Chapter 64. Help Me Light Incense for Him

Chapter 64. Help Me Light Incense for Him

Tianling Mountain, Xuanyun Sect.

“Master, has Senior Brother come back yet?”

“Not yet, Kexin. When he returns, you’ll naturally know. There’s no need to ask several times a day.”

“But Master, when will Senior Brother be back?”

“I can’t say for sure. The princess’s disappearance is a major issue, and it’s not as simple as just getting lost; there’s likely a conspiracy behind it. He may be engaged in a struggle with those forces. You don’t need to worry; he will be fine. Focus your thoughts on your cultivation.”

“Mm… Fine…”

In the days Lin Nuo had been away, Su Kexin felt anxious, not primarily because she worried about him, but rather because he wasn’t at Tianling Mountain. She felt unsettled not seeing him every day. Plus, Lin Nuo was handsome and strong; what if he went out and caught the eye of another female cultivator from another sect, and they hit it off and flew away together? What then?

She had made breakthroughs in her cultivation under her senior brother’s guidance and was eager to share her good news with him. But he had gone out to look for the princess and had been gone for several days. There was no good news from Huang City about the princess—no clear timeline for finding her either. This waiting felt like a bottomless pit.

No matter how long he needed to be away, it was fine as long as he didn’t really fly away far from her.

However, she had no choice; she couldn’t leave the mountain without permission, or she would have flown to Huang City to find him herself.

Qin Shili had also returned early from her own mission, and she was at Han Fairy’s place. She had gone out to carry out a task, but it had turned out to be too simple, and she finished ahead of schedule. She had then gone to You City to buy forbidden magic books, and later ran into Lin Nuo, witnessing him disappear amidst a violent explosion.

Listening to Han Fairy and Su Kexin’s conversation, Qin Shili had a sinking feeling in her heart. Lin Nuo and the princess had likely disappeared in that explosion. If Lin Nuo had safely rescued the princess, with his sword flight speed, he should definitely be back at Tianling Mountain by now.

But she had returned two days ago and still hadn’t seen Lin Nuo. This meant her suspicions were likely correct; Lin Nuo and the princess had perished in that explosion.

However, she wouldn’t speak out about it. After all, buying forbidden magic books was not something to be proud of; it was best if no one knew she had gone to You City. The news of Lin Nuo and the princess’s deaths would eventually spread; when that time came, whoever mourned or rejoiced would have nothing to do with her.

“Kexin, this child, her thoughts are only on Lin Nuo now. A cultivator should prioritize their cultivation.”

As Su Kexin left the place, Han Fairy sighed softly. She wasn’t against romance within the sect, but Su Kexin was still young, her mind not fully mature, and having been here for just a year, it was the time to build a foundation. She hoped Su Kexin could fully devote herself to her training.

As for a seventh-tier disciple like Qin Shili, she didn’t have to worry much.

Han Fairy turned her gaze to Qin Shili: “Shili, considering you’ve taken on quite a few missions recently, Xuanyun Sect won’t assign you any more tasks for now. You can stay here at Tianling Mountain to cultivate. There are places in my domain suitable for your training formations or spirit techniques, which are just as effective as practical experience in the field.”

“Okay.”

Qin Shili replied coldly. Staying in Han Fairy’s domain was fine; she had already copied down the initial chapters of the forbidden magic book and planned to begin her understanding from the basics, gradually exploring the dark arts while maintaining her righteous stance, in search of a balance—that was her goal.

…

Qin Shili visited Zhi Shu Ge, hoping to read and refine her spirit. She also wanted to meet Dao Yuan’s spirit cat.

The warm sunlight streamed into the book pavilion, and today, Dao Yuan’s spirit cat was lazily yawning, dragging its round body between the bookshelves.

Qin Shili took a few books from the shelves and found a spot to sit.

She gently tapped the table three times, and the spirit cat understood, waddling over to her.

“Long time no see, Dao Yuan senior.”

Qin Shili used a sound transmission spell to send her words to the spirit cat’s ears. The spirit cat stopped in front of the table and responded with the same spell, “Long time no see, child. How have you been?”

“Mm, pretty good.”

Qin Shili nodded,

“Senior, could you tell me why you initially approached my junior brother Lin Nuo?”

“No comment.”

“Then how strong is he?”

“He should be quite weak, but it has nothing to do with me.”

“Alright, my apologies. That was rude of me.”

“I am like this; you need not apologize. By the way, he hasn’t come by in a long time.”

“He’s dead.”

Qin Shili coldly stated those three words.

“Dead?” Dao Yuan’s spirit cat sounded intrigued, “How did he die?”

“He was blown to bits. I saw him when I was out; he detonated black-scaled stones and perished with the enemy. At that time, the surrounding area was devastated, devoid of life. I can confirm he was at the epicenter of the explosion; there was no way he could escape.”

“Oh, I see.”

The spirit cat remained calm, neither happy nor sad.

“Then please help me light incense for him. By the way, find out what scent he likes.”

“Ask? He’s already dead, how can I ask?”

“Just ask in front of him. Um, right over there; you wouldn’t mind asking him yourself, would you?”

The spirit cat yawned in a particular direction, and Qin Shili followed its gaze.

It was Lin Nuo; he was searching for books in front of the bookshelf!