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

Chapter 442: Crippling Xue Ling Xue Ling's expression froze as her gaze shifted to the ice coffin not far away. Logically, once Xue Zhu left her body, the ice-sealing power on Xue Zheng should gradually dissolve, leading to her awakening—albeit with the risk of succumbing to her severe injuries. However, much time had passed since Xue Zhu's departure, yet there was not a single sign of movement. Xue Ling's heart sank to the depths. "Before you came, I used a different flame to re-freeze mother’s body. So even if Xue Zhu leaves her body, she remains unharmed," Ye Linglong stated plainly. Xue Ling kept silent, suddenly deflated like a punctured balloon. Ye Linglong then shifted her focus to Xue Wan, "Palace Master, with such events occurring in the Xue Han Palace, it's clear my mother can no longer stay here. Previously, it was solely Xue Han Palace's position and Xue Zhu that sustained her life." "But now she faces even greater danger here." Before this revelation, Bai Li Ming had persistently argued before the Palace Master for taking Xue Zheng away. Xue Zheng, being the saintess of Xue Han Palace and Xue Wan's most cherished disciple, had understandably led to her refusal. All the more so for Xue Qing, who had always considered Xue Zheng a blood sister. Ye Linglong's words had pierced deeply into both hearts, yet it was Xue Qing who surprisingly relented first. Having previously been resolutely against it, she said, "Master, you should let them take Sister Xue Zheng away." With a deep sigh, Xue Qing spoke up. Xue Wan cast a glance at her, then another disappointed one at Xue Ling, before finally nodding in agreement. Bai Li Ming's joy was palpable. He courteously bowed to Xue Wan, "Thank you, Palace Master." Xue Wan waved her hand dismissively, indicating no further ceremony was necessary. Bai Li Ming, indeed, surpassed her in strength. She, at the peak of the Immortal Emperor realm, was unable to breach that next threshold. Yet Bai Li Ming was already halfway to becoming an Immortal Emperor, a being reputedly unmatched below that rank. Were he inclined to forcibly take Xue Zheng, she wouldn't be able to stop him. His decorum within Xue Han Palace, the absence of force, was majorly due to feelings for Zheng'er. Even had she refused his wish to take Zheng'er today, Bai Li Ming likely would not have let it rest. Just as Xue Wan thought this incident was wrapping up, Bai Li Ming suddenly changed his tone. "Since you've agreed to let me take Zheng'er, shouldn't we address Xue Ling's attempted murder of my partner next?" Xue Ling was taken aback, looking at Bai Li Ming, her eyes filled with disbelief, "Brother Bai Li, I... I truly meant to—" Her words were interrupted sharply by Bai Li Ming, "Saintess, spare us the talk of freeing Zheng'er. Even if Zheng'er wished for release, that decision is not yours to make. What gives you the right to such actions?!" His voice was cold as ice. "What do you propose?" Xue Qing interjected, her eyes now complex with emotion. Bai Li Ming uttered a single word that immediately drained the color from Xue Ling's face. "Death!" "No way!" Xue Wan objected instantly, "She is the saintess of Xue Han Palace!" Xue Ling, being the only other possessor of the Ice Soul constitution besides Xue Zheng, had been groomed by Xue Wan as her successor, with much effort invested. "Brother Bai Li, you actually wish to kill me?" Xue Ling looked at him incredulously, "Isn't she perfectly fine? Why do you want to kill me?!" Xue Wan timely added, "Bai Li Ming, Xue Ling has a valid point. Now that Zheng'er is unharmed, executing her seems too severe." "Her actions, however, cannot go unpunished. I am bound to penalize her severely, but death is overly harsh." Naturally, Bai Li Ming disagreed. The atmosphere instantly tensed, with Bai Li Ming's demeanor darkening. Were it anyone else, he wouldn’t have wasted time; he would have struck without hesitation. This, however, was Zheng'er's homeland. Bai Li Ming knew that taking such measures would inevitably make Zheng'er unforgiving. Yet, simply letting Xue Ling off left him dissatisfied. The situation had become a deadlock. Xue Ling, seeing Xue Wan's determination to protect her, felt a brief moment of relief. It was then that Ye Linglong, who had remained idle, suddenly acted. The sound of a sword being drawn was heard, and in a flash, Ye Linglong's figure darted toward Xue Ling. Seeing this, Xue Wan's eyes widened in desperation, about to intervene, but Bai Li Ming swiftly blocked her path. In an instant, Xue Ling's scream echoed, and she collapsed to the ground. Ye Linglong, in a blink, was back to her original position. "Did you kill her?" Xue Wan demanded fiercely. Xue Ling lay on the ground, her life force faint. Ye Linglong fetched a pill from her space and fed it to Xue Ling effortlessly, "Relax, she's not dead. I've merely pierced her Qi Sea and dantian." Her tone was casual, as if discussing the most trivial matter. Bai Li Ming’s lips twitched, acknowledging that his niece was undoubtedly his brother's daughter, given her swift and decisive action. Xue Wan gasped, "Why destroy her Qi Sea and dantian? One understands their importance for a cultivator. You've essentially crippled her!" The Qi Sea and dantian's function as stores of celestial energy meant that if damaged, any cultivated power would leak away, making even stability difficult, let alone advancement. Most would see their cultivation decline, eventually becoming ordinary folk—arguably a fate worse than death. Ye Linglong shrugged, "Is she dead?" Xue Wan responded, "No." Nodding, Ye Linglong continued, "Did you not say that any punishment is permissible as long as she's alive?" Xue Wan nodded again. Amid the debate, she had indeed stated such a condition. "Then there you have it. This is merely her penalty. Everyone must pay for their deeds, no? Since you are insistent on preserving her life, we keep it intact, as promised." Xue Wan was lost for words, unable to counter despite knowing her argument stood. Ultimately, she sighed heavily and waved them off, "Take Xue Zheng away."