Could it be that I am the cruel villain?-Chapter 785 - 449: The First Sign of Something Unusual

"You..."

Almost couldn't resist swinging a punch.

She also knew Jiang Feng was trying to get some information. After all, it was all speculation so far, as Qingluan hadn't spoken it out loud, and the scenes she saw were just fragmented images.

With a stern face, she subtly twisted the skin on her waist back round, making someone's eyelid twitch with pain.

"No."

Shook her head, like a rattle drum,

Compared to the cautious vigilance at their first meeting and the discontent of viewing Jiang Feng through tinted glasses, Xiao Yu had clearly become much calmer on this journey. Or maybe she was slowly getting to know the man in front of her.

Though not completely understanding, the other's eyes were filled with frankness, and both of them emitted a scent that was quite comforting. To this day, she didn't know why the two outsiders had the aura of royal bloodlines.

"Young Master Jiang if you... cough, in any case, my lady has no one in her heart."

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Like a dog relying on its master's power, now that Qingluan was unconscious, the only thing a maid at the Foundation Establishment Peak like her could do was to win the other's trust, particularly since people weren't fools.

If the young lady were married off to that inhuman prince, she would definitely become one of the sacrificial lambs. And Xiao Yu herself, a stray picked up by the family, a child born of a union between outsiders and their people, despite being taken home and given to Qingluan as a maid for her considerable talent,

the problem was the family never considered her one of their own.

Or rather, they never considered this master-servant duo as part of the family from the moment General She brought Qingluan home, everyone knew the fate of this daughter of a courtesan.

Now Xiao Yu seemed to be faring well at home, all thanks to Qingluan's performance and abilities over the past decade, but what if something happened to her?

Not to mention the interests involved, Qingluan was also her only family, the only sister willing to protect her.

"With your lady's noble status, why would she be sent to such a godforsaken place?"

"Naturally, it's because of a lack of manpower. My lady often goes out to do these dirty and tiring tasks. Whenever there's danger or... in short, all the young masters don't leave their doors, leaving only us to be sent out."

"Hmm, you two have had it hard. From Dongxing City to here, it takes a trip of at least three to five days. Don't you miss home?"

Shook her head resolutely and decisively, her eyes full of unpleasant memories, it was obvious she really didn't like those "relatives" with whom she shared blood ties.

The man didn't press further.

As the Spiritual Energy and cultivation techniques circulated, the terrifying and sinister aura of the Blood Ganoderma had mostly been suppressed. A large piece of Lingzhi composed of a few small ones and a large main body looked incredibly enticing, though it didn't significantly enhance one's cultivation realm, it was definitely a spirit pill for body tempering.

"Here, take this. It's quite beneficial, and while you still have time, go ahead and refine it. The two of us will protect you."

Casually breaking off a piece about a quarter the size of the main Blood Ganoderma, it was tossed over just like that.

This left Xiao Yu bewildered, anxiously receiving it, lips moving, her large snake tail nervously twitching, eyes wide in disbelief.

She had never seen such a treasure in her life.

Though she was only Qingluan's maid, Xiao Yu's lowly birth meant she was a mixed-blood, what they in the main family derisively referred to as...

just a mongrel.

Not an insult, but a factual statement.

Her blood relatives held distinct ranks; her plight was similar to Qingluan's, both were the results of their master's troubles outside. However, the three upper families weren't as archaic as traditional societies, resorting to underhanded methods to eliminate perceived disgrace. They would typically offer compensation and let them leave.

What noble family would tarnish their reputation over such trivial matters—damaging their public image?

If the child born had a talent for cultivation inheriting some of the bloodlines, they would take the child back to be raised, considering that in this era, population was one of the most crucial resources. Only someone with scrambled brains would harm a child who carried their blood for the sake of so-called family honor.

For example, now Xiao Yu served as a maid for the family young lady, but the distinction in status was still very clear. Day to day, she and Qingluan were basically under surveillance, not quite house arrest but nearly everything Qingluan did was watched.

The two had never lived in the family home in Dongyue's capital; they had always lived alone outside. And Xiao Yu's cultivation resources came almost entirely from Qingluan, which is why she appeared so flustered when handed the Blood Ganoderma.

Before she could refuse, Jiang Feng calmly said, "If you can make some progress, our journey to the old capital will naturally have a greater chance of success."

"I, I..."

Nervous, uneasy, anxious, flustered.

As Xiao Yu fell into conflict, the woman lying on the ground in a sweat spoke.

"Young Master Jiang is right. Do accept this kindness."

She opened her eyes.

Red-rimmed eyes, vertical pupils, weary expression, but finally regained some strength.

"Your talent wasn't bad, if not for following me, you might have entered the Core Formation Stage by now."

"Moreover, Young Master Jiang isn't wrong. If you can successfully form your core on this journey, you'll have more confidence when you return home. Otherwise, how long will it take you to smoothly transform your shape?"

"Alright, go ahead and refine it."

"Miss, but," Xiao Yu was still concerned, "If I refine this, who will ensure your safety..."

"Cough!"

Someone coughed dryly.

Even Qingluan couldn't help but laugh, sighed, reached and gently rubbed Xiao Yu's head with a look both helpless and fondly exasperated at her sister's adorable foolishness.

"You, if they had any ill intent, they would have acted by now. Do you think you can snatch me from their grasp? We four are all in this together now; we should be more trusting."

"Hmm, then, thank you both very much."

She nodded quietly.

Not refusing any more, she naturally curled up her large tail, sat down upon it, and began refining, throughout which the four remained silent. Jiang Feng looked at the visibly exhausted Qingluan and was about to express his concern when his eyelid suddenly twitched!

That familiar sensation returned.

Spiritual Energy surged, the Thunder Element within raged furiously, even his meridians were slightly numb from the shock, and at this moment the Red Sun Infinite Heavenly Thunder Art began to activate on its own, something he had never experienced these past few years.

"What's going on?"

With brows tightly knitted.

The unease in his heart refused to dissipate; it had to be a warning of danger. The giant beast wasn't near, and the direction it pursued was different. The Blood Ganoderma had been refined, and part of its essence was stored in his Dantian. With that Serpent around, no storm should arise.

What had he overlooked?

"Young Master, you don't look well, is there trouble? Or is this of no use to cultivation?"

A caring inquiry.

"It's nothing, just a slight reaction from refining this, my energies are turbulent, I'll be fine with some rest. You focus on recuperating, we two shall stand guard."

"Hmm."

No entanglements, she simply continued recovering her strength, waiting until the breathing of the two girls became even and rhythmic. Cen Yueyue, with a stern face, took hold of Jiang Feng's sleeve and led him outside.