Chapter 100: The Mockery Within the Clan

“They have no right to take Junior Disciple away!” Qu Yiqiu’s brows furrowed sharply, her eyes flashing with a cold light.

Was Qu Xiangwei really bullying them, thinking no one in Little Ping Peak would stand up?

Zhou Chen had never seen her wear such an expression before; his heart suddenly skipped a beat as he immediately realized the gravity of the situation.

“Senior Sister Qu, they left a while ago. Could we ask Chief Mo to come out and pursue them?”

Qu Yiqiu’s face remained icy as she shook her head. “Qu Xiangwei wouldn’t dare do anything to him. I should return to the clan for a visit.”

Zhou Chen looked at her cold expression and said apologetically, “I didn’t know Chief Qu hadn’t discussed this with you…”

“It’s not your fault now. Qu Xiangwei has always been like this. I should have warned you all sooner.” Qu Yiqiu regretted her earlier negligence and quickly affixed two swift-travel talismans before departing Little Ping Peak.

Zhou Chen silently watched her retreating figure, then slammed his fist angrily against a nearby tree while loosening his crutch.

Not far from the Tianyan Sect, Qu Yiqiu, her face veiled, unleashed her late Foundation Establishment strength under the protection of Xiao Yan.

She rode the icy jade ribbon flying southeast, arriving after five days at the Yusong Mountains, under the jurisdiction of the Qu family.

The grand and solemn gates bore a plaque inscribed with the elegant characters “Qu Family,” signifying the distinguished status of its owner.

The six cultivators guarding the gate all widened their eyes upon seeing Qu Yiqiu.

“Wow, this fairy is incredibly beautiful!”

“Why is she standing at the Qu family gate? Could she be here to visit the clan leader?”

“No way… would such a beautiful fairy even like someone like the clan leader?”

Qu Yiqiu’s expression darkened at their gossip.

What kind of person did they think she was?

“Silence! What nonsense are you spouting? This is Miss Qu Yiqiu, a disciple under Chief Mo of the Tianyan Sect!” Qu Wei, dressed in black attire, stepped forward.

Qu Yiqiu looked at Qu Wei’s familiar face and asked coldly, “Is the clan leader inside?”

Qu Wei respectfully replied at the gate, “The clan leader is inside, but he cannot see you now.”

Qu Yiqiu strode forward but was stopped by Qu Wei’s outstretched hand, who said irritably, “What do you mean by this? Am I not allowed to go home?”

Qu Wei’s expression remained unchanged, sternly saying, “You may return, just not now. Once the clan leader finishes his business, you may enter.”

“Is this on Qu Xiangwei’s orders?” Qu Yiqiu’s face darkened.

Qu Wei stood tall before her and loudly declared, “Yes, it is the clan leader’s command. I dare not disobey.”

Qu Yiqiu looked up at him slightly. “Qu Wei, when did you reach Foundation Establishment?”

“A month ago, all thanks to the clan leader valuing talent that I had the chance to advance!” Qu Wei’s rugged face showed a faint smile.

Qu Yiqiu coldly eyed him. “So, for a single Foundation Establishment Pill, you’re willing to be his dog?”

Qu Wei’s smile stiffened, his eyes flashing coldly. “A single pill? Do you know how many marks this Foundation Establishment Pill has? The clan leader gave me a three-mark Foundation Establishment Pill! It’s far better than the two-mark pill you received as a reward in Tianchen Town!”

By the end, he was so excited that spittle nearly escaped his mouth.

Qu Yiqiu was speechless.

A three-mark Foundation Establishment Pill bought him as a loyal watchdog?

Then the four- and five-mark pills she had Yao Zhimei and others sell—wouldn’t those cause a bloody fight?

Thinking of this strange situation, Qu Yiqiu suppressed her anger toward Qu Wei, instead feeling pity.

Qu Wei was stunned—what kind of expression was that? A useless ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator pitying him?

“Qu Wei, the clan leader is out!” Qu Yiqiu suddenly pointed behind her. Caught off guard, Qu Wei turned his head just as she dashed inside.

Qu Wei and his six subordinates were momentarily stunned, then he furiously gave chase.

Qu Yiqiu made a few subtle moves on the floor tiles as she ran; the faster Qu Wei ran, the harder he stumbled.

She smoothly broke through each line of defense and reached the Shattered Star Hall.

At that moment, Mu Yunjin was surrounded at the center of the main hall.

“Senior Sister Qu, why have you come?” Mu Yunjin’s eyes lit up as she ran toward her.

Qu Xiangwei sat coldly on the purple jade throne, glancing at her with a frosty expression.

Qu Yiqiu looked around, pulling Mu Yunjin behind her, and said plainly, “The clan leader came to Little Ping Peak with difficulty; why did he leave without greeting his niece?”

Qu Xiangwei raised his thick brows slightly, indifferent. “Elder Li and I came to Little Ping Peak on official business. We had no time to see you.”

Qu Yiqiu swept her gaze over the indifferent clan uncle Li Xianjie and other elders, her voice icy: “Is the ‘official business’ you and Elder Li conducted carrying off my master’s disciple to the clan without permission?”

“Qu Yiqiu, do you still think you are a child?” Qu Xiangwei suddenly stood, eyes wide with fiery anger. “Since you have returned to the clan and see so many elders here, why didn’t you pay your respects?”

Qu Yiqiu met his gaze calmly, replying lightly, “I came back to fulfill my master’s instructions, not to greet everyone one by one.”

Her words drew sideways glances from the assembled elders.

Li Xianjie rubbed his short beard and chuckled, “Yiqiu hasn’t changed a bit—still so sharp-tongued!”

“Elder Li, I am merely following my master’s orders. I can’t bear your praise!” Qu Yiqiu invoked Mo Qingli’s name again, confident they couldn’t silence her.

Li Xianjie narrowed his eyes, scanning her body with a gleam before sighing, “Yiqiu, I heard you only advanced by taking a Foundation Establishment Pill? Your talent is truly poor, far worse than your cousin!”

He feigned regret, but the smile in his eyes grew even stronger.

“Elder Li, why do you still compare Yiqiu to Youyou? They weren’t like this before their spiritual roots were tested. Now everyone knows Yiqiu has mixed roots—aren’t you just asking for trouble by comparing them?” spoke Qu Wenlian, the family’s Fifth Elder.

She glanced mockingly at Qu Yiqiu, a faint sneer playing at her lips.

Mu Yunjin, standing behind Qu Yiqiu, never expected her family to be filled with such people. Furious, he wanted to stand and rebuke them but was held back by Qu Yiqiu.

“Of course, Qu Youyou and I cannot be compared. I am my master’s most beloved disciple and my parents’ most cherished child. How could we be compared?” Qu Yiqiu’s eyes were cold as she swept the hall.

She had memories from birth and still remembered how these people flattered and fawned over her in the past.

Back then, she had taken it all for granted.

Yet after her spiritual root was revealed, their true faces emerged; nearly everyone ridiculed and mocked her.

In the end, only her parents remained by her side, sending her to Little Ping Peak, preserving the last shred of her dignity.

—Author’s Note—

Wow, this is already chapter 100! Thank you all for your support!!!

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