Painting of the Nine Immortals

The giant Sun was hanging high in the sky – it was noon.

Before the Tower of Tomorrow’s Moon, Yu Wu Xiu’s eyes were flickering as she stared at the man before her the same way she would look at a treasure.

However, despite the evil thoughts stirrings in her, her appearance remained gentle like water.

Ling Xian was faking as well. Though he looked like he had no idea what was going on, his heart felt as cold as ever. He had seen through Yu Wu Xiu.

He knew very well that this woman was nowhere near as gentle as she appeared to be. She had a very devious heart and could be described as emotionless. There was only ever one goal for her.

To step onto the peak of the world and rule all.

To achieve this goal, she was willing to sacrifice everything and use whatever method that was required of her.

The Ling Xian inside the Hidden Territory was one of the stepping stones she sacrificed to achieve her goal.

[After hearing about my talent, you are getting some ideas, aren’t you?] Ling Xian darkly laughed to himself. The reason why he so carelessly lifted all those arrays was to plot this.

After all, his real cultivation level could not be exposed right now. Therefore, he could only display his natural talent with arrays.

It was pretty obvious that Yu Wu Xiu was getting ideas. His smile became more complicated. There was both sadness and happiness.

The sadness he felt was because this woman once again was treating him like he was merely something to sacrifice. The happiness he felt was that if this woman would truly use that treasure against him again, then his inner demons would be released and he would finally get over Yu Wu Xiu.

“What a rare array genius. When I saw your great skills at first, I thought you were an inheritor of some grandmaster.”

Yu Wu Xiu kindly grinned. It was like a gush of spring wind lifted her cheeks, coupled with her very delicate face, which was extremely attractive.

Most men would be drowning in her gentleness.

Luckily, Ling Xian had already seen through her. Though he made himself look very enticed by her, he was more clear-minded now than ever.

“You have flattered me. I am merely a newly admitted pupil to the Path of Craft.”

“The Path of Craft?”

Yu Wu Xiu was shocked at this and smiled, “Interesting. An insane genius whose talent is unparalleled in arrays decided to choose to learn crafts. Could it be, that your talent with crafts surpasses your talent with arrays?”

Ling Xian appeared embarrassed by this and mumbled mindlessly, “I don’t really know which area I am more talented in. I did become a Ninth Realm Craftsman after one night though.”

“After one night?”

Yu Wu Xiu was completely stunned. Even with her experience and mentality, she still couldn’t help but be shocked at this.

She originally was merely asking without any expectations since she didn’t think Ling Xian’s talent with crafts would be greater than her talent with arrays. But now, she was reconsidering. To have entered the ninth realm after one night required a very high natural talent.

Though it didn’t indicate that his crafts talent is greater than his array talent, they were probably of the same caliber!

This made her eyes shine and her heart was “wavering”.

[it is true. You are a woman who loves talent after all.]

Ling Xian revealed a smile as if he wasn’t suspicious at all. Yet his heart was getting colder and colder.

The reason why he spoke of his achievement with crafts wasn’t to gloat. It was to increase his bid and bait Yu Wu Xiu.

It appears that his decision was correct. The woman was now very interested in him.

“I cannot believe that such an interesting character came to my Tower of Tomorrow’s Moon.”

Yu Wu Xiu played with her bangs, her ways graceful and alluring. Looking at Ling Xian, she gently smiled, “A Heaven’s Favorite with a tenth level of Qi and talent in both arrays and crafts. This is the first time I am meeting someone like this.”

“You have flattered me. Your level of beauty is something I have seen for the first time.” Ling Xian grinned and complimented.

The reality was the Yu Wu Xiu was very beautiful; to a point where people feel desperate. Out of all the women he’d met, only a few could try to compare.

“You little fella sure know how to talk.”

Yu Wu Xiu smiled kindly, then, she picked up her steps and headed towards the Tower of the Tomorrow’s Moon.

“Come on in, I have things to discuss with you.”

Hearing this, Ling Xian beamed and lifted his legs to enter the Tower.

After he entered the Tower of the Tomorrow’s Moon, his eyes became flooded with sorrow. The determination he had was also slipping away.

Luckily, he reorganized his emotions and suppressed his inner demons.

[A familiar place, a familiar person. But this time, it is a hidden battle between us.]

Silently sighing, Ling Xian followed Yu Wu Xiu up the stairs as he glanced at all the too familiar structure of the Tower.

It was identical to the one in the Hidden Territory. It was merely missing some warmth and had an extra layer of coldness.

[My inner demons have formed. No matter what, I have to break free. In other words, I have to end things with this woman.]

Sighing, Ling Xian’s expression turned serious. He came to the rooftop of the Tower with Yu Wu Xiu.

“Come and sit.”

Yu Wu Xiu asked with a smile. She waved around her arm and two white cups appeared on the table. Then, leafy greens dropped into each cup and spiritual water began to fill them up. A thick fragrance exuded.

“Young man, come and try this bamboo tea.”

Warmly grinning, Yu Wu Xiu picked up her cup and sipped it.

At this, Ling Xian did the same and praised. He complimented, “Great tea.”

“As long as you like it.” Yu Wu Xiu had a smile on her face as she stared at the man before her with admiration in her eyes.

It was obvious that she had her eyes on him.

To be so young and to have more array knowledge than grandmasters, these things alone proved his natural talent. Plus his cultivation level was of the tenth level, which added to his cultivation talent. Finally, he became a Ninth Realm Craftsman overnight. Why wouldn’t she consider him as a target?

[He has great natural talent in both cultivation and the different professions. Combining all factors, he is a good candidate.]

Thinking so, Yu Wu Xiu was getting more serious with her decision to strip Ling Xian of his talent. However, her heavenly treasure could only be used once, so she had to be cautious.

[I will test him first. His cultivation is low right now so he can’t escape from me.] Yu Wu Xiu confidently smiled.

[But, how should I test him?]

As she thought about it, she remembered the problem the Shang Qing Sect was facing and got an idea.

Though she had already seen Ling Xian’s overpowering array skills, because the treasure she had would only give her one chance, she had to be very careful. Therefore, she decided to test Ling Xian’s array skills.

“I am Yu Wu Xiu. What is your name?” Yu Wu Xiu gently smiled.

“Great name.”

Complimenting at random, Ling Xian smiled, “I am Xian Ling.”

“This name… sounds familiar.” Yu Wu Xiu frowned, feeling like she’d heard of him before.

After Ling Xian rejected the four peak leader and chose the Path of Craft, everything about him circulated around the upper management of the Shang Qing Sect. It wasn’t that this entire event was so astonishing, it was that this entire ordeal was far too strange.

What did it mean to have a Royal Leveled talent? It meant he was a Heaven’s Favorite that countless people strive to become. It meant he could walk far on the cultivation road.

Yet this Heaven’s Favorite with such potential rejected the four peak leaders and chose a profession. Just how unbelievable?

Calling him stupid was an easy statement.

Therefore, the moment he rejected the four peak leaders, this news acted like it had wings and flew all around the Shang Qing Sect’s elders.

Since Yu Wu Xiu was one of the descendants of the original leader of the Shang Qing Sect, her seat in the Sect was extremely honorable, which meant, of course, she’d heard this news. She simply didn’t think too much of it.

Now that the name “Xian Ling” was being mentioned again, of course, it felt familiar.

After some time, she remembered all about Ling Xian and her eyes brightened. It wasn’t because of how strange of a thing he did, it was because of his talent.

Royal Leveled.

To have this level of talent already displayed how his extraordinary talent had surpassed most people.

Therefore, Yu Wu Xiu’s smile intensified, “Xian Ling, you have surprised me yet again.”

“You are flattering me. I am an ordinary pupil.”

Ling Xian’s beam deepened as well. To Yu Wu Xiu, it was a reaction of being happy.

The reality was that he was really happy. But the reason for this wasn’t that he acquired her compliment, it was that he was ways with her.

Though this also pained Ling Xian and made him feel sad, he would rather Yu Wu Xiu plot against him again so he could find closure.

“The reason why I asked you to come, is to ask for a favor.”

Yu Wu Xiu smiled, “A while ago, the protective array of the Shang Qing Sect was having problems and all of the grandmasters of arrays inside the Sect had no solutions. So no progress has been made.”

“The protective array was having problems?”

Ling Xian frowned, “You are saying you want me to fix the problems?”

“Smart.”

Yu Wu Xiu smiled faintly, “I have watched how fast you are with lifting arrays and how easy you found them. So I want you to go and try.”

“You have overestimated me. All the grandmasters can’t even solve the problem, how can I?” Ling Xian shook his head and didn’t agree.

He knew very well that the protective array of the Shang Qing Sect was of the utmost complexity. He also knew that this Sect had an array grandmaster. Therefore, he didn’t think he could fix the array.

“The general population have talents. Your array skills are not weak. Maybe you can provide some insight.” Yu Wu Xiu continued to smile, “Why don’t you go and try? If you fail it’s nothing, if you succeed, you will become someone the Sect will be thankful for.”

Hearing this, Ling Xian frowned and thought about it carefully.

Just like Yu Wu Xiu had said, trying won’t do him any harm. At the very most, it will cost him some time. But if he succeeds, his gains will be shocking.

He will become a hero and be treated with respect.

More importantly, he could play some tricks on the array to help him escape later.

Don’t forget, he was merely here to acquire a fortune, which was the same as pulling a tooth out of a tiger. If he could make the array useful to him, then his safety for when he left would be enhanced.

Thinking about this brightened Ling Xian’s eyes. “Might as well. I will take your advice and try.”

“Good choice.”

Yu Wu Xiu brightly beamed and stood up. She then leaped out of the Tower.

“Come, I will take you there.”