Behind Green Cloud Mountain.
On a sheer mountain peak, continuous sounds of clashing emanated. Two figures were practicing their swordsmanship, constantly crisscrossing paths—it was Ling Chen and Xu Ruoyan.
Xu Ruoyan's body had recovered rapidly over the past half-month. Although she had not yet returned to her peak condition, she was already able to manipulate True Qi. However, in their current sparring session, neither of them used True Qi; they were simply practicing their sword techniques.
After a while, Ling Chen deflected Xu Ruoyan's Cloud and Water Sword, took two steps back, lowered the Treasure Sword in his hand, and said with a laugh, "I didn't expect that after such a long ti without practice, we'd still be so familiar with this Yin-Yang Sword Song."
"Swordsmanship is spiritual, and the swords in our hands are spiritual too." Xu Ruoyan nodded. "When we use sword techniques, they help us recall those mories."
Her mind also recalled that day in Guantian Tower, the scene where she and Ling Chen danced the Yin-Yang Sword Song in the rain. Back then, their misunderstanding hadn't yet arisen. She was still the high and mighty young palace master of the Sky Void Palace, and Ling Chen was a young swordsman roaming the world, his sword his companion in Jianghu. She had already fallen for Ling Chen by then, but he was solely focused on revenge and hadn't accepted her. Missing that one chance led to many more missed opportunities. Having experienced so much, Xu Ruoyan had long since learned to let things be. Sotis, one couldn't force matters and could only go with the flow. If she couldn't be with Ling Chen, it simply ant their destined ti hadn't arrived; it couldn't be forced.
"What's wrong? Is sothing on your mind?" Seeing the change in Xu Ruoyan's expression, Ling Chen couldn't help but ask.
"It's nothing." Xu Ruoyan shook her head.
Just as Ling Chen was about to ask more, soone arrived. Guided by a Cyan Robe Association disciple, a beautiful woman in a black robe appeared.
Ling Chen's eyebrows rose at the sight of the woman in the black robe. "It's you, Lian Ji," he said. "Why have you co? Has sothing happened at the Saint Witch Religion?"
He had been away for so long. The Saint Witch Religion was currently vying with the Myriad Beasts Sect for territory. However, with the Elder of Myriad Beasts now dead, the Myriad Beasts Sect likely no longer posed much of a threat.
"Nothing serious has happened." Lian Ji shook her head and glanced at Xu Ruoyan nearby. Then, a light flashed in her beautiful eyes. "I didn't expect Lord Xu to be here as well. I wonder how your recovery is progressing."
"Thank you for your concern. I am much better," Xu Ruoyan cupped her hands, speaking softly.
"That's good. It ans our Saint Child didn't risk his life for you several tis in vain, even to the point of disregarding his own. His precious life is vital to the safety of the entire Martial World," Lian Ji said coolly.
"I will surely repay this great kindness," Xu Ruoyan said softly, biting her lip.
Hearing the subtle antagonism in her tone, Ling Chen frowned. "Lian Ji, why exactly have you co?"
"Well," seeing Ling Chen's displeasure, Lian Ji softened her tone and said seriously, "the Sect Leader learned of your return from the Wildlands and sent to see you. So many experts who rashly ventured into the Hundred Thousand Mountains t their end there. Years ago, Gu Qingfeng, the Sect Leader of the Myriad Dao Sect, possessed a formidable cultivation at the Seventh Realm of Sky Apex. Yet, he too was poisoned and suffered an untily death."
"The poison Gu Qingfeng contracted back then was exceedingly strange. Yun Xin was very worried about you, but she's overwheld with various matters, so she asked to co in her place."
"I've made her worry," Ling Chen said, shaking his head. "I was indeed afflicted by the sa strange poison as Gu Qingfeng. However, I've already neutralized it. It can no longer harm ."
"Really?" A flicker of surprise crossed Lian Ji's beautiful eyes. Ling Chen didn't look like he was joking, which astonished her sowhat. After all, this was the infamous poison that had killed a legendary expert like Gu Qingfeng, yet Ling Chen had managed to neutralize it. If she hadn't known Ling Chen to so extent, she would never have believed it so easily.
"That's wonderful news! Yun Xin will be overjoyed to hear this. I'm sure you're aware of her feelings for you, Saint Child." Lian Ji glanced aningfully at Xu Ruoyan as she spoke. "She will always stand behind you, no matter what, supporting you unconditionally. She can't bear to see you, Saint Child, face the slightest danger or suffer any harm."
Ling Chen didn't deny it. He knew how devoted Xia Yunxin was to him and how many tis she had helped him. For a woman who silently supported him without a single word of complaint, Ling Chen could find no reason not to cherish her. But he couldn't let go of Xu Ruoyan either. Thus, his heart was deeply conflicted.
"Please continue your conversation. I just rembered I have sothing to attend to. Sect Leader Ling Chen, I'll take my leave first." At this, Xu Ruoyan clasped her fists towards them. After Ling Chen nodded, she turned and departed.
"It seems the Saint Child still can't forget his forr fiancée," Lian Ji said, easily discerning Ling Chen's thoughts. She chuckled. "If you had to choose between Xu Ruoyan and Xia Yunxin, who would you pick?"
Lian Ji asked a very pointed question.
"I don't know." If this were before, he would have chosen Xu Ruoyan without hesitation. But now, Xia Yunxin also occupied a significant place in his heart, making it impossible for him to decide.
"And I don't want to choose right now."
"Even if you don't choose now, you'll have to eventually," Lian Ji said, shaking her head with a thoughtful expression. "However, it's not as if there isn't a way to have the best of both worlds."
"What way?" Ling Chen quickly asked.
"Marry them both. Wouldn't that solve the problem? It's not such a big deal. Many famous heroes in the Martial World have multiple wives and concubines. I believe Yun Xin would accept it, but I'm not sure about your forr fiancée." A surprisingly serious expression appeared on Lian Ji's enchanting face.
"What a lousy idea," Ling Chen said, shaking his head. "As a woman yourself, could you accept your husband having multiple wives and concubines?"
"Then there's no other way," Lian Ji said, spreading her elegant hands helplessly. "Saint Child, think about it. Whichever one you marry, you'll wrong the other. Won't your heart ache? Won't hers? In the end, both will be hurt, and you'll all live with lifelong regrets."
"Emperors can have three thousand beauties in their harems. Your current status is far more esteed than that of the Emperors of the five major kingdoms. Marrying two won is hardly a major issue for you."
A playful look then touched Lian Ji's captivating face. "Besides, I believe it's a blessing for any woman in the world to marry an exceptional man like you, Saint Child. In the future, when you break through the Sky Apex Realm, or even reach the Saint Path, they will naturally benefit from your success. Accompanying you and sharing in such glory would make their lives worthwhile."
Hearing this, Ling Chen couldn't help but fall into deep thought. If this matter wasn't handled properly, it could lead to lifelong regret. Although that point hadn't arrived yet, and might still be far off, he knew he had to consider it carefully beforehand.
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