Following the inn attendant’s lead, they climbed the stairs and entered a second-floor room.

Luo Yuheng waved her hand, guiding the Arhat of Compassion to settle in a corner, then removed her cloud-patterned slippers and sat cross-legged on the bed.

Next, she shook out numerous bottles, jars, and small wooden boxes from her sleeve.

Doraemon’s sleeve?

Xu Qi An watched with amazement. He had seen many storage treasures—pouches, mirrors, porcelain, and such—but never a sleeve type.

He suddenly understood why Luo Yuheng never changed her robes, though she often changed her undergarments, as Xu Qi An could attest. But her outer robes remained largely unchanged.

So the robe was a magical tool.

Luo Yuheng pulled out the wooden stoppers one by one, filling the room with subtle medicinal fragrances…

He had almost forgotten—she was wealthy, possessing all manner of miraculous pills and medicines. Compared to her, Master Orange Cat seemed quite poor… Xu Qi An relaxed slightly, finally setting aside his worries.

He had been concerned that Luo Yuheng’s injuries were too severe, affecting her ability to balance the karmic fire.

Seeing her display such wealth in medicines reassured him greatly.

Xu Qi An then sat cross-legged beside the bed, meditating alongside Luo Yuheng.

He also needed to properly regulate his disrupted meridians.

The prolonged circulation of qi had impacted several demon-sealing nails, causing unbearable pain at the nail sites, essentially reopening old wounds.

However, the injuries from the “Jade Shattering” backlash had begun to heal slowly.

“The Seven Deadly Poison Insect seems to be evolving, no, entering its next stage…”

After long periods of careful nurturing, the Seven Deadly Poison Insect had finally entered a critical period of transformation. In truth, after dual cultivation with Luo Yuheng, he had finally fulfilled the insect’s requirements.

The long-suppressed love poison could finally be released.

And because he had shared intimacy with a peak Second Grade female cultivator, the love poison had gained tremendous benefits.

At that time, he had sensed the love poison was about to reach initial maturity, until during the recent battle when it had devoured that strange venomous insect summoned by Qi Huan Danxiang.

The poisoned insect had advanced another step forward.

“Just a little more, just one final barrier to break through…”

Xu Qi An focused his awareness on the Seven Deadly Poison Insect.

Time flew by in meditation. After an unknown period, he was gently roused by Luo Yuheng.

Opening his eyes to look outside, night had fallen. The Arhat of Compassion sat silently in the corner of the room.

“Imperial Preceptor, have your injuries healed?

“What is his condition now? Can he be awakened?”

Xu Qi An asked.

“I have temporarily sealed him, putting him in a state between life and death, unable to perceive the outside world.”

The current Luo Yuheng lacked her usual icy demeanor and sharp edge, resembling instead a sensitive lady raised in the inner chambers of a noble house.

“If you want him to help remove your demon-sealing nails, we’ll need to return to the capital.”

Seeing his frown, Luo Yuheng explained: “Though I can seal him, I cannot kill him, much less compel him to remove your demon-sealing nails. We shouldn’t risk giving him a chance for mutual destruction by killing you.”

Xu Qi An understood and pondered: “So we need the Temple Master to act as an intermediary.”

Being able to defeat an Arhat didn’t mean one could command an Arhat.

Especially when unable to kill them.

Who knew if they might turn the tables and brainwash him into joining the Buddhist sect?

Returning to the capital would be good—he could inquire with the Temple Master about the situation in Yun Province and learn about the recent developments among the major powers of the Nine Provinces…

And visit the fish in his pond.

Just as he had this thought, he heard Luo Yuheng glare and say:

“You’re not allowed to see those women.”

Xu Qi An made two sounds of agreement: “Imperial Preceptor is the only one in my heart.”

Luo Yuheng became somewhat shy.

“Imperial Preceptor, is that sword a supreme divine weapon?”

Xu Qi An pointed at the iron sword, half buried in the Arhat’s head and half exposed.

Luo Yuheng nodded, then shook her head, “It was originally a magical treasure, but its spirit was later erased by its master.”

“Hmm?”

Xu Qi An expressed his confusion with a nasal sound.

“It was the supreme divine weapon of a Human Sect Sect Leader over seven hundred years ago. That ancestor had unmatched sword skills and dominated the Nine Provinces with his killing techniques. Gradually, the weapon spirit became increasingly violent and bloodthirsty.

“While that ancestor lived, he could still suppress it. After he died in the heavenly tribulation, the weapon spirit lost control and caused significant bloodshed. Later, it was subdued by the next Human Sect Leader, who erased its consciousness.

“Since then, this sword has become a vessel for successive Human Sect Leaders to store their sword qi and sword intent.”

Luo Yuheng explained softly.

Xu Pingfeng is also in peak Second Grade, I wonder if the Imperial Preceptor could defeat him… No,术士 and Daoists are different systems, each with their specialties. They can’t be ranked purely by combat power… Xu Qi An then said:

“How can one make a supreme divine weapon grow quickly? Today in battle, I discovered a flaw in supreme divine weapons.”

He told Luo Yuheng about how the not-so-clever Taiping Blade had been affected by heart insects.

“This should be related to the supreme divine weapon’s personality. Your blade is not a deeply violent weapon. Simply put, it’s not fierce enough,” Luo Yuheng pondered before adding:

“Moreover, it only gained consciousness recently—counting carefully, not even half a year has passed.”

Taiping is still too young… Xu Qi An thought helplessly.

“I do have an idea.”

Xu Qi An’s eyes brightened: “Please share, Imperial Preceptor.”

“You now possess two dragon qi, just sitting there. Why not use them to nurture the Taiping Blade?” Seeing Xu Qi An didn’t understand, Luo Yuheng prompted:

“The Nation-Stabilizing Sword!”

Xu Qi An’s eyes suddenly widened: “Imperial Preceptor means to forge the Taiping Blade into a magical treasure like the Nation-Stabilizing Sword? Is that possible?”

Luo Yuheng nodded:

“The Nation-Stabilizing Sword itself is a supreme divine weapon, nurtured by fortune for six hundred years before transforming into a magical treasure. But that was unconsciously nurturing, progressing slowly. You can directly channel dragon qi to nurture your blade.

“Though it’s impossible to quickly bring your blade to the Nation-Stabilizing Sword’s level, it might become a weapon between magical treasure and supreme divine weapon.

“At that time, it should be able to resist the influence of heart insects.”

Completely feasible!

Xu Qi An became excited at once. Dragon qi was a type of fortune—he could completely replicate the Nation-Stabilizing Sword’s path.

He knew better than anyone how powerful and terrifying the Nation-Stabilizing Sword was.

It was truly a nightmare for peak experts.

If the Taiping Blade could become a second Nation-Stabilizing Sword—no, even just having some similar characteristics would be enough. In the previous battle, he could have broken Jing Yuan’s Vajra Divine Skill with one strike.

In the future, even against Third Grade Vajras, he could pose a threat.

“The Imperial Preceptor is truly brilliant as ice and snow. I never thought of using dragon qi this way,” Xu Qi An offered flattering praise.

Luo Yuheng maintained an outwardly calm bearing, but her eyes showed slight happiness.

She’s so easy to please. If only she could stay in this personality… Xu Qi An thought.

He didn’t delay further, immersing his consciousness in the jade mirror. The Taiping Blade and the golden dragon image slumbered inside, along with some banknotes, gold and silver, jade items, porcelain, and antiques.

Sensing its master’s consciousness arrives, the Taiping Blade awakened, conveying happy and ingratiating thoughts.

Xu Qi An ignored its fawning and sent it into the dragon qi.

The Taiping Blade “soaked” in the golden dragon’s ethereal form, transmitting intermittent thoughts:

“Ah, so comfortable, I’m dying, I’m dying…”

Who did it inherit this foolish personality from? Xu Qi An frowned, unhappily withdrawing his consciousness.

“It’s indeed effective.”

Xu Qi An said.

Luo Yuheng nodded, then said:

“I still have internal injuries. Though the Dao sect’s Law Body is called immortal, its recovery ability is far inferior to warriors.”

“What should we do about this?” Xu Qi An frowned.

Luo Yuheng said somewhat reservedly:

“Dual cultivation can also heal injuries.”

By dawn, Xu Qi An’s injuries had healed completely, his breath was long and steady, and his spirit was refreshed.

But deep in his heart lay serious worry:

After treating her this way, when the seven days pass, will she kill me with one sword strike?

These past few days, Xu Qi An hadn’t been in the normal state of Luo Yuheng, but rather her personality with certain emotions amplified. It was hard to imagine how the usually ice-cold Imperial Preceptor would react when she returned to normal and remembered what had happened these days.

What would her reaction be?

“When the time comes, I must slip away early, or there will be nowhere to bury my body.”

Xu Qi An secretly made up his mind.

“Dear Xu, what are you thinking about?”

Luo Yuheng nestled in his arms, her hair disheveled, cheeks flushed, eyes misty.

Oh Imperial Preceptor, in three days, when you remember calling me “Dear Xu,” you’ll probably draw your sword and hunt me down in embarrassed fury… Xu Qi An thought privately.

…

At dawn.

On the official road in Yong Province territory.

Three horses galloped “clop-clop,” with a spirited and beautiful young woman in the middle, a blue-robed swordsman with a streak of white hair on his forehead to the left, and a tall, sturdy middle-aged bald man to the right.

“Run quickly, before my master catches up,” Li Miaozhen shouted.

“Amitabha, Friend Li, is it right for you and Lord Xu to do this?” Hengyuan said solemnly.

After he and Chu Yuanzhen entered Yong Province city, they went into hiding, taking advantage of Bingyi Immortal and Daoist Xuancheng fighting outside to secretly take Li Miaozhen away.

The two Yang Spirit cultivators of the Heavenly Sect had been used as mere tools, and the Holy Daughter had been “kidnapped.”

Hengyuan felt Lord Xu and Li Miaozhen’s actions were extremely improper.

“It’s fine!”

Chu Yuanzhen smiled: “It merely gives the two seniors a chance to walk more in the mortal realm.”

The Top Scholar Chu believed that such battles of wit between disciples and masters while causing no substantial harm to either side, were quite interesting.

“My master must be very angry now. Oh no, she won’t get angry, but the next time she sees Xu Qi An, she’ll probably draw her sword to strike immediately.”

Li Miaozhen snickered:

“They’d never imagine that someone who looks so dignified would be such a shameless scoundrel.”

Hengyuan said helplessly: “Toying with elders like this isn’t good.”

“Number Six, what do you know? This is a wise move by Xu Qi An.”

Li Miaozhen snorted:

“Master and Senior Master are people who won’t listen to persuasion. Force certainly won’t work either. Luo Yuheng might be able to, but if she interferes in Heavenly Sect affairs, it will surely provoke the Heavenly Venerable, which would bring forward the battle between Heaven and Man.

“Since neither soft nor hard approaches work, we can only use cunning. Hurry, we need to reach Xu Qi An before daybreak.”

…

While the three companions raced under the stars and moon, Xu Qi An held Luo Yuheng’s smooth, soft form, sleeping in the warm blankets.

Suddenly, he was awakened by a feeling of unease, knowing the Earth Book had a message.

Raising his hand, he made a light gesture, and the Earth Book flew out from the clothes scattered on the ground, delivering itself to Xu Qi An’s hand.

[Two: Xu Qi An, we’ve arrived. Which Inn are you in?]

Seeing these words, Xu Qi An startled, all drowsiness vanishing.

So quick?

Did they need to travel through the night?

He hurriedly threw back the covers and got up, with only one thought in his mind: get another room.

He couldn’t let Li Miaozhen see him sharing a bed with Luo Yuheng.

Luo Yuheng opened her eyes, hugged his waist, and said with a sweet laugh:

“Where is dear Xu going?”

Xu Qi An noticed the change in her tone and manner, different from yesterday.

Carefully observing Luo Yuheng, he saw her eyes full of emotion, her smile sweet, and immediately had a guess.

Love?

We’re doomed!