Chapter 7: Trouble with the Eyes

The next day, Qin Changsheng woke up very early. Having spent so many years lying in a coffin, he had since abandoned the habit of sleeping in late. After all, there would still be plenty of time spent lying on a board in the future. So, he got up early to practice a set of Tai Chi.

It wasn’t that Tai Chi was some formidable technique; he simply felt that practicing Tai Chi every morning suited his lifestyle as a long-lived, retired veteran.

He had developed this habit back when he was in Songlin Village.

Unfortunately, despite practicing for decades, he hadn’t suddenly comprehended some profound, extraordinary Dao like other transmigrators.

The only benefit was that he still felt alive and remembered the path he had taken to arrive here.

Not only Tai Chi, but whenever he had time, Qin Changsheng would carefully recall everything he had seen in the past world. Time was the one thing he no longer lacked, and he no longer feared wasting it.

After finishing one set of Tai Chi and just starting the second, Nangong Ruoxi appeared. Seeing Qin Changsheng practicing so leisurely, she scoffed disdainfully, “What kind of technique is that? Moving so slowly and not even circulating any spiritual energy...”

“Just an old man’s leisurely show-off technique...” Qin Changsheng replied.

“Huh?” Nangong Ruoxi paused.

“Just consider me bored,” he said with a click of his tongue, gradually stopping his movements. When he looked at Nangong Ruoxi again, he noticed her clothing was somewhat sheer...

She was about to go out dressed like that?

Qin Changsheng pointed at Nangong Ruoxi. “Your Highness the Holy Maiden, shouldn’t you change your clothes?”

Since he was acting as her medicine boy, he felt obliged to fulfill his duties properly and not let others see through Nangong Ruoxi’s clothing...

“My clothes are fine. They’re fireproof, waterproof, and immune to spiritual detection—even those at the Golden Core stage can’t penetrate them. Why should I change?” Nangong Ruoxi said, puzzled, wondering what expression Qin Changsheng had been making.

Her defenses were maxed out, yet they didn’t prevent light from passing through?

Qin Changsheng pondered, hesitating to find a polite yet non-awkward way to tell her that her clothes were transparent—that he could even see certain parts of her...

She was such a beautiful Holy Maiden. If she went out like this, how could she not be looked down upon?

“Just say what you want. You’re a grown man, stop beating around the bush,” Nangong Ruoxi said impatiently. She seemed uncomfortable with Qin Changsheng’s awkwardness and, doubting herself, summoned a large mirror.

Qin Changsheng glanced at it.

The clothes reflected in the mirror looked decent and not transparent at all...

It was just that the mirror was somewhat translucent—he could clearly see the courtyard behind it.

Rubbing his eyes, Qin Changsheng realized they were increasingly itchy. Looking back at Nangong Ruoxi, her clothes remained transparent. Instinctively, he closed his eyes and ceased circulating spiritual energy within his body.

Sure enough, the itchiness disappeared, and Nangong Ruoxi’s clothes no longer appeared transparent.

“Uh, sorry. I didn’t sleep well last night; my eyes were playing tricks on me,” Qin Changsheng said awkwardly, rubbing his nose.

He thought to himself how fortunate he hadn’t spoken that out loud—otherwise, Nangong Ruoxi would definitely have cut him down!

It turned out the problem wasn’t with her clothes, but with his eyes.

His eyes seemed to have evolved. Things that spiritual perception couldn’t penetrate, he could see through. Places sunlight couldn’t reach, he could see into...

Could it be that he had awakened some ancient heterochromatic double pupils like the Red Hair legend?

Tsk tsk!

Before his rebirth, he had read quite a few novels.

“...”

“Remember your mission. Don’t speak out of turn at the Cultivators’ Conference. Just listen to me,” Nangong Ruoxi said warily but didn’t press further.

The two left the cave dwelling and headed toward the Cultivators’ Conference.

Qin Changsheng soon realized that the conference was essentially a gathering of talented individuals exchanging ideas and treasures. Many geniuses from the Reliant Mountain Sect would attend, including the Holy Son, Long Chen.

Thinking of the talented young man who had long pursued Nangong Ruoxi, Qin Changsheng resolved to build a good relationship. He couldn’t let his presence as a mere medicine boy affect their relationship.

...

The Cultivators’ Conference was held in Yang City at the foot of Reliant Mountain. Even before Qin Changsheng and Nangong Ruoxi arrived, they had already attracted considerable attention.

Many cultivators whispered about the Holy Maiden of the Reliant Mountain Sect.

“I heard the sect elders intend for the Holy Son and Holy Maiden to marry to unite the sect. Not sure if it’s true.”

“True or not, the Holy Maiden Nangong Ruoxi has already found a scapegoat and clearly refused.”

“What kind of brave man dares to be the Holy Maiden’s shield? Isn’t he afraid of being torn apart by Long Chen?”

“Apparently, he’s a young boy from the outer sect’s medicinal fields, with delicate features, named Qin Changsheng.”

“Qin Changsheng??”

“Have you heard of him?”

“No...”

...

As the crowd whispered, Qin Changsheng and Nangong Ruoxi finally arrived at the conference venue. Their appearance immediately caused a stir. Many saw the legendary Holy Maiden for the first time, let alone the mysterious young man by her side.

Nangong Ruoxi wore a white robe, ethereal and otherworldly, like a fairy descended to the mortal realm. Qin Changsheng wore a simple blue robe, but his heroic bearing could not be concealed.

“Is that really Holy Maiden Nangong Ruoxi? She’s as beautiful as the paintings say,” someone murmured.

“And that boy with her—is he the Holy Maiden’s shield, Qin Changsheng?”

Whispers spread through the crowd, all eyes fixed on Qin Changsheng and Nangong Ruoxi.

Feeling the gazes around him, Qin Changsheng grew slightly nervous. He sneaked a glance at Nangong Ruoxi, who remained composed as if accustomed to such attention.

“Your Highness, where shall we go next?” Qin Changsheng asked quietly.

“Let’s find a seat and listen to the cultivators’ debates. Maybe we’ll learn something,” Nangong Ruoxi replied calmly.

They found a relatively quiet spot to sit and began listening. These cultivators were all geniuses from various places, speaking of Dao techniques and insights—all new knowledge to Qin Changsheng. He listened intently, occasionally nodding in agreement.

Nangong Ruoxi remained expressionless, as if she was used to this scene.

Suddenly, a dragon’s roar pierced the sky, shaking everyone’s eardrums. A figure descended from the heavens, landing not far from Nangong Ruoxi and Qin Changsheng.

He was dressed in splendid robes, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, exuding an extraordinary aura. It was none other than Long Chen, the Holy Son of Reliant Mountain Sect!

Long Chen’s arrival instantly caused an uproar. Countless female cultivators screamed, and the male ones showed envy and jealousy.

Yet Long Chen seemed oblivious to the noise. He strode directly up to Nangong Ruoxi and said affectionately, “Ruoxi, you’ve arrived.”

Nangong Ruoxi nodded slightly in response, showing little emotion, as if Long Chen’s appearance was neither surprising nor exciting.

Long Chen then turned to Qin Changsheng, frowning slightly. “Who is this?”

Though he had been bested by a flying sword message yesterday, he still pretended not to know Qin Changsheng, intending to put him in his place later.

“He is my Dao companion,” Nangong Ruoxi said coolly.

The crowd gasped! No one could believe their ears. The Holy Maiden Nangong Ruoxi already had a Dao companion? And one so unknown?

“Wait!”

Qin Changsheng was stunned. Dao companion? I’m your medicine boy! He was about to explain when Nangong Ruoxi calmly handed him a storage ring.

“Here, one hundred thousand spirit stones. Help me, or I’ll kill you once this is over.”