The instant the words “Shifu’s wife” left his lips, Jiang Zhaoxue finally grabbed hold of him.

Immediately after, she felt spiritual power shock behind her, and an old man’s furious roar came: “Wretched brat, don’t run!”

Jiang Zhaoxue whipped her head around and saw tens of thousands of light swords descending from the mountain cliff. In an instant, she summoned her white crane and grabbed Pei Zichen as they plunged downward!

This wasn’t Shen Yuqing’s spiritual power—it was Gujun. Gujun Daoren had made his move!

Gujun Daoren was one of the rare Tribulation Transcendence Stage cultivators, and his attacks were killing moves from the start. She couldn’t withstand them.

Flee. She could only flee. There wasn’t even a one in ten thousand chance of winning. If he caught up to them, they would certainly die.

Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed Pei Zichen and dove down frantically. Countless light swords followed closely behind them. The moment they were about to crash into the cliff bottom, the white crane cried out sharply and pulled up, flying forward without knowing which direction to take.

This white crane was a mount connected to her divine soul, its spiritual power completely synchronized with hers. Jiang Zhaoxue poured all her spiritual power into it, pushing its speed to the absolute limit. However, those swords pursued relentlessly. Before long, Jiang Zhaoxue felt her spiritual power depleted, and an empty, aching pain began.

But she couldn’t stop. There was no retreat now—Gujun had no intention of leaving them any way out.

She clutched Pei Zichen tightly, gripping the reins on the white crane’s body, diving up and down, trying to shake off the light swords.

In the midst of all the turbulence, Pei Zichen tremulously opened his eyes and clearly saw the woman before him, her expression resolute yet restraining her anger.

He finally saw her appearance clearly.

Yet at this moment, he understood—he shouldn’t have looked.

“Let me go…”

Pei Zichen spoke hoarsely, his voice swallowed by the wind.

Jiang Zhaoxue realized he was speaking and glanced back at him, shouting loudly: “What did you say? I can’t hear you!”

“Let me go…” Pei Zichen began to struggle, but his strength was nearly exhausted. His struggle was exceptionally feeble. He raised his voice as much as he could: “Shifu’s wife, they’re coming for me…”

“Shut up!”

Jiang Zhaoxue struck the person in her grasp unconscious with one palm, dragged him directly in front of her, embraced him, gripped the reins, and madly charged forward.

Having come this far, he was telling her this nonsense? If she could throw him down, wouldn’t she have done so already?!

It was too late to talk about throwing him or not now!

She cursed inwardly, but had no time to think. She couldn’t even discern where she was. She flew through the forest and in the distance saw a seemingly endless expanse of sea.

This sea was black. Compared to the brilliantly vibrant light swords filling the sky behind her, this sea presented a deathly silence. Even the sound of the tide was exceptionally weak, almost nonexistent.

This sea seemed somewhat familiar. A’Nan frantically shouted in her mind: “Cross it! In the book, after Pei Zichen fell from the cliff, he first crossed a sea!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately understood.

She charged forward like a madwoman, and those light swords clearly sensed something as well, accelerating frantically.

The two sides chased each other desperately. Just as they were about to reach the beach, spiritual power surged from behind. Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t care about anything else and violently infused all her spiritual power into the white crane in one instant. The white crane cried out in pain, raising its head as it rushed into the beach and crashed heavily into the sand!

It was over.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s heartstrings tightened. She felt the light swords raining down from behind. The instant she turned back in terror, an invisible wall suddenly appeared before her. Spiritual power above the Tribulation Transcendence Stage abruptly dispersed in the air, colliding heavily with the light swords. The light swords bloomed silently like fireworks beyond the barrier, as if they were silent yet magnificent explosions in the universe.

Jiang Zhaoxue stared blankly at the brilliant display before her. That wall stood steadfast and silent in place, isolating all the dangers of heaven and earth outside.

Behind her was the sound of waves. Jiang Zhaoxue instinctively felt someone’s presence. She unconsciously turned back and saw that at some point, where the sea met the sand in the distance, a solitary boat had appeared.

On the boat stood a young man with his back to her, standing in silent stillness. His long hair was loose and flowing, and he wore a black-purple wide-sleeved ceremonial robe that swayed gently. On the robe flowed sun, moon, mountains, and rivers. He stood in the moonlight, gazing at the tranquil sea. His entire being seemed to merge with heaven and earth—the noble grace and composure unique to those who have attained the Great Dao.

Jiang Zhaoxue, embracing the unconscious Pei Zichen, gasped as she looked at the person at the bow. After catching her breath for a moment, she finally reacted—this person had saved her.

She searched through her mind but truly didn’t know this person’s identity. She could only gather her courage, prop herself up to stand and bow respectfully: “This junior from Penglai, Jiang Zhaoxue, deeply thanks Senior for the life-saving grace.”

Hearing this, the young man turned his head. His face had no covering, yet she still couldn’t see his features clearly.

Jiang Zhaoxue knew this was a high-level concealment technique. Not daring to look too much, she lowered her eyes and waited for the other party’s disposal.

With the opponent’s strength, crushing her at this moment would be easier than crushing an ant. She didn’t know if he was friend or foe and didn’t dare to act presumptuously.

But the other party only silently extended his hand.

The moonlight seemed to be casually gathered by him, enveloping Pei Zichen and the white crane beside him. Jiang Zhaoxue was startled and watched nervously as the young man used his spiritual power to send Pei Zichen and the white crane onto the boat, then raised his eyes to look at her.

Although Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t see his features clearly, at that moment she instinctively sensed his invitation.

She raised her hand in salute and only said: “Many thanks, Senior.”

As she spoke, she calmed her mind and stepped forward. When she reached the boat’s edge and boarded, the vessel swayed. Jiang Zhaoxue’s body could no longer support itself and she fell to the side. Just as she was about to fall in an embarrassing manner, someone firmly caught her.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked up in surprise, but the young man made no sound. He only silently held her arm and steadily guided her onto the boat.

His hands were very cold, as cold as ice and snow.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart couldn’t help but beat a little faster. She sensed the other party had no ill intent, but also couldn’t control her instinctive fear in the presence of such a powerhouse beyond Tribulation Transcendence Stage. She forcibly suppressed her composure as she was guided onto the small boat. Fortunately, after helping her board, the other party withdrew and returned to the bow. The small boat then began moving without oars.

Seeing the small boat departing, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but glance back at where they came from, probing: “Senior, where do you intend to take us?”

The young man didn’t speak, and Jiang Zhaoxue knew he didn’t plan to make a sound.

She didn’t dare say more and could only curl up at the bow with the unconscious Pei Zichen, speculating about his identity.

Having arrived at a completely unknown place, she could only rely on the plot she knew from the book to guess their current situation.

In the book, after Pei Zichen obtained the Tianji Lingyu in Wuyue Forest, all the disciples died, so there was no incident of being framed by Gaowen. After bringing the Tianji Lingyu back to the sect, within less than three years, demonic cultivators appeared at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion to steal the Su Guangji. Pei Zichen was framed by his fellow disciples for colluding with demonic cultivators, which led to the plot of him being thrown down the mountain cliff.

When he was thrown down the cliff, the Su Guangji activated and he was swept into the torrent of time.

As one of the treasured artifacts enshrined at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, the Su Guangji seemed to be connected to other treasures. Therefore, to reclaim the Su Guangji, Lingjian Immortal Pavilion continuously sent people to hunt down Pei Zichen.

Of course, this was the dignified reason on the surface. Jiang Zhaoxue felt it was more likely Shen Yuqing’s sordid thoughts of eliminating this “love rival” as quickly as possible.

In any case, the book didn’t clearly describe the specific details of how Pei Zichen was hunted. Everything she knew about Pei Zichen came from what she learned through Shen Yuqing—or others.

For example, after Pei Zichen fell from the cliff, his meridians were completely severed. He had difficulty even walking and only barely maintained himself relying on the Tianji Lingyu. He crossed a sea coast and came to a snow mountain. In the snow mountain, he found jade ganoderma and reconstructed his meridians…

As for the content after that, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat tired and was too lazy to think more.

She only knew that everything that should happen had now occurred.

She leaned against the bow, looking at the unconscious young man lying on the ground, recalling today’s chaotic scene.

Although the specific events were completely different, in terms of the overall direction, everything had still happened according to what was written in the book.

Pei Zichen obtained the Tianji Lingyu, was framed by his fellow disciples, demonic cultivators appeared at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, the Su Guangji opened, they crossed that legendary sea…

And also, Gu Jinglan.

He had died too.

Jiang Zhaoxue thought of the young man who had died on Pei Zichen’s shoulder, remembered Wen Xiao’an who was finally pierced through by her light sword, and also Gaowen… as well as those disciples.

Although she only glanced when leaving, she saw clearly that her sword had killed all those people who should have died early in the book.

In the book, Wen Xiao’an was killed by Pei Zichen before he fell from the cliff. This time, although Wen Xiao’an didn’t die at Pei Zichen’s hands, he still died.

Why?

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t quite figure it out for the moment, especially those demonic cultivators. The barrier had clearly been repaired, so where did these demonic cultivators come from?

Was it the plot? If the plot must occur no matter what, what was the point of her trying?

At least choosing to end things herself would let her choose a painless method.

And also Pangpang…

Thinking of that old dog who circled around her until exhausted, Jiang Zhaoxue gazed at Pei Zichen’s slightly immature features, remembering how the young man in Wuyue Forest had bowed to her with high spirits, saying “Greetings, everyone.”

She suddenly felt her mouth tasting somewhat bitter.

She had wondered…

Every cultivator would raise spiritual pets, yet in the book, Pei Zichen never raised any.

But when they met, he clearly loved small animals so much.

He wouldn’t even let pass a tiger that happened by, finding dignified excuses to forcibly keep it, forcibly pet it.

Such a person, yet later didn’t raise a single spiritual pet.

Would it have been better if she had acted earlier?

Jiang Zhaoxue thought blankly, then felt it was absurd.

Hugging herself, she looked up at the crescent moon in the sky, remembering when she first met her shifu as a child. Her shifu had solemnly told her: “Being a fate master, remember the most important rule. Repeat after me three times—”

“I’m bad, I’m ruthless, I’m selfish! Others have nothing to do with me!”

Her shifu had only reached the Sixth Realm before dying.

Altering fate too many times was destined to bring heavenly retribution.

A person destined to kill her in the future—she was saving her own life. Why should she care so much?

Her thoughts wandered. On this night occasionally punctuated by wave sounds, bathed in moonlight, she gradually calmed down.

The small boat gently rocked. She began to feel irresistibly drowsy. Although reason told her she should be vigilant with a stranger present, she was too exhausted to bear it, and then simply gave up.

Anyway, if this person wanted to kill her, he could do so at any time. She’d get a good sleep first. Even dying would earn her a good rest.

With this broken jar mentality, she closed her eyes and entered dreamland.

In the dream, she felt hazy and indistinct, her hand covering her chest.

After the Tianji Lingyu formed a contract, although its power wasn’t sufficient to completely break the mutual heart contract, it could sever the connection between both parties.

Shen Yuqing could no longer sense her, and she…

Could no longer sense Shen Yuqing either.

As the small boat carried Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen away, in the great hall of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, Gujun Daoren sat in the high position, Jiang Zhaoyue sat in the side seat, and the elders of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion surrounded them. Shen Yuqing knelt disheveled on the ground, his entire person dispirited, completely unlike his usual brilliant appearance.

“Two hundred years ago, Penglai valued Pavilion Master Shen’s character and trusted him, sending my younger sister to Lingjian Immortal Pavilion,” Jiang Zhaoyue rubbed the thumb ring on his hand, his expression calm yet suppressing anger. “I never imagined that two hundred years later, when I came to bring her home, I would encounter such a scene. Shen Zeyuan, have you thought about how to account for this?”

“Yuqing is at fault,” Shen Yuqing spoke hoarsely. “I submit to Elder Brother’s disposal.”

“Then die!”

Jiang Zhaoyue instantly raised his voice, speaking decisively: “The sword is right beside you. Do it yourself!”

“Ayue.” Seeing this, Gujun Daoren sighed. “Today’s events, you also saw clearly. Why make things difficult for Yuqing?”

Jiang Zhaoyue’s aura slightly restrained. He raised his eyes to look. Gujun Daoren said with slight apology: “I sent that final sword. If Ayue wants to blame someone, it should be me.”

“Then forgive Zhaoyue’s presumption,” Jiang Zhaoyue raised his hand in salute, staring at Gujun Daoren. “Setting aside the fact that today’s circumstances remain unclear, even if my Penglai’s Female Sovereign eloped with someone and fled, that should still be handled by Penglai. Great Ancestor, why did you go so far? Please enlighten me.”

“Ayue, how could I be someone who acts over matters of the heart?”

Gujun Daoren spoke, glancing around. He seemed somewhat troubled, hesitated for a moment, then finally said: “Ordinarily, this matter shouldn’t be revealed to other sects. But today it involves Penglai, and the Female Sovereign’s life or death is unknown. This old one must speak clearly. Today, this old one’s sword wasn’t chasing Zhaoxue, but that disciple. As for the reason, it’s because that disciple—”

Gujun Daoren’s expression became serious as he spoke earnestly: “Is a Heaven-Forsaken One.”

Jiang Zhaoyue was stunned. Gujun Daoren raised his hand and waved. A massive scroll appeared in the air, with only one line of text:

Execute, Jiang Zhou, Pei Zichen

“Lingjian Immortal Pavilion was established by decree of the Book of Fate. For three thousand years, we have taken maintaining heaven’s mandate as our responsibility. The Heaven-Forsaken One is a bringer of great disaster and evil, one who brings isolation and misfortune to family, one who draws the great calamity of the Heavenly Dao. This child appeared in Jiang Zhou seven years ago. Lingjian Immortal Pavilion disciples, guided by heaven’s mandate, went to Jiang Zhou to eliminate evil but were blocked by your younger sister. This was a grave crime. If not for Zeyuan’s protection and his willingness to sacrifice ten percent of his cultivation to offer to the Book of Fate, do you think your younger sister could have lived so peacefully?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoyue said nothing more.

The Book of Fate cannot be defied—this was already common knowledge in Zhongzhou.

Over the years, sects that violated the Book of Fate had all been destroyed. Of the ten-thousand-year sects, only Penglai remained. Jiang Zhaoyue didn’t dare speak carelessly on such matters.

He endured in silent patience. Seeing him calm down, Gujun Daoren’s expression relaxed somewhat. He continued reassuringly: “Back then, Zhaoxue altered this child’s fate, which is why we searched for seven years without finding her whereabouts. Until recently, the Book of Fate revealed divine decree again. Originally, Lingjian Immortal Pavilion didn’t want to forcibly kill anyone to avoid causing panic among disciples, so we planned to act according to his crimes. Therefore, Yuqing didn’t interfere. But Zhaoxue was seduced by the Heaven-Forsaken evil way and forcibly seized the Su Guangji, falling into past time-space, committing such a grave error. Only then did this old one add that final sword. Yet still the two escaped.”

“According to Senior Gujun’s explanation, my Zhaoxue is the one at fault.”

Jiang Zhaoyue spoke coldly.

Gujun said helplessly: “Zhaoyue, don’t be emotional. The urgent matter now isn’t discussing right or wrong in this affair, but bringing the people and the Su Guangji back as soon as possible. Things have come to this point, and further pursuit is meaningless. Since this matter occurred at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, we will naturally take responsibility for it. Please be assured, Young Sovereign.”

“Since Senior Gujun speaks, this junior is naturally assured.” Jiang Zhaoyue spoke coldly, raising his eyes to stare at Gujun. “But if something happens to my younger sister, what will Lingjian Immortal Pavilion do?”

At these words, Gujun Daoren paused. Just as he was hesitating, Shen Yuqing’s voice suddenly rang out hoarsely: “I’ll compensate her.”

Jiang Zhaoyue turned to look. The young man stared at the patterns on the ground, as if thinking about something, speaking resolutely: “If she dies, I’ll pay with my life.”

Jiang Zhaoyue remained silent, staring at Shen Yuqing for a long time, finally stating his demand: “Your life, dissolution of the dao companion contract, plus ten spirit veins.”

At these words, everyone present was shocked.

Sect disciples’ cultivation relied on spiritual energy, spiritual energy was produced by spirit veins. Ten spirit veins—that would practically hollow out Lingjian Immortal Pavilion. After this, Lingjian Immortal Pavilion would never be able to cultivate talent again.

This was almost viciously cutting off their descendants.

Jiang Zhaoyue knew Lingjian Immortal Pavilion wouldn’t agree, and didn’t give them a chance to speak. He directly stood up and glanced around: “This is Penglai’s demand. If something happens to my younger sister, we will come to collect.” With that, Jiang Zhaoyue bowed to Gujun. “This junior must still dine with Father tonight. I’ll take my leave first.”

Gujun nodded. Jiang Zhaoyue stepped down.

As he passed Shen Yuqing, he still couldn’t help but stop, crouch down halfway, and stare at him: “Today I came to bring my younger sister home.”

Shen Yuqing didn’t dare make a sound.

Jiang Zhaoyue looked at him, remembering Jiang Zhaoxue’s appearance at twenty and after, unable to help but say: “My younger sister has a carefree nature and is ill-suited to match a pavilion master’s status. After she returns in the future, I’ll trouble the Pavilion Master to cooperate in dissolving the contract. After dissolution, your lives and deaths will have nothing to do with each other, and the Pavilion Master won’t need to trouble himself with ‘discipline’ anymore. Everyone will be happy.”

Having finished, Jiang Zhaoyue stood up and strode away.

Shen Yuqing listened to his departing footsteps, feeling his chest terribly empty.

The dao companion contract of two hundred years had embedded itself in his flesh, in his bones. The moment it was pulled out, it took flesh and bone with it, bleeding profusely.

After dissolution, lives and deaths have nothing to do with each other.

He didn’t dare tell anyone that she had already dissolved the contract.

When she leaped down the mountain cliff—just as she had once chased after him and leaped into the Cangming Sea—at that moment, she had already chosen to abandon him.

But how could he say it, how could he dare say it?

He only knelt on the ground, listening to the people around him disperse.

Gujun Daoren walked down and stopped before him. After looking him up and down, he sighed: “Two hundred years ago, I told you that you needed to pull out her claws, gouge out her eyes, turn her into a puppet, or she would cause trouble. You repeatedly indulged her, unable to distinguish right from wrong. Look at the situation now!”

Gujun turned to look at the darkness outside the hall, full of worry: “When the Heaven-Forsaken lives, Jiuyou Realm prospers, and the great calamity of the Heavenly Dao approaches—” Gujun turned his eyes to look at him. “Is this the result you wanted?”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing trembled and kowtowed in confession: “This disciple is guilty.”

Yet he showed no remorse.

Hearing this, Gujun paused, thought for a moment, then shook his head: “Forget it.”

As he spoke, he raised his hand somewhat wearily: “Bring the Su Guangji back. As for that child…”

Gujun thought for a moment, then raised his head to look at the Book of Fate floating in midair.

The line “Execute Jiang Zhou Pei Zichen” had already disappeared. Gujun remained silent for a long time, finally saying: “Since fate has already been altered, let things take their natural course.”