The Art of Subduing Dragons

Chapter 183

The word "Master" pierced through the clamor of the crowd and the expanse of time and space that lay between them, seamlessly penetrating Luo Qingci's heart and tightening it.

The surge of emotions—sorrow, excitement, joy—overwhelmed her all at once, and she couldn't help but tear up.

She wanted to respond, but her entire body felt frozen, her throat seemed to be constricted by something, and she found herself unable to utter a single word about her identity.

Looking at Ruan Li, her heart ached even more. How had she become like this—so thin, as if she had lost her soul, standing there as if the wind could blow her over? Her face was pallid, lacking the healthy color it once had.

She stared dazedly at Ruan Li, her expressions changing rapidly, while Ruan Li slowly regained her composure.

She gazed at the crude and ugly wooden mask, stabilizing her intense emotions, and quickly let go, taking a step back. Her expression shifted to one of indifference and calm.

This ragged, dirty figure, with only the weak aura of someone at the Qi Cultivation stage, who looked no older than sixteen or seventeen, could not possibly be her Master.

Thinking of Luo Qingci brought a crack in Ruan Li's demeanor. She brushed off her clothes and glanced at the sugar-coated haws. Thankfully, they were clean.

Yet the mask still reminded her of Luo Qingci. She raised her hand and used spiritual power to heal Luo Qingci's injuries.

Luo Qingci finally felt somewhat better. As she was about to speak, Ruan Li asked, "Where did you get that mask?"

Luo Qingci's heart raced. She swallowed hard and said hoarsely, "I made it myself."

Ruan Li stared at her for a long time, her eyes reflecting a familiarity that was unsettling, reminiscent of her Master.

She was unable to suppress the sinking feeling, realizing she might be mad. Her Master was still at Tianyan Sect; how could this girl possibly be her?

It must be that she missed her Master so much that she was seeing her in this ugly mask. But that wasn't right—it felt like a disservice to her Master.

So she simply lowered her eyelids and said softly, "It's very ugly. Don't wear it."

Luo Qingci's eyes, which were already misty, nearly broke at her words. She felt like crying and laughing at the same time, unable to speak.

But as soon as Ruan Li finished speaking, she turned to leave. Luo Qingci hurried after her.

"Wait."

Ruan Li halted and turned to her, "What is it?"

"You just hit me, and you're just going to leave like that?" Seeing Ruan Li about to leave, Luo Qingci felt anxious and blurted out.

Ruan Li looked surprised and examined her for a long time. "I didn't mean to; you were just too close. Besides, I've already healed your injuries. If it's not enough, take this as compensation."

Without hesitation, she tossed a bottle of spiritual elixir, thinking that given the resemblance to her Master, she didn't mind giving her something to help her out.

Luo Qingci shook her head, looking at the sugar-coated haws in Ruan Li's hand. "I don't want that. I want your sugar-coated haws."

Ruan Li frowned, her displeasure evident.

She looked at the sugar-coated haws in her hand, her voice growing cold. "No, go buy your own. This elixir is worth much more; you can use it to buy a lot of things."