Seeking Death

Qin Ximo’s movements were swift.

It didn’t take her long to finish adjusting the clothes.

After the alterations, the chest area was clearly much looser than before.

Cao Xueyan stretched her arms experimentally — no more tightness.

Who would have thought that a sword immortal from Qingyun Sword Sect could not only slay enemies but also handle needlework so skillfully?

Cao Xueyan felt as if she were seeing Qin Ximo in a new light.

Qin Ximo’s sword, which had shrunk to the size of an embroidery needle, returned to its original form and slid back into its sheath.

“Are you teasing me?” she asked with a sideways glance, though her tone held no real reproach.

“Where would I dare?” the girl laughed.

“Does the altered robe fit now?”

“Of course. Fairy Qin’s craftsmanship — I’m impressed! It’s very well done!”
Cao Xueyan spun lightly in place.
Only the tail at her back lifted the skirt slightly, but it didn’t hinder her movements much.

Unfortunately, she still couldn’t retract her fox ears or tail yet.
A small frustration.

“As long as it fits.”
Seeing her work approved, Qin Ximo couldn’t help the faint smile that appeared on her face.

“This craft was something I learned centuries ago, before I stepped onto the path of cultivation… when I was still an ordinary mortal.”

Curious, Cao Xueyan asked, “What kind of person was Fairy Qin before becoming a cultivator?”

“What are you asking that for?”

“No reason… I’m just curious. I want to know more about you.”

Her voice carried a natural sweetness.
Perhaps the girl didn’t notice it herself, but in Qin Ximo’s ears, it sounded almost like she was acting spoiled.

She’s… acting spoiled toward me?
How adorable.

Qin Ximo’s expression softened with faint nostalgia.

“It wasn’t anything special. I was a sheltered young lady who spent her days writing poetry and practicing needlework.
My father and brothers all served in the army, and drinking was forbidden there.
So when they were home, they drank heartily… and I picked up the same habit.
Even after entering the immortal path, I couldn’t stop drinking.
Once I gained some fame, the cultivation world started calling me the ‘Wine Sword Immortal’ — a title I hardly deserve.”

Cao Xueyan blinked.

“How do you not deserve it? You don’t qualify for the ‘wine’ part, or the ‘sword immortal’ part?”

“Both,” Qin Ximo replied calmly.
“I may enjoy wine, but not excessively.
And though I have some small accomplishments in swordsmanship, they hardly count for much.”

Cao Xueyan felt Qin Ximo was being far too modest.

In Qingyun Sword Sect, no one drank more than their sect master.

Even Peak Lord Yue couldn’t compare to her.

As for swordsmanship — even if Cao Xueyan wasn’t knowledgeable about it, she could sense that within tens of thousands of miles, Qin Ximo’s “small accomplishment” was enough to make countless sword cultivators cry from shame.

Thankfully, Cao Xueyan was kind-hearted and discreet.

She never intended to repeat Qin Ximo’s self-underestimation — it would only destroy other people’s confidence.

“Since we’re dressed, let’s head out.”

Qin Ximo glanced at the immobilized Lu Qianyun and said suddenly,

“Before we entered, I only promised to protect that demoness inside this cave heaven.
As for the rest of the Hehuan Sect disciples — they are not included.
If they offend your eyes, I’ll kill them.
If you feel any pity, I can simply cripple their cultivation and leave them here to fend for themselves.”

“Why bring that up now?”
Cao Xueyan was puzzled, but she still clarified,

“I only joined the Hehuan Sect because I had no choice.
I don’t feel any attachment to that place.
If anything, I’d be more than happy to help Fairy Qin eradicate evil.”

“You truly think so?”

“Of course!
If you don’t believe me, put your ear to my chest and listen.
Every word I spoke just now came straight from the heart!”

Cao Xueyan even raised a hand, ready to swear an oath.

A scent of fragrance swept past her.

Before she could react, she felt herself pulled into an embrace.

Soft hair brushed against her chin — Qin Ximo had acted instantly, actually placing her ear against Cao Xueyan’s chest.

Cao Xueyan didn’t dare move.

Resistance was pointless anyway.

Even pulling two strands of hair from Qin Ximo’s head would be more difficult than fighting her whole strength.

No one knew how long the moment lasted — it could have been a few breaths, or an entire hour.

At first, Qin Ximo seemed to be genuinely listening to the girl’s heartbeat, her expression serious, as if she could divine truth from rhythm alone.

But eventually, her mind drifted.

Why is her chest so… comfortable?

And this fragrance — calming, addictive.

In a moment of carelessness, Qin Ximo found herself almost entranced.

People said foxes carried a unique “fox scent,” something unforgettable once smelled.

But this girl’s scent was nothing like that.

It had a soft, milky undertone, not overly sweet, but soothing in a way that made Qin Ximo momentarily tempted to—

No.

No.

Focus on the task at hand.

Do not get distracted!

She nearly let her Dao heart crack again.

“F-Fairy Qin…”

Cao Xueyan’s cheeks flushed red.

“I wasn’t thinking anything strange just now… right?”

For a cultivator, hearing someone’s thoughts wasn’t difficult.

Seeing Qin Ximo so focused, she feared her secret thoughts had been overheard.

She had many secrets—

If even half a sentence slipped out, Qin Ximo would explode.

“N-Nothing.”

Qin Ximo’s face showed rare guilt.

“Let’s just… step outside.”

If the girl realized Qin Ximo had been distracted by her softness and scent, her dignity as sect master might never recover.

Not that she had much dignity left after their first dual cultivation anyway.

What wine sword immortal?

What Golden Core sect master?

What aloof sword fairy?

Clearly, she was just as easily swayed by desire as anyone.

Perhaps the girl’s cool body temperature soothed her.

Or perhaps the difference in their status made her hold back.

Better to leave things unspoken.

Qin Ximo pushed open the phoenix-carved doors.

The dao hall was silent — no wind, no sound.

Just then, a row of copper bells hanging from a beam jingled without wind.

Soft, crisp tones echoed throughout the cave heaven, carrying a faint power.

The sound felt familiar.

Cao Xueyan thought for a moment.

Ah — the bells had rung several times when she and Qin Ximo were… busy in the room earlier.

It must function like a bell marking time in this timeless cave.

If so, another “day” had passed.

They entered a nearby side room — clearly a disciple’s quarters.

Everyday items lay neatly arranged, some almost looking new, as if their owner had only stepped out recently.

The moment Qin Ximo stepped inside, she drew her sword and said coldly,

“Come out.”

Cao Xueyan looked around in alarm, seeing no one.

But if Qin Ximo drew her sword, the threat was real.

Sure enough — after a few breaths, a figure in black robes materialized where there had been nothing.

The face under the hood looked familiar…

Wait — wasn’t that the Left Guardian?

What was he doing here?

Lu Qianyun had ordered that no one could enter the dao hall without permission.

He dared defy even the saintess?

“Fairy Qin.
Long time no see.”

The Left Guardian said with a smirk.

“As for the saintess… she must be in seclusion.
But you…
Surely you’ve already tasted her delightful company?”

His tone was insolent, dripping with vulgar implication.

Qin Ximo’s eyes narrowed.

“Seeking death.”