Chapter 141 The Son's Jealousy

Time flowed quietly like a gurgling stream... Xiao Ming's days were regular and "fulfilling": quietly cultivating to stabilize his cultivation; occasionally "giving pointers" to his increasingly "obedient" sister Mu Wanning, enjoying her humiliated look of suppressed anger and eyes spitting fire, which had a unique charm; every few days, he would find an excuse to go to Saintess Yun Qingyao's place of quiet cultivation to "discuss the Dao."

Yun Qingyao’s perception of this “Junior Brother Mu” had long since quietly transformed from initial gratitude and curiosity into an indescribable closeness and trust. Every time she spent time with him, she felt a sense of peace, her Dao Heart seemed even clearer, and she occasionally had brilliant insights into her Cultivation Techniques. She attributed this to “Junior Brother Mu's” broad knowledge and unique insights, never delving into where that subtle, growing affection in her heart came from.

One day, Xiao Ming came to Yun Qingyao's courtyard as usual. Inside, emerald bamboos provided shade, and spiritual springs gurgled, creating a serene landscape. The two sat opposite each other in a pavilion, sipping tea and discussing the Dao, covering everything from the subtle intricacies of Qi circulation in the Nascent Soul stage to methods of tempering the Physical Body, and even some insights into the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth; the conversation was quite pleasant. Xiao Ming's breadth of knowledge (all taught by Luo Li) and the brilliance of his conversation often made the cold, cloud-like Saintess's eyes light up as she nodded in agreement.

Just as they reached a key point, Yun Qingyao wanted to pour more tea for Xiao Ming. Perhaps her thoughts were still lingering on the profound mysteries they had just discussed, for when she stood up, the hem of her skirt accidentally caught on the edge of the stone stool. Her body suddenly became unstable, and she stumbled forward.

"Be careful, Senior Sister." Xiao Ming reacted extremely quickly. His voice remained gentle as his arm naturally reached out, lightly pulling the stumbling Yun Qingyao into his arms and steadying her.

A soft, warm, and fragrant figure entered his embrace, and a crisp, subtle scent drifted into his nose. Caught off guard, Yun Qingyao crashed into a firm and warm embrace and instantly froze. She subconsciously looked up, meeting Xiao Ming's eyes, which were close at hand, filled with concern and a slightly helpless smile. Those eyes were as deep as a pool, seemingly able to suck in one's soul. Yun Qingyao, who had rarely had close contact with men, felt her cheeks "boom" with heat. Her heart pounded, and she instantly lost her composure. Her usual cold and self-possessed Fairy demeanor vanished, replaced by a flustered bashfulness. She even forgot to push him away immediately, just freezing there, feeling the steady strength of his arm and the warmth of his chest, her mind going completely blank.

At this delicate moment, a tall figure at the courtyard entrance, carrying a luxurious brocade box with undisguised joy, barged straight in. Before the person arrived, his voice preceded him, clear and filled with uncontrollable excitement:

"Qingyao! Look! I went to great lengths to find this 'Earth Rank high-grade realm breaking pill' for you! If you take it at the Peak Nascent Soul Stage, your chances of breaking through to the Spirit Severing Realm will increase by at least seventy percent!"

The newcomer was none other than the Saint, Jian Wushuang. He was beaming with joy as he strode in, but in the next instant, his smile completely froze on his face.

The scene in the pavilion was like the sharpest icicle, stabbing ruthlessly into his eyes—Yun Qingyao, whom he regarded as a Fairy and would not allow to be desecrated, was currently blushing furiously, leaning almost like a little bird against a strange and handsome young man in green robes, held tightly in his arms! Their posture was intimate, and the atmosphere was romantic, clearly looking like a couple on a date.

Boom!

Jian Wushuang felt as if a thunderclap had exploded in his mind. The blood in his body seemed to rush to his head in an instant, only to freeze into ice a moment later. The joy and gentleness on his face were entirely replaced by extreme shock, astonishment, and a surging, violent rage. He stared fixedly at the two embracing in the pavilion, especially at the man in green robes holding Yun Qingyao. His gaze instantly became as sharp as a blade, as if he wanted to cut him into a thousand pieces. The mask of elegance he usually maintained shattered piece by piece, revealing the gloomy and cold true face beneath.

"Who are you?" Jian Wushuang's voice sounded as if it were squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying undisguised coldness and hostility. "Why are you in Qingyao's courtyard?"

Xiao Ming seemed to be startled only then. He slowly turned his head, his calm gaze meeting Jian Wushuang's eyes that were almost spitting fire. The corners of his mouth curled up, but his heart was filled with indifference. 'Oh, so this "Child of Fortune" finally deigned to look at him? Since joining the Sect, they had met a few times on various occasions, but this Saint probably didn't even know his name! In his eyes, there was likely only himself and Yun Qingyao; when had he ever truly cared about others? This high-and-mighty attitude certainly fits the temperament of a so-called "child of destiny."'

Xiao Ming did not let go of Yun Qingyao. As if he had just noticed Jian Wushuang entering the courtyard, he slightly loosened his grip with just the right amount of apology, allowing Yun Qingyao to lean on him to stand steadily.

With a composed demeanor, he introduced himself to Jian Wushuang in a peaceful tone: "Earth Sword Peak Inner Sect Core Disciple, Mu Changge, greets the Saint." His words were gentle, but his eyes didn't even look at Jian Wushuang.

"Mu Changge?" Jian Wushuang's brows furrowed as he quickly searched his memory. He vaguely remembered there was such a new Inner Sect Disciple from the nearby prominent Mu Family, who seemed to have studied under Elder Di Jian.

Having confirmed the other's identity, Jian Wushuang's shock and anger subsided slightly, but it was replaced by a sense of insulted shame and a cold killing intent. He forced another smile onto his face, though it was incredibly stiff and his eyes held no warmth: "So it's Junior Brother Mu. I wonder what business Junior Brother Mu has here with Qingyao? She usually Cultivates in seclusion and dislikes being disturbed by outsiders."

The alienation, possessiveness, and intent to drive him away in his words were more than obvious.

Xiao Ming seemed completely unaware of the thorns in the other's words. He still wore a warm smile, though it didn't reach his eyes: "Senior Sister Yun and I simply felt like old friends at our first meeting. We've had a pleasant conversation discussing some insights on cultivation. Please don't misunderstand, Saint." He spoke humbly and kept his posture very low, but as he spoke, his gaze inadvertently swept over Yun Qingyao, whose cheeks were still flushed and who kept her eyes down in silence. That flicker of hard-to-detect tenderness in his eyes and the playfulness when looking at Jian Wushuang were like a fine needle, stabbing deep into Jian Wushuang's heart.

Especially when Xiao Ming spoke, his hand holding Yun Qingyao seemed to "unintentionally" brush against her arm and lower abdomen, as if by accident. This subtle movement, in Jian Wushuang's eyes, was no different from adding fuel to the fire!

"Mmh..." A barely audible, slightly embarrassed soft moan slowly spread. Yun Qingyao seemed to finally come to her senses, realizing she was still being held by Xiao Ming while Jian Wushuang was staring at them intently. Her face instantly turned even redder. She quickly used the force of Xiao Ming's loosening grip to step back half a pace, creating a tiny bit of distance. She just kept her head down, her long, thick eyelashes trembling slightly, hiding the panic and a hint of... something even she didn't fully understand, a slight reluctance to leave that warm embrace.

Jian Wushuang took all of this in. Yun Qingyao's unusual bashfulness, that tiny bit of distance that wasn't really distance, and Xiao Ming's seemingly respectful but implicitly provocative gaze all gnawed at his sanity like poisonous snakes. The smile he was forcing on his face could no longer be maintained and completely darkened. His eyes sharpened, locking onto Xiao Ming as he said word by word: "Mu Family, Mu Changge... Very well, I will remember you."

He took a step forward, and his powerful Aura as a Peak Nascent Soul Stage cultivator was released without reservation. Like an invisible mountain, it pressed heavily toward Xiao Ming, who only had a Nascent Soul Middle Stage cultivation! He wanted to make this ignorant brat tremble and kneel before the absolute gap in strength!

The sharp Aura rushed toward him, and the air in the pavilion seemed to freeze.

Yun Qingyao sensed the confrontational atmosphere and her brows furrowed imperceptibly. Almost subconsciously, she took a light step and moved half a pace in front of Xiao Ming, happening to block the intersection of the Aura clash between Xiao Ming and Jian Wushuang. She raised her still slightly flushed face and looked at Jian Wushuang, her voice cold but carrying a hint of hard-to-detect displeasure: "Brother Wushuang, don't make things difficult for Junior Brother Mu. He was just discussing cultivation insights with me. You... you must not make things difficult for him."

With this block and these words, although she didn't explicitly state she was protecting him, her stance was already clear, making the atmosphere between them even more bizarre.

Jian Wushuang's heart sank suddenly, followed by an even more surging rage and jealousy! He thought gloomily: 'Qingyao... she actually stood in front of me for this brat she hasn't known for long, and even spoke to me in such a tone?'

Killing intent, like poisonous vines, grew wildly in Jian Wushuang's heart. But he was, after all, a man of deep calculation. He knew that tearing off the mask in front of Yun Qingyao now was definitely not the best move. He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the churning rage and killing intent, and squeezed out that usual, impeccable warm smile again, though his eyes were cold.

"Qingyao is right; it was Senior Brother who was reckless..." He turned to Yun Qingyao, his tone instantly becoming gentle, his change of face startlingly fast. "It's just that if you have anything you don't understand about cultivation, you can ask me anytime. Junior Brother Mu's cultivation is still shallow, and his time is likely quite precious. Usually, it's better for him to focus on improving his cultivation." His words were like needles hidden in silk, both belittling Xiao Ming and once again emphasizing his own closeness with Yun Qingyao.

Xiao Ming watched all this and sneered inwardly. This Child of Fortune has quite a deep mind! Seeing the delicate atmosphere between the three of them, he knew his goal had been achieved. Continuing to stay here and watch this Saint's performance was truly boring; it would be better to go back and tease his "good sister."

He appropriately cupped his hands in a polite salute to Yun Qingyao, his posture respectful: "Thank you for clearing my doubts today, Senior Sister Yun. I have benefited greatly. I won't disturb your quiet cultivation any longer. I shall take my leave." After saying this, he turned and walked out of the courtyard with composed steps. From beginning to end, he didn't look at Jian Wushuang even once more, as if the other's sharp Aura and implicit threats were nothing more than a passing breeze.

This complete disregard made Jian Wushuang angrier than any verbal provocation. He stared at Xiao Ming's leisurely departing back, his fists clenched in his sleeves until they creaked and his knuckles turned white. He thought spitefully: 'Good, very good! Mu Changge! Just a Young Lord of a prominent Family, yet so arrogant after coming to the Sect... One must know that even a powerful Dragon cannot suppress a local snake. Here, even if you are a Dragon, you must coil up for me; if you are a tiger, you must crouch for me. How dare you covet Jian Wushuang's woman? And dare to be so dismissive? He has already found a path to his own death!'

Jian Wushuang's mind raced. In his extreme rage, he actually became a bit calmer. Within the Sect, he had plenty of ways to make an "ignorant" Inner Sect Disciple quietly disappear or be ruined! His Revered Master's favor, the Elders' esteem, and the support of his fellow Disciples were all his capital. A Mu Family might have some power outside, but within the Wandao Sword Sect, they couldn't stir up any waves! Killing him would be as easy as flipping a hand!

Countless sinister thoughts flashed through his mind, and a plan targeting Xiao Ming began to take shape. A sharp glint flashed in Jian Wushuang's eyes and vanished. When he looked up again, he was once more the elegant and deeply affectionate Saint.

He turned to Yun Qingyao, his smile so gentle it could almost drip water. He pushed the brocade box forward again: "Qingyao, I was abrupt just now. Look, I specifically found this 'realm breaking pill' for you; it will be of great benefit to your future Breakthrough. I know your heart is set on the Dao, but the Great Dao is long, and one ultimately needs a companion by their side. My feelings for you..." As he spoke, he reached out, wanting to take Yun Qingyao's hand, his words earnest and his gaze burning.

However, the moment his hand reached out, Yun Qingyao subconsciously took a small step back, creating some distance. She raised her eyes, which had returned to their usual clear and calm state, but deep down, there seemed to be something complex and difficult to explain. She lightly shook her head, her voice not loud but carrying an unquestionable firmness: "Senior Brother Wushuang, I understand your feelings. It's just that... my Family's vengeance is not yet avenged, and the Great Dao is not yet achieved. I truly have no heart for other things. This pill is too precious; I am unworthy of it. Please take it back, Senior Brother." After saying this, she gently pushed the brocade box back, her movements resolute.

Jian Wushuang's outstretched hand froze in mid-air. The gentle smile on his face instantly solidified, and a hint of unbelievable shock and gloom flashed in his eyes. She... actually refused? She had never refused him before. Not only did she refuse the Medicinal Pill, but she even declined his feelings! One must know that none of this had ever happened before.

He watched as Yun Qingyao nodded to him politely but distantly, then turned and walked toward her quiet cultivation room with light but resolute steps. The door slowly closed, shutting him out, as if there were an invisible barrier between the two.

Only Jian Wushuang remained in the courtyard. The gentle mask on his face completely peeled away, his expression so gloomy it could almost drip water. He stared fixedly at the closed door, then slowly shifted his gaze toward the direction where Xiao Ming had left. The coldness and killing intent in his eyes were no longer hidden.

"Mu... Chang... ge..." He whispered the name, each word as if dipped in icy poison, making one shiver.

A cool breeze brushed through the courtyard, and the emerald bamboos rustled, but they could not disperse the increasingly thick coldness and undercurrents permeating the air.