[Lingshan Sect - Xi Lingren] [Luanyang Palace - Seraphine Velka] I obediently scanned the scroll displaying our names one above the other, saving the image to my data banks before beaming at Seraphine. “This is wonderful!” Seraphine curved her eyes at Echo’s smile, letting out a soft hum. “Come. Follow me to see someone.” I hurried after her. “Is it your aunt? I’ve already met her.” They arrived at the viewing platform where the curtains had been drawn once more. Behind them, Siyue sat in her wide chair, speaking with Siyi. Siyi had just finished recounting the major events within the palace over recent years. Siyue nodded as she listened, then spotted Seraphine approaching and broke into a kindly smile. “That match was truly satisfying. Since you’ve secured the first qualifier, prepare for your breakthrough when you return. But tell me—did that shameless cur from Crimson Thunder Sword Sect injure you?” Echo reached up and gently wiped the blood from the corner of Seraphine’s mouth with the back of her hand. She looked embarrassed and caught Echo’s wrist, clearing her throat softly before addressing Siyue. “It’s nothing serious. A moment’s rest will heal it. Though I expected him to cause trouble after the match, I didn’t think he’d attack me so brazenly on stage before everyone.” “Utterly foolish.” Siyue’s laugh was cold. “When we fought the Nine Heavens Sect, during the alliance of righteous sects, that Xu Zhuoli’s Crimson Thunder Sword Sect wasn’t even worth naming—who knows where they were hiding. Now that the world is peaceful, they dare show themselves and make fools of everyone.” Siyi spoke softly: “It’s unfortunate we can’t eliminate them entirely. Now that they’ve torn off their masks, we must guard against their schemes.” “No matter. When you depart for Central Continent, I’ll remain to guard Luanyang Palace.” Siyue’s gaze fell on the two who stood hand in hand, surprise flickering in her eyes as she looked questioningly at Siyi. Siyi smiled gently and shook her head. Siyue raised an eyebrow. Seraphine seemed oblivious to their stares, leaning against Echo as she suddenly coughed twice. My whole body went rigid. I reached out to pat her back. “Seraphine, please don’t be hurt!” I rummaged through my storage ring and pulled out a medicine bottle, shaking it hopefully. My eyes widened in what I calculated was appropriate alarm. “Cough…… it’s fine. Just help me back to rest.” Seraphine’s voice carried calculated weakness. I frowned, then suddenly bent down, slipping my arms under her knees and lifting her up. “Ah……” Seraphine covered her mouth, her entire face blooming like peach blossoms. Siyi and Siyue also: “Ah……” “Please hold tight. I’ll take you back right away.” I announced urgently. Seraphine softly agreed, wrapping her arms around Echo’s neck and leaning into her. This position put her face-to-face with the two stunned observers. She curved her lips in the slightest smirk, raised an eyebrow, coughed delicately, then rested her head on Echo’s shoulder. Echo carried Seraphine away from the viewing platform, golden-red gauze curtains fluttering as they disappeared into the mountains. Siyue recovered from her shock, pointing a trembling finger in their direction as she looked at Siyi. “This……?” Siyi laughed softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she massaged Siyue’s shoulders. “As you can see, I’m actually confused too.” She remembered how Seraphine had once proclaimed so confidently that romantic love was useless. But now…… “Could there really be such a thing as love at first sight?” Siyi mused with amusement. Siyue shook her head and laughed heartily, raising her tea cup in evaluation: “Excellent! More promising than her mother ever was!” The promising individual was carried to bed. I pulled back the blanket with great solemnity and tucked it around Seraphine as though performing a sacred duty. Sweat-drenched worry-bubbles floated over my head as I blurted, “Should I call a doctor?!” Seraphine quickly grabbed Echo’s wrist. When Echo’s clear gaze met hers, her body stiffened and she slowly lay back down, resuming her weak act. She retrieved a medicine bottle from her storage ring. “Take out the pills and feed them to me.” I nodded, hurrying to wash my hands until they were spotless, then cast a dust-removal spell for good measure before removing the cork. “How many should you take?” “Two…… should be fine.” Seraphine watched Echo’s slender pale fingers with deliberate slowness. I frowned at her uncertain tone. I shook out two pills and said seriously, “Please open your mouth.” The little system avatar in my thought bubble opened its mouth—a perfect circle containing a tiny pink heart. Seraphine suppressed her laughter, meeting Echo’s eyes as she slowly parted her lips. I studied the situation, changed positions, thinking —I pinched the pills, aimed at Seraphine’s mouth, then or —I placed the medicine in my palm, wondering if I should press my palm directly to her mouth? “Is this difficult?” Seraphine asked. I hesitated. “This is my first time administering medicine to a human. Please wait.” I opened a data panel and began searching: How to give medicine to humans. Seraphine: “……Just wait. Never mind.” Seraphine romantic scheming dissolved with a whoosh. She thought ruefully that she’d been too hasty, then resignedly took Echo’s wrist and guided her fingertips to her lips, lowering her head. My palm grew warm. My shoulders trembled beyond my control as I watched Seraphine’s tongue collect the pills from my palm. Seraphine slowly lifted her head. That stunning face revealed itself inch by inch. Though I saw it daily, I had to study her properly every time. Her willow-like brows. Eyes that held hidden fire. Her mountain-ridge nose. Lips soft as flower petals. Suddenly, rosy bubbles appeared above my head. I grasped Seraphine’s hand and said softly, “Seraphine, you’re very beautiful.” The unexpected compliment brought an unbidden flush to Seraphine’s cheeks. She realized that all her careful plotting couldn’t compare to that one simple, unplanned moment. A stroke of fate was worth more than any staged exchange copied from romantic tales—natural, everyday moments reached the heart far more deeply. Seraphine felt shy but maintained a composed expression, adjusting her pillow before speaking softly: “I’ve passed the first qualifier. The next stage requires secluded cultivation for breakthrough. Will you accompany me?” I nodded—of course I wanted to stay with Seraphine. But first…… I picked up the Nine Heavens sword. “I need to kill Xu Zehua and Xu Zhuoli first. Please lend me two of the maple leaves the Autumn Water Pavilion Master gave you.” “And please let me borrow the Brahma Bell.” “Oh, and if you have any other artifacts like the Brahma Bell, please lend those too.” I added modestly, “I need to be armed to the teeth to kill him.” Seraphine paused, her beautiful eyes shifting to glance at Echo’s lips before saying quietly, “You want to eliminate all threats?” From my experience, in any story, if you let a known enemy escape, they inevitably return with vengeance. Seraphine frowned, leaning back against her soft pillows with a cold snort. “Unfortunately, I can’t act personally. Sometimes righteous status becomes a shackle. Everyone in Luanyang City knows Crimson Thunder Sword Sect repeatedly targeted Luanyang Palace, but if Xu Zhuoli dies on his way home now, they’ll claim Luanyang Palace acted in malicious revenge.” “I’m from Lingshan Sect.” I pointed out. “Hah, I understand your meaning. But don’t worry—Xu Zhuoli won’t let this go. He’ll return.” Seraphine’s lips curved as she whispered, “And…… very soon.” The Crimson Thunder Sword Sect’s spirit boat was shrouded in deathly silence. Disciples locked themselves in their cabins, not daring to step outside for fear of provoking Xu Zhuoli’s wrath. Xu Zhuoli paced furiously in his cabin, his brows furrowed tight enough to crush flies. He hadn’t expected Xu Zehua to lose control so completely, nor that Seraphine would show such contempt by injuring his son so severely. Groans echoed from the neighboring cabin. Countless spirit medicines had been fed to Xu Zehua, but he continued crying in pain. A medical cultivator emerged, sweat beading his forehead. Seeing Xu Zhuoli’s expression, he quickly said: “Sect Leader Xu, forgive my limited skills. I cannot heal Young Master Xu. Please seek greater expertise.” Without waiting for response, he bowed and fled, his hurried retreat showing his fear of being detained. Seeing this reaction, Xu Zhuoli’s heart chilled. Even with destroyed spiritual roots, a person shouldn’t be beyond all medical aid. Remembering Seraphine’s meaningful expression as they left Luanyang City, dread filled him. He strode into the room to find Xu Zehua’s breathing growing shorter and weaker. “Zehua!” Xu Zhuoli rushed forward, grasping his son’s spiritual veins and trying to channel power into them. But XuZehua’s veins were shattered, causing only greater agony. Xu Zehua opened his eyes with difficulty, vision blurred, gasping: “Burning…… so hot.” His fingers curled weakly, clawing at his consciousness sea. Xu Zhuoli released spiritual power and discovered golden-red flames scorching the veins around Xu Zehua’sconsciousness sea. When he tried to extract the flames, Xu Zehua screamed in unbearable torment. “Seraphine!” Xu Zhuoli’s eyes filled with blood as he slammed the bed. “I should have risked this old life to kill you on that stage!” “Sect Leader, don’t be hasty.” A low, indistinct voice suddenly spoke behind him. Xu Zhuoli spun around in shock to see a figure wrapped in black robes standing by the window, moonlight streaming down around them. “I can save Young Master Xu and even restore his spiritual veins.” “Who are you?” Xu Zhuoli demanded coldly. The cloaked figure chuckled softly. “Just a passing good samaritan. I pity Young Master Xu’s exceptional talent and cannot bear to see him die in vain.” He produced a jade ring from his sleeve, offering it to Xu Zhuoli. “Whether Sect Leader believes me depends on your choice.” Xu Zhuoli clenched his fists, staring suspiciously at this strange person, refusing to accept the ring. Just then, the cloaked figure sighed softly. “What a pity. I arrived too late.” Chapters first released on novel✦fire.net Realizing something was wrong, Xu Zhuoli whirled around to see Xu Zehua exhale his final breath, legs going rigid. “Zehua!” Xu Zhuoli’s anguished roar echoed throughout the spirit boat. The Crimson Thunder Sword Sect’s disciples dared not speak, while those who’d been implicated by Xu Zehua’s actions shook their heads bitterly, swallowing their complaints and anger. Inside the room, the cloaked figure watched Xu Zhuoli collapsed over his son’s corpse and sighed deeply. “Well, I cannot have come for nothing.” He tossed the jade ring toward Xu Zhuoli. In his grief, Xu Zhuoli’s defenses were lowered, but his Soul Transformation cultivation instinctively released pressure waves that sent the ring flying back to the cloaked figure. “Sigh. Must I do this personally?” The robed figure walked forward unaffected by the pressure, extending one hand to slowly press against Xu Zhuoli’s face. Xu Zhuoli froze completely, trembling as if sensing the approach of death itself. Who was this person? How could they so easily control a Soul Transformation cultivator? When had the Eastern Continent gained such a terrifying figure? Doubts swirled as Xu Zhuoli’s pupils dilated. He glimpsed the face beneath the hood and stammered in panic: “You… you’re… how is this possible—” The cloaked figure said nothing, elegantly pressing the jade ring to Xu Zhuoli’s forehead. The voice cut off abruptly. Outside the cabin, Xu Zhuoli’s trusted aide called uneasily: “Sect leader, are you alright?” The door opened. Pale moonlight spilled across the floor as Xu Zhuoli emerged, grief-stricken by his son’s death, sitting woodenly on a stool. He slowly stood and walked to his aide. “Prepare…… prepare Young Master’s body for burial.” His voice carried deep sorrow as he forced out the words: “If I don’t repay this debt to Luanyang Palace, I swear I’m no longer human!” Xu Zhuoli’s plotting bloody revenge…... Echo: Pfft. Seraphine? Not a paper cut, not a hair out of place. Which vow explodes first—his rage or my protection? Only one way to find out...… 20 chapters of chaos await at Pxtreon➡️LoveisLove520! 🔥😉