Chapter Twenty-Nine: Shameless Couple, You Both Must Die!

Watching the demonic sect members hurtling toward him, Jiang Lin felt as though a thousand wild horses were stampeding through his mind. Granted, he himself was one of their ilk...

Just as the tip of their sword came within three paces of Jiang Lin, a torrent of sword energy crashed down from above like a waterfall, severing the space between Jiang Lin and his pursuers—and incidentally scattering his well-groomed hair.

A woman stood poised, sword in hand. Though her head was veiled beneath a curtain hat, the familiar silhouette, the graceful sword—Jiang Lin instantly recognized her. She was the very girl he had taken liberties with that night—no, the one whose lips he had shamelessly stolen: Xiao Xueli.

Wait a minute...

If she had come to the Labyrinthine Secret Realm, then she must have realized by now that Jiang Yida was none other than himself! After all, he’d rescued her with that fake mask, then transformed into the Lord of the River, showering her lips with his Q skill.

A cold sweat broke out across Jiang Lin’s brow.

"Miss Xiao, I—"

"Save your excuses until I’ve slaughtered these men!" the girl interrupted coolly. In Jiang Lin’s mind, notifications flooded in: [Notoriety with protagonist Xiao Xueli +20, +30, +50...]

Though delighted at the boost to his infamy, Jiang Lin’s heart was filled with dread.

Every sword cultivator who reaches the Cave Abode stage possesses a life-bound flying sword, a weapon born with them and as unique as an identity token. Xiao Xueli’s flying sword was named Pear Blossom, its blade slender and pale yellow, reminiscent of a delicate maiden in a pear-blossom gown, the etchings upon it elegant as a lady’s rouge.

"Flying Sword Pear Blossom? Xiao Xueli?" The leader of the group, a dark-skinned man, licked his lips.

"They say the sole true disciple of the Carefree Sect, Xiao Xueli, is as lovely as a painting. Judging by your figure, I’d say the rumors are true. Xiao Xueli, hand over the One Dream, A Thousand Autumns sword manual, and spend a spring night in my company. I’ll report back that you perished here. Otherwise, where do you think you can run?"

"This man—you are not to touch him." Xiao Xueli’s answer was cold and clear.

"Oh? So Jiang Lin’s exploits as a womanizer have won even your heart, Miss Xiao. But even if you’re our equal in cultivation, do you think you can take the seven of us at once?"

"Xiao Xueli! Today, not only will you be unable to protect yourself, but this Jiang Lin will be ruined by us as well! I want you to watch the man you long to protect be destroyed before your very eyes. Brothers, attack!"

At his command, the elite of the Single Solitude Cult charged forward.

Xiao Xueli’s eyes held no trace of fear. Her sword flashed, and the clash of steel echoed through the forest.

She moved with the grace of a butterfly amidst blades and sabers, each motion precise and deadly—her slender sword always finding its mark.

Her opponents wielded the cult’s signature Solitude Palm, Solitude Fist, and Solitude Sword. Though they could not truly harm Xiao Xueli, their skill was undeniable.

The battle raged for a full quarter of an hour before the two sides parted once more. Xiao Xueli still stood guard before the awakening Jiang Lin, while only the leader of the seven enemies remained.

Jiang Lin could clearly sense Xiao Xueli’s breathing grow heavier, while the black-clad foe was entirely unscathed.

In truth, the leader had merely observed from the sidelines, saving his strength, clearly intending to claim the credit for Xiao Xueli’s defeat all to himself.

No matter. Jiang Lin could feel the threshold of the Sea-Gazing Realm just ahead—his luck had held. If only Miss Xiao could hold on for one more quarter hour, he would surely break through.

[System Notification: Current environment detected. Mission triggered.]

[Choose: 1. Xiao Xueli is now completely unguarded. Betray her and stab her in the back. 2. Eliminate and loot the black-clad man, insult the Single Solitude Cult, and trigger the long-term mission—Black Eats Black!]

[Mission rewards: 3000 notoriety points, a box of Nine-flavor Rehmannia Pills (for vigor and energy).]

[Please choose within three seconds. 3...2...]

"System! I’m in the middle of a breakthrough, damn it!"

Just as Jiang Lin was about to reach his new realm, the system’s voice echoed in his mind.

A thunderous boom resounded through the forest.

Blood spurted from Jiang Lin’s mouth as he staggered to his feet behind Xiao Xueli.

"Jiang Yida!" Xiao Xueli’s eyes were filled with shock, confusion, and a touch of anger as she saw him clutching his chest, forcing himself upright.

"Miss Xiao..." Blood trickled from Jiang Lin’s lips as he smiled weakly. In the next second, he collapsed forward.

She set aside her sword and darted to his side, steadying him in her arms.

"Do you realize what you’re doing? Why did you give up your breakthrough? Do you know how much this will harm your foundation?"

"Cough... cough... I know..." Leaning against the softness of her embrace, Jiang Lin replied, his voice feeble. "But I know even more that I cannot let you face danger alone, Miss Xiao."

"Fool! You big fool!" The girl’s voice quivered, on the verge of tears.

"Perhaps I am." Jiang Lin gently tucked her hair behind her ear. "But to me, neither the Sea-Gazing Realm nor the so-called grand path means even a fraction of the girl by my side."

"You... what nonsense are you spouting..." Beneath the veil, her cheeks flushed a delicate rose.

"Miss Xiao..." Jiang Lin took her slender, boneless hand in his own. Her body trembled at his touch, the blush spreading all the way to her ears. She tried to pull her hand away, but seeing the sincerity and weakness in his eyes, she relented.

"Miss Xiao, perhaps in the eyes of the world, I am a scoundrel—but none of that matters! I only wish that in your eyes, I am a decent young man. I am... Jiang Yida..."

"Jiang Yida, say no more—focus on protecting your heart!" the girl said, shaking her head, her voice thick with emotion.

"No! Miss Xiao, you must go! Even if I perish with this fiend, I will ensure your safety for a lifetime..."

He broke away from her warm embrace, rallying the last of his strength, and raised his sword before him.

"No! Jiang Yida! I won’t leave! If we go, we go together!"

"You must go!"

"I won’t!"

"Go!"

"I won’t!"

The black-clad man on the side watched the scene unfold, feeling as though he were being force-fed a mouthful of dog food.

Why? We’re all members of the demonic sect—why does this guy get all the tender affection while I, an elite among elites, am left with nothing? Is it just because he’s more handsome than me?!

"I refuse to accept this!"

Suddenly, the black-clad man's clothes tore apart, his body swelling to three times its normal size, skin turning green like some monstrous hulk.

"You filthy pair—both of you must die!"