Chapter 025

Zhaoxue hadn’t even had time to ask the system about the details of this Secret Realm when the sword flying completely captured all her attention.

She quickly understood why Zhaoyang was worried.

Along the way, she felt nauseous, dizzy, and acid reflux.

It was nighttime and she couldn’t see anything looking down, but the extremely high-speed flight caused her to experience such painful dizziness and discomfort for the first time.

It wasn’t until they reached their destination that Zhaoxue felt alive again.

“Ugh—ugh ugh—”

Zhaoxue knelt in a corner, sweating profusely, her face as pale as paper.

Zhaoyang anxiously patted her back, “Feeling better?”

Zhaoxue took a breath, pressed the back of her hand to her forehead, and forced herself to take a few steps, her voice hoarse, “Big sister, there are so many stars tonight…”

Zhaoyang threw a cleansing spell at her and closed her eyes, “Zhaoxue, we’re indoors.”

Zhaoxue: “…”

Exhausted, she collapsed into Zhaoyang’s arms and immediately fell asleep.

Zhaoyang sighed.

Jiang Lingfeng walked over from a distance and handed her the room token for the inn beside the Secret Realm, catching a glimpse of the girl’s sleeping face.

“Asleep?”

Zhaoyang nodded, “I should have realized earlier — Zhaoxue’s body is still too weak to endure sword flying.”

“It’s fine for her to rest a while.”

Jiang Lingfeng said, “There are still two hours before the Secret Realm opens. We’re not too late.”

“Mm.”

Zhaoyang held the girl tightly in her arms and started walking up the stairs.

“Hopefully…”

She closed her eyes. “Hopefully, everything will go smoothly on this trip.”

—

When Zhaoxue was awakened, she still couldn’t open her eyes.

She had originally thought it was morning, but when she looked outside the window, it was actually midnight.

She leaned on the window and looked down — crowds of people, bustling and lively, street lamps lit both sides of the road, making it very lively.

“Big sister…”

Zhaoxue rubbed her eyes while helping Zhaoyang get ready. “So many people…”

She kept yawning as she hurried downstairs with Zhaoyang.

Jiang Lingfeng, leaning against the door holding his sword, watched the girl with tears welling in her eyes and flushed cheeks — obviously still half asleep but hurriedly woken up and busy.

“I’ll go to the Secret Realm alone,” he said. “You stay behind to take care of her.”

Zhaoyang finished packing, sighed, turned her back to him, and shook her head.

“This is my business anyway. You coming is already a favor I owe you. Besides… since I’ve made this decision, Zhaoxue will sooner or later have to take this path. It’s not a bad thing for her to experience it a little earlier.”

Hearing this, Jiang Lingfeng said no more.

Zhaoxue was still half dazed, her mind a blur.

Zhaoyang bent down in front of her, smoothed her collar, and stuffed a bag into the pocket sewn inside Zhaoxue’s outer garment.

Zhaoxue touched the pocket, feeling it slightly bulge under her outer garment.

“What’s this?”

“This is a Qiankun Bag. Inside, there are many pills to restore energy and stop bleeding, as well as some talismans that can be used even by people without spiritual power.”

Zhaoyang took her hand and started walking outside. “They’re all for emergencies. I also put all the things you usually carry with you inside.”

Zhaoxue widened her eyes in surprise. “So many…”

“The Qiankun Bag has a huge space inside. However, since you don’t have spiritual power, it can’t be imprinted with spiritual marks and anyone can open it,”

Zhaoyang’s voice came from ahead. “So you have to be careful not to lose it.”

As soon as they stepped out of the inn, a tide of bustling voices surged around them.

Zhaoxue couldn’t hear clearly, so she tightly grasped Zhaoyang’s hand and nodded repeatedly.

The street vendors were all selling various weapons, cultivation techniques, and pills. Zhaoxue looked around and couldn’t help but widen her eyes—

So many people dressed in exotic clothing, flying on swords, riding spirit beasts of all shapes, sitting on their own weapons, male cultivators, female cultivators, monks, and some whose gender was unclear—all surrounded by colorful spiritual energy, in the sky and on the ground… Zhaoxue had never seen anything like it, all glowing brilliantly under the dazzling lights.

The world was like a vast painting, slowly unfolding before her eyes.

Her eyes shone brightly, filled with the wonder of seeing a completely new world for the first time.

How magnificent, how colorful.

Jiang Lingfeng lowered his gaze and saw the girl drifting through the crowd like a fish. She raised her head, and at that moment, the world seemed to gather within her starry eyes.

He raised his hand, releasing a bit of spiritual energy from his fingertips to surround her, protecting her from being bumped by the carefree cultivators flying around.

After a while, Zhaoyang stopped.

She said to Zhaoxue, “Your senior brother and I will go ask about the situation first. Wait here for us, don’t get lost.”

Zhaoxue nodded.

She clutched her sleeve, standing in place, curious yet cautious as she observed the others.

Most were sword cultivators, but there were also many who used various other weapons. What surprised Zhaoxue even more was that many people used musical instruments as weapons. Those cultivators, exuding an ethereal aura, carried pipa, guqin, long flutes, jade xiao, and other instruments as weapons, which opened Zhaoxue’s eyes wide.

She had never known that musical instruments could also be used as weapons.

The shouts from nearby vendors caught her attention.

It was a stall specializing in talismans. On the stall were several sheets of yellow paper, on which cinnabar inscriptions were written—words Zhaoxue couldn’t understand.

Many young cultivators gathered around the stall, choosing items.

Well, since they were about to enter the secret realm to seize treasures, everyone was trying to prepare as much as possible for protection.

Zhaoxue saw that the stall wasn’t far from where she was, so she moved a little closer but stayed at the edge, tiptoeing to watch from a distance without joining the crowd.

Those talisman papers looked somewhat similar to the ones her eldest sister had prepared for her but also had some differences.

“Boss, how much for the Speed Talisman?”

“Seven taels of silver.”

“Seven taels!? Why don’t you just go rob someone then!”

“Don’t buy it if you don’t want to!”

The stall owner was a thin middle-aged man with sparse whiskers and a nose that pointed upwards. He sat in front of the stall and snorted.

“My talismans are drawn by the second son of the Lu family from Xuecheng. The spiritual power contained within them is far beyond ordinary talismans!”

The crowd burst into lively chatter and quickly began asking questions eagerly.

“The second son of the Lu family? Isn’t he the younger brother of Lu Zhaoshuang, the eldest son, who is known as the ‘Little Sword Immortal’?”

The stall owner proudly replied slowly, “Exactly!”

Another wave of chatter arose.

Obviously, judging from the way people talked, Lu Zhaoshuang’s fame as the “Little Sword Immortal” was even greater.

Zhaoxue listened quietly outside the crowd and clicked her tongue in silence.

Those Lu family twins, are they really that powerful?

In just a few exchanges, quite a few cultivators were already getting ready to take out their money to buy the talismans.

Suddenly, a clear, sharp voice rang out from within the crowd:

“This talisman’s brushwork is clumsy, and the spiritual power within is impure. If it truly was drawn by Lu Zhaohe of the Lu family, then I think that person is nothing more than an empty name.”

Zhaoxue was stunned.

That voice wasn’t—

Among the crowd, a tall young man stood out like a crane among chickens, dressed in attire as pristine as snow in the clouds, with a mocking, casual smile at the corner of his lips.

This—this wasn’t that guy! How did he—

No sooner had he finished speaking, the crowd fell silent for a few seconds, then immediately erupted into a commotion.

The stall owner suddenly stood up with a “teng” sound, eyes squinting open, pointing at Lu Zhaohe: “Who do you think you are, daring to question the authenticity of my talismans!?”

“Ah,”

The youth remained calm and smiling broadly,

“I didn’t say it’s fake, did I? I only doubted the ability of your so-called second son of the Lu family… Or could it be that you yourself are hiding something?”

“You—you—”

The stall owner’s beard trembled with anger, unable to speak, desperately trying to figure out how to refute his words.

Suddenly, a cultivator nearby spoke weakly: “Um… actually, I also think the level of drawing on these talismans isn’t very high. It’s probably just at the late Qi Refining stage. I didn’t dare say anything earlier because everyone was so enthusiastic…”

As soon as he spoke, more talisman makers began to chime in.

“Yes, yes, I also think the technique used to draw these talismans is rather crude.”

“My junior sister gave me spare talismans that were drawn better than these!”

“They’re only good for tricking ignorant outsiders.”

—

At this, even more people started to realize that they had almost been tricked.

Several cultivators grumbled as they took back their money, threw down the talismans, and turned to leave.

In front of the stall, the crowd quickly thinned by nearly half.

The stall owner’s face turned red with anger, livid like raw liver, unable to vent his frustration anywhere, he suddenly grabbed the collar of Lu Zhaohe’s chest clothes just as he was about to walk away.

“You ruined my business, and you still want to leave?”

“What else?”

Lu Zhaohe widened his eyes, looking at him mockingly, raising both hands.

“You want me to pay you compensation?”

“Compensation… yes, compensation!”

The stall owner glared fiercely, spreading out his other hand.

“You scared off all my customers. If you don’t pay compensation, do you think you can just run away? Pay up!”

The cultivators still lingering around the stall saw this and lowered their heads, whispering among themselves.

Even Zhaoxue couldn’t help but stare in disbelief.

…This—this is just too shameless!!

However, it seemed this guy was a rogue. After all, his business had been completely destroyed by Lu Zhaohe, and his reputation was ruined. He might as well try to use this shamelessness to demand money from the other party.

With the Qingyang Secret Realm about to open soon, most people were still rushing to stock up on their gear. If it were an ordinary person, and they weren’t short on money, they might just pay up to settle the matter without fuss.

Lu Zhaohe was definitely not short of money.

Unfortunately, he was Lu Zhaohe.

“You say I ruined your business? I was going to say,”

The youth squinted his long, narrow eyes and curved his lips into a smile,

“—you ruined my reputation.”

“W-what do you mean? I’m telling you, don’t you—”

The stall owner instinctively tried to threaten, but only halfway through his words did he realize what he was saying, and his expression changed drastically.

“You—you can’t be—!”

Lu Zhaohe smiled, showing his tiger-like fangs, and nodded, “That would be me.”

The stall owner was so frightened he loosened his grip, widened his eyes, took a few steps back, and scrutinized the youth up and down.

The person in front of him was indeed dressed richly and carried an extraordinary aura, definitely not an ordinary figure…

But so what!

“I’m not someone to be scared of!”

The stall owner straightened his face, stepped back a few more steps, stood on a chair, barely leveling his height with Lu Zhaohe.

“You say you are who you say you are? Who do you think you are? I’m the Little Sword Immortal!”

Zhaoxue couldn’t help herself and covered her mouth, stifling a giggle.

The whole scene was just too ridiculous.

Some scattered laughter rose around them.

But those scattered laughs slowly quieted down before she knew it.

…Huh?

Zhaoxue realized something and turned her head.

A corner of white clothing, as pure as moonlight, drifted across her vision and then passed by, moving forward.

That kind of white… made Zhaoxue involuntarily recall the day she first met Jiang Lingfeng. White like moonlight, parting ripples of water as he swam toward her.

Only, after that day, she never saw Jiang Lingfeng wear white again.

He was always dressed in dark clothes, like a quiet shadow, standing silently and alone, as if on a boundless, empty plain where only the wind howls past.

Zhaoxue had only momentarily been distracted before quickly coming back to her senses.

She quickly realized the difference between this youth and Jiang Lingfeng.

The sword-bearing youth was tall and slender, like an elegant orchid or a jade tree, pure and refined like pear blossoms after frost.

But only when he turned around could Zhaoxue clearly describe the feeling he gave her.

Although he was also stern and distant, with cold and beautiful features, his every gesture revealed an unmistakable proud and noble demeanor of a prestigious family.

If Jiang Lingfeng raised his chin in a way that seemed unwilling to look down, this youth’s gaze was one of disdain.

So young, so full of ambition and confidence that could not be hidden, the youthful pride and limitless glory shone in him. Standing beside him, it felt like you could glimpse the bright path beneath his feet—a vast, smooth future stretching endlessly ahead.

The moment the youth stood beside Lu Zhaohe, low murmurs rose from the crowd.

“No way? Could it really be him?”

“Oh my god, I’m lucky enough to see the Little Sword Immortal in person!!”

“I saw him at the last sect competition! It’s him, Lu Zhaoshuang, there’s no mistake!”

—

Most of the people in the town in front of the secret realm were cultivators, and many recognized Lu Zhaoshuang at a glance. After a few seconds of stunned silence, they surged forward.

“Daoist Lu! Daoist Lu, what an honor to see you today, I’ve admired you for so long!”

“Daoist Lu, do you remember me? I spoke with you at the sect competition three years ago!”

“Little Sword Immortal, Little Sword Immortal, I’m your fan! I became a sword cultivator because of you! Please, give me your autograph!!”

—

Crowds pressed forward like a tide, all eager to catch a glimpse of Lu Zhaoshuang’s dignified presence.

Zhaoxue, almost pushed to the ground, was speechless: “…”

She was utterly dumbfounded!

Those two brothers… they really must have been born with a silver spoon in their mouths!

Born into such a prestigious family, possessing such great talent and resources, being so popular and receiving so much love and admiration…

Unconsciously, Zhaoxue felt a sourness growing in her heart.

…Forget it.

What does it have to do with her? She could only hope not to run into Lu Zhaohe in the secret realm—otherwise, with his personality, he would definitely hold a grudge against Jian Sui.

In the center of the crowd, Lu Zhaoshuang frowned slightly and impatiently declined one invitation after another.

“It’s time to go. What are we wasting time here for?” He turned to ask Lu Zhaohe.

Seeing this, the stall owner’s face turned ashen.

But now, hardly anyone remembered him anymore. He slunk off his stool, just about to escape, when Lu Zhaohe stretched out a long arm and blocked his way.

The youth smiled cheekily: “Where do you think you’re going? Hmm? Haven’t you paid the compensation yet?”

The stall owner’s face turned very bad. He didn’t expect Lu Zhaohe to keep pressing him. His lips trembled, his knees shook, and he knelt before him, bowing his head.

—If you truly offend someone from the Lu family, you won’t have a good life for the rest of your days.

The stall owner’s face was pale as wax, wanting to say something to beg for mercy, but extreme fear made his throat unable to utter a sound.

The laughter still came softly from above, as if no one was paying attention to him, but no one said anything to help him up either.

He knelt there, sweat dripping in large beads, until his whole body was so tense he was almost about to collapse, and then he raised his head slightly.

—There was no one left in front of him.

From beginning to end, no one had really taken this ridiculous scene seriously.

…Because of that, the stall owner let out a heavy sigh of relief and collapsed to the ground.

—

The crowd slowly dispersed, and the two Lu brothers’ figures vanished from sight.

Truly a laughable and pitiful spectacle.

The brief farce ended, and Zhaoxue suddenly remembered she had to hurry back.

When she returned to the original spot, however, no one was there.

…Had they not come back yet, or had Zhaoyang, seeing she was gone, gone to look for her?

Zhaoxue looked around and waited there for a while longer. She wanted to ask around, but seeing those cultivators with unfriendly faces, she didn’t dare to approach and speak rashly. So she could only search within a small area.

“Big sister, big sister.”

But there was no familiar figure.

No way.

Zhaoxue couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat.

Could Zhaoyang really have gone to look for her?

She couldn’t help but regret it.

…If only I hadn’t gone to watch that farce!!

“Senior Martial Uncle, big sister!”

Zhaoxue shouted anxiously, and the suffocating feeling in the crowd hit her late. Her face went pale and she felt dizzy.

She turned her head—and bumped into a wall.

…No, not a wall.

Covering her nose, she stepped back two steps, lost her balance, and fell heavily to the ground.

She looked up.

Behind the youth hung a bright full moon, its clear light falling on him like a thin layer of frost. He looked straight ahead, not lowering his head, only his gaze shifted downward, as if generously giving her a spare glance.

He showed no pity or guilt for knocking her down.

No… it was really she who ran into him and fell.

Zhaoxue didn’t want any interaction with Lu Zhaoshuang. Since he had no intention of apologizing or helping, neither did she.

Besides, she had more important things to do right now.

She turned her head, preparing to push herself up.

Suddenly, a voice startled her.

“Little liar, if you’re going to call for someone, why so quietly? Are you trying to find them next year?”

Lu Zhaohe’s handsome face suddenly appeared close in front of her.

He bent down with a playful smile, showing his tiger teeth at the corner of his lips. His peach blossom eyes sparkled like a bubbling spring.

Seeing her pale face, he paused for a second, then smiled even more brightly.

“What’s wrong? Your face is as white as paper, looking like you’re about to cry. Want me to help you?”

That proud hand, raised by a top noble family, was stretched out in front of her.

But—

Zhaoxue stared at it for a few seconds, then slapped the hand away with a sharp “smack.”

She was already very fed up.

She had had enough of this guy’s teasing smiles and unpredictable moods. She clearly understood what that outstretched hand meant — it was definitely another prank to get back at her.

Lu Zhaohe seemed caught off guard, his smile frozen on his face.

After a while, the smile gradually faded.

The back of the hand that had been slapped turned red.

So did Zhaoxue’s.

Lu Zhaohe narrowed his eyes, appraising her, and curled his lips.

“Got quite a temper, huh, little liar.”

Zhaoxue took a deep breath, turned her head away, and forced herself to sit up. “Stay away from me.”

She didn’t want to bother arguing with this childish guy right now.

“Is that so?”

Lu Zhaohe smiled, but there was no real amusement in his voice. He gently pushed her, and just as Zhaoxue was about to stand unsteadily, she lost her balance and sat back down on the ground.

Zhaoxue caught her breath, opened her eyes wide, and looked at him in disbelief.

— He looked several years older than her, so how could he be this immature?!

Lu Zhaoshuang, standing to the side, couldn’t stand it either.

But he didn’t want to help Zhaoxue. He just glanced at her indifferently, then looked at Lu Zhaohe with a bit of reprimand:

“Zhaohuo.”

“Yes, yes, big brother, we’re leaving soon. I just want to say one last thing to this kid.”

Lu Zhaohe smiled broadly, but there wasn’t a trace of genuine warmth in his eyes.

“…”

Lu Zhaoshuang suddenly felt a bit irritated for no clear reason. He looked at this weak and pitiful child on the ground. She obviously had no spiritual power in her body, so why was she here? Moreover…

Looking at the child’s face, he felt an inexplicable, familiar feeling deep in his heart.

“Zhaohuo,”

He finally couldn’t hold back and said,

“… don’t go too far.”

Lu Zhaohe was momentarily stunned.

This was the first time his older brother had spoken to warn him.

And it was for this little girl they were meeting for the first time.

“Got it.”

Lu Zhaohe narrowed his eyes and carefully examined Zhaoxue’s face.

He leaned close to her ear and lowered his voice:

“I haven’t even taken into account how you tricked me in Yuxian Town, little liar. But today, seeing you so pitiful, shouting yourself hoarse trying to call for help, I actually wanted to help you—so don’t be so ungrateful—”

“Thank you, but I don’t need your help.”

Zhaoxue interrupted him, looking straight into his eyes.

“I’ve already said ‘thank you‘ to you. I won’t hold it against you for making me sneeze nonstop either. So please, mind your own business from now on.”

Lu Zhaohe paused.

The girl’s eyelashes were long and slightly trembling, but her eyes clearly showed coldness and rejection.

“—You—!” The young man sneered and clenched his teeth.

Before his voice could even finish,

A cold sword with a dark golden blade, still sheathed, appeared horizontally between him and the girl.

The hand holding the sword wore a slightly rusted bracer. The exposed back of the hand bore crisscrossed pink old scars, and the fingertips and joints had calluses from years of gripping a sword.

The man pressed his lips together, lowered his eyelashes, and stared at Lu Zhaohe. It was as if if he dared to step forward even an inch, the sword would immediately be drawn.

“Please, stay away from her.”

Jiang Lingfeng said clearly.