The vine slithered closer to the man, rubbing affectionately against him.
He patted its thick stem and asked with a smile, “How did this Four Sufferings body taste?”
The vine shook its leaves, the rustling sound forming vague gestures.
The man raised an eyebrow. “Oh, you’re saying it tasted terrible? Don’t worry, I’ll find you something much better soon.”
The vine retreated into the ground and vanished.
Beneath the moonlight, a cold scoff dissipated into the air.
He lifted his gaze and locked eyes with a woman in a pink dress standing atop a high building.
Shi Yao raised her arm, revealing the black patterns etched onto it. Her face cold, she asked, “And what about my Four Sufferings body? Does it like this one?”
The man in black smiled, his lips curving upward. “Of course. Miss Shi’s Four Sufferings is the purest of all. It dreams of devouring you.”
Shi Yao’s eyes turned icy.
The man in black folded his hands behind his back and said lazily, “If Miss Shi doesn’t find a Heaven-Grade Spiritual Root to suppress the Four Sufferings soon, it will consume you. This time, can you claim the final segment of Ying Heng’s spiritual root?”
Shi Yao narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled faintly. “Hmm, doesn’t Sang Dai also have a Heaven-Grade Spiritual Root? Her Glazed Body is inherently immune to the Four Sufferings. If I take her shell, I could enter the Guixu alone, something no other Heaven-Grade Spiritual Root awakeners can achieve.”
The man in black nodded and turned to leave.
He waved a hand and said, “Suit yourself. If you dare to take it, then go ahead.”
Shi Yao’s smile faded, her gaze turning dark and menacing.
—
Sang Dai woke up early in the morning, overheated.
She struggled to push aside the fox paws draped over her and turned her head to look at the little fox resting beside her.
He had reverted to his fox form—not his full size, but still as large as his human figure. Nine tails were sprawled around, some tucked beneath her head as a pillow, others wrapped around her body.
Sang Dai felt stiflingly warm. Su Xuan’s body temperature was exceptionally high, like a furnace. In his furry form, he was even warmer, and the faint cold fragrance of grass and wood that surrounded him was particularly noticeable, enclosing her completely.
The fox’s head was nestled in the crook of her neck, and the golden divine mark on his forehead shimmered faintly.
He was still asleep. Sang Dai sighed and held her forehead.
They hadn’t technically shared a blanket—after all, the little fox didn’t use one. She was the only one covered by a quilt, though his fox tails were draped over her.
Voices could be heard outside, faintly recognizable as Liu Lixue and Cui Shao talking.
After a short while, the voices ceased, and Liu Lixue seemed to have left.
The little fox’s eyelashes trembled lightly, disturbed by the sounds, and he slowly woke up as his awareness returned.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he was met with a pair of clear, bright black eyes.
They were strikingly beautiful phoenix eyes, carrying a natural coolness in their gaze.
The little fox adored them. Before his consciousness could fully catch up, his fox instincts took over, and his head leaned in to nuzzle her, softly whining as he began to lick her face.
Sang Dai: “…”
She increasingly felt like he was more of a puppy than a fox.
She turned her head away and gave him a light pat on his furry form.
“You’re too warm. Change back.”
Su Xuan’s drowsiness finally dissipated. He stared at his sword cultivator for a moment before reluctantly transforming back into his human form.
The tall young man now lay beside her, while Sang Dai kept her hand over her eyes.
“Young Master Liu was here earlier,” Sang Dai mentioned.
Su Xuan responded with a simple “Hmm” and pulled her, along with the blanket, into his arms.
Sang Dai: “?”
“Daily closeness,” Su Xuan said matter-of-factly.
Sang Dai: “…”
So he had found the perfect excuse, hadn’t he?
Su Xuan nuzzled her head gently, humming, “He likely came to discuss the matter of Linglong Town’s City Lord. The City Lord underwent tribulation yesterday, and today the city gates should open.”
Sang Dai tilted her head up from his embrace. “Then shall we go today?”
Su Xuan brushed her disheveled hair back and replied in a calm tone, “When do you want to go?”
Sang Dai lowered her gaze. “As soon as possible. I want to find my master quickly.”
Ying Heng wasn’t dead, and that man in black probably knew his whereabouts. She had a nagging feeling that he was deliberately leading her to specific places.
Su Xuan’s thumb rested on the side of her face, stroking her cheek. He said, “This time, he’s intentionally guiding you to Linglong Town.”
Sang Dai nodded. “I know.”
“Do you think he truly wants to kill you?”
Sang Dai shook her head. “…I don’t think so. You haven’t fought him, but I have. I couldn’t discern his cultivation level, which makes me think he held back during our fight. It felt more like he was toying with me.”
There were only two reasons someone’s cultivation could be indiscernible: either they had no cultivation at all and were a mortal, or their cultivation far surpassed hers.
It was obvious it could only be the latter.
Su Xuan absentmindedly smoothed her hair, his gaze distant as though lost in thought.
Sang Dai lowered her eyes, and the room fell into a brief silence.
“Dai Dai, let’s get up for now,” Su Xuan suggested.
“Su Xuan, there’s something else,” Sang Dai said at the same time.
Both paused, surprised.
“You go first,” Su Xuan said.
Sang Dai’s expression grew slightly colder as something came to mind.
“Something doesn’t add up. Several months ago, when I had just woken up, there was an incident where my meridians became chaotic, causing a high fever. While I was in that delirious state, I heard a voice in my sea of consciousness.”
Su Xuan asked, “What did it say?”
Sang Dai met his eyes and recounted the words from her memory:
“The Four Sufferings poison, the Guixu’s destruction, all beings as insignificant as mustard seeds.”
“Awakener of the Heaven-Grade Spiritual Root, what path have you chosen?”
This time it was Su Xuan’s turn to frown. “Are you certain you heard Guixu’s destruction and not Guixu’s spiritual vein destruction?”
Sang Dai nodded. “Yes, I’m absolutely sure.”
That was why she had been so horrified at the time.
“The destruction of Guixu’s spiritual vein might be salvageable. But the Guixu Immortal Realm is the foundation of the Four Realms. If the Guixu Immortal Realm is destroyed, the Four Realms will inevitably follow into annihilation. Nothing should be capable of destroying Guixu—not even a cultivator at the peak of tribulation.”
And what was the Four Sufferings, and why would it destroy Guixu?
Su Xuan held her face gently and asked, “Are you sure it wasn’t just a dream? Maybe it was nothing more than that?”
Sang Dai shook her head. “It shouldn’t be. At first, I thought it was a dream, too. But after everything we’ve encountered, and considering what Senior Ling Yin said—that Guixu might eventually collapse—I think it’s entirely possible.”
As for who had spoken to her, Sang Dai still had no idea.
It was just like how she didn’t know where the book that suddenly appeared in her mind had come from, or why she could hear Su Xuan’s thoughts. Whether these three things were connected, she couldn’t say.
That voice had also told her to choose a path, as if dissatisfied with the one she was currently walking and wanting her to change to another.
There were so many things she didn’t understand along the way.
Su Xuan pulled her into a tighter embrace, his hand gently patting her back.
His expression darkened, and his brows furrowed tightly. His voice was cold as he said, “Dream or not, we’ll head to Linglong Town first and confront the one behind all this to get answers.”
Sang Dai nodded. “Alright.”
“The day is getting on. Let me get your clothes,” Su Xuan said as he sat up and got out of bed to retrieve her outfit.
Sang Dai quickly interjected, “I can get them myself.”
Without turning back, Su Xuan replied, “Just lie down. It’s raining outside. The Beast Realm is entering late autumn, and it’s a bit cold.”
Sang Dai had barely stepped out of the blanket before feeling a chill and quickly retreated back under it. “…Thank you.”
Su Xuan headed to the side hall to find her clothes. Most of Sang Dai’s outfits weren’t kept in the main hall but rather in the adjacent side hall, where an entire room was dedicated to her new garments and accessories.
After a short wait, Su Xuan returned with a brand-new outfit and a storage pouch.
He placed the clothes neatly by the bed, ensuring everything was included, from innerwear to outer layers.
Sang Dai’s cheeks flushed when she saw the intimate garments. She quickly took the clothes. “I’ll get dressed first.”
Su Xuan drew the bed curtains and waited outside.
Through the faintly translucent curtains, Sang Dai could see his blurred silhouette. He had turned his back to her and was opening the wooden wardrobe in the main hall to retrieve his own clothes, dressing himself without even glancing in her direction.
He was, at least, abiding by proper boundaries.
Sang Dai removed her inner robe and changed into the outfit Su Xuan had prepared for her.
Noticing the storage pouch left by the bed, she opened it out of curiosity and found over a dozen sets of clothing and a box of hairpins and ornaments. These must have been clothes he had prepared for her to wear while in Linglong Town.
Through the curtains, she glanced at Su Xuan. He had already finished dressing and was standing with his back to her, waiting patiently.
The little fox was thoughtful and attentive, knowing exactly how to take care of others.
The sword cultivator smiled faintly, hooked the storage pouch onto her waist, and lifted the bed curtains before stepping out.
Su Xuan turned and waved her over.
Understanding his intention, Sang Dai went to sit before the bronze mirror.
His warm, dry hands gently threaded through her black hair. Her hair was smooth and soft, barely needing a wooden comb to detangle it.
Su Xuan’s eyes drooped slightly as he focused on styling her hair, his movements both skilled and delicate.
Sang Dai looked at the reflection in the bronze mirror, seeing two striking faces. Her features were cool and refined, fitting the understated elegance of a “light beauty.” In contrast, Su Xuan’s facial features were rich and vivid, making him a striking “bold beauty.”
Their personalities mirrored their appearances. Sang Dai was reserved and mild-mannered, while Su Xuan was flamboyant and vibrant.
She used to think they were incompatible in every way. Who would have thought they would one day share a relationship like this?
Her former nemesis was now styling her hair.
Su Xuan finished securing her hair into a bun and carefully adorned it with hairpins. His hands moved with practiced ease, the final touch being his favorite Nine-Ring Hairpin.
Sang Dai touched the hairpin and asked, “Do I really need to wear this just to go to Linglong Town?”
Su Xuan nodded. “Wear it. With the Nine-Ring Hairpin on, I can find you easily. It contains my divine sense.”
“…Alright.”
He turned her to face him, lowering his gaze to admire her delicate makeup and styled hair.
[So beautiful.]
Sang Dai smiled back. “Let’s not waste time. Go wash up, and let’s get to work. Young Master Liu already came once.”
“I already sent him a message to prepare the mustard-seed boat.”
Su Xuan leaned down to kiss her forehead, catching her slightly off guard, then playfully tapped her nose.
“So beautiful,” he said aloud this time.
Now he was voicing his thoughts directly.
Sang Dai pressed her lips together, stifling a laugh.
“Let’s go. Don’t keep Young Master Liu waiting.”
“Alright.”
Su Xuan took her hand, and together they headed to the washroom. Once they had freshened up, they left the main hall.
Outside, the rain continued to fall. The Beast Realm was often rainy, and autumn brought frequent showers.
Liu Lixue had worked quickly; the mustard-seed boat was already prepared outside the Spirit Beast Hall.
A certain peacock stood by the boat, casually fanning himself as always.
“Miss Sang, this time I’ll be accompanying you,” he said suavely.
Sang Dai raised an eyebrow. “And what about the Beast Realm?”
“A Beast King and a steward both leaving—does that mean no one will remain here?” Sang Dai asked.
The peacock shook his head. “I stayed in the Beast Realm before because of the royal family. Now that the royal family has almost been wiped out, and what needed to be dealt with has been handled, the Beast Realm will surely be peaceful moving forward. Those who remain can handle the rest.”
He glanced at his master and added, “After all, with you two, if it’s not you getting injured, it’s my lord getting hurt.”
As a healer, he figured tagging along would at least be useful.
Su Xuan let out a cold scoff, trying to save face, while Sang Dai smiled in response.
“That’s true. With Young Master Liu along, we’ll have an extra helping hand.”
Su Xuan said to her, “Get on first. It’s cold outside.”
“Alright.”
Sang Dai boarded the mustard-seed boat first.
Su Xuan followed behind her but paused as he passed Liu Lixue.
Without Sang Dai present, they dropped their pretense. Their years of brotherhood weren’t for nothing; Su Xuan knew Liu Lixue better than Sang Dai ever could.
Liu Lixue rarely accompanied him on trips, usually staying in the Beast Realm to handle affairs unless specifically summoned.
“What’s wrong?” Su Xuan asked.
Liu Lixue’s expression was grim as he whispered, “It seems there’s a high-level monster in Linglong Town. Cultivators have been disappearing frequently, and even their corpses can’t be found.”
Su Xuan’s expression turned cold. “Are you certain?”
“I am. I know many monsters, and this time, I’ll go with you.”
“Is there anything else?”
“There is.”
“What?”
Liu Lixue’s expression grew even more complicated. “It’s… the demon cultivators we sent to Linglong Town reported seeing… the Chunying Sword.”
At the mention of the sword, Su Xuan was momentarily stunned. It had been so many years since he had last heard that name.
When he finally remembered what it meant, his expression changed dramatically. The usually composed man lost his calm, his voice rising. “What did you just say?”
“What do you mean?”
Two voices spoke at once.
The second voice… wasn’t theirs.
Su Xuan and Liu Lixue both looked up to see Sang Dai standing at the door of the mustard-seed boat. She had gone inside moments ago, but now, for some reason, she had come back out.
Her expression was somewhat puzzled as she met their gazes and said softly, “I just came out to check since you two hadn’t boarded yet.”
Liu Lixue quickly tried to explain, his words spilling out in a rush. “Miss Sang, it wasn’t intentional to keep this from you. The news hasn’t been confirmed yet and might not even be true. I wasn’t sure how to bring it up to you, so I thought I’d tell the Lord first and let him tell you to avoid you overthinking it.”
Su Xuan took a step up the stairs and grasped her cold hand.
Su Xuan tried to warm her cold hands, hurriedly reassuring her, “Dai Dai, the news hasn’t been confirmed yet.”
Sang Dai, however, only looked at Liu Lixue and asked, “What did you just say you saw?”
The rain poured harder, the drops striking the spiritual energy barrier with a relentless pitter-patter, masking the sound of Sang Dai’s increasingly rapid heartbeat.
What sword had they seen? What was the name of that sword?
Liu Lixue met her gaze, but in the end, he was defeated by the growing redness in the sword cultivator’s eyes.
Her emotions were unmistakable, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Liu Lixue lowered his eyes and spoke again. “The Chunying Sword.”
Sang Dai murmured, “The Chunying Sword…”
The Chunying Sword was the sword of Ying Heng, the Immortal Lord of the Sword Sect.