Chapter 111: Meeting Again

On the first day of the first month of the 36th year of the Bailin era, it is auspicious to embark on a journey.
In the early morning, the Nine Dynasties Emperor left Yuxing Valley alone after briefing Xie Lingtian on several matters.
The Nine Dynasties Emperor not only did not restrict his actions, but also allowed him to join Yuxing Valley and obey the elders' orders; in addition, he let him search for a treasure comparable to the quasi-celestial treasure level-- the Water Crossing Ice Bead, which would be of great use in the future.
Other than that, there is nothing else.
This not only bewildered Xie Lingtian, but even the three elders were only partly informed after receiving the information from their master's ancestral avatar.
The information they received was to temporarily ignore conflicts within the demon clan and focus on eradicating remaining demon traitors; at the same time, they were to hand the fifth volume of the scroll to the Nine Dynasty Emperor to help decipher it.
The three great elders dare not go against the will of the Master and Ancestor even if they have doubts, and still obediently follow orders.
After Emperor Jiachao left, the old Taoists finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Old Ghost, what do you think about the situation with the Master and Ancestor and Emperor Jiachao?" asked Daoist Hanchi with a frown.
"Hmm..." The old Taoist sighed. "The insight and ideas of our masters and ancestors are beyond our measure. Presumably, they have reached some sort of agreement. In any case, the top priority for us in Yuxing Valley now is to do everything in our power to fight against the demon clan."
"Since Xie Lingtian has returned, let the three of them investigate the frequent appearance of demon caves in Jing Si Guo," said Han Chi Taoist, looking towards Xie Lingtian who was approaching them.
"I think it's a good idea." The leader of the Silver Yao sect immediately agreed; she was impressed by Xie Lingtian's performance in the competition for the fifth volume and the battle for the Zhen Shen sect.
"Alright, time is of the essence, let's start preparing separately." The old Taoist nodded and said.
Before Xie Lingtian walked in, the old Taoist and the two Silver Yao sect leaders had already left, leaving only Han Chi Taoist waiting for him.
"Welcome back to Yuxing Valley, Xingtian. It seems that your strength has improved a lot in these years," said Han Chi Taoist, leading Xie Lingtian into the valley and chatting with him casually, but not mentioning anything about the Nine Dynasties Emperor and the events of last night.
Xie Lingtian nodded and respectfully said, "Thank you, Elder Hanchi, for your praise. I was only lucky."
Xie Lingtian looked around as he spoke. The sky was just beginning to lighten and the Jade Star Valley was shrouded in a gray mist, with only the patrolling guards visible.
"Haha..." Daoist Hanchi burst into laughter. "I love your humble and low-key personality; this is the true sign of a young genius!"
"Master, you flatter me."
Walking up to a small hill, they could overlook half of Yuxing Valley. Daoist Hanchi stopped and asked, "Lingtian, do you have any plans for the future?"
"I want to first go back to the Heavenly Kingdom to visit a few friends, and then I will follow the arrangements of the elders."
"Perhaps some of your friends are also in the Jade Star Valley," said Han Chi Dao Ren with a slight smile.
Xie Lingtian was taken aback by the words, then asked, "May I know what you are referring to, Master?"
"You don't know yet...Since the great battle, the Town God's Sect couldn't withstand the forces of fate and was destroyed...So they joined the Jade Star Valley. Your friend Mu Qianying also lives here." revealed Han Chi Taoist truthfully.
Xie Lingtian stood still in place, silent for a long time. The image of Mu Qianying's exquisite appearance immediately popped into his mind.
"She lives on the western hilltop in the distance, and she's already practicing her swordsmanship at this time," Han Chi Taoist pointed to the small mountain in the distance and said.
"Elder Hanchi, this junior will take his leave now." Xie Lingtian hurriedly bowed and said, then flew away in the direction he was pointing.
"Qing'er, that girl, knows you're back, so go find Mu Qianying... Sigh, young people these days..." Daoist Hanchi stroked his beard and shook his head with a deep sigh before turning and leaving.
……
After half an hour, Xie Lingtian climbed up the hill and saw Mu Qianying in a white dress dancing gracefully on the flat ground not far away. She held a long sword and wielded it forcefully, creating sharp sword energy that was both fierce and domineering.
Watching the woman's focused and serious posture as she wielded her sword, Xie Lintian's lips curved into a gentle smile, his gaze softening as he felt a strange sensation in his heart, as if the image of this figure before him had long been etched into his heart.
The sun rose in the sky, and the winter sunshine illuminated their faces, reminding them of the warm embrace and kiss they shared in the past.
Xie Lintian walked slowly towards Mu Qianying and softly called out, "Qianying..."
Hearing the warm voice behind her, the movement in Mu Qianying's hand slowed down and she turned her head slowly to look behind her.
When she saw the familiar yet unfamiliar face of the young man in front of her, her mouth opened slightly but she still couldn't call out his name.
He disappeared for nearly three years, with no news of him, and his life or death is unknown; she thought she had abandoned all distractions and focused her whole being on cultivation.
But she didn't expect that when she turned around, the fragmented memories gradually connected the unforgettable feelings, scene by scene, wrapping her tightly, making her breathless.
Mu Qianying stared at him with her eyes, from being stunned, surprised, to becoming despondent and indifferent, all of which happened unintentionally.
No one, whoever it is, can make oneself lose the determination that has been upheld for more than two years.
Xie Lingtian noticed the change in Mu Qianying's expression and quickly stepped towards her, but was stopped in his tracks with a long sword pressed against his chest when he was only a few feet away.
"Stop!"
Mu Qianying looked straight at Xie Lingtian, indifferent and deliberately forceful in tone.
"I don't want anyone to misunderstand that there is anything between you and me. You and I have no relationship whatsoever."
Xie Lingtian's body trembled slightly, his eyes filled with doubts and his heart filled with bitterness.
He had anticipated the pain and pressure that Mo Qianying would endure, but seeing her increasingly emaciated appearance still hurt Xie Lingtian.
He ignored Mu Qianying's obstruction and walked straight towards her.
"Crack!" A crisp sound, Mu Qianying's Tai Xu divine sword heavily slashed on Xie Lingtian's right shoulder.
A blood mark then bloomed, staining his clothes with blood.
Xie Lingtian's brows were furrowed, but he didn't make a sound and didn't wipe away the fresh blood on his wounds.
"Xie Lingtian, listen to me. There was never any contractual employment relationship between us. Please don't disturb my cultivation," Mu Qianying put away her sword and glanced at Xie Lingtian's injured shoulder, showing a hint of surprise before quickly returning to her cold expression.
"But... we're friends." Xie Lingtian felt incredibly upset and didn't want to leave it at that.
From their meeting at the Seal Land where they narrowly escaped death, to their mission together at the Jade Star Valley where they fought side by side, and then to their kiss in the depths of the abyss, he could no longer forget the girl in front of him.
"Those were all misunderstandings!" Mu Qianying's emotions became more and more agitated. She once again pointed her sword at Xie Lingtian and said coldly, "Friends? Are you sure? Didn't you say that the Corpse Demon Pearl killed your father? Didn't you say that my brother killed your friend? Aren't you also like them, wanting to kill my brother and be enemies with our Mu family!"
"It's their doing, it has nothing to do with you!" Xie Lingtian grew anxious upon seeing this. "I only like you...and that's all."
Mu Qianying's hand trembled slightly as she held her long sword, a hint of panic flickering in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Thank you, Lingtian!" Mu Qianying was angered by his words and didn't expect this man to say such things. "Stop your ridiculous words!"
"I don't care how the world views your Mu family, I don't want to see you suffer injustice; If fate is unfair, then I will fight with you and heaven to the end!" Xie Lingtian exclaimed with hot blood rushing to his head.
"I mind! Who are you to make decisions for me?" Mu Qianying roared, raising her long sword to strike at Xie Lingtian, hoping to push him back.
Xie Lingtian saw this and his eyes flickered with determination. He quickly dodged out of the way and tried to snatch Mu Qianying's sword, but was forced back by a palm strike to the chest.
Xie Lingtian felt a surge of blood and qi, and the pain made him sweat all over.
Only then did he realize that Mu Qianying's cultivation had advanced by several stages, probably reaching the high stage of the Soul Yuan realm.
"Qianying..."
"I don't need your pity, get out of my way!" When Mu Qianying struck again, the snow under her feet suddenly froze and rapidly spread outwards.
As her swordsmanship appeared, the air around seemed to freeze instantly. A huge snow lotus sword flower appeared in mid-air and directly attacked Xie Lingtian.
"Sword intent?" Xie Lingtian's face changed suddenly, surprised and delighted at the same time. He didn't expect that within three years, Mu Qianying's cultivation had not only reached the Soul Elemental Realm high level, but also comprehended sword intent!
Xie Lingtian had nowhere to hide, so he drew his Nine Dynasty sword and used the Nine Dynasty demon fire to resist Mu Qianying's attack.
"Bang!"
Xie Lingtian's Nine Dynasty demon fire was unexpectedly broken through, and the force of the rebound from the long sword almost dislocated his wrist. The shattered and icy sword was deeply stabbed into his flesh, causing him to bleed profusely.
And all of this, from beginning to end, was seen by Yan Qing'er.
When Xie Lintian spoke those words to Mu Qianying, she had originally intended to leave, but in the end, she couldn't bear to go.
But when Mu Qianying started fighting, she couldn't hold back any longer!
Enough!
With a loud shout, Yan Qing'er dashed forward, blocking Mu Qianying's attack with her sword, and standing in front of Xie Lingtian.
"Qing'er!"
Upon seeing Yen Qing'er, Xie Lingtian's eyes lit up with joy and he quickly called out.
"You jerk, stupid man!" Yen Qing'er glared at him with annoyance, then turned to fiercely say to Mu Qianying, "Miss Mu, if you want to fight, I'll fight with you!"
Mu Qianying was somewhat stunned, so she put away her sword and turned to leave. "You guys go, don't disturb me again."
"Qianying!" Xie Lintian stood up, just about to walk towards her but was held back by Yan Qing'er.
"Thank you, Ling Tian!" Yan Qing Er said through gritted teeth. "Can't you see that they rejected you? Don't be delusional! A toad still wants to eat swan meat! Go, go, go!"
As she spoke, Yan Qing forcefully grabbed Xie Lintian's arm and pulled him up, then dragged him fiercely towards the foot of the mountain.
"Qing'er!" Xie Lintian shouted loudly, "Slow down!"
Ke Yanqing didn't even pay attention to him, just dragged him down the mountain.
Xie Lintian was dragged down the mountain by Ke Yanqing. Along the way, everyone cast strange glances at them.
In the eyes of the crowd, these two handsome boys and girls were fooling around, which looked quite amusing!
Xie Lingtian was dragged down the mountain by her all the way, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart that Yan Qing'er's strength had also increased rapidly!