Chapter 106: Celebration

Chapter 106: Chapter 106: Celebration

"Do you believe I won't kill you right now?" Nie Qingqing's voice was icy.

Hearing her words, Zhong Shan's pupils contracted. Despite this, he did not believe Nie Qingqing would actually kill him. If she were truly malicious, she wouldn't need to say such things; she would simply act. The fact that she hadn't yet killed him suggested she had some reservations. There were likely people or matters within the Kaiyang Sect that she feared. If she wasn't inherently cruel, she wouldn't resort to murder. Thus, her words were merely a threat.

However, Zhong Shan was still irritated by her attitude. He responded in a deep voice, "I believe you, but that doesn't change my resolve. My affairs are not for others to meddle in, no matter their intentions or cultivation level. If you want to kill me, then go ahead."

Having said this, Zhong Shan turned and walked back toward the Hall of Rare Treasures, ignoring Nie Qingqing.

For the first time, someone had spoken to her like this, turning away after speaking? Telling her to kill if she wanted to? And this from someone with such low cultivation and poor potential? How dare he?

Zhong Shan turned away because the pressure Nie Qingqing exerted was too strong. If he stayed any longer, he would eventually embarrass himself. Zhong Shan understood that in any confrontation, there was always an unspoken battle of wills. If he succumbed to her pressure, what was initially a non-lethal situation could turn dangerous.

"Stop! Take another step, and I'll kill you with one strike," Nie Qingqing said, her voice filled with anger.

As expected, Zhong Shan's steps came to a sudden halt.

Seeing him stop, Nie Qingqing's face lit up with satisfaction.

Zhong Shan paused and then spoke again, "Senior, you should understand that some people do not fear death because they have their own convictions."

With this seemingly cryptic remark, Zhong Shan resumed his steps and walked into the Hall of Rare Treasures.

Nie Qingqing watched him enter, speechless. The oppressive aura she had released dissipated. She glared daggers at Zhong Shan's back before finally stepping onto a cloud and flying away in frustration.

Inside, Zhong Shan wiped the cold sweat from his brow. Once he was sure Nie Qingqing had left, he resumed reading the last bit of material.

Meanwhile, at the edge of a small lake in the valley, two old men appeared—Shoushan and Shouzong. They exchanged a knowing look, each with a trace of amusement in their eyes, then resumed their chess game as if nothing had happened.

By evening, Zhong Shan had finished reviewing all the materials. More accurately, his shadow form had the scribes transcribe a complete copy of Kaiyang Sect's records.

Zhong Shan's main body gently stepped out of the Hall of Rare Treasures. He wasn't worried about Ling'er. Her retreat location was a secret even she hadn't known a few days ago.

From the materials he'd read, Zhong Shan was astonished to learn that the fiery fruit beneath the hot spring was indeed called the Flame Fruit. It absorbed the purest Yang energy from heaven and earth, possessing miraculous properties. The spiritual energy it emitted was purer than that found in ordinary spirit stones, making it an extremely rare and valuable fifth-grade mid-tier spirit fruit.

However, Zhong Shan couldn't directly absorb its energy yet. He could only benefit from the Yimu Fire it emitted, which was excellent for condensing his true qi into true essence.

Nevertheless, Bei Qingsi scanned the area with her divine sense. Within its range, there was no sign of any life.

Sighing in relief, she gently removed her dusty, tattered outer garment. Just as she slipped it off, revealing her inner clothes and her smooth, icy shoulders, the water in the center of the hot springs began to swirl erratically.

Seeing this, Bei Qingsi's brow furrowed, an odd feeling creeping into her heart. Could it really be such a coincidence?

"Boom~~~~~~~"

With an expression of sheer excitement, Zhong Shan burst from the depths of the hot springs, shooting upwards with incredible speed.

In an instant, Zhong Shan leaped out of the hot springs, having reached the sixth level of the Xiantian stage—a significant milestone worth celebrating. However, as he emerged from the water and saw the thick mist obscuring his surroundings, his expression froze. Sensing trouble, he turned his head and found himself face-to-face once more with Bei Qingsi.

Bei Qingsi had already shed her outer garment, standing in just her inner clothes that clung to her flawless figure. Her delicate shoulders gleamed like jade, capturing Zhong Shan's gaze. Last time, she had been completely unclothed; this time, her semi-transparent inner garments made her even more alluring, setting his blood aflame.

Bei Qingsi stared at Zhong Shan, dazed. How could this be such a coincidence? Was it deliberate? She had just returned to the Kaiyang Sect today, and even her master didn't know she was back. How could Zhong Shan be 'lying in wait' here? Was he waiting here every day?

Zhong Shan quickly snapped out of his initial daze, cold sweat forming on his forehead as he looked at Bei Qingsi. Did his breakthroughs always have to coincide with such awkward moments?

The atmosphere was intensely silent and awkward. The second intrusion was even more shocking for Bei Qingsi than the first, far from making her accustomed to it. Zhong Shan, feeling bewildered and speechless, jumped to the side.

"Thud~~~~~~~"

The sound of Zhong Shan landing broke the tense silence, jolting Bei Qingsi out of her stunned state.

In an instant, Zhong Shan leaped out of the hot springs, having reached the sixth level of the Xiantian stage—a significant milestone worth celebrating. However, as he emerged from the water and saw the thick mist obscuring his surroundings, his expression froze. Sensing trouble, he turned his head and found himself face-to-face once more with Bei Qingsi.

Bei Qingsi had already shed her outer garment, standing in just her inner clothes that clung to her flawless figure. Her delicate shoulders gleamed like jade, capturing Zhong Shan's gaze. Last time, she had been completely unclothed; this time, her semi-transparent inner garments made her even more alluring, setting his blood aflame.

Bei Qingsi stared at Zhong Shan, dazed. How could this be such a coincidence? Was it deliberate? She had just returned to the Kaiyang Sect today, and even her master didn't know she was back. How could Zhong Shan be 'lying in wait' here? Was he waiting here every day?

Zhong Shan quickly snapped out of his initial daze, cold sweat forming on his forehead as he looked at Bei Qingsi. Did his breakthroughs always have to coincide with such awkward moments?

The atmosphere was intensely silent and awkward. The second intrusion was even more shocking for Bei Qingsi than the first, far from making her accustomed to it. Zhong Shan, feeling bewildered and speechless, jumped to the side.

"Thud~~~~~~~"

The sound of Zhong Shan landing broke the tense silence, jolting Bei Qingsi out of her stunned state.