Chapter 30: What Is Love?

There won’t be much free time until Sunday these days…

I can only guarantee one update. I feel ashamed…

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After the Yuzhen incident, Mei Qing finally gained the right to study the scriptures upstairs. Of course, after that, even if Yuzhen were given the authority, she wouldn’t dare to take it. Whenever Mei Qing’s footsteps echoed on the staircase, Yuzhen would immediately recognize them as belonging to that refined-looking yet terrifying scholar, and with a “whoosh,” she would vanish, book in hand, into the small room around the corner, closing the door tightly, locking it, and drawing the curtains shut. Mei Qing often thought that if this pavilion weren’t made entirely of wood, Yuzhen would probably dig a tunnel out the side and fully implement the advanced strategy of “digging deep tunnels and stockpiling ample grain.”

Fortunately, Yuzhen hadn’t studied external alchemy, otherwise she might have invented some explosives like “earth-shaking thunder bombs” or “sky-piercing cannons,” and blown him into ashes.

Through persistent and extensive reading, and frequently seeking advice from Bi Zhen, the somewhat irresponsible lecturer, Mei Qing’s foundational theoretical knowledge of Daoism had made significant progress. His photographic memory was displayed to the fullest during this intensive study period. Even Bi Zhen, who prided herself on her extensive knowledge of scriptures, was astonished. A couple of days ago, during a discussion on a detail from the “Lingbao Dunxuan,” they had a disagreement, and Mei Qing directly told the lecturer, “Please go to the second floor of the scripture pavilion, shelf Hong, position Ding, third case from the right, sixth book from the top, page fifty-one, and check it yourself.”

Bi Zhen, of course, didn’t believe him, claiming she would use facts to educate Mei Qing, and immediately went to check. Not long after, she returned, her expression dazed, clearly deeply shocked. Her eyes looked at Mei Qing with a complex mix of disbelief, anger, and slight admiration. Mei Qing maintained a composed demeanor, chatting casually to feign nonchalance, but inside he felt quite pleased. Although he had always had an extraordinary memory, he had never considered it particularly useful since he neither prepared for imperial exams nor kept accounts. Now, having saved face in front of the beautiful lecturer, he finally felt this talent had some real benefits.

Unfortunately, joy often brings sorrow. After recovering her composure, Bi Zhen gently pulled Mei Qing closer and looked at him with a gaze so tender it seemed to pierce his heart. Her smile was like the roaring tide of Qiantang on the 18th day of the eighth lunar month, overwhelming him instantly. Mei Qing’s one part hardened like diamond, while the rest of him turned as soft and weak as graphite.

As his theoretical knowledge rapidly advanced, Mei Qing’s practical abilities also improved further. In fact, before this, Mei Qing was a classic case of possessing a great treasure without knowing it. Although his Daoist cultivation was profound, he had never realized it. Now, cross-referencing the alchemical techniques passed down by Bi Zhen with his previous experiences and the Daoist scriptures he had recently read, he finally gained a general understanding of his internal condition.

From now until Sunday, it seems there won’t be any free time…

I can only guarantee one update. Feeling quite ashamed…

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After the incident with Yuzhen, Mei Qing finally gained the privilege to study scriptures in the upper chamber. Of course, now that Yuzhen is in charge, she wouldn’t dare to interfere. Whenever Mei Qing’s footsteps echoed on the stairs, Yuzhen would immediately recognize them as belonging to the handsome yet intimidating scholar, and with a “whoosh,” she would disappear into a small room at the corner, clutching her books, as if seeking refuge in a freezer, shutting the door and drawing the curtains. Mei Qing often thought that if the pavilion weren’t made entirely of wood, Yuzhen would probably have dug a tunnel to escape, fully embracing the strategy of “digging deep and storing grain.”

Fortunately, Yuzhen hadn’t practiced external alchemy; otherwise, she might have developed some explosive devices like “sky-shaking thunder” or “sky-piercing cannons” to reduce herself to ashes.

Through relentless reading and frequent consultations with the somewhat irresponsible lecturer, Bi Zhen, Mei Qing’s foundational knowledge of Taoist theory improved significantly. His photographic memory was particularly evident during this intensive study period, astonishing even Bi Zhen, who prided herself on her extensive knowledge. During a recent discussion about a detail in “Lingbao Dongxuan,” they had a disagreement, and Mei Qing directly told Bi Zhen, “Please go to the second floor of the scripture repository, shelf Hong, section Ding, third bundle from the right, sixth book from the top, page 51, and see for yourself.”

Bi Zhen, of course, didn’t believe him and insisted on teaching Mei Qing a lesson with facts. She went to check and returned shortly, looking dazed and deeply shaken, her eyes reflecting a mix of disbelief, resentment, and a hint of admiration. Mei Qing maintained a calm demeanor, casually chatting about unrelated topics, but inside, he felt quite pleased. Although he had always had an exceptional memory, he never found it particularly useful since he wasn’t preparing for exams or keeping accounts. But now, having impressed the beautiful lecturer, he realized the value of his talent.

Unfortunately, joy often turns to sorrow. After regaining her composure, Bi Zhen gently pulled Mei Qing aside and gave him a deep, intense look, her smile as overwhelming as the Qiantang River tide on August 18th. This instantly made part of Mei Qing’s body as hard as diamond, while the rest became as soft as graphite.

While his theoretical knowledge advanced rapidly, Mei Qing’s practical abilities also improved. In fact, before this, Mei Qing had been unaware of his profound Taoist skills. Now, by comparing Bi Zhen’s teachings with his own experiences and the Taoist scriptures he had been reading, he finally gained a clearer understanding of his internal condition.

After laying the foundation, most people enter the stage of refining their form into essence. This stage involves the shapes of the dragon and tiger, or the sun and moon. As stated in the “Dan Jing,” “The dragon emerges from the fire,” meaning the dragon is born from the element of fire, while “The tiger is born from the water,” indicating the tiger is born from the element of water. Therefore, this stage is about balancing fire and water, the union of yin and yang. The “Nineteen Techniques” use the shapes of the sun and moon, with fire representing the heart and water representing the kidneys. The heart fire rises while the kidney water descends, and the interaction of the sun and moon drives the circulation of true essence, continuously strengthening it until it forms the elixir after nine cycles.

In the “Nineteen Techniques,” this stage primarily involves “refining, solidifying, intense fire, and gentle fire.” Initially, Mei Qing didn’t understand this and simply pushed his true essence to dissolve the purple flames. The true essence within the purple flames was incredibly powerful, and the dissolution process rapidly advanced Mei Qing’s cultivation.

After mastering the “Nineteen Techniques,” Mei Qing learned the proper way to refine the elixir, nurturing the sun and moon. Although the process was slower, it was more stable and gradually led to better results. His true essence had become so dense that it was almost tangible, and with this nurturing method, he soon felt a change, noticing that the rotation of his internal energy was slowing down. If he hadn’t been paying close attention, he might not have noticed.

Despite the slower rotation, the digestion of the purple flames became more profound. Strangely, no matter how quickly Mei Qing’s cultivation progressed, the strange purple flames remained unchanged, neither increasing nor decreasing. They would appear daily, and once Mei Qing had fully absorbed them, they would vanish without a trace. Mei Qing had asked Bi Zhen about this, but she had never heard of such a phenomenon. Bound by rules, Mei Qing couldn’t delve deeper or let Bi Zhen examine his internal state. Since there seemed to be no harm and his powers had greatly increased, he decided to let it be.

The dynamics of his interactions with Bi Zhen changed after he used his self-taught “Guanzhi” technique on Yuzhen. When Bi Zhen used the technique on him again, although he still felt the same intense arousal, his mind seemed to split into two parts. While one part burned with desire, the other could analyze and remind him of his situation, ensuring he never lost control. However, there was a downside: after that incident, Mei Qing could no longer use the technique himself. Whenever he tried to project his thoughts towards Bi Zhen, it felt like there was a barrier, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t succeed.

“Bi Zhen, you must have seen my progress and feared losing to me, so you tampered with my abilities, didn’t you?” Mei Qing said, becoming more casual with Bi Zhen. “This isn’t fair. You should return my abilities to me.”

“Mei Qing, you’re becoming more and more audacious. Why would I tamper with your abilities? Do you think this trial is just about defeating you? If that were the case, there were times when I could have let you lose yourself in your fantasies, but I chose to wake you up instead!” Bi Zhen retorted, slightly annoyed.

Mei Qing then remembered that this was indeed true. Whenever he had fallen under Bi Zhen’s spell in the past, she had always either spoken up or hinted to wake him up, maintaining a balance where neither won nor lost. Before he understood this technique, he hadn’t been clear about it, but now that Bi Zhen had pointed it out, he realized it was true.

“You said this trial is your tribulation, so why do you help me when you have the chance to win?” Mei Qing asked, puzzled.

Bi Zhen blushed slightly and said, “Tribulations aren’t so easily overcome. They arise from within and involve complex karmic entanglements. It’s not something that can be resolved with a simple victory or defeat. If you were to lose quickly, my tribulation might never be resolved. Only by subtly observing the heavenly secrets during our interactions can I find a chance to overcome it.”

“Isn’t karma a Buddhist concept? We’re Taoists, why talk about karma? Besides, what kind of tribulation is so complicated? Maybe you can tell me, and I might be able to help,” Mei Qing said, somewhat frustrated.

“Karma is part of the natural order, not just a Buddhist concept,” Bi Zhen replied. “Taoism doesn’t traditionally focus on karma, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect us. The Quanzhen School, which integrates the three teachings, places more emphasis on karma. As for this tribulation, it’s also tied to karma. But you can’t help me with it because this tribulation is a love tribulation.”

“Why can’t I help with a love tribulation? If it’s about love, surely I understand it better than you. Back in the day, I had many romantic experiences… Love tribulation? With whom? Could it be… me?” Mei Qing was rambling when he suddenly noticed Bi Zhen’s shy expression and realized the truth, exclaiming in shock.

Bi Zhen blushed and nodded slightly, saying softly, “The ‘Guanzhi’ technique originates from the heart. Initially, I used it to trap you, but you managed to overcome it, turning it into a contest. From that, various karmic entanglements arose, and now we can’t escape them.”

At first, Mei Qing felt a mix of disbelief and secret joy, but after hearing Bi Zhen’s explanation of karma, he felt somewhat uncomfortable and said, “I know my limits and don’t deserve your attention. But if it’s about love, why bring karma into it? Do you see love as just a matter of repaying debts and settling karma?”

Bi Zhen wasn’t angered by this and replied gently, “You truly value love. Although love tribulations involve karma, they are born from love. Why dwell on these details?”

Mei Qing was initially troubled by this, as he had a unique perspective on love and disliked it being mixed with other things. But after hearing Bi Zhen’s explanation, he felt more at ease and asked, “Is this tribulation dangerous? You’re a nun; how could you be involved in a love tribulation?”

Bi Zhen shook her head and said, “It’s not particularly dangerous. At our current level of cultivation, tribulations aren’t as perilous as they are at higher levels. If we can’t overcome it, our cultivation will stagnate, and we’ll never form the elixir. As for being a nun, that’s irrelevant. Even in the Fu Lu Sect, practitioners can marry and have children. Although I practice alchemy, dual cultivation with a partner isn’t uncommon. This love tribulation is said to be the most unpredictable, and the ways to overcome it vary greatly. I’ve even heard of someone killing their partner to rid themselves of inner demons and overcome the tribulation…”

Mei Qing was shocked and asked, “Are you saying you might kill me to overcome your tribulation?”

Bi Zhen laughed and said, “Who said anything about killing you? I’ve only heard of such methods. Every tribulation is different. To overcome this one, I need your help. As for how we’ll do it, we’ll have to work together.”

Mei Qing nodded and suddenly realized something, saying, “Wait a minute, this can’t be right. I’m already married. How can you say your love tribulation involves me, and I have to agree to something? Our relationship isn’t that deep yet, and we don’t know each other well enough. This is a serious matter; it can’t be taken so lightly—I mean, I feel like I’m being taken advantage of, trapped by your words.” He then smiled and looked at Bi Zhen without saying more.

Bi Zhen smiled and said, “You’re right. I hereby declare that my feelings are tied to you, and my tribulation is tied to you. I invite you to join me in overcoming this tribulation. What do you say?”

Mei Qing’s smile froze, and he said, “I’m a bit confused. Are you serious, or is this some kind of mystical talk?”

Bi Zhen sighed softly and said, “I had no choice but to be honest with you today. Tribulations shouldn’t be spoken of directly; the more you talk about them, the more entangled they become. After much deliberation, I finally decided to trust my heart and invite you to join me in this tribulation. I believe that if we become partners in love, this tribulation will naturally dissipate. If our feelings don’t develop, and we remain strangers, the tribulation will also be resolved. But in any case, we must be true to ourselves. If we’re not yet clear about our feelings, we don’t need to worry. We’ll understand when the time comes.”

Mei Qing finally understood Bi Zhen’s meaning. Her recent interactions with him, using the “Guanzhi” technique, had not only affected him but also herself. His half-baked technique had also played a role, inadvertently trapping Bi Zhen in a love tribulation. Realizing she couldn’t escape on her own, Bi Zhen decided to be honest with him.

Understanding this, Mei Qing felt slightly dissatisfied but soon realized his dissatisfaction was unfounded. Bi Zhen had emphasized that overcoming the tribulation required honesty. If he didn’t love her, he should reject her outright, and the tribulation wouldn’t affect him. If he did love her, the tribulation was his to bear, and he couldn’t blame others. In this sense, Bi Zhen’s mention of karma made sense.

Bi Zhen lowered her head and said softly, “Although you don’t have a wife, I’m a practitioner and have already severed my ‘Red Dragon.’ It would be difficult for me to manage your household and bear children. But as dual cultivation partners, our bond would be deeper than that of ordinary spouses. Dragging you into this tribulation is unfair, but in my tradition, we only choose one cultivation partner in a lifetime, with no changes. No matter what happens in the future, my feelings for you won’t change.”

Mei Qing smiled and said, “I don’t care about tribulations or karma. If you tie your feelings to me, I’ll tie mine to you. Let’s see what tribulations or karmic entanglements we can’t overcome together.” He then took Bi Zhen’s hand and smiled at her.

Unexpectedly, the “Guanzhi” technique, which he had been unable to use for so long, suddenly flowed out naturally. Bi Zhen, hearing Mei Qing’s words and feeling his hand in hers, saw the love in his eyes and felt overwhelmed. She lost her composure, her body softened, and she collapsed into Mei Qing’s arms, breathing heavily, startling him.

“You… bad guy, taking advantage of me. Let me go,” Bi Zhen said, lying in Mei Qing’s arms.

“My dear immortal, you’re the one who fell into my arms. If I let go, you’ll fall to the ground,” Mei Qing said confidently.

After a while, Bi Zhen caught her breath and pushed Mei Qing away, glaring at him.

“Ouch!” Mei Qing exclaimed, pretending to be overwhelmed and stumbling towards Bi Zhen, saying, “Your glance is deadly; the ‘Guanzhi’ technique is truly powerful. I surrender!”

“You’re impossible!” Bi Zhen laughed, blocking Mei Qing’s mischievous hands. “If you surrender, I won’t hesitate to deal with you. Try it if you dare!”

In this stage of the Nineteen Methods, the main practices are “refining, sealing, vigorous fire, and gentle fire.” However, Mei Qing initially didn’t understand this and simply pushed his true energy to dissolve the purple flame. The true energy contained within the purple flame was incredibly powerful, and merely dissolving it led to rapid progress in Mei Qing’s cultivation.

Only after obtaining the Nineteen Methods did he learn the proper Dao of refining medicine—gradually nurturing the sun and moon energies. Although the progress wasn’t as fast as before, it was steadier and more harmonious, gradually leading him into a better state. His internal true energy had become so thick it was nearly solid. With this gentle nurturing method, he soon felt a reaction: the rotation of energy within him became increasingly slow. If he hadn’t been constantly observing it, he might not have even noticed.

Although the rotation slowed, its power in dissolving the purple flame became even deeper and more profound. Strangely, no matter how quickly Mei Qing’s cultivation advanced, the strange purple flame remained unchanged—neither increasing nor decreasing. It always appeared at its usual time, and after Mei Qing fully absorbed it, it would vanish silently. Mei Qing had once asked Bi Zhen about this, but she had never heard of such a phenomenon either. Due to the rules, he couldn’t ask too deeply or allow Bi Zhen to examine his internal condition. Since there was no apparent harm and his power had significantly increased, he decided to just let it be.

His recent sparring sessions with Bi Zhen had changed. Ever since he used his homemade “Guanzhi” technique on Yuzhen, Mei Qing seemed to gain a new understanding of this Daoist method. When Bi Zhen used it on him again, although his beastly blood still boiled, his mind seemed to split into two parts. While his desire burned, he could still analyze and remind himself of his condition as an observer. No matter how impulsive he felt, he never lost control. However, there was a downside—since that incident, Mei Qing had been unable to use this technique himself. Whenever he tried to project that spiritual awareness toward Bi Zhen as he had before, it felt like something was blocking him. No matter how hard he tried, he always felt powerless.

“You must have secretly done something to me because you’re afraid I might surpass you, right?” Mei Qing had become increasingly casual with Bi Zhen. “You’re definitely not playing fair. You should return my technique to me right away.”

“Mei Qing, you’re getting bolder and bolder. How could I do something like that? Do you think passing this trial is just about beating you? If that were the case, there were several times before when I didn’t stop you, and you’d already be lost in your own fantasies!” Bi Zhen replied, slightly annoyed.

Mei Qing then remembered that this was indeed true. Previously, whenever he accidentally fell into Bi Zhen’s trap, she would always either speak up or give him subtle hints to awaken him, maintaining a stalemate between them. Before he understood this technique, he hadn’t been too clear about it, but now that Bi Zhen had pointed it out, he realized it was indeed the case.

“You said this sparring was your tribulation,” Mei Qing asked, puzzled. “Why, when you had the chance to win, did you instead help me?”

Bi Zhen’s face slightly reddened. “A tribulation isn’t something easily overcome, is it? Tribulations arise from within the heart and involve karmic entanglements. How could a simple victory or defeat resolve them? If you had easily defeated me, my tribulation might never be resolved. Only by carefully observing the heavenly signs while maneuvering could there be a chance to find an opportunity to pass through.”

“Karma? Isn’t that a Buddhist concept? Why are we Daoists talking about karma? Besides, what kind of tribulation is so complicated? Why don’t you tell me about it? Maybe I can help with my ‘stone from another mountain’ approach,” Mei Qing said, somewhat frustrated.

“Karma is part of the Dao of Heaven,” Bi Zhen replied. “Although Daoism doesn’t traditionally speak of karma, karma doesn’t stop entangling you just because you don’t acknowledge it. The Quanzhen sect originally combined the three teachings, so it places more emphasis on karma. As for this tribulation, it’s definitely related to karma. However, Mei Qing, you absolutely cannot help me, because this tribulation of mine is a love tribulation.”

“A love tribulation? Why can’t I help with that? When it comes to love, surely I must understand it better than you. Back in the day, I had my red flags flying and colorful banners fluttering… a love tribulation! With whom? Could it be… me?” Mei Qing was talking nonsense when he suddenly noticed Bi Zhen blushing and immediately realized the truth, exclaiming in shock.

Bi Zhen’s face turned slightly red as she nodded gently and whispered, “The ‘Guanzhi’ technique is originally generated from the heart. Initially, if I had trapped you with it, that would have been fine. Who would have thought you would endure through it, turning it into a contest of techniques? From then on, various karmic connections were born, and there’s no escape.”

At first, Mei Qing felt somewhat disbelieving and secretly pleased, but after hearing Bi Zhen’s explanation of karma, he felt a bit uncomfortable and said unhappily, “I know my own worth, and I’m not someone worthy of Bi Zhen’s attention. But if we’re talking about emotions, why mix in karma? Could it be that Bi Zhen sees all emotions in the world as debts to be repaid, only existing to settle karmic debts?”

Upon hearing this, Bi Zhen did not get angry. Instead, she spoke softly, “Mei Qing, you truly are a person who values emotions deeply. Although this love tribulation involves karma, it arises from love itself. Why must you dwell on these things?”

At first, Mei Qing felt a bit confused. For some reason, his view on the word “love” was somewhat different from that of people in the world. He strongly disliked mixing other things into it. But upon hearing Bi Zhen’s explanation, he thought again and relaxed, saying, “Then… is this tribulation very dangerous? You are a cultivator, so how could you get involved in a love tribulation?”

Bi Zhen shook her head. “It’s not necessarily dangerous. At our current level of cultivation, tribulations aren’t as perilous as they would be at higher levels. If we can’t overcome it, our cultivation will be limited to this stage. If we can’t endure this tribulation, we may never achieve the elixir. You just said that emotions arise from the heart. What does being a cultivator have to do with it? Even the Fu Lu sect allows marriage and having children. Although I cultivate the alchemical path, dual cultivation with a partner is not uncommon. This love tribulation is something I’ve only heard about from elders—it’s the most unpredictable. The methods for overcoming it vary from person to person. I’ve even heard of someone killing their cultivation partner to eliminate heart demons in order to pass the tribulation…”

Mei Qing was greatly shocked and exclaimed, “Does that mean you have to…?”

Bi Zhen giggled. “Who said I want to kill you? I just heard about that method. There are countless tribulations and countless ways to overcome them. However, to pass this tribulation, I ultimately need your help. As for the exact opportunity, we’ll have to work together to find it.”

Mei Qing nodded, then suddenly exclaimed as if he had just realized something, “This can’t be right, can it? I’m a man with a family already. How can you say this love tribulation is tied to me, and I’m just supposed to agree to something? Our emotional foundation isn’t solid, and we don’t know each other well enough. How can such an important matter of love be so casual? I mean, I feel like I’m being taken advantage of, as if you’ve trapped me with just a few words.” He finished with a playful smile, looking at Bi Zhen without saying more.

Bi Zhen smiled and said, “Mei Qing, what you say is true. I will now formally declare my feelings: my heart is set on you, and my tribulation is tied to you. I invite you to face this tribulation together. Would you agree?”

Mei Qing’s smile stiffened slightly as he said, “I’m a bit confused. Bi Zhen, are you serious about this? Why does it sound so mysterious?”

Bi Zhen sighed softly. “Today, I’ve spoken openly to you, Mei Qing, out of necessity. Tribulations shouldn’t be spoken of directly; the more you reveal them, the more entangled they become. These past few days, I’ve struggled repeatedly, but I’ve finally confirmed that my heart truly wishes to face this tribulation with you. That’s why I’ve chosen to speak openly. From what I understand, if we become lovers because of our feelings, this tribulation will naturally dissipate. If our emotional connection hasn’t matured and we end up as strangers, the tribulation will still be resolved. However, no matter what, we must hold on to the ‘truth.’ If neither of us is clear about our true feelings at this moment, there’s no need to worry. We can simply wait until the clouds part and the sun shines, when everything will become clear.”

At this point, Mei Qing finally understood Bi Zhen’s meaning. It seemed that during these past days of practicing her technique and entangling with him, the Guanzhi method not only confused others but also herself. Moreover, his half-baked technique wasn’t without effect. As a result, Bi Zhen had been drawn in, her heart demons stirred, ultimately forming a love tribulation. Bi Zhen realized that with her own strength alone, there was no way to escape, so she had decided to speak openly to him.

Understanding this, Mei Qing felt a bit resentful, but then he realized that his resentment was unreasonable. Bi Zhen had clearly stated that overcoming the tribulation required a “truth.” If he didn’t like her, he should clearly refuse her, and the tribulation wouldn’t involve him. But if he did genuinely like her, then this tribulation was naturally his to bear, so how could he blame her? Thinking this way, the word “karma” that Bi Zhen had mentioned didn’t seem entirely without merit.

Bi Zhen lowered her head and spoke softly, “Although you don’t have a formal wife at home, I am a cultivator, and besides, I’ve already severed my red dragon. It would be difficult for me to manage a household or bear children for you. However, as dual cultivation partners, we share a bond far deeper than that of ordinary married couples. Dragging you into this tribulation really puts you in a difficult position. But in my sect, one can only choose a cultivation partner once, and there’s no chance for change. No matter what happens between us in the future, my feelings for you will never change.”

Mei Qing smiled and said, “What tribulation or karma? I don’t care about that. If Bi Zhen ties her heart to me, I’ll tie my heart to her. I’d like to see what tribulation or karma we can’t overcome together.” With that, he took Bi Zhen’s hand and smiled gently at her.

Unexpectedly, the Guan method that he had been unable to use for so long now flowed out naturally as if it had always been there. Upon hearing Mei Qing’s words, with her delicate hand held in his and seeing his bright eyes, Bi Zhen felt waves of affection rushing toward her. She could no longer resist and was instantly overwhelmed, her body going limp as she collapsed into Mei Qing’s arms, trembling and gasping softly, which startled Mei Qing.

“You… bad guy, taking advantage of me. Don’t you dare let go of me,” Bi Zhen pouted as she lay in Mei Qing’s arms.

“My immortal master, you were the one who threw yourself into my arms, right? Besides, if I let go, won’t you fall to the ground?” Mei Qing replied confidently.

It took quite a while for Bi Zhen to catch her breath. She quickly pushed Mei Qing away and glared at him fiercely.

“Ouch!” Mei Qing cried out dramatically, pretending to be unable to resist, staggering toward Bi Zhen with his feet unsteady, still shouting, “Master, that one glance of yours is so soul-stealing. The Guanzhi technique is indeed powerful. I can’t resist it—I surrender, I surrender!”

“Die!” Bi Zhen laughed as she blocked Mei Qing’s playful hands. “Dare to surrender? This immortal master has never been afraid of killing all surrendering prisoners. If you’re not afraid of death, just try surrendering!”