She and I… “Got Along Well”

Ever since the tribulation clouds dispersed, Xiao Menglan and the Qingyun Sword Sect disciples had been guarding this place for seven full days and nights.

For cultivators, this amount of time meant nothing at all—during closed-door meditation, a single blink could last longer.

But the problem was that ancient ruins were almost always perilous.

Even Golden Core cultivators could not guarantee their lives.

Though Xiao Menglan trusted her sect master senior sister’s strength, the world was unpredictable.

Heaven had no eyes.

Before reaching Nascent Soul, one was still an insignificant ant beneath the heavens.

Why had the righteous and demonic paths battled for thousands of years without ever dragging the flames of war into the Immortal Dynasties?

It was because the Immortal Dynasties had deep foundations.

Everyone knew that each dynasty housed a National Preceptor at least at the Nascent Soul stage.

And the emperor, as long as they remained in power, would be supported by human destiny and the nation’s fortune.

With the Imperial Jade Seal in hand, even a Qi Refining cultivator could unleash powers comparable to a Nascent Soul expert.

At this moment, Xiao Menglan desperately hoped that the one who transcended tribulation here earlier had been her senior sister Qin Ximo.

That would increase the chances of surviving the ruins.

“Hmm?”

As Xiao Menglan meditated as usual, a message suddenly rippled through her sea of consciousness.

“Yan’er… has come out of seclusion?”

She was puzzled.

Normally, after breaking through Foundation Establishment, a cultivator only needed a short time to stabilize.

But just before receiving the ruins message, when she hurriedly left the sect with her disciples, Cao Xueyan had still been inside closed-door cultivation without any movement.

If not for sensing that her disciple’s qi was stable, without signs of deviation, Xiao Menglan would have canceled the expedition and asked someone else to go in her place.

Earlier, she had placed a simple restriction on the stone chamber door—once the occupant left, it would activate and alert her.

Cao Xueyan’s emergence from seclusion was one of the few good bits of news in these days.

For over a month, every lonely night, Xiao Menglan had only her pair of jade-like fingers for comfort.

But no matter what she did, something always felt missing.

Still—she had endured centuries like that; she was not so starved that she could not wait.

“Peak Master Xiao.”

Someone sought an audience outside—likely the disciple she sent to gather information.

Xiao Menglan opened her eyes, waved her hand, and the door opened with a gentle surge of spiritual power.

The disciple entered with her head bowed.

Her cultivation was low and she was not outstanding among her peers.

When she received her scouting mission, she had no hopes—after all, many senior brothers and sisters were more dependable.

But unexpectedly, a great blessing fell upon her.

Literally—from the sky.

“Oh, wait… calling the Sect Master a ‘falling meat pie’ is probably inappropriate…”

In any case, she had lucked out and happened to encounter Qin Ximo returning on her sword.

Seeing her Qingyun Sect robes, Qin Ximo descended and questioned her.

Heaven had blessed her indeed.

In twenty or thirty years of joining the sect, even glimpsing the Peak Master was difficult.

Who would have thought she’d speak directly to the Sect Master one day?

“What is it?”

Xiao Menglan maintained a Golden Core expert’s calm dignity, her tone not unfriendly.

“It is the Sect Master!”

The disciple lifted her head, excitement on her face.

“Just moments ago, the Sect Master rode her sword from the horizon—she is right outside!”

“Senior Sister Sect Master?”

Upon hearing this, the boulder lodged in Xiao Menglan’s heart finally fell away.

She immediately rose and walked out without any further ceremony.

She truly sensed Qin Ximo’s aura.

But strangely—after centuries of knowing her, Xiao Menglan had never felt Qin Ximo’s aura so faint.

It blended with the mountains and nature around her.

Without careful attention, she might have missed it entirely.

Passing the disciple, Xiao Menglan rushed out.

She didn’t notice the faint blush spreading across the disciple’s face.

“Peak Master Xiao… truly more beautiful than the rumors,” the girl whispered.

“Graceful enough to shame flowers and sink fish.

And still without a Dao-companion…

I wonder who will earn her favor one day?

Surely… another Golden Core real person…”

With a dreamy sigh, the disciple stepped aside to resume her duties.

Meanwhile—

Although Qin Ximo had arrived at the Qingyun Sect’s territory, she did not enter right away.

There was a reason.

“Fairy Qin…” Lu Yunyun’s smile was stiff.

“What exactly do you intend?”

Half an hour ago, she should have been allowed off Qin Ximo’s sword.

Her fellow Hehuan Sect disciple had already been killed inside the cave.

Her mission was half complete, and she had no reason to stay.

But Qin Ximo stopped her, prevented her from “jumping off,” and brought her directly here.

But where was “here”?

Sensing at least two Golden Core auras nearby, Lu Yunyun quickly understood.

This was Qingyun Sword Sect’s turf.

“As they say—when a guest comes, they are welcomed.”

Qin Ximo smiled lightly.

“With the heavenly oath binding us, why fear I’ll harm you?”

“If you don’t intend to harm me, why not let me go?”

“You may leave.”

Qin Ximo said calmly:

“After you help me with one matter.

Finish it, and I will release you.”

Hearing this, Lu Yunyun instantly calmed down and stopped struggling against the invisible pressure restraining her.

“Fairy Qin is now a Nascent Soul cultivator… surpassing ten thousand li in seven days…

With such power, why would you need a small figure like me?”

“When I arrived, I sensed several demonic cultivators hiding nearby.

Some faces were familiar.

Their concealment skills were excellent—no wonder I couldn’t find them centuries ago.”

“And what does that have to do with me?” Lu Yunyun asked quietly.

Qin Ximo replied coolly:

“You set up an open scheme against me.

Why shouldn’t I return the favor?”

Lu Yunyun’s face paled.

“You can’t mean…!”

“It is too late.”

Qin Ximo looked at her, expression neither warm nor cold.

“Next, as the Saintess of the Hehuan Sect… you’ll make a fine appearance before them.”

“Qin Ximo!”

Lu Yunyun gritted her teeth.

This woman—

She intended to make it look as though the Hehuan Sect had betrayed the demonic path entirely!

How could a so-called righteous cultivator use such despicable methods!?

“Senior Sister.”

Xiao Menglan finally arrived.

Seeing Qin Ximo safe and changed only into fresh clothes, she relaxed.

“It really is you.

When the disciple reported it, I wasn’t fully convinced.

You entered the ruins—how could you appear from the horizon?”

Qin Ximo explained:

“Don’t blame the disciple.

The ruins contained another world.

A teleportation array inside sent me outside the dynasty entirely.

I truly did fly seven days and seven nights to return.”

Xiao Menglan nodded.

“I understand… Senior Sister has worked hard.”

She turned toward Lu Yunyun.

“And this is…?”

“A junior I met in the ruins,” Qin Ximo said smoothly.

“We… got along remarkably well.”

“Is… that so?”

Suspicion flickered in Xiao Menglan’s eyes.

Based on her senior sister’s personality—could she really “get along well” with anyone?