"Senior flatters me too much. These are but minor tricks."
Lin Xuan offered a respectful cupped-fist salute, sword in hand, his tone humble yet poised. The Tomb Master smiled at the gesture, a spark of amusement lighting his ancient gaze. He turned his head slowly toward Ling Qingzhu, studying her with an appreciative look.
"Such a stunning beauty is rare even in my long life. What, you're still not satisfied, kid?"
Ling Qingzhu, who had already sensed something was off, looked even more displeased upon hearing the Tomb Master's words, her eyes fixed on Lin Xuan and the Tomb Master with a hint of hostility.
Lin Xuan, unfazed, simply shook his head and answered softly:
"It is neither my wish nor my desire."
"And what if I insist on bringing you two together?"
The Tomb Master's grin widened, his eyes dancing with mischief as he looked back and forth between the pair like a seasoned matchmaker judging a fine couple.
Ling Qingzhu's pupils constricted instantly upon hearing the Tomb Master's words. The next moment, a clear light shot out from the Ancient Azure Sky Lotus beneath her feet, heading straight for the Tomb Master.
"Whoosh!"
However, when the clear light reached the Tomb Master, he simply broke it with a light tap of his finger.
Although that finger blocked Ling Qingzhu's attack, the Tomb Master's Stone Coffin was directly blasted apart by the resulting energy ripple.
"Quite the temper, young lady. I merely wished to craft a lovely union before I vanish from this world. If the boy isn't willing, at least he's polite. You, however, you've shattered my coffin and scattered my bones. Rather excessive, don't you think? No wonder he's not interested."
The Tomb Master shook his head and sighed softly as he looked at the shattered Stone Coffin and bones.
Lin Xuan hesitated for a moment before cupping his fist and explaining, "Senior, you misunderstand. I have no interest in worldly attachments, and Miss Ling's beauty is far beyond anything I could ever hope to reach. I ask only for your understanding."
"Hmph."
Ling Qingzhu snorted coldly, clearly unimpressed with Lin Xuan's words. Though she did not lash out at him, her simmering displeasure was plain. After all, this foolishness had all begun with the Tomb Master's whims.
The Tomb Master studied Lin Xuan with narrowed eyes, then gave a soft sigh. "So you truly refuse? Tch. Even if her temper's a bit wild and her talent doesn't match yours, she has a fine background—and let's not forget that face. You wouldn't exactly be drawing the short straw, boy."
Ling Qingzhu's eyes flared with cold fury. The more he spoke, the more belittled she felt, her hand rising in silent command as her sword flew back into her grip.
With no more patience to spare, she slashed toward the Tomb Master.
"There it is again."
The Tomb Master's voice held no anger, only mild disappointment. He raised a single finger, effortlessly parrying her strike and sending her stumbling back a few paces.
The next moment, just as Ling Qingzhu was about to swing her sword again, a large hand landed on Ling Qingzhu's body. Immediately afterward, Ling Qingzhu felt that the Origin Power within her body was completely suppressed.
Her pupils trembled instantly, and Ling Qingzhu turned her head to look at Lin Xuan in disbelief.
In that instant, Ling Qingzhu didn't even notice how Lin Xuan had appeared, let alone react. The Origin Power within her body was directly suppressed by Lin Xuan.
"Senior, I ask you once more, please don't jest in such a way."
The Tomb Master's eyes sharpened slightly at the aura pulsing off Lin Xuan's body. A beat passed. Then he let out a long, rueful sigh.
"Alas, alas... You truly don't understand, woman. Just because he once said he was lucky enough to defeat you, you thought yourself his equal?"
"This boy's talent might rival even the greatest of the Ancient Era, the Eight Rulers, perhaps even the Symbol Ancestor. I doubt I could defeat him now, either."
It was clear that the Tomb Master truly felt regret, the look in his eyes couldn't be hidden. After all, this was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and also the most talented. And Lin Xuan was the most terrifyingly talented person he had ever seen.
This man and woman were a perfect match, but alas, alas!
"You praise me too highly, Senior," Lin Xuan replied with humility. "I merely dabble in the Sword Dao and happen to be adept at offense. Against you, I doubt I'd last three moves."
Lin Xuan also responded politely. His main concern was that while he was resisting, or rather, fusing the Yin and Yang energy within the Nirvana Heart, the Tomb Master would forcibly play matchmaker.
"Don't worry, I won't meddle," the Tomb Master said, grinning again. "But if you can't handle it... well, don't blame me if I give fate a gentle nudge."
As the Tomb Master spoke, his eyes carried a hint of anticipation. As for Ling Qingzhu on the side, she had now reacted and looked up at the azure Nirvana Heart, her heart slightly shuddering.
"There's a problem with that Nirvana Heart?"
Thinking back to the conversation between Lin Xuan and the Tomb Master, Ling Qingzhu felt that this place was not suitable for a long stay and wanted to leave immediately.
However, before Ling Qingzhu could make any move, the Tomb Master pointed out a finger, and a barrier directly trapped Ling Qingzhu in place.
At this moment, Lin Xuan had already arrived before the Nirvana Heart, grabbed it in his palm, and then swallowed it into his stomach without hesitation.
As soon as the Nirvana Heart entered his stomach, an astonishing aura burst out from Lin Xuan's body. Intersecting sword qi immediately raged within the entire Stone Hall, leaving countless sword marks on the surrounding stone walls of the Stone Hall.
"Buzz!"
Just then, a strange wave emanated from Lin Xuan's body again. Immediately afterward, Ling Qingzhu saw that Lin Xuan's entire being had become illusory. Only at his heart, a limpid heart was constantly beating.
Looking at that limpid and clear heart, Ling Qingzhu only felt a shudder in her heart. An extremely special pressure, like a huge rock, weighed heavily on her heart.
"This wave… so peculiar. And it's self-created? Tsk tsk. A talent beyond compare."
He looked at Ling Qingzhu again, this time with a sly smile.
"Well, what do you say now, woman? Regret it yet? With talent like his, not even the heavens can match him. You? Hah, you're just lucky he even spoke to you."
Then, with an impish twinkle in his ghostly eyes:
"Shall I lend a hand later? A gentle push, maybe a divine vow? Don't worry, I'm quite good at weddings."