26: Chapter 26 An Unexpected Kiss

Over the next few days, the two worked in perfect harmony, successively wiping out two demonic cultivator dens and rescuing thirteen kidnapped young girls.

On the fourth day, tracking the clues left by the demonic cultivators, they arrived at a secluded valley.

The area was filled with mist, and the surroundings were eerily quiet; not even the chirping of birds or insects could be heard.

"The spiritual energy here is chaotic; there might be an ambush," Senior Sister Liu Qingxu said, stopping in her tracks. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her long sword emitted a faint, clear ringing sound. "Fellow Daoist Xu, stay here to provide cover while I go in to investigate first."

"That won't do." Xu Changkun flatly refused, stepping forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her. "Since we are companions, we should face things together. If something happens, I can at least provide support."

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu glanced at him, feeling a slight warmth in her heart, and did not insist further. "Be careful."

The two carefully ventured deep into the valley. After passing through the thick fog, the path opened up, and a dilapidated black stone palace suddenly came into view. There were over a dozen black-robed figures patrolling in front of the palace, three of whom had powerful auras—all experts at the late stage of Qi Refining.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu's expression changed slightly, and she transmitted her voice, "This is bad. This place is likely an important stronghold of the Blood Fiend Sect, and those three are all at Qi Refining Level 9!"

"Retreat!"

Just as the two were about to slip away, blinding blood-colored patterns suddenly lit up on the ground beneath their feet!

"Hum!"

A blood-red curtain of light shot into the sky, instantly transforming into a massive, inverted bowl-shaped barrier that trapped the two within the formation.

"Haha! I've been waiting for you for several days! You finally took the bait!"

Accompanied by a wild, maniacal laugh, a one-eyed old man walked slowly out of the palace. He held a skull staff, surrounded by a ghastly, ghostly aura; he was clearly an evil cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining Level 10!

"You little wench from the Yunxia Sect, and that meddlesome rogue cultivator! Today, I will use your blood to sacrifice to my sect's 'Blood-Thirsting Spirit-Trapping Formation'!"

Before the words had even faded, the surrounding black-robed figures attacked simultaneously. Countless sinister spells rained down into the formation like a downpour, and countless vengeful spirits and ghosts emerged from the ground, emitting shrill shrieks as they lunged at the two.

"Break the formation!"

Xu Changkun shouted, holding nothing back. The spiritual energy in his body surged like boiling magma as he fully activated the Burning Heaven Sword Technique.

"Burning Heaven—Crimson Flame Slash!"

A crimson sword aura, several zhang long, whistled out and slashed fiercely against the blood-red light barrier.

"Boom!"

The light barrier shook violently, and a tiny crack appeared, but it was instantly repaired by the surging blood energy.

The one-eyed old man sneered, "This formation is a secret technique of my sect; it can trap even a Foundation Establishment cultivator for a short while. How could two mere Qi Refining juniors break it? Kill them!"

As he waved his staff, the formation's attacks became even more ferocious.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu wielded her sword to parry, her sword light weaving like a tapestry as she shattered the lunging vengeful spirits. However, she was outnumbered; a pitch-black bone spike shot silently out of the shadows from the side, aiming straight for her vital heart point!

"Watch out!"

In the nick of time, Xu Changkun caught a glimpse of this from the corner of his eye. Without time to think, he abruptly reached out and pulled Senior Sister Liu Qingxu into his arms, while simultaneously backhanding a sword strike to shatter the bone spike.

But at that very moment, another more concealed black beam grazed his arm, drawing a spray of blood and leaving a wound deep enough to see the bone.

"Ugh…" Xu Changkun let out a muffled groan, his brows knitting together tightly.

"You're hurt!" Senior Sister Liu Qingxu's heart tightened as she watched the blood welling from his arm, a flash of panic appearing in her eyes.

"Just a flesh wound, it's nothing." Xu Changkun's gaze was cold as he shielded her behind him. "Hold on to me tight!"

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu subconsciously wrapped her arms around his lean, firm waist.

Xu Changkun took a deep breath, a flash of determination appearing in his eyes. He knew that if he didn't fight with his life on the line today, both of them would perish here.

"Burn lifespan—thirty years!"

He silently intoned in his heart, and a massive surge of vitality instantly transformed into violent spiritual energy. Xu Changkun's aura climbed steadily, faintly breaking through the limits of the Qi Refining stage.

The long sword in his hand emitted a blinding red light, as if he were holding a scorching sun.

"Burning Heaven—Earth Splitter!"

Xu Changkun let out a long roar, and his entire body transformed into a dazzling crimson streak of light, slamming fiercely into the formation's node.

"Boom!"

This strike was earth-shattering.

The blood-red light barrier shattered like glass, and the few demonic cultivators maintaining the formation screamed as they were sent flying backward, spitting blood.

The one-eyed old man's expression changed drastically. Before he could react, he saw that the crimson streak of light had not lost its momentum and was heading straight for him.

"No!"

He hurriedly summoned a blood-colored banner to block it.

"Crack!"

The banner snapped, and the sword aura pierced through his chest. The one-eyed old man's eyes widened, his face filled with unwillingness and disbelief, before he slowly collapsed.

With their leader dead, the remaining demonic cultivators scattered in a panic, only to be intercepted and killed by the Yunxia Sect disciples who had arrived from the perimeter.

Xu Changkun stood leaning on his sword, his chest heaving violently, his face as pale as paper. That last strike had consumed too much of his essence and spirit.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu hurriedly supported him, her voice trembling slightly. "Fellow Daoist Xu, how are you?"

"I'm fine… just a bit exhausted." Xu Changkun forced a smile and tried to straighten his body, but his legs went weak.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu let out a cry of surprise and tried to hold him up, but she was pulled down with him, and they fell to the ground together.

The two tumbled together, Xu Changkun on top and Senior Sister Liu Qingxu beneath him.

At this moment, the world seemed to stand still.

Their eyes met, and they could hear each other's breathing.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu's hair bun was disheveled, and her collar was slightly open, revealing a section of her jade-white neck. Her face was stained with a bit of blood and dirt, but it did not diminish her beauty in the slightest; instead, it lent her a breathtaking, battle-worn allure.

Xu Changkun looked at her lips, inches away from his own, and as if possessed, his mind went blank.

Perhaps it was the thrill of having just shared life and death, or perhaps the atmosphere was too ambiguous. He slowly lowered his head and kissed her.

"Mmph!"

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu widened her beautiful eyes, her pupils shrinking in shock.

The warm sensation on her lips, carrying a faint scent of blood, inexplicably made her heart beat like a drum, and her entire body stiffened.

This kiss was very light, yet it was like an electric current that instantly pierced through their defenses.

A moment later, Xu Changkun suddenly came to his senses. He pushed himself up, a flash of apology in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I…"

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu's cheeks turned beet red, like a ripe apple. She shoved him away and sat up, straightening her clothes, her chest heaving violently. "You… you are presumptuous!"

If anyone else had dared to be so disrespectful, she would have already struck them down with her sword. But looking at the man's pale face and his still-bleeding arm, the overflowing anger she felt just couldn't be unleashed, eventually turning into nothing more than a helpless sigh.

"Let's tend to your injuries first."

She took out the high-quality styptic powder she carried with her and carefully bandaged his wound. When her fingertips touched his skin, both of them couldn't help but tremble, and the atmosphere became even more subtle.

On the way back, because Xu Changkun's injuries had not yet healed and he was somewhat exhausted, the two rode on the same horse.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu rode in front, and Xu Changkun sat behind her. To steady himself, he had to reach out his arms and wrap them around her slender waist.

With the soft, fragrant woman in his arms, a faint, delicate scent drifted to the tip of his nose.

"Fairy," Xu Changkun said, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder, breaking the silence in a low voice. "About what happened in the valley… I was sincere."

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu's body stiffened slightly. She didn't turn around, but her earlobes turned completely red, looking exceptionally alluring in the setting sun.

"…Let's wait until you've recovered from your injuries."

"And what about after I recover?" Xu Changkun pressed, his arms tightening slightly.

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu was silent for a long time before speaking two words in a voice as soft as a mosquito's hum: "…We'll see."

Although she hadn't agreed, she hadn't refused either.

Xu Changkun's lips curled slightly, and he stopped pressing her. He knew that the heart of this cold and aloof Fairy Liu had already cracked open a small gap.

The setting sun stretched their shadows out long and thin, as if they had melted into one.

Upon returning outside the gates of the Yunxia Sect, Senior Sister Liu Qingxu dismounted and handed the official document issued by the sect to Xu Changkun.

"The sect has approved the matter of seeking refuge through concubinage. This document will help you dispel some of the criticism; if anyone makes things difficult for you using this as an excuse, you may bring it out."

"Many thanks, Fairy." Xu Changkun took the document, looking at her with burning eyes. "When will you give me an answer?"

Senior Sister Liu Qingxu didn't dare to meet his eyes and turned her face away, her voice sounding somewhat flustered. "Wait until your injuries are healed… then come find me."

After saying this, she turned and left as if fleeing, her footsteps slightly unsteady.

Xu Changkun watched her retreating figure and touched his own lips, which seemed to still retain her warmth.

"Senior Sister Liu Qingxu, you can't run away now."