Chapter 155

Only in this way could one explain why someone with no blood tie to them would give him the Juezui.

The two women, their whereabouts exposed, felt no embarrassment; their expressions remained calm and composed.

Immortal Lady Lümu glanced at Qing Qing Songzi and smiled faintly: "Old fellow, you're meddling in my affairs now?"

Her smile was elegant and warm, yet Qing Qing Songzi sensed a thread of killing intent.

Qing Qing Songzi laughed heartily: "Old man merely wishes to avoid trouble, but he fears no one."

"Mount Huangshan is my place of quiet cultivation, always serene—yet today, distinguished guests have come in droves. It seems something lively is about to happen."

"I wonder, do I, as host, have the standing to witness this spectacle?"

As he spoke, Qing Qing Songzi cast a glance toward the stone crevice.

This old man is truly sharp!

All four of them simultaneously thought the same thought, then turned to look at each other.

The two women had never seen Jiang Sishui before; they couldn't help but study him curiously, wondering what made this diary's owner so special.

Especially the Flower Immortal, who, knowing Immortal Lady Lümu's decision was unchangeable, naturally paid close attention to the man who might become her future husband.

Unfortunately, Jiang Sishui stood beside A Zhu, so she found him utterly unappealing.

Though she did not yet understand romantic love, jealousy was a woman's innate nature—how could she possibly be pleased?

Jiang Sishui was likewise observing these two visual leads of "Heavenly Sword Heroes."

Immortal Lady Lümu carried herself with noble grace, her movements elegant, her face perpetually smiling, radiating an aura of confidence and poise.

The Flower Immortal had almond eyes and thin lips, skin as white as snow, a clean, simple pale yellow silk robe, and several colorful hair ribbons fluttering behind her head—her beauty was exquisite, pure and enchanting.

From afar, she looked truly like a fairy among flowers—supreme in beauty, immaculate in purity.

In Jiang Sishui's eyes, she was even more beautiful than Immortal Lady Lümu by a slight margin.

Yet in the drama, the breathtaking Flower Immortal was a heartless and ruthless woman.

He wondered what kind of person the Flower Immortal before him truly was.

Immortal Lady Lümu noticed Jiang Sishui's gaze and felt even more certain of her position.

She parted her rose-red lips, her voice like jade chimes: "Young Master Jiang, may I speak with you privately?"

Jiang Sishui gave a slight nod: "My lady, please."

The four of them stepped aside on their own.

Qing Qing Songzi, seeing they were about to whisper, did not intrude; he remained where he was, calm and unperturbed.

He knew the stone crevice was the key.

If he held the crevice, they could not possibly bypass him.

"My lady gave me the Juezui and told me to collect the 'Five Heavenly Swords,' hoping I'd retrieve the 'Heavenly Sword' before you move to seize it?"

Jiang Sishui spoke bluntly, directly raising this sharp question.

Facing an insurmountable celestial, feigning compliance would only waste time—it was better to cut straight to the point and demand clarity.

In response to Jiang Sishui's accusation, Immortal Lady Lümu's smile did not fade; she shook her head: "Young Master Jiang is only half right."

"Oh? I'd like to hear the full story."

"I do intend to appear after you obtain the 'Heavenly Sword,' but not to seize it by force."

"Then what…?"

"I wish to make a trade with you, Young Master Jiang."

"You're not going to trade the 'Heavenly Sword,' are you?"

"Precisely."

"Then what will you offer in exchange?"

Immortal Lady Lümu extended her slender hand; the Flower Immortal reluctantly handed over the cloth bundle in her grasp.

Immortal Lady Lümu pulled away the cloth, revealing a delicate, elegant longsword.

The blade was slender and graceful, its emerald-green leather scabbard naturally formed, inlaid with eighteen "Blood-Hearted Azure Pearls" from the Northern Sea.

Though a sword is a weapon of violence, Jiang Sishui felt not a trace of bloodlust from it—only a transcendent, ethereal aura.

Like wind sweeping through a silent valley, beyond mortal reach.

"This sword is named 'Lingxu.'"

As she spoke, Immortal Lady Lümu opened her right palm; the "Lingxu Sword" was drawn forward by an invisible force toward Jiang Sishui.

Steady and smooth…

Jiang Sishui reached out and caught it, his fingers tracing the emerald-green scabbard, then slowly drew out the blade engraved with patterns.

Tsssss— a chant—

A faint, clear tone stretched into a long resonance; a brilliant blade of pale blue-white light flashed forth, like a pool of autumn water frozen in moonlight.

Luminous and dazzling, too brilliant to gaze upon.

Jiang Sishui's eyes brightened; he felt its weight and balance, then praised without hesitation: "A fine sword!"

Immortal Lady Lümu smiled faintly: "It seems Young Master Jiang is pleased."

Jiang Sishui sheathed the blade and said: "My lady is interested in the 'Heavenly Sword'—surely you know some of its secrets."

"I know a little."

"Then you must know that this Lingxu Sword alone is not enough."

Immortal Lady Lümu nodded gently: "It is not enough. Thus, Lingxu Sword is merely the first item I offer in exchange."

As she spoke, she glanced at the Flower Immortal beside her and smiled: "This is my Immortal Water Palace's Sacred Maiden—the Flower Immortal. What do you think, Young Master Jiang?"

"Your lady's meaning is…" Jiang Sishui was taken aback.

This woman isn't seriously offering to sell her own Sacred Maiden, is she?

That incredible thought had barely risen when it was confirmed by Immortal Consort Green Mother: "That's right! I wonder if this sister of mine might catch Young Master Jiang's eye?"

Jiang Sishui did not answer, but looked toward the Flower Fairy.

He saw her lower lip pressed in slightly, cheeks puffed, also looking at him.

Only, her gaze seemed a little… fierce?

Jiang Sishui: "…3.7…"

He was a bit puzzled—where had he offended this woman?

But thinking it the other way, Immortal Consort Green Mother had sold her off, so her anger being displaced onto the "buyer" was only natural.

Gazing at the Flower Fairy's exquisitely flawless, breathtakingly beautiful face, Jiang Sishui's mind spun rapidly: "Then what does this Miss Flower have in mind?"

Immortal Consort Green Mother smiled without a word and looked toward the Flower Fairy.

The Flower Fairy gritted her teeth secretly, thinking: "Immortal Consort Green Mother, you actually sold me off—just you wait!"

Especially when she thought of how Immortal Consort Green Mother, to raise her price, had on the spur of the moment designated her as Holy Maiden, the Flower Fairy's secret hatred grew.

But the present circumstances were stronger than she was; the "Kunji Seal" could not protect her, so she could only obediently bow her head.

"If Young Master does not disdain, the Flower Fairy is willing to attend upon you."

172 — Pass Five Passes, the Heavenly Sword Emerges!

Seeing the Flower Fairy obediently submit, Immortal Consort Green Mother felt secretly delighted.

Weren't you the one upholding the palace rules, thinking a Holy Maiden cannot be with a man?

Now I've made you Holy Maiden, then given you to a man—let's see how you punish yourself!

Jiang Sishui naturally did not know the little schemes of the two women; he only saw that the Flower Fairy was not entirely willing.

But recalling the Flower Fairy's character in the drama, he could understand.

"Miss Flower is as beautiful as a heavenly immortal; naturally I am fond of you, however…"

He paused, his gaze shifting to Immortal Consort Green Mother: "I want to add one more thing."

"Young Master Jiang, please speak."

"I've heard the Palace Lord possesses an art called the 'Soul-Snatching Great Art,' which I am very interested in."

Immortal Consort Green Mother was silent for a moment, then said: "So long as you add this 'Soul-Snatching Great Art,' Young Master Jiang will agree to the exchange?"

"Yes."

"Good, I agree!"

Seeing Immortal Consort Green Mother answer so resolutely, Jiang Sishui could not help growing suspicious.

Does this woman know something? To value the "Heavenly Sword" so highly.

But the words had left his mouth, and there was no reason to change them; besides, in his view, this trade was not a loss.

27 — Jiang Sishui raised his hand and sent the Lingxu Sword back, saying lightly: "Wait until I take the 'Heavenly Sword,' then I'll come to exchange for Miss Flower and the two items."