Volume One: Storms in a Small Town Chapter Six: The Four Great Sacred Lands

When he saw Murong Qingxue, even someone as seasoned as Zhang Heng—who had already died once—almost made a fatal mistake. After regaining his composure, Zhang Heng hurriedly clasped his hands in greeting, as was customary in novels, and said, “Miss Qingxue, you’ve come. Please, take a seat.” With that, he moved a chair out, gently wiped it with his sleeve, then waved Xiao Hong away, signaling her to leave.

Murong Qingxue nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then walked lightly over to the chair. Once she was seated, Zhang Heng fetched his own chair and sat facing her, asking, “May I inquire as to the purpose of your visit today, Miss Qingxue?”

Although Zhang Heng suspected she had come to break off their engagement, he doubted that a woman of such refinement would utter anything uncouth; thus, he remained courteous. Besides, given her extraordinary talent—already at the Clear Spirit Realm—he didn’t want to risk offending her and getting beaten up. That would be a disastrous loss.

Murong Qingxue smiled gently and said, “I heard that you were injured today because of me, Young Master Zhang. I feel ashamed, so I have brought a Heart-Cleansing Pill to aid your recovery.” Her voice carried an ethereal quality.

She then opened the small purple wooden box in her hand, and immediately, a refreshing scent wafted through the room, soothing the senses.

Indeed, those blessed with beauty are rarely lacking in voice; this was an unbreakable law.

Wait a minute, wasn’t she supposed to break off the engagement? Why has this turned into a visit, and she’s even brought a Heart-Cleansing Pill?

Zhang Heng was inwardly bewildered; once again, things were not following the script. Did he look like someone who needed a Heart-Cleansing Pill?

With a serious expression, Zhang Heng said, “Miss Qingxue, you are too generous. My injury today is entirely due to my own lack of skill”—not that he’d ever learned anything properly, for that matter—“Your visit alone is greatly appreciated, but the pill is too precious; I dare not accept it. Please, take it back.”

Heart-Cleansing Pills, as Xiao Hong had once explained, were merely ordinary healing medicines and not particularly rare.

Did she really think one pill could compromise his dignity as a man? Impossible.

At least two would be required.

Upon hearing Zhang Heng’s words, a hint of surprise flickered in Murong Qingxue’s beautiful eyes.

She spoke again, “Young Master Zhang is indeed remarkable; even a fourth-tier Heart-Cleansing Pill cannot tempt you. Then I shall take it back for now and return another day.” With that, she closed the wooden box and rose to leave.

What? A fourth-tier pill? Are you sure it’s fourth-tier? Why didn’t you say so earlier? Now he truly felt he’d lost out—a fourth-tier pill crafted by a master alchemist!

In all of Liunan City, there wasn’t even a third-tier alchemist, let alone a fourth-tier. The city’s leading alchemist, Master Situ Bo, was only second-tier. A single fourth-tier pill could match half the Zhang family’s wealth; Zhang Heng suddenly felt as if he’d lost a fortune.

Ah, though it was a pity, a fourth-tier pill would likely be wasted on his useless body.

“Miss, please wait,” Zhang Heng called out urgently as he saw Murong Qingxue about to leave.

Having lived two lives, Zhang Heng had grasped her true intention: she was here to break off the engagement, and the Heart-Cleansing Pill was meant as compensation.

Murong Qingxue turned back with a smile and asked, “Is there something else, Young Master Zhang?”

The saying goes, “A single smile upon turning back, and a hundred charms are born; the palace beauties pale in comparison.” This was surely such a moment.

Zhang Heng sighed inwardly; the girl was too kind-hearted. Well, he should be the one to speak.

He rose, smiled slightly, and said, “Miss Qingxue, you’ve come today to annul our engagement, haven’t you?”

Murong Qingxue was clearly taken aback but soon replied, “Since you’ve guessed it, Young Master Zhang, I’ll be frank. I am indeed here today about the engagement.”

With that, she produced a jade token from her bosom and placed it on the table.

Having suffered a loss once, Zhang Heng wasted no time in taking the token, fearing Murong Qingxue might change her mind.

It was round, a bright emerald green, exquisitely crafted, translucent, and engraved with the characters “Linglong.” It felt weightless in his hand, though it would surely fetch a good price.

But this was the Immortal Cultivation Continent—what use was such a thing? It wasn’t as valuable as the fourth-tier Spiritual Gathering Pill from earlier! Zhang Heng was speechless.

He supposed Murong Qingxue saw him as an ordinary mortal. Giving him a fourth-tier Spiritual Gathering Pill would be pointless; better to gift a jade token he could sell, ensuring a comfortable life in his next existence.

He fiddled with the jade token, preparing to accept it, when he noticed Murong Qingxue watching him in surprise.

“It seems Young Master Zhang is indeed knowledgeable; even the identity token of Linglong Sanctuary is familiar to you,” Murong Qingxue remarked calmly.

At her words, Zhang Heng nearly dropped the token, his hands trembling as he managed to place it back on the table.

Pretending to be calm, he said, “Please don’t misunderstand, Miss. I’ve simply never seen a Sanctuary token before and couldn’t resist examining it. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

Despite his outward composure, Zhang Heng’s heart was in turmoil.

He didn’t know much about this world, but he had seen the second page of “The Record of Cultivation World Sects,” which mentioned Linglong Sanctuary.

Linglong Sanctuary—one of the Four Great Sanctuaries.

The Four Great Sanctuaries were the highest powers in the cultivation world, its core guardians, wielding incredible influence and worshipped by all. Any disciple from such a sanctuary would receive the highest honors from the Seven Ancient Kingdoms.

Linglong Sanctuary was the most unique of the four, as it only accepted women—those with extraordinary gifts.

Thus, though Linglong Sanctuary had the fewest members, it was the one not to be trifled with, for reasons best left unsaid.

Once Zhang Heng had collected himself, Murong Qingxue retrieved the token and spoke calmly, “I did not show you the identity token to boast, but to inform you: to cultivate Linglong techniques, one must first cultivate a Linglong heart. Since I am now a disciple of Linglong Sanctuary, I cannot be entangled in worldly emotions. Whether it is you or anyone else, I cannot fulfill the marriage contract. I have come today to resolve this matter and hope for your understanding.”

Zhang Heng looked at the woman before him and replied magnanimously, “This arrangement was nothing more than a jest among our elders and cannot be taken seriously. You need not trouble yourself over it.”

But inwardly he thought, Silly girl, even if you wanted to marry me, I wouldn’t dare accept.

Linglong Sanctuary was no laughing matter. If they learned I harbored intentions toward one of their disciples, even ten lives wouldn’t suffice.

The core cultivation method of Linglong Sanctuary was “Linglong Sacred Art,” which, according to the texts, required practitioners to remain pure-hearted, free of desire, severing love and attachment, wholly devoted to the path.

Thus, all Linglong Sanctuary disciples were like untouched immortals.

Murong Qingxue spoke truly: once admitted to Linglong Sanctuary, one could no longer live as ordinary women, marrying and bearing children.

Zhang Heng felt aggrieved. For a woman as beautiful as Murong Qingxue to be denied emotion—what a waste of such a treasure.