If Xia Lianqiao had a system by her side at this moment, she might have been able to see Bai Ji'an's fluctuating favorability, which was like a rollercoaster ride.
The problem was, she didn’t have time to think about it right now. Having just broken through to the Mingdao Realm for the first time, Xia Lianqiao didn’t want to waste this golden opportunity. After retreating behind Bai Ji'an, she focused intently on trying to control her sword energy to support him.
After breaking through to the Mingdao Realm, Bai Ji'an, just as described in the original text, swiftly slayed eighteen demons. His white robe billowed without wind, and his sword energy shot out like meteors.
However, the evil dragon of the Xiao Clan seemed determined to stay hidden, only sending out its minions to fight.
The fish-headed monsters, having failed their sneak attack, brandished their weapons and cursed viciously, "You’re asking for death!"
With that, one of them swung its large blade, its eyes gleaming with malice, and brought it down toward Xia Lianqiao, the weakest in the group.
The gleaming blade hovered dangerously close to her neck, sending a chill down Xia Lianqiao’s spine. She clumsily manipulated her still-unpracticed sword energy, rolling around in the chaotic swirl of demonic aura and smoke.
Clang—
The executioner’s blade narrowly missed her cheek as she dodged to the side, cold sweat pouring down her face.
The fish-headed demon, seeing her in such a sorry state, taunted her, "Hahaha, are humans only good at running away?"
What? Was this fish-headed demon seriously spouting racial slurs and stereotypes?!
Before she knew it, she was surrounded by seven or eight smaller demons, and her body was already bleeding in several places. Clutching her bloodied shoulder, Xia Lianqiao gritted her teeth, cursing inwardly and mentally listing all the ways she could prepare salmon sashimi, garlic-roasted oysters, and spicy squid.
Just as the seven or eight blades were about to come down on her shoulders, Xia Lianqiao thought, "This is bad."
Bai Ji'an’s expression shifted slightly. He tried to step in front of her to help, but the other sea demons quickly surrounded him, leaving him unable to break free.
"This is the end," she thought.
Gasping for breath and clutching her bleeding wound, Xia Lianqiao pursed her lips and watched the descending blade light, unable to suppress the cold dread in her heart as she closed her eyes.
Seriously? Was she really going to die so soon after transmigrating? Was this the fastest way to get written off? So much for the underdog rising to power trope—it was all a lie.
"Why aren’t you running anymore?" the fish-headed demon laughed mockingly, clearly enjoying itself.
Xia Lianqiao kept her eyes closed, ignoring the taunts, her palm secretly gripping a strand of sword energy.
The fish-headed demon continued to ramble, "Who was it that was so scared they pissed themselves and ran away like a coward?"
"Let your grandpa decide how to deal with you. Should I behead you or cut you in half? Or maybe I’ll make human sashimi out of you?"
Xia Lianqiao, unable to hold back her frustration, coldly retorted, "Have you ever heard the saying that villains die because they talk too much?"
The fish-headed demon, of course, didn’t get the reference. As it sneered and slowly approached, the previously calm sea currents suddenly began to churn violently, as if pulled by an invisible force, roaring like thunder!
Both the fish-headed demon and Xia Lianqiao were stunned, instinctively looking up. The sea grew increasingly turbulent, as if stirred by an enormous, unseen hand.
By the time the fish-headed demon realized something was wrong, it was too late. It turned to flee, but suddenly, a streak of sword light shot in from the distance.
In the next instant—
A spray of blood filled the air as a severed arm flew into the sky!
The fish-headed demon screamed internally, "This is bad!"
Without even bothering to retrieve its severed limb, it clutched the bleeding stump and fled.
The sea churned and roared as a white-robed Daoist appeared, floating in mid-air, surrounded by countless sword energies that gleamed like a forest of blades.
The young man slightly lowered his gaze, his expression cold and aloof, a thin red scar like blood etched between his brows.
Xia Lianqiao, still clutching her bleeding arm, looked up in shock and found herself locking eyes with Ling Chongxiao.
The young man’s gaze briefly swept over the aura surrounding her before he calmly averted his eyes and said, "How dare mere beasts speak of life and death in my presence?"
The sword light radiated with overwhelming power, descending like a meteor shower. In an instant, the light split into countless streaks, one of which chased after the fish-headed demon. No matter how much the demon struggled, the sword light locked onto it, circling its neck once before the demon’s head, still frozen in terror, followed its severed arm into the sky.
Another sword light flashed, and the headless corpse was instantly cut in half at the waist. The sword light didn’t stop there—it continued to twist and churn, reducing the remains to a bloody pulp.
The fish-headed demon’s earlier jest about beheading, cutting in half, and making sashimi had become a grim reality.
Wherever the meteor-like sword light passed, the demonic aura was pushed back. The sword light shone brilliantly, and the weaker demons were instantly reduced to ashes.
Only then did Ling Chongxiao descend from the void, stepping down as if descending a staircase, his movements graceful and effortless.
"Fellow Daoist Ling!"
With Ling Chongxiao’s sudden appearance and his swift annihilation of the demons, Li Langhuan was overjoyed, her pressure immediately relieved. The young Daoist she had been fighting, however, felt a pang of dread at the sight of this newcomer.
Li Langhuan and the young Daoist were evenly matched, and the battle had been hanging in the balance.
In the brief moment the young Daoist was distracted, Li Langhuan’s almond-shaped eyes flashed with cold determination. Seizing the opportunity, she summoned her flying sword and pierced the young Daoist’s shoulder.
Though her strike wasn’t as powerful as Ling Chongxiao’s, it was still lethal. The young Daoist’s face paled, and before he could devise an escape plan, he was struck in the chest by the sword energy, coughing up blood and collapsing unconscious.
Li Langhuan’s eyes brightened slightly as she sheathed her sword, a gentle smile replacing the cold killing intent from moments before.
"Are you unharmed?" Ling Chongxiao asked with a slight nod.
"I’m fine, thanks to your timely arrival," Li Langhuan replied with a wry smile. "I don’t even know how many times you’ve saved me now…"
Ling Chongxiao responded, "Slaying demons and protecting the innocent is our duty."
"You’re right," Li Langhuan said, her expression softening. "I was overthinking it. We disciples should support and rely on each other…"
As she spoke, Li Langhuan suddenly remembered something and hurried over to Xia Lianqiao and Bai Ji'an. "Lianqiao, Fellow Daoist Bai, are you two alright?"
"I’m fine, Fellow Daoist Li," Xia Lianqiao quickly replied, shaking her head like a rattle drum. Inside, her inner self was clutching her chest and swooning.
Li Langhuan was just too adorable! She had completely healed the frustration Xia Lianqiao had felt earlier!
She had seen it all—Li Langhuan seizing the moment, decisively defeating her opponent, and then turning around with that warm, sweet smile!
What kind of angelic being was this sweet yet fierce girl?
Xia Lianqiao had absolutely no resistance to Li Langhuan’s righteous yet unsentimental demeanor, her cold and clear-eyed approach to battle.
After confirming that Xia Lianqiao was unharmed, Li Langhuan turned to Bai Ji'an, who was also staring intently at her. When their eyes met, Bai Ji'an gave a bitter smile and said, "I’m sorry. My lack of skill nearly dragged everyone down…"
Li Langhuan was taken aback and quickly reassured him, "Fellow Daoist Bai, why would you say that…"
The two of them began speaking in low voices, and by this point, Xia Lianqiao was practically fainting from excitement. The fragile Bai Ji'an and the dashing Li Langhuan! A strong, independent woman and a troubled man—this was the best kind of ship!
As she continued to ship them, Xia Lianqiao couldn’t help but glance at Ling Chongxiao, only to find the young man expressionlessly watching the two of them, their voices growing softer until they were practically whispering into each other’s ears.
Not that she was being mean, but…
What’s the point of shipping a couple without a third wheel, right?
Bai Ji'an’s bitter smile had completely captured Li Langhuan’s attention. Was this all part of his plan, Bai Ji'an?
Did you feel threatened by Ling Chongxiao’s cool, heroic display? Did you?!
The colder Ling Chongxiao’s expression became, the more twistedly excited Xia Lianqiao felt, her inner self waving its fists and cheering for this double-standard sugar.
Until, Ling Chongxiao’s eyelashes flickered, and his gaze suddenly settled on her.
"…"
And there she was, still wearing the most twisted, fangirl grin imaginable.
Xia Lianqiao: "…"
Having seen her own twisted smile in her phone screen before—and even having her phone hit her in the face because of it—Xia Lianqiao knew exactly how crazy her expression looked when she was shipping a couple. She quickly composed herself, coughing awkwardly and putting on her most innocent and righteous face.
"Uh…"
Though you looked quite dashing when you came to rescue us, in my daughter's heart, no matter how dashing you are, you can't compare to the fragile and distant Bai Ji'an.
Thinking this, Xia Lianqiao couldn't help but feel a surge of sympathy. "Handsome, you..."
Ling Chongxiao raised his eyes expressionlessly: "?"
"Um, Fellow Daoist Ling," Xia Lianqiao cleared her throat and spoke sincerely, "thank you for earlier."
Ling Chongxiao took a step forward, his tone indifferent: "No need."
"Oh." After a brief pause, Xia Lianqiao mustered her courage and asked, "Fellow Daoist Ling, don't you think Fellow Daoist Li and Fellow Daoist Bai make a perfect match?"
Ling Chongxiao stared expressionlessly at the two figures in the distance, his thoughts unclear: "Not at all."
"I think Fellow Daoist Li and Brother Bai are a perfect pair, a match made in heaven," Xia Lianqiao muttered. "Or maybe a talented woman and a handsome man? Wait, no, my Sister Huan is both talented and beautiful..."
While she was lost in her thoughts, Ling Chongxiao had already started to walk away.
So, since they look so perfect together, you shouldn't interfere...
"Hey, hey, hey!" Before she could voice her inner thoughts, Xia Lianqiao looked up and saw the white-robed figure walking away. She quickly lifted her skirt and chased after him. "Fellow Daoist Ling, wait for me!"
Kidding aside, after a fight, adrenaline is still pumping through your veins. Isn't it said that after men and women escape danger together, their desire to reproduce increases? How could Ling Chongxiao interfere when the couple was trying to build their relationship?
Xia Lianqiao hurriedly caught up, her steps quick as she blocked Ling Chongxiao's path.
Ling Chongxiao looked down at her coldly.
Xia Lianqiao gave an awkward laugh. "Fellow Daoist, I haven't finished speaking."
Ling Chongxiao: "What is there to discuss between you and me?"
"Don't say that." Xia Lianqiao thought for a moment, her gaze quickly sweeping over the ruins around them. "I haven't fully expressed my gratitude yet."
Thanks to this professional demolition team, the palace gates were now in ruins, and the remaining small demons quickly retreated into the hall.
Countless precious corals and pearls were scattered on the ground. Xia Lianqiao crouched down, carefully picking through the debris until she found a clean, unremarkable shell. She held it out to Ling Chongxiao.
Ling Chongxiao simply looked at her, not reaching out to take it.
"This is for you. Sorry, I don't have anything valuable on me. This is all I could find here." Xia Lianqiao muttered, "I'll make it up to you with a proper gift later, but for now, this will have to do."
Ling Chongxiao: "Just this ordinary shell?"
"Don't underestimate this shell," Xia Lianqiao said with a smile, holding the shell up high and turning it in the air so the shimmering light reflected off its jade-like surface. "This shell was just an ordinary shell, but after I give it to you, it gains a unique value."
The young man remained motionless, his tone cold: "What do you mean?"
"So, from now on, this shell, which I—a unique individual—have bestowed with value, becomes the one and only shell in the world!"
"A shell that belongs only to you!"
Holding the shell high, Xia Lianqiao deliberately gestured with her hands, making an exaggerated "surprise" motion as she spouted nonsense with a straight face: "Congratulations, you now possess the one and only shell in the world!"
As she spoke, she gestured for Ling Chongxiao to hold out his hand.
Nonsense.
Ling Chongxiao's dark lashes flickered slightly, but for some reason, his heart was persuaded by this absurd reasoning. His fingers twitched, but before he could react, the girl in front of him, like a nimble and clingy puppy, quickly reached out.
She was dressed in green today, her hair tied in double buns.
Her temples were adorned with clusters of bright yellow forsythia flowers, and two strands of hair hung down in front of her chest, the ends slightly curled, like a puppy shaking its fur. Her clear, bright eyes sparkled with light.
The shell was promptly shoved into his palm. "Here, say thank you to the shell!"
The moment their fingertips touched, a strange, slippery sensation passed between them. The young man stiffened unconsciously, instinctively pulling his hand away and stepping back to put some distance between them. Yet, his fair, jade-like fingers still clutched the shell, hidden under his sleeve, tightening and loosening repeatedly.
What kind of absurdity was this "thank the shell" nonsense?
After delivering her gift, Xia Lianqiao noticed that Li Langhuan and Bai Ji'an seemed to have finished their conversation. Without lingering, she lifted her tattered skirt and quickly ran over to Li Langhuan.
The two of them were standing in front of the unconscious young Daoist, discussing how to deal with him.
"This man's identity is unclear. If he really is a disciple of the righteous path, it wouldn't be appropriate to kill him here," Bai Ji'an said.
"Ah, Lianqiao, you're here?" Li Langhuan looked up and noticed her.
Li Langhuan and the others didn't know the young Daoist's true identity, but Xia Lianqiao did.
Crouching in front of the young Daoist, Xia Lianqiao pretended to carefully examine him several times before feigning surprise and hinting, "Fellow Daoist Li, Brother Bai, don't you think this person looks a bit familiar?"
"Familiar?" The two of them were momentarily stunned.
"Yes," Xia Lianqiao pointed at the young Daoist. "Doesn't he look a bit like the ancestor of the Chen Family that the Chen family head showed us?"
Bai Ji'an: "...Are you saying?"
Li Langhuan glanced at Bai Ji'an, and both of them looked surprised. "Chen Xuan?!"
