My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 690 - 450 - Wind Cloud Sword (Added 3-in-1)_3

Min Ning suddenly moved, taking the initiative to strike.

The tree branch sliced through the gentle breeze like ripples, sweeping toward Chen Yi's waist with the force of a sword whirl. This attack was direct and sharp, as if the branch itself had become a blade.

Chen Yi spun away instinctively, dodging. Min Ning's branch hit only air at his waist, but she did not stop. Wielding the branch as if it were a blade, she swung again, slicing through the long wind and drawing a fine line between heaven and earth.

He unconsciously stepped into the "Peak Cloud Step" technique, only to be startled by how sluggish his movements felt.

How could he be so slow?

Though the Shangqing Heart Method was still active, Chen Yi's thoughts unexpectedly extended far away. A stray thought flickered across his mind, and hesitating momentarily, he aimed a thrust at a point where Min Ning seemed vulnerable.

But she moved like a darting fish.

With a sudden sound, the moment was inexplicably baffling. As Min Ning's branch was mid-swing, her wrist flicked with a twist, striking directly at the center of Chen Yi's branch, scattering his stray thought into nothingness.

Chen Yi froze briefly, stunned, yet before he could take two steps, Min Ning's branch soundly struck his back.

His eyebrows furrowed with anger as he twisted his body, ready to retaliate with a swing. But Min Ning nimbly retreated, staying out of his reach. When he glanced again, he caught sight of her frame as she turned sideways—a taut, slightly curved silhouette, like the spray of water leaping off a secluded island under the strike of a waterfall...

Chen Yi took a deep breath, dispelling all stray thoughts.

Huang Jing, spies, Lonely Smoke Sword… Images of drifting clouds brushed past his mind, scattering with the sound of flowing water. The stream rushed, crashing tirelessly against the small island, sending up faint sprays of water again and again. Without martial arts, without strength, it seemed all troubles needed no further thought...

Chen Yi sealed off his martial arts, but his thoughts abruptly expanded, as if everything were insignificant. At this moment, all he wanted was to land a hit on Min Ning's backside...

Suddenly rising, his tree branch flickered endlessly as he thrust forward, filling the air with sword shadows. Amidst the spray, he darted back and forth, while Min Ning was equally agile, moving like a rabbit. Their branches intermingled, striking each other. Chen Yi felt several points hit on himself, but he'd also managed to strike Min Ning in several places. The crashing sounds of water abruptly magnified, and in a moment of delirium, he instinctively twisted around one of Min Ning's strikes. Then, all at once—

Whack!

He landed a hit.

Min Ning's pupils contracted sharply; she staggered back two steps, her expression filled with suspicion and astonishment.

She seemed stunned, as if she couldn't comprehend how Chen Yi had managed to land the strike.

Seeing her cheeks flush slightly, Chen Yi steeled himself. Taking advantage of her distraction, he circled around again for another firm strike.

Min Ning took another hit, retreating half a step, glaring at Chen Yi as she said, "Enough, Chen Zunming!"

Chen Yi refused to relent, and though he couldn't find an opening, his eagerness to strike remained unabated.

Min Ning muttered softly, "I only struck you twice."

"I want to strike you two hundred times," Chen Yi teased.

"Damn it, Chen Zunming, you're unreasonable!"

Saying this, she abruptly stopped engaging, leaping out of the island and darting through the cascading waves into the forest.

There was no way Chen Yi would let her slip away just like that. His figure blurred, chasing after her into the forest.

Her figure flitted ahead, suddenly widening the distance until it disappeared amongst the lush greenery, like a fish diving into a lake and leaving ripples behind. The leaves swayed gently; first stirred by a soft breeze, then swept up by a rushing wind. For a moment, Chen Yi couldn't keep up with her.

She was cheating—she'd undone the talisman restricting her movements. Chen Yi immediately realized this.

He didn't dwell on it; all he wanted now was to catch up to Min Ning. In a flash, he broke through his own limitations, his footsteps light and swift—not the Peak Cloud Step, but his most basic Qinggong style. Beneath his feet, the leaves crackled with energetic pops and bursts.

He tore through the gaps like lightning, weaving through the trees, chasing after her. Within her, it seemed there lay something he had always longed for.

The distance closed rapidly. Amidst the intertwined shadows of leaves, that flash of red garment flickered faintly. Chen Yi quickened his pace, almost lunging forward in a desperate attempt.

The red garment was caught entirely in his grasp.

Chen Yi landed on the ground while clutching her, flipping her over and pinning her to the ground amidst the fallen leaves.

Morning sunlight filtered through the tree canopy, dappled light softly illuminating her spirited features. Her slender eyelashes trembled slightly in a moment of fluster.

Chen Yi took a deep breath, pulling her into his embrace, and whispered:

"Why… not run anymore?"

Min Ning lowered her gaze and replied softly:

"What's the point of running?"

The lady hero was forthright. Chen Yi's breathing grew heavier; desire filled his heart, pure and intense, untainted by any other thoughts. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this raw.

Chen Yi leaned down, planting a deep kiss.

The breeze swayed gently, and leaves fluttered down, their golden hues scattering atop their heads.

After the kiss, Min Ning hesitated for a moment before speaking:

"Chen Zunming, do you prefer Yin Weiyin or me?"

Chen Yi couldn't help but catch her meaning. He wouldn't spoil the mood now, so leaning close to her ear, he murmured:

"I prefer you, Min Yuechi."

With that, Chen Yi moved in for another kiss.

But Min Ning abruptly pushed his mouth away, seemingly flustered, and gave him a swift slap.

"Don't say nonsense!"

Chen Yi froze for a moment.

Focusing his eyes, he realized that the figure beneath him was not Min Ning at all—but a sullen and furious Yin Weiyin!

From the nearby trees came a hearty laugh, and another red-attired woman emerged from the thickets.

"I told you he prefers me!"

Yin Weiyin picked up a tree branch and hurled it forcefully at her. "You stop spouting nonsense too!"

Min Ning clutched her stomach, laughing while gracefully sidestepping the incoming tree branch.

Chen Yi turned to the figure in his arms, looking at his Great Yin companion, and couldn't help but chuckle, "Can I change my answer?"

Yin Weiyin glared at him fiercely, denying firmly, "No!"

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, giving her a teasing smile.

The female crown immediately faltered, speaking softly, "Fine, I'll give you a chance..."

In that moment, her allure was irresistible; her smooth forehead radiant. Chen Yi kissed her lightly, lowering his voice to say, "I prefer you."

"Hmph…"

Yin Weiyin pushed him away and swiftly rose to her feet, brushing off the fallen leaves from her clothes.

This had been their plan all along. They'd agreed the night before to draw him into the woods and switch places...

As Chen Yi turned, Min Ning approached leisurely, carrying a sword inscribed with the words "Wind Cloud." When she neared him, the blade glinted suddenly.

From the roots of a nearby tree, a nameless wildflower flew into the air. Min Ning caught it on the tip of her sword and extended it toward him.

The pale yellow flower atop the sword's tip entered his gaze. Then Min Ning spoke in an uncharacteristically gentle tone:

"I heard… you give flowers to the ones you like, is that true?"

Chen Yi, surprised, accepted the flower, his heart momentarily empty as he chuckled and nodded.

Min Ning smiled and said, "Then since I've given one to you, you must repay me in the future."

Chen Yi twirled the flower in his fingers. After a moment, his voice came hoarse: "Is this considered sending a message through the sword?"

"Why not? Though I don't particularly like your master right now," Min Ning rubbed her nose, "she did say one thing that's absolutely true."

"What is it?" Chen Yi asked curiously.

"If plucking flowers and flying leaves can save people, then why can't plucking flowers and flying leaves be swords?"

Min Ning beamed a radiant smile.

"This is my sword."

Chen Yi stared at the nameless wildflower. Though it was but a whimsical gesture from the heroine, his heart felt as though vast clouds were passing through the sky. Subtle hues drifted into his vision, wavering lowly—a pure sky reflected in her clear gaze, rippling ever so gently. Bit by bit, all stray thoughts dissolved into the ripples.

He suddenly forgot the blade hanging at his waist.

For a long moment, he stood thinking.

Finally, he recalled it.

Its name: "No Stray Thoughts."