Chapter 45

A mist rose in the forest, hazy and dreamlike, with white petals occasionally drifting down. The scene was beautiful, ethereal even, but laced with tension.
Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao remained perched in the tree, one staring at the sky, the other blocking out all senses, waiting in unbearable awkwardness for the situation below to end.
And yet, it went on...and on.
Luo Han, despite having undergone spiritual refinement, was starting to feel pins and needles in her legs.
No wonder the dragon race was infamous across all six realms for their sheer stamina. They held the highest birth rate in the entire celestial world.
Truly impressive.
She shifted her gaze, sneaking a look at Ling Qingxiao. He was staring straight ahead, maintaining an utterly composed façade, unmoved even if the heavens collapsed before him. A true celestial being.
If not for the fact that the hand covering her ear remained stiff as a board, Luo Han might have believed it.
Ling Qingxiao must have been dying from embarrassment. And yet, he acted so indifferent.
Luo Han suddenly felt like laughing, her lips curving up involuntarily. Just then, she noticed Ling Qingxiao’s eyelashes tremble slightly. She quickly looked away, pretending nothing had happened.
Since she couldn’t see or hear, she had no idea what was happening with the couple below. She could only guess from her surroundings.
Suddenly, the branches behind them trembled violently, shaking loose a flurry of petals before abruptly settling again.
Even Luo Han’s sleeves were dusted with tiny white blossoms. Just as she was about to brush them off, Ling Qingxiao grabbed her hand, signaling for silence.
In the next instant, he wrapped an arm around her, swiftly leaping away. Within moments, they had vanished into the forest.
As Luo Han landed, she casually glanced around and realized that things hadn’t ended—they had simply moved to a different location. Taking advantage of the situation, Ling Qingxiao immediately left.
He moved lightly and swiftly along the treetops, his steps so delicate that only the leaves trembled slightly, not even disturbing the birds. His speed was astonishing. Luo Han, flying on her own for the first time without a magical artifact, was startled by the rapid ascents and descents. Instinctively, she clung to the only stable support nearby.
Ling Qingxiao held her securely with one arm around her waist. Even through the layers of clothing, she could feel his steady grip. His arm didn’t even waver. Luo Han gradually relaxed and began to enjoy the sensation of soaring through the air.
After a few more great leaps, the view suddenly opened up before them. A vast sea of silver flowers shimmered in the moonlight. Luo Han couldn’t help but exclaim in awe. Ling Qingxiao took one last step off a branch and landed gracefully among the flowers.
The sudden contact with the ground caught Luo Han off guard, and she nearly stumbled. Ling Qingxiao kept his hold on her until she found her footing, then let go.
Luo Han turned to look back at the deep, silent forest, then glanced at the boundless field of flowers before them. “So, we really made it out?”
“Mm.”
They had traveled far, completely leaving the dense forest behind. No longer needing to worry about making noise and alerting Ling Zhongyu, Luo Han let out a long breath of relief. “Finally, I can talk again. I was dying keeping quiet just now.”
Ling Qingxiao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing ahead without responding. Luo Han figured he was probably still drowning in embarrassment. She understood and tried to change the subject to smooth things over. “She was...poisoned by a charm demon, wasn’t she?”
Ling Qingxiao gave a barely perceptible nod. “Yes.”
Luo Han blurted out without thinking, “That poison sure took its time to wear off.”
She didn’t think much of her words, but Ling Qingxiao’s face turned red. He cast a quick glance at Luo Han and frowned. “You…”
Luo Han looked up, her clear, bright eyes reflecting his figure perfectly.
Facing those eyes, Ling Qingxiao found himself unable to say anything. He quickly looked away and admonished, “A young lady shouldn’t be talking about such things.”
Luo Han raised an eyebrow and smoothly changed the topic. “Alright, alright. By the way, why were you there?”
To be honest, when she first spotted Ling Qingxiao at the scene, she had been shocked. But thinking about it, she knew he wouldn’t have been there for that reason. Luo Han might eavesdrop on occasion, but Ling Qingxiao? Never.
He had been watching so intently—there must have been another reason.
Ling Qingxiao subtly exhaled in relief. He wasn’t good at explaining himself, but since Luo Han had brought it up, he took the opportunity to clarify. “I was looking for you. On my way through that area, I sensed traces of demonic energy. It seemed odd, so I stopped to investigate.”
Luo Han nodded. That made sense. So it was the demonic aura. This made her pause—if Ling Qingxiao had sensed it too, then maybe what she had noticed on the flying boat the other day hadn’t been a mistake after all.
Noticing Luo Han deep in thought, Ling Qingxiao immediately sensed that something was amiss. He lowered his voice. “What’s wrong?”
Luo Han shook her head. “I’m not sure yet. I don’t want to falsely accuse anyone, so I’ll observe for a few more days before telling you.”
Falsely accuse...who?
Luo Han didn’t elaborate, and Ling Qingxiao didn’t press further. As they talked, they made their way across the sea of flowers. The blossoms were delicate, each with five petals that emitted a faint silver glow. They were incredibly fragile—just a light touch was enough to make them fall.
By the time they reached the other side, Luo Han’s clothes were dusted with silver petals. Curious, she asked, “What are these flowers called?”
“Moon Ephemerals.”
As delicate as moonlight, as fleeting as an ephemeral bloom—an apt name. Luo Han picked a petal from her sleeve and casually asked, “You’re not bothered by what just happened?”
She was a little concerned that Ling Qingxiao might still have feelings for the female lead. After all, in the future, he would rage against an entire army just to kill the male lead for her.
It wasn’t excessive affection that was dangerous—it was when someone who had never cared for anyone before suddenly did. With Ling Qingxiao’s personality, if he ever became fixated on something, it could be terrifying.
Out of her own self-interest, Luo Han didn’t want him entangled in the emotional drama of the main couple. It would be best if he simply focused on his own path, dedicating his life to the Dao, unburdened by worldly affairs. But feelings weren’t so easily controlled, so all she could do was probe for his thoughts.
Ling Qingxiao said, “What he did today was taking advantage of someone’s vulnerability. That is not the conduct of a gentleman. If it had been any other woman, I would have stopped him.”
Ling Zhongyu and Yun Menghan were lovers, though their relationship was now in a complicated state. Still, they had feelings for each other and were officially together. This made it difficult for an outsider to intervene. If it had been another woman, Ling Qingxiao would have stopped him, even if it meant tarnishing Zhongshan’s reputation.
Taking advantage of a woman when she was defenseless was truly disgraceful.
Luo Han paused. That was true—but it wasn’t what she had been asking.
She had no choice but to push further. “And Yun Menghan?”
Ling Qingxiao turned to look at her, his gaze unreadable. Luo Han quickly added, “The moon is so beautiful tonight. I’m just curious about my teammates’ relationships. We’re all in the same group, after all.”
Ling Qingxiao didn’t believe her. Luo Han seemed particularly interested in his romantic life, especially regarding Yun Menghan.
Normally, he would have shut down such questions—he didn’t like people prying into his personal affairs.
But tonight, for some reason, he didn’t feel the urge to reject her.
Finally, he spoke lightly, indifferently. “Their matters have nothing to do with me anymore. Everyone has their own attachments. I don’t blame her for pointing at me during the tribulation. But that matter is settled. Her past kindness in giving me medicine is also repaid.”
Luo Han let out a breath of relief. If there had been lingering feelings, no man would be able to stand watching the woman he loved in the arms of another.
Back in the forest, Ling Qingxiao had been more embarrassed than angry. That alone showed that at least for now, he had no romantic feelings for Yun Menghan.
This was a good start. As long as Ling Qingxiao stayed out of the matter, Luo Han’s next step was to prevent the main couple from using the forbidden technique.
Luo Han was lost in thought when Ling Qingxiao, who had been silent all this time, suddenly threw out a lethal question: “You seem quite concerned about my feelings. Why?”
That one struck right at the heart of the matter. Luo Han had no way to explain it, so she could only brush it off with a laugh. “Not really...I just realized that my demand for you to protect me without leaving my side for a thousand years was quite unfair. You have your own life, after all. If you end up missing the chance to find a partner because of me, then that would be my fault.”
Her words were half true, half false. She wasn’t sure if Ling Qingxiao believed her, but he remained silent for a long time. After a pause, he suddenly said, “It won’t happen.”
“Hmm?” Luo Han hadn’t followed his train of thought. “What won’t happen?”
“There won’t be anyone else. And there is no question of delay.” Ling Qingxiao said calmly. “Just focus on growing up. Don’t overthink unnecessary things.”
Luo Han found herself unable to argue back. Maybe it was the perfect atmosphere at this moment, or maybe it was the soft glow of the Moon Ephemera flowers around them, but she somehow managed to joke with Ling Qingxiao. “I’m just looking out for you. With your personality, you’re bound to end up alone.”
“So what if I do?” Ling Qingxiao didn’t see any problem with that at all. “To be free and unrestrained, single-mindedly pursuing the Dao—is that not a good thing? On the contrary, you’re still young, yet all you think about is finding a partner. You should focus your mind elsewhere.”
“Oh?” The Heavenly Dao, holder of the divine matchmaking authority, felt deeply offended. Luo Han raised a brow and threatened, “So what you’re saying is, you don’t need a match?”
“I don’t.”
His answer was steady and indifferent, making him seem truly heartless and unfeeling. Luo Han didn’t dare bet against him—she was afraid that, in the end, she’d be the one proven wrong.
Ling Qingxiao seemed completely asexual. It was entirely possible that he could go his whole life without ever seeking a romantic relationship.
Luo Han casually plucked a Moon Ephemera flower and blew on it lightly, watching as its silvery petals scattered like moonlight. She sighed. “Beautiful things are always fragile. Someone like you, who neither understands emotions nor desires them, must find life quite easy.”
Ling Qingxiao was about to refute that. He was not incapable of love or understanding emotions. However, just as the words reached his lips, Luo Han leaned in closer to him.
Ling Qingxiao froze instinctively.
Luo Han reached toward his shoulder and plucked off a stray petal, showing it to him. “Look, a white petal from earlier.”
Only then did Ling Qingxiao realize that there were fallen petals on him. Normally, that was impossible—he was always meticulous, never allowing leaves or petals to cling to his clothing. But he had walked all this way without even noticing.
Ling Qingxiao’s thoughts wavered. The topic of love and emotions naturally faded away. Luo Han flicked the petal off her fingers and said, “Come on, let’s meet up with Zou Jibai and Ye Zinan, then go look for the Devouring Beast.”
Ling Qingxiao took half a beat longer than usual to collect himself before nodding. “Alright.”
Ling Zhongyu and Yun Menghan had spent a wild night together. It wasn’t until dawn that Yun Menghan finally lost all strength and fell asleep.
Ling Zhongyu gently placed her on a flat surface and covered her body with his outer robe before heading outside to find water.
His affinity was fire, which opposed water, making it inconvenient for him to use magic to conjure it. After last night’s indulgence, both of them were covered in sweat—it was easier to find a natural water source.
Yun Menghan was still unconscious, so Ling Zhongyu didn’t dare stray too far from her. Fortunately, the Western Sea had an abundance of water sources, and it wasn’t difficult to find one in the forest.
As he neared a lake and was about to scoop up some water, his body suddenly stiffened.
He had sensed an unusual presence. Ling Zhongyu didn’t move, but his hand silently gathered spiritual energy. “Who’s there? Show yourself!”
The forest remained eerily quiet. After a brief standoff, several dark figures slowly emerged from the shadows beneath the trees.
“Well, well, what a fine mood the esteemed Young Master of Zhongshan is in.”
Dark energy coiled around them, their features sharp and sinister—the complete opposite of the celestial race’s aura. It was clear at a glance that they were demons.
The moment Ling Zhongyu heard those words, he knew they had seen what happened between him and Yun Menghan.
No wonder. Last night, he had vaguely sensed someone nearby. So they had been there all along.
A flicker of displeasure rose in Ling Zhongyu’s heart. Demons indulged freely in carnal pleasures and saw nothing shameful about it, but he and Yun Menghan were celestials.
Ling Zhongyu, as a man, didn’t mind much—but Yun Menghan, as a celestial woman, would surely feel humiliated if others had witnessed their intimacy. He regretted that their first time had happened outdoors. But given last night’s circumstances, Yun Menghan had been poisoned by the Charm Demon’s toxin, deliriously seeking his warmth...How was he supposed to resist?
Now that it had already happened, there was no point dwelling on it. Ling Zhongyu suppressed his regret and anger, maintaining his composed and confident demeanor. “What business do you demons have in the Celestial Realm’s forbidden grounds? Are you not afraid that I will call for others to come and eradicate you?”
The demon in the lead chuckled. “If it were any other celestial standing here, I might be worried. But you…”
The other two demons laughed as well. One of them shot Ling Zhongyu a mocking look. “That little celestial of yours is still lying nearby. If you call for reinforcements, they’ll all see her. You celestials seem to care quite a lot about reputation. If that happens, she might have no choice but to take her own life to preserve her purity.”
Ling Zhongyu’s fist clenched tightly.
These demons were deliberately provoking him. But no matter how angry he was, he couldn’t actually call for help.
He couldn’t risk Yun Menghan’s reputation. The celestial race revered the Dao and valued strength above all, unlike the mortal world, where virtue and chastity were everything. However, just because they didn’t emphasize it as much didn’t mean they ignored it entirely.
Among demons and spirits, indulgence in pleasure was commonplace. No one cared. But in the Celestial Realm, whether male or female, anyone who was too wanton or engaged in illicit affairs would be looked down upon.
Ling Zhongyu ultimately swallowed his anger and asked, “You revealed yourselves on purpose. Surely you’re not just here to provoke me? What do you want?”
“Nothing much,” the lead demon replied, his gaze sweeping over Ling Zhongyu’s half-exposed chest with amusement. “We just want to make a deal with you.”
Ling Zhongyu’s eyes darkened. The demon continued in a coaxing tone, “You’re not actually a celestial, so why must you chain yourself down with their hypocritical rules? Every time you cultivate celestial techniques, don’t you feel like you’re struggling? Every time you suppress your emotions and desires to abide by the celestials’ doctrines, don’t you feel stifled?
“That’s only natural. Because you were never one of them to begin with. How could you ever truly succeed in their ways?”
It was happening again. He heard that voice again.
Ling Zhongyu forcibly suppressed the inexplicable tremor in his heart, pretending to be indifferent as he said, “My birth mother was of mixed celestial and demonic descent. A quarter of my blood is of demonic heritage—so what? My father is of the Azure Dragon clan. In the end, my celestial blood runs stronger.”
“Hahaha.”
The three demons in front of him burst into laughter. As if they had heard the funniest joke, they laughed without restraint before finally sizing him up with mocking gazes.
“Celestials and demons are incompatible. Spirit veins and demonic veins are at odds. Do you really think that just because your celestial blood is stronger, you can compete with other celestials? No. You’re too naive. A celestial’s fate is set from birth. The barrier of bloodlines cannot be crossed. A low-born celestial can struggle all their life and never change their destiny. Look at your younger brother—his resources are far inferior to yours, yet he cultivates with ease. And you? Even if you put in ten times the effort, you won’t achieve half his results.”
Ling Zhongyu had been on guard all along, knowing these three demons harbored ill intentions. But hearing those words, he still felt a sharp stab of pain.
Ling Qingxiao was his heart’s greatest torment.
All of his pride and inferiority, all of his glory and shadows—everything stemmed from this one person.
The celestial hierarchy had been rigidly fixed since ancient times. The great noble clans, such as the Dragon Clan, intermarried to strengthen their bloodlines and consolidate their power, while low-born celestials struggled their entire lives yet remained powerless to change their fate.
His mother, Bai Lingluan, was the best example of this.
She had poured her heart and soul into cultivation, fought desperately for her place, yet she could never surpass Su Yifang, who had been born as a true Yinglong. And now, in his generation, the same cycle was repeating itself with Ling Zhongyu and Ling Qingxiao.
The demons standing before him continued to stoke the flames.
“Are you really inferior to Ling Qingxiao? Do you truly believe your talent is lesser than his, or that you work less diligently than he does? Not at all. The only reason he wins from the very start is that he is a pure-blooded dragon. No matter how hard you strive, you will never surpass the casual flick of his fingers.
"He relies entirely on the power of his bloodline, yet he claims the title of genius.
“Do you truly accept being trampled underfoot for a lifetime? A mere backdrop to someone else’s success?”
“Enough!”
Ling Zhongyu suddenly shouted, his face dark and stormy. “I’ve known your intentions from the very start. If you’re trying to deceive me, don’t waste your efforts.”
The leading demon laughed.
“Deception? Don’t you already know the truth yourself?”
He lowered his voice, his words dripping with temptation.
“Master Ling, obey the desires of your heart. Return to the demon clan.
"In the Demon Realm, we do not care about birth or lineage. Everything is earned by one’s own strength. Freedom, fairness—that is our law.
"The Demon Realm is where you truly belong.”
“Shut up.”
Ling Zhongyu felt his demonic blood surging violently within him. It was as if a voice was calling to him, whispering, guiding him toward the demon clan.
He gritted his teeth, barely suppressing the impulse. His voice turned ice-cold.
“I am the eldest son of the Azure Dragon Clan, the future Lord of Zhongshan.
"My parents acknowledge me. My disciples revere me. My future is bright, with power and glory at my fingertips.
"Why would I abandon such a promising destiny—just to start over as a nobody in the Demon Realm?”
The leading demon smiled subtly at his response.
Then, in a flicker of shadow, he suddenly closed the distance between them, leaning in to whisper near Ling Zhongyu’s ear.
“Do you really think...you will be the future Lord of Zhongshan?”
Ling Zhongyu did not flinch. He stood his ground. But at those words, his pupils contracted violently.
The demon’s voice dripped with slow, poisonous persuasion.
“You carry demonic blood. No matter how loyal you are to Zhongshan, no matter how many merits you earn, they will never truly trust you.
“Ling Qingxiao may seem indifferent to power now, but do you truly believe he will relinquish it to you?
"And when the time comes—when he takes the throne—tell me, how do you think he will treat you?
"How will he treat your mother?”
Ling Zhongyu’s gaze grew dazed, lost in a haze.
The demon’s voice lingered in his ears.
“Will you really accept spending your entire life beneath another?”
A faint red glow flickered in Ling Zhongyu’s eyes, eerie and unnatural. This time, it burned brighter than it had on the flying boat.
Seeing his opening, the demon prepared to press his final, most devastating blow—
But just then, a trembling voice called out from the distance.
“Zhongyu?”
Ling Zhongyu jolted awake.
The demons instantly retreated. With a brief glance at one another, they transformed into dark mist and vanished into the forest.
Ling Zhongyu stood frozen for a moment, regaining his composure. After making sure no trace of the encounter remained on his body, he quickly walked forward.
“I’m here. Why are you awake?”
Yun Menghan stood in the woods, wrapped in a cloak, her face filled with anxious worry.
Seeing Ling Zhongyu emerge from the trees, she finally sighed in relief and smiled softly.
“You’re still here. I woke up and couldn’t find you—I thought you had left.”
“How could I?”
Ling Zhongyu looked at her, at the faint marks on her pale neck. His heart softened without him realizing it.
“You look like this...How could I bear to leave?
"Are you still in pain?”
Yun Menghan’s cheeks flushed. She lowered her head slightly and nodded.
“It’s much better now. Where did you go just now?”
Ling Zhongyu’s expression remained unchanged.
Casually, he brushed over what had just transpired.
“I went to find water for you.”
He paused and added, “There’s no lake nearby. I’ll take you somewhere farther.”
—
Meanwhile, far away, the three demons continued their retreat through underground pathways.
A demon with a sultry, feminine appearance turned to the leader and asked in a low voice, “Protector, are we really leaving just like this?”
“This is celestial territory,” the leader replied. “It’s unwise to alert them too soon.
"The Celestial Emperor already anticipated our presence. There are a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers stationed beyond the Western Sea, lying in wait. If not for the anti-spirit barrier within the sea, Gu Xing would have led his forces here by now.
“We may have a hold over Ling Zhongyu, but pushing too hard would only attract unwanted attention. That would not be in our favor.”
“You are wise, Protector,” the feminine demon flattered. “Your strategic foresight is unparalleled. No wonder His Excellency entrusted you with this crucial mission.”
The demon protector smiled smugly.
“I merely have a modest understanding of human nature—nothing extraordinary.
"Ling Zhongyu already harbors inner demons. He was the easiest entry point.”
The feminine demon continued to shower him with praise.
The third demon, who had remained silent, suddenly asked in a cold voice, “Protector, His Excellency ordered us to retrieve the Devouring Beast and bring it back to the Demon Realm.
"What are our next steps?”
"What's the rush?" The Demon Clan Protector grinned smugly. "The Demon Seal has already been planted. Now, we just need to sit back and enjoy the show, reaping the benefits when the time is right."
The effeminate man and another demon both looked shocked. "The Demon Seal?"
"You really thought I approached Ling Zhongyu just for fun?" The Demon Clan Protector let out a disdainful chuckle. "A mere half-blood of the Immortal and Demon Clans, inferior even to the lowest demons in the Demon Realm—what right does he have to catch my eye? I only got close to him so I could plant the Demon Seal. Now, all we have to do is wait. Once they find the Devourer Beast and the elite forces of the Immortal Clan band together to subdue it, we’ll detonate the seal. And by then…"
The two subordinates immediately understood. The Demon Seal was known by another name in the Immortal Realm—Puppet Arts. Those afflicted by it would seem completely normal, but at a critical moment, the seal could be activated, stripping them of their will and turning them into mindless pawns.
The Demon Clan Protector was well aware that this group of immortal elites included several formidable individuals. But that didn’t matter. There was no need to clash with them head-on. They could simply wait for the young immortals to exhaust themselves fighting the Devourer Beast and then swoop in to claim the spoils. After the battle, the immortals would be weakened, their guard down among their own ranks. If Ling Zhongyu suddenly turned against them, it would catch them completely off guard.
The two demons were overjoyed, showering him with praise. "Protector, your wisdom knows no bounds!"
The Demon Clan Protector merely smiled. His words to Ling Zhongyu had been a mix of truth and lies. The Heavenly Realm was indeed rigidly stratified, while the Demon Realm allowed for more freedom. But freedom didn’t mean a better life.
What privileged ruler would ever act selflessly? The so-called autonomous city-states of the Demon Realm sounded adventurous and free, but life at the bottom there was even harsher than in the Heavenly Realm.
Everything he had said to Ling Zhongyu had been nothing more than a ploy to plant the Demon Seal. To think he truly cared about that half-blood’s fate would be laughable.
Those who are not of our kind must harbor different intentions. Why would he show kindness to someone with mostly immortal blood who had been raised in the Immortal Realm?
The three demons had arrived in the latter half of the night, sneaking a peek at the intimate scene between Ling Zhongyu and Yun Menghan, completely unaware that they weren’t the first ones there.
Even less did they know that, unknowingly, they had taken the blame for another pair’s actions.
At that moment, the real culprits were still struggling to navigate their way through the shifting labyrinth. The Western Sea was folded with space formations, its terrain constantly changing, making it a nightmare for the directionally challenged. After leaving the Moon Ephemeral Flower Fields, Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao quickly regrouped with Zou Jibai and Ye Zinan. The four of them set off together in search of the Devourer Beast.
Before they departed, Gu Xing had given them a magical tool to assist in their search, but it was only supplementary. Locating the Devourer Beast was still an incredibly difficult task.
Especially when they had to contend with the ever-shifting landscape.
Ling Qingxiao had studied space formations under Lord Gu Xing for a month, but theory and practice were two vastly different things. Even Lord Gu Xing’s research was based on speculation—predicting the changes of a space formation purely through theory was nearly impossible.
Ling Qingxiao and Luo Han took the lead, while Ye Zinan shamelessly wedged himself in the middle, leaving Zou Jibai to guard the rear. Luo Han had hoped to cheat a little by using her Heaven’s Path Map, but alas—
The space formations had blocked the signal.
It was incredibly frustrating. Being highly attuned to spiritual energy fluctuations, Luo Han sensed an unusual mix of energies ahead. The area was clearly a forest, yet the air carried a dry, explosive quality. A thought struck her—this wasn’t natural spiritual energy. In fact, it was completely contrary to the natural order. Did that mean that the overlapping of two entirely different terrains was causing this strange effect?
Luo Han whispered to Ling Qingxiao, "Something’s off up ahead. The earth element is highly active, and there’s fire in the wind."
Ling Qingxiao nodded, then raised his voice. "Be alert. The terrain is about to shift. Ding-Wei-Kun, Shen-Geng-You—fire is dominant, earth assists, and green wood is weak. That means the change should occur in the southwest, with a division in the southeast."
"The fire element is intensifying. Which direction is it coming from?"
"The north."
"Then it’s approaching from the north, slightly to the right."
Ling Qingxiao quickly narrowed down the shifting terrain’s probable area. Ye Zinan waited anxiously for the change, while Zou Jibai alternated his gaze between Ling Qingxiao and Luo Han, suddenly feeling as if he had been caught in a massive deception.
From the very beginning, not a single word had been innocent. Zou Jibai clutched his chest, his fingers trembling as he pointed at Luo Han. "You told me you didn’t know formations!"
"I don’t!" Luo Han hurriedly turned around, trying to salvage what remained of their fragile friendship. "I really don’t! I don’t understand even a bit of it! Let me explain—"
Zou Jibai covered his ears, utterly disillusioned with the world.
Liars. They were all liars.
At first, Luo Han had claimed she was useless. He had believed her—only to find out she could control five types of spiritual energy with ease.
Then she had said she was barely competent in combat, her theoretical knowledge abysmal.
Again, he had believed her.
Yet now, she was discussing spatial formations with Ling Qingxiao! And she expected him to believe she couldn't even read a formation diagram?
Zou Jibai thought back to all those times on the flying ship when Luo Han had constantly grumbled about formations being too difficult. He had even used his meager formation knowledge to tutor her!
Spitting in disbelief, Zou Jibai gritted his teeth. Lies! Women’s words were nothing but deception! Liars! They were all liars!