I Heard You. Now Get Lost

A day later, Jiang Yuan and Dan Chen had returned to the Pill Tower.

They had barely entered the Pill Tower and reached Disciple Square when they saw a crowd gathered there, talking among themselves.

Dan Chen glanced curiously at the disciples whispering to one another. She had no idea what they were discussing. "Jiang Yuan, why is everyone gathered here? Did something happen at the Pill Tower?"

Jiang Yuan shook his head. He did not know either. Just as they were about to head back to their quarters, Cao Ying came walking toward them.

When Cao Ying drew near, her gaze settled on Jiang Yuan. There was something conflicted and uneasy in her eyes.

Jiang Yuan said nothing, but Dan Chen spoke up first. "Cao Ying, why are you here? What's everyone talking about?"

Cao Ying glanced at Jiang Yuan again. After a moment's silence, she said, "They're talking about what happened yesterday. Thunder Venerable came to the Pill Tower to see the Three Elders. Word has spread."

Dan Chen froze. Thunder Venerable had come to see the Three Elders?

Seeing her surprise, Cao Ying nodded. "Yes. He brought Feng Qing'er to the Pill Tower yesterday and begged the Three Elders to speak for him. He wants Jiang Yuan to lift his seal."

Jiang Yuan's expression did not change. Dan Chen, meanwhile, finally understood why everyone was talking.

The calm look on Jiang Yuan's face left Cao Ying feeling even more conflicted. She had seen it all with her own eyes yesterday.

She had never imagined that a Dou Zun expert would humble himself before the Three Elders because of Jiang Yuan. Nor had she imagined Jiang Yuan was so powerful that he could seal a Dou Zun expert's Dou Qi. Before this, she would not even have dared to dream of such a thing.

Regret welled up in Cao Ying's heart. Why had I been so rash and broken off the engagement?

If she had not done that, she would probably still be Jiang Yuan's fiancée. Given the strength and potential he had shown, his standing in the Pill Tower would only rise. But it was too late for regrets now.

Cao Ying sighed inwardly, her gaze on Jiang Yuan full of remorse and tangled emotions. Jiang Yuan did not notice the change in her expression—or perhaps he simply did not care.

"Is Thunder Venerable still at the Pill Tower?"

Jiang Yuan asked the question casually, with no emotion in his voice.

Cao Ying came back to herself and nodded. "Yes. The Three Elders arranged for him to stay in the guest hall. They said they'd deal with this once you returned. Thunder Venerable even asked the Three Giants to speak for him, so the Three Elders are in a difficult position."

Jiang Yuan still looked unconcerned, as though he were not the one being asked for mercy.

Just then, Jiang Yuan saw a woman approaching. It was Feng Qing'er. The arrogance she had shown before was gone; now she looked cautious and ill at ease.

She stopped in front of Jiang Yuan and stood with her head lowered for a moment before speaking.

"Jiang Yuan... I was wrong about what happened before. I shouldn't have brought people to corner you, and I shouldn't have made false accusations against you to my master. I'm sincerely sorry. Could you please lift the seal on my master?"

Feng Qing'er was consumed with regret. She had grown up in the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan and later joined the Wind-Thunder Pavilion. She had always been cherished. When had she ever had to beg anyone so humbly?

But her master's Dou Qi had been sealed, and the entire Wind-Thunder Pavilion was in crisis. She had no choice but to swallow her pride and beg Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan said nothing as he looked at her. He showed neither anger nor satisfaction. Beside him, Dan Chen found the sight deeply satisfying. Feng Qing'er had been so arrogant before. Now she finally knew how to bow her head.

Cao Ying stood silently watching. The scene only made her more certain that breaking off the engagement had been a mistake. Someone like Jiang Yuan was bound to accomplish great things on the Dou Qi Continent.

But she had missed her chance.

Jiang Yuan's silence made Feng Qing'er even more anxious. She took two steps forward and continued, "If you'll lift the seal on my master, I'll do anything you ask. Really, I'll agree to any condition!"

Urgency and sincerity filled Feng Qing'er's voice. She was truly afraid. If her master's seal could not be lifted, her standing in the Wind-Thunder Pavilion would be ruined, and she would have no way to answer to the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan.

At last, Jiang Yuan spoke. "Now you know you were wrong? Where was that sense before?"

His words left Feng Qing'er's face livid, but she did not dare argue. "I was foolish before. It won't happen again..."

Feng Qing'er spoke softly with her head lowered, none of her former arrogance remaining.

Jiang Yuan had noticed Cao Ying and the disciples whispering earlier. He had a fair idea of what was going on. Thunder Venerable had run out of options and sent Feng Qing'er to beg him. But Jiang Yuan could not be bothered to make more of it. He had placed the seal; whether he lifted it was up to him.

"All right. I heard you. Now get lost."

With that, he headed straight for his quarters without giving Feng Qing'er a clear answer. She stood rooted to the spot for a long while, unable to tell what he meant by "I heard you." Was he going to lift the seal or not?

She wanted to chase after him and ask, but did not dare approach him rashly. All she could do was stamp her feet in frustration.

Once Jiang Yuan had left, Dan Chen hurried after him, leaving Cao Ying and Feng Qing'er standing there, each lost in her own thoughts.

Jiang Yuan and I were supposed to be engaged, but he's so distant with me now. Watching him walk away, Cao Ying sighed to herself again.

Feng Qing'er bit her lip, her fear growing. She resolved to find Jiang Yuan later and beg him again. She had to earn his forgiveness. Otherwise, the consequences would be unthinkable!