CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 70: UTTER HUMILITY (KNEELING AND BEGGING FOR FOLLOW-UP!!)_1

What are they doing?!

I’ve been so worried about him!

I even followed him all this way from behind, fearing that with his mere Mid Stage Divinity Transformation cultivation, he might encounter some trouble in the Cultivation World!

It would be fine if he didn’t know; after all, I did it willingly.

But... but why does he have such unclear ties even with a woman like Yu Hongxiu?

Was my entire journey of escorting him just so he could safely find Yu Hongxiu? To find that ’sister’?

On what grounds?! Am I lacking in some way?

Why are his eyes always so calm when he looks at me, without the slightest ripple?

He clearly likes aloof women! That’s why I always maintain my image in front of him, every single moment, terrified that some small part of me might make him dislike me!

But him... why won’t he even spare a filthy Demon Sect woman like Yu Hongxiu?

Could it be that in his eyes, I’m not even comparable to a woman from a demonic path?

Could it be because my cultivation is too poor?

Dan Wulan bit her lip tightly, looking blankly at the longsword in her hands.

Since childhood, I’ve lived amidst constant praise, never harboring a shred of self-doubt.

But the people around Su Bei... who are they?

In terms of cultivation, I’m no match for Dan Wuque. Besides, Dan Wuque is just like me—was my only advantage compared to Dan Wuque perhaps that I am slightly colder?

My own cultivation is also far inferior to Wenren Pingxin’s, let alone the Star Moon Sect Master, Yu Hongxiu, who is in this very room!

Even Su Bei’s disciple is an Innate Taoist Body, who will undoubtedly reach Dao Integration in the future without any mishaps!

Dan Wulan’s eyes misted over. Then, sensing Su Bei might be coming out, she quickly concealed herself in a corner.

Watching the smile Su Bei could hardly suppress at the corners of his mouth, Dan Wulan felt a chill rise in her heart.

Meeting that Yu Hongxiu... does it have to make him so happy?

Would he feel this way if he saw me?

While Dan Wulan was lost in her vexation, she suddenly heard a woman’s voice from inside the room.

"Are you not coming out, or would you prefer This One to drag you out?"

...

Suppressing the chaos in her heart, Dan Wulan entered the room with a cold face.

Her cool gaze, chillingly severe, rested on the woman lying languidly on the bed. Expressionless, she gave a slight bow, her voice as calm as ripples on water, "Dan Wulan of the Sword Sect greets Headmistress Yu."

...

A flicker of surprise passed through Yu Hongxiu’s eyes, but she hid it well.

She was somewhat aware of this female Sword Immortal.

The Ninth Elder of the Sword Sect, and also the youngest elder in the Sword Sect!

Yet, her cultivation was not low among the Sword Sect’s elders.

But why would she follow them here... to eavesdrop?

Yu Hongxiu’s beautiful eyes roved thoughtfully before understanding dawned.

Dan Wulan must have been sent by Wenren Pingxin to secretly protect Su Bei... After all, Su Bei only appeared to be at the Mid Stage Divinity Transformation Realm, which indeed didn’t seem quite sufficient for the Twenty-One Provinces.

Yu Hongxiu wanted to laugh.

A sly glint flickered in her eyes.

Perhaps not even Wenren Pingxin, that despicable woman, knows that Su Bei’s cultivation is even higher than her own!

And yet, I know!

I’ve even boarded this ship in advance!

"Oh? The Cloud Sea Sword Immortal?"

"However, I am unaware of Miss Dan’s purpose in coming to my Red Pavilion to eavesdrop."

...

Dan Wulan remained composed, her expression as calm as still water. Her frosty eyes met Yu Hongxiu’s directly as she spoke indifferently, "I wonder what the relationship is between Headmistress Yu and Senior Brother Su?"

Yu Hongxiu blinked, her tongue lightly licking her red lips, her mouth curving into a playful arc. "What kind of relationship?"

"Does Miss Dan not already know in her heart?"

Yu Hongxiu seemed to have discovered something even more amusing.

Dan Wulan stood quietly in place, her eyes coldly fixed on Yu Hongxiu as she said, "Demoness, why do you bewitch my senior brother?"

"Why do you detain my Sword Sect Disciple?"

Yu Hongxiu smiled tenderly, playing with her jade-like fingers, her eyes slightly downcast, and said softly, "It is only because you are Elder Su’s junior sister that This One has not laid a hand on you."

"Otherwise, do you think that with your Early Stage Refining Void cultivation alone, you could speak to This One in such a manner?"

...

Dan Wulan’s gaze remained fixed on Yu Hongxiu. Her jade hand, originally resting on her sword’s pommel, slid down the hilt to a point three inches from the Sword Back. Her thumb then pressed against the Sword Back, gently pushing it upward. The longsword at her waist unsheathed by an inch.

The Cloud Sea Sword Aura on the blade was contained but unreleased!

Yu Hongxiu’s playful smile faded. Her eyes squinting at the woman before her, she said lightly, "Closing the orifices to nurture intent, unsheathing without sound. To achieve this at your realm is commendable."

"However, Miss Dan, has no one ever told you that you are a bit too self-centered?"

"Have you ever considered that the very hint of Cloud Sea Sword Aura you release could destroy the cooperation your senior brother painstakingly negotiated with This One?"

...

Dan Wulan’s hand, extended mid-air, halted.

For a moment, her eyes revealed confusion and struggle.

Then, her three thousand strands of white hair fluttered without wind. She bit her thin lips and coldly watched the woman in front of her. The longsword at her waist unsheathed by a third, its Sword Qi piercingly cold!

"Demoness, do not think you can disturb my Taoist heart!"

...

Yu Hongxiu’s mouth curved into a cold smirk. She stood up, her Dao Integration aura bursting forth furiously, and she let out a cold shout, "Presumptuous!"

The very next moment!

The entire room instantly filled with a terrifying pressure, which quickly transformed into a towering wave rushing towards Dan Wulan.

Under this formidable pressure, Dan Wulan’s body was forced back several steps, and then a surge of blood rushed up her throat.

Her delicate face became pale, and traces of blood oozed from the corners of her mouth.

She then thrust her longsword fiercely into the ground, forcibly halting her retreating figure.

Her eyes, full of shock, looked at the woman before her.

This... is this Dao Integration?

Yu Hongxiu did not retract her terrifying aura. Her gaze remained fixed on Dan Wulan as she stepped forward with her jade-like feet, each step seemingly treading on Dan Wulan’s heart.

"HAH!"

"You are good for nothing!"

"Calling you self-centered is putting it nicely; to put it bluntly, you’re just willful!"

"Does the prolonged peace of the Sword Sect give you the audacity to contend with This One?"

"Do you like Su Bei?"

"How pitiful!"

"How could Su Bei ever like an utterly worthless woman like you?"

"Willful, arrogant, unaware of the situation."

"This One has never seen a woman like you! Put away that pathetic self-respect of yours."

"Utterly lowly!"

...

Each of Yu Hongxiu’s words was like an ultimate demonic sound, deeply etching itself into Dan Wulan’s mind.

The hand gripping the sword hilt loosened, gradually releasing its hold.

Then, under Yu Hongxiu’s immense pressure, she simply knelt on the ground.

I am a worthless woman!

I am an utterly lowly woman!

I... am a woman not worthy of my senior brother’s affection!

Senior brother will never like me...

In his heart, perhaps I am as laughable as a clown...

Tears overflowed from Dan Wulan’s eyes, streaming down unrestrained.

That tightly wound Taoist heart, as if a small incision had been made in it, instantly fell into boundless darkness.

...