Chapter 975: I Will Become Your Dao Partner

Ye Wenxin lowered her head, considering a response while lightly pinching herself. Long Qingyue’s body was so delicate that a small pinch made her eyes well up with tears.

This was the real deal—no room for retakes.

Forcing herself to ignore Han Shanxue’s thoughts, Ye Wenxin focused on stirring her emotions.

Her eyes were red when she raised her head again a few seconds later. Half restrained, half disbelieving, she felt her acting had gone above and beyond.

Under Han Shanxue’s intent stare, Ye Wenxin squeezed out, “Why did you kill her…? How could you…”

Her voice choked, and tears soon slid down her cheeks. She fully embodied the grief and fury of someone devastated by loss.

So moved by the sight, Han Shanxue bowed her head.

No matter how much of an ice queen she was, the twenty-year-old Han Shanxue was essentially a child. She could never be a match for this granny.

When Han Shanxue didn’t explain, Ye Wenxin shoved her as hard as she could, only to find it didn’t budge her.

“Miss Ye, this is my fault, and I should be paying with my life. But I can’t afford to die right now. Once I have settled my grudge, my life will be yours to do with as you see fit.”

Han Shanxue’s sentences kept getting longer. Ye Wenxin wondered if everything she’d said today would sum up her words from the past few decades.

Emotion flickered in those icy eyes. Remorse and self-blame had overtaken Han Shanxue’s mind.

Ye Wenxin immediately saw an opportunity. However, since she was supposed to be grieving, she sneered. “What use is punishment? She’s already gone!”

Han Shanxue opened her mouth but could find no words.

Ye Wenxin sighed and pointed toward the door. “I don’t want to look at you right now. Leave.”

Han Shanxue froze, conflicted. It had been a mistake. The two had only been trying to obtain the Phoenix Feather Robe, but the Heart Jade’s power had knocked them unconscious. Han Shanxue had taken advantage of that moment and killed Ghost Mother.

She looked at Ye Wenxin. Despite her anger and sorrow, her too-kind heart had chosen not to punish her beloved’s murderer. Deeply moved, Han Shanxue thought it over before adding, “If you don’t mind, Miss Ye, I am willing to become your Dao partner.”

“……”

This was starting to veer in a strange direction, yet Han Shanxue’s eyes and thoughts were resolute. Ye Wenxin didn’t want a Dao partner when she still had a group of women waiting to be dealt with. Besides, she didn’t even know what the girl looked like, let alone have any special feelings toward her.

“I don’t want you,” Ye Wenxin firmly rejected her again. “You’re not her.”

But Han Shanxue wouldn’t back down. After some hesitation, she removed her veil.

A stunning face emerged as the veil came off. Although not as ethereal as Fairy Fengya, her cold beauty held no equal yet gave off the impression of frigidity.

“I may not be as breathtaking as Miss Gu,” Han Shanxue started promoting herself, “but I believe my looks are still decent.”

It was the only thing she felt she could offer.

“You can’t take the place she holds in my heart. Miss Han, please leave,” Ye Wenxin repeated.

Han Shanxue was beginning to seem as stubborn as Fairy Fengya. Pursuing ascension and what they believed was right while never considering what others wanted. So what if they were a little pretty or gifted? What did that have to do with her?

Han Shanxue’s behavior reminded her of when Fairy Fengya had tried to force her into becoming Dao partners. They were both self-centered.

Maybe these beautiful women figured they were so dazzling that no one could reject them.

But Ye Wenxin refused to delay someone else’s entire future on a passing whim.

Seeing her face turning cold, Han Shanxue thought she wasn’t being sincere enough. “Miss Ye, I mean it.”

Practicing ice-type cultivation required nonindulgence. Han Shanxue was no exception. She couldn’t love like an ordinary person. However, if the other person only wanted her as a person or her body, she could endure it.

“So do I. I’m heartbroken, full of grief, and want nothing more than to kill you. But the dead can’t come back.” Ye Wenxin gestured toward the door again. “I need time to calm down. Please, leave for now.”

She even used her qi to push Han Shanxue out of the room.

Han Shanxue didn’t resist. She stood outside the door for a while, wondering what part of her was not attractive enough.

Ye Wenxin liked women. Logically, she shouldn’t have been rejected so thoroughly. Han Shanxue couldn’t fathom how ordinary people thought.

Thinking of her master, who died tragically because of love, she clenched her fists, frost appearing around her as if hail were about to fall.

But Han Shanxue quickly reined herself in. She put her veil back on and walked into the darkness. She didn’t stay near Ye Wenxin this time.

Ye Wenxin’s heart thumped hard in her chest. She hadn’t expected this development. Considering Han Shanxue’s serious personality and the thoughts she’d overheard, the girl would not give up so easily.

But Ye Wenxin couldn’t accept another Dao partner right away. Han Shanxue would think she was fickle, and future confrontations with her could end even worse.

The more she thought about it, the more tangled her feelings became. Even after changing bodies, melodramatic nonsense clung to her like a curse. She sighed, slowly shifted in bed, and finally muttered a spell to force herself to sleep. Thus, a long, quiet night passed.

……

Ye Wenxin woke up in the morning to a knocking on her door.

She curiously opened the door, only to see Han Shanxue standing there. Today, she wore an uncharacteristically simple and elegant outfit, but that black veil still hid her face.

“Miss Han, is something the matter?” Ye Wenxin asked, not sure why she had come.

Han Shanxue nodded and pointed inside, asking to be let in. Ye Wenxin hesitated, thinking this was about yesterday’s confession again. “I already told you I don’t want to see you and won’t agree to something so foolish.”

Han Shanxue’s expression remained unchanged, her eyes indifferent. Ye Wenxin suspected these ice-element cultivators had no hearts and acted purely on instinct.

Seeing her so guarded, Han Shanxue stood at the door and stated her purpose. “I thought it over last night. About what else I can offer besides myself.”