As the youth was sizing up the girl in the green dress, she was also sizing him up.
Unlike him, however, a light sparkled in her eyes. As her gaze fell upon his face, which was still somewhat youthful yet already imposing and chilling, a look of joy and delight seemed to emerge.
The youth thought to himself that this woman must be a fool.
His hand, hidden behind his back, quietly clenched. A dangerous power swirled and gathered at his fingertips, but he did not strike rashly.
This place was eerie, and for a pregnant woman to appear so abruptly, it was hard to guarantee she wasn't bait laid by someone else.
He calmly spread out his spiritual consciousness like a fine net, sweeping the surroundings to confirm if a third person was lying in ambush.
At the same time, the gloom and coldness on his face completely faded. His brow slightly relaxed, and he even deliberately curled the corners of his lips into a faint smile. His originally sharp, blade-like aura instantly transformed into that of a gentle, harmless young cultivator.
He lowered his voice, speaking with a sincere tone, looking pure and polite. Why are you here alone, Madam? This secret realm is perilous. Given your condition, it would be best for you to leave early.
Watching the shift in his aura, Mu Ran couldn't help but feel a sense of sheer amazement.
Although he was much greener now than in her memories, his skills in disguise were already perfected to a high degree.
Knowing he was on guard against her, Mu Ran did not retreat but advanced instead. She took a few steps forward, stepping out of the hazy rain and mist, making her figure even clearer.
My husband and I accidentally got separated. Now I can't tell the direction, nor can I find the way out. She tilted her head slightly and smiled, her lips curling up. Young Master, can you help me?
She was extremely beautiful, but not in an aggressive, dazzling way. Her features were picturesque, the outer corners of her eyes tilting up slightly. When she smiled, it was as if they held a pool of warm light. Perhaps because she was carrying a child, she appeared even more gentle now.
The dangerous power gathering in the youth's hand behind his back paused for a moment, but soon, with a flick of his fingers, the energy condensed even more intensely.
Yet, his face remained as gentle as ever. This is the Void Secret Realm, fraught with danger. May I ask the name of your husband, Madam? Perhaps I know him and can help you return to his side.
Mu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly.
His wariness was truly extraordinary.
If she hadn't spent hundreds of years by his side, just looking at his gentle and polite demeanor, she probably would have believed he was a warm-hearted, good person.
He was trying to fish for information, to find out who her husband was and whether he was nearby, so he could decide whether his next step should be to show goodwill or eliminate her as an uncertain factor.
The youth's calculation made Mu Ran a little sad, but she didn't feel angry.
She lied through her teeth, My husband is a Void Piercing realm cultivator. He usually keeps a low profile. He only brought me into this secret realm because I am with child and need spiritual herbs to nourish my body. Because he loves wearing black clothes, some people respectfully call him the Black-clad Venerable.
The youth frowned imperceptibly. His title was The Green-Clad Guest, yet this woman's husband was known as the Black-clad Venerable. Green against black, was this a deliberate provocation or pure coincidence?
Without blushing or skipping a beat, Mu Ran continued, Not long ago, we encountered a sneak attack, which is how we got separated. However, I have a restriction placed on me by my husband. If anyone harbors murderous intent toward me, any expert below the Void Piercing realm will die instantly.
The youth paused slightly.
Mu Ran was indeed worthy of having been Cang Shubai's wife for hundreds of years; now she could lie without showing a single flaw. She generously walked a few more steps forward, arriving in front of the youth, her gaze fixed on his seemingly ordinary face that he had deliberately disguised.
It was as if she could see his true appearance through that layer of disguise.
He turned his face away, slightly uncomfortable.
Mu Ran smiled. Young Master, at such a young age, you are already at the Nascent Soul stage. Your future is limitless.
She could actually see through his cultivation realm, which could only mean her cultivation base was definitely higher than his.
The dangerous power in the youth's hand had to dissipate. The corners of his lips lifted slightly, seemingly revealing a faint smile. Madam, you might as well wait here. I believe Senior Black-clad Venerable will surely find his way here soon.
For this man to boldly bring his pregnant wife into a secret realm, he was either stupid or overly confident in his own strength.
Looking at this woman again, her strength was higher than his own, yet she hadn't struck so far. Perhaps she was waiting for the moment he let his guard down to suddenly attack.
She was truly good at hiding; up to now, she hadn't shown the slightest bit of killing intent.
She suddenly said, My name is Mu Ran. And you?
The youth didn't understand why she would reveal her name, but he quickly pondered it in his mind and realized he had never heard this name in the cultivation world.
Usually, women with great beauty and high cultivation would quickly have a title spread around. For example, Fairy Hongfu of Chiyan Peak, out of ten cultivators, nine would have heard her name.
But the name of the woman before him was very unfamiliar, which served as evidence for her claim that the couple kept a very low profile.
Before having absolute certainty, the youth would not rashly bring trouble upon himself. He replied naturally, I am Shu Qingyi.
For some reason, she suddenly burst into laughter.
The youth who called himself Shu Qingyi inexplicably felt a hint of embarrassment, though it didn't show on his face. What is Madam laughing at?
I just think your name sounds as nice as my husband's.
Shu Qingyi did not like being compared to others, but what he was best at was pretending. Even if he was displeased inside, he still didn't show it.
He really looked like a good person. Looking down at the mutilated corpse on the ground, he said, People in the secret realm will resort to any means and slaughter each other to snatch treasures. Take this person I was forced to kill just now, for instance. I saw with my own eyes that he killed his fellow disciple. Because I witnessed his murder, he wanted to kill me to silence me.
Mu Ran chimed in, So Young Master had to kill him in order to protect yourself.
Shu Qingyi sighed, Yes. If possible, I wouldn't want to commit the sin of killing either.
Young Master doesn't need to blame yourself. He brought it upon himself. You are not at fault for defending yourself. If you had been soft-hearted, perhaps the person lying on the ground right now would be you. Mu Ran's eyes curved in a smile, her gaze rippling like autumn waters, her smile pure. The life and death of others is not important. Being able to protect yourself is what matters most.
Shu Qingyi's gaze fell on her guileless face. At this moment, he unexpectedly felt a sense of absurdity again.
This woman must have been protected too well by her husband to trust strangers so easily.
Of course, this could also be a form of her disguise.
Mu Ran continued, I am a stranger here. Young Master, you are a good person. I want to follow you until my husband finds me. When we meet my husband, I will have him bring out magical treasures or miraculous pills as a reward to thank you, alright?
