Don't lie to me (1)

At the Jiuchong Demon Palace, Tianyi Hall.

Lin Qianshuang finished practicing the last section of the second layer of the Floating Sword Technique in meditation. Suddenly, her nose itched, and a loud sneeze jolted her out of the sea of divine consciousness.

Who was scolding her? Could it be the team leader?¹

It must have been after she left that those design proposals were seen and criticized by the team leader.

Lin Qianshuang pinched the itchy tip of her nose and thought in her heart, if she came to this world with the same passage of time as here, then wouldn’t it be that once she went back, she would be a several hundred year old goblin? She wondered if she could still use her citizenship, and if the police department’s staff had all changed several times.

“Host, please don’t worry,” the system reassured her. “The moment you arrived at [Conquest of the Four Realms], your time in the original world has stopped. As long as you can complete the mission safely and alive, this system will send you back at any time according to your instructions.”

Lin Qianshuang placed her hands behind her head and leaned against the headboard. She said nonchalantly, “Since you say so, I’m much more at ease. Cultivating as an immortal for ten years is but a fleeting moment, and a hundred years is merely a puff of smoke. I’m just afraid that when I return, my identity card with my current age will scare people. If I’m caught for research after finally succeeding here, that would be terrible.”

“Host, your actions in [Conquest of the Four Realms] have no impact on your reality, so please don’t worry.”

The system silently escaped, and the surroundings returned to silence.

Lin Qianshuang exhaled a cloudy breath.

During her recent cultivation, she had vaguely sensed a breakthrough in the third layer of the Floating Sword Technique. However, whenever she attempted to defeat the Phantom in the sea of ​​divine consciousness, she would consistently make mistakes in the final sword technique and be forcefully ejected from the barrier.

Something must be wrong.

Recalling the situation during the fight with the phantom, Lin Qianshuang once again crossed her legs and fell into meditation, deciding to try to break through the third layer again.

The sea of divine consciousness, which had been empty, gave birth to a vivid illusion.

The silver-white Frostwood Forest surged into view like a tidal wave of silver, and the fallen leaves in the sky carried a hint of elegant fragrance as they drifted into her nostrils.

Lin Qianshuang extended her hand and caught a fallen leaf that was floating down from the sky. It felt incredibly real. If she hadn’t known that she was meditating, she would have believed that she was actually standing in the Frostwood Forest outside of the Tianyi Hall.

“Shuang’er.”

The slightly deep female voice that tugged at one’s heartstrings was incomparably melodious as it came from behind her.

Lin Qianshuang would never forget this female voice that had impressed her from their first encounter!

Only Han Shengyao possessed such a heavenly sound that stirred the senses.

However, this was clearly her sea of ​​divine consciousness. How could Han Shengyao, who was far away in the Jiuyou Secret Realm, appear? Could it be that the third level of the Floating Sword Technique posed a second challenge?

Lin Qianshuang held the sword with doubts in her heart and was about to turn around when her red veil fluttered like a butterfly, and her arms were surrounded by a domineering force. Someone enveloped her in an extremely strong posture.

The person tightly grasped her waist and thrust it into their arms, as if trying to embed her into their body. Their hair intertwined with the wind, and the fiery red veil surrounding them floated around with the demonic aura, like countless swaying flowers in the misty wind and rain, broken and withered and then blossomed again.

Lin Qianshuang lowered her head and noticed the slender and delicate hands crossed in front of her waist. The silver ring on her wrist emitted a faint red light. There was no doubt that the person holding her tightly was Han Shengyao.

No matter how powerful the phantom, it could not have also impersonated the identity jade slip of the Demon Realm.

Lin Qianshuang was perplexed by Han Shengyao’s sudden appearance. Her eyes darkened, and she began to struggle, pulling at the arm around her waist. Her voice was low and panicked as she said, “Who are you? Why have you disguised yourself as my master to intrude into my sea of divine consciousness? Please leave, get out of my meditation!”

“Shuang’er, it’s me.”

Han Shengyao turned her disciple around and saw her trembling and frightened eyes. She couldn’t help but caress her face and explain, “Master is trapped in the Jiuyou Secret Realm and can only transform into a wisp of divine consciousness to meet you briefly.”

So that’s the case. No wonder she entered meditation and was actually in the Frostwood Forest. It should have been caused by the forced intervention of Han Shengyao’s divine consciousness.

“I see,” Lin Qianshuang said, surprise in her eyes. Tears welled up as she leaned against Han Shengyao’s shoulder. “Master, how have you been in the Jiuyou Secret Realm these days? Why did you leave without saying goodbye? Do you know how sad I was after you left? We didn’t even have time to say our last farewell.”

Han Shengyao gently wiped away the tears from Lin Qianshuang’s face and said, “It was my mistake. I thought I had enough ability to protect you, but only then did I realize that everything was not as simple as I thought. It was because I was too naive.”

Lin Qianshuang’s eyes glimmered with joy and a hint of sorrow. She clasped Han Shengyao’s hand that caressed her cheek and placed it over her heart. With a tender smile, she whispered, “It’s wonderful to see you, Master. I ask for nothing more.”

Han Shengyao listened to her disciple’s racing heartbeat, her smile like a potent aphrodisiac that quickened her breath. She longed to imprint her mark on that radiant face, to ravage those warm and supple lips, to savor their sweetness.

Lin Qianshuang noticed Han Shengyao’s deepening gaze and feared that she had acted too affectionately. She swiftly retreated, taking up her sword and executing moves from the third layer of the Floating Sword Technique.

Though it was a technique devised by a righteous cultivator, the graceful figure before her imbued it with a soft and captivating allure. Each step and glance seemed to tempt her in an instant.

Han Shengyao watched the woman dance amidst the falling leaves, her eyes darkening as her smile deepened.

Was her disciple deliberately tempting her?

After her second failed attempt, Lin Qianshuang dejectedly held her sword and turned to Han Shengyao. “Master, I’m stuck at the third level of the sword technique. Could you guide me? Is there something I’m missing that prevents me from advancing?”

Han Shengyao remained silent, her exquisite face devoid of emotion.

Lin Qianshuang was slightly disappointed as she looked at her master. What was the purpose of her visit to the sea of ​​consciousness? Was it simply to observe her?

It would be better to avoid such encounters. If she continued to engage in questionable behavior, these intermittent surveillances would become an inconvenience.

Lost in contemplation, Lin Qianshuang glanced at Han Shengyao. However, upon meeting her gaze, she quickly averted her eyes, her heart pounding with unease.

Han Shengyao’s gaze was unusual, deep and cold, as if she intended to devour her whole. Lin Qianshuang had merely inquired about the third level of the Floating Sword Technique. Had she inadvertently violated a taboo?

Lin Qianshuang’s thoughts were jumbled as she pondered. Suddenly, Han Shengyao approached her and grasped her wrist, guiding her in adjusting her sword stance.

“This move transforms qi into seven shadows with the sword. Your steps are unsteady, and your demonic energy is concentrated at the crown of your head. How can you hope master this technique like this?”

Han Shengyao’s words were warm and melodious in her ears. Lin Qianshuang couldn’t help but feel that Han Shengyao was standing too close, so close that she could even catch a whiff of her faint body fragrance.

Her gaze drifted slightly as she recalled how Han Shengyao had been just as patient when teaching her the zither in Yixiang Tower.

“When practicing swordsmanship, one must draw Qi from the Dantian. After three moves, the Qi will be gathered into the spiritual points of the arm, and then slowly directed to the palm of the hand and transferred to the sword body. Each time the sword is swung, one must grasp the release of the demonic Qi, so that the Qi can be dispersed and condensed into the Seven Swords, turned into a murderous blade.

The sword in her hand had disappeared at some point. Suddenly, she felt a sword pressed against her chest. Then the sword’s edge turned and gently touched several acupoints on her arm.

Lin Qianshuang secretly memorized the locations of those spiritual acupoints.

At this moment, Han Shengyao suddenly swung her sword towards her, but did not harm her, but controlled the appropriate distance.

Lin Qianshuang observed Han Shengyao’s swordsmanship. Each stroke was sharp and ruthless, as if she was forcing her opponent into a desperate situation.

Unbeknownst to her, the sword seemed to intentionally land its energy on Lin Qianshuang’s waist. Had she not dodged swiftly, her belt would have been severed.

Han Shengyao effortlessly released the last sword, transforming it into seven sharp blades made of sword energy. She approached Lin Qianshuang, who had been forced to retreat and sit on the ground. Han Shengyao gazed down at her condescendingly and inquired, “Did you see clearly? Where you were wrong?”

“This disciple understands. Thank you for your guidance, Master.”

Lin Qianshuang raised her eyes to see that Han Shengyao’s cold face suddenly melted and smiled brightly and movingly, causing a hint of unease in her heart. She unconsciously moved back a little.

Suddenly, her ankle was grabbed and pulled forward fiercely, and her shoes flew somewhere. When she regained consciousness, her bare toes were already wrapped in the warm palms.

On the snow-white feet, the round toes were pale pink, appearing small and adorable in the palm of the hand.

Han Shengyao pursed her lips and stared at Lin Qianshuang, her eyes dark and menacing. She had given her disciple ample hints, yet why did she refuse to confess her actions? She and Bai Wan had clearly kissed, or was the song “Phoenix Seeks its Mate” just for show?

Lin Qianshuang awkwardly supported herself on the ground with both hands, one foot still held captive by Han Shengyao. She was about to inquire about Han Shengyao’s intentions when her foot suddenly became unbearably itchy, causing her to tremble with laughter.

“Hahaha, hahaha, Master, please release me. This… this is unbearable, it’s too itchy, hahaha…”

Han Shengyao watched as Lin Qianshuang shook with laughter, her almond eyes forming crescents and tears of amusement pooling in them. Her gaze drifted inadvertently, lending her an exceptionally delicate and affectionate air. Her lips trembled, and her voice became slightly altered due to her uncontrollable laughter. Each chuckle fell upon Han Shengyao’s heart like a feather, making it itch even more.

The color in her eyes deepened, and the temperature of her breath rose.

Lin Qianshuang saw the change in Han Shengyao’s demeanor clearly. She wondered what she had done wrong, especially since Han Shengyao’s words “Where you were wrong?” just now seemed to have another meaning.

“Master, I’m not aware of any wrongdoing on my part. Please enlighten me.”

Finally, her feet were still. Lin Qianshuang retrieved them and hugged them tightly, watching Han Shengyao’s expression intently. She feared that Han Shengyao might act out again, causing her further embarrassment.

“Didn’t you inquire about my abrupt departure?”

Han Shengyao’s gaze held a hint of laziness as she looked down at Lin Qianshuang and said, “It was Bai Wan who used a formation to send me to the most dangerous refining forest in the Jiuyou Secret Realm. If I hadn’t obtained the Tourmaline and inherited the cultivation of my predecessors, I would have been devoured by those demonic beasts long ago.”

Upon hearing that Han Shengyao had acquired the Tourmaline, Lin Qianshuang feigned an expression of anticipation and said, “Master, it’s wonderful that you have obtained the Tourmaline!”

“I am aware of the music you played at the inn that day, as well as your involvement with Bai Wan. Initially, I believed you had been misled by her, but upon entering your sea of consciousness today, it became clear that you are fully aware of your actions.”

Han Shengyao lowered herself and gripped Lin Qianshuang’s chin, her eyes reflecting a complex mixture of emotions as she said, “Tell me, what is truly happening between you and Bai Wan? Are you genuinely interested in her? This individual’s origins are unknown, and her intentions are questionable. I have repeatedly instructed you to distance yourself from her!”

Lin Qianshuang bit her lower lip. Han Shengyao must have misunderstood her relationship with Bai Wan. Having obtained the Tourmaline, she must have received the inheritance of the Domain Lord. At this moment, Han Shengyao has already reached the pinnacle of cultivation in the demon world. Such a powerful Han Shengyao has become the ideal that Lin Qianshuang was aiming for. After completing the mission, she will have to leave the Demon Realm. It is better to endure the short-term pain of ending their relationship now rather than causing deeper hurt later.

Such a long separation would be enough for Han Shengyao to slowly heal from all of this, and perhaps when she returns again, they can go their separate ways.

Lin Qianshuang struggled in her heart for a long time, but finally stopped pretending and said indifferently, “I’m afraid I’m going to disappoint my master. I have a crush in my heart, but it’s not Bai Wan.”

Han Shengyao’s eyes narrowed dangerously, as she pinched Lin Qianshuang’s chin with a slight force and said coldly, “Who is it? If it isn’t Bai Wan, why do you two have such intimate interactions, what other relationship would there be?”

Lin Qianshuang glanced at Han Shengyao with a hint of mockery in her eyes and spoke, “I hold a grudge against the Demon Emperor. Aren’t you curious as to why my aptitude is suited for swordsmanship? Ah, before my demise, I was a disciple of the Penglai Immortal Sect. Had it not been for the Demon Emperor’s persecution, I wouldn’t have fallen to this wretched place and become an existence that is neither human nor ghost.”

Han Shengyao’s expression froze, and she released her grip on Lin Qianshuang’s chin. Lin Qianshuang stared at Han Shengyao with hatred in her eyes and sneered, “Master, you are truly foolish. I have told you…”