Yun Shouxi showed a moment of surprise. He turned his head away and said gently, “Why would you ask about such a thing?”

“Just curious,” Ling Luo replied with an honest expression.

Yun Shouxi said, “The exchange of spirit veins between the two is forbidden.”

A vague answer.

This topic was avoided by Yun Shouxi, and Ling Luo didn’t pursue it further,

Because they both received an obituary notice from Tianji: The Sixth Hall Master had exhausted his strength fighting against the Twenty-Six Demons in Dianhua State, his spirit returning to heaven and earth at dusk.

Yun Shouxi frowned as he looked at the spirit bird carrying the message, then crushed it.

Currently, the known Twenty-Six Demons who had surfaced were all in Dianhua State.

One wanted to resurrect his master.

Another was chasing people to seize their swords.

“It seems the Twenty-Six Demons in Dianhua State are the source,” Yun Shouxi said, holding her hand as they walked back. “In a few days, it will be the Spirit Tranquility Festival. The Sixth Hall Master left us a bit too early.”

During the Spirit Tranquility Festival, people would sweep tombs and offer sacrifices for the dead. Soul-pacifying incantations would resound throughout the mountain gates for an entire day.

Tianji disciples needed to pay respects to their sacrificed sect elders, and now the Sixth Hall Master had joined their ranks.

Ling Luo said softly, “Master, my condolences.”

Many had died this time, with all major immortal sects suffering losses.

The two walked leisurely on the sea surface, each step creating rippling circles.

Yun Shouxi said, “After the Spirit Tranquility Festival, I will teach you another incantation.”

Ling Luo’s expression showed slight surprise, “What incantation?”

Yun Shouxi smiled slightly, “An incantation that has been lost for a long time.”

In her previous life, Master had taught her the forbidden technique of Shared Spirit after saying these words.

But wasn’t that supposed to happen after she defended the city? Now it had been moved forward.

Ling Luo suppressed her furrowed brow, but Yun Shouxi noticed and asked, “Don’t you want to learn it?”

“No, I’ll learn whatever Master is willing to teach,” Ling Luo said, speaking falsehoods. Understanding that Yun Shouxi was somewhat impatient, she said softly, “Master, do you still remember when the Carefree Sect came to Tianji, claiming I was the murderer of the Grand Elder’s daughter?”

Yun Shouxi glanced at her from the corner of his eye, maintaining his composure as he said, “I remember.”

Ling Luo spoke with her head lowered, looking at the ripples beneath her feet, the seawater deep blue: “Master, do you think I killed Jin Yuan?”

“Hasn’t this matter been resolved already?” Yun Shouxi asked, “Have the Carefree Sect people approached you again?”

“No,” Ling Luo said, “Master, you haven’t answered my question.”

Yun Shouxi said, “You had a reason to kill her. Whether you did it or not doesn’t matter. Even if you did kill her, the Carefree Sect couldn’t harm you while you’re under my protection.”

“After that year, Master, you must have investigated me,” Ling Luo said. “With your methods, you would have discovered everything about me by now. You know I escaped from the Carefree Sect, and you know where I went before entering the Carefree Sect, and what happened to me, don’t you?”

“Ling Luo,” Yun Shouxi stopped and turned to look at her, “What do you think I know?”

Ling Luo still kept her head down, not looking at him, but smiled and said, “Master is so formidable, of course you know everything.”

Yun Shouxi sighed softly, reaching out to stroke her head, gently comforting her.

“The dead are gone, and grudges are settled. Don’t think about those things anymore. Hatred cannot bring you happiness. You already have a new life,” Yun Shouxi said gently, his gaze reflecting the moonlight as he looked at her, inadvertently revealing the love hidden deep in his eyes. “With me here, I will protect you. Those things that trouble you and leave bad impressions, I will shield you from them all. They can never hurt you again.”

But pain is unforgettable.

More unforgettable than happiness.

Ling Luo slowly raised her head to look at him. Yun Shouxi thought he would see eyes filled with emotion or vulnerability, but instead, those beautiful black pupils were full of arrogance and scrutiny.

Even though she was slightly shorter than him, her upward gaze made her appear lofty and superior.

“Before I met Master, the mortal world taught me a principle. If you want someone to remember you forever, you only need to shatter their self-esteem and pride, trample them in the mud, and thoroughly humiliate them. This indelible pain and resentment will make them remember you firmly in their hearts, never to be forgotten.”

Ling Luo spoke with dignity, removing Yun Shouxi’s hand that held hers, her face bearing a smile as she said, “All these years, Master has been teaching me to let go of grudges, not to be bound by past events, and to live a better life.”

“That’s right. People can’t always live in the past, but I don’t intend to forget the past either. Master, you don’t want me to seek revenge—is it because you’re worried I’ll change and no longer be myself, or was it agreed from the beginning that you only needed to keep an eye on me?”

The gentleness in Yun Shouxi’s eyes gradually faded as he gripped her hand that tried to pull away. His strength was such that he pulled Ling Luo toward him, but her wrist turned, drawing out Yingxi, which opened with a swish, sending a red beam of spiritual energy shooting skyward between them.

Ling Luo didn’t move, and Yun Shouxi didn’t let go.

The man’s gaze turned deep and obscure as he looked at her, “Is that what you think?”

“How I think doesn’t matter at all. What matters is how you think, Master,” Ling Luo smiled slightly. At this moment, she most resembled Yun Shouxi’s disciple—a Cansui Immortal who wore a mask of gentleness and smiles. “My incantations and techniques were all taught by you, Yingxi was also given by you, as were my status and position. From my entry to the inner sect until now, Master, you’ve been the person who has treated me the best. You should also be the person who understands me the most.”

Of course, I understand you the best, and I am the only one in this world who understands you.

But why does the person before me seem so unfamiliar?

Over these years, I have tamed you, made you shed your wildness, and become docile and obedient. I can give you sharpness and blades, but in my presence, all of this should be restrained. What has made you dare to stand in opposition to me?

Yun Shouxi looked at her with deep, somber eyes.

This face was young and beautiful, overlapping with the image in his memory. The eyes that should have been charming and gentle now carried wildness and arrogance, like a high god judging a lowly demon.

When did she regain this untamable wildness?

Was it in the Moon Palace of North Court, in the Primal of the Western Sea, or even earlier?

“I am the person in this world who understands you best. You only have me,” Yun Shouxi held her hand firmly, powerful and domineering.

But Ling Luo slightly raised her chin. Yingxi planted spirits, and flower branches sprouted from the sea surface. The flowering tree, absorbing Yun Shouxi’s spiritual energy, grew enormous, briefly blossoming between them before withering.

“Master, look at me carefully,” Ling Luo said. “Do you understand me?”

Ling Luo looked directly at Yun Shouxi with unprecedented seriousness.

She was giving Yun Shouxi a final chance.

The fine snow had stopped unnoticed. Cherry blossoms danced beneath the moon, crossing their vision. Ling Luo forced Yun Shouxi to release her hand using Yingxi’s spirit planting, while Yun Shouxi created a barrier to block her retreat.

Yun Shouxi reached out his hand to her, his spiritual power forcefully suppressing Yingxi, shattering the flower petals that hovered between them: “Ling Luo.”

“You shouldn’t become like that,” he said in a deep voice, his pleasant voice slightly hoarse, thus appearing full of momentum, exuding intimidation that made one want to retreat.

“There’s no need to cling to the past. I will give you something better,” Yun Shouxi stretched out his hand to her.

But Ling Luo shook her head: “Master, you still haven’t answered my question.”

The spiritual energies of both sides collided, one attacking, one defending. The seawater beneath their feet surged as if about to raise great waves.

Another spirit bird carrying a message from Tianji arrived, also an obituary: Hong Yue, Master of the Medicine Pavilion, had her spirit scattered in Dianhua State.

Yu Xiu, riding his sword above, said to the two: “Master, the Grand Sect Leader tried to contact you via jade communicator but received no response, so he asked me to inquire.”

He looked at the two with some hesitation: “Are you two arguing?”

Ling Luo put away Yingxi, stepping aside: “Master, please attend to your duties first.”

She had reverted to the appearance of an obedient disciple.

Yun Shouxi’s expression turned slightly cold as he took the jade communicator Yu Xiu handed over and left.

After he was far away, Yu Xiu landed beside Ling Luo and sighed. But Ling Luo smiled and said: “Second Senior Brother has come at the right time.”

Yu Xiu walked back with her and asked: “Master cares about you a lot, and he always has our best interests at heart. Even if you argue, don’t stay angry for too long. Make up after tonight, alright?”

“It’s Master who is angry with me,” Ling Luo said casually, taking out her jade communicator while asking, “Hong Yue, Master of the Medicine Pavilion, also died in Dianhua State. Who else is there?”

“Nanshan Snowy River found the White Bone Demon’s lair in Dianhua State. Today, he captured dozens of young women and took them into the demon lair. Master Feng believes the place where he’s trying to resurrect True Master Zuo Bai is inside the demon’s lair. Several hall masters entered the demon lair but unfortunately perished,” Yu Xiu said. “Senior Brother also arrived in Dianhua State tonight. The Sixth Hall Master died, but some Tianji disciples are still trapped in the demon lair. The young master of Snowy River is also trapped inside, causing great anxiety throughout Snowy River.”

Ling Luo looked down at the message Yue Liangze had sent earlier, which read: “Yuanyuan is trapped in the demon lair. I’ll go rescue him first.”

The demon lair in Dianhua State.

Ling Luo stared at this message in a daze.

Had Yue Liangze arrived at the demon lair before her?

She vaguely remembered that when she was injured and unconscious in the demon lair, she had glimpsed a figure passing by that resembled Yue Liangze. Later, she learned that he had entered the demon’s lair two days after her, so it couldn’t have been him.

But in the Soul-Bewitching Cave of the demon lair, Yue Liangze had suddenly initiated a sword duel with her.

It happened when they met on a narrow path in front of the Soul-Bewitching Cave. The open cave above was filled with starlight, the ground planted with small red and white flowers, and slender green vines climbing up the walls, with a fragrance so rich it could bewitch minds.

There were many cave openings in the mountain wall. She came out from different openings, and before descending the stairs, she saw Yue Liangze standing at the opposite cave entrance. Dressed in black, when their eyes met, he drew Wusheng from his waist.

Yue Liangze walked down the stairs step by step and said to her: “Ling Luo, let’s have a match.”

Ling Luo was slightly stunned, looking at him suspiciously: “Now? Danshui Immortal, they’re just bewitching flowers. You haven’t been affected, have you?”

Yue Liangze walked toward her with a calm expression, “Have a match with me. If you win, I’ll let you go.”

Ling Luo narrowed her eyes, somewhat displeased by his words: “If I win, you’ll let me go? You’re truly arrogant.”

Yue Liangze finished descending the stairs to the flower-covered ground. He even unsheathed Duanyi, looking very serious.

Ling Luo: “You want to duel with me?”

Before she finished speaking, Wusheng’s sword energy had already swept across, forcing her to draw her sword.

Ling Luo might be puzzled, but she would never back down. Pale white mist quietly spread out, adorning this part of the world.

Thinking carefully, this seemed to be her first sword duel with Yue Liangze.

From initial playfulness to eventual seriousness.

Each of Yue Liangze’s sword strikes was clean and efficient, without excessive flourishes, yet incredibly forceful.

Ling Luo was also curious during the duel, trying to glimpse what he saw through the Age Mist. However, Yue Liangze was extremely cautious, constantly resisting the Age Mist’s reflection of the scenes in his heart.

But the Age Mist was not so easily countered. Despite Yue Liangze’s caution, Ling Luo still glimpsed a corner through the Age Mist.

But Ling Luo could be certain that the scene reflected by the Age Mist was not the beauty Yue Liangze yearned for.

It was black demonic essence filling every corner of the world. In the thick blackness, exaggerated, ferocious faces and figures were twisted, a sight that inspired fear and despair, without a trace of beauty.

The Age Mist would tempt and reflect the most genuine desires in one’s heart, the beautiful illusions one had for this mortal world.

Yet Yue Liangze held no expectations for this world.

Ling Luo was shocked by this scene for a moment. Wusheng collided with the Age Mist, creating crisp sounds of sword strikes. Yue Liangze changed his moves quickly, making it dizzying to watch. She responded seriously, meeting each move perfectly.

Yue Liangze’s sword approached her. His narrow phoenix eyes looked down at her as his cool voice fell by her ear: “Is this all your swordsmanship can do?”

Ling Luo, angered, crossed her sword to force him back: “Danshui Immortal, is this what you call a duel—rushing in without explanation? I’m already being kind by not using killing moves on you.”

Yue Liangze said: “I did ask, and you can use killing moves.”

Are you sick in the head?!

Ling Luo cursed inwardly, but her sword moves became more fierce.

The two were evenly matched in strength, but in terms of swordsmanship, Yue Liangze was always slightly better.

The Age Mist was scattered and cut open by Wusheng. The sword energy drove Ling Luo back, but Yue Liangze instantly closed in, putting Wusheng away at his waist during close combat.

Ling Luo showed no courtesy. In close combat, she used her sword to suppress Yue Liangze, forcing him back onto the flower-covered ground. She pressed her knee against his lower abdomen, one hand supported on his shoulder, her long sword cutting across and resting against his throat.

Yue Liangze looked up at her. Ling Luo cursed, “Yue Liangze!”

As soon as she spoke, she noticed her jade spirit bead had fallen onto Yue Liangze’s clothes.

Ling Luo’s expression darkened momentarily as she picked up the jade spirit bead.

Yue Liangze said, “You won.”

“What do you mean?” Ling Luo didn’t withdraw her sword, staring at him and asking, “Suddenly challenging me to a duel and then holding back—who do you think you’re looking down on?”

Her words carried a hint of annoyance.

Yue Liangze tilted his head slightly and calmly said, “I didn’t hold back. Didn’t you use a killing move? I don’t want to die.”

Ling Luo: “…”

“Who used a killing move?!” She angrily pushed the blade forward slightly. “Want to bet whether I’ll kill you?”

“I believe you,” Yue Liangze blinked up at her, his long black eyelashes trembling slightly. When they opened and closed, those deep, calm black pupils only reflected the woman’s face. “I was indeed serious. You should have felt it. The result is simply that my skill is inferior to yours.”

Ling Luo stared at him without responding.

Yue Liangze initially allowed her to look, but finally turned his face away, breaking eye contact, momentarily flustered.

“The duel is over,” he reminded her in a flat voice.

“Remember now?” Ling Luo leaned closer, saying softly, “Then tell me, where did the demonic essence on you come from?”

Yue Liangze lowered his eyes without answering.

Ling Luo waited patiently for a while, then heard him say, “Is there demonic essence on me?”

Yue Liangze raised his eyes to look at her again, his calm expression showing no panic or anger: “This is a demon lair, demons are everywhere. It’s unavoidable to be contaminated with demonic essence when fighting them.”

“I’m not referring to the external—” Ling Luo’s left hand, supported on his shoulder, gently pressed against his heart, “but here.”

Yue Liangze’s heartbeat quickened.

Before Ling Luo could mock him, he grabbed the wrist pressed against his heart, and pulled her away. Ling Luo hadn’t expected him to move suddenly, and fearing the Age Mist might truly harm him, she withdrew her sword. Without support, her body collapsed downward, but he caught her shoulders to stabilize her.

Yet she wasn’t stabilized.

As Ling Luo fell, she brushed against Yue Liangze’s lips.

They both froze.

Ling Luo blinked, internally screaming that she had fallen for such a clichéd trap!

She half straightened up, lightly wiping her lips with one hand. Though appearing composed, she lowered her head and asked through gritted teeth: “You did that on purpose, didn’t you!”

Yue Liangze: “No.”

Ling Luo: “You did!”

Yue Liangze fell silent.

Ling Luo angrily said: “Deny it!”

Yue Liangze pressed his lips together and turned his face away.

He wasn’t denying it anymore.