Jun Changxiao still didn’t have a timetable for when to close the net.

So how far Su Xiao Mo’s undercover journey would go and how far he could walk were still unknowns for now.

However, with this guy’s smooth and versatile personality, deliberately revealing his spiritual roots and cultivation, plus having help from Sun Yingquan, Xia Shui Yun and two Elders, rising steadily through the ranks would definitely be easy.

“The plan is proceeding perfectly.”

“However, I still need to maintain a low profile to avoid causing trouble in the sect…”

Taixuan Holy Sect’s waters ran deep. The outer sect was just the tip of the iceberg—above were the inner sect and core disciple circle. He naturally had to walk on thin ice and couldn’t be the slightest bit lax.

To be precise.

Su Xiao Mo was walking the protagonist’s growth route within a sect, but couldn’t be like a true protagonist crushing heaven, earth and air itself.

In the days ahead, he would also more deliberately interact with Xia Shui Yun, because Elder Xia’s prestige in the Elder Council was higher than Elder Sun’s.

Of course.

Having been instructed by Old Wei, Su Xiao Mo always maintained a relationship of closeness yet distance with that ice-cold woman.

“Come on, let’s do a mission.”

One day, Xia Shui Yun appeared again.

“This… I…”

“You must go.”

“Alright then.”

For several days in a row, the two frequently appeared together at the Mission Pavilion, accepting missions and leaving together.

After He Zongying’s defeat, he seemed to vanish.

In a martial arts-oriented world, without the strength to face competitors, one could only resign himself to being a lifelong bachelor.

Sorry, that wasn’t aimed at certain single readers. Also, please don’t be sad or discouraged—as long as you work hard, you’ll definitely continue being single!

“Junior Brother Su and Senior Sister Xia are getting closer and closer!”

“Although I feel Su Jintang doesn’t match up to Xia Shui Yun, at least he has supreme-grade spiritual roots and more opportunity than us.”

“Tsk tsk, Junior Brother Su really kept things hidden deep. No wonder he could defeat Senior Brother He.”

As Su Xiao Mo and Xia Shui Yun’s contact became more frequent, discussions about the two among Taixuan Holy Sect’s outer sect grew increasingly numerous. There was even speculation they might have already established a romantic relationship.

Taixuan Holy Sect didn’t oppose disciples falling in love—they were quite open about this.

Regarding the external discussions, Su Xiao Mo naturally heard about them and thought helplessly: “The relationship between her and me isn’t as exaggerated as you’re all saying.”

Xia Shui Yun had a cold personality and didn’t speak much. Although their contact frequency was increasing, the whole time was just accepting missions, doing missions, and turning in missions. Even occasional exchanges only involved discussing martial arts.

Of course, Su Xiao Mo hoped to establish feelings beyond fellow disciples with this girl. After all, it could build good relations with Elder Xia, which would benefit his future development in the sect.

However, every time he thought about his true identity as a Ten Thousand Ancients Sect disciple, if he made her fall in love with him and then the Sect Master closed the net, he’d have to say “Sorry, I’m actually an undercover agent”—that would definitely be too damn despicable!

“Emotional matters are off limits.” Su Xiao Mo thought to himself.

Ten Thousand Ancients Sect and Taixuan Holy Sect had no grudges. Coming undercover wasn’t to cause sabotage, so he had to restrain himself and leave without any burden after completing the mission.

“What are you thinking about?”

On the road to do a mission, Xia Shui Yun looked at him.

“Nothing… nothing.”

“Recently, rumors about you and me have been spreading throughout the sect.”

“Yes.”

Xia Shui Yun stopped walking and turned her back to Su Xiao Mo: “I only decided to help you because I think you have potential. Don’t let your imagination run wild because of external rumors.”

Su Xiao Mo thought speechlessly: “What have I been imagining!”

“Of course.”

Xia Shui Yun said: “It’s not that you don’t match up to me, but that I have no interest in romantic matters.”

Having said that, she walked straight ahead.

Su Xiao Mo’s mouth twitched slightly as he thought: “Does this woman think I’m going to pursue her?”

“Senior Sister.”

He hurriedly caught up and said very seriously: “Actually, I also have no interest in romantic matters.”

“That’s best then.” Xia Shui Yun said.

……

“Boom!”

“Boom!”

In the wilderness, a massive ninth-rank fierce beast raised its thick forelimbs and wildly pounded!

“Ice Sword Qi!”

“Clang! Clang! Clang!”

Xia Shui Yun charged forward with her sword, condensing cold sword qi that struck the opponent’s stone-like skin, immediately producing crisp sounds.

“Roar—”

The big lug roared, then swung its thick tail viciously.

“Not good!”

Xia Shui Yun’s expression changed.

“Senior Sister, watch out!”

Just then, Su Xiao Mo charged from the side. With one motion he pushed the woman who couldn’t dodge away, then was directly struck hard in the chest by the tail. His entire person exploded backward and crashed into a stone wall with a bang.

“Wah!”

He spat out a mouthful of blood, then used Nine-Bend Flowing Shadow Steps to rush over. Embracing the just-stabilized Xia Shui Yun, he fled this place at top speed.

……

Night fell.

Inside a mountain cave, a campfire rose.

Xia Shui Yun sat to the side, rather clumsily roasting a wild chicken. From the looks of it, she definitely wasn’t skilled at this.

“Wah!”

Su Xiao Mo, who was healing his injuries, spat out a clump of black blood. His brow gradually relaxed.

“Are you alright?” Xia Shui Yun said.

Su Xiao Mo answered: “Mm, I’m fine now.”

Xia Shui Yun didn’t speak, continuing to turn and roast the wild chicken. The atmosphere fell into an awkward state again.

This kind of sparse verbal communication—Su Xiao Mo had long grown accustomed to it, so he could also adapt by standing up and walking over, saying: “It’s already burnt. Let me do it instead.”

Xia Shui Yun moved aside.

Su Xiao Mo took out a cleaned wild chicken, then skillfully skewered it on a wooden stick and began barbecuing.

Although Xia Shui Yun didn’t speak, her eyes kept staring, as if memorizing the entire process for next time when she could do it herself.

“Senior Sister.”

After a moment, Su Xiao Mo said: “Junior Brother feels that sometimes you’re too reckless. For example, last time at Yin Mountain Ridge and this time—you charged ahead before confirming the target’s strength.”

“I’m happy to.” Xia Shui Yun said coolly.

This woman still hadn’t realized her error. To have survived until now must have required immense luck.

The ice-cold woman was definitely a conversation killer. Su Xiao Mo simply stopped talking.

“Here.”

A quarter-hour later, he passed over the cooked wild chicken: “You can eat it.”

Xia Shui Yun accepted it without ceremony.

After finishing the meal, she pointed outside: “Old rules.”

“Right, right.”

Su Xiao Mo stood up.

The so-called old rules meant that when camping in the wilderness, she would sleep inside the cave while he slept outside.

After all, men and women were different.

Actually, in the past they had rested in caves together. But Su Xiao Mo turned over in his sleep once, causing Xia Shui Yun to become suddenly alert. A burst of cold current erupted and nearly froze him into an ice block.

From that point on, Su Xiao Mo used the excuse of “I’ll keep watch outside” to maintain an absolutely safe distance from this woman.

“Clack!”

Just as he stood up, the delicate small bottle tucked in his waistband fell down.

Xia Shui Yun glanced at it and said coolly: “Wasn’t that bottle of Clear Heart Ice Muscle Pills already eaten by me long ago? Why do you still keep it on you?”

Su Xiao Mo casually picked it up, then used his sleeve to wipe off the dust on it: “Senior Sister was the first girl to give me something. Naturally I need to preserve it well as a keepsake.”

If Old Wei were present at this moment, he would definitely give a thumbs up and praise: “Young man, you can be taught!”

“Idiot.”

Xia Shui Yun said coolly, but the ice layer surrounding her heart melted just a tiny bit more under this inadvertent touch.

“I’m going out.”

“Come back. Just guard the entrance.”

“This… alright.”

Late into the night, Su Xiao Mo habitually turned over. He immediately felt waves of cold qi closing in, instantly enveloping his whole body and freezing him until his body trembled violently.

He whooshed awake from his dream, then with his short legs ran outside: “I damn well shouldn’t have slept inside!”