Liu Lingran never expected to encounter Chen Qingyuan in the Renling Star Domain, initially thinking she had misheard.

As the head disciple of Mystic Azure Sect’s Jade Bamboo Peak, she had once been acquainted with Han Shan, a relationship of fate without destiny, leading nowhere.

In the private room of the tavern, Liu Lingran hurried in, dressed in a light white gown with a flowing cloud belt at her waist, adorned with a delicate jade pendant, her face veiled, her eyes and brows picturesque.

“Junior Master, what brings you here?”

When Liu Lingran had first joined the sect, it was Chen Qingyuan who had welcomed her. Though they were similar in age, their seniority within the sect differed greatly.

It couldn’t be helped; after all, Chen Qingyuan’s nominal Master was the Supreme Ancestor of the Mystic Azure Sect.

“I’m here drinking with two friends. What about you?”

Encountering a familiar face from his sect while away from home, Chen Qingyuan was delighted and quickly invited Liu Lingran to sit down.

“I’ve come across some fortune and followed it all the way here.”

Liu Lingran was the strongest female disciple of the Mystic Azure Sect, beloved by the elders for her beauty and talent.

Han Shan, seated to one side, immediately stood up, clasped his hands in greeting with a smile, “Miss Liu, it’s a fortunate coincidence to meet you here!”

“Young Lord Han,” Liu Lingran returned the greeting.

There was another person in the private room, Zhangsun Fengye.

At that moment, his expression was peculiar, as if he had seen something astonishing, his body frozen, pupils constricted, lips slightly parted.

The instant Liu Lingran pushed the door open, Zhangsun Fengye instinctively turned to look.

That glance seemed to traverse the river of history, from ancient times to the present, stretching across countless years.

Her white gown was like snow, her face veiled in plain silk. Her long hair was like ink, her voice like the song of an oriole.

With just one look, Zhangsun Fengye was captivated.

The connection and belonging of souls, a feeling so distinct that thousands of words could not describe it. It was like a warm sun in a world of ice and snow, a clear spring in a parched desert, or a candlelight in an endless night.

When Zhangsun Fengye had once visited the Song Family, he had a conversation with Song Ningyan.

“Miss Song, I have no interest in you. The Dao Companion I seek is not about looks, status, or background, but about fate, love at first sight.”

“In this world, there is no such thing as love at first sight; it’s all about lust at first sight.”

“Not so. What I pursue is the belonging of souls, not the pleasure of the physical body. If that person truly exists, one glance is all it takes to know.”

At this moment, he knew that the person he had been waiting for had appeared.

Because Zhangsun Fengye practiced the forbidden arts of the Misty Palace, he had reached an extremely high realm of control over his soul. He could be certain that among the vast sea of people, the woman before him was the one.

Stunned for a long while, Zhangsun Fengye swallowed hard, his body stiff as he stood up, looking somewhat nervous, “I am Zhangsun Fengye, pleased to meet you, Miss.”

“Liu Lingran, pleased to meet you, Young Master.”

Since she was the friend of his Junior Master, Liu Lingran naturally greeted him.

Chen Qingyuan caught a glimpse of the unusual look in Zhangsun Fengye’s eyes but didn’t think much of it for the time being.

The four sat down, with fragrant tea on the table.

After Chen Qingyuan’s inquiry, he learned the reason for Liu Lingran’s presence.

Decades ago, Liu Lingran had obtained a jade slip, which contained the location of an ancient tomb and also included the first volume of a superior Daoist scripture.

Having learned the first volume of the superior Daoist scripture, Liu Lingran benefited greatly.

Thus, she used the teleportation arrays across various places, traveling unhurriedly and spending years to reach the Renling Star Domain.

“May I ask, Miss Liu, where exactly is this ancient tomb located?”

Zhangsun Fengye knew his question was somewhat intrusive, but he still wanted to clarify, as this region was the territory of the Misty Sacred Ground, and it was unlikely for an ancient tomb to suddenly appear.

“Hmm…” Liu Lingran pondered for a moment, not intending to hide anything, “The Wanxu Mountain Range.”

The Wanxu Mountain Range was extremely dangerous, and Liu Lingran had not dared to venture there alone, fearing a one-way trip. She couldn’t just find a companion, as it was easy to encounter villains.

Now that she had met Chen Qingyuan, she could take the opportunity to bring them along, and whoever obtained the fortune would keep it.

“Oh?” Hearing this name, Zhangsun Fengye’s eyes flickered slightly, quickly concealing his reaction.

“Junior Master, why don’t you accompany me?” Liu Lingran looked at Chen Qingyuan and whispered.

“I’m too lazy to go,” Chen Qingyuan wanted to rest.

“Junior Master~” Liu Lingran ignored the others and coaxed Chen Qingyuan, “Am I not your most beloved junior? Can you bear to watch me face danger alone?”

“…” Chen Qingyuan looked at her helplessly, at a loss for words.

Go! He must go!

Zhangsun Fengye shouted in his heart.

Then, Zhangsun Fengye secretly transmitted a sound to Chen Qingyuan, unheard by the others, “Brother Chen, if you agree to Miss Liu’s request, you’ll have repaid the favor you owe me.”

“?” Chen Qingyuan’s expression changed, his mind a mess.

What was this situation?

Although puzzled, Chen Qingyuan hesitated for a moment, then turned to Liu Lingran and said, “Alright! Your Junior Master will accompany you on this journey.”

In truth, even without Zhangsun Fengye’s words, Chen Qingyuan would not have let Liu Lingran risk herself alone; he would have accompanied her.

“Junior Master, you’re so kind.”

Liu Lingran had been worried about encountering danger alone. Now, with Chen Qingyuan’s company, she felt much more at ease.

Although she was unaware of Chen Qingyuan’s achievements, she instinctively trusted his abilities.

“Since we’re going, do you know more about the ancient tomb?”

As he spoke, Chen Qingyuan glanced at Zhangsun Fengye, unable to understand why the young man was so concerned, even willing to settle their karmic debts.

“It is said that the owner of the tomb was a Powerful Figure at the ninth realm of Tribulation Crossing, known as Ancient Spring. Beyond that, I know nothing else.”

Liu Lingran spoke truthfully.

Hearing this, Zhangsun Fengye’s heart thudded, confirming his suspicions.

“Alright, we’ll set off in a few days.”

Chen Qingyuan nodded.

“I’m staying in the south of the city for now. Once you’re ready, come find your Junior Master.”

Liu Lingran didn’t want to stay and disturb Chen Qingyuan’s time with his friends, so she left.

“Miss Liu, take care,” Zhangsun Fengye stood up to see her off.

After Liu Lingran had been gone for a while, Chen Qingyuan shouted at Zhangsun Fengye, “Hey! There’s something off about you, kid!”

“What’s wrong?”

Zhangsun Fengye closed the door of the private room and coughed softly.

“Why did you secretly signal me to agree? What’s your intention?” Chen Qingyuan demanded.

“That…” Zhangsun Fengye hesitated.

“Confess honestly, and you’ll be dealt with leniently.”

Chen Qingyuan put on an interrogative demeanor, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“The ancient tomb in the Wanxu Mountain Range might be the final resting place of one of my Misty Palace’s elders.”

After much thought, Zhangsun Fengye decided to come clean.