Even though Bi Linglong had endless things she wanted to say to him right now, she didn't say anything in the end. After all, this affair didn’t only involve her; it also involved her father, as well as the entire Bi clan. It was just too important, so she didn’t dare to spill everything right now. She was worried that it could result in terrible, unpredictable consequences. Instead, she was focused on doing her best to apologize for her father’s mistake in the past, to do everything she could to make up for the harm the Bi clan caused Ah Zu. She would do everything she could to ease the tensions and repair the two sides’ relationship.5

…2

When Zu An sensed that her body was shaking slightly, he thought that it was because she was feeling scared of thoe monsters’ invasion. He patted her back gently and said, “Linglong, don’t be scared. I’m here.”1

Bi Linglong voiced her confirmation softly. She was about to say something when Rong Mo rushed over in a hurry and said, “Miss, there are many soldiers heading this way. We should hurry and leave!”0

“It’s King Guangling’s people, coming to seal off Shadowmoon Lake,” Zu An explained. Zhao Yuan was from the same generation as Zhao Han, and he was in charge of the Guerilla Warfare Army. That was why many of the defenses around the capital were under his command.0

Bi Linglong nodded. She didn’t want the soldiers to see them together either, so she said while giving him a reluctant look, “Then I’ll be leaving first.”0

Zu An said with a smile, “Let’s leave together.”0

“But there might be rumors and gossip flying around if we're seen together…” Bi Linglong murmured with a frown. Even though she didn’t really have to fear these things with Zu An’s current cultivation and status, those kinds of rumors were never a good thing.0

“Then we won’t let them see us together,” Zu An said with a chuckle.1

Bi Linglong squealed in alarm, as he picked her right up and rushed into the clouds. Once they were that high up in the air, the soldiers on the ground naturally weren't able to see them anymore.0

As the two rushed into the skies in a passionate embrace, Rong Mo watched them leave with her neck extended. She was dumbfounded, murmuring, “What about me? I didn’t get on the train yet...” At that moment, she was a bit vexed. If she had known things would be like this, she wouldn’t have come with the young miss this time! Now, she had to take the walk of shame back all alone.13

Suddenly, a force descended from above, and she flew into the air. Only when she snapped out of her daze did she notice that there was a rope tied around her. It turned out that Zu An had fished her off the ground and brought her with him. Bi Linglong gave her an apologetic look, then returned to flirting with Zu An.3

Rong Mo was speechless. She had dreamed of being whisked away by a handsome and outstanding hero countless times, thinking about how they would fly through the skies in each other's arms. Whenever she thought of that, she had tossed and turned while wrapped in her blankets, unable to fall asleep from the excitement. She had never expected that the first time she would fly into the sky would be like this.1

I should be inside the carriage, not under it…10

…5

While Rong Mo was complaining inwardly, Bi Linglong was looking around vigilantly. After all, there was nothing to cover their figures in the air. She asked, “What if we're seen by some passing expert? Our relationship would be…”0

“Don’t worry, with my divine sense, I would already have detected them by the time they came close,” Zu An said to comfort her.0

When she heard what he said, Bi Linglong felt a bit more at ease. Only then was she in the mood to appreciate how beautiful it was up in the skies.0

“Does it feel good to come all the way up[1] to the skies?” Zu An suddenly asked.1

“Yeah, it does…” Bi Linglong replied absent-mindedly, but as soon as she did, she noticed a mischievous grin on Zu An’s face. She finally understood what he meant, and she immediately hit him coyly, saying, “You’re so annoying…”0

When he saw her act playfully, Zu An felt something stir within him. He couldn't help but lower his head for a kiss. Bi Linglong groaned. She couldn't hold herself back and wrapped her arms around his neck to reciprocate.0

In the back, Rong Mo covered her eyes with her hands. She sighed, muttering, “Here we go again.”4

Even so, the two lovers who were immersed in their own world paid no attention to what anyone around them thought. They were completely preoccupied with their love and affection.2

A while later, Bi Linglong suddenly felt a chill in front of her chest. She could even feel Zu An's hand moving a bit closer. The two were tightly wrapped around each other, so she could fully feel the changes that were happening to his body. She jumped in alarm and pleaded, “Not here…”0

When he heard her weak pleas, Zu An remembered that she was usually quite reserved and shy. Doing it all the way up here was still a bit too much for her, so he didn’t want to force her. He replied, “Okay.”2

He spoke some gentle words to reassure her, but then thought about Tushan Yu of the Fiend races. He had to admit that the Fox race was more adept in this field.1

“Ah Zu, you're so great,” Bi Linglong said, biting her lip. She had actually felt the urge to agree to him several times, but this place was too close to the capital. If someone really saw them, that would be awful. Besides, Rong Mo was still here too, so she really couldn't bring herself to do it.4

However, when she recalled how she had set her resolve to be good to him, and yet already refused him so quickly…0

After some hesitation, she moved closer to Zu An with a reddened face. She nibbled on his ear and said quietly, “In the future, when Momo isn’t here…”0

Zu An was surprised. He hadn’t expected her to actually agree to such a ridiculous request. It almost seemed as if it didn't fit her personality. Even so, he naturally wouldn’t reject her good intentions and said, “Okay, let’s do it tonight then.”0

As she voiced her agreement, Bi Linglong’s voice was extremely soft. The redness of her face reached all the way to her neck as she murmured, “But we really can’t be seen by others, or else I won’t be able to keep living…”0

“Don’t worry, I'll take care of that," Zu An replied.0

Now that they had confirmed their plans, Zu An became much faster. He found a place outside of the city gates to land with the two women, then watched them return to the palaces. It was still broad daylight outside, and so many people were coming and going around the capital. Flying straight inside while carrying the two of them would be inappropriate.4

…2

When they entered the city, Rong Mo couldn't help but complain, “Young miss, I feel as if you're becoming bad from playing around with him.”1

Bi Linglong was really embarrassed. She immediately chased her all around the room, crying out, “Momo, I’m going to cut out your tongue, do you believe me or not?!”0

“Aiya, I was wrong, miss…”1

…4

Meanwhile, Zu An returned to reunite with Yan Xiangu and the others. Ji Xiaoxi couldn't help but ask, “Big brother Zu, the crown princess seems to be really close to you, doesn't she?”1

Zu An nodded and replied, “That’s right. I used to serve as a minister of the Eastern Palace, so she's my direct superior. There’s no avoiding her in that kind of place, so of course we’re familiar with each other.”0

When she heard him call Bi Linglong his superior, Ji Xiaoxi released a clear sigh of relief. She said in admiration, “The crown princess really is pretty.”0

Zu An said with a smile, “She might be pretty, but our Xiaoxi here isn’t bad either. You’re pretty and adorable.”0

Ji Dengtu immediately shot him a sidelong glance. What a slick talker! Good thing I already taught Xiaoxi how to guard against trash guys like this. After all that practice over the years, she's now full of experience against them.2

Ji Xiaoxi always treated the injuries of others all year long, so of course there wouldn’t be good people around her. From time to time, there had been some troublemakers who tried to fool her with flowery speech. However, she had dealt with all of them easily.0

This Zu bastard isn’t even as good at this as the other trash men; Xiaoxi will definitely see through it.1

…2

Ji Xiaoxi lowered her head, looking a bit bashful and embarrassed as she replied, “Not at all; big brother Zu is just saying that to make me happy.”0

Ji Dengtu, who had been ready to see his daughter completely reject the advances of trash men, was filled with confusion!0

Zu An cried out, “What do you mean, I'm just saying that? If you don’t believe me, you can ask any of them. Chang Tian, Mei Rou, do you two think Xiaoxi is pretty?”0

The two of them had strange expressions.0

Why is the libationer asking us something like this?0

Even so, they were still overwhelmed by his favor and said, “Lady Ji is indeed very pretty. Even in a place like our academy, she would still be at the top.”1

Their reply wasn’t just out of flattery for the libationer; it was what they really thought. Besides, Ji Xiaoxi was an adorable and kind little doctor, so they naturally had a very favorable impression of her.0

Ji Xiaoxi’s cheeks became even redder. She fiddled with the corners of her clothes and didn’t know what to say.0

The others all had knowing smiles. This kind of gentle and shy appearance really did make all of them feel as if she were their little sister. They all wanted to cherish her.2

…3

Thee group returned to the capital just like that. The War Priest’s corpse was covered up with cloth to prevent alarming the common people. Then, it was delivered back to the academy’s rear mountain.1

When Jiang Luofu received news of their return, she came out to welcome them. When she saw that Ji Xiaoxi was safe and sound, she couldn't help but release a sigh of relief. She quickly took her into her arms and exclaimed, “Do you know how worried your auntie here was? In the future, you can’t go out all by yourself to pick medicines, do you understand?”1

“Auntie, I can’t breathe…” Ji XIaoxi protested, her face completely red. She quickly struggled free and gave her chest a fearful look. 0

When can I become as… developed as my auntie?2

Ji Dengtu asked in dissatisfaction, “If you really were worried about her, why didn’t I see you look for her yourself?”0

This sister-in-law was the one he had actually been scared of the most in the past. And yet this time, his daughter had almost lost her life, and because it was that brat Zu An who had arrived, his daughter was now constantly clinging to him. If it had been Jiang Luofu who arrived, Xiaoxi wouldn’t be like this, so that was why he felt a bit upset.3

Jiang Luofu gave Zu An a guilt-riddled look and said, “When I left, something happened to my ki circulation, so I troubled the libationer to save all of you.”1

Zu An and Jiang Luofu exchanged a look. He chuckled and said, “I’m glad that I didn't let everyone down.”0

Jiang Luofu’s expression was a bit unnatural as she avoided his gaze.0

Yan Xiangu was a bit worried. He asked, “Junior sister, did something bad happen to your cultivation?”0

After all, they were all orthodox cultivators who had sturdy cultivation foundations, so such problems wouldn’t happen too often. If they appeared, they became a huge issue. Sure enough, even Ji Dengtu was worried now.0

“It’s fine, it’s just a small problem. The libationer already helped me take a look at it,” Jiang Luofu said, unable to explain further.0

Zu An rubbed his neck and said, “Yeah, I did take a look.”2

Her skin is quite white.2

Everyone else sighed in relief.0

…2

A while later, Shen Xuzi, Qi Yaoguang and the other teachers also heard the news and emerged. They all looked curiously at the covered figure that resembled a small mountain.0

Zu An removed the cloth covering the War Priest, triggering cries of surprise. He said seriously, “Since everyone is here, I'll now explain the situation. This world has already begun to transform…”0

Then, he explained the events of Shadowmoon Lake to the others. Even Qi Yaoguang, who had been sitting on a tree branch and happily rocking her feet, became serious. She stopped giggling and playing around the way she usually did.0

“From here on out, the grave responsibility of saving the world will now fall on everyone here. As for exactly what we'll do, Master Yan will make careful arrangements with everyone when the time comes,” Zu An concluded.0

“We will not shirk from the duty of saving the world!”0

“Haha, this makes things much more interesting! How boring would it be if we just continued reading books in the rear mountains forever?”0

“I really want to fight a proper battle with those monsters!”0

…1

When he saw how these people weren’t scared and instead became stirred with fighting spirit, Zu An sighed in relief.0

The late libationer raised a group of excellent disciples.0

The group then began to discuss concrete countermeasures. Ji Dengtu took Xiaoxi, Mei Rou, and the others away for treatment and rest.0

Zu An returned to his room. When he closed the doors and windows, he summoned Mi Li and asked, “Are you not going to tell me anything?”3