Guo Yun: Plays Ye Shunguang, teammate Ye Shiyuan

Ju Fufu's scream was like a sharp dagger slicing through the air.

Her eyes widened in shock, her pupils contracted, and she staggered backward as if struck by an invisible force. She instinctively covered her mouth with her hands, but then immediately lowered them, pointing tremblingly at Xiaoguang.

"You—what did you say?" Her voice was shrill and almost unrecognizable. "Xiaoguang, are you crazy?!"

Pan Yinhu, standing beside her, reacted just as strongly, but with greater restraint. His brows were furrowed, veins on his forehead throbbed, and his hands were clenched into fists at his sides, knuckles turning white from the force.

Upon hearing Xiao Guang's words, he suddenly took a step forward, almost rushing to Xiao Guang's side, but then stopped abruptly, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, as if he was trying to suppress the worry in his chest.

"No!" The two shouted almost simultaneously, their voices overlapping to create a protective harmony.

Pan Yinhu's voice was low and rapid, while Ju Fufu's voice was high-pitched and trembling.

Ju Fufu quickly stepped forward, grabbed Xiaoguang's shoulders with both hands, her fingers turning slightly white from the force.

Her eyes were fixed on Xiaoguang's pale face, trying to find a trace of wavering or hesitation in his calm eyes. But Xiaoguang's gaze remained firm, which made her even more panicked.

"You haven't recovered from the sword's side effects yet!" Ju Fufu practically roared, her voice choked with emotion. "Look at you, you can barely stand! You must stay behind and recover! Leave the suppression of the void to your senior brothers and sisters!"

Pan Yinhu also came to Xiao Guang's other side. His movements were not as intense as Ju Fufu's, but they were filled with an undeniable determination.

He gently pressed down on Ju Fufu's hand, signaling her to relax, then turned to Xiao Guang, his voice softening but still firm: "Senior Sister is right. Expanding the void is urgent, but your physical condition is more worrying. The side effects of the Azure Sea Sword are serious; if you force its use, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

Ye Shunguang felt the warmth and pressure on his shoulder and lowered his eyes slightly.

She could clearly feel the care and concern of her senior classmates, a warmth that almost made her waver. But when she raised her eyes again, the determination in them had not diminished in the slightest.

Just then, Lu Hengzhou let out a piercing snort. He stood a few steps away, arms crossed, his face displaying undisguised obsession.

His gaze swept over Pan Yinhu and Ju Fufu, his voice sharp and cutting, each word like a needle piercing the heart, "Emotional appeals won't save the people of Weifei! Today's expansion of the void is no ordinary expansion; it's the destiny of the Azure Sea Sword Master! A disaster that only she can quell!"

He took a step forward, pointing directly at Pan Yinhu and Ju Fufu: "You two will only cause trouble if you go! Only Ye Shunguang! The master of the Qingming Sword! Can successfully suppress this void! This is her responsibility, her destiny!"

Pan Yinhu's face darkened.

He released his hand from Ju Fufu's and turned to face Lu Hengzhou, leaning slightly forward. "Mr. Lu, please watch your words. Xiao Guang is a disciple of Yun Kui Mountain, and also our junior sister!"

Lu Hengzhou waved his hand, as if shooing away annoying flies, "Can you bear this responsibility? Every moment the void expands, more innocent people are put in danger! You didn't listen to the elders, and now you're suffering the consequences! If Suibian Guan fails because of your so-called 'concern,' it will be the entire Yunkui Mountain that loses face!"

His voice grew louder, tinged with a self-righteous sense of justice: "Besides, don't think I didn't see it—you're all just as badly injured as Ye Shunguang. She volunteered to go just now too. What right do you have to decide other people's lives just because you're senior brothers and sisters? This is blatant tyranny!"

Ju Fufu turned around abruptly, her eyes practically spitting fire. "You—!" She trembled with rage, regretting that she hadn't studied enough, and couldn't find the right words to retort.

Hikaru gently patted Tachibana Fukufu's arm, signaling her to calm down.

Then, she took a deep breath, slowly broke free from Tachibana Fukufu's hand, and almost imperceptibly avoided Rin's outstretched hand for support.

She took two steps forward, stood in the middle of the crowd, stood straight, shoulders back, and head slightly raised.

Ling watched nervously from the side, her hands unconsciously twisting together, her lips pressed into a thin line.

When Hikaru stood independently among the crowd, no longer supported by her, a complex emotion of worry and admiration flashed in Rin's eyes.

"Even if Mr. Lu isn't here, I'm still going." Xiao Guang's voice wasn't loud, but it was clear and firm, each word sounding as if it had been carefully considered before being uttered. She paused, her gaze sweeping over Pan Yinhu and Ju Fufu in turn, finally settling on Lu Hengzhou's face.

The air inside seemed to freeze. Sunlight streamed in through the window, forming visible beams of light in the dust, but it couldn't dispel the tense atmosphere that permeated the air.

Xiao Guang continued, her voice slow but firm: "I have two reasons for going." She held up one finger. "First, it's for the people of Weifei. The void is expanding, and danger is approaching. I cannot disregard the safety of others for my own sake."

She raised a second finger, this time pausing for a longer time, as if gathering the courage to continue: "Secondly, I have a question for you myself—a question I can only find the answer to by personally participating in the follow-up."

She paused again, sensing the heavy and tense atmosphere in the air, and then slowly uttered five words.

Where is Ye Shiyuan?

This question is like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

When he asked that question, you could feel a slight tremor in his voice.

Asking questions when you already know the answer is really too strange... Ye Shunguang thought to himself, but others didn't think so.

As expected, the moment the name was uttered, the open space fell into a deathly silence.

Pan Yinhu's expression instantly became extremely complicated. His lips moved, as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed it back.

His eyes flickered, avoiding Xiao Guang's direct gaze, while his right hand unconsciously rubbed the wound on his left arm.

Ju Fufu gasped sharply, covering her mouth with both hands. Her eyes widened, her body trembled slightly, and her gaze shifted between Ye Shunguang and the surrounding background, filled with panic and helplessness.

She tried to say something, but only uttered some meaningless syllables, which eventually turned into a suppressed sob.

Lu Hengzhou's expression, however, was completely different.

The moment Xiaoguang asked that question, his eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up, forming an almost smug arc.

He cleared his throat, the sound particularly jarring in the silence.

"Your brother, Ye Shiyuan, betrayed the sect in the hollow of Lemnian and joined the Praise Society! He is a disgrace to Yunkui Mountain!"

He spoke slowly and deliberately, each word like a carefully honed blade, intended to precisely pierce the softest spot in Xiao Guang's heart. As he spoke, he leaned forward slightly, his hands outstretched in a gesture of "confessing everything," but a cruel glint shone in his eyes.

"And you are his sister," Lu Hengzhou continued, his tone tinged with feigned sympathy. "This shame, this stain, naturally falls upon you as well. Therefore, to wash away this shame, you should use the Azure Sea Sword to rescue your brother! This is not only for him, but also for yourself, and for the honor of the entire Yun Kui Mountain!"

"Lu Hengzhou!" Pan Yinhu's roar exploded like thunder. He turned around abruptly, the movement creating a gust of wind. All restraint was thrown to the winds.

Pan Yinhu's face flushed red with anger, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes glaring at Lu Hengzhou as if spitting fire. He took two large steps forward, instantly closing the distance between him and Lu Hengzhou to less than an arm's length.

"How dare you bring this up?!" Pan Yinhu's voice trembled with agitation, yet remained remarkably clear. "Last time! Right after the mayor left, when Master went to the Void to rescue people—you secretly instructed Xiaoguang to go to the Void north of Guangying Square, causing her to disappear for three whole months! Three months!"

His voice grew louder and louder, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth: "We thought that after what happened, you had reformed and reflected on your actions. We never expected that you would now be holding a title bestowed upon you by your master—a title that doesn't represent Yun Kui Mountain—and pointing fingers at your junior sister, who was personally awarded the Virtual Hunting Honorary Medal by the mayor amidst his busy schedule! What exactly are you up to?!"

Pan Yinhu's chest heaved violently. He pointed at Lu Hengzhou, his finger trembling slightly with emotion: "Do you know what she went through in the void? You know nothing, yet you're here spouting nonsense, displaying extreme double standards, even bringing up this... this thing that would absolutely hurt her if she heard it!"

His words were like a flood bursting its banks, unleashing all the pent-up resentment he had been holding back. After saying this, Pan Yinhu seemed to have used up all his strength; his breathing was heavy, but his eyes remained sharp as knives, fixed on Lu Hengzhou.

Lu Hengzhou's face turned pale and then red under Pan Yinhu's angry rebuke. He subconsciously took half a step back, but quickly regained his balance, straightened his back, and tried to maintain his superior posture.

His lips were moving, and unable to think of any words to refute him, he was practically turning into a fiery chili pepper.

"Xiaoguang, don't listen to him!" Ju Fufu's voice was gentle yet urgent. "Your brother simply disappeared in the Lemnian Void! We don't have any concrete evidence that he joined the Praise Society! Much of what Lu Hengzhou said is exaggerated, and he might even have ulterior motives!"

She gripped Xiao Guang's hand tightly, as if trying to convey her strength through this gesture: "Don't be too sad, and don't blame yourself. We will definitely find him, I promise! Senior Brother Pan, Master, and I will all do our utmost to find Ye Shiyuan's whereabouts. But this is not a reason for you to risk your life by forcibly using the Qingming Sword, absolutely not!"

Ju Fufu's words were like a warm current, trying to melt the ice that might have formed in Xiaoguang's heart.

Hikaru felt the warmth emanating from Tachibana Fukufu's hands, and a complex mix of emotions welled up within him.

She gently withdrew her hand, her movement tender yet firm. Then, she turned to Ju Fufu and Pan Yinhu and bowed deeply.

As he stood up, a light that was a mixture of determination and tenderness shone in Xiao Guang's eyes.

"Senior brothers and sisters," her voice calmed down, no longer trembling, "I know your good intentions towards me, I really know. You want to protect me, you don't want me to get hurt, I understand all of that."

She paused, took a deep breath, and continued, "But since my brother disappeared in the Void, since he might have encountered danger, and might even—might have made certain choices—" At this point, her voice wavered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure, "then I should search the Void even more. This is not only to confirm his whereabouts, but also—to face all of this myself."

Xiao Guang took a step forward, his gaze fixed firmly on Pan Yinhu and Ju Fufu: "I can't always hide behind you, I can't always rely on your protection. I am the master of the Qingming Sword, this is my responsibility, and it is my choice. Moreover—"

Her voice grew softer, yet more resolute: "Moreover, if Ye Shiyuan has indeed made certain choices, if I truly need to 'cleanse' something, then this is something I must do myself. No one can walk this path for me, no one can face this truth for me."

"Please... for my brother's sake... let me go! Please!"

The vast and silent land seemed to be shrouded by an invisible force, and time seemed to freeze at this moment. A heavy, suffocating solemnity permeated the air, as if even the wind had stopped blowing, and the whole world was immersed in a deathly silence.

"Well...we won't bother you any longer, we're heading off to suppress the Void! Don't forget to meet us near the cable car station inside the Void!" After whispering a few words to her teammates, "Will-o'-the-Wisp" hurriedly left with these words and then sprinted towards the cable car, fearing that if she heard anything more, Yi Xuan would break her legs.

This short sentence is like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

Although it couldn't completely break the atmosphere, it still brought a slight relaxation to the originally extremely tense scene, and cleverly melted the solidified atmosphere, allowing the air that had almost frozen into a vacuum to circulate again.

However, this did not change the solemn and serious expressions on everyone's faces—they still frowned deeply, their eyes revealing deep worry and unease.

"Oh no, I think I've gone too far..." Ye Shunguang lamented inwardly. She was never good at handling interpersonal relationships, and she seemed to have said a lot of hurtful things to her senior brothers and sisters... I deserve to die!

[System: Role-playing value increased by 15%! Current role-playing value: 60%!]

"...?" Ye Shunguang stared blankly at the system's prompt in his mind...

This… I can't find the words to describe it. So I didn't go too far? Not a buddy? The thing I blurted out in a moment of panic actually boosted my acting skills? Is this really my interpersonal ability?

"I think... uh... although I just joined and don't quite understand what you guys are talking about, but... uh... let's... uh... respect Ye Shunguang's thoughts, okay? (What am I even saying?)" Ling thought of comforting words and ways to ease the awkwardness for a long time, but she stammered out this sentence. She immediately blushed with anger and wanted to tear her mouth apart and start over.

But what's said is said, and there's no way to change it.

Surprisingly, this statement seemed to have some effect. After struggling for several minutes, Pan Yinhu and Ju Fufu looked at each other, and finally, Ju Fufu said as if she had lost all her strength.

"...Then you'll come with us. Just like in Wildfire Town, you absolutely cannot use the Azure Nether Sword unless absolutely necessary!"

"No problem!" Ye Shunguang quickly agreed.