Chapter 84

Sheng Ningyu was stunned, not for anything else, but for the name "Sheng Ningyu".

She had noticed earlier that Xie Qianjing liked to call her "Jiuzhong" or "Jiuzhong'er" in front of others.

Feng Xiaohong sometimes liked this nickname, but because it involved those arrogant and conceited childhood years, Sheng Ningyu would angrily stop her whenever she heard it.

As for the others, they are more used to calling her "Mingyue".

Sheng Ningyu liked hearing Xie Qianjing call her that, so she let him do as he pleased.

Nine times, nine times, one sound after another, it seemed as if it could really take her back to that carefree age when she only needed to be loved by her parents.

Perhaps sensing her feelings, Xie Qianjing called her name more and more naturally, so he rarely uttered the formal name "Sheng Ningyu".

Sheng Ningyu could even say that she didn't need to look at Xie Qianjing's expression or care about his tone; no matter when or where, she would only feel emotional when he called her by her full name.

In fact, this time there was also a surge of demonic energy, which was truly an extremely rare display of emotion from this sculpted Bodhi Immortal Lord.

But why?

Sheng Ningyu looked up and met Xie Qianjing's eyes.

For some reason, she felt a sudden panic in her heart, and even a rare, almost desperate feeling arose.

Wrong!

no……

...Wrong, wrong...

There was a voice faintly calling out in her heart, but it was always separated by a layer. No matter how hard Sheng Ningyu tried, she could not hear it clearly. She could only feel the urgent and almost exhausting sound.

Sheng Ningyu gripped the hilt of the sword at her waist with extreme force, her fingertips almost bleeding, and the veins on the back of her hand standing out clearly.

The indelible scar on my wrist started to hurt again. This pain was not just on the surface of my skin, but went deep into my bones and spread through my meridians. It was excruciating, like being gnawed by a thousand ants.

The wind is nowhere to be heard, the spring colors are nowhere to be seen, the sunlight is nowhere to be seen.

For a moment, Sheng Ningyu almost thought she had returned to her coffin.

Ironically, Sheng Ningyu, who prided herself on having "the sword intent to reach the clouds and the ambition to be the best in the world," was actually filled with resentment and bitterness when she was trapped in the coffin.

They complain about heaven and earth, about the misfortunes of the world, about the coldness and warmth of human relationships, and about the hardships of their journey.

However, in her lucid moments, Sheng Ningyu thought she would become a vengeful ghost, but later she thought that being a vengeful ghost wouldn't be so bad.

Once she becomes a vengeful ghost, she can leave this coffin. With her comprehension, unifying the ghost realm and commanding all ghosts will be a piece of cake.

Even then, she will still be able to avenge herself.

At that time, Sheng Ningyu suspected many people, from Feng Xiaosheng, Yan Ruchao, Chu Jiye and others, down to the guards in the Sword Pavilion, she went through them all in her mind.

But later, Sheng Ningyu stopped thinking about anything.

All emotions were kept outside the coffin.

The person inside the coffin only needs to remember three words.

In that maddening silence, she wrote her name again and again in the coffin, covering all her love, hate, and grudges, until her fingertips were bloody and fleshy, and splinters were embedded in her nails, but she never stopped.

Sheng Ningyu.

"never mind."

It seemed as if someone sighed softly, and a cool, indifferent temperature fell on her face.

Bang!

Sheng Ningyu reacted extremely quickly. She turned around and pinned the man against the tree. She seemed to have forgotten that she already had a sword at her waist and only used her hands.

She was breathing heavily, clearly still not responding, but her movements were incredibly fierce, firmly trapping whatever was touching her within a small space.

The person didn't struggle and let her do as she pleased. After a long stalemate, Sheng Ningyu's eyes finally focused.

The wind slowly rose before my eyes, and the falling flowers and weeping willows rustled once more.

When Sheng Ningyu opened her eyes, she was still somewhat bewildered: "Xie Qianjing."

"I'm here." Xie Qianjing sighed softly.

Sheng Ningyu's gaze sharpened. She looked up at Xie Qianjing, and without any warning, asked, "Xie Qianjing, do you want to kill me?"

Xie Qianjing paused.

Just now, his hatred reached its peak, which is why he couldn't control the demonic energy from spreading.

But now, for some reason, he no longer wants to think about it.

I don't want to kill her.

Xie Qianjing opened his lips, his eyes filled with a blank and bewildered look. However, before he could finish speaking, his fingers curled up and gently rubbed the corner of her eye.

A slight dampness, like spring water melting on your fingertips.

A sharp pain shot through his chest, and Xie Qianjing couldn't help but furrow his brow. Then, he lowered his gaze, chuckled, and said casually, "You don't need to test me. Although I am a demon, I'm not that easy to lose control of."

"As for what I just said," Xie Qianjing paused for a moment, then smiled and moved the knuckles that had been resting on Sheng Ningyu's eye back slightly, smoothing her disheveled hair.

"It's just a trivial matter. If it makes you feel bad, just stop thinking about it. Why make things difficult for yourself?"

Don't want to think about it anymore?

But why 'don't want to think about it anymore'?

Sheng Ningyu suddenly raised her head. She probably didn't even know what kind of look she was giving the person opposite her at that moment.

They were clearly a pair of eyes that were so cold as to be almost heartless, yet all their sharp edges were wrinkled, filled with confusion and panic, and in their deepest depths, one could still see the sharpest edge in the world.

"Xie Qianjing." Sheng Ningyu gripped his hand tightly, pressed it to her lips and rubbed it against her skin. Sure enough, a strong smell of blood filled her nostrils.

He's bleeding.

You are lying.

Sheng Ningyu held his bleeding fingertips, gave a short laugh, turned her face to the side, and said meaningfully, "What you say is not the same as what you think."

They said it was "insignificant" and "why make things difficult for me."

However, he had already lost control of his emotions, and in the midst of the surging emotions, the dignified Lord of the Demon Realm could no longer control his demonic energy and even injured himself.

Clearly, he cares that much.

Why not say it?

"Furthermore, ever since you entered this Mountain and Sea Never Sleeps City, the demonic energy around you has become stronger each time."

Sheng Ningyu turned her face and kissed his bleeding fingertips: "Those things you mentioned earlier, was it that you didn't want to tell me, or that you didn't know the answer either?"

A gentle breeze caresses the face, orioles sing and grasses grow tall; the magnificent scenery of the world remains as it was in the past.

Xie Qianjing paused for a moment.

"Senior Sister Sheng!"

A voice, almost incoherent with surprise, rang out not far away, but even faster than the voice came a dazzling flash of sword light!

The sword light came with overwhelming force, carrying an undisguised killing intent, and went straight for Xie Qianjing's back!

In a flash, Sheng Ningyu suddenly flipped over and leaped in front of Xie Qianjing, drawing her long sword from her waist. In that instant, the breeze stopped, the sunlight froze, everything slowed down infinitely, and even breathing became long and deep.

Until a long, resounding sword cry rang out!

Sheng Ningyu, holding a wooden sword, swept away the sunlight and flew away with a whoosh. The other person's reaction was equally impressive. She drew her long sword without any fear.

As the two clashed, their moves shifted, and the sword intent, imbued with sunlight, dissipated, scattering in the air like mist, falling like rain, blending with the light and dust.

However, in a short while, they both sheathed their swords.

Sheng Ningyu squinted and carefully examined the newcomer.

Judging from her figure, the newcomer should be a woman. She wore a loose brown-gray Taoist robe and her face was covered with an ordinary iron mask. Her clothes were decent but extremely ordinary, and there was nothing supernatural about them. She also did not resemble any of Sheng Ningyu's former friends or acquaintances.

He also possesses extremely powerful swordsmanship.

It was straightforward, ruthless, without any fancy moves or emotions; every move was aimed at taking the opponent's life.

Sheng Ningyu nodded in acknowledgment: "Your skill is extraordinary."

The gray-clad man's voice was rough, like a stone being polished: "Sword Master, your demeanor remains as magnificent as ever."

It turned out to be someone who recognized her.

Sheng Ningyu frowned slightly and glanced at the anxious-looking boy beside the masked man.

Jin Xianyao.

Why is this little guy not with Sister Ayan? Why is he suddenly by the side of such a dangerous person?

Sheng Ningyu's mind raced, and she sheathed her sword: "Your swordsmanship is superb, but I do not know you. I suppose we have no enmity."

"Sword Master, you do not know me, but I have long heard of your name."

The man in gray also swiftly sheathed his sword, his posture calm and composed, exuding a transcendent elegance: "Half of the sect, Yan Wurong, is fortunate to meet the Sword Master Mingyue here."

The successor of the Half-Site Sect leader, Yan Wurong.

Jin Xianyao looked left and right, then grabbed Yan Wurong's sleeve with pleading eyes, and turned to Sheng Ningyu anxiously, saying, "Senior Sheng, it's my sister's token that I'm carrying."

Sheng Ningyu's face had already been concealed, and the only way to recognize her was by the fact that Jin Xianyao, who was standing next to her, had the sect leader Xiang Bieyun's token on him.

really.

Even though she had already guessed it, when the other party confirmed it, Sheng Ningyu couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

She shook her head at Jin Xianyao and said jokingly, "Don't worry, even if we really fight, you won't get hurt."

Jin Xianyao was so anxious she almost cried: "Senior Sheng, that's not what I meant."

Yan Wurong gently patted his head soothingly, her movements incredibly tender, and her imposing manner softened instantly.

"Alright, Ayao, don't be afraid. I was just joking with Senior Sheng."

Sheng Ningyu still wore an unserious smile on her face, but as she watched the interaction between the two, she sighed inwardly once again.

Such beautiful swordsmanship, such a decisive personality—if she were in a different situation, given Sheng Ningyu's temperament, she would definitely want to befriend her.

But she was beautiful but lacked charm.

Yan Wurong, the former Daoist partner of Qi Baiya, the city lord of Shanhai Never Sleeps City, was the half-sect sect leader whose family was destroyed and who almost lost her life because of her junior sister Ning Jiao.

Fate plays tricks on people.

Even if their swordsmanship is perfectly matched, even if their personalities are compatible, in this world, in this lifetime, the two of them can never be friends.

As Sheng Ningyu sighed, Yan Wurong was also sizing her up.

The Moonlit Sword Master, Sheng Ningyu.

Yan Wurong had heard of the name of this Bright Moon Sword Master before.

At that time, Sheng Ningyu was just a junior disciple who had just entered the Sword Pavilion. She had also discussed this person with her Daoist partner at the time, Qi Baiya.

"Unconventional personality, exceptional talent."

At that time, they were newly married and their relationship was going well. Yan Wurong jokingly asked, "How do I compare to you?"

Qi Baiya didn't want to lose face in front of his Daoist partner, so he pondered for a while before reluctantly admitting, "She is naturally no match for me now, but her talent is truly astonishing, far beyond my reach."

"How could a girl who's not even twenty years old make you show such an expression?"

Seeing his newlywed wife laugh and fall into his arms, Qi Baiya said, half-jokingly annoyed, "Yes, my talent is not even comparable to that of a child. Arong, are you disgusted with me?"

At that time, Yan Wurong smiled innocently and charmingly, her bright face free of any gloom, and said tenderly, "What do I care about others? The marriage contract has been made, and in this life, the only one who will stand beside me is you."

"My heart is the same." Qi Baiya kissed the crown of her head. "Only you."

...

Only you.

There's no joke funnier than this.

Yan Wurong twitched the corner of her mouth.

The past did not soften her gaze in the slightest, but Sheng Ningyu's current appearance aroused Yan Wurong's curiosity.

After experiencing tremendous changes, Yan Wurong had heard many people talk about Sheng Ningyu.

Some people criticize her for being unruly and eccentric, like a devil incarnate. Others praise her for being elegant, pure, and unconventional, like the bright moon in the sky.

However, by then, she was already the "Sword Master of Bright Moon," and whether one criticized or praised her, one could not avoid mentioning her sword.

Yan Wurong knew she had misjudged people, and she was too lazy to investigate the true nature of this Mingyue Sword Master, who was rumored to have countless entanglements. There was only one thing she was now certain of.

Sheng Ningyu's swordsmanship is truly beautiful.

Unlike her sword, which she practiced solely for killing, Sheng Ningyu's sword cleaved through everything like thunder and lightning, yet its swirling energy was like a gentle spring breeze and rain. Its movements were fluid and unpredictable, allowing for complete control.

He was once number one on the list of prodigies, and he truly deserved the title.

Yan Wurong had looked at the person and was about to leave when she suddenly heard a laugh as she turned around.

Yan Wurong stopped in her tracks: "What are you laughing at?"

"I think Sect Leader Xiaoyan is upright in her actions." Sheng Ningyu looked at Yan Wurong with a smile, but after meeting her gaze, her tone suddenly changed, "yet she is not upright enough."

Yan Wurong sneered: "Sword Master, there's no need to be mysterious. When your junior sister made her mistake, you were no longer in the mortal realm. In the future, my actions will not involve others."

Sheng Ningyu said, "I trust Sect Leader Yan's character, which is also a testament to her integrity."

The Mountain and Sea Never Sleeps City has Qi Baiya, and the surrounding Bluebird and One Leaf Flower are further overseen by Feng Qingli.

The fact that Yan Wurong was able to enter the city despite the two working together suggests that she must have made thorough preparations.

She had appeared before her openly and honestly, and even fought with her; this was the uprightness of a sword cultivator.

Both emotionally and rationally, Sheng Ningyu admired her.

Yan Wurong's voice grew even colder: "If that's the case, Sword Master shouldn't utter such arrogant words."

"Is that so?" Sheng Ningyu replied casually. "I think Sect Leader Yan shouldn't have attacked from behind and snatched someone away."

She appeared to be chatting casually with a smile on her face, but there was no room for compromise in her words; she was determined to seek justice for those around her.

And the person standing next to her...

Before Yan Wurong could take a closer look, the man noticed something and cast a glance at her.

Still as an abyss, chilling to the bone.

With just one glance, Yan Wurong felt a sudden chill in her heart!

This person is definitely not a good person!

Yan Wurong was now truly determined. She pushed Jin Xianyao away, ordering him to leave immediately. Then she turned to Sheng Ningyu and said slowly, enunciating each word clearly, "I came here following the demonic energy."

Sheng Ningyu remained expressionless: "I see."

Yan Wurong paused for a moment, but did not dwell on the matter. She simply said, "Sword Master, do not raise a tiger that will become a threat."

Previously, she had only thought it was an ordinary demon.

But looking at him now, this person is unfathomable and probably has an unusual identity.

Raising a tiger only to cause trouble?

Sheng Ningyu subconsciously glanced at Xie Qianjing beside her, and their eyes met.

He was aloof and cold, but when their eyes met, he lowered them and smiled gently, like the sunset and the first blooming of red lotus by the pond, breathtakingly beautiful.

It's more like a venomous snake disguised as a fox than a tiger.

But he was so beautiful that Sheng Ningyu searched her mind again and again, but she couldn't find anyone more to her liking than Xie Qianjing.

Sheng Ningyu: "Well, it's alright."

Regardless of what he was hiding from me, having such a handsome face by my side was truly a pleasure.

Yan Wurong: "..."

Also, no, no, it doesn't matter?

Even though Yan Wurong had been focused on self-cultivation and ignoring worldly affairs for years, she was still somewhat affected by her current state of mind.

What kind of answer is that?

Yan Wurong coldly sized up Xie Qianjing, curled her lips into a smile, and said in an old and hoarse voice, "Sword Master, I thought the same thing back then."

"Men are fine to play with, but don't fall in love with them." Yan Wurong placed one hand on the hilt of her sword, making no attempt to hide her vigilance. "The Sword Master is renowned, and now that he has returned from his tribulation, he is the heart and soul of the cultivation world, the one everyone looks to."

"With the puppet barrier in front and the demonic conspiracy behind, there are layers of fog, none of which can be ignored. Sword Master, please do not act rashly and fall into the trap of others."

Despite her hostility towards Xie Qianjing, Xie Qianjing remained silent, simply standing beside Sheng Ningyu like a jade sculpture that could not speak.

The atmosphere was extremely tense, and Yan Wurong was fully prepared.

She came here to eliminate the illusions in her heart and avenge her past humiliation. Logically, she shouldn't have bothered with this matter, but encountering demonic energy, she couldn't simply ignore it. By a twist of fate, she met this Sword Master, whose rumors were rife.

Sheng Ningyu's sword is too stunning.

Even if one were oblivious to the world around them, it would be hard to imagine that someone could, after experiencing such betrayal and living in a coffin for sixty years without seeing the light of day, still be able to wield a wooden sword and perform such beautiful and breathtaking moves.

Moreover, Sheng Ningyu's sword technique is not only beautiful in its moves, but also beautiful in a free-spirited, unrestrained, and vibrant way.

Yan Wurong had no feelings for Sheng Ningyu, but as a sword cultivator, she couldn't bear to part with Sheng Ningyu's sword.

Yan Wurong met Xie Qianjing's gaze, who remained silent, and ignoring the strange feeling in her heart, narrowed her eyes: "Who exactly are you?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Qianjing smiled and turned to look at Sheng Ningyu. He spoke slowly and clearly, word by word: "She is someone who has a marriage contract with the Sword Master."

Yan Wurong was taken aback and subconsciously said, "You are a member of the Chu family? No, that's not right." Yan Wurong sneered, "What about a marriage contract or spiritual covenant? When love is at its peak, it's all vows and promises. But when love fades, it's just a piece of waste paper, completely useless."

"If you truly have even a shred of affection for her, you should leave now before things escalate. Otherwise, if she is dragged down by the world and condemned by everyone because of you, can you bear the consequences?"

Xie Qianjing raised his eyes, his gaze calm. Despite being so humiliated face to face, he did not refute.

Just as the atmosphere was tense to the point of near freezing, a voice suddenly broke the silence.

"I take back what I said before."

Sheng Ningyu sighed, "Sect Leader Yan is an upright and honest person, with nothing to hide. I admire her."

Even their self-designation has changed, which shows their true feelings.

Yan Wurong was taken aback: "You..."

“Senior, this is my fault.” Sheng Ningyu glanced at Xie Qianjing, without saying much about his identity, and summarized succinctly, “I stole his spirit bone, tricked him into a marriage contract, caused him to fall into demonic possession, and then forgot about him.”

Yan Wurong: "..."

Sheng Ningyu paused for a moment.

It's a bit difficult to write; let her think about it.

No need for further explanation.

Yan Wurong gave Sheng Ningyu a deep look: "It's good that you know what's going on."

The gray clothes fell to the ground, blending into the dust in the air.

"Since the sect leader has summoned me, I shall depart now."

Sect Leader? Isn't that Sister Ayan?

Unexpectedly, no sooner had he said goodbye to "Madam Xiang" than "Half-Site Sect Master" arrived.

Sheng Ningyu gazed at Yan Wurong's disappearing figure, then turned to Xie Qianjing and said, "Our peaceful days won't last much longer."

From the substitute puppet to her return in the Thousand Mountains Trial, there were too many strange things in the City of Never Sleeping Mountains and Seas. Sheng Ningyu originally wanted to hide her figure first, explore the abnormalities in the city, and then go to the City Lord's Mansion to retrieve the Meng Po Light, which was her reward for being the top scorer in this Thousand Mountains Trial, to give to Sister A Yan to heal her injuries.

Sheng Ningyu never forgot how much her sister, Sister Yan, had sacrificed for that wooden bracelet that could conceal her innate talent.

When she accepted the bracelet, she thought she must help Sister Ayan make up for this loss.

Meng Po Guang is an extremely precious spiritual medicine that grows at the end of the Boundless Sea in the Great Wilderness Mountain. Even in Yunwang Palace, it is a rare treasure.

Even if it might cause some trouble, Sheng Ningyu would never give up.

Xie Qianjing: "What are your plans?"

Sheng Ningyu reached out and made a grasping motion in the air, feeling the warm breeze passing through her fingers. She said, "No rush, let's take it slow if we can."

The city is a chaotic place, rife with people and a turbulent atmosphere.

...

However, Sheng Ningyu never imagined that even with all her preparations, someone would still catch her off guard.

Second Senior Brother, Rong Que.

-----------------------

Author's Note: Here it comes! [Sunglasses]