Two beauties gliding on water

After turning it over in his mind, Qin Yi felt the medicine taking effect, leaving him uncomfortably swollen. He decided to visit Pine Cloud Peak first.

Even if he could not see Xu Xinran, there was nothing wrong with dropping by.

After leaving the side courtyard, he had only just reached the front courtyard when he ran into Huang Tianrong, Nie Jianyun, and the others.

Huang Tianrong's face immediately darkened several shades. He turned away with Nie Jianyun, intending to avoid him.

"Stop." Qin Yi called the two of them to a halt.

"What?" Huang Tianrong did not turn around, but he answered.

Qin Yi said, "Is your memory that bad? Have you forgotten what you said yourself earlier?"

Huang Tianrong gritted his teeth and clenched both fists. Had he not known Qin Yi had already entered the Foundation Establishment Realm, he might well have fought him again.

But at present, he was ultimately at a disadvantage. Besides, their master, Gu Yanshan, valued Qin Yi highly.

Huang Tianrong took a deep breath, suppressing all the emotions in his heart.

Then he turned back with a cold smile. "Greetings, eldest senior brother."

Nie Jianyun froze for a moment. He looked at Huang Tianrong in astonishment, never expecting him to actually say it.

So he followed suit. "Greetings... eldest senior brother."

Qin Yi nodded. "That's more like it. Remember, every time you see me, greet me. Don't keep making me remind you."

With that, Qin Yi swaggered off.

Nie Jianyun frowned. "This Qin Yi is far too arrogant."

"Arrogant? Hmph, he won't be arrogant for much longer," Huang Tianrong said coldly.

He had already told his cousin Song Xianming about Qin Yi.

His cousin Song Xianming had also promised that, given the chance, he would definitely help him deal with Qin Yi.

He had heard that his cousin was leading this latest mission, and Gu Yiyi and Qin Yi happened to be on the team.

For some unknown reason, however, his cousin had inexplicably not participated. He had not been able to find him these past few days, either.

He guessed that his cousin Song Xianming must have gone on a higher-level mission with Xiahou Tai.

After all, his cousin was close to Xiahou Tai, and Xiahou Tai was a prominent figure among the Famous Sword Sect's younger generation, someone as renowned as Hua Yunfeng.

"Once my cousin comes back, I'll make him pay next time."

Nie Jianyun nodded. He knew Song Xianming too.

Although Qin Yi had entered the Foundation Establishment Realm, Song Xianming was a veteran Foundation Establishment expert whose foundations were far deeper than Qin Yi's. If he made a move, Qin Yi would surely lose.

Nie Jianyun said, "As the saying goes, those marked for destruction must first be driven mad. Let him act arrogant for a few more days."

After Qin Yi descended the mountain, he came to a very large river at the foot of the Famous Sword Sect's mountains, called the Heaven-Reaching River.

He did not know what connection this Heaven-Reaching River had to the one in Journey to the West. In any case, it was indeed enormous, over four hundred meters wide.

Both banks offered beautiful scenery, with mountains rising in overlapping layers. The beauty of the mountains and waters looked like something out of a painting.

A blue stone-brick path lay a dozen or so meters inland from the bank.

Few people probably used it ordinarily, for thick moss covered the path.

Looking up, he could see many people riding swords through the sky.

In fact, around the fifth level of the Qi Refining Stage, one could attempt sword flight, though one could not fly very far.

Yet despite that limited range, those Qi Refining Stage disciples would rather fly only a short distance to show off their abilities than walk on two feet like mortals.

As a result, there were few signs of foot traffic on the path below the mountains. Even where there were, they formed only a very narrow trail.

The several great mountains standing side by side along the river each presented a different scene.

Emerald Bamboo Peak was covered in lush, verdant bamboo.

The neighboring Noble Orchid Peak, however, was covered in bush lilies, their floral fragrance wafting through the air.

A little farther beyond stood Dragon Camphor Peak, where Yin Qi hung heavy and camphor trees blanketed the slopes.

He followed the path onward. Beyond Noble Orchid Peak stood Furious Cypress Peak.

Farther ahead was Cold Plum Peak, and past Cold Plum Peak lay the third peak, Pine Cloud Peak.

Many enormous cloud pines grew on Pine Cloud Peak, giving it an air of antique elegance.

Just as Qin Yi was about to head straight for Pine Cloud Peak, he suddenly saw two beauties practicing swordplay on the Heaven-Reaching River. Their Sword Qi drew water along with it, trailing like long dragons as it scattered and danced through the air.

Both women were feasts for the eyes, with graceful figures and beautiful faces.

One of them was actually Gu Qingshuang.

The other woman was unfamiliar, but her beauty was close to Gu Qingshuang's.

Perhaps it was a case of birds of a feather flocking together. Beside one beauty, there was usually another.

"It's the Jade Pivot Sword Art."

After just a few casual glances, Qin Yi recognized the sword art they were using.

Through the system's special observation, Qin Yi could see Gu Qingshuang's status-seventh level of Qi Refining, primarily cultivating the Jade Pivot Sword Art.

Moreover, this time a more detailed annotation appeared above Gu Qingshuang's head-[Candidate Daughter of Destiny. Once the Five-Colored Stone awakens, her destiny will change, and she can soar into the heavens in a single flight.]

"A candidate Daughter of Destiny?"

Candidate or not, Qin Yi was not surprised at all that she could be a Daughter of Destiny.

After all, Hua Yunfeng was Heaven's Chosen Son. How could a woman who could become his partner be ordinary?

Although Gu Qingshuang seemed ordinary now, that was because her Five-Colored Stone had yet to awaken.

[Affection: 5]!

"This woman's affection really is hard to earn."

[Dear host, the beautiful character Gu Qingshuang has been detected. Would you like to accept the quest to gain Gu Qingshuang's affection?]

"Not for now."

[Dear host, the beautiful character Xiao Qingyu has been detected. Would you like to accept the quest to gain Xiao Qingyu's affection?]

Hmm?

Xiao Qingyu?

Another new quest?

Qin Yi looked around curiously and finally discovered that the beautiful woman with Gu Qingshuang was named [Xiao Qingyu].

Her information was as follows: sixth level of Qi Refining, primarily cultivating the Jade Pivot Sword Art.

[Affection: 0]!

Since they did not know each other yet, it was normal for there to be no affection.

"System, is this Xiao Qingyu another flower that already has an owner?"

The gentle, mature female voice replied, "[That's right. Xiao Qingyu's intended Dao companion is Shangguan Qing. Among the Famous Sword Sect's younger generation, Shangguan Qing is Hua Yunfeng's closest friend, and he is also quite talented.]"

Then that meant gaining Xiao Qingyu's maximum affection would also earn him the full reward.

But the problem was, they did not know each other yet.

After the two women practiced for a while, Gu Qingshuang seemed to suddenly have something to attend to and flew off on her sword toward Snow Maple Ridge.

Only Xiao Qingyu remained standing on the water, ceaselessly swinging the precious sword in her hand.

Each time she swung her sword, a thread of water followed its tip, dancing through the air.

After just a few glances, Qin Yi knew what she lacked.

Comparing her with Gu Qingshuang, Gu Qingshuang could make her thread of water as wide as a ribbon, while hers was only as wide as a finger.

This was a matter of how well they could control their power.

Seeing that there was no one else nearby, Qin Yi walked along the bank to a spot relatively close to the woman and suddenly said, "Why don't you try gathering a strand of True Qi at the Lieque acupoint on your arm before each swing of your sword?"