Chapter 86: Why Must My Sister Grow Up?
Three months later, Liu Ruyan walked out of the seclusion chamber, her expression somewhat uneasy.
It was supposed to be only a few days of secluded cultivation, but she had fallen into enlightenment and later became so absorbed in her practice that she forgot everything else. Her cultivation had directly broken through to the 1st Layer of the Purple Mansion Realm.
If the breakthrough to a higher realm hadn't awakened her, she might have remained in seclusion for a long time.
She did not know if Gu Qing would be displeased.
After all, for a prodigy like Gu Qing, time was extremely precious.
Uneasy, Liu Ruyan walked up to Gu Qing, her face flushed as she whispered, "I'm sorry for making you wait so long."
The village chief grandfather had always taught her that one must apologize when in the wrong.
If it concerned someone important, one must apologize sincerely.
Thinking this, Liu Ruyan lowered her head slightly, stealing a glance from beneath her lashes to see if Gu Qing was angry.
"It's fine. Even sleep can run long—let alone cultivation."
Gu Qing waved his hand dismissively.
The delay in Liu Ruyan's seclusion made little difference to him.
After all, he too had been comprehending the universal laws of heaven and earth. With ample resources, cultivation could be done anywhere.
"Are we heading to the imperial capital now?" Gu Qing asked.
"Yes." Liu Ruyan's eyes showed firm resolve as she nodded heavily.
She was determined to sever all ties with Liu Yuanzhong and Jiang Qiuyue.
They were unworthy of being called parents. The moment they drained her origin, the bond of kinship between them had been completely severed.
"Alright."
Gu Qing controlled the Void Aerial Vessel, and within a few breaths, they arrived above the imperial capital.
Boom—!
The might of the King Realm burst forth without restraint. The void trembled, auspicious light filled the sky, and countless stars shone brilliantly, as if an entire vast cosmic galaxy had reflected upon the world.
"Hmm…"
"Which King Realm senior has descended upon the imperial capital…"
The countless citizens of the capital looked up with awe and reverence in their eyes.
Although the Great Qing Empire had a Saint Realm ancestor guarding it, those at the King Realm were still beings they could only look up to.
"Who goes there?"
Liu Yuanzhong's authoritative voice resounded from the imperial palace.
"Star Temple, Gu Qing."
Star Temple?
Countless experts across the capital frowned in thought. Was there such a sect in the Eastern Region?
They began sending voice transmissions to inquire among their friends.
"What sect is this Star Temple? How dare they act so arrogantly?"
"No idea. It must be extraordinary."
After some quick exchanges, no one in the Great Qing Empire had ever heard of the Star Temple.
However, given how boldly Gu Qing displayed his cultivation, the Star Temple must have a powerful background—certainly not an ordinary sacred land.
They might not know, but the Myriad Treasures Pavilion surely did.
Thus, all the nobles immediately sent messages to the Pavilion Master of Myriad Treasures Pavilion, including the emperor and empress themselves.
"Ten million top-grade spirit stones—fair price for all."
Chu Shilin instantly earned tens of billions of top-grade spirit stones. Truly, wealth falling from the heavens while sitting at home.
A fine day to raise a cup in celebration.
"Beloved subjects, quickly follow me outside the city to welcome our honored guest."
Upon learning that the Star Temple was an ancient sect guarded by a Divine Fire Realm expert, Liu Yuanzhong's face changed instantly. He gathered all the civil and military officials, nobles, and princes for a grand reception.
Everyone felt uneasy inside, unsure of why Gu Qing had come.
Heaven forbid it was to seek revenge.
"Welcome, Daoist Gu, to our humble land. Forgive us for not greeting you sooner."
Liu Yuanzhong clasped his hands and bowed with the etiquette of a cultivator.
"We pay our respects to Daoist Gu."
All officials of rank four and above, and nearly every expert above the Spirit Refining Realm, had arrived.
The sight left the citizens of the capital utterly stunned.
Even the emperor and empress had come out to receive the visitor.
Their Great Qing Empire was a top-tier power in the Eastern Region—when had they ever acted so humble?
None could imagine what kind of esteemed identity this guest possessed.
Liu Ruyan's expression was icy cold, her beautiful eyes locked firmly on Liu Yuanzhong and Jiang Qiuyue, brimming with boundless hatred.
But when she saw the radiant Liu Ruyi, Liu Ruyan's face turned pale. Her delicate body trembled slightly, and her beautiful eyes filled with fear.
The terrors of her childhood under Liu Ruyi's control resurfaced one by one—needles driven beneath her nails, being forced to lick a blade, compelled to harm herself while being told to smile…
The dual torment of body and mind returned vividly, and Liu Ruyi's voice, like a devil's whisper, echoed once more in her ears.
Liu Ruyan was overwhelmed with fear, her body weak, her mind blank.
"Are you alright?"
Gu Qing reacted swiftly, catching the trembling Liu Ruyan in his arms.
Her slender waist was soft and delicate.
A faint fragrance, like orchid and musk, drifted from her youthful body.
"Ruyan," Gu Qing shouted, his voice like thunder bursting in her mind, carrying profound Dao resonance that instantly awakened her.
Liu Ruyan took a deep breath, steadied her mind, and circulated her energy to dispel the fear within. "Thank you."
"It's fine. Go ahead. I'm right behind you—whatever you want to do, just do it."
Gu Qing gave her an encouraging look and reached out to ruffle her hair.
"Ah—!"
Liu Ruyan slapped his hand away in irritation. She had spent over an hour carefully styling her hair, and now he had ruined it. How annoying!
Yet after Gu Qing's playful act, all her lingering fear vanished completely.
Liu Ruyan tidied herself again, applying a more mature look to avoid being underestimated for her youthful face.
"Where did you even get those cosmetics?" Gu Qing asked in surprise.
Liu Ruyan had more than a dozen boxes of makeup and handled them with practiced ease, not at all like someone who had lived in a mountain village.
"Girls' matters are none of your concern."
Rolling her eyes, Liu Ruyan huffed and gave Gu Qing's leg a small kick. "Back, back, back!"
"Alright, alright. Hurry up—they've been waiting for almost an hour by now. They're probably ready to kill us."
Gu Qing chuckled softly. To be honest, once the aloof and cold Liu Ruyan set aside her distant façade, she was actually lively and expressive.
It was no surprise—after all, she was still just a girl in her early teens, full of youthful energy.
No one was born cold and detached.
It was only that a harsh world forced people to act strong and silent.
Meanwhile—
Liu Yuanzhong's face was dark as water.
Tens of thousands of people stood there to greet them, nearly the entire noble class of the Great Qing Empire assembled, while millions in the capital looked on.
And yet Gu Qing had made them wait for a full hour, trampling their dignity into the ground.
It was easy to imagine that after today, the Great Qing Empire's prestige would be utterly destroyed, becoming the laughingstock of the entire Wild Continent.
Liu Yuanzhong wanted to leave in fury, but the Star Temple was far too intimidating.
Before knowing Gu Qing's intentions, he dared not move, not even to urge him once.
If Gu Qing spoke disrespectfully, they would only lose even more face.
"Sister…"
The moment Liu Ruyan appeared on the deck of the airship, Liu Ruyi's eyes lit up with overwhelming joy, her delicate body trembling with excitement.
Without hesitation, she rushed forward—only to be bounced back by the light barrier of a protective formation.
"Sister, where have you been all these years? I've searched for you so hard…" Liu Ruyi's beautiful eyes shimmered with tears as she pressed her palm against the light screen, wanting to touch her sister's face.
Her appearance had matured, yet her features were still as fair and lovely as before.
No—something was wrong.
She wasn't as cute as before.
That soft, white little dumpling from her childhood had been her favorite—obedient, sweet, and easy to tease, bringing her endless joy.
The glimmering tears in Liu Ruyi's eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a faint, eerie gleam within her dark pupils.
Why did her sister have to grow up?
She didn't like her sister grown up.
"You… demon…"
Seeing her expression, Liu Ruyan's fear rose instinctively.
Because she knew all too well what kind of person Liu Ruyi was—she was born a bad seed.
Cloaked in the divine radiance of a goddess, yet dark and twisted within, finding pleasure only in torment and cruelty.
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