“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept this.”After saying those words, Gu Yuan closed his eyes and exhaled.Though it pained him, it was necessary. If he accepted the love letter, anyone with designs on him would see an opening, and endless troubles would follow. Only a firm refusal could signal that this path was closed, forcing them to find another approach.Though he’d been the Sect Leader’s disciple for only a dozen days, Gu Yuan understood that countless eyes watched him and Fang Qing. One misstep could cause grave problems.His hesitation remained hidden. His outward resolve and coldness shattered the girl’s composure. Emboldened by her friends, she had dared to confess, but his blunt rejection struck her heart. She had imagined that even if he refused, his customary gentleness would soften it—perhaps he’d offer a few kind words. Instead, his uncharacteristic indifference left her unprepared, and tears welled in her eyes. She lowered her head and slipped away to her companions, who guided her out of Hanli Pavilion to spare her further mockery.Gu Yuan remained calm and resumed his conversation with the two disciples.…Fang Qing and Yu Hui walked until they found a secluded spot. Only then did Fang Qing stop.She turned to Yu Hui, cast aside her embarrassment, and spoke each word carefully.“Do you know what a period is?”Fang Qing had been unnerved by Gu Yuan’s reaction and blurted out a foolish question.“Of course I know, Senior Sister Fang. Why do you ask?”Hearing Yu Hui’s puzzled reply, Fang Qing realized her mistake but pressed on.“My period started, and I don’t have any supplies.”Fang Qing’s meaning was clear—she intended to borrow Yu Hui’s menstrual cloths.Yu Hui smiled and offered without hesitation. “I have plenty.”She withdrew a large pouch from her storage ring and handed it to Fang Qing. Without hesitation, Fang Qing stowed it in her personal space and thanked Yu Hui.“Thank you. If you ever need anything, come to me.”“No need. By the way, I know a room where you can change. Shall I take you there?”“Let’s go.” Fang Qing answered directly.…Once she’d changed and was fully prepared, Fang Qing returned to Hanli Pavilion with Yu Hui, in an intimate pose. Yu Hui looped her arm through Fang Qing’s and rested her head lightly on Fang Qing’s shoulder, her hair grazing Fang Qing’s neck with a tickling touch.Fang Qing felt slightly uncomfortable but endured it in gratitude for Yu Hui’s help. Approaching Gu Yuan, she saw her chance to leave.“I’ll go with him now. Goodbye.”Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed Gu Yuan’s hand and strode out of the pavilion. All the while she watched his expression.She noticed he looked drained, his gaze unfocused, as if he’d expended great effort. Concerned, she asked once they were outside.“Are you all right? You seem low on energy.”Gu Yuan focused and replied, “I’m fine. I just dealt with some small matters.”He wasn’t lying. He’d spent the last minutes fending off the two girls’ probing questions, straining /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ to avoid revealing too much about himself and Fang Qing. Now, freed from their pressure, he appeared listless—his mental energy spent.Fang Qing gripped his hand and observed him closely as they walked away from Hanli Pavilion. When they were clear, she spoke earnestly.“If they ever trouble you again, tell me.”Gu Yuan smiled. “All right.”…With the period issue resolved, Fang Qing and Gu Yuan resumed wandering Mount Huadie. She claimed to be comprehending heaven and earth, but in truth she searched for the Wood Kirin.The Holy Sanctuary had provided only a vague hint, so her search was almost aimless. Whenever she spotted something strange, she would scan it with her Detection ability—finding the Wood Kirin felt as unlikely as winning the lottery.After nearly an hour, she found no sign of the Wood Kirin, but she did find someone: Jiang Mo Nian, the girl rumored to be the female lead. She stood in a grassy clearing, practicing whip techniques with a five-meter-long whip. Ice-cold qi swirled around the whip, sending a bone-chilling chill to anyone who approached.Watching Jiang Mo Nian’s practiced movements, Fang Qing nodded and said, “I remember she used to be an ordinary person with no combat skill. I didn’t expect her to improve so quickly. Even a seventh- or eighth-stage Cultivator could slip under her whip.”Hearing Fang Qing’s remark and seeing Jiang Mo Nian’s form, Gu Yuan recalled how she had panicked and fled when she first heard his voice. He hadn’t seen her since, and now they met again under these circumstances.“Why don’t we help her?” Gu Yuan suggested.“All right.”With that, Fang Qing dispelled her concealment technique and followed Gu Yuan in stepping into the clearing. Jiang Mo Nian immediately noticed the sudden appearance of the pair. A man and a woman side by side—one with a blade at his waist, the other unarmed—both strikingly beautiful. In the entire Fire-Gold Sect, there was no other combination like theirs.Though Jiang Mo Nian’s heart still fluttered, it was no longer as intense. After all this time of reflection, she had come to understand.

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