Chapter 77: The Ancestor’s Belated Rebellious Phase (4)
The heroine died precisely at the place where she “emerged from seclusion.” What she saw from above at that moment must have been the heroine herself. Ling Qiong couldn’t quite understand why this group led by Jiang He could still brazenly trespass on someone else’s territory. Was this the arrogance and recklessness that came with being a villain? Ling Qiong stepped into the grand hall. At the very front stood a memorial tablet, and beside it was a man dressed in robes as white as snow.
He was strikingly young—a cascade of snowy hair fell smoothly down his back, his features elegant, like an immortal. He stood there expressionlessly, as if surrounded by a barrier that prevented anyone from approaching him lightly.
The male lead truly lived up to his title—top-tier in every way.
That face, that figure… tsk tsk tsk!
Such a pity. If only she could collect him as well!
But fate was unyielding—she would have to force it if she wanted to.
Ah.
Ling Qiong could only entertain the thought. After all, she had cultivated a persona of unwavering devotion; she couldn’t afford to be fickle. Considering the trouble attached to the male lead, she immediately calmed herself.
Lost in idle thoughts, Ling Qiong waited for those ahead to leave.
Yan Weishan kept his gaze lowered, like a statue, unmoved.
Ling Qiong inserted the incense into the burner, eager to slip away.
The male lead was intimidating—she feared him.
“Stop!”
Ling Qiong froze, hand gripping her skirt. In her mind, she debated whether to flee or stay.
“Weishan Immortal,” Jiang He turned back and bowed respectfully, “Is there something you require?”
Yan Weishan’s previously lowered gaze now settled upon Ling Qiong.
His eyes were icy, carrying a scrutinizing, enigmatic gleam that sent a chill through her.
Ling Qiong released her skirt, turned around, folded her hands neatly before her, and met Yan Weishan’s gaze with a faint smile.
At this point, the male lead probably didn’t know who she was…
So why did he stop her?
Yan Weishan stared at her intently, his voice low, “Who is she?”
“Weishan Immortal, this is our young mistress,” Jiang He replied calmly.
“Young mistress?” Yan Weishan paused for two seconds. “Wasn’t your young mistress missing for years?”
Jiang He said, “We only just found her recently.”
“Is that so?” Yan Weishan’s tone was odd.
“Yes.”
Jiang He remained unflustered, handling Yan Weishan’s questions with ease.
Yan Weishan said nothing more, indicating they could leave.
Ling Qiong immediately turned and left the hall.
Once outside, Ling Qiong patted her chest gently. “What did he mean by that?”
---
Jiang He couldn’t figure out Yan Weishan’s intent either.
He hadn’t shown any particular reaction…
“Perhaps he hasn’t seen you before, so he asked,” Jiang He suggested.
Ling Qiong pouted, “He hasn’t seen plenty of people—why single me out? Is it because I’m particularly good-looking?”
Jiang He: “…”
How many people come here—does he know each one?
If he always asked about those he didn’t recognize, how would he maintain his statue-like persona?
Definitely suspicious!
---
Inside the hall.
The doors were now closed, casting the interior in subdued light.
Yan Weishan sat on a meditation cushion, holding a hairpin in his hand.
He stared at the hairpin for a long time, his fingertips slowly infusing it with spiritual power. The hairpin left his hand, hovering in the air.
An image projected from the hairpin, unfolding in the air—a complete scene.
The perspective was from below, looking up at a woman dodging falling debris.
It was unmistakably the scene from the cave Ling Qiong had just arrived in.
The image was unclear, the falling stones obscuring the figure, and the rapid movement made it blurrier still.
From the image alone, Yan Weishan couldn’t be certain whether this was the young mistress.
But his intuition said… yes.
Yan Weishan retrieved the hairpin, and the image vanished.
“Someone.”
The hall door opened slightly; someone entered from outside.
“Immortal.”
Yan Weishan instructed, “Investigate the young mistress of Yue Lu Manor.”
The person didn’t ask why, merely acknowledged and left.
---
Ling Qiong felt uneasy and wanted to slip away.
Staying away from the male lead was the only way to survive!
But Jiang He said if they left now, it would look suspicious and confirm any doubts.
So Jiang He insisted they stay.
Ling Qiong considered it and found Jiang He’s reasoning sound, reluctantly agreeing—at least stay until tomorrow before fleeing!
Her courtyard was never quiet; people kept coming to see the young mistress.
After all, the young mistress had been missing for years and was suddenly found.
Those who encountered her felt obliged to exchange pleasantries.
Ling Qiong was initially amused.
But after the same greetings and attempts to probe her for information, the novelty wore off quickly. Seizing a moment when Jiang He wasn’t looking, she slipped away.
---
The Tianqing Sect occupied vast grounds, with several main peaks. The architecture atop the peaks was grand and imposing, shrouded in clouds and mist, presenting a magnificent sight from afar.
---
Besides the beautiful scenery, the spiritual energy here was abundant.
Ling Qiong could feel the energy constantly flowing into her body, though she didn’t actively absorb it—it circulated briefly and left her again.
She felt like a human filter.
Ling Qiong had now adapted to this body and could skillfully use flight techniques.
In places rich in spiritual energy, using powers yielded twice the result with half the effort—flying was exhilarating.
Yet, when she reached a certain spot, her spiritual power suddenly felt blocked, unusable.
With her energy cut off, she plummeted like a powerless flying machine.
Had it not been for the trees cushioning her fall, Ling Qiong felt she might have died right there.
“Ugh, ugh, ugh!”
Climbing down from the branches, she first tidied her hair and clothes.
What was this place?
Ling Qiong looked around, but it didn’t seem much different from other areas.
So why did her spiritual power suddenly stop working?
She wasn’t familiar with the Tianqing Sect, hadn’t paid much attention while flying, and now had no idea where she’d ended up.
She walked out of the wooded area into an open space and gazed into the distance.
It resembled a V-shaped canyon. She stood at the entrance, and deeper within, something like a tower’s spire poked through the treetops.
A golden light flashed atop the spire.
Ling Qiong frowned, about to investigate, when a scream echoed from afar.
“Ah—”
She looked deeper; the golden light had vanished, as if it were just a mirage.
Ling Qiong wanted to go further, but found herself blocked by a transparent barrier, unable to pass.
“Ah—”
The cries continued, growing closer.
---
After wandering outside, Ling Qiong returned to find Jiang He in a panic.
Seeing her, he rushed over, “Ancestor, where have you been?”
“Just wandering,” Ling Qiong said, taking a seat. “Pour me some water.”
While pouring, Jiang He said, “This is the Tianqing Sect, Ancestor. Please don’t wander off. If anything happens, how will I answer to the elders?”
“I’m a grown woman—what could possibly happen?”
“Ancestor, your clothes…” Jiang He pointed to her skirt, which was torn.
“Caught on a branch,” Ling Qiong replied, sipping water, cheeks puffed in frustration. “These clothes are too flimsy. Don’t they have any kind of protective garments?”
——Little Theater——
Jiang He: Ancestor, do you know why your clothes are so flimsy?
Ling Qiong: Why?
Jiang He: Because they don’t vote!
Ling Qiong: …You all don’t vote?