Chapter 132: Lin Xuan's Resurrection
"Not at all. The only reason I could break through so quickly is because of Master."
Liu Ruyan's expression carried a hint of pride. After all, reaching the peak of the Spirit Refining Realm at her age was something rarely seen throughout history.
But when she mentioned Jiang Yu, her eyes filled with deep reverence.
She couldn't tell if it was an illusion, but somehow, Jiang Yu felt even more formidable than her Immortal Emperor master, Yang Dieyi.
That had to be impossible.
After all, Yang Dieyi was an Immortal Emperor.
Though her Dao Fruit was gone, her experience as an Immortal Emperor remained.
And yet...
Jiang Yu truly seemed omnipotent.
When she guided her cultivation, her instructions came with ease—every technique she demonstrated was flawless.
Heavenly treasures were given with casual generosity.
She could even divine where great opportunities would appear and determine which Dao arts or divine abilities suited her best.
Under Jiang Yu's tutelage, Liu Ruyan's cultivation and combat strength advanced at astonishing speed.
"Hmm." Gu Qing responded lightly, his gaze shifting toward the gentle and refined Liu Ruyi.
With her serene and graceful bearing, like a pure chrysanthemum untouched by worldly dust, no one would ever believe she was born with a demonic constitution.
Liu Ruyi's appearance was far too deceptive.
"Senior Brother Gu."
Liu Ruyi smiled faintly, her expression pure and elegant, her manner calm and gentle.
"Spirit Refining Realm, ninth stage peak—you sisters are truly remarkable."
After a few polite exchanges, Gu Qing stepped onto a cloud and flew toward the mountain peak.
At the pavilion, Jiang Yu sat gracefully, taking delicate bites of pastries. Every movement of hers carried effortless elegance and infinite charm.
Seated across from her was a handsome young man dressed in white.
Gu Qing's eyes flashed with surprise.
That young man's cultivation had reached the Divine Fire Realm.
He had seen portraits of every Divine Fire Realm expert in the Star Temple, but this one was unfamiliar.
If the youth wasn't from the Star Temple, then his relationship with Jiang Yu was clearly extraordinary.
Thinking so, Gu Qing clasped his hands and bowed. "Palace Master."
"Mm. Come, sit."
Jiang Yu nodded softly, her brows curved, her beautiful eyes filled with gentle warmth.
She pointed to the seat across from her, signaling Gu Qing to sit down.
"Venerable Realm, third stage. Not bad, not bad."
"Palace Master flatters me." Gu Qing poured her a cup of tea, intending to pour one for the youth as well.
However, the man's calm, indifferent gaze radiated an air of superiority—an aloofness that seemed to say, the world may be drunk, but I alone am sober.
Gu Qing quietly withdrew his hand and poured himself a cup instead.
So what if he was in the Divine Fire Realm?
If this man dared to look down on him again, Gu Qing could easily curse him into ruin.
The young man's face tightened, his expression faintly cold as his eyes flickered with a brief flash of killing intent.
"I heard you intend to become the Divine Son?"
Jiang Yu spoke with a smile, seemingly oblivious to the man's hostility. She reached out and gently straightened Gu Qing's slightly rumpled robe.
The young man's expression darkened instantly at the sight.
"Yes," Gu Qing replied. "Master plans to step down as the Divine Maiden and have Qingyue take her place."
Jiang Yu's sudden action startled Gu Qing slightly. Their relationship wasn't nearly close enough for such casual familiarity.
Could it be that Jiang Yu wanted to use him as a shield?
Unlikely… with Jiang Yu's strength, who in the world would dare make her suffer indignity?
"That's good. I support your decision," Jiang Yu said calmly.
"Junior Sister, that's not proper."
The young man could no longer sit still. "The matter of the Divine Son is of great importance. How can it be treated so lightly?"
"This is an internal affair of the Star Temple," Jiang Yu replied, her tone suddenly turning cold. "You need not concern yourself, Senior Brother."
"Furthermore, since you no longer wish to remain a disciple of the Star Temple, then we are no longer fellow disciples."
"Junior Sister…" The young man's voice trembled as if struck by lightning. He looked at Jiang Yu in disbelief.
They had shared so much together, endured hardship side by side. He had even thought that Jiang Yu once liked him.
Yet after just two thousand years apart, had she really become this heartless?
"Lin Xuan, I am the Palace Master of the Star Temple. Please, don't force me to act against you," Jiang Yu said sternly.
"Lin Xuan?"
Gu Qing's eyes widened in surprise.
Wasn't this the same Lin Xuan whom Zhimeng had personally destroyed?
And that name—it screamed protagonist.
Gu Qing didn't even need his system to confirm it; he was one hundred percent certain Lin Xuan was a protagonist—and one with a system, no less.
Jiang Yu caught Gu Qing's expression and gave a subtle nod.
To be honest, she had been shocked too when she learned Lin Xuan was still alive.
When she first heard Gu Qing was to become the Divine Son, she had suspected Zhimeng was about to cause trouble, so she cast a divination.
But to her surprise, Zhimeng wasn't involved. The only one who posed any real threat to Gu Qing turned out to be Lin Xuan—the very man Zhimeng had crushed to ashes and whose soul had been completely annihilated.
By all logic, Lin Xuan should have been utterly destroyed, body and soul.
Yet he was a man of destiny. The Heavenly Dao had preserved a wisp of his true spirit, allowing him to emerge from the river of time and seize another body.
Moreover, Lin Xuan had gathered several sons of fortune under his wing—the most exceptional of whom was the current Holy Son.
Yes, the Star Temple had recently appointed a new Holy Son named Ye Bufan.
After defeating all other true disciples, Ye Bufan had earned the title.
"I see," Lin Xuan said bitterly, touching his nose with a faint smile. "The young girl from back then has become the brightest jewel of all the realms. I suppose I can no longer reach her."
"If you already know that, then why are you still calling the Palace Master your junior sister?"
Gu Qing sneered. Trying to act pitiful for sympathy? Nice idea—don't try it again.
Lin Xuan's smile froze, his expression twisting with anger. A faint surge of Divine Fire Realm pressure radiated from him as he prepared to teach Gu Qing a lesson.
A cultivator of the Divine Fire Realm could not be insulted.
However, Jiang Yu immediately blocked the outburst. "Lin Xuan, do you really think that just because you've reached the Divine Fire Realm, you can do whatever you please?"
Lin Xuan was stunned.
He hadn't expected Jiang Yu to scold him—especially not in front of others.
He could understand her refusing to let him call her Junior Sister; perhaps she only wanted to avoid gossip.
But why was she defending Gu Qing so firmly?
She had even lowered herself to personally straighten Gu Qing's clothes.
Was this her way of warning him—that Gu Qing was someone she valued?
But that made no sense. Gu Qing was Zhimeng's disciple. He and Zhimeng were sworn enemies. How could Jiang Yu side with Zhimeng's disciple?
The more he thought about it, the less sense it made. Nothing was turning out the way he had imagined.
He had believed that his grand return would win Jiang Yu's support—that together they would destroy Zhimeng and reclaim everything he had lost.
But now, it seemed Jiang Yu not only didn't favor him—she might even be standing on Zhimeng's side.
Staring into Jiang Yu's gentle, beautiful eyes, Lin Xuan shook his head. No—it had to be an illusion.
How could she not love him?
Perhaps she was just blaming him for choosing Zhimeng over her back then.
Thinking this, Lin Xuan forced a bitter smile. "It was my mistake back then. I misjudged people and wronged you. I'm sorry."
Jiang Yu: …
She felt a chill crawl up her spine. She and Lin Xuan had only ever shared a calm, ordinary acquaintance. What made him believe they'd had anything more?
Her tone grew icy. "Leave. The Star Temple has no place for you."
Lin Xuan shook his head, hatred burning in his eyes. "I cannot leave. My vengeance is unfulfilled."
Zhimeng had killed his two sisters and destroyed his clan. The hatred between them was one that could never be forgiven.
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