After a long moment, Lila Li slowly withdrew her gaze, disappointment flickering in her eyes. He was a formation master, and his surname was Song, but he wasn’t the one she was looking for. Suddenly, she felt a wave of listlessness, not even wanting to speak.
But then she caught herself, startled. What was wrong with her? Did she really want to see him that badly? But it was impossible between them, and soon, her master would have her marry the Sixth Prince.
Thinking of this, she completely lost interest in staying here and turned to leave.
"Since Saintess has come all this way, why not stay for a cup of tea before leaving?"
Seeing Lila Li’s weary, thin face, Ian Song felt a surge of pity. He was certain she’d come for him, but now she was leaving, disappointed he wasn’t the person she hoped for.
Lila Li replied coolly, "I mistook you for an old acquaintance, Young Master Song. Since you’re not him, there’s no reason for me to stay."
Ordinary disguises or transformation arts couldn’t fool Lila Li’s eyes, but Ian Song was using the Transformation Divine Art—even a Tribulation-stage expert would struggle to see through it. So it was perfectly normal that she didn’t recognize him.
"How can you be so sure I’m not your old acquaintance?" Ian Song said, his tone teasing.
Lila’s eyes lit up and she looked Ian Song over again, but in the end she shook her head. "You’re not him."
Ian Song formed a quick array seal, instantly teleporting Annie Chan away. Then his figure shimmered and shifted, revealing the ordinary young man’s face beneath.
"Ah! It really is you?"
Seeing that familiar face, Lila Li couldn’t help showing her joy, but quickly schooled her expression and asked coldly, "Why did you come to the capital?"
"If I hadn’t come, you’d be married off to someone else. How could I just sit back?" Ian Song stepped forward, gently taking Lila’s soft hand. His voice was low, tinged with a hint of bitterness.
Her hands caught, Lila’s cheeks flushed red. She struggled a bit, but Ian’s grip was firm, so she stopped fighting and said, "Let go of me, now."
Women always say one thing and mean another, Ian thought, secretly amused. With Lila’s cultivation, if she truly wanted to break free, he couldn’t hold her no matter how tight his grip.
"No way. If I let go, you’ll end up as someone else’s wife!" Ian said, his gaze burning with intensity.
Faced with Ian’s shameless words, Lila was both annoyed and secretly delighted. "There’s nothing between us! Why should it matter to you if I marry someone else?"
"You’re my woman—of course it matters!"
Suddenly, Ian pulled Lila into his arms and pressed his lips to her soft cherry lips.
"Mmmph!"
At first, Lila tried to push Ian away, but soon she forgot all about resisting, lost in the playful tangle of lips and tongues. After seeing so many loves and heartbreaks, Ian understood—sometimes, trying too hard to be a gentleman only keeps you apart. Being bold and direct often wins a woman’s heart much faster.
As for that old line—‘I want her heart, not her body’—
That’s just nonsense. Guys who say that are either fake gentlemen with no guts, or just plain useless. Isn’t there a saying that the fastest way to a woman’s heart is... well, you know?
After a long, sweet kiss, Lila’s cheeks were beautifully flushed, her eyes misty, and she nestled obediently into Ian’s chest, just like a kitten after a good meal.
After a while, the blush faded from Lila’s face, replaced by worry. "Maybe you should just take me away from the capital."
Ian shook his head at her words.
"What, you don’t want to?" Lila suddenly pushed Ian away, staring at him coldly, her eyes misting over.
Love makes women silly—and way more sensitive.
Ian caught her hands again. "It’s not that I don’t want to take you away. But if I did, you’d be branded a traitor!"
"I’m not afraid," Lila said seriously.
"But I don’t want my woman to suffer that kind of humiliation," Ian said earnestly.
Hearing this, Lila’s gaze softened again.
Ian continued, "If I’m going to marry my woman, it’ll be grand and glorious—no immortal will stop me!"
Lila panicked. "But my master already decided to marry me to the Sixth Prince. If we don’t leave, there’s no way to change his mind."
"People make things happen!" Ian smiled confidently, his eyes burning as he looked at Lila. "Do you trust me, Lila?"
"I trust you."
"Then just wait quietly. I’ll make your master change his mind and marry you to me!" Ian said, full of confidence.
Looking at this confident man, Lila found herself dazed and mesmerized.
Seeing her like that, Ian leaned in and kissed her again.
After another long, passionate kiss, the two finally sat down at the stone table.
Suddenly, Lila looked at Ian with a hint of longing. "So, which face is your real one?"
"This one!"
Ian’s features shimmered and shifted until he returned to his true appearance.
Lila studied Ian’s face for a long moment, determined to carve it into her memory.
"Oh, right, Lila, I have a gift for you." As he spoke, Ian took out the Phoenix Veil Art and handed it to her.
Lila was already the Saintess of the Prime One Church and her cultivation method was impressive, but even she was stunned by the Phoenix Veil Art—it was many times stronger than the church’s core techniques. "Ian, this art is way too precious. I can’t accept it."
Ian smiled gently. "You’re what’s truly precious to me. A mere cultivation art means nothing. Actually, this is only half of the Dragon-Phoenix Canon—the male half is for men, the female half for women. If we cultivate together, the effect multiplies tenfold."
Lila wasn’t clueless—she instantly understood what kind of art this was. Her cheeks flushed pink again, but she didn’t refuse. Instead, she carefully put it away.
The two chatted for another two hours before Lila finally left, reluctant to go. Compared to when she arrived, there was a subtle springtime glow on her face.
As soon as Lila returned to the Prime One Church, she was summoned to meet the Sect Master.
"Disciple Lila greets Master."
Inside the Sect Master Hall, Lila bowed nervously.
"You went to the Outer City?"
Master Mingtan’s voice rang out, full of authority.
"Yes, Master," Lila replied anxiously, wondering to herself if her master had discovered something.
"I’ve decided you’ll marry Lucas Li in three months. Until then, stay put and don’t wander off!" Master Mingtan said, his tone meaningful.
"I’ll do as you say, Master," Lila nodded.
"You may go."
Master Mingtan waved her off. After Lila left, a cold glint flashed in his eyes as he muttered, "Lila, don’t disappoint my good intentions."