Although Lu Ye assured himself that he hadn't revealed any flaws,
he understood that facing a true Innate, yet able to remain composed and unfazed,
might itself be a flaw.
Shaking his head, Lu Ye decided not to dwell on this issue for now.
After all, his technique of Concealment Cultivation was derived from the Myriad Dao Pavilion.
In essence, no one, even at the Peak of Innate Realm, could see through his true state if Lu Ye wished to hide it.
Chen Lingxiang couldn't discern his cultivation level, so he let her guess.
Inner Vision of the Dantian revealed his inner strength had recovered to ninety percent, which left Lu Ye somewhat regretful.
He was, after all, not a true Innate.
While unleashing the Innate Invisible Sword Qi with the strength of the Postnatal Seventh Layer was considerable,
it didn't reach the pinnacle, and the power still fell short.
Thus, he could only inflict a terrifying wound on the arm of the prompt-reacting Innate Fourth Layer.
If Lu Ye were Innate, even just the Innate First Layer, that Innate Fourth Layer would have been severely injured instantly!
Should the Innate Fourth Layer leader not have retreated in fear then...
Lu Ye would have had to resort to the Innate Sword Talisman.
However, barring a life-or-death situation, Lu Ye did not want to kill his opponent outright.
The forces capable of deploying an Innate Fourth Layer weren't that numerous within thousands of miles.
Killing one would invite immense trouble.
But Lu Ye would not forget the Innate Fourth Layer who first attacked, regarding him as an ant, attempting to control his life.
A flicker of depth flashed in Lu Ye's eyes.
When his power grew immense, neither the Cloud Leaf City's Yellow Springs Pavilion nor the Innate Fourth Layer would escape.
By then, if those backing them showed up, they too would be destroyed.
…
Soon, night gave way to dawn.
The caravan continued on its journey toward Luohua City.
In the carriage, Jiang Lingyue felt that Chen Lingxiang seemed more enthusiastic than usual.
Even worshipped Innate beings shed their airs, addressing her as a sister.
"Well, Sister Lingyue, we agreed to keep in touch more often in the future."
Chen Lingxiang smiled softly, her gaze inadvertently sweeping outside: "When I have time, I'll visit you in Cloud Leaf City."
Jiang Lingyue nodded cheerily, "Sure, Sister Lingxiang, you don't know how bored I get at home..."
Listening to the conversation in the carriage, Lu Ye felt slightly helpless.
They say brawny folks lack brains; Jiang Lingyue clearly didn't fit that mold, yet...
With a light chuckle, Chen Lingxiang took out a small box from the carriage and handed it to Jiang Lingyue.
"I left in a hurry this time, didn't bring much along. This Profound Turtle Ointment, Sister Lingyue, you should accept it as my meeting gift."
"Profound Turtle Ointment?"
Jiang Lingyue's eyes widened in surprise.
Among women, this was the crème de la crème.
It was said only century-old profound turtles, with dust from their shells combined with a variety of precious herbs, could create this miraculous ointment.
It provided skincare and whitening, promising everlasting beauty!
This tiny box cost at least a thousand taels of silver, hard to purchase even then.
To the Jiang Family's second lady, a thousand taels weren't much.
Yet Jiang Lingyue had never bought any cosmetics before.
Suddenly seeing such a legendary item astonished her.
"This is too valuable, Sister Lingxiang, I can't accept it." Regaining her senses, Jiang Lingyue unhesitatingly declined.
The ointment was worth over a thousand taels, and it was invaluable without a market.
They'd only known each other briefly; Jiang Lingyue felt it wouldn't be right to accept.
Chen Lingxiang glanced outside, an enigmatic glint in her eyes.
What was a box of Profound Turtle Ointment?
Chen Lingxiang sensed Lu Ye seemed quite fond of Jiang Lingyue.
If she could connect with Lu Ye through Jiang Lingyue...
Forget about a mere box of ointment; even more precious items would be worth it.
Lu Ye, younger than her, had far surpassed her cultivation.
One day, ascending to heights countless Innates could never achieve in a lifetime wasn't impossible!
In the Northern Territory, only the Three Great Sects had martial power Beyond Innate!
Chen Lingxiang didn't want the Luohua Chen Family to remain a formidable yet average Innate Clan while real Major Sects could suppress them effortlessly!
After some persuasion, Jiang Lingyue reluctantly accepted a small portion of it.
Chen Lingxiang made no further insistence; she only needed an excuse to visit Cloud Leaf City often.
Now, she had that excuse.
...
In the following days, the journey was peaceful and uneventful.
By afternoon, seeing the massive city in the distance made Liu Zhen finally relax.
After entering the city and delivering the goods, Chen Lingxiang emerged in a shiny new azure dress, warmly suggesting.
"Thank you all at the Worldwide Escort Agency for safeguarding my family's goods. To express our gratitude, the Chen Family has prepared a modest feast, please don't refuse."
The Chen Family, as Luohua City's only transcendent family, displayed exemplary courtesy.
Liu Zhen thought for a moment and agreed.
The escort party was weary after the long journey, and they indeed needed rest before returning to Cloud Leaf City.
...
As Luohua City's only transcendent family, the Chen Family's ancestral home was even more extensive than the Jiang Family's.
As night fell and lights started twinkling, Chen Lingxiang gently smiled and raised a toast to everyone in the courtyard.
"Thank you all for the escort, I first toast you, and my Chen Family will provide appropriate benefits to the two fallen escorts."
With those words, Chen Lingxiang elegantly tilted her neck, downing her drink.
Seeing Chen Lingxiang set the stage, the atmosphere quickly became lively.
Shortly after, Chen Lingxiang, holding her wine cup, made her way to Jiang Lingyue.
"Sister Lingyue, I also toast you for joining the journey," Chen Lingxiang said sincerely.
She really felt that way.
Had it not been for Jiang Lingyue's whimsical decision to join the escort party, bringing along a concealed Innate,
after that night, perhaps there would no longer be a Chen Lingxiang in this world.
Jiang Lingyue's face flushed faintly, realizing a real battle of life and death taught her,
that only strength was insufficient in life-or-death encounters; experience and courage were needed as well.
After her drink, Chen Lingxiang refilled her cup.
Her gaze naturally shifted to Lu Ye beside her.
"Young Master Lu Ye, Lingxiang also toasts you."
Chen Lingxiang's eyes gleamed, her cheeks subtly blushing from the wine.
With her azure dress, she might not rival the Jiang Family's Jiang Qingge, but she shone brightly with nine-tenths her allure, leaving people in awe.
Gazing at the enchanting and starry-eyed Miss Chen;
Lu Ye grew certain Chen Lingxiang had noticed something.
Before the battle, albeit appearing amiable on the surface, Chen Lingxiang's deep-seated detachment and indifference were palpable.