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“Clear River City, Terra Su,” Terra Su answered casually.
“So, you’re from Clear River City,” Gu Qianyin mused, surprised that such a figure existed in Clear River City.
In the Cloud Abyss Empire, family clans typically resided in various cities. Sects, however, had their own territories, often setting up their bases in the wilderness and rarely entering cities except for necessary purchases. Thus, although the Star Luan Gate was not far from Clear River City, Gu Qianyin knew little about the city’s affairs.
Otherwise, if Gu Qianyin had heard even a bit of recent news from Clear River City, she would have known Terra Su’s name and realized that the young man before her was currently the most prominent figure in the city.
In the surrounding thousand-mile radius, the Iron Armor Gate was the top-ranked sect, with the Star Luan Gate ranking second or third. However, Terra Su knew that if events followed the trajectory of his previous life, Gu Qianyin would rise to prominence in three years, and the Star Luan Gate would soar, rapidly transforming from a small local sect into the mighty Star Luan Palace, a force that could shake the entire Cloud Abyss Empire.
But today, Terra Su’s act of saving the Gu sisters had undoubtedly altered Gu Qianyin’s previous life trajectory. Whether Gu Qianyin could still become a major power in the Cloud Abyss Empire was now uncertain.
However, that was beyond Terra Su’s control. In the earlier situation, he couldn’t just stand by and watch an innocent girl be defiled without intervening.
“So, it’s Young Master Su. I will remember your great kindness today and repay it tenfold,” Gu Qianyin said confidently. The Star Luan Gate had enough resources, and as the sect master’s daughter, her father would certainly reward Terra Su generously for saving her.
After speaking, Gu Qianyin hesitated for a moment before putting back on the veil she had torn off earlier. Recalling the recent events made her face flush with embarrassment, luckily hidden by the veil, or she would have been mortified.
She discreetly took half a step back, increasing the distance between herself and Terra Su. Although he was her savior, the earlier incident was too embarrassing, especially for someone like Gu Qianyin, who prided herself on her cold demeanor. If anyone found out about it, she would be more mortified than if she had died.
Thus, despite her gratitude, Gu Qianyin’s tone and body language conveyed a subtle sense of detachment, which she believed Terra Su could sense.
“Sister.”
At this moment, Gu Qianxue woke up.
Gu Qianyin quickly went to help her sister up, checking her over to ensure she was unharmed. “Qianxue, shall we go home?”
Gu Qianxue, still dazed, asked, “Sister, was it this brother who saved us?”
She was clearly referring to Terra Su.
Gu Qianyin nodded, “Yes, we’ll return to the Star Luan Gate first and report to Father, then we’ll go to Clear River City to properly thank Young Master Su.”
Gu Qianxue thought for a moment, then shuddered violently. “No, Sister, I don’t want to go back. That bad man Tian Wei had his men knock me out while I was practicing. It was so scary; I almost died. I don’t want to go back to the Star Luan Gate.”
“Qianxue, be good. Now that I know Tian Wei is a bad person, we’ll inform Father as soon as we return, and he will capture Tian Wei and Elder Tian. You won’t be harmed again,” Gu Qianyin said gently.
However, no matter how patiently Gu Qianyin tried to comfort her, Gu Qianxue showed strong resistance at the mention of returning to the Star Luan Gate, even starting to sob. Despite Gu Qianyin’s efforts to persuade her, Gu Qianxue stubbornly refused to go back.
Gu Qianyin was helpless. She knew her sister was likely suffering from trauma-induced stress, causing a temporary psychological aversion to returning to the Star Luan Gate. This was a psychological barrier that couldn’t be treated and could only be gradually eased over time.
“Qianxue, where do you want to go?” Gu Qianyin asked, deciding that not returning to the Star Luan Gate for now was acceptable. She could send a message to her father about Tian Wei using a carrier pigeon.
Gu Qianxue stopped sobbing, her large, clear eyes flashing as she thought for a moment, then suddenly pointed at Terra Su. “I want to go with this brother!”
Terra Su, who was about to leave, paused in his steps upon hearing this.
Gu Qianyin almost thought she had misheard and confirmed, “Qianxue, you want to go with Young Master Su?”
Gu Qianxue nodded firmly, “Yes, this brother saved us from Tian Wei. If I stay with him, I think I’ll feel safe.”
As she spoke, Gu Qianxue cupped her small face with her hands, her large eyes sparkling with admiration. Clearly, Terra Su’s heroic rescue had made the frightened girl develop a psychological dependence on him.
“But if we follow Young Master Su, we might disturb him,” Gu Qianyin hesitated, not wanting to follow Terra Su. As a Condensing Origin Realm sixth-level genius and the sect master’s daughter, she would be ridiculed if she followed a boy younger than herself.
However, such words were inappropriate to say in front of Terra Su, so Gu Qianyin used the excuse of not wanting to disturb him.
“You’re right. I have no interest in being a babysitter, so following me is out of the question,” Terra Su naturally took over the conversation, leaving Gu Qianyin momentarily stunned.
Gu Qianyin couldn’t help but feel a bit angry. What did he mean by not wanting to be a babysitter? Her earlier words were just a polite excuse. She didn’t really think that way.
As a Condensing Origin Realm sixth-level genius and the sect master’s daughter, if she were willing to lower herself to follow a boy younger than herself, he should be honored.
But Terra Su seemed slightly disdainful, as if having her around would be a burden.
“Sister, I want to! I want to go with this brother!” Gu Qianxue started to throw a tantrum. At her age of twelve or thirteen, with her petite and cute appearance, her tantrum didn’t come off as annoying but rather endearing.
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