Liubo Mountain

Lu Xueqi's face flushed red.

She lowered her head, her heart pounding wildly.

When did this guy learn to say such sweet nothings?

Watching her shy and bashful appearance, Li Xiaoyu's heart was filled with satisfaction and affection.

He reached out and pulled her into his embrace.

Lu Xueqi's body stiffened, but she did not resist, leaning submissively against his chest.

She could hear his strong, steady heartbeat, and in this moment, she felt an unprecedented sense of peace.

The two embraced by the river, watching quietly as the setting sun dipped below the horizon, dyeing the sky and the river surface in a wash of gold.

A peaceful life, perhaps, was just like this.

Beautiful times are always fleeting.

As they set out on their return journey and drew closer to Green Cloud Mountain, a sense of unease began to permeate the air.

The two discovered that the towns along the way had tightened their security.

Passersby hurried along, their faces etched with tension.

While passing through the final town, they overheard a shocking piece of news from the chatter in a teahouse.

"Have you heard? The Demon Sect is making big moves again!"

"Indeed. It is said that many of them are plotting some conspiracy at Liubo Mountain in the East Sea."

"That's not all! I heard that even those Demon Sect elders who have been in seclusion for years have all emerged!"

"This time, the Demon Sect has mobilized their entire force; they are coming with a fierce momentum!"

"I just wonder what their objective is?"

"The righteous path has sent many people as well. I heard that even the Peak Master of Big Bamboo Peak from the Green Cloud Sect has gone in person."

Upon hearing this news, the expressions of Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi turned grave.

The two exchanged a glance, then immediately set off at high speed toward the East Sea.

On the shores of the East Sea, Liubo Mountain.

This island, hanging alone far out at sea, was no longer the tranquil place it once was.

The mountain wind howled, carrying a salty, fishy scent as it whipped through the rows of tents and fluttering banners on the hillside.

The three major factions of the righteous path—the Green Cloud Sect, the Heavenly Sound Temple, and the Incense Burning Valley—along with disciples from other smaller sects, had all gathered here, standing in battle formation.

A tense, murderous atmosphere shrouded everything.

Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi stood side by side on a cliff, gazing out at the surging sea.

Dark clouds gathered between the sea and sky, with lightning dancing wildly, signaling that a storm was fast approaching.

"It seems we are still a step too late," Li Xiaoyu said, looking at the clearly defined camps below the mountain.

"The demons of the sect have likely already laid a net of traps here."

Lu Xueqi's eyes were solemn as she nodded slightly. "The Demon Sect has mobilized their entire force this time; their ambitions are not small. We must be extremely careful."

After leaving the Black Stone Cave, the two had raced toward the East Sea, but they had been delayed for a few days nonetheless.

By the time they arrived at Liubo Mountain, the main force of the righteous path had already been in a standoff with the Demon Sect for several days.

The two descended on their swords, arriving at the Green Cloud Sect's camp.

At the camp entrance, several disciples from Heaven-Reaching Peak who were on guard duty were startled at first, then filled with joy.

"Senior Brother Li! Senior Sister Lu! You have finally arrived!"

"Greetings, Senior Brother Li, Senior Sister Lu!"

The Li Xiaoyu of today was no longer the obscure disciple of Morning Sun Peak he had once been.

His performance at the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament had shocked the world, and his name had long since become a legend among the younger generation of the Green Cloud Sect.

Li Xiaoyu nodded gently to the disciples and asked, "What is the situation now? Are the Peak Masters in the camp?"

One disciple hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Senior Brother Li, the Sect Leader and all the Peak Masters are currently discussing matters in the central command tent."

"However, the demons are acting with great stealth. They occupy the main peak of Liubo Mountain and have set up layers of restrictions. We have launched several fierce attacks, but all have returned without success, and we have lost quite a few disciples."

Li Xiaoyu frowned upon hearing this.

It seemed the situation was even more troublesome than he had imagined.

Just then, a familiar, timid voice drifted over from the depths of the camp.

"Senior Brother Li? Is that you?"

Li Xiaoyu looked toward the sound and saw a thin, frail youth in simple clothing peeking out from a tent, his face filled with a mix of surprise and anxiety.

It was Zhang Xiaofan.

"Xiaofan?"

"How did you get here? Is Senior Uncle Tian here too?"

He walked over quickly.

Lu Xueqi followed behind him, her gaze on Zhang Xiaofan with curiosity.

Since their parting at the Abyss of the Dead, this taciturn young man seemed to have changed somewhat.

"Master is also here."

Zhang Xiaofan scratched his head and said sheepishly.

"I was worried about Bi Yao, so I followed secretly."

By the end of his sentence, his voice had dropped to a mosquito's hum.

Li Xiaoyu understood upon hearing this.

He patted Zhang Xiaofan's shoulder, his expression complex.

Whether Zhang Xiaofan's feelings for Bi Yao were destiny or tribulation, he could not say.

"You silly boy, you're quite brave."

Li Xiaoyu smiled, not scolding him.

"Since you're here, stay by my side and don't wander off. This place is dangerous, not like Green Cloud Mountain."

"Yes! Thank you, Senior Brother Li!"

Zhang Xiaofan nodded heavily, a warm current surging through his heart.

No matter when or where, this Senior Brother Li always cared for him and protected him like this.

As the three were catching up, a lazy, charming voice drifted over from not far away.

"Oh, I wonder who it is. So it's the great hero Li of the Green Cloud Sect."

"What, brought your little lover to Liubo Mountain to watch the sea?"

Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi turned their heads simultaneously.

On the reef not far away, a slender figure had appeared at some point.

The woman wore a purple dress, had a seductive figure, a charming face, and her eyes flickered.

It was the enchantress of the Joyous Union Sect, Jin Ping'er.

She still had that flippant demeanor, but Li Xiaoyu could feel that her aura was even stronger than when they last met in Nameless City.

Clearly, she had also had some significant encounters during this time.

"Miss Jin, I trust you are well."

Li Xiaoyu looked at her, his expression calm.

"We of the righteous path are here to clear out the Demonic Sect. As a disciple of the Joyous Union Sect, Miss Jin's presence here seems rather inappropriate."

Jin Ping'er chuckled coquettishly upon hearing his words, her body shaking with laughter.

"Hehehe, Young Master Li, you speak so formally."

"Although my Joyous Union Sect is part of the Sacred Cult, we are not the same as those brawling fellows from the Ghost King Sect and the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect."

"We only seek freedom and have no interest in participating in your disputes."

As she spoke, her alluring eyes swept back and forth between Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi, a suggestive smile on her lips.

"I came here simply because I heard that a rare beast had appeared in the East Sea and wanted to join the fun."

"As for you, Young Master Li, this cold fairy beside you must be the renowned disciple of Small Bamboo Peak, Fairy Lu Xueqi?"

"Tsk tsk, truly a match made in heaven."

Jin Ping'er's words made Lu Xueqi's cheeks flush, but her eyes instantly turned cold, and the Tianya divine sword in her hand let out a warning hum.

"Wicked woman, cease your nonsense!"

"Oh dear, Sister Fairy, don't be angry."

Jin Ping'er feigned fear, patting her chest.

"I was merely speaking the truth. People from your Green Cloud Sect are just so unable to take a joke."

Li Xiaoyu watched the two women clash again, feeling helpless.

He knew Jin Ping'er was best at stirring up trouble and that her words were full of traps.

"If Miss Jin is here to watch the excitement, please feel free to do so."

Li Xiaoyu did not want to get entangled with her further. He pulled Lu Xueqi and Zhang Xiaofan and was about to head towards the central tent.

"Hey, don't go."