After the two left the tent, Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi boarded the carriage together to find Jun Shu already sitting inside. His complexion didn’t look good—he seemed very weak. He forced a smile at Qin Wanwan, then smiled at Jian Xingzhi: “Good morning, you two.”
Jian Xingzhi nodded and positioned himself between Qin Wanwan and Jun Shu, only asking: “Did you send word to your family?”
“I did.” Jun Shu nodded. “But message birds aren’t as fast as cultivators. From here to Joyful City, the message bird will probably take over ten days. By the time my father gets here…”
“As long as you sent it.” Jian Xingzhi didn’t want to hear his nonsense. He nodded to interrupt him, then leaned against the carriage wall with his eyes closed to rest.
Qin Wanwan sat to one side. After observing Jun Shu’s expression for a moment, she was quite worried: “Fellow Daoist Nameless, are you feeling unwell?”
Hearing this, Jun Shu felt quite grateful.
Having found safety last night, once a person relaxes, the injuries they had been tensely suppressing immediately retaliate. This was a mortal body after all. Even with the spiritual medicine his mother had given him barely sustaining his life, it couldn’t withstand the discomfort from such severe injuries. But now that he was dependent on others, and that Cuilu had clearly been annoyed with him last night—if he made more demands, he feared being abandoned by these people, so he dared not speak up. Now hearing Qin Wanwan ask this, suddenly receiving concern was like timely help in the snow, moving Jun Shu deeply.
“It’s nothing…” Jun Shu smiled, but as soon as he opened his mouth, his voice was hoarse.
Jian Xingzhi opened his eyes and saw 5 more points added above Jun Shu’s head. He couldn’t help frowning.
What was wrong with this person? His favorability rose too frivolously!
“If you’re uncomfortable, lie down.” Fearing that if Qin Wanwan spoke, this person’s favorability would rise again, Jian Xingzhi proactively stood up to give Jun Shu his spot and instructed Qin Wanwan, “Go get him some medicine. Don’t let him die halfway.”
Qin Wanwan nodded and got up to leave, leaving Jun Shu and Jian Xingzhi in the carriage staring at each other. Jun Shu didn’t dare meet Jian Xingzhi’s gaze. After thanking him, he lay down.
The carriage wasn’t too bumpy. He lay on his side, his head dizzy and foggy, feeling somewhat cold.
When a tiger falls to the plains, it’s bullied by dogs. He never imagined that one day, he, Young Master Jun, would end up like this.
When life is disappointing, one begins recalling past glories, thinking about how he was cared for when he was sick in the past.
Actually, he rarely got sick—mostly injured. But which time he was injured wasn’t he surrounded by people? Even if occasionally injured in a secret realm, Qin Wan would definitely be by his side. Qin Wan had always clung to him. In the past, he was impatient, thinking she only coveted his status as Young Master. An orphan girl—if not for relying on their engagement, how could she bounce around by his side? But now that he had fallen on hard times, he realized that even if she coveted status and power, at least someone was there to accompany him. Now Qin Wan’s whereabouts were unknown—she probably didn’t even covet power anymore…
In his daze, he vaguely sensed Qin Wanwan entering. He opened his eyes to see Qin Wanwan holding a quilt and carrying a medicine bowl, dressed in red, vaguely overlapping with that person in his memory.
“Qin Wan…”
He murmured incoherently. Qin Wanwan couldn’t hear what he was saying. She covered him with the quilt, vaguely hearing him seem to be calling her. She turned to look at Jian Xingzhi: “He’s shaking so badly—will he be alright?”
“A cultivator,” Jian Xingzhi said carelessly, “if he dies, he dies.”
Qin Wanwan: “…”
“Speaking of which,” Jian Xingzhi frowned, somewhat dissatisfied, “why are you being so nice to this old man?”
“Master,” Qin Wanwan said helplessly. She put down the medicine bowl and sat beside Jian Xingzhi. After glancing at Jun Shu, who was still shivering, she leaned close to his ear and lowered her voice: “Have you forgotten how he ended up like this?”
Her breath gently blew on Jian Xingzhi’s ear as she spoke. Jian Xingzhi felt somewhat itchy and couldn’t help moving his ear, secretly adding a few inexplicable feelings of liking. He wanted her to blow on it again, yet felt it strange.
This unprecedented feeling made him unconsciously shift one butt-width to the side, watching Qin Wanwan warily: “If you want to talk, talk. Why are you getting so close to me?”
Qin Wanwan: “…”
If she didn’t speak quietly, wouldn’t the person beside them hear?
Seeing her look at him like he was an idiot, Jian Xingzhi knew his outburst was inexplicable. He coughed lightly: “Fine, I’ll take care of him. It’s inconvenient for you.”
Qin Wanwan’s reminder made Jian Xingzhi remember last night’s events. After all, they had caused the man to end up this way. Thinking of this, he no longer objected to Qin Wanwan caring for Jun Shu.
He pushed Qin Wanwan aside, proactively took the medicine bowl, grabbed Jun Shu’s chin, and began pouring it in.
Qin Wanwan quickly snatched the medicine bowl away and stopped him: “He’s a mortal now. At this rate, you won’t kill him with illness—you’ll choke him to death!”
Just as she said this, Jun Shu coughed and struggled to open his eyes to see Qin Wanwan holding the medicine bowl, turning to look at him. After a moment of shock, her eyes were full of panic and worry: “Nameless? Are you alright?”
You don’t know Jian Xingzhi just force-fed you medicine, do you?
“You…” As soon as Jun Shu coughed, he felt his throat full of bitterness. Knowing he had just drunk medicine, looking at Qin Wanwan’s appearance, he immediately understood.
This female immortal must have just carefully tended to him, covered him with the quilt, and fed him medicine.
When everyone else was kicking him while he was down, only this person was so kind, so gentle!
Jun Shu was deeply moved. Looking at Qin Wanwan’s worried expression, he forced a smile, afraid Qin Wanwan would worry too much, and comforted her: “Fairy need not worry. I’m fine.”
Seeing that Jun Shu seemed unaware of anything, Qin Wanwan relaxed. She gently pulled the quilt over Jun Shu, as kindly as caring for a lonely old man: “Rest well. Injuries require more sleep.”
After settling Jun Shu and having him lie down, Qin Wanwan set up a soundproofing barrier around Jun Shu to ensure her conversation with Jian Xingzhi wouldn’t disturb him, then returned to her seat.
Jian Xingzhi was already meditating. Seeing her return, he showed no mercy: “Meditate and cultivate. Calm your mind and spirit.”
“Oh.”
Qin Wanwan sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion and closed her eyes. After meditating for just a moment, her mind began recalling the figure she had seen in her consciousness sea last night.
She couldn’t help overthinking and couldn’t enter meditation for a long time. Hearing her uneven breathing, Jian Xingzhi opened his eyes and spoke: “What are you thinking about?”
“Master,” Qin Wanwan considered carefully. Though somewhat embarrassed to say it, she still spoke about last night’s matter: “Last night, I used a method to try to find out who I like.”
Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi opened his eyes, quite curious: “A method?”
“It’s… a mental technique my mother taught me.” Qin Wanwan was somewhat worried about exposing her identity, but thinking Jian Xingzhi habitually didn’t think too much, she boldly said, “This mental technique can see clearly the distracting thoughts in one’s heart. If your heart contains someone you like, you can see them.”
“Who did you see?” Jian Xingzhi frowned. Subconsciously, he both didn’t want to hear and very much wanted to hear.
Qin Wanwan recalled: “I couldn’t see clearly. When I thought about ‘the person I like,’ everything around me was foggy. I searched for a long time and only found a shadow.”
“A shadow?”
“Mm.” Qin Wanwan nodded, quite seriously. “Based on the shadow, he’s a man.”
Jian Xingzhi nodded: “Any other clues?”
“He’s a sword cultivator.”
Jian Xingzhi continued nodding: “And?”
“He’s…” Qin Wanwan recalled, “quite thin, but not the scrawny kind.”
“Sword cultivators practice body techniques,” Jian Xingzhi reminded her. “With that description, nine out of ten sword cultivators fit.”
Qin Wanwan couldn’t say more. That figure truly had no distinguishing features. After thinking left and right, she was quite dejected: “Then I can’t think of any particular characteristics.”
“The person you like is rather generic.”
Jian Xingzhi pondered: “Moreover, everything around was foggy, and you searched for a long time to find just one shadow. It seems you’re just awakening to romance—it might just be a slight feeling, perhaps just a possibility of liking.”
As Jian Xingzhi spoke, for some reason, his heart felt much more comfortable. Seeing Qin Wanwan’s brow still furrowed, he comforted her: “Don’t overthink it. This isn’t a big deal. Practice more heart-purifying techniques recently. This kind of cultivation method, if not used well, easily causes backlash—instead of removing distracting thoughts, it makes them multiply.”
“Understood.”
Qin Wanwan nodded, feeling Jian Xingzhi made sense.
Jian Xingzhi thought for a moment. Seeing his little disciple troubled by emotions, he suggested: “Why don’t I teach you the Heartless Dao? After learning it, severing romantic ties is especially quick. You won’t have these messy thoughts anymore. You’re already afraid of pain and fighting—cultivation through battle doesn’t suit you. Why not cultivate the Heartless Dao? At critical moments, if you can’t enlighten yourself, just kill your husband to prove the Dao. The one hurt won’t be you—it’s a sure profit. How about it?”
“No need.”
Qin Wanwan immediately refused: “Master can study it yourself. I have my own Dao.”
In novels, who among those who studied the Heartless Dao didn’t end up in a crematorium?
She didn’t want it. She refused.
Qin Wanwan’s rejection was so decisive that Jian Xingzhi felt somewhat regretful. He thought about it and could only sigh: “Since you’ve seen this shadow using this mental technique, then search for him. If you can’t find him, your heart won’t be at peace either. Anyway, you’ve confirmed he’s a sword cultivator, so just search in that direction.”
Qin Wanwan nodded, feeling Jian Xingzhi was right. She earnestly recalled all the sword cultivators she knew, even thinking of Shen Zhiming, and felt everyone seemed similar yet everyone seemed slightly off.
After thinking left and right for several days, they finally reached the Ning clan’s main city territory.
“Ahead is One-Line Cliff, with a plank road specially built by the Ning clan. In Ning clan territory, those below Nascent Soul aren’t allowed to fly on swords. This plank road is isolated and dangerous, and it’s the only route to the Ning clan’s main city. If Nameless truly has enemies seeking revenge, it will probably be now.”
Looking at the cloud-shrouded high mountain ahead, Xie Gutang spoke with considerable worry.
This great mountain was barren, connected to the mountain they were on by an iron chain bridge. On the other side of the chain bridge was a plank road built around the mountain. The plank road was extremely narrow, only allowing one carriage to pass.
Cultivators flying on swords consumed spiritual power. Unless in a hurry, for long distances, most cultivators preferred to use spirit beasts or some magical artifacts for assistance.
The Ning clan not allowing those below Nascent Soul to fly on swords meant that for this last section of road, they must take this plank road.
“Then let’s put Nameless at the tail end of the convoy.”
Jian Xingzhi observed the terrain and thought seriously. Qin Wanwan looked at Jian Xingzhi: “The tail end? What if he’s discovered…”
“You’ll be inside with Xie Gutang protecting him.” Jian Xingzhi spoke as if it were obvious. “Fight if you can. If you can’t, see that plank road?” Jian Xingzhi pointed. “It’s a slope.”
“I see it.” Qin Wanwan nodded. “And then?”
“Then you cut the carriage rope. The carriage will roll downward. They’ll definitely prioritize chasing that old man, and we can take the opportunity to escape in the opposite direction.”
Jian Xingzhi analyzed very seriously: “We’ll call this strategy ‘sever the tail to survive.'”
“This…” Qin Wanwan listened, somewhat troubled. “He’s a mortal. Treating him like this isn’t very good, is it?”
“So he’s made it this far without saying a single truth, just wanting us to risk our lives for him—that’s good?”
Jian Xingzhi scoffed: “He clearly isn’t a good person. Who knows what kind of dog-eat-dog situation this is? Even for points, I’m not going to risk my life for him.”
Qin Wanwan thought about it and nodded: “Master has a point.”
“Alright.” Jian Xingzhi pointed with two fingers and leaped onto his flying sword, departing on it. “I’ll scout ahead first. You all take your time.”
With that, Jian Xingzhi’s figure disappeared.
Qin Wanwan and Xie Gutang exchanged a glance. She hurriedly said: “I’ll get in the carriage to guard him.”
Xie Gutang nodded: “Then Nanfeng and I will be outside.”
Qin Wanwan nodded. After instructing the convoy to move forward with Jun Shu at the rear, she jogged back to the carriage.
Jun Shu was sitting in the carriage, his gaze melancholy as he looked into the distance. Seeing Qin Wanwan enter, he smiled bitterly: “Miss Qin.”
“We’re about to reach the Ning clan’s main city. I came in to protect you.”
Qin Wanwan explained. The carriage started moving and got onto the chain road. Hearing this, Jun Shu was quite grateful: “We’ve only just met by chance, yet you care for me so much…”
“It’s nothing. All things have cause and effect.”
Qin Wanwan waved her hand: “How are you feeling now, Fellow Daoist?”
“My body has recovered quite well,” Jun Shu smiled. “Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist.”
Qin Wanwan nodded without saying more, turning to look out the window and observe the surroundings.
Jun Shu followed her gaze outward and discovered their carriage seemed to have switched positions. He couldn’t help frowning: “Why did our carriage change positions?”
“Oh,” Qin Wanwan was somewhat nervous, lying with a straight face. “It’s because of your special status. This last section of road is rather dangerous. Normally, people would put those who need protection in the middle, but we’re doing the unexpected by putting you at the end—that makes it easier to protect you.”
Speaking of which, afraid he would be suspicious, Qin Wanwan quickly told him: “My master went to clear the path. Daojun Xie and I will protect you together. Don’t be afraid.”
Hearing that both Qin Wanwan and Xie Gutang would protect him, Jun Shu relaxed considerably, then felt moved: “Everyone is complete strangers, yet you treat me so well. I’m truly…”
“It’s just… everyone meeting is fate,” Qin Wanwan forced herself to put on a righteous and upstanding expression. “You needn’t take it to heart.”
“How can I not take it to heart?”
Jun Shu spoke sadly, raising his eyes to look at Qin Wanwan, completely sincere: “Those I trusted in the past have all betrayed me. I thought true love was but a dream and illusion. I thought the world held only deception. I didn’t expect there could still be a kind-hearted person like you to accompany and stand by me.”
“Your speech… even rhymes.” Qin Wanwan watched Jun Shu in his decrepit state forcibly flirting and couldn’t help sitting back a bit.
Seeing Qin Wanwan’s wariness, Jun Shu remembered his current face and felt dejected. He thought about it and couldn’t help speaking: “Miss, actually I’ve lost all my cultivation now. If my cultivation were still intact… I… I’m fairly good-looking.”
Qin Wanwan didn’t doubt it—after all, he had 90-point looks. She nodded: “I believe you.”
“Miss really resembles someone I knew before. Like you, she enjoyed wearing red clothes. Though her temper was colder and more volatile, she was devoted to me and cared for me very much. I once thought she coveted glory and wealth. I wanted pure love, so I hurt her for another woman. Who knew the other woman was also deceiving me…”
Jun Shu recalled the past with great regret.
Qin Wanwan understood. Wasn’t this just like that Jun Shu from before? A scumbag.
Moreover, besides wearing red clothes, how was she similar to that woman? Self-absorbed much?
She immediately felt no guilt about Jian Xingzhi’s tail-severing plan.
At this moment, the carriage had already traveled onto the plank road. Making a turn, they could see the Ning clan’s main city.
The city at the horizon’s end was ice and snow. Seeing this city, many maidservants in the convoy exclaimed “Wow!” in delight.
Shen Zhiming watched from afar and asked the crow on his shoulder: “Is everything ready?”
The crow nodded. Shen Zhiming chuckled softly: “Now he’s just a mortal. A few explosive talismans can blast him to death. Since they rescued Jun Shu, they’ll definitely protect him well and place him in the middle of the convoy. Once the middle carriage passes, we’ll immediately ignite the explosive talismans. Even if we can’t blow the carriage to smithereens, as long as it falls off the cliff—there’s a lava gorge below the mountain cliff, even ordinary cultivators can barely survive. A mortal—could he possibly not die?”
As Shen Zhiming spoke, he watched the convoy pass the location where he had already placed the explosive talismans. With a thunderous boom, the plank road instantly collapsed. The maidservants screamed and retreated to the sides, only to see the gold and jade-adorned carriage still standing steadily in the middle.
“There’s an expert inside?”
Shen Zhiming scoffed: “Let me see how many explosive talismans you can withstand?”
The explosion was instantaneous. Everyone quickly reacted. The maidservants frantically rushed into the carriage, urgently calling out: “Lord Cuilu!”
Cuilu didn’t speak. She sat in the carriage. The hair on her head had been blown apart, and the bird feather decorations she had been wearing were all burned to a charred color. Everyone stared at her blankly. Her expression was cold. She raised her hand and slapped down—the plank road beneath her feet instantly repaired. She spoke coldly: “Don’t spread word of this. Move on.”
The fact that she had been blasted into this state by an explosive talisman absolutely could not be known to others.
With the plank road repaired, the convoy continued forward. Qin Wanwan and Jun Shu watched in shock at what happened ahead. Jun Shu immediately gained more admiration for Qin Wanwan: “Miss, you truly didn’t deceive me. The front really is the most dangerous!”
Qin Wanwan nodded blankly, then suddenly heard Jian Xingzhi’s voice by her ear.
“Beicheng, the plank road ahead is full of explosive talismans. These talismans are hidden inside the plank road and can’t be removed without detonating them. Don’t wander around.”
Hearing this, Qin Wanwan was somewhat confused: “What about Lord Cuilu…”
“With her cultivation level, at most it’ll blast her bird feathers into disarray. Don’t worry.”
Qin Wanwan said nothing, then heard a “boom” from ahead—it seemed to have exploded again.
She stuck her head out with lingering fear to look, only to see the carriage had stopped for a moment. The ground repaired itself, and they continued forward.
Explosion sounds became the accompaniment for this journey—a “boom” now and then. Jun Shu and Qin Wanwan were too frightened to speak. Just as they were about to reach the mountaintop and pass through the mountaintop teleportation array to leave this place, Shen Zhiming finally couldn’t hold back.
This last time, he not only used his own explosive talismans but also decided to act personally.
Overwhelming spiritual power and explosive talismans detonated together. Jian Xingzhi and Xie Gutang, hidden in the shadows, sensed this spiritual power and acted simultaneously. With a tremendous boom, they felt the earth shake.
Qin Wanwan used a barrier to protect the carriage, stammering as she comforted Jun Shu: “Don’t… don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not afraid.”
Jun Shu was accustomed to grand scenes—this situation couldn’t frighten him. But seeing someone fight so desperately for him, a special emotion spread through Jun Shu’s heart.
Jian Xingzhi and Xie Gutang formed an array together to block Shen Zhiming’s spiritual power. A moment later, a phoenix cry erupted from the carriage. A cyan phoenix shot straight toward Shen Zhiming in the shadows. Cuilu’s carriage suddenly exploded, revealing her already blasted completely black.
She clenched her fists, flames surrounding her entire body.
“This old lady has been waiting for you so long,” Cuilu stood up, speaking through gritted teeth. “You finally came out!”
The cyan phoenix frantically pecked at Shen Zhiming. Shen Zhiming raised his sword to block. The cyan bird clawed at his face. Shen Zhiming paused his movements, then flew into a rage: “Seeking death!”
With that, he glanced at the convoy, murderous intent arising.
Originally, he had only wanted to kill Jun Shu, but now that he couldn’t find him, he’d kill them all.
With this thought, he no longer hesitated. He summoned his life-bound sword from the shadows and appeared directly, slashing at the convoy with one strike!
The instant this sword came, Cuilu’s expression changed drastically: “Tribulation Crossing stage!”
Jian Xingzhi raised his hand with one sword. A formation exploded at the sword tip. Xie Gutang quickly followed with another sword. Together with Cuilu’s cyan phoenix, they barely managed to block Shen Zhiming’s strike.
Seeing the power of this sword, Qin Wanwan immediately turned around and stared at Jun Shu: “Who exactly is your enemy?!”
Seeing Qin Wanwan’s expression, Jun Shu hid the dagger his mother had given him in his sleeve and put on a frightened posture: “It’s… Inquiry Heart Sect… Shen Zhiming.”
Hearing this, Qin Wanwan suddenly understood. Jun Shu nervously watched her. If she decided to abandon him, he would immediately use the magical treasure his mother gave him to injure and then hold her hostage. That way, even if they wanted to abandon him, they couldn’t abandon Qin Wanwan.
Jun Shu made his plan and prepared all the magical artifacts his mother had given him. Qin Wanwan thought for a moment, then raised her eyes to look at Jun Shu, completely serious: “Don’t worry. Even if it’s Shen Zhiming, we won’t abandon you.”
Hearing this, Jun Shu was stunned. Qin Wanwan raised her hand and patted his shoulder: “Just stay in the carriage and don’t go out. I’ll guard the door.”
With that, Qin Wanwan lifted the curtain and went out, blocking herself and crouching at the front of the carriage.
The horse pulled the carriage, standing on the slope. Qin Wanwan looked up at Jian Xingzhi, Cuilu, and Xie Gutang—the three of them surrounding the black-robed Shen Zhiming. She shouted loudly: “Master, it’s Shen Zhiming! Shen Zhiming of the Tribulation Crossing stage!”
Hearing this, Shen Zhiming’s expression changed dramatically. He turned and attacked toward Qin Wanwan.
Xie Gutang and Jian Xingzhi blocked Shen Zhiming’s path. Jian Xingzhi immediately roared: “Sever the tail! Sever the tail!”
Qin Wanwan had the same idea. If it was Tribulation Crossing stage Shen Zhiming, having them risk their lives for this really wasn’t worth it.
Qin Wanwan immediately began cutting the carriage rope, but this rope seemed specially made. Even as Qin Wanwan frantically sawed back and forth with her sword, creating sparks, the rope only had a small opening.
Qin Wanwan put all her strength into cutting the rope. Jun Shu sat behind her, watching Jian Xingzhi and the others fight desperately for him, watching the young woman guard the carriage door without abandoning him.
He felt his life had been elevated.
He couldn’t help but speak, wanting to tell the truth: “Miss, actually I’m not really a good person. Why don’t you all just abandon me?”
Jian Xingzhi was up high. Seeing Qin Wanwan hadn’t cut the rope after so long, thinking she hadn’t understood his meaning, he shouted: “What are you doing! Sever the tail to survive! Survive! Abandon that old man—don’t gamble my life on kindness!”
Kindness my ass!
Qin Wanwan crouched in front of the carriage desperately sawing at that steel-like rope. Her body trembled violently from the excessive movement. From behind, it looked like intense shaking. She didn’t dare open her mouth at all, afraid that once she spoke, she’d lose her strength.
Jun Shu couldn’t see Qin Wanwan’s hand movements. He only saw this young woman shaking like a sieve from fear. Even though her master was cursing at her, she still refused to abandon him.
“Miss…”
This time, he was truly moved.
At this very moment, Shen Zhiming blasted Cuilu away with one palm and shot straight toward Qin Wanwan. Jian Xingzhi shouted: “Beicheng!”
Qin Wanwan suddenly looked up to see sword energy shooting down at her like a meteor. She instinctively threw out the sword intent Shen Zhiming had left in her body.
When Shen Zhiming had left to investigate the entanglement between her and Su Yueli, he had left her a sword intent to use against Jun Shu. At this moment, this sword intent was finally returned.
The instant the sword intent flew out, both Shen Zhiming and Jun Shu’s eyes widened.
However, Shen Zhiming couldn’t retract his sword in time. Just as the sword tip reached her, a purple-robed figure rushed forward and grabbed the long sword stabbing toward her.
Shen Zhiming’s long sword pierced through Xie Gutang’s shoulder. Qin Wanwan’s sword intent and Jian Xingzhi’s flying sword pierced into Shen Zhiming’s body one after the other. Shen Zhiming stared fixedly at Qin Wanwan. Confirming he had no strength left to fight, he immediately transformed into a beam of light and fled.
Qin Wanwan stared blankly at Xie Gutang standing before her. The sword cultivator’s figure was tall and lean, his wide sleeves billowing in the wind. One hand gripped the long sword, his face stained with blood. His profile turned to look at Qin Wanwan: “Are you alright?”
His voice overlapped with the figure in her consciousness sea. Qin Wanwan’s heartbeat was heavy and slow.
Was it… Xie Gutang?
The person she liked… was… Xie…
She didn’t have time to think further when she heard Jian Xingzhi roar furiously: “Don’t run!”
She whipped around to see a sky full of light swords chasing after Shen Zhiming. Seeing these light swords, Qin Wanwan knew Jian Xingzhi had activated his consciousness sea again. She immediately stood up and chased after Jian Xingzhi: “Master!”
“Senior! Wanwan!”
Seeing the two chase after Shen Zhiming one after the other, leaping down the mountain, Xie Gutang immediately followed. But halfway there, he heard Qin Wanwan’s voice by his ear: “Take everyone to Desolate City first. We’ll rendezvous after it’s safe.”
Xie Gutang’s movements paused. He only watched the three figures fall into the sea of clouds below one after another.
Xie Gutang stopped blankly above the sea of clouds. After thinking, he gritted his teeth and turned back to the mountaintop. Cuilu was healing, accompanied by a group of maidservants. Jun Shu still sat in his original spot, his entire person already dazed.
It’s Qin Wan…
He crawled to the edge of the plank road like a madman, looking down at the sea of clouds below the mountain, and reacted.
This person who cared for him, accompanied him, and never abandoned him was Qin Wan, who had always loved him deeply!
How could he not have realized?
Who else would protect him like this, regardless of cost or life and death?
Only Qin Wan, only Qin Wan would treat him this way!
Jun Shu both wanted to cry and laugh. Xie Gutang raised his hand to stop the blood from his wound and grabbed him up with one hand, speaking coldly: “Let’s go quickly.”
Hearing this, Jun Shu whipped around to stare coldly at Xie Gutang.
Seeing his suddenly changed eyes, Xie Gutang frowned: “What are you doing?”
“Hmph.”
Jun Shu gave a cold snort and turned his head away.
Pretty boy, seducing his fiancée. Once he recovered his cultivation…
Wait, Xie Gutang?
Jun Shu suddenly awkwardly realized that even after recovering his cultivation, he probably couldn’t beat him?
He was rather devastated for a moment and stopped talking, mentally beginning to compare his and Xie Gutang’s strength. He was ninth-grade Golden Core, so was Xie Gutang; he was Young Master of Joyful City, Xie Gutang was Heavenly Sword Sect’s eldest disciple; he was the strongest music cultivator of the younger generation, Xie Gutang held the Heart-Inquiry Sword of Heavenly Sword Sect…
Wait.
Jun Shu suddenly realized something and reacted. Heart-Inquiry Sword?
Remembering this, he suddenly felt relieved. Looking up at Xie Gutang, his gaze became kind.
“Grand Master,” he changed his form of address, “are you alright? Are you tired? Do you need to rest?”
“Shut up.”
Xie Gutang raised his hand and pressed him directly against the wall, embedding him in it. After making him quiet, he turned to look at Cuilu: “Lord Cuilu, let’s depart.”
As Xie Gutang and Cuilu departed toward Desolate City, Qin Wanwan chased after Jian Xingzhi, falling all the way down.
Just past the sea of clouds, countless crows and sword lights came densely. Jian Xingzhi chased after Shen Zhiming like a madman, completely ignoring the sword lights cutting across his body. Qin Wanwan chased behind, barely dodging the sword lights, urgently calling out: “Master, stop chasing!”
Hearing Qin Wanwan’s voice, Jian Xingzhi’s movements paused. At that very instant, the sword lights instantly converged. Qin Wanwan was one step ahead—Yuanning swept to the side to force them back. At the same time, she set up spells around them to block the sword lights, her fingertip landing on Jian Xingzhi’s forehead. Spiritual power flowed into Jian Xingzhi’s consciousness sea to stabilize it: “Let him go. It’s not worth it.”
Jian Xingzhi said nothing. He raised his eyes to look at Qin Wanwan.
If anyone else said this to him, he wouldn’t bother listening. Those who cherish life can’t kill people. In killing, where is there any question of worth or not worth?
Shen Zhiming, that bastard, had repeatedly caused trouble before him and even dared attack his disciple. If he didn’t kill him thoroughly today, he’d be irritated.
But seeing Qin Wanwan covered in blood, he couldn’t say these words for a moment. Compared to killing Shen Zhiming, quickly healing Qin Wanwan’s injuries was more important.
Qin Wanwan transmitted spiritual energy to first stabilize Jian Xingzhi’s consciousness sea. Seeing Jian Xingzhi stop pursuing, he turned to destroy the sword array nearby. Qin Wanwan immediately spoke: “Master, let me.”
Having said that, she raised her hand. Yuanning’s radiance blazed greatly as she swept it across, instantly clearing away the nearby sword lights.
Jian Xingzhi paused, only then realizing that unknowingly, Qin Wanwan had already become this strong.
Already able to protect her master.
He didn’t know if it was loss or gratification. He let Qin Wanwan pull him over, not giving him any choice, and directly brought him to the ground.
After landing, they discovered this seemed to be a mountain gorge. Mountains on both sides, with a stream of lava flowing beside them. The temperature emanating from the lava made the entire environment exceptionally hot.
Coming to his senses, Jian Xingzhi finally realized Qin Wanwan was right—his consciousness sea truly couldn’t hold up. His head was splitting with pain, but he didn’t show it. He just randomly found a place to sit. After resting for a moment, seeing Qin Wanwan covered in blood, he raised his hand to beckon her: “Come here. I’ll heal your injuries.”
Qin Wanwan didn’t speak. She took medicine from her qiankun pouch and walked to Jian Xingzhi’s side, only saying: “Take off your clothes.”
“Why should I take off my clothes?”
Jian Xingzhi was confused. Qin Wanwan held the medicine, her expression controlled: “You’re injured. Your consciousness sea is damaged now—it’s not advisable to use more spiritual power. And even if you could use Spring Life,” Qin Wanwan raised her eyes, “doesn’t it hurt?”
It was the first time Jian Xingzhi had been questioned like this. He was inexplicably flustered and confused: “I… fighting is supposed to hurt.”
Qin Wanwan was momentarily speechless.
“Take off your clothes.”
Knowing Jian Xingzhi’s brain structure was different from normal people’s and she couldn’t explain it to him, she could only threaten him: “After you apply medicine, I’ll apply mine.”
Seeing Qin Wanwan’s stubbornness, Jian Xingzhi was quite helpless. He raised his hand and removed his upper garment, took the medicine from Qin Wanwan’s hands, and lowered his head to apply it himself, complaining while applying: “You just need to apply medicine. What am I applying for? Master has fought in battles you wouldn’t even dare imagine. What are these little injuries? If you hadn’t stopped me today, I would have killed Shen Zhiming long ago.”
“If you killed Shen Zhiming and your consciousness sea collapsed, at best you’d become demonized, at worst self-destruct,” Qin Wanwan watched him finish applying medicine to his front wounds, snatched the medicine, circled behind him, and raised her hand to apply medicine for him. “At that time, I’d still have to manage you, this crazy master. Don’t you think about other people when doing things?”
This question stumped Jian Xingzhi. The young woman’s fingertips carried cool medicine and applied it to his wounds.
The wounds didn’t hurt that much, but where her fingertips brushed, it was somewhat soft and a bit itchy.
Jian Xingzhi didn’t know what to say for a moment. Remembering in Ghost City when Qin Wanwan thought he was dead and scolded him for others to hear—that master of hers was selfish and domineering, never considering her feelings, always hitting her—speaking of it, it was indeed true.
But beyond this, he didn’t know how to interact with Qin Wanwan or how to be a good master.
Actually, he also wanted to be like Xie Gutang, doing things that made Qin Wanwan happy, like praising her dancing or giving her food.
But every time before thinking of these things, he would first think about improving her physique, hurrying to earn points to send her to ascension. Once back in the immortal realm, they would truly be master and disciple. He could go see her parents, improve her living environment, let her parents stop selling candied hawthorns…
He lowered his head, somewhat afraid to speak for a moment. Qin Wanwan finished applying medicine and took bandages from her qiankun pouch: “Why aren’t you talking?”
“Just… I’ve always been alone, never thought about these things.” Jian Xingzhi spoke with some difficulty. “Then… then from now on, I won’t do this anymore. I’ll think more about you.”
Hearing this, Qin Wanwan was stunned. She hadn’t expected Jian Xingzhi could answer like this. She couldn’t help feeling helpless.
She felt Jian Xingzhi truly was a disaster. Every time he did bad things, yet made people unable to bear scolding him.
Clearly at first, she wanted to beat him to death. After beating him until now, unexpectedly…
Unexpectedly, she had started worrying about him.
It felt like raising a lively and bouncing husky, proudly demolishing everywhere, finally wagging its tail back to claim credit. She both wanted to beat him to death and make dog meat soup, yet felt…
Forget it, why argue with a dog?
Qin Wanwan helplessly finished bandaging him and took medicine to go to a rock nearby: “I’m going to apply medicine.”
“Oh.”
Jian Xingzhi knew it wasn’t convenient for him to apply medicine for her. He nodded, inexplicably feeling somewhat dejected.
He just felt that if this disciple were male, how good that would be—then he could apply medicine for her too.
He was somewhat conflicted in his heart. Qin Wanwan behind the rock applied medicine to the places she could reach. But she couldn’t reach the wounds on her back. After thinking left and right for a moment, she finally spoke: “Master.”
“Mm?”
“I… I can’t reach the wounds on my back.”
Qin Wanwan’s voice was very soft: “Help me, okay?”
Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi’s heartbeat quickened.
But he immediately despised himself. Before a healer, there’s no gender distinction. If he felt taboo, that meant his heart was guilty.
He calmly responded “alright,” raised his hand to tear off a section of his sleeve, tied it over his eyes, and stood up to go behind the rock.
“Don’t worry,” he sensed Qin Wanwan’s position and walked over, half-kneeling on one knee before Qin Wanwan. “I can’t see.”
“Oh.” Qin Wanwan always trusted Jian Xingzhi, knowing his heart held no impure thoughts. She removed her clothes, turned around, and bared her back before Jian Xingzhi.
“The medicine is on your left.”
Qin Wanwan reminded him. Jian Xingzhi grabbed the medicine bottle. Qin Wanwan directed again: “The first wound is three cun below the shoulder.”
Jian Xingzhi acknowledged and raised his hand, applying medicine to Qin Wanwan’s back.
He couldn’t see anything. Everything relied on perception, so his sense of touch became exceptionally acute.
When his fingers landed on the young woman’s back, he discovered her bones were different from his—more delicate and small. Her skin was also different from his—tender as jade, smooth as silk. Even though he had beaten and trained her like this, she seemed not to have developed the hard body of a sword cultivator.
She seemed very soft?
This thought suddenly emerged in Jian Xingzhi’s mind. His hand couldn’t help trembling.
Qin Wanwan was confused: “Master?”
“No… nothing.”
Jian Xingzhi stammered: “Where’s the next wound?”
“One cun to the left of this wound.”
Qin Wanwan continued directing. Jian Xingzhi didn’t dare speak again.
Once distracting thoughts arose, they were hard to dispel. Stopping halfway would seem deliberately awkward.
The surrounding lava bubbled with gurgling sounds. The scorching temperature made one feel somewhat unbearable.
It seemed the Allure Gu was acting up again.
Jian Xingzhi pondered, his mind rather rigid. He reviewed all possibilities.
Or was it his unstable consciousness sea causing heart demons to mutate?
He thought left and right, his fingertips carrying medicine and sliding across Qin Wanwan’s back.
His fingertips had calluses. This light sliding and brushing made Qin Wanwan couldn’t help shivering.
Jian Xingzhi hastily spoke: “Did I hurt you?”
“No.”
Qin Wanwan anxiously spoke, somewhat flustered by that sudden feeling just now: “I… I just suddenly felt a bit hot.”
“Oh.”
Jian Xingzhi nodded, feeling much more at ease, agreeing with a hoarse voice: “It is indeed a bit hot.”
Neither dared speak. Jian Xingzhi felt this situation was too hard to endure.
It was the Allure Gu acting up—he was certain.
He swallowed and finished applying the last wound, then raised his hands to bandage her.
The bandages wrapped around her front, as if embracing her, then circled behind her. After going back and forth several times, Jian Xingzhi tied the knot for her and pulled her clothes into place. Hearing Qin Wanwan rustling in front of him as she tied her belt, he finally couldn’t hold back: “Beicheng.”
“Are you dressed?”
“I’m dressed.”
Qin Wanwan knelt in front of him and finished tying her belt. Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi felt relieved and removed his eye covering. As he removed it, he somewhat awkwardly asked her, “Can… can you give me some blood?”
“Mm?” Qin Wanwan’s movements paused, somewhat confused.
Hearing her question, Jian Xingzhi’s heart beat rather fast. He spoke hastily and helplessly: “I… the Allure Gu seems to be acting up.”
This topic was a bit awkward.
Qin Wanwan didn’t dare turn around, but she felt relieved. So it was the Allure Gu. She might also be affected by the Allure Gu.
She finished tying her belt and nodded, raising her hand to pull her hair aside, exposing her slender neck: “How much do you need?”
Jian Xingzhi didn’t know either. Theoretically, one drop of blood per month, but it hadn’t even been a month yet. He didn’t know how much blood this situation required.
He moved forward and supported Qin Wanwan’s shoulder: “I… I’ll try.”
With that, he leaned toward Qin Wanwan’s neck and blew gently. Qin Wanwan’s fair neck immediately had a small opening as if cut by a sharp blade.
Blood pearls emerged. Jian Xingzhi’s heart was so flustered his hands shook. He felt he needed to find a topic. Thinking left and right, he had a sudden inspiration: “Does… does it hurt?”
Qin Wanwan: “…”
“Master,” Qin Wanwan seriously reminded, “compared to broken bones, this little wound doesn’t hurt at all.”
With that, Qin Wanwan wanted to steer this atmosphere that seemed to be heading in a strange direction back to normal, speaking frankly and uprightly: “Just drink.”
Jian Xingzhi was infected by Qin Wanwan’s righteousness and nodded, bringing his lips over.
He first licked the blood pearls. The bloody taste made it seem the blood pearls didn’t have much effect, so he drank several more mouthfuls, frantically chanting sutras in his mind, trying to be a good master again.
But heart sutras couldn’t defeat heart desires. Somehow, his hand unconsciously slid to Qin Wanwan’s arm. Qin Wanwan finally felt the atmosphere was wrong.
She was somewhat afraid, yet had that inexplicable…
It was like being single for so long that even a dog looked handsome—that kind of weird feeling.
Jian Xingzhi was definitely an upright gentleman who wouldn’t overthink. If anyone was overthinking, it must be her being too frivolous.
To break this strange atmosphere, Qin Wanwan decided to say something. She wanted to chat about something more important to attract both their attention and awkwardly muddle through this matter.
After thinking left and right, she finally thought of something important!
“Master.”
“Mm?”
“I feel like I might know who that shadow in my consciousness sea is.”
“Mm?” Jian Xingzhi’s thoughts finally cleared somewhat. He spoke hoarsely: “Who?”
“Xie Gutang.”
Qin Wanwan spoke with certainty. Jian Xingzhi’s movements froze.
In an instant, all ambiguity vanished completely. Qin Wanwan’s blood seemed to take effect. He no longer had any strange emotions.
He just knelt there dumbly, motionless.
At this very moment, the system dinged, accompanied by the ding-ding-dang-dang sound of points arriving and cheerful applause. The system’s excited announcement sounded:
[Festival Grand Sale! Festival Grand Grand Sale! The system helped you participate in headquarters’ grand lottery and won 500 points! Congratulations, Host! You won the lottery!]
Won… won the lottery?
Jian Xingzhi thought dazedly. What… what festival is this? Did Gu Beicheng win too?
—
**Author’s Note:**
[Mini Theater 1]
Jian Xingzhi: Before a healer, there’s no gender distinction. If my heart has impure thoughts, that’s my problem.
(Tears sleeve, covers eyes)
Jian Xingzhi: Right, I have a problem.
[Mini Theater 2]
Long Aotian – Chapter 33:
Author: “I cut off all your other options, just wanted you to kiss. I set up the atmosphere—don’t disappoint me!”
Jian Xingzhi: “Can I gnaw on your scalp?”
Author: “Get out!”
Long Aotian – Chapter 49:
Author: “I set up the atmosphere for you, cleared everyone out, opened the golden finger—if you don’t fall in love now, I’ll collapse!!”
Qin Wanwan: “This atmosphere is too strange. I need to find something to break it. Master, I think I like Xie Gutang.”
Jian Xingzhi: “Wow, your blood is really effective. I immediately have no feelings.”
Author: “I’m tired.”