The two girls meet

The far end of the deep gorge lay in ruins.

The lingering ripples of sword light had yet to fade, and a faint scent of blood hung in the air, mingled with the subtle disturbances left by surging spiritual energy.

Luo Li stood quietly where she was, her black dress trailing across the ground, untouched by even a speck of dust.

The Luo God Sword was already sheathed. She raised her hand and brushed her fingertips across her brow, where spiritual light shimmered-an unmistakable level 8 mark!

To have made such progress in five days already placed her among the very best in the Northern Cang Realm.

Her crystalline eyes turned toward the mouth of the gorge. Beyond it lay a dense, dim primeval forest, the only route to a trading ground in this part of the Northern Cang Realm.

Rumor had it that someone with Heaven Reaching Realm cultivation had reached a level 9 mark in just two days, sending shock waves in every direction.

The rumors described a young man with black clothes and ink-dark hair, a gray-brown sparrow often perched on his shoulder, and an exceptionally pretty girl at his side.

His name was said to be... Mu Chen.

Her cool lips curved into a distinct smile.

No matter where he went, he always seemed to be the most dazzling one, proclaiming his presence in the most direct, indisputable way!

She was not surprised.

As for that "exceptionally pretty girl" at his side, she was probably the "Big Sister Qian'er" he had mentioned.

The mere thought of their impending reunion sent a warm current through her heart, stirring an excitement she could barely contain.

She lingered no longer. With a slight movement, she became a blurred streak of silver light, swept out of the gorge, and vanished into the vast, ancient forest.

The light beneath the trees was dim, poisonous miasma flickered into view, and spirit beasts prowled unseen.

But none of this posed any threat to Luo Li.

Without even drawing her sword, she relied on her flickering movements and casual bursts of condensed spiritual energy to kill every spirit beast foolish enough to spring at her along the way.

The closer she drew to the rumored trading ground, the more trial participants she encountered.

Most hurried along with wary expressions, keeping a delicate distance from one another.

Yet whenever Luo Li swept past like a startled swan, almost everyone instinctively stopped, their gazes following that breathtaking silver-haired figure.

Only after she disappeared from sight did hushed exclamations and murmurs arise.

Luo Li seemed not to hear the commotion behind her.

Her heart had long since drifted to his side.

The dense forest ahead suddenly parted, revealing an open space encircled by enormous gray-white boulders.

On the tallest, flattest rock sat a black-clad figure, his casual posture carrying an indescribable air of swaggering arrogance.

His head was turned as he spoke to a pretty girl beside him, dressed in black with her hair in a high ponytail, a languid smile playing at his lips.

On his shoulder, a gray-brown sparrow had tucked in its neck and seemed to be dozing.

Something stirred in his heart.

Mu Chen abruptly stopped speaking and lifted his head.

His gaze passed through the wavering firelight and deepening dusk, over the shifting crowd, and settled without the slightest hindrance on the silver-haired girl who had just stepped into the clearing.

The clamor receded, and the surrounding figures blurred.

Their eyes met.

He rose, leaped down, and opened his arms to Luo Li.

Luo Li stepped forward and gently leaned into that warm embrace, resting her cheek against the slightly cool fabric at his shoulder and neck as she closed her eyes.

Mu Chen tightened his arms, holding her firmly as he rubbed his chin against her cool, silky silver hair.

Why had he remained at the trading ground these past few days?

Naturally, he had been waiting for someone.

The sparrow on his shoulder tilted its head. Its beady black eyes glanced at the embracing pair, then swept toward Tang Qian'er, whose expression on the rock had grown somewhat peculiar...

It seemed to give a silent "tsk" before closing its eyes again and burying its head beneath its wing.

As they parted, Mu Chen naturally took Luo Li's hand, finding it cool, soft, and smooth to the touch.

Luo Li let him hold her hand, merely raising her eyes to look past him at Tang Qian'er.

Meeting Luo Li's tranquil gaze, Tang Qian'er felt unusually at a loss.

"Let me introduce you." Holding Luo Li's hand, Mu Chen pushed off lightly and floated back onto the rock, his tone relaxed. "This is Tang Qian'er, Big Sister Qian'er. She's my childhood friend."

Then he turned to Tang Qian'er with a smile. "Big Sister Qian'er, this is Luo Li."

The two girls nodded to each other in greeting, and the atmosphere seemed peaceful enough.

"...Is she also your 'lifelong best friend'?" Luo Li suddenly blinked, leaning her head closer to Mu Chen as she asked in a breathy whisper only the two of them could hear.

"Uh..." Mu Chen's gaze wavered for a moment, but he still nodded honestly. "Yes. I actually did have that thought."

At his answer, Luo Li stared quietly at him with her crystalline eyes.

Her gaze was calm and clear to its very depths, betraying no emotion, yet for some inexplicable reason, it sent a chill down the back of Mu Chen's neck.

"Big Sister Qian'er," Luo Li said, her voice clear and cool. Her gaze remained on Mu Chen's face, though her words were addressed to Tang Qian'er. "Shall we go over there and have a little talk?"

Tang Qian'er froze, darted a quick glance at Mu Chen, and nodded. "...All right."

Taking Tang Qian'er's hand, Luo Li turned and headed down from the rock. Her steps were unhurried but steady.

"Huh?" Mu Chen instinctively rose to follow.

Luo Li paused, looked back, and gave him another glance.

This time, Mu Chen understood. Her eyes spelled it out perfectly: Stay there. Don't follow!

Mu Chen opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing. He rubbed his nose and slowly sat back down.

He was the one in the wrong, after all.

On his shoulder, the sparrow stirred its little head and raised it slightly. Its beady black eyes watched the direction in which the two girls had disappeared, and it let out an unabashed "chirp," dripping with mockery.

Mu Chen raised his hand irritably, curling his index finger.

But before his fingertip could touch it, the sparrow tucked its little head farther beneath its wing as though it had foreseen his move, leaving only a tiny tuft of gray-brown feathers sticking out.

...Enjoying my misfortune, are you? Just you wait!

Mu Chen's finger hovered in midair. He could only withdraw it and prop up his chin instead, turning his gaze back to the bonfire as its flames slowly licked the dry wood, burning it red before it crumbled into ash.

Time slipped quietly by.

Mu Chen silently circulated his spiritual energy, devoting part of his attention to cultivation and part to pondering cultivation methods and divine abilities, while another part... drifted toward the shadows on the other side of the rock.

After enough time for several cups of tea had passed, soft footsteps finally sounded from those shadows.

Mu Chen looked up. Luo Li emerged first.

Her expression was as calm as ever, but her crystalline eyes seemed a little brighter than usual, and the emotions hidden in their depths carried a few more shades he could not decipher.

Her gaze made Mu Chen's heart give a slight flutter. He was about to speak when another look from Luo Li stopped him.

Don't ask!

Before Mu Chen could make sense of it, Tang Qian'er also stepped slowly out of the shadows.

Her steps were slower than Luo Li's, carrying a hint of hesitation.

Her fitted black outfit outlined her lovely figure, and her high ponytail swayed gently in the night breeze.

The orange-red glow of the bonfire shone on her face, revealing a distinct blush that spread all the way to her ears.

Her normally bright eyes were lowered now, her long lashes casting faint shadows over her eyelids. Her gaze darted evasively, scarcely daring to turn toward Mu Chen.

Seeing this, Mu Chen shook his head gently in resignation and asked no further questions.

His intuition told him that this... might not be a bad thing after all!