Chapter 27

Chapter 27: If They Don't Leave, I Won't Forsake

The Gu Ma Temple, nestled deep within the Magic Beast Forest, was one of the ancient remnants left behind in the Lingyun Continent from the primordial era. It opened once every three years, and any spirit user below the Green Rank could enter. The temple consisted of seven levels, with generous rewards awaiting at each tier. It was rumored that Shen Lan, the head of the Shen family, had obtained a precious treasure from the Gu Ma Temple a few years ago. As a result, he had managed to break through the Green Rank in just a short span of time and recently advanced to the Blue Rank, gaining the power to rival the Ye family.

However, only a hundred people were allowed entry into the Gu Ma Temple each time it opened. With millions of spirit users across the Lingyun Continent, competition was fierce. Hence, every year when the temple was set to open, the Lingyun Hall would hold preliminary selections across various regions. After multiple rounds of elimination, the final hundred candidates for the Gu Ma Temple would be determined.

"The Gu Ma Temple is fraught with danger, and in the scramble for treasures, even the Lingyun Hall's members cannot control everyone's actions. Thus, from the selection process itself, life and death are put aside. With Shen Feiyan's abilities, there's no hope for her to secure a spot among the hundred. But compared to Yoyo..."

At this point, Ye Hong let out a helpless sigh. Ye Xiyao now understood. While Shen Feiyan was currently in the middle Red Rank, she, on the other hand, was perceived as a good-for-nothing without spirit roots. In the world of spirit users, a single rank could mean the difference between life and death; the outcome was clear.

Then, Uncle Ye Jingtian added, "The Gu Ma preliminary competition doesn't involve life or death. If Shen Feiyan tries to harm you on the Lingyun Platform, your grandfather and I will be powerless to intervene. But as long as Yao'er doesn't participate in the selection, the Shen family won't be able to do anything."

"Exactly! As long as Yao'er doesn't join, that's all that matters! It's just a matter of losing face, but our Ye family can afford it! Nothing is more important than life!" Ye Jingtian's words illuminated Ye Hong's eyes, and he swiftly made the decision. Though Ye Xiyao didn't speak, she couldn't help being slightly touched.

With a plan in place, smiles returned to the faces of the Ye family patriarch and son. After a few more casual remarks, Ye Xiyao retreated to her room. Upon entering, the young prodigy emerged from her spiritual sense.

"Woah, today was awesome! That Shen witch actually dared to come to our doorstep looking for trouble. She deserved to get beaten up! Even though I can't participate in the Gu Ma preliminary round, which is a bit embarrassing, I'll forgive you, woman, since you performed well today!"

The little prodigy remained as arrogant as ever, casually tossing out the phrase "two hundred fifty-eight thousand." After that, he plopped down on a chair beside him, swinging his short legs while grabbing a bunch of grapes to pop into his mouth. But at this moment, Ye Xiyao suddenly spoke up:

"You think that if I don't participate, everything will be settled?"

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" The little prodigy was taken aback, looking up at Ye Xiyao. In response, she couldn't help but sneer coldly.

The Shen family had always been despicable. Since Shen Feiyan could speak up today, they would undoubtedly find a way to force her participation in the preliminary round. Even if she backed out later, the Shen family wouldn't spare her life; they might even implicate the entire Ye family!

Ye Xiyao didn't say anything, but the little prodigy soon grasped the situation and started wailing in anger. However, after his outburst, he still couldn't resist stealing glances at Ye Xiyao. After a moment, he whispered softly,

"Well, then... what should we do? Should we run away...?"

"Run? Where would we run? And do you think the Ye family would abandon me?"

The little prodigy was left speechless. Ye Xiyao lifted her gaze to glance at him, then her eyes narrowed as she softly said,

"I've said before, if others don't forsake me, I won't leave them. This applies to the past, the present, and the future!"

Hearing this, the little prodigy fell silent, his mind involuntarily recalling Ye Xiyao's experiences in the post-apocalyptic world of her previous life. Finally, he understood and pursed his lips slightly. With a flick of his hand, a dark golden book instantly appeared in his grasp. Then, with his cheeks puffed out and a hint of awkwardness in his voice, he continued,

"Here, take it! And don't you dare die on me!" As the words echoed, the young lad's figure flickered and vanished without a trace in an instant.