“ zěn me ， liǎng wèi rèn shí nà yún zhōng nǚ mó ？”
“怎么，两位认识那云中女魔？”
"How could it be? Do the two of you know that Cloud-Dragon Lady?"
zhè yī cì ， què shì lún dào yún xiá pài de liǎng wèi tài shàng zhǎng lǎo jǐn zhāng le 。
这一次，却是轮到云霞派的两位太上长老紧张了。
This time, it was the Two Supreme Elders of the Cloud-Flower Sect who were on edge.
yuán běn ， yī fān huì tán ， yǐ jiāng xīn zhōng de yí lǜ dǎ pò 。
原本，一番会谈，已将心中的疑虑打破。
Originally, after a round of talks, their doubts had been dispelled.
tā men xīn zhōng de shí tou luò dì ， rèn dìng líng guī shì jǐng ， jǐn jǐn shì yī cháng wù huì bà le 。
他们心中的石头落地，认定灵龟示警，仅仅是一场误会罢了。
The stone in their hearts had dropped. They believed the warning from the divine tortoise was merely a misunderstanding.
kě yǎn qián ， zhè liǎng rén de fǎn yìng yě tài guò qí tè 。
可眼前，这两人的反应也太过奇特。
But the reactions of these two people were too peculiar.
kàn tā men de biǎo qíng ， xiǎn rán rèn shí nà yún zhōng nǚ mó 。
看他们的表情，显然认识那云中女魔。
From their expressions, it was clear that they recognized the Cloud-Dragon Lady.
zhè yì diǎn ， shì piàn bù liǎo rén de 。
这一点，是骗不了人的。
This couldn't be deceived.
jì rán rú cǐ ， tā men gāng cái nà yī fān jiǎo róu zào zuò ， yòu shì wèi le shén me ？
既然如此，他们刚才那一番矫揉造作，又是为了什么？
Since this was so, what was the purpose of their pretense just now?
shì wèi le xiāo chú zì jǐ liǎng rén de jiè xīn ， yǐ biàn yī wǎng dǎ jìn ？
是为了消除自己两人的戒心，以便一网打尽？
Was it to eliminate their guard and catch them all at once?
zhè liǎng rén de shí lì ， yuǎn shèng yú jǐ 。
这两人的实力，远胜于己。
Their strength far surpassed theirs. There was no need for any underhanded tactics.
gēn běn méi bì yào shī zhǎn shén me yīn móu guǐ jì 。
根本没必要施展什么阴谋诡计。
Just now, they had already subdued their fellow disciples. If they wanted to kill, both of them would have been dead long ago.
xiàng gāng cái ， gāng cái ， tā men qí shí yǐ jiāng zì jǐ shī xiōng dì zhì fú ， ruò yào tòng xià shā shǒu ， zì jǐ liǎng rén zǎo jiù chéng dāo xià zhī guǐ 。
像刚才，刚才，他们其实已将自己师兄弟制伏，若要痛下杀手，自己两人早就成刀下之鬼。
Once they were eliminated, how could the remaining junior disciples fight back?
ér zì jǐ liǎng rén yí dàn bèi miè chú ， shèng yú de hòu bèi dì zǐ nǎ ér huì yǒu huán shǒu zhī lì ne ？
而自己两人一旦被灭除，剩余的后辈弟子哪儿会有还手之力呢？
They didn't need to go through such trouble.
tā men shí wú bì yào duō cǐ yī jǔ 。
他们实无必要多此一举。
In other words, they had no malicious intent.
huàn yán zhī ， tā men yīng gāi méi yǒu è yì 。
换言之，他们应该没有恶意。
But looking at their expressions and reactions, it was certain that they recognized the Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady.
kě kàn liǎng rén de biǎo qíng fǎn yìng ， yòu kěn dìng rèn shí yún zhōng xiān zi 。
可看两人的表情反应，又肯定认识云中仙子。
The robed elder and the middle-aged man with the surname Lu exchanged glances. The more they thought about it, the more confused they became. They couldn't figure out what path Lin Xuan and Moonling were on, but their hands had already reached for their storage pouches as if in a state of high alert.
zào páo lǎo zhě yǔ lǚ xìng zhōng nián rén nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou zhuǎn guò ， què yuè xiǎng yuè shì hú tú ， yī shí jiān ， mō bù qīng lín xuān yǔ yuè ér jiū jìng shì shén me lù shù ， dàn shǒu dōu fǔ xiàng yāo jiān de chǔ wù dài le 。
皂袍老者与吕姓中年人脑海中念头转过，却越想越是糊涂，一时间，摸不清林轩与月儿究竟是什么路数，但手都抚像腰间的储物袋了。
They were like facing an enemy!
rú lín dà dí ！
如临大敌！
But the atmosphere was oddly tense.
qì fēn què piān piān yòu yǒu xiē guǐ yì 。
气氛却偏偏又有些诡异。
Lin Xuan sighed: "Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady, is her real name indeed Qin Yan?"
lín xuān tàn le kǒu qì ：“ yún zhōng xiān zi ， tā zhēn jiào qín yán ？”
林轩叹了口气：“云中仙子，她真叫秦妍？”
"Correct."
“ bù cuò 。”
“不错。”
The middle-aged man said with a fierce expression but a hint of fear. He knew well that their strength fell far short compared to this mysterious couple. If they were to fight, it would be like throwing eggs against a stone.
zhōng nián rén è hěn hěn de shuō ， què yī fù sè lì nèi rěn zhī sè 。
中年人恶狠狠的说，却一副色厉内荏之色。
"There really are such coincidences in the world. Lin Xuan truly does recognize Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady."
tā yòu hé cháng bù xiǎo de ， zì jǐ èr rén de shí lì ， gǎn zhè duì shén mì de shuāng xiū dào lǚ ， shí zài shì chà de yuǎn le 。
他又何尝不晓得，自己二人的实力，赶这对神秘的双修道侣，实在是差得远了。
Although he had already guessed, Lin Xuan's direct admission still shocked the two from the Cloud-Flower Sect. They trembled as they almost simultaneously revealed their innate treasures.
ruò zhēn yào dòng shǒu ， wú yì yú ná jī dàn pèng shí tou 。
若真要动手，无异于拿鸡蛋碰石头。
"Why do the two of you act this way? Does Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady have a deep grudge against you?" Lin Xuan frowned.
“ shì shàng hái zhēn yǒu rú cǐ qiǎo hé 。 zhè yún zhōng xiān zi ， lín mǒu hái zhēn jiù rèn de 。”
“世上还真有如此巧合。这云中仙子，林某还真就认得。”
"We have no grudge."
jǐn guǎn xīn zhōng yǐ yǒu cāi cè ， dàn lín xuān zhí chéng qí shì hái shì ràng yún xiá pài de liǎng rén dà jīng shī sè ， shēn tǐ yī dǒu ， jī hū shì bù yuē ér tóng de jì chū le běn mìng bǎo wù 。
尽管心中已有猜测，但林轩直承其事还是让云霞派的两人大惊失色，身体一抖，几乎是不约而同的祭出了本命宝物。
"Are there any resentments?"
“ liǎng wèi dào yǒu zhè shì wèi hé ， mò fēi nà yún zhōng xiān zi yǔ nǐ men yǒu xuè hǎi shēn chóu ？” lín xuān méi tou yí zhòu 。
“两位道友这是为何，莫非那云中仙子与你们有血海深仇？”林轩眉头一皱。
"We also have none."
“ méi chóu 。”
“没仇。”
"So, what are you doing?"
“ yǒu hèn ？”
“有恨？”
Lin Xuan waved his hand and grew displeased.
“ yì wú hèn 。”
“亦无恨。”
He was puzzled. With no grudges or resentments, why did these two act as if they were facing an enemy upon hearing that he recognized Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady? Their reactions defied logic.
“ nà nǐ men zhè shì gàn shén me ？”
“那你们这是干什么？”
"Are the two of you assassins sent by Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady?"
lín xuān yī bǎi shǒu ， fú rán bù yuè qǐ lái le 。
林轩一摆手，怫然不悦起来了。
"You..."
xīn zhōng chà yì ， wú chóu yì wú hèn ， zěn me zhè liǎng rén què yī tīng zì jǐ rèn shí yún zhōng xiān zi 。 jiù rú lín dà dí ， zhǒng zhǒng fǎn yìng ， wěi shí bù hé cháng lǐ 。
心中诧异，无仇亦无恨，怎么这两人却一听自己认识云中仙子。就如临大敌，种种反应，委实不合常理。
These words fell on Lin Xuan's ears like a joke. Instead of getting angry, he laughed: "Friend, your words are without reason. You underestimate me too much. I wouldn't do such things as an assassin. As for Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady, it has been thousands of years since our last meeting. It was the first time in these years that I heard any news about her. How could I possibly obey her orders to harm your sect?"
“ nǐ men bú shì yún zhōng xiān zi pài lái de shā shǒu ？”
“你们不是云中仙子派来的杀手？”
"Indeed. Qin Yan may have changed, but my young master's status is beyond her control." Moonling's voice also entered his ears, with a hint of dissatisfaction.
“ nǐ ……”
“你……”
There seemed to be a touch of sour jealousy.
zhè huà luò zài lín xuān ěr lǐ ， nà dàng zhēn shì huāng dàn yǐ jí ， tā shèn zhì gù bù dé shēng qì 。 fǎn ér shì xiào le qǐ lái ：“ dào yǒu shuō huà hǎo méi dào lǐ ， wèi miǎn jiāng lín mǒu yě tài kàn qīng le xiē ， shā shǒu ， lín mǒu bù xiè wèi zhī ， zhì yú yún zhōng xiān zi ， shàng cì yī bié ， yǐ yǒu shù qiān zài 。 zhè xiē nián lái ， wǒ hái shì dì yī cì tīng dé tā de xiàn suǒ zōng jì ， zài xià yòu zěn me kě néng fèng tā zhī lìng ， lái duì guì pài bù lì 。”
这话落在林轩耳里，那当真是荒诞以极，他甚至顾不得生气。反而是笑了起来：“道友说话好没道理，未免将林某也太看轻了些，杀手，林某不屑为之，至于云中仙子，上次一别，已有数千载。这些年来，我还是第一次听得她的线索踪迹，在下又怎么可能奉她之令，来对贵派不利。”
Lin Xuan didn't turn around, but his spirit sense clearly saw the little girl's expression. She was indeed jealous.
“ bù cuò 。 nà qín yán huò xǔ jīn fēi xī bǐ ， dàn wǒ jiā shào yé hé děng shēn fèn ， yòu qǐ shì tā yì shǐ de dòng dì 。” yuè ér de shēng yīn yì chuán rù le ěr duǒ lǐ ， yǔ qì zhōng què yǐn yǐn tòu chū jǐ fēn bù mǎn zhī yì 。
“不错。那秦妍或许今非昔比，但我家少爷何等身份，又岂是她役使得动地。”月儿的声音亦传入了耳朵里，语气中却隐隐透出几分不满之意。
A pang of guilt flashed through Lin Xuan's heart.
sì hū hái yǒu yī gǔ suān suān de cù yì 。
似乎还有一股酸酸的醋意。
These years, he had truly been too lenient.
lín xuān méi yǒu huí guò tóu lú 。 dàn shén shí yǐ jiāng xiǎo yā tou de shén qíng “ kàn ” le gè qīng qīng chǔ chǔ ， guǒ rán yǒu jǐ fēn hē cù 。
林轩没有回过头颅。但神识已将小丫头的神情“看”了个清清楚楚，果然有几分喝醋。
But this wasn't the time to think about it. Lin Xuan was very curious why they acted as if facing an enemy upon hearing that he recognized Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady.
lín xuān xīn zhōng bù yóu de shǎn guò yī sī kuì jiù zhī sè 。
林轩心中不由得闪过一丝愧疚之色。
The Cloud-Flower Sect had no grudges with Qin Yan. Where did this enmity come from?
zhè xiē nián 。 zì jǐ sì hū dàng zhēn liú qíng guò duō 。
这些年。自己似乎当真留情过多。
Lin Xuan raised his head, hoping for their explanation.
bù guò xiàn zài bú shì xiǎng zhè xiē de shí kè ， lín xuān fēi cháng hào qí ， wèi shén me tā men yī tīng dé zì jǐ rèn shí yún zhōng xiān zi ， jiù rú lín dà dí 。
不过现在不是想这些的时刻，林轩非常好奇，为什么他们一听得自己认识云中仙子，就如临大敌。
But their expressions showed suspicion. Before the misunderstanding was cleared, it seemed they couldn't talk as calmly as before.
yún xiá pài jì yǔ qín yán wú yuān wú chóu ， zhè dí yì yòu shì cóng hé ér lái 。
云霞派既与秦妍无冤无仇，这敌意又是从何而来。
Before he could finish his thoughts, Lin Xuan's face suddenly turned grave. He raised his right hand and lightly grabbed forward.
lín xuān tái qǐ tóu lú ， pàn zhe liǎng rén jiě huò 。
林轩抬起头颅，盼着两人解惑。
As he moved, a greenish hand appeared mysteriously, swiftly reaching downward. A flash of fire appeared in his palm.
kě tā men yī liǎn de jiè bèi zhī sè ， zài xiāo chú wù huì yǐ qián ， kǒng pà shì hěn nán xiàng gāng cái yì bān píng hé tán huà le 。
可他们一脸的戒备之色，在消除误会以前，恐怕是很难像刚才一般平和谈话了。
Struggling fiercely was useless; it was trapped by a very secretive sound transmission talisman.
zhè ge niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn guò ， lín xuān tū rán liǎn sè yī chén ， yòu shǒu tái qǐ ， cháo zhe qián fāng qīng piāo piāo zhuā qù 。
这个念头尚未转过，林轩突然脸色一沉，右手抬起，朝着前方轻飘飘抓去。
The sight made the two from the Cloud-Flower Sect's faces even paler.
suí zhe tā de dòng zuò ， líng guāng shǎn xiàn ， yī zhī qīng méng méng dà shǒu guǐ yì fú xiàn ， xùn jí rú diàn ， cháo zhe xià fāng lāo qù ， dùn shí yī dào huǒ guāng chū xiàn zài le dà shǒu lǐ 。
随着他的动作，灵光闪现，一只青濛濛大手诡异浮现，迅疾如电，朝着下方捞去，顿时一道火光出现在了大手里。
"Go!"
pīn mìng zhēng zhá ， què méi yǒu yòng tú ， bèi sǐ sǐ jìn gù ， shì yī zhāng shí fēn yǐn mì de chuán yīn fú 。
拼命挣扎，却没有用途，被死死禁锢，是一张十分隐秘的传音符。
They moved to leave but suddenly heard a sigh: "Two friends, why go through such trouble."
kàn jiàn zhè yí mù ， yún xiá pài de liǎng rén liǎn sè yuè fā bái le 。
看见这一幕，云霞派的两人脸色越发白了。
Before their words were finished, Lin Xuan pointed his finger forward and then drew it back.
“ zǒu ！”
“走！”
As he moved, ripples appeared in the void. The void was torn open, revealing a white space crack that stretched no more than a dozen feet.
liǎng rén shēn xíng yī dòng ， jiù xiǎng yào lí kāi cǐ chù 。
两人身形一动，就想要离开此处。
Lin Xuan flashed into the space.
què zhòu wén tàn xī shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ：“ liǎng wèi dào yǒu ， zhè yòu shì hé kǔ 。”
却骤闻叹息声传入耳朵：“两位道友，这又是何苦。”
In an instant, spatial force emerged. Lin Xuan arrived beside the robed elder.
huà yīn wèi luò ， lín xuān yī zhǐ xiàng qián diǎn chū ， suí hòu yī huà ér guò 。
话音未落，林轩一指向前点出，随后一划而过。
The other was shocked.
suí zhe tā de dòng zuò ， xū kōng bō dòng zhòu qǐ ， xū kōng jū rán bèi sī pò ， yī bái méng méng de kōng jiān liè fèng chū xiàn le 。
随着他的动作，虚空波动骤起，虚空居然被撕破，一白蒙蒙的空间裂缝出现了。
They were only a foot apart. He had no time to react and could only open his mouth to spray out a grayish light.
zhǎng bù guò zhàng yú ， lín xuān shēn xíng yī shǎn de dùn le jìn qù 。
长不过丈余，林轩身形一闪的遁了进去。
Though unremarkable, it was a short sword-like dagger.
xià yī kè ， kōng jiān zhī lì fú xiàn ér chū ， lín xuān hòu fā xiān zhì ， chū xiàn zài le zào páo lǎo zhě de shēn cè 。
下一刻，空间之力浮现而出，林轩后发先至，出现在了皂袍老者的身侧。
The light seemed insignificant but was powerful.
duì fāng dà jīng shī sè 。
对方大惊失色。
Lin Xuan sighed. His movements were incredibly swift.
liǎng zhě xiāng jù ， bù guò chǐ xǔ ， tā gēn běn lái bù jí yǒu duō yú de dòng zuò ， zhǐ néng yī zhāng kǒu ， jiāng yī huī méng méng de guāng huá pēn chū 。
两者相距，不过尺许，他根本来不及有多余的动作，只能一张口，将一灰蒙蒙的光华喷出。
He raised his right hand and pointed forward.
kàn shì bù qǐ yǎn ， què shì yī bǐng bǐ shǒu mú yàng de duǎn jiàn 。
看似不起眼，却是一柄匕首模样的短剑。
Simplicity in complexity, a wisp of five-colored glass fire appeared at the tip of his finger.
guāng huá nèi liǎn ， què xiǎn de wēi lì bù fán 。
光华内敛，却显得威力不凡。
Zzzz...
lín xuān tàn le kǒu qì ， dòng zuò nà jiào yí gè xùn jí 。
林轩叹了口气，动作那叫一个迅疾。
That flame touched the grayish light.
yòu shǒu tái qǐ ， yī zhǐ xiàng qián diǎn qù 。
右手抬起，一指向前点去。
Next came an unbelievable scene.
dà qiǎo ruò zhuō ， zhǐ jiān mào chū yī lǚ wǔ sè liú lí de yān huǒ 。
大巧若拙，指尖冒出一缕五色琉璃的烟火。
The grayish light instantly became sluggish.
cī lā ……
刺啦……
Then ice armor surfaced on its surface, freezing it completely.
nà huǒ yàn yī shǎn ， jiù yǔ huī méng méng de guāng huá xiāng chù 。
那火焰一闪，就与灰蒙蒙的光华相触。
"Impossible!"
jiē xià lái ， chū xiàn le bù kě sī yì de yí mù 。
接下来，出现了不可思议的一幕。
The elder's expression was one of sheer terror. The玄 Dragon Dagger wasn't his innate treasure but had been obtained through great effort and hardship. It was powerful, capable of turning the mundane into the extraordinary.
nà huī méng méng de guāng huá dùn shí biàn dé níng zhì qǐ lái le 。
那灰蒙蒙的光华顿时变得凝滞起来了。
Previously used as a trump card, it had repeatedly dealt severe blows to formidable enemies by surprise.
suí hòu biǎo miàn gèng shì fú xiàn chū yī céng bīng jiǎ ， zhěng gè bèi dòng zhù 。
随后表面更是浮现出一层冰甲，整个被冻住。
How could it be so easily broken this time?
“ bù kě néng ！”
“不可能！”
What kind of fire was it? Its power was terrifying, able to freeze even the玄 Dragon Dagger.
lǎo zhě liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng jīng hài yù jué ， zhè xuán lóng bǐ suī bú shì zì jǐ de běn mìng bǎo wù ， dàn què yě shì zì jǐ fèi jǐn qiān xīn wàn kǔ ， cái dé dào de yī jiàn yì bǎo ， wēi lì bù sú ， yǒu huà fǔ xiǔ wéi shén qí zhī xiào 。
老者脸上的表情惊骇欲绝，这玄龙匕虽不是自己的本命宝物，但却也是自己费尽千辛万苦，才得到的一件异宝，威力不俗，有化腐朽为神奇之效。
Too unbelievable!
yǐ qián zuò wèi shā shǒu jiǎn ， céng chū qí bù yì ， yī zài zhòng chuāng qiáng dí 。
以前做为杀手锏，曾出其不意，一再重创强敌。
At this moment, they were too close. With the玄 Dragon Dagger broken, other divine treasures and techniques had no use or couldn't be used in time.
zěn me zhè yī cì ， què rú cǐ qīng yì ， jiù bèi duì fāng pò qù 。
怎么这一次，却如此轻易，就被对方破去。
Though unwilling, they could only close their eyes and wait for death.
nà shì shén me huǒ ， wēi lì jìng kě pà dào rú cǐ chéng dù ， lián xuán lóng bǐ ， yě néng qīng yì dòng zhù 。
那是什么火，威力竟可怕到如此程度，连玄龙匕，也能轻易冻住。
Then a chill ran through his forehead as that terrifying flame followed his meridians to his dantian.
tài bù kě sī yì le ！
太不可思议了！
Instantly, all hope was lost!
cǐ kè ， liǎng rén xiāng jù tài jìn le ， xuán lóng bǐ jì bèi pò chú ， qí tā de shén tōng bǎo wù ， yě gèng méi yǒu yòng chǔ ， huò zhě shuō lái bù jí shī zhǎn le 。
此刻，两人相距太近了，玄龙匕既被破除，其他的神通宝物，也更没有用处，或者说来不及施展了。
At this point, it was too late to try to escape with his soul. His life and death were entirely in the hands of the other party.
suī bù gān yǐ jí ， yě zhǐ yǒu bì mù dài sǐ 。
虽不甘以极，也只有闭目待死。
"Friend, what do you intend?" The elder's eyes bulged as he said, having given up at this point.
suí hòu zhǐ gǎn méi xīn yī liáng ， nà lǚ kě pà de huǒ yàn ， yǐ shùn zhe jīng mài ， lái dào le dān tián qì hǎi 。
随后只感眉心一凉，那缕可怕的火焰，已顺着经脉，来到了丹田气海。
"I haven't done anything."
dùn shí ， wàn niàn jù huī ！
顿时，万念俱灰！
Lin Xuan sighed.
zhè shí hòu ， xiǎng yào jiāng yuán yīng dùn chū ， dōu lái bù jí ， zì jǐ de shēng sǐ ， yǐ chè dǐ zhǎng wò zài le duì fāng de shǒu lǐ 。
这时候，想要将元婴遁出，都来不及，自己的生死，已彻底掌握在了对方的手里。
He didn't want to fight but because of Qin Yan, they clearly had a deep misunderstanding.
“ dào yǒu jiū jìng yì yù rú hé ？” lǎo zhě mù zì yù liè de shuō ， shì qíng dào le zhè yī bù ， tā yě huō chū qù le 。
“道友究竟意欲如何？”老者目眦欲裂的说，事情到了这一步，他也豁出去了。
Now that things had reached this point, Lin Xuan couldn't sit and wait for death. He wasn't a cruel or bloodthirsty cultivator, but he was no doormat either. At such moments, it was better to strike first and seize the initiative.
“ lín mǒu kě shén me yě méi yǒu zuò 。”
“林某可什么也没有做。”
Giggling sounded from elsewhere as Moonling also succeeded.
lín xuān tàn le yì kǒu qì de shuō 。
林轩叹了一口气的说。
Postscript: Yeah, tomorrow Huan Yu will attend a writer's conference at起点. She'll return on the 16th. During the conference, she'll be out of town, so updates might be affected. But don't worry, I won't stop writing. There will only be one update these days, and then I'll work harder when I come back. Thanks for your continued support!
"How could it be? Do the two of you know that Cloud-Dragon Lady?"
This time, it was the Two Supreme Elders of the Cloud-Flower Sect who were on edge.
Originally, after a round of talks, their doubts had been dispelled.
The stone in their hearts had dropped. They believed the warning from the divine tortoise was merely a misunderstanding.
But the reactions of these two people were too peculiar.
From their expressions, it was clear that they recognized the Cloud-Dragon Lady.
This couldn't be deceived.
Since this was so, what was the purpose of their pretense just now?
Was it to eliminate their guard and catch them all at once?
No!
Their strength far surpassed theirs. There was no need for any underhanded tactics.
Just now, they had already subdued their fellow disciples. If they wanted to kill, both of them would have been dead long ago.
Once they were eliminated, how could the remaining junior disciples fight back?
They didn't need to go through such trouble.
In other words, they had no malicious intent.
But looking at their expressions and reactions, it was certain that they recognized the Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady.
The robed elder and the middle-aged man with the surname Lu exchanged glances. The more they thought about it, the more confused they became. They couldn't figure out what path Lin Xuan and Moonling were on, but their hands had already reached for their storage pouches as if in a state of high alert.
They were like facing an enemy!
But the atmosphere was oddly tense.
Lin Xuan sighed: "Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady, is her real name indeed Qin Yan?"
"Correct."
The middle-aged man said with a fierce expression but a hint of fear. He knew well that their strength fell far short compared to this mysterious couple. If they were to fight, it would be like throwing eggs against a stone.
"There really are such coincidences in the world. Lin Xuan truly does recognize Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady."
Although he had already guessed, Lin Xuan's direct admission still shocked the two from the Cloud-Flower Sect. They trembled as they almost simultaneously revealed their innate treasures.
"Why do the two of you act this way? Does Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady have a deep grudge against you?" Lin Xuan frowned.
"We have no grudge."
"Are there any resentments?"
"We also have none."
"So, what are you doing?"
Lin Xuan waved his hand and grew displeased.
He was puzzled. With no grudges or resentments, why did these two act as if they were facing an enemy upon hearing that he recognized Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady? Their reactions defied logic.
"Are the two of you assassins sent by Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady?"
"You..."
These words fell on Lin Xuan's ears like a joke. Instead of getting angry, he laughed: "Friend, your words are without reason. You underestimate me too much. I wouldn't do such things as an assassin. As for Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady, it has been thousands of years since our last meeting. It was the first time in these years that I heard any news about her. How could I possibly obey her orders to harm your sect?"
"Indeed. Qin Yan may have changed, but my young master's status is beyond her control." Moonling's voice also entered his ears, with a hint of dissatisfaction.
There seemed to be a touch of sour jealousy.
Lin Xuan didn't turn around, but his spirit sense clearly saw the little girl's expression. She was indeed jealous.
A pang of guilt flashed through Lin Xuan's heart.
These years, he had truly been too lenient.
But this wasn't the time to think about it. Lin Xuan was very curious why they acted as if facing an enemy upon hearing that he recognized Fairy Cloud-Dragon Lady.
The Cloud-Flower Sect had no grudges with Qin Yan. Where did this enmity come from?
Lin Xuan raised his head, hoping for their explanation.
But their expressions showed suspicion. Before the misunderstanding was cleared, it seemed they couldn't talk as calmly as before.
Before he could finish his thoughts, Lin Xuan's face suddenly turned grave. He raised his right hand and lightly grabbed forward.
As he moved, a greenish hand appeared mysteriously, swiftly reaching downward. A flash of fire appeared in his palm.
Struggling fiercely was useless; it was trapped by a very secretive sound transmission talisman.
The sight made the two from the Cloud-Flower Sect's faces even paler.
"Go!"
They moved to leave but suddenly heard a sigh: "Two friends, why go through such trouble."
Before their words were finished, Lin Xuan pointed his finger forward and then drew it back.
As he moved, ripples appeared in the void. The void was torn open, revealing a white space crack that stretched no more than a dozen feet.
Lin Xuan flashed into the space.
In an instant, spatial force emerged. Lin Xuan arrived beside the robed elder.
The other was shocked.
They were only a foot apart. He had no time to react and could only open his mouth to spray out a grayish light.
Though unremarkable, it was a short sword-like dagger.
The light seemed insignificant but was powerful.
Lin Xuan sighed. His movements were incredibly swift.
He raised his right hand and pointed forward.
Simplicity in complexity, a wisp of five-colored glass fire appeared at the tip of his finger.
Zzzz...
That flame touched the grayish light.
Next came an unbelievable scene.
The grayish light instantly became sluggish.
Then ice armor surfaced on its surface, freezing it completely.
"Impossible!"
The elder's expression was one of sheer terror. The玄 Dragon Dagger wasn't his innate treasure but had been obtained through great effort and hardship. It was powerful, capable of turning the mundane into the extraordinary.
Previously used as a trump card, it had repeatedly dealt severe blows to formidable enemies by surprise.
How could it be so easily broken this time?
What kind of fire was it? Its power was terrifying, able to freeze even the玄 Dragon Dagger.
Too unbelievable!
At this moment, they were too close. With the玄 Dragon Dagger broken, other divine treasures and techniques had no use or couldn't be used in time.
Though unwilling, they could only close their eyes and wait for death.
Then a chill ran through his forehead as that terrifying flame followed his meridians to his dantian.
Instantly, all hope was lost!
At this point, it was too late to try to escape with his soul. His life and death were entirely in the hands of the other party.
"Friend, what do you intend?" The elder's eyes bulged as he said, having given up at this point.
"I haven't done anything."
Lin Xuan sighed.
He didn't want to fight but because of Qin Yan, they clearly had a deep misunderstanding.
Now that things had reached this point, Lin Xuan couldn't sit and wait for death. He wasn't a cruel or bloodthirsty cultivator, but he was no doormat either. At such moments, it was better to strike first and seize the initiative.
Giggling sounded from elsewhere as Moonling also succeeded.
Postscript: Yeah, tomorrow Huan Yu will attend a writer's conference at起点. She'll return on the 16th. During the conference, she'll be out of town, so updates might be affected. But don't worry, I won't stop writing. There will only be one update these days, and then I'll work harder when I come back. Thanks for your continued support!