The next two weeks passed quickly. Qin Chuan and the woman continued their daily journey to the mountaintop to observe and search.
The woman was very patient, remaining silent and watching over Qin Chuan. When the time came, she would pull him away,
tugging at his sleeve.
The day was drawing ever closer. Qin Chuan hadn't yet found a reliable weakness, and the other side hadn't actively sought trouble.
Both sides were at peace, seemingly having reached some kind of agreement. However, Qin Chuan knew this was all an illusion; the other side would definitely return to make their move before that day arrived.
Eliminating any threat in its infancy was naturally best, especially since such a significant matter couldn't be taken lightly. After all, success would mean instant advancement and meteoric rise to power.
Qin Chuan seemed unhurried, and so did the woman, but the Heavenly Sect Master and the others grew increasingly uneasy. They knew very well that if things continued this way without significant changes, they wouldn't be able to stop it.
Hmm?
Qin Chuan's eyes lit up. In the last moments of the day, he finally discovered a problem, a flaw, though not as significant as the previous ones.
However, this was a crucial point. While the flaw wasn't as large as the previous ones, it was enough for Qin Chuan to break the formation's effect in a short time.
He couldn't completely destroy it, but he could disable the formation for a short period—this was crucial. If the timing was right, it would definitely stop the opponent.
He would mark it, then leave the Devouring Beast here, letting it cause trouble from a hidden spot. He wouldn't even need to lift a finger; the Devouring Beast would suffice.
Time was up. The woman again pulled Qin Chuan's sleeve, leading him down the mountain. But this time, for some reason, she suddenly grabbed Qin Chuan's hand.
Cool and smooth as jade, delicate as cream, Qin Chuan instinctively gripped her hand tightly.
Awkward!
The woman had grabbed it first, but it was her mistake. She didn't know that Qin Chuan certainly wouldn't think it was a mistake, which made her both embarrassed and anxious.
Actually, Qin Chuan knew that a woman like her wouldn't be so proactive, but he knew that getting close to this woman without some unexpected event was difficult.
For example, this time was truly unexpected; Qin Chuan was a little confused, but it would be a shame to miss such an opportunity. He
genuinely liked her, a natural attraction to beauty, but he wouldn't force her. Well, this woman was strong enough that he couldn't force her.
Although he liked her, Qin Chuan felt it was best to let things take their natural course.
His mindset had been constantly changing over the years. Initially, he would pursue anyone he liked, then he felt guilty towards his women.
Later, he felt that if they were meant to be, they would be together, without forcing or rejecting. Then he became resistant…
and now his state was very ambiguous; he didn't even know what kind of feeling it was, focusing more on a heart-to-heart connection.
As long as we have each other in our hearts, whether we're a couple, have a defined relationship, or are even together, it doesn't matter.
Love isn't about right or wrong; without love, nothing is left, and with love, there's no need to say more, no need to be bound by many rules.
"Let go…" The woman tried to pull away, but Qin Chuan held on tightly, looking at her angrily.
"You held onto mine first," Qin Chuan said with a smile.
Woman: "...I didn't mean to."
"I don't mind!"
"You scoundrel! Let go!" The woman tried to pull her hand away again.
"I really like you. Don't overthink it, I just like you. When you grabbed my hand earlier, I don't know why, but I just felt I had to hold on tight, I couldn't let go. Don't worry, I won't burden you in any way, so don't overthink it."
The woman was a little dazed. During their time together, she couldn't bring herself to attack Qin Chuan, but this scoundrel wouldn't let go.
And those words made her feel a little flustered. She was beautiful, and because she was so beautiful, almost surpassing everything in this world, no one dared to tell her they liked her.
She was naturally indifferent to romantic feelings, and over time, she had gotten used to it.
Habits are the most terrifying thing. She had forgotten many things, but today, the largest part of her humanity had been unleashed.
She forgot to struggle, only experiencing an internal battle, because she didn't know if she could change this habit. Once broken, it would be too difficult to return to this state.
A martial artist's state of mind is paramount. Breaking through it isn't necessarily a bad thing, nor is it necessarily a good thing; it all depends on how well the individual manages it.
For some, breaking through is a blessing, a liberation from shackles; for others, it leads to utter despair, a living death, a fate worse than death.
These are the subsequent consequences. After all, breaking through one's state of mind is a single point—a stirring of the heart. Any subsequent changes can cause immense harm.
This harm isn't something a strong person is more resistant to; in fact, they are more vulnerable at this point.
If one doesn't break through, everything remains the same, nothing changes.
However, sometimes you can't simply choose not to break through. If that were the case, no one would face the danger that follows.
Like love, love often comes unexpectedly, uncontrollably. You can't have it just because you want it, or have it just because you don't want it.
Being unable to control oneself is the best explanation.
"Will you let go?" the woman asked softly, her head slightly lowered.
Qin Chuan knew he had done enough. As long as he could leave a place in her heart, so she would think of him from time to time, that was enough.
Qin Chuan reluctantly let go of her, even loosening his grip halfway before pulling back again, only to release her again when he saw her glare at him.
The woman suddenly realized something, noticing time was running out, and quickly pulled Qin Chuan away, this time by his sleeve.
The two rode away from the mountaintop on the woman's mount, reaching the distant sky, where concealment was no longer an option.
"Sister!" Qin Chuan called to her, noticing her unease.
"Hmm!"
"Don't be like this. Just be yourself. What are you worried about?" Qin Chuan asked.
"I'm not worried."
"You hate me?" Qin Chuan suddenly asked.
"No, oh, I hate you." The woman was genuinely flustered for the first time, huffing and puffing as she finished speaking, then tapped him on the forehead.
Qin Chuan smiled, and the woman smiled too. She knew Qin Chuan just wanted to make her feel relaxed, like before.
"I'll treat you to a drink today," Qin Chuan said with a smile, grabbing the woman's sleeve and descending from the sky.
A slight smile played on the woman's lips as the two of them, their robes fluttering, seemed to float in mid-air. Qin Chuan, dressed in a blue robe with two strands of white hair at his temples, exuded a natural air. Although young, his demeanor suggested that no one should underestimate him.