The news of Li Chen defeating Chu Qing with one hand and overcoming Ye Lan, Zhao Heng, and Du Mao, three of the top ten loose cultivators, quickly spread throughout Tianyuan City.

This caused a great stir not only in the world of independent cultivators but also among ordinary sects, Heavenly Level sects, and super families.

Residences of the Moon God Palace:

Yesterday, Zhao Yuqing faced a Quasi Golden Core cultivator from the Sanskrit Temple. She elegantly finished him with a Moonlight Slash, successfully advancing to the finals.

Dressed in a pristine white robe, she captivated the audience and became the goddess in the hearts of many sect prodigies.

Some even compared her to Ling Shuanghua.

However, Zhao Yuqing paid no mind to these external accolades.

If asked what else in this world mattered to her,

perhaps it was only Li Chen!

From the moment Li Chen saved her, she secretly vowed that she would be his in life and his ghost in death, without regret till the end.

On this day, she stood alone under a peach tree, surrounded by falling blossoms. Pink petals rested on her black hair, clothes, and palms, suffusing her with fragrance. From afar, she looked like a Flower Fairy untouched by the Human World's smoke and fire.

Flowers bloom and fall, petals dance in the air, emotions come and go, feelings follow fate.

A stunning portrait of a beauty amidst peach blossoms!

However, the tranquility was soon disrupted by the mischievous Shui Yue.

Shui Yue came rushing over, her pace swift as if bringing the wind, causing peach blossoms to flutter around her.

"Sister Qing, Sister Qing!"

Because Zhao Yuqing came from the Mortal World and was favored by the Jing Yi Immortal, many senior sisters, who considered themselves the pride of heaven, envied her, leaving few who truly connected with her.

Only Shui Yue was an exception, their sisterly bond running deep.

Zhao Yuqing patted Shui Yue affectionately and asked, "Shui Yue, what's got you so hurried?"

Shui Yue, catching her breath, couldn't wait to ask, "Sister Qing, did you hear?"

Zhao Yuqing was surprised and asked, "Hear what?"

"That guy Li Chen! He took the top spot at the Independent Cultivation Field, challenging nine out of the top ten all by himself!"

Through the tales of some who enjoyed gossip, Li Chen's deeds were increasingly exaggerated. Shui Yue, who wasn't the most discerning, repeated the version she overheard to Zhao Yuqing without hesitation.

Hearing Shui Yue's recount, Zhao Yuqing was elated, even more so than when she forcefully defeated her opponent yesterday and advanced to the finals.

Without minding her usual goddess-like demeanor, she tugged Shui Yue's arm, asking about every detail.

Shui Yue recounted everything she knew about Li Chen, like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.

However, there were both truths and exaggerations mixed in. Unable to discern the true from the false, she told Zhao Yuqing everything straightforwardly.

Then she looked at Zhao Yuqing with her sparkling eyes, curiously asking, "Sister Qing, what does it feel like to like someone?"

Zhao Yuqing, noticing Shui Yue's unusual expression, teased, "Why, have you found someone you like?"

"I suppose you could say that," Shui Yue said, blushing slightly in embarrassment.

"Who?" Rarely indulging in gossip, Zhao Yuqing pressed.

Shui Yue blushed and answered softly, "Someone you know!"

"Someone I know, who?"

Zhao Yuqing pondered for a moment, suddenly thinking of something and eagerly asking, "It's not Li Chen, is it?"

"Psh, psh, psh. I'm not blind! How could I possibly like him?"

Before Zhao Yuqing's words finished, Shui Yue quickly interrupted, a look of disdain on her face.

However, feeling that her words were somewhat inappropriate, she hastily clarified.

"Sister Qing, I didn't mean you're blind!"

Zhao Yuqing knew Shui Yue was a candid girl and naturally wouldn't take her words to heart. Right now, she was just extremely curious about whom Shui Yue liked.

All the disciples at the Moon God Palace were female and had limited interaction with men. Zhao Yuqing could count the men she knew on one hand, without even considering superficial acquaintances.

Zhao Yuqing's big, shining eyes blinked, full of curiosity as she asked, "If it's not Li Chen, then who is it?"

Shui Yue glanced around, seeing no one else, and then mysteriously said, "Sister Qing, I'll tell you, but you mustn't laugh at me!"

Zhao Yuqing waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "Alright, I won't laugh. Just tell me, who's the lucky one to receive Shui Yue's favor?"

Shui Yue bit her lip, lowered her voice, and said, "It's Lian Hongshang!"

"What? Lian Hongshang, isn't she a girl, too?"

Zhao Yuqing was shocked and incredulous, asking back.

Shui Yue pursed her lips and, with a slightly protesting tone, said, "What's wrong with girls? Can't two girls have genuine feelings for each other?"

Zhao Yuqing stifled her laughter, seeing Shui Yue's wide-eyed look, and said, "Yes, yes, of course, they can. There's a saying on Earth: 'Opposite sexes are for continuing the species; same-sex bonds are true love!'"

"Wow, really?"

Upon hearing Zhao Yuqing's words, Shui Yue's face flushed with excitement, her eyes wide with wonder.

Zhao Yuqing nodded and said, "Of course, where I come from, love between women is called 'Lily' or 'Lesbian'!"

"Lily, Lesbian. Such evocative names. I must visit the Mortal World someday to see how these girls fall in love!"

As she spoke, Shui Yue held her hands to her heart, her face full of admiration.

After a moment of yearning, she seemed to think of something else and, holding Zhao Yuqing's hand, asked, "Sister Yuqing, you said opposite sex is for reproduction, same-sex for true love. So why are you with Li Chen, is it for reproduction or true love?"

"Uh?"

Zhao Yuqing hadn't expected Shui Yue to suddenly turn the tables on her. For a moment, she didn't know how to answer.

She reached out and tapped Shui Yue's little head, diverting the topic with a hint of guilt.

"You mischievous girl, why are your thoughts filled with such eccentric questions?"

Shui Yue responded with a giggle, her smile as bright and innocent as a child's.

...

Temporary lodgings of the Cloud Sea Sect:

Ling Shuanghua rested her chin in her hands, listlessly watching the clouds roll by.

At this moment, her feelings were complicated.

Not long ago, she had definitively refused the marriage proposal from Heavenly Sword Mountain.

This had caused relations between the Cloud Sea Sect and the Heavenly Sword Mountain to grow delicate. As the "instigator," she had no end of persuasion from parents, elders, and fellow disciples, driving her nearly mad.

Before meeting Li Chen, she felt that marrying Jian Wuheng wasn't a bad choice.

In terms of status, talent, or looks, Jian Wuheng, being Heavenly Sword Mountain's leading disciple of the younger generation, was excellent. They were well-matched in every way and had their elders' blessings, a pair as if made in heaven.

But everything changed after meeting Li Chen.

Her thoughts were filled with Li Chen now, his gentleness, and his roughness.

Longing for another meeting with him, but the thought filled her with unease. She lost interest in food and sleep, found formerly interesting things dull, and couldn't muster any enthusiasm.

Furthermore, hearing Li Chen had found Lian Hongshang and was spending every day with her, she felt terrible, aggrieved to the point of tears.

Ling Shuanghua lifted her right sleeve, revealing a mark like a rose petal.

This was her "Guardian Palace Sand."

Staring at the mark for a long time, Ling Shuanghua bit her lip, clenched her pink fists, and let out a low, hysterical growl.

"Li Chen, you bastard. Someday, I'll make you pay!"

To vent her emotions, she swung her pink fist and hurled the porcelain teacup on the table, as if it were Li Chen.

"Crack!"

The teacup shattered, sharp pieces cutting her fair, smooth skin, blood seeping lightly, staining her palm a bright red.

Seeing this, the aggrieved Ling Shuanghua couldn't hold back her tears any longer, and burst into tears all at once. Her pitiful appearance truly tugged at the heartstrings…

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