Ye Ziling arrived at the oasis, where verdant vegetation thrived, and a lake, like a flawless emerald, was set within the desert.
Impatiently, she walked to the lakeside and cupped her hands to take a drink. Just as the water reached her lips, she noticed two sachets embroidered with white cranes lying on the ground, with a bellflower hairpin beside them.
She quickly stood up and examined the sachet in her hand, her brow furrowing with a sense of foreboding.
After several looks, Ye Ziling was certain these were Ling Xi's personal belongings.
Startled, she scanned her surroundings. In the grass lay a giant lizard, its belly upturned, dead in a pool of blood, a piece of dark fabric clutched in its mouth.
Her pupils contracted as she stared at the beast, instinctively stepping back, a strange worry in her heart.
Impossible. Ling Xi's cultivation was profound; how could he easily fall prey to a mere demonic lizard? He was, after all, the Master of Beast Taming!
"Ling Xi, where are you?"
"Ling Xi, if you don't come out soon, once I escape this illusion array, I'll go to Shaolin and chop up all your martial brothers!"
"Ling Xi!"
...
Ye Ziling grew agitated. She called out several times, scanning the surroundings, but heard no response from Ling Xi.
Impossible. If he were nearby, he would have heard her.
Her heart sank. Forgetting about drinking water, her gaze fell upon the giant lizard's corpse. Clutching the bellflower hairpin, her reddened eyes filled with a murderous intent.
She would either find him alive or see his corpse. She would cut open the giant lizard's belly to see if Ling Xi was inside!
The bellflower hairpin in her hand transformed into a sharp sword. She strode towards the beast's corpse, a strange ache blooming in her heart.
Just as she was about to slash open the lizard's belly, her wrist was suddenly seized, and she was pulled into a broad embrace, a scent of cold white plum blossoms enveloping her.
She stiffened, turning her head. Her waist was pulled tightly, and her lips were sealed with a warmth.
The taste was fragrant, a cooling sweetness flowing into her mouth, instantly easing her parched throat.
Tasting a hint of sweetness, she couldn't help but gently lick his soft lips. Her mouth was terribly dry, and coupled with an inexplicable stirring in her body, her wrist instinctively climbed to his neck, immersing herself in the moment, unable to break free.
The man knocked the sword from her hand, clasped her fingers, and a storm of kisses descended upon her, fierce and possessive, as if delivering punishment, leaving her utterly dazed.
Ye Ziling's body went soft, her chin resting on his shoulder, breathing heavily.
"Ye Ziling, there are times you don't resist me?" a low, husky male voice came from beside her ear, his breath caressing her cheek, sending a tingle down her spine.
"I haven't even accused you yet, and you're already blaming me? I called out to you so many times just now, are you deaf or mute?" Ye Ziling retorted without hesitation.
That damned man, getting inexplicably angry and inexplicably disappearing.
She had almost prepared to collect his corpse for him.
Feeling that scolding wasn't enough, she bit her lip and bit down hard on his shoulder. Ignoring his muffled grunt, she didn't stop until she tasted a metallic sweetness in her mouth.
"Are you worried about me?" Ling Xi's unrestrained laughter echoed from above.
Ye Ziling raised her head, seeing him laughing uncontrollably, his body shaking, a hint of triumph in his laughter. His gaze was burning as he looked at her.
Realizing she was still pressed against his chest, Ye Ziling let go, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. To her surprise, a wave of sweetness inexplicably arose in her mouth.
She was momentarily lost in thought. Though her expression remained calm, her heart was like a stormy sea, churning relentlessly.
Damn it, she hated feeling so controlled by others.
Because they were so close, the man saw her every breath, let alone her flustered expression.
Just as she was regaining her composure and preparing to continue searching for the formation's core, Ling Xi tilted his head and smiled, raising an eyebrow, his eyes filled with ambiguous amusement. He pulled her into his arms again, sucking on her upper lip, gently teasing and grinding.
His breath was warm, like a puppy nudging her neck. His lips naughtily brushed her cheeks and ears. His wet tongue traced her earlobe, then suddenly, like a famished wolf, he gently enclosed it, licking it fiercely.
A hot wind, carrying grit, swept across the boundless Gobi Desert, raising waves of scorching heat.
"So, what is this secret?" Ling Xi raised his eyebrows, looking at the person leaning comfortably in his arms, still stubbornly awaiting an answer.
Ye Ziling lowered her eyes, a flicker of sorrow quickly crossing them. "I'll tell you when we get back."
"I want to know now," the man's tone held a hint of lazy coaxing. "Ye Ziling, don't think you can brush me off again."
Ling Xi's tone carried a threat, his voice laced with coldness, yet also a touch of innocence.
Ye Ziling stiffened, looking up into his dark, profound phoenix eyes. A faint light flashed and vanished from their depths.
In the past, if Ling Xi had threatened her like this, she would have unhesitatingly grabbed his neck. But now, she rather liked him this way.
As he spoke, his warm breath brushed against her cheek, tickling her.
Ye Ziling lowered her eyes, about to speak, her mind a mess.
She admitted that she seemed to be developing some unusual feelings for him, but her reason was still intact.
Although Ling Xi had saved her multiple times, each appearance seemed to carry a strong agenda, as if completing some mission.
Moreover, this body felt strange, and her emotions fluctuating with Ling Xi might be related to it. She always felt something was amiss.
She had been betrayed by trusting Qing Bai back then, which led to her current predicament. If she made the same mistake again at this critical juncture of revenge, she might lose her chance.
She decided not to tell him for now.
Just as Ye Ziling was feeling awkward, a vortex appeared on the lake's surface. Her heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at the center of the vortex, suddenly overjoyed. "Ling Xi, it's the formation's core!"
Ling Xi followed Ye Ziling's gaze and saw a sphere emitting a faint blue light suspended in the center of the vortex – the so-called passageway.
"Let's go." Ling Xi's eyes deepened as he took her hand and quickly walked towards the vortex.
The two passed through the second layer of the illusion array, only to find themselves in a place resembling the mortal world.
They were now in the middle of an alley, with tall archways and a bustling marketplace. However, this place was inhabited only by immortals, with no humans or beasts, a veritable paradise beyond the mortal realm.
"I have been waiting here for a long time." On a pavilion, a man sat at a table, his smile as warm as a spring breeze. He looked at the two before him and said, "It seems I underestimated you two. This endeavor has caused you inconvenience. To apologize, I have prepared fine wine for you both."
Bai Yu sat upright in the cool pavilion, his posture unpretentious. He looked calmly at the two below and said, "If you two do not mind..."
"No need." Ling Xi knew what Bai Yu was about to say, his eyes showing a hint of mockery. "Immortal Lord Bai Yu overestimates my magnanimity." He curved his lips into a shallow smile, his eyes devoid of warmth, his voice extremely cold.
An apology? Forget it.
Bai Yu's brows furrowed as he looked at Ling Xi, who was smiling sinisterly. His eyes held a trace of confusion, realizing the words were laced with intense animosity.
He, however, was not angered, standing there with the composure of a deity, observing the two below.
"Miss Ziling, would you do me the honor of sharing a drink?" Seeing Ling Xi's displeasure, Bai Yu shifted his gaze to Ye Ziling.
Ye Ziling glanced at Bai Yu indifferently, remaining silent.
The two cold, detached gazes met, and the air was thick with unspoken tension.
These two, she could tell, were full of schemes.
Seeing a peerlessly beautiful face even colder than his own, with eyes that held both indulgence and dangerous vigilance, Bai Yu's interest was piqued.
Legend had it that the Goddess Tu Yao was born with a rebellious spirit, committing all sorts of grave offenses at a young age. After assisting Emperor Qing Bai to ascend the throne, the two fell out, committed regicide, destroyed heavens, and defied the natural order.
"It seems you have not taken my words to heart today."
A chill emanated from the man on the pavilion, his voice growing colder and more piercing. "I heard that in the celestial realm, there was once a formidable Goddess Tu Yao. Miss Ziling, your temperament is rather similar to hers."
Bai Yu picked up a cup of wine, his gaze, however, remained fixed on her.
In Bai Yu's eyes, others would shy away from dangerous things, but he was different. He was drawn to such poisonous things; the more poisonous, the more beautiful, the more poisonous, the more interested he became.
He maintained a calm smile, appearing indifferent to everything.
But upon closer inspection, a subtle sharpness could be discerned in his brows and eyes.
Ye Ziling, however, seemed not to hear him. Her gaze towards him held obvious hostility, and she let out a mirthless laugh. "Immortal Lord Bai Yu, are you threatening me?"
Ling Xi heard this and looked at the smile gradually appearing on her face. His heart skipped a beat, and a bad premonition surged through him.
Why did these two act as if they had known each other for centuries?
Bai Yu smiled faintly. "I am merely offering a reminder."
"In that case, it would be impolite of me to refuse." Ye Ziling replied with a smile, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes.
Although she knew little about Bai Yu, she had heard of his methods. This man was cunning and ruthless; he could only be a friend, but an enemy to be reckoned with.
Ling Xi's heart sank, and his gaze towards Bai Yu became more complex.
"Then I shall stay as well," Ling Xi said, looking at Ye Ziling and naturally hooking his arm through hers, taking her hand.
His eyes held the depth of autumn waters as he looked at her deeply, the corners of his lips curving into a gentle smile. His eyes, fixed on her face, were luminous, almost transparent.