T/N: Should I change Martial Aunt to Senior? The mtl seems to be using them alternately.
....
Ice Soul Sword, my Ice Soul Sword...
After Lin Qingxue passed the trial, Lu Chuan fell into a coma due to excessive spiritual energy consumption.
When Lin Qingxue regained consciousness, Lu Chuan's lips were still touching hers.
Not long ago, it was common for them to cultivate together, but now she felt her face burning.
"Shameless!" she muttered softly, pushing Lu Chuan away.
Poor Lu Chuan rolled on the ground helplessly.
Looking at Lu Chuan's profile while he was unconscious, the corners of Lin Qingxue's mouth unconsciously lifted.
Suddenly, a long sword appeared from the center of the disc and flew into Lin Qingxue's hand.
"Is this a spiritual sword?"
Upon closer inspection, the sword in her hand was shining, and just holding it felt chilling.
Upon careful observation, she realized that this was no ordinary item.
Lin Qingxue speculated that the grade of this spiritual sword was at least Eight Grade.
It seemed that the illusion just now was its trial to recognize its master.
Spirit herbs and spirit beasts were special resources in the Secret Realm, but some Secret Realms also had hidden spirit treasures.
The Secret Realm existed because of it, and after a spirit treasure recognized its master, the Secret Realm would disappear.
After a period of time, the Secret Realm would disappear, and the people inside would be transported out.
So there was no need to worry about how to leave the Secret Realm.
Putting away the spiritual sword, Lin Qingxue walked to Lu Chuan, who was still unconscious.
She sat against a tree and placed Lu Chuan's head on her thigh.
Just looking at him, Lin Qingxue felt a sense of relief, and her whole body relaxed.
The scenes of the past few days flashed through her mind.
Because he was worried about her, he fought against the rampaging Crimson Dragon together, even though he was just a newcomer at the Qi Refining Stage of the sect.
Because he didn't want her to ruin her path to immortality, he cultivated with her to alleviate the toxins, even though his yang energy was not released, which might affect his cultivation.
Because she was trapped in the illusion and lost in her inner demons, he did her best to help her, exhausting himself to the point of fainting.
"Fool." Lin Qingxue pointed her slender finger at Lu Chuan's forehead and laughed, scolding, "Think about yourself, you big fool."
She gently touched Lu Chuan's face, and her heart grew hotter, unable to resist lowering her head to kiss Lu Chuan.
"I owe you."
Lu Chuan had a dream, a dream where he obtained everything from the protagonist and crushed him from every angle.
But after he pushed the protagonist into a desperate situation, the protagonist counterattacked for no reason and killed him.
"You cheater! You actually cheated!"
Lu Chuan woke up, feeling a chill down his spine from the scene of his head separating from his body.
Fortunately, it was just a dream. Lu Chuan found himself on an unfamiliar bed.
The room was tidy, with not too many items, neatly arranged.
There was a familiar scent, not strong, but a faint fragrance.
It was the scent of Lin Qingxue, this was her bedroom.
"You're awake?" Upon hearing Lu Chuan's voice, Lin Qingxue rushed into the room, taking three steps in two strides towards him.
"Is your body okay?" Her hands roamed over Lu Chuan's body, trying to confirm how well he had recovered.
"I'm fine, Qingxue..." Lu Chuan was used to saying it in the illusion and didn't change it all at once. "I'm fine, Martial Aunt Lin."
"That's good." Lin Qingxue turned her head, her gaze wandering around the room, avoiding eye contact with Lu Chuan, disguising her shyness.
She felt joy in her heart, her cheeks flushed, and even her earlobes turned red, but she didn't let Lu Chuan see.
"Martial Aunt, how long was I unconscious for?"
"Half a month."
Lin Qingxue recounted what happened after he fell into a coma.
Not long after he fell unconscious, the Secret Realm dissipated, and everyone inside the Secret Realm was transported out.
Many people were injured, some even had missing limbs.
Fortunately, the sect leaders and elders of various righteous sects were present, and they were able to provide immediate treatment.
The sect leader of the Immortal Gate, Lin Qingxue's senior brother, and Lu Chuan's master were also present.
After a brief explanation of the situation, the two of them were quickly brought back to the sect for treatment.
After examining him for a while and confirming that there was no danger, Lin Qingxue finally let go of her worries.
She applied to the sect leader to bring Lu Chuan back to take care of him and obtained the sect leader's approval. With his meaningful smile, Lu Chuan was brought to her bedroom.
Lin Qingxue also kept the secret of their dual cultivation and acquirement of the spiritual sword.
She wanted to give this sword to Lu Chuan.
If she told the sect leader, the sword would most likely be taken into the sect's treasure vault.
"Thank you. Thanks to you, so many righteous sect disciples were saved. You are our hero."
Actually, I am the antagonist... Lu Chuan complained in his heart.
Lin Qingxue took out the Ice Soul Sword from her storage ring and handed it to Lu Chuan.
"You take this."
Lu Chuan took the Ice Soul Sword, gripping it tightly.
Damn, it's cold!
A voice from the system appeared in Lu Chuan's mind.
[Mission complete, obtain the Ice Soul Sword.
Reward: Physique - Flawless Sword Body.
100 points.
Current physique: Chaos Immortal Physique (Body Refining), Flawless Sword Body (Sword Cultivation).
Remaining points: 104.]
Lu Chuan suppressed his joy and pretended to ask with a puzzled expression, "What is this?"
"This is a spiritual sword obtained in the Secret Realm. The final illusion we experienced was its test of recognition. You and I have both been recognized by it," Lin Qingxue continued.
She continued, "You've only been in the Immortal Gate for half a year and don't have your own Spirit Treasure. This sword is at least an Eight Grade. Take it and refine it. It will be of great use to you. I know you're not a sword cultivator, but I still want to give it to you."
Lu Chuan pretended to be surprised, "Eight Grade! Senior, you should keep it. Your disciple can't bear such a heavy treasure."
"Don't refuse, just keep it. What's our relationship... Well, I still have to watch the new disciples' inner sect competition. You rest here."
Her voice became smaller and faster, and she quickly ran away.
Lu Chuan smiled at this, "She's forcing herself to speak even while she's shy."
What kind of relationship do we have?
Apart from knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses, our relationship can be considered as close friends.
As for the matter of dual cultivation, since she said not to mention it, he would pretend to have forgotten.
Externally, she appeared cold as ice, but deep down, she was a gentle and kind person.
The only question was which side she would stand on in the future.
As a friend on Lu Chuan's side, or as a Master of the protagonist.
Wait a minute, did she say she was going to watch the inner sect's new disciples' competition?
The protagonist's first appearance was in the inner sect competition. The elders of the sect were required to watch the competition and select disciples they favored to accept as direct disciples.
The protagonist overcame all obstacles along the way, defeating those who had looked down on him and humiliated him with his strong abilities.
The protagonist, Luo Li, who shone brightly in the competition, naturally became the elders' favorite.
However, Luo Li chose the quietest Lin Qingxue as his master because she had saved him in the mortal world.
Lu Chuan couldn't miss the protagonist's first appearance.
Following the route in his memory, he hurried to the side of the competition stage, where inner sect disciples, outer sect disciples, and some favored direct disciples were gathered.
"The finals of the inner sect competition is about to begin. The participants are Luoli and Sima Dong."
The one speaking was the referee of the competition, flying on his flying Spirit Treasure above the competition stage, announcing the start of the competition.
Beside him were the elders of the Immortal Gate.
Various flying Spirit Treasures, lotus seats, and blankets... but the most romantic in the cultivation world was still the flying sword.
Lin Qingxue was also among them. She was forced to watch the competition, but her mind was not on it.
She occasionally turned her head to look in the direction of her mountain.
Lu Chuan saw Lin Qingxue at a glance and became worried when he saw her absent-mindedness.
What's wrong with Martial Aunt Lin? I'll ask her after the competition.
For now, watching the competition is more important. The protagonist, Luo li, successfully made it to the finals.
"The participants are on stage."
Lu Chuan, who was biased, initially thought the tall one was the protagonist.
But when that person came on stage, he smirked and sneered at Luoli, expressing his disdain.
"Hahaha, Luo Li, I didn't expect to meet you in the finals.
Do your best to hold on a little longer and let me enjoy it."
Luoli just clasped his fists and replied with a clear voice, "Please enlighten me."
Lu Chuan couldn't believe it. The protagonist seemed too delicate and beautiful. Just by listening to his voice, he would even think it was a girl's voice.
No matter what, he was the protagonist, and Lu Chuan couldn't be careless.
At this moment, the voice of the system reappeared.
[Mission: Defeat the winner of this battle and steal the protagonist's limelight.
Reward: 150 points.
Spell: Disguise Technique.]