"Jin Xiuming, what nonsense are you spouting!" Lin Fuxiang was so angry that her pretty face turned pale. With a sweep of her long sword, she unleashed a dazzlingly brilliant light, furiously rolling towards Jin Xiuming.
Jin Xiuming immediately displayed an incredibly shocked expression. He had clashed with Lin Fuxiang before and was quite familiar with her Flying Waterfall Sword Technique, but the power of the sword radiance she now displayed far exceeded his expectations!
He let out a strange cry and retreated repeatedly, not daring to confront the sharp edge of Lin Fuxiang's attack.
It had been just over a month since he last saw her, and now she seemed like a completely different person, so formidable!
Seeing Jin Mingxiu constantly retreating, his three followers let out a loud shout, attacking Lin Fuxiang together to alleviate the pressure Jin Xiuming faced.
Blocked by these three, Jin Xiuming finally caught his breath, his face turning very ugly.
Before this, his strength had always been on par with Lin Fuxiang's, but now he was being driven into a pathetic flight, which was a blow to his pride.
He roared angrily, joining the battle alongside the other three against Lin Fuxiang.
Lin Fuxiang, fearless, thrust and sliced with her long sword, her movements exceedingly mysterious. Although she was facing four opponents, the improved Flying Waterfall Sword Technique, as modified by Zhou Heng, was unbelievably magical, not only preventing her from falling into disadvantage but even allowing her to gain the upper hand!
She was filled with surprise and grew to respect Zhou Heng even more.
"Whore, why don't you call your lover to join in?" Jin Xiuming, unable to overcome Lin Fuxiang with his skills, started to change tactics and began spouting trash.
Lin Fuxiang had never been subjected to such slander and could not help but feel both angry and indignant, swinging her sword even more urgently, each stroke fierce.
"Haha, the little whore is quite protective of her adulterous lover, knowing the bastard is worthless!" Jin Xiuming, utterly embarrassed, kept retreating, his foul mouth earning him the brunt of Lin Fuxiang's attacks.
"Whore, this pretty boy has neither Young Master Jin's charm nor his strength. How did you come to fancy him? Is it because he pleases you too well in bed?"
"Fuck, had I known you were such a slut, Young Master wouldn't have bothered wooing you and would have just let you experience the skills between my legs directly!"
Lin Fuxiang trembled with rage. She knew Jin Xiuming was a profligate, indulging in sensual pleasures, yet he had managed to maintain a graceful image in front of her until now. She hadn't expected him to be so vulgar and low!
She unleashed her divine might, her improved Flying Waterfall Sword Technique becoming smoother and more refined, filling the air with her fierce sword light.
"Young Master Jin, we can't hold on any longer!"
"Let's retreat!"
Jin Xiuming's three followers also cried out loudly. Although they faced less pressure, any mishap to Jin Xiuming would leave them severely punished!
"Ahh—" Jin Xiuming screamed as he was struck on the left arm by a sword, blood spurting out, the pain causing him to tear up, "Go! Hurry up and go!"
After feinting with a sword strike, he turned and fled first, his three followers quickly covering for him as they all retreated swiftly.
"Hmph!" Lin Fuxiang walked back, still furious. Although she had the upper hand, Jin Xiuming's words had infuriated her so much that her chest continued to heave, creating enticing waves.
"Senior—" She stopped next to Zhou Heng, her eyes filled with a hint of doubt.
Before, Jin Xiuming and others had belittled Zhou Heng as worthless, and although such people couldn't be expected to speak good words, they had no reason to fabricate such a story without justification, so what was the point?
She was not a fool and suddenly realized that Zhou Heng had never really sparred with her from the start, only showing his talent in the Martial Path without ever displaying his true Realm!
Lin Fuxiang couldn't help but fix her beautiful eyes tightly on Zhou Heng, ultimately resting on his lips, as if a flower had grown there, captivating her gaze.
—Zhou Heng's lips were covered with fine fuzz, a sign that he had not yet grown into a full-fledged man, with little difference between his beard and the fluff.
Even if her father shaved, he would leave behind rough stubble, completely different!
An expert could preserve his youth forever, but could he reverse his body back to his teenage years?
"How old are you, really?" Lin Fuxiang vaguely felt that she might have been deceived in a grand way!
"Seventeen!" Zhou Heng had never planned to deceive her. It was Lin Fuxiang who insisted on calling him senior, so what could he do? Therefore, he answered confidently and added, "I'll be eighteen after the New Year!"
Lin Fuxiang almost fainted from anger!
She had been calling a boy two years her junior 'senior' all this while! Moreover, she had been coquettishly stubborn towards him, and now, recalling it, she felt her face burning hot, wishing she could find a hole to bury herself in!
How embarrassing!
It was infuriating! This youngster clearly knew she had made a huge mistake, yet he did not clarify it, just letting her continue with the mistaken impression, probably enjoying watching her make a fool of herself!
With her clear-cut yet deeply aggrieved beautiful eyes, she glared fiercely at Zhou Heng, her teeth grinding together.
"You bastard!" She blushed furiously, her beauty stunningly radiant.
Zhou Heng spread his hands and said, "I've always said I'm not any 'senior.' It was you who insisted on calling me that!"
Lin Fuxiang pondered and realized that it was indeed the case, yet who could have thought that a teenager could completely decipher her Flying Waterfall Sword Technique? Who could have thought that a teenager with a single sword stroke could leave her without any ability to parry or dodge?
After Zhou Heng helped her improve the Flying Waterfall Sword Technique, she naturally became convinced of Zhou Heng's senior status without any doubt. Who would have thought, who would have thought...
I really feel like dying!
Lin Fuxiang's pretty face blazed as she fiercely stared at Zhou Heng, hands on her hips, and said, "You little rascal, you made Sister look so silly, how are you going to compensate me?"
What, all of a sudden she became a sister from a junior, and he had dropped from a senior to a little rascal?
Zhou Heng smiled at this strikingly beautiful girl, who was hiding her embarrassment with anger, and scratched his head, saying, "What do you want?"
Lin Fuxiang propped her chin and thought it over. Strictly speaking, she had gained a huge advantage; after the improvement, the Flying Waterfall Sword Technique could be said to be invaluable, instantly becoming the most powerful martial arts technique in the Nine Spirit Sect!
But having made such a big fool of herself, could she really let this detestable person off so easily?
More importantly, this scoundrel had not shown the slightest remorse, just looking at him infuriated her!
"I came to the mountains hoping for some luck because I wanted to give Daddy a New Year's gift!" she reasoned, clapping her hands, "Here's the deal, you help me find a gift that satisfies me, and I'll let bygones be bygones!"
This scoundrel's strength was formidable; together, they could definitely slay a Demon Beast of the Bone Refinement Realm!
Zhou Heng couldn't help but smile and said, "If I prepare it for you, wouldn't it lose its original purpose?"
"What's important is the thought!" Lin Fuxiang shot him a look, finding him even more annoying to behold, which only fueled her anger more.
"Since the thought is what counts, then any gift should do the same!" Zhou Heng followed her cue.
"You—" Lin Fuxiang was about to explode with rage, how could there be such an infuriating person!
"Alright, let's go find a gift!" Zhou Heng nodded, suddenly recalling that his own father would also be returning for the New Year, and he wanted to get Zhou Dinghai a present as well.
Lin Fuxiang glanced at him, wondering how this little devil, this little rascal, had suddenly changed his mind.
Could it be that he was trying to please her?
Hmph, she was not that easy to deal with!
The two set off, searching the vast wilderness.
Pingtian Mountain Range was a massive treasure trove teeming with precious Spirit Grass and Exotic Fruits, rare metals, and Demon Beasts! Some of the beasts were only good for food, but others were like complete tonics, their effects not any less potent than that of Spirit Grass!
However, finding Spirit Grass, minerals, or Demon Beasts in the mountains depended solely on tremendous luck!
Moreover, with the mountains now sealed by heavy snow, their task became even more challenging.
The entire day went by without any finds. As night fell, they found a clean cave and ducked inside, setting up a fire to ward off the bitter cold. Lin Fuxiang's embarrassment had not subsided, and she had no intention of speaking to Zhou Heng.
Zhou Heng was more than happy to have some peace, leaning against the cave wall and closing his eyes, he began to study the Sky-soaring Second Form.
From initially struggling to make progress, to gradually mastering the shape, now to perceiving a hint of its essence, Zhou Heng felt that the deeper he grasped it, the less energy it took to execute the Sky-soaring Nine Forms, yet its power paradoxically grew greater.
The Sky-soaring Nine Forms, as if naturally created by the universe, required one's own True Yuan Force to forcibly drive the sword technique if one only mastered its shape. However, understanding its essence allowed one to resonate with the universe, a movement of the sword, and the universe responded.
Zhou Heng had a fervent pursuit of the Martial Path; with a towering mountain ahead waiting for him to conquer, he was filled with excitement, hardly in the mood to deal with a sulking miss.
Seeing Zhou Heng with his eyes closed in meditation, Lin Fuxiang could not help but feel fury bubbling inside her again.
Was she so unattractive that this scoundrel wouldn't even give her a proper glance, but instead shut his eyes completely! She knew how many young prodigies in the Nine Spirit Sect circled around her, thrilled even to exchange a few words with her. Now, Miss Lin was right beside him, and this scoundrel had the audacity to close his eyes and feign meditation?
Detestable!
Lin Fuxiang's lips twitched slightly. In her mind's eye, she imagined Zhou Heng kneeling at her feet, crying and begging for forgiveness. Caught in her triumphant fantasy, she couldn't help but laugh out loud.
As the laughter escaped her lips, she knew she had slipped up. Sure enough, she caught Zhou Heng giving her a bizarre look!
Scorned! She had actually been scorned!
She was so embarrassed and angry that she almost banged her head against the rock.
She turned her back to Zhou Heng, her beautiful eyes fixed on a slightly protruding rock on the cave wall as if it were Zhou Heng. She gritted her teeth with hatred, drawing circles in the dirt with her delicate hands, eventually succumbing to sleep without realizing it.
"This horrible man! I definitely, definitely, definitely will take care of you!"
She muttered in her sleep.
PS: I think this chapter turned out to be quite fun!