Xie Linyuan lowered his long eyelashes slightly, concealing the complex emotions that suddenly surged in his eyes, emotions that even he himself did not understand.
But the image of "Pei Lang" flashed uncontrollably through her mind—when that boy was talking to Shen Zhaozhao, her eyes were sparkling, and even... there was a sly, relaxed smile on her face.
That smile was glaringly obvious.
An inexplicable sense of unease, like tiny vines, quietly tightened around Xie Linyuan's soul.
Xie Linyuan naturally knew that, given his status, the most important thing he should do at this moment was to turn away, maintain his aloof and unapproachable demeanor, and completely sever her inappropriate and increasingly deep infatuation.
She must not let her think that her deliberate attempts to please him, her closeness to others and her eagerness to distance herself from him, can stir up even the slightest ripple in his heart.
Can……
Just thinking about her standing and talking with Pei Lang, and the relief that might be hidden beneath her smile at this moment—the irritation that had been forcibly suppressed—was like a wildfire, instantly scorching his heart.
"I have other important matters to attend to..."
In the end, Xie Linyuan managed to squeeze out those few words from the depths of his throat with extreme restraint. His voice was low and deep, carrying a calm that came from great effort to suppress his emotions, yet it seemed to contain an immense burden.
He didn't even dare to look into Shen Zhaozhao's eyes, which were full of "well-behaved and sensible" expressions, for fear that if he looked at them again, he would not be able to help but ask the question that lingered on his tongue and burned his heart.
But he couldn't ask.
Asking the question is an admission that he cares.
Caring about her provides fertile ground for her obsession to continue to grow.
Thinking of this, Xie Linyuan felt a deep weariness and indescribable sorrow instantly grip him.
He flicked his wide sleeves slightly, his movements carrying a deliberate sense of detachment, as if eager to draw a line, leaving behind only a tall but inexplicably lonely and desolate figure, and a very soft sigh that dissipated in the wind.
"You'd better watch yourself."
Immediately, the figure disappeared into the void like ink painting, leaving only a faint, clear, and cool aura like a cold spring.
Shen Zhaozhao: "???"
Shen Zhaozhao's fawning smile was still frozen on her lips, and her outstretched hand, which was about to dust off her golden thigh, was still awkwardly hanging in mid-air.
She watched helplessly as Xie Linyuan uttered a nonsensical phrase, "I have other important matters to attend to" and "You'd better take care of yourself," before disappearing into the distance, as if shrouded in a massive shadow called "a river of sorrow."
no?
etc!
Shen Zhaozhao was completely dumbfounded.
What kind of new script is this?!
Everything was fine just now!
She was all prepared to make sure he couldn't escape at any moment, so how come this crazy sect leader turned around and put on a show of "I'm very sad, I need some peace and quiet"?!
What is he so sad about?!
She hasn't even received the script outline yet, dude!
How is she supposed to accept this role?!
"..."
never mind.
Shen Zhaozhao raised her hand and rubbed her almost stiff cheek hard. If she could easily understand the thoughts of a lunatic, would she still be a lunatic?
Anyway, we've got the treasure. Let the sect leader be sad if he wants to be.
She is about to take this mobile, top-grade spirit stone mine and head to her next battlefield—Liuyunchuan, Yuntai Immortal City!
...
at the same time.
Inside the main hall of the peerless handsome sect, colorful communication talismans rose and fell, clanging and clattering in mid-air, vying to snuggle into the arms of Xiao Jingrui, who was rubbing his temples and looking completely bewildered in the center of the hall.
At this moment, Xiao Jingrui's handsome and refined face was filled with unprecedented bewilderment.
He casually pinched a communication talisman that had bumped into the tip of his nose, and immediately a passionate voice, as if it wanted to pierce through the talisman, came from inside.
"Master Xiao! I've heard so much about you! I am the manager of the outer sect of Lingxi Valley. I've heard that your sect's pills are incredibly effective, so I've specially ordered five hundred bottles of Spirit Gathering Pills for the sect's grand competition in three months. Spirit stones are no problem! Name your price!"
"Fellow Daoist Xiao! This humble Daoist is..."
"Senior Brother Xiao! I am..."
The barrage of orders completely overwhelmed Xiao Jingrui.
What happened?
Didn't Shen Zhaozhao just participate in a newcomer competition?
It feels like she just kicked down the signboard of Medicine King Valley.
Just as Xiao Jingrui was overwhelmed by the sea of orders and contemplating life, a hand with distinct knuckles suddenly reached out from the side and picked up a glittering golden order transmission talisman that floated to his shoulder.
Wan Qianqiu remained as elegant and composed as ever, seemingly unburdened by worldly concerns, but when her slender phoenix eyes swept over the names of the pills listed on the talisman, her eyebrows twitched very subtly.
“Rui Rui, oh!”
Wan Qianqiu's voice, tinged with a hint of Northeastern accent, carried an eerie quality that couldn't be masked: "What exactly is this 'Sword Cultivator Anti-Addiction Pill'? It sounds so sinister."
Xiao Jingrui glanced at it, and the blank look on his face instantly turned into a matter-of-fact calmness: "The idea that Zhaozhao gave me a couple of days ago using a transmission talisman is actually just 'Drunken Dream Powder' with a little something extra, and it's plentiful and filling."
"Swallow one, and I guarantee that the sword cultivator will sleep like a dead pig for half an hour, and won't be woken up even if struck by lightning."
He paused, then continued, "Zhao Zhao said that all the major sects have suffered under the sword cultivators for a long time, and their hatred runs deep. So they're using this as a gimmick to promote their product, which is called the Anti-Addiction Pill, designed to cure sword cultivators who are addicted."
"Forced offline for half an hour to ensure the safety of your Daoist partner, fellow disciples, and cave dwelling."
Wan Qianqiu: "..."
Wan Qianqiu's usually composed and handsome face was now filled with an extremely complicated expression. After holding it in for a long time, he finally managed to squeeze out a sigh through gritted teeth: "Our junior sister is truly a talent."
However, before the two could even imagine the bright future overflowing with orders, an invisible, chilling, and seemingly endlessly sorrowful and heartbroken low pressure, like an Arctic icy current, instantly swept through the entire hall.
Xiao Jingrui and Wan Qianqiu both shuddered at the same time, and the hairs on their backs stood up instantly.
At the entrance of the main hall, Xie Linyuan had already returned at some point.
He didn't look at them, but simply lowered his head slightly, gently patted his chest with one hand, and turned to go back to his cave.
Sunlight streamed through the palace gates and fell upon him, bringing no warmth whatsoever. Instead, it stretched his tall, lonely figure even longer, and an overwhelming sense of sorrow and desolation permeated his being.
The atmosphere was so heavy it was suffocating, as if he had just buried his only beloved and was now standing on the grave, silently weeping.
Xiao Jingrui and Wan Qianqiu didn't dare to breathe for a second.
Wan Qianqiu almost instinctively wanted to slip away—this lunatic was frightening enough when he was having an episode, but now, with his "heartbroken" state, staying would probably drown him in his unspeakable grief!
Just as he moved his toes, a "plop" sound came from the side!
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