“That’s only natural. Though that fiend is gravely injured, he’s still a Yin-Yang Realm expert. It likely won’t take him long to recover. We must strike and kill him before he fully recuperates.”
At this, Moon Lady’s tone turned serious, shedding the approachable, sisterly vibe and once again exuding the enigmatic aura of an ethereal fairy.
“Indeed, for over ten thousand years, the Evil Beast Demon King has wrought havoc on countless martial artists in Thousand Ghost Forest. If he doesn’t die, the Heavenly Dragon Continent will never know peace,” Ling Xiao nodded. “Besides, with his immense strength, if we don’t seize this chance to finish him while he’s weakened, we may never get another opportunity.”
“You’re not wrong. Even with my strongest move, ‘Falling Moon Strike’ from the Moonlight Sword Art, I still couldn’t kill him, and that was only possible because you broke his Ten Thousand Beasts Blood Refining Array. Otherwise, it would’ve been even trickier,” Moon Lady said.
She was clearly a composed individual, fully aware of the gap between herself and her opponent, without any arrogance. Ling Xiao admired this about her. If someone couldn’t even gauge their own strength, how could they hope to dominate the mysterious world? They’d probably be killed in no time.
“Alright, the medicinal liquid is ready, Moon Lady. You can soak in it now. I’ll stand guard outside,” Ling Xiao said, smiling as he filled the tub with warm water.
“No need to go out. Just stay inside and cultivate,” Moon Lady replied.
She knew Ling Xiao wanted to leave out of propriety, but the outside of the cave was fraught with danger. She couldn’t take his spot and let him risk himself. Keeping his back turned and staying a bit further away would suffice.
“Fair enough,” Ling Xiao said.
Knowing Moon Lady wasn’t one for rigid formalities, he didn’t protest. He walked to the cave’s entrance, sat cross-legged at a distance, and began cultivating.
…
Bonds between people truly need time to develop.
Over the past three days, Ling Xiao had meticulously cared for Moon Lady, preparing medicinal liquids and helping her expel the lingering soul force of the Evil Beast Demon King from her body. This rapidly brought them closer.
Moon Lady, already approachable, now treated Ling Xiao like an old friend, sometimes even patting his shoulder or making casual, affectionate gestures without thinking.
Ling Xiao knew she meant nothing by it, simply being unconcerned with strict gender boundaries, but it still felt a bit awkward.
Being weaker than someone else brought its own troubles—you never knew if their attitude might suddenly change, so you had to stay on guard.
His relationship with Moon Lady wasn’t yet as close as with Ling Yixue, Dai Yuling, or Leng Mei. But compared to most people, it was already much better. In front of Moon Lady, Ling Xiao didn’t need to be as deferential as he was with Guanghan Heavenly Venerable, Moonlight Sect Leader Chang Yueying, or the Death Tower Master. He could interact with her like a peer.
“The binding in your body has been mostly removed. One final soak in the medicinal liquid should clear it completely. I’ll go gather the herbs,” Ling Xiao said.
“Let me go instead. Your strength is too low. Thousand Ghost Forest is crawling with vile beasts, and you can’t handle even one,” Moon Lady said, standing up.
“Behave. The binding is almost gone, but if you use your true essence recklessly now, all our efforts will be wasted!” Ling Xiao said, then turned and left.
“Behave? He’s telling *me* to behave?” Moon Lady stood there, stunned.
Was this kid confused? A mere Transcendent Realm martial artist ordering a Yin-Yang Realm powerhouse to behave?
A moment later, her stunned expression turned into a smile. “This little guy’s quite interesting. When I woke up, the Heavenly Maiden was long gone, and no one cared for me anymore. The higher-ups in Moonlight Sect only show awe or greed, never this kind of concern. This kid’s an exception.”
Her smile in that moment was truly breathtaking, a pity Ling Xiao didn’t see it, or he’d surely have been smitten.
“No, it’s been nearly three days. That Evil Beast Demon King can’t have stayed idle. I need to check things out.”
Though the binding wasn’t fully lifted, Moon Lady’s current strength far surpassed Ling Xiao’s. Worried for his safety, she decided to go take a look.
Just as she exited the cave, a beast’s roar echoed in the distance. Her expression changed drastically—it was at least a ninth-level ferocious beast, something Ling Xiao couldn’t possibly fend off.
Her anxiety grew, and she tried to use Moon Shadow Divine Step to leave, but the array at the cave’s entrance blocked her.
“Damn it! If anything happens to Ling Xiao, I’ll turn Thousand Ghost Forest into ruins and slaughter every beast here!”
She was about to use a powerful martial technique to forcefully break the array when a blur sped toward her from the distance.
It was Ling Xiao!
Joy spread across Moon Lady’s face. She’d never imagined she’d care so much for a young boy, but her emotions were genuine, beyond her control.
“Are you alright, Ling Xiao?” she asked urgently.
“I’m fine, just a measly beast!” Ling Xiao waved it off, smiling. “I’ve gathered the herbs. I’ll prepare the medicinal liquid now. This is the last time, and you should be fully recovered afterward.”
Seeing Ling Xiao’s expression, Moon Lady was puzzled. He didn’t look injured at all. Relieved, she said nothing more.
Back in the cave, Ling Xiao began preparing the medicinal liquid.
This wasn’t something just anyone could make. The precise amounts of each herb were critical—slight errors could lead to entirely different results.
So, he had to do it himself.
About five or six minutes later, Ling Xiao supported the tub and smiled. “It’s ready. Start soaking. I’ll go cultivate.”
“Thank you,” Moon Lady said, feeling a bit unsettled.
She wasn’t sure how to face this kid in the future. Could she really take him as a disciple?
With a wry smile, she removed her outer clothes and was about to step into the tub when she heard a *thud*.
Turning quickly, she saw Ling Xiao collapsed on the ground, black mist rising from his body.
“Ling Xiao!” she cried out, hastily wrapping her clothes around herself and rushing over to lift him.
The black mist was emanating from his back. She tore open his clothes and discovered five claw marks, oozing black mist.
“You idiot, hurt this badly and you said you were fine!”
Moon Lady was so frantic she nearly cried.
The disappearance of the Heavenly Maiden had left her lonely for tens of thousands of years. Now, having finally found someone she could talk to like a friend, he was injured like this.
She swore she wouldn’t let anything happen to Ling Xiao.
Absolutely not!
