Chapter 434: Seeing Qing Lian Again

Zhao Xin nodded, sighing in admiration. “Qing Lian, you’re so beautiful. It’s like you’re a fairy who’s stepped right out of a painting.”

A shy smile touched Qing Lian’s lips. “You’re flattering me, Sister Zhao Xin. You’re the one who’s truly as beautiful as a goddess.”

It didn’t take long for Zhao Xin to accept this reality.

The two of them hit it off immediately, their conversation quickly growing animated.

Standing to the side, Xu Lei couldn’t help but smile as he watched them getting along like sisters.

“Alright,” Xu Lei added. “From now on, the three of us will stick together. We’ll support each other, work hard, and try to pass the assessment as soon as we can so we can leave this Sun Palace Treasure Tower.”

Zhao Xin and Qing Lian both nodded emphatically.

With Zhao Xin having accepted Qing Lian, the trio began their life of cultivation in the Second Heaven.

The cultivation environment was a marked improvement over the First Heaven. The Spiritual Qi was much denser, which significantly accelerated their cultivation progress.

Every day, Xu Lei, Zhao Xin, and Qing Lian would cultivate on their own, diligently working to raise their strength.

When they weren’t cultivating, the three of them would gather to enjoy some leisure time.

Xu Lei had even introduced a game from Earth to the Celestial Palace: poker.

They often sat together, playing cards to relax and have some fun.

“Haha, Qing Lian, you lost again!” Zhao Xin said with a laugh, her face beaming with joy.

Qing Lian pouted, refusing to concede. “Let’s play again! I’m definitely going to win this time!”

Xu Lei sat to one side, watching them with a warm smile on his face.

‘He knew moments of relaxation like this were precious, allowing them to temporarily forget the pressures of cultivation.’

Besides playing cards, the three would also enjoy the delicacies of the Celestial Palace together. Even though all the dishes were vegetarian, a little creativity still resulted in gourmet food.

They also toured the beautiful scenery of the Second Heaven, which was quite vast.

All in all, they cherished this rare leisure time.

And Qing Lian’s presence did indeed make things more convenient for Xu Lei and Zhao Xin.

In the past, they always had to be cautious to avoid Jue Gen. Now, with Qing Lian as their cover, they could be together more freely.

“Qing Lian, thank you,” Xu Lei said, taking her hand, his eyes filled with gratitude.

Qing Lian smiled faintly. “Senior, you are my Dao Companion. It’s only natural that I do these things for you.”

Zhao Xin smiled and linked her arm with Qing Lian’s. “Qing Lian, you’re the best. I’m so happy to have a new sister like you.”

A flicker of emotion crossed Qing Lian’s eyes. “Sister Zhao Xin, I’m also very happy to have a sister like you.”

With Qing Lian providing cover, Xu Lei and Zhao Xin could be more open about their relationship.

They no longer had to worry about Jue Gen’s interference and could express their affection for each other more freely.

Xu Lei directly introduced Qing Lian to Jue Gen as his Dao Companion. Zhao Xin, in turn, claimed she and Qing Lian had hit it off right away and become the best of sisters.

It became perfectly normal for Zhao Xin and Qing Lian to be inseparable.

One day, Xu Lei and Qing Lian were walking home hand in hand, with Zhao Xin linking arms with Qing Lian, the very picture of sisterly affection.

They openly walked right past Jue Gen, who didn’t suspect a thing about the relationship between Zhao Xin and Xu Lei.

Little did Jue Gen know that once they returned to their residence and closed the door, Xu Lei was embracing Zhao Xin and frantically engaging in Charitable Giving.

In Xu Lei’s arms, Zhao Xin continuously cried out “Amitabha Buddha,” thoroughly enjoying his affection.

Jue Gen, who was still outside, heard her cries and couldn’t help but feel puzzled. “Senior Sister Jin Xin, what’s wrong?”

Zhao Xin called back, “I’m just playing a game with Qing Lian! What’s it to you?”

Qing Lian added, “Senior Brother Jue Gen, you shouldn’t just hang around outside. You should go back.”

That was right—Jue Gen’s seniority was higher than Qing Lian’s. After all, he had arrived at the Celestial Palace before she did.

Jue Gen just gave a shameless smile and didn’t say anything more.

He continued to pursue Zhao Xin as relentlessly as ever, but she consistently rejected his advances.

“Senior Brother Jue Gen, I appreciate the sentiment, but as I’ve told you, I don’t have any romantic feelings for you,” Zhao Xin said, exasperated but firm.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Jue Gen’s face, but his expression quickly hardened with resolve. “Senior Sister Jin Xin, I believe that if I just persevere, I’ll be able to move your heart one day.”

Zhao Xin shook her head helplessly. “Senior Brother Jue Gen, you can’t force matters of the heart. I understand your persistence, but I can’t accept it.”

But Jue Gen was unmoved, a stubborn glint in his eye. “No, I won’t give up so easily. I’ll make you see how sincere I am. I’ll make you fall in love with me.”

Zhao Xin sighed. ‘She knew she couldn’t convince him; she could only hope that time would change things.’

Meanwhile, Xu Lei and Qing Lian stood quietly to the side, watching the exchange between Zhao Xin and Jue Gen.

‘They knew Jue Gen’s obsession with Zhao Xin was bound to cause trouble for their own relationship.’

‘With Jue Gen being so obsessive, Xu Lei wasn’t sure what would happen if the man ever found out that Zhao Xin loved him. Would he go crazy?’

This made Xu Lei’s desire for Power even more intense.

‘After all, if he weren’t weaker than Yuan Kong, he wouldn’t have to resort to all this scheming.’

‘Besides, Yuan Kong had killed him twice already, and he still hadn’t gotten his revenge.’

For the time being, however, things were calm.

Xu Lei soon pushed these emotional matters to the back of his mind.

He threw himself back into his cultivation for several more months.

In his spare time, he took turns performing Charitable Giving with Qing Lian and Zhao Xin.

One, a blossoming mature woman; the other, a fresh young maiden. Each had a different flavor, both exquisite beyond compare.

「A few months later.」

Xu Lei and Zhao Xin were preparing to take the assessment for the Second Heaven.

They wanted to see how difficult it would be.

Qing Lian didn’t go with them.

This was because, just as in the First Heaven, each person could only attempt the assessment once every set period of time; unlimited, frequent attempts were not allowed.