An unfamiliar sensation surged within him.

HuLü Yan lowered his head slightly, breathing heavily. Realizing what he was feeling, he jerked his hand back as if he’d been shocked, then lightly rubbed his fingertips together in the darkness.

The warmth of Mi Lu’s breath lingered on his fingertips, and the skin there felt hot. His lowered lashes trembled fiercely.

It didn’t take long for his whole body to start trembling. A faint heat seemed to swirl within him, setting an even greater fire wherever it roamed.

He wasn’t exactly naïve about such matters; on the contrary, growing up in a brothel had made him aware of all the little details. But he had always felt repelled by such things.

All he remembered were scenes of women from that place, including one particular woman, mingling stickily with all kinds of men. His mind was filled with white, exposed flesh. Every time he thought of it, he felt disgusted.

He detested how desire made people animalistic, more like wild creatures than human beings.

Yet he never imagined he’d one day feel these very urges—desires he had once rejected, reviled, and wished would vanish forever from humanity. Now, he couldn’t ignore the overwhelming feelings stirring in his chest.

He wanted to lean over.

He wanted to kiss Mi Lu.

He wanted to hold Mi Lu.

And it still wasn’t enough.

Nowhere near enough.

He wanted more. He wanted to do things with Mi Lu that crossed every line and broke every restraint.

His throat felt dry, his body tense, and low whispers echoed in his mind like a demon’s coaxing murmur, urging him to give in to his desires. At the same time, another voice rose, advising him to continue restraining himself and to take things slow so Mi Lu wouldn’t be frightened away. “Warm the frog slowly,” it said, “let him gradually get used to your feelings.”

The two voices pulled at each other in his mind, creating an internal conflict.

Just then, Mi Lu stirred in his sleep, frowning slightly before his eyes fluttered open.

After four years of intermittent cultivation, Mi Lu had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. Although he’d failed a few times in forming his core, his night vision was better than ever.

He immediately noticed the empty bed beside him and the seemingly tranquil tent.

Blinking, Mi Lu sat up in bed, touched his face, and glanced toward the curtain at the side.

The curtain hung peacefully in place.

Mi Lu climbed out of bed, slipped on his shoes, grabbed the outer garment draped at the foot of the bed, and lifted the curtain.

HuLü Yan’s bed was empty.

Mi Lu stood there, checking several times to ensure he wasn’t mistaken.

He felt puzzled.

Where would HuLü Yan go in the middle of the night instead of resting in the tent? Did he suddenly find it impossible to sleep after four years?

Mi Lu considered going out to search for HuLü Yan, but then remembered that he had already set up a barrier around the area. If HuLü Yan crossed it, Mi Lu would sense it immediately.

So, he lay back down, feeling reassured.

HuLü Yan had wandered outside once before, even lying about not seeing anything in the dark. Mi Lu found it odd, considering that HuLü Yan’s abilities surpassed his own—if Mi Lu could see at night, surely HuLü Yan could too.

Who knew what was on HuLü Yan’s mind?

Mi Lu sighed, thoughts swirling in his head, keeping him awake as he waited for HuLü Yan to return.

Outside, HuLü Yan had slipped out of the tent before Mi Lu awoke. He now stood under a nearby tree, leaning against the trunk, letting the wild flames inside him burn unbridled.

Gritting his teeth, he felt the sweat bead on his skin, slowly sliding down.

The night was silent, with only his labored breathing breaking the stillness.

He could control his hands from wandering downward, but he couldn’t stop his mind from drifting.

He thought back to that meadow.

The golden sunlight draped warmly over that person, who sat on the grass, his hair tousled by the breeze, revealing his pale, defined profile.

Hearing his footsteps, that person turned, smiled, and waved. “Come here.”

And so, he went.

“Mi Lu…” Finally, the name that had been lingering on his tongue spilled out, escaping from his clenched teeth.

Mi Lu.

Mi Lu.

Mi Lu…

He called out that name in his mind, over and over.

The repressed emotions prickled his nerves, bringing both a slight pain and a wild pleasure that spread to every part of his being.

In the end, Mi Lu, who had been waiting for HuLü Yan, dozed off before HuLü Yan returned.

A thousand miles away, in the Capital City.

Even at night, the streets buzzed with activity, crowded with people beneath dim lanterns.

After the events of the day, the sword-drawing competition had been forced to an abrupt halt.

People had watched in shock as a black mist swallowed up three young contestants on the field, only to disperse from their bodies like a retreating tide.

Just as everyone believed those three would be able to draw the Seven Star Kunlun Sword, the black mist twisted into black threads that shot up to the sky, disappearing without a trace.

After a long silence, a loud voice echoed from the high platform where Wen Renyao stood: “What are you waiting for? Hurry and pull out the sword!”

The three boys jumped at the shout, their thoughts snapping back to the present. They gripped the sword’s hilt and heaved.

Nothing happened.

The Seven Star Kunlun Sword remained firmly embedded in the ground, unmoved by their efforts, as if it had fused with the land beneath the Capital City.

Their hands began to ache, their faces turned red, and the fear and despair on their faces replaced the earlier thrill of anticipation.

They glanced nervously at the platform where Wen Renyao stood, who for once seemed anything but calm, staring at them with a dark expression.

Then, a murmur started in the crowd, rising to cheers from impatient contestants waiting to try their own hand. Finally, HuLü family members in charge of discipline had no choice but to step forward and lead the three boys off.

What happened next took everyone by surprise.

The next person to attempt the draw touched the hilt and was immediately engulfed by a black mist that surged from the ground.

Startled, he let go of the hilt, staggering back with a painful cry.

The HuLü family members rushed over. “What’s wrong?”

“M-my hand!” He lifted a trembling hand to reveal red, swollen, festering skin where the black mist had touched him—a gruesome sight.

Even the experienced HuLü family members were horrified, faces pale as they hurried to apply ointment to the injured contestant before leading him away.

Undeterred, others stepped up, unwilling to waste a year’s wait, only to suffer the same fate, regardless of their cultivation level.

Gradually, it dawned on everyone—the Seven Star Kunlun Sword, silent for over a decade, was resisting.

As night fell, people refused to leave, demanding that the Wenren family give them an explanation.

The crowd grew louder, convinced that the Wenren family had something to do with this. Why else would the sword react only after the Wenren family’s involvement?

They suspected the three boys had tampered with the sword!

Amid the rising noise, Mi Hefeng and Situ Gaoyang dozed off, while HuLü Xing and Situ Wenwan looked gravely concerned.

Being at the top of the four great families, the HuLü family couldn’t entirely avoid responsibility if something went wrong with the Wenren family.

“What do you plan to do?” HuLü Xing asked, face cold, glaring at Wen Renyao.

Standing respectfully, Wen Renyao clenched his fists tightly, nails digging into his palms. After a long silence, he said, “I humbly ask for some time, Master HuLü and Lady HuLü. I will uncover the truth.”

HuLü Xing, now devoid of his usual gentle demeanor, scoffed, “If your Wenren family had honored your word, would we be in this mess? It’s all your own doing.”

“What are you talking about?” Situ Gaoyang muttered, barely awake. “What’s all this about? Why can’t the Wenren family participate in Sword Draw Day?”

Then he turned to Wen Renyao, “And you—if you really tampered with the sword, just admit it and stop wasting everyone’s time.”

The others nodded in agreement.

HuLü Xing explained, “The Wenren family has a history with the Seven Star Kunlun Sword. If they participate, things could be revealed that were better kept secret.”

Situ Wenwan added lightly, “Who knows what they’re thinking.”

Situ Gaoyang laughed. “Maybe they just weren’t ready before. Now they are, so here they are!”

Wen Renyao remained silent.

Finally, HuLü Xing turned to Wen Renyao, furious. “You’re telling me that your family’s disinterest in the Seven Star Kunlun Sword was all a lie?”

After a tense silence, Wen Renyao muttered, “I’m sorry.”

Furious, HuLü Xing pointed a trembling finger at Wen Renyao. “This wasn’t your decision, was it? It was Wen Renzheng’s, wasn’t it?”

Wen Renyao fell silent again.

“You have one month.” HuLü Xing gritted out, “I’ll give you time. But if you can’t resolve this, I’ll personally take it up with your uncle, Wen Renzheng!”

Leaving Wen Renyao behind, HuLü Xing dismissed the others.

Mi Hefeng, eager to leave, quickly excused himself, striding away without a backward glance.

Just as he reached his carriage, Situ Gaoyang caught up to him.

Feigning nonchalance, he asked, “HuLü Xing mentioned a connection between the Wenren family and the Seven Star Kunlun Sword. Wasn’t that sword created solely by HuLü Wan? How does this involve the Wenren family?”

Without breaking his stride, Mi Hefeng replied coolly, “If you’re looking for someone to gossip with, you’ve chosen the wrong person. I don’t know, and I don’t care.”

“Don’t rush off,” Situ Gaoyang insisted, matching his pace. “Apart from the HuLü and Wenren families, it’s just us two left. Who else am I supposed to ask?”

Mi Hefeng snorted, quickening his steps toward the carriage.

“The only connection I can think of is that HuLü Wan and Wen Renzheng grew up together. Wen Renzheng pursued her passionately, but,” Situ Gaoyang sighed, “she ended up falling for a poor boy from the countryside, even running away with him.”