Chapter 152

Night fell, the round moon hung in the eastern sky.

Feng Yi lay on a pavilion in front of Li Mochou's house, gazing at the night sky where stars twinkled, his thoughts rising and falling.

He knew well that even if Li Mochou changed, seeing him find another woman again would surely make her unhappy; thus, seeing her lose her temper, he dared not leave, fearing to follow her junior sister's example.

But upon reflection, Li Mochou appeared gentle outwardly, yet her heart was somewhat mad; Lü E was mild‑tempered, her martial arts and intellect inferior to hers. Should unforeseen troubles arise later, how could she be a match?

What should I do?

To speak of chastising Li Mochou, that has already been done; further, it would only hurt her feelings.

To say let Lü E humble herself and yield to Li Mochou a third, while standing equal, would that not become empty talk?

How could she be happy?

Thinking of this, Feng Yi felt a bit of a headache.

A fire broke out in the rear courtyard; it was always frightening yet unavoidable, and he couldn't help letting out a long sigh.

"What is there worth your long night's sigh?"

The voice was clear and gentle, like striking a jade chime, startling him from his reverie; the air filled with a faint, delicate fragrance.

Feng Yi turned his head and saw a white‑clad woman's silhouette perfectly reflected in the moonlight, standing on the eaves less than a zhang away; the moonlight made her jade‑like face lovely, her white robes adorned with flowing tassels, her posture light and graceful, truly like a goddess of the waves.

Besides Xiao Longnv, who else could it be?

Yet her manner of appearance was always so unexpected, especially now when Feng Yi seemed strong outside but weak within, his strength less than a tenth of before; still he did not speak.

Feng Yi did not want to ask Xiao Longnv why she had come, for she would surely say.

He also did not wish to disturb Xiao Longnv hidden in the night's veil, for she was truly too beautiful at this moment!

"I am about to return to the ancient tomb with Guo'er."

Her voice was light and reserved, yet ethereal, as if whispering near the ear yet also sounding from far away in the heavens.

Yet it gave Feng Yi a strange feeling; he chuckled, saying, "Miss Long, saying it like that easily leads to misunderstanding."

Xiao Longnv lightly replied, "What misunderstanding?"

Feng Yi shook his head, knowing that joking with her was like playing music to a cow.

Xiao Longnv said, "I promised to teach you the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, but I never had time; today I will tell you, after which we may never meet again."

Feng Yi started, realizing as much; no wonder Yang Guo didn't come along, also to avoid embarrassment.

After all, Xiao Longnv's promise to impart the skill was because of him.

Yet Feng Yi saw her tone indifferent, devoid of feeling, yet sensed her sincerity, and involuntarily felt reverent; he waved his hand and said, "No need—compared to lovers finally united, what is martial arts?"

Xiao Longnv's body trembled almost imperceptibly; she fell into thought, and after a long while said, "How can that be? You saved my life; I naturally have nothing to repay, and I have always felt uneasy. Moreover, since I promised you, how could I go back on my word?"

Feng Yi saw on her utterly beautiful face a mixture of tranquil serenity and transcendent grace, together with a dignity that could not be lightly regarded.

He thought that this woman, having walked the perilous jianghu once, still harbored no contentious heart, capable of transcending the world—truly remarkable; he immediately rose, bowed, and said, "Respect is less than obedience; please, Master of the Ancient Tomb Sect, impart the skill."

Xiao Longnv smiled faintly, sat slowly beside him, and softly recited the formulas of the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra from shallow to profound, saying, "After you have memorized the formulas, when you practice you may ask your senior sister for help."

This Jade Maiden Heart Sutra is the highest martial art of the Ancient Tomb Sect; its practice requires two people training together, each assisting the other. Li Mochou has long longed for it but never received transmission; now Xiao Longnv is effectively agreeing to pass it on to her senior sister.

Its realm has reached that of the Nine Yin True Scripture, likewise an unsurpassed state, truly vast and profound.

Xiao Longnv recited it once; Feng Yi lacked the ability to remember after hearing, so how could he comprehend?

Fortunately he had a system with a recording function; as long as he understood the method, whether allocating points to upgrade or training on his own, he could do as he wished. Naturally there was no need for Xiao Longnv to repeat.

Yet Xiao Longnv was secretly astonished to have met someone who could remember after hearing; when she reached the seventh section of the Jade Maiden Soul‑Heart Sword Technique, she rose, reciting the formulas while demonstrating the postures.

Given Feng Yi's martial cultivation, Xiao Longnv knew that merely displaying the posture would let him grasp the meaning,

After watching more than ten moves, Feng Yi recognized her swordplay as that of the Quanzhen School, though mixed with the Jade Maiden Sword Technique, like left and right arms—different yet part of the same whole.

Yet Xiao Longnv practiced them separately, without interaction, so she said, "Miss Long, using this sword technique singly yields only modest power; only when the twin swords unite can its full might be unleashed."

Xiao Longnv was greatly puzzled and asked, "What does 'twin swords united' mean?"

Feng Yi replied, "This martial art appears to seek love in the heart, standing side by side, hand in hand—but you are doing it wrong."

Xiao Longnv blinked and said, "Is that so?"

Feng Yi asked, "How did you and Yang Guo practice?"

Xiao Longnv, knowing Feng Yi was learned and broad‑minded, trusted his words had reason, and replied, "I and Guo'er practiced by mutually breaking each other's moves."

Feng Yi couldn't help but laugh helplessly, saying, "You still haven't grasped your ancestress grandmother's intention."

"Intention?" Xiao Longnv exclaimed in bewilderment, "Isn't it just swordplay? What other intention could there be?"

Feng Yi smiled and answered off‑topic, "Did your ancestress grandmother create this martial art in order to kill Wang Zhongyang?"

Xiao Longnv found his words amusing; her cold face showed a hint of a smile as she said, "No, my ancestress grandmother only wished to defeat him, not to kill him."

"That's it," Feng Yi laughed, "This sword technique is named Jade Maiden Soul‑Heart Sword; its moves look like Quanzhen Sword Technique together with the Jade Maiden Sword—surely it is Wang Zhongyang and your ancestress grandmother."

Your ancestress grandmother initially resented Wang Zhongyang, wanting to overwhelm him, thus she sought to restrain Quanzhen martial arts; but later she discovered her feelings for Wang Zhongyang had not diminished in the slightest, so the essence of this martial art lies in the two words 'pure heart'!

"Pure heart?" Xiao Longnv pondered, then blurted, "Does it mean hearts in harmony, two hearts as one?"

"Exactly!" Feng Yi clapped, "Your ancestress grandmother lacked the courage you and your senior sister have; she dared not confess her love for the man she liked, so she poured all her affection into this martial art. This 'pure heart' is not only the pure intent you understand, but also her innermost wish."

"Innermost wish, pure aspiration?" Xiao Longnv lifted her gaze to the heavens… now lost in thought, now smiling faintly, now furrowing her brows, now lowering her head…

After a long while, she sighed softly, almost inaudibly, and said, "Yes, my ancestress grandmother has long harbored the wish to be happily united with Wang Zhongyang."

This martial art, being a study of mutual rescue, naturally requires harboring affection; how could it be treated as an enemy, to practice by breaking each other's moves?

No wonder we have been practicing it incorrectly.

In those days, Lin Chaoying dwelt alone in the ancient tomb and created the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra to counter Quanzhen martial arts; thus the earlier chapters all used Jade Maiden Heart Sutra techniques to restrain Quanzhen martial arts.

But when she wrote the seventh chapter, 'Jade Maiden Soul‑Heart Sword,' her feelings for Wang Zhongyang remained undiminished; she fantasized that one day she could stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with her beloved to strike the enemy. Hence this chapter's technique involves one practitioner using Jade Maiden Heart Sutra and another using Quanzhen martial arts, mutually supporting, advancing together and striking in concert, rather than opposing each other.

Lin Chaoying then, with a heart twisted a hundred times, infinite deep affection, endless longing, poured all of it into this martial treatise. Twin swords crossing are the guest; joining hands to defeat the foe is the true purport, carrying an allegorical meaning. Yet in the stone inscriptions she left behind, it was inconvenient to note these feelings.

When Xiao Longnv and Yang Guo first practiced, their mutual affection had not yet arisen, so they could not grasp the ancestress's profound intent; instead they regarded each other as enemies, thrusting and striking, cutting and chopping, thus they were utterly mismatched.

In fact, when the two practiced the seventh chapter of the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra back then, they were already mutually protecting and rescuing each other; but during training Yang Guo could not help embracing Xiao Longnv, and both knew it was improper, so thereafter whenever they met they avoided practicing together, lest their hearts wander and they repeat the mistake.

When they meet, they avoid each other, naturally unaware of the essence of the Jade Maiden Heart Classic. It is that the two join forces to resist the enemy, hearts in communication; back then Lin Chaoying could not achieve heart-to-heart with Wang Zhongyang on this crucial point, ending in regret.

In the original plot, the technique passed to Xiao Longnv and Yang Guo also came about because they encountered the great enemy Golden Wheel National Master, and unintentionally grasped the true essence of the sword technique, beginning to slaughter in all directions.

But this time, with Feng Yi barging in, both the Golden Wheel National Master and Gongsun Zhi were dealt with by him.

Yang Guo and Xiao Longnv still do not know that the Jade Maiden Pure Heart Sword Technique should be used with twin swords combined.

Xiao Longnv, having this point pointed out by Feng Yi, could not hide her delight and praised: "You are truly clever; Guo'er is also clever, but compared to you, he falls far short."

She usually wore an aloof demeanor, but now she broke into a smile; under the moonlight her teeth were like fine shells, her beautiful eyes shone, radiantly lovely beyond words.

Such peerless beauty, Feng Yi watching, felt his heart open and his mind stirred, and said: "Actually, this is not a matter of cleverness; any supreme martial skill, without an opponent to test it, is mere theory."

You contemplating it alone, failing to grasp its subtlety, is normal; if you encounter a worthy rival, you will naturally comprehend it.

In fact, Lin Chaoying and Wang Zhongyang were both peerless masters of their time; a single one of them already had no equal, so this joint resistance technique had no real use—only Lin Chaoying's idle fancy, to console her feelings.

When she created this sword technique, her martial prowess had already peaked; the moves were vigorous and seamless, allowing no slightest deviation. Yang Guo and Xiao Longnv did not grasp its meaning, practicing repeatedly, yet could not wield it with ease.

"Haha, well said—martial arts are for fighting!" The two turned toward the sound and saw a black shadow rushing over, arriving at the courtyard in an instant.

That person wore wide robes and sleeves, his white beard fluttering—it was Zhou Botong.

He leapt onto the pavilion, then with a plop knelt before Feng Yi and said: "Good brother, Old Urchin Zhou Botong admires you; could you teach me the method of raising the dead?"

Zhou Botong, obsessed with martial arts, did not believe anyone could raise the dead, but having just gone to investigate, he discovered that Guo Lü E had truly been revived, shocking him greatly and also making him envy; he searched throughout Jueqing Gu for Feng Yi.

Upon meeting, without further ado, he directly wanted to learn this skill.

Feng Yi helped him up, smiling: "Martial arts are meant to be learned; it's not difficult, but you must listen to me."

Zhou Botong is merely straightforward, not foolish—otherwise how could he have cultivated such profound martial arts? Hearing Feng Yi's words, he said: "That depends on what it is; I cannot agree to everything."

Feng Yi said: "I want you to promise that after leaving Jueqing Gu you will tell no one of this place, and you must repay me with your martial arts."

He well knew that in the original plot Zhou Botong, to stir up trouble in Jueqing Gu, deliberately let Guo Lü E and others catch him with a fishing net in front of the Golden Wheel National Master and others, luring them in, then escaping, disguising himself as the Xiaoxiang Child to cause chaos, and later even luring Li Mochou, Hong Lingbo, Cheng Ying, and Lu Wushuang, thereby setting off a chain of events.

This time, though impossible, he also feared the other side would cause chaos and lure the Mongol army in, destroying everything in the valley.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Botong's face lit up with joy, and he said: "I, Zhou Botong, swear to heaven that after leaving the valley I will absolutely tell no one of this place; you want to learn any martial art, I will tell you all."

What martial-arts rules, sect distinctions—Zhou Botong simply does not care; otherwise how could he have sworn brotherhood with the Seven Heroes of Jiangnan and the disciples of Hong Qigong, thereby lowering his own generation while still teaching Guo Jing martial arts?

And how could he accept the foreigner Yelü Qi as a disciple, with many saying it was because Yelü Qi is the son of a Mongol noble, and Zhou Botong was leaving a backdoor for the Quanzhen Sect?

Such thinking reveals pettiness; Zhou Botong values only affinity.

"Good!" Feng Yi nodded: "There is also another matter: I have a friend whose leg has been troubled for many years and cannot recover; I heard that the old master once had his legs broken by Master Huang of the Island, yet he recovered fully—does this involve some secret? Please advise."

He knew Master Huang had once broken the legs of several disciples, yet none recovered fully, so it was certainly not an ordinary break; however Zhou Botong's leg, though broken, healed completely—there must be some secret here.

Having his leg broken by someone is embarrassing for Zhou Botong; if it were another master he would surely be unhappy, but he is innocent and carefree, taking no offense, and said: "This is easy. If Old Heretic Huang were to break my two legs again, I still have the ability to recover. If you doubt it, feel free to try breaking them."

Saying this, he extended his legs toward Feng Yi, presenting a posture of "feel free to strike and break them."

He spoke with utter seriousness; Xiao Longnv, watching, could not help but let out a giggle.

Xiao Longnv's smile is already rare; her such hearty laugh made the originally hazy moonlight grow even darker and dim.

Because of this laugh, she is too beautiful—like a hurricane rising from flat ground, capable of overturning the sea and making heaven and earth lose their color,

Feng Yi, having known her, had never seen such a smile before; he stared, dazed.

Feng Yi further understood why Zhen Zhongbing once used 'beauty that surpasses the world, making one unable to extricate oneself' to describe Xiao Longnv's beauty,

and why Gongsun Zhi was left defenseless by a single sentence from Xiao Longnv.

In short, Xiao Longnv's beauty has passed another severe test.

Xiao Longnv laughed a few times, then suddenly noticed Feng Yi's expression change and immediately turned her head.

Feng Yi felt he had lost composure, gave a dry laugh twice: "Xiao Longnv, you must not laugh like that in front of others from now on!"

Xiao Longnv's face flushed.

Feng Yi also said to Zhou Botong: "Old Urchin, I am convinced; no need to test—you certainly have this ability."

"If you also tell me the Empty Bright Fist and the Ambidextrous Technique, I will pass on to you this supreme miraculous skill!"

Zhou Botong slapped his thigh: "One word, and it's set!"

Xiao Longnv, hearing the two discuss martial arts, was about to leave, but Feng Yi said: "Miss Long, you need not go; you may also listen."

Xiao Longnv replied: "You are talking about martial arts; how could I listen?"

Feng Yi gave a half-smile: "Could it be that in your eyes I and Old Master Zhou are both vulgar and intolerable?"

Zhou Botong said: "It's fine, it's fine; Brother Feng, your bearing is magnificent, your heart broad, your appearance likable, and you are not as cunning and strange as Huang Rong—no wonder he came to snatch you as a bride." Feng Yi laughed heartily: "Old Urchin, that's not something to spout nonsense about. I won't seek boredom."

"However, if Miss Long learns this Ambidextrous Technique, she can use one mind for two purposes, becoming two persons, and execute the Jade Maiden Pure Heart Sword; with a skilled expert present here, how could we not witness its power firsthand?"

Xiao Longnv, hearing Zhou Botong's words, felt somewhat involuntarily tense; hearing Feng Yi's remark that sounded like teasing or self-mockery, the stone in her heart fell, yet her heart stirred: "Feng Yi has never lied to me; if such a marvelous technique exists, using the left hand for Quanzhen sword technique and the right hand for Jade Maiden sword technique, would that not become the Jade Maiden Pure Heart Sword Technique?"

"'Jade Maiden Pure Heart Sword?' Zhou Botong was also curious, having never heard of it."

Xiao Longnv said: "This requires the Quanzhen sword technique combined with our sect's sword technique."

Zhou Botong snorted: "What's so special about the Quanzhen sword technique? I am a senior elder of the Quanzhen Sect."

Feng Yi smiled: "That sword technique requires mutual affection and hearts in tune; can you manage that?"

Upon hearing 'mutual affection,' Zhou Botong's heart jumped, he was greatly put off, and waved his hands repeatedly: "I don't want to hear, I don't want to hear; I'll tell you about this internal art instead."

Formerly, Old Urchin Zhou Botong had his legs shot broken by Master Huang's Finger Snap Divine Power, and he possessed a set of breath‑cultivation methods to aid recovery.

Yet Master Huang's other disciples lacked this ability; after years of delay they became cripples, until Master Huang felt remorse and specially created an internal art, passing it to Lu Chengfeng, hoping he could regain the ability to walk.

Feng Yi reflected that Guo Lü E's internal injuries were easy to heal, yet despite many broken bones they could not be hurried; as the saying goes, 'a stone from another mountain can polish jade,' so he wished to obtain this internal art for healing broken bones, in order to teach it to Lü E.

=9+book_ let's

Although Feng Yi possesses the Divine Illumination Skill, the Nine Yin Divine Art, and other divine abilities, profound internal arts are not something anyone can cultivate just because they are taught.

Without the system's infusion, Feng Yi might not even achieve minor success.

Zhou Botong imparted his recovery technique wholeheartedly; it was actually the Thousand‑Character Internal Art. Seeing Feng Yi hear it once and remember it, he was stunned and said: "Brother, you have such ability; not going for the top scholar is indeed a bit regrettable."

Feng Yi laughed heartily and said: "Let's talk about the Empty Bright Fist."

Old Urchin said: "Our Quanzhen Sect's highest martial arts, the essence lies in the two characters 'emptiness' and 'softness', that is the saying 'Great perfection seems lacking, its use never wears out; great fullness seems empty, its use never ends.'"

My Emptiness Bright Fist has a sixteen-character formula: "Emptiness obscurity penetrating looseness, wind passes tolerates dreams, rush exhausted middle play, child common bow insect."

Xiao Longnv smiled faintly, thinking that the Old Urchin was again spouting nonsense, what kind of nonsense about east messing holes, but she didn't ask.

Zhou Botong glanced at her and said, "Little girl, don't underestimate me; every character makes sense: 'Song' means the punch's force should be empty; 'Chong' means the body should be supple like an insect; 'Meng' means the fist moves should be muddled, not too clear; 'Meng' means it's like sleeping and dreaming."

Xiao Longnv hearing this, softly said: "That actually makes some sense."

Zhou Botong being praised by the Ancient Tomb Sect disciple, he showed great delight, proudly said: "That's right."

Such high-level martial arts need not be demonstrated; starting from the first form "Empty Bowl Holding Rice", second form "Empty House Dwelling Person", he explained the changes in the forms and the use of force to the two.

Zhou Botong, by nature mischievous, gave each of these seventy-two forms a humorous and simple name.

Zhou Botong said, "Brother Feng, the Emptiness Bright Fist is easy for you to learn, but this left-right mutual combat is not so easy; if you can't grasp it, don't blame me."

Xiao Longnv said, "Is this skill hard to learn?" Her tone was cold, yet a hint of curiosity showed in her eyes.

Feng Yi laughed and said, "Old Urchin, rest assured, if I fail to learn left-right mutual combat, I will still pass on my divine skill to you; don't be afraid."

Zhou Botong, having his thoughts exposed by him, also felt embarrassed, and said: "Brother, I say this skill is difficult—it's extremely difficult; to say it's easy is also extremely easy. Some people spend a lifetime and still can't learn it; others only need a few days to master it. You both know Guo Jing and Huang Rong, those two kids, right?"

The two nodded.

Zhou Botong asked, "You say, who is smarter between the two of them?"

Xiao Longnv said, "Madam Guo is extremely intelligent; I've heard from the child that in the present age, probably no one can surpass her. But Guo the Great Hero's aptitude is quite ordinary."

Zhou Botong laughed, "What do you mean 'quite ordinary'? It's simply utterly stupid. Do you say I'm smart or stupid?"

Xiao Longnv laughed, "I see you, though not young, are still utterly foolish; your speech and actions are a bit crazy."

Feng Yi hearing this burst into loud laughter; only someone like Xiao Longnv would describe Zhou Botong as "utterly foolish".

Actually, Zhou Botong and Guo Jing are not stupid; it's just that some fools take them for fools, otherwise how could they have cultivated such martial arts.

Zhou Botong, however, clapped his hands and said, "Yes, you're absolutely right. This left-right mutual combat technique is something I came up with; later I taught it to Brother Guo Jing, and he mastered it in just a few days."

But when he passed it on to his wife, don't look at Huang Rong, that clever and exquisite girl, with seventeen or eighteen openings in her heart, yet she could never learn this skill.

I thought Guo Jing the foolish child taught it wrong; later Old Urchin personally taught her, but to our surprise, her first lesson—'left hand draws a square, right hand draws a circle'—she kept drawing and it never looked right.

So, some people learn it instantly, others never learn it in a lifetime. It seems the smarter one is, the less likely they are to succeed." Saying this, he looked toward Feng Yi.

He knew Feng Yi was extraordinarily intelligent, feared he wouldn't be able to learn this martial art, and thus did not teach himself the ability to raise the dead.

Feng Yi naturally also feared he wouldn't be able to learn this miraculous skill, but he ultimately had a system as a safety net.

Xiao Longnv, however, only felt bewildered and said, "Could it be that stupid people learning martial arts actually surpass smart people? I don't believe it."

Zhou Botong chuckled and said, "I see your appearance and talent are on par with little Huang Rong, and your martial arts are not far behind hers. Perhaps your appearance and martial arts are each a bit superior to hers."

Since you don't believe it, then use your left index finger to draw a square on the ground, while your right index finger simultaneously draws a circle.

Feng Yi secretly amused, Zhou Botong hasn't seen Guo Jing and Huang Rong for over ten years and still judges them by his old perception; and little Huang Rong? She's about to turn forty, after all, how could Xiao Longnv's martial arts now compare to Huang Rong's?

Then Xiao Longnv extended two index fingers into the air to draw, but the square she drew looked a bit like a circle, and the circle looked a bit like a square.

Zhou Botong burst into laughter and said, "Really? You can't even do that."

Xiao Longnv smiled faintly, focused her mind, embraced unity, her heart empty and bright, then casually extended her hands, in the air her left hand drew a square, her right hand drew a circle.

Although drawn in empty space, Zhou Botong and Feng Yi, with their keen eyesight, both saw that her square was perfectly square and her circle perfectly round.

Zhou Botong was greatly startled and said, "You… you…"

Feng Yi laughed and said, "Old Urchin, hurry up and speak of the martial art; Maiden Longnv playing with this is as easy as grasping something firmly."

Zhou Botong scratched his head full of white hair and said, "You two are truly strange; one hears it and remembers it, the other hears it and can do it—this is truly an innate talent!"

Thus he explained how to attack left and defend right, how to strike right and repel left, and conveyed this unparalleled left-right mutual combat skill in full to the two.

Actually, the key to this left-right mutual combat technique lies entirely in the four characters "divide attention, dual use". For any intelligent and capable person, their thoughts are complex; before finishing one matter, another rushes into the mind.

For such people, learning this left-right mutual combat skill is as impossible as having their head cut off.

Xiao Longnv had practiced since childhood the foundational skill of eliminating the seven emotions and six desires; by age eight or nine she had already cultivated a mind like still water, though later her infatuation with Yang Guo caused great depletion of this skill.

However, the internal energy she cultivated in the Ancient Tomb Sect was created by Lin Chaoying after her romantic disappointment; her state of mind when parting with Yang Guo was similar, and with just a pointer from Zhou Botong, she immediately understood.

Only because Zhou Botong, Guo Jing, and Xiao Longnv are all honest and unadorned, with pure hearts free of impurities—unlike Huang Rong, Yang Guo, Zhu Ziliu, Feng Yi and the like—then they could learn nothing at all.

Zhou Botong spoke and gestured, explaining with great relish.

Xiao Longnv kept nodding, silently contemplating how to use the Jade Maiden Sword Technique with her right hand and the Quanzhen Sword Technique with her left hand.

Feng Yi then opened the system, saw that left-right mutual combat was already recorded, and immediately said, "Old Urchin, this divine skill of mine is called the Divine Illumination Skill; listen well!"

He recited the formula; Zhou Botong felt each word enter his ears, shocking and awakening; Xiao Longnv also showed a look of surprise, biting her lip, silently listening to the end.

After Feng Yi recited it once, the two naturally couldn't remember; one seemed to half-understand, the other kept scratching his head.

Feng Yi laughed and said, "You don't need to learn from me; I'll say it again. Internal energy must not have the slightest error."

As one taught and two learned, they did not notice the stars and moon fading, the east gradually turning white.

Zhou Botong joyfully said, "Brother Feng, this internal energy contains heavenly secrets; you are able to bring it out and share it—how can I, Old Urchin, repay you? I must impart all my martial arts wholeheartedly!"

Feng Yi responded solemnly, "You overstate it; I too have received transmission from others, and I only seek that the divine skill not be passed on to non-humans—what talk of repayment is there?"

Zhou Botong, hearing this, felt deep regret and said, "If my senior brother had met you…" He spoke to this point, his eyes reddening, he hastily turned away, and a puff of smoke escaped.

Xiao Longnv remained silent, brows tightly furrowed, eyes unblinking as she gazed at Feng Yi.

Feng Yi, feeling embarrassed under her gaze, laughed loudly: "This senior lacks heart and lungs; only when mentioning his senior brother does he seem to become another person—I'd love to see you fight him!" He deliberately shouted the words "fight" especially loud, fearing Zhou Botong might not hear.

Yet Xiao Longnv still stared at him without blinking.

Feng Yi thought for a moment and said, "Maiden Longnv, actually you needn't think too much; given your dispositions, you are best suited to cultivate the Divine Illumination Skill."

Other internal energies need not be pursued; humans are born with emotions, and because of emotional ups and downs, an internal energy that makes one vomit blood daily is truly not worthwhile.

Xiao Longnv actually understood in her heart that Feng Yi transmitting skill to Zhou Botong could be said to break down sectarian barriers, exchanging martial arts for martial arts.

But he called out to her, wanting her to cultivate this internal energy so that in the future she would no longer vomit blood from injury.

Because Feng Yi had repeatedly told her in person not to practice the Ancient Tomb Sect's internal energy; thinking of this, Xiao Longnv's heart surged with heat, tears nearly falling, and she said, "Since you know this, why do you insist on the Jade Maiden Heart Scripture?"

Feng Yi stared blankly, said: "I want to embrace a hundred rivers, to become the greatest master of all ages."

Xiao Longnv suddenly gritted her teeth and said: "You're just coaxing me with that; I just want to know why you treat me so well." Her tone carried an unprecedented solemnity.

Feng Yi smiled and said: "That's you thinking highly of me; actually I've never been good to anyone."

My interactions with anyone are always driven by great purpose. It's simply that, as we get along, if the other person touches me, I will repay their kindness.

Just like today, if you hadn't come looking for me, how would I have gone looking for you?

If you insist that I treat you well and demand a reason, it's simply because you're too beautiful—I feel that if you suffered any harm, I could not bear it.

Xiao Longnv looked at Feng Yi doubtfully.

If one said Feng Yi used to give her the feeling of omniscience, now his feeling is one of profound mystery.

Xiao Longnv realized that her beauty had stirred Feng Yi's heart.

But he has always been open and aboveboard, neither concealing nor avoiding, yet he never takes advantage of others' peril, nor has he ever done anything excessive toward himself.

She understood that, even if Feng Yi were willing, even if she still loved Yang Guo, they would have no chance.

It must be said, Feng Yi is the only person in this world who makes Xiao Longnv feel bewildered.

She also suddenly understood why that proud senior sister would give herself to him, despite knowing Feng Yi's involvement with Hong Lingbo.

"Auntie, we should go."

A clear male voice suddenly rang out: "Brother Feng, we'll meet again!"

Feng Yi turned his head to look, and Yang Guo had already appeared beneath a tree at some point.

Feng Yi silently cursed, damn it, his internal energy greatly depleted, he hadn't even noticed his arrival.

In his ears he heard Xiao Longnv's gentle voice: "You needn't worry, Guo'er has just arrived as well."

Feng Yi had long known that, given Yang Guo's pride, he wouldn't secretly listen to martial arts; he had merely become abruptly weak, feeling somewhat unaccustomed.

Xiao Longnv gave Feng Yi a graceful bow as a farewell, her jade-like steps light as she walked toward Yang Guo,

Watching them leave side by side, Feng Yi also didn't know why, but he could sense Xiao Longnv's delicate, graceful steps, feeling slightly perplexed, as if burdened with thoughts, quite gloomy.

Feng Yi blurted: "Yang Guo, the land of gentleness is a hero's grave—don't learn from me to flirt everywhere."

Miss Long, if you have something to discuss, communicate more; don't just run off suddenly—people like me who have principles are few!

Yang Guo laughed heartily and waved his hand.

Xiao Longnv, however, didn't even turn her head.

"What kind of virtue do I have, still worrying others?"

(End of chapter)