Chapter 21

"It seems… Chengtian City is about to become chaotic as well."

Lin Yi shook his head, holding Yu Xiaotang's small hand. "Don't look, those are just some mundane trinkets. If you want one, I'll take this sky full of scenery and make one for you."

Yu Xiaotang looked up. Her sparkling eyes and delicate little face already revealed a hint of anticipation.

"Senior Brother! We agreed on this!!" Yu Xiaotang dropped the hairpin in her hand and pulled Lin Yi forward!

Lin Yi smiled and nodded.

In the Cold Palace, he had taken a bit of snow to craft a hairpin for Pei Yuhan.

In the courtyard, he had fished out a hairpin for Su Lingshu in the moonlight.

Because they were all compressed by his Qi, they only needed a replenishment of Qi to remain undamaged.

And now…

"Xiao Tang, do you want these fireworks filling the sky?" Lin Yi watched as the fireworks popped and shot up into the sky. Perhaps some wealthy family had bought them for a celebration, but it was convenient for him.

Yu Xiaotang stood still by the street. Her soft eyes reflected the colorful fireworks in the night—a scene of prosperity where the east wind seemed to bloom flowers on a thousand trees. She turned her head and nodded heavily. "Senior Brother!"

Lin Yi stepped forward. He reached out towards the fireworks that were shooting up and suddenly bursting open. In an instant, the flowers across the sky released all their radiance, bathing the entire Chengtian City in brilliant light.

Lin Yi reached out and handed the hairpin in his hand to Yu Xiaotang. It was different from Pei Yuhan's crystal-clear hairpin, and different from Su Lingshu's jade-white, bright hairpin.

The hairpin he gave to Yu Xiaotang overflowed with colors, as if it were a bustling scene of the human world.

"Senior Brother! Put it on for me!" Yu Xiaotang didn't take it; she pushed the hairpin back. Lin Yi nodded, took off the hairpin currently on Yu Xiaotang's head, and let her smooth, long hair fall down.

Amidst the girl's slight shyness, Lin Yi inserted the hairpin into her hair bun.

"Very beautiful." Lin Yi pressed on Yu Xiaotang's shoulders, looked it over, and then nodded with satisfaction.

"Mmm… Thank you, Senior Brother…" Yu Xiaotang didn't look at the hairpin on her head. She stood on tiptoe, and under Lin Yi's gentle gaze, she offered her lips…

The two kissed amidst another wave of brilliant fireworks…

Li Tiaodeng watched Yu Xiaotang with a look of envy. She turned her head away, leaned against the edge of a pillar, and looked down at the bustling city below.

From time to time, the light sound of firecrackers came from far away, followed by a display of colorful light filling the entire night.

"Do you like Lin Yi?" A cold female voice came from the side.

Li Tiaodeng was startled. Her expression changed slightly, but relying on the cover of the dark night, she shook her head slightly. "Master's wife, Tiaodeng admires Master, but I have absolutely no such thoughts of betraying my teacher."

She used "admire," not "love," which was appropriate for the word "Master."

"Heh, you don't need to hide it. I saw that look in your eyes; it's the same look in the eyes of Yu Xiaotang and Pei Yuhan." Su Lingshu curled her lips. Did she really think she was a fool?

She wasn't the type to be led around by the nose.

"Master's wife, Master took me in, let me practice sword and enter the Dao, so I don't have to be like in the past… Tiaodeng respects Master very much, and has absolutely no such rebellious thoughts…" Li Tiaodeng suppressed her little heart that was about to jump into her throat.

She knew she had some thoughts about her Master, but in daily life, she absolutely treated him with the etiquette of a Disciple!

"I can help you, and besides, I am not his Dao Companion." Su Lingshu said indifferently. She glanced at Lin Yi and Yu Xiaotang, who were still being intimate, and frowned.

These two people…

"Help me? No, Master's wife, you misunderstood. I am just a Disciple of Master." Li Tiaodeng didn't care about the temptation in Su Lingshu's words; she shook her head again.

Su Lingshu took a deep breath to calm her somewhat restless heart. Why were this Master and Disciple both so stubborn?

The reason she was showing goodwill to Li Tiaodeng today was entirely because she valued her talent. She really didn't know that Li Tiaodeng was actually a Natural Sword Body. You have to know… the last Natural Sword Body, in her memory, was that guy Ye Linyuan.

Five hundred years ago, he had already stepped into the Return to Void Realm.

She wasn't prepared to bet everything on Lin Yi's side; she also had to bet on Li Tiaodeng. In case something went wrong with Lin Yi, Li Tiaodeng would still help because of her assistance.

As for Li Tiaodeng only being at the Qi Refining stage… was the gap between a Golden Core like Lin Yi and Qi Refining really that big?

Chapter 37: Jietian Tower

Li Tiaodeng stopped paying attention to Su Lingshu. She silently watched the thousands of fireworks behind Lin Yi, but… her gaze would always be attracted by the young man in white before the flames.

Lin Yi let go of Yu Xiaotang. "Let's go, let's go see Jietian Tower."

"Mm-hmm." Yu Xiaotang nodded with a flushed face. She was led by Lin Yi's hand; Senior Brother's palm was very warm.

Lin Yi greeted Pei Yuhan and the others, and the group walked into the crowd again. Because they were all Qi practitioners, they didn't have to worry about getting separated; the surrounding crowd was pushed away by their group.

Li Tiaodeng followed behind Lin Yi and Yu Xiaotang. She touched the hairpin on her head, then looked at the hairpin on Yu Xiaotang's head. She shook her head, cutting away the slight ripples in her heart.

Su Lingshu's eyes were illuminated by the surrounding lights. She looked at the calm-faced Pei Yuhan beside her, then at the quiet Li Tiaodeng, and the corners of her mouth suddenly curled into a smile.

Su Lingshu had never been a silent or timid person. In the past half month, the heart lake that had been stirred by Lin Yi had calmed down. In the eyes of Lin Yi and the others, Su Lingshu once again showed the liveliness from when they first met.

Su Lingshu walked quickly to the front, and then, to Lin Yi's surprised gaze, she took his arm. She smiled friendly at Yu Xiaotang, seemingly still the same as usual.

Pei Yuhan glanced at Su Lingshu. She raised her head slightly. At the end of their line of sight, a huge building sat, a scene of luxury and color.

"Jietian Tower." Lin Yi looked up high. In the original work, the Master of Qingmu Palace, Lu Jiajing, made her first appearance there. As the first sound of the New Year, she struck the great bell on Jietian Tower.

Perhaps because there was still some time before the New Year, the beautiful flower knots on each floor of the pavilion were only half-woven, and from time to time, one could see craftsmen working overtime in the lights.

Li Tiaodeng's eyes followed Lin Yi's gaze. A huge gilded hourglass hung in front of Jietian Tower, with the sand piled in the lower part. It wouldn't be until the day of the New Year that someone would turn it over, signaling the arrival of the new year.

"Senior Brother, it is said that the Master of Qingmu Palace, Lu Jiajing, will come on the day of the New Year." Yu Xiaotang suddenly said.

"Mm." Lin Yi nodded.

"Then…" Yu Xiaotang's voice was a bit hesitant.

"What's wrong?" Lin Yi rubbed Yu Xiaotang's small hand, making her heart jump.

"Senior Brother, you previously said you wanted to…" Yu Xiaotang didn't finish Lin Yi's words; after all, they were on the street, and it wouldn't be good if someone heard them.

"Don't overthink it." Lin Yi shook his head.

"Oh…" Yu Xiaotang lowered her head, somewhat disappointed.

"Xiao Tang." Lin Yi reached out and hugged Yu Xiaotang, kissing her hair. "At that time, Senior Brother might still need your help."

"Really?" Yu Xiaotang looked up. Her eyes were shining. She didn't ask about Lin Yi's plans, nor did she ask what Lin Yi needed her to do. She only knew that Lin Yi needed her… that was enough.

"Mm, really." Lin Yi smiled and nodded.

Yu Xiaotang's mood improved. A bright smile appeared on her face again. "Then let's hurry, hurry, the gathering will disperse later! I have never been to such a lively gathering before!!"

As she spoke, Yu Xiaotang pulled Lin Yi's hand and ran into the crowd again.

Pei Yuhan shook her head, but considering this was Yu Xiaotang's first time in Chengtian City, and she spent every day on that cold mountain, it was normal to have this kind of reaction upon seeing such a lively place for the first time.

"Tiaodeng, you go play too. I have something to do; I'm going to meet an old friend." Pei Yuhan didn't follow Lin Yi and the others; she turned and walked towards a dark alley nearby.

Li Tiaodeng nodded in agreement.

Lin Yi glanced at Pei Yuhan's back. He handed the small doll in his hand to Li Tiaodeng.

Li Tiaodeng was stunned, then hurriedly took it.

"No need to be so reserved, Tiaodeng. I've said it before: when practicing Dao and sword, I am your Master, but in daily life, you don't need to be so respectful."

Lin Yi reached out and rubbed her head amidst Li Tiaodeng's shy gaze. Li Tiaodeng nodded obediently. Looking at the smile on Lin Yi's face, she tightly gripped the cloth doll Lin Yi handed over.

"Junior Sister Tiaodeng, here for you." Yu Xiaotang looked at Li Tiaodeng, then handed her a snack.

Li Tiaodeng took it with both hands. She just wanted to thank her when she saw Lin Yi's eyes glancing over.

"Mmm… very delicious."

In the end, she could only mumble a compliment as a response.

Lin Yi shook his head inwardly. Li Tiaodeng was just too reserved; she always seemed to feel like she owed him something. Although he taught her the Dao and the sword, it shouldn't make her this shy…

Lin Yi was a bit confused.

The System didn't prompt that Li Tiaodeng had encountered anything; if Li Tiaodeng had been corrupted, he would definitely have received a prompt.

However, what made Lin Yi breathe a sigh of relief next was that Li Tiaodeng was becoming bolder and bolder, not as timid as before.

"Mmm… Master, this…" Li Tiaodeng pointed to the clay figurine on the side with a slightly red face.

Lin Yi took out silver and copper coins and threw them to her. "Buy whatever you want; we aren't short on money."

Li Tiaodeng nodded, and then, amidst the vendor's fawning smile, casually picked two figurines that weren't fully molded.

Her Qi surged, shaping the two figurines into the images of herself and Lin Yi. She didn't add color; she felt those colors were too vulgar to depict even a fraction of her Master's aura.

Li Tiaodeng stood up and handed the one of herself to Lin Yi. Lin Yi was a bit surprised; he blinked. He wasn't stupid.

Did Li Tiaodeng also want to betray her teacher?

Li Tiaodeng lowered her head slightly. "Master."

Compared to the title "Master" (Shizun), "Master" (Shifu) was more intimate.

"Tiaodeng… Huh?!?" Li Tiaodeng just wanted to speak when she exclaimed. Behind her, Su Lingshu, taking advantage of her being lost in thought, pushed her directly into Lin Yi's arms!

Lin Yi was a bit helpless, but he didn't think much and caught the Li Tiaodeng who had lunged over. Looking at the smile on Su Lingshu's face, Lin Yi gave her a warning look.

Su Lingshu pursed her lips. She had a sense of pleasure after a successful prank, especially when looking at Lin Yi's helpless gaze; she felt even more refreshed.

Su Lingshu stuck her tongue out at Lin Yi. The beautiful Fairy suddenly transformed into the role of a neighbor's younger sister.

Chapter 38: Lu Jiajing, Be My Disciple's Wife

Not long after Pei Yuhan walked into the dark alley.

Taking advantage of the night.

A figure in white flew into the sky on a sword. Pei Yuhan stood in the night sky, looking at the huge imperial city, half noisy and half silent. She shook her head and flew towards the direction of Qingmu Palace.

Qingmu Palace, one of the three great palaces of the Xuanyuan Dynasty, was the residence of the Saintess. Qianming Palace, also one of the three great palaces, was the residence of the Emperor, and Fuxue Palace was the residence of the Princess.

Lu Jiajing sat on the window sill, three thousand strands of black hair fluttering in the night sky. She wore the Daoist robe of the Master of Qingmu Palace. Embroidered on the deep cyan robe were some plum blossom patterns, and her plump figure supported the front.

In her hair bun, a jade-white hairpin held up her deep cyan hair, and the red tassels made her cold expression even more beautiful and refined.

Lu Jiajing looked at the commercial street in the distance that illuminated half of the imperial city, sitting alone in this cold place.

"Since it is an old friend visiting, why refuse to meet for so long?" A light voice floated in the night. Lu Jiajing's eyes were silent, as if that question had not come from her own mouth.

"Perhaps it's because of nervousness." Pei Yuhan walked over from the brilliant fireworks. She walked in from outside the floating curtains of the high pavilion and sat down at the small table.

Lu Jiajing turned to watch Pei Yuhan ignite the spiritual fire and start making tea.

"I remember the Dao Trial Conference is still a few days away. Why did you come so early?" Lu Jiajing sat down at the small table. She took the teacup handed by Pei Yuhan and took a light sip.

"I came for something." Pei Yuhan didn't engage in much small talk. She put down the teacup and looked at Lu Jiajing indifferently.

"What matter?" Lu Jiajing looked up.

"You."

"Me?" Lu Jiajing frowned slightly, her beautiful eyes filled with a little doubt. Her cyan clothes rolled and turned in layers, and even her cyan hair fluttered like falling snow.

The wind had risen in this high pavilion.

"You are not my opponent, Lu Jiajing." Pei Yuhan didn't continue, she just picked up the teapot to fill Lu Jiajing's cup.

"Wait until I step into the Return to Void…"

"You cannot step into the Return to Void." Lu Jiajing said bluntly. She was a bit puzzled; why did Pei Yuhan say such things the moment she opened her mouth? She came for her? Said she wasn't her opponent? And talked about stepping into the Return to Void?

Pei Yuhan was silent for a moment. She really didn't have the ability of that kid Lin Yi, who could make people believe him deeply even with empty words.

"I have already stepped into the Transcendent, and will break through that Bottleneck in a few days." Pei Yuhan said indifferently.

Lu Jiajing's brows furrowed. If it was the Transcendent of the sword path… she only knew a little about the Transcendent at this time. To step into the Transcendent, one also needed an Opportunity for an Epiphany.

"Pei Yuhan, if you have something to say, you might as well say it directly." Lu Jiajing looked up, her eyes cold.

"Be my Disciple's wife." Pei Yuhan said.

Lu Jiajing stood up abruptly. Pei Yuhan was still drinking tea, and even had the leisure to fill Lu Jiajing's cup.