Chapter 95: Test Mice

Chapter 95: Test Mice

"Brother Qi, five years ago, I asked you if you had been to the Linwang Secret Realm, and you said you had!" Kong Qianyun's heart was in turmoil. Seeing that Qi Qingxiong seemed unaware of the situation, she spoke up to try to awaken his memory.

Qi Qingxiong still looked confused: "I have indeed been to the Linwang Secret Realm, but... what's the connection? Are you trying to say that I saved you in the secret realm?"

In the end, he himself shook his head in denial: "Impossible, I didn't see you in the secret realm. We first met three years ago at an exchange meeting between disciples of the Yunxiao Sect and the Suyin Sect."

Kong Qianyun's mind suddenly went blank, and she couldn't hear anything for a moment. After a long while, she hurriedly asked Qi Qingxiong for confirmation: "Brother Qi, when I was being chased by monsters in the secret realm, it was you who saved me with the Qingfeng Sword. When I woke up, I had already been safely teleported outside the secret realm."

“I’ve always wanted to repay your kindness, but I didn’t know your name until the exchange meeting two years later, when I saw your natal sword and confirmed your identity. After that, we gradually had more interactions. Think about it carefully?” Kong Qianyun’s eyes were full of hope, hoping that he could remember.

As Qi Qingxiong listened to her words, his brows furrowed even more. He could sense that Kong Qianyun's words were true, but he had always fought alone in the Linwang Secret Realm and had never interfered in the affairs of other cultivators.

My natal sword.

Thinking this, Qi Qingxiong made a grasping motion with his right hand, and a sword shadow flashed. The Qingfeng Sword appeared in his hand, its sharp aura filling the air. He held it horizontally in front of him and asked, "Are you sure it's this?"

"It's it!" Kong Qianyun exclaimed excitedly. "I will never forget that it saved me from the monster when I was about to be killed by it! Brother Qi, you are my savior!"

Qi Qingji looked at their reactions and vaguely understood something, yet he seemed to understand nothing at all. He stood there, stunned, listening to their conversation.

Si Nidie rested her chin on her hand, feeling somewhat puzzled. Kong Qianyun's ability to judge people by their swordsmanship was correct; a sword cultivator's natal sword is unique and serves as their symbol.

For example, Sword Master Chengfeng, when he draws his Seven Emotions Sword, few people fail to recognize his identity. But my junior sister said that Kong Qianyun mistook him for someone else, and that must be true.

Which link in the chain went wrong?

While pondering, Si Nidie suddenly turned her head to look at Lou Yuqing. Oh no, her junior sister's thoughts haven't been heard for a long time. Could she have noticed something?

Turning her head, she saw her staring intently in the direction of Qi Qingxiong and Kong Qianyun, her eyes brighter than the sun in the sky, looking completely absorbed in the gossip.

Si Nidie: "..." Actually, my junior sister is also a bit thick-skinned.

Unlike the now quiet valley, the disciples outside the small world were in an uproar upon seeing this scene, especially the people from the Cloud Soaring Sect, the Star Pavilion, and the Su Yin Sect.

What exactly happened between them?

“If Senior Brother Qi said he didn’t save her, then he definitely didn’t.” — Yunxiao Sect disciple.

"I think Qi Qingxiong is pretending to be stupid on purpose, not wanting to accept Kong Qianyun's advances." — Xingchen Pavilion disciple.

“Senior Sister Kong wouldn’t mistake her natal sword; it’s definitely that guy Qi Qingxiong.” — Su Yin Sect disciple.

Each sect disciple has a very clear stance.

At the same time, Lou Yuqing's inner thoughts broke the frozen atmosphere.

In a way, mistaking someone for someone else was a rather farcical incident.

Qi Qingxiong is one of the most outstanding disciples of the Yunxiao Sect in the contemporary era. He and his fellow disciples, who are equally famous, are fierce rivals, and the two have had many conflicts in their competition.

[During the Linwang Secret Realm, they met in the Inheritance Palace and fought fiercely for the inheritance of the Secret Realm's master, with sand and stones flying everywhere.]

Just then, the strange beasts of the Inheritance Palace could no longer stand by and watch. They roared and dispersed the two men's attacks, sweeping their natal swords out of the palace in the process.

Upon hearing this, Qi Qingxiong felt a vague premonition rising in his heart.

The next moment.

[Coincidentally, the two men's natal swords switched places and landed next to their opponent. Just like that, Qi Qingxiong's Qingfeng Sword ended up in the hands of his formidable foe.]

The two didn't have time to exchange swords; they were busy evading the beast's pursuit. They split up and went about ten miles away from the inheritance palace before the beast gave up the chase and returned to the palace.

Qi Qingxiong: "..." Sure enough.

Kong Qianyun froze for a moment, her heart pounding rapidly. She seemed to know what was about to happen.

When this person flew back to the Inheritance Palace, he saw Kong Qianyun facing a life-or-death crisis. He drew his sword and killed the demonic beast, then teleported her outside the secret realm.

[Actually, this person and Qi Qingxiong had nothing in common in appearance or clothing, but unfortunately Kong Qianyun only remembered one feature: the Qingfeng Sword, before she fell into a coma.]

[By a twist of fate, she mistook her benefactor for someone else.]

Lou Yuqing was filled with emotion.

Everyone: "..."

It's outrageous yet somehow makes sense.

Kong Qianyun clenched her fists and asked tremblingly, "Brother Qi, has your natal sword ever been lost?"

Qi Qingxiong stared into her eyes: "It was in the Linwang Secret Realm that I fought with my fellow disciples, and my natal sword fell into his hands. He should be your savior."

Kong Qianyun's pupils dilated in shock. She had actually mistaken someone for someone else. After a long while, she murmured, "How could this be?"

At this moment, her mind was in turmoil. Brother Qi was a good person, and she liked him, but she couldn't forget the figure that saved her when she was in despair.

If they weren't the same person, would her affection still be pure? She knew in her heart that this affection was mixed with many factors, but one thing was undeniable: first, there was the life-saving grace, and then there was the heartfelt promise.

Every effect has a cause.

"Brother Qi, are you even slightly tempted by me?" Clinging to her last glimmer of hope, Kong Qianyun shook off her dejected look and stared intently into Qi Qingxiong's eyes.

At this moment, she had long forgotten Qi Qingxiong's warning not to say such things in front of Qi Qingji.

Qi Qingxiong subconsciously looked at Qi Qingji, only to see Qi Qingji glaring at him with annoyance. He gave a wry smile; his cousin still knew. Oh well, he couldn't hide it from him after all.

Under Kong Qianyun's gaze, he slowly shook his head: "No."

"Really...not at all?" Kong Qianyun's eyes were filled with sorrow, her former brightness gone, which pained Qi Qingji's heart.

It turns out that Qianyun's feelings for Qingxiong were not those of a brother and sister.

Qi Qingxiong looked at Kong Qianyun apologetically, then sighed softly and reiterated, "Fellow Daoist Qianyun, I have never had any romantic feelings for you from beginning to end. If I have given you the wrong impression before, I apologize."

“You haven’t wronged me, you just don’t like me.” Kong Qianyun’s voice was barely audible. “You haven’t given me any false impressions either, it was just my wishful thinking.”

This mysterious female voice made her realize one thing: a woman pursuing a man might be like climbing a mountain.

Brother Qi was single-mindedly pursuing the way of the sword and showed no interest in female cultivators. She once thought it was her chance, but now she realized that she had also been excluded.

There was still a lack of fate between her and Brother Qi. If he had saved her, if he had ever had feelings for her, she would never have given up on pursuing Brother Qi.

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs".

A flash of white light appeared in Qi Qingxiong's hand as he handed over an ancient book, his eyes revealing a hint of reluctance: "This sword manual was a gift you gave me at the exchange meeting. I didn't know it was a thank-you gift you gave to your savior. Take it back and give it to the right person."

“Brother Qi also gave me a protective magic weapon. We can only consider it as exchanging gifts.” Kong Qianyun did not look at the sword manual, but asked, “Who is that person? Please tell me, Brother Qi.”

In any case, we must repay the kindness; we can deal with other things later.

Qi Qingxiong took back the sword manual. There was a possibility that he might keep it, so he naturally didn't want to let it go. He replied, "He also came to the Seven Sects Trial this time. With his reputation in the sect, you can find out by asking around."

"Okay." Kong Qianyun ignored Qi Qingji's attempt to keep her and activated the teleportation jade bracelet. She had some guesses about that person's identity. The only person who could be on par with Brother Qi was him.

Thinking of this, she felt a little embarrassed. In the past, when he and Brother Qi had repeatedly clashed, she had cursed him behind his back. But now the tables had turned.

The teleportation light shone, and Kong Qianyun disappeared from the spot.

Outside the small world, everyone looked completely bewildered.

How suddenly things turned out! Just a moment ago they were discussing whether Kong Qianyun had mistaken someone for someone else, but in the blink of an eye, she seemed to have let it go and actually took the initiative to eliminate herself from the game.

Gu Bugai couldn't help but laugh. Others might not know, but he did. It must have been his little apprentice who used her supernatural powers. It was a good thing that she had defeated an opponent so effortlessly.

Luo Buqi ground his back teeth: "They got off easy, but Qi Qingxiong's team still has six people left. Their luck will soon run out."

The followers remained silent, and it was clear that Senior Brother Luo harbored deep hatred for Wendao Sect and the others, wishing they would be eliminated by the others.

However, they felt it was unlikely.

That fellow Daoist Lou Yuqing is truly skilled.

At the same time, after Kong Qianyun left the small world, Qi Qingji suddenly roared: "Qi Qingxiong, you've been watching me make a fool of myself, aren't you feeling smug!"

Knowing full well that Qianyun admired him but didn't tell him, and thinking about how he had repeatedly tried to win Qianyun's favor in front of Qi Qingxiong, yet Qi Qingxiong hadn't shown any interest, and how he must be secretly mocking him, he was so angry he felt like his head was about to explode.

"Qingji, I..." Qi Qingxiong was at his wits' end, not knowing how to explain. He could no longer maintain his composure, and his face was filled with anxiety and helplessness.

What happens when you don't have a mouth?

Now you're in trouble for not speaking up!

Lou Yuqing said with schadenfreude.

Qi Qingxiong: "..." Don't add fuel to the fire!

"Qi Qingxiong, speak up! Let's see what nonsense you can spout!" Qi Qingji's aura suddenly exploded, his roar propelling his power to new heights.

This doesn't mean he had a bad relationship with Qi Qingxiong; it's precisely because he had a good relationship with Qi Qingxiong that he couldn't tolerate the other's concealment.

Qi Qingxiong was certainly aware of this, which was why he was even more troubled.

The disciples of Yunxiao Sect and Xingchen Pavilion looked at him, then at Qi Qingji, wanting to persuade him but not knowing where to begin. It was obvious that Qi Qingxiong was at fault.

Besides, they are cousins ​​after all, and it's not appropriate for outsiders to interfere.

Si Nidie clenched her fist excitedly: Let's fight! Let's fight!

Qi Qingxiong was unaware that someone was hoping he and his cousin would fight. Finally, he composed himself and said, "Qingji, we're brothers. I won't, and haven't, mocked you. I thought about telling you before, but I was afraid you wouldn't be able to accept it, so I hinted at it to you several times. Who knew..."

"So it's still my fault? Tell me, when did you ever hint at it to me!" Qi Qingji was furious, feeling that he was shirking responsibility.

The next moment.

Of course you're partly to blame.

[Which of those incidents—the one involving the West Slope Mountains, the one involving Minghuan City, the one involving the Foggy City Sea—didn't they all hint at something to you?]

How oblivious can you be to mistake Kong Qianyun's concern for Qi Qingxiong for sibling interaction? Their affection is practically unspoken!

Qi Qingji's anger faltered, and the images in his mind flashed by as the mysterious female voice rang out. He suddenly understood that Qianyun's expression was one of shyness and joy at seeing her beloved.

"Qingji..." Qi Qingxiong saw his cousin fall silent and couldn't help but grip his natal sword tighter. He didn't know much about matters of the heart and didn't know why there were so many lovesick men and women in the world, but he knew that anyone who suffered setbacks in love would not feel good.

Qi Qingji was so embarrassed by his own stupidity that he cried. After calming down, he shook his head at him and said, "Brother Qingxiong, I shouldn't have gotten angry with you." As he spoke, he took out a bottle of pills and said, "These are the latest ones I've made. Consider them an apology to you."

Qi Qingxiong sighed, "Alright." If he didn't accept the pills, Qingji probably wouldn't feel at ease.

Si Nidie looked regretful. They hadn't actually fought. If her junior sister had revealed the truth a little later, would they have been able to fight?

Just as she was feeling extremely regretful, Lou Yuqing's inner thoughts surfaced again.

I truly admire Qi Qingxiong; he can still be lively and energetic after consuming bottle after bottle of pills with all sorts of bizarre effects.

Si Nidie instantly perked up.

Qi Qingxiong paused, his hand still holding the pills. Based on the previous verification, what the mysterious female voice said could be basically confirmed to be true. So, this bottle of pills…

He instinctively looked at Qi Qingji, only to see a guilty look flash in Qi Qingji's eyes.

Qi Qingxiong's expression gradually turned serious. He opened the jade bottle, and the pill inside was round and about the size of a fingernail, emitting a powerful fragrance. It was clearly a Soul Nourishing Pill.

Upon seeing this pill, he felt somewhat conflicted. The Soul Nourishing Pill was difficult to refine, and even though Qing Ji possessed exceptional talent in alchemy, it must have taken a great deal of effort to refine it.

He decided to give his cousin a chance to confess: "Qi Qingji, tell me, what kind of pill is this?"

He used his spiritual power when he spoke, and his voice was like a great bell, directly reaching Qi Qingji's ears, making the already guilty Qi Qingji even more uneasy.

"The Soul-Nourishing Pill... " Qi Qingji gritted his teeth and said. Damn it, why did this mysterious female voice have to mention even this? He and Qi Qingxiong are brothers, so it's not a problem to ask her to help test the effects of the medicine.

Qi Qingxiong's eyes darkened, and his tone struck straight to the heart: "Is that so?"

"Brother Qingxiong, what do you mean by this? Do you suspect I'm trying to harm you?" Qi Qingji's heart skipped a beat. He felt he should be more assertive and immediately accused, "I've worked hard to refine pills for you, but you disregard our brotherhood and rebuke me. What did I do wrong? The Soul-Nourishing Pill was painstakingly refined to give you a surprise. If you don't want it, just give it back to me!"

Qi Qingji spoke more and more fluently, eventually convincing himself of his own lies, and looked extremely aggrieved.

Qi Qingxiong hesitated. Could it be that he had really wronged Qingji this time?

Just then.

Qi Qingji lies without batting an eye; he clearly used his cousin as a guinea pig for drug testing, but he insisted it was his own feelings for Qi Qingxiong.

Everyone: !!!