A day later, sunlight filtered through thin clouds and spilled languidly over Xin Ruoyin's residence.
The little courtyard lay quiet, with only a few spirit plants swaying gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling softly.
Qi Yunxiao sat on a stone stool in the courtyard, his expression grave and his brows tightly furrowed. His occasional sighs broke the silence.
He had racked his brains trying to help Xin Ruoyin deal with the trouble Li Da and Li Er had caused.
First, he had contacted several friends, earnestly explaining the situation and pleading with them to step in and mediate.
But the moment those friends heard that the other parties were two rogue cultivators at the ninth layer of qi refining, their attitudes turned evasive. Their solemn promises dissolved into stammered excuses, and in the end, they all fell silent, unwilling to wade into those muddy waters.
Then Qi Yunxiao had steeled himself and returned to his clan, telling the elders what had happened in the hope that the clan's prestige and influence could secure justice for Xin Ruoyin. Yet that, too, had met with no response.
Qi Yunxiao was filled with helplessness and self-reproach, feeling utterly useless.
In the Cultivation World, weak cultivation left one hemmed in at every turn. Even lending a friend a hand was this difficult.
He raised his head and looked at Xin Ruoyin, his eyes brimming with guilt. "Miss Xin, I... I really am incapable. I've asked so many people, and I still can't resolve this."
Xin Ruoyin remained calm, a faint smile touching her lips as she said softly, "Young Master Qi, don't blame yourself.
"I sold a few things and have already gathered enough spirit stones. I'll manage somehow."
Surprise and frustration flashed through Qi Yunxiao's eyes. He hurriedly said, "I have spirit