Several stunning figures from the Divine Maiden Sect spoke, their eyes filled with waves of helplessness.
As for the female cultivator referred to as ’Sister Yu’ by the women, she was Ji Xiaoyu, the unparalleled prodigy of the Ji clan in Star Moon City.
Ye Xiaofan might be unfamiliar with Ji Xiaoyu, but Ye Xiaoyue was extremely familiar with her.
This daughter of Star Moon City was among the group of prodigal sons and daughters who awakened their Martial Souls alongside Ye Xiaoyue. However, Ye Xiaoyue was first in the Martial Soul Awakening back then, and Ji Xiaoyu was second.
In terms of talent and awakened Soul Level, Ji Xiaoyu was only slightly inferior to Ye Xiaoyue at that time. Both were thus noticed by the Divine Maiden Sect, but Ye Xiaoyue declined their invitation as she had to take care of her young brother Ye Xiaofan, choosing instead to stay in Ye Village to protect him.
Now, more than ten years have passed, and Ji Xiaoyu has also become a Self-Slaying Realm expert. Regrettably, the girl who once shone brightest at the grand comparison is now becoming a shell about to be taken over, enduring the most painful torture in the world.
As several female cultivators from Star Moon City sighed, Ji Xiaoyu quietly stood at the snowy Spirit Peak, silent for a long time.
However, listening to the words of the female cultivators, Ji Xiaoyu’s eyes inevitably revealed waves of disappointment.
Seemingly sensing the helplessness and despair within Ji Xiaoyu, the mood of the female cultivators gradually grew heavy.
"Poor Xiaoyue, truly don’t know how to help her," murmured a female cultivator from Star Moon City, her words full of helplessness and desperation.
Although these women were disciples with some status and position within the Divine Maiden Sect, they had no power to intervene in sect decisions. For so many years, they could only place their hopes on Ye Xiaoyue’s brother.
Compared to them, at least he was the Sword Saint’s inheritor, holding a position in the Divine Sword Sect that was far beyond what they had in the Divine Maiden Sect. Hence, they had always hoped that one day Ye Xiaoyue’s brother would arrive at the Divine Maiden Sect in peak condition, accompanied by the Sword Saint, to rescue the figure suffering the pain of the heart-devouring worm.
But amid Ji Xiaoyu and others’ anticipation and longing, time slowly slipped away, day after day, month after month, year after year, without seeing him come to rescue his sister.
However, unbeknownst to them, it wasn’t that Ye Xiaofan didn’t wish to save Ye Xiaoyue. It was only after entering the Hundred Sects Battle Domain that he began to learn everything about his sister. Upon leaving the Battle Domain, he learned news about the Sword Saint. Everything seemed predestined.
As time passed and the women saw no hope, their hearts inevitably began to conceive unusual thoughts.
"Do you think, Xiaoyue’s brother might be afraid of death, cowing outside the Divine Maiden Sect and not daring to come?"
"If that’s true, we really misjudged him. Back then, Xiaoyue willingly gave up the chance to join the Divine Maiden Sect for her young brother. If he didn’t dare save his sister out of fear of death, living like that would be a disgrace."
"Without understanding the situation, it’s best not to jump to conclusions. Perhaps he doesn’t know about Xiaoyue’s condition yet, or perhaps he’s waiting to become strong enough to confront the Divine Maiden Sect before stepping into this world. After all, rushing in without sufficient power is undoubtedly courting death."
"He indeed has time to grow slowly, but what about Xiaoyue? Xiaoyue has no time. Yesterday, while tidying the Divine Hall on the Divine Maiden Peak, I overheard some Supreme Elders discussing. It seems they’ve found a way to forcibly condense Spiritual Essence, and once Xiaoyue is forced to condense it..."
The female cultivator hesitated, for once Ye Xiaoyue condenses Spiritual Essence, it would mark the moment when the Divine Maiden Sect Leader takes over.
Then, the shell would be the same, the Divine Body would remain, but it would no longer be the current Ye Xiaoyue.
The women were anxious, feeling endless disappointment toward Ye Xiaoyue’s brother.
At the same time.
Inside the vast and ocean-like mountain gate of the Divine Maiden Sect.
At the peak of an overwhelmingly Spiritual Qi-rich towering Divine Peak, within a terrifying Divine Hall.
"She still refuses to voluntarily condense Spiritual Essence?"
A cold, authoritative, hoarse voice reverberated through the Divine Hall.
Within the Divine Maiden Hall, a stunningly terrifying figure sat cross-legged, surrounded by countless Elders and Supreme Elders of the Divine Maiden Sect.
However, apart from the Divine Maiden Sect Leader who retained eternal youth, the other sect leaders were elderly women, with some having white hair and hunched figures, yet exuding incredibly intimidating and chilling aura, each gesture brimming with supreme authority.
Below the Divine Maiden Sect’s high-ranking members, the female cultivator who had presided over releasing the Heart-devouring Worm in the underground world immediately saluted and slightly shook her head, responding, "Returning to the Elder, she still refuses to voluntarily condense Spiritual Essence. The disciple even maximized the amount of Heart-devouring Worms, yet that girl remains like a stone in a pit, stubborn and unyielding."
Upon these words, the Divine Maiden Sect’s Supreme Elders furrowed their brows. One elderly woman immediately gazed sharply, saying calmly, "Have you informed her of her brother’s current situation?"
"I’ve told her. Following the Elder’s instructions, I clearly informed her that the Sword Saint inheritor and the Sword Saint have fallen. But for some reason, there’s still a lingering obsession within her heart, stubbornly sustaining her, as if... it’s..." the Divine Maiden Sect disciple stuttered hesitantly.