Chapter 5: Irreconcilable Enemies

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Ye Chen’s expression grew troubled. On one hand, he wanted to accept Wang Lin’s apology; on the other, he hesitated to let it humiliate Lu Qingyan. Desperately, he glanced toward Yu Rumu, only to find her dazed, standing silently in place. Ye Chen’s heart sank halfway.

“Junior Brother Ye, do you want it or not?”

A sharply pressing voice rang out.

Ye Chen had never imagined he would be so embarrassed in public. He even regretted gathering everyone to force Wang Lin’s apology.

Feigning composure, he took the bracelet from Wang Lin with a dismissive air.

“Since that’s the case, thank you, Junior Brother Wang.”

A clang!

The sharp sound of a sword being drawn filled the air, the sword intent almost taking tangible form, surging wildly.

Lu Qingyan’s eyes reddened, her fury palpable beyond measure.

“Wang! Lin!”

The overwhelming sword intent burst forth, causing nearby disciples to scatter in alarm, fearing collateral damage.

Ye Chen quickly stepped back, his hand trembling slightly as he held the jade bracelet. Lu Qingyan’s murderous intent was so fierce that even he felt the weight of her threat.

“Qingyan, don’t!”

Yu Rumu leapt forward, catching Lu Qingyan’s sword and gently trying to soothe her.

But upon seeing Lu Qingyan’s expression, Yu Rumu was taken aback.

Lu Qingyan’s eyes were not only red with anger but also shimmered with a trace of grievance.

For the first time, Yu Rumu realized that Lu Qingyan’s disdain for Wang Lin was not as absolute as it seemed.

“I have also expressed my deepest apologies to the Ye family. With apologies made and gifts delivered, everyone, I take my leave!”

Wang Lin clasped his fists and turned away with an air of nonchalance, leaving the stunned crowd frozen in place.

Was this still the same Wang Lin, the weak and easily bullied one who always wore a smile?

“Is he really leaving just like that?”

“So arrogant. Did Young Master Ye allow him to go?”

“...”

By now, Lu Qingyan’s fury had mostly subsided, replaced entirely by shock.

In the past, Wang Lin had been nothing more than a punching bag to her, a servant who came and went at her whim.

But today, faced with her furious wrath, he had ignored her completely and walked away.

Could he be out of his mind?

Or had the Ye family’s elders knocked some sense into him?

At this moment, Ye Chen stood frozen.

Leaving just like that?

Wang Lin simply walked away after shifting the blame onto him?

Without even having his apology accepted or forgiveness spoken, he just left?

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“Damn it!”

A shout of anger broke the silence.

After a brief moment of shock, Lu Qingyan finally snapped back to reality.

She had been ignored—by a disciple she despised most—who had handed over her treasured possession right before her eyes.

The overwhelming shame and fury pushed her to the brink.

Her hair was disheveled, sword aura spilling out uncontrollably, barely restrained.

“Qingyan, calm down, don’t lose your temper.”

Yu Rumu’s face was full of concern.

Initially, she had thought it was merely a conflict between Junior Brothers Ye and Wang that needed resolving to maintain harmony among disciples. But now, Second Junior Sister had clashed with Little Six as well.

Lu Qingyan flushed red with indignation. “I’m not angry.”

Yu Rumu’s heart ached, yet she kept her composure, wrapping an arm around Lu Qingyan and turning to the stunned Ye Chen. “Junior Brother Ye, Junior Brother Wang has apologized. You should go back now. I’ll try to reason with your Second Senior Sister.”

Ye Chen took a moment to gather himself, then hurriedly nodded to Yu Rumu. The jade bracelet in his hand felt like a hot coal; he didn’t dare mention it again as he left.

Other disciples gazed at Lu Qingyan, her aura brimming with lethal intent. Though they wished to admire their goddess, none wanted to risk becoming victims beneath her sword. One by one, they left with cautious glances.

Yu Rumu gently linked arms with Lu Qingyan. “Sister, come with me.”

Yu Rumu’s gentle, graceful demeanor and her role as the eldest sister gave her considerable authority. Lu Qingyan, though unwilling, did not oppose her.

They settled by the river near the Xuanshui Pavilion.

“Qingyan, why such anger today?”

Yu Rumu asked softly.

Today’s incident had been perilous indeed. Had Lu Qingyan drawn her sword in rage, it would have brought shame upon their sect.

“Senior Sister, look at Wang Lin: outwardly servile and meek, but inwardly a scheming villain. Today, he deliberately humiliated me. Our ties are severed forever.”

Lu Qingyan’s voice was cold and sharp.

“Qing’er! Don’t be so heartless!”

Yu Rumu’s eyebrows knitted in anger.

“He was heartless first. He gave away the gift I gave him at my birthday banquet to someone else, using it to apologize!”

Lu Qingyan’s suppressed indignation and humiliation swelled again, making her chest heave and her body tremble.

“That wasn’t just anyone—it was your junior brother, Ye Chen, someone you care about. Why won’t you accept it?”

Lu Qingyan’s expression faltered, head bowed. “It’s different... it’s not the same.”

“They are both your juniors. What difference does it make?” Yu Rumu pressed gently.

“He… he’s Ye Chen. And he’s Wang Lin. How can they be the same?”

That jade bracelet was a treasure from her childhood, a constant companion through the years. It held a deep, enduring emotional significance.

It was something she carried everywhere, inseparable from her.

The days after gifting the bracelet had been unbearable, each feeling as if something vital was missing.

Other bracelets felt unfamiliar, and not wearing any felt empty.

Hearing this, Yu Rumu tightened her hold on Lu Qingyan’s hand. “Qingyan, exactly. Because they are different, the gifts mean different things to you. Deep down, you do care about Junior Brother Wang—you just don’t dare admit it.”

Lu Qingyan’s lovely face twisted with disdain. “No way. Senior Sister, you know I despise weakness and hypocrisy above all—those cowardly villains who only use smooth words to win favor.”

Yu Rumu was stunned, her brows furrowing deeply.

She paused, then quickly recalled past events.

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When Wang Lin had once eagerly courted Lu Qingyan, she hadn’t hated him entirely—she had even somewhat enjoyed the attention.

Though Wang Lin had recently grown rude and overbearing, it shouldn’t have made her loathe him so deeply.

There must be hidden reasons, some circumstances unknown to her.

Just as she was about to ask further, Lu Qingyan, clearly resistant, stood abruptly. “Senior Sister, I know you mean well, but stay away from that hypocritical coward. I’ve already cut all ties with him—completely severed our relationship.”

With that, Lu Qingyan turned away coldly, leaving behind a brief “Goodbye, Senior Sister.”

Yu Rumu sighed, rubbing her forehead in exhaustion.

There was no persuading Second Junior Sister now.

The only option was for Junior Brother Wang to make amends.

After all, his actions today had truly angered Lu Qingyan.

...

Inside a small building of Xuanshui Pavilion, Wang Lin sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his heart light and unburdened.

Today, by giving Lu Qingyan’s bracelet to Ye Chen, he sought to sever ties with Lu Qingyan as soon as possible, a wise move to end their relationship.

At the same time, he hoped to deepen the bond between Ye Chen and Lu Qingyan.

After all, Ye Chen’s soul devouring technique required the opponent to let down their guard.

In his previous life, every target Ye Chen valued for soul devouring had been either stunningly beautiful or exceptionally talented cultivators, all close to him.

Before meeting Ye Chen, these prodigies were rare gems in the cultivation world, progressing rapidly with extraordinary insight into techniques. But after befriending Ye Chen, their cultivation slowed dramatically, some even stagnated.

Many fell from genius to uselessness, unable to bear the humiliation. After fruitless investigations, some chose suicide, leaving no testimony or clues, so no one ever suspected Ye Chen.

Wang Lin himself had not noticed anything unusual at first. After all, Ye Chen was naturally noble with top-tier cultivation talent, backed by the Ye family’s resources: rare materials, spiritual medicines, and treasures, spoiling him thoroughly.

Moreover, Elder Ye personally taught him, arranged for him to study under Master Xuanshui, granted access to any scripture in the library, and opened the sect’s secret realms without restriction—all treatment worthy of a royal heir.

Ye Chen’s realm rose rapidly, breaking through boundaries as effortlessly as drinking water or eating food.

It wasn’t until Lu Qingyan entered seclusion to advance to the Nascent Soul stage that Wang Lin noticed something amiss.

Lu Qingyan was born with a sword heart, cultivating the Frost and Snow Sword. The creation of her sword embryo was exceptionally smooth, especially the formation of the Nascent Soul, seemingly tailor-made for her.

After decades of refinement and countless sword techniques, she had spent recent years immersed in the Sword Pavilion, harmonizing and clarifying her sword heart.

Several senior sisters had pooled their resources to exchange for a Divine Transformation stage snow sword intent, giving Lu Qingyan great confidence for her breakthrough.

On the day of her breakthrough, Master Xuanshui personally guarded her, using all manner of rare materials to assist. Step by step, the sword embryo formed—only to vanish at the final moment.

Lu Qingyan’s cultivation backfired, her power utterly lost. She fell into ruin, drawing her sword to end her life on the spot, only stopped by several masters.

At that time, Wang Lin’s relationship with her was strained, nearly estranged, but he still brought spiritual medicine to check on her.

The proud, aloof sword fairy she once was had vanished, replaced by a desolate, hollow shell.

Wang Lin’s mind raced, unable to find comforting words, silently lamenting the capriciousness of fate.

But the next day, Ye Chen’s Nascent Soul breakthrough shocked the entire sect.

It was then that Wang Lin first sensed Ye Chen’s abnormality.