Translation: Aerial Rain Translation (aerialrain.com) by koffeam

Pei Mufeng paused, probably afraid that Meng Qi didn’t remember himself, and reminded her: “We have met once in Beyond The Heaven.”

At Beyond The Heaven, visitors could either change their appearance at will or chose to use their real face. Meng Qi didn’t do any disguise, and Pei Mufeng didn’t need it. However, Meng Qi felt a bit odd. The two of them only exchanged a quick greeting outside the Heaven Auction House, and that was already a few days ago. Unexpectedly, the other party still remembered her and even invited her for a drink again.

Meng Qi raised her eyes and smiled. “Okay.”

Sikong Xing looked at Meng Qi, then at Pei Mufeng, and whispered, “Who is he?”

“My surname is Pei.” Pei Mufeng’s voice was not loud, “Pei Mufeng.” He cupped his hands politely at Meng Qi and Sikong Xing.

There were many bustling people in the square, and the three of them talked in close proximity. Unless they deliberately raised their voice, others wouldn’t be able to overhear their conversation.

“Sikong Xing.” Sikong Xing smiled beautifully and cupped her hands back.

“Meng Qi.” Meng Qi also introduced herself.

Three people carried their own sword-shaped lanterns and walked slowly across the crowd. Meng Qi felt a bit amused. The Pei Mufeng’s image in her mind was a sword fanatic who couldn’t wait to practice swords twenty-four hours a day, every single day. Unexpectedly, the man also had such a relaxing side and strolled around Xingluo City during the lantern festival.

“It’s so lively here.” Sikong Xing was the most easygoing among the three and was very quick at familiarizing herself with strangers. This was the case with Meng Qi, and now she also didn’t treat Pei Mufeng as an outsider. “I heard from my friend about the legend behind Xingluo City’s lantern festival. It is very romantic. The sword cultivators I used to know are all so cold and ruthless. There was no such a story in my birthplace, which is very interesting.”

Pei Mufeng said nothing.

There was a large restaurant next to the square. At this moment, the four-story building was almost full. Pei Mufeng handed a second-grade spirit stone to the waiter, who guided them to the fourth floor with a full smile and especially found them a table by the window.

Sitting by the window, Meng Qi looked at the scenery outside. Lanterns of various colors were lighted all over the city. It was so beautiful, like a sea of stars.

“How beautiful!” Sikong Xing exclaimed again and again, “I like this place so much!” She turned to look at Meng Qi: “Meng Qiqi, next year’s lantern festival, let’s visit Xingluo City again!”

Meng Qi “…”

Big sister, you really think so far. It is still one year later, ah.

The shop’s waiter quickly delivered three bowls of sweet rice wine to the table, with golden osmanthus flowers and soft rice dumplings floating on it.

Sikong Xing was very excited. She was really fond of the food in Three Thousand Worlds. Whenever Sikong Xing had time, she would invite Meng Qi to eat. On the way from Fentian City to Xingluo City, whenever they passed through a city or town, she would drag Meng Qi to taste the local cuisine.

“Are you two coming here to participate in the Medical Cultivator Conference?” Pei Mufeng asked.

“Yes.” Meng Qi nodded. She was actually curious why Pei Mufeng made such a deal to host the Medical Cultivator Conference in Xingluo City. Part of the reason why today’s lantern festival was so lively was because of the influx of cultivators visiting Xingluo City for the conference.

“I am not a medical cultivator yet, but I also want to become one.” Sikong Xing put down the porcelain bowl containing the sweet rice wine and said seriously, “So, I’m following Meng Qiqi to participate in the Medical Cultivator Conference.”

Pei Mufeng nodded. He was not a talkative person and a sword cultivator on top of it, so it was really hard to find a conversation topic with two girls.

Meng Qi was not much better. The two sat opposite each other and had nothing to speak about for a long time. Fortunately, there was Sikong Xing there. Otherwise, the atmosphere would be very awkward.

“Huh?” Sikong Xing was sitting with her cheek rested on her arm, watching the scenery outside while describing what she saw to Meng Qi. She suddenly patted Meng Qi’s arm and pointed to the east direction of the city: “Flames are burning on the sky over there. Is that a firework?” As she spoke, Sikong Xing squinted her eyes: “No! That’s from outside the city, and that’s not a firework, but the light from a spell!”

Sikong Xing was a fourth-rank demon cultivator, equivalent to the Nascent Soul in human cultivation rank. Her five senses were much sharper than Meng Qi. Meng Qi looked in the direction she pointed, only to faintly see some lights flashed on the horizon.

“Someone is making the lights.” Sikong Xing said, “Shall we go and see?”

“It’s in the direction of the conference’s venue.” A sharp light flashed in Pei Mufeng’s eyes. “I have to go.” He grabbed the sword-shaped lantern placed on the side and stood up.

Meng Qi and Sikong Xing also stood up. Sikong Xing was a little excited. “Meng Qiqi, let’s go take a look.”

“Be careful and follow me.” Pei Mufeng said. He took out another second-grade spirit stone and threw it in front of the waiter.

“Let’s go.” Pei Mufeng raised his hand. The next moment, the three of them were outside the window, standing on a long sword and flying past the Xingluo City towards the direction of the lights.

The sword flew extremely fast, but it was very stable. The night sky’s wind seemed to be blocked by an invisible barrier, completely unable to get to them.

Meng Qi squinted her eyes slightly. The scene in front of her was somewhat familiar, evoking a sense of nostalgia

The group of three quickly flew past the high walls surrounding Xingluo City. The area below them gradually became dark. The long sword cut through the night sky and increased its speed.

Now that they were much closer, Meng Qi could see that the lights were flashing intermittently. Smokes of various colors occasionally flashed under the light’s shadow. They were indeed man-made.

Between the lights’ interval, there was a long sword swiped across. It was obvious that the person was also a sword cultivator.

“Be careful.” Pei Mufeng helped Meng Qi and Sikong Xing get off, then the sword became smaller and finally floated next to him, shining coldly.

“Pavilion Master.” In the darkness, two men in tight brown robes rushed over them. They first saluted Pei Mufeng, then quickly glanced at Meng Qi and Sikong Xing.

“Let’s stay a bit further.” Meng Qi pulled Sikong Xing’s arm and led her to the side. After a certain distance, Sikong Xing exclaimed in a low voice, “Pavilion master? Meng Qiqi, is that Pei Mufeng actually the master of Xingluo Pavilion? That pavilion master who promised to enter the Starfallen Sea for ten years?!” Sikong Xing’s eyes were wide open with astonishment. “He is actually so young.”

“Yeah.” After a bit of hesitation, Meng Qi nodded.

Pei Mufeng didn’t hide his name from them and probably didn’t have any intention to conceal his identity from the beginning. After all, his name was widely-known in Three Thousand Worlds. Not many cultivators, especially sword cultivators, who never heard the name ‘Pei Mufeng.’

“It’s really him!” Sikong Xing turned her head to look at Pei Mufeng. In the dark night, the young man stood tall, straight and steady like a green pine, with a sharp sword gleaming coldly on his side.

There was a glimmer of curiosity and admiration in Sikong Xing’s beautiful eyes. She was about to begin gossiping with Meng Qi when she suddenly remembered something and asked in a low voice, “Meng Qiqi, I heard…Xingluo Pavilion Master negotiated the right to hold the Medical Cultivator Conference in Xingluo City is for a female medical cultivator. Who is that female cultivator?”

“I don’t know.” Meng Qi shook her head.

“Hehe.” Sikong Xing was full of gossip, “To make someone like Pei Mufeng fall head over heel, she must be a stunning beauty, and very strong and kindhearted. I’m very curious.”

Meng Qi shook her head with a smile. She actually liked Sikong Xing. Just like Su Junmo, Sikong Xing was always full of vitality and curiosity. But she wasn’t as talkative or noisy.

The two didn’t wait too long. After listening to the disciples’ report, Pei Mufeng turned around and walked towards them.

“It’s disciples from three sects exchanging pointers. Nothing serious.” He said: “It’s getting late. I’ll send you back.”

Sikong Xing’s curious gaze quickly swept over Pei Mufeng’s face.

“If fellow Daoist is busy, we can go back by ourselves.” Meng Qi cupped her hands. “No need to trouble you.”

“Yes, yes.” Sikong Xing chimed in, “I’m with her. It would be alright.”

Meng Qi nodded towards Pei Mufeng, turned around, and walked towards the city with Sikong Xing. She felt that the situation was not so simple. The five-color smoke she saw earlier looked like a poisonous fog. When disciples of friendly sects exchanging pointers, poison was rarely being used. This was a tacit understanding between the medical cultivators. But since Pei Mufeng said that, she didn’t ask much. Xingluo City was Pei Mufeng’s site. With him here, even if something happened, nothing serious would happen.

When Meng Qi and Sikong Xing returned to Ruyi Inn, the lantern festival was almost over. The streets had become much deserted than before. As soon as they entered the courtyard they rented, they were welcomed by Su Junmo’s anxious look.

“You two finally came back!” As soon as he saw the girls, he rushed towards them. “I’m about to search for you!”

Su Junmo first examined Meng Qi up and down: “Are you all right?”

“What happened?” Meng Qi asked.

“Ah!” Su Junmo nodded. “Do you remember Xue Chengxuan from the Xue Clan?”

“……of course.” Meng Qi was almost speechless. It was only a few days. How could she already forget the person?

“I was drinking with him tonight. Halfway through, a messenger from his sect came over. His youngest sister, who was supposed to arrive today, was kidnapped on the way.”

“Ah!” Sikong Xing asked worriedly, “What happened then?”

“The girl was returned, but she was poisoned.” Su Junmo continued.

“And then?” Sikong Xing asked again.

“I’ve seen Xue Chengxuan’s youngest sister twice before. She is a very lively little girl. It is said that her talents in cultivation and medic are particularly amazing. She is also greatly favored by her father, the current head of Xue Clan. Originally, she was supposed to depart to Xingluo City together with Xue Clan’s head. But I don’t know why, she departed first. In the end, she was poisoned on her way to Xingluo City.” Su Junmo sighed. “I followed Xue Chengxuan to see his sister. As Xue family’s daughter, not only she was powerless against the assailant, she even got poisoned. This is a bit suspicious.”

Su Junmo finally stopped talking. Instead of going on, he looked at Meng Qi and asked: “Meng Qiqi, what do you think?”

Su Junmo finally stopped talking. Instead of going on, he looked at Meng Qi and asked: “Meng Qiqi, what do you think?”

“Xue Chengxuan’s youngest sister is a member of Feng Alliance’s Xue Clan.” Meng Qi didn’t have any particular thought. “But if her age is still young, it’s not too strange if she encountered a stronger cultivator and got poisoned.”

“The poison that harmed her is from the Devil Realm.” Su Junmo continued. “Xue Chengxuan is almost certain. It is a venom extracted from a fifth-rank devil beast, then mixed with some poisonous plants that only grow in the Devil Realm. The poison is potent enough to kill Xue sister, but in the end, she was sent back alive to Xingluo City.”

“Seems to be a provocation for the upcoming Medical Cultivator Conference, isn’t it?” Meng Qi said.

“Right?” Su Junmo replied. “I think so too. Now the best medical cultivators from the four realms are gathering in Xingluo City, and the culprit poisoned Xue Clan’s most favored daughter. This is clearly making an enemy with Feng Alliance and slapping the face of the whole medical society!”

“Yeah.” Meng Qi nodded.

“Xue Chengxuan has always been well-mannered. I have known him for so long, and this is the first time I saw him getting angry. He was so angry that his face turned blue. Tsk…” As Su Junmo spoke, he glanced at Meng Qi cautiously.

“Su Junmo!” Sikong Xing couldn’t stand it anymore. “What do you mean by looking at Meng Qiqi like this? Who is Xue Chengxuan? Does he have anything to do with Meng Qiqi?”

“It was before we went to Huajiang Manor.” Meng Qi explained with an indifferent tone. “I’ve only met him once. He is Su Junmo’s acquaintance.”

“Hey, I’m not talking about this. Meng Qiqi, I thought you probably don’t want to hear about him.” Su Junmo said.

“Why?” Meng Qi asked.

“Didn’t he…show a bad attitude towards you before?”

Meng Qi was stunned for a moment before she finally remembered. That day in the Xuanyun Villa’s courtyard at Huajiang Manor, after Meng Qi refused to go saving Lu Qingran, Xue Chengxuan indeed alienated her quite a lot.

But Meng Qi couldn’t understand. So what about it? She and Xue Chengxuan were not close, only a first-time acquaintance. But it was true that they had similar ideas.

“I’m fine.” She waved her hand, “I’m not so narrow-minded.”

“Um…” Su Junmo said hesitantly, “Xue Chengxuan is waiting for his father and other clan elders to arrive at Xingluo City. They should be able to solve Xue sister’s poisoning. It’s just, Meng Qiqi…” He looked at Meng Qi: “Since someone deliberately made such a provocation, I’m afraid that this Medical Cultivator Conference won’t go on smoothly. Do you…still want to participate?”

“Let’s take a look first.” Meng Qi replied. They were already in Xingluo City, and she also had her own purpose. Although Xiao Qi’s jackdaw grass’ poisoning was finally cured, that was only the lightest injury on his body. The complicated internal injuries that Meng Qi couldn’t even fully identify were the biggest problem.

The brightest minds in the medical society of Three Thousand Worlds would come to gather at the conference. Meng Qi hoped to find a clue to treat Xiao Qi’s internal injuries there.

“Alright.” Su Junmo nodded, “But you must protect yourself well. I have a hunch that this is just the beginning. Since the other party dared to provoke even the Xue clan, they definitely won’t stop so easily.

“Okay.” Meng Qi agreed. She knew that Su Junmo spoke so much to explain this matter was because he was worried about her. Meng Qi smiled, “Thank you for your concern.”

“Then you girls should rest soon.” Su Junmo was about to return to his room when hurried knocks suddenly came from the courtyard gate.

“Excuse me, is Young Master Su here?”

Su Junmo stopped. He said to Meng Qi in a low voice, “It’s from Xue clan.”

Su Junmo stepped forward to open the courtyard gate. A young cultivator stood over there. He hurriedly bowed towards Su Junmo and said: “Young Master Su, please forgive me for disturbing you at such a late night. But my family’s young master asked you to come.”

Su Junmo nodded and asked, “Does something happen?”

“Our Miss’ poison is a bit troublesome.” The young cultivator’s complexion was not very good. “Our Young Master asks Young Master Su to have a look.”

“Okay.” Su Junmo agreed.

Meng Qi listened on the side. Her curiosity suddenly stirred. According to what Su Junmo said just now, Xue family’s young Miss was poisoned by a fifth-rank devil poison. This definitely was not a big problem for Xue Clan.

But Xue Chengxuan suddenly had to call Su Junmo in the middle of the night. There must be something tricky about the poison!

Meng Qi suddenly felt itchy, and her fingers subconsciously moved slightly.

She wants to go too!

She really wants to see this devil poison that troubled even the Xue clan’s heir!

Meng Qi took a deep breath and made up her mind. She pursed her mouth, and before Su Junmo could speak, she already walked towards him. “Can I go too?” Meng Qi raised her head and asked.

Su Junmo “…”

“Then I want to go too.” Sikong Xing immediately jumped to Meng Qi and stared at Su Junmo with bright eyes.

Su Junmo “…”

It wasn’t impossible to bring them, especially because Xue Chengxuan already knew Meng Qi.

But why does he feel like an old father who was going to bring his two daughters to play!