Moonlight still lingered between them when Ling Yue crossed her arms and looked up at him stubbornly.
"Call me by my name," she said.
Mo Xuan paused.
"Senior Sister is appropriate."
"We are leaving the sect together," she replied immediately. "No 'Senior Sister.' Just Ling Yue."
He hesitated.
She leaned closer, eyes sparkling mischievously. "Or are you embarrassed?"
"…Ling Yue."
He spoke it softly.
Her expression changed at once. A faint blush touched her cheeks, but she quickly masked it with a playful smile.
"See? Not so difficult." She turned away casually. "I'll pack my things. Tomorrow morning, outer gate. Don't be late."
As she walked off, she added over her shoulder, "If you oversleep, I'm leaving without you."
Mo Xuan watched her disappear into the night before returning to his dormitory.
Inside, Shen Liang lay sprawled across his bed, watching him carefully.
"You're going somewhere," Shen Liang said.
Mo Xuan did not answer immediately.
"Cultivation training outside the sect for a few days. The leader approved."
Shen Liang narrowed his eyes but did not press further.
"Be careful. Outside the sect, strength speaks louder than rules. And if you see disciples from other sects—avoid conflict."
Mo Xuan nodded. "Understood."
He did not mention Falling Star Gorge.
The location was forbidden by sect restrictions. Ling Yue had been clear: no one else should know.
That night, both prepared quietly.
At dawn—
Mo Xuan stood at the outer gate of the sect, wind brushing softly against his robes.
Moments later, hurried footsteps echoed.
Ling Yue came running, slightly breathless, hair loosely tied.
"You're early," she complained lightly. "I thought I could surprise you."
"You're late," he replied calmly.
She huffed. "I was packing properly. Unlike someone who probably only brought one robe."
He glanced at the heavy bag hanging from her shoulder.
She shifted awkwardly.
Without a word, he took the bag from her and slung it over his own shoulder.
Ling Yue blinked.
"…Thank you," she said softly, then quickly added, "Don't think I can't carry it."
They exchanged a brief look.
Both had left letters behind, claiming external cultivation training.
Neither had informed Xu Cangming directly.
Back in the Sixth Branch courtyard, Xu Cangming held their letters and laughed.
"Two stubborn children," he muttered. "Same temperament."
But he did not stop them.
"Which direction?" Ling Yue asked as they left the sect boundary.
Mo Xuan unfolded the map.
"We head toward Blackwind Ridge first," he said. "The gorge lies beyond, but this map shows no direct path. We'll reach the nearby settlement at Stoneveil Hollow, then move toward the mountain pass."
Ling Yue nodded, pretending she understood fully.
They walked at first.
Then, once clear of sect territory, both summoned their swords.
Spiritual energy gathered beneath their feet.
They rose into the air.
Flying side by side, wind rushing past, the world below shrinking into distant green and stone.
After half a day of travel, they descended to rest near a river.
Ling Yue drank deeply and stretched.
"Traveling is harder than training," she muttered.
"You insisted on coming."
She shot him a look. "And I don't regret it."
They resumed their journey.
By evening, they reached Stoneveil Hollow.
But something felt wrong.
The settlement was silent.
People moved strangely—slowly, rigidly.
Their eyes seemed unfocused.
Ling Yue frowned.
"This place feels… different."
Mo Xuan sensed it too.
A subtle spiritual pressure hung in the air, almost like a veil.
Ling Yue stepped closer to a nearby girl standing motionless by a well.
"Excuse me—"
"Don't touch—"
Too late.
Ling Yue's fingers brushed the girl's sleeve.
Instantly—
The girl's eyes sharpened.
Her hand snapped upward in a swift strike.
Ling Yue dodged instinctively.
Around them, the entire settlement stirred.
Heads turned.
Bodies moved.
They were surrounded within seconds.
Mo Xuan's expression darkened.
"Fly," he said quietly.
They attempted to rise—
But their swords refused to lift.
A powerful suppressing force pressed down from above.
Mo Xuan's eyes narrowed.
"There's a barrier."
He could faintly see spiritual lines woven across the sky, sealing cultivation within the settlement.
The villagers closed in.
Their movements were coordinated.
Too coordinated.
Ling Yue stepped back until her back touched Mo Xuan's.
Back to back.
Weapons drawn.
"We fight?" she whispered.
"Not yet."
Suddenly—
A voice echoed from behind the crowd.
"Five seconds."
The villagers froze.
A young man stepped forward from between them.
He looked around their age, dressed simply, eyes sharp with urgency.
"If you want to live," he said calmly, "run."
Before they could react—
The villagers' eyes flashed red.
Mo Xuan grabbed Ling Yue's hand.
"Move."
They ran.
Ling Yue stumbled slightly but tightened her grip.
"Wait—what is happening?!" she gasped.
"No time."
Behind them, the villagers pursued in perfect formation.
The mysterious young man ran ahead, shouting over his shoulder, "Follow me! Stay close!"
Ling Yue glanced sideways at Mo Xuan as they ran.
His expression was calm.
Focused.
Even while sprinting through danger, he did not look afraid.
For a moment—
The world around her blurred.
She only saw him.
His hand holding hers firmly.
"Don't let go," he said without looking at her.
Her heart steadied.
"I won't."
They turned sharply into a narrow alley between stone houses.
The barrier pressure intensified.
Spiritual energy refused to respond.
Mo Xuan's mind worked quickly.
"This isn't random," he muttered. "This place is controlled."
Ahead, the mysterious youth vaulted over a low wall.
"Here!"
Mo Xuan pulled Ling Yue up beside him.
The villagers were seconds behind.
Breathing hard, Ling Yue laughed suddenly.
"This is not what I imagined when you said 'cultivation journey.'"
Mo Xuan almost smiled.
"Still want to come?"
She tightened her grip.
"Don't underestimate me."
Behind them—
Footsteps grew closer.
The chase was far from over.
And within the sealed valley of Stoneveil Hollow—
Something far more dangerous than spirit stones awaited.
End of Chapter 14...