Just as he was lost in thought, a sudden stirring rose in his heart. At first, he thought Qin Wanru had arrived.
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
The sound of the air being split was far too chaotic, at least a dozen people at once. And the rhythm of it all felt awfully familiar.
His figure flickered as he slipped into a pile of rocks by the side of the mountain path. He had long since set up layers of restrictions here, so hidden within, he had no fear of being discovered.
The mont he concealed himself, a streak of blue light flashed across the sky. Fourteen more streaks followed right after, cutting through the air.
“Wenhai? What are the chances?”
Only after the sword lights swept over the ridge did Li Xun pull his gaze back.
Leading that group of cultivators was none other than Senior Brother Wenhai, foremost among the third-generation disciples of the Mingxin Sword Sect.
And the rest were naturally fellow disciples Li Xun had once cultivate with in the sect. In that brief glance, he had even spotted a few familiar faces.
But what were they doing here? He rembered Wenhai had been in seclusion on the mountain for years. So why was he now leading a group of disciples, rushing along in such a hurry?
Li Xun had a feeling that sothing must have happened on Lianxia Mountain.
But why hadn’t he received any word?
He leapt back onto the mountain path, frowning in thought for a mont, then finally decided to set the matter aside.
So things weigh more heavily than others, and in his eyes, today’s coming duel with Qin Wanru at Mocang Ridge outweighed everything else.
Besides… Qin Wanru was already here.
The faint sound of fabric brushing through the air rose and fell, carrying with it a cool breeze that brought a subtle fragrance straight to his lungs. At the sa ti, a gentle voice, soft as flowing water, sounded by his ear.
“Junior Brother Xun, have you been well?”
Li Xun turned his head, and his eyes lit up. It had been a long ti since he’d seen Qin Wanru, and her presence seed even more striking than before.
Even here in this desolate mountain wilderness, she still appeared in elegant dress and fine adornnts, looking like a noble lady out on an outing.
She wore a flowing blue gown of bilang silk, its sleeves and skirt adorned with wave-like patterns. The erald fabric was so lush it seed almost alive, and the faint shimr upon it caught the sunlight, breaking into a cascade of shifting colors. Stunning beyond words.
The neckline of her gown dipped a little low, revealing a hint of pale skin at her chest, and beneath it, the faint blush of a light pink undergarnt. To soften the effect, she had fastened a gauzy robe, sheer as a cicada’s wing, across her shoulders with a pair of jade clasps. Its long sleeves fluttered in the breeze, giving her the air of an immortal.
Faced with such beauty, no matter how heavy Li Xun’s mood had been, he couldn’t help but be dazzled for a mont.
And under that sudden jolt, his spirits surged. His gaze road openly over Qin Wanru, making no effort to hide the desire in his heart.
“Junior Brother Xun!” Qin Wanru called softly. A flush touched her jade-like cheeks as she flicked her sleeve. The drifting veil of silk shifted, briefly blocking his too-direct stare, yet in her half-playful, half-reproachful glance, she only seed more captivating.
That blend of restraint and allure was enough to steal a man’s soul.
Her words snapped Li Xun back to himself.
A jolt ran through his heart. He realized Qin Wanru’s cultivation must have advanced. Otherwise, how could the beauty he had grown used to suddenly stir such new and intoxicating feelings?
After the surprise ca a rush of anticipation. To win over a woman like this, what greater joy could there be?
For a mont, all his troubles were forgotten. Laughing heartily, he said, “Senior Sister Qin, you’ve only grown more enchanting. I lost my composure for a mont. Please don’t hold it against .”
“Lost your composure? How could that be? Junior Brother, you’re famous for charming your way through the flowers. Mm, you just parted ways with ‘Rebellious Water Hook.’ How was it? I’ve heard she’s quite the beauty.”
Li Xun smiled again, though inside he was startled by how fast news traveled in the Tongxuan Realm. Luckily, no one yet knew that the greatest prize of the southeastern Forest Sea was already in his hands. Otherwise, he would hardly be able to move a step right now.
He laughed it off, and following Yan Cai’er’s version of events—though with a few adjustnts—he shared just enough about the Forest Sea to satisfy Qin Wanru’s curiosity. Then he went straight to the point.
“Senior Sister Qin, I’m glad I didn’t fail in my task. Here are the last three pages of the Yin Charm Scripture. Please take a look.”
He openly drew the manuscript from his robes and handed it over.
Qin Wanru’s face lit with breathtaking joy as she reached out to accept it.
But just as her fingertips brushed the paper, she suddenly paused.
Li Xun froze, then heard her let out a soft laugh. “Now that I think about it, of all the tis you’ve given these pages, this is the first ti you’ve been so straightforward… There isn’t so trick hidden here, is there?”
A jolt ran through Li Xun’s heart. He realized he had shown a trace of impatience, a slip from his usual composure. But he was hardly an easy mark. His expression betrayed nothing as he lifted the manuscript slightly and said with a small smile, “Senior Sister Qin, sharp eyes as always. Very well, it’s better we make sothing clear in advance.”
Qin Wanru’s smile was radiant, carrying the unspoken aning: just as I thought.
With a leisurely air, Li Xun drew the manuscript back and clasped his hands behind him. Only then did he say, “It’s been over sixty years since we t again at the North Pole, hasn’t it?”
“Sixty-two years,” Qin Wanru corrected with composure.
“Right. Sixty-two years.” Li Xun smiled again. “In all those sixty-two years, I’ve braved the sect’s secret vault seven tis, risking my life to copy this Yin Charm Scripture for you. Tell , have I ever once nad a condition?”
Qin Wanru’s bright eyes flickered as she shook her head. “Never.”
“Good. Very good. I’m grateful you rember.” Li Xun gave a long, drawn-out sigh. His face looked calm, yet beneath it a current of intensity was about to break free.
“Then today, I will na a condition! If Senior Sister agrees, I’ll hand over the manuscript with ease. But if not… well, then I’ll have to trouble you to go yourself to the sect’s secret vault at Zhiguan Peak and search out the copies.”
Qin Wanru made a light surprised sound. “You’re bold, Junior Brother. Tell your terms. If they’re fair and reasonable, I see no reason to refuse.”
Li Xun brought the three pages of the manuscript back in front of him, gave them a small snap, and smiled. “It’s actually simple. From now on, whenever you have a task, I’ll be glad to help. Ordinary errands are one thing, but any business that risks life and limb is best avoided.
“If you do take those risks, Senior Sister, you should show a little sincerity. Not treat it as if it’s your right. Do you understand what I an?”
Qin Wanru’s eyes flickered, then she let out a half laugh. “I understand. You an you think the reward is too small, that you’d be taking a loss.”
“You’re pretending not to understand. Fine. I’ll make it clearer.” Li Xun’s smile turned cold. “When you first asked to do this, I agreed. First, I was in danger, forced on both fronts, and you were the only one to reach out. I am grateful for that. Second, you hold leverage over , and that scares .
“Also, my position inside the sect isn’t completely secure. If anything goes wrong, I would be vulnerable.”
Qin Wanru let out a soft laugh. “So now you are neither grateful nor afraid, and you no longer worry about your position?”
Li Xun clasped his hands toward the air. “I wouldn’t dare,” he said, then chuckled. “With Aunt-Master here, how could a junior like ever be foolish enough to try anything? Still, it’s strange. Over these sixty years I’ve never seen her. Senior Sister, how has she been keeping?”
A faint curl of mockery touched Qin Wanru’s lips. Under Li Xun’s gaze, she parted her red lips and said softly, “How rare for Junior Brother to show concern for Master’s health. Thanks to the heavens, she’s been in seclusion for quite so ti, and the confinent has left her restless. She’s been thinking of coming out for a breath of fresh air. Before long, Junior Brother, you’ll surely have a chance to pay her a visit.”
Li Xun forced down the wild laughter rising inside him and instead arranged his face into a mix of doubt and apprehension.
But that flicker of expression vanished in an instant, leaving only a mask of studied calm. “If Aunt-Master is well, of course her junior is glad. But let’s return to what we were discussing earlier. My terms... does Senior Sister agree?”
Faced with such a promise that cost her nothing, Qin Wanru naturally had no reason to refuse. She smiled. “Of course.”
“Good!” Li Xun gave a faint flick of his wrist and handed over the manuscript. Qin Wanru lifted her slender hand, taking hold of the other end. Their eyes t, and both smiled.
Li Xun let go of his fingers. Qin Wanru gave a light tug… yet it would not move!
At so point, another hand—just as pale and flawless as carved jade—had pinched the other side of the manuscript. From the look of it, there was no intention of letting go.
Both of them started and lifted their heads, only to be struck dumb at the sa ti.
Before them stood a Daoist woman of breathtaking beauty. Her features were as delicate as a painting, yet her bearing was noble and commanding. Even the plain black robe she wore seed to shine with dazzling grace. The horsetail whisk on her arm and the wide sleeves of her robe swayed gently in the breeze, giving her an almost celestial air.
Ti seed frozen for a few heartbeats, until Li Xun and Qin Wanru cried out together:
“Master!” “Aunt-Master!”
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