Seeming to realize his own impropriety, Mo Changxing quickly averted his gaze, cleared his throat awkwardly, and asked, “Junior Sister, have you been well these days?”
Yun Qingxue smiled. “Thanks to Master’s guidance, I’ve gained a lot recently.” In just three short months, she had learned the method of absorbing the essence of heaven and earth to sustain herself without food, mastered some basic cultivation techniques, and, most importantly, acquired quite a few spells and incantations.
Yun Qingxue felt immensely fulfilled—how could she possibly be anything but well?
“That’s good to hear.” Mo Changxing smiled as he looked at her. She stood before him, vibrant and lively, finally putting his three months of worry and concern to rest.
“Since the barrier has been lifted, would you like to go out for a stroll, Junior Sister?” Mo Changxing tentatively suggested.
Yun Qingxue hesitated. The barrier had been set up by their master precisely to ensure she focused on her training. If she rushed out the moment it lifted, would it displease him?
Yet… she couldn’t deny the longing in her heart to step outside and unwind after being confined to this small space for three whole months.
“Let’s go!” Seemingly sensing her hesitation, Mo Changxing stepped forward, took her hand, and lifted her into the wind. “If Master asks, just say I dragged you out!”
Outside the thatched cottage, the sunlight was bright and warm. The sky was a clear, pristine blue, and the air carried a refreshing crispness.
Yun Qingxue stole a glance at Mo Changxing, a sudden impulse rising within her. She desperately wanted to ask him—why was he so kind to her?
Their meeting had been abrupt. Back then, she had just managed to escape the Beast Clan when he appeared and brought her to Luoyun Mountain to become a disciple. She had once doubted both his and Master Ziqu’s identities—until Jin Lin appeared, and she finally trusted them.
They had never met before, yet from their very first encounter, he had treated her with nothing but kindness…
Why? Did Mo Changxing know the original Yun Qingxue—the fool before she had taken over this body?
Thinking back to her past life, she had once given Zhou Dao her sincere devotion and sacrifices, only to be repaid with ruthless betrayal. If even genuine affection couldn’t guarantee kindness in return, then how could she possibly understand Mo Changxing’s inexplicable goodwill?
Was it simply because she was his so-called “junior sister”?
The grass beneath them was lush and soft.
Mo Changxing landed with Yun Qingxue on the verdant meadow, then turned to look at her—only to find her staring at him, lost in thought.
Though he was a man, being scrutinized like this still made him uneasy.
“Junior Sister, is there something wrong with me?” Mo Changxing frowned slightly, his handsome features creasing with concern.
“No, I was just lost in thought. My apologies, Senior Brother, for spacing out…” Realizing her lapse, Yun Qingxue quickly explained.
Mo Changxing chuckled, seemingly aware of her embarrassment, and tactfully changed the subject. “Junior Sister, after three months of seclusion, you must have learned quite a bit. Would you be interested in a friendly spar with me?”
Yun Qingxue’s eyes lit up!
During her time confined to the thatched cottage under Master Ziqu’s guidance, she had indeed made progress—but without practical experience, it all felt like empty theory. Now that Mo Changxing was offering to spar with her, she couldn’t have asked for more.
“Please enlighten me, Senior Brother!”
With a smile, she spoke—and in the same breath, launched a spell attack straight at Mo Changxing.
Mo Changxing dodged effortlessly, deliberately suppressing his own cultivation level as he engaged with her.
Under the azure sky, a gentle breeze rustled the lush grass as their robes fluttered, their figures weaving in and out—attacking, defending, locked in a fluid dance of combat.
Not far away, two figures approached—one leisurely and carefree, the other somewhat disheveled and resentful.
Jin Lin stared at the picturesque scene before him, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. Had Master just beaten him so badly that he was hallucinating? Why did it look like he was seeing Xuexue?
He rubbed his eyes again and looked once more.
No mistake! One of the two sparring in the distance was indeed Xuexue, whom he hadn’t seen in ages—and the other, of course, was that traitorous teammate Mo Changxing, who had just thrown him under the bus!
But when had Xuexue come out? Had Mo Changxing broken Master’s barrier?
“Quite perceptive,” Master Ziqu suddenly murmured, his tone enigmatic.
Jin Lin turned to him, unsure whom Master was referring to. Was he praising Mo Changxing for somehow dismantling the barrier of that damned cottage alone, or was he commending Xuexue’s progress?
After three months apart, Jin Lin could easily see Yun Qingxue’s improvement just from her exchange with Mo Changxing.
The two combatants seemed to notice Jin Lin and Master Ziqu as well, stepping back simultaneously to end their match.
“Master,” Yun Qingxue greeted Ziqu with a smile, her crystal-clear eyes then turning warmly to Jin Lin.
She had assumed that after all this time, Jin Lin would have returned to the Water Clan. She had always felt guilty for not being able to properly host him as a guest, never expecting he would still be here on Luoyun Mountain!
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage