Yue Liuqin fell to the ground, her head spinning and throbbing, and tears streamed down her face.
Looking at Yue Su's icy expression, her heart died.
She finally understood that all her father valued was her talent. He had never felt even a shred of familial affection for her as his daughter.
She let out a wretched laugh. "Father, you don't want me as your daughter, but do you think you can still win Yue Tingxi back? Do you know that he wasn't actually the one who injured me back then? You accused him without bothering to find out the truth. Do you think he won't hate you?"
Revealing the truth gave Yue Liuqin a surge of twisted satisfaction.
Everything she had done had been indulged by her father. If anyone had truly hurt Yue Tingxi, it was her father.
How could Yue Tingxi possibly forgive him?
"Father, you're the biggest joke of all! Hahaha..."
Yue Su's face turned livid with anger at her words. "You unfilial wretch!"
"Someone, drag the young lady away!"
With Yue Liuqin's unrestrained laughter ringing out, Qiaoqiao hurriedly pulled Yue Tingxi outside, feeling that this entire family was going mad.
Outside the cave abode, Elder Ning, Eldest Senior Brother, and Second Senior Sister were all there. Not far away stood the red-robed sect master of the Flowing Cloud Sect and several elders.
[Huh, why is everyone here? Did they come especially to pick me up?]
[Have I already become this important to the sect?!]
[That's me for you.]
Shen Ji: ...
You're overthinking it. They only heard that Yue Tingxi had come to Moonlight Peak and came to eat melons and watch the show.
Ever since entering the Yue Residence, Yue Tingxi had not spared Peak Master Yue a single glance. He had followed Qiaoqiao the whole time and was about to leave without looking back. In front of everyone, Peak Master Yue could no longer hold back. "Tingxi."
Yue Tingxi stopped.
Yue Su swallowed his pride and spoke to his son properly for the first time in his life. "I already know that your elder sister falsely accused you. It won't happen again. You... come back."
He looked at his son, that head of white hair stabbing at his eyes. He was the one who had caused Tingxi's hair to turn white in his youth and left him physically frail...
[Tsk, tsk. Even now, not a single apology.]
[Would he have this attitude if Yue Tingxi hadn't received Xiaoyaozi's inheritance? He was the one who wanted to sever ties back then, and now he has the nerve to tell him to come back. What gives him the right?!]
[Peak Master Yue's old face is even thicker than a ten-thousand-year-old turtle's shell!]
Second Senior Sister could not help secretly laughing. Little Junior Sister's inner voice really was as potent as ever.
Yue Su's face was taut. As long as Yue Tingxi turned back, he would still be Moonlight Peak's young master. He could enjoy top-tier cultivation resources, and countless people would curry favor with him in the future.
In Yue Su's eyes, he had no reason not to acknowledge him as his father again.
Yue Tingxi lowered his eyes. Everyone was waiting for his choice.
After a long while, he raised his head. Without so much as glancing at Yue Su, he turned and walked toward Qiaoqiao. "I want to join Ethereal Peak. May I?"
He did not care about heavenly materials and earthly treasures or his standing in the sect. In his heart, he already regarded Qiaoqiao as his best friend, and his only friend. Because of her, he had also developed a favorable impression of Ethereal Peak.
Yue Su: ???
What did he say?!
His son wanted to join Ethereal Peak?!
Yue Su's expression cracked!
Qiaoqiao, however, was delighted. "Of course!"
[Aaaah!]
[He's the future inheritor of the Primordial Five Elements Dao Art, a rising star of the cultivation world! Our Ethereal Peak has gained another genius!]
She looked happily toward her senior brother and senior sister-
[As expected, reviving Ethereal Peak still comes down to me!]
This time, for once, her senior brother and senior sister both agreed. Their Ethereal Peak really could not do without Qiaoqiao.
Even Elder Ning's lips curved into a smile.
Yue Su's expression darkened. "Utter nonsense! You're my son. How can you join Ethereal Peak? I won't allow it!"
His figure flickered, and he blocked Yue Tingxi's path. "Tingxi, come back with me!"
[This man is so shameless!]
[He isn't still thinking of forcing Yue Tingxi to leave with him, is he?]
Everyone frowned. Seeing that Yue Su was about to act, the Flowing Cloud Sect's sect master stepped forward. "His name is not on Moonlight Peak's disciple register. According to sect rules, this disciple may choose which peak to join of his own free will."
Yue Su said furiously, "I'm still his father!"
"Peak Master Yue, you severed ties with Yue Tingxi long ago."
"I-" Peak Master Yue's face flushed purple with anger. Humiliated, he flew into a rage. "You really want to go to Ethereal Peak? Of the ten peaks, Ethereal Peak is the weakest! Ethereal Peak, even dogs wouldn't-"
"Peak Master, mind your words." Ning Shuang stepped forward, her gaze settling on Yue Tingxi. "I find this disciple quite talented. I happen to be looking to take a disciple. Would you be willing to take me as your master?"
Peak Master Yue's face turned utterly green.
Once Yue Tingxi took a master, he really would have nothing to do with him anymore!
[Hahaha, well done, Elder Ning!]
[Look at Peak Master Yue's face! It's like he swallowed ten green-haired turtles alive in one gulp!]
Pfft.
Ning Shuang nearly laughed aloud.
Looking at the lovely, simply elegant woman before him, Yue Tingxi felt a surge of surprise and gratitude. He nodded. "This disciple is willing."
"Wonderful! I have a junior brother!" Qiaoqiao cheered.
"I'm older than you," Yue Tingxi could not help correcting her.
"I joined before you."
"Come on, call me Senior Sister!"
Yue Tingxi: ...
"Let's go, let's go. We'll hold the discipleship ceremony first and talk afterward."
The elders who had come to watch the show urged them to hurry back to Ethereal Peak. This was Ning Shuang's first time taking a disciple, after all. How could they not make it a lively occasion?
They also ought to think about what gifts to give this disciple with boundless prospects.
The elders looked at the lively Qiaoqiao. Come to think of it, Ethereal Peak had gained an inheritor of Xiaoyaozi and a disciple who had inherited a sword immortal's swordsmanship. Perhaps it really would rise in the future!
They, too, needed to build good relations with Ethereal Peak.
The group left in a lively bustle, leaving only Peak Master Yue standing at the entrance of his now-deserted cave abode, his face as black as a freshly baked black sesame cake.