He propped his head, watching her graceful back, and asked, "Zhang, what are you going to do today?"

"Xuanhua said the Shenxiao Mining Ship has been built, and today is the test sailing."

This indeed was a big deal.

Zheng Fa had nearly forgotten about it while focusing on his breakthrough, but now he stood up and said, "I'll go with you, Zhang."

He stood in front of Zhang, spread his arms, and didn't move, just tilting his head to look at her.

Zhang glanced at him, wrinkled her nose in playful annoyance, but still gently extended her hand to slowly help him dress.

Seeing Zhang earnestly tying his sash, Zheng Fa gradually recovered from the excitement and restlessness of his Nascent Soul breakthrough.

It seemed the two had temporarily forgotten their magical abilities.

Zhang used her hand to straighten his clothes like a mundane wife tending to her husband, looking up at Zheng Fa with bright, gentle eyes.

"Zhang!" Yuan Xiaoniao's voice came from outside, "Why aren't you out yet? Weren't you going to see the big ship?"

Yuan Xiaoniao didn't have the good habit of knocking; she pushed the door open and saw Zheng Fa and Zhang smiling at each other.

"..." She gaped at Zhang smoothing out Zheng Fa's clothes, evidently surprised by the scene before her.

"Zhang..."

"Hm?"

Yuan Xiaoniao seemed unable to find words to describe her feelings, so she just blurted out, "You're beautiful."

Hearing this, Zheng Fa frowned, thinking, How dare this bird steal my words?

He looked toward the door to see Zhao Jingfan following behind Yuan Xiaoniao, also watching Zhang help Zheng Fa with his clothes.

Zhao Jingfan's gaze was complex, as though he had much to say, but if translated, it meant just three words—it's not fair.

What can I say?

When he advanced to the Nascent Soul, Zhao Jingfan didn't even look at him like this.

Yes, in that brief moment, he was indeed happier than during his breakthrough.

With Zhao Jingfan and Yuan Xiaoniao tagging along, Zheng Fa and Zhang arrived at a Thunder Spirit Stone mine in the Jiushan Mortal World.

This mine had a substantial reserve, spreading across a dozen or so mountains.

From above, the soil of these mountains appeared greenish-purple, giving an inexplicable sense of danger.

Lady Xuanhua was already there with a dozen disciples, waiting by a newly completed Shenxiao Mining Ship.

Zheng Fa bowed to Lady Xuanhua in greeting.

"I didn't expect you'd finish the prototype of the mining ship so early, Xuanhua."

Lady Xuanhua was modest: "The people from the Artifact Refiner's Guild, though their cultivation isn't high, there are many of them, which fills the personnel gap in our Heavenly Craft Pavilion."

It was clear she was quite satisfied with the guild.

"Unfortunately, the Chongxuan Sect has drawn in several sects, which means the Artifact Refiner's Guild can only rely on you alone, Xuanhua, for now."

To which Xuanhua simply waved, her eyes bright: "Their absence... is only their loss!"

"?"

Lady Xuanhua pointed at the Shenxiao Mining Ship, her eyes proud:

"This Shenxiao Mining Ship contains those mechanical principles you gave me..."

"If those in the Chongxuan Sect learned it, I certainly wouldn't part with it!"

Clearly, Lady Xuanhua had strong confidence in the Shenxiao Mining Ship, showing a tendency to look down on the Chongxuan Sect...

Hmm?

Almost forgot about Xiao Yuying.

These days, why haven't I heard from her?

...

Outside the Chongxuan Sect, Xiao Yuying felt a bit flustered.

She was at an impasse.

Normally hidden under a magical veil, she trusted her invisibility against the Divine Sense of a Divinity Transformation Expert, but recently, an uneasy premonition had set in, warning her against movement lest she encounter peril.

With her Yuan Magnetic Dao Body, her premonitions were usually spot on, so she dared not act, not even daring to use the Comprehensive Records in fear of exposure.

Yet it seemed the Chongxuan Sect had sensed something too, with Divinity Transformation experts patrolling outside the mountain gate daily.

If she lingered, she would inevitably be discovered.

She was almost tempted to seek her Master's help, but her Master's current situation made her hesitate.

As she wavered, a sudden surprised shout came from inside the sect's gate: "Which Master is gracing us with their presence?"

Xiao Yuying looked up sharply.

In the sky descended a white tiger riding a cloud, a woman standing at its head, followed by an elder and a youth.

This woman was, of course, familiar—Xie Qingxue!

"Tianhe Sect, Xie Qingxue."

Xie Qingxue stood atop the white tiger, answering aloud.

"Fairy Xie from the Tianhe Sect?"

The Chongxuan Sect gate buzzed with commotion, and after a moment, a Divinity Transformation elder descended from the mountain, bowing to Xie Qingxue with a smile: "I didn't know Fairy Xie was visiting our Chongxuan Sect. How may we assist you?"

Evidently, in front of Xie Qingxue, this Divinity Transformation expert felt somewhat wary.

"You're from Chongxuan Sect?"

Xie Qingxue frowned at the elder.

"Fairy may not know, I have recently joined the Chongxuan Sect, now serving as an elder."

Xie Qingxue's gaze was thoughtful, though not wholly focused on him, as she nodded: "I have no other business, just want to ask you for someone."

"Someone?"

"I have a friend named Xiao Yuying, lost on Chongxuan Sect grounds. Does your sect know anything?"

"Who?"

The Divinity Transformation elder was instantly puzzled.

"Me!"

Xiao Yuying immediately revealed herself from under the magical veil, shouting loudly.

The elder's face turned dark, recognizing Xiao Yuying's probing of the sect's secrets.

Yet Xie Qingxue extended her hand, bringing Xiao Yuying onto the white tiger, lightly holding the Qingping Sword, looking at the elder with the domineering air of Tianhe's foremost true inheritor.

"Fairy Xie..."

"Well, is it you trying to detain me, or Haori Mountain?"

"..."

The elder's expression froze, clearly unprepared for this Fairy Xie's tantrum, leaving him unable to stop Xie Qingxue from taking Xiao Yuying away.

Standing on the white tiger, Xiao Yuying gratefully bowed to Xie Qingxue: "Many thanks, Master, for the rescue."

"It wasn't me."

"Hm?"

"You hadn't sent any messages to Zheng Fa these days, he sensed something was wrong. I happened to be passing by, so he asked me to find you."

"... Still, thank you for your aid, Master."

"Zheng Fa is also here, oh, and Zhang Wuyi."

Xiao Yuying opened her mouth in surprise, exclaiming: "Didn't I tell him the Chongxuan Sect might be laying a trap?"

"That's why he called me... to handle whatever might be hidden within the Chongxuan Sect," Xie Qingxue glanced at Xiao Yuying and spoke, "Nothing can be worse than the Great Freedom Demon Emperor, can it?"

"..."

Xiao Yuying didn't know how to respond inside.

Zheng Fa had been holding back on handling the Chongxuan Sect, likely aware of certain irregularities and having his plans.

Yet now he came with Xie Qingxue and Zhang Wuyi, seemingly ready to confront the Chongxuan Sect in its entirety, just for her.

This change, thought over, could only be explained... by his feelings for her.

As if knowing what she was thinking, Xie Qingxue smiled lightly:

"He thinks it's worth it."

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