Jiang Moqing’s sudden emotional breakdown startled both Lin Que and Qin Wanyuan. Especially Qin Wanyuan, who was utterly confused.
My Dao companion got held and touched by you all morning, and I didn’t even have time to cry…yet you’re the one crying first?
In truth, even Jiang Moqing herself didn’t understand why she couldn’t control her tears. Claiming a deviation in her cultivation technique, she hastily found an excuse and left right after finishing the meal.
Lin Que frowned slightly, squinting as he watched Jiang Moqing’s departing figure, deep in thought.
Could it be that Senior Sister’s outburst was due to a conflict between cultivation techniques?
Some time ago, when Lin Que checked Jiang Moqing’s pulse, he had already noticed that at least two types of spiritual energy from different techniques were clashing within her dantian. If not addressed in time, it could even lead to qi deviation.
But Jiang Moqing had ignored the risks and his well-intentioned warnings, stubbornly pushing forward. She probably hadn’t slowed down her pace even now.
She seemed desperate for a breakthrough…but why?
Lin Que couldn’t quite understand, nor did he intend to dig deeper for the time being.
He didn’t know what position he was in to interfere in Jiang Moqing’s personal affairs, and besides, he had already exterminated her enemies. There shouldn’t be any lingering threats.
Even though Jiang Moqing had done some wrong things in the past…
The dark and lightless confinement in that black room had caused irreparable damage to their relationship. But if Jiang Moqing were truly in a life-or-death crisis, Lin Que still couldn’t bring himself to stand by and do nothing.
For now, he could only take things one step at a time and keep a closer eye on his senior sister’s movements.
That afternoon, Lin Que planned to gather information about flood dragons and purchase some medicinal herbs. Since Qin Wanyuan was free, he decided to bring her along.
In the skies above, two streaks of sword light traveled side by side.
“It’s been a long time since I last went out with you, Lin Lang,” Qin Wanyuan said, wearing the light blue Flowing Immortal Dress Lin Que had gifted her. Her shapely legs were wrapped in white stockings.
This time, she was wearing a brand new pair. As for the two torn ones…one black and one white she had kept them at home as mementos.
According to Lin Que, even damaged stockings had a certain unique charm when worn.
In any case, since she would only ever wear them for him in private, Qin Wanyuan didn’t mind too much…though of course, she still felt a bit shy about it.
The destination Lin Que had chosen was Wanbao City.
Thanks to Lin Que’s token, Qin Wanyuan who accompanied him wasn’t obstructed by the city’s formation and entered smoothly.
“What a luxurious city…” Qin Wanyuan blinked, gazing in awe at the vibrant and splendid Wanbao City below, momentarily entranced.
In her previous life, Qin Wanyuan had lived frugally. Lin Que had once invited her to visit Wanbao City and offered to buy her jewelry and clothing, but she had politely declined.
Back then, she had genuinely believed that it was more important for Lin Que to save up spirit stones and live a stable life. As for her own clothes and jewelry? Cultivators didn’t need to care about external adornments anyway. The sect-issued uniform robes were more than enough.
And it was precisely that decision that she later came to deeply regret.
During the years of hardship after losing Lin Que and wandering from place to place, she would occasionally wonder: if she had gone to Wanbao City with him back then, might they have created a few more beautiful memories together?
“Come on, let’s look around,” Lin Que said.
He took Qin Wanyuan’s hand. The two stopped flying on their swords and instead blended into the crowd, strolling leisurely with the flow of people.
In this bustling city of cultivators, even the always-thrifty Qin Wanyuan began to loosen up. At first, Lin Que led the way, showing her interesting buildings and sights, buying snacks and sweets, or picking out new clothes.
But eventually, it was Qin Wanyuan who ended up pulling Lin Que along, wandering aimlessly.
She didn’t have anything in particular she wanted to buy. She was just looking around curiously.
If Lin Que hadn’t spotted a few accessories and outfits that really suited her, she probably still wouldn’t have been willing to spend on herself.
Since they were going to meet Ao Xinyu today, a potential rival who might capture Lin Que’s heart, Qin Wanyuan made a rare exception and spent a few extra spirit stones to dress herself up, hoping to appear more dignified and elegant.
In contrast to being frugal with herself, Qin Wanyuan really enjoyed buying things for Lin Que. Such as a bamboo-green robe made of fine material, a red tassel to attach to his sword hilt, or a pair of comfortable, well-fitting boots.
Once dressed in these new items, Lin Que’s entire aura appeared much gentler. As long as he wasn’t carrying a sword, he looked more like a refined and courteous gentleman than a sword cultivator full of hostility.
Besides Lin Que, Qin Wanyuan naturally didn’t forget her younger sister either. She also picked out an outfit for Qin Qian’er. It was a cherry-pink gauze dress that gave off an even more youthful air.
The two continued browsing and shopping as they walked until they finally arrived at the doors of the Glazed Pavilion.
“What an imposing building…”
Even though she had already witnessed the prosperity of Wanbao City, Qin Wanyuan couldn’t help but be stunned by the extravagant and luxurious style of the Glazed Pavilion in front of her.
So this was the Glazed Pavilion run by Ao Xinyu…
To command such a vast force, Ao Xinyu’s power and wealth were self-evident. Compared to that, Qin Wanyuan felt that her own status as a direct disciple of the Elder of the Sword Seeking Sect seemed somewhat lacking.
Just as they stepped into the Glazed Pavilion, a pair of twin shopkeepers immediately came out to greet them.
“Chief Lin! Please come in, the Pavilion Master has been waiting for you,” Cui’er and Ping’er said in unison with warm enthusiasm.
“This must be Chief Lin’s Dao partner, then. She’s truly beautiful.”
Hearing someone praise her, Qin Wanyuan felt a little shy and gently tugged on Lin Que’s sleeve.
“Of course,” Lin Que grinned proudly, then affectionately wrapped his arm around Qin Wanyuan’s as he walked up the stairs with the two shopkeepers, heading toward the top-floor Moon Gazing Pavilion.
Along the way, Qin Wanyuan could sense the two shopkeepers quietly sizing her up…not with any disrespect, just simple curiosity.
Likewise, she was observing them as well.
They really are a pair of charmers. The elder sister is gentle and reserved, while the younger is lively and spirited. They complement each other well, and there’s even a sense of unspoken harmony between them. And their outfits… they must be quite expensive.
Because she was about to meet Ao Xinyu, Qin Wanyuan couldn’t help but subconsciously compare herself to the woman’s subordinates and found that she already fell far behind, especially in terms of wealth.
Not to mention Ao Xinyu herself, who oversaw such a grand establishment as the Glazed Pavilion. Even just her two subordinates’ outfits probably cost more than the entire ensemble that Qin Wanyuan had so carefully picked out today. A single hairpin from them might rival her entire outfit in value.
Thinking this, Qin Wanyuan couldn’t help but feel inferior.
She was only the personal disciple of a sect elder. Though her monthly income was far higher than that of ordinary disciples, it still paled in comparison to someone like Ao Xinyu, the master of such a powerful and wealthy force.
If even her subordinates were this beautiful, then just how stunning must Ao Xinyu, the Pavilion Master herself, be?
Lost in these idle thoughts, the group finally arrived at the Moonview Pavilion.
“Pavilion Master, Chief Lin and his Dao partner have arrived.”
Unlike before, when the doors would open right away, this time Cui’er called out first to announce their arrival.
After a moment, a clear and pleasant voice came from within.
“Let them in.”
“As you command.”
The heavy wooden doors, adorned with pearls and jade, were pushed open. Qin Wanyuan, walking into the light, finally saw Ao Xinyu’s true appearance.
Bathed in sunlight, the girl with dragon horns stood with her long, snow-white hair fluttering gently in the breeze against plum branches. Her eyes were a vivid sapphire blue, like two unique gemstones, impossible to look away from.
The white-haired, blue-eyed girl rose to her feet and walked toward Qin Wanyuan with elegant steps. Her figure was slender, yet her chest was full and heavy, like delicate branches bearing rich fruit.
“You must be Qin Wanyuan…sister Wanyan whom Lin Daqie often speaks of, right? A pleasure to meet you. I’m Ao Xinyu, your Dao partner’s… friend.”
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