CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 38: IS THE SUNFLOWER SAINTESS REINCARNATED?

After enduring countless hardships, Shi Feiyang finally formed his own team, unwilling to witness any loss they might suffer.

Thus, he earnestly pleaded with Qingyi, "Please, miss, show the way and leave a contact address. I will make arrangements and head over promptly." Qingyi nodded in trust, pointed Shi Feiyang in the right direction, and left a contact address.

Subsequently, she flew away gracefully, vanishing in an instant, her extraordinary technique leaving everyone present in awe.

Shi Feiyang ordered his subordinates to rest and set up camp, while he entered the Divine Dragon Pagoda to request the assistance of Lark and Bi Yan’Er, seeking advice on how to ensure the safety of his subordinate army of over ten thousand.

Lark smiled faintly and presented Shi Feiyang with a deerskin bag, explaining that no matter how many items, even mountains of gold and silver, could be contained within this bag.

The bag had partitions that could automatically identify and accommodate water, earth, people, flora, fauna, weapons, currency, and more.

By attaching it to the waist, it remains undetectable to ordinary people.

Moreover, those placed inside this small deerskin bag seem to continue living as if still in their original location.

After explaining, Lark imparted the incantation to Shi Feiyang, instructing him on how to use the deerskin bag.

Shi Feiyang, filled with immense joy, hurriedly left the Divine Dragon Pagoda, opened the deerskin bag, and placed his ten-thousand strong army, busy with their encampment, along with their supplies into the bag, attaching it to his waist.

Shi Feiyang immediately set off towards the Mangshan Bamboo Sea.

However, he neither walked nor rode a horse; instead, he used the wondrous "Thousand Miles Without Leaving a Trace" supreme lightness technique, breaking through clouds and mist, reaching a secluded valley in the blink of an eye.

Here, dense green trees stood like enormous umbrellas, shading the sky, casting deep shadows.

A variety of flowers bloomed in competition, exuding waves of fragrance, filling the air with an indistinct fragrance, intoxicating those present.

Birds joyfully hopped among the branches, their delightful chirping echoing like a natural concert.

This beauty stood in stark contrast to the noise and chaos of the outside world.

Here, it felt like a utopian paradise, isolated from the world, making one forget the bothers and disturbances of earthly life.

At this moment, a woman in Qingyi came out, leading Shi Feiyang through a thick bamboo grove to a quaint yet elegantly charming little cottage.

"Please, Grand Squad Leader, wait a moment; I will go report to my master." The Qingyi woman gently pushed open the door and entered the cottage, leaving Shi Feiyang quietly waiting outside, patiently observing the cottage.

Shortly after, the Qingyi woman returned to guide Shi Feiyang inside.

In this secluded valley, Shi Feiyang unexpectedly encountered Liu Tingting, the young and beautiful Young Palace Master of the Divine Water Palace.

Shi Feiyang gazed blankly at Liu Tingting, feeling she bore a striking resemblance to the Sunflower Saintess.

Behind Liu Tingting stood Gong Ci’en, Gong Yao’en, and Gong Simeng, attending her.

The Qingyi woman stood by, respectfully pouring tea for them.

Liu Tingting, around seventeen or eighteen years old, had a delicate beauty like a lotus emerging from water. Her eyebrows resembled distant mountains, her long hair flowed like a waterfall, her skin was as white as snow, her waist was slender like a willow, and her figure was graceful and captivating.

Her smile was enchanting.

Her eyes shone like stars, filled with wisdom and gentleness, seemingly capable of seeing into one’s heart.

Every gesture exuded elegance and composure, irresistibly charming those around her.

Gong Simeng, standing behind Liu Tingting, occasionally winked at Shi Feiyang and pointed to the bowl of tea in front of Shi Feiyang, gesturing for him not to drink it.

However, at that moment, Shi Feiyang, thinking Liu Tingting looked very much like the Sunflower Saintess, couldn’t help but glance at her a few more times, pondering: Could the Sunflower Saintess have been reincarnated into this world? But then he dismissed the thought as too absurd.

Shaking his head, he cast aside the absurd notion, mesmerized by Liu Tingting’s resemblance to the Sunflower Saintess.

Every movement of hers exuded an indescribable noble aura, indeed slightly reminiscent of the Sunflower Saintess.

Because of his longing for the Sunflower Saintess, Shi Feiyang felt every beautiful woman he saw resembled the Sunflower Saintess.

At that moment, Shi Feiyang chuckled helplessly, thinking himself deluded; how could there be such coincidences in the world?

Meanwhile, Liu Tingting was also carefully appraising Shi Feiyang, as sunlight streamed through the window, casting a light golden halo around her, adding an aura of sacred inviolability.

Appreciating this beauty, Shi Feiyang couldn’t help but feel a faint melancholy rise in his heart.

Unknowingly, Shi Feiyang drank the bowl of tea.

Gong Simeng’s face immediately darkened, eyes losing their luster, shocked that Shi Feiyang ignored his gestures. Alas!

Besides her stunning looks, Liu Tingting was exceptionally talented, easily earning admiration.

She invited Shi Feiyang to sit and taste the tea, expressing praise for Grand Squad Leader Shi’s extraordinary martial arts skills and noble character, noting how the populace revered him for ridding evils and promoting justice, a truly joyous and honorable thing.

Then Liu Tingting offered to play a tune for Grand Squad Leader Shi, as a token of her respect.

Thereafter, they would discuss matters of Jianghu together.

Shi Feiyang humbly smiled, replying, "Miss Liu overpraises; what I do is merely my duty to protect civilians. Hearing Miss Liu’s music is my greatest honor."

With those words, he sat by the table, awaiting Liu Tingting’s performance.

Liu Tingting smiled gently and softly stroked the guqin with her delicate fingers.

The melody was serene, like a mountain spring, or a gentle breeze through the woods, calming the mind.

Shi Feiyang listened with closed eyes, a look of enchantment on his face, as if transported to a utopian paradise, with all worries dissipating.

The music was at times intense, at times soft, with each note filled with profound emotions, touching the soul.

But suddenly, Shi Feiyang felt a fierce pain in his abdomen, as if a sharp knife was tearing his insides apart.

His limbs became weak and powerless, as if all his strength had been drained away.

Immediately, Shi Feiyang broke into a cold sweat, perspiration streaming down his forehead, back, and limbs.

Alarmingly, his sweat was black like ink.

Shi Feiyang realized he had been poisoned, and a surge of uncontrollable anger welled up inside him.

Pointing at Liu Tingting, his voice filled with accusation and resentment: "You despicable bitch, so ruthless and deceitful, poisoning me!" His voice echoed in the air, laden with unwillingness and despair.

In that moment, Shi Feiyang saw stars, as if the world were spinning.

His vision grew blurred, darkness encroaching.

Unable to hold on, Shi Feiyang collapsed to the ground, convulsing.

The blood he spat was ink-black, staining the ground.

It was then Shi Feiyang recalled a classic phrase uttered by the former Sect Leader of the Ming Sect, Zhang Wuji’s mother, Yin Susu: "The prettier the girl, the more deceptive she is." At this moment, her words rang in Shi Feiyang’s ears, like a warning bell, reminding him of his past naiveté. If it weren’t for his belief that Liu Tingting resembled the Sunflower Saintess, Shi Feiyang might not have been deceived.

Only now did Shi Feiyang understand Gong Simeng’s gestures behind Liu Tingting, the meaning of his winks and hand signs, regretting deeply but too late.