Qin Ximo’s Forbidden Feeling

Qin Ximo had been faithfully using her sword to protect this group of demonic cultivators the entire way.

Yet the fact that she was protecting demonic cultivators felt deeply strange to her.

Cultivating immortality meant cultivating a clear and undisturbed mind.

Coexisting peacefully with these demonic cultivators made her feel uncomfortable in every possible way.

Now, Qin Ximo could only pray in her heart, wishing this cave-heaven expedition would end soon.

Once everything was over, she fully intended to go hunt down a few wicked demonic cultivators to vent out her frustration.

But the little personal maid she had “forcibly taken” from Lu Qingyun was rather obedient.

She didn’t do anything displeasing.

While Qin Ximo fought, she simply stood behind her, watching with eyes full of admiration for a high-level cultivator.

After each fight, she would say something perfectly timed—polite and not excessive—just the right kind of compliment.

Qin Ximo truly couldn’t believe that this child had been raised by Lu Qingyun, that demonic temptress.

And moreover, this girl carried a pure, innocent heart, eyes full of longing for the Great Dao.

Suddenly, Qin Ximo felt a strange impulse.

She wanted to keep this maid by her side.

Even if not as a disciple, at least to bring some amusement to her dull cultivation life.

But because of this momentary distraction, her sword slowed a bit.

A massive puppet, over four zhang tall, was not immediately destroyed.

It swung a chain as thick as a well’s mouth, and the wind it generated felt painful against the skin.

The tip of the chain was a lion’s head with its jaws open wide.

One could only imagine the outcome if struck by it.

Cao Xueyan was directly in its path.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Thankfully, Qin Ximo reacted just in time and deflected the chain with a slash of sword qi.

Even with Lu Qingyun guiding them along the safest possible route, the closer they came to the main hall, the more deadly the dangers became.

Compared to these, the earlier painting spirits—which vanished after their host was destroyed—were child’s play.

These puppets were massive, over three zhang tall, towering like buildings.

Their movements shook the ground, and low-level disciples could barely stand upright.

And it was not only their size.

No one knew what materials they were forged from.

They were impervious to blades and spears, their hardness comparable to tempered black iron.

Even the weapons in their hands were magic artifacts, each one over ten times the size of ordinary ones—and just as frightening in power.

The sword qi Qin Ximo had just released only left a shallow scratch on one puppet.

But at least the chain’s trajectory was forced off-course, smashing into the ground near Cao Xueyan instead.

Stone bricks shattered.

Dust filled the air.

When the dust cleared, a long, gaping trench was left behind.

Qin Ximo frowned slightly and warned:

“These puppets are unusual.
Though they only rely on brute force, their outer shells are forged from unknown materials.
Even my sword qi has difficulty cutting through.
Be careful.
I may not be able to cover all of you.”

Lu Qingyun didn’t care.

No matter what happened, the puppets would never attack her.

But the others did not have such privilege.

The puppets did not show any mercy—even to disciples of the Hehuan Sect.

Even Qin Ximo found them troublesome.

The two guardian protectors were drenched in sweat, struggling desperately to defend the disciples.

They used every technique and artifact they had, barely managing to restrain one or two puppets.

But there were over ten puppets in the hall.

Each wielding different magic weapons.

Their attacks varied endlessly.

It was nearly impossible to defend against everything.

Qin Ximo faced the remaining puppets alone.

Yet she did not lose her composure.

This battle allowed everyone to witness what true mastery of the sword meant.

They could not understand sword intent,
but they could see her sword movements carry a natural rhythm, flowing like something born from Heaven and Earth.

Her sword qi formed a dense curtain, perfectly blocking every strike.

Despite being outnumbered, Qin Ximo maintained calm control.

One by one, she split open the puppets’ shells and destroyed the cores inside.

After half an hour of intense battle, the last puppet collapsed.

Qin Ximo flicked her sword in a graceful flourish and sheathed it.

Cao Xueyan finally relaxed.

This was the first time she had witnessed combat at such a level.

She had always believed that late-stage Golden Core was already the peak of strength.

But seeing Qin Ximo struggle even slightly against these puppets opened her eyes.

“Thank you for your assistance, Fairy Qin.” Cao Xueyan said sincerely.
“If not for you, we would surely have perished here.”

“It is nothing.” Qin Ximo replied, indifferent.
“This is the consequence of your sect’s cultivation methods.”

“Having Fairy Qin by my side truly brings a sense of safety.”
Cao Xueyan lifted her gaze to Qin Ximo with a gentle smile.

For the first time in a very long while, Qin Ximo felt a ripple in her calm heart.

She had long been used to walking the path alone.

Even when surrounded by fellow disciples drinking together, something always felt missing.

But with this little maid beside her—
even words she usually found repetitive felt more pleasant.

“You truly are called… Shen Yue Mian?
Do you have family?
Parents?
Siblings?”

After a brief hesitation, Qin Ximo asked again.

She could not let go of the doubt in her heart.

This face… looked too similar.

Too similar to her junior niece.

Standing before this “Shen Yue Mian,” Qin Ximo felt that no matter what thought came to her mind, what followed was nervousness and guilt.

As if she were doing something improper toward someone she shouldn’t.

A sense of taboo.

A sense of forbidden desire.

Logically, they were not the same person.
Their identities were worlds apart.
And yet…

Cao Xueyan understood.

Her face was once again causing problems.

But she had no choice—this was the simulator’s setup.

To dispel Qin Ximo’s suspicions, Cao Xueyan said softly:

“Did my appearance remind you of someone, Fairy Qin?”

“…A deceased acquaintance.
You resemble her greatly.”
Qin Ximo lied.
And for a Golden Core sword cultivator who valued honesty—it was hard.

Cao Xueyan’s lips twitched.

Treating you as an elder… and you call me your ‘deceased acquaintance’?
And I was planning to save you–!

“I see.” Cao Xueyan forced a smile.
“Fairy Qin must be remembering her when she sees me.”

Qin Ximo went along with it:

“Yes.
She… was important.”

Qin Ximo turned her head slightly, forcing the words out.

“She was… a good person.
As long as you are unharmed, then… there is no need to stir up… trouble.”

Important person.
Heavens—she was reaching her limit.

Hundreds of years cultivating the sword, and she’d never lied like this before.

Yet strangely—her Dao Heart did not suffer backlash.

Perhaps even the Dao itself believed this situation was understandable.

Just then—

“Fairy Qin has truly worked hard along the way.”
Lu Qingyun approached, smiling.

But her cheeks twitched.

As if restraining something fiercely.

Qin Ximo’s thoughts were interrupted.

Her cold, distant expression returned.

“What is it?”

You spoke so much to my maid, and to me you give only two words?
Unbelievable.

Insulting beyond measure!

“Further ahead is the main hall.
You must have exhausted much spiritual power.
Rest while you can.
Once we ascend the celestial mountain, the dangers will only increase.”

Qin Ximo replied simply:

“Very well.”

She exhaled softly, took healing pills, and sat to meditate.

Cao Xueyan stood nearby—
and suddenly felt a gaze filled with turbulent emotion.

She turned.

Lu Qingyun stared at her, face no longer hiding her feelings—
two parts anger, three parts irritation, five parts grievance.

“Yue’er, we’ve walked such a long way.
Come and massage my legs.”

The tone was soft, teasing—strangely fitting for her, considering her volatile temperament.

Cao Xueyan felt safe by Qin Ximo’s side.

It felt just like returning to the Qingyun Sword Sect.

She truly did not want to return to Lu Qingyun.

But in this simulation, she was her maid.

She hesitated—but still walked over.

That moment of hesitation did not escape Lu Qingyun’s eyes.

As Cao Xueyan approached, Lu Qingyun lowered her voice:

“So.
After staying beside Qin Ximo for a while…
you’re reluctant to come back?”

“Do you want me to grant you… the opportunity to be together?”