Another day between life and death

"I will think of a way," she said lightly, her tone as airy as drifting clouds.

The woman stood in moonlight, her robes like starlit silk. Her beauty radiated with quiet confidence.

"My name is Yue Qingxuan," she said. "Youngest elder of the Taiyin Sect. Also, the most beautiful."

Lin Yuan blinked, a little dazed.

He turned to the little tiger beside him. "Xiao Hu, is she beautiful?"

Xiao Hu snorted. "Not really."

Then to the quiet girl standing nearby. "Qingxue, what about you?"

Qingxue hesitated. "A little..."

Lady Qingxuan arched an eyebrow. "What did they say?"

"They said you're not *that* beautiful," Lin Yuan replied honestly.

She exhaled with great patience. "You little brats. You know *nothing* about beauty. Hmph. Let me heal myself in peace."

But just moments later, a loud crashing noise broke the silence.

Lady Qingxuan paused. "What was that?"

"A wild boar, I think," Lin Yuan answered.

She smiled faintly. "Perfect. My disciple, go defeat that boar and roast it for me. It's a test. Don't worry—I'll save you if you're about to die."

Under her breath, she muttered, "Calling me not beautiful... you'll be back begging for help."

Lin Yuan and Xiao Hu darted off.

"Qingxue, why don't you go with them?" Lady Qingxuan asked.

Qingxue didn't answer.

---

They found the creature soon—a massive wild boar, nearly as tall as Lin Yuan himself. Its eyes gleamed red in the dark.

Lin Yuan raised his bow. Aimed carefully. *Thwip!* A poison arrow struck just above the snout.

The beast shrieked and charged.

While retreating, Lin Yuan fired three more arrows—targeting its heart and lungs.

It only grew more furious.

Climbing atop a boulder, he shot two more into its thick neck.

The boar smashed the stone, throwing Lin Yuan down. He landed hard, slightly injured.

Xiao Hu roared—a soul-shaking roar that stunned the beast.

The little tiger lunged at the boar's neck but couldn't pierce its hide.

Lin Yuan dodged another charge and smashed the boar with a hammer. Xiao Hu roared again.

The beast faltered. Lin Yuan summoned his flying sword and stabbed the neck twice.

But the boar countered, lunging with tusks to impale him.

His silver belt activated, forming a shield that saved his life.

Xiao Hu bit his shoulder and dragged him to safety, leaping through trees.

The boar crushed trees in pursuit—until it crashed into a fourth and finally fell.

Lin Yuan collapsed, dizzy. He choked down spiritual water, two healing pills, and a pain-relieving pill.

---

Lady Qingxuan arrived, unimpressed. "You killed the Boar King? I don't believe it."

Lin Yuan tried to bandage his foot. She sighed.

"Let me help."

She mended his bones, stopped his bleeding, and poured internal energy into him.

He healed slowly. Took another pill.

"Stop taking pills like candy," she scolded. "Your body might explode."

"I'll be fine," he smiled weakly.

He shared candy with everyone—Qingxuan, Xiao Hu, and Qingxue.

"Why aren't you crying?" Lady Qingxuan asked.

"It won't help," he answered.

He set up formation plates and activated them with high-grade spirit stones.

Took a final healing pill and a sleeping pill.

Then hugged Xiao Hu and closed his eyes.

Qingxue began to sing—a soft, lovely tune.

Lady Qingxuan blinked. "You can sing?!"

She took out a flute and played a gentle melody.

Under the moonlight, with music in the air and warmth at his side, Lin Yuan fell into a deep, healing sleep.