[ Name: Qian Ya
Age: ???
Cultivation Base: Peak-Stage of Foundation Establishment Realm ]
Xia Wei pondered for a moment, realizing that Qian Ya's cultivation base should be at the Early-Stage of Foundation Establishment rather than the Peak-Stage. Both parties had thoroughly scanned each other, assessing their capabilities.
Qian Ya, the young lady known as the sect's traitor, was the first to break the silence, her face adorned with a polite smile.
"Forgive my impoliteness, young master. If it's possible, could we discuss this matter in private?" She subtly glanced at the two individuals standing nearby, Tian Lu and Dai Qing.
Tian Lu and Dai Qing were taken aback by Qian Ya's unexpected behavior. While everyone was familiar with Qian Ya's reputation as a traitor, it was not due to her involvement in schemes with the Patriarch's daughter, but rather her kindness and contributions as an outer disciple.
She had always been perceived as a kind-hearted and respectful young woman, showing deference to her elders.
Therefore, even after her expulsion from the sect, people continued to assist her in secret, providing her with pills and cultivation techniques. Many pitied her unfortunate fate.
However, what they now witnessed was a cold and unfriendly gaze accompanied by a smile that seemed malicious, a stark contrast to her usual warmth.
But what surprised them even more was the aura emanating from her—a cultivation base at the Peak-Stage of the Foundation Realm!
In just a few days, this young lady, whose Dantians had been sealed and who had been cast out from the sect, causing her cultivation to regress to that of an ordinary mortal, had somehow achieved the pinnacle of the Foundation Realm!
...
In the lower area of the Thousand Illusionary Sect, near the training ground, stood a solitary building amidst a serene landscape.
Surrounded by enchanting purple pine trees, the structure appeared more like a spacious room than a traditional edifice, featuring an ambered bamboo roof and intricately crafted hardwood walls. Delicate lanterns adorned its walls, casting a gentle glow.
This building had recently been constructed, not far from the expansive square, specifically for the young master of the Xia family.
Inside the room, to the left, a large low table sat on the floor, accommodating ten people with its seat cushions. Adjacent to the long table was a sliding door, currently open, offering a captivating view of the lake and the moon veiled behind layers of pine leaves.
As the night breeze stirred the foliage, fallen leaves would gracefully land on the table, revealing Xia Wei seated beside the door, his gaze fixed on Dai Qing.
Dai Qing knelt beside him, pouring tea from a pot into Xia Wei's cup. Her long silver hair occasionally obscured her vision, but she effortlessly swept it back, revealing eyes brimming with tenderness.
Observing her, Xia Wei gently tapped the table near his cup three times, conveying his silent request. Understanding his gesture, Dai Qing gracefully lifted the teapot, pausing the tea's flow into his cup.
"Would you like some tea, Miss Qin?" Dai Qing inquired, her gaze momentarily shifting toward Qian Ya, who sat nearby with an empty cup placed on the table, gazing at the scenery outside.
The once kind and naive countenance of Qian Ya had vanished, replaced by a gaze that seemed to have witnessed a millennium's worth of experiences, much like that of an elder.
Qian Ya turned her head in response to Dai Qing's question but instead of answering directly, she exchanged meaningful glances with Xia Wei before shifting her attention back to Dai Qing, a smile adorning her face. "Please, Senior Sister Dai."
Dai Qing, though she smiled in response, couldn't hide her inexplicable frustration upon hearing Qian Ya's reply. "As you wish, Junior Sister," she responded, her smile still present.
However, as they locked eyes for a brief moment, both women's narrowed gazes revealed a subtle tension between them.
Suddenly, an incident disrupted the intense staring contest between Qian Ya and Dai Qing. In a moment of distraction, the cup being filled by Dai Qing slipped from her hand, causing tea to spill and almost wet Qian Ya's clothes.
"Ah! I'm sorry, Junior Sister. Let me pour it again," Dai Qing quickly apologized, flustered by her clumsy mistake.
Xia Wei, who had been observing the exchange, found amusement in Dai Qing's childish behavior. He watched as Qian Ya intercepted her, preventing further spillage, and disposed of the remaining tea outside the door.
After a brief pause, Dai Qing refilled the cup, yet the two women continued their silent clash, locked in an intense gaze.
...
"How do you know Lin Jie's whereabouts?" Xia Wei inquired, still not looking directly at her. He had no urgency to find Lin Jie and instead patiently observed Qian Ya's unusual behavior.
The room was now empty, with only the two of them remaining. Dai Qing had completed her task and left.
"What do I gain by telling you?" Qian Ya responded, her eyes fixed on Xia Wei, a faint smile curling her lips. She delicately held the cup in her slender hands and took a sip of tea.
"How about a free passage to the Upper Realm?" Xia Wei replied casually, undeterred by her lack of response. He turned his head towards her, examining her from head to toe before continuing, "Where does your confidence come from? Daring to speak to me in such a manner."
His slit pupils and dark magenta eyes emitted an eerie glow in the darkness of the night. The silver moonlight illuminated his face, revealing an evil smirk accompanied by a hint of killing intent.
"You have no right to negotiate with me. What difference would it make if I were to delve into your soul and uncover the truth myself?"
Simultaneously, the surrounding Qi gathered around Qian Ya, forming the illusion of a faint blue claw that slowly grazed her smooth and graceful neck.
"I thought you were a kind person, Young Master," Qian Ya responded with a light cough, a small droplet of blood escaping from the scratches on her neck.
However, rather than exhibiting fear, her expression displayed a cold smile as she spoke with a mocking tone.
Her black hair fluttered in the air, yet strangely it ceased its movement and remained suspended mid-air. Upon closer inspection, one would notice that her hair was entangled within the faint image of the blue claw, causing her head to be pulled upward.