Qin Wanwan was flung by Jian Xingzhi into the vortex, immediately feeling violent winds sweeping her into a tunnel. Someone raised a hand to support her shoulder, asking with concern: “Fellow Daoist Qin, are you alright?”

“Baisui You?”

Qin Wanwan turned to look at Baisui You, immediately remembering something. She quickly scrambled up and charged back, shouting: “That bastard Long Aotian, I…”

Baisui You hurried to restrain her, about to offer advice when he saw Qin Wanwan freeze.

Only now did Qin Wanwan realize that from this side, the vortex was a light gate, and she could clearly see the scene within the secret realm through it.

At this moment, the secret realm’s sky was already covered with cracks, supported only by Xie Gutang’s pillar of light. However, that pillar looked as thin as a cicada’s wing, obviously about to fail. Cultivators rushed out through the light gate one after another, with only Jian Xingzhi going against the flow on his sword, charging back inside and rushing to Xie Gutang’s side.

“It’s already very dangerous below,” Baisui You stood behind Qin Wanwan, advising her, “Fellow Daoist Qin, let’s enter the Sword Tomb first. This is just a separate passage that Daoist Xie opened alone. Once the secret realm below collapses, this place will collapse too.”

“You go first,” Qin Wanwan bit her lip, “I’ll wait here for them. They all stayed behind to save people—we can’t just abandon them and run.”

Baisui You froze, seeming somewhat surprised by Qin Wanwan’s choice. He watched as Qin Wanwan took a few steps forward, placing her hand at the vortex’s edge and looking down below. After hesitating a moment, he walked behind Qin Wanwan and also spoke: “I’ll wait with Fellow Daoist Qin.”

When all the others squeezed out of the secret realm, Jian Xingzhi descended back to Xie Gutang’s side. Seeing Jian Xingzhi return, Xie Gutang frowned: “Why did you…”

“Someone said that the strong protect the weak,” Jian Xingzhi raised his hand and formed hand seals, “She’s already done everything she can. I can’t fall behind.”

“You…”

Xie Gutang didn’t understand. Before he could finish speaking, he saw brilliant light burst from Jian Xingzhi’s hands.

“Supreme Nine Questions, the sword follows my will.”

Jian Xingzhi pressed the seal onto the ground. 666 gasped: “Master, you must not!”

Jian Xingzhi ignored 666’s warnings and poured his spiritual consciousness transformed into spiritual power into the formation. In that instant, an electric current shot through his entire body, and within the already fragile light pillar, a giant sword suddenly blazed forth. The giant sword shot up to the sky, forcibly holding up the descending heavens.

Unprecedented top-tier sword intent surged forward. Xie Gutang jerked his head up, staring at Jian Xingzhi in shock. Jian Xingzhi gritted his teeth, enduring the electric current spreading throughout his body, and hoarsely said: “Tell people to hurry. You leave too.”

“Boss…”

Electric current crackled through Jian Xingzhi’s body. 666 raised his tiny hands to cover his eyes, unable to bear watching.

From high above, Qin Wanwan watched as Jian Xingzhi knelt on one knee, his blue robes billowing, his entire body trembling as if enduring something, yet still remaining in place. For a moment, she couldn’t process it.

She had always thought he only knew how to bully people, but suddenly discovered at this moment that this person didn’t speak of righteousness, yet acted with righteousness.

The Jian Xingzhi of that moment fell into her eyes—a handsomeness completely at odds with his usual joking manner—making her heart pound violently in her chest, clearly audible.

She stood dazed for a moment, then instantly reacted that she needed to do something.

“38, if someone with your system violates their character settings, what are the consequences?”

“Haven’t you experienced it?” 38’s tone carried pain, “Electric shock!”

From their first meeting, scenes of this ‘Long Aotian’ using abilities beyond ‘Jian Zhiyan’s’ character flashed through Qin Wanwan’s mind. She immediately understood where Jian Xingzhi’s system limitations lay.

“If I want to help another person with a system, is there a way to exempt them from one electric shock?”

“There is,” 38 hesitated, “A penalty exemption talisman costs 500 points…”

“I want a penalty exemption talisman.”

Qin Wanwan immediately spoke. 38 was reluctant: “Master…”

“Quickly!”

Qin Wanwan urged. 38 sighed: “We only had 1,035 points—back to square one overnight!”

As he spoke, Qin Wanwan felt an extra talisman paper in her sleeve. Grabbing the talisman, she raised her hand and flew toward Jian Xingzhi, shouting: “Long Aotian!”

Jian Xingzhi looked up to see a talisman flying straight down from above. He raised one hand, and the talisman stuck to his palm. In an instant, the pain from the electric current vanished. 666 exclaimed in surprise: “Eh? A penalty exemption talisman? That costs 500 points!”

Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi looked up at the vortex in the sky, his lips curving into a smile: “Didn’t manage her for nothing.”

Just as the words fell, Xie Gutang could no longer restrain the blood churning in his chest. He coughed up blood, and the light pillar instantly shattered. The sky immediately collapsed halfway, leaving only Jian Xingzhi’s light sword still supporting heaven and earth.

“Senior…”

Xie Gutang raised his hand to calm the blood in his chest. About to say something more, Jian Xingzhi glanced at him coolly: “If you’re useless, hurry and leave. Protect Qin Wanwan for me.”

Qin Wanwan had registered with the Heavenly Sword Sect as ‘Qin Wanwan.’ He used the alias Xie Gutang knew. Xie Gutang realized that at this moment he was only a burden, so he simply bowed: “Yes, Senior.”

With that, Xie Gutang flew up on his sword, shooting straight toward the heavens.

Using spiritual consciousness to condense a sword caused extremely high damage to spiritual consciousness, even for a powerhouse like him. Even without the electric current, he began to feel pain in his sea of consciousness. Watching as cultivators exited one by one and the sky collapsed bit by bit, cracks began to appear in the tunnel where Qin Wanwan stood.

After observing the surroundings, Baisui You spoke urgently: “Fellow Daoist Qin, we should leave first. Once this passage shatters, we’ll never be able to return to the Sword Tomb.”

“You go first,” Qin Wanwan stared at Jian Xingzhi below, biting her lip without turning around, “I’m staying here.”

The strong protect the weak—she had said that. She had no reason to let Jian Xingzhi do it while she fled.

Qin Wanwan trembled as she spoke, her hand gripping the door frame shaking. Baisui You gazed at her eyes that were clearly afraid yet showed no hesitation, sensing a composed determination completely different from her usual self. His eyes held a depth different from usual as he smiled softly: “Fellow Daoist Qin and Fellow Daoist Long truly share a deep bond.”

“I wouldn’t call it a deep bond,” Qin Wanwan gritted her teeth, “If you were down there saving a bunch of us, I wouldn’t run either.”

Baisui You froze. In just that moment, Xie Gutang came stumbling into the light gate on his sword. Qin Wanwan caught him: “Daoist Xie.”

“We leave first,” Xie Gutang said as soon as he steadied himself, pulling Qin Wanwan outward, “Senior told me to look after you properly.”

“I can’t leave. The light gate could close at any moment—I have to wait for him to return!” As she spoke, Qin Wanwan turned to look at Baisui You, “Take Daoist Xie and leave first.”

“But…”

Xie Gutang was about to speak when Qin Wanwan began forming hand seals. Already injured, Xie Gutang was instantly restrained by her Heaven-grade technique. He looked up at Qin Wanwan in shock. Standing by the light gate, Qin Wanwan’s expression was resolute: “Daoist Xie, I have ways to protect myself. You leave first. I’ll be fine.”

Fewer and fewer cultivators remained. The tunnel shook more violently, large chunks crumbling from overhead. Fighting sounds came from the Sword Tomb behind them. Xie Gutang looked toward the Sword Tomb, thinking of the mission his sect had given him for entering the secret realm, momentarily torn.

The last cultivator rushed into the vortex. Sitting on the rooftop, Ji Wuyou glanced at Jian Xingzhi and urged him: “Young man, let’s go.”

Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi smiled at him: “I’ll get you back for that kick someday.”

With that, he withdrew his hand from the formation. The light sword instantly vanished, and the sky rapidly descended.

The entire tunnel began shaking with the sky. The vortex started closing. Qin Wanwan didn’t hesitate—she turned around, grabbed onto the vortex entrance, and shouted to Baisui You and Xie Gutang behind her: “Go!”

As she spoke, she drew her long sword and placed it across the vortex, using her spiritual consciousness transformed into spiritual power to prevent the vortex from closing.

Seeing the dire situation, Baisui You bit his lip and grabbed Xie Gutang: “Let’s go!”

With that, he pulled Xie Gutang and rushed out.

Qin Wanwan clung to the vortex. The force trying to close it was immense. She circulated her Golden Core and began using Jishan’s technique to absorb spiritual power, frantically drawing in the surrounding spiritual energy. While absorbing, she couldn’t help cursing Jian Xingzhi.

“Long Aotian, if I die here today, I won’t let you go even as a ghost!”

“You better run faster! I’m insane to be playing the fool here with you!!”

Watching as the vortex shrank to just a point of light, Qin Wanwan wedged one hand into the light point and pressed the other against the wall beside it, screaming desperately: “Long Aotian!!”

Jian Xingzhi flew toward the sky on his sword, watching the vortex fluctuate in size. Just as he was about to reach the ceiling, the vortex shrank to just a point of light, seemingly about to close at any moment. His heart lurched, and he accelerated. Just before the vortex closed, he saw a slender hand forcibly pry open the light point and reach out, accompanied by Qin Wanwan’s scream as if he had died: “Long Aotian!”

Jian Xingzhi grabbed that hand. The moment Qin Wanwan felt someone grasp her hand, she used all her strength to pull Jian Xingzhi toward her. In an instant, heaven and earth merged. The tunnel completely collapsed. Jian Xingzhi embraced her, protecting her head, and rolled out of the tunnel. Just as it sealed completely, he crashed hard onto the ground while holding Qin Wanwan.

The instant they hit the ground, Qin Wanwan felt a flash of blade light nearby. Still holding Jian Xingzhi, she rolled on the spot, barely dodging an attack. Then she felt someone kick the attacker away. Nanfeng rushed over anxiously to help Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi: “Master, Daoist, are you both alright?”

Jian Xingzhi didn’t speak, cold sweat beading on his forehead. The excessive consumption of spiritual consciousness left him struggling to recover. Qin Wanwan’s entire body was still trembling. She controlled herself with rationality, shakily reaching into her pouch for medicine pills. She fumbled several times, unable to get the pills out. Jian Xingzhi grabbed the medicine bottle, poured a handful into his own hand, raised it, and slapped them into her mouth before tossing several into his own mouth. He joked weakly: “Your courage is quite small, but you sure do big things. Qin Wan, you’re like an ox,” Jian Xingzhi gave her a thumbs up in praise, “Really awesome.”

“Fellow Daoists Qin and Long!” Just as Jian Xingzhi finished speaking, Baisui You ran over with his blood-stained mourning staff, panting with relief: “You’re both safe—that’s wonderful.”

“What happened?”

Qin Wanwan looked up at Baisui You while surveying the surroundings.

The area showed signs of an extremely fierce battle. Bodies lay everywhere, though the fighting seemed to be ending. People around them were running toward the front, where two towering mountains rose, covered with broken swords. Between them formed a canyon with no visible end, shrouded in black mist. One could vaguely sense powerful spiritual energy circulating within the canyon, but exactly where remained unknown.

“A spirit treasure has manifested,” Baisui You wiped the blood from his face, “All the cultivators are rushing in to fight over it. They’re not really at Foundation Establishment stage at all—each one is stronger than the last.”

As the words fell, Qin Wanwan’s mind went 【ding】, and her interface displayed a progress bar:

【Task Two: Sword Tomb Sword Search, Initial Display of Prowess, 90% complete. Core task prompt: Obtain natal sword, Yuanning】

When Qin Wanwan received the task, Jian Xingzhi simultaneously got his task.

【Task Five: Assist female lead in obtaining natal sword, points +1000】

【Romance subplot task: Assist any male with looks 90+ in heroically saving the female lead, points +50】

The two made eye contact. Jian Xingzhi saw exhaustion in Qin Wanwan’s eyes. Qin Wanwan saw points in Jian Xingzhi’s eyes.

“Getting the sword?” Feeling his strength returning, Jian Xingzhi offered: “I’ll help you!”

Qin Wanwan looked at him enviously: “Young man, aren’t you tired? Doesn’t your head hurt?”

“Let’s set out first, you carry me,” Jian Xingzhi said without burden, “I’ll rest on the way! I have extensive experience with these situations—don’t worry.”

As he spoke, Jian Xingzhi pressed on Qin Wanwan’s shoulder, using it to stand up. He turned to Baisui You: “Where’s Xie Gutang?”

Baisui You pointed at the canyon: “Daoist Xie went in too.”

“Nanfeng.”

Jian Xingzhi beckoned to Nanfeng nearby. Nanfeng immediately transformed into a giant ant. Jian Xingzhi turned back to look at Qin Wanwan, who had just stood up: “Help me up.”

Qin Wanwan glanced at the now-giant Nanfeng and suddenly smiled: “Sure thing.”

With that, she grabbed Jian Xingzhi’s hand and flung him. Completely unprepared, Jian Xingzhi was thrown directly onto the ant. He scrambled up as Qin Wanwan leaped onto Nanfeng, gripping the bladeless antennae with both hands. She turned to look at him: “How did being flung feel?”

Jian Xingzhi instantly realized she was retaliating for his behavior. He smiled through gritted teeth: “Great.”

“Oh,” Qin Wanwan nodded, “Then I’ll fling you a few more times in the future.”

As she spoke, Qin Wanwan pulled his hand around her waist: “Hold on tight.”

Jian Xingzhi froze. He didn’t know if it was his sea of consciousness or his mind that was in chaos. He stiffly held Qin Wanwan, watching her call out to Baisui You: “Fellow Daoist Bai, let’s go.”

Hearing this, Baisui You nodded. Qin Wanwan shouted: “Charge!”

Nanfeng began racing toward the canyon. Baisui You stood on his mourning staff, rushing into the canyon alongside Qin Wanwan.

Nanfeng ran very fast. Its body was smooth, and with nowhere else to brace himself besides Qin Wanwan, Jian Xingzhi could only hold her waist tightly, leaning against her back to organize his sea of consciousness.

He found the sensation beneath his hands very unfamiliar, yet somehow indescribably… strange.

He controlled his thoughts while adjusting his breathing. In the violent wind, leaning on Qin Wanwan, he opened his eyes. From the side, he could see Qin Wanwan’s clear, resolute eyes. Thinking of that hand that broke through the sky and reached out, his thoughts grew complex. For a moment, he felt an indescribable emotion stirring.

“I didn’t expect you would wait for me.”

Jian Xingzhi said whatever came to mind. Hearing this, Qin Wanwan felt somewhat embarrassed.

She had never imagined she would one day experience this kind of life-and-death struggle. But thinking of how Jian Xingzhi had endured electric shocks to return and save Xie Gutang, she felt what she did wasn’t much at all.

Just as she was about to respond modestly, she heard Jian Xingzhi call her—

“Girl,” his voice was full of emotion, “I didn’t dote on you for nothing.”

Qin Wanwan’s hands trembled. She ground her teeth in anger: “Long Aotian, if you dare, say that in front of my father.”

“Fine,” Jian Xingzhi agreed immediately, “When I recover my identity, I’ll go find your father and become sworn brothers.”

“Good, good, good,” Qin Wanwan laughed angrily, “I’ll tell my father to wait.”

With her father’s status, sworn brothers?

Let’s see if he doesn’t tear this kid apart.

As they spoke, the three people and one pet charged into the canyon. In the distance, they could see a glowing sword mountain with people fighting all around. Xie Gutang was locked in intense combat with a white-robed young man. Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi looked from afar, and Jian Xingzhi gasped: “That rabbit!”

Qin Wanwan focused her gaze and discovered that the person entangled with Xie Gutang was actually Jun Shu!

Besides Jun Shu, Song Xinian was also there. Many sect members, both familiar and unfamiliar, were fighting together in complete chaos. It was unclear what they were even fighting over.

“Jun Shu, the Ascension Gate is merely legend. How dare you trespass in the Sword Tomb for this? Have you asked your father?”

Xie Gutang’s sword fell like rain, pursuing Jun Shu. Jun Shu sneered: “Whether I ask or not, what business is it of yours?”

As he spoke, Song Xinian leaped onto the sword mountain, beginning to search for something.

Qin Wanwan’s group stopped in the distance. Looking around, Qin Wanwan asked in confusion: “What are they fighting over?”

“Yeah,” Jian Xingzhi frowned, “They don’t even know where the spirit treasure is and they’ve already started fighting?”

Hearing this, Jun Shu nearby faltered mid-motion. Jian Xingzhi shouted at Xie Gutang: “Daoist Xie, why don’t you all wait for the spirit treasure to appear first before fighting?”

As the words fell, Jun Shu’s sound wave and Xie Gutang’s sword violently collided. Although Jun Shu was a realm below him, Xie Gutang had just been severely depleted in the secret realm, so they fought evenly, both being knocked back.

“Daoist Xie.”

Qin Wanwan dismounted the ant and rushed to Xie Gutang’s side, helping him up from the ground.

Song Xinian landed behind Jun Shu, helping him up. Jian Xingzhi swaggered to the middle and raised his hand: “Everyone, hear me out.”

Everyone exchanged glances. Jun Shu stared at Jian Xingzhi, finding him somewhat familiar yet unable to place where he’d seen him. He cautiously bowed: “May I ask, who is this fellow daoist?”

“Oh, I’m Long Aotian,” Jian Xingzhi pointed to Qin Wanwan, Baisui You, and the others behind him, “These are all my friends.”

Jun Shu remained silent, assessing Jian Xingzhi’s cultivation level and background. This person appeared to be only at Golden Core stage, yet carried himself with such presence that one dared not underestimate him. One Xie Gutang was already troublesome enough—if this Long Aotian was here to help Xie Gutang, things could get tricky.

Before confirming friend or foe, Jun Shu didn’t dare say too much. Jian Xingzhi looked around and proposed: “Everyone, the treasure hasn’t even appeared yet. Fighting now isn’t cost-effective. Why don’t you all stop fighting first and search for the treasure? Once the treasure manifests, we can establish fair competition rules. How about it?”

“No!” Xie Gutang coughed up blood. “The Exquisite Jade cannot fall into their hands. We can’t give them the chance to search for treasure.”

“If they kill you, won’t they search for treasure anyway?” Jian Xingzhi turned to Xie Gutang. “If you don’t listen to me, I won’t help you. Can you win right now?”

Xie Gutang’s expression stiffened. Jian Xingzhi turned to Jun Shu: “What do you think? If you don’t agree, I’ll help Xie Gutang.”

Hearing this, Jun Shu’s expression turned extremely unpleasant. Thinking that this person spoke with such confidence, he must be a master. After holding back for a long time, he finally bowed: “This junior has no objections.”

Jian Xingzhi nodded and called to Qin Wanwan: “Old Qin, come here.”

Qin Wanwan nervously walked to Jian Xingzhi’s side. At that moment, she felt like a ping-pong net, liable to be attacked from both sides at any moment. This center position gave her great pressure, and she couldn’t help trembling.

Jian Xingzhi placed his hand on her shoulder, standing behind her: “Come on, sense where your natal sword is.”

Qin Wanwan looked up blankly at the sword-covered mountain before her. She only felt something calling faintly in her chest, but could never find who it was.

Seeing her lack of response, Jian Xingzhi pointed at the most imposing sword on the mountain: “Hey, you, come here.”

With that, the sword quickly flew down from the mountain, stopping before Qin Wanwan.

Everyone was stunned. In the past, when others came to the Sword Tomb to select swords, these sword spirits—souls of famous masters residing after death—all had terrible tempers. Anyone wanting to choose a sword had to fight these sword spirits to the death. When had anyone seen sword spirits behave so obediently?

Jian Xingzhi completely ignored others’ surprise and turned to seriously introduce the sword to Qin Wanwan: “This one’s not bad. It’s served over a dozen masters. It specializes in killing and hasn’t gone mad yet—a very mature sword spirit. How do you feel about it?”

Qin Wanwan didn’t speak, frowning as she gazed at the sword. Jun Shu and the others looked at Jian Xingzhi with uncertain, suspicious gazes, their hands gripping their jade flutes beginning to sweat.

Xie Gutang stared at the summoned flying sword, shocked into murmuring: “Wen… Senior Wenyu…”

Recognized, the sword spirit lowered its head in shame, not daring to look at Xie Gutang.

Seeing Qin Wanwan’s expression, Jian Xingzhi had Wenyu return and summoned another sword before Qin Wanwan: “What about this one? This is a female sword spirit with a good temper, but the sword is excellent. Do you like it?”

“Senior Fengluan…”

Xie Gutang felt the world had become rather fantastical.

One sword was fine, but another one this obedient?

Jun Shu and the others unconsciously stepped back.

Seeing Qin Wanwan still didn’t like it, Jian Xingzhi summoned several more. After Qin Wanwan rejected them one by one, Jian Xingzhi thought for a moment: “Don’t you feel anything at all for these swords?”

“I think…” Qin Wanwan frowned, “It seems like someone is calling me.”

Everyone looked over to see Qin Wanwan walk forward: “But it’s inside the mountain.”

As she spoke, she crouched down, placing her hand on the base of the foremost mountain.

The moment her hand touched the mountain, that sense of calling intensified.

Seeing this, Xie Gutang grew anxious: “The sword mountain is so massive—does Fellow Daoist Qin sense a more obvious location?”

Jian Xingzhi nodded: “I understand.”

Everyone looked confused, not quite understanding what Jian Xingzhi understood. Then they heard him say lightly: “Then let’s flatten this mountain and see if it’s inside.”

At these words, Xie Gutang’s expression changed drastically: “Senior, you cannot!”

Jian Xingzhi turned: “Why not?”

“This is the sword mountain, the resting place of all sword spirits. If you flatten the mountain, the sword spirits will surely not allow it.”

After Xie Gutang’s tactful reminder, Jian Xingzhi nodded: “You make a good point.”

Xie Gutang breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately heard Jian Xingzhi say: “I’ll have them relocate.”

“With so many seniors here,” Xie Gutang was shocked, “how could that be easy…”

“The two mountains over there, make some room,” Jian Xingzhi didn’t wait for Xie Gutang to finish. Without formality, he turned to the sword spirits on the adjacent two mountains and commanded: “Quickly.”

The sword intent that had broken countless famous swords was instantly sensed by the sword spirits. They were more sensitive than ordinary people in perceiving that the newcomer was immensely powerful, standing at the pinnacle of sword intent, capable of breaking them effortlessly.

In an instant, the sword spirits on both mountains collectively squeezed to the side, clearing out an empty space.

Jian Xingzhi looked at the sword spirits on the mountain directly ahead and issued a warning: “I’ll give you fifteen minutes. Relocate quickly, or I’m tearing down the mountain.”

As the words fell, all the swords immediately flew from the mountain and inserted themselves neatly into the adjacent mountain.

Everyone stared blankly at this scene. Jian Xingzhi clapped his hands and looked at Nanfeng: “Nanfeng, get bigger and dig out this mountain for me.”

“Yes.” Nanfeng jumped down from Qin Wanwan’s shoulder and immediately transformed into an ant as tall as a mountain, beginning to excavate.

Xie Gutang watched dirt fly everywhere. Realizing what was happening, he dropped to his knees with a “thud,” seemingly unable to accept the scene before him, murmuring: “The sword mountain… our ancestors’ legacy…”

Seeing Xie Gutang completely stunned, Qin Wanwan hurried to pull him up, desperately comforting him: “Daoist Xie, please get up. Later we’ll pile the mountain back for you and have all the sword spirits return to their places… oh, and the spirit treasure—we’ll help you find it. We’ll compensate, we’ll pay…”

“Right, right,” Baisui You also hurried to comfort Xie Gutang. “Fellow Daoist Xie, the mountain is an inanimate object. Your Heavenly Sword Sect agreed. You don’t need to blame yourself so much.”

Nearby, Jun Shu’s group watched in horror as Jian Xingzhi led Nanfeng in excavating the mountain. Song Xinian swallowed and stammered: “Young Master Jun, this… this person is digging up the Heavenly Sword Sect’s Sword Tomb… probably even more than my master… should we still… still fight for the Exquisite Jade?”

Jun Shu took a deep breath: “Fight.”

He gritted his teeth: “The Ascension Gate is such an opportunity. We have superior numbers—don’t be afraid!”

While Jian Xingzhi directed Nanfeng in excavating the mountain like a construction foreman, Qin Wanwan helped Xie Gutang to the side. Together with Baisui You, they consoled him. After a moment, Xie Gutang accepted the reality of the Sword Tomb being dug up. Exhausted, he drank some water before turning to look at Qin Wanwan: “Fellow Daoist Qin, I have a question—what exactly are you and Senior Long doing at the Heavenly Sword Sect?”

“Just looking for a natal sword,” Qin Wanwan spoke, feeling somewhat embarrassed. “We’ve caused you trouble.”

“The Heavenly Sword Sect’s Sword Tomb is where all swords return. Our ancestors decreed that we should do our utmost to help all sword cultivators in the world find their path. Fellow Daoist Qin coming to the Heavenly Sword Sect to seek a sword is the Heavenly Sword Sect’s fortune.”

“Don’t worry,” Qin Wanwan understood Xie Gutang’s concern. “I know what you’re worried about. Rest assured, we’re not here to cause trouble.”

Xie Gutang nodded. After a moment’s hesitation, Qin Wanwan carefully inquired: “Fellow Daoist Xie, what exactly were you all fighting over today?”

“If I’m not mistaken,” Baisui You looked at Xie Gutang, “could it be the legendary Exquisite Jade?”

Xie Gutang’s expression wasn’t good, but he nodded.

Qin Wanwan asked curiously: “What is the Exquisite Jade?”

“The Exquisite Jade is the key to opening the Ascension Gate.” Xie Gutang spoke solemnly. “Has Fellow Daoist Qin heard of the carp leaping over the dragon gate?”

“Yes, this dragon gate is actually the legendary Ascension Gate.”

“Correct,” Xie Gutang nodded. “The Ascension Gate truly exists. It once existed as a gift from the Heavenly Dao to the Dragon Clan. Only the Dragon Clan could cross the Ascension Gate and ascend to immortality. But a thousand years ago, a cultivator suddenly created a secret technique that could transform human cultivators into dragon clan members by consuming dragon pills whole, deceiving heaven and crossing the sea, ascending the Ascension Gate in human form. This secret technique required raising dragon clan members from youth, binding them with secret arts, feeding them pills for nearly a hundred years, and finally extracting their dragon pills to complete the transformation.”

“Compared to self-cultivation, the Ascension Gate was undoubtedly a shortcut to ascension. Cultivators flocked to this method, causing the Dragon Clan to be slaughtered and nearly driven to extinction. Finally, the Dragon King made an agreement with several major sects to destroy the Exquisite Jade that opened the Ascension Gate, cutting off this path to ascension and ending the Dragon Clan’s catastrophe.”

“But the Ascension Gate wasn’t completely destroyed?”

Qin Wanwan immediately grasped the problem. The Dragon Clan’s slaughter—what did that have to do with those cultivators? If they helped the Dragon King destroy the Ascension Gate, the Dragon Clan must have offered some benefit. Now that the Ascension Gate had reappeared, what happened back then must have differed from the legend.

“The Exquisite Jade was, after all, a treasure from the immortal realm. At that time, the major sects lacked sufficient resources, so the Exquisite Jade was divided into five pieces and given to various major sects. Wherever the Exquisite Jade resided, spiritual energy would gather, nourishing the sect’s spiritual veins and secret realms—making it a supreme treasure. For example,” Xie Gutang looked up at the half-excavated sword mountain, clenching his fists to control his heartache while feigning composure, “the Heavenly Sword Sect’s Sword Tomb originated from the Exquisite Jade.”

“Then,” Qin Wanwan didn’t understand, “why has the Exquisite Jade suddenly manifested?”

“Because,” Baisui You smiled, “someone has raised an Azure Dragon again and rebuilt the Ascension Gate.”

“Such people,” Xie Gutang’s face showed disdain, “are either greedy for shortcuts, or…” Xie Gutang’s voice deepened, “they are people whom the Heavenly Dao cannot tolerate and who fundamentally cannot ascend. Using the Ascension Gate to ascend will provoke the Heavenly Dao’s wrath. I fear our entire small world will suffer, cutting off the path to ascension for everyone.”

“So you want to seize the Exquisite Jade because you fear the latter type of person will obtain it and ascend, blocking your world’s path to ascension?”

Qin Wanwan understood. Xie Gutang nodded.

Just at that moment, Nanfeng’s blade struck something hard with a “clang.” Nanfeng’s movement halted, and Qin Wanwan felt her heartbeat “thump” once, as if it might stop.

Jian Xingzhi sensed the anomaly. Scanning with his spiritual consciousness, he saw what Nanfeng had unearthed.

Jun Shu, Xie Gutang, and the others simultaneously rushed forward. Jian Xingzhi moved faster, raising his hand and drawing his sword forward in a line.

“Wait a moment!” Jian Xingzhi blocked everyone’s path.

Jun Shu controlled his emotions, looking coldly at Jian Xingzhi: “Daoist, you said we would compete fairly.”

“It is fair,” Jian Xingzhi turned to Jun Shu. “You send one person, we send one person. Stand at this line. Then I’ll have Nanfeng dig. When the spirit treasure manifests, we’ll all rush forward together. Whoever grabs it wins.”

Hearing this, Jun Shu glanced at Song Xinian beside him and smiled: “Fine, we’ll follow Senior’s lead.”

“Xie Gutang,” Jian Xingzhi turned to him. “I’ll fight for the Exquisite Jade for you. You protect Old Qin for me.”

Hearing this, Xie Gutang quickly bowed: “Thank you, Senior!”

With that, Jian Xingzhi stuck his sword into the adjacent sword mountain, turned, and stood before the line. Jun Shu and Song Xinian conferred, then stood with Jian Xingzhi on the starting line.

Nanfeng resumed excavating. Jun Shu glanced at Jian Xingzhi: “Senior, have we met somewhere before?”

“In a dream?” Jian Xingzhi stretched, beginning to do side lunges to warm up.

Jun Shu gripped his white jade flute, standing elegantly beside him: “Though this is our first meeting, Senior, I always feel we’ve met before.”

“Don’t try to get friendly with me.”

Jun Shu: “…”

As they spoke, Nanfeng tossed aside the last bit of soil, and a silver longsword stuck in the earth was revealed.

The moment the sword body was fully exposed, over a dozen beams of light shot out from the soil, condensing above the sword. In that split second, without any preparation, Jian Xingzhi and Jun Shu simultaneously charged toward the glowing spot.

Jun Shu was a moment slower than Jian Xingzhi, but Song Xinian beside him had prepared early and lunged at Jian Xingzhi!

Qin Wanwan couldn’t react in time, but Xie Gutang moved faster, grabbing Song Xinian. The two fell to the ground together.

In mere moments, both sides were entangled in combat again. Jian Xingzhi and Jun Shu simultaneously rushed to the crystal stones, both reaching out. They blocked each other, exchanging blows back and forth. Jian Xingzhi pressed down Jun Shu’s head while Jun Shu grabbed Jian Xingzhi’s waist. Jian Xingzhi roared: “Stinking rabbit, let go!”

Hearing this shout, the shadow of that explosive moment in the latrine surged over Jun Shu. He held his breath as Jian Xingzhi kicked him away, grabbed the jade fragment from the light, and rushed out, shouting: “Old Qin, channel your spiritual consciousness into the sword and fight directly!”

As he spoke, he led everyone running wildly toward the nearby sword mountain, like an incredibly agile monkey. With one hand clutching the jade fragment and the other hanging from a sword hilt, he leaped gracefully across the sword mountain.

Cultivators swarmed across the mountains trying to catch him. On the sword mountain, Jian Xingzhi was like a fish in water—the entire mountain’s sword spirits protected him imperceptibly.

Taking advantage of Jian Xingzhi’s distraction, Qin Wanwan rushed into the mountain cavity, raising her hand to grasp the rust-covered longsword. The moment she gripped it, she heard an ancient, deep voice from afar.

“I am Yuanning. Who are you?”

As this voice emerged, Qin Wanwan felt something surge powerfully into her heart, colliding with the summons she’d received since entering the Sword Tomb. She gripped the longsword, fully opening her spiritual consciousness, pouring it fiercely into the sword body while announcing her name to the sword spirit: “Jishan’s Nujun—”

As she spoke, her hands trembling, she began pulling the sword outward. She clearly felt a domineering force transmitting from the sword body, locked in a life-or-death struggle with her.

The sword body shook, and the surrounding ground trembled with it. Everyone glanced at Qin Wanwan, only now realizing that this spirit treasure consisted not only of the Exquisite Jade but also this precious sword.

However, Jian Xingzhi had already led everyone charging up the sword mountain. No one gave it much thought as they followed Jian Xingzhi, scrambling up and down. Jian Xingzhi watched as Qin Wanwan stood in the light, desperately clutching the sword. The sword body refused to descend as she dragged it outward. From the excessive force, the flesh of her palms tore open, blood pouring down from the sword hilt and slowly covering the sword body.

Wherever the fresh blood passed, the rust on the sword body disappeared, revealing a smooth, sharp surface. Qin Wanwan closed her eyes, thinking of nothing, focusing entirely on struggling with the sword body. She felt the sword move inch by inch upward until the final moment when she used all her strength to pull, announcing her name to Yuanning: “Qin Wanwan!”

The moment the words fell, a seal flew into the sword spirit’s forehead. Qin Wanwan stumbled backward. Just as she was about to fall, a hand gently caught her waist, steadying her.

Qin Wanwan panted heavily, about to thank them, when she felt a blade edge press against her neck.

Qin Wanwan froze in place.

“Fellow Daoist Long.” Baisui You’s voice rang out.

Standing atop the sword mountain, Jian Xingzhi looked up to see Baisui You’s mourning staff had transformed into a short sword, pressed against Qin Wanwan’s neck.

He remained as usual—eyes clear and pure, demeanor gentle and refined. Even the act of taking a hostage was performed with gentle elegance, making it difficult to feel malice toward him.

“Baisui You?” Jian Xingzhi frowned. Baisui You tilted his head and smiled: “Hand over the Exquisite Jade.”

—