"A beauty trap? Foolish. I don't think Su Luo would fall for such a simple scheme."
Cui Baiquan chuckled. He had sent beauties to Su Luo before, but all were rejected.
Lin Xuan, however, smiled confidently. "You know her, right?"
"I do. Li Siyi, Su Luo's once-beloved, even his fiancée. But didn't they sever all ties long ago?"
Since Su Luo defected from the Seven Stars Sword Sect, Cui Baiquan didn’t believe Su Luo still had feelings for Li Siyi. Moreover, he had heard that they had already cut ties while still in the Seven Stars Sword Sect.
"True, they did sever ties, but she was once his favorite. That’s not an ordinary bond. There’s still a chance."
Lin Xuan actually wanted Li Siyi to find out what Su Luo was planning and how they could cooperate, to have a reasonable conversation.
Lin Xuan had also considered asking Su Luo himself, under the pretense of discussing how to break the formation.
But the problem was, Su Luo was very cautious around him. Sometimes Su Luo would only speak half-truths, leaving Lin Xuan to interpret the rest.
Misunderstanding could lead to trouble.
But Li Siyi wouldn’t face such issues. The tacit understanding between her and Su Luo was something Lin Xuan couldn’t match.
"Hah, so what if she was once his favorite? People change. Don’t forget, he’s now one of the Seven Princes of the Heavenly Demon Sect."
Cui Baiquan didn’t believe the current Su Luo would be shackled by emotions. After all, women were nothing but distractions that slowed one’s sword.
From his interactions with Su Luo, Cui Baiquan had long known that Su Luo was someone capable of great things. How could he possibly soften because of a past love?
This was also one of the reasons Cui Baiquan wanted to cooperate with Su Luo.
"It’s worth a try."
"If it succeeds, great. But I just can’t believe that Su Luo, now part of the Heavenly Demon Sect, still retains such emotions."
"Do you think you or I can change Su Luo’s mind?"
At this, Cui Baiquan fell silent. How could he possibly think he could change Su Luo’s mind?
No sooner said than done, Lin Xuan immediately called out to Li Siyi in the distance, "Li Siyi, come here for a moment."
Li Siyi, who was about to sneak off to find Su Luo, was called over.
As soon as she sat down, everyone’s eyes were on her, as if all their hopes rested on her shoulders.
"You... need something?"
"Li Siyi, there’s something we need to ask of you," Lin Xuan said.
"What is it?"
"We suspect Su Luo has already figured out how to break this formation."
Lin Xuan explained Wan Xibo’s speculation—that Su Luo intended to use the formation to eliminate everyone and survive alone.
"And then?"
"We want you to go and ask him, see what he says."
"No way!" Li Siyi immediately reacted, her emotions flaring at the mention of Su Luo. "You know my relationship with him. Absolutely not."
"Hey, don’t be so stubborn. This is crucial," Wan Xibo said, displeased. They had finally come up with a plan, only for it to fall apart before it even started.
"You go then!"
"What are you saying? I’m an old man. You want me to use a beauty trap? That’s asking for divine retribution."
"Beauty trap? Oh, so that’s what you’re planning. Fine, very fine indeed!" Li Siyi said through gritted teeth.
Cui Baiquan looked unsurprised. It would be strange if she agreed.
"Su Luo and I have no connection anymore, and I don’t want any! You can ask someone else!" Li Siyi stormed off, furious. If it weren’t for the presence of the Heavenly Demon Sect members, she wouldn’t have gone this far.
"This is troublesome. She’s the only one who might get information out of Su Luo," Lin Xuan said, frustrated, and prepared to try persuading her again.
He knew Li Siyi was acting, so the first refusal was expected. The second time might work.
"Hah, it seems we need some Heavenly Demon Sect methods."
Cui Baiquan cracked his knuckles, implying the use of force.
"You want to fight?" Lin Xuan naturally disagreed.
"Then what do you suggest? Any later, and we’re all done for." Cui Baiquan pointed at the massive sword above them, which had grown even larger. The sense of crisis was mounting.
He thought about asking Su Luo himself, but he felt Su Luo would still deny everything.
"I’ll try persuading her again."
"Hah, persuading someone to talk to someone they hate. You’re not much better. Interested in joining the Heavenly Demon Sect?" Cui Baiquan said sarcastically. He wasn’t hoping for failure; he just wanted to taunt Lin Xuan.
After all, he had suffered many losses at Lin Xuan’s hands.
Lin Xuan: "..."
You talk too much. Besides, they didn’t hate each other. In private, they were quite close.
Lin Xuan was about to go persuade Li Siyi when he suddenly sat back down.
"Look!"
Following Lin Xuan’s gaze, Cui Baiquan was puzzled. Su Luo was actually approaching Li Siyi?
Huh? Did Su Luo still have feelings for Li Siyi?
Could they exploit this?
Uncertain, he decided to wait and see.
......
Su Luo walked straight toward Li Siyi. He had been lounging around, not paying attention to Lin Xuan and the others, so he didn’t know about their plan.
He approached Li Siyi now because he felt the timing was right. At least, others would think he was discussing how to break the formation with her.
He wanted to talk to Li Siyi and see what was on her mind.
"I thought you’d never come to me..."
Li Siyi stared blankly at Su Luo as he approached. She truly hadn’t expected him to seek her out.
For a moment, she felt an inexplicable sense of being touched.
"Why wouldn’t I come to you?"
"The fact is, you’ve never sought me out before," Li Siyi said resentfully.
Ahem, she had a point. Su Luo changed the subject, "So, what’s wrong? What’s on your mind?"
"You noticed?"
Su Luo didn’t answer. Instead, he suddenly felt many eyes on him. He turned around.
Although Lin Xuan and the others quickly averted their gazes, Su Luo immediately noticed they had been watching him.
Su Luo then remembered that while it was fine for small fry to see him talking to Li Siyi, it wasn’t ideal for someone like Cui Baiquan to witness it.
He wasn’t afraid, but Li Siyi might suffer because of him.
He casually set up an illusion formation to block their view. After the conversation, he and Li Siyi would stage a life-and-death fight.
Wan Xibo secretly observed and remarked, "And he says he doesn’t know formations. His skill is something even I admire."
Cui Baiquan didn’t understand, thinking Wan Xibo was being modest. Su Luo was skilled, but how could he be that overpowered?
He was more concerned about why Su Luo had approached Li Siyi.
Lin Xuan felt it was getting tricky. If Li Siyi had gone to Su Luo, there would be an explanation—she was asked to.
But if Su Luo approached her, what was the reason?
Lin Xuan wasn’t sure how to help Su Luo explain this. They’d have to figure it out themselves.
As for Su Luo, he probably didn’t need much worry.
Thinking this, Lin Xuan realized—Su Luo had never needed his concern anyway.