Chapter 352: Chapter 230 A Promise_1
Amidst the clamorous voices of the crowd, finally, that familiar figure slowly made his way toward the Ascension Platform.
He even seemed to twist his mouth in the direction of the Sword Sect’s high podium, revealing a row of neat teeth.
All the members of the Sword Sect heaved a sigh of relief; he had, after all, not encountered any mishaps.
Seeing Su Bei’s appearance, for some reason, Xiao Ruoching always felt something was not quite right... but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it...
The Sword Sect Disciples below were also whispering among themselves, murmuring softly:
"Elder Su seems to have gotten paler?"
"Yeah, why has his complexion suddenly become so pale? Hmm... and there are dark circles under his eyes."
"Perhaps he practiced his Cultivation Technique all night, which must have been too strenuous."
"I wonder which Cultivation Technique he was practicing while also taking care of Ninth Uncle..."
Wenren Pingxin’s heart, which had settled, once again suddenly lifted.
She bit her lower lip, her mind in turmoil, not knowing whether to feel touched or worried. She even harbored a bit of unspoken annoyance as she looked at Su Bei, wanting to say something to him.
If something were to happen to him, how could she be at peace?
However, perhaps recalling certain events from before, the words that rose to her throat were ultimately swallowed back down.
She let out a long sigh, her eyes filled with complex emotions as she watched him.
Su Bei let go of Dan Wulan’s small hand and exchanged a glance with her.
Dan Wulan lowered her head, her white hair fluttering in the wind, and softly said,
"Be careful!"
She patted his shoulder, urging him to lean his head slightly down.
Then, under Su Bei’s gaze, she tiptoed lightly to straighten Su Bei’s Azure Crown.
A breeze came, making his white garment rustle.
In such a manner, he resembled the stern visage she remembered.
"What’s there to be afraid of?" Su Bei let her adjust, saying with a casual laugh.
Dan Wulan reached out to gently caress Su Bei’s cheek, speaking softly, "I’m afraid you’re worried, afraid you’ll act impulsively, and afraid you’ll be distracted."
Su Bei felt a cool, soft, tickling sensation on his face, like the willow breeze of Jiangnan in spring—cool and tantalizing, stirring his heart.
He closed his eyes, quietly savoring this rare moment of tenderness.
Then he smiled at her and, without looking back, walked up to the Ascension Platform, toward the man who had been waiting there for a long time.
He placed the Sword Box he had been carrying on his back onto the ground and cupped his fists in salute,
"I’ve kept Elder Tong waiting..."
...
Atop the high podium, Dan Wuque trotted over, greeting Dan Wulan as she limped toward her.
Dan Wulan’s purple robe was somewhat disheveled, and her steps were unsteady. Her eyes revealed the exhaustion of a sleepless night.
Obviously, she had just recovered from a serious illness and had accompanied Su Bei in his cultivation practice all night.
Dan Wuque quickly supported her, her face filled with pained concern,
"Sister, has your body recovered somewhat?"
"Where did you go last night? Why didn’t you come back all night..."
Dan Wulan took a deep breath. She felt somewhat uncomfortable under Dan Wuque’s gaze. Even now, she could feel a swelling between her legs, and a tingling pain spread through her body with every unintentional friction as she walked.
Walking made the ground feel soft and yielding beneath her feet. However, seeing all eyes turning towards her, she had no choice but to maintain her cool demeanor.
Leaning on Dan Wuque’s support, she paused, her legs trembling lightly beneath her long purple dress.
"I was cultivating with Fifth Senior Brother... Hmm, I lost track of time."
So that was it.
No different from what Dan Wuque herself had suspected.
After Dan Wuque helped Dan Wulan sit down, Wenren Pingxin, sitting beside her, also smiled. Yet, observing Dan Wulan’s current state, Wenren Pingxin found it rather peculiar.
"Did you take some kind of beauty-enhancing pill?"
Although Dan Wulan’s complexion was a bit off, her skin looked much more supple than before.
She seemed to have shed a trace of her youthful immaturity, gaining a more mature charm.
Feeling Wenren Pingxin’s strange gaze, Dan Wulan felt uneasy, afraid she might discern something. After a moment’s hesitation, she said,
"Hmm, perhaps it’s from taking too many First Grade Qi Blood Pills..."
The Creation Pill within her body hadn’t been fully absorbed yet. Perhaps this misfortune could turn into a blessing, giving her a chance to break through to the Late Stage Refining Void!
Wenren Pingxin nodded. Because Su Bei was about to battle Tong Xiu, she wasn’t in the mood for idle speculation. Her lips curled into a kind smile as she said,
"Close your eyes and rest for a while."
"Your legs are trembling. Let me help you..."
Just as Wenren Pingxin’s hand barely touched her ankle, Dan Wulan instinctively shuddered, as if from a muscle memory of the continuous sensations from the previous night.
"Don’t..."
"Hmm?"
Wenren Pingxin looked bemusedly at Dan Wulan, who was not maintaining her usual cool demeanor.
Dan Wulan shook her head, regaining her previous composure,
"I’m fine."
"You don’t need to worry, Senior Sister."
Her gaze fixed intently on the Ascension Platform above.
Hearing her words, Wenren Pingxin had nothing more to say and also nodded.
...
「Atop the Ascension Platform.」
The vast expanse of sky burst into radiance!
This battle, long yearned for by the people of the Twenty-One Provinces and destined to determine the honor of the world’s top sect, was about to begin.
It wasn’t unfolding as everyone had initially thought. Perhaps a great battle between the Dao Sect and the Origin Sect? Or between the Dao Sect and Wuhua Palace? Or even with the Buddha Gate?
It was still the Dao Sect, but its opponents had changed, one after another.