Chapter 457: Lu Once Had a Heart for the Sword!

“So, this is the Immortal City of Da Mengze?”

From high above, Lu Changsheng looked down at the huge city sitting on a small island below.

He had visited three of the great immortal cities in Jiang Kingdom: Nine Heavens Immortal City, Qingluan Immortal City.

But, he had never visited Immortal City of Da Mengze until now.

Compared to the other two cities, this one was neither as prosperous and powerful as Jiuxiao nor as full of opportunities as Qingluan.

The only advantage was its stability and tranquility.

In all these years, Lu Changsheng had never heard of any major power struggles or demonic disturbances in the Immortal City of Da Mengze.

“Qingyi, we’re now in Da Mengze. I plan to visit the Immortal City of Da Mengze. Would you like to join me for a walk?”

At that moment, Lu Changsheng thought of Chu Qingyi, who was inside the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus. He sent her a message.

He knew that Fairy Qingyi had been emotionally unsettled ever since he had saved her, and didn’t know how to face him.

This situation had not improved; in fact, it had worsened after her Golden Core Formation.

So, he invited her out to relax and clear her mind.

“Huh?”

Chu Qingyi, who was sitting cross-legged, suddenly heard his words. Her heart began to race, and she became extremely flustered, not knowing how to respond.

Would it be rude to refuse?

But if she didn’t refuse, wouldn’t walking around the Immortal City with him create an unclear relationship?

…”

Lu Changsheng saw the flustered and hesitant look on Fairy Qingyi’s face inside the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus. He sighed helplessly.

Then he entered the pocket dimension, walked up to her, gently held her soft hand, and asked with concern, “Qingyi, what’s wrong?”

“Are you feeling unwell? Or is there some issue with your Golden Core that’s causing discomfort? Do you need to stabilize it?”

Chu Qingyi: “???”

Was he about to suggest Dual Cultivation for healing again?

Chu Qingyi quickly calmed her chaotic mind, her brows lowered as she spoke with a hint of embarrassment, “I’m fine, Fellow Daoist Lu. About what happened before….”

But as the words reached her lips, she found herself unable to say them.

“I know, Qingyi, you’re still blaming me.”

Lu Changsheng sighed and said, “It was wrong of me to make the decision to save you without consulting you, but I couldn’t just watch you die in front of me.”

“If you wish, when we return, I’ll go to Azure Cloud Sect and formally ask Caiyun Zhenren for your hand in marriage.”

Lu Changsheng held Chu Qingyi’s soft and tender hand, speaking sincerely.

However, seeing her lowered gaze, avoiding eye contact and looking melancholic, he continued, “But if… if you aren’t willing, I’ll consider it just a dream. I won’t let anyone know about it. Once you’ve recovered, I won’t bother you anymore.”

“For now, focus on your recovery. If there’s anything you need, feel free to tell me.”

Lu Changsheng, looking despondent, sighed and slowly released Chu Qingyi’s hand, looking reluctant.

“I… I’m not.”

Hearing his words, Chu Qingyi froze, and a sense of guilt and reluctance surged in her heart.

Clearly, he had gone to great lengths, saving her without expecting anything in return, even helping her refine a High-Tier Golden Core. Yet, it seemed he felt indebted to her.

“Really? Qingyi, you’re not blaming me!”

Lu Changsheng’s gloomy expression immediately turned to surprise and joy, as he tightly grasped Chu Qingyi’s soft hand.

“Mhm.”

Chu Qingyi instinctively tried to pull her hand away but couldn’t resist, so she let him hold it and softly said, “Since we’re here at the Immortal City of Da Mengze, let’s have a look around. I’ve never been here before either.”

“But, Fellow Daoist Lu, could you not call me Qingyi?”

In the sect, everyone called her Senior Sister or Junior Sister. Only a few elders and her Master ever used her name ‘Qingyi’.

But hearing Lu Changsheng call her so affectionately made her feel a bit uncomfortable.

“Alright then, how about I call you Senior Sister?”

Lu Changsheng nodded with warmth in his eyes, moving a little closer to Chu Qingyi.

In truth, calling her Qingyi was simply a way to feel closer, with no other intent.

However, calling her Senior Sister… added a different kind of intimacy.

When Chu Qingyi heard this, her heart trembled, and her beautiful eyes filled with embarrassment. She felt like burying herself in the ground.

This man had a special relationship with Junior Sister, yet here she was, involved in something unclear with him. She tried once again to pull her hand away.

“Fellow Daoist Lu, you and Xiyue…”

Chu Qingyi lowered her head and asked softly.

Even though she already knew about their relationship, she still wanted to confirm it.

“Yes, Xiyue and I are Dao companions. But as you know, she’s cultivating the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique. If she doesn’t overcome the emotional tribulation, it will be difficult for her to successfully form her Golden Core.”

“So, we decided to wait until she achieves Golden Core Formation before holding our Dao companion ceremony.”

Lu Changsheng replied calmly.

He knew that Chu Qingyi had already guessed his relationship with Xiao Xiyue and was now simply confirming it.

Although he could deceive her and keep her close for a bit longer.

But no matter how shameless he was, he wouldn’t stoop that low.

Besides, the two Senior and Junior Sisters would meet eventually, so it was better to be honest.

“My Master already knows about Xiyue and me. She even agreed and gave us the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra to cultivate together.”

Lu Changsheng continued, “Isn’t it fate, Qingyi? I happened to cultivate the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra, gained Tianyuan True Lord’s inheritance, and managed to save you using that very technique.”

“I heard from Xiyue that you were the one who originally obtained the Sun and Moon Reincarnation Sutra with Master in the Heavenly Yuan Secret Realm.”

Lu Changsheng’s hand gradually moved to Chu Qingyi’s shoulder as he smiled warmly.

“Please, just call me Qingyi then.”

Listening to him mention Xiyue, Senior Sister, and Master over and over again, Chu Qingyi felt embarrassed and didn’t know how to reply.

Though, calling her by her name would be fine. Given their relationship with Xiyue, it wasn’t inappropriate.

But her current relationship with him was still unclear.

She wondered how Lu Changsheng could remain so calm and affectionate with her.

If she knew that Lu Changsheng also had some connection with her Master, she would be completely dumbfounded.

“Alright, alright, I won’t say more.”

Lu Changsheng smiled and led Chu Qingyi out of the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus.

“Ugh, shameless man! He never speaks the truth!”

Just then, a cold, alluring voice rang in Lu Changsheng’s mind.

“Hmm? Who said that?”

Lu Changsheng was slightly confused.

In the next instant, he suddenly thought of Nangong Mili, who was confined within the Wuxiang Treasure Wheel.

Damn, I forgot all about her.

I got so caught up with Fairy Qingyi’s critical condition that I forgot about that woman.

But wasn’t she supposed to be sealed inside the Wuxiang Domain? How could she be talking to me?

Lu Changsheng’s mind raced, and he quickly understood the situation.

The divine light seal he had placed on Nangong Mili had somehow worn off.

So, with her magic power restored, Nangong Mili was now using a Gu worm to communicate with him.

“Is this the skill of a Gu Master?”

Although Lu Changsheng possessed several Heavenly Spirit Gu worms, he wasn’t really familiar with Gu Master techniques.

But when had she broken the seal?

Did she break it earlier and has been watching all this time, only now voicing herself?

Lu Changsheng pondered silently.

But being seen by my child’s mother isn’t a big deal. Let her watch if she wants.

After all, she and Nangong Mili, Meng Xiaochan, and Ling Zixiao had all seen it before.

“Mili, that’s a harsh statement. I’ve been nothing but true to you. When did I ever deceive you? You’re all my wings. It’s just not convenient right now. Once I finish up, I’ll bring you out immediately.”

Lu Changsheng sent a message to Nangong Mili inside the Wuxiang Domain.

With Chu Qingyi nearby, it wasn’t really appropriate to bring out Nangong Mili.

After all, right and wrong don’t mix well.

Someone like Ling Zixiao might not care about righteous or demonic paths.

But Chu Qingyi was a disciple of the righteous path, raised from childhood with the idea of slaying demons and upholding righteousness.

If he released a demonic Golden Core expert now, even if she didn’t make a move, it would surely affect how she viewed him.

“Shameless man!”

Inside the Wuxiang Domain, Nangong Mili’s seductive yet icy face turned cold again as she cursed.

She had broken part of the seal while Lu Changsheng was helping Chu Qingyi form her Golden Core, and now, using the ‘Spirit Thought Gu,’ she was aware of the outside events.

Seeing Lu Changsheng assist Chu Qingyi with her formation, she didn’t interfere.

After all, she knew from their short interactions that this man responded better to soft approaches rather than aggressive ones.

He had shown her mercy before, out of consideration for their past and for their daughter, Nangong Yaoyao.

If she disrupted things now and angered him, it wouldn’t end well for her.

Moreover, after witnessing Lu Changsheng’s strength and his help in forming Chu Qingyi’s High-Tier Golden Core, she was shocked and started entertaining new thoughts.

Given her current strength, subduing him to help with her True Core was no longer a feasible route. She had to find another way.

Although she deeply despised this approach.

But considering their relationship and the fact that they already had a daughter, if it meant advancing her True Core to the Immortal Golden Core, she wouldn’t be so opposed.

Besides, seeing Lu Changsheng’s talent and strength, she no longer harbored the deep hatred for her previous humiliation.

“This shameless man, I must never let him near Yaoyao!”

“But the righteous women are so easy to deceive. They actually fall for this shameless man’s fake gentle act.”

Nangong Mili scoffed, feeling bitterly disdainful.

How could this man be so shameless, and these women so foolish?

If she had been from the Five Poison Sect, she would have been counting the money after being sold.

However, given this shameless man’s good looks and deceptive words, it was understandable that this woman fell for it.

Lu Changsheng didn’t dwell too long on his conversation with Nangong Mili inside the Wuxiang Treasure Wheel.

As long as she didn’t cause any trouble, there wouldn’t be any big issues.

After walking out of the Heavenly Yuan Imperial Lotus with Chu Qingyi, he used a simple disguise to make them look like two Foundation Establishment cultivators before entering the Immortal City of Da Mengze.

At the city gates, many cultivators moved back and forth.

Seeing Lu Changsheng and Chu Qingyi, the cultivators immediately showed respect and cleared a path for them.

Foundation Establishment cultivators were respected people everywhere.

“It seems that aside from an abundance of water-type monster beasts and water-attributed treasures, this Immortal City of Da Mengze isn’t much different from Qingluan Immortal City.”

Lu Changsheng walked into the immortal city, looked at the shops on both sides, and thought silently.

He planned to look for some aquatic dragon-blood spirit beasts to raise for his Black Water Flood Dragon Dao Weapon.

He glanced at Chu Qingyi and said, “Qingyi, how about we grab something to eat first?”

Although cultivators no longer needed food from the Foundation Establishment stage onwards.

Over the years, Lu Changsheng had never denied himself the satisfaction of a good meal.

Now, in the Immortal City of Da Mengze, he wanted to sample the local delicacies.

“Mhm.”

Chu Qingyi, holding his hand, blushed and felt shy.

Even though they were disguised.

Walking down the street like a couple still made her feel uneasy and self-conscious.

After arriving at an inn in the inner city, Lu Changsheng ordered a few signature dishes. Seeing Chu Qingyi looking uncomfortable, he sat beside her, gently touched her cheek, and asked, “Qingyi, are you feeling unwell?”

“If you’re not feeling well, you should tell me.”

Lu Changsheng asked with concern.

“I’m fine.”

Chu Qingyi softly shook her head.

She just felt uncomfortable earlier.

“I don’t believe you. If you’re really fine, give me a smile.”

Lu Changsheng said naturally, “By the way, I’ve never seen you smile before.”

Chu Qingyi: “….”

Of course, she could smile.

There were always moments of happiness and joy in daily life.

But being asked to smile on command made her not know what to do.

She twitched her lips and softly said, “I don’t know how.”

“You don’t know how? Then let me show you.”

Lu Changsheng extended two fingers, pulling the corners of his mouth into a silly smile.

“Pfft!”

Even the usually reserved Chu Qingyi couldn’t help but laugh at Lu Changsheng’s antics, forgetting that he had just referred to himself as ‘your husband’.

“See? You’re smiling.”

Lu Changsheng, seeing her smile, grinned and said, “You should smile more often. It suits you.”

Realizing she had let her guard down, Chu Qingyi quickly regained her composure, containing her smile.

Then, she raised her head and looked at Lu Changsheng, saying, “Fellow Daoist Lu, I am deeply grateful for your help and care.”

“But you and Xiyue are Dao companions, and I am Xiyue’s Senior Sister. I cannot betray her.”

“Moreover, I am devoted to my cultivation and have no interest in matters of love. So, I hope that the situation between us ends here.”

“Your kindness is etched in my heart, Fellow Daoist Lu. In the future, if you require my help, even if it means going through fire and water, I will not refuse.”

“Your secret, I will guard it forever and not tell anyone.”

Gaining the courage to clearly express her feelings, Chu Qingyi spoke seriously to Lu Changsheng.

She had thought about these words for a long time but didn’t know how to voice them.

But their unclear, close relationship was affecting her emotions and clouding her sword heart, so she couldn’t keep delaying it.

“Why go through fire and water when you could just marry me?”

Lu Changsheng blurted out.

However, seeing the stern expression on the beautiful woman’s face, he quickly put on a serious face and said, “If Xiyue knew the situation, she would want me to save you, Qingyi. So there’s no need for you to feel guilty. I will explain everything to Xiyue later.”

“As for matters of the heart, they cannot be forced. I fell for you at first sight, Qingyi, but that doesn’t mean you must fall for me. That’s not how it works, so there’s no need for you to feel guilty.”

“If you’re staying with me out of guilt over what happened, I’d feel ashamed instead.”

“These days, just treat me as a normal friend, Qingyi. Don’t force yourself.”

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and spoke.

Even though Chu Qingyi was troubled by her relationship with Xiao Xiyue.

Without that connection, someone as pure-hearted as Chu Qingyi would not have been easy to win over.

Lu Changsheng didn’t expect her to fall for him just because he saved her through Dual Cultivation.

But since they were already on the road together, continuing would make things easier.

“Sigh.”

Chu Qingyi sighed. She didn’t feel relief but rather turmoil after saying that.

It’s said that the greatest debt to bear is a beauty’s favor.

She now felt that the hardest debt to bear was a handsome man’s favor.

From the beginning, he had been straightforward about his feelings, without hiding his admiration and pursuit of her beauty.

Despite him taking some liberties with her.

The way he acted now, with grace and patience, without demanding anything in return, made him seem like a perfect gentleman, making her heart even more conflicted.

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Lu.”

After expressing her thoughts, Chu Qingyi felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

She planned to part ways with Lu Changsheng after a few days of sightseeing and return to her sect.

Continuing to spend time with him like this clouded her flawless sword heart, making her emotions unstable.

“Let’s eat first and take things easy.”

Lu Changsheng smiled.

“This woman is so naive. That shameless man won’t let you go so easily.”

Inside the Wuxiang Domain, Nangong Mili sneered as she watched.

Seeing how Lu Changsheng was treating Chu Qingyi while she was still sealed in the domain filled her with frustration.

A surge of unfamiliar emotions—anger, jealousy, bitterness—rose within her.

She cursed Lu Changsheng once more with a cold tone, “Shameless man!”

“Mili, are you jealous?”

Lu Changsheng, multitasking, appeared calm and composed on the surface.

“Get lost!”

Nangong Mili snapped.

“Heh.”

Lu Changsheng just chuckled, planning to show her who was in charge later.

Having tasted many exquisite dishes in the past, the meal was only average for him.

Chu Qingyi, on the other hand, focused on eating, likely to avoid any further conversation with him.

“Let’s go.”

After the meal, Lu Changsheng naturally held Chu Qingyi’s hand and continued down the street, heading to the shops of the merchants.

Chu Qingyi’s body tensed when he took her hand. She tried to pull away but softly said, “Fellow Daoist Lu?”

Hadn’t they just made things clear? So why was he still being so close?

“What’s wrong, Qingyi?”

Lu Changsheng’s eyes were clear; his expression was calm. “I was planning to buy some materials. Do you need anything, Qingyi?”

“Sigh.”

Chu Qingyi sighed internally, thinking that since they were already in this unclear situation, she might as well go along with it for now. She gently shook her head, “I don’t need anything.”

After a pause, she added, “But if Fellow Daoist Lu needs something, I can help.”

As a Golden Core elder in Azure Cloud Sect, she could exchange for Natural Treasures from the sect’s treasury.

She could even post tasks for others to find them, making it much easier for her than for a lone cultivator or clan disciple.

“Great, I’ll let you know what I need later, then I’ll trouble you, Qingyi.”

Lu Changsheng smiled in response.

Since she felt indebted to him, letting her help him could ease the tension and bring them closer.

Plus, it gave him a reason to keep reaching out to Chu Qingyi later.

…”

Chu Qingyi saw how quickly he accepted her offer, wondering if she had said the wrong thing.

“Tsk, my support within Azure Cloud Sect keeps getting stronger.”

Lu Changsheng thought.

A few years more, and after Xiao Xiyue forms her Golden Core, he’ll have three Golden Core supports within Azure Cloud Sect.

Though, once Caiyun Zhenren learns about Chu Qingyi, would she still help him?

She might just want to hack him to death with a sword instead!

“Do you want a candied hawthorn?”

Lu Changsheng asked as he looked at a nearby stall.

“No.”

Chu Qingyi gently shook her head.

But Lu Changsheng still bought a skewer, took a bite, and, finding it good, offered it to Chu Qingyi.

Chu Qingyi was stunned, but when she met Lu Changsheng’s warm and gentle gaze, she hesitantly bit off one piece.

It tasted surprisingly good.

“It’s nice, isn’t it? Qingyi, you probably don’t have many opportunities to go out and enjoy yourself.”

Lu Changsheng smiled.

There’s an old saying, ‘If she’s never seen the world, take her to see its wonders. If she’s grown jaded, take her on a carousel.’

Given Chu Qingyi’s age, she must have experienced many things and gathered a lot of life experiences.

However, Lu Changsheng believed that most of those experiences were related to cultivation.

She probably didn’t experience worldly matters or love, only understanding them.

So these simple, everyday experiences could leave her with some memorable moments.

“Mhm.”

Chu Qingyi nodded.

Lu Changsheng smiled without saying more, holding her delicate hand as they walked down the street together, occasionally stopping at shops to purchase materials.

For reasons she couldn’t understand, walking like this, Chu Qingyi began to feel a bit strange.

She thought it over for a long time before realizing what it was.

It seemed she was no longer resisting Lu Changsheng’s affectionate gestures.

Their interactions now felt like those between the married couples or Dao companions she occasionally saw.

At that moment, Lu Changsheng noticed a Tianyi Pavilion nearby and suggested, “They have nice robes here. Would you like to try some?”

“No need.”

Chu Qingyi gently shook her head.

“Qingyi, don’t you have any hobbies at all?”

Lu Changsheng didn’t press the issue and casually asked.

“Sword practice.”

“Is it just sword practice and cultivation?”

Lu Changsheng remarked with a click of his tongue, “No wonder you’ve reached such a high level. But with only cultivation and sword practice in your life, don’t you find it lonely and dull?”

Chu Qingyi glanced at Lu Changsheng. After a moment’s pause, she softly said, “I have no need for worldly desires, nor do I fear isolation. I live for the sword, and through it, I will achieve my highest potential.”

“…?”

Lu Changsheng hadn’t expected her answer. Despite her early awkwardness, she now felt even more resolved and committed.

Sure enough, someone who had already reached Golden Core wasn’t easily swayed. Now that she was no longer confused, facing him became much easier.

But a determined woman either needs to be persistently pursued or slowly won over!

“For us cultivators, the ultimate goal is to seek the Dao. The Sword Dao is indeed captivating. I was once wholly devoted to the sword myself.”

“But later, I realized that the world is full of so many beautiful things. To focus solely on cultivation would mean overlooking and missing out on much, leaving one with deep regrets in the end.”

Lu Changsheng spoke softly.

Chu Qingyi: “???”

Wasn’t this the man with a harem and many descendants?

How could he possibly have been solely devoted to the sword?

But remembering his previous sword techniques, Chu Qingyi was half-convinced, thinking that maybe he was once devoted to Sword Dao but later abandoned it in favor of Talisman Making?

Wait, but when he helped her with the Golden Core Formation, it didn’t seem like he was a Talisman Maker.

Chu Qingyi felt confused.

But she also realized that Lu Changsheng was trying to use Sword Dao as an excuse to change her mind.

“The world may indeed be full of wonders, but for us cultivators, cultivation is the foundation. If we become too distracted, life will eventually wear us down, and we’ll regret neglecting our cultivation.”

“Moreover, it’s not that I’m disinterested in other things. It’s just a matter of priorities and choices.”

Chu Qingyi softly replied.