Transmigrating into the world of Jade Dynasty, I was targeted by the female lead in a reverse romanc

Another week later.

Li Xun and Yan Hong from Fenxiang Valley arrived at Liubo Mountain.

On the righteous side, the Qingyun Sect sent the most people, while Tianyin Temple and Fenxiang Valley only sent some elite disciples. In addition, some small and medium-sized sects came to help after hearing the news. Their numbers were roughly equivalent to those of the demonic sects entrenched in the north.

Li Xun was still wearing his spotless, magnificent robes, exuding an air of grandeur. From the moment he arrived, he subtly identified himself as a representative of Fenxiang Valley, discussing strategies against the enemy with Qi Hao, Faxiang, and others. However, his gaze kept drifting unconsciously toward the direction of the Xiaozhu Peak disciples, especially lingering on that aloof, snow-white figure.

He remembered the stunning beauty and chilling sword light of the Qingyun Sect female disciple at the foot of Kongsang Mountain. Now, seeing her again, she seemed even more aloof, and... even more dazzling.

During their several "chance encounters," he tried to strike up a conversation, discussing the movements of the Demonic Sect and exploring the mysteries of Taoism. Lu Xueqi simply nodded indifferently, occasionally responding with a word or two, but then said nothing more. Her gaze was mostly fixed on the black figure not far away who always liked to chat and laugh with other female disciples or squat by the stove whispering with Zhang Xiaofan.

Jiang Xiaochuan has been acting strangely lately, and Lu Xueqi can sense it.

He would still patrol with her and eat the food she cooked, but she could keenly sense that subtle, deliberate distance again. He wasn't as open as before; instead, he seemed more cautious, and sometimes his eyes would wander away while he was talking. She didn't understand why.

But she didn't ask. Every morning, she would still appear outside the cave on Dazhu Peak on time, wait for him, watch him dawdle as he came out, and then they would leave together on their swords (or spears).

When she saw him laughing and talking with his fellow female disciples, she would frown slightly, then walk away and silently wipe Tianya. When he noticed and looked over, she would look away and pretend to be looking at the sea.

Li Xun saw all of this, and the resentment he felt from being ignored intensified. His gaze toward Jiang Xiaochuan was now occasionally tinged with scrutiny and a subtle coldness, but he couldn't show it due to his status and the occasion.

On this day, the two groups encountered each other on the mudflats again. After a small-scale battle, both sides suffered injuries and retreated back to their camp. While everyone was treating their wounds and taking stock of their losses, a patrolling disciple suddenly reported that the Demonic Sect had sent people to plant a sword in front of the mountain.

When everyone rushed over, they saw a long sword with an ancient design and hidden seven-star patterns stuck upside down in the sand and stones, its tassel swaying slightly in the salty sea breeze.

When Tian Buyi, Su Ru, and the others saw the sword, their expressions immediately changed.

"It's the Seven Star Sword!" Su Ru exclaimed softly.

A younger disciple nearby looked puzzled, so an older one explained in a low voice, "This is the sword that our sect leader, Dao Xuan Zhenren, wore in his youth, and was later passed down to his eldest disciple, Xiao Yicai. Now, his sword has appeared in the hands of the Demonic Sect..."

Everyone's hearts sank.

Sure enough, soon after, a message came from the Demonic Sect, the voice carried far by spiritual power, echoing through the mountains, carrying undisguised malice and mockery:

"Listen up, you hypocrites of the Qingyun Sect! Your disciple who infiltrated in disguise has been exposed and captured by the Sect Master of my Holy Ghost King Sect! If you want him to live, it's simple: have that Jiang brat from your Dazhu Peak come alone to Black Wind Cliff in the north tomorrow at noon to exchange for him! If he's late, he'll be collecting this Junior Nephew Xiao's corpse! Hahahaha..."

The laughter faded into the distance, leaving behind only deathly silence.

All eyes turned to Jiang Xiaochuan in the crowd.

Tian Buyi and Su Ru's faces were ashen. Qi Hao frowned. Zeng Shushu opened his mouth, but swallowed back what he wanted to say. Lin Jingyu clenched his fist. Zhang Xiaofan's face turned pale, and he subconsciously moved closer to Jiang Xiaochuan. Wen Min looked at Jiang Xiaochuan with concern, and then at Lu Xueqi, who was radiating coldness.

Tian Ling'er's eyes reddened with anxiety, and she grabbed Jiang Xiaochuan's arm, crying, "Xiaochuan! You can't go! It's definitely a trap!"

Jiang Xiaochuan didn't speak, but just looked at the gray, misty northern cliffs shrouded in demonic energy in the distance. His face was expressionless, even a little too calm.

Lu Xueqi had been staring intently at him. From the moment she heard those words, her gaze had never left his face. Seeing him like this now, the string that had been taut in her heart suddenly tightened, causing her a sharp pain.

"The demonic cultists are cunning and treacherous; they must not be trusted!" Qi Hao said in a deep voice. "Junior Brother Jiang, this matter requires careful consideration. We should inform our master..."

"I'll go," Jiang Xiaochuan suddenly interrupted him.

The sound wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the surroundings.

"Xiao Chuan!" Su Ru exclaimed, and Tian Buyi looked at him abruptly.

Jiang Xiaochuan turned his head to look at Tian Buyi, his eyes calm, and even nodded very slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Tian Buyi's facial muscles twitched, and his chest heaved violently. He stared intently at his apprentice for a long time.

The wind was strong in front of the cave, making everyone's robes flutter loudly. Everyone held their breath and waited.

After a long while, Tian Buyi let out a heavy groan from his throat, closed his eyes, waved his hand, and said dejectedly, "You... take care of yourself."

"Father!" Tian Ling'er exclaimed in disbelief.

Jiang Xiaochuan looked at Su Ru again. Su Ru's eyes were filled with tears, her lips trembled, but she didn't say anything to stop him. She just nodded hard, her eyes full of worry and reluctance.

"I'll go with you!" Zhang Xiaofan took a step forward abruptly, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Me too!" Zeng Shushu shouted as well.

"Don't make things worse!" Tian Buyi shouted sternly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on Jiang Xiaochuan. His voice was low and deep, "Let him go by himself."

Jiang Xiaochuan shook his head at Zhang Xiaofan and Zeng Shushu, giving them a reassuring look. Then, his gaze swept across the crowd, pausing slightly when it landed on that moon-white figure.

Lu Xueqi stood still, staring at him.

The sea breeze tousled the hair on her forehead, brushed against her pale cheeks and tightly pursed lips, and her clear eyes, now as deep as a cold pool, churned with emotions he couldn't understand, emotions so intense they were locked onto him.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt a sudden jolt in his heart and instinctively tried to avoid that gaze. He quickly looked away, no longer looking at anyone, and turned to walk towards the Demonic Sect envoy who was waiting beside him.

"Lead the way," he said to the messenger in a flat voice.

The messenger let out a strange laugh and turned to head north. Jiang Xiaochuan followed behind him, their black-clad figures quickly disappearing into the rugged rocks and thickening fog.

Everyone stood there, staring in the direction he had disappeared, speechless for a long time, the atmosphere so heavy it was suffocating.

No one noticed that shortly after Jiang Xiaochuan's figure disappeared, another moon-white, extremely ethereal figure, like a ghost merging into the mist, silently slipped out of the camp and cautiously followed him from a distance to the north.