Su Li rolled her eyes out of boredom. In her mind, she silently counted: three, two, one.

Master Hao Yuan descended gracefully. A streak of sword intent directly broke off Master Zhiyu’s imposing aura, enclosing Su Li in his protective shield.

Su Buyu looked up at the True Monarch, handsome like a True Immortal, her eyes in a daze, lips slightly parted, murmuring softly: Hao Yuan... True Monarch....

Master Zhiyu was gently repelled by a soft power, though not injured, she couldn’t save face.

"Master Hao Yuan, what do you mean by this?"

A phrase suddenly popped into Su Li’s mind: My indomitable hero will come riding on rainbow clouds, rescuing me from fire and water.

At this moment, Master Hao Yuan was just like a gigantic 120,000-watt bulb, his whole being glowing brightly.

He shielded Su Li behind his broad shoulders, his tone unwavering, though he didn’t question loudly, his aura of authority made one want to kneel and tremble.

"Master Zhiyu, why such anger? Though Ah Lee is mischievous, she is inherently kind and filial.... if there’s any fault, I ask True Man to forgive her for her difficult return from the Endless Abyss, and to be more tolerant."

Master Hao Yuan’s protective behavior was all too evident.

The disciples of Bijian Peak had entered slightly later, only having heard tell of Master Hao Yuan’s affection towards Su Li twenty years ago, not having witnessed it firsthand, believing the rumors exaggerated. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Master Hao Yuan was known for being indifferent and serious, renowned for his fairness and strictness, though he had never ceased searching for Su Li for years. Despite this, not only the disciples of Bijian Peak but the entire Sword Sect found it hard to believe such a reserved person could harbor such passionate feelings.

He was born to sit high above, observing the mortal dust below with cold detachment.

Before today, Su Buyu had also thought the same as others.

Fifteen years ago, when she shed her mortal body and followed Master Bi Hai and Master Zhiyu from the Human World’s capital city to the Sword Sect, the first thing she saw was Master Hao Yuan.

During that glance, her heart fell irrevocably.

Sitting at the head of the table, Master Hao Yuan cast a light sideways glance, which made her incredibly nervous.

Master Hao Yuan was peerlessly beautiful, with elegant immortal charm, admired by countless female cultivators.

At that time, Su Buyu thought, what kind of extraordinary beauty could capture his heart?

But that person... was definitely not the mischievous and dull Su Li described by her parents.

Before entering Bijian Peak, she knew her parents had another biological daughter who unfortunately fell into the Endless Abyss five years ago.

Moreover, such a daughter with poor aptitude, and a long-standing thorn in her parents’ hearts, she paid little mind to.

These years, she kept some fantasies in her heart, working diligently in cultivation, hoping one day she could...

But those fantasies were shattered today.

Watching like this, Su Buyu felt like her heart was soaked in bitter water, sour and astringent.

She tasted the poison of jealousy for the first time, each word Master Hao Yuan spoke defending Su Li burned her heart, liver, and lungs like the strongest poison in the world.

Master Zhiyu wanted to explode in anger but hesitated.

Master Hao Yuan: "Su Li, come here and apologize to Master Zhiyu."

The doting tone made everyone present gain new insight into Master Hao Yuan’s affection for Su Li.

Ah, in such a scene, an ordinary girl could easily fall.

That strange feeling came again.

She felt the whole world seemed to harbor malice towards her. Except for the one source of warmth, Master Hao Yuan.

Relatives mercilessly striking hard, casually scolding and belittling, the indifference of sect peers... in such a dark environment, the sudden appearance of a ray of light, how enticing must it be to someone inside, perhaps like the last straw of salvation and redemption.

Wishing to grasp it tightly.

As for why Su Li saw through it?

Don’t ask, if asked, she is a gifted girl favored by destiny.

Su Li lazily lifted her eyelids, "No, I disagree."

Master Hao Yuan: "....." His gentle facial contours were once again frozen, hard as ice.

He frowned in displeasure, obviously somewhat angry, yet his tone remained gentle, quite patient, "Dear, do not cause trouble."

"I went to the Deep Sea Peak to retrieve the sea lotus for you, just in time to remove the Abyssal Miasma that stained you."

The disciples were suddenly enlightened, realizing that during these past days, Master Hao Yuan had gone to the Deep Sea Peak for Su Li.

The Deep Sea Peak is very far from the Sword Sect, and the journey is fraught with many perils and obstacles. The most dangerous being the Deep Sea Peak’s volcanic crater.

It is said that even those above the cultivation level of True Monarch entering face fierce threats of nearly certain death.

While the sea lotus grows in the volcanic crater.

The sea lotus is not very useful, and picking it is extremely dangerous, few would purposely risk their lives to collect a spiritual plant that merely clears the mind on the Qingling Platform.

Other spirit plants that clear the mind on Qingling Platform are numerous, but only the sea lotus can remove Abyssal Miasma.

Hearing this, others would be moved to tears, but Su Li remained calm, lowering her gaze to glance at the fiery red sea lotus frozen in the transparent jade box.

"Looks peculiar to me." Su Li objectively commented.

These words would stir outrage not only in Master Hao Yuan but even among other onlookers.

Each was indignant, feeling Su Li was truly unappreciative.

A few, especially Su Buyu and Master Zhiyu were most furious.

Su Buyu: "Master’s genuine affection for Sister is truly enviable." Su Buyu couldn’t help but speak sourly.

Master Zhiyu’s gaze had been fixed on the sea lotus ever since Master Hao Yuan took it out, reluctant to look away.

The sea lotus... would also aid in the recovery of her Taoist Body.

It was unclear how Master Hao Yuan found it.

Master Bi Hai and her husband had sent people to Deep Sea Peak but failed to find the sea lotus, and their dispatched team barely escaped intact.

Master Zhiyu pursed her lips, reluctantly pulling her gaze from the sea lotus, softened her tone, though slightly stiff, saying to Su Li: "The True Monarch’s good intentions, you should quickly accept."

Su Li: "For me?"

Master Hao Yuan nodded complexly.

Everyone said he was extremely good to Su Li, a low-cultivated female cultivator receiving favor from a True Monarch, she must be a person destined by fate.

She ought to be grateful, loving, and devoted.

Yet only he knows, no matter how good he is to Su Li, she remains indifferent.

Same twenty years ago, and the same twenty years later.

Just like she smiles and watches your absurd performance.

But despite everything, he still loves... that kind of emotion that wraps around you delicately like a spiderweb, like a poppy rendering him uneasy yet immersed.

Love? Of course.

From seeing the newborn baby Master Zhiyu birthed, the baby abandoned in the cradle by others, his heart ached finely and profoundly.