In search of the big fish, the very one they had suspected showed up of their own accord the very next day.

Elder Xia Fuli was still as attractive as ever, graceful, with fair skin, bright eyes full of spirit, and his beard-stroking gesture exuded an extraordinary bearing, making him the most handsome among the high ranks of Wu Kang Mountain.

When they arrived at the Punishment Court, they couldn't find Pang Tiansheng. On inquiry, they learned that Pang Tiansheng had volunteered for an assignment off the mountain and his return date was indefinite, so someone was temporarily managing the affairs of the Punishment Court in his place.

Actually, it was because he feared Shi Chun and the other would settle scores, so following the Sect Master's words, Pang Tiansheng had made himself scarce.

Fortunately, the real person whom Elder Xia wanted to meet wasn't Pang Tiansheng; getting someone else to summon the pair was just as good.

Upon hearing the news and seeing this elder, Shi Chun immediately activated his right eye's superpower. At a glance, he inwardly gasped, confirming his suspicion.

He saw that the fog-like Elder Xia indeed harbored a cluster of demon flames within his belly. Its scale and the intensity of its darkness, as revealed by the light it emitted, surpassed those of Xiang Laner and Sun Shigang; even the Feng Chi was no match.

This was not beyond Shi Chun's expectations. The gap in cultivation was clear, and it was said that Elder Xia's cultivation had already stepped into the Human Immortal Realm.

This was far more tempting than the allure Bian Weiyin had offered; Shi Chun licked the corner of his mouth.

Wu Jinliang subconsciously glanced at Shi Chun's reaction beside him. Seeing the sudden gleam in Shi Chun's eyes, he understood instantly—this was indeed a big fish.

He knew Shi Chun all too well; once that look appeared in his eyes, unless absolutely necessary, he would not easily give up without taking a bite.

When the two approached, they still offered their respectful greetings, "Elder Xia."

Xia Fuli sized up the two men, feeling quite troubled. It was one thing for these two to stir up trouble on Wu Kang Mountain, but they had even dared to cause a commotion at the Sky Rain Meteor Conference; he was indeed impressed.

Initially, their participation in the Sky Rain Meteor Conference was chiefly his doing. He couldn't take their meddling any longer, worried it would expose him, and decided himself to send them away without reporting to the likes of Xiang Laner. Now, here they were, back with even more clout, and only the gods knew what mess they would create.

Of course, on the surface, he still smiled and nodded, "I heard about the Sky Rain Meteor Conference. The two of you did quite well." Glancing at the other disciples beside him, who were showing their respect, he tilted his head to signal the pair, "Come, walk with me."

His visit today was the result of discussions held by the Sect the previous day; some matters would continue to be discussed with the two of them, since he had been in contact with them all along.

There was no objection from Shi Chun and his companion; they immediately followed him.

After some strolling and sightseeing, Xia Fuli directly took them to a tall pavilion at the edge of the mountain, with a view overlooking the entire Lankang City.

This pavilion also served as a lookout point. Xia Fuli gestured for the guarding disciples to leave, leaving the three of them to take in the view as the wind whistled by.

After peering into the distance and observing nearby for a while, Xia Fuli suddenly said, "Shi Chun, I heard you came to Wu Kang Mountain because you took a fancy to Xiang Laner?"

Shi Chun was slightly taken aback, thinking, whether I have taken a fancy to Xiang Laner or not, wouldn't you, an insider of the Demon Path, know?

Since the other party was feigning ignorance, he played along, "Whatever do you mean by that, Elder Xia?"

Xia Fuli said, "I don't know if it's a misunderstanding, but Bian Weikang genuinely is under one. Deceived by his most trusted friend, and what's more, coveting his own woman, you can imagine how he feels, seemingly mad with rage. He nearly rushed off to the capital to find you both. To avoid any incidents, the Sect had no choice but to detain him."

This matter had already been mentioned to Shi Chun by Xiang Laner.

Still, he and Wu Jinliang showed a look of surprise, waiting for his next words.

Xia Fuli glanced at their reactions and, seeing that they were pretending, he couldn't be bothered to quibble and continued, "Wu Kang Mountain cannot keep him detained forever. Once he is released, how will you face him? To resolve this matter, the solution is quite simple. Better not to meet; as long as you leave Wu Kang Mountain, the issue will naturally pass. What do you think?"

Shi Chun asked, "Do you intend to expel us from the Sect?"

Xia Fuli turned around to face him, "Let's not use such harsh words. You both were never truly disciples of Wu Kang Mountain. You know it, we know it, and everyone in the world knows. Temporarily filling the numbers, splitting up afterward, it's something everyone can understand.

As we are both aware, Wu Kang Mountain will not allow you to become true disciples. Even if you insisted on staying, you would achieve nothing in this lifetime. Why bother?

Of course, you have indeed done a great service for Wu Kang Mountain this time around; we won't let you leave empty-handed. Whether it's money or something else, it's all open for discussion."

He pointed to his chest, "The Sect entrusted me to come and talk to you. Furthermore, if you truly fancy Xiang Laner, we can compel her to leave with you, to become your woman."

This wasn't his genuine intention, but he had to put it forward this way. As he said, this was the decision made by the Sect after collective deliberation following Bian Jixiong's return yesterday.

Of course, the decision was not final; there were many ways to disrupt the outcome from the sidelines.

Shi Chun said, "Elder Xia, this is too sudden. May I take some time to consider?"

"Fair enough, take your time to think it over. Once you've decided, come find me," Elder Xia Fuli left after dropping these words.

Shi Chun and the other did not return to the Punishment Court. Instead, they went directly to see Xiang Laner, without any attempt to hide their intentions.

Xiang Laner was still living in that cramped courtyard, like a bird trapped in a cage.

Glancing around the environment, Shi Chun asked, "Have you seen Bian Weikang?"

Xiang Laner shook her head, "Not allowed to see him for now. What brings you here?"

"Xia Fuli just came to find me..." After Shi Chun fully relayed what Xia Fuli had just told him, he asked, "They believe the story that I went to Wukang Mountain because I like you, but it's something you all made up. What should I do now?"

This information had, in fact, been leaked to them by Xia Fuli not long after the Wukang Mountain Sect made their decision yesterday.

Xiang Laner fell silent, "You said you came to Wukang Mountain to find someone. Have you found them? If you have, would leaving not be an issue?"

Shi Chun suddenly showed a hint of desolation, "I found that person long ago, actually. But I don't want to leave Wukang Mountain."

Found them? Xiang Laner was surprised and tentatively asked, "Since you've found them, why do you not want to leave? You should be aware that Wukang Mountain is not a place for you to stay long-term."

Shi Chun sighed, "Because I know very well that she won't leave with me. Given the current situation, I probably won't be able to stay on Wukang Mountain much longer. They'll definitely force me to leave. I'm considering whether I should tell her the truth and confess that I like her."

What? Wu Jinliang looked as if he'd been struck by lightning, slowly turning his head to look at Shi Chun. He didn't believe that Shi Chun was the type to talk about love and romance. Shi Chun was someone who talked about benefits, not feelings.

"..." Xiang Laner was truly startled as well. After all this time, this guy had come to Wukang Mountain for a woman?

That made sense. His actions never did seem like those of someone from the Demon Path, as no one from there acted so recklessly and willfully.

For a woman, though, that seemed more understandable.

She couldn't help but cave to her curiosity. Besides, she would definitely need to ask; hesitating for a moment, she asked softly, "Bian Weiyin?"

Wu Jinliang was also thinking of that woman, mumbling to himself.

Shi Chun shook his head, "She's more beautiful than her."

Wu Jinliang tried hard to remember.

Xiang Laner pondered blankly for a moment. A woman more beautiful than Bian Weiyin among the Wukang Mountain disciples? She couldn't come up with an answer, as her interactions with Wukang Mountain disciples were limited. Unable to think of anyone, she ultimately gave in and asked, "Who?"

Shi Chun said, "I grew up in the Land of Exile. I never saw such a beautiful woman there. She's the most beautiful woman I saw after leaving the Land of Exile. The moment I saw her, I fell for her and did many foolish things for her."

Xiang Laner frowned, sifting through the timeline she knew. This guy hadn't been on Wukang Mountain long after leaving Life Prison, had he? Which Wukang Mountain beauty could he have met during that time?

Lost in thought and finding no leads, she couldn't help but confirm, "Who exactly is she? Since you're willing to share this secret with me, isn't it because you hope that we can help you? Knowing who she is, we can then judge whether we can help you or not."

Shi Chun looked into her eyes, "It was right after I came out from the Land of Exile, upon arriving at Zhaotian City, that I saw her for the first time and was astonished by her beauty. Truly, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in the Land of Exile, and she is the most beautiful woman I've seen in Zhaotian City."

A woman disciple of Wukang Mountain? Someone he saw in Zhaotian City? Who could it be? Xiang Laner and Wu Jinliang's minds raced with thoughts, completely enticed by what he was implying.

"Unfortunately, I got to know her a bit too late. She already had a man, and my heart was in tatters. Later, when I saw that her man failed to buy her freedom, I actually felt quite happy..."

This revelation was truly shocking, and Xiang Laner and Wu Jinliang's gazes shot towards him like lightning.

"Shut up!" Xiang Laner said in surprise, interrupting him with an angry look on her face, "The woman you're talking about... is me? Are you making fun of me?"

Shi Chun stared into her eyes and said, "Teasing you? Why do you think I wanted to help Bian Weikang with your redemption? I had just come out from the Land of Exile, a stranger in a strange land, yet there I was, ready to offend Lv Taizhen, the local power in Zhaotian City. Did you really think I did it just to earn some money? Did you really think I wanted to infiltrate Wukang Mountain to find someone? Aside from Bian Weikang, I didn't know a soul on Wukang Mountain. I came looking for a spirit."

Xiang Laner said mockingly, "Remember when you kidnapped me? You didn't hesitate at all with the knife; the memory is still fresh. Is that how you 'like' me?"

Shi Chun retorted, "You startled me back then; it was an instinctive response for self-preservation."

Xiang Laner's face was laced with sarcasm, "Such a pack of lies. You sold me to Lv Taizhen and let Cen Futong and others kidnap me—is that your way of showing 'affection'?"

Shi Chun explained, "The plans and deals that Cen Futong and the others knew about were all deceits I fed them. I was simply using them to take you away from Bian Weikang. Later, I was planning to use them to get rid of Bian Weikang. Once the son of the Wukang Mountain Sect Master is dead, why would Lv Taizhen dare to take you in? When I discovered your true identity and realized you didn't actually like Bian Weikang, I felt glad and went with the flow, following you to Wukang Mountain."

Wu Jinliang, looking down at his toes, had made up his mind. He knew that Shi Chun was not someone who would fall head over heels in love. If he ever did talk about love, there must be a problem. He sighed and said, "Originally, the plan was to let Cen Futong play the villain. Once Bian Weikang died, you would naturally end up with him. Sigh, Shi Chun truly likes you. I can vouch for that. He even calls your name in his sleep; he's really tormented by his feelings."

As for past events, Xiang Laner's memory was somewhat hazy, but she was now thoroughly agitated and annoyed by their words, "Stop feeding me this nonsense. Don't think for a second that I don't know about you, Shi Chun, sneaking around with Bian Weiyin behind my back!"

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