166: Undercurrents are swirling, three hearts are bound to you.

The night in Tianshu City was more bustling and prosperous than the day. The myriad lights were like stars fallen to the mortal world, illuminating the massive city as bright as day. The aroma of elixirs and spiritual materials lingering in the air did not diminish; instead, it grew richer in the darkness, mingling with the discussions of Cultivators from all sides and the clamor of taverns, forming a vivid picture of the cultivation world's nightlife.

Inside the private courtyard of the Listening to Bamboo Pavilion, however, there was silence. The protective Formation isolated the external noise, leaving only the rustle of the night wind blowing through the bamboo leaves.

Lin Xuan sat cross-legged in the main house's quiet room. He was not Cultivating, but had spread out the complete star path compass. His Divine Sense sank into it, carefully deducing the route to the Hall of All Stars and the potential dangers. The Primordial Ice Plains, Void Turbulence... these names themselves represented extreme peril, and even with his current great increase in strength, he needed to be fully prepared.

Just as he was concentrating on his deduction, the door to the quiet room was silently pushed open.

A figure as clear and cold as the moon quietly walked in—it was Su Wanqing. She had removed the veil that concealed her appearance during the day. Her stunning beauty, under the soft light of the Night-Luminescent Pearl, was imbued with an even greater sense of hazy Immortal Qi. In her hand, she carried a cup of steaming Spiritual Tea, its aroma clear and crisp, effective for calming the mind.

"It's late. Have some tea and rest for a while." She gently placed the teacup on the low table beside Lin Xuan's hand. Her voice was as cold and clear as ever, but when her icy eyes rested on Lin Xuan, they carried an unmelting tenderness.

Lin Xuan recovered from his deduction, looked up, and saw her. A flicker of warmth crossed his eyes. He took the teacup: "Thank you, Senior Sister."

Su Wanqing sat down beside him and said little, merely watching him drink the tea quietly. Although she had not gathered much information while investigating with Qu Feiyan during the day, she had sensed the surging undercurrents in Tianshu City. The Medicine King Sect was acting low-key, Daoist Master Miao Dan's whereabouts were a mystery, and the movements regarding Heavenly Frost City were shrouded in secrecy. All of this caused a faint worry in her heart.

"From what we gathered today, the people from Heavenly Frost City seem to have infiltrated the city. Although they are not acting overtly, they are constantly making small moves in the dark," Su Wanqing spoke softly, breaking the silence. "They will definitely cause trouble during the Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering."

Lin Xuan put down the teacup, his gaze profound: "As expected. We will meet soldiers with generals and cover water with earth. However, you two must be more careful when going out."

"I know what I'm doing." Su Wanqing nodded slightly, her icy eyes fixed on Lin Xuan. Suddenly, she said, "No matter what lies ahead, I will be with you." She used no flowery language, but this simple sentence carried a heavy weight of affection and a determination to follow him through life and death.

Lin Xuan was touched. He reached out and grasped her slightly cool, soft hand. Just as he was about to speak, a fragrant breeze and a delicate laugh came from outside the door.

"Oh~ I wondered why I couldn't find Junior Sister Su. Turns out you secretly ran off to bring warmth to Junior Brother? How thoughtful~"

Qu Feiyan leaned against the doorframe, her red clothes like fire, outlining breathtaking curves. She seemed to have just bathed; her dark hair was still damp and loosely draped. Her flirtatious eyes were like silk, sweeping over Lin Xuan's hand grasping Su Wanqing's. Her tone was slightly sour, but there was little genuine anger in the depths of her eyes, only a hint of mischief.

She swayed her waist and walked in, sitting down unceremoniously on Lin Xuan's other side, bringing with her a rich, sweet fragrance. Her jade arm naturally wrapped around Lin Xuan's arm, her soft body almost pressing against him. Her breath was like orchid fragrance: "Junior Brother~ Elder Sister here ran around all day, and my legs are sore. Aren't you going to show me some affection?"

Su Wanqing frowned slightly, subconsciously wanting to pull her hand away, but Lin Xuan held it a little tighter. She glanced at Qu Feiyan, her tone flat: "Senior Sister Qu, if you are tired, you should go back and rest early."

"Rest?" Qu Feiyan smiled seductively, her fingertip tracing circles on Lin Xuan's chest. "It's a long night. How boring to rest alone? Junior Brother, what do you say?" The implication in her words was unmistakable.

Lin Xuan felt the warm, soft jade and the distinctly different scents coming from both sides. He felt both helpless and a little hot. Su Wanqing's cold, subtle fragrance and Qu Feiyan's rich, seductive perfume intertwined, constantly challenging his self-control.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his mind: "Two Senior Sisters, we have important matters tomorrow..."

Before he finished speaking, Qu Feiyan suddenly leaned close to his ear, whispering in a voice only they could hear, laced with a hint of grievance and temptation: "Junior Brother~ You only had Little Sister Yu last night. Tonight... can't you keep Elder Sister company? Elder Sister is... missing you terribly..." Her warm breath tickled his ear, causing a numb itch.

At the same time, although Su Wanqing remained aloof, the hand holding Lin Xuan's tightened slightly, and a trace of imperceptible expectation and persistence appeared in her icy eyes.

Just as the ambiguous atmosphere reached a stalemate, Lin Xuan's expression suddenly shifted. His gaze turned toward the west side of the courtyard, in the direction of Gongsun Yu's room. He sensed an abnormally active, even somewhat violent, lightning fluctuation gathering there.

"Something's happening with Little Yu!" Lin Xuan's face changed slightly, and he immediately stood up. Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan also noticed the anomaly. They temporarily abandoned their "rivalry" and followed closely.

The three quickly arrived outside Gongsun Yu's room. Inside, lightning flickered, Spiritual Qi fluctuated violently, and they faintly heard Gongsun Yu's suppressed groan.

Lin Xuan directly pushed the door open. He saw Gongsun Yu sitting cross-legged on the couch, her small face flushed red, sweat pouring down. She was enveloped by uncontrollable purple lightning arcs, and golden light flashed wildly around her Dantian. The crack in her Golden Core seemed to be expanding! She was actually attempting an extremely dangerous secret technique: using lightning to forcibly break through the Bottleneck and repair her Golden Core!

"Nonsense!" Lin Xuan was both shocked and furious. He flashed forward. His powerful Divine Sense and spiritual power instantly suppressed the situation, forcibly calming the rampaging lightning power within her body.

"Pfft—" Gongsun Yu suffered a backlash and spat out a small mouthful of fresh blood. Her aura instantly weakened, and she slumped onto the couch. Seeing Lin Xuan, a flicker of panic and guilt crossed her eyes: "Big Brother Lin... I, I just wanted to recover faster..."

Lin Xuan looked at her disheveled yet stubborn appearance, his heart aching. He gently pulled her into his embrace and infused pure Spiritual Qi to regulate her chaotic Qi, his tone carrying reproach and lingering fear: "Silly girl, how can repairing a Golden Core be rushed? If I had come a moment later, your Golden Core would have shattered, and even Immortals couldn't save you!"

Gongsun Yu nestled in his arms, feeling the warmth and powerful heartbeat emanating from his chest, and hearing the concern in his voice. Her inner grievances and fear dissipated, replaced only by deep reliance. She whispered, "I'm sorry, Big Brother Lin... I just don't want to drag everyone down anymore, and I don't want to see you work so hard to protect us."

Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan stood at the doorway, watching this scene, their hearts complex. They understood Gongsun Yu's feelings. This pure, almost foolish devotion and admiration made them both pity her and feel slightly inadequate.

Lin Xuan sighed softly and rubbed her head: "No one thinks you are a burden. Protecting you is my willingness. Promise me you will never take such a risk again."

"Mhm..." Gongsun Yu nodded obediently, burying her face in his chest.

Lin Xuan carefully laid her flat, covered her with a thin blanket, and said softly, "Rest and regulate your breathing well. I'll stay here with you."

He turned and gave a look to Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan at the door, signaling them to go back and rest first.

Su Wanqing looked deeply at Lin Xuan, the emotion in her icy eyes hard to discern. It finally dissolved into an almost inaudible sigh, and she turned and left, her silhouette appearing somewhat lonely under the moonlight.

Qu Feiyan pouted, her seductive eyes moving between Lin Xuan and Gongsun Yu on the couch. Suddenly, a meaningful smile curled her red lips. She transmitted a message to Lin Xuan: "Junior Brother~ Looks like Elder Sister won't get her turn tonight. But... there's always tomorrow~" After speaking, she gracefully sauntered away.

Inside the room, only Lin Xuan and Gongsun Yu, whose breathing was gradually stabilizing, remained.

Lin Xuan sat by the couch, looking at the girl's slightly furrowed brow even in sleep. His pity grew stronger. He reached out a finger and gently smoothed her brows, his movements tender.

However, he did not notice that while he was focused on Gongsun Yu, an extremely hidden Divine Sense, almost merged with the shadows, snuck past the courtyard's protective Formation like a venomous snake. It lingered on him for a moment before swiftly retreating.

In a dark secret chamber somewhere in Tianshu City.

"Target confirmed. He is residing in Courtyard A of the Listening to Bamboo Pavilion in the west of the city. He is accompanied by three women, one of whom appears to be injured," a hoarse voice reported.

"Excellent." Ling Tianyu's cold voice carried suppressed excitement. "Continue monitoring, but don't alert them. The Myriad Elixirs Grand Gathering... Hmph, I want to trample him underfoot in front of everyone! And those women... none of them will escape!"

The night deepened, and undercurrents surged beneath the calm surface. Inside the small courtyard, three beautiful women devoted to the same man, each harboring different thoughts, waited alongside the man they loved for the coming storm.