On ordinary days, Chu Qingyi’s delicate brows and ink-stained gaze, coupled with her cold sword-like eyes, rendered her beauty striking without the need for excessive adornment.

Now, with their simple disguises, Chu Qingyi shed her usual aloofness. Her raven-black hair was tied up, and her entire bearing exuded an air of a gentle and virtuous wife, a grace that made one want to tease her tenderly.

Lu Changsheng promptly planted a kiss on her smooth, fair cheek.

Chu Qingyi’s expression turned flustered, her beautiful eyes filled with embarrassed anger.

This man claimed he wouldn’t force her, didn’t he?

Earlier, he had stubbornly held her hand, and now he was acting like this…

Noticing the nearby shopkeeper watching them with a cheerful smile, Chu Qingyi shot Lu Changsheng a chastising glare before whispering, “Lu Daoist, didn’t you say this would be the end of it previously?” S~eaʀᴄh the nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Indeed, I said Qingyi needn’t feel obliged or force herself.”

Lu Changsheng chuckled lightly, drawing closer under Chu Qingyi’s furious yet shy gaze. “If Qingyi dislikes it, you can just tell me directly.”

Chu Qingyi: “…”

This man remains as shameless as ever, constantly pushing boundaries.

Yet, for some reason, she was starting to get used to it.

“I noticed Qingyi hasn’t said anything, nor did you resist. I thought you might not dislike it,” Lu Changsheng said softly, and his words weren’t even fully spoken before he leaned closer to her luscious lips.

“Mmm~”

Chu Qingyi turned crimson with shame, attempting to resist but not daring to exert too much force. She could only press her pink lips together and gently push him away.

After several breaths, her face burned with anger and embarrassment as she stammered, “You—you… broke your promise!”

Even with her mild temperament, she couldn’t help but feel frustrated at the moment.

Looking at Chu Qingyi’s cold yet clear gaze, as pure and tender as water, accompanied by her ashamed and angry expression, Lu Changsheng whispered, “I only thought Qingyi seemed burdened. I was hoping to cheer you up a little.”

Chu Qingyi: “???”

Do you not understand why I seem burdened?

And is this your idea of cheering someone up?

Chu Qingyi pulled Lu Changsheng out of the shop, pursed her lips, mustering her courage to speak softly, “Lu Daoist, I have no intention of pursuing matters of romance, nor can I betray Xi Yue…”

“What if Xi Yue doesn’t mind?”

Lu Changsheng suddenly interjected.

“???”

Chu Qingyi froze, momentarily struck dumb.

Yet upon reflection, if there weren’t her junior sister’s involvement, and no need to worry about being reprimanded by her master—it seemed she wouldn’t feel as resistant after all…

She quickly steadied her mind, shaking her head as she replied, “Lu Daoist, this isn’t related to Xi Yue. Right now, I am focused on cultivation and uninterested in affairs of romance.”

“I understand, Qingyi.”

Lu Changsheng’s tone carried a trace of despondency.

“Lu Daoist, for those who succeed in cultivation, all are absorbed in it, indifferent to emotional attachments. Matters of romance… Daoist, you have the talent of a heavenly being; you should prioritize cultivation,” Chu Qingyi said, her heart feeling an inkling of pity.

To her, Lu Changsheng focusing his thoughts on romantic matters was simply a waste of his natural gifts.

“Emotional attachments are fundamental to human nature. If ascension requires discarding them, what would be the meaning of cultivation?”

Lu Changsheng shook his head lightly as he replied.

“Qingyi thinks I’m overly captivated by beauty and romance?”

“But each person has their own path. I abandoned the Sword Dao to experience various Great Daos, and I discovered that this is the Dao I pursue.”

Lu Changsheng gazed at Chu Qingyi with utmost seriousness.

“This…”

Listening to his candid yet unmistakably infused-with-Demon-Path-ideology words, Chu Qingyi found herself at a loss for how to respond.

So, I’ve become part of his Dao too?

If he couldn’t pursue me successfully, would that mean his Great Dao wouldn’t achieve perfection?

She let out a sigh. “Romantic entanglements and beauty are of no benefit to cultivation. Such pursuits are trivial paths. Daoist, with your celestial talents, you should transcend such distractions.”

“That’s why I call myself an ordinary man. I adore beauty, just as Qingyi loves swords—it has nothing to do with Great Daos or small paths.”

Lu Changsheng didn’t argue further, chuckling lightly as he spoke.

Chu Qingyi said no more.

She understood her current state—if she kept arguing with him, she’d only end up influenced by this person.

Lu Changsheng remained undeterred, calmly holding Chu Qingyi’s hand as they wandered leisurely.

“This shameless man, truly the absolute worst.”

Nangong Mili from the Formless Domain watched the scene unfold, her face icy with disdain as she muttered curses, feeling Lu Changsheng was quite suited to walking the Demon Path.

Yet, as she considered how he, despite his strength, was willing to humor Chu Qingyi and herself… she begrudgingly admitted he had his positives.

Had he been like certain Demonic Path cultivators—arrogantly reckless—it would only awaken deep-seated disgust in her.

…

Although the Great Dream Immortal City was bustling, it couldn’t completely fulfill Lu Changsheng’s procurement needs.

Whether it was rare materials or Earth Grade Water Bloodline Dragon-Blood Demon Beasts, none could be obtained directly. He would have to wait for auctions or trading fairs.

Passing by a pavilion with the words “Heaven Knowledge Tower” inscribed on it, Lu Changsheng led Chu Qingyi inside to inquire about intelligence regarding the Tianyuan Secret Realm, as well as the situations surrounding the Qingyun Sect and Bi Lake Mountain.

Moments later.

“The Heavenly Sword Sect’s Yun Jianfeng has broken through to Nascent Soul and joined Xuanjian True Monarch in ambushing the Heavenly Fiend True Monarch at the Tianyuan Secret Realm.”

“Heavenly Fiend True Monarch’s physical body was destroyed, and only his Nascent Soul allowed him to narrowly escape with his life.”

Lu Changsheng read the information from the jade slip, astonished.

Back in the Tianyuan Secret Realm, he knew that Nascent Souls were clashing outside—it had even been mentioned by the Tianyuan True Monarch that three Nascent Soul cultivators were involved.

But he never would have thought that the third Nascent Soul True Monarch was also from the Heavenly Sword Sect.

It turned out to be Yun Jianfeng, the one who suppressed Demonic Path cultivators in Jiuxiao Immortal City years ago!

“This cultivator formed a Superior Gold Core, and five or six decades ago was already regarded as second only to Xuanjian True Monarch. Now breaking through to Nascent Soul—it’s certainly reasonable…”

Lu Changsheng mused inwardly.

The Heavenly Sword Sect gaining another Nascent Soul True Monarch was undeniably a major event!

It might even impact the future trajectory of Jiang Country.

Especially since both of these Nascent Soul True Monarchs seemed to be formidable figures.