Si Li raised her head and looked up at the night sky.
Stars hung above, forming brilliant rivers across the heavens.
Like scattered silver sprinkled carelessly by someone, they rested quietly in the night sky.
The Milky Way shimmered with a hazy glow, flowing slowly from northeast to southwest. Every so often, a shooting star streaked by, trailing a faint wisp of light before silently falling behind the distant mountains.
The whole starry sky was reflected in Si Li's eyes, yet a hint of helplessness flickered within them.
She slowly continued, her voice sounding more like self-mockery now. "I used to think Master treated me like her own daughter. In truth, she only ever saw me as a tool."
Si Li turned her head and smiled at Wang Xin.
"Although I became a Holy Son candidate, my master knows I have no chance of competing with the others.
"So all these days, my master has not only approached the other Holy Son candidates, but even some Ascension Realm cultivators.
"She plans to sell me for a good price once I reach the Jade Uncut Realm."
"On the surface, she says she's good to me. In truth, she just wants to trade me for greater benefits.
"Rather than let myself be treated like some object, waiting to be sold to the highest bidder,
"why shouldn't I choose a cultivator to be my Dao Companion myself?"
As she spoke, Si Li smiled. Her enchanting smile carried a natural allure as she turned to glance at Xiao Mo, who was resting with his eyes closed in the distance.
Si Li didn't know whether Xiao Mo had heard what she said.
But even if he had, it didn't really matter to Si Li anymore.
Si Li withdrew her gaze and looked at Wang Xin.