Understanding

Morning. The blazing sun pierced through the thin morning mist.

Qin Gou, Chi Yu, and Chen Keshua headed to the dining hall together. Even Qin Gou couldn’t help but notice that Chi Yu, once tall and imposing, was now shrinking. He was nearly the same height as the chubby Chen Keshua. It seemed inevitable that Chi Yu would soon revert to her female form, with Chi Yuchao’s consciousness taking over.

During breakfast, Chen Keshua engaged in an all-out battle with the food, while Chi Yu sat silently, visibly troubled. Qin Gou, however, noticed something else—the way the Mystic Maiden Palace disciples were looking at them. Their gazes, sharp and focused, were completely different from the day before. They looked like wolves observing prey.

This kind of look, in the outside world, was usually reserved for lecherous men ogling beauties. But here in the Mystic Maiden Palace, the roles were completely reversed.

–

“Hey, red-haired shorty!” A fiery red-dressed girl stood up from her seat and walked over to Chi Yu, her hands on her hips. “I’m Yan Huixue of the Mystic Maiden Palace. I challenge you to a fair fight. Do you dare accept?”

Chi Yu glanced at her coldly. “I’m not in the mood today. Don’t bother me.”

—

Chen Keshua, ever the peacemaker, smiled and said, “Sister, it’s breakfast time. My Brother Chi Yu hasn’t finished eating yet. How about we—”

Before he could finish, there was a loud bang. Yan Huixue kicked over their table, sending the food scattering across the floor. Planting her dainty foot on a fallen dish, she sneered, “Eat? Go ahead and eat. Crawl on the ground and lick it clean!”

“Yan Sister is so cool!”

“Teach those arrogant men a lesson!”

The surrounding disciples cheered, fanning the flames.

“Hey! You can’t do that—I wasn’t done eating!” Chen Keshua protested, though he showed no fear. After spending so much time with Qin Gou, he was no longer the naive fool he once was.

Qin Gou smirked. “Chi Yu, are you going to let this slide?”

—

Chi Yu stood up immediately, her eyes cold as she stared at Yan Huixue. “Where did this brat come from? No manners at all. Fine. Since you’re looking for death, I’ll grant your wish.”

“What did you call me?” Yan Huixue’s eyes burned with anger. In the Mystic Maiden Palace, calling someone a “brat” was a grave insult.

Chi Yu turned and walked toward an open area. “Stop wasting time. Come and die.”

—

“At least you’ve got some guts,” Yan Huixue scoffed.

“Shut up!” Chi Yu snapped, her voice filled with fury. “For that comment, I’m going to make you regret it.”

—

The confrontation quickly drew a crowd of disciples, both from the Mystic Maiden Palace and the visiting male disciples. This was the first clash between the two groups, and everyone was eager to see how it would unfold.

Yan Huixue summoned her life-bound spiritual tool—a long, patterned whip resembling a monstrous python. Seeing it, Qin Gou couldn’t help but think of Gu Feiyan. A whip like this might suit her even better than her Piercing Illusion Eyes. After all, she always had a whip in hand, either using it or on her way to use it.

—

Crack!

The whip lashed out with a sharp, slicing sound, cutting through the air like a blade.

Chi Yu, however, didn’t move. She stood perfectly still, like a spear planted in the ground. She didn’t summon her life-bound spiritual tool or even draw a weapon.

—

“Is that all? You talk big, but when it comes to action, you’re just a coward,” Yan Huixue mocked, laughing.

But just as the whip was about to strike Chi Yu’s face, a strange white vortex appeared on her chest. From it emerged a slender, jade-like arm, which caught the whip with precision.

—

“What the hell is that?” Yan Huixue’s eyes widened in shock, stunned by Chi Yu’s bizarre counter.

Holding the whip with the mysterious third arm, Chi Yu began walking toward Yan Huixue, her steps calm and deliberate.

—

“Let go!” Yan Huixue shouted, pulling hard on the whip. Sharp barbs sprouted along its length.

The jade-like hand was instantly covered in blood, but it retracted into the vortex and reemerged moments later, completely healed. It even wagged a finger at Yan Huixue, as if mocking her.

—

“You little brat. Watch how I deal with you,” Chi Yu said suddenly.

“What did you just call me?!” Yan Huixue’s face turned red with rage.

But then Chi Yu’s expression shifted. “Wait, I didn’t say that. I’m not the kind of person to—” Her voice changed again. “I’ll crush you, brat! You kicked over my table; I’ll pin you to the ground! No, no, that’s not what I meant—”

—

Chi Yu seemed to be arguing with herself, her words disjointed and erratic. The crowd was baffled, but Qin Gou’s expression grew serious. He turned to Chen Keshua and said, “Looks like my ‘good brother’ is about to show up. If Chi Yu doesn’t finish this quickly, things could get messy.”

—

Meanwhile, in another part of the palace, Ye Qishuang watched the scene unfold through a tall, ornate mirror, accompanied by Yi Chengying and Gu Caihe.

“It’s finally starting,” Ye Qishuang said, her tone amused.

“Palace Master,” Gu Caihe said cautiously, “Qin Yue already knows the secrets of the Mystic Maiden Palace. Isn’t that a problem?”

Ye Qishuang smiled, her eyes narrowing. “It doesn’t matter. There are only two possibilities for him: he is or he isn’t. Either way, he’s staying. If he’s not the one I’m looking for, you can deal with him however you like.”

—

Gu Caihe’s face lit up with excitement. “Thank you, Palace Master! If he falls into my hands, I’ll make sure he contributes to the Mystic Maiden Palace by creating several Enlightened Body babies.”

“Good thinking,” Ye Qishuang said, her praise making Gu Caihe beam with joy.