Chapter 56: Chapter 54: No Money, Then... Pay in Kind
"That’s it?"
"That’s it."
After several lifetimes, Du Youqian was well aware that women were enigmatic creatures, but he still couldn’t for the life of him figure this out. "Then why did you say you were unhappy to see him? I honestly couldn’t tell what he did to offend you."
The Demoness blinked. Her expression was unreadable beneath her veil. "Is that so? Young Master Qiu, you think he didn’t offend me, which must mean *I’m* the one making a scene for no reason, is that it?"
’You’ve got some self-awareness, at least,’ Du Youqian grumbled inwardly.
However, since he had no intention of dying just yet, he naturally kept the thought to himself.
"I know he’s an annoying person. He must have accidentally said something he shouldn’t have, or maybe the way he looked at you made you uncomfortable. Don’t take it to heart. I’ll apologize on his behalf," Du Youqian said, gesturing toward the lake. "Let’s not talk. Let’s just enjoy the scenery."
"...Mm."
A wind blew in from the lake, playfully lifting the Demoness’s veil.
It sent their robes fluttering, making it seem as if they were about to ride the wind and ascend into the heavens.
The two stood side by side. He was valiant and handsome; while her face and figure were obscured, her aura alone was a rarity in this world.
Anyone who saw them would have to praise them in their hearts:
’What a perfect couple.’
Admiring the scenery was a boring affair. Lin Sha rarely indulged in poetic melancholy.
But with him by her side, even the scenery seemed to grow more beautiful.
Before she knew it, most of the resentment she’d been holding onto had vanished.
"I’ve reached Qi Cultivation Perfection," Lin Sha said, breaking the silence. "And I was fortunate enough to win first place in our Sect’s recent tournament. The Sect rewarded me with a Foundation Establishment Pill."
She turned slightly to look Du Youqian right in the eyes, but just as quickly looked down, hiding her gaze. "I’ll be able to attempt Foundation Establishment soon. I just need another year or two to get my body and mind into peak condition."
Du Youqian smiled. "Attempting Foundation Establishment after only thirteen years of cultivation... what incredible talent. In the Zhongxuan Sect, you’d be a True Inheritor, treasured by the entire Sect."
Lin Sha smiled faintly. "In our Holy Sect, reaching Qi Cultivation Perfection in thirteen years is fast, but not unheard of. Besides, our Cultivation Techniques are different. If I were cultivating one of your orthodox Profound Sects’ techniques, I might not have come this far."
"You’re not even forty yet... If you succeed this time, you might even have a chance to try for Core Formation before you’re sixty."
"That’s too far in the future. I need to get through Foundation Establishment first," Lin Sha said, shaking her head.
Du Youqian felt that her tone was a bit strange.
She seemed to lack confidence about Foundation Establishment.
That was strange. Given her age and talent, Foundation Establishment should have been a sure thing.
Du Youqian wanted to probe further, but Lin Sha clearly didn’t wish to discuss it and quickly changed the subject.
"I heard, Qing Lang, that you became a True Inheritor of the Zhongxuan Sect. Within just a few years, your prowess was so great that no one in the entire Sect dared to challenge you. When I heard such a magnificent story, I wanted to raise a toast to you from afar. I always knew a peerless figure like you would one day shine so dazzlingly. I just never thought that day would come so soon."
Even though Du Youqian had grown used to flattery over the years, he still felt a bit embarrassed hearing Lin Sha’s sincere, fervent praise and seeing the worshipful admiration in her eyes.
In terms of raw talent, he couldn’t hold a candle to Lin Sha.
It was only because he had an unfair advantage—using the experience from his past life to build a foundation for this one—that he had a higher starting point than everyone else.
But then again, everything he had achieved was still the fruit of his own labor.
’In this life, I’m cultivating with a Lower Grade Spirit Root, yet my progress is comparable to someone with a Middle Grade Spirit Root. Isn’t that because I accumulated enough experience in my past life?’
’I became a True Inheritor through my mastery of Cultivation Techniques, and some in the Sect grumbled about it. They’d say that Yang Zaisi and Pei Guangming had put in decades of effort, so on what grounds could a brat like Qiu Yuanqing surpass them after just a few years?’
’What those people don’t know is that I also spent decades in solitary cultivation and study. The blood, sweat, and tears I’ve poured into this are no less than what Yang Zaisi or Pei Guangming have invested.’
Du Youqian felt not a shred of guilt for surpassing them.
"Ahem, don’t say I’m peerless. I don’t even know how big the world is. All I know are the Nine Countries of Momenan Desert. I’m completely ignorant. Calling myself peerless would just make me a frog in a well."
The frost in Lin Sha’s eyes had long since thawed, replaced by the warmth of early spring and a burgeoning smile. "My Sect happens to have some records about the outside world."
"I’m extremely interested in that kind of knowledge," Du Youqian said, seizing the opportunity. "If you ever get the chance, I’d be eternally grateful if you could make me a copy of all the information your Sect has that isn’t related to its Cultivation or Secret Techniques."
Lin Sha rolled her eyes at him. "Alright. But what will you offer in exchange for such precious knowledge, Qing Lang?"
"Well..."
"Surely the great True Inheritor of the Zhongxuan Sect isn’t completely broke. I’m not greedy. Just trade two Middle Grade Spiritual Artifacts for it!"
To be honest, it wasn’t that Du Youqian couldn’t obtain Spiritual Artifacts meant for Foundation Establishment Cultivators; he just didn’t have any on him right now.
Before he could even speak, Lin Sha suddenly grabbed his arm and took a leap, pulling him along. "If you don’t have money, you can pay with your body!"
"..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
「The next day.」
Du Youqian, throwing on a robe, walked to the window and discreetly pounded his lower back.
’I’m at the Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation and have the foundation of a Martial Arts Innate Grandmaster,’ he thought, ’but even I can barely handle it.’
’A Demoness at Qi Cultivation Perfection... truly is something else.’
’What am I going to do when she reaches Foundation Establishment?’
’If she’s still like this after Foundation Establishment, will I even survive?!’
’No way. I have to hurry up and get to Foundation Establishment myself...’
At this thought, Du Youqian recalled the hesitant look on Lin Sha’s face when they had discussed Foundation Establishment.
’Could it be? Is she going to face some kind of difficulty with her Foundation Establishment?’
"Qing Lang, what are you thinking about?" A pair of hands gently wrapped around him from behind.
Her supple, warm body pressed against his back.
Du Youqian turned back and smiled at her, just about to ask her why she felt pessimistic about Foundation Establishment.
But the words died on his lips.
’Lin Sha’s personality is actually very stubborn; her word is final.’
’If she doesn’t want to talk about it, it’s useless for me to ask.’
’I’ll have to find out from another source.’
"I was thinking, I have to go back, otherwise Nephew Guo will get worried."
"Don’t worry about him. We haven’t seen each other in ten years. Why are you bringing him up?"
Du Youqian smiled. "If he sends word back to the Sect, it could get complicated."
"Is it because you don’t want the Sect to know you’re involved with a Demoness from the Demon Sect, Qing Lang?"
"I’m a True Disciple. Something like this can’t touch me," Du Youqian said coolly. "But you’re on Zhongxuan Sect territory. What if some old hard-liner in the Sect gets a sudden urge to ’slay demons and vanquish evil’? I don’t want you to be in any danger."
Lin Sha let out a soft murmur and pressed her face against Du Youqian’s back.
It was as if she wanted to stay clinging to him like this until the end of time.
She was the very picture of a young woman head-over-heels in love—so sweet it was almost cloying. Where was even a hint of the murderous aura of that cold-blooded demon?
