CHAPTER 75.2: THE PLACE OF DEATH, KEEP AT LEAST A HUNDRED METERS AWAY FROM ME

Seventh Moon quickly collected herself and forced the words out, "The Saintess is only seven years old this year."

Qi Yuan was stunned for a moment. "Huh? Well, protecting a child is fine too, but..."

“Do not hesitate to voice any request. The Moonlight Clan is willing to open our treasure vaults for you to take whatever you desire. If it pleases you, even our unmarried maidens may be offered as well.”

"No need. One Saintess is enough."

Seventh Moon’s eyes went wide.

"Don’t misunderstand, I have no interest in such worldly things!" Qi Yuan hastily said.

Only then did the priestess calm down, realizing she had misunderstood him.

Qi Yuan gazed at the starry sky, then at the Ancient Qichun Tree. "I hope that if you build a kingdom in the future, you’d call it the Moonlight Kingdom. And here, by this lake, build a town and name it Seventh Moon Town. What do you think?"

Though puzzled, the priestess replied, "Should we survive this calamity, even if only a single village remains, our Moonlight Clan will follow your words and establish the Moonlight Kingdom!"

Qi Yuan couldn't help but smile. A village proclaiming itself a kingdom, why did that feel so familiar?

"I have more requests, but I’ll tell you when I leave. Oh, and I will only protect your Saintess for twenty-six days."

Seventh Moon agreed, then bit her lips. "But if the Black Army appears, you may leave at once. You need not concern yourself with us or the Saintess."

Qi Yuan glanced unexpectedly at her. "Very well."

***

The next day, a simple bamboo hut was built by the shores of Seventh Moon Lake.

As always, Qi Yuan sat upon a blue stone by the water’s edge. He was silent, lost in his thoughts.

Seventh Moon returned once more, this time holding the hand of a little girl. "This is the Saintess of our clan. I entrust her to you."

She released her grip and the little girl peeked timidly at Qi Yuan.

He too looked her way. The girl seemed timid, yet her eyes were the most striking feature. Her long lashes fluttered like fans, and within her pupils, it was as though a crescent moon lay hidden.

"What is her name?"

"You may call her Moon Maiden."

Qi Yuan repeated softly, "Moon Maiden?"

The priestess handed the Saintess over, then added, "I must make a long journey for some time. I entrust the matters in your hands."

Seventh Moon then reached into her and took out a round jade token. "This is the Linglong Xi Jade. They come in pairs and allow mortals to communicate over distance. I’ll give one to you and bring the other with me. Should any urgent matters arise, you may use it to contact me."

Qi Yuan accepted the warm Linglong Xi Jade. He noticed it was much like the communication jade slips from the Canglan World.

He tried testing it. "Are you there?"

Seventh Moon saw the displayed message and glanced at him. "Yes, just like that."

Then, she crouched before the girl. "Moon Maiden, stay close to this elder during this time. He will protect you. Be obedient."

The child stole a glance at Qi Yuan, then nodded.

Seventh Moon bowed. "I shall leave her in your care."

Qi Yuan suddenly asked, "Why do you trust me so much?"

Looking pious, the priestess replied, "All is guided by destiny."

Qi Yuan scoffed. "Superstitious nonsense."

He had no patience for fortune-tellers, forever spouting riddles.

With that, the priestess departed, leaving only Qi Yuan and the Saintess beside the green lake.

Qi Yuan glanced at the child. "Go play in the mud if you like. Just don’t leave my sight."

However, she said nothing and simply sat down quietly beside him. The two stared blankly at the water. One tall, one small, they made an artistic pair.

Time passed. A cold wind swept over the lake. Qi Yuan lifted his head, watching the sky as tiny specks drifted down.

"Snow... looks like I'll be fishing alone in the cold river snow," he muttered. Glancing at the Saintess, he noticed she was clutching his sleeve tightly. "If you’re cold, go inside."

Her small hands were reddened by the chill. She glanced at him, then obediently went indoors.

I wasn’t warm enough. The poor girl was frozen.

Alone by the lake, he sat in the vastness of the world, just him and the endless sky.

Time slipped by. Snow had piled on his shoulders and the branches along the bank. When the wind blew, snowflakes fluttered down. A thin film of ice spread across the lake.

He sighed. "It's great to feel the cold wind, it makes my mind feel clearer."

The killing intent in Qi Yuan's heart melted away like the falling snow.

Just then, the wooden door creaked open. Little Moon Maiden carried a large bowl in her hands and walked toward Qi Yuan.

The bowl was huge and steaming hot, filled to the brim with fragrant fish soup. She placed it before him, gazing at him with twinkling eyes.

Qi Yuan sniffed at the broth. "For me? Never thought I’d come here and end up with a bowl of fish soup instead of a crispy sweet duck. Worth it."

The girl stood silently at his side, as if etching his words deep into her heart.

Qi Yuan raised the bowl, ready to drink it all in one go.

Suddenly, he knitted his brows as he looked ahead. "These NPCs really have no manners. Don’t they know one shouldn’t disturb a player while he’s eating?"

In the distance, seven figures slowly approached Qi Yuan. Each wore a wide-brimmed bamboo hat, their steps falling upon the snow, yet leaving no trace.

On a pavilion afar, Cold Moon saw this scene and her pupils constricted. "Seven Emperor realm cultivators!"

Indeed, seven Emperor realm cultivators had arrived together. Judging from their aura, they weren't just run-of-the-mill cultivators.

She was a little anxious and also worried for the masked man. As if that wasn't enough, the Moonlight Clan had already sent out all their experts and few were in the grounds to guard the clan.

Could the masked man withstand their might?

By now, the seven Emperor realm stood barely a hundred meters away from Qi Yuan.

Qi Yuan murmured, "The scent of blood travels through the air at fifty centimeters per second. Finishing this fish soup will take me two hundred seconds. You are now a hundred meters away, just the right spot for you to die."

Of course, he was just spouting nonsense, but the eyes of the seven figures flashed with murderous intent.

"You are far too arrogant!"

One man who exuded a strong and vigorous aura said, "I am Zhou Kang, Iron Fist of the Hundred-Cities Alliance. As a Peak Emperor realm cultivator, you must be over fifty years old. Join us, and live out your twilight in peace. You’ll regret it if you choose to stand against us!”

Snowflakes drifted from the heavens, falling upon him and melting at once. The seven advanced together.

Qi Yuan cast them a sidelong glance. "You've crossed the line."

If they died at ninety-nine meters away from him, their blood stench would taint his soup.

One of them roared, "Then I’ll step forward, what can you do about it?"

Seeing a mere NPC daring to defy him, Qi Yuan’s gaze turned cold. "Why are you all so useless? Even in death, you won’t give me a single experience point."

His sword leapt from his hand, streaking toward the seven men. Under the moonlight, a single arc of swordlight swept through the boundless snowy night.

The seven men froze where they stood, eyes wide. Snow gathered on their shoulders. Then, as though its weight was too heavy to bear, they toppled to the ground as one.