My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 929 - 543: Kiss (Triple Update 3-in-1)

A thin mist floated in the pine forest behind the Shangqing Palace.

The one-armed woman lightly stepped through the mountain forest, weaving through the hazy mist. Chen Yi followed her constantly, fixated on her rising and falling silhouette, remembering how in a previous life when he first came to Cangwu Peak, she walked on leaves, and he couldn't keep up or find her trail even if he tried his hardest. When he finally returned to the Daoist Temple, she made him practice Qinggong even more, claiming his skills were lacking.

Pine branches ahead concealed a cliff.

As she had just stepped across a pine branch, the following Chen Yi couldn't resist and secretly pecked her cheek.

Zhou Yitang shivered as if pricked by a needle, whirling around with fingers forming a sword, "Are you crazy?"

Chen Yi gave her a carefree smile. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Zhou Yitang's expression remained unchanged, saying, "Stay away from me."

Chen Yi honestly took a few steps back, anticipating she might tell him to truly keep his distance, but she didn't. The two indeed were somewhat different; the one-armed woman turned and left.

Chen Yi hurried to catch up.

After a few breaths, they reached the Immortal Water Rock. Looking down, he saw the cliffs, with a deep abyss below. Countless coffins quietly lined the carved-out mountain body, silently speaking of death. At the edge of the cliff, a tough pine grew through the broken rock, and through the needle-like pine leaves, a familiar figure gracefully approached.

"Lu Ying," Chen Yi called out.

Lu Ying ascended the steps gracefully, bowing and saying, "I have a Daoist name now, called Mingxuan."

Chen Yi glanced at the one-armed woman. Since Lu Ying went south, she had gotten a Daoist name; it seems she truly found fate. Now one is called Tongxuan, the other Mingxuan; does this imply the passing of teachings?

No matter what, Lu Ying has become increasingly like Zhou Yitang.

Earlier, when she saw him, there was no feeling of reuniting after a long absence.

Chen Yi didn't know what to say. This version of Lu Ying felt particularly unfamiliar. He said, "You… did you have a good journey?"

"Nothing happened along the way."

"Alright then."

Chen Yi pondered for a while, then took out a pig face mask from Square Land, intending to wear it, but seeing Lu Ying's calm, unperturbed demeanor, he got no reaction.

His expression darkened a bit.

...…

Chen Yi didn't talk much with Lu Ying, it was like ordinary friends reuniting after decades, familiar yet distant,

It was already late, not suitable for descending the mountain again. Zhou Yitang led him to a guest room for Daoist visitors at the Dragon and Tiger Mountain, with her courtyard right next to it.

The sound of stream water flowed under the moonlight. Chen Yi stood on the gazebo outside the door, seeing the cliff reflected in the pool, dyeing the water's surface dark.

She did not leave immediately, and Chen Yi stood there, enjoying the gentle tranquility with her presence nearby.

She was the strict master, he the rebellious disciple. Right now, there were no drawn swords or sharp conflicts; such a scene was extremely rare.

After a long while, Chen Yi asked, "Did you sincerely apologize to me earlier?"

Zhou Yitang glanced at him and replied, "Yin Tingxue said you yield to softness, not to hardness."

The implication was that it was all instigated by Yin Tingxue.

Chen Yi couldn't help but think, that little fox is truly terrible, utterly evil, deserving of a good punishment.

It was the dead of winter midnight, dry branches unexpectedly snapped crisply between the cliffs.

Standing for who knows how long, Chen Yi finally had to return to his room. At this moment, he walked towards Zhou Yitang from behind, somewhat trembling, timidly extending his hands.

An invisible barrier and thorns always existed between them, requiring someone to take initiative to cross it, fearing a slight misstep could lead to a vast difference. Now seemed the best opportunity…

He embraced her.

The one-armed woman remained silent, standing quietly. Subconsciously, she leaned back, then straightened herself, the two awkwardly leaned against each other.

The crescent moon hid behind the clouds, the vast starry sky weighed down heavily, seemingly within reach. The celestial river spanned overhead, starlight plummeting into the deep valley, making the night appear denser.

In the distance, the mountain ridges merged into the dark, outlines glowing frost white, like jade stones soaking in icy water, cold air condensing into white mist, slowly creeping along the ridges.

For a long, long time, Chen Yi finally released his hold, taking a deep breath and said, "I'm going back."

Zhou Yitang didn't speak, seeming not to miss him at all. When Chen Yi turned around, reaching the doorway, she suddenly called out.

"What is it?" Chen Yi asked.

"When the night deepens, I will find you."

Finished speaking, the one-armed woman swiftly departed, as the implication lingered in Chen Yi's ears.

The sky turned dark, the moon hidden in the clouds, time slowly passed, and unknowingly, it was deep into the night, with thin mist solidifying into the mountain's semblance.

The one-armed woman arrived as promised. She lowered her gaze, took a deep breath, and then gently knocked on the door.

The door opened inward without the knock being heard.

Zhou Yitang stood still, staring at the empty room, momentarily dazed.

....

The door was knocked upon.

Yin Tingxue checked with Donggong Ruoshu, exchanged a glance, and quickly went to open the door.

Chen Yi hurriedly stepped into the room, picked up the Sword Box, and said, "Pack up quickly, there's not much time left."

Yin Tingxue was puzzled and couldn't understand why they had to leave so suddenly. Didn't Chen Yi say they would rest on Dragon and Tiger Mountain tonight? It was completely unexpected.

"Why, why in such a hurry?"

Seeing her confusion, Chen Yi couldn't explain the situation in detail and said, "Little Fox, I'll carve a Bodhisattva for you later, this time with ten times more thought."

Yin Tingxue was stunned, "Huh?"

"Not just a Bodhisattva; tomorrow I'll risk taking you back to Yintai Temple. Oh, and give you the Kongming Lantern I was going to give to my master. No matter what mistakes you make in the future, it won't matter at all. I'll always like you the most."

"...Is it really that good?" Yin Tingxue was overwhelmed, as if in a dream.

Chen Yi then asked, "Little Fox, with me being so good to you, what does it make you think of?"

"Uh..." After hesitating a bit, Yin Tingxue said, "…The Northern Dynasty?"

"That's right." Chen Yi packed his things quickly, "She must have other motives, probably aiming at me."

He moved swiftly, acted on his thoughts decisively, changed into mourning attire, swiftly put the Sword Box on his back, then turned and placed the coffin on his back too, and grabbed the soul-like form of Donggong Ruoshu in his hand.

Yin Tingxue also hurriedly changed her clothes.

"Something's not right," Chen Yi opened the door and looked at the distant Dragon and Tiger Mountain, "Prepare to withdraw."

...…..

The next day, the morning mist settled into Dragon and Tiger Mountain, shrouding it in a scene like an Immortal Palace.

Yin Weiyin rose early, seeing the fine weather, turned to wake the still sleeping Lin Wanxiao. The young widow grumbled as she got up and was greeted by the slightly stern face of the female crown.

"...What's the matter with you?" Lin Wanxiao asked, puzzled.

"Dragon and Tiger Mountain is a Cave Heaven Blessed Land, it's an auspicious time now. Your fate, my dear, is as fragile as paper. I'm going to teach you some breathing techniques to help you extend your life." Yin Weiyin paused for a moment, then said meaningfully, "To strengthen your body."

Lin Wanxiao was confused and wanted to refuse, but Xiuhe's eyes lit up as he wisely persuaded her a bit.

Miss Lin had no worldly experience and naturally didn't understand the intention of the female crown. The young lady was frail, Yin Weiyin was reassured but also worried that she might not withstand the strain and, heaven forbid, cough up blood and die.

Moreover, it seemed like they had a mutual understanding; Yin Weiyin had dreamed last night, feeling that Chen Yi had already arrived, possibly even on Dragon and Tiger Mountain.

In that case, it was necessary to have Lin Wanxiao earn some spiritual merit temporarily.

Yin Weiyin gestured to Xiuhe, instructing, "Take her to wash up first."

The female crown turned out of the hall, pushing open the door, intending to admire the fine daylight of Dragon and Tiger Mountain.

Suddenly, a figure appeared, treading the air. Yin Weiyin's originally joyous expression immediately subsided.

"Your honored presence is indeed gracious, pardon my lack of hospitality."

To Zhou Yitang, she spoke with neither humility nor arrogance.

"No need for the formalities," Zhou Yitang said, "Do you know why I'm looking for you?"

Yin Weiyin didn't like her imposing demeanor as if she were her elder, although she herself was clearly the First Lady. Treating Zhou Yitang as her senior was inappropriate; even engaging as equals already showed ample respect.

"I don't need to know." Yin Weiyin waited for her to step back, then altered her tone.

Zhou Yitang unexpectedly said, "He has arrived."

Though that's what she said, since there was more to be said, Yin Weiyin would let it unfold naturally, "I hope for your guidance."

Zhou Yitang continued, "He ascended the mountain last night. I took him to observe the Sword Array, Dean Zhang hosted him, and then he and I went to find Lu Ying; that night, he stayed on the mountain."

"And then?" Yin Weiyin quickly asked, her eyes already showing a gleam.

"Then…," Zhou Yitang said, "He just left?"

"In other words," the female crown paused slightly and turned back, saying, "He met with you, met with her, but didn't come to meet me?"