Chapter 102: A Change of Heart
His speed was swift, catching everyone off guard.
Qu Yiqiu stubbornly fixed her gaze on him, determined to endure the attack.
Unexpectedly, Mu Yunjin moved forward to protect her even faster than Qu Xiangwei’s imposing presence.
The power of the Golden Core clashed against Mu Yunjin’s body, causing his chest to surge with turbulent blood energy, yet his eyes remained locked on Qu Xiangwei.
“Clan Chief Qu, as the junior disciple of Master Mo, I bear witness that Senior Sister Qu has never met Master Su in secret, nor has she ever slandered Senior Sister Youyou.”
At this moment, Mu Yunjin no longer concealed the aura around him; his Foundation Establishment stage cultivation was fully exposed before everyone.
Several elders in high positions rose in shock, and Qu Xiangwei’s pupils dilated: “You’ve already reached Foundation Establishment? How old are you?”
Qu Yiqiu hadn’t expected matters to escalate to this extent. Qu Xiangwei’s attack was not something to fear, but Mu Yunjin was still young and seemed unable to control his emotions.
Now that his early Foundation Establishment cultivation was revealed to the Qu family, although he might gain their respect and flattery, the negative consequences that followed would be greater.
The heated gazes of the Qu family members clung tightly to Mu Yunjin, their shining eyes as if beholding a peerless treasure, burning with unbearable intensity.
Qu Xiangwei hurriedly descended from the platform. At this moment, the matter of Qu Youyou no longer mattered.
He excitedly grasped Mu Yunjin’s hand, exclaiming, “Yunjin, how did you break through to early Foundation Establishment? Do you know what this means?”
Mu Yunjin frowned slightly and forcibly withdrew his hand. “Clan Chief Qu, my master has already told me everything. You don’t need to try to take me to Nine Sword Peak. I couldn’t have reached Foundation Establishment without the help of my master and senior sister.”
From this statement, Qu Yiqiu immediately realized Qu Xiangwei’s intentions.
He had deliberately kept this from her, planning to deceive Mu Yunjin into becoming a disciple under Su Xichen!
Qu Xiangwei truly knew how to find a master for his daughter, and he was aiming right at her!
The fiery joy in Qu Xiangwei’s eyes gradually faded as he said gravely, “Yunjin, Master Mo can help you once, but may not be able to help twice. Master Su is different; he controls all the resources of Nine Sword Peak, and Chiyu Shu remains in the Liulan Kingdom...”
“Clan Chief Qu, please stop. Senior Sister, let’s leave here quickly. Yunjin is so bored here!” Mu Yunjin interrupted impatiently, turning to coax Qu Yiqiu in a soft, tender voice.
All eyes shifted again.
But the gazes turned toward Qu Yiqiu were no longer gentle; they carried sharp barbs.
Qu Xiangwei’s glare openly emitted a warning.
---
Qu Yiqiu worried that if this continued, Mu Yunjin’s identity would be exposed, so she had no energy to heed Qu Xiangwei’s threats.
She took Mu Yunjin’s hand and swept her eyes over everyone in the Star Fragment Hall: “Everyone has seen it, right? Mu Yunjin is a prodigy. His breakthrough to Foundation Establishment at twelve will soon spread across the entire Vast Realm Continent. If you continue to meddle and let Qilinzi of the Tianyan Sect be exposed to outsiders, none of you can bear the consequences!”
The elders exchanged glances, unwilling to threaten Qu Yiqiu any further.
Seeing the elders wavering, Qu Xiangwei said fiercely, “We can’t let him leave; our Qu family must protect him!”
Then, he turned his gaze to Li Xianjie.
Li Xianjie received the signal and immediately said, “The clan chief is right. The distance between the Qu family and the Tianyan Sect is still far. If anything happens on the way, no one will be responsible.”
“Yes, he can’t leave. Yunjin will stay in the Qu family for now. I will personally guard your safety!” Elder Qu Wenlian’s enthusiasm was unstoppable, as if she wanted to devour Mu Yunjin whole.
“Elder Wenlian’s suggestion does have some merit…”
“What should we do?”
“Should we escort them out?”
Seeing most people supporting him, Qu Xiangwei’s thick lips curled into a smile.
Qu Yiqiu showed a trace of impatience.
Mu Yunjin saw it all, his chest burning fiercely, splendid dragon scales glowing hot beneath his garment.
“Let them leave,” said a white-haired elder lightly, silencing all voices in the hall.
Qu Yiqiu looked at him in surprise; this was Second Elder Qu Baizhou, who usually disliked her the most.
Qu Xiangwei suddenly turned his head, incredulous: “You want to let them leave?”
Qu Baizhou nodded solemnly, his gaze piercing: “Our Qu family will escort you to the teleportation array. Yiqiu, will you return with him?”
Qu Xiangwei’s eyes widened like copper gongs.
Qu Yiqiu answered in astonishment, “I will return with my junior brother.”
Qu Baizhou stood up, leaning on his bamboo staff, kindly looking at Qu Yiqiu: “Where are your parents? The girl has returned once in a long while; why haven’t they come out to see her?”
A strange feeling rose in Qu Yiqiu’s heart. Calmly, she replied, “My parents already reported to the clan. They have gone out on a mission.”
---
Qu Xiangwei suddenly quieted, watching her silently.
Qu Yiqiu’s heart skipped a beat for no reason.
Qu Baizhou nodded slightly, stroking his beard: “Going on missions is good, but don’t forget to keep in touch with the clan.”
“Yeah, have Anyi and Yuexuan contacted you recently?” Qu Xiangwei asked coldly.
Qu Yiqiu sensed something different from their tone.
Since when had these two started paying attention to her family?
She replied without emotion, “Not much contact recently; probably tied up with missions.”
“I see. They are indeed trying hard for the child,” Qu Baizhou complimented lightly, showing no emotion in his eyes.
Qu Yiqiu was tired of their pretentious demeanor and said, “Since the clan wants to send us off, we should not waste more time.”
Qu Xiangwei glanced at her sideways and snorted coldly: “Follow me; I will take you to the teleportation array.”
“It’s best if the clan chief escorts us,” Qu Yiqiu smiled slightly, holding Mu Yunjin’s hand and following behind.
Qu Baizhou watched their departing figures, lost in thought while stroking his beard.
---
At the Tianyan Sect Gate:
“Qu Yiqiu, what exactly happened to Youyou under Master Su’s punishment no longer matters. What matters most is you must rescue her and then free Zhao Wen and Huang Lan. You must understand, although the Zhao and Huang families cannot compare to ours, it would be foolish to make two enemies out of nowhere!”
Qu Yiqiu met Qu Xiangwei’s calm gaze; his escorting them back to the Tianyan Sect was precisely to say these words.
“Niece, as I said before, this matter should be resolved with Master Su and Sect Leader Luo. It has nothing to do with me.”
Mu Yunjin walked at the front. Seeing Qu Yiqiu lagging behind, he turned back and saw Qu Xiangwei glaring furiously at her.