“Aigh, what are you people crowding around for! If my little sister is not even willing to join the richest Phoenix Manor of North Qing, what makes you cats and dogs think you got a chance? Hurry up and go, or do any of you think your wealth is comparable to the Phoenix Manor?”

Lan Caier intended to congratulate her sister after coming off of the VIP seats, but then all these annoying pests ended up blocking her path. No other choice since they wouldn’t move, she could only forcefully push aside the nosy bodies like a housewife trying to fight for a bargain in the market.

Sure enough, necks shrank at the name. They are not ignorant fools, they knew when they are beat.

“What are you talking about Sister! When have the Phoenix Manor ever invited me to join.” Embarrassed by the yapping mouth, Ling Yue promptly makes a tug at the girl’s arm to put a cork on the head.

“Ho, being the mistress of the Phoenix Manor isn’t called being invited? Oh wait, you’re right, it technically belongs to you if that’s the case.” Mischievous in her tone, Lan Caier immediately earned herself a heavy stare from the target of that tease.

“Ling Yue,” it was then Xia Hou Qi arrived as well, his face showing joy.

“Congratulations on you creating the rainbow reincarnation Dan pills. You… would you be willing to stay in Da Xia to take charge of the Alchemist Tower?” The prince knew he must ask, not just for his sake, but for his kingdom as well.

The former master of the tower has been missing for years, that’s why his father the king mentioned prior to coming that a new leader must be selected afterwards. Now that Ling Yue has created something so profound and amazing, he now has the perfect excuse to place her in a position of power. More importantly, a place where he could get closer to the girl and block off the competition.

“Your Highness, did you forget something? I am not a member of Da Xia’s delegation party, why are you congratulating me?” Her words were like a slap, stinging the prince’s face until its cold and painful inside.

Xia Hou Qi finally got it. Towards him, towards Da Xia, the fair maiden before him has lost any attachment to her homeland. If anything happens in the future, he could forget about getting any aid. Then again, who could he blame? It was his father and his fault for pushing such an outstanding talent and amazing woman away.

Gradually, their friendship drifts further and further away, leaving a rift that could no longer be filled.

“Miss Ye, are interested in joining the Three Life Valley? As long as I make a few words with my father, I’m sure we could have you become one of our core disciples.”

By then Luo Song and Hong Ming Yue had also arrived on scene. However, the two companions were very different in their reception. The boy was still fine and even showed signs of goodwill, but the girl though, ha~ Those eyes looked like she wanted to tear her half-sister apart from limb to limb.

“Oh, want me to join the Three Life Valley? That’s possible, I can consider that.” Smiling now, Ling Yue’s spooky grin was abnormally bone chilling.

Luo Song naturally snickered with joy at the answer while Hong Ming Yue turned livid with rage. They both assumed the girl must be tempted by the proposal, after all, the resources and knowledge of one of the nine great sects are beyond what mortal powers could obtain.

“If I can become the great mistress of the Three Life Valley then I will consider it.” Her words were damning and insulting to the pair.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself Ye Ling Yue. As far as I’m concerned, even the proposal of giving you a post as a core disciple is already generous beyond compare on our end.”

“Luo Song, others may take value in your whatever Three Life Valley, but in my eyes, it is nothing.” Making a snarling sneer, Ling Yue didn’t hold any punches in her mockery.

The fact that the Hong House used the backing of the Sky Armor Sect and the Three Life Valley to oppress her and her mother won’t be forgotten. She’s sworn it, one day she would take revenge on any who crossed her and these two powers are on top of the list.

In a blink of an eye, the desire from those who wish to invite the girl were squashed completely. Those in power are fond of having capable individuals in their ranks, but they wouldn’t go that far as to get entangled in such a complicated mess for a measly lass.

“Miss Ye, I am wondering if you got some free time at the moment. Master Hong Ru is requesting your audience.” The one asking was actually Xue Pian Ran who also strolled over.

“I will accompany you Ling Yue.” Fearing her little sister would fall into some sort of trap, Lan Caier was the first to speak up.

“Master Hong Ru only wants to meet Miss Ye.” Though the Sacred Maiden’s face still carried that brilliant smile like a gentle ray of sun, the coldness and warning in the voice couldn’t be anymore obvious.

It’s not everyday that someone would be permitted to meet the lord and master of the Dan Palace. If not for Ling Yue’s accidental creation of the rainbow reincarnation pills, she would not even be qualified to gain an audience.

“Sister Caier, you and Little Crow wait for me outside, I will come out very soon.” Knowing they won’t get to do as they please, she only left this promise behind and headed inward with the two-faced witch.

Shocking enough, only by going through the first corridor did Ling Yue realize how little did she truly understood about this Dan Palace. Though the grand hall for the contest seems grandiose and ginormous back there, it’s in reality nothing but a tip of the iceberg. If not for Xue Pian Ran guiding her through the halls, she be lost within this labyrinth in no time.

After a while of walking, the pair eventually came before a small mountain peak.

As it turns out, the place of residence for Master Hong Ru was the very tip of this peak where the lower parts showed off the entire four seasons of the year: spring, summer, fall and winter, she saw it all along the way. Truly a miraculous environment.

“Miss Ye, speaking of which, I have to give you my thanks.”

“You are being overly polite Sacred Maiden. We’ve only met twice before so why should you thank me.”

“Because of my duties to the Dan Palace, I’ve been neglecting Feng Shen’s care. If not for you, I’m sure he wouldn’t have been so well cared for until his return to me.”

Ling Yue just knew this woman wouldn’t be so easy to handle. All she did was give an inch in their interaction and the witch was already trying to step over her.

“Feng Shen and I went through several life and death situations. Him saving me, me saving him, there’s no such thing as taking care of him anymore between us.”

The counter instantly causes the Sacred Maiden to stiffen in the back.

Her words may not be very direct but Ling Yue has already made a dividing line between the three of them. Feng Shen and herself on one end while Xue Pian Ran stood at the other half.

“What do you know? Feng Shen experienced the most painful part of his life while in my care. I’ve known him for ten years, and you? Only one year, that’s all the time you shared with him. Ye Ling Yue, where does your confidence come from?” Shattering that façade, Xue Pian Ran could no longer keep up that mask and blew apart.

What surreal maiden of the Dan Palace? What untouched piece of wonder? The Sacred Maiden now was no different from a regular woman who couldn’t achieve her love and has become shackled to a sense of obsession.

“Sacred Maiden, what matters is the person whom you share your time with. A year is equivalent to a decade, don’t you understand that old saying?” As if to meet that statement of hers, Ling Yue could then sense a familiar presence up ahead.

Sure enough, it was Feng Shen standing on the road with only the brilliant glow of the sun behind his back. Their eyes lock, shutting off everything else in this world.

She has him, and he has her. Together, they are one and won’t permit another existence into their life, which instantly ripped the Sacred Maiden’s heart out after noticing their lovestruck gaze.