Huai River Mirroring Floating Yun Shan, a Radiant Figure Returning Amid the Bamboo Forest

Xiao Yi Xian sensed the strange changes within her body and hurriedly said, "Sir, the Flame Mantra seems to have reached the middle Xuan tier."

Not long ago, she had already obtained the Amethyst Winged Lion King's beast flame. Now, combined with the Green Lotus Core Flame, it had directly elevated the originally low Yellow-tier Dou Technique to the middle Xuan tier.

Lin Che nodded in satisfaction and rubbed Xiao Yi Xian's head. "You must cultivate diligently from now on. Do not slack off."

Xiao Yi Xian cupped her hands and bowed. "This disciple will remember it well."

"Sir, my hair..." Xiao Yi Xian had also noticed that her hair had turned silvery white, and bitterness surfaced on her delicate face.

Because of the Poison Body of Calamity, Xiao Yi Xian had overdrawn all of her spiritual strength. That was why, in merely a few breaths, she had become a white-haired girl.

Lin Che said, "It's all right. It looks quite nice this way too."

"Really?" Xiao Yi Xian's face brightened. She had thought Sir did not like how she looked, but upon hearing his praise, a blissful smile spread across her face.

Lin Che nodded with a faint smile. With a wave of his right hand, the poisonous miasma around them vanished without a trace.

Only after seeing that the two of them were safe did Yun Yun finally relax.

Yun Yun walked over and stroked Xiao Yi Xian's hair. "Girl, how do you feel? Nothing wrong with your body, is there?"

"I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, Sister." Xiao Yi Xian hugged her slender waist, so slim it seemed one hand could encircle it.

Yun Yun also noticed Xiao Yi Xian's attire. Her brows furrowed slightly, as though she had guessed something, and she turned to look at Lin Che. "You pervert!"

Lin Che froze for a moment, then said, "Hey, miss, that's not right... I was fully focused on Xiao Yi Xian devouring the Green Lotus Core Flame. I didn't see anything."

"Like hell I believe you."

Blushing, Yun Yun personally helped Xiao Yi Xian straighten her black robe and said softly, "Go back and take a bath first. Change into a fresh set of clothes."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded, then made a face at Sir before happily running toward the wooden hut.

The Medusa Queen crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't forget our agreement. This Queen will go rest first."

As she spoke, the Medusa Queen's body swayed slightly before slowly vanishing from where she stood like a phantom.

Yun Yun strode up to Lin Che, pinched his nose with her jade-like hand, and said, "I really don't know what you were thinking. Not only were you surrounded by Heavenly Flames just now, but there was also the Poison Body of Calamity. If even a little of it touched you, you could have perished!"

Lin Che took Yun Yun's little hand in his. "Were you worried about me?"

"Besides, if I could die like that, then I wouldn't be the Drunken Sword Immortal. Hehehe."

"You..." Her willow brows rose as Yun Yun grew angry at Lin Che's stubbornness. She flicked her sleeve indignantly. "Fine, fine. I never should have worried about you. Just let you, little fellow, be reduced to ashes and perish completely."

Lin Che shrugged and rubbed the tip of his nose. Looking at Yun Yun's furious pretty face, warmth rose in his heart once more. He gently took her hand. "Three years have passed. Before we knew it, you and I have known each other for so long."

Yun Yun wanted to pull back her right hand, but for some reason, she could not bring herself to do so.

She could only let Lin Che hold her little hand.

"Miss, the moonlight is hazy tonight. Why don't you and I roam the heavens and earth together?"

Yun Yun had just begun to speak when Lin Che grabbed her and carried her into the air, piercing through the clouds. Such a close view of the splendid stars was perhaps not often seen.

The Huai River mirrored floating Yun Shan, while a radiant figure returned amid the bamboo forest.

The Bamboo Forest was quiet, with peach blossoms all around unfolding their pink petals.

"Ancient sayings speak of a beauty's grace: dignity as her bearing, music and dance as her poise, calligraphy and painting as her refinement. The countless charms of the mortal world must surely deserve extraordinary words to describe them."

Lin Che laughed heartily, taking Yun Yun's little hand as they soared through heaven and earth.

They spoke of whatever suited the moment as though riding a boat, joining hands above the clouds and walking upon them.

At dawn the next day, mist billowed everywhere.

The depths of the mountain range were shrouded in heavy fog, lending the place an added air of mystery.

Deep within the Bamboo Forest, Sword Qi surged forth like a mighty river. Before it, Lin Che stood with one hand behind his back, holding a sword in his right as it continuously clashed with Yun Yun's longsword.

Clang, clang, clang...

The crisp sounds were especially pleasing to the ear within the Bamboo Forest.

The two figures overlapped like phantoms. Every collision caused the very space around them to tremble.

Yun Yun had never known sword practice could be so joyful. Especially when sparring with Lin Che, she felt as though even her heart were trembling fiercely.

Looking at the unrestrained man before her, Yun Yun unconsciously revealed a smile. Such a smile was perhaps rarely seen on her face.

Every movement was accompanied by falling peach blossoms and bamboo leaves, adding even more poetic beauty to the place.

"Miss, you must not lose focus when holding a sword."

Lin Che's voice sounded behind her. By the time Yun Yun reacted, a sword scabbard made of bamboo wood was already pressed against her delicate chin.

Yun Yun held her sword behind her with one hand and smiled bitterly. "Sure enough, when it comes to understanding sword practice, I will never be your match."

"Hehehe, you flatter me, miss. It seems your heart is not on the sword." Lin Che moved his fingers, and the longsword floating in midair slid into its scabbard.

With a sharp clang,

Lin Che withdrew his Peachwood Sword Scabbard.

"What's wrong? Why are you so distracted?"

Lin Che extended his right hand and gently wiped the sweat from Yun Yun's forehead. Beneath his gentle, jade-like smile, her heartbeat accelerated once more.

"Nothing... nothing."

Yun Yun turned her face aside and moved her lips. "I was only marveling at how powerful your swordsmanship is. I have never felt anything like it even from my teacher."

"Oh, right. I have something to give you."

As she spoke, Yun Yun took a sword scabbard without a sword from her Storage Ring. Several words were engraved upon it.

Huai River Bamboo Pavilion, seventh day of the seventh month.

The final line bore the two characters: Yun Che.

It was the day the two had met, and the beginning of their acquaintance and understanding.

"I made this sword scabbard for you myself... It has the time when we first met engraved on it..."

Lin Che looked at the Peachwood Sword Scabbard in Yun Yun's hands, took it, and placed the Green Lotus Sword into it.

It was neither too long nor too short, fitting perfectly.

Lin Che nodded slightly and cupped his hands. "Thank you, miss."

Yun Yun smiled warmly. "Little fellow, you have experienced much over these three years, and I watched you grow step by step. There is no need for so much thanks between us."

"Just so happens, I also have something to give you. I simply hadn't finished making it a few days ago."

While holding his sword in one hand, Lin Che took out a set of form-fitting Soft Armor from his Storage Ring.