Meng Anli shook her head. "No. It was all my fault. I was the one who harmed A Yao."
Lu Yao's heart ached even more.
Just how much had she suffered? She had started talking nonsense.
She gently comforted Meng Anli. "It's all right. It's in the past now. Things will only get better and better for us from here on out."
"Mm, they'll get better and better." She loosened her hold on Lu Yao slightly and said earnestly, "A Yao, in this life, I'll protect you."
Lu Yao saw that her eyes and the tip of her nose were red from crying, her tears washing the dust from her face, making her look like a little dirty kitten.
Yet her gaze was still resolute.
Lu Yao's heart ached. Such a wonderful Anli had actually been schemed against by that scumbag man and vile woman until even her inner core was gone.
She had to find a way to dig that inner core back out.
Seeing Lu Yao gritting her teeth like that, Meng Anli knew what she was thinking.
She pulled Lu Yao into an empty corner. "Don't worry. I went to the North Sea and obtained Huan Dan Grass. In the next couple of days, a new inner core will grow."
Lu Yao asked in delight, "Really? That's wonderful!"
"Mm." Meng Anli advised her, "From now on, don't get involved in the grievances between me and the Meng family."
Without a second thought, Lu Yao refused outright. "No way. We've shared sweetness and bitterness together. Besides, Niuyang Mountain stands behind me. They wouldn't dare do anything to me."
Meng Anli thought of how, after Lu Yao died in her previous life, Niuyang Mountain had come to demand answers. Meng Mingde had made good on his word: with the aid of her former fiancé, the Heavenly Realm Crown Prince, he had wiped out Niuyang Mountain to the last.
She hurriedly said, "Niuyang Mountain must not get dragged into this either. Meng Mingde has gone mad. Whoever bullies Meng Shiwan, he'll get it back a hundredfold, a thousandfold."
"Little Anli." Lu Yao kneaded her cheeks. "If Meng Xiuchen bullies me, my father will get it back for me too. Besides, we have justice on our side this time. I'll have my father impeach him."
She acted the moment she said it, pulling out her Communication Mirror and pouring Spiritual Power into it as she called, "Father, Father!"
Lu Zhiyuan responded quickly. "Does my girl miss me?"
"That idiot Meng Xiuchen bullied me, and he bullied Anli too..."
She chattered on and on, recounting what had happened today.
Boom!
Once Lu Yao had finished, a burst of shattering sounds came from the other end.
"What kind of bastards are those four from the Meng family? Wait there. I'll muster troops and charge over there."
Meng Anli hurriedly called, "Uncle Lu."
"Ah~" Lu Zhiyuan immediately softened his tone. "Anli, you've been wronged."
"If Uncle Lu wants to vent anger for A Yao and me, then spread what happened today. Spread it as widely as possible. The Censor Immortal Officials will impeach him. Let's outwit them, all right? I don't want Niuyang Mountain to lose a single soldier."
Lu Yao agreed. "That's a good idea. As expected, Anli's mind works best."
Lu Zhiyuan fell silent for a moment, then conceded. "All right. Though it isn't as satisfying as fighting a battle, I'll listen to you girls."
In the distant Beiming, immortal mist curled and drifted.
Yun Jing reclined leisurely on a chaise lounge, stroking the little lion with his left hand and holding an immortal fruit in his right. His pearly teeth took a light bite, its juice brimming and moistening his thin lips.
A breeze sent falling silk-tree blossoms fluttering down around him.
When Yuan Tuo entered and saw the scene, he dared not look any longer. It was simply too soul-stealing.
His gaze drifted aside, only to land on the Water Mirror directly in front of his master.
The little dirty kitten-like girl within was none other than Meng Anli.
She was smiling, a sly gleam flickering in her eyes.
"Is she pretty?" Yun Jing's cool voice rang out, and the Water Mirror vanished.
Yuan Tuo felt a chill breeze slice across his neck, and cold sweat instantly sprang across his entire back.
He did not dare respond. He hurriedly presented the invitation in his hand. "Master, the Western Buddha has invited you to the Ullambana Festival."
Yun Jing took the gold-embossed invitation and opened it. His eyes shifted slightly, revealing a thoughtful look.
Yuan Tuo secretly glanced at him, astonished.
Was Master hesitating over whether to go?
Master had always disliked lively gatherings. Moreover, this Ullambana Festival was no less grand than the Peach Banquet—five hundred Arhats, Buddhas filling the heavens, and powers from every side would be attending. Yet he was actually considering going?
Yun Jing tossed the invitation to him. "Prepare some gifts."
There were quite a few fine things listed on the Ullambana Festival invitation.
After all, that little girl had called him Master a few times. Naturally, he had to give her some benefits.
The disciple residences of Xuantian Academy were divided into three tiers.
The communal dormitory buildings were tall, partitioned into small rooms, with four people living in each.
The Scholar Residences and Harmony Residences were slightly shorter, with tranquil surroundings, and each room housed two people.
The Arts Residences had separate courtyards, each with its own distinct style.
Meng Anli and Lu Yao lived in the Scholar Residences. There were still seven days until classes began, and neither of the roommates on either side had arrived yet.
After returning to the Scholar Residence, Meng Anli sat on a meditation cushion and, following Yuan Tuo's instructions, activated the Huan Dan Grass.
She had already prepared herself for the pain.
Lu Yao took out every pain-relieving pill she had and stood guard over her.
After finishing his official duties, Meng Mingde left the hall and prepared to contact Meng Shiwan through the Communication Mirror.
He had been so busy today that he could not spare the time, so he had not gone to see Meng Shiwan off.
Now that he was finally done, he intended to ask how Shiwan was doing and lend her his support.
Yet he keenly sensed that the colleagues around him were all looking at him strangely. They whispered among themselves, occasionally making sounds of either surprise or contempt.
He lowered his head to inspect himself. There was nothing improper about his appearance, and he was just about to ask what was going on.
Lu Zhiyuan blocked his path with his burly frame. "Meng Mingde."
Meng Mingde frowned at this uncouth brute. "What is it?"
"Brother Mingde~" Lu Zhiyuan suddenly spoke in a mocking, affected tone. "You truly make people see you in a new light. It would have been one thing to consort with a human, but you even brought that mongrel to Chongwu Mountain and dug out your own daughter's inner core to give to her."
Meng Mingde was horrified. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Like father, like son indeed. You're just like your third son—daring to do it, but not daring to admit it."
Meng Mingde looked around. Those colleagues had stopped talking, all listening to their exchange.
His eyes shifted. "Your daughter failed in pursuing my son, but that doesn't mean she can slander me without any proof, does it? Do you still want our families to become in-laws or not?"
"Pah!" Lu Zhiyuan spat at him. "Only a fool would become in-laws with you. Only an idiot would marry your son. You don't cherish a pearl, yet cherish a dead fish's eye instead. What a witless fool, with not even an ounce of brains in your head."
"You!" Meng Mingde's beard trembled. Even the hand he raised to point at Lu Zhiyuan was shaking. "You are crude!"
After cursing him out, Lu Zhiyuan no longer looked at him. He called to the others, "Let's go drink~ We can drink while we talk about the latest news from Chongwu Mountain."
Before you continue