Chapter 83 - The Harem Rescue Project

Lin Qianshuang's lip twitched. With Liang Jingxuan's half-baked skills, he thought he could defeat her? If not for the persona she crafted—a senior sister whose cultivation had fallen to the Foundation Establishment stage—she would have long since knocked him off the stage with a single strike, sparring with him wouldn't have even been necessary. The Zixiao Sword Spirit watched its precious sword-crafting material about to slip away and complained furiously: "You oblivious junior! Can’t you see the girl in front of you is smiling so happily? She’s deceiving you. She doesn't care about you at all!" Liang Jingxuan responded confidently to the Zixiao Sword Spirit, "Senior Sister Lin, she likes me. Moreover, she’s the most reliable person in this world, including you." Why did I, the Zixiao Sword Spirit, choose you, a dim-witted fool who loses all sense at the sight of a woman? The Zixiao Sword, full of exasperation, withdrew into Liang Jingxuan’s spirit. Having incensed the Zixiao Sword Spirit to the point of fleeing, Liang Jingxuan tightened his grip on Lin Qianshuang's hand. He subtly altered his previously earnest tone, leaning in to whisper, "Senior Sister, yesterday I went to that small shop and found out the Chinese knot Xiao Shimei has, you gave it to her. So, you and I are both transmigrators." A Chinese knot—how could Xiao Shimei possibly have one? Lin Qianshuang was full of questions, uncertain how she had been exposed. What was Liang Jingxuan's intention in saying this to her so suddenly? Her eyes narrowed, and the panic in her expression briefly softened into calm. She feigned surprise and whispered in a low tone, "You're also... from the twenty-first century?" "Senior Sister, we really are destined for each other." Liang Jingxuan stepped back slowly, gazing at Lin Qianshuang with affectionate eyes. With ambitious intent, he telepathically communicated, "Senior Sister, as a girl transported to this world, you must have faced many hardships. We've both hidden who we are to reach where we are today. Now that I've been wronged by vile people, since you are good sisters with Xiao Shimei and also the eldest daughter of the Lin Family from the Eastern Ling Realm, if we join forces, we can definitely take control of the Penglai Immortal Sect and even dominate the entire cultivation world. Then, I'll hold a wedding more lavish than in reality to marry you." Oh, brother, every time you try to hide your motives, you talk about marrying me. Do you really think I can't see through it? Lin Qianshuang kept a gentle smile but internally scoffed. She had thought Liang Jingxuan seeing through her identity as a transmigrator would make him realize she was behind the scenes. Surprisingly, his immediate thought was of her potential use to him. Pretending to be filled with joy, she looked at Liang Jingxuan and communicated telepathically, "Junior Brother, how do you want me to assist you?" Liang Jingxuan heaved the cumbersome Zixiao Sword onto his shoulder and stated firmly, "I never expected you to enter the competition stage. Still, it's for the best. If you don't wish to marry Chen Shangying, then marry me in front of everyone." "What do you plan to do?" Hearing this, Lin Qianshuang immediately turned serious, casting a wary glance at Liang Jingxuan. Liang Jingxuan kneeled in front of her, taking a box from his robe. He slid a prepared ring onto her finger and kissed her hand. "Senior Sister, I propose to you with a modern ceremony. What we're doing here, those old-fashioned folks won't understand. It's simply my sincere affection for you." Lin Qianshuang found herself rooted to the spot, immobilized by a binding spell as if her acupoints had been sealed. Though she had the ability to break the spell, Liang Jingxuan's overwhelming aura left her powerless. She noted the disciples on the boat watching the match, gossiping, and urging them to continue the fight. Internally, she was close to swearing. Liang Jingxuan reappeared in front of Lin Qianshuang, as if a wooden man, dusted off his sleeves, took a robe from his storage jade, and donned it, appearing unruffled and impressive. He addressed the onlookers, "Senior Sister Lin has voluntarily conceded. Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge? No one?" Seeing no one step forward on the boat, he confidently wrapped his arm around Lin Qianshuang's waist and announced, "Senior Sister Lin and I share deep affections. Today, I present her with the Zixing Sword as a gift. Tomorrow, I shall personally go to the Eastern Ling Realm to officially propose. You've all misunderstood. It was originally me meeting with Senior Sister under the marriage tree, and not a setup. My ailment is not incurable; the Lingxiao Sword Sect's master assured me if I win this match, I can make a request. And my request is for the Lingxiao Sword Sect to officially recognize our relationship." Lin Qianshuang was astounded at the audacity. She hadn't agreed to anything, yet Liang Jingxuan was orchestrating his own play, dragging her into a mess. As she contemplated how to handle the situation, the acupoints swiftly unlocked, and she found herself able to move. However, Liang Jingxuan stood so close that her limbs felt momentarily weakened by his proximity. Amidst a resonant buzzing, the Su Wen Sword slipped from Lin Qianshuang’s grasp, and a white figure gracefully appeared between her and Liang Jingxuan. Her vision cleared to reveal Xiao Lanle. Lin Qianshuang was taken aback—Xiao Shimei? How could it be her? Wielding the Su Wen Sword, Xiao Lanle pointed it directly at Liang Jingxuan, her ordinarily radiant and dignified face now icy, "Who said no one else is challenging? Senior Brother Liang, as long as I'm here, you won't get the Zixing Sword!" Without awaiting his response, Xiao Lanle's strikes came relentlessly, each potentially lethal. A bewitching aura from the floating Jiaozhu beside her remained unnoticed by the disciples and master watching from the boat. Liang Jingxuan quickly spotted the hovering Jiaozhu and realized her earnestness. Holding the weighty Zixiao Sword, he hurriedly unleashed his kingly aura, hoping to drive Xiao Lanle back, but her ferocity did not wane. System error: Kingly aura entirely ineffective against Xiao Lanle. Xiao Shimei, how could she fall for someone else? Could the person in her heart be Chen Shangqing? Liang Jingxuan's thoughts were in turmoil. Xiao Lanle, who was merely a puppet for him to manipulate, whose loyalty and obsession he had always been sure of, had seemingly moved on in just days, obliterating ten years of affection. "Senior Brother Liang, if you don't take this seriously, don't blame me for injuring you." Xiao Lanle brushed past Liang Jingxuan with her sword, slicing his neck’s skin. Had he not tilted in time, his throat would have been slit. Seeing his master so pathetic made the Zixiao Sword Spirit tremble with anger. It shouted, "You reckless junior, do you only find joy in infuriating this immortal?! Draw the sword! Quickly, draw the sword, or you’ll gain nothing and face defeat at the hands of this mere girl!" But drawing Zixiao always meant bloodshed. He didn’t want to harm Xiao Lanle. Despite their past sweetness, his gentlemanly nature held hesitation as he faced Xiao Lanle’s aggressive stance. Yet, after much deliberation, he dropped the pink scabbard to the ground. The Zixiao Divine Sword suddenly burst with a remarkable light, and its damaged blade shone brightly as its spirit took control. A semicircular sword wind shot forth, forcing Xiao Lanle to retreat instinctively. Standing still, Liang Jingxuan's demeanor changed entirely. Zixiao left his hand, emitting a dragon's roar aimed directly at Xiao Lanle. “Jiaozhu, form the array.” Xiao Lanle whispered as the power given by Mu Wei's twenty years of cultivation surged within her. Although it couldn’t last long, she needed to finish quickly. Jiaozhu emitted a blinding light, encapsulating the Zixiao Sword. A faint silver-blue glow arose beneath Xiao Lanle and Liang Jingxuan, and in an instant, they vanished into an array. Lin Qianshuang shielded her eyes from the glare. When she regained sight, Liang Jingxuan was teetering at the edge of the competition stage, the Zixiao Sword vibrating ceaselessly on the ground. He staggered and plunged into the lake, leaving only ripples as the water calmed. On the boat, the sect disciples were stunned into silence before rushing into action. A few jumped in to rescue him, hauling a drenched and unconscious Liang Jingxuan back onto the boat deck. Lin Qianshuang’s sight returned, revealing Xiao Lanle already holding the Zixing Sword. Seeming to sense Lin Qianshuang's gaze, she turned and smiled brightly. Her posture stood tall like a jade bamboo, clad in white, with a graceful and oddly majestic demeanor that was both serene and spirited. Lin Qianshuang was momentarily entranced, as though beholding a celestial beauty from a painting. But soon, her attention was diverted by an overpowering murderous aura from the ground. The Zixiao Sword quivered then shot towards Lin Qianshuang's left chest like an avenging beam. Reacting swiftly, Lin Qianshuang unleashed demonic energy, knocking the Zixiao Sword back. Che, trying to ambush her? As if she’d be so careless! The Zixiao Sword tilted and staggered upright but chose not to attack Lin Qianshuang again. Instead, it charged towards Xiao Lanle, who was examining the Zixing Sword. Zixiao always means bloodshed—she’d forgotten. Lin Qianshuang grabbed a blade from the ground, cutting her palm, then dashed towards the Zixiao Sword's hilt. The moment the hilt touched her bleeding palm, the Zixiao Sword paused, clattering down like scrap metal. The pink scabbard reappeared, tightly encasing the sword’s slender blade. Just wait, you brat! Sooner or later, I’ll drag my worthless master and teach you a lesson! The Zixiao Sword Spirit, seething in its cozy sheath, finally leapt up from the ground, seeking Liang Jingxuan's fallen location. "Alright, I'll be waiting. Let's see what kind of ripple your master can stir up," Lin Qianshuang retorted to the Zixiao Sword Spirit, not bothering to care if it heard her or not. "Senior Sister, your hand is injured." Suddenly, Xiao Lanle approached Lin Qianshuang, gently raised her palm, and brushed her fingertip over the wound. She seemed absorbed as she took a subtle sniff near her nose, inhaled, and whispered, "So fragrant, why does your blood smell so sweet?" Lin Qianshuang remembered all too well Xiao Lanle's alarming reaction after tasting her blood in the demon realm. She watched in horror as Xiao Lanle nearly brought her finger to her lips, quickly pulling out a silk handkerchief to clean her fingers.