Chapter 76

"This is..." Nangong Ling, with her extraordinary mental acumen, quickly recovered from the shock of the "sudden enlightenment" and carefully pondered the newly appeared *Senluo Wanxiang Divine Art* and *Nine Palaces Bewildering Steps* in her mind. She found them intricate and profound, yet it felt as if she had studied them for a lifetime.

"Did you just reveal your trump card to me?" After a while, she snapped out of her deep thoughts, looking at Zhong Wen with a peculiar expression. "For a woman who might marry into the Xiao family, don't you think it's too hasty?"

"Nangong Sister, to be honest, I did have my guard up against you initially," Zhong Wen met Nangong Ling's beautiful eyes and spoke candidly. "But from my observations, you genuinely care for Palace Master Sister and Xiaodie. I don't think you would help Xiao Wenjian against the Floating Flower Palace. Moreover, with your intelligence, even if you marry into the Xiao family, you would firmly grasp these powerful techniques to elevate your status among Xiao Wuqing's many women, and you wouldn't easily reveal them."

"More importantly, I wanted to tell you." Zhong Wen paused and continued, "The abilities I possess far exceed your imagination. Given a little time, the Xiao family and the Nangong family will be nothing but mere ants to me."

"The stronger your abilities, the greater the threat you pose to the Xiao family in the future." Nangong Ling's eyes gleamed with cunning. "As a future daughter-in-law of the Xiao family, although I wouldn't harm my master or my junior sister, I could find a way to eliminate you first, right?"

"I am indeed taking a gamble, betting that you will stand with the Floating Flower Palace, stand with me." Zhong Wen smiled bitterly. "You are one of the smartest people in the world. If I tried to play mind games with you, it would only make me a laughingstock. The only way is to show my sincerity first, perhaps to move you."

"Your so-called sincerity is just a psychological tactic." Nangong Ling's eyes showed a hint of disdain. "It can only deceive naive girls."

"If Nangong Sister wants to think that way, I have no choice." Zhong Wen said helplessly. "Ultimately, it's up to Sister's true intentions."

In fact, the reason Zhong Wen so easily imparted the techniques to Nangong Ling was that he had a feeling that the "New Huazang Pavilion" in his mind was guiding him. After Nangong Ling appeared, he drew these two extremely demanding techniques, as if telling him that she was someone he could trust.

"Let's not talk about my marriage to Xiao Wuqing." Nangong Ling suddenly chuckled. "I won't return these techniques to you."

"Sister, what are you saying? Once given, there's no taking it back." Zhong Wen felt a strange joy in his heart and took out two small bottles from his pocket. "These are two types of pills I have refined: the 'Transcend the Mundane Pill' and the 'Transform the Spirit Pill.' They can help you complete your re-cultivation in a short time. Please accept them."

Holding the small bottles Zhong Wen handed her, Nangong Ling remained silent, lost in thought.

"Zhong Wen, Senior Sister!" Liu Qiqi's voice suddenly came from behind.

Turning around, Zhong Wen saw Liu Qiqi, Zheng Yueying, and Leng Wushuang had also arrived at the top floor. The three girls, with their youthful curiosity, were more interested in the ancient ruins than Zhong Wen, so they spent more time exploring each level.

"Where are the elders?" Zhong Wen asked.

"Elder Shen is still downstairs, agonizing over how to smuggle out so many spirit crystals and materials without the Qingcheng Sword Sect finding out," Zheng Yueying couldn't help but laugh at the mention of Shen Dachui.

"That's true." Zhong Wen laughed heartily. "The two bags Elder Shen brought can only hold two pieces of ore. Let's go down and find him."

When they reached the ground floor, they indeed saw Shen Dachui sitting in front of the material storage, looking worried and preoccupied. Shen Xiaowan, however, was still carefree, poking around the storage with curiosity.

"Little Brother Zhong." Seeing Zhong Wen, Shen Dachui's spirits lifted. "Do you have any ideas on how to get all this stuff out?"

For Zhong Wen, who had frequently created miracles, there was a sense of reliance in his heart. He felt that this young man might be able to solve the current dilemma.

"I do." Zhong Wen knew that it was impossible to keep his storage equipment a secret forever. Before exploring the ruins, he had already transferred most of the items in his ring to the Medicine King Valley, leaving space for the move.

"Really!" Shen Dachui's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but grip Zhong Wen's hand excitedly.

"I will take care of the books upstairs, the materials in the storage, and some of the spirit crystals in the spirit crystal storage." Zhong Wen's storage ring had limited space and couldn't hold all the resources from the Lei Yin Valley. "The remaining spirit crystals, we can use the transport carts from the Guan Zhai group. We'll take as much as we can."

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Zhong Wen with surprise and doubt, even the intelligent Nangong Ling couldn't immediately imagine how he could move so many items alone.

Only Leng Wushuang's heart stirred, as if she had an idea...

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What a beautiful and spiritually rich paradise!

Looking at the colorful plants and flowers, the elegant rocks and springs on Qingfeng Mountain, hidden and revealed by the mist of spiritual energy, and hearing the pleasant chirping of birds, Nangong Lin couldn't help but admire the place.

Thinking that the woman could recuperate in such a serene and elegant environment, he felt a twinge of envy.

If I and Rou could live in such a paradise...

As he daydreamed, a quaint and ancient building gradually appeared at the misty mountain top.

After a moment, the golden characters "Floating Flower Palace" on the main gate became visible.

Nangong Lin never doubted his charm, but thinking about his past actions, he felt a bit guilty. After all, he was about to face a capricious and unpredictable monster, and if she didn't remember their past...

He shivered and shook his head to dispel his worries.

Approaching the gate of the Floating Flower Palace, a girl with icy skin and a transcendent beauty suddenly appeared from the corner. Her milky white long robe couldn't hide her curvaceous figure, and she exuded a cold and refined aura.

What a beautiful girl!

Nangong Lin secretly praised her, his flirtatious nature almost making him want to approach her.

Remembering his mission, he barely suppressed his thoughts, but the girl was lost in her own thoughts, hurrying past without noticing him.

"Miss, please wait!"

Seeing the girl about to enter the courtyard, Nangong Lin quickly called out.

The girl turned and saw Nangong Lin, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, not expecting to see a man on the mountain.

"May I ask if Miss Shangguan Junyi lives on this mountain?" Nangong Lin asked with a friendly demeanor.

Seeing his handsome appearance and gentle attitude, the girl's vigilance lessened slightly, and she nodded without answering.

"Please inform Miss Junyi that an old friend has come to visit." Nangong Lin smiled, his eyes subtly hinting at his intentions.

But the girl, completely oblivious to his flirtatious gaze, simply nodded and walked into the courtyard, leaving him alone outside.

Just a mountain girl, not understanding the ways of the world.

Nangong Lin complained in his heart, but thinking of her beautiful face and cold demeanor, he felt a surge of desire to conquer her.

Not knowing how the girl had informed the palace, Nangong Lin stood at the gate for a long time, but no one came out. Just as he was hesitating whether to enter, a soft and melodious voice reached his ears:

"Which old friend has come to visit?"

As she spoke, a slender and graceful figure appeared at the gate. The woman had eyes like spring water, a face like jade, a slender waist, and a well-endowed figure. Her hair fluttered in the wind, adding to her allure. She held a peach-red ceramic jar in her delicate hands, and her light green robe, embroidered with light blue flowers, made her look dignified and charming.

"Jun, Junyi." Nangong Lin was taken aback by the transformation of the once-naive girl into such a beauty. Despite knowing about her illness, his heart raced, and he momentarily forgot about Sima Rou and the girl.

"Clang!"

Seeing Nangong Lin, Shangguan Junyi's face turned pale, and she dropped the ceramic jar, shattering it into pieces.

"It's been a long time, Junyi." Nangong Lin's voice was incredibly gentle. "How have you been these years?"

"Nangong Lin." Shangguan Junyi's voice trembled. "Why are you here?"

"These years, I have thought of you every moment." Nangong Lin's eyes were full of tenderness. "I was forced to break the engagement with the Shangguan family for my brother, but I have never forgotten you."

Shangguan Junyi bit her lip, her eyes misty, and her hands clenched tightly in her sleeves, her whole body trembling.

"I know the Nangong family did something improper, so I never had the courage to visit you." Nangong Lin's eyes were moist, and his voice choked with emotion. "But my thoughts of you have only grown stronger. Your every smile and action has haunted me, making me unable to eat or sleep. I couldn't bear the pain of missing you, so I secretly left to see you."

As he spoke, tears streamed down his face, his demeanor and tone sincere and heartfelt. Anyone who saw him would believe that his decision to break the engagement was forced and not his true intention.

"Do you no longer mind my illness?" Shangguan Junyi asked, her voice trembling.

"I have realized that as long as I can be with you, not having children is not a problem." Nangong Lin's voice was even more choked, almost hoarse. "I will take you on a journey to find famous doctors to cure your illness, and then we will find a place to live a secluded and happy life."

"No need. My illness is already cured, and I have long forgotten you." Shangguan Junyi tried to sound cold, but her voice still trembled. "I am doing well now. This place does not welcome you. Please leave."

With that, she turned and entered the courtyard, leaving Nangong Lin and the shattered ceramic jar behind.

Nangong Lin looked at the empty gate, a faint smile on his lips. He knew that the deeper the hate, the deeper the love. The more coldly Shangguan Junyi treated him, the more it showed that she hadn't completely let go of him.

Thinking of her beauty and high cultivation, and hearing that her illness was cured, Nangong Lin's resolve grew stronger.

I must have this woman!

Before leaving the mountain, he glanced back at the gate of the Floating Flower Palace, his heart burning with desire.

As she stepped into the courtyard, two crystal tears silently rolled down Shangguan Junyi's red eyes.