Chapter 33: Ice Fairy Deterrence

After hearing Xiao Moshan's words, Xiao Kuangyun no longer dared to be arrogant. His expression quickly sobered as he looked up and said, "So it's Fairy Chu of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace. I am Xiao Kuangyun from the Xiao Sect. I feel incredibly fortunate to have met you here by chance. However, Fairy Chu, why have you graced this small Flowing Cloud City with your presence today? Is there something important? My father always taught me to treat fairies from the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace with the utmost respect. If there's anything I can assist with, please don't hesitate to ask."

Upon hearing the words "Ice Cloud Immortal Palace" from Xiao Kuangyun, everyone's eyes widened instantly, and a collective gulp resonated through the crowd.

Which deity had graced this small Flowing Cloud City today? This place, usually ignored even by third-rate sects, not only had people from the Xiao Sect but now even members of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace!

No wonder this woman possessed such an extraordinary and ethereal aura, with a beauty that could topple nations, and could even traverse the void. It turned out she was from the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, and her status there was certainly not low! Otherwise, Xiao Kuangyun, as the son of the Xiao Sect Master, would not have treated her with such careful deference.

"Why am I here?" Chu Yueli replied with a cold gaze. "Your Xiao Sect has bullied my disciple. Do you expect me to silently watch her be subjected to your harassment?"

"Your disciple?" Xiao Kuangyun froze, then his expression changed, and he exclaimed, "Fairy Chu, the disciple you mentioned... could it be... Xia Qingyue?"

At that moment, Xia Qingyue walked to Chu Yueli's side and respectfully called out, "Master."

These simple two words made Xiao Kuangyun's face twitch violently, Xiao Yulong completely stunned, and all the members of the Xiao Clan and the various powerful figures of Flowing Cloud City gape in shock, their hearts nearly stopping.

Oh my god! This Xia family's daughter was actually a disciple of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace! All this time, a disciple of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace had been living right here in Flowing Cloud City!

People's expressions towards Xia Qingyue changed instantly, becoming filled with immense shock and reverence. Even their gaze towards Xia Hongyi shifted dramatically.

Xiao Yulong stood there dumbfounded for a long time, then suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. Xia Qingyue was a disciple of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace... He had actually tried to harass her earlier. At the time, he was humiliated and felt resentful, but now, thinking back, he realized he had practically been given a second chance at life! Harassing a disciple of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace... how many people in the entire Azure Wind Empire would dare to do such a thing?

And that wasn't all. The plan to separate Xiao Che and Xia Qingyue today was also his suggestion to Xiao Kuangyun. He had even meticulously planned how Xiao Kuangyun would get Xia Qingyue after Xiao Che was driven away... If the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace found out about this, he would surely meet a terrible end.

Sweating profusely, Xiao Yulong looked at Xiao Kuangyun with a face full of pleading.

"So... so Xia Qingyue is indeed a disciple of your esteemed palace. This... I was completely unaware of this before, which led to a slight misunderstanding."

If she had been a disciple of any other sect, Xiao Kuangyun would not have given it a second thought. But the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace was different! It was not a hereditary sect; all its disciples were women, chosen from across the Azure Wind Continent for their superior aptitude. Consequently, it was the smallest of the Four Great Sects in terms of scale. Yet, despite its size, it still ranked second among them, which spoke volumes about its power. Every disciple in the palace possessed exceptional talent, with no mediocrity among them, and each was protected with the full might of the Immortal Palace. Provoking a lower-ranking disciple of another sect might be a minor issue, and even conflicts between disciples from different sects resulting in death were common. But provoking the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace... even for a woman of the lowest status within the palace, the Immortal Palace would respond fiercely and relentlessly until a satisfactory resolution was achieved!

"A misunderstanding? It had better be. Are you still going to tear up my disciple's marriage contract?" Chu Yueli's expression remained indifferent as her gaze swept over them; no one dared to meet her eyes. Although she was merely a woman, all the men present felt as if she were an immortal from the Moon Palace, and they, mere mortals, felt so inadequate that they couldn't even bear to glance at her.

"Since it's a misunderstanding, how could I dare?" Xiao Kuangyun replied, somewhat composed. "However, I have one question... Although I am quite unknowledgeable, I am aware that the fairies of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace are forbidden from emotions and desires, and never marry. Why then is this Xia Qingyue..."

"Hmph! While the Ice Cloud Art of my palace does require abstinence from emotions and desires, it has never forbidden disciples from marrying. Qingyue joined my palace at twelve but refused to return with me, only to marry Xiao Che at sixteen, not for love, but for gratitude and a promise. With such loyalty and a pure heart, my palace naturally would not object. Even if our palace strictly forbade marriage, an exception could be made for her. Young Master Xiao, do you have any more questions?" Chu Yueli said coldly. Her voice was flat, yet every word was like ice, causing an uncontrollable chill in the listeners' hearts, completely suppressing any thought of rebuttal.

"No, no, it was truly just a misunderstanding," Xiao Kuangyun quickly replied, then had no choice but to turn to Xia Qingyue and say, "Fairy Xia, I was unaware you were a disciple of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace just now, so I acted presumptuously. Please don't take it to heart."

The status of the Xiao Sect Master's son was naturally far higher than that of an ordinary Ice Cloud Immortal Palace disciple. However, intimidated by Chu Yueli's presence, he had to behave. This was a remote, unnoticed place, and he had only brought Xiao Moshan, Xiao Ba, and Xiao Jiu with him. If he displeased Chu Yueli, she could easily eliminate them all on their way back and destroy any trace, leaving them to die in vain.

Before coming here, how could he have imagined that a figure of Chu Yueli's caliber would appear in this desolate place?

It was now impossible for him to lay claim to Xia Qingyue, meaning he had wasted half a day's effort for nothing. Having to be submissive in front of Chu Yueli also filled him with resentment. His chest heaved, and then his gaze shifted to Xiao Lingxi... Although Xia Qingyue was out of reach, there was still at least one more option! Chu Yueli would protect Xia Qingyue, but she would certainly not protect an outsider like Xiao Lingxi! Otherwise, she wouldn't have been absent when Xiao Che was expelled, only appearing when attention shifted to Xia Qingyue.

Indeed, for Chu Yueli, she would only care for Xia Qingyue. The fate of others was entirely irrelevant to her. She had no reason, much less an obligation, to interfere.

"With Fairy Chu gracing us with her presence, your Xiao Clan is truly honored! Now, it's time to begin our main agenda for today." Xiao Kuangyun's face hardened, and his gaze pointed directly at Xiao Lingxi. "Before that... Xiao Ba, Xiao Jiu! Seize this thief who stole the Profound-Opening Powder! We will take her back to the Xiao Sect tomorrow for punishment!"

The phrase "take her back to the Xiao Sect tomorrow for punishment" made even the most naive person understand why Xiao Kuangyun was orchestrating such a despicable frame-up. Although this scheme had already been exposed by Xiao Che in front of everyone, under the absolute suppression of the sect, it did not prevent Xiao Kuangyun from proceeding with his plan.

"Yes, Young Master!"

Xiao Ba and Xiao Jiu descended simultaneously, heading directly towards the bewildered Xiao Lingxi.

"Master!" Seeing this, Xia Qingyue quickly signaled to Chu Yueli with her eyes, hoping she would step in to protect Xiao Lingxi... or at least prevent her from being taken by Xiao Kuangyun. But Chu Yueli seemed oblivious, showing no reaction.

A hint of anxiety appeared in Xia Qingyue's expression, and she pleaded, "Master, you must have seen that Xiao Kuangyun's target today was me. Xiao Che was implicated because of me and was thus expelled from the Xiao Clan. Before he left, he asked me to protect his grandfather and his aunt, and I promised... This will be the last thing I do for him. After this, I will immediately return to the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace with you, and remain there, focusing solely on my profound cultivation... Please grant my request, Master!"

Chu Yueli's eyes moved slightly, and she let out a soft sigh. She raised her right hand and gently waved it.

Instantly, a wave of cold air descended from above, causing Xiao Ba and Xiao Jiu to suddenly feel a chill throughout their bodies. They stopped in their tracks, not daring to advance further.

Xiao Kuangyun's expression subtly changed. He composed himself and said, "Fairy Chu, what is the meaning of this? You just criticized my Xiao Sect for interfering in your palace disciple's marriage... but now we are handling internal affairs of my sect. Is Fairy Chu planning to intervene?"

"No! I have no interest in interfering with your Xiao Sect's affairs," Chu Yueli replied calmly, her eyes unperturbed. "I merely found some things disagreeable, so I acted on impulse. Since you claim this is an internal matter of your Xiao Sect, then, is Xiao Lingxi a member of your Xiao Sect?"

Xiao Kuangyun shook his head. "No! But what she stole was my sect's Profound-Opening Powder!"

"But from what I heard earlier, this Profound-Opening Powder was a gift you brought from the Xiao Sect and presented to the Xiao Clan yesterday. So, items that your Xiao Sect has already given away still belong to your Xiao Sect? Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed if word of this gets out?" Chu Yueli said without mincing words.

Xiao Kuangyun's eyes widened, and he was rendered speechless.

"Xiao Lingxi is a member of the Xiao Clan, not your Xiao Sect. And this Profound-Opening Powder belongs to the Xiao Clan, not your Xiao Sect's property anymore. Therefore, even if Xiao Lingxi did steal the Profound-Opening Powder, it should be the Xiao Clan's responsibility to punish her, not your Xiao Sect's concern."

Chu Yueli's gaze shifted to Xiao Yunhai, and that single look sent a jolt through his entire body, making him instinctively shrink by half. Chu Yueli said faintly, "Clan Master Xiao, how should a member of your clan who commits theft be dealt with?"

Xiao Yunhai glanced at Xiao Kuangyun, gritted his teeth, and feigned composure. "If a clan disciple commits theft... the lightest punishment is three months confined to the back mountain... As Xiao Lingxi stole a valuable treasure from the Xiao Sect, she should receive the most severe punishment... fifteen years confined to the back mountain, forbidden to step out of the Valley of Contemplation for even half a step within those fifteen years!"

Chu Yueli averted her gaze and said nothing more.

"Then what are you waiting for? Take her to that Valley of Contemplation!" Xiao Kuangyun roared, his face grim. Although he was resentful and frustrated, even he, foolish as he might be, understood that Chu Yueli had given him considerable leeway. Otherwise, she could have directly exposed his frame-up, leaving him powerless against Xiao Lingxi and utterly humiliated in front of everyone.

Although Chu Yueli did not publicly expose Xiao Kuangyun or fully clear Xiao Lingxi's name, Xiao Lie still bowed deeply to her, his heart full of gratitude. For one of the dignified Seven Ice Cloud Immortals, a person of such nobility, to go to such lengths for a mere girl from the Xiao Clan was an act of extreme benevolence and kindness... At the very least, she had spared Xiao Lingxi the nightmare of being taken back to the Xiao Sect by Xiao Kuangyun.

"I failed in raising my daughter and deceived the Xiao Clan for over a decade. I, too, deserve severe punishment. Confine me to the Valley of Contemplation as well," Xiao Lie said calmly, looking at Fourth Elder Xiao Cheng as he approached.

With Chu Yueli present, Xiao Cheng dared not act rashly. He didn't utter another word, dutifully leading Xiao Lie and Xiao Lingxi towards the back mountain.

Although it ultimately resulted in a tragic fifteen-year confinement, Xia Qingyue knew that Chu Yueli had done almost everything she could. Xiao Lie's voluntary request to be confined in the Valley of Contemplation with her was clearly to accompany and protect Xiao Lingxi. Perhaps, regarding their safety, there was no longer much to worry about. As for their future, that depended on their own fate.

"Since that's the case, there's no need for us, master and disciple, to remain here," Chu Yueli said faintly after Xiao Lingxi and Xiao Lie were led away. "Young Master Xiao, I will be in this vicinity until you leave Flowing Cloud City... Qingyue, let's go."

Chu Yueli's last few words made Xiao Kuangyun secretly grit his teeth... "I will be in this vicinity until you leave Flowing Cloud City" was clearly a warning for him not to harbor any ideas about Xiao Lingxi! Although she had only ensured Xiao Lingxi's safety, if she chose to protect someone, she would see it through to the end.

After Chu Yueli departed with Xia Qingyue, Xiao Kuangyun slammed his fist heavily onto the armrest of his chair, shattering the grand armchair into splinters on the floor. He had expected to obtain two beauties capable of toppling nations, but after all his scheming, he had gained absolutely nothing. The only outcome was forcing an insignificant person away and confining two individuals to the Xiao Clan's Valley of Contemplation, which was entirely different from what he had intended!

What he didn't realize at that moment was that not only had he gained nothing, but he had also sown the seeds of utter disaster for himself and the entire Xiao Sect!