The instant she heard these words, Qin Wanwan’s first reaction was:

He’s alive?

Then she realized—he actually dares to be alive?!

She’d nearly ruined herself for him, thinking that since he was dead she’d just let it go. Now he actually dares to be alive?!

Their clasped hands held no emotion, only the urge to clench her fist and smash this coffin to bury him on the spot.

Fortunately, under Jian Xingzhi’s spiritual energy guidance, the pain in her meridians eased somewhat. This made her considerably more rational. Holding her sword, she stood in place and inquired of Jian Xingzhi: “What are you doing staying inside?”

Logically speaking, with Jian Xingzhi’s aggressive personality, shouldn’t he be thrilled by this kind of chaotic battle?

But Jian Xingzhi spoke with unexpected reason: “I’ve stolen the Linglong Jade. Find an opportunity to retreat quickly.”

Qin Wanwan’s heart skipped a beat. She showed nothing on her face, her expression calm as she looked at the surrounding crowd, speaking with certainty: “My master is definitely dead. I can’t sense even half a trace of his aura.”

Some master-disciple pairs had special sensing methods. Everyone looked at the coffin beside them stabbed full of blades and weren’t particularly surprised.

The blade-wielding youth nearby, seeing them chatting, shouted loudly: “Was it you who took the Linglong Jade!”

“Linglong Jade?” Qin Wanwan showed a delighted expression. “The Linglong Jade has manifested?”

These words made everyone lower their guard. After all, Qin Wanwan had only appeared after the Linglong Jade disappeared. The Linglong Jade should be in the hands of these few people here.

The five people began suspiciously eyeing each other again. Qin Wanwan felt Jian Xingzhi had temporarily finished regulating her spiritual energy. Holding her sword, she directed her gaze toward the only man wielding a blade nearby: “Was it you who killed my master?”

The blade-wielder didn’t speak. He had already realized that the spiritual energy nearby had long been completely drained by Qin Wanwan. Right now he had no support and didn’t dare be arrogant.

Qin Wanwan raised her sword, pointing it at him: “Today I still have matters to attend to. I’ll bury my master first. But come another day, I will definitely repay blood with blood, tooth for tooth!”

With that, Qin Wanwan turned around, sorrowfully lifted the coffin, and signaled to Xie Gutang: “Daoist Xie, let’s go.”

Everyone was stunned, not expecting Qin Wanwan to leave so quickly. But after sensing the heavenly thunder faintly gathering above, everyone understood. This young lady was probably about to form her Nascent Soul. Undergoing heavenly tribulation here would not only cause trouble for everyone—she might even be annihilated on the spot.

For a moment, everyone felt somewhat emotional. Generally, disciples of major sects who formed their Nascent Soul at such a young age were mostly protected by their sect, with formations activated. Only disciples taught by this kind of independent cultivator would have to endure heavenly tribulation purely by surviving on their own.

Now that her master was dead, she had no one to guide her. Who knew whether this departure would be fortune or disaster.

However, right now seizing the Linglong Jade was the important matter. Everything else was trivial. Everyone stopped concerning themselves further and began mutually investigating each other.

“Just now, Sect Master Shen and I were together the whole time.” Ning Buyan was first to prove his innocence.

“I was entangled in combat with Young Master Jun.” Liu Feixu also spoke openly and frankly.

As the several people gradually investigated, Qin Wanwan and Xie Gutang carried the coffin, pretending to be composed as they walked out.

A small ant quietly climbed onto Xie Gutang’s shoulder and spoke softly: “Daoist Xie.”

Xie Gutang knew this was Nanfeng. He responded lightly and transmitted his voice to Nanfeng: “How is Daoist Lord Jian?”

“Alive.”

Hearing these words, Xie Gutang felt relieved.

Just then, as the nearby people were investigating, they suddenly realized something.

Jun Shu shouted sternly: “Wait!”

Qin Wanwan and Xie Gutang stopped in their tracks. They heard Jun Shu question: “Xie Gutang, weren’t you dead?!”

When Jun Shu became aware of this, everyone else reacted too. Liu Feixu spoke in astonishment: “That’s right! Xie Gutang, weren’t you dead?”

“Young Friend Xie?”

Ning Buyan’s eyes widened: “You…”

“This was merely a stratagem of mine.” Xie Gutang set down the coffin and bowed to everyone, open and honest, sincere and earnest. “Fellow Daoist Jian and I are as close as brothers. His magical power is limited. After he was targeted by the demon, I knew I was powerless to rescue him myself and feared you all wouldn’t be willing to help save him, so I told this lie.”

“But…” Liu Feixu didn’t understand. “Why did you need to fake your death?”

“Because I still had to go save Miss Qin and couldn’t rescue someone together with you Daoist Lords. I was afraid that if I didn’t go, you Daoist Lords would think it was a dragon’s den or tiger’s lair and wouldn’t be willing to go.”

“Since Jian Xingzhi and you are as close as brothers and he faced mortal danger, why did you choose to save this Miss Qin instead of saving Jian Xingzhi?”

Jun Shu narrowed his eyes, still suspicious. Xie Gutang turned to look at Qin Wanwan, his eyes full of deep affection.

Being looked at with that gaze, Qin Wanwan’s heartbeat suddenly accelerated. She had never felt this kind of undying love from anyone’s eyes before.

In that moment, she felt the person before her wasn’t Xie Gutang, but Jack from the Titanic.

“That’s naturally because,” Xie Gutang spoke seriously, “my feelings for Miss Qin are deeper than for Fellow Daoist Jian.”

Everyone present was defeated by this flawless logic.

After a long while, Liu Feixu murmured: “So you fell for your brother’s disciple, and at his moment of life and death, you threw him to us to rescue while you went to find the young lady yourself?”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone understood why Xie Gutang had tried to remain as silent as possible. This was clearly taking advantage of someone’s peril!

Everyone looked at Qin Wanwan’s face, then at Xie Gutang, then at the coffin beside them, and immediately felt full of contempt for Xie Gutang.

But out of caution, Shen Zhiming still spoke: “Regardless, before the Linglong Jade is found, you’re not allowed to leave.”

“But I’m about to form my Nascent Soul.”

Qin Wanwan frowned: “Are you certain you want me to stay here?”

“Then you leave.”

Shen Zhiming spoke extremely coldly: “Your master’s coffin and Xie Gutang stay behind.”

“My master died right here. I won’t leave him alone! I already let him stay here alone to die. I will never abandon him again!”

Qin Wanwan spoke with righteous indignation and sat down on the spot: “If you want me to stay, I’ll stay here and form my Nascent Soul. If you want to fight, go ahead. Do as you please!”

As soon as she finished speaking, a booming thunder sounded overhead. Everyone sensed that this probably wasn’t an ordinary heavenly tribulation.

Everyone hesitated. Seeing Qin Wanwan’s resolute attitude as she sat on the ground, after deliberating for a long while, Shen Zhiming pursed his lips: “Then take your master’s corpse and leave. Leave Xie Gutang behind.”

“Don’t even think about it!”

Qin Wanwan spoke decisively: “Daoist Xie’s feelings for me are as deep as the sea. How could I leave him here alone? Master is already dead,” Qin Wanwan rose with tears in her eyes and clasped hands with Xie Gutang, looking at each other. “All I have left is Young Master Xie. I’ll form my Nascent Soul right here! Let’s all die here together!”

Hearing this address of “Young Master Xie,” Jian Xingzhi felt somewhat uncomfortable, thinking young ladies were too easily deceived. This old scoundrel Xie Gutang, hundreds of years old, yet still trying to deceive a young lady—despicable!

Qin Wanwan sat down on the spot and raised her hand to recite an incantation: “I’ll form my Nascent Soul right now!”

“Wait!”

Shen Zhiming shouted loudly. Liu Feixu coughed lightly and reminded: “Daoist Shen, this isn’t an ordinary heavenly tribulation. This young lady is something else.”

Shen Zhiming said nothing. After a moment of silence, he suddenly struck!

Tribulation Crossing stage spiritual power swept toward Qin Wanwan. Xie Gutang raised his sword and suddenly slashed, colliding with Shen Zhiming’s sword.

Shen Zhiming had depleted over half his strength in the earlier battle, but after all, he had crossed an entire major realm. When the two collided, Xie Gutang still felt his chest shake. But he stood firmly before Shen Zhiming and spoke coldly: “What does Sect Master Shen mean by this?”

“Letting her leave but she refuses to leave, insisting on forming her Nascent Soul here.”

Shen Zhiming’s voice was very cold: “Then we might as well kill her.”

With that, Jun Shu’s jade flute and Liu Feixu’s flower butterflies attacked Xie Gutang together. The instant Xie Gutang blocked, Shen Zhiming’s long sword urgently attacked toward Qin Wanwan. Qin Wanwan gripped her sword waiting for Shen Zhiming. Just as Shen Zhiming in his white robes came slashing down with his long sword directly at Qin Wanwan, the coffin suddenly exploded. The youth in ceremonial wedding robes leaped out from the coffin, smoothly snatched the sword from Qin Wanwan’s hand, and crashed fiercely into Shen Zhiming.

The violent wind made his entire ceremonial robe flutter. Jian Xingzhi coldly commanded: “Nanfeng, protect. Beicheng, draw the heavenly thunder for tribulation.”

With that, Jian Xingzhi set down a formation beneath Qin Wanwan. Qin Wanwan didn’t hesitate: “Yes, Master.”

Xie Gutang, dodging Liu Feixu’s long whip, wanted to say something, but thinking of that heaven-supporting sword strike Jian Xingzhi had made in the secret realm, he immediately swallowed back all his words.

Qin Wanwan sat cross-legged on the spot and immediately began drawing the thunder. Thunder rumbled from the sky.

Shen Zhiming’s expression changed drastically. Ignoring Jian Xingzhi, he struck toward Qin Wanwan with one sword.

However, Jian Xingzhi moved even faster. Using offense as defense, he thrust straight toward Shen Zhiming!

Shen Zhiming had no choice but to block. With this block, the situation immediately reversed.

Jian Xingzhi’s sword had a very small range of movement, all going toward Shen Zhiming’s face. Because the range of movement was small, it was extremely fast—like dense rain mixed with violent wind, overwhelming and giving no opportunity to breathe.

Even more terrifying was the profound comprehension of the Heavenly Dao within that sword intent. For a sword cultivator, it was simply a kind of invisible pressure. Although the two were separated by two major realms, under this violent storm of sword momentum, Shen Zhiming was actually forced to retreat two steps!

In that very instant, thunder roared furiously from above. Lightning as thick as a giant dragon crashed down, blasting open the stone wall above their heads and charging straight toward Qin Wanwan!

Such shocking thunder made everyone instinctively dodge. And Jian Xingzhi pointed with his long sword—the Yuanning in his hand actually attracted the lightning! The lightning crackled and washed over his body. He used the sword as a whip, viciously lashing it toward Shen Zhiming!

Shen Zhiming resisted with spiritual power. Then the second lightning bolt struck down. Shen Zhiming roared toward Jun Shu: “Jun Shu, leave!”

At this moment, Jian Xingzhi again used his sword to draw the lightning and thrust straight toward Jun Shu!

Shen Zhiming had already escaped, but seeing this scene, he had no choice but to rush before Jun Shu to block. Thunder and spiritual power collided. He coughed up a small mouthful of blood.

By this time, Jian Xingzhi was already covered in blood. Lightning coursed throughout his body. He felt his meridians and blood vessels seemed ready to explode. He frantically circulated the Spring Life heart technique. Sweeping a glance at the crowd still observing him and Qin Wanwan, without another word, he raised his hand to send forth his flying sword. Drawing the third shocking lightning bolt into the sword body, one sword transformed into ten thousand swords, exploding in the air like fireworks and urgently attacking everyone around.

The blade-wielding cultivator had absolutely no power to resist and was directly executed on the spot. Liu Feixu, Ning Buyan and the others immediately fled. Shen Zhiming was also dragged away by Jun Shu, racing rapidly into the distance.

Beyond the dense mass of light swords, Jian Xingzhi’s wedding robes were stained with blood, his red garments blazing.

“This venerable one’s disciple,” Jian Xingzhi’s voice drifted coldly away, “is not for the likes of you insignificant rabble to disturb.”

“All of you get far away from this venerable one!”

The flying swords seemed to sense Jian Xingzhi’s fury, chasing after Shen Zhiming and the others all the way.

After they left, Jian Xingzhi turned to look at the injured Xie Gutang not far away: “Go rest.”

With that, he turned and walked into the thunder.

Xie Gutang anxiously spoke: “Senior…”

But before he could finish, Jian Xingzhi had already entered the midst of the lightning.

Lightning as thick as a giant dragon continuously struck down on Qin Wanwan. Jian Xingzhi came before her and sat down cross-legged.

In extreme pain, Qin Wanwan struggled to open her eyes and saw the youth with a calm expression amid the white light.

She suddenly felt somewhat aggrieved: “Master, it hurts so much.”

“The path of cultivation always hurts this much.”

Jian Xingzhi raised his hand to grasp hers. Just like when she formed her Core, the two circulated spiritual power through each other’s bodies.

Qin Wanwan had already undergone body tempering, but Jian Xingzhi only now began body tempering in this situation. They transformed the lightning into spiritual power washing through their bodies. Qin Wanwan had originally been in so much pain she could barely persist, but for some reason, as soon as Jian Xingzhi arrived, the pain lessened considerably and became bearable.

Jian Xingzhi remained very calm throughout. Qin Wanwan was trembling instead. After a long while, she couldn’t help but speak: “Master, doesn’t it hurt you?”

“It hurts.”

Jian Xingzhi spoke: “But my master said, if it hurts then endure it, if it’s bitter then bear it. Once you’re used to it, there’s nothing to it.”

“What if I can’t endure it anymore?”

Qin Wanwan wanted to cry, wanted to find some comfort from Jian Xingzhi. Jian Xingzhi paused for a moment and opened his eyes: “So what if you can’t endure? Besides hitting you, I don’t have any other way to help you. Can you still endure?”

Qin Wanwan: “…”

“I can.”

Qin Wanwan spoke through her tears.

She shouldn’t harbor any hope of warmth from him. Sorry, she was wrong.

—

**Author’s Notes:**

**[Mini Theater]**

Jian Xingzhi: “Today was very lively. Many guests came. I wore groom’s clothing and faced Wanwan doing dual cultivation practice. Rounding up, I got married today. Oh yeah!”