Watching the three Miaoyin Sect disciples fall one after another, Lin Luochen said calmly, "Let’s go back."
Leng Yueshuang nodded, following him back into the cave with a head full of unanswered questions.
Lin Luochen suddenly remembered something and looked up at her.
"Do you have any secret techniques to break through to the next realm?"
In his past life, it was only after his… full investment that Leng Yueshuang had broken through to the Soul Projection realm.
This time, he had no intention of repeating that capital infusion, so he could only hope she had another method.
Leng Yueshuang awkwardly replied, "If I could break through, I would’ve done it already!"
Lin Luochen frowned.
In your past life, you broke through in two days!
Are you telling me you were just one tiny step away, waiting for that final push?
"I suggest you stop holding back. Keep hiding your tricks, and you’ll be taking them to the grave."
Seeing his disbelief, Leng Yueshuang huffed. "Young Master, I’m not lying!"
Lin Luochen’s expression darkened as a long-buried memory resurfaced.
Back then, during that moment, Leng Yueshuang’s body had radiated moonlight, gradually tinged with blood.
His heart sank.
Heavens above, you’re really playing me!
Noticing his grim expression, Leng Yueshuang tried to reassure him.
"Don’t worry too much. My master can sense my location. Once the righteous path’s reinforcements arrive, she’ll find me!"
Lin Luochen hummed in acknowledgment, but he believed in self-reliance over waiting for rescue.
He pulled out the paper manuals she’d given him, flipping through them in desperation.
In his past life, illiterate and clueless, he wouldn’t have understood a word.
But after a century in the Jade Maiden Sect, he was well-read, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
What else was there to do when locked up with no one to even talk to, let alone procreate with?
Among the manuals, only one was an offensive technique—the Green Duckweed Sword Art.
This was Lin Luochen’s first real exposure to combat spells, and he devoured the contents hungrily.
Unlike the basic Aura Concealment Art, this sword art was riddled with obscure cultivation terms that made his head spin.
He mimed the movements, but his spiritual energy flow felt off—nothing clicked.
"What does ‘drawing energy from the Xun position of the earth veins into the Danzhong’ mean? Danzhong is the central hub of the Conception Vessel—how does it connect to the eight trigrams?"
Leng Yueshuang hesitated. This sword art wasn’t from the Jade Maiden Sect, and she’d never studied it deeply.
Moving closer, she examined the text before explaining.
"It refers to channeling thunder qi from the Zhen palace through footwork, then converting it into Xun wind energy via the Danzhong acupoint for the sword’s momentum…"
Lin Luochen pressed further. "The sword’s initial form mimics duckweed floating on water—how does that transition into the storm-like sword intent later?"
"The duckweed’s essence lies in using softness to overcome hardness," she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "The opening stance must contain seventy percent gentleness, then—"
Her focused demeanor, occasional hair adjustments, and faint floral scent made Lin Luochen increasingly restless.
Damn it, is this woman oblivious to her own allure?
Once all his questions were answered, he snapped the manual shut and scooted away.
"Thanks for the guidance. I’ll ponder the rest myself."
Leng Yueshuang smiled. "Feel free to ask if you have more doubts!"
"Got it. Focus on recovering."
Being near her is more exhausting than fighting beasts. I can’t keep testing my willpower.
The two settled into the cave, each feeling time crawl by.
Lin Luochen just wanted to escape this ordeal—the farther from Leng Yueshuang, the better.
Leng Yueshuang, meanwhile, had never shared close quarters with a man before. The awkwardness left her at a loss for words.
Thankfully, I don’t need to eat or… other things. Otherwise, I’d dig another spring out of sheer embarrassment.
Two evenings later.
Leng Yueshuang opened her eyes. After two days of meditation, she’d mostly recovered.
Though her internal injuries needed more time, her external wounds had healed without a scar.
Meanwhile, Lin Luochen was practicing sword forms with a dead branch, swirling motions producing faint green glows at the tip.
His movements flowed from gentle ripples to raging storms, layering momentum with each strike.
A glint of admiration flashed in Leng Yueshuang’s eyes.
His talent is astounding. His grasp of sword dao is terrifying.
With just a few pointers, he’s mastered this in days, as if born for the sword.
Pity he’s only at Qi Refining. Many techniques are beyond his current reach.
As Lin Luochen immersed himself, Leng Yueshuang turned away, retrieving the Fate-Reversal Stele from between her peaks.
Something felt off—it seemed lighter, its patterns subtly altered.
But she never suspected Lin Luochen.
Few have even seen this stele, and it’s been on me the whole time. How could it be swapped?
It must be the treasure concealing its own aura.
Lin Luochen, sneaking glances at the abyss, finally relaxed upon seeing her reaction.
If I hadn’t seen it myself, I’d never believe something so profound could be hidden so… deeply.
"You’re fully recovered?" he asked casually, sheathing his imaginary sword.
"Mn. Any updates?"
"So far, so good. They haven’t found us yet—but it’s only a matter of time."
Over the past two days, streaks of light had occasionally shot across the sky, accompanied by signal flares. The mountains were anything but peaceful.
The Miaoyin Sect disciples hadn’t just failed to locate them—they’d lost many members to the local beasts.
But reinforcements had arrived, conducting grid searches. Discovery was inevitable.
Still, their situation was far better than in his past life. At least they hadn’t spent days fleeing.
Back then, their general location had been exposed, leading to a swift hunt.
Now, thanks to Lin Luochen’s foresight, they’d enjoyed relative peace in this cave.
Yet Lin Luochen felt no joy. Anxious, he stepped to the cave mouth, watching the darkening sky.
Will the Blood Moon appear tonight?
Will Gu Qinghan and the righteous path arrive?
As night fell, the moon rose, climbing steadily until it hung directly overhead, bathing the world in soft silver.
But Lin Luochen’s heart grew cold.
No Blood Moon.
No beast tide.
No Gu Qinghan.
Watching the moon descend, his hopes sank with it.
Confused, Leng Yueshuang asked, "Young Master… are you alright?"
She didn’t understand why he suddenly seemed so defeated—his eyes filled with unwilling acceptance.
Lin Luochen sighed, forcing a wry smile.
"I’m fine. I’ll keep watch tonight. You rest—we’ve got a tough fight ahead."
Leng Yueshuang wanted to ask more, but his firm gaze silenced her. She obediently sat cross-legged, though her eyes kept drifting toward him.
What’s wrong with him?
Dawn’s first light.
Lin Luochen finally accepted the truth.
It’s exactly as I feared.
That Blood Moon hadn’t been a natural phenomenon—it was tied to Leng Yueshuang!
The Fate-Reversal Stele likely blocked tracking, but it also prevented Gu Qinghan from sensing Leng Yueshuang at all.
Gu Qinghan must have located them last time through the Blood Moon, or some change in Leng Yueshuang’s condition.
Lin Luochen groaned inwardly.
This brings us back to square one.
The solution was simple.
All it takes is one decisive thrust, and I’ll have a lifetime of security in the Jade Maiden Sect!
Heavens above, you’re really playing me!