Volume One: Winds of Change in the Small Town Chapter 46: Innate Spiritual Body

Zhang Heng led Murong Qingxue outside. This young lady was perfect in every way, except for her aloofness. That wouldn't do—she needed a little proper guidance.

When they reached a distance from the others, Zhang Heng, who was walking ahead, suddenly turned back to look at Murong Qingxue.

"Is something wrong, Young Master Zhang? Is there trouble ahead?" Murong Qingxue asked, puzzled, as she noticed Zhang Heng had stopped.

Zhang Heng reached out a hand, feigning pitifulness. "Miss Qingxue, the place we're headed is quite far from here. If we walk, it will take a day or two. My abilities are meager; I cannot fly through the air. Would you mind taking me with you?"

Murong Qingxue was only at the Spirit Pill Realm, so she probably couldn't summon a shield of spiritual energy for him, like Qian Muyun had. First things first—he thought, let me hold her soft little hand.

But before he could say more, Murong Qingxue lightly leapt into the air, ascending skyward.

Zhang Heng was taken aback. She had taken off, but had not brought him along? This little minx—if she didn’t want to bring him, fine, but why leave him behind and fly off herself?

Zhang Heng hurriedly tried to stop her; it was dangerous here. "Miss Qingxue—"

Before he could finish, he saw a white silk ribbon appear in Murong Qingxue’s hand. She tossed one end to him and said coolly, "Please, Young Master Zhang."

A silk ribbon? Girl, I'm bringing you here to relax, and you bring something like this? Planning to hang yourself? Bah, nonsense.

It seemed his path with her would be a long one indeed.

Helpless, Zhang Heng grasped the ribbon and pointed out the direction to Murong Qingxue, and the two soared away together.

After this episode, Zhang Heng lost interest in taking any detours. About thirty seconds later, they landed beside a spiritual spring.

Upon landing, Zhang Heng felt awkward, for Murong Qingxue was staring at him intently.

Left with no choice, Zhang Heng forced an explanation. "Miss Qingxue, you truly deserve to be called Senior Qian Muyun’s disciple. Your speed is astonishing—what would take a day on foot, you crossed in thirty seconds."

Murong Qingxue did not answer him, still gazing at him.

Zhang Heng was at a loss and said nothing further. Silence fell between them.

After a long moment, Murong Qingxue finally spoke. "Young Master Zhang, you don't need to do all this."

Zhang Heng was startled; he had never seen Murong Qingxue like this. Before, her eyes had always held a cool detachment, as if nothing in the world interested her. But now, he detected a trace of emotion in her gaze.

Was it mockery, guilt, or perhaps affection?

"And why do you say that, Miss Qingxue?" Zhang Heng asked, his tone serious.

Murong Qingxue said, "I had heard that you were born with a strange constitution—unable to cultivate, lacking in talent. They said your personality was extremely withdrawn, tinged with inferiority, and that you rarely interacted with anyone besides your maid, Xiaohong."

Am I really that bad? Girl, do you have to be so blunt?

Before Zhang Heng could respond, Murong Qingxue continued, "But after meeting you, I realized there isn’t the slightest fluctuation of spiritual energy in your body—you truly cannot cultivate. But your personality is the opposite of what I’d heard."

"A fourth-grade Heart-Cleansing Pill would drive most of Liunan City mad with desire, yet you were unmoved. Even upon learning I was a Linglong disciple, you showed little reaction. When the Zhang family was besieged, you faced countless powerful foes alone, handling it with ease and showing no fear—your state of mind is truly exceptional. What's more, you are learned and knowledgeable about rare spiritual treasures, which is more than I can say for myself."

She observed quite carefully, though she was mistaken.

Zhang Heng gave a self-deprecating smile. "Miss Qingxue, you overestimate me. I really am just a useless good-for-nothing."

"My indifference to the Heart-Cleansing Pill and the Linglong Token is simply ignorance. When the Zhang family was in danger, Senior Dugu and your master were watching over me, so I had no fear for my life—my state of mind is not what you think. As for my knowledge of rare objects, it’s only because I couldn’t cultivate and needed something to pass the time."

"Why belittle yourself so, Young Master Zhang?" Murong Qingxue replied.

She walked toward him, her steps graceful and light. She stopped two paces away, her bright eyes fixed on his.

Zhang Heng was startled; it felt as though his every secret had been laid bare before her.

Sure enough, Murong Qingxue spoke directly, "Young Master Zhang, you never entered the Dragon Burial Abyss, did you? The scriptures you gave my master and the others were prepared in advance, weren't they?"

At those words, Zhang Heng was truly frightened. He had never told anyone about these things—how could she possibly know?

"Miss Qingxue, you are indeed clever. But I am curious—how did you figure it out?" Zhang Heng had no intention of explaining, nor any need.

"Outside the Dragon Burial Abyss, I saw hesitation in your eyes, meaning you didn’t know if entering was safe. The scriptures you gave my master were written in your own hand, and given the urgency of the situation, most people would flee with a treasure rather than copy it on the spot. So, you must have prepared them beforehand."

"What I cannot understand is, that eighth-rank dragon was never struck by my master and the others, yet it disappeared when it encountered you. And how did you help my master and the others achieve enlightenment?" Murong Qingxue spoke calmly, unaware that her words had stirred up a storm in Zhang Heng’s heart.

The world knew only of her extraordinary talent and beauty, but none knew just how formidable her mind was.

Zhang Heng smiled.

He looked at Murong Qingxue and said slowly, "Miss Qingxue, your intelligence is truly admirable. I am impressed."

He paused, then added, "No wonder—you are an Innate Spirit Body."

At this, Murong Qingxue was visibly startled, but she quickly regained her composure.

The silence returned.

After a moment, Zhang Heng said indifferently, "Since you know everything, Miss Qingxue, I have nothing more to say. What do you plan to do now?"

Murong Qingxue replied, "You misunderstand me, Young Master Zhang. I only wish to say that I have already joined Linglong and cannot reciprocate your feelings. You are learned and extraordinary—a true outstanding man of this era. In the future, you will surely meet a woman worthy of you."

Once again, the Sacred Law of Linglong stood between them. One day, he swore, he would change the rules of the Linglong Holy Land.

Zhang Heng stepped forward until only half a meter separated them. Murong Qingxue’s cheeks flushed, and a subtle tension filled the air.

With deep feeling, Zhang Heng said, "Qingxue, your heart is set on the path, unwilling to be entangled in love. I understand. But whether I like you, what I do for you—those are my choices. You cannot take them from me."

"When you leave the Dragon Burial Abyss, you will go to cultivate at Linglong, and I will begin wandering the world. Perhaps we shall never meet again. But I hope, when you one day stand at the pinnacle of this land, you will remember there was once a young man named Zhang Heng, who truly, hopelessly loved you."

If I’m honest, even I’m moved by these words. Surely she’s fallen for me now.

In such a moment, one cannot help oneself.

Zhang Heng slowly reached out his hand toward Murong Qingxue.