Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

An hour later, Wang Xuan and the group left.

Mo Zhuer had fully explained the situation and her plan to everyone.

When they saw the heart and learned exactly what Xia He intended to do, they were all convinced he had completely lost his mind.

Even Wang Xuan, who had long believed her junior brother was beyond saving and straying further down the wrong path, found Xia He’s methods utterly inhuman after hearing the details.

Nevertheless, Wang Xuan accepted the reality of the situation.

She then refined Mo Zhuer’s plan, adjusting and perfecting it step by step. Now, all they could do was wait for the day of the Zixia Grand Ceremony and execute the plan as Mo Zhuer had outlined.

Wang Xuan left Xu Ming’s courtyard to inform the ten elders she trusted most about the day’s developments.

Wu Yanhan, on the other hand, needed to prepare her three thousand Dragon-Leopard Iron Cavalry. This formidable force would play a crucial role in the coming events.

Initially, Mo Zhuer had wanted to stay behind.

She had previously advised Xu Ming to exercise restraint and not to be overly engrossed in their dual cultivation.

Yet, Mo Zhuer found herself missing Xu Ming whenever they didn’t engage in dual cultivation for a single day.

Especially after learning about Qin Qingwan and her importance to Xu Ming, Mo Zhuer felt a deep sense of frustration, like a bottled-up anger that wouldn’t dissipate.

Only when she dual-cultivated with Xu Ming could she release that pent-up emotion.

In fact, just the thought that Qin Qingwan had never even held Xu Ming’s hand, while she herself had shared countless intimate moments with the man Qin Qingwan loved most, brought Mo Zhuer immense satisfaction.

Knowing that Xu Ming had never shared a night with Qin Qingwan but had done so with her countless times made Mo Zhuer feel elated.

However, today was clearly not the right time.

After discussing serious matters, she too needed to focus on her preparations. This was no time for indulging in cultivation with Xu Ming.

Still, Mo Zhuer wasn’t in a rush. The days ahead were long, and what mattered most right now was their cooperation.

Once everyone had left, Xu Ming sat quietly in the courtyard, gazing at the clouds as they drifted by.

After the lively discussions earlier, the courtyard now felt eerily silent. Xu Ming found himself unaccustomed to the stillness.

“Forget it. I might as well go for a drink,” he said, standing up.

He decided to visit Miao Feng and Yu Wenxi of the White Deer Academy for some drinks and to subtly urge them to leave.

Though Xu Ming didn’t know many people, those he did know needed to be warned. Otherwise, they might lose their lives at Tianxuan Sect for no reason.

Xu Ming met with them, and they drank together.

But just as Xu Ming was about to tactfully warn them about the potential dangers of the Zixia Grand Ceremony and urge them to leave, he overheard a nearby conversation at the tavern:

“It’s such a pity about those guys from the Shandao Sect,” someone said.

“Yeah, it really is. They hadn’t been gone from Tianxuan Sect for long before they disappeared. And when they were finally found, it was their bodies that were discovered.”

“Have you noticed? Lately, it seems like anyone who leaves the sect ends up in trouble.”

“Must be the demon sect causing trouble. They’ve probably set up ambushes near Tianxuan Sect.”

“That makes sense. Didn’t Tianxuan Sect issue a notice? They said it’s best not to leave the sect during the Zixia Grand Ceremony period. After the ceremony in three days, they’ll personally clear out the surrounding area.”

“These demon sects are really getting more and more brazen!”

Listening to the chatter, Xu Ming’s grip on his wine cup tightened, and his brow furrowed slightly.

“What’s the matter, Brother Xu? Something on your mind?” Yu Wenxi asked curiously, noticing Xu Ming’s expression.

Miao Feng also chimed in, “If there’s something on your mind, Brother Xu, just tell us directly. After all, we’ve been through life and death together.”

“It’s true, something crossed my mind, but it’s nothing serious. Come, let’s drink,” Xu Ming replied, raising his cup and clinking it with theirs.

The more he drank, the heavier Xu Ming’s thoughts became.

To the others, the disciples leaving Tianxuan Sect were being killed by the demonic sects, but Xu Ming believed otherwise.

Those disciples were most likely killed by Xia He.

Xia He, suspecting that the two cultivators from Sanshi Peak would take the opportunity to leave, likely acted on a “better safe than sorry” principle, killing them all and creating a false barrier of fear.

Moreover, Xia He needed a large number of cultivators for his blood sacrifice—the more, the better. By creating the illusion of danger outside, he could ensure that the disciples remained within the sect.

If Xu Ming advised Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng to leave now, they might very well end up as the next victims on their way out.

His greatest concern, however, was for Ren, who was escorting Sheng Sheng. He couldn’t help but worry about whether they had run into trouble.

After several drinks, Xu Ming was in that space between tipsy and sober. Making an excuse about other matters, he left the tavern.

He headed directly to Wu Yanhan’s courtyard.

It was as if Wu Yanhan had anticipated his visit—she was already waiting by the gate.

“You reek of alcohol,” Wu Yanhan commented with a frown.

“I was having drinks with some friends from White Deer Academy,” Xu Ming explained, dispersing the alcohol from his body with a flick of spiritual energy. He looked at her and asked, “Were you waiting for someone?”

“For you,” Wu Yanhan replied calmly.

Xu Ming chuckled, feeling a sudden sense of relief. “Looks like you already know why I’m here.”

Wu Yanhan rolled her eyes at him, turning to head back inside the courtyard. “Come in.”

Xu Ming followed her in.

The two of them sat in the courtyard. Wu Yanhan was dressed in a thin nightgown, the fabric appearing light and cool, though it revealed no bare skin whatsoever.

“I know what you’re worried about,” Wu Yanhan said, her tone even. “You’re afraid something might happen to Ren and Sheng Sheng.

“Don’t worry. Ren sent me word—they’ve already arrived in Anyang County of the Wu Kingdom. The county governor has even dispatched a thousand cavalrymen to escort Sheng Sheng home.

“However, your concerns aren’t unfounded. They did encounter an assassination attempt along the way. Thankfully, I sent five hundred Dragon-Leopard Iron Cavalry to accompany them. There was even a Far Wandering Realm expert among them. That’s the only reason the attackers failed.”

“Thank you,” Xu Ming said sincerely.

“You know what I hate most about you?” Wu Yanhan asked, glaring at him.

“What?” Xu Ming raised his head to meet her gaze.

“It’s that you’re always thanking me out of the blue,” she said with a hint of annoyance. “Not to mention, I really like Sheng Sheng too. She’s like a little sister to me. Of course I’ll look out for her.”

“Tha—”

“Hmm?”

Just as Xu Ming was about to thank her again, Wu Yanhan shot him a sharp look.

“I owe you one,” Xu Ming corrected himself, foregoing the words of gratitude.

“Is this favor of yours worth much?” Wu Yanhan asked, smirking.

“Perhaps.”

Wu Yanhan let out a cold laugh. “Well, never mind your favor—I do have a question I want to ask you.”

“Go ahead,” Xu Ming said.

“If, on the day of the Zixia Grand Ceremony, both Qin Qingwan and I are on the brink of death and you can only save one of us, who would you choose?”

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