Wei Qingshan was the fifth young lady of the direct lineage of the Wei family. Since childhood, she had been pampered and doted upon, and no one dared to act presumptuously in front of her.
However, that was when she was within the Wei family. Now she was in the Giant's Realm, and no one would show her any leniency because of her family.
After calmly analyzing her current situation, she threw the Tianyang Flower in front of the five people.
Wei Jiu's brow twitched, and he wanted to say something, but he ultimately remained silent.
The woman opposite them picked up the Tianyang Flower and examined it. She confirmed that it was undamaged and nodded to her companions. Then, she put the Tianyang Flower into her storage pouch.
The five people kept their promise and did not attack Wei Qingshan and Wei Jiu after receiving the Tianyang Flower. Instead, they turned and left.
But after only a few steps, the woman, for some unknown reason, suddenly turned back and said to Wei Qingshan, "This is no place for a pampered young lady like you. Relying on others will never lead to greatness."
Wei Qingshan was stunned at first, then anger surged. Before she could speak, Wei Jiu interrupted, "What nonsense are you spouting? Which of your eyes saw my young lady relying on others?"
The woman sneered, "Do you really think we just arrived? We saw the scene of you fighting that guardian beast. This young lady was hiding behind you, and you protected her flawlessly."
"We are companions, and we should protect each other. According to your logic, aren't you also relying on others?"
Wei Jiu found this woman inexplicable. Not to mention that his identity was already the young lady's guard, even if they were companions, it was natural for him to protect his young lady.
"Me? I'm different from her. I rely on myself."
The woman had always looked down on pampered young ladies who depended on others for survival. Her say in the team was earned through her own efforts.
She firmly believed that only through hardships and trials could one ascend to true enlightenment. She didn't envy Wei Qingshan's status; she only disdained it.
Disdain for them having excellent conditions yet being lazy and unmotivated.
"You..."
The woman's words were too sharp, and Wei Jiu was furious.
"Wei Jiu." Wei Qingshan placed her hand on Wei Jiu's hand and shook her head at him.
She didn't know why this woman harbored hostility towards her, but she knew that if they fought, they would be at a disadvantage.
After a year of adventuring in the Giant's Realm, she was no longer the Wei Qingshan of the past.
Seeing this, the woman frowned slightly, her disappointment growing.
As expected, the young lady didn't even have the courage to confront her. She shouldn't have said those words to her.
"Let's go."
"Hold on, everyone."
The woman stopped in her tracks and, along with her companions, looked up. They saw two dark figures perched on the branches ahead.
Upon closer inspection, they realized they weren't dark figures but a female cultivator with a bright smile and a bald bird.
The woman spread her divine sense and, upon realizing she couldn't penetrate the female cultivator's cultivation level, her attitude immediately became much more respectful.
"Senior, what is your command?"
Wei Qingshan and Wei Jiu's eyes widened. Wasn't this the female stall owner they had encountered before entering the Giant's Realm?
The two also clasped their fists and bowed, "Greetings, Senior."
The woman and her companions' expressions changed. This was bad; they seemed to know each other. Could they be here to intervene on their behalf?
Xu Yi smiled and said without reservation, "I want that Tianyang Flower."
Double-crossing others was her favorite pastime.
The woman took out the Tianyang Flower without hesitation and held it up with both hands.
Xu Yi was not surprised. This female cultivator had a resolute expression, clearly accustomed to the hardships of the Nine Provinces Continent, and was very sensible.
Xu Yi flicked her finger, and the Tianyang Flower detached from the woman's hand and floated in front of her.
Just as Xu Yi was about to put it into her storage ring, a black shadow flashed before her eyes.
She turned her head and saw the little mountain eagle crunching the Tianyang Flower into pieces and swallowing it whole.
"Chirp chirp!"
The little mountain eagle's tone was full of joy.
Xu Yi: !!!
"Chirp chirp!" The little mountain eagle affectionately rubbed its small head against Xu Yi's shoulder, melting away Xu Yi's anger.
Xu Yi told herself that this was her own retribution, and she would endure it.
"You may leave now." Xu Yi's attitude became much more listless, and she waved her hand.
The woman's heart rejoiced. They were being released so easily. She truly was a senior of high standing, broad-minded.
She gave her companion a look and quickly walked in another direction. Then, she heard Xu Yi's faint voice from behind:
"This is no place for cultivators with low cultivation like you. Huddling together will never lead to greatness."
Wei Qingshan and Wei Jiu were stunned. Wasn't this exactly what the woman had said to them earlier? Now, the senior had slightly altered the words and returned them.
The two lowered their heads, their faces filled with smiles.
The woman's body stiffened, and her hands clenched into fists. She pretended not to hear and walked a few more steps forward. However, in the end, she ignored her companion's obstruction, stopped, turned around, and angrily questioned, "Didn't seniors also have a time of low cultivation? And the idea of huddling together is even more laughable. This place is full of dangers, and only by traveling together can we survive. I simply want to rely on my own efforts to live, what is wrong with that?"
"You are not wrong." Xu Yi's smile faded slightly, her brows sharp, giving her a somewhat imposing air. "Then, is she wrong for having a distinguished background?"
Although Xu Yi did not name names, everyone present knew she was referring to Wei Qingshan.
The woman was silent for a long time, her voice slightly hoarse. "Her background is not wrong, but her lack of ambition is wrong."
Her hostility towards Wei Qingshan stemmed mostly from her frustration at her lack of drive.
"Then where did you see that she lacks ambition? She is adventuring in the Giant's Realm with her Nascent Soul stage cultivation. Doesn't that prove she is working hard? Or did she not contribute at all during the fight with that great demon?"
Xu Yi actually admired the woman. Although she had spoken rudely to Wei Qingshan, she didn't intend to harm her. She was a talent worth cultivating.
"If she were truly as unmotivated as you say, you wouldn't see her here. Perhaps she doesn't walk on the edge of a blade like you, but she is cultivating in her own way."
Xu Yi jumped down from the tree, her expression serious.
"Senior."
Wei Qingshan was so touched that her eyes welled up. She looked at the woman and said earnestly, "Senior is right. I dare not slack off in my cultivation. You can deny my strength, but you cannot deny my effort."
The woman's expression was complex. Had she really misunderstood this young lady?
Her lips moved as if she wanted to speak, but her pupils suddenly widened.
*Splat!*
A dark mass fell to the ground, paws facing the sky, letting out aggrieved chirps.
Xu Yi brushed off the non-existent dust on her clothes, coolly thinking that it was fortunate she had dodged quickly.
"Senior, I've understood everything you just said." The woman was momentarily dazed, then her eyes became resolute. "Fellow Daoist, I misspoke just now. I hope you will forgive me." m..oΓg
Truly a teachable student, Xu Yi was satisfied.
She raised her hand, took out a jade bottle, and flicked it towards the woman. "Since we've met today, it's a form of fate. Take this."
"Thank you, Senior."
The woman took the jade bottle, bowed respectfully, and disappeared from Xu Yi's sight with her companion.
As soon as they left, Senior Xu Yi could no longer maintain her dignified demeanor.
She walked over to the little mountain eagle lying motionlessly on the ground and said helplessly, "It was my fault for not catching you just now. Can you get up now?"