My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Chen Yi, lost in his indulgence, let slip a moment of distraction.

Qin Qingluo caught the fleeting opportunity but remained remarkably composed, allowing it to pass.

The lustful fool posed no real obstacle to her grand plans; in that instant, she realized this.

After a long kiss, Chen Yi met the proud and dismissive gaze of the princess. She chuckled faintly and declared with unparalleled calmness, "To risk one's life over trifles, yet fear for it when chasing greatness—such is the mark of mediocrity."

Half-buried in the tall woman's embrace, Chen Yi retorted, "And what of it? Do you not wonder why I would go to such lengths to save you?"

As his words lingered, Qin Qingluo casually let go of his hand.

The princess sneered, "Whore, I'll reward you once more."

Her words hung in the air; she gazed at him with cold anticipation.

Chen Yi did not refute her. "Respectfully, I'll accept your grace."

.........…

As Chen Yi descended the stairs, draped in his clothes that were half-damp, half-dry, he was expressionless, his gaze distant as though savoring memories.

Upon reaching the ground floor, Zhu E approached him, her cheeks flushed, stammering as she leaned into Chen Yi's chest.

"Aunt Zhu, where's Min Ning?" Chen Yi glanced at the empty seat and asked.

"She... ran off mysteriously," Zhu E murmured apologetically. "Maybe… I pushed her too far and she got upset."

Before Chen Yi could worry about Min Ning, a commotion stirred outside.

A commotion, a commotion.

First came a single disturbance.

A withered leaf drifted over.

It did not carve a magnificent arc, nor instantly pierce the air with velocity. It simply swayed from side to side, landing softly within Chen Yi's gaze.

Chen Yi pinched the dry leaf between his fingers and looked up, spotting a figure standing at a distance with hands behind their back.

It seemed to be Min Ning.

Within the shifting shadows of trees, her features were unclear; the backdrop a blaze of autumn-hued forests.

Holding the leaf, Chen Yi couldn't discern whether Min Ning was jealous or something else; she stood far off, sending him a single leaf—its meaning, who in this world could truly fathom?

Chen Yi tilted his head toward Zhu E in silent signal before making a move. He stepped forward, vanishing into the layers upon layers of woods, where the shadows were deep as ink and the grass faintly yellow-green.

Moving like a serpent, he leapt between treetops. Upon landing, Chen Yi glanced upward, finding no trace of anyone.

A commotion, a commotion.

And then, silence.

Leaves shifted, casting mottled light and shadow over Chen Yi's face. The wind lingered for some time before rushing past, pulling shadows along. Amidst the falling leaves, a sword emerged.

The blade's gleam wasn't striking, nor was its speed immense. Chen Yi first saw the sword before seeing its wielder. The sword aimed straight at his throat.

Chen Yi tilted slightly, letting the blade pass just beside his neck, then reached out to catch it, seizing Min Ning's arm as though grabbing a darting fish.

Her slender arm held power, with defined lines hidden beneath the fabric of a flying fish robe. She slashed at him once, her eyes tilted slightly, without any killing intent. For an instant, she slipped out of Chen Yi's grasp.

The branches swayed as she lightly stepped away, her toes tapping into emerald shadows, blending her figure into the layered forest bathed in autumn hues. Gentle breezes stirred ripples among the tree-shade.

Chen Yi was puzzled, filled with uncertainty and confusion. Was Min Ning jealous or not? He'd prepared for her fatal strike, yet she didn't commit. The sword seemed neither serious nor playful.

What was she up to?

Chen Yi followed in her tracks, stepping deeper into the woods.

It was early winter; fallen leaves blanketed the forest. Everywhere he looked, whether up or down, was a sea of golden hues. Chen Yi's pace quickened, the crisp crackle of crushed leaves echoing incessantly.

Chen Yi moved, and then met stillness.

Through the interweaving tree branches emerged a serene small lake—a stone in the water polished smooth and tender by rushing streams. Min Ning stood alone upon a boulder in the lake, her sword slung behind her back, her face turned sideways. Chen Yi caught her visage.

Chen Yi's lips curled into a smirk. "Hey, what's wrong now?" he asked.

Min Ning also smiled faintly. Her step was light, and inexplicably, she darted over.

Chen Yi opened his arms, waiting for her to fall into his embrace.

But Min Ning leapt past his arms like a carp jumping over a dragon gate; as she passed, her sword gleamed.

A sweeping strike melded with the sound of water, so subtle it nearly escaped perception. Chen Yi turned his head just in time, finding the sword guided by water and wind, arriving before him.

Sword wind brushed against his face. Chen Yi touched his neck; she had not actually sliced him. He seemed to understand something, yet comprehended nothing, and chose not to speak.

As she melted into the shade of trees, Min Ning uttered:

"Chen Zunming, you won't catch me."

Chen Yi paused, then laughed back:

"I'll catch you all the same."

With his words trailing, Chen Yi dove into the forest.

Between the gaps of towering trees and distant mountainous contours now hazy and indistinct, Chen Yi chased after Min Ning's figure, closing the gap between them.

Yet Min Ning's movements suddenly turned erratic, her martial arts clearly inferior to his, but he couldn't narrow the distance abruptly; only an inch at a time.

Ultimately, Chen Yi's pace outmatched hers, and Min Ning was within mere three or four zhang of reach.

Up ahead stood a towering ancient tree.

She stepped onto the tree, casting him a glance before Chen Yi heard her say:

"Let me win once, and I'll let you have me."

Chen Yi shook his head, replying:

"I won't lose to you."

As they exchanged words, Min Ning ascended the great tree, her silhouette pulling upward toward the treetop.

Chen Yi launched himself forward, chasing her upward toward the heights of the tree.

The two darted across the tree like eagles soaring toward the crown.

Eventually, Chen Yi was the first to emerge atop the treetop. He grabbed Min Ning's wrist, pulling her firmly upward.

Min Ning's figure shot into the air like a fish leaping out of water; under the glow of sunset, her body pivoted mid-air, her sword tip aimed at Chen Yi.

How easy it would be to strike him down...

Chen Yi hesitated momentarily, seeing the blade veer aside, missing his ear and slicing through the ends of his hair.

Under the golden glow of sunset atop the treetop canopy, Min Ning fell into his embrace.

Chen Yi gently held her waist, gazing at her and asking softly, "What does this mean?"

Min Ning didn't answer but lifted her hand to raise his chin, leaning her lips toward his.

The wind roamed freely, filling the expansive heavens and earth.

After the kiss, Min Ning pulled back, raised his chin and murmured with a sneer, "You still reek of other women."

Chen Yi stared at Min Ning thoughtfully for some time and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

After chasing her this far, Chen Yi grasped some parts of the situation yet remained perplexed.

Min Ning gazed at him steadily for quite a while before speaking: "What else could it be?"

Chen Yi blinked.

"Are you an idiot?" Min Ning scolded, "I'm teaching you martial arts!"

Chen Yi paused briefly before realizing that every move Min Ning had made—every strike—was a newly-realized sword technique of hers.

And as she darted about like a swimming fish, she had been imparting her Sword Intent.

Chen Yi pondered for a moment, holding her waist tightly and asked, "Was there also a hidden message behind this?"

Cheeks flushed with scarlet, Min Ning snapped angrily, "That's all you thought of?"

Before Chen Yi could reply,

She laughed boldly and said, "Of course. That's what you'd think."

The layered mountains were now blanketed with lush greenery, seemingly tinged yellow by the moist hues of dusk, locked within colorful clouds.

Min Ning lowered her gaze upon him, her eyes somewhat dazed. She murmured sotto voce:

"I'll give myself to you."

Chen Yi held her gaze with remarkable tenderness, leaning his lips closer once more.

Min Ning slapped him lightly; her wrist recoiled from the impact as her body slithered away like a darting fish.

Chen Yi grasped air.

Turning, he watched her retreating figure dart four or five zhang away, unattainable. Her laughter lingered in the air:

"I've changed my mind; tomorrow, perhaps."

The heroine's figure disappeared amid the mountain woods. As dusk settled, a faint mist arose, leaving Chen Yi seated atop the treetop alone, bathed in the glow of evening clouds, his back damp with sweat. He could not fathom why Min Ning had spoken of giving herself to him, only to change her mind so suddenly. He sat there for a long time, pondering her intent.

Lowering his gaze, he seemed no longer to smell Qin Qingluo's scent on him, only Min Ning's lingering fragrance.

Why had she led him into the forest? Why relay her Sword Intent through fleeting strikes? And why engage in this dance of closeness and separation? Lost in thought, he seemed to understand something, then bitterly chuckled at his own realization.

Min Yuechi had fleeting dreams of a lifelong bond,

But it turned out her heart-strings were tied to someone else…