Once Wu Shuang had left, Qing Yi frowned, pulling out an object from his sleeve. It was a Thunder Talisman, the one Bai Shuo had thrown during their escape from the Abyssal Marsh.
With a slight movement of his fingers, he summoned a faint trace of immortal energy from the talisman. It was weak but bore the distinct signature of an orthodox Immortal Sect.
If she already has a sect, why would she lie about coming to Phoenix Island to find a master?
And if she’s an immortal, why would she ask about Hao Yue Hall?
Qing Yi sighed, pocketing the Thunder Talisman, and left Jiu Hua Pavilion.
* * *
Inside the room, Chong Zhao was seated at his desk in deep concentration when the door opened, and Er Yun entered with a bowl of medicinal herbs.
Chong Zhao looked up, about to greet him, but his expression shifted. “You…”
“Oh, you noticed?” In the candlelight, Er Yun’s cold face morphed into another—Fu Ling’s. She placed the bowl in front of him. “Boiled with thousand-year-old ganoderma. It’ll restore your spiritual energy.”
Outside the window, Bai Shuo, hoping for a grand Miao Miao reunion, peered in and spotted the figure’s face. She froze, hand clamped over her mouth.
How could it be her? The demon lady who hunted down the Big Demon on Mu Xiao Mountain three years ago?!
The memory of Fu Ling’s face, bow drawn with deadly intent, flashed vividly in her mind.
Why is A-Zhao involved with her?
“No need,” Chong Zhao said, standing and placing a porcelain bottle on the table. “I appreciate your concern, but please take your spirit medicine back.”
“You’re so concerned about others finding out that you’re acquainted with a demon woman?” Fu Ling glanced at the unopened medicine bottle, her expression turning self-mocking. “Of course. You’re the unrivaled talent of the Immortal Realm, personally chosen by Jin Yao for spiritual training in the Celestial Palace, with a boundless future ahead of you. It makes sense you’d want to distance yourself from someone like me.”
"It’s not like that."
Fu Ling turned to leave, but Chong Zhao spoke up, halting her steps. She turned back, looking at him intently.
"Not like that? What do you mean by ‘not like that’?"
"If not for Your Excellency’s protective spirit mark, I would’ve died in Foreign City. The promise I made to you that day wasn’t just flattery, but…" Chong Zhao hesitated. "Your Excellency’s intentions—Chong Zhao cannot accept them, nor am I worthy of them."
Fu Ling froze, staring at him, then suddenly leaned close to his face. Caught off guard, Chong Zhao stumbled back a couple of steps, only for Fu Ling to pull him right back, bringing them face-to-face.
"So you knew," Fu Ling murmured, her gaze steady as she leaned close to his ear, her breath warm as she whispered, "What is it? My intentions can’t be accepted…"
Chong Zhao’s face went stiff as he tried to push her away, but her voice dropped, turning sly. "Yet you’re so willing to accept that childhood friend’s feelings? But who’s to say she thinks of you in the same way…"
Chong Zhao’s expression shifted, and outside the window, Bai Shuo, who had been watching as Fu Ling leaned even closer to Chong Zhao, accidentally brushed the shutters with her fingers.
Oh no, now I’m done for!
In an instant, a vine sprang from the room, wrapping around Bai Shuo as she attempted to flee.
With a loud thud, Bai Shuo tumbled to the floor in front of them, landing face-first. Fu Ling’s expression turned ice-cold as her demon flower morphed into a sword, striking down.
"Stop!" Chong Zhao swept his immortal sword through the air, cutting off the demon flower’s attack. A straw hat fell away, revealing Bai Shuo’s pitiful face.
"A-Shuo?!" Chong Zhao stared, momentarily short of breath.
Bai Shuo jumped up and hid behind him, shouting, "A-Zhao, keep your distance from her!"
Fu Ling’s face turned even colder as she made to attack again, but Chong Zhao fully shielded Bai Shuo and glared at Fu Ling in warning. "Demon Lord Fu Ling, remember, this is Phoenix Island."
Fu Ling hesitated, looking deeply at Chong Zhao before flicking her sleeve and leaving.
Chong Zhao glanced at the medicinal herbs and the medicine bottle left on the table, his gaze lingering on Fu Ling’s retreating figure. He hesitated, wanting to say something, but finally sighed and remained silent.
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