441 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

In the stillness of the secret chamber, Xue Zheng lay quietly within the ice coffin, her hands gently resting on her abdomen, clutching the snow pearl. Her fair skin appeared almost translucent, giving her the appearance of a slumbering goddess under the reflection of the ice. "Glug..." A figure stood before the ice coffin, staring intently at Xue Zheng within, gulping fiercely in nervousness. The sound echoed sharply in the silent chamber. Numerous luminous pearls embedded in the chamber walls cast a bright glow, reflecting off the ice coffin with a cold gleam, revealing the figure standing before it — the current saintess of Xue Han Gong, Xue Ling. At this moment, her face bore an unrecognized deep-seated jealousy. She muttered to herself, "I really don't want to do this, Auntie Xue Zheng, but since you can't wake up again, it's better to find relief than to live in pain. This way, Bai Li Da Ge wouldn't suffer so much either." Xue Ling quickly persuaded herself, her expression gradually transforming into one of feigned innocence, even showing a hint of compassion. "Auntie Xue Zheng, I'm trying to help you!" Assuring herself of her good intentions, Xue Ling's initial panic gave way to a sense of righteousness as she slowly reached toward the snow pearl cradled in Xue Zheng's hands. Just then, a screeching sound tore through the air as the chamber doors slammed open, and a voice roared, "What are you doing!!!" Before Xue Ling could react, a sword aura struck her, sending her flying against the wall. She collapsed to the ground, feeling as if her internal organs had been rearranged, spitting out a mouthful of blood. A horizontal wound appeared across her abdomen, bleeding profusely. Xue Ling was slightly thankful; if it weren't for the protective magic garment she wore, she might have been sliced in half. Ye Ling Rong really meant to kill her. However... As she opened her hand, there the snow pearl lay, gleaming. "Xue Ling! Why would you do such a thing?!" Xue Qing entered from behind Ye Ling Rong, disbelief etched on her face as she saw the snow pearl in Xue Ling's hand. "I... I..." Xue Ling stammered, unable to find her voice. Xue Wan also walked in, her eyes reflecting shock mixed with a hint of disappointment as she looked at Xue Ling. Bai Li Ming's eyes were filled with murderous intent as he demanded, "Palace Master, Xue Han Gong must give me an explanation for this. Why did your saintess attempt to harm my partner?" "I was helping Auntie Xue Zheng, Bai Li Da Ge, don't look at me like that. Living like this is worse than death for her; she'll never wake up. I was trying to set her free," Xue Ling retorted loudly, provoked by Bai Li Ming's gaze. Her initial guilt turned to defiance as she justified her actions. Ye Ling Rong almost laughed in exasperation; such people are evidently malevolent without realizing it. They always concoct grand-sounding reasons to mask their selfish deeds. Even Bai Li Feng couldn't hold back from commenting, "Saintess Xue Ling, do you even believe your own words?" Xue Qing expressed utter disappointment, "Xue Ling, what gives you the right to decide for Sister Xue Zheng? What qualifies you to make such decisions for her?" She trembled with rage, feeling a chilling sensation from within for the first time. She truly cared for Xue Ling, pouring the affection meant for Xue Zheng onto her. Feeling increasingly agitated by Xue Qing's disappointment, Xue Ling bit her lip, looking hopefully at Bai Li Ming, "Bai Li Da Ge, you have to believe me. I truly wanted to help Auntie Xue Zheng. She's been dangling between life and death for over two hundred years; I could feel her suffering. I was trying to free her." "Heh..." A derisive laugh pulled Xue Ling's attention towards Ye Ling Rong, whose eyes were filled with scorn. "Are you telling lies so often that even you believe them? Do you not know why you're actually harming my mother?" Xue Ling's demeanor faltered, "You're talking nonsense. What other reason could I have?" Ye Ling Rong sneered even more, "The way you look at my father is like a dog eyeing a bone, just short of pouncing. Why else would you?" Bai Li Feng couldn't help but remark, "Really, niece, is it proper to speak of your father like that?" Even Bai Li Ming looked awkward. Had anyone else said this, they might have been executed on the spot, but coming from his own daughter, he had to endure it. "What! Xue Ling, you actually like that scoundrel Bai Li Ming? He's Sister Xue Zheng’s partner!" Xue Qing exclaimed in shock, questioning Xue Ling. Xue Wan frowned, her eyes icy, "Xue Ling, is this true?" With every question thrown at her, Xue Ling's expression darkened further. It's always been this way, always about Xue Zheng. Isn't she supposed to be the saintess of Xue Han Gong now? But Bai Li Ming's words completely shattered Xue Ling's remaining sanity. Bai Li Ming declared, "I have always, and will always, have only Zheng'er in my heart. Even if she's gone, I'd never love anyone else." Xue Ling staggered a few steps towards Bai Li Ming, heedless of the blood still streaming from her wounds, "Why, Bai Li Da Ge, what’s wrong with me? She's already dead. Am I no better than a dead person?" "Without the snow pearl, she's already dead. I am also a saintess of Xue Han Gong, Bai Li Da Ge. If you marry me in a ceremony, the alliance between the Bai Li family and Xue Han Gong will remain intact. I'm willing..." "Enough, Xue Ling!" Xue Wan cut her off sharply, "You've disappointed me too much, Xue Ling. You're the saintess of Xue Han Gong, our future leader. How can you think this way!!!" But by then, nothing reached Xue Ling’s ears anymore. In her mind, Xue Zheng was dead. With her out of the way, there was still a chance for her. However, Ye Ling Rong's words left her stunned: "Who told you my mother was dead, Xue Ling?" Xue Ling asked, "What do you mean?" Ye Ling Rong’s eyes glinted with mockery, "Just as you imagined, apart from the snow pearl, there are other things that can preserve my mother’s life force. Conveniently, I have it." With that, Ye Ling Rong opened her palm, revealing a blue flame dancing in her hand.