Li Guanyu’s courtyard was separated from He Liansheng’s place by several mountain peaks. Xing Shuishui climbed until she was exhausted, enduring many criticisms along the way. She covered her ears, wondering if these Lingshan people ever practiced or if they had all gone mad. Fortunately, Li Guanyu sensed her arrival and ended her meditation early,…

“I hope you’re feeling better now, He Lian…” Lingshan. Towering above the clouds like an unshakeable shadow. Xing Shuishui looked up, seeing the tall mountain through the clouds. A waterfall cascaded down its face, mist spreading everywhere, refracting light that from afar looked like stars embracing the moon. Great land. How has this broken place…

Xing Shuishui snapped back to reality and stuffed the pomegranate He Liansheng had peeled into her mouth. The juice made her tongue curl from its tartness. He Liansheng moved the bowl of pomegranates away and said harshly, “My food.” “Stop being lazy,” the young man stared at her, “Xing Shuishui.” This meant… no work, no…

Lingshan people drew attention wherever they went. Li Guanyu and Li Guanxing led their prisoner forward, the group barely exchanging words until they reached the city gates. Shang Guanyue glanced toward Huayulou. Many in the crowd were curious about her appearance but were quickly driven back by Guan Mulan’s stern gaze. Upon hearing Lingshan people…

When the autumn sparrow chirped three times, He Liansheng woke up. He pressed his throbbing forehead as he sat up in bed, vaguely seeing a figure outside his curtain. His first thought was to call out for Xing Shuishui. But sensing the person’s aura, He Liansheng’s eyes narrowed as his fingers touched the Taoyuan sword.…

Xing Shuishui approached He Liansheng’s bed. In his unconscious state, he lacked his usual fierce demeanor. His eyes were tightly shut, lips pale, with an undissolvable gloom between his brows. He wore clean clothes that carried a faint woody scent. Xing Shuishui observed him for a moment, tentatively calling his name several times. No response.…

Bloody footprints stretched along the path. Her footsteps echoed through Huayu Tower. There were no others, no guards. It was as if everything here had been emptied, leaving only a vacant building. Bang— Xing Shuishui turned around. The door had closed at some point. It was already dark here, and with the door shut, only…

The forest grew darker and colder. As they went deeper, the wild grass had grown as tall as a person. Everyone felt confused that they hadn’t encountered any spirits or evil beings yet. With her jade bracelet, Xing Shuishui felt braver. She pushed aside some intertwined black vines and paused at what she saw. “Sister…

Nothing major happened afterwards, except for the Huayu Tower’s city-wide search for thieves that eventually faded away. The matchmaking conference date drew near. He Liansheng was exceptionally vigilant, and Xing Shuishui still hadn’t found a chance to make her move. Taking the Spirit Suppression Tower safely seemed impossible unless He Liansheng was somehow injured to…

In the Eighth District of Qingzhou, Xing Shuishui returned to the inn when it was already late. She felt uneasy, carefully checking her body for bloodstains before going upstairs. Killing Elder Baicang shouldn’t raise suspicions about her yet. Pretending to be human was useful precisely because it made her seem harmless. Besides, Huayu Tower had…