Mist-Veiled Valley
In the mist-veiled valley, two shadows danced under the pale moonlight—blades clashing like ants fighting for survival. She was Fairy Qiu Shu, disciple of the Soaring Heaven Sect; he was Bai Xuan, young lord of the Bai Clan.
They unexpectedly met at the edge of a frozen lake, where lotus petals bloomed even in winter, their delicate fragrance mingling with the crisp night air. The petals, white with hints of pale blue, drifted lightly over the water, making the frozen lake seem even more ethereal.
The Mist-Veiled Valley lay in the outer area of the Soaring Heaven Sect. Wild beasts roamed here, and any cultivator below the fourth stage risked death if caught. Many disciples came to this valley to practice their martial techniques, drawn by both its danger and solitude. At the valley's center, a lake stretched out, perfectly still, reflecting the night sky like a giant mirror. Its surface shimmered under the moonlight, disturbed only by the occasional ripple of a falling leaf.
Nestled in a quiet hollow, the lake's waters shone with shades of sapphire and silver. The moonlight kissed every gentle wave, turning the lake into a sea of scattered diamonds. Around it, tall willow trees leaned over the edges, their slender branches swaying gently in the breeze, brushing the surface like a lover's soft touch. Mist wove between the trees, curling around the rocks and roots, giving the valley a soft, dreamlike glow that blurred the boundary between reality and illusion.
"You shouldn't have come," Fairy Qiu Shu whispered, her eyes lowered. Her voice was soft, yet each word carried a subtle edge of steel that betrayed her inner strength.
"I had walked into this valley just to see you smile once more," Bai Xuan replied. His breath came out in soft mist, ghosting in the cold night air. His eyes remained steady, his aura calm, but his heart beat faster than he admitted to himself.
Behind her, the first hint of dawn crept over the horizon, spreading pale light like fate itself, painting the mist with delicate threads of gold and silver.
She struck with a single, precise sword move, aiming to wound him. At the last instant, Bai Xuan stopped her strike with just two fingers and released the aura of a stage seven cultivator. Fairy Qiu Shu froze, her eyes widening in shock. She had not expected such power, nor the sudden shift in his presence.
Flashback…
The original Bai Xuan had encountered Fairy Qiu Shu in this valley, spending many days together. She had been cultivating here since the start of her journey. Bai Xuan had met her while fleeing from a beast, weaker than she was at that time. Fairy Qiu Shu had saved him, and over time, she developed feelings for him—unaware that these emotions were carefully woven into Bai Xuan's plans.
I should first make her my concubine. And for that, I have to go to the Mist-Veiled Valley, Bai Qiang thought, recalling Bai Xuan's memory.
His journey into the valley had been perilous. He had faced a succession of beasts, each encounter more brutal than the last. Claws met steel, roars echoed through the damp air, and with every victory, the sun dipped lower. By the time he reached the dark, still lake, night had fallen, casting long, ominous shadows over the ground. He had paused to catch his breath, only for a figure to emerge from the gloom. It was not a friend, but a woman—swift, silent, and deadly. Their fight had been desperate, illuminated by the pale moonlight and the sharp glint of blades in motion.
Fairy Qiu Shu's beauty was striking and elegant. Her face was graceful, with fair, smooth skin and perfect symmetry. Her large, expressive blue eyes conveyed confidence and intensity, as though they could see through any deception. Finely arched eyebrows, a small, delicate nose, and soft lips completed her refined appearance, making her seem almost ethereal.
Her long, dark hair flowed smoothly down her back, adorned with a blue ornamental headpiece that gave her a regal, celestial presence. Two strands framed her face, softening the sharpness of her features. She wore a white-and-blue dress, traditional robes with off-shoulder sleeves and a cross-body neckline that highlighted her figure tastefully. Blue accents and a sash added subtle nobility to her aura. She exuded calm and poise, her energy commanding, serene, and full of inner strength—a woman whose beauty was far more than skin deep.
She was Fairy Qiu Shu, the number one outer disciple of the Soaring Heaven Sect.
Back to the present…
"Wait… Fairy Qiu Shu, it's me. Do you not recognize me?" Bai Xuan said, his voice calm but firm.
"Yes, I know it's you; that's why I'm attacking you," she replied. Her voice trembled slightly, a mixture of anger, confusion, and disbelief.
"But why?" he asked, frowning slightly.
"Do you not remember what you did with me?"
"What I did!?" Bai Xuan's mind raced. In Bai Xuan's memory, they had been lovers. There was nothing of this in his records.
"You bastard, pretending not to remember anything! You took my virginity, and when I said you must take responsibility, you ran away!"
Bai Xuan froze. He did not find any record of this in Bai Xuan's memories. Perhaps the memory he received was only about their time as lovers. He thought quickly: I don't know what the original Bai Xuan did, but hearing her words… maybe he acted out of love and then refused responsibility.
"Calm down, I can explain," he said, keeping his tone steady to control the situation.
"What is there to explain? Are you trying to fool me?"
"No. No… I don't intend that. In the past, I couldn't take responsibility, but now I come only for you. At that time, I didn't have the power to protect you, so I refused." Bai Qiang added mentally, I will use this as a reason for now.
"Really? But why should I believe you?" Fairy Qiu Shu asked, suspicion and emotion mingling in her voice.
"If you want, I can take heaven's oath," Bai Xuan said firmly.
"Then take it," she replied sharply.
"Okay. I swear in heaven: if you become my woman, I will take responsibility for you. If I break this oath, may heaven punish me."
Hearing this, Fairy Qiu Shu's eyes widened. She had never expected him to take such an oath. She had thought he would leave her, but now… this was the opposite. After a long pause, she said, "Okay, I will go with you, but not now. I will stay here until I reach the Immortal Ascension phase. You must wait for me."
---
Bai Clan—Bai Xuan's Room
A young man lay half-reclined on the bed, a trace of disappointment on his face. It was Bai Xuan.
"So, in the end I failed to complete this mission. Hah…" he muttered in his mind, frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior.
The system window appeared before him. It displayed:
[Unfortunately, Host failed to complete this mission because she refused to go with Host until reaching the 6th stage. If she becomes your concubine in the future, then this mission will be complete.]
[Ding… Notification arrived.]
A new notification flashed suddenly.
"Show me that notification," Bai Xuan commanded.
[Notification: There is an 8★woman detected near the Bai Clan…]
Bai Xuan's eyes narrowed. A plan was already forming in his mind. Thoughts of strategy, timing, and the delicate balance of his future moves began to take shape. The path ahead was dangerous, but he had survived worse.