A Love Between Mortal and Ghost (Part Two)

"Junior Sister Lu, a new noodle shop has opened in the south of the city. The noodles there are incredibly delicious. I wonder if I could invite you to dine there tonight?" A young man, about twenty-four or twenty-five years old, with the cultivation of the Innate Realm, carrying a long sword on his back, and handsome and extraordinary, said to Lu Yuling, who was working with her head down.

"Junior Sister Lu, what are some good noodle dishes? I know a place that makes really authentic hibiscus soup, and it's also good for your skin and complexion," another burly man chimed in from the side.

"I recently obtained two pieces of meteorite iron. My junior sister's skill in Mechanical Puppet puppetry is extraordinary. I believe that these two pieces of meteorite iron will surely be put to good use in her hands..." a thin young man dressed in a close-fitting outfit said.

Inside the Shadow Hall, Lu Yuling sat upright. Her appearance and temperament were already extraordinary, like a fairy in a painting. Now, sitting quietly to the side, her serious expression was even more dazzling and mesmerizing.

Since Lu Yuling arrived at the Shadow Hall, she has never lacked admirers. However, Lu Yuling kept her head down and didn't even raise her head to talk to these people. Her brows were slightly furrowed, and it was clear that she was in a bad mood.

Inside the Shadow Hall, many female disciples gathered together, pointing and whispering about Lu Yuling. Some admired Lu Yuling appearance and temperament, but most were jealous. Women are very competitive when it comes to appearance and temperament.

Furthermore, many of these handsome young disciples were secretly admired by female disciples. Therefore, seeing these male disciples showering Lu Yuling with attention, these female disciples were naturally unhappy. In short, regardless of the circumstances, Lu Yuling seemed to have become the focus of attention.

Hearing the envious and jealous words of the female disciples beside her, Lu Yuling secretly shook her head. If she had a choice, Lu Yuling would rather these male disciples not be surrounding her. To Lu Yuling, they were completely interfering with her work and, more importantly, hindering her cultivation and growth...

"Lu Yuling, it seems you're more popular than me among the Inner Sect." Just then, a slightly teasing voice rang out.

Hearing that familiar voice, Lu Yuling, who hadn't even bothered to lift her head, suddenly looked up. Seeing the man in front of her, a bright smile bloomed on her face as she said warmly, "You've come?"

The man standing beside Lu Yuling was none other than Zhuge Xiang. Seeing the Shadow Hall disciples surrounding Lu Yuling, Zhuge Xiang understood Lu Yuling troubles. He smiled and, adopting a similarly intimate demeanor, reached out and wrapped his arm around Lu Yuling's slender waist. "Come on, I have something to discuss with you."

The moment Zhuge Xiang appeared, Lu Yuling's attitude completely changed. Seeing Zhuge Xiang's intimate embrace with Lu Yuling, the male disciples nearby glared at Zhuge Xiang fiercely, their eyes blazing with fury. Who was this guy? Where did he come from? Lu Yuling had been in the Shadow Hall for so long, how come she had no idea this guy even existed?

"Wow, Lu Yuling already has a boyfriend?" The female disciples nearby, who were gossiping, were also intrigued when they saw Zhuge Xiang boldly putting his arm around Lu Yuling's waist.

"It's a pity that Lu Yuling's judgment isn't very good. All those senior brothers who pursued her were at the Innate Realm, but this guy, although young, is only at the Fourth Layer of the Void Splitting Realm," a female disciple also spoke up, feeling that Zhuge Xiang's strength was too low.

"When Lu Yuling first arrived, how many male disciples flocked to him? After the final battle, only these senior brothers were qualified to stay. Lu Yuling's lover is only at the Void Splitting Realm? Hehe, now that he's shown up, he'll be embarrassed today." Some female disciples even seemed to enjoy watching the drama unfold.

Beside Lu Yuling, several male disciples were burning with rage. Looking at Zhuge Xiang's hand around Lu Yuling's waist, they wished they could chop off Zhuge Xiang's dog paws. If looks could kill, Zhuge Xiang would already be riddled with holes by now.

Seemingly to confirm the female disciple's words, one of the disciples carrying a long sword stepped forward, coldly staring at Zhuge Xiang and saying, "I see this junior brother is also Asura Sect Disciples. May I ask which branch he belongs to? This junior sister Lu Yuling is a disciple of our Shadow Hall. It seems it's not your place to make a move."

With expressions of anticipation, almost all the disciples in the Shadow Hall were watching a spectacle unfold. The female disciples, out of jealousy of Lu Yuling, were eager for her lover to be humiliated in public. The male disciples also wore expressions of schadenfreude. Although they were not qualified to stand beside Lu Yuling after the struggle, seeing the most beautiful female disciple of the Shadow Hall being won over by a disciple from another branch made them even more indignant.

However, not all disciples believed that Zhuge Xiang was doomed to lose. A few disciples in the Shadow Hall looked at Zhuge Xiang's face and felt that it was familiar, muttering, "This disciple looks very familiar, as if I have seen him somewhere before."

"Ah, right, I remember now, Zhuge Xiang, he is Zhuge Xiang..." Suddenly, several disciples of the Shadow Hall recognized Zhuge Xiang and exclaimed in surprise.

"Zhuge Xiang? That's right, it's him!" These exclamations made the disciples who thought Zhuge Xiang looked familiar realize who he was.

The other disciples who were originally prepared to watch the show were all stunned. The Shadow Hall was responsible for intelligence work. Although not all Shadow Hall disciples went to watch the battle involving Zhuge Xiang, they had still heard of Zhuge Xiang's name.

He came through the Inner Sect examination with the cultivation level of the Meridian Opening Realm. With the cultivation level of the Meridian Opening Realm, he dared to block the entrance of the Blood Hall, challenge all the disciples of the Void Splitting Realm, participate in a large-scale mission to exterminate the Puppet Cult, and is one of the few people who returned safely alive.

Upon his return, with his cultivation at the Void Splitting Realm, he quickly rose to become the Squad Leader of the Battle Hall. More importantly, his battle with Zhang Kuang a few days ago shocked the Inner Sect. Although he was only at the Void Splitting Realm, his combat power was enough to threaten Cultivator at the Return to Simplicity Realm. There were even rumors that Zhuge Xiang hadn't even used his full strength in that battle...

Zhuge Xiang was a rising star in the Inner Sect. Upon hearing his name, information about him quickly flashed through the minds of these Shadow Hall disciples.

Many disciples of the Shadow Hall looked at Zhuge Xiang with suspicion. Was he really only at the Void Splitting Realm? But was he really that strong? Many female disciples also stared at Zhuge Xiang with shining eyes. Such a prominent figure, it was a pity that he already had Lu Yuling by his side.

Upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's reputation, the man carrying the long sword looked rather grim. He knew that Zhuge Xiang possessed a powerful Sword Intent; regardless of his strength, once the Sword Intent was unleashed, he would be suppressed.

"Get out of my way. What right do you have to interfere in my affairs?" Zhuge Xiang said, raising his eyes slightly as he looked at the disciple carrying a long sword in front of him, his arm still around Lu Yuling.

Zhuge Xiang's words made the disciple's face turn pale and then red, burning with anger. However, the powerful Sword Intent made him hesitate and dare not make a move.

"Haha, you'd better step aside. Who told your sword to be countered by him? Such an arrogant guy, I'll test your strength too, and see if you're really as strong as the rumors say..."

At this moment, the disciple who had offered to give Lu Yuling two pieces of meteorite iron stepped forward. With a flick of his wrist, a halberd appeared in his hand, and his Innate Protective Qi emerged. He poured in powerful Qi Energy, and the halberd pointed directly at Zhuge Xiang.

"You are no match for me either..." Zhuge Xiang said calmly, his expression unchanged, as he looked at the disciple before him being pointed at by the halberd.

"Words are no proof, let's fight!" Zhuge Xiang's attitude seemed to disdain him. The disciple, at the Innate Realm, frowned and shouted angrily, slashing his halberd at Zhuge Xiang. His weapon was not restrained by Zhuge Xiang's Sword Intent; did he think he was afraid of a mere disciple at the Void Splitting Realm?

"I told you, you are no match for me..." Seeing the disciple rushing towards him, Zhuge Xiang's eyes widened, he activated his Knockback Skill, and with a straight slash of the Sword of Slaughter, he instantly sent the disciple flying.

Hiss...

The scene before them caused the disciples of the Shadow Hall to gasp in shock. These young disciples, who had managed to emerge victorious in the competition, were considered among the few geniuses in the Shadow Hall. Yet, their cultivation at the Innate Realm was no match for Zhuge Xiang in a single exchange? Even knowing that Zhuge Xiang was strong, this was ridiculously strong.

"I'm not convinced? Come at me again!" The disciple, who had been Knockback by a sword and felt he had lost face, was unharmed and charged forward again, shouting fiercely.

"Then don't blame me," Zhuge Xiang's eyes narrowed as he saw the disciple rushing towards him.

Eagle Eye Technique, Sword Intent, Explosive Steps, Blood Thunder Slash —this set of Skill, which he was already extremely familiar with, was activated. Zhuge Xiang's entire body merged into the Sword Light, accompanied by the sound of thunder Wind and Thunder, and flashed by.

Ah!!!

A scream rang out as a huge sword wound appeared on the young disciple's chest, several ribs severed. The wound was so deep that one could even see the beating of his heart. Had Zhuge Xiang's sword penetrated any deeper, the disciple would likely have died on the spot.

"Who else is coming?" Now that he had made his move, Zhuge Xiang no longer restrained his killing intent. A terrifying bloodthirsty aura erupted as he spoke arrogantly, still holding Lu Yuling in one arm and wielding the Sword of Slaughter in the other.

Even disciples at the Innate Realm were no match for Zhuge Xiang in a single move? Seeing Zhuge Xiang's arrogance, these Shadow Hall disciples were all horrified and dared not utter a sound.

Under the watchful eyes of the disciples in the Shadow Hall, Zhuge Xiang, with one arm around Lu Yuling, walked out of the Shadow Hall entrance, and still no one dared to step forward to stop him.

"Hehe, I helped you curb the arrogance of those lecherous scoundrels today. How are you going to thank me?" Zhuge Xiang chuckled softly at the entrance of the Shadow Hall.

"Thank you? You should be thanking me for finding you some opponents!" Lu Yuling retorted without any politeness to Zhuge Xiang's words. As she spoke, she patted Zhuge Xiang's hand, which was still on her waist. "Let go of me now. How long do you plan to keep holding on?"

"Hehe, I want to hold you like this forever..." (To be continued...)