The "Peerless Sacred Body" Who Needed the Goddess's Help (5K Chapter, Please Subscribe!) (Continued)

Qi Xiyuan stood frozen on the tree-lined avenue in the early morning, unable to recover for a long time.

At that moment,

panic, confusion, and all manner of emotions swept through her heart,

as though she had returned to that rainy night the year before last.

Only this time, there was no longer anyone like Tan Lin who could lend her a hand in a matter like this.

Here in Heavenly Origin City, she was alone, without anyone to rely on. Her only family, and the only pillar who could shelter her before she came into her own, was far away in the perilous Outer Domain.

Her aunt's life and death could very well be in the Lan Tuo Family's hands.

Faced with this situation, she saw no path of retreat and had no means to resist.

Still, perhaps out of a habit of thought formed by her earlier experiences, the image of that black-haired boy surfaced in her mind.

But an instant later, she shook her head in self-mockery.

In a predicament like this, how could she pin her hopes on a boy several years younger than herself?

He, too, was prey in the eyes of those financial dynasties. His situation might not be much better than hers, and only the Divine Lineage's protection had granted him a temporary reprieve.

Besides, she did not even know how he was actually faring at that Eternal goddess's side...

Her thoughts rose and fell.

A long time passed.

Only when the sound of a train cutting through the air came from the distance did it rouse Qi Xiyuan from her daze.

Distracted and unsteady, she dragged her heavy steps onto the commuter train bound for the academy. Her composure had utterly collapsed, and lingering storm clouds filled her eyes.

Yet,

neither she