CH 23.1

Shen Liuxiang tasted blood.

His lips were bitten, causing them to bleed.

The person who held him down and kissed him was like a hungry wolf.

Shen Liuxiang was breathing heavily and struggling to reach his waist with his fingers. He managed to grab the Starflower Bag and immediately used a technique.

A faint light flashed in the woods, and Zhou Xuanlan, whose head was covered by the Starflower Bag, stopped moving and fell forward, fainting on Shen Liuxiang’s body.

Shen Liuxiang took a deep breath, supporting Zhou Xuanlan against him with one hand and wiping the corner of his lips with the other.

There was a “hiss—” in pain. The tips of his pale fingers were stained with bright red blood.

“Are you a dog?” Shen Liuxiang recovered from the shock and felt so angry that he wanted to slap his disciple’s head twice.

But he thought that Zhou Xuanlan had blocked the spell for him and endured the urge. He sat down against a tree and let Zhou Xuanlan rest his head on his shoulder.

He put this account on Huajian’s head.

On the stone, Ao Yue’s mouth remained agape for a while. Feeling the dangerous gaze directed at him, he immediately raised a small dog leg and said, “I swear not to tell anyone.”

Shen Liuxiang adjusted the Spirit-binding Rope and asked, “Tell me, why did you come willingly?”

Ao Yue: “Of course it’s because I missed you.”

Ahhhh.

How could Shen Liuxiang believe him, looking down at the runes on the spirit-binding rope, without raising his head, he said: “Tell the truth.”

Ao Yue hesitated for a moment and said vaguely, “I made a deal. I can’t tell you the details.”

Zhou Xuanlan found him and said Shen Liuxiang had been taken away, asking for help to find him.

Tengu could lock in the direction from thousands of miles away with just a trace of aura. Ao Yue sniffed and knew which way Shen Liuxiang had gone. But the Evil Ghost Immortal was in trouble, and Ao Yue secretly felt it was interesting, so why would he help?

However, Zhou Xuanlan proposed a deal that Ao Yue couldn’t refuse—the location of the Yao Bone Elixir.

The Yao Bone Elixir, which had disappeared for nearly ten thousand years, was irresistible to any demon.

Shen Liuxiang frowned.

At this moment, the night sky suddenly lit up, and a colorful radiance appeared, and countless spiritual energies surged towards the north.

A sign of a breakthrough caused by a powerful individual!

Shen Liuxiang wondered if it was someone from the Beilun Sword Sect.

The original story mainly revolved around Su Baiche and various supporting male characters, telling stories of a charismatic figure and various battles. Little attention was paid to unrelated matters, and he didn’t know who had broken through.

As he guessed, Ling Ye stepped out from the void. “It’s Sword Master Jianzhen.”

Shen Liuxiang gasped.

Sword Master Jianzhen was already in the Harmonisation realm. If he made a breakthrough again, wouldn’t he step into the Mahayana realm?

Ling Ye said, “You don’t need to worry about Nan Yaoquan and the others anymore.”

With Sword Master Jianzhen’s breakthrough, there was one more person in the Great Accomplishment of the Mahayana realm. Various factions would have to respond, and as the heads of various factions, they would be busy for the next few days.

Shen Liuxiang pointed to his calmly closed-eyed disciple and asked, “He’s affected by Huajian’s spell. Do you have a way to help him?”

Ling Ye’s gaze fell on Shen Liuxiang, and he noticed the swollen lips with a slight cut. He furrowed his brows and said, “Your disciple bit you.”

Shen Liuxiang explained, “He was affected by the spell.”

Ling Ye: “Before Huajian left, he mentioned to me that his self-created spell is called ‘Thought Amplification.’ It doesn’t have much impact on people; it merely magnifies the thoughts in their hearts. However, his words have always been half-truths and half-lies, so don’t fully believe everything he said.”

Indeed, it’s not just half-truths and half-lies; the novel is practically nine lies and one truth.

Shen Liuxiang asked, “Is there a way to break the spell?”

Ling Ye replied, “There isn’t, but the effects of the spell will gradually fade with time. When your disciple wakes up, it should alleviate a lot.”

Yeah, right—!

Shen Liuxiang felt like using his eyes to kill Ling Ye, who lightly laughed after waking up Zhou Xuanlan, who clung to Shen Liuxiang’s waist, who was kissing and biting.

What kind of spell is this ‘Thought Amplification’?

It should be renamed as an aphrodisiac!

Helpless, Shen Liuxiang slapped Zhou Xuanlan’s neck with his palm, and his disciple immediately collapsed onto him.

After Ling Ye finished laughing, he covered his mouth with a fist and lightly coughed.

“Jianzhen has broken through to the Mahayana realm, and the entire cultivation world is invited to celebrate at the Sword Sect. All sects have received invitations to participate in the feast. Qingling is also preparing gifts, and Ling Yue has already set out with a team from the sect. Do you want to go?”

Shen Liuxiang’s eyes brightened, nodding in agreement.

Just thinking about the delicious food at the banquet made his mouth water uncontrollably.

But with his current Foundation Building cultivation, it wouldn’t be appropriate to appear directly in front of people. “What if I disguise myself as a Qingling disciple? What do you think, Senior Brother?”

Ling Ye said, “It’s a good idea.”

Ling Ye accompanied Shen Liuxiang to Lunhua City. After settling him in an inn, Ling Ye was ready to go directly to the Sword Sect. “Lunhua City is under the jurisdiction of the Sword Sect. Cultivators won’t cause trouble recklessly, so there’s no need to worry about safety.”

Shen Liuxiang transformed into a youthful appearance, and his face changed to a plain and unremarkable one, making it difficult to pick him out in a crowd.

“Just go ahead, Senior Brother. I will meet with Ling Yue here and go to the Sword Sect together.”

As Shen Liuxiang spoke, he blinked at his reflection in the bronze mirror and sighed wistfully, “Disguise techniques are too difficult. This is already the peak of my skill.”

He spent half the time using disguise techniques to change his appearance and ended up with this passable result… at least it looked like a person.

He remembered when the original owner of his body used the disguise technique to imitate Su Baiche. The result was a freakish appearance, neither human nor ghost. As soon as Nan Yaoquan reached out and pinched, he transformed into a perfect copy. Was this the gap in talent…?

Shen Liuxiang felt somewhat discouraged.

Ling Ye looked at him and said, “Now that I think about it, every time you went out for training during your youth, you did the same thing—using disguise techniques to change your appearance while mumbling to yourself. You even said the same things.”

Shen Liuxiang was astonished.

“You might have an ordinary face, but I’ve seen it a few times before. Now, looking at it again, it feels somewhat nostalgic.”

Ling Ye’s voice was warm, and he smiled slightly. “I’ve informed Ling Yue, and except for him, no one knows your true identity. For now, you can be an ordinary disciple.”

Shen Liuxiang nodded.

Ling Ye originally wanted to pass on the message to the Imperial Palace and inquire about a way to break the Spirit-binding Rope. However, Shen Liuxiang declined. He didn’t want to get involved with the Imperial Palace for the time being, and besides, he had a hunch that he could decipher some of the Spirit-binding symbols. With some research, he might be able to unravel it himself.

In the evening, Shen Liuxiang leaned against the window, looking at the bustling streets outside.

Considering the time, the sect members should arrive at noon tomorrow.

There was some movement on the bed, and Zhou Xuanlan, who had been waking up and getting knocked out again, woke up once more. Shen Liuxiang walked over and skillfully massaged his wrists.

Zhou Xunlan looked at him in a daze, as if he didn’t recognize who he was, and made no movement.

He hesitated and called out, “Master?”

Shen Liuxiang raised an eyebrow. “Are you awake?”

Zhou Xuanlan nodded slightly, so Shen Liuxiang leaned down and examined the young man’s eyes closely.

Just as he was about to scold him, Zhou Xuanlan suddenly tilted his head up and successfully ambushed Shen Liuxiang, kissing the corner of his lips. Finally, a hint of a smile appeared in his dark eyes. “It’s the taste of Master.”

Shen Liuxiang: “…”

He was about to knock him out again when Zhou Xuanlan, who was hugging the quilt, shivered reflexively. “Master, my neck hurts.”

His tone sounded a bit pitiful.

Shen Liuxiang lowered his hand and lifted the young man’s long hair, revealing various shades of black and blue bruises that had formed over the past few days.

“…Fine, I won’t knock you out, but don’t kiss me anymore,” Shen Liuxiang sternly said.

Zhou Xuanlan’s expression changed slightly. “Master, just knock me out, please.”

Shen Liuxiang really wanted to do it again, but knocking him out all the time wouldn’t solve the problem. Besides, Zhou Xuanlan’s condition had clearly improved a lot. At least, he could communicate normally now.

So Shen Liuxiang spoke earnestly, “Apart from your Dao companion, you can’t kiss others casually.”

“But I didn’t do it casually. Master isn’t just anyone,” Zhou Xuanlan hesitated for a moment, then gave a rebuttal, “Master can also be my Dao companion.”

Shen Liuxiang took a deep breath, restraining the urge to slap his disciple.

What is he doing? What is he doing?!

Does he want to deceive his master and destroy his ancestors?!

He raised his finger and flicked Zhou Xuanlan’s forehead. “Wake up and stop kissing me. I’ve said it.”

Upon hearing this, the young man on the bed lowered his head, looking dejected as if he had lost his direction in life. “But I just want to be close to Master; I can’t control this thought.”

Shen Liuxiang cursed Huajian in his heart again.

After considering it, he cupped Zhou Xuanlan’s face, then kissed him on the forehead before patting his head perfunctorily. “Okay, from now on, I will be close to you like this as a teacher.”

Zhou Xuanlan raised his hand, and touched his forehead in a daze. This was the first time his Master had taken the initiative to kiss him.

He curled his lips and nodded in agreement.

Finally finding a way, Shen Liuxiang cried tears of joy. He celebrated at a restaurant that night. Before Ling Ye left, he gave Shen Liuxiang some spirit stones so he could indulge himself.

After a hearty meal, they strolled along the streets.

“For the next few days, don’t call me Master,” Shen Liuxiang remembered the important matter, “I’ll use the alias Shen Liu Liu, and you should call me the same.”

Zhou Xuanlan looked hesitant. “Why not call me Zhou Liu Liu?”

Shen Liuxiang was stunned for a moment, glaring with an incredulous expression. “I consider you my disciple, and you want to call yourself my father?”

Zhou Xuanlan was about to explain when a hawker nearby shouted, “The latest booklets: ‘Cold-hearted Master’s Adorable Disciple,’ ‘Domineering Sect Master is Fond of Me,’ ‘The Sect Master’s Wife Takes the Lead’…”

Shen Liuxiang was drawn over and bought dozens of these booklets in one go as a form of entertainment.

The next day at noon, considering the timing, Qingling’s group should arrive soon. Shen Liuxiang called for good wine and dishes and started eating first.