Luo Heng and Ying Huanhuan walked out of the main hall side by side. The blue stone steps stretched out beneath their feet, and the spirit trees on both sides swayed in the wind, casting dappled light and shadow.
Ying Huanhuan walked beside Luo Heng, her ponytail swaying gently behind her, her steps as light as a deer's.
She seemed to be in a good mood, a smile she couldn't hide playing on her lips. Occasionally, she would steal a glance at Luo Heng, then quickly look away.
Qing Ye has already left. I don't know if she's gone or hiding somewhere, heartbroken. In any case, she's nowhere to be seen.
Ying Xiaoxiao, however, was still there.
She stood on a platform halfway up Dao Peak, hands behind her back, her black hair flowing like a waterfall, her clothes fluttering in the wind, her cool profile appearing and disappearing in the mist.
Hearing footsteps, she turned around and her gaze fell on Luo Heng.
"Junior Brother Luo Heng."
Her voice was light, but unlike her usual aloofness, it carried a hint of gentleness.
"Senior Sister Xiaoxiao." Luo Heng stepped forward and bowed with clasped hands.
Ying Huanhuan also joined in, took her sister's arm, and said with a smile, "Sis, you waited for us all this way?"
Ying Xiaoxiao didn't answer, but simply reached out and ruffled her sister's hair, her gaze fixed on Luo Heng.
"Junior Brother Qing Ye, you don't need to take what he said to heart." She paused, then said, "He and Huanhuan grew up together, so he spoke a little casually."
Luo Heng smiled and said, "Senior Sister, you're overthinking it. I didn't mind."
He really didn't care.
He saw right through Qing Ye's little scheme, but that kind of "declaration of sovereignty" was nothing more than child's play to him.
Ying Huanhuan's attitude towards him said it all.
Ying Xiaoxiao slightly, her gaze lingering on Luo Heng for a moment, a hint of inquiry flashing in her eyes.
Her understanding of Luo Heng mostly came from rumors within the sect and occasional mentions from her younger sister.
Hundred Dynasties War Champion, absorbed all the Nirvana Golden Qi from the Nirvana River in seven days, mastered the Four Great Hall Suppressing Martial Arts in three days, repaired the flaws of the Barren Demonic Eye, became the Desolate Hall Chief in ten days, and single-handedly wiped out the Demon Seal Crowd...
Any one of these titles is dazzling enough, but when they are all combined in one person, it goes beyond what the word "genius" can describe.
Ying Xiaoxiao has met many geniuses.
Within the Dao Sect, among the Four Halls, there are quite a few individuals with exceptional talent.
Other Super Sects also have no shortage of exceptionally talented individuals.
But this was the first time she had ever met someone like Luo Heng.
It's not because he's the strongest, but because his growth rate is too fast.
It happened so fast it caught everyone off guard.
It happened so fast that even Ying Xiaoxiao, the usually calm and collected chief of the Heavenly Hall, felt a touch of... curiosity.
No, it's not just curiosity.
Ying Xiaoxiao looked at Luo Heng's handsome face, and her heart stirred slightly.
She had to admit that the young man before her possessed a charm that was hard to ignore.
It's not just about appearance, but also about the confidence and composure that comes from within.
He is neither humble nor arrogant when facing the Sect Master, takes lives with ease when facing powerful enemies, and is as gentle as a neighborly older brother when facing Huanhuan.
What woman wouldn't be attracted to a man like that?
"Junior Brother Luo Heng," Ying Xiaoxiao suddenly spoke, her voice softening slightly, "I heard that you had contact with the Young Palace Master of the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace when you were at Hundred Dynasties Mountain?"
Luo Heng's heart stirred.
They've arrived.
Ying Huanhuan also perked up her ears. Although she already knew about the relationship between Luo Heng and Ling Qingzhu, her sister's sudden question still made her a little nervous.
She unconsciously tightened her grip on her sister's arm.
Ying Xiaoxiao sensed her sister's subtle movement, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes, but she didn't point it out.
"Yes." Luo Heng nodded, not denying it.
Ying Xiaoxiao's eyes narrowed slightly. Her voice remained calm, yet carried a subtle hint of probing as she said, "It's said that you spent some time alone together, and she even used the Azure Lotus to isolate herself from the outside world."
Ying Huanhuan's grip tightened even more.
Luo Heng glanced at Ying Huanhuan. The girl had her head down, her ponytail hanging down beside her face, so he couldn't see her expression, but the tips of her ears were red.
He withdrew his gaze and said frankly, "Yes."
Ying Xiaoxiao's eyes darkened slightly.
She knew what kind of person Ling Qingzhu was.
The Young Palace Master the Nine Heavens Taiqing Palace, the most beautiful woman in the Eastern Xuan Region, and the most dazzling darling of the Eight Super Sects.
She was aloof and detached, never showing any interest in men.
Many talented disciples from Super Sects tried to get close to her, but were all deterred by her aloof and unapproachable demeanor.
Even Yuan Cang, the Little Three Kings Leader of the Yuan Sect, couldn't get the slightest bit of a friendly look from her.
This woman actually used the Azure Lotus to isolate herself from the outside world, so she could be alone with a man?
Ying Xiaoxiao looked at Luo Heng, a complex feeling welling up inside her.
She suddenly remembered something.
Three years ago, she had met Ling Qingzhu at a Sect Exchange Meeting.
At that time, Ling Qingzhu had already reached the Five Yuan Nirvana Realm and was hailed as the most promising genius among the younger generation in the Eastern Xuan Region.
Ying Xiaoxiao was already at the Six Yuan Nirvana Stage, and had few rivals among her peers, so she took the initiative to propose a sparring match.
result--
He couldn't even last five moves.
Ling Qingzhu defeated her easily using only one hand, without even using her full strength.
In that battle, Ying Xiaoxiao lost convincingly.
From that moment on, she knew that Ling Qingzhu was not an opponent she could surpass.
And now--
Ying Xiaoxiao looked at Luo Heng, a feeling she couldn't quite describe welling up inside her.
The man who made Ling Qingzhu make an exception for her was standing right in front of her.
"Junior Brother Luo Heng," Ying Xiaoxiao began, her voice so soft it was as if she were afraid of disturbing something, " Ling Qingzhu ...who is she to you?"
Ying Huanhuan's hands tightened suddenly, her nails almost digging into Ying Xiaoxiao's sleeve.
Ying Xiaoxiao in pain, but didn't pull her hand away. She simply patted her sister's hand gently, signaling her to relax.
Luo Heng looked at Ying Xiaoxiao with a calm expression.
He didn't hesitate or evade the question; he simply said, " Qingzhu is one of my lovers."
Ying Xiaoxiao's eyes widened slightly.
She had considered many possibilities, but she never expected Luo Heng to be so direct.
One of them?
In other words, there is more than one?
Ying Xiaoxiao looked at her younger sister and found that Ying Huanhuan head down and no expression of surprise on her face, obviously she already knew.
" Huanhuan, you..." Ying Xiaoxiao opened her mouth.
Ying Huanhuan looked up at her sister, then quickly looked away and whispered, "I... I already knew."
Ying Xiaoxiao remained silent for a moment.
She suddenly understood why her younger sister had been acting differently lately.
Huanhuan used to laugh, but it was a carefree laugh, as bright as sunshine.
Now, when Huanhuan smiles, there's something indescribable about it.
It's sweet.
Soft.
Like... a girl in love.
Ying Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in her heart, and her gaze fell on Luo Heng.
"Junior Brother Luo Heng, Ling Qingzhu is the Eastern Xuan Region's Number One Prodigy, with a Minor Accomplishment of Life Xuan Stage, and the goddess in the hearts of countless Super Sects." She paused, then continued, "Aren't you afraid of attracting trouble?"
Luo Heng smiled, a smile that was calm and detached, tinged with a hint of arrogance, and said, "Looking for trouble? They'd better have the ability."
Ying Xiaoxiao was taken aback.
She had expected Luo Heng to be modest or change the subject, but she never expected him to be so... arrogant.
"Besides," Luo Heng shrugged, " Qingzhu is my lover, that's a fact. Anyone who disagrees can come to me. I don't mind letting them know what a difference there is."
Ying Xiaoxiao fell silent.
She looked at Luo Heng, at the undisguised confidence in his eyes, and suddenly understood.
Why would a woman as aloof as Ling Qingzhu treat him differently?
Why Huanhuan smile so sweetly in front of him?
Because this man never hides his strength, nor does he hide his emotions.
He was indifferent to his enemies, honest with his own people, and gentle with his lover.
Such a person certainly deserves to be liked.
"Pretty arrogant indeed." Ying Xiaoxiao's lips curled slightly as she said, "However, you certainly have the right to be arrogant."
Luo Heng smiled but didn't reply.
Ying Xiaoxiao looked at him, and the complex emotions in her heart gradually dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief.
She wasn't the kind of woman who would be jealous over a man, nor would she look down on Luo Heng just because he had other lovers.
In this world, it's perfectly normal for powerful men to have multiple wives and concubines.
Although Ying Xuanzi only had his mother, it was because his mother died early, and his father was so deeply in love with her that he did not want to remarry.
And Luo Heng...
Ying Xiaoxiao looked at him, and a thought suddenly came to mind.
What will the future hold for a man like this?
"Alright, that's enough." Ying Xiaoxiao withdrew her gaze, patted her sister's hand, and said, " Huanhuan, you go back with Junior Brother Luo Heng. I still have some things to take care of."
Ying Huanhuan nodded and said, "Sister, then you go ahead with your work."
Ying Xiaoxiao turned and left, her black hair flying in the wind, her clothes fluttering, and she quickly disappeared into the clouds and mist.
Luo Heng watched her retreating figure, a slight stirring in his heart.
Ying Xiaoxiao is indeed a good person.
Calm and composed, reasonable, and knows when to advance and retreat; he is a wise person.
and...
Luo Heng shook his head, trying to clear these chaotic thoughts from his mind.
"Let's go," he said to Ying Huanhuan.
Ying Huanhuan nodded and followed beside him as the two walked down the Dao Peak side by side.
On the way, Ying Huanhuan suddenly spoke up.
" Luo Heng."
"Um?"
"When you just told your sister that Ling Qingzhu is your lover, did you think about how she would view you?"
Luo Heng thought for a moment and said, "I haven't thought about it."
Ying Huanhuan bit her lip and said, "Aren't you afraid she'll think you're a womanizer?"
Luo Heng smiled and said, "It's a fact that I'm a womanizer, so what's there to be afraid of?"
Ying Huanhuan choked for a moment.
She discovered that this guy was so honest about relationships that it left her speechless.
"Then... will you still..." Ying Huanhuan's voice grew softer and softer, the last few words almost inaudible.
"What else?" Luo Heng asked.
Ying Huanhuan a deep breath, mustered her courage, and asked, "Will I ever fall in love with someone else?"
Luo Heng remained silent for a moment.
"I don't know." He shook his head, speaking the truth, "No one can predict who we'll meet or what will happen in the future, but one thing I can guarantee—"
He looked at Ying Huanhuan and said earnestly, "No matter what the future holds, my feelings for you will never change."
you.
Ying Huanhuan hearing those two words, Ying Huanhuan felt a mix of emotions.
She knew she wasn't the first, nor would she be the last.
but...
Looking into Luo Heng's clear eyes, and seeing her own reflection in them, she suddenly stopped worrying.
If you like something, you like it.
Why worry about so much?
"Hmph, you're good for lying." Ying Huanhuan her head away, her ponytail drawing a beautiful arc in the air, and said, "If you dare to lie to me, I'll... I'll have my father kick you out of the Dao Sect!"
Luo Heng chuckled and said, "Alright, alright, I wouldn't dare."
Ying Huanhuan's lips curved into a smile, and her steps became lighter.
The two walked down the mountain, the afterglow of the setting sun casting long shadows on them.
Ying Huanhuan stole a glance at Luo Heng, then quickly looked away, her heart pounding like a rabbit in her chest.
She remembered what Luo Heng had just said.
" Qingzhu is one of my lovers."
One of them.
Then she...
Ying Huanhuan blushed, her face turning as red as the sunset.
Luo Heng noticed her unusual expression and asked, "Why is your face red?"
"No, no!" Ying Huanhuan quickly denied, quickening her pace to walk ahead, saying, "It's from the sun!"
Luo Heng looked up at the setting sun and a smile appeared on his lips.
This girl can't even lie.
So cute.
However, matters of the heart cannot be rushed.
Ying Huanhuan is not Qing Tan, with whom she grew up and whose relationship developed naturally; nor is Ling Qingzhu, whose unexpected encounter in the Ancient Tomb Mansion allowed them to skip the most difficult stage.
She was the daughter of the Dao Sect Master and Direct Disciple of the Heavenly Hall, growing up pampered and protected like a star.
She has her pride and her reserve.
Luo Heng was willing to wait.
Anyway, he has plenty of patience.
The two figures walked side by side, gradually disappearing into the clouds and mist of the Dao Peak.