Chapter 914: Request from the Moon-Recalling Fairy

The wind rises across the Nine Provinces.

The wind rises across the Nine Provinces.

Nian Yuexian's actions had left Cheng Xiu like a taut bowstring, unable to release the arrow, and it was an incredibly uncomfortable sensation.

Seeing Lu Ye return was like a great pardon for Cheng Xiu, who quickly shot Lu Ye a pleading look.

Lu Ye grasped the situation and found it somewhat amusing, wondering how Cheng Xiu had managed to provoke Nian Yuexian to such an extent.

He stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, "My Lady, your subordinate has returned from patrol. There are no anomalies within a hundred-mile radius. Please give further instructions!"

Nian Yuexian simply hummed softly, then added, "Come find me later, I have something to tell you."

"Yes!" Lu Ye responded. When he looked up again, Nian Yuexian had vanished.

Cheng Xiu, standing nearby, was almost weak-kneed, his legs trembling as he said, "Brother Lu... please help me up!"

A moment later, inside the bamboo house, some color returned to Cheng Xiu's pale face. He looked at Lu Ye with a sigh of admiration.

Being able to serve under that person and remain so safe was quite a skill.

He grumbled inwardly but dared not voice any complaints. A Divine Sea Realm cultivator's spiritual perception was not to be trifled with, so he would never utter anything disrespectful.

He spoke only of business, handing over the Violent Fire Spirit Stones to Lu Ye.

After he finished counting, Lu Ye said, "Brother Cheng, please inform your superior that the collection time for the stones should be changed to once a month. Once every seven days is too frequent. Not only does it inconvenience you with all the back and forth, but I also need time for closed-door cultivation."

This suggestion was reasonable, and Cheng Xiu readily agreed: "I will report it to my superior when I return, but the final decision is not mine to make."

"You just need to state it clearly."

Cheng Xiu did not linger and soon departed.

After he left, Lu Ye approached Nian Yuexian's bamboo house. Before he could speak, Nian Yuexian's voice came from within: "Come in."

Lu Ye entered directly.

Nian Yuexian was waiting.

"What can I do for you, My Lady?" Lu Ye asked.

Since arriving at Fiery Flame Mountain Pass, Nian Yuexian had given him tasks only in the first few days and then left him largely unsupervised. So, Lu Ye didn't know why she was looking for him now.

His own strength was insignificant compared to Nian Yuexian's. "Let's put the matter aside for now. I need you to perform that spirit pattern once more!"

To truly understand the Twin Phoenixes Soaring spiritual pattern, she needed to experience it again personally. Only then could she decide whether to bring Lu Ye along.

"Of course." As Lu Ye nodded, his long saber was already out of its sheath. He drew it across his palm, letting blood flow, then extended his hand towards Nian Yuexian.

Nian Yuexian understood. When her fingertip grazed her palm, blood also welled from the wound.

Then, she gently placed her hand in Lu Ye's. The moment their hands lightly clasped, Lu Ye subtly raised an eyebrow.

He had to admit, her hand was incredibly soft, almost boneless.

During their previous near-death encounter, everything he did was an emergency response, so he hadn't truly savored the sensation. Holding it now felt like holding a smooth, warm piece of jade.

With focused mind, he activated his spiritual energy. In the next instant, the fresh blood in their palms transformed into two streaks of crimson light, which flew to the backs of their hands, taking the shape of single wings, vivid red like blood, lifelike.

The moment the Twin Phoenixes Soaring spirit pattern was successfully constructed, Lu Ye clearly felt the vast and profound power within Nian Yuexian's body. Conversely, Nian Yuexian also sensed the astonishing vitality within Lu Ye.

"Can't we let go?" Nian Yuexian asked.

Lu Ye shook his head: "Only through intimate physical contact can our physical foundations be shared."

This explanation was quite reasonable.

Nian Yuexian then asked, "What's with the vitality in your body?" Such immense vitality was not something a True Lake Realm cultivator should possess. Even some Divine Sea Realm body cultivators might not have such a profound foundation as Lu Ye.

"A fortunate encounter," Lu Ye replied casually, without elaborating.

Nian Yuexian did not press further but said, "Is there any other method that could lend me strength?"

Lu Ye thought for a moment and said, "One Heart's Link! If Twin Phoenixes Soaring targets the physical body, then One Heart's Link targets the soul. However, if we were to use it, there would be no more secrets between us. Compared to My Lady's soul, my soul's strength is negligible; it's better not to borrow it."

Nian Yuexian nodded, gracefully withdrawing her jade hand from Lu Ye's, and calmly stated, "I have a task for you."

"Please tell me, My Lady!"

Nian Yuexian took out her guard token and performed some maneuvers.

Lu Ye's expression became serious. Tasks assigned through the guard token were extremely formal and acknowledged by the Heavenly Secret; in other words, they could earn battle merits.

He immediately felt a mix of apprehension and anticipation as he checked his guard token.

Upon seeing the task's content, he couldn't help but chuckle wryly.

The task was simple: present three drops of Soul Cleansing Water to his Lady. What kind of task was this...

If she wanted it, she could just say so. He would naturally give it to her; there was no need to make it so complicated.

Lu Ye then took out a bottle from his storage bag and handed it to Nian Yuexian. There were clearly more than three drops of Soul Cleansing Water in the bottle, probably ten or more.

"That's too much; it exceeds my authority," Nian Yuexian frowned.

"Three drops are for the task, the rest are a humble offering from your subordinate, My Lady."

Nian Yuexian's expression became somewhat strange; the word "offering" made her feel old.

But it was Lu Ye's intention, so she accepted it readily.

The next moment, Lu Ye felt his battlefield imprint stir. He looked down to check and found that his battle merits had increased significantly.

Including his previous earnings from refining Violent Fire Spirit Stones, he now had nearly 230,000 battle merits.

In a few days, his two monthly stipends would be issued, adding another 60,000 battle merits.

Lu Ye didn't know what it was like for other True Lake Realm cultivators to earn battle merits, but since he arrived at Fiery Flame Mountain Pass, earning battle merits had always been easy for him, and they usually came in large sums.

"I grant you three days of leave. After three days, you will accompany me to a certain place."

"Where to?"

Lu Ye had asked casually, but Nian Yuexian showed no intention of hiding it from him: "Liyuan."

Lu Ye had never heard of Liyuan, so he quickly took out his detailed map to check. After confirming Liyuan's location, he couldn't help but look up at Nian Yuexian: "Liyuan, on the border of Bing Province and Wu Province?"

"Yes!" Nian Yuexian nodded.

Lu Ye was stunned: "What are we doing there?"

To go to that location, they would have to pass through the Myriad Demon Ridge's territory in Bing Province, deep into the heart of the Myriad Demon Ridge.

How dangerous!

Of course, they could choose a detour, but that would take a considerable amount of time. Given Nian Yuexian's temperament, she was unlikely to take a detour.

It was highly probable she would directly cross the entire Bing Province!

"Since I am going, I naturally have my reasons. This is not a task, but rather... a request. So, you may choose not to go. The three days are both a holiday and time for you to consider. Go, just give me your answer after three days."

"Your subordinate takes his leave!" Lu Ye cupped his fists and withdrew.

He finally understood. Nian Yuexian investigating the Twin Phoenixes Soaring and asking him for Soul Cleansing Water were all preparations for the journey in three days.

He didn't know what secrets were hidden in Liyuan, but for a powerful cultivator like Nian Yuexian to go there, it clearly held significant benefits.

Nian Yuexian gave him three days to consider, but for Lu Ye, there was no need to consider anything.

Since his Lady needed his strength, he was naturally duty-bound. He hadn't forgotten that Nian Yuexian risked exposure to save him when he was in danger in Lone Mountain City.

Although he later saved Nian Yuexian's life, making them even, human relationships were not transactions or bargaining chips.

If his Lady needed to go, he had to accompany her.

However, before that, he needed to make more preparations. At the very least, he needed to increase his life-saving capital. It seemed some of his newly acquired battle merits would have to be spent!

Emerging from Nian Yuexian's bamboo house, Lu Ye headed straight for the Heavenly Secret Hall.

He quickly connected with the Heavenly Secret and entered the Battle Merit Pavilion, following his memory to a stone platform.

On the platform was a treasure garment, an Upper-Grade Artifact-level treasure garment!

Among protective treasures like treasure garments and armor, cultivators of the spell-wielding faction had higher demands. This was because their physical bodies were not as strong as those of other factions, and with treasure garments and armor, they would have more means of self-preservation.

Blade cultivators generally didn't use them, especially for blade cultivators like Lu Ye who pursued their own combat techniques. Treasure garments and armor were more of a hindrance.

This was because, for blade cultivators, excessive protection was a barrier that diminished their proactive spirit. Long-term wear could easily lead blade cultivators to misjudge their own strength and reduce their vigilance and ability to seize combat opportunities.

Therefore, since the beginning of his cultivation, Lu Ye had never purchased any treasure garments or armor.