Among humans, only Nan Xuyue's mastery of formations could be described as divine.
Mu Xuanling rested her chin on her hand, smiling as she gazed at the handsome young man before her. The moment she'd seen the Sanskrit Sound Formation, his face had immediately come to mind. When the green formation rose again, she became even more certain of her guess.
While she had anticipated this reunion, Nan Xuyue's face showed utter astonishment and joy upon seeing her.
"Ling'er, you're alright?" He stepped forward, coming before her, his clear eyes filled with her smiling face.
"Of course I'm fine," she said, tapping her forehead with her index finger and frowning slightly. "But Young Master Nan, what you're doing is causing me trouble."
"What's wrong?" He seemed confused.
Mu Xuanling sighed softly. "I don't want to be your enemy, so you should remove the formation. Otherwise, if I have to break it forcefully, you'll be hurt too."
Only then did Nan Xuyue realize something seemed off about the Mu Xuanling before him.
Though she still wore a slight smile on her lips, her eyes were filled with indifference and coldness, making one feel wary.
"Ling'er, what's wrong with you?" Nan Xuyue hesitantly reached out, wanting to touch her. "I'm here to rescue you."
Mu Xuanling tilted her head, avoiding his hand, the curve of her lips fading slightly. "Young Master Nan, when did I ever need rescuing? Perhaps you misunderstand my identity? I was trapped in Yongxue City, but Master brought me home."
"Home…?" Nan Xuyue thought he had misheard.
"I'm here on Master's orders to eliminate human cultivators. Since you're not a cultivator, I can avoid being your enemy. But if you insist on helping the human cultivators and hindering me, I'll find it hard to show mercy," her expression gradually grew colder.
Though Nan Xuyue had cared for her before, she couldn't disregard her master's orders and be too lenient with him.
Nan Xuyue finally confirmed one thing: Mu Xuanling had changed. He didn't know if Sangqi had done something to her, but in the past, she had retained more of the soft and warm side of human nature. Now, there was no warmth in her eyes at all.
Nan Xuyue grasped her slender wrist and said in a deep voice, "Ling'er, come back to Yunxiu Manor with me."
No matter what Sangqi had done, he was certain he could find a way to bring Ling'er back to her former self.
Mu Xuanling frowned slightly as she looked at her captured wrist, suddenly remembering something—he seemed to harbor some romantic feelings for her, though she didn't feel the same way about him.
If she could win him over, it wouldn't be bad, she pondered.
Mu Xuanling tilted her face up, giving Nan Xuyue a sweet smile. Nan Xuyue was momentarily dazed. She grabbed his hand in return, pulling him forward. He instinctively leaned in, one hand bracing against the chair back, encircling Mu Xuanling within his arms. He felt a slender arm hook around the back of his neck, soft fingertips caressing the skin there, and a tender voice whispering in his ear.
"Come back to the demon realm with me."
Mu Xuanling's voice, accompanied by the resonance of the bone chimes, rolled over Nan Xuyue's heartstrings, making his breath catch. He almost nodded instinctively.
But he quickly regained clarity because in those almond eyes so close to him, there was only cold calculation, and her heartbeat hadn't fluctuated in the slightest.
He knew that when she truly liked someone, there was light in her eyes, and her heart would race like a little deer.
The tender feelings in his heart were immediately covered by stinging pain. He clenched his fists, lowered his eyes, and said bitterly, "Ling'er, you're ill."
Mu Xuanling frowned, snapping angrily, "You're the one who's sick!"
She hadn't expected Nan Xuyue's mind to be so firm and clear. Didn't he like her? How could he resist her charm and the power of the Soul-Hooking Chime? Not only did he not take the bait, but he also insulted her. How could a gentleman, as gentle as jade, insult people?
Was she not beautiful enough, or had his heart changed?
Master was right—human hearts are fickle.
"If you don't come with me, I'll kill you!" Mu Xuanling threatened fiercely. "Although you can't cultivate, if you stand with the human cultivators, you'll cause us a lot of trouble. For the sake of our past relationship, I'll give you one last chance. Think carefully before you answer."
She glanced outside, smiling coldly. "I'll count to ten."
"Ten, nine, eight…" Her hand gripped his slender neck, feeling the pulse beneath her fingertips.
She suddenly remembered that day in the dungeon of Yongxue City, when he'd applied medicine for her. He'd held her hand gently and said it would be better in twenty breaths.
The counting paused for a moment as this image flashed through her mind.
"Ling'er…" His Adam's apple vibrated gently in her palm. She looked up to see light and shadow intertwining in his eyes, filled with both sorrow and longing, but no desire for survival. His warm fingertips brushed over her brows and eyes, and the coldness in her eyes softened a bit.
Maybe I should count another ten, she thought hazily.
Nan Xuyue, hearing the hesitation in her heart, felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps Ling'er hadn't completely forgotten their bond?
But at that moment, Mu Xuanling's heart trembled, a chill crawling up her spine. The warning of danger made her whole body tense. Looking over Nan Xuyue's shoulder, she saw that the tent flap had been lifted at some point, and a familiar figure in white stood before the slightly trembling curtain—like a snowflake silently falling, bringing an overwhelming chill.
Xie Xuechen!
Mu Xuanling's pupils contracted, panic rising in her heart. This was someone she absolutely couldn't defeat! She didn't know how long Xie Xuechen had been there; he had intentionally suppressed his aura, making it impossible for her to detect. Unfathomable emotions surged in his dark phoenix eyes as his gaze swept over her arm entwined with Nan Xuyue's. Mu Xuanling instinctively released her grip on Nan Xuyue, choosing to flee rather than hold him hostage. She stretched out her right palm, trying to summon Duannian, but received no response.
Damn—it must have been silently controlled by Xie Xuechen.
Mu Xuanling had no time to ponder why Xie Xuechen, who should have been in seclusion, suddenly appeared. Only one thought remained in her mind: escape!
Almost the same instant she pushed Nan Xuyue away, she flashed toward the exit, but Xie Xuechen reacted even faster. As she turned, golden light suddenly fell before her eyes. At the same time, the other three sides were blocked, trapping her in a cage formed by golden sword qi.
The sword qi's sharpness was unstoppable. With just a light sweep, it cut off half of her sleeve, which slowly fluttered down. Mu Xuanling held her breath, warily watching the man approaching step by step. He carried a faint, crisp fragrance of winter snow and plum blossoms, appearing elegant and proud, transcendent. Though he had suppressed his aura, Mu Xuanling could still sense his current strength. After a month in seclusion, he had not only recovered his peak, but his power likely surpassed his former state. Falling into his hands, she had almost no hope of escape.
"Sect Leader Xie." Mu Xuanling's lips curved slightly, her nerves as taut as a string, but her face displayed an alluring smile. "Long time no see."
Xie Xuechen gazed at her with deep eyes, his thoughts unfathomable.
Nan Xuyue suddenly stepped in front of him.
"Brother Xie, I don't know what Sangqi did to Ling'er, but she's acting strangely. Please don't hurt her."
Mu Xuanling glanced at Nan Xuyue's back and, fitting the scene, squeezed out a few tears. Her captivating almond eyes brimmed with tears, arousing pity. She sobbed, "Sect Leader Xie, I was forced to do it. I didn't mean to harm those human cultivators."
Both Xie Xuechen and Nan Xuyue frowned—for no other reason than that before those born with ten apertures, the heartbeat is the most honest language. Mu Xuanling was acting.
"Step aside, I won't harm her," Xie Xuechen said calmly to Nan Xuyue.
Mu Xuanling covered her face and wept, watching Xie Xuechen approach, her heart ringing alarm bells, feeling anxious and uneasy.
"Ling'er, after Sangqi abducted you, did he harm you?" Xie Xuechen's voice unconsciously softened a bit, as if afraid of frightening her.
Mu Xuanling sobbed, "He locked me up, poisoned me, and forced me to kill these human cultivators."
Not at all. Master had taught her cultivation methods and even refined a new magical tool for her, making her the Holy Maiden second only to him in the demon realm.
Xie Xuechen's brows furrowed slightly, his heart growing heavier.
The human cultivators outside were all injured because of Mu Xuanling. Both emotionally and rationally, he had to detain her, but he also didn't want her to be harmed again.
That day, because he'd chosen to rescue Yongxue City and battled fiercely with the demon Jiao, Mu Xuanling had been abducted by Sangqi first. Afterward, he'd depleted his spiritual power and was severely wounded and covered in blood, nearly perishing. During his month-long seclusion, a thread of regret had taken root in his heart, growing and eroding his dao heart.
He had made a choice between humans and Ling'er, and even though he knew this choice was right and did not betray his dao heart, he had failed her.
He'd hoped she was well, but seeing her today, he knew she wasn't.
"Sect Leader Xie, please let me go. I won't dare do it again," Mu Xuanling pleaded pitifully. "Can you withdraw the Juntian sword? The sword qi has hurt me."
As she spoke, she raised her left hand. The torn sleeve fell, revealing a stretch of fair, delicate arm. On the smooth, creamy skin, a glaring red mark left by the sword qi was visible. Had she not dodged quickly, it would have drawn blood. Seeing no reaction from Xie Xuechen, she turned her gaze to Nan Xuyue, sobbing weakly, "Nan Xuyue, I'm hurt…"
Nan Xuyue's heart ached. He turned to look at her but was blocked by the Juntian cage. He looked at Xie Xuechen's frosty face and said in a deep voice, "Sect Leader Xie, let her go."
When Nan Xuyue harbored resentment towards him, he would coldly call him Sect Leader Xie. He was determined to stand against the Immortal Alliance for Mu Xuanling's sake.
Yunxiu Manor was no longer part of the Immortal Alliance, and Nan Xuyue had always stayed out of the conflict between immortals and demons. This time, however, he unexpectedly went to the Two Realms Mountain to deal with the demon race. There was only one reason: for Mu Xuanling.
That night, Sang Qi had struck with lethal intent, aiming to kill Nan Xuyue. It was Mu Xuanling who selflessly pushed him away, taking the blow herself. A few drops of warm blood had splattered onto Nan Xuyue's face, searing his heart.
Xie Xuechen saw a deep obsession in Nan Xuyue's eyes, reminiscent of his own.
His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as he shifted his gaze from Nan Xuyue to the glaring red on Mu Xuanling's arm. In the next moment, the golden light dissipated, returning to his palm. Seeing this, Mu Xuanling was overjoyed. Her figure vanished like a gust of wind, darting toward the exit. Xie Xuechen moved even faster. As soon as she passed through the doorway, she collided with Xie Xuechen's solid chest, trapped in his arms. The familiar, crisp scent immediately enveloped her tightly.
Mu Xuanling struggled fiercely but couldn't budge the arm around her waist. She angrily stomped on his foot—though it was painless to his Dharma body, merely an outlet for her frustration.
"Let go!" Mu Xuanling furiously pushed against his chest, but he remained unmoved. "Men and women shouldn't have physical contact. Is the esteemed Sect Leader of the Immortal Sect playing the rogue?"
Xie Xuechen thought to himself, compared to her actions of forcefully undressing and kissing him, this was already quite gentlemanly.
He feared injuring her if he used the Jun Tian Sword to restrain her. Letting her hit his flesh and blood body a few times was of no consequence.
Xie Xuechen was determined not to let Mu Xuanling leave. He didn't know what exactly Sang Qi had done, but keeping her by his side was the best protection. His arm tightly encircled her slender, soft waist, allowing her to struggle in his embrace.
Nan Xuyue pushed open the door and witnessed this scene. He was momentarily stunned, but before he could say anything, Xie Xuechen spoke. "The cultivators in the camp were injured by her. I've already confiscated that magical artifact. The others are just unconscious, not in life-threatening danger. Manor Lord Nan, with your excellent medical skills, I trouble you to take care of them."
Mu Xuanling, breathing rapidly and her small face flushed with anger, squinted her eyes and asked, "How does Sect Leader Xie intend to deal with me? Will you use me as a sacrifice?"
"No," Xie Xuechen paused, then said, "But I can only imprison you here for now."
Nan Xuyue stared intently at Xie Xuechen and solemnly said, "Sect Leader Xie, may I be allowed to watch over her?"
Xie Xuechen gave him a cool glance, promptly rejecting his request.
"I'm afraid Manor Lord Nan might be too soft-hearted and privately release the prisoner."
Mu Xuanling let out a cold laugh. "It's rare for Sect Leader Xie to have such self-awareness. When it comes to being cold and heartless, who could surpass you?"
Xie Xuechen lowered his head slightly, seeing the indifferent eyes of the person in his arms. He had thought that Mu Xuanling still resented him for driving her away, perhaps harboring resentment or hatred toward him. But as they were pressed together, her heartbeat transmitted more clearly—her heart was very calm and indifferent, with the only emotion toward him being wariness and apprehension.
No love, no hate, just like facing a stranger.
Even though her words were sarcastic at this moment, she was only coldly probing his emotions.
Xie Xuechen suppressed the confusion and vexation in his heart and said to Nan Xuyue, "I will personally guard her. There won't be any mishaps, and I won't harm her. The demonic aura has changed abnormally. Tomorrow, people from other sects will gather here to discuss important matters."
Nan Xuyue clenched his fists, only able to nod and accept Xie Xuechen's words, personally going to clean up the mess Mu Xuanling had caused.
Xie Xuechen carried her into an empty tent, casually setting up a barrier to block others' detection. As soon as he released her, Mu Xuanling slipped to the corner, only to bounce back upon touching the invisible barrier.
She frowned slightly, reluctantly turning to face Xie Xuechen.
"What exactly does Sect Leader Xie want?" Recognizing the situation, she stopped her futile struggles and found a chair, sitting down in a comfortable position.
What an unsuccessful start—how did she happen to encounter the toughest adversary in the Immortal Alliance? Mu Xuanling furrowed her brows, secretly cursing her carelessness.
This Xie Xuechen was becoming more and more cunning. He must have deliberately extended his seclusion period to catch the enemy off guard.
Xie Xuechen's figure slowly approached, coming to stand before her. Mu Xuanling's breath caught, her nerves tense. Seeing Xie Xuechen lean in, she instinctively reached out to attack his neck, but Xie Xuechen effortlessly caught her wrist, rendering her immobile. Xie Xuechen's slightly cool fingertip pressed against her brow, and cool spiritual energy slowly flowed into her divine aperture through their point of skin contact.
She looked up in bewilderment, her beautiful peach blossom eyes gazing blankly at the handsome face so close to her. Her mind was clear yet confused—what was he doing?
Xie Xuechen's cold voice held a strange hint of gentleness. "You're too eager for quick results. Cultivation cannot be rushed, otherwise, your internal energy will become chaotic and leave hidden dangers."
Her spiritual energy, originally from the same source as Xie Xuechen's, offered no resistance. It even warmly welcomed his invasion, allowing his spiritual energy to enter her divine aperture and travel through her four limbs and hundred meridians, smoothing out her chaotic and impatient internal energy.
Mu Xuanling didn't sense any hostility from Xie Xuechen's aura. She clearly understood that Xie Xuechen was helping her, which made her even more confused.
"Calm your mind, don't let your thoughts wander," Xie Xuechen said in a low voice.
Mu Xuanling knew this matter was of great importance. She immediately closed her eyes, focusing her mind and following Xie Xuechen's spiritual energy to circulate the Jade Que Scripture.
Xie Xuechen looked down at her thick, curled eyelashes, which fluttered like butterfly wings with her breath. She seemed like herself, yet not like herself. When those eyes looked at him, they no longer held that intense, warm affection.
Had he hurt her too deeply?
Xie Xuechen suppressed a sigh and earnestly helped her smooth out her internal energy. After a while, he withdrew his hand and slowly straightened up.
Mu Xuanling took a deep breath, feeling the surging yet docile flow of spiritual energy within her body. Xie Xuechen had indeed been helping her cultivate. However, such an intimate method of cultivation—allowing another's spiritual energy to invade—was rarely done even between master and disciple or Dao companions, let alone between enemies. He had acted too quickly; she'd been caught off guard and invaded by his spiritual energy. Xie Xuechen's power far exceeded hers, so she hadn't dared to move rashly and could only comply. But as soon as Xie Xuechen withdrew his hand, she darted backward, keeping a great distance from him and raising her guard.
However, she knew full well that such precautions were ineffective. With his overwhelming strength, if he truly meant her harm, she would be powerless to resist.
"What exactly is Sect Leader Xie's purpose? You might as well speak plainly," Mu Xuanling said coldly. "Having failed to coerce, are you now trying to entice?"
Xie Xuechen saw Mu Xuanling's wariness. She was like a cat whose territory had been invaded, baring her sharp claws at him in a show of false bravado. Xie Xuechen didn't try to approach her again. In truth, even at this distance, she was still within his reach.
"You needn't be on guard. I won't harm you," Xie Xuechen said.
Mu Xuanling narrowed her eyes slightly, scrutinizing Xie Xuechen's expression. But she saw that he was as cold and indifferent as ever, his thoughts unreadable, which irritated her. "Oh? I didn't know Sect Leader Xie was such a magnanimous person who doesn't hold grudges," Mu Xuanling said sarcastically. "Don't you understand by now that I was only following my master's orders to approach you, feigning affection to gain your trust? My only goal was the Jade Que Scripture."
"Whether it was feigned affection or not, I have my judgment. I observe people's aura and listen to their hearts. You are different from Sang Qi," Xie Xuechen's phoenix eyes calmly gazed at Mu Xuanling, his resolve unshaken by her words.
Mu Xuanling scoffed, crossing her arms and smiling provocatively at Xie Xuechen. "You humans just love to deceive yourselves. Honestly, you're cold-hearted and taciturn, not as gentle and considerate as Nan Xuyue. What makes you think I genuinely liked you? If you hadn't interrupted earlier, I might have lured him to the demon realm. I only stayed by your side before for the Jade Que Scripture. If I had known you would pass it on to me, I wouldn't have wanted to stay in Yong Xue City as a demon slave."
Mu Xuanling's mention brought back the scene Xie Xuechen had witnessed earlier. Mu Xuanling had been intimately embracing Nan Xuyue's neck, her eyes misty, like a seductive spirit. He knew Nan Xuyue harbored a deep obsession with Mu Xuanling and was willing to pursue her, but seeing their intimate behavior with his own eyes still caused painful aches in his heart.
What pained him more was that Mu Xuanling still held a hint of affection for Nan Xuyue, yet was completely indifferent toward him—a stark contrast to her previous behavior. Could it be, as she said, that her initial approach was purely calculated, and she had never invested any true feelings?
No, that wasn't right.
He could sense her genuine passion and sincerity. Her aura was pure and untainted; even with demonic energy permeating her body, there wasn't a trace of impurity or evil. Among human cultivators, such an aura represented an unwavering and consistent Dao heart. He had passed on his techniques to her not only because of his own softening heart but also because he believed in her inherent goodness and lack of malice.
If it had merely been an act of feigned affection, how could she have possessed such a clear and intense aura?
It was precisely because Xie Xuechen saw clearly that he knew the Mu Xuanling of that time had truly loved him, and he also knew that the current Mu Xuanling was not lying.
"Sect Leader Xie, I am the same kind of person as my master. It is you who is different from us," Mu Xuanling said coldly. "You cherish all living beings, but we half-demons are not among your 'all living beings.'"
"Your 'all living beings' are humans. Humans have not been kind to me, so I don't love these living beings, and I certainly couldn't love you."
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