Chapter 13

Li Xilian placed her hand on the bead.

Two dazzling rays of light burst out.

“Lightning… attribute! Tsk, what a pity. There’s another one too.”

Even Elder Yuzhu was startled into standing by the brightness of the light.

“But what attribute is this?”

“It looks like fire, but it seems a little stronger than ordinary fire?”

Elder Yuzhu’s experience clearly wasn’t enough.

“Then we’ll temporarily classify it as ordinary-grade dual spiritual roots of lightning and fire.”

“Little girl, your talent is quite good. You pass.”

Elder Yuzhu spoke with approval.

“Next…”

“That’s wonderful. Little Sister, I knew you could do it.”

Li Ruoyao offered her congratulations.

“Sister Lian!”

“Xilian, congratulations.”

The Su sisters also came over.

Even the male lead stepped forward.

“Congratulations, Miss Li.”

Li Xilian nodded politely, accepting it.

Hanqiu, however, felt a little upset.

There were so many people around Second Miss.

If she were powerful too, would there be a place for her among them?

Nervously, she placed her hand on the Spiritual Root Testing Bead.

A brilliant deep blue light emerged from it.

“Excellent, excellent! Hahahaha! Heaven blesses my Tianrui Sect! A genius with a single heaven-grade ice spiritual root!”

Elder Yuzhu’s eyes opened wide.

“You pass the test directly. There’s no need for you to compete any further.”

The surprise and delight on his face were impossible to hide.

“I passed! Second Miss, I…”

Hanqiu happily turned to look at Li Xilian.

She wanted Li Xilian to praise her. She wanted Li Xilian to pat her head and tell her she was amazing.

But apart from Li Xilian, everyone else was shocked.

Only Li Xilian’s expression remained the same as always, without the slightest hint of surprise.

As if she had known all along.

How could it be like this…

A trace of disappointment appeared on Hanqiu’s face.

“Today’s assessment is over. Those below three spiritual roots, please leave. Those with three spiritual roots and above, come gather here again tomorrow,” Elder Yuzhu said according to the rules. Then he looked at Hanqiu. “Little girl, what is your name?”

“Senior, I… am called Hanqiu.”

“You don’t need to participate in the remaining assessments. Go live together with Tianrui Sect’s disciples.”

Elder Yuzhu stroked his beard and smiled kindly.

Li Xilian stepped forward at the right moment.

“Senior, this is Hanqiu’s slave contract. Now that Hanqiu has joined Tianrui Sect, she is freed from her slave status. This paper is void.”

“I am taking it out in front of everyone because I want to tell them that Hanqiu is now free. She is no longer a member of the Li Residence, and she has nothing to do with us anymore.”

This was clearly the slave status Hanqiu had always wanted to be free from.

Yet every word Li Xilian said stabbed into her heart.

Why was that?

“I believe Hanqiu must also want her freedom. Tianrui Sect will make proper arrangements for everything, won’t you, Senior?”

She turned to look at Elder Yuzhu.

“Indeed. Miss Li, for you to help Hanqiu like this shows your true character. I think highly of you. Tianrui Sect will train her well.”

Li Xilian nodded.

“Xiaoxiao, Qinghe, goodbye.”

She bid them farewell one by one.

“Senior, this junior will take her leave first.”

“Sister, let’s go home. I’m hungry.”

“Ah… oh.”

Only then did Li Ruoyao come back to herself after what had just happened.

Qiu Qilin also wanted to step forward and say goodbye, but Li Xilian glared him back.

Was this what it meant to be treated differently?

“Second Miss…”

Hanqiu called out to Li Xilian, who was about to leave.

“You don’t need to call me that anymore. We have no relationship now. You’ve regained your freedom…”

Li Xilian did not turn around, nor did she stop walking. She only said those words.

But I…

I don’t want this!

Freedom…

Don’t leave me all alone…

Scalding tears slid down her face, one after another.

Why…

Why…

Don’t abandon me…

Under the weight of that immense collapse, Hanqiu’s vision went dark, and she fainted.