The sun spilled in through the paper-thin windows, creating elongated shadows on the floor. The sound of hurried footsteps neared the room. Soon, the door opened with a creak, followed by a set of smaller feet. The remnants of a tired huff reached the inside of the room along with the splash of water against the side of the basin. A disgruntled grunt punctuated the closing door and the water basin was placed down at the tea table.

Li Qing collapsed down on a chair. She rubbed the sweat away from her hairline and rolled up her sleeves. A slight pout emerged on her lips as she mourned her bad luck. Today was supposed to be Su Han’s turn to watch over the service hall, but it turned out that he hadn’t been informed ahead of time. Because of this, he had been unable to tell a servant to come in and help wipe down the comatose person sleeping in their master’s guest courtyard. Li Qing had been skipping back from breakfast when Su Han grabbed her and directed her in the direction of their master’s home with a basin filled with water and a dry cloth.

Li Qing pulled herself together and prepared to go into the inner room. When she turned around, however, she was greeted by a figure, standing beside a screen that separated the inner room from the outer room.

Li Qing froze.

The man was an icy beauty. His brows were naturally pinched and lowered. His lips stayed in a straight line and, even though he was still dressed like a sick patient, he had an air of elegance about him that no one could even dare to think of imitating. His sickly pallor made Li Qing think that he may be a ghost guard that had come to take someone’s soul away.

“Who are you?” the chilly voice rang throughout the heated room. Li Qing couldn’t help but take a step back.

“I…I,” Li Qing’s fingers dug into the side of the basin.

“Where am I?” the man asked, his eyes wandering around the room.

“You…you…” Li Qing’s fear was slowly replaced by awe. “…You’re Yu Lan Sword Immortal, aren’t you?”

Wú Língtiān’s (吴灵天） brows pinched tighter. He looked at Li Qing again and his phoenix eyes narrowed. “Answer my questions.”

“M-My name is Li Qing. This is Screeching Sparrow Sect,” Li Qing’s voice trailed off. She held up the water basin. “My da-shixiong told me to come…help you clean a little.”

Wu Lingtian’s eyes landed on the water basin and his brows seemed to smooth out. He took a few wide strides over and lifted the water basin from her hands. “No need.”

Li Qing watched as Wu Lingtian moved back behind the screen. She tottered back and forth for a moment before carefully moving towards to the other side of the screen. “Um…Lord Immortal?”

Wu Lingtian’s movements froze. He glanced up.

Li Qing shyly pointed at herself. “Do you remember me?”

Wu Lingtian looked at her unsurely and slowly shook his head. “I am afraid not.”

“Oh, that’s fine!” Li Qing quickly said. “It’s just—um. A few years ago, at Golden Deer Mountain, there was a competition? I was there with my shijie. There was a mishap and some rogue cultivators managed to run amuck, allowing dangerous creatures into the area. You were the one that saved us! I…never got the chance to thank you, so…”

Wu Lingtian’s gaze slowly left Li Qing’s blushing face. He bowed his head and carefully washed his face. Once he finished, he dried himself off and hummed. “I see.”

Li Qing pursed her lips, somewhat disappointed. Well, it was Yu Lan Sword Immortal. What was she expecting really?

“It was nothing,” Wu Lingtian spoke up abruptly. He met Li Qing’s surprised gaze. “I do not quite remember it, but I am glad you are safe.”

Li Qing gaped at him silently before slowly tearing her gaze away. Wu Lingtian’s sincere eyes scared the wits out of her.

Wu Lingtian peeked down his shirt and furrowed his brows. Any scars he could have had from the week’s worth of torture had disappeared or faded a tremendous amount. He carefully pressed about his body, searching for any hidden internal injuries but came up with none, save for a slight dip in his cultivation base.

Li Qing observed Wu Lingtian silently and felt a sense of pride well up inside her. “My shizun is really good at healing people, isn’t he?”

Wu Lingtian looked up at Li Qing. “Your shizun?”

“Mn! He’s the one that brought you back and nursed you back to health,” Li Qing said, her eyes glimmered innocently.

“Who is your shizun?”

“My shizun is—”

“Ah!”

Wu Lingtian’s head jerked up. Li Qing turned abruptly and looked out towards the door. Various shadows flashed by, followed by a deafening crash. The door eventually came tumbling down, knocking aside the decorative vases and the screen divider.

Li Qing shrieked in surprise, but before she could gather her bearings again, she was swept off her feet. She saw a flash of white from underneath her and caught a glimpse of the splintered door as she moved through the air. A piercing roar sounded close to her head and she raised her hands to cover her ears just as she was placed down.

“What happened?” Wu Lingtian’s languid voice gained a sense of urgency.

The three disciples stared at Wu Lingtian in bewilderment. They had not been mentally prepared for the Flying Crystal Lion to suddenly go on a rampage and barge into the sect leader’s home. They had also not expected someone to come out from the guest room and exhibit amazing martial ability. Due to this, only one disciple could stutter out a poor excuse for an explanation.

Wu Lingtian’s brows furrowed, showing his displeasure. The three disciples unconsciously straightened as cold sweat began to pour down their backs. They were even more frightened than if Fan Yi came to personally scold them.

However, Wu Lingtian said nothing. He simply turned and looked back at the towering white lion who almost reached the ceiling tiles. The lion’s wings were spread out ferociously and its roars penetrated the peaceful morning air.