Xianxia: The Sect Master Is My Girlfriend

“Yi Qinglan?”

Li Ran was momentarily stunned. “Isn’t she the Sect Master of the Central Heaven Sect? Does she practice the Path of Heartlessness?”

The Righteous Path has always emphasized compassion and integrity. The “Path of Heartlessness” sounded like something from the demonic sects.

“To be precise, it’s the Path of Detachment,” Leng Wuyan said coolly. “She pursues absolute impartiality, sensitivity to the heavens, and sees all worldly affairs as burdens to transcend.”

The Great Dao has many forms, and all lead to the same ultimate truth.

Whether through music, chess, art, or even food, drink, gambling, or pleasure—anything can be a path to enlightenment, as long as it suits the practitioner.

Among the food sects, a master of the Path of Gluttony can supposedly swallow mountains and rivers, and hold the sun and moon within.

It’s said that a devoted lover of wine once tasted the finest brew, had a flash of epiphany, and ascended during the day.

Deep mastery of the Path of Gambling leads to great fortune, which can then open doors to divination and prediction.

As for the Path of Pleasure…

Let’s just say that those who know, know.

Li Ran was curious, but he hadn’t had a chance to try any of these paths yet.

The Path of Detachment, like the others, is simply another route on the Dao.

No one path is higher or lower.

Li Ran scratched his head. “Absolute detachment… sounds like the life of a nun.”

“Exactly. She’s an insufferable nun!” Leng Wuyan replied bitterly.

Li Ran was taken aback. “Master, do you have a grudge against Yi Qinglan?”

“She’s the person I despise most in the world! If I ever get the chance, I’d love to personally kill her!” Leng Wuyan clenched her white fists.

Li Ran’s instincts told him there was more to the story between these two.

Remembering something, Leng Wuyan chuckled to herself. “If only we could drag Yi Qinglan down into the dust of the mortal world! I’d love to see that arrogant face of hers flushed with embarrassment, floundering in the world of mortals.”

A shiver ran down Li Ran’s spine.

She was indeed a demoness! Only she would think of such things.

He slapped his chest confidently. “Don’t worry, Master, leave it to me! I’ll infiltrate the Central Heaven Sect and seduce that nun!”

“Don’t you dare!” Leng Wuyan grabbed his ear, pouting. “You’re only allowed to have eyes for me! No more stray thoughts!”

Seeing Li Ran’s smirk, she suddenly realized how her words sounded, and blushing, she let go.

“You little rascal, always teasing me…” She shook her head, sighing. “Though Yi Qinglan’s heart is steadfast, devoted to the heavens. Even ten of you wouldn’t sway her.”

Li Ran chuckled, “I only want to win over Master. That cold-hearted nun doesn’t interest me at all.”

“Hmph, sweet-talker.”

Leng Wuyan rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t hide the smile at the corners of her lips.

…

Whether it was due to Leng Wuyan’s magic or not, no one seemed to notice the two of them. It allowed them to enjoy their time together, undisturbed, in their little world.

At that moment, laughter drifted from up ahead. A crowd had gathered around a large tree, seemingly hanging things on it.

Leng Wuyan’s eyes lit up. “It’s a wishing tree!”

“Huh?” Li Ran was puzzled. “There’s such a thing?”

The two walked closer.

They saw an enormous ginkgo tree, its lush branches stretching wide, shading the area.

Colorful ribbons and small lanterns hung from its branches, while yellow sashes adorned the trunk, making it look especially beautiful in the lamplight.

Most of those gathered were women. They tucked their wishes, written on slips of paper, into scented pouches, weighted them with stones, and tossed them up to hang from the branches. It was said that the higher a pouch hung, the more likely the wish would come true.

Li Ran watched the eager Leng Wuyan and chuckled. “Master, you’re an Emperor-level expert, and you believe in this sort of thing?”

“What would you know?” she shot him a glare. “These mysterious things are beyond explanation, but there’s no harm in making a wish, right?”

“Alright, whatever you say, Master.” Li Ran bought two pouches and moved to the nearby table, where he took up pen and paper to write his wish.

Covering his paper with his hand, he scribbled away with a mischievous grin.

“Hmph, keeping secrets, are we?” Leng Wuyan huffed.

Li Ran shook his head. “This wish is very important. If you see it, it won’t come true.”

He tucked his paper slip into the pouch and, with a flick of his wrist, sent it flying to land on the highest branch.

Leng Wuyan blushed, giving him a glare. “Did you think I couldn’t see it just because you covered it? Making that kind of wish… so embarrassing…”

After a moment’s hesitation, she, too, wrote her own wish, tossing her pouch up to land beside Li Ran’s.

Li Ran leaned in, grinning. “What did you wish for, Master?”

“I’m not telling you. It won’t work if I say it out loud.” With flushed cheeks, she picked up her pace, walking ahead.

…

They strolled for a long time, eventually reaching the end of the bustling street. Away from the noise and the crowds, the lamps around them created a quiet, peaceful glow.

Leng Wuyan sighed with a hint of reluctance, “I didn’t expect we’d finish so soon. Looks like our second date is coming to an end…”

Li Ran shook his head with a smile. “Who said that? Our date has only just begun.”

He snapped his fingers.

With a majestic cry, an enormous golden chariot appeared by their side, drawn by six fine horses that nuzzled him affectionately as if they were real.

Leng Wuyan looked in amazement at the radiant chariot. “What an unusual flying artifact. Where did you get it?”

Li Ran answered with a practiced smile, “A secret realm.”

Leng Wuyan chuckled, shaking her head.

Most people were lucky to find a single immortal treasure in a secret realm, while he seemed to gather immortal materials, artifacts, techniques, and rare fires by the handful, as if he were restocking shelves.

Li Ran took her hand and led her into the opulent chariot.

The horses neighed, and the chariot took to the sky. Inside, it was as spacious as a room, luxuriously furnished, with a bed, table, and chairs—just like a cozy bedroom.

They sat on the plush bed, gazing through the windows at the lights of Linfeng City twinkling below them.

Leng Wuyan smiled. “Where are you taking me?”

“I have a gift prepared for you, Master,” Li Ran replied.

“A gift?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Li Ran adjusted the chariot’s position and then opened the golden window. “Just look outside, Master, and you’ll see.”

“What am I supposed to…” Her sentence trailed off as a sharp whistle cut through the air.

A streak of light shot into the night sky, arcing upward.

Upon reaching a certain height, it exploded with a resounding crack, scattering into countless bright points of light, like a shower of stars across the heavens.

More whistling sounds followed as more light trails shot up. Blossoming like night-blooming flowers, the lights transformed into dazzling patterns and colors.

And then, to her astonishment, all the lights coalesced into a single gigantic image, nearly covering the whole sky.

The cool, elegant figure depicted up there—wasn’t it her?

Li Ran leaned against the window, watching her with a soft smile, his face illuminated by the fireworks’ flickering glow.

“Happy New Year, Master.”