Chapter 32: Ice Fairy's Deterrence
After hearing Xiao Moshan's words, Xiao Kuangyun didn't dare to show off any longer. His expression quickly converged, and he raised his head and said, "So it's Fairy Chu of the Bing Yun Fairy Palace. I, Xiao Kuangyun of the Xiao Clan, am deeply fortunate to have encountered you here. However, Fairy Chu, why would you condescend to visit this small town of Liuyun today? Could it be that you have some important matter? My father once said that if I ever meet a fairy from the Bing Yun Fairy Palace, I must treat her with utmost courtesy. If there is anything I can help with, please feel free to speak, Fairy Chu."
Hearing the words "Bing Yun Fairy Palace" from Xiao Kuangyun's mouth, everyone was instantly dumbfounded, and their throats emitted a uniform "gulp" sound.
Which deity had blessed this tiny Liuyun City today? In a place where even a third-rate sect would disdain to set foot, not only had the Xiao Clan come, but even people from the Bing Yun Fairy Palace had arrived!
No wonder this woman's temperament was so extraordinarily ethereal, her features so stunningly beautiful that they could topple nations, and she could even perform Mystic Void Crossing. So she was from the Bing Yun Fairy Palace, and her status there was definitely not low! Otherwise, Xiao Kuangyun, as the son of the Xiao Clan's master, wouldn't have been so cautious and respectful towards her.
"Why am I here?" Chu Yueli said with a cold frown. "Your Xiao Clan has already bullied my disciple. Do you expect me to just stand by silently and watch her be tormented by you?"
"Your disciple?" Xiao Kuangyun was stunned, then his expression changed dramatically as he exclaimed in shock, "Fairy Chu, the disciple you speak of... could it be... Xia Qingyue?"
And at that moment, Xia Qingyue walked over to stand beneath Chu Yueli and called out respectfully, "Master."
These two simple words made Xiao Kuangyun's face twitch violently. Xiao Yulong was completely dumbfounded, and the members of the Xiao Sect, along with the various dignitaries of Liuyun City, were all left speechless, their hearts nearly stopping from shock.
Oh my heavens! This young lady of the Xia family was actually a disciple of the Bing Yun Fairy Palace! In this Liuyun City, there had always been a disciple of the Bing Yun Fairy Palace!
The way people looked at Xia Qingyue instantly changed, becoming filled with immense shock and reverence. Even the gazes directed at Xia Hongyi changed dramatically.
Xiao Yulong stood there dumbfounded for a long time before suddenly breaking out in a cold sweat. This Xia Qingyue was actually a disciple of the Bing Yun Fairy Palace... He had previously even tried to harass her, and when she had taught him a humiliating lesson, he had felt resentful. But now that he thought about it, the fact that he could still return alive was practically a stroke of luck! To harass a disciple of the Bing Yun Fairy Palace... how many people in the entire Cang Feng Empire would have such audacity?
That wasn't all. Today, the plan to force Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue to separate was also his suggestion to Xiao Kuangyun. He had even planned out for Xiao Kuangyun how to get Xia Qingyue after forcing Xiao Che away... If the Bing Yun Fairy Palace found out about these things, he would have no place to die a peaceful death.
Sweating profusely, Xiao Yulong looked at Xiao Kuangyun with a face full of pleading.
"So... so Xia Qingyue is actually a disciple of your palace. I... was previously completely unaware, which led to a minor misunderstanding."
If it were a disciple of another sect, Xiao Kuangyun would not have taken it to heart at all. But the Bing Yun Fairy Palace was different! It was not a family-inherited sect; all its disciples were female, selected from across the Cang Yun Continent for their superior aptitude. As a result, it was the smallest in scale among the four great sects. Yet despite this, it still ranked second among them, which spoke volumes about its strength. Every single disciple of the palace had high aptitude, with no mediocrities, and each was under the palace's full protection. Provoking low-level disciples from other sects might be a minor matter, and even fights between disciples of different sects resulting in deaths were common. But provoking the Bing Yun Fairy Palace... even if it were the lowest-ranking woman in the palace, the palace would respond forcefully and would not rest until a satisfactory explanation was given!
"A misunderstanding? I hope it is a misunderstanding. Are you still going to tear up my disciple's marriage contract?" Chu Yueli's expression was indifferent as her gaze swept downward. No one dared to meet her eyes. Although she was a woman, every man present felt as if she were a celestial maiden from the Moon Palace, while they were but ordinary mortals. Overcome with shame, they didn't even dare to look at her more than necessary.
"Since it's a misunderstanding, I wouldn't dare." Xiao Kuangyun managed to speak with relative calm. "However, there is one thing I don't understand... Although I am not very experienced, I do know that the fairies of the Bing Yun Fairy Palace are supposed to abstain from emotions and desires, and never marry. Why is it that this Xia Qingyue is..."
"Hmph! Our palace's Ice Cloud Art does indeed require abstinence from emotions and desires, but it has never forbidden disciples from marrying. Qingyue joined our palace at the age of twelve but was always unwilling to return with me, wanting instead to marry Xiao Che at the age of sixteen. However, this was not for love, but for gratitude and a promise. Such loyalty and pure-heartedness is something our palace naturally would not forbid. Even if our palace did forbid marriage, we could make an exception for her sake. Young Master Xiao, do you have any further questions?" Chu Yueli said coldly. Her voice was calm, but every word was like ice. When people heard it, an uncontrollable chill crept into their hearts, and they dared not entertain the slightest thought of refutation.
"No, no. This really was just a misunderstanding." Xiao Kuangyun quickly said, then had to turn to Xia Qingyue and say, "Fairy Xia, I was unaware earlier that you were a disciple of the Bing Yun Fairy Palace. I was rather presumptuous. Please do not take it to heart."
The status of the Xiao Clan master's son was naturally much higher than that of an ordinary disciple of the Bing Yun Fairy Palace. But with Chu Yueli present, he had to behave himself. This was a remote, inconspicuous place, and he had only brought Xiao Moshan, Xiao Ba, and Xiao Jiu with him. If he annoyed Chu Yueli, she could wipe them all out on their way back and destroy the evidence, and they would have died in vain.
Before coming here, how could he have imagined that this godforsaken place would have someone of Chu Yueli's caliber?
It was already impossible for him to set his sights on Xia Qingyue, and he had wasted half a day's scheming for nothing. Being forced to behave himself in front of Chu Yueli made him feel deeply aggrieved. His chest heaved a few times, and then his gaze shifted to Xiao Lingxi... Although Xia Qingyue was now out of reach, there was still at least one more! Chu Yueli would protect Xia Qingyue, but there was absolutely no way she would protect an outsider like Xiao Lingxi! Otherwise, she wouldn't have failed to appear when Xiao Che was being expelled but only showed up when the attention turned to Xia Qingyue.
Indeed, to Chu Yueli, only Xia Qingyue mattered. What happened to the others had nothing to do with her. She had no reason, let alone any obligation, to interfere.
"Since Fairy Chu has graced us with her presence, your Xiao Sect is truly honored! Now then, let us proceed with today's real business." Xiao Kuangyun's face hardened as his gaze locked onto Xiao Lingxi. "Before that... Xiao Ba! Xiao Jiu! First, seize this thief who stole the Tongxuan Powder! Tomorrow, we will take her back to the Xiao Clan for judgment!"
The words "taken back to the Xiao Clan for judgment tomorrow" made even the dullest person understand why Xiao Kuangyun had staged such a despicable and shameless frame-up. Although the frame-up had been exposed by Xiao Che in front of everyone, under absolute sect suppression, it didn't hinder Xiao Kuangyun from continuing.
"Yes, Young Master!"
Xiao Ba and Xiao Jiu stepped down from the platform simultaneously and moved straight toward the flustered Xiao Lingxi.
"Master!" Seeing this, Xia Qingyue quickly signaled Chu Yueli with her eyes, hoping she would step in to protect Xiao Lingxi... at least to prevent her from being taken away by Xiao Kuangyun. But Chu Yueli acted as if she hadn't noticed, showing no reaction.
A hint of anxiety appeared on Xia Qingyue's face. With a pleading tone, she said, "Master, you must have seen that Xiao Kuangyun was targeting me today. Xiao Che was implicated because of me, which led to him being expelled from the Xiao Sect. Before he left, he asked me to protect his grandfather and aunt, and I agreed... This is the last thing I can do for him. After this, I will immediately return to the Bing Yun Fairy Palace with you and stay there to focus on cultivation... Please, Master, grant this wish!"
Chu Yueli's eyes flickered slightly, and she let out a soft sigh. She raised her right hand and waved it gently.
In an instant, a surge of cold air descended from the sky, causing Xiao Ba and Xiao Jiu to feel a sudden chill throughout their bodies. Their footsteps halted, and they dared not advance any further.
Xiao Kuangyun's expression changed slightly. He forced himself to stay calm and said, "Fairy Chu, what is the meaning of this? Just now, you criticized me for meddling in the marriage affairs of your palace's disciple... But now, we are handling an internal matter of our clan. Are you, Fairy Chu, planning to interfere?"
"No! I have no interest in meddling in the affairs of your Xiao Clan." Chu Yueli's expression was indifferent, her eyes devoid of any ripples. "I simply found some things rather disagreeable, so I acted on a whim. Since you say this is an internal matter of your Xiao Clan, then is Xiao Lingxi a member of your Xiao Clan?"
Xiao Kuangyun shook his head. "No! But the Tongxuan Powder she stole belongs to my clan!"
"However, from what I heard earlier, that Tongxuan Powder was a gift you brought from the Xiao Clan and was given to the Xiao Sect yesterday. How is it that something your clan gave away still belongs to your clan? If this gets out, aren't you afraid of being ridiculed?" Chu Yueli said without mincing words.
Xiao Kuangyun's eyes widened, and he was left speechless.
"Xiao Lingxi is a member of the Xiao Sect, not your Xiao Clan. And the Tongxuan Powder now belongs to the Xiao Sect, no longer being your clan's property. Therefore, even if Xiao Lingxi did steal the Tongxuan Powder, it should be punished by the Xiao Sect. It has nothing to do with your Xiao Clan."
Chu Yueli's gaze shifted to Xiao Yunhai. A single look was enough to make Xiao Yunhai shiver all over, and his entire body involuntarily slouched. Chu Yueli said flatly, "Sect Master Xiao, how should a thief among your own disciples be dealt with?"
Xiao Yunhai glanced at Xiao Kuangyun, gritted his teeth, and forced himself to remain calm as he said, "If a disciple commits theft... the lightest punishment is three months of confinement in the back mountain... Xiao Lingxi stole a precious gift from the Xiao Clan, so she should receive the harshest punishment... Fifteen years of confinement in the back mountain, and she must not set foot outside the Siguo Gorge for those fifteen years!"
Chu Yueli looked away and said nothing more.
"Then what are you standing there for? Take her to that Siguo Gorge!" Xiao Kuangyun roared with a dark face! Although he felt both unwilling and stifled, even if he were an idiot, he should have realized that Chu Yueli had already given him considerable face. Otherwise, she could have directly exposed his frame-up, leaving him unable to touch Xiao Lingxi while also making him lose face completely, unable to back down publicly.
Although Chu Yueli had not publicly exposed Xiao Kuangyun or cleared Xiao Lingxi's name, Xiao Lie still bowed deeply to her, his heart full of gratitude. As one of the Ice Cloud Seven Immortals, her status was incredibly noble. To go this far for a mere girl of the Xiao Sect was already the utmost benevolence and a great kindness... At the very least, she had saved Xiao Lingxi from the nightmare of being taken back to the Xiao Clan by Xiao Kuangyun.
"I failed to teach my daughter properly and deceived the Xiao Sect for over a decade. I too deserve severe punishment. Confine me to the Siguo Gorge as well." Looking at the approaching Fourth Elder Xiao Cheng, Xiao Lie's face was calm as he spoke flatly.
With Chu Yueli nearby, Xiao Cheng dared not act rashly. He didn't dare say a single unnecessary word and very properly led Xiao Lie and Xiao Lingxi toward the back mountain.
Although in the end, they were left with the tragic outcome of fifteen years of confinement, Xia Qingyue knew that Chu Yueli had essentially done all she could. Xiao Lie's voluntary request to be confined together in the Siguo Gorge was clearly to accompany Xiao Lingxi and also to protect her. Perhaps, in terms of safety, there was not much cause for concern anymore. As for what came after, they could only rely on their own fate.
"In that case, there is no reason for us master and disciple to stay here any longer." After Xiao Lingxi and Xiao Lie were led away, Chu Yueli said indifferently, "Young Master Xiao, until you leave Liuyun City, I will be nearby... Qingyue, let's go."
Chu Yueli's final words made Xiao Kuangyun grit his teeth inwardly... "Until you leave Liuyun City, I will be nearby." That statement was clearly a warning for him not to set his sights on Xiao Lingxi! Although she was only protecting Xiao Lingxi's safety, since she had decided to protect her, she would see it through to the end.
After Chu Yueli left with Xia Qingyue, Xiao Kuangyun slammed his fist heavily onto the armrest of his chair, shattering the entire grand chair into a pile of wooden splinters. He had thought he would have two stunningly beautiful women in his grasp, but after all his scheming, he ended up with nothing. The only results were forcing away an insignificant nobody and locking two people in the Xiao Sect's Siguo Gorge, which was completely different from what he had wanted!
And at this moment, he still wouldn't realize that not only had he gained nothing, but he had also laid the groundwork for an absolute catastrophe for himself and the entire Xiao Clan!
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Seeing many people asking about the Profound Force level settings, so... posting it again.
Profound Force Levels: Initial Xuan Realm, Xuan Entry Realm, True Xuan Realm, Spirit Xuan Realm, Earth Xuan Realm, Heavenly Xuan Realm, King Xuan Realm, Overlord Xuan Realm, Sovereign Xuan Realm, Divine Xuan Realm...
Profound Equipment Levels: Mortal Tool, Sub-Profound Artifact, True Profound Artifact, Spirit Profound Artifact, Earth Profound Artifact, Heavenly Profound Artifact, King Profound Artifact, Overlord Profound Artifact, Sovereign Profound Artifact, Divine Artifact.
Profound Beast Levels: Mortal Beast, Sub-Profound Beast, True Profound Beast, Spirit Profound Beast, Earth Profound Beast, Heavenly Profound Beast, King Profound Beast, Overlord Profound Beast, Sovereign Profound Beast, Divine Beast...
Profound Skill Levels:
Profound Art Levels:
ps: The protagonist's Evil Profound Force levels are consistent with ordinary Profound Force levels. However, the power may be offset... As for whether it's offset upward or downward, and by how much... it's not easy to say.