Qiao Xiaoxian had thought Jiang Ke’er would break down in tears.
But she didn’t; she only sat there in a daze, as if lost in thought, or perhaps as if she had given up on thinking altogether.
When that familiar sensation of spiritual awareness merging washed over her, Jiang Ke’er already understood what had happened.
In a haze, Qian Yue’s identity overlapped with Qiao Xiaoxian’s, and in that instant, Jiang Ke’er forgot how to even use her mind.
Her vitality had returned; Qiao Xiaoxian had shared her life force with her, so Jiang Ke’er was no longer weak—she was even more energetic than before… but it felt as if she had lost something.
“If you want to kill me, just do it.”
Qiao Xiaoxian suddenly stuffed the dagger into Jiang Ke’er’s hand and pressed it against her own neck.
She closed her eyes, quietly waiting.
This time alone, she would not resist.
But Jiang Ke’er remained in a daze, motionless, so Qiao Xiaoxian frowned slightly. “I owe you a life. You can take it.”
Unexpectedly, Jiang Ke’er flung the dagger away in one swift motion.
The dagger struck with a sharp thud, piercing the nest and embedding itself into a distant tree trunk.
Jiang Ke’er let out a cold laugh. “I owe you too. Let’s call it even.”
“It’s not the same, the fault was mine…”
“Enough!” Jiang Ke’er suddenly seized Qiao Xiaoxian by the collar and, under her stunned gaze, shoved her against the wall of the nest, her voice icy.
“I told you—when we left the Trial Tower, I told you… I would take responsibility.”
Qiao Xiaoxian froze.
“Whether it’s Senior Sister Qian Yue, or you,” Jiang Ke’er moved her hand up to pinch Qiao Xiaoxian’s chin, rising onto her tiptoes so their noses touched, staring directly into her eyes, “When I say I’ll do something, I never regret it.”
Qiao Xiaoxian suddenly realized she couldn’t see through Jiang Ke’er at all; this mysterious little one always brought her endless surprises—and shocks.
“Heh.”
Jiang Ke’er continued to stand on tiptoe, glaring at Qiao Xiaoxian, and as she glared, tears suddenly streamed down her face.
Qiao Xiaoxian raised her hand to wipe them away, but was immediately slapped aside.
Jiang Ke’er turned away, her voice sounding utterly calm.
“Time’s almost up. There might be Immortal Grade experts waiting outside. Do you have any ideas?” Jiang Ke’er asked, her tone as composed as ever.
“Disguise Technique,” Qiao Xiaoxian said.
“I can disguise you as another member of our team, but to avoid being exposed, you’ll have to pretend to be an unconscious, wounded person… Otherwise, as soon as you talk, it’ll give you away.”
“Then let’s begin.” Jiang Ke’er wiped her eyes, her reddened gaze turning back.
Qiao Xiaoxian felt a pang of guilt. When she became Qian Yue, she hadn’t expected Jiang Ke’er to get so attached—she had just wanted to approach and understand her from a different identity.
“If you’re still upset, just kill me.” Qiao Xiaoxian sighed.
“You only get this one chance—don’t let yourself regret it.”
“Forget it,” Jiang Ke’er pouted, retorting, “You could’ve just kept pretending. I’d never have found out.”
“You might fool me for a while, but not forever. You’re too clever—sooner or later, you’d figure it out,” Qiao Xiaoxian replied.
If she could, she truly wished she could always be Jiang Ke’er’s Senior Sister Qian Yue.
“No, I’m stupid. Stupid to death,” Jiang Ke’er laughed self-deprecatingly.
“I’m sorry,” Qiao Xiaoxian, usually so proud, lowered her head slightly.
“So you do know how to apologize?” Jiang Ke’er looked at her with contempt.
“Mm…” Qiao Xiaoxian sighed, a bit of despair creeping into her heart.
It seemed Jiang Ke’er truly hated her to the bone; she could feel the hostility in every word Jiang Ke’er spoke.
“It’s enough that you know you were wrong,” Jiang Ke’er sneered, “Next time, I’ll be on top.”
“Mm… Mm???” Qiao Xiaoxian gaped, staring blankly at Jiang Ke’er.
Jiang Ke’er drew her sword, placing it at Qiao Xiaoxian’s throat, licking her lips with bloodlust, and said chillingly,
“I. Am. On. Top.”
“No way.” Qiao Xiaoxian didn’t even think before replying.
This time, it was Jiang Ke’er’s turn to be stunned. Furious and embarrassed, she snapped, “Cut the crap! I’m on top, or I’ll kill you!”
“No way!” Qiao Xiaoxian straightened her neck and closed her eyes in righteous resolve, declaring, “Not even if I die!”
“Damn it!”
Jiang Ke’er stomped her foot in rage, but finally could only say weakly, “Come here! Do my makeup!”
What else could she do? If you can’t fight it, you might as well enjoy it!
When Qiao Xiaoxian was willing to die to atone, Jiang Ke’er had already decided not to pursue it any further.
Jiang Ke’er’s heart wasn’t that fragile.
She’d thought a lot these past few days.
Although she still felt a strong aversion to Qiao Xiaoxian… it was no longer a matter of life and death between them!
Putting herself in the other’s shoes, Jiang Ke’er even felt that Qiao Xiaoxian was a remarkable and responsible woman.
Everything she had done was not for personal gain, but to exchange everything she had for her people’s peace…
How could Jiang Ke’er truly hate someone like that?
Jiang Ke’er had figured it out—she had always admired her, only avoided her out of wariness.
Of course, she was still annoyed.
“Hmph, hateful dumb dragon…” Jiang Ke’er let Qiao Xiaoxian smear things on her face while pouting and grumbling loudly.
“Yes, yes, yes. I’m hateful, I covet your body, I’m shameless,” Qiao Xiaoxian helplessly echoed.
“Good you know it!”
Jiang Ke’er soon suppressed her irritation and sense of loss.
She wasn’t good with emotions; her little potato brain could make no sense of such things… but she was a master at avoiding problems.
If she couldn’t figure it out, she just wouldn’t think about it. She couldn’t let her emotions affect her actions.
There was still a formidable enemy ahead to face.
Luckily, at least she hadn’t died. She could return to the Taiming Sect and look into things… That surprise alone was enough to comfort her.
Yet Jiang Ke’er was well aware that the ease wouldn’t last.
She had no means of dealing with a giant like the Tribulation Immortal Hall.
To protect the Taiming Sect, she would have to step up.
In the end, the result would be the same: death—or being forever sealed away, just like the other members of the Fox Tribe.
Qiao Xiaoxian’s Disguise Technique was as effective as ever.
Jiang Ke’er looked at her own reflection in the pool—Telo, that Disciple of the Mad Dragon Hall at the Five Elements Stage, now covered in blood, her face bruised and battered, looking utterly pitiful.
Qiao Xiaoxian had disguised herself as Ling Yuan, that Blood Staunching Pill Sect Disciple who had died at the very start.
But she looked much better than Jiang Ke’er—Jiang Ke’er strongly suspected it was on purpose.
“We can’t both look like the same kind of mess,” Qiao Xiaoxian said helplessly.
“Besides, you can’t imitate voices. You’re playing the unconscious patient, but I still have to exchange a few words with them…”
Jiang Ke’er pouted.
“Keep pouting and your mouth will end up crooked,” Qiao Xiaoxian poked her mouth back into place.
“You’re still growing, so stop making those weird faces.”
“None of your damn business!”
As they spoke, a thin crack began to open in the sky above them, slowly spreading into a passageway.
Jiang Ke’er hurriedly lay down and pretended to be unconscious.
Perhaps the true life-and-death moment was only just beginning, now that they were leaving the Secret Realm.
Taiming Sect.
I’m back.
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