Granny Liu, You?!

Another day passed, Elder Hua generously shared the changes in his Demon Core at the morning meeting.

The women took turns probing with their Divine Sense and saw that the pink Demon Core was becoming increasingly clear. Although it could not compare to Liu Yinyin's clear and perfect core, it was still much purer than what the other elders could see with their naked eyes.

Ji Xueruo she couldn't personally supervise the process, she was extremely concerned about this matter.

She was certain that once Elder Hua finished her External Dual Cultivation, the other elders would be unable to resist their curiosity and would definitely seek her out to inquire about it privately. So she took the opportunity to find Ji Lingruo the process clearly. Only then did she realize that You Su had performed so well. Even though Elder Hua was charming and seductive during her first time, You Su remained unmoved.

Although Ji Lingruo was undoubtedly supervising her, Ji Xueruo also knew that You Su always kept his word. If he really intended to take advantage of her, he wouldn't need to bother finding a method for External Dual Cultivation.

Thinking of this, she felt a bit more approval for You Su and sincerely praised him. However, he took advantage of her and dragged her along with her sister, so her initial approval turned into a playful scolding. But this time, unlike the day when the whole clan was drunk, Ji Xueruo didn't dare to stay until dawn as before.

Unexpectedly, when she sneaked back to her palace, she encountered Granny Liu on the way. Granny Liu already knew about her affair with You Su, and feeling guilty, she knew that nothing she said would make a difference in this situation. Fortunately, Liu Yinyin didn't expose her, but simply reminded her to "be careful" before leaving. Ji Xueruo then realized that it was Granny Liu who had sent away the elders who might have discovered something, which was why she had specifically warned her.

Thinking of this, she subconsciously glanced at the beautiful Liu Yinyin, only to find that the other was also looking at her. Ji Xueruo instantly felt awkward and speechless. Just then, Elder Yin suddenly asked curiously:

"I almost forgot, why did the clan leader's Demon Core become so clear and pure?"

Ji Xueruo's heart tightened, fearing that the other women would connect the changes in her Demon Core with You Su's Heavenly Furnace Body. But before she could speak, she heard Liu Yinyin say solemnly:

"The clan leader obtained a great fortuitous opportunity when he sought Lotus Root Heart at Jade Ring Pool. Elder Yin, are you asking this because you fear the clan leader might be hiding something from us?"

Elder Yin hurriedly denied it, but inwardly she was also thinking that this was almost a case of hiding something from others. However, she also secretly pondered that it was one thing for these two to have already run away, but if any of the remaining sisters' Demon Core suddenly became crystal clear instead of gradually improving, then they must have also secretly performed the "righteous act," and she would definitely flip the table in anger.

Ji Xueruo gave Liu Yinyin a grateful look, but she knew that this explanation might fool them, but it certainly wouldn't fool Granny Liu.

While the women were still marveling at the wonders of the Heavenly Furnace Body, Ji Xueruo felt that keeping things unspoken between herself and Granny Liu wasn't a good idea. She wasn't a hesitant woman; she had already seen You Su's sincerity and witnessed his sacrifices for her. She had no intention of running away from this relationship any longer. Since the whole clan would have to know sooner or later, she might as well start with Granny Liu, the person she loved and respected most.

After the morning meeting ended, Ji Xueruo went to find Liu Yinyin alone.

Liu Yinyin is brewing fragrant tea in the bamboo forest, and the aroma of tea fills the tranquil bamboo grove.

She seemed to have guessed Ji Xueruo's purpose and poured her a cup of tea. However, seeing the Eldest Young Lady she had grown up with approaching step by step, she became a little nervous.

"Granny Liu," Ji Xueruo called softly, her voice devoid of its usual coldness, suddenly reminding Liu Yinyin of when Ji Xueruo was still a child.

Even back then, the Eldest Young Lady rarely called her that softly anymore. She had always known that the Eldest Young Lady had a hard life since childhood. She saw it all, but she couldn't take all the responsibility for Ji Xueruo. She could only silently support the girl from behind.

Liu Yinyin's gaze was gentle as she handed over the tea, saying, "Please speak freely, Eldest Young Lady."

Ji Xueruo stroked the teacup, a ripple appearing in her eyes. "About You Su, actually... I... I've also fallen for him."

As soon as he finished speaking, only the rustling of the wind could be heard in the bamboo forest.

Liu Yinyin paused, knowing that the girl's frankness meant she truly believed in the boy. "I know."

She set down her teacup, sighed softly, and said, "You and the Second Young Lady are both very much like your mother, both possessing a heart that dares to love and hate. But you are luckier than her, having met a good man like You Su."

Mentioning her mother, a flicker of pain crossed Ji Xueruo's eyes. Liu Yinyin felt a pang of pity and reached out her slender, jade-like hand to grasp the girl's. "Your mother made a mistake in choosing a man, ending up with a tragic fate. But that man hid himself away, never daring to even see the snake clan. You Su is different; he is loyal, righteous, responsible, and principled. I believe you will not repeat your mother's mistakes."

Ji Xueruo's nose tingled slightly. She stood up and gently embraced Liu Yinyin like a little bird, resting her head on her shoulder. "I know it's wrong of me to act like this with my sister, but I don't know why, I just feel that being with him makes even the worst mood feel lighter..."

This was the first time Ji Xueruo spoken such heartfelt words to anyone. Liu Yinyin patted her back gently with relief, as if coaxing her when she was a child, "Silly child, you have carried the burden of the Snake Clan on your shoulders since you were Second Young Lady, and with him, the Snake Clan will surely regain its High Antiquity glory."

Ji Xueruo didn't answer aloud, but she agreed in her heart, stammering, "And what about everyone else...?"

Liu Yinyin smiled gently. She had shed her former hardships, her black hair cascading down to her waist like a waterfall. The majesty in her eyes had not faded, but her smile added a touch of gentleness. Ji Xueruo and Ji Lingruo had the same exquisite features, but their natural temperaments were quite different. As the clan leader since childhood, she also had a majesty that she did not lose, even in this gentle state.

The two beautiful Fairy, one old and one young, embraced each other. Not only did they share a similar temperament, but their appearances also bore a resemblance. They looked like a loving mother and daughter, a truly touching sight.

Ji Xueruo really enjoyed the feeling of hugging someone like this. Perhaps because she had been independent since childhood, she sometimes longed to rely on someone. However, she was used to worrying about others, and when she held You Su tenderly, she would think of his good qualities and then think about how she could do better for him. She felt the same way when she was holding Liu Yinyin, already calculating what else she could do for Liu Yinyin.

After a moment's thought, she had her answer. All six elders needed to purify the Demon Core, so why should Granny Liu be an exception? She wasn't like she used to be, looking weathered and worn out in her forties or fifties. Even if she was, it was a symbol of her hard work and achievements, and had absolutely nothing to do with being ugly.

Calling her Granny Liu is only due to seniority; judging by her appearance, calling her "Auntie" would be more appropriate. If You Su dared to dislike Granny Liu, she would be the first to object, but given Granny Liu's current appearance, You Su probably wouldn't feel any aversion to her.

The more she thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Although Granny Liu's cultivation level had greatly increased after obtaining Yu Wanyue, the purification of Demon Core was something that no cultivation level could ever have too much of. Who knew, Granny Liu might even become the first Void Realm cultivator since the snake clan descended the mountain!

She suddenly looked up, her gaze intense. "Granny Liu, why don't you let You Su purify your Demon Core too!"

As she was speaking, she subconsciously probed her Divine Sense into the body of the beautiful woman in her arms, wanting to check the state of Liu Yinyin's Demon Core.

But this very exploration caused her pupils to shrink sharply— Liu Yinyin's azure Demon Core was almost flawless, truly of the highest quality! This was not her previous Demon Core at all!

Liu Yinyin felt a sudden stiffness in her body as she sensed the Divine Sense within her. She was annoyed that despite her best efforts, she had let her guard down during her intimacy with the Eldest Young Lady. Since that day, she had been wary of anyone touching her, fearing it would reveal the mutation of her Demon Core. Yet, she had failed not only to guard against Elder Hua, but also against the Eldest Young Lady ...

Seeing Ji Xueruo's shocked expression, her cheeks felt like they were on fire. At that moment, she only wished her face could be older and thicker. However, she couldn't bring herself to utter any of the many explanations that came to mind, because she knew that Ji Xueruo would never believe her no matter what she said. There was probably no other divine object in the world that could purify Demon Core like You Su did in just one day.

Ji Xueruo didn't fly into a rage; she simply slowly released her grip on Liu Yinyin. She never imagined that her worries and anxieties had been completely unnecessary.

"Why?" she asked in a low voice. The gentle Eldest Young Lady from a moment ago was gone again; she had transformed back into the patriarch who ruled the clan.

Liu Yinyin felt a sharp pain in her heart, realizing how difficult it had been for her to keep it a secret. The absurdity of that day kept replaying in her mind, not so much with lingering affection, but with lingering fear.

Her fear of being exposed wasn't simply because she was afraid her clansmen would say she was disrespectful to her elders, but because she feared it would affect You Su's relationship with the two young ladies. She was gratified that such a good man as You Su had been recruited into the Snake Clan, because he was not only the two young ladies' destined love, but also fortuitous opportunity for the Snake Clan. But if she ruined this destiny because of her, she would never forgive herself, even in death.

Now that she had a chance to be honest, she was unwilling to continue hiding it, so she told him everything that had happened in the golden cocoon.

"So, it was all just fortuitous opportunity?" Ji Xueruo frowned, her voice suddenly softening. Only because Liu Yinyin's account was completely accurate did she realize that Liu Yinyin had forced herself on You Su...

Liu Yinyin, however, was no longer willing to deceive herself. She had already figured out the key to it all during this time, and perhaps there was no fortuitous opportunity at all.

"Perhaps it wasn't a fortuitous opportunity at all. The method of transferring power was originally my senior sister Yu's idea. These days I've carefully studied the results of the Demon Core she left behind, and I think it might not have needed to be so convoluted. She was determined to take revenge on Yu Xiaoran in the most ruthless way, but she must have seen that You Su was not a man who would be tempted by beauty, so that's why she orchestrated the power transfer. The purpose was naturally to make You Su lose his ability to move."

"But it was she who should have been with You Su. However, she discovered that the young man was unexpectedly reliable, and that he genuinely respected me. Meanwhile, I, inexplicably, was so easily persuaded by You Su to enter the Golden Cocoon. So she changed her mind. She pitied my growing weariness and surely didn't want me to suffer a lifetime of hardship like her, unable to find a soulmate. That's why she didn't want to rush things before me, and she may have even given me a push behind the scenes. But that day I was out of my mind and completely unaware, not knowing how much was her doing and how much was my own doing..."

As she finished speaking, Liu Yinyin's voice became hoarse, like an old sword sheathed. Ji Xueruo could hear the self-reproach in her voice, yet she couldn't bring herself to blame her. In the end, the most despicable people were those two Golden Peng Clan.

Do you regret it?

Ji Xueruo looked at Liu Yinyin's newly formed skin, which was as smooth as satin and without a single wrinkle. She couldn't tell whether this new life was brought to her by Yu Wanyue or by You Su.

Looking at the swaying bamboo forest, Liu Yinyin suddenly smiled, a smile tinged with bitterness yet also with relief, "I've guarded the snake clan for two hundred years, never daring to utter a word of 'tiredness.' Only that day did I learn that someone would say my wrinkles are 'gifts of time.' I clearly didn't feel anything about persevering until today, but when he said that, I felt incredibly wronged."

Her voice was as soft as a feather, Ji Xueruo knew the answer.

The young woman sighed, feeling a tightness in her chest, unsure of who to blame. You Su was far more attentive to Granny Liu's emotional state than she was. Should she blame You Su for being too charming to women? It was understandable that Granny Liu would be moved by the sudden care and recognition she received. Should she blame her for being easily offended?

Seeing her inner turmoil, Liu Yinyin took the initiative and said, "I feel much better now that I've said it. Otherwise, I always felt guilty towards the Eldest Young Lady and Second Young Lady. I never intentionally interfered in your relationship. I will pretend nothing happened, and I hope You Su will feel the same way..."

Upon Ji Xueruo shook her head and sighed, "You don't understand You Su. He will never pretend this never happened, not even as a fleeting affair; he will remember it."

Liu Yinyin tensed up instantly, "What should we do?"

Ji Xueruo gazed at the shimmering figure in the cup, feeling troubled. Granny Liu was the person she respected most, and now that she had finally developed feelings for her, how could she possibly be so heartless as to stop her?

She could only say helplessly, "That's just how You Su is. He may not have any romantic feelings for you, but he always likes to be overly gentle, making others flustered."

Liu Yinyin's expression was somewhat somber, but she had expected it. "Of course I knew. How could he possibly have any improper thoughts about me..."

Seeing that she was once again ashamed of herself, Ji Xueruo felt sorry for her and advised her:

"Please don't think like that. With your current appearance, even the women of the Danhe tribe would have to admit they are inferior to you. How could You Su not be pleased?"

Liu Yinyin chuckled softly, "He's blind, how could he be someone who judges by appearance?"

Ji Xueruo saw that Granny Liu was speaking up for You Su at every turn, she knew that she couldn't sever her feelings for her.

At this moment, Ji Xueruo lament whether she should have taken You Su in in the first place. For some reason, she had a strange feeling that it was as if each of these snakes had a natural affinity for You Su.

She didn't bother to think about it further and said in a low voice, "You should also participate in purifying the Demon Core. I'll talk to my sister about it. I won't let her watch over you while you're purifying it."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yinyin's beautiful eyes widened slightly, and her red lips parted, but she couldn't utter a word of refusal.