Chapter 468: Seeing the Sword Spirit Again and Discussing the True Form

The spring light was faint, the breeze gentle and warm; the scent of pear blossoms permeated the courtyard, refreshing the heart and intoxicating the mind.

Long Qi yawned contentedly, brushed away the itch on the tip of his nose, turned over, and continued to sleep.

With such beautiful scenery and pleasant air, it was the perfect time to catch up on sleep.

Yet, for some reason, something refused to let Long Qi have his way, constantly hovering near his nose and disturbing his peaceful dream.

Long Qi finally couldn't help but sneeze, and he sat up, feeling rather grumpy.

"Who is it? Don't you know that disturbing someone's dream will bring down a lightning strike?"

But as soon as he finished speaking, Long Qi discovered that he was actually in the small courtyard of Youran Abode, and what he had been lying on was none other than Lingxiang's precious hammock.

After a moment of stunned silence, Long Qi came to his senses—he had arrived at the Qi Pool again.

He didn't know how many times this had happened; Long Qi had even become numb to it. He helplessly lay back down, preparing to sleep once more.

But just then, Long Qi suddenly woke up in alarm and hurriedly jumped off the hammock.

If Lingxiang knew he had slept in this hammock, she would definitely skin him alive.

Long Qi was just calming his breath when he suddenly realized: this was his own Qi Pool, so how would Lingxiang know?

He had been coveting Lingxiang's hammock for a long time.

Long Qi's eyes flickered; since he was already tempted, he might as well take this opportunity to properly experience Lingxiang's joy.

After a thief-like, triumphant laugh, Long Qi lay back on the hammock with a clear conscience, crossing his legs and looking every bit the scoundrel.

No wonder Lingxiang loved this hammock so much; it was truly incredibly comfortable.

Just as Long Qi was enjoying himself, a soft laugh came from above. Long Qi hurriedly opened his eyes, meeting Lingxiang's lively, sparkling pupils.

This eye contact was no small matter; it scared Long Qi so much that he tumbled off the hammock, scrambling and crawling. But after standing steady, he realized that what he saw was the Longyuan Sword Spirit, not Lingxiang.

"Don't you know that scaring people can scare them to death?" Long Qi patted his chest, soothing his own guilty conscience.

"I know." The Longyuan Sword Spirit tossed aside the flower branch used to tease Long Qi and floated onto the hammock, completely unconcerned. "But I am not a person."

Hmm...

That seemed to be a valid point...

Long Qi was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to retort. After a long pause, he said unconvinced, "That still doesn't mean you can scare people."

Honestly, he had thought Lingxiang had come; his soul had nearly flown away from fright.

The Sword Spirit did not speak, merely eating the squeaking snack. Only when Long Qi had recovered his wits did the spirit speak.

"Kid, are you really okay with being so leisurely here?"

Huh? What does that mean?

Seeing Long Qi's confusion, the Sword Spirit rolled its eyes, cursing inwardly: What a slow-witted blockhead.

"Look outside." The Sword Spirit raised a hand and pointed outside the courtyard.

Following the Sword Spirit's gesture, Long Qi saw nothing at all. He looked back at the Sword Spirit suspiciously, but the latter merely raised an eyebrow and said no more.

What kind of riddle was this guy playing now?

Long Qi had no choice but to edge toward the door. Just as he approached, a monster suddenly lunged out, scaring him into retreating in a hurry.

Calling it a monster, one could still discern some of Long Qi's features, but the creature's lips were gone, teeth exposed, pupils white, and face covered in sores, as if it had suffered a brutal punishment.

Ordinarily, one should not be alive after such severe injuries, yet the monster was truly and solidly pounding against an invisible wall, attempting to break into the small courtyard.

And there was more than one such monster.

"What... what are these things..."

"What do you think?" The Sword Spirit gave a playful smile, completely unbothered by the monsters right before them.

Long Qi's mouth twitched: How would he know...

"You are afflicted with Demon Miasma; these are naturally the Nether Qi attempting to possess you."

Nether Qi? That sounds so familiar...

Right, it is the source of power for the Demon Race.

"You mean..."

Did it mean he, Long Qi, was about to fall into the path of the demons?

But he hadn't rescued Lingxiang yet!

In his panic, Long Qi heard the Sword Spirit sigh: "Of the five internal organs of man, the heart is the jade. It is fortunate that the little girl had the foresight to give you a Hanyu Pill, otherwise, you would not be able to guard this Qi Pool."

Hanyu Pills had such an effect?

"Don't rest easy just yet; the effect of that Pill is only temporary. I fear you will succumb eventually if it drags on." The Sword Spirit spoke with complete indifference, as if the matter at hand had nothing to do with it.

Long Qi frowned: "Is there a solution?"

"As long as you see through my true form, you can help yourself resolve this crisis." The Sword Spirit floated in front of Long Qi and gave a playful smile.

True form, it's the true form again...

"Just say it plainly, why hide and speak in riddles?" Long Qi said irritably.

If it really wanted him to see, it should just show him directly; what was the point of hiding and dodging?

The Sword Spirit did not answer, but its figure flickered, and it stood lightly atop the water vat.

"There isn't much time left for you," it said, tapping its foot, causing ripples to appear in the water of the vat. "Look, that little girl won't be able to hold on for much longer."

Long Qi did not understand, so he leaned in to look, and he saw Adao wailing in agony while Lingxiang was being dragged by the Demon Lord toward the Stone Chamber.

"Lingxiang!"

Long Qi cried out in alarm and nearly plunged into the water vat, but was easily lifted up by the Sword Spirit.

"What is the use of being anxious now? It would be better to contemplate sooner; only then will there be a turning point."

That's easy to say, but in such a short time, how could it be so easy?

No! By the time that happens, Lingxiang will have been taken away again.

He had to get out!

Long Qi's expression was stern as he walked toward the door, but the Sword Spirit blocked his path once again.

"If you go out now, you will truly become a demon."

"So what? Even if I fall into the Demonic Path, I must go save Lingxiang!"

Seeing the look of determination on Long Qi's face, the Sword Spirit helplessly pressed a hand to his forehead—how did he end up with such a blockhead?

Forget it, forget it; who told him to be the last bloodline of the Long Family?

"You can stay here and think carefully about why I chose to appear to you in the form of that little girl; I will help you one more time, and this will be the last time."

As the Sword Spirit spoke, he leaped lightly, jumped into the water vat, and vanished in an instant.

Yet even so, the water in the vat did not overflow; it only rippled in circles, as if only a single drop of water had just fallen into it.

Long Qi's Qi Pool was in imminent danger, and the situation in Yinxu Hall was no less dire.

Seeing Lingxiang captured by the Demon Lord, Xin Yi was burning with anxiety, but he was heavily injured and could not move a muscle despite struggling for a long time, ultimately able only to watch helplessly.

But just at this moment, Long Qi, who was beside him, stopped his howling; Xin Yi turned his head to look, but only managed to catch a glimpse of an afterimage.

Adao's crying stopped abruptly, and he stared straight ahead.

The Demon Lord was actually blocked by Long Qi, his arm held firmly in a grip.

Long Qi? It was actually Long Qi!

How could it be Long Qi? When did his Body Movement become so swift? And he was not even at a disadvantage while pitting his strength against the Demon Lord?

Lingxiang was also incredulous, but when she turned her head, she saw Long Qi wink at her, looking completely relaxed.

"Little girl, long time no see."

Ah...

Huh?

A simple greeting left Lingxiang looking bewildered—what kind of madness was this brat suffering from again?

The Demon Lord also looked at Long Qi, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, and a dangerous aura instantly permeated the air.

But Long Qi was completely indifferent; he gathered his Qi and leaped, holding the Demon Lord's arm, and with a somersault, forced him to release Lingxiang.

"Little girl, why aren't you going to save people yet?"

Ah...

Huh?

Lingxiang, having been pushed away, was utterly confused—

This Long Qi...

Has he lost his mind?