You Gave Me a Tool Just for Running Away?

Time flew by amid an intensive training schedule.

Before they knew it, the Heroes' Conference was about to begin.

The Azure Cloud Sect, Heartless Valley, and Spirit Sword Mountain, which stood alongside the Demon-Slaying Sect as the four great sects of the realm, submitted their rosters one after another. Other sects, large and small, would also send their prized disciples to Deer-Cry Mountain, where the Heroes' Conference would be held, hoping to make a name for themselves and bring glory to their sects.

Even if they failed to do that, they absolutely could not fall behind and become a laughingstock among the other sects.

The Demon-Slaying Sect had no shortage of talent. Its leader, Ouyang Chong, drew up the roster himself. Every disciple of a suitable age went on the list, regardless of their cultivation.

Xiao Qinghe, the famously bottom-tier weakling, was right there among them.

Bai Yuqing frowned slightly and crossed out Xiao Qinghe's name with his brush. "Qinghe need not compete."

"Junior Brother Bai, your disciple has never participated before. It's time he saw what others his age are capable of." Ouyang Chong pressed a hand to his forehead helplessly.

Junior Brother Bai always kept to himself and went his own way within the sect. Even toward Ouyang Chong, who was both his sect leader and senior brother, he showed no extra deference.

It seemed that, apart from secluded cultivation and slaying demons, everything in the world was extraneous to him, unworthy of mention.

Gold and jewels never caught his eye, nor did beautiful women stir his heart. He came and went alone, forever solitary.

Ouyang Chong had once believed he would remain alone until the day he ascended to immortality. Then one day, he went down the mountain to exorcise demons and returned with a handsome young boy.

To this day, Ouyang Chong still did not understand why Bai Yuqing treated Xiao Qinghe differently, nor could he fathom what Bai Yuqing was thinking. "Over the years, the Sect's disciples have eagerly participated in the Heroes' Conference and made names for themselves to varying degrees. Only Qinghe remains unknown. This is the result of your excessive protection."

Bai Yuqing rested his fingertips on the rim of his teacup, his brow faintly furrowed, and said nothing.

Ouyang Chong sighed deeply. "I can see that you cherish him and cannot bear to see him injured in a fight. That's why you've never let him compete, not even in friendly spars with his fellow disciples from the Sect. But this is far too indulgent. A fledgling must eventually leave the nest. Sooner or later, he'll have to face the world's dangers alone. You can protect him for a time, but can you protect him for his entire life?"

"Why couldn't I?"

"Junior Brother Bai, don't joke about this! With your cultivation, you could ascend to immortality within three to five years. Would you really delay your ascension for a single disciple?"

Bai Yuqing tapped the rim of his cup with his forefinger and smiled faintly. "Ascending to immortality merely means continuing my cultivation somewhere else. Cultivating alone is dull and dreary. Having someone who understands me by my side for comfort would be rather nice. As for whether I ascend, that no longer matters."

"You're truly... being ridiculous!" All the words Ouyang Chong wanted to say finally dwindled into a sigh.

Junior Brother Bai seemed free of all desires, but in truth, no one had ever seen through him. Once he made a decision, not even ten oxen could drag him away from it.

To Ouyang Chong's surprise, Bai Yuqing changed his mind the following day and personally added Xiao Qinghe's name back to the roster.

It was because Xiao Qinghe had asked to participate.

"My junior sister is participating. As her senior brother, I should set an example. How could I back out at the last moment?" Xiao Qinghe spoke with righteous conviction, though he actually wanted a chance to test the results of their dual cultivation. "I haven't neglected my training. I'd like to test my progress and meet the heroes of the realm."

Bai Yuqing frowned.

Could it be as Senior Brother said? Had the fledgling grown its wings and begun preparing to leave the nest?

Very well.

"You've grown up. You're no longer the little boy who always hovered around me. Now you're thinking about spreading your wings and flying away from your master." Bai Yuqing sounded wistful.

Xiao Qinghe: "...???"

Something about that sounded rather off.

"Keep this Teleportation Talisman safe." Bai Yuqing took a Teleportation Talisman from the Treasure Pavilion, tucked it into a scented pouch, and fastened it to Xiao Qinghe's waist. "When sparring, stop once the outcome is clear. Don't let a moment of pride drive you to fight for victory at all costs. If you can beat them, fight. If you can't, use the Teleportation Talisman to return to my side. Do you understand?"

The Teleportation Talisman was a spatial transportation artifact, widely recognized as an excellent means of escape.

So, Master, just how weak do you think I am? With countless artifacts in the Treasure Pavilion, you gave me a tool just for running away?

Xiao Qinghe agreed, utterly exasperated. "I will follow your teachings, Master."

By then, everyone in the sect was packed and ready to set out for Deer-Cry Mountain.

Dressed in a pale yellow gown, Ouyang Susu looked charming and lively. She pushed open the door to Xiao Qinghe's Little Wooden House, only to find Xie Jun packing their luggage. "Why are you in Senior Brother Xiao's room? Where is he? Father has arranged carriages. I want to ride in the same carriage as Senior Brother Xiao!"

Xie Jun narrowed her eyes and suddenly said, "Didn't you know Master is going to Deer-Cry Mountain too?"

Ouyang Susu looked surprised. "Isn't Master Yu Qing going into seclusion? He's never paid any attention to the Heroes' Conference before."

"Master is going this year. I imagine it's because this is your first time officially participating, Junior Sister."

"Really?" Ouyang Susu's beautiful eyes lit up.

As the sect leader's daughter, she was precious to Ouyang Chong, who doted on her and rarely allowed her to compete. This year, he had relented for the first time, while also sternly instructing over a hundred disciples.

"Su Su's safety matters more than the sect's honor. Every disciple's first priority is to protect her. Do not let her get hurt. As for competing against disciples from the other great sects, do your best while ensuring Su Su's safety. You must not disgrace our sect!"

Almost the entire sect's disciples were mobilized to keep Ouyang Susu safe.

Everyone in the sect quickly reached a consensus. No one objected.

When Xiao Qinghe received those orders, he was astounded. He thought that Ouyang Susu certainly lived up to her role as the female lead. Everyone in the sect was a brainless bootlicker, willing to lay down their lives for her.

Don't ask about logic. The answer was the female lead halo.

Xiao Qinghe had no comment on that.

As long as Ouyang Susu stayed far away and stopped hovering around his junior sister, how much everyone else spoiled her was none of his business.

Watching Ouyang Susu blush, Xie Jun sneered inwardly. She must have assumed Master was in love with her, yet she still acted coy, pretending she harbored no improper intentions toward him.

It was precisely this act that kept the other disciples in the Sect hopeful, encouraging them to lavish attention on her in the hope of winning her heart and eventually making her theirs.

Little did they know that Ouyang Susu's heart already belonged to Master.

Xie Jun had no idea what her senior brother saw in Ouyang Susu. He indulged her every whim, oblivious to the fact that she was playing him.

Suppressing her displeasure, Xie Jun kept her expression neutral. "As far as I know, Master is traveling to Deer-Cry Mountain alone. It's a long journey, and he'll be lonely with no one beside him to ease his worries or boredom. It's rather pitiful. If someone kept him company day and night, even if he said nothing, he'd surely appreciate that person in his heart."

Before she had finished speaking, Ouyang Susu could no longer sit still. "I still need to pack, so I can't travel with you two. Go on ahead. Don't wait for me!"

With that, she gathered up her skirts and hurried gracefully outside.

Watching her leave, Xie Jun curled her lips slightly.

With that extra person gone, she and her senior brother would be the only two in the carriage.

Xie Jun sat cross-legged in the carriage, leisurely wiping down her sword in an excellent mood.

Xiao Qinghe sighed repeatedly. "Junior Sister said she'd travel with us. Why did she change her mind at the last moment?"

Xie Jun shook her head, looking as though she knew nothing.

Girl, your wife is about to run off with someone else. At least show a little concern!

I heard Ouyang Susu went to find Master!

Xiao Qinghe pressed a hand to his forehead.

Taking a carriage had been his idea. He had intended to give Xie Jun and Ouyang Susu some time alone together, but things had not gone according to plan. In the end, there were still only two people together-unfortunately, neither was Ouyang Susu.

Why were the two of them even taking a carriage?