Chapter 145: Staying with the Young Master is Probably the Most Dangerous Thing of All

After finishing the meal, Ji Yin poked at the campfire before her with a twig, her expression hesitant as she wondered how to break the silence.

"Is there something you want to tell me?"

"Actually, it's nothing all that important. If you'd like to hear it, I can tell you."

"Of course I want to hear it."

Ji Yin turned her head to look at that peerless, refined face illuminated by the firelight, and a sudden surge of nervousness gripped her heart. She could not fathom why she felt this way.

If he were to discover the truth, would he treat her like the people of Liusha Star? Would he think... she deserved to die and had no right to live in this world?

Xuanyuan Ji raised his arm and pulled Ji Yin into his embrace, resting his hand on her shoulder. "Yiner, if you don't want to talk about it, then don't."

Ji Yin smiled faintly and said slowly, "You already know that there is a power hidden within my body, don't you?"

"Mm." Xuanyuan Ji nodded.

The fact that she was willing to share this with him sent a quiet wave of delight through his heart.

"This power originates entirely from a cauldron, and I am bound to it in life and death. Not only does the cauldron aid my cultivation, but it also possesses the ability to devour soul power. No, to be precise, it strips away the soul power of others. This kind of power was once condemned as the most evil force in existence. Do you feel that way about it too?"

"No," Xuanyuan Ji shook his head.

Ji Yin searched his eyes, trying to find a trace of falsehood or perfunctory reassurance, but she found none at all.

"Yiner, in my eyes, you are always unique! In this entire world, there is only one you."

Ji Yin's heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably, and she quickly averted her gaze from Xuanyuan Ji's. "I'm only telling you this to make sure whether you will become my enemy. I don't want a falling out between us in the future."

"If standing by your side means making an enemy of the entire world, I would still stand beside you without a single moment of hesitation," Xuanyuan Ji said softly.

Ji Yin raised her head to look at him. She did not know when the distance between them had closed so much.

He looked at her, his cherry-red lips alluring, her upturned face delicate and flushed. The posture was simply begging for a kiss.

Just as he was about to lean in and kiss her, Ji Yin suddenly threw herself into his arms. "Master, you are truly too good to me!"

Xuanyuan Ji froze for a moment, then revealed a helpless, wry smile. He lifted his hand and gently stroked her hair.

...

Having finished treating the wounded, Ji Shaofeng raised his head and looked off into the distance.

"Why hasn't Xiao Qi returned yet?" Ji Yun asked, a lingering trace of worry in his heart.

"Father, rest assured, nothing bad will happen. Xiao Qi is with Young Master Xuanyuan."

Wuyan did not dare to voice his thoughts.

Was being with his young master supposed to guarantee safety? If anything, it should be the most unsafe place of all!

No wonder his young master had never shown any interest in women—it turned out he preferred men!

He suddenly felt that the Seventh Young Master looked much more pleasing to the eye. Whatever his young master favored must be the best, whether person or object. He resolved never to offend the Seventh Young Master ever again.

In the distance, a figure approached, and they saw Xuanyuan Ji carrying Ji Yin on his back. Ji Yun hurried forward to meet them.

"What's wrong with Xiao Qi? Is she injured?"

"Nothing is wrong. She just lost her shoes." Xuanyuan Ji gently placed Ji Yin down onto the makeshift hammock.

Ji Yin still had spare shoes in her bundle, so Ji Shaofeng quickly dug them out, knelt down, and helped her put them on.

Watching Ji Yin, Chu Yu clenched his fists tightly in secret. He admitted that he was consumed by jealousy. His natural aptitude far surpassed Ji Yin's by countless margins; if he had been able to receive guidance from Young Master Xuanyuan, he might have already broken through the fifth rank by now.