Translator: CinderTL
"Ji Yin, after your long journey, you must be exhausted both physically and mentally. I've arranged accommodations for you to rest for a few days. Afterward, Qing Lian will show you around our Willow Serpent Clan," King Jianglin said.
Song Wen clasped his hands in a respectful bow, about to respond, when Qing Lian cut in.
"There's no need for separate accommodations. Ji Yin can just stay in our cultivation cave, right?"
Song Wen's expression turned startled. He quickly replied, "Miss Qinglian, that wouldn't be appropriate. I'm an outsider, and a man at that. Staying in your cultivation cave would be inconvenient."
"What inconvenience could there be?" Qing Lian retorted dismissively, but King Jianglin interrupted before she could finish.
"Qing Lian, let's respect Ji Yin's wishes. He's new to this place and likely has his concerns. Staying alone will allow him to feel more at ease."
"But..." Qing Lian still seemed reluctant.
"It's settled." King Jianglin turned and flew toward the exit. "Ji Yin, follow me. I'll take you to the guest quarters."
"Miss Qinglian, farewell." Song Wen bid her farewell and hurried after King Jianglin.
"Wait for me, I'm coming too," Qing Lian's voice called out from behind.
After leaving the cultivation cave, King Jianglin led Song Wen along the mountain's base until they reached another cave situated on the mountain's shaded side.
This cave, like King Jianglin's own, was built by the water's edge. Even the flat ground outside, the underwater corridor, and the cooling pavilion were identical.
"This cave was originally prepared for Qing Lian, but the girl insisted on staying with me, so it's been vacant. Its Spiritual Qi is no less potent than my own cave's, so you can settle in comfortably here," King Jianglin said, producing a bone token from her hand.
As the token emitted a faint white glow, the cave's stone door swung open.
King Jianglin casually tossed the token to Song Wen.
"King Jianglin, Miss Qinglian, I am deeply grateful for your generous hospitality," Song Wen said, cupping his hands in a respectful bow before stepping into the cave.
"Ji Yin," Qing Lian suddenly called out, "rest well tonight. I'll come find you tomorrow."
"Alright," Song Wen nodded in agreement.
After exchanging a few more polite words with the two snakes, Song Wen entered the cave and closed the stone door behind him.
"Qing Lian, it's time to return," King Jianglin said, turning to leave.
Qing Lian followed King Jianglin, constantly turning back to gaze at the cave entrance until the mountain blocked her view.
"It's not like you'll never see him again. Why act so reluctant to leave?" King Jianglin chided gently.
Qing Lian lowered her head, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, making her appear both aggrieved and pitiful.
"I don't know why. I just want to see him all the time. Whenever I do, my heart fills with inexplicable joy."
King Jianglin was taken aback, turning to look at Qing Lian.
"Big brother, do you think I've... fallen in love with Ji Yin?" Qing Lian asked hesitantly.
"How would I know?" King Jianglin's eyes widened slightly. "I've never sought a dao companion myself. Besides, among the Willow Serpent Clan, male-female unions are purely for reproduction and desire. They have nothing to do with Ji Yin's talk of 'unwavering devotion and lifelong companionship.'"
"Big brother, do you think Ji Yin could ever see me as his dao companion? He's human, and I'm a Willow Serpent. Even though I can transform, I'm still fundamentally different from humans," Qing Lian said timidly, her voice tinged with anxiety.
King Jianglin's vertical pupils narrowed as he gazed into the distant sky.
"He's already living in my territory. Does his willingness even matter anymore? Could he possibly leave now?"
"But..." Qing Lian seemed flustered. "Big brother, I don't want to force him. I want him to willingly become my dao companion."
King Jianglin shook her head slightly, seemingly unable to comprehend Qing Lian's feelings.
As they spoke, the two snakes had already returned to their cultivation cave.
Qing Lian coiled her tail and lay in the "bird's nest," staring blankly into space.
King Jianglin paced restlessly within the cave, occasionally glancing at her younger sister.
After a long silence, King Jianglin finally gritted her silver teeth and spoke.
"There are some clan matters that require my attention. It will likely take three to five days. During this time, stay here and reflect quietly. Ask yourself: is your infatuation with Ji Yin due to his human race, or is he truly the one your heart desires? As for Ji Yin, if he doesn't leave his cave, don't disturb him. The kind of 'love' you speak of cannot be forced."
"Mm..."
Qing Lian stared blankly at the pool, her gaze unfocused. It was unclear whether she had even heard her sister's words as she mumbled a vague response.
King Jianglin said nothing more, left the cave, and closed the stone door behind her.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Song Wen surveyed the cultivation cave before him.
It was utterly empty, save for a small pool of water.
The cave possessed an inexplicable power, similar to the restrictions used by the human race to prevent outsiders from spying.
However, this power had undoubtedly been established by King Jianglin and likely couldn't block her divine sense. Moreover, the Willow Serpent Clan also had a Ninth-Realm Venerable who could certainly peer into the cave.
Yet Song Wen had no intention of setting up any formations within the cave.
Firstly, while the concealment formations he possessed were formidable enough to deceive the divine sense of most eighth-tier experts, they would be utterly ineffective against the Willow Serpent Clan's ninth-tier Venerable.
Secondly, Song Wen had no intention of engaging in any secret or clandestine activities. If the Willow Serpents wished to spy on him, let them.
Song Wen retrieved a stone bed, chairs, and other furnishings, placing them within the cave. He then sat cross-legged on the stone bed and began meditating to regulate his breathing.
Less than fifteen minutes later, his tightly closed eyes suddenly snapped open, his expression shifting between astonishment and uncertainty.
A strange, burning heat surged from his dantian, spreading rapidly through his body like wildfire.
He instinctively tore open his robes, revealing a chest flushed an unnatural crimson.
Thumpโthumpโ
His heart pounded like a war drum, each beat pumping scalding blood through his limbs and every part of his body.
The veins on his exposed hands, neck, and forehead bulged violently, the twisted vessels writhing like living creatures. He could almost hear the surging blood gurgling through his veins.
He instantly realized the Purple Lotus Fruit Qing Lian had given him was problematic.
But it wasn't poisonโit was an aphrodisiac!
No wonder King Yinliu cultivated these fruits and fed them to the human male cultivators.
She was scheming for her own benefit!
That beast Qing Lian! She seemed so innocent, yet her schemes run so deep.
Just as this thought flashed through Song Wen's mind, he noticed the stone door of his cultivation cave had been opened. A fleeting shadow darted inside before the door slammed shut again, the entire process executed with eerie silence, leaving not a trace of sound.
"Who's there?!"
Song Wen leaped to his feet, standing atop the stone bed, his expression icy.
(End of the Chapter)
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