"Rumble! Rumble!..."

The waterfall thundered down from the top of the cliff, its sound like rolling thunder in one’s ears, echoing far into the distance.

The river meandered and twisted, finally converging into a lake.

Scattered around the lake were a few dwellings.

Suddenly, singing was heard, piercing the mist and treetops, clear as a spring, like the divine music of heaven, making one feel light and carefree.

Following the sound, one looked over.

Only to see a small flat boat cutting through the tranquility of the lake, a novice boatwoman gently paddling with both oars, slowly drifting into this ink-painted scene.

The surface of the lake was calm.

Yet, the small boat would sometimes jolt, sometimes tilt, as if about to capsize at any moment, making the boatwoman pale with fright, so nervous she was out of her wits.

Clearly.

This novice boatwoman was still a beginner and had no idea how to manage a boat.

Suddenly, someone reminded her she could use the oars to steady the vessel.

Only then did the boatwoman realize how clueless she was; perhaps because of her nerves, she gripped both oars tightly, then cautiously began to row.

Although the motion was slow, at least she was finally on the right track.

But then.

The lake could not remain calm forever; the winds were bound to rise eventually.

"Splash, splash, splash!..."

The wind picked up and waves surged.

The little boat pitched with the waves, tossing up and down, truly frightening the novice boatwoman, who could only grit her teeth and clutch the oars for dear life.

The new-hand’s anxiety was brought out to the fullest.

Actually, with just this bit of wind and waves, how could the boat possibly flip?

But the boatwoman didn’t know, so every time the lake stirred, she grew tense.

Fortunately, the boat finally managed to reach the shore safely, and it had all just been a false alarm!

...

Outside.

The Cyan Mountain Sect cultivators had finally arrived, clashing with Hundred Sword Sect disciples.

"Retreat!"

Upon seeing a figure suspended in midair, the disciples of Hundred Sword Sect quickly scattered in panic and fled.

That was an Inner Sect Elder of the Cyan Mountain Sect!

And a woman at that, dressed in a luminous, iridescent cloud robe, as if woven from both dawn and dusk, swaying gently and blooming with radiant light with every movement.

Her hair had been intricately styled into an elegant bun, a few locks falling loosely over her shoulder and softly swaying in the wind, adding a touch of ethereal grace free from all earthly dust.

In her movements, she fully displayed the dignity and poise of an Immortal Sect Elder. Her steps were light but commanding, as if treading upon invisible clouds, leaving behind a faint, soothing fragrance with every stride.

Her gaze swept the surroundings, but she did not spot that familiar figure.

"Where’s Xiyue?"

Liu Zixiao muttered to herself.

As the Saintess of Cyan Mountain Sect, Su Xiyue naturally had her own boat—light and swift beyond compare.

Even she, as an Elder, could not match it.

Soon, a disciple of Cyan Mountain Sect came hastily to report, face full of panic, "Elder Liu, the Saintess... something’s happened."

At once, Liu Zixiao’s expression changed.

Now, Su Xiyue was the last hope of the Cyan Mountain Sect; she absolutely could not have anything happen to her.

"Hundred Sword Sect, Demon Sect..."

"Hmph!"

"Boom, boom, boom!"

A terrifying aura rippled from this Immortal Sect Elder, sending all living creatures within a ten-mile radius into a state of shock and terror.

"Search!"

At the Elder’s command, both Cyan Mountain Sect disciples and the recently rescued loose cultivators below all began to take action.

...

As for what was happening outside, Qin Yu naturally had no way of knowing. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

He remained in a constant state of tension mixed with delight—utter torture.

[Su Xiyue Romantic Point: -10 (Hostile)]

After all his long efforts, at last, he managed to nudge the First Fairy’s Romantic Point up a little.

This being the case, the fairy shouldn’t pull a "use and discard" on him after all...

...Right?

Though things between them appeared to have improved somewhat, the truth was Qin Yu was still being suppressed the whole time, never given even the slightest chance to turn the tables.

All the way, he was forced into passive endurance.

And whenever he tried to pluck an orange to quench his thirst, he’d be ruthlessly slapped away every time.

Helpless indeed.

He could only imagine plums to sate his thirst.

[Emotion Point from Su Xiyue +1]

Su Xiyue felt exhausted.

She closed her eyes, sensing the heat energy in her body.

Through her efforts, the heat energy had increased by another eleven streams, converging into something substantial now.

Of course, it was only "substantial" compared to a barely perceptible wisp.

Now, with a single thought, she could easily locate the heat energy within her.

As expected, with the growth of heat energy, her wounds healed faster, and her physical constitution improved just as quickly!

Though fatigued,

She thought it worthwhile.

Her hard work paid off!

Just as Su Xiyue was about to push herself a little further, suddenly, her brows knit slightly, and she looked toward a certain direction.

While her Spiritual Power hadn’t recovered much, her Spiritual Power had almost fully returned.

Her perception was countless times sharper than Qin Yu’s.

Immortal Sect members had arrived!

Su Xiyue knew well—Liu Zixiao was bound to be with them.

That was one of the Cyan Mountain Sect Elders.

Even with this array’s concealment, she might still not escape Liu Zixiao’s detection.

In this waterfall cave, there were traces of her Qi mechanism and lingering traces of the array—no doubt, Liu Zixiao would search every inch of this area.

Thus, hiding was impossible.

"Crack!"

With a thought, the narrow cave expanded considerably.

She had to leave!

She looked at Qin Yu one last time—no more hesitation—and with a soft "pop," stood up instantly.

Originally, she could still maintain an air of aloofness.

But the moment that incongruous sound rang out, the icy fairy’s face changed as if nothing could hide her embarrassment—even her toes curled tight.

Good thing she didn’t dig out a cave mansion underfoot out of anxiety.

"Swoosh!"

A flash of pure white streaked across Qin Yu’s vision—instantly, Su Xiyue had donned that ethereal, cloud-like white dress, lighter than mist.

She became once more the number one fairy of Yunlan Domain.

Her whole body was wreathed in a faint gleam, cold and immaculately clean, eyes clear and deep, devoid of warmth, quietly gazing at the somewhat disheveled Qin Yu before her.

Just being looked at by her made Qin Yu tense up uncontrollably, as if plunged into a thousand-year-old glacier, every inch of skin shaking.

"Fairy..."

He understood—that was killing intent. He wanted to defend himself, but his throat was tight, no words could be spoken.

The air was thick with a tension and oppression that could not be put into words.

Qin Yu knew that at this moment, his every move, his every glance, might determine whether he lived or died.

"Pretend nothing ever happened here!"

With a cold glare, Su Xiyue’s frosty words slipped into his ear.

Under the fairy’s gaze—that could see into one’s soul—Qin Yu couldn’t help but nod lightly.

Nothing ever happened?

How could that be possible?!

[Stockpiling, big update on the 20th]