Chapter 86: Luo Qingqiu’s Jealousy, Elder Sister Is the Best in the World!

"Let's make a trip to the Divine Fire Sect. There's something I need to understand..."

The two had already arrived within the Fire God Sect's territory, so Ling Tian's request was naturally a matter of convenience.

Soon after, they were received by Xiao Ding.

"Where is my daughter? Wasn't she following you?" Xiao Ding immediately sensed something was wrong—his daughter was missing. She had been at Ling Tian's side not long ago, so how could she have vanished in such a short time? Xiao Ding could not help but bristle with agitation, as if ready to risk his life. To him, Xiao Ling'er was his very lifeblood. Now that she was gone, what meaning remained in his existence?

"Listen to me, she's with the Phoenix Clan!" Ling Tian tugged at the corner of his lips, at a loss as he faced Xiao Ding's raging fury. Yet he was quite satisfied with Xiao Ding's reaction, for it proved just how deeply he loved Xiao Ling'er. Otherwise, would he have acted so desperately?

"What did you say?" Xiao Ding was utterly stunned by this revelation—his daughter was now with the Phoenix Clan? After hearing Ling Tian's account, he was still unwilling to believe it. After all, an imperial bloodline was not so easily revealed, especially one born from the union of demon and human.

He turned to Luo Changsheng for confirmation, and the other nodded. Given Luo Changsheng's status, there was no way he would conspire with Ling Tian to deceive such a pitiable father.

After viewing the memory stone that Ling Tian handed him, Xiao Ding was finally convinced.

"Ling'er has met her mother? Did she mention me?" Once he regained his composure, Xiao Ding could not help but ask. He had not seen Huang Xi in so long, and now, hearing that Ling Tian knew of her whereabouts, he was filled with anticipation.

"Well..." Ling Tian was unsure how to answer. He considered fabricating something, but since he had never met Huang Xi and knew nothing of her character, whatever he said would not be believed by Xiao Ding. Wouldn't that only backfire?

"What's happened to Xi'er? What is going on?" Xiao Ding was now unable to sit still, not noticing the tremor in his own voice. Ling Tian had no choice but to explain Huang Xi's current circumstances.

"It's all my fault. If my cultivation were higher, I could have taken her away, and none of this would have happened. I tried to find her—she's so lonely, all by herself!" Xiao Ding slapped his forehead, then stood up, intent on rushing to the Phoenix Clan to see Huang Xi.

"You can go, but my advice is to observe quietly. There's no need to meet Xiao Ling'er—she's already under great pressure." Ling Tian had laid everything out for Xiao Ding, who understood what Ling Tian meant.

"I know," Xiao Ding nodded, signaling his understanding. With a wave, he handed Ling Tian the Fire God Sect's master token. With this, Ling Tian could go anywhere within the sect. When he was done, he need only return the token to Xiao Ding's chamber.

Without waiting for Ling Tian to say another word, Xiao Ding hurried away from the Fire God Sect.

Seeing this, Ling Tian tugged at his lips and murmured, "Had I known, I wouldn't have told him..."

Of course, he was only joking. Xiao Ding was a man of feeling and principle; surely the days when he could not meet Huang Xi would be full of agony.

Though the situation was hardly improved, at least there was hope now. Perhaps someday, Huang Xi would break free from her dream on her own.

Ling Tian withdrew his gaze and, without further hesitation, found an elder, mentioned Chen Ningshuang's name, and asked to be shown the way.

Knowing the identities of Ling Tian and his companion, and seeing the master token, the elder dared not neglect them. However, when they arrived at the spiritual peak, they found it empty—Chen Ningshuang had gone out to travel.

"When did she leave?" Ling Tian asked Chen Ningshuang's master. The departure time matched closely with when the woman from the black broken sword had appeared.

Ling Tian nodded and said there was nothing urgent; if Chen Ningshuang returned, she should be summoned to meet him at the Autumn Sanctuary. Then he returned the token and left the Fire God Sect with Luo Changsheng.

"What happened between you and Chen Ningshuang?" Luo Changsheng asked, confusion in his eyes.

Though Ling Tian had hidden it well, making it seem as if he had only come to tell Xiao Ding about Xiao Ling'er, Luo Changsheng sensed that Ling Tian's true purpose was to seek Chen Ningshuang.

"You're such a chatterbox!" Ling Tian snapped back, leaving Luo Changsheng speechless. If not for Ling Tian's master being Luo Qingqiu, he would have dealt with Ling Tian long ago—no need to suffer such indignity! Not a shred of respect for his elders.

The two held their tempers and ignored each other until they reached the Autumn Sanctuary. Upon arrival, Luo Changsheng gave Ling Tian a swift kick: "The Grand Elder wants to see you. I have plenty to do, so I'm not going to escort you. Go on your own."

Though Luo Changsheng tried hard to suppress his laughter, Ling Tian still caught it. Shaking his head, Ling Tian thought Luo Changsheng was being petty—using official power for personal revenge! He rolled his eyes, considering whether he should offer a "few kind words" in front of Luo Qingqiu.

"Since you've returned, why not come to see me?" A melodious voice rang out, and Ling Tian found himself before the pavilion on Luo Qingqiu's spiritual peak.

Luo Qingqiu sat on a bench, a jade cup of spiritual tea in her hand. Just as when Ling Tian first met her, she wore a black dress, dazzling and unmatched in beauty. Her face was neither joyful nor sorrowful, her eyes deep and unreadable.

"Sister, you speak wrongly—I was just about to pay my respects, but you beat me to it," Ling Tian smiled, removing the mask from his face. Perhaps only before Luo Qingqiu did he feel such honesty.

As for Luo Changsheng, Ling Tian was only joking. Luo Changsheng had protected them throughout their journey; if not for merit, there was certainly hardship. To act otherwise would be the height of ingratitude.

"Was it hard, venturing out for training?" Without warning, Luo Qingqiu asked the question.

Ling Tian paused, then began to lament, "It was hard! Eating—never well. Sleeping—never well. Always sleeping in the wild. Sister, look—I’m so thin from hunger... And you don’t know..."

The more Ling Tian spoke, the more emotional he became, recounting every difficulty and hardship he had encountered. The longer he talked, the more he felt aggrieved. After a while, thirsty, he reached for the tea to quench his thirst.

Just as his hand touched the cup, Luo Qingqiu spoke quietly, "Yes, it was hard. The Saintess of the Cold Clear Sect chose you to endure the Tribulation of Love..."

Those words made Ling Tian's hair stand on end, freezing him in place. What? How could this be?

What he said was true, but so was Luo Qingqiu's statement—only their points of focus differed. Luo Qingqiu did not know why she asked that question, for she already knew everything Ling Tian had done. She knew it all, yet still wanted to ask, perhaps to see how he would answer.

For so many years, she had never cared so much about any matter.

[Luo Qingqiu's affection: 21%]

Ling Tian: ???

Hearing the prompt in his mind, Ling Tian was stunned. Wasn't this supposed to be immutable? Apparently not. He quickly checked his Chaos Physique—still at minor achievement, not diminished. That meant, even if Luo Qingqiu's affection decreased, the rewards already obtained were unaffected.

Then, for Yan Chen's long-term quest, did that mean...? Ling Tian guessed that the reason Yan Chen's Dao Heart impairment hadn't changed was because he hadn't seen her face-to-face! Yes, that must be it.

So, could it be the same for his Heavenly Court members...? There were flaws in this system. For instance, with Luo Qingqiu's affection rising and falling, if he played with her feelings, his path to fully mastering the Chaos Physique would be endlessly delayed. If his Heavenly Court members quit, ceased to be childhood companions, wouldn't he suffer a terrible loss?

Thinking of this, Ling Tian felt a chill on his back. Damn, this was a trap of a system! He thought it was a bug, but it turned out to be a pitfall all along.

"Sister, if you put it that way, I admit there was such a thing. Not only that, on the journey, I also met Hu Yunying... Recently, after helping the Fox Clan extend their lifespan and resolve their issues, I returned. But if you ask if I have any feelings for them, I think it's only friendship. I've never done anything out of line. Simply because my heart belongs elsewhere!"

Ling Tian knew that lying to Luo Qingqiu was futile, so he decided to confess all his deeds. With nothing to hide, he had no need to fear discovery.

When Luo Qingqiu said he had suffered, he explained the facts. When she raised the matter, he laid it all out. Surely, she couldn't find fault again?

Seeing Ling Tian's candor, Luo Qingqiu realized he had not acted improperly. Watching him look straight at her and utter those final words, she recalled what Ling Tian had said as a child: "Why not pledge yourself to me?"

Could it be? But...

Luo Qingqiu quickly shook her head, suppressing her inner thoughts, her expression calm once more. The heart of an Emperor was easily steadied.

Seeing Ling Tian's curious gaze, she straightened herself and said, "I understand. The world is full of wonders, but cultivation must come first. Do not neglect your foundation or squander your talent. Only by standing higher can you discover better choices."

Luo Qingqiu set down her tea, stood slowly, and prepared to leave.

"By the way, about what you mentioned earlier—she had a remnant emperor soul within her, which I have already refined. Mei Ruoxi has been made Saintess; she is still herself!"

Luo Qingqiu paused, as if recalling something, and spoke gently.

Ling Tian, surprised, quickly responded, "Sister, you are the best in the world!"

Luo Qingqiu smiled softly, her eyes bright with color, murmuring quietly, "Best in the world?"