Reborn in a cultivation world with my Ex girlfriends-Chapter 44: Shadows, Schemes, and Sweet Lies

Wang Li paced outside Lan Yue's courtyard, his mind torn between caution and frustration. The events of last night still lingered—her deception, the mysterious attacker in the archives, and the ominous jade slip hidden away by some long-forgotten elder.

He didn't trust her.

But he needed answers.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the gate.

Lan Yue sat in the moonlit pavilion, pouring herself a cup of tea, looking as serene as if she hadn't nearly gotten him killed.

"You're early," she murmured without looking up.

"You expected me?" Wang Li crossed his arms.

She took a slow sip of her tea before replying, "You're predictable, Wang Li. You can never resist chasing the truth."

His jaw tightened. "Then tell me. What were you really after in the archives?"

She smiled, setting down her cup. "You already know the answer. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here."

Wang Li took a step closer. "The jade slip."

"Very good."

Her casual confirmation sent a chill through him. She wasn't even denying it.

"You played me," he said, voice low.

Lan Yue tilted her head. "I prefer to think of it as guiding you toward something greater."

His fingers twitched. "And the mysterious figure who attacked me? Was that part of your 'guidance' too?"

Something flickered in her eyes—was it amusement? Or regret?

"That was... unexpected," she admitted. "But it proves one thing."

Wang Li narrowed his eyes. "Which is?"

"You're not the only one searching for the truth."

Silence stretched between them, heavy with meaning.

Lan Yue sighed and stood, stepping toward him with the grace of a predator. "Tell me, Wang Li. If I had told you the full truth from the start, would you have believed me?"

He hesitated.

And in that moment, she smiled—a slow, knowing smile.

"You see? Sometimes a little deception is necessary."

His fists clenched. "And what is the full truth?"

Lan Yue's voice lowered. "The jade slip contains knowledge of a lost inheritance—one that could shake the foundation of this sect. That's why it was hidden. That's why people are willing to kill for it."

Wang Li's breath caught.

A lost inheritance?

His heart pounded. This wasn't just some secret technique or forbidden scripture—this was something that could change the balance of power in the cultivation world.

"And let me guess," he said, his voice dry, "you want it for yourself."

Lan Yue's smile deepened. "Wouldn't you?"

Wang Li exhaled sharply. "And if I say no?"

"Then we part ways here," she said simply. "And you walk away with nothing."

The weight of the moment pressed on him.

Did he trust her?

No.

But did he want answers?

Yes.

Wang Li exhaled. "Fine. But if you betray me again, I won't be so forgiving."

Lan Yue's laughter was like a whisper of wind. "Oh, Wang Li, haven't you realized by now? In this world, trust is just another weapon."

She reached out, placing a single finger against his chest. "And I intend to use it well."

Wang Li didn't like this. Not one bit.

Standing under the dim glow of lanterns in Lan Yue's courtyard, he felt like a pawn in a game he barely understood. A lost inheritance? A jade slip powerful enough to shift the balance of the cultivation world? It all sounded too grand, too dangerous. And yet... he couldn't walk away.

Lan Yue was right about one thing—he wanted to know.

He studied her, searching for a crack in her mask. But she was unreadable, her usual sly confidence unwavering.

"Tell me everything," he said. "No more half-truths. No more schemes."

Lan Yue let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "Oh, Wang Li, you should know by now—full truths are dangerous. But fine, I'll tell you what you need to know."

She turned, walking toward the pavilion, her robes trailing behind her like flowing water. Wang Li followed, his senses on high alert.

"The jade slip," she began, "was created by an elder from a lost sect—the Twilight Immortals. Ever heard of them?"

Wang Li frowned. "A myth. No records of them exist, just rumors about a sect that vanished overnight."

Lan Yue gave him a knowing look. "That's exactly why it's so important. They didn't just vanish, Wang Li. They were erased. Wiped from history by those who feared their knowledge."

A cold chill ran down his spine. "So what's in the jade slip?"

She hesitated, her gaze flickering toward the moon above. "A technique. One so powerful that even the great sects of today would kill to obtain it. If you learn it, you won't just become stronger—you'll become a target."

Wang Li exhaled slowly. That explained why someone tried to kill him in the archives.

"And you want it for yourself?" he asked.

Lan Yue smiled, but this time, there was a trace of something else—something softer. "I don't need it, Wang Li. But you... you might."

He wasn't sure whether to be flattered or terrified.

"Where is the jade slip now?"

"In my possession," she said simply. "But it's encrypted. A seal prevents anyone from reading it without the right key."

Wang Li's eyes narrowed. "And where's the key?"

Her smile widened. "That's the fun part. It's hidden within the Celestial Serpent's Tomb."

He groaned. Of course, it couldn't be easy.

"You're insane," he muttered.

Lan Yue shrugged. "Maybe. But insanity and ambition often go hand in hand."

Wang Li pinched the bridge of his nose. "So let me get this straight. You stole a forbidden jade slip, it contains a world-shattering technique, and now we have to go on a dangerous expedition to unlock it?"

"Correct," she said brightly.

He sighed. "And I suppose I don't have a choice?"

"You always have a choice, Wang Li," she said, stepping closer. "But you've already stepped into this game. The only way out now is forward."

His instincts screamed at him to walk away. But his heart—his insatiable curiosity—told him otherwise.

Lan Yue tilted her head. "So, are you in?"

Wang Li clenched his fists.

"...I'm in."

A shadow of triumph passed through her gaze.

"Good," she whispered. "Then let's begin."

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