The dining table was very quiet, with everyone’s eyes focused on the jade powder on the table.

That hand truly slipped quite deliberately.

Lingbo’s gaze swept over Kong Hou and Huan Zong. She was thoughtful. Chang De vaguely felt that Fellow Daoist Huan Zong didn’t seem to like Yuanji Sect very much. Yesterday, his attitude before Master Shuangqing had already been cold, and today in front of Yuanji Sect’s eldest disciple, he was even less concealing. Could Yuanji Sect have done something that violated Huan Zong’s taboos, causing him to be like this?

Zhou Xiao was stunned for a moment and quickly stood up to call maids to bring new utensils. Just as he was standing up, Huan Zong placed a bowl of spirit crane egg custard in front of Kong Hou: “Have some of this in the morning. It’s good for your body.”

“Oh.” Kong Hou picked up the bowl and ate. Although she didn’t know why, her intuition told her that if she didn’t eat it, something unpleasant might happen.

Until that bowl of pigeon soup grew cold, Kong Hou still hadn’t had a chance to drink it. Huan Zong reached out to test the bowl’s temperature, his expression calm: “The soup has grown cold. I’ll get you a fresh bowl.”

Handing the soup bowl to Kong Hou, after she took a sip, Huan Zong’s expression was gentle: “How does it taste?”

“It’s alright.” Kong Hou drank a little less than half the bowl before she couldn’t drink anymore.

Huan Zong nodded and put down his chopsticks, using a handkerchief to wipe the corners of his mouth: “I’ve finished eating. Thank you for the hospitality of your esteemed alliance and Fellow Daoist Zhou.”

“Master Huan Zong is too polite.” Zhou Xiao smiled honestly and turned to ask Kong Hou: “Does the immortal have anything you’d like to eat? I’ll have the kitchen prepare it for you.”

“The guest follows the host’s lead. Whatever Fellow Daoist Zhou decides is fine.” Kong Hou thanked him. “We cultivation practitioners don’t place much importance on food and drink.”

Lin Hu thought, such a good young girl, actually learning to lie from following his young master. This sin was truly too great.

“Then would the immortal like to tour around Kui City? This humble one is not talented, but is willing to guide you.” Zhou Xiao’s cheeks flushed red, his eyes not quite daring to land on Kong Hou’s face.

“No need.” Kong Hou waved her hand. “I’ve already made plans with Huan Zong. Fellow Daoist Zhou doesn’t need to specially entertain us. Please do as you wish.”

Zhou Xiao looked at Huan Zong, then looked at Kong Hou, remembering that day in the dense forest when the two had left together in the same carriage. In a flash, he guessed at a certain truth. He stared blankly at Kong Hou. A small flame that hadn’t yet fully ignited in his heart was instantly buried under thick accumulated snow.

“If that’s the case, then I wish the immortal and the master a pleasant time.” Zhou Xiao cupped his hands in salute and quickly retreated.

“Huan Zong, let’s go.” Kong Hou tugged on Huan Zong’s robe and turned to look at Chang De and Lingbo: “Would you two fellow daoists like to come along?”

Chang De: “It wouldn’t hurt to take a look.”

Lingbo: “No need.”

Chang De turned to look at Lingbo. Hadn’t his junior sister said last night that she wanted to go to Yuxiao Sect’s branch shop in Kui City to buy the newest dress release? Why wasn’t she going out now?

“We still have some matters to handle. Please go ahead, fellow daoists.” Without waiting for Chang De to speak, Lingbo dragged him away. Seeing his junior sister being so improper, but not wanting to criticize her in front of outsiders, Chang De could only follow her and leave.

“Lingbo.” After leaving the inner courtyard, Chang De said helplessly: “You should interact more with other cultivators.”

“Senior Brother, those two are clearly interested in each other, man and woman alike. Why should we join in that excitement?” Lingbo had already despaired of Chang De’s slow perception. “Didn’t you see how ugly Master Huan Zong’s expression was when Zhou Xiao was showing attentiveness to Kong Hou just now?”

“Master Huan Zong and Kong Hou Immortal?” Chang De thought about it and immediately shook his head in refutation: “Master Huan Zong has great achievements in the sword dao. When have we sword cultivators ever valued these ethereal personal feelings? Moreover, Kong Hou Immortal is only a teenager in bone age and is still a Yunhua Sect disciple. These two sects have different cultivation philosophies and different sect management methods. How could they develop feelings?”

Lingbo said hesitantly: “Could I be overthinking it?”

“Between cultivation practitioners, it’s not like ordinary men and women. Lifespans are too long, and having seen too much, it’s not easy to be moved.” Chang De looked at his junior sister who wasn’t yet a hundred years old. “You’re still young and don’t understand how time grinds down emotions.”

In youth, one is willing to sacrifice life and death for love, not regretting even a vigorous affair. The older one gets, the lighter one’s view of emotions becomes. Having seen too much of life and death, separation and parting, it becomes even harder to be moved by other people or events.

In the entire cultivation world, among the great powers with profound cultivation, who had ever had a dao companion? Perhaps they had once, but in the end, still pursuing their individual dao, they went their separate ways.

“Could there be no lasting emotions at all?” Lingbo pressed. “No one special existence?”

“None.” Chang De shook his head. “Not a single one.”

Although Lingbo had no one who stirred her heart, she still yearned for beautiful emotions. Hearing her senior brother’s answer, she couldn’t help feeling somewhat disappointed.

“You needn’t mind it. Perhaps such a celestial couple will appear in the future, just not now.” Chang De smiled in comfort. “You should go shopping with the other senior brothers. I’ll go back and organize the things needed for entering the secret realm.”

Lingbo nodded. Thinking of the things she wanted to buy, she forgot that bit of disappointment in her heart completely.

Chang De watched her retreating figure and shook his head with a smile. After all, she was still young. Years ago, a great power and his dao companion had a vigorous romance that everyone in the cultivation world knew about. However, even this relationship couldn’t withstand the erosion of time. How intense their love was when they were together, how indifferent their separation. It wasn’t until his dao companion perished that the great power suddenly went mad, searching everywhere for ways to resurrect his dao companion. However, the dead would not return, and the living had to continue living through endless years.

This great power had disappeared for several hundred years. Perhaps he had already perished in some unknown corner, becoming one with the earth.

Kong Hou put the items she’d bought and the letter she’d written to the sect together in a storage pouch and sent them to the courier station, having the flying sword messenger deliver them back. Before leaving, she’d thought about many things—for instance, if she didn’t make it out in time, she would be locked in the secret realm for several hundred years, so she had to inform the sect in advance where she’d gone.

“Ah…” Kong Hou saw a familiar figure in a certain shop. She could spot this person at a glance not because of Kong Hou’s good eyesight, but because the other party’s head was too square—among the masses, he was the most dazzling existence. “That seems to be Master Shuangqing?”

The Master Shuangqing before them always maintained a smile, a warm and hospitable host. Now without smiling, he looked more like he had the dignity of a sect master, even though what he was currently selecting were toys children liked.

After selecting the toys, he personally felt them over several times, seeming to confirm there were no wooden splinters before nodding in satisfaction.

Was this bought for a young disciple?

“This Master Shuangqing…” Huan Zong led Kong Hou in another direction. “This person has no small ambition. Don’t get too close to him.”

“He wants to scheme against me?” Kong Hou was surprised. She was just a small sect disciple—what benefit was there in scheming against her?

“Have you thought about which sect Yuanji Sect would need to topple first if they wanted to enter the Ten Great Sects?” Huan Zong didn’t really understand human relations and worldly affairs, but regarding people’s hearts or ambitions, he saw them clearly.

“Who?” Kong Hou’s eyes widened. “It wouldn’t be our Yunhua Sect, would it?”

Huan Zong looked at her without speaking, which was tantamount to tacit confirmation.

“Because we look the most honest and dutiful?” Kong Hou frowned. “Bullying honest people is not good.”

Huan Zong: “…”

“But it doesn’t matter.” Kong Hou quickly accepted it. “These matters have the sect leader and peak masters to worry about. Our sect’s elders and peak masters are quite formidable.”

Huan Zong: “Mm.”

If they weren’t formidable, how could everyone in Yunhua Sect live their days with such peace of mind?

“However, you reminded me correctly. I need to write a letter to inform the sect leader of this matter.” Kong Hou said. “One must guard against others.”

“Don’t rush. If my speculation is wrong, it wouldn’t be good.” Huan Zong pressed down on her wrist, not letting her take out a transmission talisman. “This matter involves the peace between two sects. It’s not good to cause misunderstandings.”

“What are you thinking?” Kong Hou patted the back of his hand. “It’s just a reminder. The sect leader and the others will make their own judgments and won’t act rashly.” Clearly finding something suspicious yet not informing the sect for the sake of caution—wouldn’t that give the other party an opportunity to exploit?

Whether true or false, letting the sect know early and having a guarded heart—wasn’t that more prudent? In any case, aside from those inside the sect knowing about this matter, it wouldn’t spread outside. What was there to fear about conflicts?

When people are young, their thinking about problems is always simple and direct, but sometimes it’s precisely this simplicity and directness that can avoid many misunderstandings. Perhaps it’s not only because of youth, but also because of her trust in the sect, and the sect’s trust in her. For Kong Hou, Yunhua Sect was her home. Discovering anything suspicious outside and reporting it to her family was perfectly normal. Yunhua Sect also wouldn’t severely reprimand her because Kong Hou transmitted incorrect information.

This way of interacting, Liuguang Sect couldn’t do it, and was unable to do it. This was a trust unique to Yunhua Sect and its disciples. Outsiders couldn’t understand it, and they didn’t seem to care whether outsiders understood or not.

Understanding this point, Huan Zong no longer tried to persuade Kong Hou: “Then we’ll handle this matter when we return.” The street was full of people coming and going—it wasn’t too suitable for transmitting flying message talismans.

“Alright.” Kong Hou grabbed hold of Huan Zong. “Then let’s hurry back.”

Lowering his head to look at his sleeve being gripped tightly, Huan Zong smiled: “Alright.”

The two hadn’t walked far when they came face to face with Lingbo, who had claimed to have matters to handle.

Lingbo: “…”

Kui City was so big—how could they still run into each other? She looked at Huan Zong’s sleeve being grasped by Kong Hou. Was this the way of pure friendship between men and women?

“Lingbo Immortal.” Noticing Lingbo’s gaze, Kong Hou looked down at Huan Zong’s sleeve that she’d wrinkled, released her hand, and exchanged greetings with the several Zhaohan Sect disciples.

“Please do as you wish, both of you. Farewell.” Lingbo was afraid that if she spoke a few more sentences with Kong Hou, she would overturn the understanding she’d just obtained from her senior brother.

“Why is she in such a hurry?” Kong Hou looked at Lingbo’s retreating back. “Rushing to grab Yuxiao Sect’s new dress styles?”

Looking at the sleeve that had been released, Huan Zong said: “A few days ago at Jixiang Pavilion, I saw Fellow Daoist Cheng Yi wearing a thumb ring on his hand.”

“You mean that black thumb ring?”

“Yes.” Huan Zong kept a straight face, looking very serious. “Simple and elegant, it looked quite good when worn.”

“That was something I refined.” Kong Hou smiled until her eyes narrowed. “I refined that in Yan City. It was entirely thanks to the pure fire you gave me that I could successfully refine it.” Seeing that Huan Zong’s thumb was empty, Kong Hou said: “If you don’t mind, I’ll refine one for you too.”

“Good.” Huan Zong answered without hesitation. “I don’t have a thumb ring yet.”

Unable to resist looking at Huan Zong’s hands a few more times, Kong Hou began silently contemplating—just what kind of thumb ring could match such a pair of hands?

After returning to Yuanji Sect’s back courtyard, Kong Hou returned to her own courtyard to prepare transmission talismans. When Huan Zong returned to his courtyard, Lin Hu was sitting by the stone table brewing tea. Seeing him return, Lin Hu put down his teacup. “Young Master returns at just the right time. The tea has just been brewed. Would you like to try some?”

Huan Zong walked to the stone table and sat down, waiting for Lin Hu to pour the tea for him: “What do you want to say to me?”

Lin Hu wasn’t someone who enjoyed tea tasting. Today, deliberately brewing tea in the courtyard clearly meant he was waiting for him to return.

“Young Master misunderstands. I just saw the warm spring sun shining brightly and wanted to come out to bask in the sun.” Lin Hu placed the teacup in front of Huan Zong. “Also, the sect just sent a transmission talisman saying that recently they’ll be promoting the dangers of evil cultivators everywhere, as well as various precautions for preventing evil cultivators’ wicked methods. The sect’s meaning is that if we see disciples from our own sect in danger outside, it’s best if we step in to save them.”

“I understand.” Huan Zong nodded slowly.

The tea was somewhat hot, but when Huan Zong drank it, it was just right. Ever since problems appeared with his body, some of his senses were no longer as keen as before, and even his sense of pain had deteriorated. It was precisely because of this that Old Man Wuku’s heart demon-inducing magical tool hadn’t had much effect on him.

Raising his head to look at the orange sunlight printed on the wall, Huan Zong didn’t speak further.

“Young Master, your reaction this morning was excessive.” Looking at his indifferent expression, Lin Hu still spoke these words.

Huan Zong turned his face slightly. His pale face was dyed golden by the sunlight.

“Zhou Xiao is Yuanji Sect’s eldest disciple, honest in character, and didn’t do anything improper.” Lin Hu continued. “Even if you don’t like him, you shouldn’t have acted that way.”

“Whether he’s good or not has nothing to do with me.” Huan Zong’s eyelids moved, and finally a trace of emotion resembling annoyance appeared on his indifferent face. “He was too close to Kong Hou. They’re not suitable.”

Lin Hu looked at Huan Zong in shock, as if he hadn’t expected him to say such words, yet also seemed to want to hear what he’d say next.

“His appearance is ordinary, his natural talent common, his character and nature have no outstanding points, and his junior brothers and sisters are all troublesome.” Huan Zong could pick out a whole host of faults with Zhou Xiao. “His bone age is not small, yet his cultivation is still so low. From head to toe, there’s not a single point where he compares to Kong Hou. What virtue and ability does such a man have to dare covet a five spiritual root core disciple of Yunhua Sect?”

Huan Zong’s words seemed somewhat harsh. His former self would never have said such things. Lin Hu was stunned for a long time before gently speaking: “But Young Master, all of this should be matters for Yunhua Sect’s Master Wang Tong to worry about.”

Whoosh.

The wind rose, stirring the treetops. Huan Zong’s eyelashes also trembled in the wind.

Huan Zong met Lin Hu’s gaze and saw his own pale face. Lin Hu had followed by his side for three hundred years, nominally a servant but actually both teacher and friend. Lin Hu was silent most of the time and didn’t easily voice opinions about his behavior.

He put down the teacup and averted his gaze, his lips pressed tight for a long time without speaking.

“Huan Zong, Huan Zong!” The young girl in a goose-yellow dress draped herself over the wall, waving to him: “I found a bottle of pills refined by Martial Uncle Qingyuan in my storage ring. They’re beneficial for the spirit platform. Take them.”

The moonlight-colored ribbon on her wrist swayed back and forth in the sunlight, gleaming with beautiful radiance, yet still couldn’t compare to the brilliance of the smile on her face.

Huan Zong stared blankly at her, the sound of spring wind blowing in his ears.

The wind’s sound was small, but he heard it clearly. This gust of wind blew into his ears, his eyes, his brain, and also… into his heart.

“Huan Zong, what’s wrong with you?” The wall-climbing girl jumped down from the wall, walked in front of Huan Zong and crouched down, waving her hand in front of his eyes. “Distracted? Dazed? Saw that I’m too beautiful and lost your composure?”

“Mm.” Huan Zong looked at her and smiled. “You guessed correctly.”

“What?”

“Seeing you’re too beautiful, I lost my composure.”

“You really know how to talk.” Kong Hou placed the pills on the table, shaking her head with a sigh. “Unfortunately, my senior sisters already told me long ago that the pretty words men say—it’s enough to feel happy hearing them, but you absolutely mustn’t believe them.”

“I don’t lie.” Huan Zong looked at her, his eyes full of seriousness. His beautiful peach blossom eyes brimmed with tenderness.

Kong Hou covered her little heart and reached up to cover her eyes: “Keep the pills to eat. I’m going back!” Being looked at with that kind of gaze by a man whose beauty was unparalleled in the world could easily make a woman feel like she was the entire world.

Beauty harmed people—it was too harmful.

Kong Hou jumped onto the wall, looked back once, and hurriedly jumped back into her own courtyard.

For the sake of the vast female compatriots, she had to be friends with Huan Zong for life. If beauty was going to harm people, let it come harm her—other girls were innocent!

Watching the young girl hurriedly jump over the wall and run away, Huan Zong turned to look at Lin Hu.

“Don’t look at me. I also don’t know how you managed to scare away a perfectly good young girl.” Lin Hu turned his face away and raised his hand to cover his own face.

Gripping the delicate, cool jade medicine bottle in his hand, Huan Zong stood up: “Lin Hu.”

Lin Hu lowered his hand to look at him. The sunlight was too dazzling. His eyes were somewhat blurred, and Huan Zong’s expression appeared somewhat fuzzy in his vision.

“Sometimes when doing things, perhaps one doesn’t need to understand the reasons clearly.” Huan Zong curved his lips. “I don’t know how much time remains in the rest of my life, but right now I’m very happy.”

Lin Hu opened his mouth, wanting to speak but was interrupted by Huan Zong.

“There will be many more such incidents in the future. You’ll get used to it.” Putting the jade medicine bottle into his storage ring, “Practice makes perfect. Nothing seems strange anymore.”

Lin Hu: “…”

Not only had Young Master been dyed all colors by the dye vat, even his cultural level had declined.

Was that how one used “practice makes perfect” and “nothing seems strange anymore”?

At night, rain began to fall in Kui City. The rain fell for an entire night without any sign of stopping. By noon, spring thunder boomed, and the heavy rain still hadn’t ceased.

Huan Zong, who was reading in his room, glanced out the window and stood up to walk outside.

The secret realm had opened.

Kong Hou, who was meditating in her room, sensed spiritual energy surging through heaven and earth differently than usual. She opened an umbrella and walked outside, only to see Huan Zong and Lin Hu standing in her courtyard.

“Huan Zong, Senior Lin, has the secret realm already opened?” Kong Hou walked to Huan Zong’s side. Seeing his complexion looked even better than usual, she felt relieved. “Should we head there now?”

Huan Zong nodded, tossing out a flying magical tool. The three mounted it and headed toward where the secret realm was located.

The secret realm entrance was in a mountain valley. Its exterior looked extremely unremarkable. If ordinary people without cultivation saw it, they would only think it was an ordinary cave. Just as Kong Hou’s group of three arrived, Zhaohan Sect’s disciples had already rushed over.

There weren’t many cultivators present. Besides them, there were also several Yuanji Sect disciples with decent cultivation, as well as a few independent cultivators who didn’t know where they’d gotten the news.

The independent cultivators saw famous sect disciples appear and not only weren’t resentful, but actually breathed a sigh of relief. Secret realms were full of crises. With just the few of them, they wouldn’t dare go inside at all. With these cultivators from famous sects present, it was completely different. They had profound cultivation and many protective magical tools. They wouldn’t see them obtain something and then think about killing to seize treasures. Most importantly, their character was upright. If they saw independent cultivators in distress, they would definitely extend a helping hand when able to save them.

Precisely because of this, the several independent cultivators present came forward one after another to pay their respects. After learning Kong Hou and Huan Zong’s identities, their attitudes became even more enthusiastic.

They had long heard of Kong Hou Immortal and Master Huan Zong’s esteemed names, not only because they had saved several Qingfeng Sect disciples, but also because they held a commendatory attitude toward independent cultivators. It was said that two months ago, evil cultivators had pretended to be independent cultivators to commit evil, identifying as independent cultivators and using this to provoke conflicts between independent cultivators and sect cultivators. However, Kong Hou Immortal had said that independent cultivators were free and forthright with excellent character and nature, and would never do the things evil cultivators did.

After these words reached independent cultivators’ ears, they became proof that Kong Hou respected independent cultivators. So although Kong Hou hadn’t yet accomplished any earth-shattering deeds, in the hearts of independent cultivators, she had already become a famous sect disciple of high talent, good character and nature, reasonable and full of a sense of justice.

“Kong Hou Immortal is truly as beautiful as the Celestial Maiden of the Nine Heavens, transcendent as a blue lotus.”

“The secret realm is full of crises. After entering, the immortal must be extra careful.”

“This jade tablet contains a thread of this old one’s divine consciousness. I’m now giving it to you, Immortal. If you encounter danger, crush the jade tablet and this old one will definitely come to assist as quickly as possible.” The one with the highest cultivation among the independent cultivators was a Nascent Soul elder. He was an elder in the Independent Cultivator Alliance and had been sent by the alliance to enter the secret realm together to protect the safety of these few independent cultivators.

“Thank you, Elder.” Kong Hou received the jade tablet and placed it in her storage ring.

“No need to thank me, no need.” The Nascent Soul elder’s smile became even more amiable. Independent cultivators and famous sects had always minded their own business. Beneath the seemingly peaceful surface lurked the arrogance of famous sect disciples and the helplessness of independent cultivators. Who would be willing to be an independent cultivator if they could enter a famous sect to cultivate? Of those who became independent cultivators, only a small portion did so for freedom—more did so because they couldn’t enter famous sects. Inequality in talent and cultivation resources had always kept independent cultivators in a state of lacking confidence, so hearing cultivators of quite high status from famous sects praise them made them so happy.

More importantly, Kong Hou Immortal had good aptitude, was young, had unlimited future prospects, and was very respectful toward independent cultivators. Befriending such a famous sect disciple had not a single bit of harm for independent cultivators.

Watching the independent cultivators circling around Kong Hou, words of praise flowing like they cost nothing, Lingbo touched her own face. Was she not as good-looking as Kong Hou, or was her fame not as great? Why were these independent cultivators specifically trying to please her?

Was Kong Hou the only female cultivator here?

“Everyone.” Chang De used a technique to raise the volume of his voice so everyone could hear what he was saying. “Now that the secret realm has opened, please everyone pay attention to safety. When moving about, try not to separate too far, lest when danger is encountered, others can’t rush to rescue in time.”

“The secret realm will remain open for about a month. During this month, our Zhaohan Sect will leave disciples stationed outside to keep watch, but for the sake of caution, please everyone try to come out a few days early. I’m worried that if the secret realm becomes unstable, it might close early.” Chang De glanced at the several dozen-plus people present. “I wish everyone can obtain spiritual herbs and precious treasures and return safely.”

The Independent Cultivator Alliance elder said: “I’ll go scout the path ahead first.”

He was the first to enter. The secret realm showed no abnormalities, and only then did the other independent cultivators follow in one after another.

Chang De looked toward Huan Zong, who still hadn’t moved: “Is Master Huan Zong entering now?”

“You go in first. The three of us will bring up the rear.” Huan Zong made a gesture of invitation.

“Thank you.” Chang De hesitated no further and led his junior brothers and sisters flying into the secret realm. Following them were Yuanji Sect disciples. Among these disciples, Kong Hou saw that female cultivator who had been beaten black and blue by the black-robed woman.

The female cultivator saw her, hid beside Zhou Xiao, and hurriedly squeezed into the secret realm, clearly not wanting to bring up what had happened that day.

Within the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, aside from the disciples who needed to remain outside on watch, only Kong Hou, Huan Zong, and Lin Hu remained outside the secret realm. Kong Hou walked to the secret realm entrance, rubbing her hands together: “First time entering a legendary secret realm—I’m a bit nervous.”

“Don’t be nervous. Practice makes perfect. Nothing seems strange anymore.” Lin Hu answered with a completely serious face.

“Senior Lin, what kind of descriptive words are those?” Kong Hou snorted lightly. “You’re coaxing a child.”

Lin Hu turned to look at the expressionless Huan Zong: “My apologies. My family was poor in childhood. I didn’t study literature well.”

Huan Zong: “…”

Kong Hou took a deep breath and stepped into the secret realm.

This feeling wasn’t like stepping through a door, but more like being grabbed by a strange force that made her dizzy for a moment. When she opened her eyes again, the entire world had changed.

Green mountains and clear waters, white clouds and blue sky. Pink fallen flowers floated on gurgling streams. The spiritual energy was so concentrated it was as if thousands upon thousands of spirit-gathering formations had been set up inside. Those cultivators who had entered first had gone who knew where—not a trace of them remained.

“Huan Zong, Senior Lin…” Kong Hou turned around. Only Huan Zong was behind her. Senior Lin had gone who knew where.

“Don’t move yet.” Huan Zong walked to her side. “This secret realm is a giant divination formation. After people enter, they may appear in different places.”

“But Pavilion Master Sun didn’t mention this to me.” Looking at the densely packed forest, Kong Hou lowered her head to look at the ground. A thick layer of withered leaves—who knew how many years they’d been accumulating.

“The secret realm has spirit. Five hundred years have already passed—it will also change.” Huan Zong observed the surroundings. “There’s temporarily no problem here. Don’t worry.”

“The secret realm has changed—is the Cloud-Seeking Tree still there or not?” Kong Hou’s expression changed drastically. She looked around, her complexion not looking good.

“Things that were originally there will naturally still be there.” Huan Zong summoned the Longyin Sword and gripped it in his hand. “Moreover, what you should worry about are the traps in the secret realm, not the Cloud-Seeking Tree.”

“We came in to find this. If there’s no Cloud-Seeking Tree, we could turn around and leave right now. Who cares whether it’s dangerous or not?”

Huan Zong was slightly stunned. His expression became gentle as he extended his hand before Kong Hou: “Give me your hand.”

Kong Hou looked at him in confusion, her eyes blinking and blinking, like mischievous stars.

“It’s very dangerous here, and this is your first time entering a secret realm.” Huan Zong’s expression became calm and steady again. “It’s safer if I hold your hand while walking.”

—

Author’s Note: Practice makes perfect: Did I provoke you?

Nothing seems strange anymore: Did I offend you?

Practice makes perfect, nothing seems strange anymore: What does this have to do with us?