Collecting a Debt

After returning from the secret realm, Ye Qiao and her group went back to their respective rooms and slept like the dead.

Qin Fanfan walked into the courtyard. Upon seeing Luo Qingyu, he asked, “Xiaoyu, where is Little Qiao?”

Luo Qingyu said, “After Little Junior Sister and the others came back, they all went straight to sleep.”

Hearing this, Qin Fanfan could only turn his gaze to Luo Qingyu. He patted her shoulder heavily and said with deep earnestness, “Xiaoyu, Master doesn't actually object to you liking men.

“But for the next ancient secret realm, you must absolutely stay away from Ye Qinghan, understand?”

Hearing her master's words, Luo Qingyu was completely speechless and could only nod. “I understand, Master.”

Seeing her agree, Qin Fanfan turned and left in satisfaction.

Luo Qingyu was left sitting alone in the courtyard, feeling a bit dazed.

Was Ye Qinghan really that detestable? Why did even Master specifically warn her to stay away from him?

It wasn't just Master; every time Little Junior Sister and the others saw Ye Qinghan, their expressions were filled with annoyance.

No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't figure it out, so Luo Qingyu simply stopped obsessing over it. Forget it, if she couldn't understand it, she might as well go back to her room and take a nap.

...

Next door, at the Yueqing Sect's lodgings.

Song Hansheng finished reviewing everything that had happened in the secret realm. He turned to look at Yunque and began scolding her furiously, “Are you out of your mind? Why did you have to go and provoke Luo Qingyu?”

Yunque hung her head and said in a low voice, “I'm sorry, Senior Brother.”

“Is an apology going to do any good?” Song Hansheng was bursting with rage.

“You are both Golden Core cultivators. As a talisman cultivator, you actually lost to an artifact cultivator! You've utterly disgraced our Yueqing Sect!

“In all the years our sect has participated in the tournament, this is the very first time we've ended up in dead last in the first round!”

Song Hansheng's expression calmed down slightly as he slowly said, “However, the next stage is an ancient secret realm. That is our home turf as talisman cultivators. When the time comes, make sure you stay close to me. Do you hear me?”

Yunque stood in place with her head lowered, nodding meekly.

In the past, her Senior Brother had never scolded her so harshly. Ever since they encountered Ye Qiao, he seemed to have completely changed.

She quietly clenched her fists, her heart filled with resentment. This was all Ye Qiao's fault!

...

Waking up from her nap, Luo Qingyu walked out of her room and saw the four of them sitting in the courtyard. She asked, “Where is Little Junior Sister?”

Xue Yu said leisurely, “She was called away by Elder Duan.”

Ming Xuan immediately suggested, “How about we go to a restaurant to celebrate properly?”

Mu Zhongxi waved his hands hurriedly. “Forget it. The prices in Fusheng City are much more expensive than in Cloud City.

“A single meal costs a hundred high-grade spirit stones.”

Just then, Ye Qiao returned from Elder Duan's courtyard. Hearing their conversation, she immediately spoke up, “Why don't we go ask Song Hansheng for money? He still owes me over a hundred thousand spirit stones.”

Upon hearing this, Ming Xuan immediately grabbed Ye Qiao. “Let's go, let's go! We're going to collect the debt! We can't let the Yueqing Sect keep that many spirit stones for free!”

With Ye Qiao leading the way, the group marched grandly toward the neighboring courtyard where the Yueqing Sect was staying.

Mu Zhongxi walked at the very front to lead the charge, shouting at the top of his lungs, “The Yueqing Sect owes money and won't pay it back!”

Xue Yu: “May lightning strike them down!”

Ming Xuan: “Worse than pigs and dogs!”

Ye Qiao: “Utterly devoid of conscience!”

Hearing them chime in one after another, Luo Qingyu and Zhou Xingyun exchanged a glance and silently covered their faces.

This was too embarrassing.

The rising and falling shouts alarmed the disciples in the other courtyards of the Five Sects. One by one, they were woken up and gathered around to watch the commotion.

Inside the courtyard, Song Hansheng felt a massive headache coming on as he listened to the shouting outside. Left with no choice, he had to borrow spirit stones from his junior brothers and sisters.

With great difficulty, he managed to scrape together enough spirit stones and was about to go out to pay them back himself.

Just then, Yun Hen walked up slowly and said indifferently, “I'll go give it to them.”

Beside him, Song Hansheng secretly rejoiced. This was perfect; he wouldn't have to go out and face that bunch of lunatics himself. Dumping the thankless task of getting scolded and taking abuse onto his master was simply the best outcome.

Taking the spirit stones, Yun Hen stepped out of the courtyard and walked straight up to the Changming Sect group. With an arrogant attitude, he casually tossed the spirit stones over.

Then, putting on a friendly facade, he tried to win her over, promising that if Ye Qiao was willing to return to the Yueqing Sect, the sect would definitely grant her generous benefits and exceptional treatment in the future.

However, this hypocritical speech was instantly torn to shreds by Ming Xuan, Xue Yu, and Mu Zhongxi, who took turns firing sarcastic remarks until he was completely speechless.

Yun Hen's face turned ashen with rage, and with nowhere to vent his fury, the situation fell into a tense deadlock.

Just as this farce was about to spiral out of control, Qin Fanfan slowly stepped out from behind the group, personally stepping in to stabilize the situation.

His gaze swept over Yun Hen, and he snorted coldly in his heart. He had deliberately wanted to anger this old codger.

How dare he try to poach from the Changming Sect in broad daylight? Did he really think the Changming Sect was a pushover!

...

Meanwhile, inside the Wenjian Sect's courtyard, Ye Qinghan was sitting with his junior brothers and sisters, discussing their action plan for the next ancient secret realm.

Suddenly, the sound of drums and gongs echoed from outside, making it exceptionally lively.

Hearing the noise, Chu Xingzhi looked up and asked in confusion, “Who is that outside? How are they so free?”

Ye Qinghan's expression remained calm. He listened closely for a moment and added indifferently, “It's probably the people from the Changming Sect.”

Zhu You, who was standing nearby, asked curiously, “Senior Brother, what are they doing? Are they celebrating taking second place?”

Ye Qinghan said, “They aren't celebrating; they are collecting a debt.

“Well, that certainly fits the Changming Sect's style.”

Beside him, Chu Xingzhi couldn't help but chuckle and said, “Who on earth is so unlucky to have provoked Ye Qiao and her crew?”

Hearing this, Ye Qinghan's heart stirred slightly, feeling for some reason that these words were subtly directed at him.

Recalling how, back in the Cloud City secret realm, if Luo Qingyu hadn't stepped in to pay the spirit stones for him, today's lively spectacle would probably be happening to the Wenjian Sect instead.

At this thought, the coldness in Ye Qinghan's eyes melted away, his gaze softening imperceptibly as a faint smile instinctively tugged at the corner of his lips.

Chu Xingzhi, who was standing very close to Ye Qinghan, happened to catch this sight and couldn't help but ask in surprise, “Senior Brother, what are you smiling at?”

Ye Qinghan instantly composed himself, returning to his usual cold and aloof demeanor, and replied flatly, “Nothing.”

Then, looking at the others, he said, “In the next ancient secret realm, we will cooperate with the Changming Sect. They only have one talisman cultivator, so they pose no great threat.”

Zhu You's lips twitched slightly, and they grumbled inwardly: Senior Brother, are you sure this isn't just an excuse you made up so you can hang out with the Changming Sect's Luo Qingyu?

Chu Xingzhi pouted. “Alright, Senior Brother.”

...

Luo Qingyu was sitting quietly in her room, checking the accounts. Her fingertips lightly tapped on a jade slip, looking perfectly relaxed and peaceful.

Suddenly, a brilliant golden light burst forth outside the window, illuminating the sky.

It was the Blessing of the Heavenly Dao again.

Luo Qingyu looked up out of the window, a trace of a smile flashing in her eyes as she thought to herself: As expected, my Little Junior Sister is the most amazing. Even the Heavenly Dao likes her.

Just then, Ming Xuan and Xue Yu rushed in like a whirlwind. “Fourth Junior Brother, did you cause this commotion?”

Luo Qingyu shook her head helplessly and said flatly, “It wasn't me. I've been checking the accounts in my room the entire time.

“I think it's probably Little Junior Sister's doing. You guys should go take a look.”

Hearing this, the two of them thought it made sense and hurriedly turned around to head outside.

Sitting in her room, Luo Qingyu couldn't help but burst into laughter at the thought of the expressions Xue Yu and the others would make when they discovered that their Little Junior Sister was a genius.