Volume One, Chapter Nine: Instant Affinity

The next morning, Su Haoming rose early, meticulously prepared himself, and brushed away the fatigue from the previous night. In high spirits, he hummed a tune as he stepped out of his room.

Just as he pushed open the door, he saw Liu Ruoxi already practicing in the courtyard. A faint mist of water swirled around her, the swordlight flowing gracefully like drifting clouds and flowing water. It was clear she had fully comprehended the "Flowing Cloud Thirteen Forms" learned the night before.

"Ruoxi, how is your training going?" Su Haoming asked with a smile as he approached.

Liu Ruoxi sheathed her sword and turned to him. "Not bad. Are you heading out today?" She glanced at his neatly dressed appearance with slight curiosity.

"Yes, I’m going to Fengling City to take care of some business," Su Haoming replied casually, though a flicker of nervousness stirred within.

“What kind of business requires you to dress so carefully?” Liu Ruoxi frowned slightly, her gaze sharp.

Su Haoming’s heart skipped; he decided to half-truthfully say, “To be honest, I’ve acquired a few Foundation Establishment Pills and plan to trade them. I arranged to meet some cultivators in the city.”

“Foundation Establishment Pills?” Liu Ruoxi was momentarily stunned. “Where did you get those?”

“By chance. The details are better not spoken of,” Su Haoming feigned mystery. “But they’re definitely authentic.”

Liu Ruoxi studied him for a moment, then said suddenly, “I’ll go with you.”

“Ah?” Su Haoming was startled and quickly waved his hand. “No need, right? It’s just a simple transaction. Why would you come?”

“I’ve resumed my cultivation and want to purchase some resources in the city anyway,” Liu Ruoxi replied calmly but firmly. “Besides, I don’t feel comfortable with you going alone.”

Su Haoming found himself caught between a rock and a hard place: on one hand, there was the planned meeting with Lin Feixue; on the other, Liu Ruoxi’s insistence on accompanying him. If the two potential soul mates were to meet, the situation would be… complicated.

“But…”

“It’s settled,” Liu Ruoxi interrupted. “Wait for me a moment; I’ll change clothes.”

Su Haoming hesitated but eventually sighed. It seemed today’s date was likely ruined. He silently calculated how to handle things so neither Lin Feixue nor Liu Ruoxi would be upset. “Well, let’s take it as it comes.”

Soon, Liu Ruoxi changed into a light blue long gown, holding her long sword, looking exceptionally graceful. Since recovering her cultivation, her demeanor had changed, becoming more confident and composed. The two walked out side by side and boarded a Green Leaf flying treasure heading toward Fengling City.

“Can this flying treasure only carry two people?” Liu Ruoxi suddenly asked.

“Ah? Yes,” Su Haoming replied, puzzled but inwardly uneasy.

“So if there were a third person, they couldn’t come along?” Liu Ruoxi mused.

Su Haoming’s heart tightened—had she noticed something? He hurried to explain, “This is just a temporary flying treasure. The family has other, better flying devices.”

Liu Ruoxi fell silent, her gaze fixed on distant Fengling City. Su Haoming’s heart fluttered nervously as he prayed for no mishaps today.

Upon arrival at Fengling City, Su Haoming hesitated briefly before deciding to contact Lin Feixue and cancel their meeting. He took out a communication jade slip, about to send a message, when Liu Ruoxi suddenly spoke beside him.

“Who are you contacting?”

“Uh… the cultivator buying the Foundation Establishment Pills,” Su Haoming improvised quickly. “I’ll tell him to discuss another day.”

“No need,” Liu Ruoxi said. “Since the meeting is arranged, let’s go. I’m also interested in the pill trade.”

Su Haoming’s headache intensified. Things had just become more complicated. He gritted his teeth and brought Liu Ruoxi to the Apricot Blossom Pavilion. His mind raced, trying to devise strategies, but no matter what, today’s situation was bound to be awkward.

“Su Dao friend, we’ve arrived,” Liu Ruoxi’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

At the pavilion entrance stood Lin Feixue, dressed in white, exuding a cold and aloof air. Her gaze naturally landed on Su Haoming, then shifted to Liu Ruoxi by his side, frowning slightly.

Su Haoming forced himself forward, about to introduce them, but Lin Feixue spoke first: “Miss Liu, long time no see.”

“Miss Lin, indeed it has been a long time,” Liu Ruoxi responded, calling out her name.

Su Haoming was dumbfounded—so they knew each other?!

Before he could recover from the shock, Lin Feixue continued, “I didn’t expect to see you here, Miss Liu. I heard recently that you…”

“Miss Lin, no need for further words,” Liu Ruoxi interrupted. “The past is past. Shall we go inside and talk?”

Lin Feixue nodded. “Please.”

The three entered the Apricot Blossom Pavilion, greeted by the fragrance of incense. Su Haoming followed behind the two female cultivators, feeling utterly at a loss—the situation had completely slipped beyond his control.

Once seated, Lin Feixue looked directly at Su Haoming. “Su Dao friend, I didn’t expect you and Miss Liu to be acquainted.”

“Uh… yes, it’s fate,” Su Haoming mumbled vaguely.

“Fate?” Lin Feixue smiled lightly. “I wonder in what capacity you know Miss Liu?”

Liu Ruoxi quickly answered, “We are spouses.”

At this revelation, a flicker of shock crossed Lin Feixue’s eyes before she regained composure. “I see. It seems Su Dao friend has far more secrets than I imagined.”

Under the intense gaze of the two women, Su Haoming felt sweat pouring down his face. Trying to cover up, he said, “Lin Dao friend, the main reason I invited you today was about the Foundation Establishment Pills…”

“We’ll discuss the pills later,” Lin Feixue interrupted, turning to Liu Ruoxi. “Miss Liu, since you are Su Dao friend’s partner, do you know where he recently obtained so many rare treasures?”

Liu Ruoxi shook her head. “I was just about to ask the same.”

Their eyes shifted back to Su Haoming, who felt his throat go dry. “Well… it’s a long story…”

“We have all the time,” Lin Feixue said calmly.

“Wait,” Liu Ruoxi suddenly said, turning to Lin Feixue. “Miss Lin, you cultivate the ‘Ice Soul Heart Sutra,’ don’t you?”

“Exactly,” Lin Feixue replied, somewhat surprised. “How did you know?”

“I once practiced a similar technique,” Liu Ruoxi nodded. “I heard there is a bottleneck at the third level of the Ice Soul Heart Sutra that requires a special method to overcome. Is that right?”

Lin Feixue’s expression changed. “Miss Liu, you’re truly well-informed. That is correct—I’m currently stuck at that bottleneck.”

“I happen to have a solution,” Liu Ruoxi said slowly. “Why don’t we move somewhere more private to discuss it?”

Su Haoming was about to interject, but Liu Ruoxi had already stood. “No need to worry, we’ll be back soon.”

And so, the two female cultivators rose and left, leaving Su Haoming sitting alone at the table, utterly confused.

“What… what’s going on?” Su Haoming scratched his head, deeply puzzled. “What exactly is their relationship? Why do they want to talk alone?”

Unable to fathom, he anxiously waited in his seat. The tea before him had gone cold, and the sunlight outside gradually tilted westward. Time seemed to stand still at this moment.