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

The three waited under the eaves outside the hall, chatting casually. (Mostly Zeng Shushu did the talking, Qi Hao occasionally chimed in, and Jiang Xiaochuan mostly listened.)

As the sun gradually slanted westward, it cast long shadows of the three people.

After another incense stick's time, the door of Yuqing Hall opened again.

Lu Xueqi came out, her light blue dress shimmering softly in the setting sun.

Her face remained expressionless, but her eyes seemed calmer than when she entered. Upon seeing the three of them, she nodded slightly.

Almost simultaneously, two people walked out of the side door; they were Tian Buyi and Su Ru.

Tian Buyi still had that stern face, while Su Ru had a gentle smile on her face. Her gaze first fell on Jiang Xiaochuan, and after looking him over carefully, she saw that he was in good spirits, and then a genuine smile appeared in her eyes.

"Master, Mistress," Jiang Xiaochuan quickly bowed.

Tian Buyi grunted in agreement, his chubby face showing little emotion. He glanced at Jiang Xiaochuan with his small eyes and said in a deep voice, "Since Senior Brother Sect Leader has already made arrangements, you should prepare to set off. There's no need to go back to Dazhu Peak, so as not to waste time."

Jiang Xiaochuan was taken aback: "Huh? Master, I... I haven't prepared anything yet."

His change of clothes, dry food, medicine, and his meager savings were all still in that small house on Dazhu Peak.

Su Ru stepped forward, took out a heavy blue money bag from her sleeve, and stuffed it into Jiang Xiaochuan's hand, saying softly, "Here is fifty taels of silver. Take it. When you're out in the world, buy whatever you want, whatever you need, and don't skimp on yourself."

As she spoke, she reached out to straighten Jiang Xiaochuan's collar and gently brushed away non-existent dust from his shoulders.

Jiang Xiaochuan held the money pouch, still warm from Su Ru's body, and felt a surge of warmth in his heart, his nose stinging with tears. "Thank you, Master's wife."

"Okay, go ahead. Be careful." Su Ru gave him another deep look before withdrawing her hand and returning to Tian Buyi's side.

Tian Buyi waved his hand, as if to shoo people away.

Jiang Xiaochuan carefully put the money bag into his pocket and placed it close to his body before turning around and walking back to Qi Hao and the others.

Seeing that everyone was present, Qi Hao said loudly, "Now that Junior Sister Lu has come out, and Senior Uncle Tian and Senior Uncle Su have given their instructions, let's prepare to set off. According to the sect rules, Tongtian Peak is protected by the Zhuxian Sword Formation, and apart from the heads of each branch and the sect leader, other disciples are not allowed to fly on swords. We need to walk to the Cloud Sea Square at the foot of the mountain first, and then fly on our swords from there to Heyang City to stay."

Zeng Shushu and Lu Xueqi had no objection to this, clearly knowing the rule.

Jiang Xiaochuan silently and slowly raised his hand.

The three of them looked at him.

"that……"

Jiang Xiaochuan touched his nose a little awkwardly, "Senior Brother Qi, Senior Brother Zeng, Senior Sister Lu...?"

He paused, and under Lu Xueqi's cold gaze, he forced himself to say, "I... am at the third level of Jade Purity, and I still can't control artifacts."

The air fell silent for a moment.

Qi Hao suddenly realized, then smiled gently and said, "It's alright. If Junior Brother Jiang doesn't mind, you can ride the Frost Sword with me."

"Hey! Follow me, follow me!"

Zeng Shushu immediately squeezed in, grinning, "Old Jiang, ride in my Xuanyuan Sword! It's stable! We can even 'exchange ideas' on the way!"

He blinked frantically at Jiang Xiaochuan, and it was obvious what those "insights" referred to.

Lu Xueqi glanced at Zeng Shushu with disgust, her gaze as cold as an icicle. Zeng Shushu felt a chill run down his spine, and the rest of his words caught in his throat. He gave a dry laugh, shrank back, and dared not utter another sound.

Lu Xueqi turned her gaze back to Jiang Xiaochuan, the coldness in her eyes instantly melting away, and her voice softened, carrying an unmistakable...gentleness?

"Ogawa, come with me."

Jiang Xiaochuan's heart skipped a beat. Lu Xueqi... she was calling his name more and more naturally.

He looked into her clear eyes, in which his image was clearly reflected, and there was a hint of barely perceptible expectation.

He knew he should agree. But the thought of "keeping his distance" kept popping into his head.

If they were riding on the same sword, so close together...

He avoided her gaze, coughed lightly, and said, "I... I won't trouble Senior Sister Lu. I'm heavy, don't tire you out. I'll trouble Senior Brother Qi, or Shushu will do."

The faint gentleness at the corner of Lu Xueqi's mouth vanished instantly, leaving her lips pressed into a straight line.

She didn't speak, but simply raised her eyes and coldly swept her gaze over Qi Hao and Zeng Shushu.

The gaze was devoid of emotion, yet Qi Hao and Zeng Shushu simultaneously felt an invisible pressure descend upon them.

Qi Hao's gentle smile froze, and Zeng Shushu shrank back, forgetting to wave his fan.

Qi Hao coughed lightly and spoke quickly, his tone extremely sincere:

"Junior Brother Jiang is joking. Junior Sister Lu has profound cultivation and abundant spiritual power. She will surely be able to carry people on her sword steadily."

With my meager skills, I can manage to fly on my sword, but if I were to take Junior Brother Jiang with me, I fear my spiritual energy would be insufficient, and we might fall halfway down the mountain. In that case, I would truly be willing to die a thousand deaths.

"Junior Brother Jiang, you should ride with Junior Sister Lu; it'll be safer."

He spoke with such seriousness, as if he hadn't been the one who had just extended the invitation.

Zeng Shushu nodded vigorously in agreement, echoing:

"Yes, yes! Old Jiang, Senior Sister Lu's Tianya is a divine weapon from the heavens, it's fast and stable to wield! My Xuanyuan Sword is just scrap metal, it's so bumpy, I hope it doesn't shake your breakfast out! Junior Sister Lu is so much better, Junior Sister Lu is so much better!"

Jiang Xiaochuan was dumbfounded.

Holy crap? Such a quick change of attitude?

He looked at Zeng Shushu in silence. Zeng Shushu forced a smile that was more like a grimace, his eyes saying, "Sorry, Lao Jiang, I'm scared too."

He then looked at Qi Hao, who kept his eyes down, looking completely oblivious, as if he knew nothing.

Jiang Xiaochuan was furious. Those two are so disloyal!

He remained silent for a moment, then finally gave in, lowered his head, and slowly moved to a spot a step behind Lu Xueqi, saying in a muffled voice, "Then... I'll trouble you, Senior Sister Lu."

Lu Xueqi gave a barely perceptible "hmm," turned around, and walked down the mountain.

Jiang Xiaochuan followed behind with his shoulders slumped. Zeng Shushu and Qi Hao exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of relief in each other's eyes, and quickly followed.

The four of them walked down the mountain path to Yunhai Square.

The huge square glowed with a golden-red light in the afterglow of the setting sun. The bustling scene of the day had long since dissipated, and now it was empty and desolate, with only wisps of mist slowly flowing along the jade ground.

Qi Hao was the first to summon the Frost Immortal Sword. The sword was long and slender, pure white, and exuded a chilling aura, making the surrounding temperature seem to drop several degrees.

With a light leap, he landed steadily on the sword, his white robes fluttering, exuding composure.

Zeng Shushu also summoned his Xuanyuan Sword. The blade was slightly wider than an ordinary immortal sword and had a faint purple hue. He jumped onto it, not forgetting to wink at Jiang Xiaochuan.

Finally, it was Lu Xueqi's turn. With a flick of her wrist, the Tianya Divine Sword silently slid out of its sheath, its deep blue light flowing quietly in the twilight like the deepest sea.

She stepped onto the enlarged sword, then turned to look at Jiang Xiaochuan, who was still standing on the ground.

"Come up," she said.

Jiang Xiaochuan looked at the sword blade, which was three feet off the ground, and then at Lu Xueqi's aloof profile. He took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and climbed up using both his hands and feet.

The sword was very steady and had a slightly cool feel to it. He stood behind Lu Xueqi, deliberately keeping an arm's length distance, his hands hanging at his sides, unsure of where to put them.

Lu Xueqi didn't turn around, but simply said, "Stand firm."

"Oh, okay," Jiang Xiaochuan replied, spreading his feet further apart and adopting what he considered a very stable horse stance.

"Hold me tight," Lu Xueqi said again, her voice still flat.

Jiang Xiaochuan was taken aback, his face flushing slightly: "No, no need, right? I can stand steadily."

He thought to himself, "In broad daylight... uh, under the setting sun, what kind of behavior is this, hugging and cuddling?"

Moreover, he had to keep his distance.

Yes, that's right. Keep your distance.

Lu Xueqi paused for a moment, then said, "If I fall, I won't be responsible."

Jiang Xiaochuan chuckled and blurted out, "You wouldn't." The Lu Xueqi he knew was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and had a strong sense of responsibility. How could she possibly throw him down?

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt the sword beneath his feet suddenly tremble!

"Why--!"