In the Lower Area of the Thousand Illusionary Sect, where Xia Wei had accomplished his breakthrough into the Nascent Soul Realm, destiny had led him to a location near the lake where the recent funeral had taken place.
As the sun began its descent, casting an orange hue across the previously clear blue sky, the atmosphere shifted. Birds gracefully returned to their nests, their chirping fading into the background as the light dimmed, casting its gentle glow upon the vast training square.
Now, the once lively area appeared deserted, save for two figures engrossed in lively conversation and exchanging martial techniques.
Among them was a woman in her twenties, possessing a striking beauty accentuated by her cascading silver hair. Her vibrant aqua eyes narrowed with focus as she observed the movements of her companion's hand.
Leaning against the person's body, she held their hands with her slender and velvety-smooth fingers, guiding them in the art of wielding a sword.
Though her lovely face held a slight frown while correcting their posture, she remained oblivious to the fact that her own curves were pressed against their back.
"Shift your grip slightly to the right, and bend more while pulling your hand backward. This will provide a solid foundation for your sword, harnessing the surrounding wind to amplify your attack," her voice brimmed with enthusiasm as she instructed her companion.
Eagerly following her guidance, the person wielding the sword nodded in agreement. As they made a subtle adjustment, their left elbow accidentally brushed against the woman's bosom, yet the expected flustered reaction failed to materialize.
"Now, release your strike!" she commanded, her voice filled with authority. In an instant, a surge of potent Qi propelled her body backward a few inches, leaving her dumbfounded as she witnessed the attack hurtling forward at breakneck speed.
Simultaneously, the attack conjured illusory images of multiple swords, weaving a mesmerizing tapestry. With a resounding thud, the sword cleaved through the air, sending a shockwave that dispersed surrounding dust particles and cracking the sturdy stone floor.
"Well, there's still room for refinement, but it appears I have grasped the fundamentals, Senior Sister Dai," the person who launched the attack winked mischievously at the woman.
He was a young man in his twenties, his pale sandy hair flowing down to his shoulders, and his eyes a captivating dark magenta, their slit-like pupils fixated on her as he offered a faint smile.
Senior Sister Dai, momentarily stunned by the display, found herself in a state of disbelief and awe at the audacity of his wink.
As time seemed to slow down, she absorbed the intricacies of his thick eyebrows and the perfectly chiseled jawline that supported his gentle smile, all directed at her.
Her heart raced within her chest, heat coursing through her body, causing her cheeks to blush a rosy hue.
Unable to meet his gaze, she instinctively looked away, a sudden urge to escape overwhelming her. However, before she could gather her thoughts, she realized she hadn't yet responded to his remark.
"P-please, young master, refrain from teasing me in such a manner. Moreover, I hardly deserve the title of Senior Sister from someone as esteemed as yourself," her words stumbled forth with a stutter, her eyes now fixated on his feet.
While expressing her unworthiness, she couldn't help but bite her lower lip, disappointed by her own lack of composure.
The young master chuckled at her response, finding amusement in her behavior. Gently, he lifted her chin, guiding her eyes to meet his own. Their gazes locked, his slit pupils gazing deeply into her bold aqua orbs.
"Don't say that. A woman as beautiful as you always merits the highest praise," the young man revealed himself to be Xia Wei.
After uttering those words, Senior Dai became flustered, frozen in place, her mind momentarily blank as she stared at him with wide eyes.
Their lips were now a mere inch apart, on the brink of a connection, when the sound of approaching footsteps shattered the delicate moment.
Startled, Senior Dai quickly distanced herself from Xia Wei, her hand cupped between her thighs, betraying her embarrassment.
"Senior Dai... Ah! Please forgive me for interrupting your tranquil moment. This humble mortal, Tian Lu, extends his greetings to the young master!" A young man in his twenties, his hair dyed a striking shade of blue, bowed respectfully and cupped his hands towards Xia Wei.
Curiosity piqued, it was Senior Dai who spoke first, surprising both Tian Lu and Xia Wei. However, her unfriendly tone and icy gaze hinted at her displeasure with Tian Lu's sudden arrival.
Wearing a wry smile, Tian Lu tried to convey a message to Senior Dai with a glance, but it seemed to go unnoticed. Ignoring the opportunity Tian Lu had hoped to provide Xia Wei, Senior Dai continued to address him.
"What is the meaning of this? And who is the young lady accompanying you? Are you not aware that this place is off-limits as per the orders of the Elders?"
Her words carried a sharp edge as her bold aqua eyes locked onto the young lady standing calmly behind Tian Lu, observing their conversation.
"Enough, Dai Qing," Xia Wei interjected, stepping forward to diffuse the brewing conflict. His voice lacked the warmth of their earlier interaction as he calmly regarded Dai Qing.
Dai Qing suddenly realized that her behavior had become impetuous, influenced by her own emotions. She lowered her head and offered a bow to Xia Wei, humbly saying,
"Please forgive me, Young Master." In the midst of their previous friendly conversation, she had momentarily forgotten her place and manners.
Once the tension had subsided, Tian Lu proceeded to explain, "Young master, this young lady claims to possess information regarding the whereabouts of the traitor, Lin Jie. However, she refused interrogation and insisted on meeting you personally."
Tian Lu's explanation was careful, yet bitterness tinged his expression when he mentioned Lin Jie.
Xia Wei noticed the underlying resentment in Tian Lu's face, but chose to disregard it, redirecting his focus to the young lady standing behind him.
"Hmm?" As soon as his gaze fell upon her, confusion swept over him, prompting him to look back at Tian Lu.
"What does this mean?" Xia Wei inquired further, intrigued by the unexpected turn of events. The young lady possessed delicate brown eyes and waist-length hair, her facial beauty rivaling that of Dai Qing.
However, her lack of curves detracted from her overall allure.
When Xia Wei directed his question to Tian Lu, the young lady stepped forward instead, eschewing Tian Lu's response. She locked eyes with Xia Wei, arching an eyebrow, and proceeded to assess his physique with a discerning gaze.
She has changed, Xia Wei mused, taken aback by her newfound confidence and indifference towards the world, a stark contrast to the shy, self-blaming girl he once knew. Her demeanor now mirrored the intensity he had seen in Lin Jie's eyes.
In that moment, a translucent screen materialized before Xia Wei's eyes, displaying the fluctuations in her cultivation base and her age.