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As for Cui Xiaoxiao, not long after leaving the mountain, she saw a pack of foxes appearing behind her.
Leading them was the tearful Yu Ling’er.
The last time Cui Xiaoxiao saw her this utterly devastated was when the old Fox King had passed away. But back then, Tang Youshu had comforted her, so Yu Ling’er hadn’t had a chance to wail in front of Cui Xiaoxiao.
Once Yu Ling’er transformed to her human form and chokingly recounted how Tang Youshu had given her money to drive her away, Cui Xiaoxiao let out a long sigh.
Even if Tang Youshu hadn’t driven Yu Ling’er off, the two of them would likely have struggled to have a good outcome.
If humans and demons were separated by towering mountains, then immortals and demons were divided by an unbridgeable celestial chasm.
Considering Tang Youshu already had over two hundred years of cultivation foundation, plus the demon bead by his side, in this return to two hundred years ago, after assisting his master in regaining divinity, he would likely also achieve immortality himself.
With master and disciple both wholeheartedly pursuing immortality, how could they let romantic entanglements occupy their hearts? A demon like Yu Ling’er would be someone they could easily discard!
However, Cui Xiaoxiao was still touched that Yu Ling’er had fallen out with Tang Youshu over her, reaching out to stroke the little fox’s protruding ears.
She had thought Yu Ling’er always prioritized men above all else, never expecting that at this critical juncture, the little fox would actually place their sisterly bond first!
Such deep friendship moved Cui Xiaoxiao tremendously.
Hearing Cui Xiaoxiao’s praise, Yu Ling’er only drooped her ears dejectedly, expressing regret that she had actually messed things up herself.
Now she really wanted to shamelessly go back to the mountain and make up with Tang Youshu.
Yu Ling’er even asked Cui Xiaoxiao if she wanted to be shameless companions and return together.
Cui Xiaoxiao could only roll her eyes helplessly, dusting off her clothes before continuing forward without looking back.
Yu Ling’er hurried to catch up, asking, “Xiaoxiao, where are you going? Lingshan is your own sect, are you really going to let Wei Jie have it so easily?”
Cui Xiaoxiao waved her small bundle nonchalantly, “It’s not giving it away for free, just returning it to its rightful owner… I don’t have anywhere specific to go. I just want to return to Luoyi City first and eat some delicacies. We left too hastily last time, leaving me with too many lingering cravings and regrets. How about it, want to treat me this time? Once you spend all that money, you’ll have an excuse to go back and ask Lord Tang for more.”
Her words were meant as a joke, but Yu Ling’er’s eyes lit up, finding the idea sensible. She eagerly pulled Cui Xiaoxiao towards Luoyi City.
Since time-traveling to two hundred years ago, Cui Xiaoxiao had mostly been surrounded by crisis after crisis, sometimes traveling day and night.
Now free of all her disciples, unencumbered and idle, wandering and enjoying herself with Yu Ling’er felt like a rare leisure she had never experienced.
As for the other fox tribesmen, they transformed into their beast forms to secretly protect the two girls in the forest.
So this abrupt departure from Lingshan didn’t seem so bad after all.
It was just that when traveling, Cui Xiaoxiao didn’t dwell on idle thoughts. But once they settled down, all sorts of random musings would inevitably arise.
For example, when Cui Xiaoxiao wanted to change clothes and opened her bundle, she discovered the hairpin Wei Jie had bought her tucked inside her clothes.
Cui Xiaoxiao treasured the precious hairpin, not daring to wear it, so she had carefully wrapped it within her clothes in the bundle.
Now seeing the hairpin accidentally fall onto the grass,
Back then, he would smile radiantly as he watched Cui Xiaoxiao twirl in her beautiful dresses, saying he would buy her even more exquisite outfits in the future, befitting the future leader of the Joyous Unity Sect.
Recalling those saccharine sweet memories, Cui Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but let out a wry laugh.
But before her laughter could fully blossom like spring flowers, it was dampened by the tears rolling down her cheeks.
Yu Ling’er came bouncing back after picking a bunch of wild berries. Seeing Cui Xiaoxiao’s furtive tears, she instinctively slowed her steps and sat down beside her.
Noticing the hairpin in Cui Xiaoxiao’s hands, Yu Ling’er suddenly understood, “Xiaoxiao, you’re missing Wei Jie again, aren’t you? Why don’t we just stop being stubborn and go back!”
Cui Xiaoxiao shook her head, putting the hairpin back into her bundle and taking a deep breath.
How could she explain to Yu Ling’er that the Wei Jie she longed for had vanished the moment he was possessed by the spirit stone?
If she went back, she would be as despicable as Qin Lingxiao, a sinner obstructing a deity’s destiny.
But fortunately, there was no void that couldn’t be filled by delicious food and wine.
When the two gluttonous girls returned to Luoyi City for the third time, the sight of the street foods immediately reinvigorated them.
Using the money from Tang Youshu, the two girls ate while taking boxes to go, soon carrying several oily paper packages.
Night had fallen, and not wanting to camp in the wilderness again, the two booked a room at the same inn they previously stayed.
Yu Ling’er had wanted to share Cui Xiaoxiao’s room since she didn’t need a bed and could just curl up on the cushions.
But Cui Xiaoxiao firmly refused, so they had to get two separate rooms, with Cui Xiaoxiao taking the one she stayed in last time.
When the serene moonlight spilled through the window lattices, Cui Xiaoxiao, lying on the comfortable mat, still couldn’t fall asleep. She grabbed a string of small wine jars and cups, along with some preserved meat snacks, and climbed onto the roof.
The moonlight was brilliant, the perfect time for moonlit revelry.
Cui Xiaoxiao took two sips, her ears seeming to catch a man’s laughter saying, “What a beautiful moonlight, perfect for admiring beauty. At least this fine evening is not wasted!”
The moonlight and wine flavors were impeccable, yet there was no beautiful woman to admire under the moon. Only she toasted her own shadow as a third companion, bitterly savoring memories with each shallow sip…
Just as she was about to drink another cup, a large hand gripped her wrist.
Cui Xiaoxiao’s heart tightened as she abruptly looked up to see a tall figure in white robes standing behind her. Her slightly drunken self couldn’t help but exclaim, “Why did you take so long? I’ve been waiting forever!”
The newcomer was momentarily entranced by her coy smile and said in a deep voice, “You… have been waiting for me?”
Cui Xiaoxiao had intended to say yes, waiting to admire his rare beauty under the moonlight.
But the man’s voice was completely different from the carefree, debonair tones in her memory.
She lowered her wine cup and squinted to get a better look, only to realize the one standing before her was… Qin Lingxiao!
Now observing him, she saw only that arrogant, oppressive demeanor, almost as if seeing his equally insufferable master through Qin Lingxiao.
As soon as she recognized Qin Lingxiao, Cui Xiaoxiao immediately withdrew the hand he had gripped and stood up unsteadily, taking a step back as she asked, “What are you doing here too?”
Qin Lingxiao had been momentarily captivated by Cui Xiaoxiao’s smile, but seeing her guarded expression and retreating step, his voice turned icy, “Otherwise? Who did you think it would be?”
Cui Xiaoxiao was taken aback by his question and laughed at herself derisively.
Yes, did she really think that person would join her for moonlit drinking on such an alluring night?
Thinking this, she extended the wine jar to Qin Lingxiao, “Since you’re here, have a drink!”
Cui Xiaoxiao’s unselfconscious, carefree manner was something Qin Lingxiao had never witnessed in other female cultivators.
She seemed to never take grudges or romantic entanglements to heart, her inexplicable nonchalance unconsciously drawing people in.
Earlier, seeing her solitary figure drinking wine under the moonlight, Qin Lingxiao had felt unsettled. Now receiving her invitation, he was almost overwhelmed, taking the wine jar to sit beside Cui Xiaoxiao.
But before he could speak, Cui Xiaoxiao mercilessly cut him off, “Shut up, don’t say or ask anything. I just want someone to drink with me right now!”
Hearing this, Qin Lingxiao’s face flushed with anger – the former leader of the number one sword sect was not to be treated like some drinking companion by a mere girl!
Yet seeing Cui Xiaoxiao’s unshed tears, he held his tongue and silently poured her wine.
After Cui Xiaoxiao had driven him away from Lingshan that day, he had not actually left.
When Cui Xiaoxiao departed the mountain with Yu Ling’er, he had followed discreetly behind them.
During this time, Qin Lingxiao had never slacked in his cultivation.
With Wei Jie and Cui Xiaoxiao’s presence, the Young Pavilion Lord’s sense of crisis remained acute. Through such arduous practice, his lightbody technique had made incredible progress.
Since he was also Wei Jie’s discipline, he was able to approach them closely while concealing his aura, going unnoticed.
He had also overheard Cui Xiaoxiao and Yu Ling’er’s tearful accounts.
Although unclear on why Wei Jie had suddenly turned against her, it was clear Cui Xiaoxiao had broken off from Wei Jie and been driven from Lingshan.
Hearing this, Qin Lingxiao’s heart leapt with joy – if Cui Xiaoxiao recognized Wei Jie’s sinister, icy nature and was no longer infatuated with him, that would be for the best!
So when Cui Xiaoxiao came to Luoyi City, Qin Lingxiao followed and revealed himself to join her in drinking.
Cui Xiaoxiao was drinking Wei Jie’s favorite Luoyi vintage, the flavor rich and potent.
Before Qin Lingxiao’s arrival, she had already downed two small jars. After he accompanied her for another jar, the alcohol started to take effect and her eyes could no longer stay open.
Resting her head on her knees, she said softly, “Hey, I can’t walk anymore. Help me back to my room.”
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