**Chapter 1～5**  

Chapter 1: The Old Chives of Hehuan Sect

"Senior Brother Lin, Senior Sister Liu from the Hongluan Peak has summoned you."

Lin Fengmian quickly responded, hastily rising and making his way toward Hongluan Peak.

The male disciples behind him gazed at his handsome figure with envy, jealousy, and bitterness in their eyes. After all, Hongluan Peak was the place of dual cultivation in the Hehuan Sect, where the senior sisters were all as beautiful as celestial beings, understanding in nature, and highly skilled in dual cultivation, leaving the male disciples with unforgettable memories.

Passing the senior sisters' test would earn them a place in the inner sect, where they could ascend Mount Wushan with a senior sister. Even if they failed, their cultivation would improve after returning, making every male disciple on Qingjiu Peak yearn for the chance.

It was uncertain whether Lin Fengmian was favored by the senior sisters for his handsome appearance or some other special quality, but he was frequently summoned by the senior sisters of Hongluan Peak.

However, instead of looking excited, Lin Fengmian seemed a bit sorrowful, far from the expression of a man about to revel with a peerless beauty.

Upon arriving at the Honglian Courtyard, where he had been summoned, he respectfully announced his arrival from outside the door, "Senior Sister Liu."

"Oh, Fengmian, the door's not locked. Come in. I've been waiting for you for a while now." 

A lazy voice from inside carried a seductive tone, making it clear what kind of beauty awaited within.

Yet, Lin Fengmian dared not entertain any improper thoughts as he cautiously opened the door. Inside, a familiar scent—a mixture of fragrant perfume and the distinct aroma of recent intimacy—filled the air.

He kept his head lowered, cautiously searching the room for something, but after a while, he still couldn't find what he was looking for.

Eventually, he glanced toward the bed, and the woman on it giggled. "Junior Brother Fengmian, am I so terrifying that you don't even dare to lift your head?"

Swallowing nervously, Lin Fengmian replied, "Of course not, Senior Sister Liu. You're as beautiful as a celestial being. I fear to offend you."

"Coward!"

With a cold snort, Senior Sister Liu kicked something off the bed. There was a soft thud, like bedding hitting the floor.

What fell, however, was a man—an adult, but light as if weightless. 

Lin Fengmian lowered his head, stepped forward, and respectfully picked up the withered corpse. "Senior Sister, shall I take this away?"

But Senior Sister Liu suddenly commanded coldly, "Look at me!"

Lin Fengmian dared not disobey. He lifted his gaze to see the woman on the bed—her brows beautifully arched, her face naturally seductive, still carrying a slight flush from their recent activity.

She was completely unclothed, her body barely covered by a pink blanket. Her long black hair cascaded freely, obscuring her modesty but revealing just enough to entice.

Lazily reclining on the bed, she propped her head with one delicate arm, her phoenix eyes filled with allure as she gazed at him.

"Do you think I'm beautiful?"

Lin Fengmian sincerely nodded. "Of course, Senior Sister is exceedingly beautiful."

She traced a finger across her luscious red lips, lightly licking them. "Then, do you want to join me in bed?"

Lin Fengmian shook his head vigorously. "I dare not. In my heart, Senior Sister is like an immortal. I have no such thoughts."

Are you kidding? The guy I'm holding is already shriveled up! He's probably halfway to the afterlife. I don't want to die!

Senior Sister Liu chuckled softly. "You sweet-talker. Alright, since I'm in a good mood today, I'll let you off the hook."

Feeling like he had narrowly escaped, Lin Fengmian hurriedly carried the unlucky brother out.

"Come see me in three days. I need to test your progress."

Her voice was melodious, but to Lin Fengmian, it sounded like the call of death itself.

He froze for a moment before bitterly responding, "Yes, Senior Sister."

As Lin Fengmian left, his mind dazed, Liu Mei watched his retreating figure thoughtfully.

Liu Mei let out a soft laugh, "Looks like I undressed for nothing. I couldn't even seduce this young lad."

Murmuring to herself, she added, "Lin Fengmian, what is it about you that Master and Uncle Xie value so highly?"

Lin Fengmian wandered to the back mountain, distracted. He hastily dug a shallow grave and buried the terrifyingly shriveled corpse.

Looking at the pitiful, deathly expression on the corpse's face, Lin Fengmian couldn't help but envision himself in the same state in three days.

Maybe I'll end up like him, drained of all my essence and left to die.

Reflecting on his fate, Lin Fengmian couldn't help but feel a deep sadness.

He had once been a carefree young master from a wealthy family in a small city. Though somewhat unruly, he had never been cruel or oppressive—at most, he was a bit of a playboy.

Three years ago, celestial beauties had appeared in his city, claiming to be recruiting disciples for an immortal sect.

Urged on by mischievous friends, he had signed up, and though he was found to have spiritual roots, his talent was too poor to qualify for entry.

Unexpectedly, a high-ranking female immortal had taken a special interest in him, allowing him to join the sect against all odds.

Upon entering Hehuan Sect, Lin Fengmian quickly realized something was off.

This was a sect focused on dual cultivation, balancing yin and yang for the sake of advancing in their arts.

Like every male disciple, Lin Fengmian had been overjoyed, diligently cultivating and hoping for the day a senior sister would summon him. Whether he passed the test or not didn't matter as much as getting to know the heavenly beauties better.

But for some reason, no one ever called him to Hongluan Peak, while all the familiar faces around him had entered the inner sect.

As time passed, Lin Fengmian realized something horrifying: he hadn't seen any of the disciples who had entered the inner sect again, not even his closest friends.

It was truly terrifying—what had become of those so-called inner disciples?

Finally, he understood: he had walked into a trap.

As time went on, the faces around him changed again and again, yet still no one summoned Lin Fengmian for his "test."

He suspected this had something to do with the woman who had recruited him, though she seemed to have completely forgotten about him.

Over time, even the senior sisters of Hongluan Peak noticed Lin Fengmian's unique situation and began asking him to help with odd jobs.

These "odd jobs" included dealing with the corpses drained of their essence.

And so, Lin Fengmian uncovered the dark truth behind the so-called test.

At first, the sight of those shriveled corpses had terrified him, but now...

He had become numb.

Looking at the countless graves on the back mountain, Lin Fengmian couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

Aspiring to immortality? More like being reduced to ashes.

These men were once strong and young, but now they were nothing. Who in their right mind would recruit grown men as disciples? Isn't it usually children raised from a young age?

But it was too late to regret now. Lin Fengmian's top priority was figuring out how to stay alive.

Though the senior sisters on Hongluan Peak generally wouldn't drain their "chives" of all their essence in one go, Liu Mei was one of two exceptions.

Her pass rate was incredibly high, meaning that dual cultivation with her was a life-or-death gamble!

Lin Fengmian hurried back to Qingjiu Peak, ignoring the teasing of the envious male disciples and rushing to his room.

He had no time for these lust-driven fools, unaware that death was just around the corner.

This peak really lived up to its name. These men were nothing but chives, cut down only to grow back again.

But now, even I, the old chive, am about to be harvested.

Lin Fengmian quickly retrieved a jade pendant from beneath his pillow, looking as if he were about to march to his doom.

This was a double-fish jade pendant, with the characters "yin and yang" etched into it, and a small pendant hanging below with the word "Xue" carved into it. It was an heirloom from his family.

Three months ago, while burying a corpse, Lin Fengmian had cut his finger and accidentally stained the jade with his blood.

Though it granted him access to a strange cultivation technique, it also brought him endless nightmares, leaving him utterly miserable.

Eventually, Lin Fengmian discovered that the jade was the source of his torment. He had thrown it under his bed and hadn't had another nightmare since.

But now, with his life hanging by a thread, Lin Fengmian could only place his last hope in this strange item. He put the pendant around his neck and lay down.

He prayed fervently, **"Sister, please be around for the next few days! If you aren't, I'm done for!"**

**Chapter 2: Just Because You're Pretty Doesn't Mean You Can Fool Me**

As he closed his eyes, a bright light flashed from the jade pendant in Lin Fengmian's hand. A layer of black mist wrapped around him completely.

He was drawn into a rushing black river, struggling upstream until he appeared on a riverbank.

A stunning woman in white stood by the dark river, like an otherworldly immortal, her grace unmatched.

She looked coldly at Lin Fengmian, who had just flown out of the water, her beautiful eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Luo Xue lifted the ancient sword in her hand and said coldly, "Demon, you've come again!"

But this time, the demon in her eyes was surprisingly straightforward. Unlike before, when he used to flirt and get handsy, this time he cupped his hands and bowed deeply.

"Immortal sister, please spare me!"

Luo Xue was stunned. What kind of trick was this demon playing now?

It had been three months since she had been drawn into this place. Aside from the endlessly flowing black river and the vast darkness, there was only this strange man in front of her.

The moment he arrived, he would stare at her intently, muttering nonsense like "This dream feels so real; I wonder how good it feels to touch."

The most infuriating part was that he even tried to get physical with her, so she simply struck him down with her sword, and sure enough, he vanished.

But not long after, the man would reappear, cursing about how unfair it was.

She grew tired of it, and every time she struck him down with her sword, the strange demon would finally disappear.

Who knew he'd return tonight, but this time he seemed to have learned his lesson and immediately backed down.

Luo Xue frowned and asked, "What trick are you trying to play now, demon?"

Lin Fengmian, too focused on his last hope, didn't care whether the woman before him was a demon or an immortal.

"Immortal, I'm really not a demon. Have you ever seen such a weak demon?"

Luo Xue hesitated for a moment; that seemed to make sense.

But this guy couldn't be killed, so he was clearly a demon.

"Then what are you? And where is this place?" she asked.

"I'm human! I have no idea where this is either. I was dragged in by a jade pendant," Lin Fengmian quickly explained.

"Jade pendant?" Luo Xue furrowed her pretty brows.

"Yes, a double-fish jade pendant with a red and blue fish entwined," Lin Fengmian described.

Luo Xue was momentarily surprised—wasn't that the Double Fish Pendant from her own Zhenyuan Sword?

She raised the Zhenyuan Sword, and sure enough, the pendant was missing.

Could this jade pendant connect the two people who possess it?

Luo Xue asked curiously, "Who are you?"

"I'm Lin Fengmian, a disciple of the Hehuan Sect from Zhao Kingdom in the Eastern Wasteland," Lin Fengmian replied hastily.

Luo Xue froze for a moment before saying, "Eastern Wasteland? That's across the Taichuan Heavenly River from Shenzhou."

This jade pendant could link people from opposite ends of the world—truly fascinating.

Seeing that Luo Xue seemed to believe him, Lin Fengmian was overjoyed and said, "I truly didn't mean to offend, Immortal."

"I thought I was dreaming, and your beauty overwhelmed me. That's why I behaved so rashly. Please don't take offense."

Luo Xue's face flushed—he thought he was in a dream?

She snorted coldly, "Scoundrel!"

Lin Fengmian, trying to stay careful, asked, "May I know the Immortal's name and sect?"

Luo Xue, holding her sword, respectfully answered, "I am Luo Xue from the Qionghua Sect of Shenzhou."

Upon hearing she was from a righteous sect, Lin Fengmian couldn't hold back and quickly begged for help. "Immortal Luo Xue, my life is hanging by a thread. Please save me!"

"Save you?" Luo Xue frowned.

Lin Fengmian nodded eagerly and hurriedly explained everything he had seen and heard in the Hehuan Sect.

He bowed deeply and pleaded, "In three days, I'll be drained of my life force by the enchantress of the Hehuan Sect. Please save me!"

Luo Xue quickly helped him up and said, "Don't worry, eliminating demons and protecting the righteous is our duty."

Lin Fengmian was overjoyed. "Please bring your Qionghua Sect members here quickly. I can act as your inside man."

Luo Xue asked, "Do you know the exact location of the Hehuan Sect? I'll need to cross a vast distance."

A cold bucket of water seemed to be poured over Lin Fengmian's head at her words. They were separated by an entire continent; she couldn't possibly arrive in three days.

By the time they got there, he'd already be dead.

Sensing his despair, Luo Xue comforted him, "Don't panic. As long as you're near a cross-realm teleportation array, I can get there in three days."

Lin Fengmian sighed in frustration, "I don't know the exact location of the Hehuan Sect. I'll have to go back and check."

Luo Xue nodded, "We'll act separately. I'll investigate the Eastern Wasteland sects and might be able to find the Hehuan Sect's location."

Lin Fengmian thanked her profusely, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Luo Xue seemed oddly excited, as if eager for battle.

There was no time to think more on it, with the clock ticking. They agreed to meet again through the double-fish pendant once they had more information.

But now both of them stood by the black river, puzzled—how would they leave?

With a steely resolve, Lin Fengmian straightened his neck and said bravely, "Just give me a swift end."

Luo Xue didn't hold back. A bright flash of her sword ended him instantly.

Lin Fengmian woke up gasping for air, holding his neck. Sitting up in bed, he couldn't believe it had all been real.

Not caring that it was the middle of the night, he quickly rushed to the library at Qingjiu Peak.

The library was set up by the Hehuan Sect to keep their disciples occupied, although most of the books were about dual cultivation to keep the eager young disciples focused.

After sifting through several explicit manuals, Lin Fengmian finally found the Hehuan Sect's location.

To his surprise, the Hehuan Sect wasn't located in the Eastern Wasteland but in the Beiming region.

He reasoned that it must be near the Dongwang Forest, where the two regions bordered each other.

He took out a map and saw that the nearest teleportation array wasn't far away.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he finally felt there was hope.

To be safe, he glanced at a map of the Shenzhou sects, but after a long search, he couldn't find any mention of the Qionghua Sect.

His heart sank—wasn't it supposed to be a top sect?

Luo Xue… Luo Xue?!

Suddenly, the name seemed familiar. Recalling a book called *Hundred Beauties*, he quickly found a reference to Luo Xue and the Qionghua Sect.

Although the illustration had been torn out, what he read shocked him, and he dropped the book.

Luo Xue was a peak-stage Sword Immortal, the last leader of the once-great Qionghua Sect of Shenzhou, and one of the Four Great Beauties of Shenzhou.

Over a thousand years ago, she had entered one of the Four Forbidden Grounds, the Abyss, and had been missing ever since.

Lin Fengmian was dumbfounded.

Wait—so the Qionghua Sect was a top sect, but it had been destroyed?

And Luo Xue, the Sword Immortal, disappeared over a thousand years ago?

Was she playing him? Pretending to be some legendary sword immortal and claiming she would bring a long-destroyed sect to rescue him?

What the hell, this is absurd!

Just because you're pretty doesn't mean you can fool me!

Chapter 3: Can Only Save One of the Two Heads?

Lin Fengmian stormed back to his room, angrily placing the double-fish jade pendant on his chest. However, after a long while, nothing happened.

Suddenly, he remembered that the recurring nightmares happened every three days. So, did this mean he couldn't confront her until three days later?

By then, he would probably be dead, maybe only able to seek revenge as a vengeful ghost.

Sitting in his room, Lin Fengmian gulped down a pot of cold water to calm himself. Realizing that relying on others was pointless, he had no choice but to save himself.

Considering the massive disparity in strength between him and his enemies, it was impossible to win by force; the only option left was to use strategy.

Liu Mei was at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, one of the two most powerful women on Hongluan Peak. The only one who could rival her was her junior sister, Chen Qingyan.

But Chen Qingyan didn't know him well. Though he was interested in her, there was no guarantee she'd help him.

In the worst-case scenario, Lin Fengmian pondered a grim solution: keep one of his "heads" intact. If he severed that part of himself, maybe Liu Mei wouldn't be able to drain him anymore.

Of course, this was his last resort. Although cultivators at high stages could regenerate limbs, who knew if that applied to... that part.

The reason he was brought into the sect and given special treatment was likely because of a mysterious female cultivator who had spoken up for him. However, he didn't know her name or why she had done so. What should he do?

An idea struck Lin Fengmian. He hurriedly made his way to Qingluan Peak, next to Hongluan Peak.

Though Hehuan Sect had many seductive female cultivators, they didn't start off so enchanting. In fact, female disciples couldn't lose their virginity before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, so they lived on Qingluan Peak until then.

At the foot of Qingluan Peak, a group of female disciples stood guard. When they saw Lin Fengmian approaching, they eyed him up and down.

One flirtatiously laughed, "Young junior brother, did you come to the wrong place?"

Lin Fengmian quickly smiled apologetically, "Senior sisters, I was sent by Senior Sister Liu Mei from Hongluan Peak to fetch Junior Sister Xia Yunxi."

He presented a token—indeed, a pass from Hongluan Peak. Liu Mei had given it to him to collect bodies more easily.

The female disciples didn't doubt him, as they couldn't imagine Lin Fengmian daring to fake orders. After all, it wasn't unusual for Hongluan Peak to send someone to bring Qingluan Peak disciples over for observation and learning.

The female disciple who had teased him earlier smiled seductively and swayed her hips as she went to fetch Xia Yunxi. Lin Fengmian, however, didn't dare look at her too long.

In Hehuan Sect, keeping your eyes to yourself was key to survival.

After a short wait, a young girl of about 17 or 18 emerged from Qingluan Peak. She was breathtakingly beautiful, with delicate features, bright eyes, and snow-white skin. Her grace was undeniable, yet there was a shy, innocent air about her.

Though still a blossoming bud, her charm and poise were already enough to captivate anyone.

This girl was Xia Yunxi, the very person Lin Fengmian had come to find. Seeing him, her face reddened slightly as she softly asked, "Senior Brother Lin, has Senior Sister Liu summoned me to Hongluan Peak?"

Lin Fengmian nodded, "Yes, Junior Sister Xia. Please come with me."

Xia Yunxi agreed, though somewhat reluctantly, and they began walking toward Hongluan Peak.

Xia Yunxi always blushed at even the mention of erotic illustrations, let alone being exposed to live demonstrations. She constantly found ways to avoid such scenes.

Once, while sneaking away, she bumped into Lin Fengmian, who was waiting outside to collect bodies. The two had exchanged awkward glances as passionate moans from inside filled the air.

Back then, Lin Fengmian, still a youth himself, had smiled and greeted her, making Xia Yunxi wish she could dig a hole and hide in it.

She initially thought Lin Fengmian was just another man destined to be drained by the sect, but to her surprise, he had managed to survive.

Over time, they often bumped into each other at Hongluan Peak, and Lin Fengmian would chat with her whenever he could. Gradually, they became familiar with one another.

Lin Fengmian realized that Xia Yunxi was different from the other female disciples—innocent, introverted, and somewhat out of place in Hehuan Sect.

Although she was a natural-born enchantress with extraordinary potential, she blushed at mere sounds of intimacy, let alone seeing anything firsthand.

Whenever she saw the withered husks of men drained of life, her eyes would fill with pity, which endeared her to Lin Fengmian even more.

Over the past three years, Lin Fengmian had watched her grow from a young girl into a stunningly beautiful woman.

He felt that they shared a certain bond. After all, Xia Yunxi was willing to talk to him, and their relationship was relatively good.

This time, with no other option, Lin Fengmian could only hope that Xia Yunxi might save him by helping him find out the identity of that mysterious benefactor.

As they walked along a mountain path, Lin Fengmian suddenly pulled Xia Yunxi into a dense forest off the side of the road.

Startled, Xia Yunxi asked anxiously, "Senior Brother, what are you doing?"

"Shh!" Lin Fengmian hushed her, gesturing for silence as he led her deeper into the woods.

Xia Yunxi's face flushed, her mind racing. She knew that some senior sisters liked outdoor rendezvous. Was this what Lin Fengmian intended?

Her mind went blank. By the time she noticed, they had already stopped. She blushed and whispered, "Senior Brother, we can't…"

"What can't we do?" Lin Fengmian asked, confused.

"I haven't reached Foundation Establishment yet…" Xia Yunxi lowered her head, embarrassed.

"What are you talking about?" Lin Fengmian was puzzled.

"I thought…" Xia Yunxi's voice trailed off.

"Junior Sister, this might be the last time we see each other," Lin Fengmian said, his tone filled with sorrow.

"Senior Brother, what do you mean?" Xia Yunxi asked, her face suddenly serious.

"The day after tomorrow, Senior Sister Liu has summoned me to her chambers for an 'assessment.' You know what that means," Lin Fengmian said bitterly.

Xia Yunxi was stunned. "But... you weren't supposed to be assessed. Why now?"

Over the past three years, Lin Fengmian had looked after her, and she had always thought he'd remain safe on Hongluan Peak. She hadn't expected that he too would eventually face the same grim fate.

Sighing, Lin Fengmian replied, "The reason I wasn't selected earlier must have something to do with a mysterious senior who brought me into the sect. But something must have happened to her, as Liu Mei no longer fears her and is now targeting me."

Xia Yunxi's expression shifted. "What should we do? I'll go beg Senior Sister Liu to spare you."

Lin Fengmian knew that convincing Liu Mei to change her mind was next to impossible, and he didn't want to risk betting on Xia Yunxi's feelings for him. He realized he needed a bolder plan.

Gripping Xia Yunxi's hand, Lin Fengmian looked at her deeply and said, "Junior Sister, I didn't call you here to ask for help. I just wanted to confess my feelings."

"Junior Sister Xia, I've admired you for a long time. I once thought it would be an honor to die by your hand one day, but fate had other plans."

With a melancholic yet tender expression, he handed her a worn-out storage pouch. "Over the years, I've only managed to save a few spirit stones. Please take them to help you along your path. All I ask is that you don't forget me."

**Chapter 4: A Man Without Weaknesses**

Summer Cloudstream had never encountered a situation like this before. Her face was flushed red, eyes misty with tears, looking as if she were about to cry.

She gazed at Lin Fengmian's handsome face and choked up, saying, "Senior Brother... actually, I..."

Lin Fengmian looked at her with a sorrowful smile, "If you truly care, just bury my body on the hillside behind the mountain. From there, I'll still be able to see you."

Tears rolled down Summer Cloudstream's cheeks, and biting her lips, she resolutely said, "Senior Brother, don't say that. I won't let you die!"

Without needing Lin Fengmian's suggestion, she immediately offered, "Senior Brother, didn't you say there was a senior who brought you into the sect? I will find her. She must know a way."

"But I don't even know her name, nor where to find her," Lin Fengmian replied with a troubled expression.

"I can find out her identity," Summer Cloudstream said with determination. "Senior Brother, don't worry. There has to be a way."

Her small, serious face made Lin Fengmian feel guilty, but his own life was at stake, so he suppressed the feeling.

He feigned hesitation, "But won't this cause trouble for you, Junior Sister?"

Summer Cloudstream shook her head, softly replying, "It's a small matter. Senior Brother, did Senior Sister Liu really ask for me?"

Lin Fengmian nodded, "You're sharp, Junior Sister. I only wanted to express my feelings to you. Forgive me for this deceit."

Summer Cloudstream blushed and said softly, "It's alright, Senior Brother. I understand your feelings. I..."

Her voice grew quieter as she spoke, prompting Lin Fengmian to lean closer and ask, "What did you say?"

"Nothing, I'll return to inquire with the senior sisters. Once I have news, I'll come find you," Summer Cloudstream said hurriedly, face flushed, before running away.

Lin Fengmian sighed, feeling a bit guilty. But since his life was on the line, he had no choice.

The next three days passed in a blur, each moment filled with anxiety and helplessness. Despite all his attempts to devise a plan, his low cultivation left him with no viable options. 

Neither the mysterious woman from the jade pendant appeared, nor did Summer Cloudstream return. This only deepened Lin Fengmian's frustration.

The night of the "assessment" finally arrived. Lin Fengmian held a knife, hesitating.

Just as he was about to take drastic action, the pendant on his chest began to glow.

Startled, Lin Fengmian touched the twin fish jade pendant, and once again, a familiar darkness enveloped him, pulling him into its depths.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself by the side of the black river that flowed endlessly.

Seeing the otherworldly beauty of Luo Xue, Lin Fengmian's emotions surged with both anger and disbelief.

"You liar!" he wanted to shout, but before he could, Luo Xue, seeing him, preemptively accused, "You're the liar! There's no Hehuan Sect in the Eastern Wilderness!"

"The Hehuan Sect is actually in the northern polar regions," Lin Fengmian defended, "I was tricked too."

"And what about Zhao Kingdom? There's no such place in the Eastern Wilderness!" Luo Xue retorted angrily.

Lin Fengmian was left speechless, suddenly realizing something.

The Zhao Kingdom had only been founded about 800 years ago.

Could it be that this woman was truly from a thousand years ago?

"Are you really the Luo Xue Sword Immortal of the Qionghua Sect?" Lin Fengmian looked at her intensely.

Luo Xue, slightly taken aback, replied shyly, "I wouldn't dare call myself a Sword Immortal, but I am indeed Luo Xue."

"Do you have any proof of your identity?" Lin Fengmian asked, still skeptical.

Luo Xue sneered, twirling her sword with pride, "This sword, Zhenyuan, is the best evidence."

Lin Fengmian gaped at the ancient sword inscribed with the characters "Zhenyuan."

For a long moment, he was speechless before murmuring, "Immortal, what year is it?"

Luo Xue, puzzled but patient, answered, "It is naturally the year 2555 of the Tianyuan Calendar, on the 25th day of May."

Lin Fengmian was silent.

It was now the year 3555 of the Tianyuan Calendar, May 25.

If what Luo Xue said was true, there was a thousand-year gap between them.

This twin fish jade pendant had somehow connected him with Luo Xue, a sword immortal from a thousand years ago.

Lin Fengmian slumped to the ground, muttering, "It's over. It's all over!"

He had hoped she could save him, but now he realized that relying on someone from a thousand years ago was hopeless.

Luo Xue, seeing his despair, furrowed her brows and asked, "What trick are you playing now, demon?"

Lin Fengmian looked at her, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided not to reveal the truth about the time gap between them.

He smiled bitterly and said, "How could I, a mere cultivator at the Qi Refinement stage, be a demon? And in less than an hour, I'll be dead. Why would I lie to you?"

Luo Xue, seeing his genuine expression, began to waver in her suspicions.

Perhaps he really had been deceived by the Hehuan Sect, and the Zhao Kingdom was too small to appear on any maps?

"Don't give up so easily. You should find out exactly where you are and buy some time. If I give it my all, I might still make it!" she encouraged.

Lin Fengmian chuckled softly, "You might reach me in terms of distance, but how will you bridge the gap in time?"

He had completely given up hope of being saved by someone from a thousand years ago. It was a dead end.

"There's no point," he said dejectedly.

Luo Xue, frustrated, stomped her foot. "How can you give up so easily? Even I, an outsider, haven't given up on you."

Moved by her determination, Lin Fengmian asked, "Is there any technique or secret method to quickly increase my power?"

Luo Xue pondered for a moment before sheepishly admitting, "Those are all demonic techniques. Even if there were one, it wouldn't let you leap across cultivation stages."

She continued, "Your senior sister is at the peak of Foundation Establishment, and you're only at the fifth level of Qi Refinement. No technique would help you win."

Lin Fengmian sighed, "So there's only one option left, then?"

"You have a plan?" Luo Xue asked, intrigued.

With a bitter smile, Lin Fengmian made a cutting gesture and said, "Yes, to become a man without any weaknesses."

Luo Xue was confused. "What do you mean by a man without weaknesses?"

Lin Fengmian, with a tearful smile, explained, "I mean... severing the root."

Luo Xue's face flushed instantly. After a moment of stunned silence, she actually felt a sense of admiration.

"That... that is indeed a solution," she said, with newfound respect. "Your life is at stake. Don't feel too sad. As cultivators, we must be free from desires and attachments."

But as she continued, even she seemed to lose confidence in her words.

"Is it true that once someone reaches the Golden Core stage, they can regenerate limbs?" Lin Fengmian asked, clinging to a shred of hope.

Luo Xue hesitated before delivering the harsh truth, "Before the Golden Core stage... injuries like that can't be healed."

Chapter 5: Senior Brother, You Must Escape

Lin Fengmian was utterly disheartened, his mood sinking into despair.

"I might as well just die!"

"Don't say that! As long as you're alive, there's hope. The higher your cultivation, the more unimaginable the powers become. Who knows, maybe in the future, you'll find a way to mend things." Luo Xue tried to console him.

Though she said it casually, Lin Fengmian latched onto her words. A sudden idea struck him, and he stood up quickly, his eyes bright as he looked at Luo Xue. "Does the twin fish pendant you're holding have a 'Xue' character engraved on it?"

Luo Xue was puzzled. "How do you know?"

"I just guessed. Lots of people like engraving characters on things, right?" Lin Fengmian answered offhandedly, dodging the full truth.

He was now certain that the pendant he had was the same one Luo Xue held.

If he could get Luo Xue to leave her energy in the pendant and then figure out how to activate it, it would essentially become a powerful artifact for him to use in battle!

Excited, Lin Fengmian asked urgently, "Luo Xianzi, is there a way to leave a strand of energy in this pendant, something I can later release for defense or attack?"

Luo Xue thought for a moment and nodded. "That's possible. Can the twin fish pendants transfer power between them?"

"Let's try it out and see, who knows what might happen."

Lin Fengmian couldn't exactly tell her the whole truth. If she found out about the destruction of her sect and his eventual death in a forbidden area, she might lose her composure.

Feeling sorry for him, Luo Xue eventually agreed. "Alright, when you return, I'll leave a strand of energy in the pendant. You can activate it using a specific incantation."

Overjoyed, Lin Fengmian hurriedly added, "Make sure it lasts as long as possible, so it won't dissipate."

Though a bit puzzled, Luo Xue still agreed. "If longevity is the key and power isn't the main concern, then the Ice Condensation Sword technique would be best."

She demonstrated the technique's gestures, and Lin Fengmian carefully memorized them, making sure to repeat it several times to avoid any mistakes.

Satisfied, Lin Fengmian felt reassured, especially since he was now better equipped to face the impending danger.

As time approached for the fateful event, Lin Fengmian suddenly felt his room being disturbed by the sound of knocking on the door.

"Senior Brother Lin, Sister Liu Mei is calling for you."

A familiar voice rang out, and Lin Fengmian froze for a moment. It was Xia Yunxi's voice.

He answered briefly, opened the door, and there she was—Xia Yunxi, standing gracefully with a green dress and a small orange lantern in hand. She looked like a gentle lotus blooming in the night.

"Junior Sister Xia?"

"Yes, Senior Brother, let's go."

Xia Yunxi's expression was calm, her tone formal, as she led him toward Hongluan Peak.

Everyone from the Qingjiu Peak couldn't help but look at Lin Fengmian with envy. One of his rivals, a burly man named Wang Ming, spat in disdain. "Damn pretty boy!"

Wang Ming had always been jealous of Lin Fengmian, harboring resentment for years.

Normally, Lin Fengmian might exchange a few insults, but tonight, he couldn't be bothered. He followed Xia Yunxi down the mountain, his mind racing with thoughts of how to deal with the situation awaiting him.

But something was off. Why was Xia Yunxi the one bringing him tonight?

As they walked further, the surroundings grew quieter, with fewer and fewer people around. Eventually, it was just the two of them on the dark path. Xia Yunxi slowed her steps near a crossroad.

Her gentle voice broke the silence. "Senior Brother, listen to me. The one who brought you into the sect was Elder Xie Yuyan, a Nascent Soul cultivator."

"But she entered a life-or-death retreat two years ago, and there's been no news since. It's said that she may have perished… so…"

Lin Fengmian's heart sank as she continued, bitterly smiling. "I see. Thank you for telling me."

No wonder Liu Mei suddenly wanted to make a move against him. His backer had fallen, leaving him exposed.

He followed Xia Yunxi in silence, but suddenly she stopped and turned to face him. She took out a token and handed it to him, her smile radiant. "So, Senior Brother, you must escape."

"This is my master's token. The main road ahead leads to the sect's exit. With this token, you should be able to make it out."

Lin Fengmian looked at the warm token in his hand, then at the beautiful girl before him, feeling a heavy weight of guilt in his chest.

Gripping the token tightly, he asked in a low voice, "If I run, what will happen to you?"

"I'll be fine. My master dotes on me, and I'll only get a minor punishment," Xia Yunxi replied with a bright smile.

Lin Fengmian sighed, clutching the token in his hand as an intense conflict played out in his heart. 

She had gone to such lengths just to steal this token?

How did someone with her pure heart survive in a sect like this?

Returning the token to her, Lin Fengmian firmly said, "Junior Sister, I can't involve you. I can handle this myself. Return the token to your master."

Xia Yunxi, startled, tried to persuade him, "Senior Brother! Don't go! You'll die if you do!"

Lin Fengmian simply smiled and replied, "Junior Sister, I won't die."

Chapter 6: Dying Beneath a Peony, Even as a Ghost, It's Romantic?

Lin Fengmian's actions weren't entirely motivated by his desire to avoid dragging Xia Yunxi down with him. More than that, he knew he couldn't escape.

Xia Yunxi was still too naive to understand the twists and turns of the situation. As a mere Qi Refining cultivator, how could she possibly get away?

Over this period, it wasn't just him who had noticed the eerie happenings in the Hehuan Sect, but everyone who did was inevitably caught.

In fact, it was Lin Fengmian who had buried their dried corpses, and their gruesome state was beyond description.

He had no intention of becoming one of those corpses.

Xia Yunxi wanted to persuade him further, but before long, they arrived at Red Luan Peak, where too many eyes were watching.

All she could do was follow behind Lin Fengmian, her heart heavy with complex emotions.

The two of them arrived at Liu Mei's Red Lotus Courtyard. Lin Fengmian walked inside, and Xia Yunxi grabbed his sleeve, her gaze filled with reluctance.

Lin Fengmian gently pried her hand off and smiled, saying, "Come back in an hour."

Xia Yunxi knew all too well that in an hour, she might be looking at Lin Fengmian's corpse.

She wanted to say something, but just then, the door suddenly opened, and a seductive, scantily clad Senior Sister Liu looked at the two of them in confusion.

"Junior Sister Xia, why are you here? Could it be that you want to watch?"

Xia Yunxi quickly shook her head. She had never been able to bear watching such things, especially not with Senior Brother Lin involved.

She didn't want to see Senior Brother Lin like that, so she said in a low voice, "I was just passing by. I'll be leaving now."

"Since you're already here, why not stay and watch? With your talent, it won't be long until it's your turn." Liu Mei giggled.

Lin Fengmian took the initiative to walk over, wrapping his arm around Liu Mei's waist. Laughing heartily, he said, "Senior Sister, I don't want anyone watching."

"Let's go! A night of spring is worth a thousand gold!"

Liu Mei gave him a coy glance and teased, "Oh, you've opened up today?"

Xia Yunxi watched as Lin Fengmian flirted with Liu Mei, slowly closing the door behind them, shutting her out.

She felt a hollow emptiness in her heart. She wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come, and all she could do was turn and leave in distress.

Inside the room, Lin Fengmian shut the door with a complex expression.

Liu Mei sauntered over to the bed, slowly shedding her clothes and letting them fall to the ground, revealing her alluring, seductive figure.

Lin Fengmian turned around, and for the first time, he looked directly at the beautiful body he had always avoided facing. Yet, his mind remained eerily calm.

Every movement of Liu Mei was filled with temptation as she half-removed her clothing and beckoned him over with a playful gesture.

She smiled seductively and said, "What are you waiting for? Didn't you say a night of spring is worth a thousand gold? Come here!"

"Isn't it just 'Dying beneath a peony, even as a ghost, it's romantic'?" Lin Fengmian chuckled.

Liu Mei giggled. "You cheeky little thing, what are you thinking? Sister just wants to play with you. Did you really think I'd drain your energy?"

"Isn't that the case?"

Lin Fengmian's voice turned serious. "I've buried enough of our senior brothers and juniors to know your skills, Senior Sister."

Liu Mei tossed him a flirtatious glance and said, "Whether it is or isn't, you'll find out soon enough."

"As you said, if death is inevitable, wouldn't spending a spring night with me beforehand be a good thing? 'Dying beneath a peony, even as a ghost, it's romantic,' right?"

Lin Fengmian replied gravely, "Senior Sister, I'm not ready to die yet. Please, have mercy on me. From now on, I'll follow you, serving you loyally."

He still didn't want to reveal too much. Convincing her was better than overpowering her.

"You've got quite the sweet tongue."

Liu Mei chuckled and, with a swift motion, pulled Lin Fengmian toward her, overpowering him effortlessly.

She pushed him down onto the bed, her soft body pressing against his, as she leaned in to blow gently on his face.

Lin Fengmian inhaled a fragrant scent, and suddenly, a surge of uncontrollable desire ignited within him.

His eyes turned crimson, and instinctively, he wrapped his arms around Liu Mei.

There's something wrong with that scent!

Liu Mei giggled, her breath like orchids as she whispered, "But today, sister has set her sights on you. Just give in to me."

Her delicate hands undid his robe and caressed his chest, laughing in surprise, "Who would've thought you'd be so well-built despite looking so skinny?"

Lin Fengmian's eyes grew dazed, almost succumbing to the irresistible urge, as he struggled to maintain his sanity.

"Are you really going to kill me, Senior Sister?"

"Don't worry, Little Fengmian. Sister will make you feel like you're in heaven."

Liu Mei laughed softly, her hands wandering all over him.

She suddenly gasped in surprise, "Didn't expect you were hiding so much. Sister likes that!"

Lin Fengmian winced, shivering slightly.

Liu Mei lay languidly on top of him, moaning softly, "Come now, let sister take good care of you."

As if to confirm her words, drops of warm fluid dripped onto his thigh.

Lin Fengmian glanced down, suddenly understanding the famous line of poetry: 

"How does the water stay so clear? It comes from its source."

The sight of this curious phenomenon left him in awe, and he gasped, nearly losing his grip on his rationality.

Indeed, experience in real life is far different from theory.

Just as Lin Fengmian was about to take action, he felt a sudden burning sensation on his chest.

It was the jade pendant around his neck that had heated up, giving him a brief moment of clarity.

He knew that if he gave in completely, it wouldn't just be a case of "pleasure before death" but a real death.

Biting his tongue, the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth as he shouted, "Senior Sister Liu, are you really going to kill me? Aren't you afraid of offending Uncle Master Xie Yuyan?"

At the mention of Xie Yuyan's name, Liu Mei's movements paused, though she didn't let go. She asked with interest, "What's your connection to her?"

Lin Fengmian gritted his teeth. "I can't say. Just know that I'm important to her. If you harm me, she won't spare you."

Liu Mei leaned against Lin Fengmian, her hands still wandering, as she laughed, "Fengmian, do you think I'd believe you?"

"She's long forgotten about you. Otherwise, why hasn't she bothered to see you in all these years?"

Panting, Lin Fengmian replied, "You don't believe me? Then take a look at this."

He swiftly made a hand seal, grateful that the spell could be cast with one hand, or else he'd be in serious trouble.

Liu Mei remained skeptical, but then a terrifying sword aura surged from the jade pendant on Lin Fengmian's chest.

The sharp aura pricked her skin painfully.

Her face turned pale, and with a sudden grip, Lin Fengmian nearly shivered in fear.

"Senior Sister Liu, please let go, let go!"

Liu Mei slowly released her grip, sitting up, completely unconcerned about her exposed body, staring blankly at the twin fish pendant on his chest.

She stared at his chest, and Lin Fengmian, in turn, stared blankly at hers. So, they were even.

"Now do you believe me? This is the jade pendant Uncle Master Xie gave me before she went into seclusion for protection! Don't force me to fully activate it!"

The flirtatious look on Liu Mei's face vanished completely, replaced by a cold expression. "What exactly is your relationship with Uncle Master Xie?" she asked.