Chapter 97: Destroying the Evidence? Senior Sister, I suffered a Qi Deviation while practicing!

In a secluded cave in the back mountain of the Qingyun Sect.

Gu Lan stood before a water mirror, staring at the stubborn mark on his neck.

It was a hickey that had become even more vibrant due to Hongxiu's rubbing earlier, and a flash of determination crossed his eyes.

“Saintess Ji Wushuang, you absolute troll!”

“This is a Golden Core Stage Divine Sense imprint combined with Devilish Qi corrosion. Ordinary ointments can't get rid of it at all!”

Seeing that the sun was about to set and the time to meet Jiang Wanqing was drawing closer, Gu Lan knew he could no longer delay.

With his Eldest Senior Sister's zero-tolerance personality…

If she saw this, she would probably draw her sword and charge straight to the Demon Sect's headquarters, sacrificing him to her banner along the way.

“There's no other way. I have to be ruthless to myself.”

Gu Lan took a deep breath, and a wisp of green flame flickered at his fingertip.

The Green Lotus Core Flame!

“Hiss—this looks painful.”

He gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and pressed his trembling finger against his neck.

“Sizzle—”

The sound of searing flesh, accompanied by a burnt smell, filled the air.

“Ugh!!!”

Gu Lan shuddered violently from the pain.

Cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.

Yet, he didn't make a single sound. He only withdrew his trembling hand after the patch of skin had been burned black, completely erasing any trace of the original mark.

“Whew… Whew…”

Looking at the shocking burn mark in the mirror, although it was painful, he breathed a huge sigh of relief.

“Now it's perfect. No body, no crime.”

He casually smeared some ordinary healing medicine on it, deliberately avoiding the good stuff to make the wound look even more gruesome.

“This is called the self-injury ruse.”

Gu Lan practiced a 'weak yet resilient' expression in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

“Let's go! Time to see the main wife!”

…

Qinghui Peak, Jiang Wanqing's Immortal Cave.

Unlike the blooming splendor of Cuiyun Peak, this place exuded a sense of quiet elegance everywhere.

The courtyard was planted with winter plums. Even though it was not their blooming season, their branches still exuded a proud character.

At this moment, Jiang Wanqing was sitting by the stone table in the courtyard, absentmindedly wiping the hanshuang sword in her hand.

Today, she wore a light blue casual robe.

Her long hair was simply tied up, revealing her slender and elegant neck.

Even without any makeup, her cold and ethereal aura was enough to eclipse the world.

However, those eyes of hers, which were usually as calm as an ancient well…

…kept glancing at the courtyard gate from time to time, hiding a trace of hard-to-detect anxiety and resentment.

“That bastard…”

“He didn't even come to see me first thing after returning. He must have been held back by some vixen again.”

She pursed her lips, wiping her sword even harder.

Just then.

“Senior Sister…”

A slightly weak voice sounded at the entrance.

Jiang Wanqing paused her movements and suddenly looked up.

She saw Gu Lan leaning against the doorframe, his face somewhat pale as he walked in with slightly stumbling steps.

He was still wearing his black high-collared robe, but his collar was askew, and a bandage seeping with blood could be vaguely seen wrapped around his neck.

“Gu Lan?!”

The slight resentment in Jiang Wanqing's heart instantly vanished, replaced by sheer panic and heartache.

“What happened to you? Are you injured?”

She threw down her sword, and with a flash of her figure, she appeared beside Gu Lan, gently supporting him.

“Who hurt you? Was it the remnants of the Demon Sect?”

A chilling Killing Intent erupted from her.

“Cough, cough… No, there are no enemies.”

Gu Lan took the opportunity to fall into her arms, resting his head on her soft, fragrant shoulder, greedily breathing in her comforting, cold scent.

“I was just careless.”

He gave a bitter smile and pointed to the wound on his neck.

“I was thinking that this trip to Tianxiang Valley would be fraught with danger, and I was afraid that my lack of strength would prevent me from protecting myself, bringing shame to our Qingyun Sect.”

“So, I was in a hurry to Cultivate the Blazing Sun Art, but…”

“But I got too impatient, failed to control the exotic fire, and suffered a backlash.”

“Are… are you stupid?!”

Hearing his explanation of doing it 'for the Sect' and 'to become stronger,' Jiang Wanqing's eyes instantly turned red.

She was both angry that he didn't cherish his body and touched by his ambition.

“Cultivation is something that requires gradual progress. How can you be so reckless?”

Supporting Gu Lan as he sat on the stone bench, her hands trembled as she reached to unwrap the bandage on his neck to check the wound.

“Don't look, it's ugly.”

Gu Lan pressed his hand over hers.

“Let me see!”

Jiang Wanqing's tone was firm and brooked no argument.

She gently peeled back the bandage.

When she saw the charred, peeling burn, her heart suddenly ached sharply, and tears began to patter down.

“It's so deep… it must be very painful…”

Her fingertips hovered above the wound, wanting to touch it but not daring to, terrified of hurting him.

“It doesn't hurt. Seeing Senior Sister, it doesn't hurt anymore.”

Looking at her tear-stained face, although Gu Lan felt a bit guilty, he felt even more of a thrill from his success.

This self-injury ruse was totally worth it!

“Slick-tongued!”

Jiang Wanqing sniffled and took out her best 'Jade Dew Ointment' from her storage ring.

“Bear with it, it might be a bit cold.”

She dabbed some ointment onto her fingertip and applied it to the wound with utmost gentleness.

Her focused expression made it seem as if she were handling the most precious treasure in the world.

The cool ointment relieved the burning sensation, and the warmth of Jiang Wanqing's fingertips coupled with the faint, delicate fragrance on her body made Gu Lan's heart flutter.

“Senior Sister.”

“Hmm?”

“You are so good to me.”

Gu Lan reached out, wrapping his arms around her slender waist and burying his face in her embrace.

Jiang Wanqing's body stiffened, but she didn't push him away this time.

She gently stroked Gu Lan's hair, her eyes melting with tenderness.

“In the future… don't push yourself so hard.”

She said softly, “Even if you aren't some Genius, even if you can't defeat others, you still have me.”

“I will protect you.”

Gu Lan's heart trembled.

This was his Eldest Senior Sister.

Though she was usually cold and a woman of few words…

…she truly wanted to give him the best of everything, and was even willing to stand in front of him to shield him from the wind and rain.

“Alright, I'll listen to Senior Sister.”

Gu Lan snuggled against her chest, his voice slightly muffled.

“However…”

He looked up, his eyes shining brightly as he stared at Jiang Wanqing.

“Senior Sister, I'm injured right now, so I'm a patient.”

“Tonight… can I ask for some special treatment?”

“What kind of treatment?”

Jiang Wanqing looked at him warily.

“Well…”

Gu Lan pointed to the large bed in the inner room.

“I want to sleep in Senior Sister's bed.”

“I heard that Senior Sister's bed has a Spirit Gathering Array, which has miraculous effects on healing.”

Jiang Wanqing's face flushed.

What Spirit Gathering Array? It was just an ordinary bed!

This guy clearly just wanted to cling to this place and not leave!

“No way! An unmarried man and woman alone together…”

“Ouch… my neck… it hurts so much… the fire poison seems to be acting up again…”

Gu Lan immediately clutched his neck and began to groan, his acting exaggerated yet effective.

“You…”

Even though Jiang Wanqing knew he was pretending, she couldn't bring herself to kick him out when she saw his pitiful look.

“Only sleeping! No… no funny business!”

She gritted her teeth, making her final compromise.

“Yes, ma'am!”

Gu Lan instantly revived with full health, jumping up and rushing into the room.

“Hurry up, Senior Sister! I've already warmed the bed for you!”

Watching his lively, bouncing figure, Jiang Wanqing shook her head helplessly, though a faint smile curled at the corners of her lips.

Although he was a rogue…

But…

…as long as he was by her side, this cold Immortal Cave seemed to have become much warmer.

“You troublesome foe.”

She closed the courtyard gate and blew out the stone lamp.

She turned and walked into the room that was soon to be filled with a beautiful, romantic spring atmosphere.