Translator: CinderTL
After sending his message to Xu Mengyu, Song Wen waited patiently for three full days before receiving a reply.
Fellow Daoist Lei Yue, I sincerely apologize for the delay. After my unauthorized visit to the Primordial Qi Death Zone, my master confined me to solitary reflection. I was only released today and just now saw your message.
"Finally, a response!" Song Wen sighed in relief.
If she hadn't replied, he would have likely left Great Tan City.
[Fellow Daoist Xu, you flatter me. As long as I receive your reply, even if it takes three years, it would be worth the wait.] Song Wen replied softly.
[Fellow Daoist Lei Yue, why... why do you speak like that?] Xu Mengyu's voice carried a hint of reproach, tinged with a trace of shyness.
[My apologies, Fellow Daoist Xu. I was being presumptuous. Please forgive my indiscretion. Do you wish to take custody of the robber cultivator?] Song Wen asked.
[Of course. I want to see who dares to openly defy the sect's laws and commit such atrocities. I'll bring him back to the sect and hand him over to Enforcement Peak for judgment according to sect rules,] Xu Mengyu replied indignantly.
[Fellow Daoist Xu, your righteous spirit and unwavering dedication to upholding the sect's honor are truly admirable. Your integrity and sense of responsibility fill me with profound respect,] Song Wen said, laying on the flattery.
Xu Mengyu replied, "Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. Where are you now? I'll come find you."
Song Wen replied, "I'm currently in a crowded place where it's difficult to speak freely. How about we meet at Auspicious Jade Mountain outside the city?"
"Agreed," Xu Mengyu replied immediately.
Song Wen put away the jade slip, dragged Shi Lei out of the inn, and flew east toward Auspicious Jade Mountain. They soon arrived at the mountain.
The summit of Auspicious Jade Mountain was a long, winding ridge stretching for several miles. Lush forests covered the ridge, their branches intertwined. Nine pavilions were scattered along the ridge, each perched on the edge of a cliff.
Song Wen hovered in mid-air, scanning the area. He immediately noticed that eight of the pavilions were already occupied by couples. He landed in the only vacant pavilion and gazed into the distance.
The mountains rose in layers, their peaks shrouded in mist. In the distance, the sea of trees swayed gracefully in the wind. Closer by, wildflowers carpeted the slopes, their red, yellow, and purple blossoms swaying in the breeze. A gentle breeze carried the faint fragrance of flowers to Song Wen's nostrils.
"Auspicious Jade Mountain truly lives up to its reputation as the best place for romance outside Great Tan City," Song Wen murmured to himself. "The scenery is breathtaking."
Suddenly, a green figure streaked through the air—Xu Mengyu had arrived.
She wore a pale green gown, cinched at the waist with a silver silk sash that accentuated her graceful figure.
Song Wen's gaze was involuntarily drawn to her.
Xu Mengyu landed in the pavilion. Noticing Song Wen still staring at her, her cheeks flushed crimson.
Her eyes darted shyly, avoiding his gaze as if she couldn't bear to meet his eyes.
"Lei Yue, is this the robber cultivator you mentioned?" Xu Mengyu asked, pointing to the unconscious Shi Lei on the ground. She initiated the conversation, attempting to break the flustered atmosphere.
Song Wen snapped back to reality, his eyes filled with deep apology.
"Forgive my rudeness, fellow daoist. Your attire today is as radiant as the dawn and as dazzling as emerald waves, eclipsing even the splendor of these mountains and making it impossible to look away."
Xu Mengyu still avoided his gaze, her head lowered slightly, her cheeks flushed crimson, her voice barely audible.
"I... I'm not as beautiful as you say, fellow daoist. I'm just ordinary."
Song Wen smiled faintly and nudged Shi Lei with his foot, deliberately changing the subject.
"This man is Shi Lei, who claims to be a registered disciple of Elder Yin Tianzong of your sect. He conspired with two Divine Transformation Stage robber cultivators to take my life. Fortunately, my luck held. Though trapped in a deadly formation with my life hanging by a thread, I managed to find a sliver of hope, rallied my strength, and vanquished both Divine Transformation Stage cultivators, narrowly escaping with my life."
Seeing that Song Wen no longer gazed at her with that burning intensity, Xu Mengyu's frantic heart eased slightly.
Yet, a moment later, a strange sense of disappointment washed over her.
"This man deserves to die," Xu Mengyu said. "If he truly is Elder Yin's registered disciple, he will face severe punishment from the sect."
"Then I'll take him, fellow daoist," Xu Mengyu added.
Xu Mengyu unleashed a surge of spiritual power, lifting Shi Lei into the air.
"Fellow Daoist Lei Yue, I must return to the sect now. Farewell."
Spiritual power surged around her as she prepared to ascend.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, are you leaving so soon?" Song Wen's expression was anxious, tinged with deep reluctance. "The scenery here is breathtaking. Why not stay a while longer and admire the splendor with me?"
Xu Mengyu paused, her figure frozen in mid-motion, as if torn between conflicting desires.
Suddenly, her fair cheeks flushed crimson, like the radiant glow of the setting sun, blooming with a delicate, dewy beauty.
"Why did you choose such a place for our meeting?" Xu Mengyu's eyes flickered with a hint of coquettish reproach.
Her reaction stemmed from the sight of a couple in a nearby pavilion, lost in their own world, locked in a passionate embrace, their lips and tongues intertwined, sharing tender intimacy.
Originally, dense foliage separated the pavilions, ensuring privacy unless one deliberately sought to intrude.
Unfortunately, the couple was too engrossed in their passion, their soft moans and tender cries carrying through the air. With cultivators' keen senses, it was impossible not to overhear.
"This... this I didn't expect," Song Wen said with an awkward smile.
Fortunately, the couple knew when to stop. They hastily straightened their disheveled robes, rose into the air, and flew impatiently toward a secluded spot.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, being at the Spirit Jade Palace, you must have access to the latest news. Have you heard any rumors about the Divine Blood Gate recently?" Song Wen suddenly transmitted, revealing the true purpose of his visit.
Xu Mengyu was still flustered by the earlier embarrassment, her gaze drifting distractedly.
"I have heard some rumors. However... according to sect rules, any information related to the Divine Blood Gate is considered a sect secret. By law, it cannot be disclosed without authorization."
"Enough... I won't press you further, fellow daoist." Song Wen's expression instantly darkened, his voice tinged with resignation. "Though the mastermind behind my master's murder has been brought to justice, the bitterness in my heart remains. I had hoped to eliminate more Divine Blood Gate scum, but their tracks have proven elusive."
Xu Mengyu gazed at Song Wen's dejected figure, a sudden pang of sympathy rising within her.
"Lei Yue, I can share this information with you, but you must not act rashly. While the Divine Blood Gate dares not openly reveal itself in the Southern Nether Region due to the combined pressure from the three great sects, their clandestine power remains formidable, and their methods are treacherous and ruthless. You must not act impulsively."
"Thank you, fellow daoist, for your concern for my safety. Since my master's passing, no one has shown such genuine care for me," Song Wen said, his face softening with warmth.
"Who cares about you?" Xu Mengyu rolled her eyes and transmitted telepathically.
"Rumor has it that Divine Blood Gate operatives have recently been sighted near Cultivation Sun City."
With these words, she soared into the air, dragging Shi Lei away with her.
(End of the Chapter)
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