Jiang Zhaoxue fled back from Pei Zichen’s room with feigned composure. Only after entering the range of the Shanhe Bell did she breathe a sigh of relief. She set down the medicine box, took out her fan, and fanned herself while saying, “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have gone over. His temper truly grows worse with age. I always said men are no good when they get older—he really scared me to death.”

“If your conscience was clear, what would you have to fear?” A’Nan laughed darkly. “It’s because you have a guilty conscience. In the illusion, it was all ‘I like you’ and ‘good husband,’ coaxing him until his head spun. Once you came out, you turned your back on him…”

“That was in the illusion!” Jiang Zhaoxue said, somewhat guilty. “Besides, at the time I was thinking of satisfying his wishes so he’d wake from the illusion early. If you calculate it, he’s the one who deceived me first!”

“Oh my~” A’Nan made a sarcastic sound. “As if you’d do the same for Ye Tianjiao.”

“If it were Ye Tianjiao, I’d coax him the same way!” Jiang Zhaoxue spoke very firmly.

A’Nan didn’t believe it and snorted coldly, but fearing a beating, she changed the topic. “Rather than fearing Pei Zichen, you should worry about Shen Yuqing instead. Pei Zichen has morals—at most he’ll just get angry. But Pei Zichen called you Yaoyao today…”

A’Nan stood on Jiang Zhaoxue’s shoulder and craned her bird head forward. “Shen Yuqing shouldn’t be that magnanimous, right?”

Jiang Zhaoxue made no sound. She knew Shen Yuqing’s temperament.

Regardless of his feelings for her, as long as she wore the title of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s Pavilion Master’s wife for even one day, Shen Yuqing wouldn’t tolerate her having any entanglement with any man.

Especially not his disciple.

He had to protect the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s thousand-year reputation and couldn’t tolerate anyone touching what was his in the slightest. And if Shen Yuqing truly set his mind to act, with the marriage contract in place, she and Pei Zichen had no chance of winning.

Her heart felt heavy. A’Nan also began to feel afraid and couldn’t help saying, “But Pei Zichen said he already explained. It should be fine, right?”

“He can’t explain it.”

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke decisively. A’Nan was somewhat confused. “Ah?”

“But Pei Zichen has that marriage string,” Jiang Zhaoxue thought about the situation and felt it wasn’t so bad. “As long as Shen Yuqing doesn’t discover me, with his temperament, he’ll definitely think the wrong thing. Just be more cautious afterward.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue felt reassured and walked to the bed to lie down, comforting herself. “I’m still the Penglai Lady after all. Unless absolutely necessary, he won’t directly attack me.”

“Exactly!”

A’Nan responded, then remembered what she’d said earlier and asked curiously, “But why did you say Pei Zichen can’t explain it? I think Pei Zichen is quite clever. Can’t he fool Shen Yuqing?”

“It’s not a matter of whether he’s clever or not…”

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke but made no sound.

In an instant, her mind recalled many years ago, the first time she told Shen Yuqing this name.

“My mother said the name Yaoyao can only be told to someone you like. If the other person calls this name, then he’s not just calling me—he’s saying, Jiang Zhaoxue, I like you.”

At that time she was still young. Actually her mother had never told her these things—she just wanted to trick Shen Yuqing.

As a result, Shen Yuqing truly rarely called her by that name.

The last time…

Was after she survived her Nascent Soul tribulation, when her spiritual roots had just recovered.

Her Nascent Soul tribulation wasn’t easy. Her master died in that heavenly tribulation trying to change her fate, and even so, her spiritual roots were nearly shattered. She almost didn’t make it through.

At that time she was in agony. When occasionally conscious, she would only clutch the transmission jade token and call to him, “Shen Zeyuan, when are you coming to see me? Come back, I hurt so much, I hurt so much…”

He would comfort her through the transmission jade token. “Yaoyao, don’t be afraid. I’ll be back very soon.”

“Very soon, I’ll come back.”

Those days were probably when he called her “Yaoyao” most frequently.

His voice calling her “Yaoyao” was sometimes weak, sometimes earnest, but always gentle. Sometimes she vaguely felt she couldn’t hold on, yet felt she had to wait for him to return.

She waited and waited. She only waited for the Heaven-Tracing Vine that Penglai struggled to retrieve, but never again waited for Shen Zeyuan.

Thinking about Shen Yuqing from that time, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly felt somewhat emotional, always feeling Shen Zeyuan and Shen Yuqing were like two different people.

But thinking about how Pei Zichen in just eight years could transform from a seventeen-year-old gentle and courteous young man into his current audacious self behind her back, in two hundred years, Shen Yuqing could have died.

Jiang Zhaoxue thought it through and sighed. She pulled up the blanket, took out the fireworks Pei Zichen had given her, and closed her eyes to sleep.

These days she’d discovered that these fireworks had an excellent hypnotic effect. Placing them by the bedside and watching them bloom and fade like flowers, she would quickly feel drowsy.

Vaguely, it felt as if Pei Zichen sat by the bed, quietly watching over her.

After so many years, she had to admit one thing.

When Pei Zichen was keeping watch, she always felt more at ease.

Jiang Zhaoxue slept well that night. When she woke the next day, Pei Shulan had gone out to check accounts. Jiang Zhaoxue called everyone to her room to discuss matters.

When they arrived, Jiang Zhaoxue had just finished chatting with Qian Sisi. Qian Sisi had gone drinking and looking for people last night but had no news yet. She said vaguely, “But there are some leads. Once I get the token, I’ll come find you tomorrow.”

As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she heard sounds at the door.

She looked up to see Shen Yuqing step inside with Pei Zichen and Mu Jinyue following behind him.

Shen Yuqing’s face showed no joy or anger, but she could vaguely sense he hadn’t slept well last night.

Pei Zichen maintained his usual gentle demeanor with a few traces of coldness suppressed beneath.

Only Mu Jinyue still seemed somewhat anxious about yesterday’s events. Upon entering, she immediately bowed. “Master’s wife.”

“Master’s wife.” Pei Zichen also respectfully bowed, as if he wasn’t the one who’d spoken harshly behind her back last night.

“You’re here.”

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke and smiled. After letting Pei Zichen and Mu Jinyue sit casually, she invited Shen Yuqing to sit in a chair beside her, then looked him up and down with concern. “You didn’t sleep well last night?”

“Do we need to use honorifics between us?” Shen Yuqing immediately questioned.

A’Nan made a “tsk” sound and immediately said, “His anger hasn’t subsided.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue coughed lightly, not wanting to provoke him, and spoke quietly. “I was joking. Let’s discuss business.” With that, Jiang Zhaoxue became serious. “Last night I asked Qian Sisi and Ye Tianjiao about the situation…”

Jiang Zhaoxue briefly told Shen Yuqing the information from Qian Sisi and Ye Tianjiao, analyzing, “Yesterday we offended people from the Eternal Bliss and Longevity Cult. Though no one saw, staying at the Li Residence isn’t a long-term solution. We need to quickly find the Sacred Pool’s location and the route there, to investigate their so-called Sacred Pool. Entering the Qixi Longevity Sacrifice is our simplest way to become Sacred Pool Seeds and enter the Sacred Pool. Today Shen Yuqing and Zichen should go explore various places. Tomorrow we’ll see if Qian Sisi can obtain entry tokens for the Longevity Sacrifice. If not—”

Jiang Zhaoxue pondered. “We’ll think of another way.”

Shen Yuqing and Pei Zichen said nothing. Only Mu Jinyue asked in confusion, “Master’s wife, what should I do?”

Hearing this question, Jiang Zhaoxue actually felt somewhat moved. She glanced at the two useless men beside her and looked warmly at Mu Jinyue, saying seriously, “You rest.”

Mu Jinyue froze and couldn’t help saying, “Why would Master’s wife have only this disciple rest? With so many matters now and few people, though this disciple’s cultivation isn’t refined, it’s not dangerous in the mortal realm.”

“You’re dangerous.” Thinking of how Mu Jinyue kept getting injured in the book, Jiang Zhaoxue spoke decisively. Seeing Mu Jinyue’s confused expression, she explained, “You’re beautiful. Running around everywhere is dangerous.”

Hearing this, Mu Jinyue’s face reddened slightly, seeming at a loss. “Master’s wife shouldn’t joke.”

But she said no more. As she quieted, Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the two others and coughed lightly. “You two—any other questions?”

“This disciple believes going out alone today to inquire will be difficult to obtain useful intelligence and instead gives Song Wulan an opportunity. Since Song Wulan intervened to separate Master’s wife from us, he naturally has designs on Master’s wife. Compared to going out to gather information, this disciple guarding Master’s wife is more important.”

“I’m here.” Shen Yuqing spoke coldly. “You go.”

“Master still needs to look after Junior Sister.” Pei Zichen remained neither servile nor overbearing. “This disciple is Master’s wife’s Fate Servant. Protecting Master’s wife is this disciple’s duty. This disciple dares not be negligent.”

“Who taught you such disrespect for your elders?”

Shen Yuqing lifted his eyelids as his imposing aura instantly manifested. Pei Zichen felt tremendous pressure bearing down but his expression didn’t change as he remained standing motionless.

Unable to watch this continue, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly coughed and said, “Well, what Zichen said makes sense. Don’t go then.”

Jiang Zhaoxue poured tea for Shen Yuqing and passed it over with a smile. “Here, have some tea and calm down.”

Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue offer tea, Shen Yuqing slightly withdrew his aura. Pei Zichen glanced at the hand holding the tea but lowered his eyes without looking further.

Mu Jinyue beside them looked left and right before also advising, “Master, Senior Brother is also worried about Master’s wife. He was raised under Master’s wife’s care, and after yesterday’s dangerous situation, his concern for Master’s wife is proper.”

Hearing Mu Jinyue’s words, Shen Yuqing said nothing more, only extending his hand to accept Jiang Zhaoxue’s cup.

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled without mirth, only saying, “After all these years, Jinyue still speaks most pleasantly.”

Shen Yuqing’s movements paused. After hesitating briefly, he said quietly, “First let me calm down.”

Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat surprised. Shen Yuqing seemed embarrassed as he lowered his head to drink tea.

Pei Zichen secretly glanced at them before withdrawing his gaze.

The four people’s first formal meeting after arriving five years later ended unhappily, giving Jiang Zhaoxue an important conclusion: don’t gather them together.

So Jiang Zhaoxue stopped making things difficult for everyone, or more importantly for herself. Since there were no important matters anyway, she quickly dispersed everyone.

Mu Jinyue returned to her room to meditate. Shen Yuqing meditated in her room. Pei Zichen stood guard at the door. And she herself…

She meditated.

In the following days, Pei Zichen truly practiced his promise and never left her side.

Knowing his temperament, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t dare conflict with him and pretended it was her own idea.

Shen Yuqing didn’t say much either. Wherever Pei Zichen was, he was there too. So Jiang Zhaoxue could only pretend they didn’t exist, single-mindedly meditating, using meditation to escape everything.

After isolating everyone, the next day at noon, Jiang Zhaoxue finally received news from Qian Sisi. “Done. I’ll come over later to give you the token.”

Hearing this news, Jiang Zhaoxue finally breathed a sigh of relief. Before Qian Sisi arrived, Jiang Zhaoxue specifically notified everyone. “Sisi got the token. Everyone clean up and dress nicely, then gather in my room.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue remembered something and emphasized, “This is Qixi Festival. Don’t dress all old-fashioned!”

This statement was very pointed.

Only one person present was old-fashioned.

Shen Yuqing was angered enough that his tone turned cold, but he still responded, “I know.”

After instructing everyone, Jiang Zhaoxue casually changed into a water-blue long dress and began waiting.

Mu Jinyue arrived first. Her attire was always conventional.

Then Pei Zichen came.

He had changed into a deep blue robe with silver crane cloud patterns in gauze material over a white inner garment. He wore a silver crown on his head and jade beads at his waist, looking quite distinguished.

Shen Yuqing came last.

He wore white gauze robes with silver patterns, his hair half-bound with a ribbon, his whisk put away. He looked somewhat dashing.

Jiang Zhaoxue hadn’t seen him dressed this way in over a hundred years and couldn’t help laughing. “Oh my, you’re willing to discard that whisk?”

Shen Yuqing sat down silently and glanced at Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen.

Though Pei Zichen’s clothing was a different color from Jiang Zhaoxue’s, it was in the same color family. If Jiang Zhaoxue’s color were slightly more intense, it would be exactly the color of Pei Zichen’s robes.

From the same palette, at first glance they seemed deliberately matched.

However, Shen Yuqing also knew he was overthinking and said nothing more.

After the four prepared and waited for a while, just before dark, Qian Sisi followed the location on her transmission jade token and flew down on her sword from above.

Landing in the courtyard, she nervously looked up and scanned around. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and said happily, “Ah, I didn’t come to the wrong place!”

“You’re here!” Seeing Qian Sisi, Jiang Zhaoxue said happily, “Come, come, sit inside.”

With that, she personally stepped forward to welcome Qian Sisi inside.

Qian Sisi happily entered the room. Sweeping her gaze over everyone inside, seeing they were all specially dressed, she couldn’t help stiffening.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s intuition sensed something wrong. She turned to look. “Sisi?”

“Um…”

Qian Sisi sensed something and pulled Jiang Zhaoxue aside, saying urgently, “Come with me.”

Jiang Zhaoxue followed Qian Sisi. She could see something was wrong with Qian Sisi. Upon reaching another room, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately set up a barrier and said directly, “Speak. What happened?”

“Everyone’s going?”

Qian Sisi glanced at the adjacent room and blurted out.

Jiang Zhaoxue instantly understood. “Exactly how many entry tokens do you have?”

“One… one.”

“One token and you dared say it was handled?!” Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help raising her voice before quickly suppressing it.

“This is a Qixi sacrifice—one token can bring two people!” Seeing the situation was bad, Qian Sisi quickly explained. “I thought two of you going would be enough. This thing isn’t easy to get. If you want four people at once, I can’t conjure them up immediately! Besides, this is a mortal realm sacrifice—two people are enough!”

Qian Sisi both explained and persuaded. Jiang Zhaoxue said nothing.

Getting angry now wouldn’t solve anything, and besides, Qian Sisi was helping to begin with.

After thinking, she raised her hand. “Give me the Longevity Token.”

Qian Sisi pulled out the Longevity Token and handed it over, quietly advising, “Just take your dao companion. He looks capable in a fight, and you two have the marriage string so you won’t be easily suspected.”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak. She quietly thought it over.

Originally she’d wanted all four to go, but now with only two people, just two people…

Wasn’t that exactly the situation in the book?

In the book, just days after Shen Yuqing and Mu Jinyue chased Pei Zichen back to the past, she suddenly suffered severe injuries at the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion—stabbed in the abdomen with a wound bearing wood-element poison.

The wood poison complemented the fire poison in her body. She suffered greatly but also knew Shen Yuqing was in trouble.

With difficulty she contacted Shen Yuqing and heard sounds of combat through the transmission jade token, along with someone crying out, “The Magpie Bridge appears, lovers meet! Those who see this bridge—fate for three lifetimes, together until white-haired!”

She wasn’t certain what happened that day, but she could confirm it was Qixi Festival, and Shen Yuqing’s injuries were always because of Mu Jinyue. Because of this, Mu Jinyue felt quite guilty toward him, which was why in the later book she kept wavering between Pei Zichen and Shen Yuqing.

But Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t care about any of this. She only cared about one thing—Shen Yuqing obtained a clue to the Zhanshen Sword because of this.

Now it was Qixi again, with a two-person limit again. Clearly they were walking back into the original plot. With this token in hand and only two people allowed, taking Mu Jinyue was impossible—two fragile people together would just die.

Taking Pei Zichen—setting aside whether Shen Yuqing would cause trouble, even if he didn’t, if she and Pei Zichen went together while Shen Yuqing and Mu Jinyue went separately, history would likely repeat and she’d suffer another stab wound. Moreover, with the clue in Shen Yuqing and Mu Jinyue’s hands, she still wouldn’t feel at ease.

The best plan now was for her and Shen Yuqing to go together, taking Mu Jinyue’s place in the plot while having Pei Zichen guard Mu Jinyue.

First, with her present, Shen Yuqing might not suffer that stab wound, and she would safely pass through tonight.

Second, this arrangement had minimal changes. Following the principle of minimizing plot impact, her chances of obtaining the Zhanshen Sword clue according to the book’s plot were greatest.

“So now there’s just one problem,” A’Nan clarified her thinking. “Pei Zichen won’t agree.”

Jiang Zhaoxue made no sound. Qian Sisi sat beside her waiting. After a while, Jiang Zhaoxue asked, “How do you use this token?”

“Go to the Eternal Bliss and Longevity Cult’s altar here—oh, the one you supposedly smashed. These are the robes and masks.” Qian Sisi handed over two white robes along with the token and masks. “After putting them on, give the entry token to the people at the altar and they’ll take you there. Once inside the altar, find a priest and actively recommend yourself, saying you sincerely wish to meet the cult leader and want to go to the Sacred Pool.”

“Good.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded. These days the Eternal Bliss and Longevity Cult people were looking for them outside, but probably knowing they weren’t ordinary people, though a priest had been killed, they didn’t want to provoke them and weren’t very motivated.

Going to the altar now carried some risk, but with masks, it would be much more convenient.

She took the clothes and instructed thoughtfully, “Later don’t say anything. Just say the matter fell through and you didn’t get the entry token.”

“Huh?”

Qian Sisi was surprised. Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t explain, only put away the pass and clothes with masks before walking out.

Everyone in the adjacent room was waiting for her. As soon as she entered, she showed an irritated expression, sat at the table, and said sullenly, “Today’s plan is canceled.”

“What happened?” Mu Jinyue was somewhat surprised.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked displeased. “She didn’t get the token. She’s here now to apologize. Think of another way.”

Qian Sisi entered the door just in time to hear this and secretly glared fiercely at Jiang Zhaoxue, but cooperatively said nothing more.

Mu Jinyue immediately showed worry. Pei Zichen first glanced secretly at Qian Sisi, while Shen Yuqing remained silent in thought, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

The scene quieted. After a moment, Jiang Zhaoxue only said, “If we didn’t get it, forget it. We’ll think of another way. Tonight…”

Jiang Zhaoxue looked up at all four and probed, “How about Zichen and Jinyue rest at the residence while your master and I go out to explore the situation?”

At these words, everyone froze.

Shen Yuqing looked up at her. Pei Zichen frowned. After a moment of surprise, Mu Jinyue said carefully, “Master’s wife, can’t you bring us along?”

“Today is Qixi Festival—many people and prying eyes.” Pei Zichen reacted and also advised against it. “If Master’s wife wishes to go out, it would be more appropriate for everyone to go together.”

“You’re right.” Hearing Pei Zichen’s tone, Jiang Zhaoxue knew it was hopeless.

Under the table, she secretly raised her hand and tapped on Shen Yuqing’s leg. Shen Yuqing instantly stiffened. On the surface, Jiang Zhaoxue sighed and told everyone, “Then everyone should rest first. Return to your rooms.”

As she spoke, she simultaneously wrote four characters on Shen Yuqing’s leg: “Wait in your room.”

Shen Yuqing’s mind turned to chaos in an instant. He saw Jiang Zhaoxue look at him as if asking, “What do you think as their master?”

“Mm.” Shen Yuqing couldn’t quite think straight and only feigned composure. “I’ll follow your words. I’ll return to my room first.”

With that, he stood up. Seeing this, Mu Jinyue’s expression showed some disappointment, but she still followed him out together.

Qian Sisi also rose to take her leave. Pei Zichen was the last to leave, bowing. “Master’s wife, this disciple will guard outside the door. Command me if needed.”

“Then go to the kitchen and fetch me a bowl of mung bean soup.”

Jiang Zhaoxue lowered her head to drink tea. Pei Zichen suspected nothing.

Walking out the door, he heard Mu Jinyue following behind Shen Yuqing, pleading softly, “Master, I really want to go out. Tonight there’s a grand gathering. I heard there will be a Magpie Bridge built by spirit birds. I so rarely come to the mortal realm—I want to see it…”

Pei Zichen’s gaze swept coldly over them before he turned toward the kitchen.

Before long, Pei Zichen returned carrying the mung bean soup. Jiang Zhaoxue’s door was already closed. He stood respectfully before it, saying softly, “Master’s wife, this disciple has returned with the soup.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the tightly closed door opened, and Jiang Zhaoxue’s lazy voice came through. “Come in.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen walked into the room. The door closed by itself without wind. Pei Zichen’s heart jumped with the sound of the closing door.

He couldn’t help looking up to see Jiang Zhaoxue seemingly feeling lazy, reclining on a daybed with her back to him, taking a brief rest.

The remnant glow of the setting sun fell through the doors and windows into the room, giving the entire space a dim, ambiguous warm hue.

She wore water-blue gauze robes in the same color family as his. When lying down, the gauze draped like flowing water, clinging to her body. Her entire form seemed like mountains made of water—distinctly curved with an extraordinarily soft moistness.

The room was filled with her fragrance, making one’s head swim. Pei Zichen’s throat moved slightly. Not daring to look further, he lowered his eyes and heard Jiang Zhaoxue’s lazy voice. “Bring it over.”

Pei Zichen walked across the soft carpet to Jiang Zhaoxue’s daybed. Jiang Zhaoxue propped herself up as the youth half-knelt and presented the mung bean soup.

Jiang Zhaoxue sat at the edge of the daybed and took the sweet soup from his hands. Pei Zichen kept his eyes lowered, looking at those smooth, fair feet appearing and disappearing beneath the gauze skirt.

By propriety he should stand and leave, yet he didn’t move. Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at the youth kneeling on the floor, stirring the sweet soup as she said leisurely, “Did Jinyue ask your master to take her out alone?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen didn’t know how to respond for a moment.

Jiang Zhaoxue wouldn’t separate from Shen Yuqing over such a small matter. Speaking of it would only increase her displeasure.

He remained silent. Jiang Zhaoxue had already guessed. She leaned against the armrest and smiled. “Do you want to go?”

Pei Zichen froze, looking up uncertainly. Seeing his expression, Jiang Zhaoxue knew the answer. “What if I take just you alone?”

“You… take just me alone?”

Pei Zichen couldn’t believe it. Jiang Zhaoxue nodded. “Mm. At midnight there’s a magical performance. They use spirit birds to form a Magpie Bridge—supposedly it’s quite beautiful. You’re still young. You want to go, don’t you?”

Listening, Pei Zichen didn’t dare respond.

Jiang Zhaoxue set down the porcelain bowl and picked up her round fan, leaning forward slightly.

The round fan gently fanned at her side, carrying her fragrance and loose strands of hair that lightly brushed across Pei Zichen’s cheek.

“Then you slip out first.”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s voice was very soft, as if negotiating. “Go occupy a good spot at the bridge. After your master enters meditation, I’ll come find you. How about it?”

Pei Zichen made no sound.

Seeing this, Jiang Zhaoxue continued persuading. “Don’t worry about me. I have the contracts on me—I won’t be in danger. Just wait for me. Unless—”

Seeing he didn’t respond, Jiang Zhaoxue smiled and probed. “You don’t want to go?”

“Wherever you go, Shi Cang can go.” Pei Zichen’s voice carried some hoarseness.

This vocal quality was very familiar to Jiang Zhaoxue. She unconsciously glanced downward, then forced herself to quickly avert her gaze lest he notice anything unusual. She only fanned her fan, saying softly, “Then you’ll wait for me?”

“Mm.”

Pei Zichen didn’t look at her, responding calmly.

Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly felt a mischievous impulse to blow on his ear, then remembered her identity and suppressed herself. Standing up, she shooed him away. “Hurry out. Stay any longer and things will get unclear.”

Actually things were already unclear, only that she’d just told Shen Yuqing to wait, so Shen Yuqing should know she was placating Pei Zichen.

Pei Zichen bowed and left. Soon Jiang Zhaoxue heard him go out.

Once he left, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately formed a seal on a talisman paper and went to find Mu Jinyue.

Mu Jinyue was meditating in her room. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue enter, she instinctively rose to greet her. “Master’s wife…”

Without a word, Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand and slapped a talisman on her forehead.

Mu Jinyue’s movements instantly froze as her eyes widened in alarm. “Master’s wife?!”

“Help me with something.”

Jiang Zhaoxue raised two fingers, and Mu Jinyue was lifted by a tremendous force onto the bed.

Jiang Zhaoxue walked to her side and stuck a substitution talisman on her, placing another on her own sleeve.

These two substitution talismans would exchange their spiritual power auras. With these talismans, others seeing her would see Mu Jinyue.

And through the Fate Servant contract, unless specifically investigating, Pei Zichen would also sense Mu Jinyue’s location.

“Master’s wife, what are you trying to do?”

Mu Jinyue was somewhat panicked. After affixing the talismans and setting up protective arrays around her, Jiang Zhaoxue sat beside her and smiled. “I have some business to attend to. Sleep well and don’t leave this array—it will keep you safe.”

“Master’s wife,” Mu Jinyue frowned, “you went through all this trouble just to go out alone with Master?!”

Jiang Zhaoxue: “…”

Hearing this, she didn’t know whether to praise her intelligence or lack thereof.

She had no need to explain to her, only standing to say, “Alright, I’m leaving.”

“Master’s wife,” Mu Jinyue said seriously, “if you want to confine me, you should at least ask Master. He promised to take me to properly see the mortal realm.”

“But I didn’t promise that.”

Jiang Zhaoxue rolled her eyes. “What’s it got to do with me?”

“Then aren’t you afraid Master will blame you?!”

Mu Jinyue raised her voice. Jiang Zhaoxue’s steps halted. After thinking, she walked back before Mu Jinyue, looking at the small girl staring at her with such force, and asked with some curiosity, “Are you so certain your master would blame me for your sake?”

Mu Jinyue’s words stuck in her throat. Jiang Zhaoxue raised her fan and gently tapped it on her head, using a voice only the two of them could hear to say quietly, “A person’s importance isn’t determined by words. You have to fight for it.”

Mu Jinyue froze. Jiang Zhaoxue smiled lightly, raised her hand to let the bed curtain fall, and walked out the door.

Just as she exited, A’Nan couldn’t help saying, “My heavens, what were you just doing? Aren’t you afraid Mu Jinyue will turn dark and cause trouble?”

“Those who won’t cause trouble never will. Those who will should do it quickly.” Jiang Zhaoxue said carelessly. “The faster she causes it, the faster Shen Yuqing loses.”

As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she brightened. “I never lose.”

With that, Shen Yuqing’s voice suddenly sounded. “Ready?”

Startled by this voice, Jiang Zhaoxue only then discovered Shen Yuqing dressed in plain clothes, holding a lantern and waiting for her at the courtyard gate.

She looked back at the room, then at Shen Yuqing, and couldn’t help saying, “You… how are you here?”

“There were spiritual power fluctuations,” Shen Yuqing said, holding the lantern as he turned to walk forward. “Let’s go.”

Jiang Zhaoxue came to her senses and stepped forward to follow him. His pace was slow, clearly deliberately waiting for Jiang Zhaoxue. As she walked to his side and looked him up and down, she asked, “You just saw me bully her and didn’t stop me?”

“You have important business.”

Shen Yuqing spoke, then thought better of it and added, “You set up a defensive array too. You didn’t really bully her.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat surprised. “Oh my, you don’t think I’m venomous-hearted and bent on her destruction anymore?”

Shen Yuqing said nothing. Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t want to discuss with him what image she held either. She raised her hand and tossed the white robe and mask to him, explaining, “Alright, you guessed right. There is important business tonight. Put these clothes on.”

“What is this?”

Shen Yuqing looked down at the white robe in his hands, frowning slightly. Jiang Zhaoxue put on the robe and mask, explaining, “Qian Sisi did bring an entry token, but only one.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing understood immediately. His expression softened somewhat. Without asking more, after changing clothes, he watched as Jiang Zhaoxue shook her qiankun token and instantly brought them to the altar entrance.

They arrived in a small alley not far from the altar where no one noticed these two people who suddenly appeared.

Jiang Zhaoxue observed the situation. She saw a long line at the plaza entrance to the altar. Everyone wore masks and white robes like them. Nearby citizens passing by dared not raise their heads. The scene was extraordinarily quiet.

Jiang Zhaoxue turned back to beckon Shen Yuqing, saying furtively, “Let’s go.”

Shen Yuqing glanced at her and silently followed her to the back of the line.

Those who came today were clearly all couples, standing in pairs in rows, but all queuing in silence.

When their turn came, Jiang Zhaoxue handed over the entry token. The person took it and examined it for a while. Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help feeling somewhat nervous, but fortunately the person quickly stamped it and handed it back to Jiang Zhaoxue. “Go in.”

Jiang Zhaoxue breathed a sigh of relief and led Shen Yuqing inside.

Once inside the altar, people came forward and blindfolded both Jiang Zhaoxue and Shen Yuqing.

The instant they were blindfolded, Shen Yuqing raised his hand to grasp hers.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s muscles instantly tensed. She instinctively wanted to pull away, then heard Shen Yuqing transmit his voice. “This cloth has a problem.”

Jiang Zhaoxue paused, then sensed what Shen Yuqing meant by “problem.”

The cloth covering their eyes wasn’t ordinary fabric—it actually restricted their spiritual power perception. They truly couldn’t see anything now.

In this situation, she couldn’t separate from Shen Yuqing. Otherwise it would be too dangerous.

She remained silent. Shen Yuqing held her hand, not speaking for a moment.

He couldn’t help thinking of that instant when she tried to pull away just now, overlaying it with that time back at the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion when he returned from Wuyue Forest and tried to channel spiritual power into her, only for her to instinctively dodge.

He remained silent, only unable to help tightening his grip on her.

After being blindfolded, people arranged for them to board a carriage.

Once on the carriage, after traveling for what felt like a long time, Jiang Zhaoxue heard the carriage stop and someone call loudly, “Walk forward!”

The two walked forward. Jiang Zhaoxue immediately sensed spiritual power fluctuations around them, then heard Shen Yuqing’s voice. “We’ve entered an artificially created space.”

Just as he finished speaking, noisy sounds came from around them. Someone removed the black cloth from their eyes. Jiang Zhaoxue immediately withdrew her hand and opened her eyes to see a lively, bustling long road before them.

The entire road was filled with people in white robes and masks. On both sides were masked vendors. At the end of the road appeared to be an altar where over a dozen masked dancers in feathered garments were performing a sacrificial dance.

This city’s streets seemed built surrounding the altar. The area wasn’t large, with people coming and going.

Jiang Zhaoxue and Shen Yuqing exchanged glances before stepping forward. With crowds all around, Shen Yuqing used spiritual power to silently push the crowds apart. Noticing his action, Jiang Zhaoxue said nothing and only walked with him toward the altar.

“What should we do?”

Shen Yuqing finally asked. Jiang Zhaoxue swung the jade beads at her waist. Hearing him speak, she smiled and glanced at him. “I thought you wouldn’t ask.”

Shen Yuqing looked at the jade beads she was swinging, forcing himself to look away. “You’ll say when it’s appropriate.”

“Naturally.” Jiang Zhaoxue watched the altar come into view. She led Shen Yuqing inside, transmitting her voice. “After entering, we first find the priest here and tell him we want to enter the Sacred Pool. The Eternal Bliss and Longevity Cult values talent. For followers with spiritual roots, they’ll recommend entry into the Eternal Bliss Underground Palace to become Sacred Pool Seeds and be selected for the Sacred Pool. So suppress your cultivation a bit…”

Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it and looked at him. “Foundation Establishment is fine.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing lowered his cultivation as she said. Entering the altar, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately spotted the red-robed priest and went forward to chat. After some flattery, the other party tested their spiritual roots and nodded. “You two are indeed talents our cult needs. During the sacrifice later, stand in the first row. I’ll have you come up. If you pass the test, I’ll recommend you both to enter the underground palace.”

“Many thanks.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue bowed. The red-robed priest had someone lead them away.

All along the way, Jiang Zhaoxue felt Shen Yuqing’s gaze seemed to constantly rest on her. She couldn’t help smiling. “What are you looking at?”

“You…”

Shen Yuqing hesitated, then slowly said, “You’re very different from before.”

“Oh?”

Jiang Zhaoxue stood with him in the front row, surveying their surroundings.

People around them took their positions one by one. Shen Yuqing said softly, “Very much like when I first met you. The first year we knew each other, you invited me to spend Qixi together. Back then you took me shopping and haggled with those vendors—so sharp-tongued, nothing like the Penglai Lady. As if you’d truly lived in the mortal world.”

Of course—she’d worked like an ox for over twenty years.

“What, you think I’m crass?” Jiang Zhaoxue thought back to that time and chuckled. “I remember you didn’t want to come at first. You said something like…”

“Single-minded in cultivation, no thoughts of the mortal world.”

Shen Yuqing clearly remembered those words, saying calmly, “But you wrote me one hundred twenty-three letters and used a Sound-Transmitting Turtle to broadcast invitations to me throughout the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion. Every disciple was disturbed by it.”

“So you were forced to come…”

“I came willingly.”

Shen Yuqing interrupted her.

Jiang Zhaoxue froze, turning to look. She saw him gazing up at the sacrificial dance on the altar, saying calmly, “At that time, I was only waiting for a sufficient reason.”

At twenty years old, facing this heaven’s favored daughter’s invitation, he had only felt anxious and uneasy.

He feared that accepting this invitation would expose his feelings, and when she flitted away afterward, he would become a completely defeated laughingstock.

So he waited and waited, repeatedly verifying her intentions, repeatedly waiting for a reason.

“Oh.” Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue reacted and surveyed their surroundings, saying casually, “Turns out you’re so good at pretending. I thought you didn’t like me.”

“I just like to wait.”

Shen Yuqing’s voice scattered amid the music. “I always want to wait until everything is perfect, wait until timing is mature, wait until everyone is clearheaded. I’m always waiting.”

“That’s your nature.”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s thoughts weren’t on him as she responded casually.

Shen Yuqing turned his gaze to look at her, seeming to want to say something. However, after hesitating briefly, he only heard a “boom” as the great doors closed. The dancing figures scattered with tinkling sounds. Jiang Zhaoxue immediately tensed. “It’s starting.”

Shen Yuqing couldn’t say more for the moment. He only responded with a low sound and looked up.

The priest came forward and everyone grew excited.

Amid the cheering crowd, Jiang Zhaoxue remained extraordinarily calm. She sensed the spiritual power fluctuations around them and suddenly realized—

“You can use your spiritual power?”

Jiang Zhaoxue turned to look at Shen Yuqing beside her, secretly transmitting her voice.

After sensing for a moment, Shen Yuqing nodded. “I can.”

“But our connection to the outside has been cut off.”

Jiang Zhaoxue tentatively felt for Mu Jinyue’s array. She couldn’t sense anything.

“That’s right.”

Shen Yuqing tried it and asked with confusion, “What about it?”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak. By rights, this kind of private sacrifice should have arrays suppressing spiritual power. Otherwise it would be too dangerous.

Moreover, if they had no means of restraint…

How did Shen Yuqing get injured in the book?

He was the first expert of the younger generation in the True Immortal Realm, aside from those sect patriarchs who wouldn’t leave their mountains. Even if his spiritual power was suppressed, he shouldn’t be underestimated, much less with no restraint here at all. What exactly injured him?

The unknown made Jiang Zhaoxue uneasy. Seeing her constantly watching him, Shen Yuqing’s tone involuntarily softened. “Axue?”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t immediately respond, only quietly studying him.

This scrutiny made Shen Yuqing’s heart gradually accelerate. Looking at the person before him whose eyes were full of him, his hands unconsciously curled slightly.

He suddenly realized what he wanted.

From the eight years since she leaped off that cliff, waking from nightmares night after night, thinking of her in a daze, always feeling an emptiness behind him when he turned around—where should that gnawing pain in his heart go?

Look at him.

Just like when he was young, just like the past, just like every day she loved him, with those bright, proud eyes, forever watching him, forever following him, forever loving him.

He could persevere.

He could keep climbing.

What were two hundred years? So what if he was the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s Pavilion Master? He could walk this path. He could do it.

Unable to restrain himself, he reached out and grabbed Jiang Zhaoxue. In that boiling crowd, he urgently spoke, “Yaoyao…”

In that very instant, the red-robed priest above shouted loudly, “Those who wish to enter the Sacred Pool must perform the sacred deed!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue and Shen Yuqing simultaneously turned to see a massive eagle above the altar suddenly drop a woman from the sky. Two tall iron pillars on the altar instantly flung out shackles that caught the falling woman’s hands, suspending her in midair.

The instant they saw the woman’s face, both Jiang Zhaoxue and Shen Yuqing froze in shock.

The red-robed priest above smiled at them, standing beneath the blood-covered Mu Jinyue with arms spread wide. “Come! You two—kill her and you can enter the Sac…”

Before he finished speaking, Shen Yuqing instantly reacted. His sword qi burst forth, smashing toward the red-robed priest as he roared furiously, “Seeking death!”

Shen Yuqing’s sword qi was domineering. Everyone at the entire altar was blown away in an instant.

Simultaneously, Jiang Zhaoxue activated the Shanhe Bell to establish a barrier, isolating everyone outside. She raised her hand as talismans floated to protect them both before leaping onto the high platform with Shen Yuqing.

Shen Yuqing had already severed the shackles before moving. Just as he reached the altar, Mu Jinyue fell. He reached out and caught her, seeing her covered in blood with black energy all over her abdominal wound.

“Withering Spirit Grass.”

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke gravely.

A’Nan was shocked. “It really is that thing?!”

Withering Spirit Grass was a common poison in the cultivation world. For ordinary people it wasn’t incurable, but with Mu Jinyue’s damaged spiritual roots, Withering Spirit Grass was her fatal poison.

And this very poison was the wood-element toxin that had tortured that book’s Jiang Zhaoxue nearly to death at the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion.

Poisons also had elemental properties. Withering Spirit Grass belonged to wood and complemented the fire poison in her body perfectly.

Fortunately, these years in the illusion her divine soul had been nourished by Pei Zichen, and the fire poison’s toxicity had been greatly dispersed.

The Lingxu Fan’s illusion itself stored everyone’s bodies within the fan while controlling their souls to act in the illusory realm. An ice-element heavenly spiritual root’s soul merging with hers so many times—though the spiritual power brought by the soul was diminished, that was still four years.

Thinking of this, Jiang Zhaoxue felt much more at ease, standing behind Shen Yuqing to carefully observe Mu Jinyue.

Withering Spirit Grass was already fatal to her. She currently couldn’t mobilize any spiritual power at all. In this condition, having suffered a sword wound as well, with such injuries Mu Jinyue couldn’t possibly survive.

In this environment, the only way she survived in the book—

“Save her.”

Watching the person ahead still anxiously channeling spiritual power into Mu Jinyue, Jiang Zhaoxue finally understood how Shen Yuqing got injured.

Shen Yuqing paused, then heard Jiang Zhaoxue stand behind him saying calmly, “Transfer her injuries to yourself. With our cultivation levels, such injuries won’t be serious.”

“No need.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing seemed to realize something. Lowering his head, he hurriedly channeled spiritual power into Mu Jinyue, decisively refusing and deceiving himself. “I can save her.”

“Her breath is already nearly gone.”

Jiang Zhaoxue stated calmly, “If you delay further, you won’t be able to save anyone.”

“I can!” After raising his voice, Shen Yuqing suppressed his emotions and emphasized, “I can do it.”

“You’re not a god.” Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone was gentle as she exposed him. “One cannot have everything. This is a trap set for you and me. If you don’t transfer her injuries to your own body, she will definitely die.”

“Then what about you?!” Hearing her urging repeatedly, Shen Yuqing finally couldn’t help turning back to shout angrily, “Withering Spirit Grass complements the fire poison in your body perfectly! With the marriage contract in place—what about you?!”

“This is what choice means.”

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke as if discussing something unrelated to him, stepping forward. “Weighing pros and cons, choosing the greater and abandoning the lesser. Shen Yuqing,” Jiang Zhaoxue bent slightly, grasping his hand from behind as she said softly, “this is a life. You have no choice. You have three chances.”

Jiang Zhaoxue seemed to tempt him, saying gently, “It’s only the first time. It doesn’t matter. And look—”

Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand in a sweeping motion. A talisman paper floated out from Shen Yuqing’s sleeve.

Shen Yuqing’s qiankun pouch had been unguarded against her since youth. Whenever she wished, she could access it anytime.

This was the first time in two hundred years she’d searched through his qiankun pouch. She retrieved a “Wound Transfer Talisman” specifically used for transferring injuries.

This talisman was clearly from the hand of a Great Ascension stage talisman cultivator, not some common item carried by chance. Jiang Zhaoxue understood at a glance and asked, “Haven’t you already made your choice? What’s there to hesitate about? Don’t be afraid. You’re not wrong.”

The talisman floated above Mu Jinyue’s wound. Jiang Zhaoxue pressed Shen Yuqing’s hand downward.

Panic overflowed in his heart. Cold air spread from his heart in an instant. Shen Yuqing’s voice trembled as he couldn’t help saying, “Jiang Zhaoxue…”

“Don’t be afraid.” Jiang Zhaoxue pressed his hand downward. Feeling his resistance, she said calmly, “I know you can’t make this decision. I’ll help you.”

As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she pressed his hand down.

Shen Yuqing felt terror rising from his heart. He didn’t even know what exactly he feared. He breathed lightly, instinctively feeling he couldn’t do this.

But what choice did he have?

Mu Jinyue couldn’t die. At least not here, not now.

He couldn’t let her die.

Yet he still struggled. He couldn’t help softly calling her name, as if seeking some comfort. “Jiang Zhaoxue… Axue…”

But she forcibly pressed his hand down, compelling him bit by bit. He’d never felt such strength from her. He felt her pulling him, walking on a blood-red path paved with spider lilies.

He couldn’t turn back. Mustn’t turn back.

He could only watch helplessly as she pressed his hand onto the wound. The instant the seal embedded into his palm, pain drilled through his entire body. Mu Jinyue’s injuries transferred to him, and Jiang Zhaoxue also groaned behind him.

He slowly turned to see Jiang Zhaoxue behind him, her face turned pale. She clutched her abdominal wound and smiled. “She’s alive.”

Mu Jinyue was alive.

Yet he clearly sensed something being pulled from him—bones stripped, flesh torn, blood dripping. The pain made his fingertips tremble violently, as if his very bones and blood were being drained.

The first blood mark slowly dissipated. The marriage string between them also faded slightly.

Panic and pain intermingled. He gripped Jiang Zhaoxue tightly, about to speak when a voice rang out from above with laughter. “The Heavenly Dao is inconstant, wager your fortune to heaven—”

Before the words finished, Shen Yuqing pulled Jiang Zhaoxue toward him. Simultaneously storing Mu Jinyue in his qiankun pearl, he pulled Jiang Zhaoxue and used Earth Shrinking to flee.

Only halfway through, they heard Song Wulan continue, “Great fortune of qiankun, Shanhe Bell—”

Hearing “Shanhe Bell,” Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t hesitate. Together with that word “break,” she urgently withdrew the Shanhe Bell!

At the same time, a black formation broke through the ground. Shen Yuqing’s spiritual power emptied. The two instantly stopped on the long street. Surrounding believers rushed frantically toward them. Shen Yuqing pulled Jiang Zhaoxue back, protecting her in a wall corner. His sword body unsheathed as the scabbard flew to knock back those rushing forward. He blocked Jiang Zhaoxue, saying coldly, “A group of mortals—don’t seek death!”

The believers were intimidated by him and dared not advance for a moment. After a brief pause, someone in the crowd shouted loudly, “Kill the demon to uphold righteousness! Only then can we receive the true god’s favor and cultivate into the Ghost Dao! Don’t be afraid—let him kill! To die for the cult leader is true liberation!”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing was shocked and furious. “Evil heresy!”

However, these believers completely feared neither life nor death. Like dense swarms of moths, they madly rushed forward.

Jiang Zhaoxue was protected behind him. Covering her wound, she sensed her spiritual power circulation and observed the formation, saying calmly, “Spirit-Severing Array.”

The Spirit-Severing Array restricted cultivators’ spiritual power circulation. Cultivators within it were no different from mortals.

With Shen Yuqing and her spiritual power, Song Wulan’s Spirit-Severing Array couldn’t possibly contain them. They could completely force their way through.

But now was different. Mu Jinyue’s injuries specifically targeted her and Shen Yuqing. That sword’s position perfectly sealed Shen Yuqing’s qi sea. Without healing, Shen Yuqing dared not forcibly mobilize spiritual power. And she… without those four years with Pei Zichen, perhaps now she’d be like in the book—Withering Spirit Grass and fire poison erupting together, unable even to care for herself.

This was a trap set for them.

Jiang Zhaoxue instantly understood. The mastermind had long ago set up the Spirit-Severing Array, but if Shen Yuqing were at his peak, this formation couldn’t suppress him. So they targeted those around Shen Yuqing.

Whether Mu Jinyue or herself, they would find a way to force Shen Yuqing to transfer others’ injuries to himself, then activate the Spirit-Severing Array and use these mortals…

To kill Shen Yuqing?

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t quite make sense of it.

This truly underestimated Shen Yuqing.

Immortals and mortals were separated by clouds and mud. These people couldn’t possibly truly kill her and Shen Yuqing.

Moreover, how did the plotter ensure Shen Yuqing would save Mu Jinyue?

Was the Withering Spirit Grass poison guessed because he knew the relationship between Shen Yuqing and her, or was it just coincidentally arranged?

Protected by her defensive array, how did Mu Jinyue end up here?

Questions piled up, but Jiang Zhaoxue clearly understood one thing—regardless, having gone to such great lengths, the mastermind wouldn’t just want to use these mortals to kill Shen Yuqing.

There must be a follow-up move.

Realizing this, Jiang Zhaoxue knew they couldn’t delay. Hiding behind Shen Yuqing, she immediately said, “Shen Yuqing, this is definitely just the beginning. We need to leave quickly. The Spirit-Severing Array will restrict spiritual power circulation, but your sword should still have stored spiritual power. Use it to help me unseal the Fate Servant contract. Pei Zichen…”

“I don’t need him!”

Shen Yuqing swung his sword to knock down someone, shouting urgently.

Jiang Zhaoxue froze. Shen Yuqing grabbed her wrist as spiritual power instantly flooded in, rushing through her meridians to forcibly suppress the fire poison while making the wound rapidly heal and stopping the bleeding.

He reserved his last bit of spiritual power to heal her. Jiang Zhaoxue looked at him in shock and couldn’t help cursing loudly, “What are you doing?!”

“I can protect you.” Countless emotions churned in his eyes, but a hundred years of rigid discipline kept him perpetually calm. He spoke through gritted teeth. “I alone am enough!”

With that, he pushed her back into the corner. Jiang Zhaoxue immediately felt him blocking those rushing forward while simultaneously beginning to forcibly break through the restriction.

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help being stunned. “You’re insane?!”

Forcibly breaking through restrictions could easily damage meridians. Yet Shen Yuqing completely ignored this, only gripping his sword. Unable to harm mortals, he simply drove them away. Each sword stroke one he’d swung ten thousand times.

Each form one he’d practiced ten thousand times.

He had lived two hundred years this way. It was so back then, and so it remained now.

Jiang Zhaoxue always stood behind him. He always blocked before her.

Between them, however much discord and unbearable history, however much love-hate entanglement—that was their own business.

Whose turn was it to interfere? Whose turn to judge?

He alone was enough.

By her side, he alone was enough.

His unsheathed sword blocked people as spiritual power gathered momentum in his meridians.

Seeing him going mad, Jiang Zhaoxue took a deep breath and also began secretly gathering momentum.

With Pei Zichen’s remaining spiritual power suppressing the fire poison and Shen Yuqing’s spiritual power protecting her, recovering her power was far simpler than for Shen Yuqing.

She only needed one surge of spiritual power to gamble fortune. Since arriving here, she carried Ye Wenzhi and Song Wuya’s fortunes. Directly gambling to completely break the Spirit-Severing Array gave her great odds of winning.

Jiang Zhaoxue secretly attempted to mobilize spiritual power.

But the moment she moved, those secretly watching seemed to instantly detect it. The ground suddenly shook as if with thousands of troops. Bird cries came from the distance. Jiang Zhaoxue looked up sharply to see giant eagles descending densely from the sky. Demonic beasts emerged from all directions as if their entire nest was coming out, directly trampling mortals to charge at them!

The demonic beasts’ force was unstoppable, directly crashing toward where Jiang Zhaoxue hid. Shen Yuqing turned to pull Jiang Zhaoxue up as they leaped, landing directly on a demonic beast’s back. His long sword spun out, crossing before the diving giant eagle’s neck, blocking before Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue formed seals with her fingers, mobilizing spiritual power while surveying her surroundings, secretly sensing fortune fluctuations around them to deduce Song Wulan’s movements, always ready to break through restrictions.

Her spiritual roots were precious. She had no intention of fighting desperately like Shen Yuqing.

As for Shen Yuqing, even without spiritual power, he’d never regarded these demonic beasts highly. He only lightly tapped his sword, calmly cursing, “Evil beasts.”

As soon as he spoke, the demonic beasts instantly grew agitated. As Shen Yuqing’s sword rose and fell, blood light filled the air around Jiang Zhaoxue.

While Jiang Zhaoxue’s side fought magnificently, Pei Zichen stood at the riverside bridge holding a lantern of Weisheng Embracing the Pillar, gazing at the sky.

He was clear that Jiang Zhaoxue had deceived him.

He’d clearly decided to go against her wishes, yet as soon as she smiled, lowered her eyes, and placed her gaze on him, he couldn’t persist.

She was ultimately his Lady, the immortal he’d gazed upon and followed from Jiang Zhou, whom he’d knelt and worshipped in temples for four years.

He always wanted to trust her and always wanted to wait for her.

He’d waited a long time when suddenly the marriage string on his hand flashed red light, its temperature sharply rising to scorch his skin as if urgently warning of something.

Marriage contracts warned when one’s dao companion was injured or in danger, but…

The marriage string from the Lingxu Fan illusion should only have his half. If the other half belonged to no one, for whom was it warning?!

Pei Zichen suppressed his emotions and tried using the Fate Servant contract to sense Jiang Zhaoxue. The instant he tried, he discovered—nothing.

He couldn’t sense Jiang Zhaoxue. Instead, only the marriage contract flashed madly, as if an invisible red string pulled at him, guiding him in some direction.

Jiang Zhaoxue was in trouble!

Anxious and panicked, he forced himself to calm down and rushed urgently in the direction the marriage string pulled him.

Yet as he went, his mind couldn’t help obsessively thinking one thing.

Jiang Zhaoxue had the other half of the marriage string.

But he’d never seen that half.

But now he couldn’t dwell on this. He had to quickly find Jiang Zhaoxue and confirm her safety.

He placed his hand on his sword hilt and rushed forward all the way.

The marriage string’s pull couldn’t break, so he couldn’t use Yuan Luogong to directly open space.

He could only follow the marriage string’s sensation, racing madly from Cang City into the mountains.

Just reaching the small road, he saw black-clothed people already lying in ambush along the way urgently rise, calling loudly, “We’re mortals, he won’t dare harm…”

Before finishing, Pei Zichen scattered human-shaped paper talismans from his hand. The paper instantly transformed into human forms, roaring out to bite at these rushing people’s souls!

In moments, the road cleared. Light swords surrounded Pei Zichen’s body. Like a gale passing through, he charged straight at the barrier-protected mountain road, slashing from afar at the group of black-clothed youths guarding the barrier, saying coldly, “Those who block my path—die!”

Voice and sword arrived simultaneously. With just one sword—all were blasted away, along with sixteen light swords simultaneously crashing fiercely into the barrier!

Inside the barrier, the earth shook and mountains trembled. Demonic beasts instantly went berserk. All beasts urgently rushed madly toward Jiang Zhaoxue together. Shen Yuqing’s sword became a phantom slashing at these demonic beasts surging toward Jiang Zhaoxue like flailing carp.

Jiang Zhaoxue stood behind Shen Yuqing, calmly mobilizing all spiritual power to break the restriction. Channeling spiritual power into the already-drawn formation, she pulled it up from the ground and spoke calmly, “The Heavenly Dao is inconstant, wager fortune to heaven. Supreme great fortune, all directions purge evil—”

It was so.

Shen Yuqing’s heart slowly awakened. Hearing this incantation recited countless times standing behind him, his panicked heart finally found its home.

She had always been thus. She’d never changed. She forever stood behind him, forever protected by him.

He could do it.

His spiritual power broke through meridians node by node. His strikes grew increasingly urgent until the final moment when a fierce tiger suddenly attacked. Shen Yuqing instinctively sensed something wrong. Spiritual power instantly filled his sword body as he turned and slashed down urgently with one stroke!

However, in that very instant, the barrier shattered like ice. Pei Zichen’s sword qi swept out horizontally. The Fate Servant contract was once again sensed by Pei Zichen. He raised his hand and flung it. Jiang Zhaoxue felt a tremendous force strike, urgently pulling her to a distance just as Shen Yuqing’s sword descended!

Shen Yuqing’s eyes seemed about to split. Yet Pei Zichen’s sword qi came first with a “boom,” blowing away all present people and beasts along with him!

Simultaneously, Jiang Zhaoxue’s words fell: “Purge!”

Thunder crashed down, instantly killing demonic beasts on the ground. Shen Yuqing heavily crashed into the wall behind him, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

When he looked up, he saw Pei Zichen holding Jiang Zhaoxue, silently watching him amid the dust and clamor.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s trembling body leaned against Pei Zichen’s chest. Their deep blue and light blue colors seemed to merge as one.

“Axue…”

Shen Yuqing struggled to urgently rise.

But Pei Zichen only looked at him coldly, turned holding Jiang Zhaoxue, and left with one sentence: “I’m taking Master’s wife to heal first. Master handle the aftermath.”