Lihuo Yang Lei Array

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The next day.

In the elegant hall, Xin Ruyin, dressed in a blue patterned dress, sat on a pear blossom chair, carefully working on her formation tools.

Not far away, Yan Ruyan leaned her slender body against a wooden pillar, her ghost mask once again hiding her face. She seemed lost in thought, her mind drifting somewhere unknown.

Near noon, Xin Ruyin finally stopped her work. A smile appeared on her smooth face as a set of intricate formation equipment lay complete before her.

The Lihuo Yang Lei Array.

After three months of preparation, it was finally successful.

This formation was incredibly powerful, capable of unleashing scorching heavenly lightning, and had reached the Jindan stage. It was her most advanced creation yet.

Hearing Xin Ruyin's soft laugh, Yan Ruyan turned her head and snorted coldly.

Xin Ruyin had spent so much time creating that formation for that man, and Yan Ruyan found it ridiculous.

Xin Ruyin put away the array, but a trace of worry crossed her face. It was getting late, yet their senior had not come out of his room. She turned to Yan Ruyan.

"Sister Bai Yan, do you think we didn't serve the senior well last night? Why hasn't he come out yet?"

Yan Ruyan's tone was cold. "That was you serving him, not me. Don't confuse things."

Xin Ruyin rolled her eyes and teased, "Sister Bai Yan, what special tricks did you use? Did the senior enjoy your company for an incense stick of time longer than mine?"

Yan Ruyan's face flushed beneath her mask. If her legs weren't still weak, she would have stormed out in anger.

Xin Ruyin giggled and covered her mouth with her hand. The usually icy Yan Ruyan seemed like a different person when their senior was involved.

No wonder the senior seemed to prefer Sister Bai Yan. I mustn't give in so easily next time, Xin Ruyin thought to herself.

"What are you talking about?"

Qi Yuan's voice broke the tension as he approached with a puzzled look. Although his spiritual senses had already caught their conversation, he chose to play dumb to avoid making things awkward.

Yan Ruyan ignored him and continued gazing at the distant green mountains.

Xin Ruyin stood up, her fragrant scent drifting in the air as she approached Qi Yuan. "Senior, you're finally here. How is Xiaomei?"

"Xiaomei is fine. She's preparing to build her foundation. I was late because I was explaining the process to her. Don't worry too much," Qi Yuan reassured her.

He reached out and gently held Xin Ruyin's delicate hands. Years of crafting intricate formations had left her hands smooth yet firm, and holding them felt comforting.

Xin Ruyin's face brightened with joy. "That's wonderful. After Xiaomei establishes her foundation, we'll be stronger. Don't you think so, Sister Bai Yan?"

Yan Ruyan spoke bluntly. "Who knows what kind of guidance he gave. I should've been the one to explain things to her. It would've been safer."

"Senior, Sister Bai Yan is being difficult again. You should teach her a lesson," Xin Ruyin said with a hint of mischief.

Yan Ruyan shot her a glare. "I'm trying to help, and you're siding with him?"

"Sister Bai Yan, don't be upset. When you're too exhausted to stand, I'll be sure to help you," Xin Ruyin added with a sly smile.

Yan Ruyan's face reddened. "I'm going back to my room to meditate," she muttered before turning to leave.

"Wait," Qi Yuan called out.

Yan Ruyan paused, half-expecting to be scolded. Instead, several bottles of pills floated toward her.

"This is the Tianyuan Pill. Use it to improve your cultivation," Qi Yuan said firmly.

The Tianyuan Pill from Yanyue Sect?

Yan Ruyan's eyes widened. That pill was rare and highly effective during the foundation-building stage. Receiving several bottles at once left her speechless.

Was this Nangong Wan's doing?

She stared at the pill bottles in disbelief. With this, her cultivation would progress rapidly, and reaching the late stage of foundation building wouldn't be far off.

Qi Yuan's voice interrupted her thoughts. "The Tianyuan Pill doesn't benefit me much anymore. Rather than letting it gather dust, I'd rather give it to you."

Drug resistance had dulled its effects on him, so he knew it would be more useful to Yan Ruyan.

Yan Ruyan gave a proud snort before disappearing in a flash.

That cold-faced woman, Qi Yuan mused, seemed to secretly enjoy her charming, softer side when they were alone.

Qi Yuan turned back to Xin Ruyin, who looked slightly displeased. He reached out and stroked her cheek. "I'll find a way to heal your condition so you can cultivate without worries, Ruyin."

Xin Ruyin's face softened, and she leaned into his hand. "I believe you, Senior."

Moments later, she blushed and stepped back, pulling out a jade slip from her storage bag. "I've repaired the ancient teleportation array. Follow the instructions here, and you'll be able to restore it. Please take a look."

Qi Yuan's eyes lit up as he browsed the jade slip's contents. After a brief read, he kissed Xin Ruyin's forehead.

"This teleportation array leads to the Chaos Star Sea. The cultivation resources there are abundant, and the endless blue straits are breathtaking. I'll take you there someday."

Xin Ruyin smiled warmly. "If you no longer want me one day, Senior, I'll have no choice but to end my life."

"Don't say such things," Qi Yuan scolded, pinching her cheek lightly.

Xin Ruyin felt reassured by his affectionate tone. She opened her palm, and the Lihuo Yang Lei Array appeared.

"Senior, please take this formation with you. I'll feel better knowing you have it."

Qi Yuan felt a wave of warmth in his heart. He knew Xin Ruyin's intentions were once calculated, but over time their bond had grown deeper.

"Ruyin, you're too kind. I'll love you even more for this," he said with a smile as he stored the array in his storage bag.

Xin Ruyin's face turned red. "If I'd known things would turn out like this, I wouldn't have treated you so coldly before."

Qi Yuan chuckled, scooped her into his arms, and said, "We paid too much attention to Bai Yan last night. Let's go inside and warm up, or she might get jealous."

"Who said I'm jealous?" Yan Ruyan's voice called out suddenly.

"You were eavesdropping? That deserves punishment," Qi Yuan teased.

With Xin Ruyin still in his arms, he walked toward Yan Ruyan with a playful grin.

(End Of Chapter)