「World Inside the Vase」

As time trickled by, Luo Qingxian gradually regained consciousness. The confusion in her eyes began to fade, slowly giving way to clarity.

However, upon realizing she was without a stitch of clothing and bound by Dao Law God Chains, her lovely cheeks couldn't help but blush, even with her steadfast Dao Heart that was unmoved by all things.

Watching Luo Xiu meticulously inserting needles for her treatment, she wanted to speak, but the tingling numbness that left her body limp and powerless only allowed her to let out a seductive moan.

Her face turned even redder. I can't believe I just made such an embarrassing sound!

But… that unprecedented, strange sensation was truly refreshing to the point of ecstasy. Her body felt weightless, completely relaxed, as if she were floating in the depths of the clouds.

She couldn't understand why her body was in such a peculiar state. Feeling utterly mortified, she quickly turned her head to the side, not daring to meet Luo Xiu's gaze.

Yet, she was also keenly aware that Luo Xiu was saving her.

The serious and earnest demeanor of the man before her brought her a sense of peace, and even a kind of inexplicable trust.

Thus, aside from gratitude, she harbored no other thoughts. She lay there quietly, pretending to be asleep and allowing the Divine Doctor to proceed.

However, the thought that her Highland Holy Body had been seen by a man she had just met—one she could hardly call an acquaintance—left a bitter taste in her mouth.

* * *

After a long while, Luo Qingxian's body suddenly tensed, and a strange moan escaped her nostrils.

She had never experienced such an intense sensation. She immediately panicked, her eyes flying open to look at Luo Xiu as she asked with difficulty, "What's… what's happening to me? What have you done to me?"

Luo Xiu's expression turned a bit awkward, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond.

If he had to give an answer… then Luo Qingxian at that moment was like a song reaching its most thrilling crescendo.

Luo Xiu quickly removed the Silver Needles from Luo Qingxian's body, then untied the Dao Law God Chain and walked to the other side of the room.

Soon after, the sound of trickling water reached him from behind her.

It was like a small spring bubbling forth from a cluster of fragrant flowers in a mountain valley.

* * *

"Fairy Luo, the Spring Poison has now been expelled. You can rest easy."

"Mhm."

Now fully dressed, Luo Qingxian sat on the ground hugging her knees and acknowledged him softly.

Not far from her, a patch of Immortal Herbs on the grass glistened with moisture, as if they had just been watered by a gardener.

Thinking back on that peculiar sensation and how she had lost her composure in front of Luo Xiu, she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

"You… are not to speak of this to anyone," she said, lifting her head to fix him with a serious, threatening gaze.

Luo Xiu smiled. "Of course not."

Luo Qingxian looked away, a hint of embarrassment in her voice as she asked softly, "What exactly did you do? Why did I… lose control like that?"

"Er… well…" Luo Xiu scratched his head. "It wasn't exactly losing control. Strictly speaking, it was a normal bodily reaction."

He continued, "You were afflicted with that poison. To detoxify it without… compromising your chastity, the only method I could think of was to use an acupuncture combination to stimulate certain acupoints, which ultimately purges the poison."

Luo Qingxian fell silent. She didn't fully understand his words, but she got the gist.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly clenched her fists, her eyes glinting with a bone-chilling killing intent. "I will definitely kill him," she said coldly.

Luo Xiu was taken aback. "You want to kill me?"

Luo Qingxian snapped back to her senses. "I'm talking about the person who poisoned me, not you."

"Ah, I see." Luo Xiu patted his chest, feigning terror. "You scared me to death. I thought Fairy Luo wanted to kill me."

Luo Qingxian slowly stood up. "Thank you for saving me."

Luo Xiu gave a carefree smile and waved his hand. "No need for thanks, it was a small matter. Just don't get any ideas about offering yourself in return."

"You wish!" Luo Qingxian couldn't help but retort coquettishly.

Recalling his earlier serious demeanor and contrasting it with his roguish air now, she felt as if he were two different people.

However, Luo Xiu's timely carefreeness eased the awkward atmosphere, allowing her to relax considerably.

Luo Qingxian smiled. "My heart already belongs to another, so unfortunately for you, you have no chance. But we can be comrades on the path of cultivation."

Luo Xiu feigned surprise. "The man who has captured the heart of the esteemed Plateau Holy Maiden must be quite extraordinary, right?"

Luo Qingxian stated proudly, "He is the strongest, most indomitable, and greatest man in the entire world."

"You hold him in very high regard."

Luo Qingxian asked, "Have you heard of the Azure Emperor?"

Luo Xiu's expression turned odd. Heard of him? I *am* him.

"So… the person your heart belongs to is the Azure Emperor?"

Luo Qingxian nodded lightly, readily admitting it.

Luo Xiu's expression flickered. I really am a magnet for this sort of thing. But now that the Holy Maiden has said all this, how could I possibly reveal my identity? If I told her who I am—setting aside whether she'd even believe me—she'd probably hold me to it. I'd be saddled with another debt of affection. Better not to say a thing.

With this in mind, Luo Xiu tentatively probed, "But didn't the Azure Emperor already… many years ago…"

"He's not dead!" Luo Qingxian cut him off sharply, her tone firm. "I believe he must still be alive!"

Luo Xiu was genuinely puzzled now. "But it seems you've never met him."

Luo Xiu's appearance hadn't changed from the past, only his name was different. If Luo Qingxian had ever met the Azure Emperor, she would have recognized him by now. Since she didn't, he was certain she had never laid eyes on the Azure Emperor. What puzzled him was how she could be so devoted to someone she had never even met.

"It's true, I've never met him. I don't even know what he looks like."

"In fact, when he was defeated in the Battle of the Boundless Heavens, I was still an unborn child in my mother's womb."

"Before I was born, he personally conferred upon me the title of Plateau Holy Maiden and left me numerous Cultivation Techniques and Taoist Arts."

"After I was born, the legends of his deeds were my constant companions as I grew up."

"But none of that changes the place he holds in my heart."

Luo Xiu smiled. "In that case, it sounds more like you worship him, rather than having the romantic feelings that exist between a man and a woman."

Luo Qingxian stated simply, "But in this world, only he can enter my heart."

Luo Xiu shrugged and changed the subject. "Speaking of which, we should probably get out of here."

"Alright."

After her assent, they both departed the World Inside the Vase.

「Within the dilapidated Golden Roc Nest」

"What are your plans now?" Luo Xiu asked.

"I want to leave the Ancient God Ruins and wander around the Shanhai Territory, take in the sights," Luo Qingxian replied. "I've gained a great deal during this trip to the Lower Realm, and I don't have the energy to explore any further." She then asked, "What about you?"

"I want to explore some other places," Luo Xiu said.

"But there's nothing left to explore in this Spirit Tomb," Luo Qingxian stated. "I broke the Fire Phoenix Sword Array during the last harvest ceremony, and you broke the Azure Dragon Sword Array this time. Someone went to the Taotie Sword Array, so it's likely been broken as well. As for the Qilin Sword Array, it was breached by a mysterious person not long ago. And I broke this Golden Roc Sword Array just a short while ago."

"Since all Five Divine Sword Arrays have been broken, it's true there's nothing left to explore in this Spirit Tomb," Luo Xiu agreed.

Suddenly, as if recalling something, Luo Qingxian waved her jade-like hand, and a ball of golden light materialized in her palm.

"Luo Xiu, you've saved me twice and even gave me the Golden Roc Inverse Feather. I don't want to be indebted to you."

"Take this."

Luo Xiu focused his gaze and saw a Key Fragment resting in her palm.

This is a real treasure! he thought. To me, this is far more valuable than the Golden Roc Inverse Feather!

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