Chapter 60

Liu shuang had stayed under the Weak Water for too long, and her physical body urgently needed to be reshaped.

On that day, when Feng Fuming ventured into the Weak Water, he only dipped in briefly and still got injured.

Yan Chaosheng also went down for just a moment and was corroded to the point where only his bones remained.

Yet, Liu shuang had stayed in the Weak Water for so long that her immortal body dissipated, leaving her as fragile as a newborn baby.

Even with the spiritual energy Shaoyou had transferred to her, it would still take her at least ten years to reform her physical body.

This process was excruciating.

Shaoyou remembered a cousin from a branch family who had once suffered damage to her immortal body.

Despite being nourished with countless rare treasures, she still wailed in agony.

Liu shuang’s immortal body was almost transparent, yet she chose to sleep quietly, without making a fuss, behaving extremely well-behaved.

Today, she finally woke up for a brief moment and was helped by Shaoyou to sit up.

Liu shuang’s face was pale.

Sensing something in her hand, she looked down and saw an incredibly beautiful jade box, glowing faintly in her palm.

The Xirang was inside, its aura completely sealed.

She felt a surge of joy and looked at Shaoyou: “Did you give this to me?”

When she was asleep, Shaoyou hadn’t thought much of it, as the matter of the spiritual vein was enough to occupy his thoughts.

But now that she was awake, Shaoyou met her gaze and inexplicably recalled his master’s words.

“Young master, have you never seen a woman before? Not only did you not take her Xirang, but you also gave her the Qilu Jade Box for free. You gained nothing and instead lost a world-renowned treasure. Are we Kunlun a bunch of fools?”

Shaoyou had calmly replied at the time: “Master, you overthink. I just didn’t want to attract too much envy.”

Now, facing the girl’s misty eyes, Shaoyou actually felt a bit embarrassed.

In the immortal realm, gifting spiritual herbs and medicines was common, but giving away jade refined from divine artifacts was extremely rare.

Shaoyou slightly averted his gaze: “Yes.”

She looked down and examined it: “It has the aura of the Shennong’s Cauldron. Was it refined from it?”

Although Shaoyou had lived for nearly ten thousand years, he had little experience interacting with girls.

Since childhood, he had been taught by several masters, and Kunlun had mostly male disciples.

He was taught to be upright and righteous.

The only time he encountered someone persistent was Feng Caiyi, who had pursued him fervently.

Thus, faced with her question, Shaoyou could only continue: “Yes.”

The Shennong’s Cauldron was one of the three remaining divine artifacts, the only one capable of refining other treasures.

However, it rarely produced anything, perhaps once in ten thousand years.

Liu shuang suddenly remembered something.

“Shaoyou, may I ask how many treasures the Shennong’s Cauldron has refined over the years?”

Shaoyou didn’t hide it from her: “Three. The Qilu Jade Box, the Twin Fish Jade Pendant, and the Mingxi Pearl.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the girl by the bed looked somewhat helpless and upset: “So you’ve given them all to me.”

Shaoyou asked: “What?”

She came back to her senses and smiled lightly, her pale face trying not to show pain in front of him: “I mean, such precious things shouldn’t be given to me. Once I take out the Xirang, I’ll return the Qilu Jade Box to you.”

He paused: “Don’t you like it?”

After asking, seeing her stunned expression, Shaoyou realized his slip and calmly added: “Alright.”

Liu shuang had long harbored a doubt: what kind of close friend would give away their entire family fortune?

If Shaoyou was naive, many things in her past life were taught by him.

Including the time they passed by the Yangzhou River and heard something from behind a wall.

Liu shuang got up to go through the wall to the next room.

Shaoyou stopped her: “What are you doing?”

The little immortal grass listened intently: “I heard a woman crying in pain. Someone must be bullying her. Didn’t you say, Shaoyou, that the virtuous should help the weak? I’ll go teach that man a lesson.”

Shaoyou’s expression was somewhat unnatural, and he coughed lightly: “Don’t go. Sit down. She… isn’t being bullied.”

The little immortal grass trusted him and obediently sat down but was extremely puzzled: “Why?” It clearly sounded like she was in pain.

Shaoyou was silent for a while before squeezing out a few words: “The joy of marital relations.”

“Joy of marital relations?”

He commanded: “Close your hearing. Don’t listen anymore, and don’t look. You’ll understand… someday.”

In Liu shuang’s heart, Shaoyou knew everything.

He was like a pillar supporting her world.

She admired him and trusted him unconditionally, but she realized she had never truly understood him.

“Shaoyou,” she looked up at him, “under what circumstances would a man accompany a woman for a hundred years, teaching and caring for her everywhere, yet not want to be her master?”

Shaoyou didn’t understand why she asked this.

He thought for a moment and replied: “Perhaps out of affection.”

The master-disciple relationship, after all, was somewhat taboo.

Liu shuang suddenly coughed.

She coughed until her face turned red, unsure whether she was more shocked by the realization that Yan Chaosheng had liked her or by Shaoyou’s mention of affection.

Oh heavens, Shaoyou… did he have feelings for her in her past life?

It wasn’t that she hadn’t considered it, but from the beginning, Shaoyou had played the role of a strict mentor.

A teacher imparts knowledge and resolves doubts.

Shaoyou was the carefree, handsome ancient peachwood immortal in her heart.

She, a silly little immortal grass, had never dared to imagine him in that way.

Later, when she married Yan Chaosheng, Shaoyou showed no signs of joy or sorrow.

On her wedding day, he even helped her comb her hair and saw her off.

She hadn’t known back then that the Twin Fish Pendant and the Mingxi Pearl were so precious, thinking they were just ordinary wedding gifts from Shaoyou.

Now, hearing the possibility from Shaoyou himself, she felt like a steamed shrimp.

Her sensitive heart, which had lost its shyness, was now overwhelmed with embarrassment.

Oh no, Shaoyou actually… She shouldn’t have asked. If Shaoyou had liked her in her past life, what about this life? She glanced at him secretly.

Without that veil of ignorance, she could no longer face him as openly as before.

Shaoyou looked down at her.

After asking a strange question, her neck and cheeks turned red, the paleness replaced by a different shade of pink.

Shaoyou: “Did I say something wrong?”

She shook her head and stole another glance at him.

Did he still like her in this life? If so, what should she do?

Shaoyou: “…”

He felt somewhat helpless and asked: “Immortal Chishui, now that you have the Xirang, but your immortal body is damaged, staying in the mortal world is not a solution. I have a close friend named Zhan Xueyang, who is skilled in the wonders of heaven and earth and proficient in the Five Elements of Medicine. He might be able to help you stabilize your immortal body quickly. Would you like to come with me to see him?”

Liu shuang: “Thank you, Shaoyou, but I want to return to Kongsang first.”

Shaoyou nodded.

With the Xirang in her possession, no one felt at ease.

However, she would have to endure several more days of pain.

Liu shuang didn’t stay awake for long and soon fell back asleep.

Her condition wasn’t good, and only by sleeping could she alleviate the pain.

Several days later, Shaoyou took her back to Kongsang on a spiritual crane.

As the future lord of Kunlun, his arrival stirred many people.

Chishui Chong received him in the main hall, where the two young masters of the Bai family were also present.

Bai Yuxiao, seeing Liu shuang’s nearly destroyed immortal body, immediately flared up: “Young Master Jimo, did you do this to her?”

Bai Zhuixu, being more calm, stopped Bai Yuxiao: “Don’t be impulsive. Let’s clarify the situation first.”

Chishui Chong ordered someone to take Liu shuang.

Shaoyou calmly explained everything, and only then did Chishui Chong look at the jade box tightly held in his daughter’s arms.

The people of Kongsang were both shocked and delighted, but Chishui Chong showed no emotion, only thanking Shaoyou for bringing Liu shuang back.

“Young Master Jimo, have you received the Heavenly Lord’s decree recently?”

Although Shaoyou hadn’t returned to Kunlun, traveling with Liu shuang, someone from Kunlun had informed him through voice transmission.

Chishui Chong looked at him: “The Heavenly Lord has ordered the extermination of all demons in the world.”

Chishui Chong asked: “The Heavenly Lord’s decree cannot be disobeyed. Many of Kongsang’s immortal soldiers have been summoned to fight the demons. Kunlun must be executing this as well. What are your thoughts, young master?”

Shaoyou said: “I am merely a disciple of Kunlun. This matter should be decided by my father. I dare not speak recklessly.”

Chishui Chong flashed a rare smile: “Nephew Jimo, you are far more composed than my daughter.”

Shaoyou also smiled: “Uncle Chishui, you flatter me.”

Chishui Chong dismissed the others, shedding his demeanor as a realm lord, and spoke kindly to him: “I never thought Liu shuang could actually bring back the spiritual vein.”

At this moment, his eyes showed both relief andself-reproach.

“She, a pampered daughter, returned injured. As her father, I failed to protect her. Thank you for escorting her back, Nephew Jimo. And thank you for not harming her and taking the spiritual vein.”

Shaoyou raised his hand and silently bowed.

“I know Kunlun’s situation is not optimistic, and you and Elder Jimo are struggling. I heard you attended the Four Sea Banquet but left midway. Your immortal realm has always been skilled in divination. You must have sensed the spiritual vein’s emergence and went for it. Before this, were you considering an alliance with the Feng family through marriage?”

Shaoyou knew he couldn’t hide it from Chishui Chong: “Yes.”

“What are your thoughts now?”

Shaoyou lowered his eyes: “Kunlun needs the spiritual vein to solve our urgent crisis. The immortal clan’s conscription at this time is adding insult to injury. If an alliance with the Feng family can solve our immediate problems, I am willing to try.”

Chishui Chong walked over and patted his shoulder.

“Along with the Heavenly Lord’s secret decree, there was also an oral edict.”

Chishui Chong said, “The Crown Prince Feng Fuming seems to have taken an interest in my daughter Liu shuang. Under the name of Feng Caiyi, he has invited her to stay in the heavenly realm.”

Shaoyou looked up.

Chishui Chong’s eyes flashed with coldness: “The Feng family is cold-blooded and ruthless, and the Crown Prince is even more so than the Heavenly Lord. He wants Liu shuang. Now that Kongsang no longer has the spiritual vein crisis, I naturally won’t agree.”

Chishui Chong looked at him and smiled slightly: “Shaoyou, previously Liu shuang was reckless and caused you much trouble. But now, she has grown a lot and become much more well-behaved. Although your engagement was called off due to her mischief, if you are still interested, perhaps you could ask her again…”

He didn’t finish the last sentence, but Shaoyou couldn’t help but follow the thought.

Ask her what?

Chishui Chong laughed: “Come, since you were young, I haven’t had the chance to see you often. Now that you’re in Kongsang, I must fulfill my duty as host.”

Shaoyou couldn’t continue to ponder and gathered his thoughts

The next day, Chishui Chong learned that Shaoyou’s friend could help Liushuang heal and, cannot bear seeing his daughter suffer, agreed to let him take her away.

Madam Zi, with tears in her eyes, wanted to follow.

Shaoyou had to be honest: “Zhan Xueyang doesn’t like crowds.”

That man had a foul temper, and it was uncertain whether he would even agree to help Liu shuang.

As soon as they left, an immortal soldiers hurried back with news.

Some of the immortal soldiers thet besiege the demon mountain were also from Kongsang.

Chishui Chong’s heart sank.

“After the Demon Suppression Tower collapsed, there are still great demons in the world?”

And they were cruel and violent, slaughtering the immortal clan without mercy! In the past few days, three batches of immortal soldiers had gone to that demon mountain, and none had returned. Not only were their bodies destroyed, but their souls were also ruthlessly incinerated by the mountain lord.

Remembering the demonic energy that had appeared when the spiritual vein was depleted, Chishui Chong knew there was a problem.

He decisively issued an order: “Order all immortal soldiers to stay away from that demon mountain. Summon Bai Zhuixu here.”