Chapter 021: The Final Rift, It Turns Out I Was the One with Impure Thoughts

Wasn’t Ye Chen imprisoned in the dungeon?

How is he here? Did he escape?

A multitude of questions flashed through Su Qingge’s mind, causing her delicate brows to furrow.

Ye Chen, however, missed this subtle detail entirely.

Thanks to the Spirit Gathering Pill, his master Yan Ji had recovered enough strength to help him break out of the dungeon. But instead of fleeing the Taixuan Holy Land immediately, Ye Chen had risked everything to sneak into the Saintess Hall to find Su Qingge.

After a tense journey filled with near-misses, he had arrived, only to find the palace empty.

His heart had nearly stopped. He spent agonizing minutes imagining the worst—that she had already been forced into Gu Changge’s bed.

Seeing her now, alive and seemingly unharmed, was like seeing the sun after a long night.

“Qingge… you must have suffered these past few days…”

Ye Chen began, his voice trembling with emotion. But he trailed off halfway through.

Su Qingge didn’t look like she had suffered. She looked radiant. Her skin glowed with health, and her beauty was as breathtaking as ever—like a lotus flower blooming on the water’s surface.

She certainly didn’t look like a prisoner.

“Ye Chen,” Su Qingge asked, ignoring his concern, “why are you here?”

“There’s no time to explain! Qingge, come with me. I’m taking you away from this pit of fire right now!”

Ye Chen reached out to grab her hand.

In his mind, Su Qingge was a victim—oppressed by her father, coerced by the Sect, and terrified of Gu Changge. She had no choice but to submit.

He understood. He forgave her. And now, he was here to save her.

This place was her cage. Only by running away with him could she regain that innocent, carefree smile she used to wear when they adventured together.

Su Qingge took a sharp step back, avoiding his touch.

Her brows remained furrowed, her voice cool and tinged with annoyance. “Ye Chen, I will not leave the Taixuan Holy Land. Why do you refuse to understand?”

“You won’t leave? Then I’ll make you leave! Gu Changge forces you, but I won’t let you ruin yourself!”

Ye Chen’s patience snapped. His voice turned domineering as he prepared to take her by force.

Time was running out. If the Elders discovered him, escape would be impossible.

“Do not force my hand, Ye Chen,” Su Qingge warned, her aura flaring. “For the sake of our past friendship, I will pretend you were never here.”

“But make no mistake: with your current strength, you are no match for me.”

She wasn’t bluffing. She was a Transcendent Realm cultivator, stronger even than the Holy Son Chu Xuan. Ye Chen, still in the Soul Palace Realm, had no chance of defeating her quickly without causing a commotion.

“Qingge! Even now, you’re still so stubborn!” Ye Chen cried out in disbelief and pain. “Have you already submitted to Gu Changge? Did he break you?”

Su Qingge’s expression turned calm—almost eerily so.

“Young Lord Gu has never forced me. Everything I have done has been of my own free will.”

“Ye Chen, stop projecting your fantasies onto me. Although Young Lord Gu’s character is… complicated, he is not the villain you imagine.”

“To this day, I am still untouched. He has not laid a finger on me. That is the best proof.”

Her voice dropped, taking on a tone of bitter self-mockery.

“In fact… it is I who have impure intentions. It is I who have been trying to win his favor.”

She decided to be brutal. She had to sever his delusions once and for all, for his sake and hers.

…

My character isn’t great?

Outside the main hall, concealed in the shadows.

Gu Changge raised an eyebrow, a strange smile playing on his lips.

Even when she’s defending me, she manages to slip in a knife.

But she really does overestimate me. ‘Brain-supplementing’ truly is the most lethal weapon.

He knew exactly where Ye Chen would go after escaping. He had been waiting for this scene—the climax of the drama between the male and female leads.

And Su Qingge hadn’t disappointed him.

[Ding! The Male and Female Leads have completely fractured. Ye Chen’s Providence -50. Destiny Points +250.]

The System notification chimed sweetly. Gu Changge’s smile deepened.

Ye Chen, oh Ye Chen. A perfectly good Son of Providence, played to death by your own obsession.

…

Inside the hall.

When Ye Chen heard that Gu Changge hadn’t touched Su Qingge, a wave of euphoria washed over him. The jealousy and rage that had tormented him for days evaporated instantly.

She’s still pure! She’s still mine!

But her next sentence struck him like a bolt of lightning from a clear blue sky.

He stood frozen, his brain turning to static.

“What?!”

Su Qingge… SHE is the one pursuing HIM?

SHE has impure intentions? SHE is trying to win HIS favor?

Ye Chen’s world collapsed. His ears buzzed, refusing to process the words.

Inside the ring, Yan Ji sat cross-legged in the void, propping her chin on her hand with a bored expression.

“Sigh… I told you, Little Chen. Your prejudice against Young Lord Gu is too deep.”

Thanks to the Spirit Gathering Pill, her soul form was much more solid. She watched the scene unfolding with a sense of resignation.

Su Qingge’s choice was understandable.

Gu Changge was simply too attractive. Outstanding appearance, terrifying background, immense strength… for a woman like Su Qingge, falling for him wasn’t a betrayal. It was inevitable.