At this point, any further speculation on whether it’s a coincidence or intentional manipulation is merely baseless conjecture. Shang Can and her companions decided to set these thoughts aside for now as they soon arrived at the gates of Tian Wai Tian.
Their journey had been secretive, even using techniques to avoid the main roads and bypass any passersby after entering the city. When they suddenly appeared in front of the gate, it startled the disciple on duty, who quickly regained composure and hurriedly greeted them, “Greetings to Yun Zhong Jun, Yu Shan Jun. I wasn’t aware of your visit and became momentarily careless…”
Perched on a treetop, hidden by a concealing spell, Shang Can smirked and whispered, “Those are some impressive titles. Look how they’ve scared him.”
Next to her, the flower demon, who wasn’t used to climbing trees, clung nervously to the trunk and shakily responded, “What did you expect? Your junior sister, who also happens to be your Dao companion, is now a big deal in the cultivation world—stop moving! If the leaves fall, we’ll be discovered!”
Although amused, Shang Can settled into a more stable position and looked down from her high vantage point.
It was her idea to remain out of sight initially. Having Wan Shao, the demon lord, brazenly appear at the gates of Tian Wai Tian would be risky, and Shang Can herself felt it was better not to reveal herself too soon. Yun Duan and Chu Ming, with their known reputations and recognizable faces in the cultivation world, had no choice but to be in the spotlight. Shang Can, however, still had the luxury of anonymity, and she intended to hold onto that freedom.
Given the history they had with this place, being cautious seemed the wisest course of action.
She also had a feeling that sometimes an observer could see things more clearly than those directly involved. So Shang Can waited patiently in the tree. However, after a while, it seemed the conversation at the gate had reached a stalemate. From a distance, she could see the gatekeeper’s troubled expression.
“It’s not that I don’t want to accommodate you,” the disciple said respectfully, speaking with utmost deference to the famed cultivators in front of him, “but Tian Wai Tian is currently preoccupied with preparations for reopening the Dao Debate Conference. You’ve likely received the invitations as well, yes? The acting sect master is extremely busy and has no time to receive visitors outside of urgent matters…”
Sensing Chu Ming’s hesitant glance, Yun Duan’s eyes flickered slightly as she asked, “So you’re saying Qing Lian Jun won’t be leaving Tian Wai Tian in the near future?”
Though puzzled by the question, the disciple nodded honestly and replied, “That’s right. Unless there’s some sort of emergency… After all, the Dao Debate Conference is a major event. The interruption from the attack last time left it unfinished, which remains a blemish on Tian Wai Tian’s reputation. The sect is determined to make sure everything is perfectly prepared this time.”
His words were firm and filled with conviction, his gaze sparkling with confidence in his sect’s success. Chu Ming frowned slightly, inwardly wondering what was left to prepare—after all, the Dao Heart Lotus seed, which had been the grand prize, was lost. How could they conjure up another? Still, he maintained a polite smile and, not wanting to give up, pressed on, “We did indeed receive an invitation to the Dao Debate Conference. That’s why we came to discuss with Qing Lian Jun whether there’s anything from our sect, Qing Yu, that could assist in the preparations… Surely that counts as official business, right?”
The lie tumbled out of his mouth with little confidence. Chu Ming could practically feel the playful gaze of Shang Can from her hiding spot, making him unconsciously straighten his posture. He sighed inwardly, thinking Shang Can could probably spin these lies much more smoothly than he could.
“—That does sound like legitimate business.”
Just as this thought crossed his mind, a calm voice rang out from inside the gate. A figure slowly emerged, dressed in the formal robes of Tian Wai Tian, with a distinctive design that marked her special status among the other disciples.
The gatekeeper immediately turned to the newcomer and bowed deeply. “Greetings, Acting Sect Master.”
Both Yun Duan and Chu Ming’s hearts skipped a beat, though their faces remained composed, having met this person before. They respectfully bowed and greeted, “Qing Lian Jun.”
However, the two hidden in the tree were far less composed. Shang Can, upon seeing the person who had just appeared, sat up straight, her expression turning serious. She had sharp eyesight, and from her high vantage point, she could clearly see the acting sect master’s face.
It was a proper and dignified face, though not particularly striking or memorable. Her clothing adhered strictly to the traditional style of Tian Wai Tian, and at a glance, she bore no resemblance to Wan Shao at all.
Shang Can frowned and turned to look at Wan Shao, who was awkwardly craning her neck to get a better view. She sent a telepathic message, “…What do you think? Can you tell if she’s wearing a mask?”
“How am I supposed to tell? I don’t have the eyes of an eagle!” Wan Shao snapped, her nerves fraying. “But if we’re just talking about body shape, then… maybe…”
Shang Can cast another glance at the figure below, thinking that the oversized robe made it impossible for her to discern anything about the person’s body. She decided to leave that to Wan Shao and instead focused on the conversation below.
“I apologize for not welcoming Qing Yu’s friends sooner,” Qing Lian Jun greeted them politely with a small bow. Her posture was respectful, but her expression remained distant and calm. “However, the Dao Debate Conference was Tian Wai Tian’s failure last time, and it’s only right that we handle the preparations ourselves. There’s no need to trouble Qing Yu.”
This was a polite rejection of Chu Ming’s flimsy excuse. Qing Lian Jun stood at the gate, showing no intention of inviting them in, and Chu Ming, now without any plan, thickened his skin and pressed on, “Qing Lian Jun, there’s no need to be so formal. How about we go inside and discuss things properly…?”
He still harbored some hope of indirectly gathering information from the acting sect master, thinking perhaps this was all just a misunderstanding, and Yu Jiu wasn’t involved. But his hopes were dashed as Qing Lian Jun shook her head firmly. “During preparations for the Dao Debate Conference, Tian Wai Tian is not receiving outside visitors. I hope you understand.”
Her rejection left no room for negotiation, and the atmosphere grew awkward. While it wasn’t unusual for sects to decline visitors during important preparations, Chu Ming couldn’t help but feel uneasy, his thoughts running wild. Just as he was pondering if there was another way to proceed, Qing Lian Jun suddenly shifted her attention toward Yun Duan.
“The last Dao Debate Conference caused Yun Zhong Jun considerable trouble.”
Her voice was polite and soft, and she gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. However, her expression remained emotionless as she continued, “Rest assured, Yun Zhong Jun, this time things will not unfold the way they did before.”
She paused, then, almost imperceptibly, glanced toward the tree where Shang Can and Wan Shao were hiding before adding, “And you need not worry about your Dao companion either. Tian Wai Tian will not… neglect her again as it did before.”
In that moment, Shang Can felt a cold shiver run down her spine. Instinctively, she reached out to steady Wan Shao, who had nearly lost her balance and was on the verge of falling out of the tree after that glance. Though their concealment spell was still in place and Qing Lian Jun’s gaze had only briefly swept past them like a passing breeze, Shang Can had no doubt that the acting sect master’s cryptic words were directed at her.
As her shock settled, she noticed that her lover, Yun Duan, had grown cold and tense. Her pale fingers rested openly on the hilt of her sword, Wu You, her entire aura shifting from a tranquil mist to a sharp, chilling frost. She was clearly ready to strike.
Someone was more impatient than she was, which ironically helped Shang Can regain her calm. Despite their cover being blown, now was certainly not the right time to make a move. They still hadn’t uncovered anything.
Without further hesitation, Shang Can plucked a leaf, infused it with spiritual energy, and gently blew it toward Yun Duan. The leaf floated down, brushing lightly against Yun Duan’s ear before coming to rest on her neck.
The featherlight touch snapped Yun Duan out of her battle-ready state. She raised a hand and caught the leaf, quickly understanding Shang Can’s message. A strong urge to look up at her lover washed over her, but with Qing Lian Jun standing right there, she suppressed the impulse. Instead, she quietly cradled the leaf in her palm and closed her eyes for a brief moment.
“…Thank you, Qing Lian Jun,” Yun Duan said softly, her cold voice calm once again as she opened her eyes. “We’ll come back another day.”
Without waiting for a response, Yun Duan bowed her head briefly and turned to leave. Her movements were swift and deliberate. Chu Ming, caught off guard, hesitated for a moment before quickly offering a hurried bow and running to catch up.
Qinglian-jun, meanwhile, remained motionless. She stood quietly at the entrance, watching as Yun Duan’s figure disappeared from sight. Afterward, she glanced at the treetops, as if moved by the wind, and turned back toward Tianwai Heaven. No one could tell what she was thinking.
That night, in the inn room:
“Wan Shao said she couldn’t quite tell if she was wearing a mask or not. Her figure was somewhat similar, but her mannerisms and tone were entirely different,” Shang Can remarked as she walked to the window and closed the shutters with a smile. “I figured as much. That Qinglian-jun looks like someone very proper. How could Wan Shao’s mother be like that? How could she raise her to be so stiff?”
“But to dismiss the hawk’s sight as a mere mistake also seems a bit hard to believe. After all, it’s just speculation without concrete proof…” Shang Can trailed off as she returned to the table, picking up a pastry and taking a small bite. Feeling the gaze that had been following her like a shadow, she arched her brows slightly and smiled. She lifted the remaining half of the pastry to Yun Duan’s lips. “Why have you been staring at me ever since we got back?”
Yun Duan blinked, as if waking from a dream. A hint of embarrassment crept into her expression as she lowered her eyes. She turned her head slightly, gently accepting the pastry from Shang Can’s hand. Then, taking out a silk handkerchief, she carefully wiped away the crumbs from Shang Can’s fingers. After a long silence, she finally spoke softly, “I couldn’t see you earlier, so now I just can’t help but want to look at you more.”
Shang Can found her adorable and couldn’t resist playfully intertwining her fingers with Yun Duan’s, leaning in closer as she whispered, “There will be plenty of time for that later. If you keep looking at me so much now, won’t you get tired of it eventually?”
“I won’t.” Even though Yun Duan knew Shang Can was teasing her, she quickly responded, a little flustered. With her lover’s smiling face so close, she felt the irritation Qinglian-jun had stirred up earlier slowly ebb away, leaving her calmer. Unable to resist, she leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on the corner of Shang Can’s teasingly curved lips, murmuring, “…I’ll never get tired of looking at you, Ah Can.”
The soft kiss felt like a feather brushing against Shang Can’s heart, leaving a tickling sensation. Her throat tightened, and she instinctively leaned back a little, sensing the growing danger of the situation. With a sigh, she said, “You’re just trying to make sure I don’t leave tonight, aren’t you?”
A faint blush spread across Yun Duan’s cheeks as she looked away, but her hand remained firmly entwined with Shang Can’s. “…Is that so wrong?”
She looked innocent enough, yet Shang Can knew better. It took all her willpower to stand up, gently shaking Yun Duan’s hand in the process. In a soft voice, she said, “We all agreed during dinner, remember? I need to see if I can sneak into Tianwai Heaven and gather some information. You know I’m the best person for the job, don’t you?”
Aside from the fact that the others were far too well-known to remain inconspicuous, Shang Can had always been good at sneaking around. Even back in her days as a cultivator, she’d never been the obedient type, frequently sneaking in and out of places with her flawless stealth techniques.
Yun Duan, of course, understood this. But even though she knew Shang Can was right, her heart was still filled with worry and reluctance. She had offered to go with Shang Can, but her suggestion had been promptly dismissed with the perfectly reasonable argument that “the fewer people involved in sneaking around, the better.” Now, Yun Duan bit her lip slightly, determined to at least appear composed and not give Shang Can any reason to worry about her. But just as she was about to put on a calm expression, Shang Can tilted her chin up, catching her off guard, and pulled her into a deep, lingering kiss.
This kiss was nothing like the gentle peck Yun Duan had given earlier. Shang Can didn’t stop until she felt Yun Duan’s breath falter slightly, even lightly nibbling on her tongue before pulling away.
“I’ll be back soon, I promise,” Shang Can murmured, her lips brushing gently against Yun Duan’s. She gazed into those dark eyes, now hazy with emotion, and whispered, “…I’ll still make it back in time to sleep with you.”
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