Chapter 3829: Nice to Meet You

“Luo Ning.” There was a small smile on Lu Yin’s face as he looked at Luo Ning.

“Yes.” The man did not dare to show even a hint of disrespect. He showed even more deference than when he had first been captured. He had thought that Lu Yin might use him as leverage when dealing with the Luo family, which meant that Luo Ning was of some value, which guaranteed his life and spared his dignity. However, after learning that Lu Yin had erased the Autumnspring Slip on a whim, it was clear that the Luo family was powerless to threaten this man. Luo Ning’s life held no value to such a person, let alone his dignity.

“I actually admire you,” Lu Yin continued, “To preserve your potential and save your future, you entrusted your life into the hands of an enemy, which was a significant gamble. You’ve shown greater courage than all of the Autumnspring Slip.”

Luo Ning bowed even deeper. “Thank you, Senior.”

Lu Yin gave a small nod. “Qian Shu has the ability to cross dimensions, which is quite impressive... What about you?”

Luo Nanshan’s heart skipped a beat, and he glanced at Luo Ning.

However, the man answered without any hesitation, “Vitality. Physical vitality.”

Lu Yin was caught off guard. “Physical... vitality?”

“Yes, physical vitality. I am essentially able to possess an infinite amount of physical strength. Even without cultivating, my body is able to grow stronger over time. It’s like my mind is mine, while my body is a separate entity. Even if someone were to restrain my mind, my body might still be able to react when sensing danger. Also...”

Luo Ning explained his ability at length, deliberately being open and honest. It was not like he had much of a choice; he did not dare to lie or even manipulate the truth.

Lu Yin silently listened. Unlike what most people commonly understood vitality to mean, Luo Ning’s body might as well be an entirely different lifeform that was governed entirely by itself. It was possible that, even if he was decapitated, his body would continue moving on its own. The man was only a peak powerhouse, the same as Qian Shu, and yet Luo Ning’s physical strength was already approaching the level of an Ortuser. It was incredibly impressive.

Throughout the three lower megaverses, only Lu Yin alone had ever accomplished that feat.

Luo Ning had an elegant and scholarly appearance, so who would expect such immense physical power to be hidden beneath his slender frame?

Of course, given the absurd gap between Luo Ning and Lu Yin, Lu Yin had not paid much attention to such details.

There was a reason why the man had been qualified to enter the Scion Spire. It was even possible that Luo Ning’s potential to develop his physical power surpassed Lu Yin’s. Lu Yin had needed to cultivate various methods and some very lucky encounters to make his accomplishments, but Luo Ning needed none of that. His body would continue to grow stronger on its own. Truly amazing...

Lu Yin no longer knew how he should even describe Luo Ning.

Early on, Qian Shu had been stronger than Luo Ning, but as time passed, Luo Ning would only grow more formidable.

No matter how powerful Qian Shu’s ability to cross dimensions might be, if he lacked the strength to overcome his opponent’s defenses, it meant nothing.

Lu Yin could imagine a day when Luo Ning would become capable of crushing everything with only his physical strength.

Luo Ning fell silent and started to grow a bit anxious. He was not sure how Lu Yin was going to react to this new information, but there was no way to keep things a secret.

Qian Shu’s ability had been a much greater secret, and yet Lu Yin had still discovered it. Luo Ning was certain that it would be impossible for him to keep his own ability hidden, so it was better to be open about it.

Sweat dripped from Luo Nanshan’s forehead. He was experiencing a sensation that he had not felt in many years. After all, he was the Luo family’s patriarch, as well as the guardian of the Skyward Gate. Even so, he was nervous at this moment.

Luo Ning was simply too important to their family.

The Skyward Gate’s Luo family might give off the impression of being a prestigious family, but the truth was that they were nothing more than gatekeepers. While the Autumnspring Slip had freely floated about the Nine Odysseys Megaverse, the Luo family could only guard the gate. They longed to rise higher, and Luo Ning was the embodiment of that hope.

“Honestly, there’s no benefit to keeping you around, but simply releasing you would be too generous,” Lu Yin slowly explained, “You were a lot of trouble for me in the Willbound Spire, and your Luo family stopped me from passing through the Skyward Gate.”

Luo Ning exchanged a look with Luo Nanshan before looking back at Lu Yin. “If you do not mind, Senior, so long as the Luo family guards the Skyward Gate, it will always be open to you. I, Luo Ning, swear that I will never become your enemy, so long as I live. Should I break this vow, I shall never enter the Immortal realm.”

Luo Nanshan added, “If you ever need it, the Luo family will be willing to serve you.”

Lu Yin nodded. “Alright. Let’s leave things there.”

Luo Nanshan and Luo Ning were both ecstatic. “Thank you, Mr. Lu.”

Lu Yin dismissed the pair with a wave of his hand, and Luo Nanshan and Luo Ning quickly led the other members of the Luo family away. They did not want to remain in Ridgeplain for even one second longer.

As the Luo family left, Long Yin and the women from the Third Peak put on a show of inspecting the ruins of the Autumnspring Slip and then also left.

The White Jade Clan had left even earlier, as they did not dare to even speak to Lu Yin. They had been supported by the Autumnspring Slip, and with the sect destroyed, they needed to reconsider how they would go about handling Long Yin’s quest for vengeance, as well as the infighting that the Spirit Coalition faced.

The Brocade Clan’s Xiu Zhan wanted to confront Lu Yin. He had been seen using the Five-Palm Art, and after learning about what he had done when visiting the Four Commands Sword Sect, everything pointed to him being responsible for the Five-Palm Art that had attacked the Brocade Clan.

However, someone stopped Xiu Zhan.

“Forget it. Don’t provoke him. There are some things that are better left unanswered. It’s not just us—no one in the entire Spirit Coalition can afford to offend that man.”

Xiu Zhan was unwilling to drop the matter. “He dragged the Brocade Clan into a mess for no reason, and yet we’re just going to let things go?”

“Sigh. Aside from wasting a bit of time, our Brocade Clan has lost nothing at all. The fact that we ganged up on Lang Ruyu for so long can be considered payment enough. Let’s go back.”

Xiu Zhan turned back for one last, long look of Lu Yin, but he could only leave.

Lu Yin glanced into the distance as the Brocade Clan left. Earlier, Lang Ruyu, Si Jiushi, and the members of the White Jade Clan had all departed.

While Lu Yin was certainly capable of dealing with the White Jade Clan, it would be better to leave them for Long Yin.

Qing Yun walked over to bid Lu Yin farewell. “I had intended to travel around the Nine Odysseys Megaverse with the Autumnspring Slip, but now that the sect has been destroyed, I should take my leave.”

Lu Yin looked at her. “I currently possess the mirebound artifact. I can take you on a tour of the megaverse.”

Many people glanced over, curious about Qing Yun’s relationship with Lu Yin.

They all knew that Qing Yun had spoken up for Lu Yin, but no one understood why she treated him differently from other people.

Qing Yun shook her head. “That’s unnecessary. It’s not safe to travel with you.”

Lu Yin arched a brow. “Are you afraid that someone might harm you? You don’t need to worry, I can protect you.”

Qing Yun stared intently at Lu Yin. “You are the greatest danger.”

Lu Yin just stared at her in confusion.

Lu Siyu exclaimed, “Could that girl know about how... how that little thief peeped on us?”

Ming Xiaolong blushed. “Keep your voice down! Do you want everyone to hear?”

Lu Siyu just stuck out her tongue.

Qing Yun looked around. “From now on, there will no longer be any Worldscript. Life in all its forms just lost a bit of color.”

“You want to observe life in all its forms? I’m quite familiar with that,” Lu Yin cut in. “I often observe the bustle of the mortal world. I started off as an ordinary human and will return to it. That cycle truly defines human life.”

Qing Yun's eyes lit up. “Exactly! No matter who it is, even Immortals can still live an ordinary life. While the cosmos might be eternal, no living being can truly live forever.”

“You’re overthinking things,” Lu Yin said.

Qing Yun smiled. “Allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Qing Yun.”

“Lu Yin.”

“Nice to meet you, Lu Yin,” Qing Yun said with a smile.

Lu Yin extended his hand. “Where I come from, we have the custom of greeting friends with a handshake. The happier we are, the longer the handshake lasts.”

Qing Yun looked at Lu Yin’s outstretched hand, but after just briefly hesitating, she also reached out and accepted his hand.

Time seemed to freeze as countless eyes stared in shock. This moment was even more shocking than the destruction of the Autumnspring Slip.

Lu Siyu and Ming Xiaolong’s mouths fell open in disbelief.

Master Yi Bai was similarly blown away. The better that a person understood the young woman’s background, the more untouchable she became in their eyes. Despite that, was she really standing there and touching an unknown man?

As Lu Yin held Qing Yun’s hand tightly, a small frown appeared. Strange... She is a different person from the Qing Yun in the Spirit Nidus.

The Qing Yun that Lu Yin had met in the Spirit Nidus was being burnt inside. She had the effects of being consumed by fire, despite there being no fire present. There was an effect without a cause. On the other hand, while the Qing Yun in front of Lu Yin was also burning inside, there was a cause without any effect.

It was as if, no matter how the power raged within her, it could never burn her.

How is this possible? All living things must eventually die. This is especially true since she is constantly being burned internally. It should be impossible for her to survive. Despite the young woman’s condition, from what Lu Yin could see, there seemed to be absolutely no possibility of death, at least, not from the flame within her.

Both women demonstrated cause and effect, but one demonstrated cause without effect, while the other demonstrated effect without cause.

What is going on?

Qing Yun forcefully pulled her hand back.

Lu Yin looked at her seriously. “It’s nice to meet you. Allow me to introduce myself properly; my name is Lu Yin.”

Qing Yun was caught off guard. “Is this another custom from your homeland?”

Lu Yin nodded. “Introducing yourself after a handshake shows sincerity.”

Qing Yun looked down at their clasped hands, suddenly feeling slightly nervous. She had never been touched throughout her entire life, especially not by a man. Despite that, for some unknown reason, she had been willing to shake this man’s hand. If anyone else had tried to shake her hand, they would have found it impossible. As Lu Yin held her hand, Qing Yun felt the warmth of his touch, and her heart began to race. “I’m Qing Yun. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

She spoke and then tried again to pull her hand back.

Lu Yin solemnly stated, “The happier we are, the longer the handshake.”

Qing Yun looked puzzled. She glanced at Lu Yin, looked down at their hands, and then waited a moment.

The people watching did not understand; just what were the two doing?

“Isn’t this enough?”

“How happy are you?”

“I’m starting to feel a little unhappy.”

“Then let’s start over. My name is Lu Yin. It’s nice to meet you,” Lu Yin said casually.

“...”

At that moment, another person appeared. The old woman reached out to grab at where Lu Yin and Qing Yun’s hands met, while directing a cheerful smile at Lu Yin. “Young man, this old lady is also very pleased to meet you!”

As she spoke, the old lady tried to force the two hands apart.

Lu Yin glanced at the old woman while withdrawing his hand. “Please keep to yourself, Senior.”

The old woman’s face twitched. Her hand was left hanging in the air. Fortunately, Qing Yun had already managed to take her own hand back.

The back of her hand was flushed red from Lu Yin’s grip. Qing Yun rubbed it gently while speaking to the old woman, “Granny Yin, I’m fine.”

The old woman tenderly cradled Qing Yun’s hand. “Does it hurt?”

Qing Yun smiled. “Of course not. It was just a handshake. It’s a custom.”

The old woman shot a vicious glare at Lu Yin. “Young man, you’re behaving shamelessly! Taking advantage like that, no girl will like you if you act like that!”

Lu Yin smiled at the old woman. “Thank you for the advice, Senior.”

The old woman snorted. “Girl, let’s go.”

Qing Yun nodded, but then she looked at Lu Yin again. “Have you ever heard of Frightened Sparrow Terrace?”

Lu Yin shook his head.

“Ask around. I’m inviting you to visit the Frightened Sparrow Terrace. See you there,” Qing Yun said before leaving under the old woman’s urging.

Lu Yin watched as Qing Yun left. Frightened Sparrow Terrace, huh?

“Stop staring. She’s already gone,” Lu Siyu said while rolling her eyes and handing the Autumnspring Slip back to Lu Yin.

As he accepted it, he asked, “Just who is Qing Yun? You all seem terrified of her.”

“You don’t know? Then how did you know her name is Qing Yun?” Lu Siyu asked, feeling befuddled.

“I guessed.”

“I don’t believe you for one second,” Lu Siyu muttered while glaring at him. “Holding her hand and not letting go... How shameless!”

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