45: The secret has been exposed!

At the thank-you banquet in the Canglan Hall, Lu Yu found the food tasteless, and his heart was pounding with trepidation.

It felt tasteless because no matter how good the spiritual food was, his mind was completely elsewhere.

His heart was pounding because he felt like an exhibit under a spotlight, and one with a "Sold, Do Not Touch" label at that.

Leng Qingshuang's gentle gaze and hidden cunning were like a feather, repeatedly teasing the tip of his heart.

Luo Qingxue seemed calm, but the occasional glances she threw his way always made him wonder if she had noticed something.

The most lethal was Eldest Senior Sister Ling Feiyan. Her eyes were like a scanning array, scanning him calmly from time to time, especially near the small red mark on his neck that Leng Qingshuang had accidentally left and was barely covered by his collar.

When Leng Qingshuang bit him last night, she had even circulated her spiritual power. With his meager Nascent Soul cultivation, he couldn't possibly eliminate a red mark left by someone at the Mahayana Stage!

Lu Yu felt like a middle school student caught in a puppy love by a parent, yet still having to act as if nothing was wrong.

By the end of the meal, the sweat on his back hadn't dried once.

He finally managed to endure until the end of the banquet, and the various Elders and War Demon Army generals took their leave one after another.

Leng Qingshuang sat in the main seat, nodding slightly with elegant poise. However, when no one was looking, her fingertips brushed almost imperceptibly over her still slightly swollen lips, a faint smile flickering in her ice-blue eyes.

Just as Lu Yu was about to slip away, he was called back by Ling Feiyan.

"Little Seven."

Ling Feiyan's voice wasn't loud, but it possessed an unquestionable penetration.

"Come with me, I have something to ask you."

Lu Yu's heart skipped a beat, and he glanced at Luo Qingxue beside him.

Luo Qingxue nodded gently to him, signaling him to go ahead, her eyes clear and devoid of much emotion.

"Yes, Eldest Senior Sister."

Lu Yu steeled himself and agreed. After saying a few words to Lin Wanqiu, he followed behind Ling Feiyan and left the Canglan Hall.

Ling Feiyan didn't go anywhere else, leading him straight back to the camp where the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Sect's War Demon Army was temporarily stationed within the Canglan Sacred Sect.

The camp was located on a high-altitude platform on the outskirts of the Sect, overlooking the busy reconstruction scenes below.

The Black-armored soldiers were highly disciplined. Upon seeing Ling Feiyan, they saluted one after another, casting curious or friendly glances at Lu Yu.

Entering Ling Feiyan's temporary tent, which was simple to the point of being cold and harsh, there was nothing inside except a low table and a prayer mat.

The air was filled with a faint scent of iron, blood, and coldness, matching its owner's temperament.

Ling Feiyan sat down on the prayer mat and pointed to the opposite side. Lu Yu sat down obediently, his back straight as a ramrod, waiting for a lecture.

Ling Feiyan didn't speak immediately, but used her eyes, which were like cold stars, to look him up and down thoroughly, as if she were meeting this Junior Martial Brother for the first time.

Her gaze lingered for a few extra seconds on his neck, wrists, and other places where marks might have been left.

At such a young age, he had such means—he had actually won over the Holy Revered Master of the Canglan Sacred Sect!

How had she not noticed he had such methods when he was younger?

Leng Qingshuang's age was significant; she wasn't some naive young girl. As the Holy Revered Master of the Canglan Sacred Sect, her vision and perspective were certainly not those of a small place.

To think she could be won over by her Junior Martial Brother... it seemed this Junior Martial Brother of hers was truly hiding his depths.

At the same time, she hadn't realized how fast time had flown. In the blink of an eye, the little brat who used to follow her around and only reached her knees now had a Dao Companion.

For a moment, her heart was filled with mixed emotions, like seeing a boy she had raised grow up in an instant.

Lu Yu felt extremely uncomfortable being watched and was complaining wildly in his heart.

Eldest Senior Sister, can't you just say what's on your mind? This look is even scarier than Tang Wu's Demonic Technique!

"Early Stage Nascent Soul, stable Realm, condensed spiritual power, and a Physical Body... that is nearly perfect."

Ling Feiyan finally spoke, her tone flat as if she were evaluating a Magical Artifact.

"It seems you have gained quite a lot from this trip to the Canglan Region."

"It's all thanks to Revered Master's guidance, some help within the Canglan Sacred Sect, and a bit of luck."

Lu Yu replied cautiously.

Ling Feiyan raised an eyebrow slightly, her eyes carrying a hint of playfulness.

"Luck? What kind of luck allows you to attract thirty-seven Heavenly Tribulations and also be with the Canglan Holy Master..."

She paused, seemingly weighing her words, then looked at Lu Yu tentatively.

"...closely related?"

Here it comes!

Sure enough, there's no escaping it!

Lu Yu's scalp tingled, and his brain worked rapidly, wondering whether he should confess honestly or continue playing dumb.

"Eldest Senior Sister, the Holy Revered Master Cold and I... it's mainly because I was fortunate enough to help alleviate a strange poison within her. The Holy Revered Master remembered this favor and has looked after me quite a bit."

He decided to adopt a strategy of half-truths, emphasizing the doctor-patient relationship and Sect friendship.

"Alleviating a strange poison?"

Ling Feiyan repeated, her gaze becoming sharper.

"How was it alleviated? As far as I know, even Revered Master, who is extremely well-informed, was helpless against the poison the Canglan Holy Master was afflicted with."

"Well... I have a special Physique. I had an encounter not long ago, and my Pure Yang Body evolved into the Nine Yang Haori Body. This Physique is even more yang and robust compared to the Pure Yang Body, which happened to counter that cold poison. Specifically... I just transferred some spiritual power to help."

Lu Yu spoke vaguely, without blushing or his heart racing.

Ling Feiyan stared at him for a few moments. Suddenly, the corner of her mouth twitched ever so slightly—it could hardly be called a smile, yet it sent a chill through Lu Yu.

"Transferred some spiritual power? Transferred it to the point where you needed to go to the Holy Revered Master's private Cold Pool in the back mountains in the middle of the night for private healing?"

Lu Yu: (QVQ)!!!!!

Lu Yu almost jumped off the prayer mat.

How did Eldest Senior Sister know?!

Wasn't she always fighting on the front lines?

Could it be... the War Demon Army also does part-time intelligence work?!

Seeing Lu Yu's expression freeze instantly, a flash of realization crossed Ling Feiyan's eyes, as if her suspicions were confirmed. But to Lu Yu's surprise, she didn't get angry; instead, the coldness around her subsided slightly.

Ling Feiyan picked up the clear water on the low table, took a sip, and spoke in a slightly calmer tone.

"What are you nervous about? Mutual attraction is only natural, especially when the other party is Leng Qingshuang. Whether in terms of status, cultivation, or appearance, she is top-tier and a standout on the beautiful women ranking. To have such a destiny with her can be considered... a skill."

Lu Yu: "..."

Eldest Senior Sister, why does that sound so wrong? Are you praising me or mocking me?

Besides, while Sister Leng is a standout on the beautiful women ranking, Senior Sister is even more of a leader among them, ranking as high as sixth!

If Senior Sister were less about fighting and killing and more gentle or aloof, her popularity might be even greater, and her rank might be even higher!

"However."

Ling Feiyan's tone shifted, becoming serious again as she glanced at Lu Yu.

"Clear Frost is, after all, the Canglan Holy Master, and her status is special. You must be cautious about your affair with her and not be high-profile. Especially... do not neglect Luo Qingxue because of this; that girl seems good to me."

Lu Yu's heart tightened, knowing that Eldest Senior Sister was reminding him to handle his relationships well and not let things get out of hand.

He nodded hurriedly, "Don't worry, Senior Sister, I understand. I am serious about Qingxue."

"Mhm."

Ling Feiyan nodded, appearing somewhat satisfied with the answer.

"Pack up; return to the Sect with me tomorrow."

Lu Yu was startled, "Return to the Sect?"

Ling Feiyan's eyes, like cold stars, swept over, "What, are you reluctant to leave Holy Revered Master Cold now?"

Hearing Ling Feiyan's words, Lu Yu felt a prickle on his scalp.

Why does Eldest Senior Sister's tone feel a bit off?

The matters at the Canglan Sacred Sect have been resolved, so it is indeed time to head back.