Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

The lights were off in the quiet room.

Only a few slivers of cool moonlight shone through the window paper, barely outlining the blurry contours of the room.

The crisp fragrance of plum blossoms in the air seemed even stronger because the two of them were in the same room, permeating every nook and cranny.

Jiang Xiaochuan lay stiffly on the outside of the bed, his back to Lu Xueqi, his body as tense as a stone, and he even deliberately kept his breathing light and slow.

Behind him, Lu Xueqi's steady, long breaths were right next to him. He could even feel her cool breath brushing against the stray hairs on the back of his neck, bringing a slight tickle.

They didn't do anything, they just slept in the same bed.

But this tranquil darkness, this breath so close at hand, this room filled with her scent.

But it made him more flustered than any words or touch.

One moment my mind is filled with thoughts of tomorrow's final match between Lu Xueqi and Tian Ling'er.

One moment it's the hideous wound on Tian Ling'er's shoulder and her stubborn eyes.

Then came Zeng Shushu's exaggerated screams as he was blasted away by Tianya...

It's a mess.

Just when he thought Lu Xueqi had fallen asleep or entered a meditative state, her clear, cold voice suddenly came from behind him. It was very low and exceptionally clear in the silence:

"nervous?"

Jiang Xiaochuan froze, not daring to move or utter a sound.

"Are you afraid I'll hurt Tian Ling'er too badly tomorrow?"

Lu Xueqi asked again, her tone calm and devoid of emotion.

Jiang Xiaochuan's throat moved, and finally, he let out a barely audible "hmm".

How could he not be afraid?

Lu Xueqi's strength is simply unfathomable.

He only needed two moves against Zeng Shushu, but against Tian Ling'er...

If she harbors resentment or intends to "teach a lesson," even if Tian Ling'er fights desperately, she probably won't get away with it and will inevitably suffer further injuries.

A rustling sound came from behind; it was Lu Xueqi moving.

She turned around to face his back.

Then, a cool arm reached out from behind, gently wrapped around his waist, and pulled him closer to its embrace.

Her body pressed against mine, warm and soft, yet cool, and unusually firm.

Her other hand reached over and grasped his hand, which was slightly curled up at his side due to nervousness. They intertwined their fingers and held each other's hands together.

This posture is too intimate.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt as if all the blood in his body had rushed to his head; his face was burning hot, and his body was as stiff as a fossil, unable to move an inch.

The tip of my nose was filled with a cool fragrance that was made even more intense by her breath and body temperature.

I could clearly feel the soft rise and fall of her chest and the beating of her heart on my back.

The arms around his waist and the clasped hands were like invisible chains, binding him firmly in this cool and domineering embrace.

"rest assured."

Lu Xueqi rested her chin on the top of his head, her voice close to his ear, carrying a strange, comforting power, yet each word was clear.

"I know what I'm doing. She's your senior, we grew up together, I won't really hurt her."

She paused, tightened her grip on his hand, and her tone turned cold:

"However, I will not hesitate to make her face the reality."

I want to be the champion of the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament.

I want you too.

If she remains stubborn and refuses to back down in the ring tomorrow, insisting on a fight to the death... I don't mind letting her stay in bed for a few more days. Let her think things through carefully.

The meaning couldn't be clearer—she would win, and there was no doubt about it.

If Tian Ling'er is sensible, she might be able to make a graceful exit; if she is not, and insists on pestering her, she wouldn't mind using some "forceful" methods to temporarily deprive Tian Ling'er of the ability to pester her.

Jiang Xiaochuan's heart tightened upon hearing this, and he couldn't help but speak, his voice dry and trembling with nervousness:

"Lu Xueqi, you...you mustn't do anything reckless!"

Senior Sister Ling'er is just stubborn and straightforward; she's not a bad person!

Tomorrow is the competition, you...you just have to compete normally, no, no...

"Don't do anything?"

Lu Xueqi interrupted him, her voice suddenly turning cold and carrying a hint of displeasure.

She released her hand from his, and instead raised her cool fingertips, pressing them precisely against his lips, which were slightly parted as he spoke, silencing him from saying anything more.

"Don't hurt her? Jiang Xiaochuan, are you pleading for her?"

She pressed her fingertips slightly against his lips, a gesture that carried a warning.

"Didn't I tell you not to plead for other women in front of me? Huh?"

Jiang Xiaochuan shivered at the coolness of her fingertips and the coldness in her words, and the rest of his words got stuck in his throat.

He wanted to explain, to say that he wasn't pleading for mercy, but simply didn't want to see fellow disciples fighting each other, and didn't want things to escalate further...

But looking into Lu Xueqi's unfathomable, icy eyes, so close to him in the dim light, he lost all courage to speak.

He thought to himself helplessly: Are we... really that close?

It seems so. She taught me cultivation, refined the Snow River, and we ate and lived together (although it was forced upon us). She even said... I belong to her.

But that doesn't give her the right to be so domineering and arbitrarily decide other people's injuries, does it?!

But he dared not say it.

He was afraid that if he spoke, the woman in front of him would do something even more terrible.

Looking at the complex expression in his eyes—a mixture of fear, helplessness, and dissatisfaction, yet a reluctance to speak—a barely perceptible hint of irritation, which even she herself was unaware of, flickered deep within her own eyes.

She didn't like him showing that expression for other women, even if it was fear and helplessness.

She withdrew her hand from his lips and wrapped her arms around his waist again.

She buried her face in the back of his neck, took a deep breath, as if drawing in his scent to calm the inexplicable restlessness in her heart.

After a moment of silence, she spoke again, her voice regaining its usual coolness:

"After the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, I will explain to my master, and then go to Dazhu Peak to propose marriage."

"boom--!"

Something seemed to explode in Jiang Xiaochuan's mind!

Proposing marriage?!

To whom should I raise this issue?

Should we ask Uncle Tian?

Marry him?!

Wow, that's way too fast!

What's going on with them now?!

She unilaterally declared him hers and is about to propose?!

Did you ask for his opinion?!

He suddenly tried to turn around, wanting to ask her what she meant, but Lu Xueqi's arm was tightly around his, preventing him from moving.

"You, you..." he stammered, his mind a complete mess.

"At that time," Lu Xueqi continued, seemingly oblivious to his shock, her voice even carrying a gentle anticipation.

"I'll tell you my biggest secret. About me, and about you. A secret you'd never guess."

She kept it a secret and didn't reveal it.

Rebirth in a past life, a long wait, unforgettable longing, and those fragments of memories belonging to the "future" that only the two of them know... Now is not the time.

She would only tell him slowly when their relationship was officially established, when he completely belonged to her and could no longer escape her.

Let him know why she is so persistent, and why she can't live without him.

Jiang Xiaochuan was completely confused. The biggest secret?

About him and her?

What earth-shattering secret could there be between them?

Could it be that she was also a time traveler?

This absurd thought flashed through his mind, only to be immediately dismissed.

impossible.

Lu Xueqi is Lu Xueqi, the aloof and peerless genius in the novel, but I don't know why her attitude towards him is so... strange now.

He opened his mouth, wanting to ask, but seeing Lu Xueqi's calm "I don't want to talk about it now" expression, he swallowed his words back.

Even if you ask, they probably won't tell you.

Whatever, do whatever you want.

In despair, he thought he might as well close his eyes and pretend to be dead.

Lu Xueqi knew he didn't want to talk to her, but she didn't care.

She simply hugged him tighter, lifted one leg, and unceremoniously placed it on his lap, completely encircling him in her embrace, forming an airtight, possessive posture.

She pressed her cheek against the back of his neck, feeling his warm skin and slightly rapid pulse, inhaling his clean scent, sighed contentedly, and closed her eyes.

"Go to sleep," she whispered, her voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of contentment.

Jiang Xiaochuan was stiffly held by her, his legs pinned down, unable to move. His nose was filled with her breath, his ears were filled with her breathing, and his body could feel every curve and warmth of hers...

No wonder I can't sleep!

But gradually, in this domineering yet exceptionally warm embrace, enveloped in the cool fragrance of plum blossoms, the physical and mental exhaustion finally overcame the tension and shame.

His tense nerves gradually relaxed, his consciousness began to blur, and finally he sank into darkness.

In the last moments before falling asleep, my mind was still vaguely filled with thoughts of: a marriage proposal... a secret... what kind of mess is this...?

The following day, at Yunhai Square, in the central main arena.

The crowds were immense, so large that it was impossible to move.

Almost all the Qingyun disciples, elders, and chief disciples who remained on Tongtian Peak gathered here.

The once-in-sixty-years Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament, the final battle for the champion, is about to begin.

Moreover, the two sides facing off are so special—Lu Xueqi, a peerless genius of Xiaozhu Peak, who is aloof and unparalleled, versus Tian Ling'er, the beloved daughter of the leader of Dazhu Peak, who is charming and lively.

This is not just a contest of strength; in the eyes of countless gossip enthusiasts, it is also the ultimate showdown of a certain "emotional belonging."

Yesterday, Lu Xueqi showed "special attention" to Jiang Xiaochuan, and Tian Ling'er made no attempt to hide her feelings for Jiang Xiaochuan.

It had already become widely known as the story spread far and wide during the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament.

Even before the final match began, it was already shrouded in a thick layer of ambiguity and tension.

"She's here! Senior Sister Lu is here!"

"Junior Sister Tian is here too! Look at her eyes, so fierce!"

"Who do you think will win today? I bet on Senior Sister Lu, one move!"

"That's not necessarily true. You all saw how hard Junior Sister Tian fought yesterday. She practically choked on her shoulders to beat Senior Brother Chang Jian! She might fight even harder against Senior Sister Lu today!"

"What's the point of fighting desperately? The difference in strength is too great. Senior Sister Lu's cultivation level is at least at the eighth level of the Jade Purity Realm!"

"Tsk, tell me, are they working so hard for the championship, or for...that person?"

"Who else could it be for? Jiang Xiaochuan from Dazhu Peak, of course! Hey, that kid, he really hit the jackpot!"

"It's more than just good luck! It's downright bad luck! Haven't you seen how closely Senior Sister Lu has been watching him these past few days? She follows him everywhere. Yesterday, Zeng Shushu just gave her a... cough cough, and Senior Sister Lu kicked him away!"

"Junior Sister Tian isn't bad either. Last night when I went to deliver medicine to her, I heard her crying in her room, muttering 'Jiang Xiaochuan, you bastard'..."

"Hey, you guys think, if they start fighting later, who would Jiang Xiaochuan want to win?"

"Who knows? But he doesn't look too good today, with really dark circles under his eyes. He probably didn't sleep well last night, right? Being caught between two women must be a tough experience..."

The murmurs were like a surging tide, buzzing and humming, with all sorts of opinions being expressed.

Jiang Xiaochuan was "held back" by Lu Xueqi and stood at the very front of the east side of the arena, in Lu Xueqi's exclusive "spectator area".

Those unvarnished and pointed comments pierced his ears like needles, making his face burn, and he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into immediately.

He endured it all, but finally couldn't bear it any longer. He turned around abruptly, and facing the few disciples from other branches who were talking the loudest and making faces behind him, he lowered his voice and asked angrily:

"What nonsense are you spouting! What 'peach blossom calamity'! What 'hope for someone to win'! This is the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament finals! It's a serious competition! Can't you think of anything meaningful?!"

The disciples were startled by his sudden outburst, then gave him an ambiguous "I understand, we all understand" look. One of the bolder ones chuckled:

"Junior Brother Jiang, don't get excited, we're just chatting casually. But seriously, Junior Brother Jiang, tell me the truth, which senior sister do you really hope will win today?"

"I..." Jiang Xiaochuan was speechless when asked the question, his face turned red, and after a long while, he finally managed to utter a sentence.

"I hope they're both okay! Let's have a normal competition! It doesn't matter who wins!"

"Wow, that's a very well-spoken statement!" another disciple teased.

"Junior Brother Jiang truly lives up to his reputation as someone who can win the favor of both Senior Sister Lu and Junior Sister Tian. His way of speaking is superb!"

Jiang Xiaochuan felt a tightness in his chest from anger, feeling that he couldn't communicate with these people at all.

Is there nothing else on their minds besides gossip about men and women?

He suddenly remembered the online novels he had read in his previous life, in which there was always a group of onlookers who, no matter what happened, could be shocked, discuss, and imagine countless melodramatic plots, just like a group of NPCs without self-awareness.

He now feels like he's in that kind of storyline, being watched and commented on by this group of "NPCs," which is utterly absurd!

He couldn't be bothered with them anymore, and angrily turned around to look at the arena.

With nowhere to vent the frustration in his heart, he could only glare fiercely at the two people who were already standing opposite each other on the stage.

On the arena, Lu Xueqi and Tian Ling'er stood several feet apart.

Lu Xueqi was still wearing that moon-white Taoist robe, with Tianya on her back, her expression was cold and calm, as if the thousands of discussions below the stage had nothing to do with her.

Her gaze swept lightly over Tian Ling'er opposite her, lingering for a moment on Tian'er's left shoulder, which was wrapped in thick gauze and was faintly bleeding, before moving away.

She looked down at Jiang Xiaochuan in the audience. Seeing his sullen expression, she smiled slightly.