Lu Xueqi's face flushed.
She lowered her head, her heart pounding.
When had this guy learned to say such sweet things?
Seeing her bashful expression, Li Xiaoyu's heart filled with affection and contentment.
He reached out and drew her into his arms.
Lu Xueqi stiffened, but she didn't resist, leaning obediently against his chest.
She could hear his strong, steady heartbeat. At that moment, she felt safer than ever before.
The two embraced by the river, quietly watching the sun set and paint the sky and water gold.
Life was peaceful and beautiful. Perhaps that was all there was to it.
But beautiful moments were always fleeting.
As they set out on their return journey and drew closer to Green Cloud Mountain, a sense of unease began to spread through the air.
They noticed that the towns along the way had tightened their security.
The people coming and going hurried about, tension written across their faces.
As they passed through the last town, they heard startling news from the chatter in a teahouse.
"Have you heard? The Demon Sect's been making another big move lately!"
"Yeah. I heard a lot of the Demon Sect's people are on Liubo Mountain in the East Sea, plotting some kind of scheme."
"That's not all! I heard even the Demon Sect elders who've been in seclusion for years have all come out!"
"This time, the Demon Sect's thrown everything into it. They're coming in force!"
"I wonder what they're after."
"The righteous sects have sent plenty of people too. I heard even the Chief Seat of Big Bamboo Peak from the Green Cloud Sect went in person."
At this news, Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi both grew solemn.
They exchanged a glance, then hurried east toward the East Sea.
The East Sea Coast, Liubo Mountain.
This island, isolated far out in the sea, was no longer peaceful.
The mountain wind howled, carrying the briny stench of the sea as it swept past the tents scattered across the slopes and the flags fluttering above them.
The three great righteous sects—the Green Cloud Sect, Heavenly Sound Temple, and Incense Burning Valley—along with disciples from many other large and small sects, had gathered here, on full alert.
A tense, murderous atmosphere hung over everything.
Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi stood side by side on a cliff, gazing out at the churning sea.
Dark clouds blanketed the sky and sea, lightning snakes writhing through them—a storm was on the way.
"It seems we're still a step too late," Li Xiaoyu said, looking down at the camps, each separated from the others by clear lines.
"The Demon Sect's fiends have probably already laid a net of traps here."
Lu Xueqi's expression was grave. She nodded slightly. "The Demon Sect has committed all its forces this time, so they must be after something significant. We must be extremely careful."
After leaving Black Stone Cave, they had rushed east toward the East Sea, but they had lost some time along the way.
By the time they reached Liubo Mountain, the main righteous forces had already been facing off against the Demon Sect for several days.
The two flew down on their swords and landed in the Green Cloud Sect's camp.
At the entrance, several disciples from Heaven-Reaching Peak spotted them. They froze in surprise, then broke into delighted smiles.
"Senior Brother Li! Senior Sister Lu! You're finally here!"
"Greetings, Senior Brother Li! Senior Sister Lu!"
Li Xiaoyu was no longer the obscure disciple from Morning Sun Peak he had once been.
His battle at the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament had shaken the world, and his name had become legendary among the Green Cloud Sect's Young Generation.
Li Xiaoyu nodded warmly to the disciples and asked, "What's the situation? Are the Chiefs of the various peaks in camp?"
One disciple quickly replied, "Reporting to Senior Brother Li, the Sect Leader and the Chiefs of the various peaks are discussing matters in the central tent."
"But the Demon Sect fiends are acting mysteriously. They've taken the main peak of Liubo Mountain and set up layers of wards. We've launched several assaults, but none succeeded, and we've lost quite a few disciples."
Li Xiaoyu frowned at that.
The situation seemed even trickier than he had imagined.
Just then, a familiar, timid voice came from deep within the camp.
"Senior Brother Li? Is that you?"
Li Xiaoyu turned toward the voice and saw a thin boy in plain clothes peeking out from a tent, his face bright with surprise and unease.
It was Zhang Xiaofan.
"Xiao Fan?"
"What are you doing here? Did Uncle-Master Tian come too?"
He hurried over.
Lu Xueqi followed behind him, her curious gaze settling on Zhang Xiaofan.
Since they had parted at the Abyss of the Dead, the taciturn boy seemed to have changed a little.
"Master came too," Zhang Xiaofan said, scratching his head bashfully.
"I was worried about Bi Yao, so I secretly followed him here."
His voice dwindled to a mosquito's buzz by the end.
Li Xiaoyu understood. He patted Zhang Xiaofan on the shoulder, his expression complicated.
Whether Zhang Xiaofan's feelings for Bi Yao were fate or calamity, who could say?
"You silly boy. You've got some nerve."
Li Xiaoyu smiled without scolding him.
"Since you're here, stay by my side and don't go wandering off. This place is dangerous, nothing like Green Cloud Mountain."
"Okay! Thank you, Senior Brother Li!"
Zhang Xiaofan nodded emphatically, warmth swelling in his heart.
No matter the time or place, Senior Brother Li was always so considerate of him, always standing up for him.
While the three were catching up, a lazy, alluring voice came from nearby.
"Well, well. Who do we have here? Why, it's the great hero Li of the Green Cloud Sect."
"What brings you to Liubo Mountain? Sightseeing with your little sweetheart?"
Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi turned at the same time.
On a reef not far away stood a graceful figure who hadn't been there a moment ago.
The woman wore a long purple dress. Her figure was alluring, her features charming, and her eyes sparkled as they shifted from side to side.
It was the Joyous Union Sect enchantress, Jin Ping'er.
She still looked as carefree as ever, but Li Xiaoyu could tell her aura was far stronger than when they had met in Nameless City.
Clearly, she had had some remarkable encounters of her own in the meantime.
"Miss Jin, it's been a while," Li Xiaoyu said, his expression calm.
"The righteous sects are here to eradicate the Demon Sect. As a disciple of the Joyous Union Sect, it seems rather improper for you to be here, doesn't it, Miss Jin?"
At his words, Jin Ping'er covered her mouth and laughed, her whole body swaying.
"Giggle, Mr. Li, there's no need to be so formal."
"My Joyous Union Sect may belong to the Sacred Sect, but we're nothing like the brawling lot from the Ghost King Sect and the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect."
"We only seek freedom and ease. We have no interest in taking part in your conflicts."
As she spoke, her flirtatious gaze swept between Li Xiaoyu and Lu Xueqi, an ambiguous smile on her lips.
"I only came because I heard a strange beast had appeared in the East Sea. I thought I'd join in the fun."
"But what about you, Mr. Li? This chilly fairy by your side must be the legendary disciple of Small Bamboo Peak, the fairy Lu Xueqi, right?"
"My, what a fine match you make. A perfect pair, both in looks and talent."
Jin Ping'er's words brought a blush to Lu Xueqi's cheeks, but her gaze instantly turned icy, and the Tianya Divine Sword in her hand gave a warning hum.
"Demoness, don't you dare spout nonsense!"
"Oh, don't be angry, Miss Fairy."
Jin Ping'er pretended to be frightened and patted her chest.
"I'm only telling the truth. You people from the Green Cloud Sect really can't take a joke."
Watching the two women trade barbs again, Li Xiaoyu felt helpless.
He knew Jin Ping'er was skilled at stirring people's hearts; every word she spoke was a trap.
"If you're only here to watch the excitement, Miss Jin, please make yourself at home."
Li Xiaoyu didn't want to get tangled up with her. He took Lu Xueqi and Zhang Xiaofan by the hand and started toward the central tent.
"Hey, don't go!"
Before you continue