Translator: CinderTL
"Ji Yin, I've brought the timber. Let's start building the boat."
As Qing Lian spoke, a large pile of logs suddenly appeared beside her. The logs varied in size, some as thick as ten feet in diameter, others no thicker than an arm.
"Alright! Let's build a boat!" Song Wen grinned and walked over to the pile of logs.
He summoned his flying sword and, with a few swift strokes, effortlessly split the massive logs into smooth planks.
Under Song Wen's guidance, with Qing Lian assisting, they began assembling the wooden boat.
However, Song Wen soon realized he had underestimated the complexity of shipbuilding.
Keels, ribs, mortise-and-tenon joints, wooden pegs... simply having seen a wooden boat wasn't enough to replicate its construction.
Of course, summoning a Giant Flying Ship and copying its design, combined with the formidable power of a Body Integration Stage cultivator, would make crafting a simple wooden boat that could float on water relatively easy.
But Song Wen had other plans for later and lacked the patience for meticulous shipbuilding. In the end, they only managed to construct a small wooden raft.
Yet Qing Lian, having never seen either ordinary wooden boats or the flying ships of cultivators, found the humble raft utterly novel and fascinating.
The moment the raft carried her and Song Wen afloat, she gripped his arm, her eyes shining with delight.
"Ji Yin, this raft is actually keeping us above water! It's incredible!"
Feeling the soft touch on his arm, Song Wen instinctively turned to look at her.
Just then—
Thump!
Overwhelmed with excitement, Qing Lian's serpentine tail flicked up and gently struck the raft.
And then—
The fragile raft disintegrated into a pile of scattered planks.
Song Wen stood on the water's surface, a hint of helplessness in his expression.
Qing Lian, caught off guard, watched her tail sink into the water, leaving only her upper body exposed.
"Ji Yin... I... I didn't mean to," she stammered, her face flushed with embarrassment, a flicker of panic in her eyes.
"It's not your fault! My craftsmanship was poor; the raft wasn't sturdy enough," Song Wen said, crouching down to sit cross-legged on the water, his smile gentle and his gaze warm.
"No, it's not your fault. It's mine," Qing Lian insisted stubbornly, her tone resolute.
Her gaze shifted, and she abruptly changed the subject.
"How about... you sit on my tail, and I'll carry you while swimming?"
The corner of Song Wen's mouth twitched slightly, his expression speechless.
Ride a snake?
In broad daylight?
"No need. We can rebuild the boat tomorrow," Song Wen said.
"Come on up!" Qing Lian flicked her serpentine tail. "You can sit on my back or my belly. Hehe, if you sit on my belly, we can face each other. That would be so much fun!"
Song Wen's lips twitched as he started to speak, but he suddenly stopped. His tone shifted as he changed his mind.
"Then I'll sit on your belly."
"Great!" Qing Lian's face lit up with a wide smile.
Her tail rolled, and her pale green belly surfaced.
Song Wen moved swiftly, settling onto her belly with his lower legs dangling in the water.
Qing Lian gazed intently at Song Wen, her eyes growing hazy. She leaned forward abruptly, pressing her crimson lips to his. Then, like a startled animal, she recoiled immediately.
"You..." Song Wen's pupils constricted slightly.
This girl's boldness has suddenly grown today. She's not her usual timid self.
This isn't a good sign.
If she becomes as assertive as her brother, how will I maintain control over her?
Without control, I'll lose my only leverage within the Willow Serpent Clan.
Then I'll truly become nothing more than a captive plaything.
At this thought, Song Wen's expression darkened.
"Miss Qinglian, though we are close friends, we are not dao companions. This action is rather presumptuous."
"I... I'm sorry."
The color visibly drained from Qinglian's face, her expression panicked.
"I... I don't know why. I suddenly lost my composure just now, acting impulsively... Ji Yin, you can scold me, you can even hit me, but please, please don't despise me..." Qinglian pleaded, her voice trembling with tears, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Miss Qinglian, my words were too harsh just now. Please don't take them to heart."
Song Wen seemed to soften. He sighed softly and gently brushed away a tear that had escaped from the corner of Qinglian's eye.
His gaze was tender, his voice gentle.
"I understand your feelings. I too harbor admiration for you."
"However, we've only just met, and I'm still new to the Willow Serpent Clan. I can't help but feel somewhat uneasy. Please grant me some time... would you?"
"Mm!"
Qinglian nodded vigorously, tears still shimmering in her eyes, but a radiant smile already blooming on her lips.
She looked up at Song Wen, her eyes like stars falling into a spring pool, their shimmering depths betraying her barely concealed joy.
Tears still wet on her face dripped down, not onto the ground, but onto the delicate silk bodice of her dress.
Sensing the moment was right, Song Wen spoke again.
"Miss Qinglian, have you ever heard of a spiritual object called the Yaoguang Lotus?"
He didn't speak aloud, nor did he use divine sense transmission, both easily eavesdropped upon. Instead, he employed the Truth-Hearing Technique.
This secret art allowed cultivators and demon beasts to communicate telepathically, impervious to eavesdropping. Qing Lian, being of the demon race, was perfectly suited for this method.
Qing Lian's eyes widened in astonishment, a flicker of disbelief crossing her face.
"Ji Yin, what secret art is this? We can communicate telepathically!" Her expression was one of childlike wonder, like a child receiving a new toy.
"A crude secret art, nothing worth mentioning," Song Wen brushed off the topic casually, immediately reiterating his purpose. "The Yaoguang Lotus—have you heard of it, Miss Qinglian?"
"No, I've never heard of this Spirit Herb before," Qing Lian replied, her face blank with confusion.
"Never heard of it?" Song Wen murmured, his brow furrowing slightly.
Qing Lian's reaction seemed genuine.
Moreover, Song Wen was confident in his ability to charm others. Qing Lian's heart was completely devoted to him, so she wouldn't lie to him.
He had assumed that the Yaoguang Lotus, with its renowned reputation across the Eastern Profound Continent, would be common knowledge within the Willow Serpent Clan. But now it seemed that wasn't the case.
"What does the Yaoguang Lotus do? What does it look like? If the Willow Serpent Clan possesses it, I'll definitely find it for you," Qing Lian said firmly.
Song Wen didn't hesitate. Through mental communication, he directly transmitted an image and description of the Yaoguang Lotus into Qing Lian's mind.
After a moment of contemplation, Qing Lian seemed to be carefully examining the mental image. She then said, "I've never seen this before. But my big brother is knowledgeable. I'll ask him when I return."
"No! This matter shouldn't be disclosed to King Jianglin or anyone else for now," Song Wen quickly interjected.
Worried that his words might sound suspicious, he added, "This is our second secret. No one must ever know."
"Mm! Alright!" Qing Lian nodded in agreement, without questioning the reason behind his request.
(End of the Chapter)
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