And if we do not agree?"

Yun Yi laughed, his charming smile tinged with a newfound ruthlessness and resolve. With a flick of his crescent-white sleeves, an oppressive aura surged from his body, wild and overpowering. "My taking on a disciple is none of your damn business!"

"Yao’er is a disciple of my Jade Pure Palace, and no one can change that today!" As Yu Qingting spoke, she slowly drew the precious sword from her waist, preparing to strike.

Feng Qingjue glanced at Luo Qingyao by Yun Yi’s side, a flash of sharp insight crossing his eyes. He reasoned that to confirm her identity, he first had to snatch her away from Yun Yi’s protection. Thus, he stepped up to stand beside Yu Qingting. "As the Pavilion Master invited by Palace Master Yu to witness these proceedings, I shall naturally see this through to the end."

As for the crowd below, they were stunned once again, staring at the unfolding scene in disbelief.

The development of events had completely exceeded everyone’s expectations. Originally, this "useless" girl with no spiritual roots had been dismissed by all, with many once hoping to have her cast out immediately. Yet now, she had somehow become the most sought-after prize, with both Young Master Yun and the Jade Pure Palace determined to have her, and even the typically aloof and taciturn Pavilion Master Feng intervening directly!

The changes were simply too rapid.

Many of the onlookers began to envy Luo Qingyao, secretly lamenting why they themselves were not the ones born without spiritual roots. Even if one could not become a disciple of any of these three, being shielded by Young Master Yun in such a manner would make a death worth it!

However, Luo Qingyao did not share their sentiments.

She was no fool; she understood perfectly well that Yu Qingting’s insistence on taking her in was merely a pretext to torment her. As for Feng Qingjue, she had even less regard for him. He had sat there initially, cold and detached, watching her suffer humiliation, and now he was helping Yu Qingting against Yun Yi—it was detestable.

Therefore, she felt deeply grateful for Yun Yi’s help, even if they had known each other for a long time and he frequently took liberties with her. At this moment, both out of reason and sentiment, she could not simply stand by and watch these two bully Yun Yi.

Even though she knew Yun Yi was not someone easily bullied, she was, after all, the protagonist of this affair; there was no reason for her to remain a bystander. Especially since she had already offended Yu Qingting, their future encounters would inevitably be a matter of life and death.

Currently, her strength was meager; she was no match for Yu Qingting, and even one of Yu’s common disciples could crush her like an ant. Thus, before she could grow strong, finding a sturdy tree to lean on was absolutely essential.

And Yun Yi, as it happened, was precisely that tree.