Chapter 433 174: Meeting Qing Lian Again

Qing Lian nodded, her eyes shining with determination. "Senior, you're right. We have to persevere until we can leave this Sun Palace Treasure Tower and regain our freedom."

They held each other in a tight embrace.

Xu Lei gently stroked Qing Lian's shaved head. A glint appeared in his eyes as he asked, "Qing Lian, what's the trial for the Second Heaven? How difficult is it compared to the First Heaven?"

Qing Lian smiled faintly, a nostalgic light in her eyes. "The trial for the Second Heaven is different from the first. It's not about fighting Puppets anymore. Instead, you enter a special Secret Realm with an extremely harsh environment. We have to survive there for a certain amount of time to pass. But I haven't managed to pass it yet."

Xu Lei was stunned. He had a general idea of Qing Lian's strength, so if even she couldn't pass, he could only imagine how difficult the trial must be.

He went on to ask Qing Lian for more details about the trial, and she answered every question without reservation.

"By the way, Qing Lian, have you seen Bai Ling?" Xu Lei asked suddenly. Of course, he had been worried about Bai Ling all this time.

Qing Lian nodded. "I've seen Bai Ling. She's now one of Bodhisattva Guan Yun's Child Girls. She has also returned to her youth and become a delicate young maiden. It's just... she wears a collar around her neck. I'm not sure what Bodhisattva Guan Yun's intentions are."

Xu Lei's brow furrowed. He, too, was worried for Bai Ling.

After talking for a bit more, they both realized that worrying was useless. They were still too weak.

If their Cultivation became strong enough, none of their problems would be problems anymore.

"Qing Lian, there's something I think I should tell you." After a moment's thought, Xu Lei decided to tell her about Zhao Xin.

Qing Lian froze for a second, then a knowing smile bloomed on her face. "Senior, whatever it is, please just tell me."

Xu Lei took a deep breath and explained about Zhao Xin, then said slowly, "Qing Lian, Zhao Xin is also my Dao Companion. But she was my companion in another lifetime, one different from ours. I know this might be a surprise, but I hope you can understand."

A flicker of surprise crossed Qing Lian's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a gentle warmth. "Senior, I understand. You are such an exceptional man; becoming your Dao Companion is the honor of my life. Besides, you've reincarnated so many times, a situation like this is bound to happen. It was a different life, after all. I can accept it. I'm sure Sister Zhao Xin must be a wonderful woman, too."

Xu Lei let out a sigh of relief. He knew Qing Lian was broad-minded. She had been his Dao Companion alongside Bai Ling before, so he'd thought she wouldn't mind sharing him with another. Still, hearing her say it aloud was a great comfort.

"However, Senior, if you're worried Sister Zhao Xin will mind, I can help you hide our relationship. We can just keep it a secret between us, without her knowing," Qing Lian suddenly suggested.

Xu Lei thought for a moment.

'That's true, Zhao Xin might not be so accepting.'

'After all, when I was with Zhao Xin, our relationship was, relatively speaking, exclusive.'

'Then again,' Xu Lei thought, 'there was Jingchun. So maybe Zhao Xin can accept this.'

'But things are different now than they were in the mortal world. Back then, I was exceptional. Here in the Celestial Palace Treasure Tower, while I'm still doing well, Jue Gen is relentlessly pursuing Zhao Xin. I don't know if her feelings might have changed.'

Still, Xu Lei decided he wouldn't hide it from Zhao Xin.

So Xu Lei shook his head. He didn't want to deceive either Zhao Xin or Qing Lian. "Qing Lian, thank you for the offer, but I can't do that. I've reincarnated many times and, to be honest, I've been with many women. I refuse to use deception to win a woman over or to keep her by my side. I've decided to be completely honest with the people I care about. If Xin'er truly chooses to leave me because of you, then I will accept that outcome."

A flash of admiration lit up Qing Lian's eyes. She knew Xu Lei was a man of immense integrity, and that was one of the reasons she loved him so deeply.

"Alright, then. I respect your decision," Qing Lian said softly.

Xu Lei nodded and brought Qing Lian to Zhao Xin's quarters.

He told Zhao Xin everything Qing Lian had said about the trial for the Second Heaven.

"Xin'er, Qing Lian is also my Dao Companion. She was my partner in another lifetime, not the one I shared with you." There was a hint of apology in Xu Lei's voice.

Surprise flashed in Zhao Xin's eyes; she hadn't expected this part of Xu Lei's past. She felt a pang of jealousy. After all, Qing Lian was a complete stranger to her. It wasn't like the situation with Jingchun, who had been Zhao Xin's master, which had made it easier for her to accept.

But Qing Lian was already Xu Lei's woman. After thinking it over, Zhao Xin came to accept it.

'After all,' Zhao Xin thought, 'he and Qing Lian were partners in a different life. I can't very well demand he abandon her now. If he were the kind of heartless man who would abandon his partner, I wouldn't love him in the first place.'

Qing Lian also explained that she had offered to keep it a secret from Zhao Xin, but Xu Lei had refused.

At this, Zhao Xin couldn't help but smile.

Furthermore, Qing Lian herself was both beautiful and charming. Having reverted to her youth after Ascension, she now looked incredibly cute.

Upon meeting Zhao Xin, she immediately started calling her "Sister Zhao Xin" affectionately.

"Sister Zhao Xin, it's so nice to meet you. I've heard Senior talk about you for a long time. Now that I see you, you're truly as beautiful as a goddess."

Qing Lian affectionately took Zhao Xin's hand. "Sister Zhao Xin, from now on, we'll be like sisters. I hope we get along well."