Chapter 29: Quite a Temper! You Wouldn't Want the Lady to Find Out, Would You?

"Daoist Tianling, I wish for you to aid me in my cultivation..."

Ling Tian...

...

"You Cold Clear Sect has produced an exceptional talent!"

Atop a distant mountain outside the house, Luo Changsheng stood tall and straight, glancing at the elegant woman in palace attire behind him.

"Sect Master Luo, you flatter us. If we're speaking of remarkable talents, none in the entire Dao Domain can compare to this one," Xue Ningmeng, the Sect Master of Cold Clear Sect, replied with a gentle smile.

She had sensed an unusually powerful aura in the Cold Clear Palace, frowning deeply at first, thinking someone had come to cause trouble, and hurried over. Yet what she discovered brought her great delight—her sect's fourth Holy Maiden had found a tribulation partner, none other than Tianling, the famed disciple of the Great Emperor, whose reputation echoed throughout the Dao Domain!

Their protector was Luo Changsheng, the Holy Lord of Luo Qiu Holy Land!

This meant, by all calculations, they were essentially family now.

The status of Cold Clear Sect would surely rise in the future. Though their sect was already among the top, they still lagged behind the Holy Lands. If this could forge a connection with the most powerful Luo Qiu Holy Land, the benefits were obvious.

Chu Xuan, having reached the fourth Emperor realm, had set a barrier to block most investigations, but it was no match for Xue Ningmeng's scrutiny. Ling Tian's performance had truly astonished her—she hadn't expected a five-year-old child to be so cautious and methodical.

When Ling Tian mentioned he was only five, Chu Xuan seemed confused, not understanding his meaning. Xue Ningmeng felt an awkward smile creep up; indeed, he was quite young. Yet, in the world of cultivators, age and physical maturity meant little—such things need not be overly restrictive.

Hearing Chu Xuan refuse Ling Tian's request to join her faction, Xue Ningmeng nearly rushed in to give Chu Xuan a good scolding. How could she miss such a golden opportunity?

But seeing Chu Xuan take the initiative, she felt somewhat gratified. It would be best if things progressed naturally—there would be no need for further concerns. This little girl was always focused on swordsmanship and sorely lacking in this regard; had she known, she would have taught her more about such matters.

From every angle, Ling Tian was a perfect choice for a Dao companion.

Xue Ningmeng pondered whether to gift Chu Xuan some wine to facilitate matters.

In contrast, Luo Changsheng felt none of the delight. Xue Ningmeng's praise only made him feel worse. After all, from a certain perspective, Ling Tian was not truly theirs. No matter how outstanding he was, their Holy Land could not keep him. This was the lament he had voiced when discussing the selection of a Holy Son with the Grand Elder.

While Xue Ningmeng was lost in pleasant thoughts, she suddenly felt her hairs stand on end. Looking up, she saw Luo Changsheng staring straight at her, a sharp gleam in his eyes.

"Holy Lord Luo, you..."

Xue Ningmeng silently cursed. This was bad—he was coming for her. She instinctively stepped back; she couldn't win, nor could she escape.

From what she'd heard, Luo Changsheng wasn't usually so forward! She had some beauty, but surely that wasn't reason enough for him to act like a beast. Perhaps... strengthening the bond between their families was a good idea after all.

With that thought, determination settled on Xue Ningmeng's face.

"Sect Master Xue, I'm feeling a bit fiery right now," Luo Changsheng pressed closer.

"I... I'm prepared to accompany you all the way," Xue Ningmeng blinked, surprised that even at her age, she was still desired, but resolved herself. With Luo Changsheng's status, she wouldn't be dishonored.

"Then come with me," Luo Changsheng said, confused by Xue Ningmeng's half-reluctant expression. He only wanted a spar, to blow off some steam—was that really worth such a reaction?

A night passed in silence.

...

"Awake? Did you sleep well last night?" Chu Xuan softly asked as she saw Ling Tian open his eyes beside her.

"What do you think?" Ling Tian replied, somewhat unkind, giving her a knowing look.

"It seems... not very comfortable," Chu Xuan withdrew the leg she had draped over Ling Tian, sat up, and freed his hand she'd been resting her head on.

Yes, Chu Xuan had kept him in her room last night. Yet it had been utterly uneventful.

The good news: Chu Xuan took Ling Tian's advice, no longer seeking the primal matters between men and women.

The bad news: Chu Xuan, following his advice, focused on nurturing their relationship.

Sleeping together, under the pretense of cultivating feelings, left Ling Tian as her pillow, arm numb and aching all night.

How could he say he'd slept well?

Ling Tian could only mutter, "What a misfortune!"

Had he known, he would have accepted Chu Xuan's offer—let feelings grow over time. It would have spared him this trouble. But now, it's too late.

"Pack up, let's get ready to leave," Ling Tian said after a moment, as the numbness faded from his arm.

Chu Xuan had little to gather; with a storage ring, keeping belongings close was safest.

She donned her veil again—beauty was a dangerous thing.

In her mind, only the other Holy Maidens on the mountain, her master, and Ling Tian were permitted to see her face.

Stepping outside, sunlight bathed the world.

Unlike last night's bustle, there were far fewer people now.

It seemed the city guards hadn't lied—just their luck was particularly poor.

"Did you sleep poorly last night?" Ling Tian asked, as he and Chu Xuan arrived at their meeting spot, spotting Xiao Ling'er with prominent dark circles under her eyes. Yan Chen looked much the same.

"You've got nerve! You went off to the fairy's room, leaving us to clean up after you. That old man raised his prices, and I spent all my spirit stones. Without spirit stones, we had no choice..." Yan Chen, seeing Ling Tian with Chu Xuan, erupted in complaint.

He imagined the fairy's bed must have been soft and comfortable—Ling Tian's radiant appearance made it obvious something had happened.

Not only had he enjoyed himself, he'd brought the fairy along.

Compared to last night, when they were thrown outside the city, sleeping on grass and tormented by mosquitoes, Yan Chen's anger seemed justified.

"Did I speak to you?" Ling Tian interrupted, a small flag appearing in his hand—the Imperial Banner!

If Yan Chen didn't know his place, Ling Tian wouldn't mind making him the first to enter.

If anything, it would be Yan Chen's luck.

Sensing the power emanating from the banner, Yan Chen immediately shut his mouth.

Hmph, a wise man doesn't suffer losses—let's see how long you keep this up.

"What did you two do last night?" Xiao Ling'er asked, her attention oddly focused.

Ling Tian eyed her curiously—why did she sound so resentful?

"Never mind, you don't have to say. I don't want to know," Xiao Ling'er turned her head, feeling uneasy under Ling Tian's gaze. She wasn't sure why she'd blurted out such a question.

"Then I won't tell," Ling Tian nodded. You said it yourself.

"Here, this is for you—a local specialty, osmanthus cake, very delicious," Ling Tian produced a beautifully packaged box, handing it to Xiao Ling'er.

Of course, this wasn't from the city but a specialty of Cold Clear Sect. Still, honesty wasn't the best policy in this situation.

"Consider this your compensation; this time, I'll reluctantly forgive you," Xiao Ling'er glanced at the osmanthus cake, appetite piqued, snatching it and mumbling her reply.

Chu Xuan said nothing. In her eyes, Xiao Ling'er was just a little girl, no match for her in any regard.

"Where is Holy Lord Luo?" Ling Tian looked around, noticing someone missing.

Xiao Ling'er shook her head, implying she didn't know.

"Is everyone here? Let's go," Ling Tian had barely finished when Luo Changsheng appeared.

Yan Chen was still caught in the talons of the dragon eagle.

Chu Xuan now rode atop the dragon eagle.

"Holy Lord Luo, you wouldn't want your wife to know about last night, would you?" Ling Tian recorded the claw marks on Luo Changsheng's neck with a memory stone, speaking mischievously.

Ling Tian hadn't expected Luo Changsheng to spend the night with another woman, and the aftermath looked quite intense!

With such a secret, Ling Tian wondered if he could leverage it for some benefit—perhaps...

Damn these memories! They'd kindled a greedy streak in him; though he lacked nothing, he still coveted what others held.

In short, he was courting trouble.

Luo Changsheng, already vexed, had been attacked mercilessly by Xue Ningmeng during their duel last night, ending up with two black eyes and claw marks on his neck. The look in her eyes as she left was so resentful he couldn't meet her gaze.

He pondered—wasn't it just a spar? Was it really necessary?

His mood soured further at Ling Tian's words.

"What do you want?" Luo Changsheng asked, forcing a smile as he looked at Ling Tian.

Chu Xuan sensed something amiss, tugging at Ling Tian's sleeve.

"Holy Maiden Chu, you too think I need a new outfit! I agree. Holy Lord Luo, perhaps you could give me a saint-grade..." Chu Xuan shook her head desperately, almost jumping in protest. That wasn't her intention at all—she wanted Ling Tian to stop talking!

Before Ling Tian could finish, Luo Changsheng tossed him down, and the dragon eagle swooped, grabbing Ling Tian in its other talon.

At last, the dragon eagle felt balanced, no longer weighted on one side.

Luo Changsheng exhaled deeply, finally venting his frustration, and said calmly, "Your head seems overheated; cool off down there for a while..."