Hearing this, Pei Zichen stumbled and nearly fell.

Jiang Zhaoxue was so startled she quickly tightened her arms around his neck, urgently saying: “I said one sentence—you don’t need to drag us both to mutual destruction!”

“Master’s Wife…”

Pei Zichen spoke haltingly, his heart racing, completely at a loss.

Jiang Zhaoxue pressed against his back, feeling his rapid and powerful heartbeat. She couldn’t help saying: “Why is your heart beating so fast?”

Pei Zichen’s muscles tensed, becoming even more flustered. Then he heard Jiang Zhaoxue wonder: “Is carrying me on your back this exhausting? Is your stamina too poor, or am I too heavy?”

Pei Zichen: “…”

His heart went up and down, rising and falling. After going in circles, he discovered that the other party was completely oblivious to his embarrassed thoughts.

Pei Zichen suddenly felt at ease and casually said: “Disciple still needs training.”

“That’s true.” Seeing him confirm it, Jiang Zhaoxue frowned slightly and compared: “When your master was this age, carrying me was effortless. You’re a sword cultivator—you need to build a good physical foundation.”

His cultivation path was closely tied to her Tianji Lingyu. If he wasn’t capable, how could her spirit jade be nourished?

Listening, Pei Zichen’s slight stirrings of emotion completely calmed down as he responded: “Master’s Wife is right.”

Perhaps to prove it to her, afterward Pei Zichen ran both fast and steady, arriving near the temple in no time.

The temple where they had sheltered from rain was now completely shrouded in black energy. Black energy continuously poured in from all directions like strands of spider silk, with the temple as the center, entangling the surroundings.

Ye Wenzhen stood at a distance with a group of cultivators, looking at the black energy with anxious eyes.

Pei Zichen brought Jiang Zhaoxue before Ye Wenzhen. Jiang Zhaoxue jumped down from Pei Zichen’s back and was about to speak when she sensed something was wrong.

She turned her eyes and discovered that the cultivators behind Ye Wenzhen were dressed remarkably similar to Lingjian Immortal Pavilion.

“It’s Lingjian Immortal Pavilion.”

Pei Zichen secretly transmitted his voice to Jiang Zhaoxue. Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak.

Pei Zichen could sense the sword qi from them. If he confirmed it, that proved these people before them definitely practiced Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s cultivation methods.

Why would there be people from Lingjian Immortal Pavilion in the Mortal Realm?

Jiang Zhaoxue became alert. However, they were all staring at the temple, completely ignoring her and Pei Zichen—clearly not coming for them.

If they didn’t make a move, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t plan to alert them either. She tentatively raised her hand in greeting, glanced at them, and said to Ye Wenzhen: “Daoist Ye, these fellow Daoists are…”

“Oh, these are disciples from Tianji Institute.”

Hearing this, Ye Wenzhen raised his hand to introduce them to Jiang Zhaoxue: “I am a registered cultivator at Tianji Institute. They are inner disciples cultivated by Tianji Institute itself, who grew up there. Though young, they have deep cultivation and stable Dao hearts—all exceptional young talents.”

With that, Ye Wenzhen introduced them to these disciples: “This is Immortal Master Jiang Zhaoxue and Young Daoist Pei Zichen whom I just mentioned to everyone.”

Having been introduced, both sides exchanged simple greetings.

Then Ye Wenzhen explained the current situation to Jiang Zhaoxue: “Last night we managed to obtain the location of her temple from the Young Master. Today I brought people to destroy her residence, but halfway through… she appeared at the Ye Residence. I don’t know why, but as soon as she appeared, the Young Master who had been in a coma suddenly woke up and walked out with her. The family’s protective array was useless. Chen Zhao and his people couldn’t harm her at all and could only watch as she took the Young Master away. As soon as she took him, within moments, Taizhou City’s barrier shattered…”

Ye Wenzhen furrowed his brow tightly, heartbroken: “Chen Zhao has already had the citizens enter the Ye Residence. The family’s barrier hasn’t broken yet and can still hold for some time. But now…”

Ye Wenzhen looked up at the temple. That black energy was so thick it seemed about to drip blood. With such resentment energy, if they rashly attacked, they would be walking to their deaths.

But if they didn’t attack and waited for Zhuang Yan and Ye Wenzhi to completely fuse…

That would also be certain death.

Everyone understood the stakes clearly. Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment and smiled: “Individually we naturally can’t match her. But fortunately we have numbers, and moreover…”

Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at everyone, probing: “Does everyone have spirit stones?”

This question stumped everyone. At a time like this, she was still thinking about spirit stones?

Jiang Zhaoxue saw them frown, especially the Tianji Institute people looking at her like she was some charlatan.

Jiang Zhaoxue coughed lightly. To show she was a legitimate person, she quickly explained: “I cannot use my own spiritual power and must use external forces. I need to set up this array formation, powered by spirit stones. Please lend me some spirit stones—the more the better. In the future—”

Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment and was about to speak when she heard Ye Tianjiao shouting from behind: “Sister! Immortal Sister!”

She decisively pointed at Ye Tianjiao and said earnestly: “Second Young Master Ye will definitely repay you double!”

Hearing this, the Tianji Institute people all looked toward Ye Wenzhen.

Ye Wenzhen knew these young disciples didn’t have much money and decisively said generously: “Everyone can rest assured. Afterward, the Ye Family will repay in full.”

Hearing Ye Wenzhen’s promise, everyone finally relaxed. One by one they untied their spirit stone pouches and handed them over.

Jiang Zhaoxue collected the spirit stones and turned to everyone: “If you all trust me, could you follow my arrangements?”

“We naturally trust Immortal Master Jiang.” Ye Wenzhen raised his hand in greeting. Jiang Zhaoxue nodded.

Then she was about to pluck something from Pei Zichen beside her when she saw Pei Zichen had already handed her a withered branch. He raised his hand and directly brought out the Mountain River Bell, hiding everyone inside the Mountain River Bell to facilitate Jiang Zhaoxue’s conversation.

A’Nan couldn’t help but praise: “How thoughtful. I like him.”

Jiang Zhaoxue suppressed her smile, accepted the branch, and directly asked those disciples: “Can you form the Ten Directions Evil-Slaying Sword Array?”

These disciples looked at each other, somewhat unclear about Jiang Zhaoxue’s meaning. The leading disciple said: “We have never learned it.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue had a grasp of the situation. The Ten Directions Evil-Slaying Array was a major array of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion. These disciples probably only practiced Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s cultivation methods and lower-level sword techniques, but weren’t familiar with Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s truly core sword arrays.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked toward Pei Zichen: “Do you know it?”

“Disciple has seen it in the library.”

Pei Zichen answered truthfully. Jiang Zhaoxue nodded: “That’s enough.”

With that, she began drawing the positions for the Ten Directions Evil-Slaying Array on the ground.

Over these two hundred years, Lingjian Immortal Pavilion had fought several major battles. Each time she secretly went to observe, afraid Shen Yuqing would come to harm. Going often, Shen Yuqing never concealed anything from her about Dao techniques when she asked. So she had learned about seventy to eighty percent of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s techniques. It was just that due to her Destiny Master constitution, she couldn’t use them.

But everyone here practiced Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s cultivation methods—using Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s sword array couldn’t be more appropriate.

She arranged where each person should stand and earnestly instructed: “Fellow Daoist Ye and Zichen will lead the array. You don’t need fixed positions—try every means to kill Zhuang Yan. Besides that, each person’s position in this array is extremely critical, mutually generating and restraining each other. Individually you can’t accomplish anything, but forming this array, you can suppress her for a period of time. Then I’ll take action. Whether we succeed or not—”

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the sky: “All depends on the will of heaven.”

Everyone responded in agreement.

Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment and took out a dagger from her sleeve, handing it to Pei Zichen: “This is an Evil-Slaying Blade. Ghosts and spirits cannot touch it. Find a way to give the blade to Ye Wenzhi. Later, if we suppress Zhuang Yan to her limit and she loosens control over him, he’s closest to Zhuang Yan—perhaps there will be an opportunity.”

Listening, Pei Zichen frowned slightly, hesitating: “He’s just a mortal…”

“Take it.”

Jiang Zhaoxue stuffed the blade into Pei Zichen’s hands, instructing: “You must give it to him.”

Pei Zichen’s movements paused slightly. He looked at Jiang Zhaoxue once. Though unclear about Jiang Zhaoxue’s plan, he knew Jiang Zhaoxue must have other calculations.

He didn’t dare delay matters and could only nod: “Yes.”

After finishing, Pei Zichen led people out to set up the array. Seeing matters arranged, A’Nan finally couldn’t help but speak: “Why are you giving the blade to Ye Wenzhi? Do you really expect a mortal to kill Zhuang Yan?”

Jiang Zhaoxue ignored her, only sitting on the ground and taking out the Su Guangji that had been abnormally hot since the beginning.

Seeing the Su Guangji, A’Nan was somewhat puzzled: “How did it become like this?”

This shattered mirror fragment had become red like a volcano about to erupt, spiritual power churning inside like boiling magma.

Jiang Zhaoxue vaguely sensed Shen Yuqing’s spiritual power coming from inside, knowing Shen Yuqing was trying to contact her. She looked up at Pei Zichen who was setting up the array, contemplating the situation with the Su Guangji in her hand.

The Su Guangji wouldn’t randomly split into fragments. And whether in the original book or now, whether the Su Guangji was in Pei Zichen’s hands or hers, it had opened and returned to the past.

Coming back must have fixed plot points and destiny, and the Su Guangji’s abnormality was the guidance.

She had been waiting all along, waiting for the Su Guangji to give her an answer. And today, she thought she should get this answer.

“What is this?”

Jiang Zhaoxue kept looking at the Su Guangji. Ye Tianjiao, waiting on the side, couldn’t help being curious.

Hearing the inquiry, Jiang Zhaoxue only then realized Ye Tianjiao was beside her. She smiled, put away the Su Guangji fragment, and only said: “The thing that brought me here.”

“Huh?” Ye Tianjiao didn’t understand.

Jiang Zhaoxue ignored him, only using the dagger to cut open her finger and drip blood to draw the array.

Her spiritual power was insufficient. Ye Tianjiao had just entered the Dao. Using purely Ye Tianjiao’s spiritual power was truly making ends not meet.

Moreover…

Jiang Zhaoxue thought about today’s “Lowest Misfortune” lot. In her years as a Destiny Master, she had almost never seen a “Lowest Misfortune” lot—at worst it was “Average Peace.” “Lowest Misfortune” proved that in matters of fortune, not only could she not borrow power from the Heavenly Dao, but the Heavenly Dao was even favoring Zhuang Yan. So after she drew the lot, Zhuang Yan’s power greatly increased.

If she opened the array this time and lost again, it would be completely over.

So Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t dare act rashly. But for the worst-case scenario, she still had to make full preparations.

If it really came to it… she could only use her own spiritual power.

It was just that once she used her spiritual power, she wouldn’t know which space-time she would drift to, and whether Pei Zichen would still follow her together was even more unknown.

And there was the Continuation Spider…

Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart sank. She looked up ahead.

Pei Zichen had already led people to form the array. Just as everyone had settled into position, Zhuang Yan immediately sensed it. Ghostly energy roared out. Pei Zichen’s flying sword spun urgently forward. He shouted: “Swords out!”

As his voice fell, Pei Zichen’s sword body collided head-on with the black energy. He himself was directly knocked back. He urgently stabilized his form, flipping in the air and landing on the ground. At the same time, all the disciples’ sword bodies transformed into multiple light swords, revolving outside the temple. The ground array formation blazed bright!

The ghostly energy was startled, shrieking and roaring, madly crashing toward these disciples. Pei Zichen raised his hand to catch his returning sword body, coordinating with Ye Wenzhen to leap forward and slash at the ghostly energy.

The disciples seized the opportunity to cast spells. The light swords instantly emitted rays of light, connecting to the swords of disciples across from them.

Coordinating together, the array formation was complete. The entire array’s light lines crisscrossed, weaving into a net that wrapped the ghostly energy. The middle became moving threads, beginning to coordinate with Pei Zichen and Ye Wenzhen to strangle the ghostly energy within the array.

The ghostly energy, strangled by spiritual energy threads, instantly transformed into a startled giant beast, beginning to mindlessly use brute force to crash against the light net.

Each disciple received impacts and couldn’t quite withstand it. But each person had several light lines on their body, binding all disciples together. Each impact was shared by everyone, for a time reaching a stalemate with Zhuang Yan.

Jiang Zhaoxue watched the scene, calculating the probability of overcoming Zhuang Yan while calmly drawing the array beneath her, instructing Ye Tianjiao: “Follow me in drawing. I draw one stroke, you draw one stroke. But at your position, when I draw yin, you draw yang. When I draw qian, you draw kun.”

“Oh.” Listening, Ye Tianjiao began drawing along with Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue made one stroke, he made one stroke. He didn’t need to use his brain at all—it was simple. But he didn’t quite understand: “Sister, what array is this?”

“This is a Spirit Gathering Array. Spiritual power passing through this kind of array can be multiplied. It’s like a ratchet—power transmitting layer by layer through the ratchet. With just a bit of spiritual power, your small wheel can turn my large wheel.”

Jiang Zhaoxue patiently taught him. Though his mind wasn’t good, his talent was excellent. As long as she explained clearly, he could immediately apply it.

The Spirit Gathering Array wasn’t difficult to draw. Jiang Zhaoxue quickly drew over a dozen Spirit Gathering Arrays and placed spirit stones on them.

These Spirit Gathering Arrays were interconnected. With so many Spirit Gathering Arrays together, when Ye Tianjiao’s spiritual power transmitted from his side to hers, it would at least multiply over ten times.

It was just that the Spirit Gathering Arrays themselves needed to consume spirit stones and heaven and earth’s spiritual energy. She only planned to use it once—after using it, it would likely be废了.

And this one time, she had to ensure there were no mistakes. If another “Lowest Misfortune” came out, they would all be finished.

So she had to wait for Zhuang Yan’s weakest moment.

Jiang Zhaoxue contemplated and began drawing the major array for gambling fortune. Seeing her draw the array, Zhuang Yan finally couldn’t restrain herself. While crashing against the array formation, she shouted loudly: “Jiang Zhaoxue, must you make an enemy of me?! What does Taizhou City have to do with you? Why must you go against me? Those I killed were all evildoers. Since you’re a Destiny Master who speaks of karma, why do you punish me?!”

“Who told you to smash my courtyard?” Jiang Zhaoxue spoke. Everyone present froze.

Ye Tianjiao looked over somewhat surprised, couldn’t help saying: “Sister, you’re joking, right?”

“Do you know how much thought my Zichen put into arranging that house to its current state? You say smash and you smash—do you think I’m dead?!”

The more Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it, the angrier she got. Zhuang Yan actually dared to ask her why she was punishing her?

When she illegally entered the residence, didn’t she have some self-awareness?

“You even dared to choose Penglai Holy Martial True Lord’s temple?” Jiang Zhaoxue was so angry the speed of drawing the array increased. She said through gritted teeth: “Provoking me like this, why wouldn’t I punish you?!”

This reason was a bit too absurd. Zhuang Yan was obviously stunned by her scolding and actually fell silent.

Pei Zichen and Ye Wenzhen exchanged glances and seized the opportunity to leap into the temple. Pei Zichen’s sword body slashed across his own body, flying out with blood droplets.

The blood and flesh on his body still carried residual spiritual power from the Golden Core stage. The instant it passed through the ghostly energy, Zhuang Yan instantly screamed.

Various things in the temple—stone statues, altar platforms—shook and flew away. Jiang Zhaoxue shouted: “The divine statue!”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen understood immediately. With one hand he caught the flying Holy Martial True Lord statue and steadily flung it toward Jiang Zhaoxue’s direction without falling behind at all, then followed Ye Wenzhen charging forward.

The divine statue, carrying Pei Zichen’s spiritual power, successfully crashed into the Mountain River Bell, landing beside Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue finally felt relieved. She turned and patted the statue’s chest, consoling: “Dad, it’s alright now.”

Hearing this, Ye Tianjiao looked up again: “Dad?”

He looked at the statue in confusion: “Immortal Sister, this is your father?”

“Shut up. Prepare your spiritual power.”

Jiang Zhaoxue calmly drew the final stroke of the major array and began staring ahead.

The walls had all been shattered, revealing the temple courtyard. On the ground of the courtyard was an array drawn in blood. In the middle of the array sat a wooden coffin. In front of the coffin stood a woman in red, raising her hand using resentment energy to envelop the coffin, clearly exchanging some kind of power.

The instant Pei Zichen and Ye Wenzhen’s sword bodies attacked, the woman suddenly turned back, opening her bloody maw to reveal fangs. Ghostly energy surged powerfully from her body. Pei Zichen and Ye Wenzhen split into two directions to dodge. At the same time, they circled to the sides of the coffin and slashed it open.

Zhuang Yan’s red sleeves urgently attacked the two. Pei Zichen casually threw the Evil-Slaying Blade into the coffin, then was heavily struck away by the red sleeves. Ye Wenzhen flicked his whisk to entangle the red sleeves, urgently calling: “Young Friend Pei!”

Pei Zichen was closely pursued by the red sleeves. He flipped and rolled. Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed Ye Tianjiao’s hand, quickly wrote a talisman and flung it out. Coordinating with the Ten Directions Evil-Slaying Array, she struck the red sleeves.

Pei Zichen seized the opportunity to escape, leaping up again to coordinate with Ye Wenzhen, entangling Zhuang Yan and leaving the coffin.

At this time, Chen Zhao had settled the citizens and hurried over with people. Seeing the scene, he frantically asked: “What’s the situation?”

“This is the situation.”

Jiang Zhaoxue raised her chin toward the temple, observing the battle situation, saying earnestly: “Zhuang Yan is stronger than I imagined. Under the Ten Directions Evil-Slaying Array she shows no signs of decline. I don’t dare act rashly now. We can only rely on Young Master Ye.”

“The Young Master?” Chen Zhao spoke in surprise. “What can the Young Master do?”

“I gave him an Evil-Slaying Blade.” Jiang Zhaoxue spoke calmly while simultaneously transmitting these words to Ye Wenzhi in the coffin not far away. “If the Young Master can use it when Zhuang Yan is at her weakest and stab the Evil-Slaying Blade into her body, then there’s a possibility of winning.”

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke lightly. A’Nan was somewhat puzzled: “Why aren’t you panicking at all?”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak. She only rubbed the Su Guangji in her hand, seeing the coffin move—it seemed Ye Wenzhi was waking up.

Hearing this, Chen Zhao thought for a moment, then looked back at the Zhuang family members to the side, analyzing: “Zhuang Yan is now a monster combining resentful thoughts. This resentment is attached to the malevolent energy produced by Zhuang Yan’s soul. Because there are obsessions, malevolent energy is born. If her obsessions can be resolved, at least the malevolent energy of Zhuang Yan’s soul can dissipate. When this resentment separates from Zhuang Yan’s soul, ‘it’ will also be severely damaged and weakened. The Young Master can’t kill Zhuang Yan. I’ll go get the Evil-Slaying Blade now and take action with Immortal Master Jiang to kill her together.”

With that, Chen Zhao looked up at Jiang Zhaoxue, saying earnestly: “I entrust this to Immortal Master Jiang.”

“Wait.” Jiang Zhaoxue stopped him. Chen Zhao turned back to see Jiang Zhaoxue raise her eyes. “The Evil-Slaying Blade is more useful in his hands than yours. You can’t get close to Zhuang Yan. Moreover, there’s a life-saving talisman in the blade that can at least block one fatal strike for him.”

But Zhuang Yan wanted to fuse with Ye Wenzhi—she would keep approaching Ye Wenzhi.

Chen Zhao understood. After thinking, he looked toward the Zhuang family of three and said in a low voice: “Then I’ll go deal with them.”

He had already roughly understood the situation on the way here.

Without another word, he dragged out Zhuang Yan’s father, Zhuang Ping. Zhuang Ping and Zhuang Yao immediately screamed. Zhuang Yao wanted to pull his father back but didn’t dare. He could only watch Zhuang Ping, crying loudly while calling “Father” over and over.

Zhuang Ping was dragged by Chen Zhao, struggling loudly: “Sir! I’m wronged, I’m wronged!”

“Zhuang Yan!”

Chen Zhao glanced at Zhuang Yao beside him. Though his heart couldn’t bear it, thinking of the current situation, he bit his teeth and ignored Zhuang Ping’s shouting. He only dragged the man to kneel on the ground, placing a blade at Zhuang Ping’s neck and shouting loudly: “Grievances have their source, debts have their owner. I’ve brought your father for you. Kill or cut him as you please—just stop!”

Hearing this, Zhuang Yan laughed loudly. She suddenly spun, her red umbrella flying out to strike away Pei Zichen and Ye Wenzhen. She turned back to look at Chen Zhao.

Ghostly energy surged instantly, transforming into a huge ghostly face suspended in mid-air, looking down and examining Zhuang Ping in Chen Zhao’s hands. Zhuang Ping looked at this enormous ghostly face in shock. The ghostly face smiled, its voice seemingly mixing many people’s voices, impossible to distinguish yin from yang: “Oh, you brought them all. What are you going to do? Uphold justice for me?”

Every sentence she spoke carried powerful ghostly energy—clearly after fighting for so long, her ghostly power hadn’t diminished by half.

Jiang Zhaoxue frowned and glanced at the Tianji Institute disciples beside her. They all had pale faces—clearly their spiritual power was beginning to be somewhat depleted.

She stared intently at Zhuang Yan’s ghostly face, watching her laugh arrogantly: “How is it? After so many years, no one ever came to uphold justice for us. Today Teacher Chen has come? Why? Is it because we’re too strong, so you’ve finally decided to transcend us? Why didn’t you care before?”

“Yan… Yan’er…”

Listening, Zhuang Ping finally realized what was before him. Incredulous, after reacting, he frantically said: “Yan’er, I’m your father. You can’t kill me. I’m your father!”

“Zhuang Yan,” Chen Zhao was extraordinarily calm. “In the past we didn’t intervene—that was our fault. But from now on, wherever Chen Zhao can manage, I will certainly manage it. After killing him, leave on your own. You’re not resentful thoughts—you’re a soul. You can leave.”

“Leave? Why should I leave? Be reborn and become a child bullied by everyone again? I’m about to have my own body—” Zhuang Yan laughed loudly. “Seven lifetimes of merit!”

“Then don’t blame me—”

Chen Zhao’s expression turned cold. He swung his blade toward Zhuang Ping!

At that very instant, ghostly energy erupted, violently knocking Zhuang Ping away and smashing him heavily to the ground!

Chen Zhao was entangled by the ghostly energy. Zhuang Yan pulled Zhuang Ping into the temple with one motion, raised her hand to grip his neck, looked at Chen Zhao provocatively, and said coldly: “Do you think my power comes from resentment and malevolent energy? That killing him can eliminate my malevolent energy and thus severely damage me? You’re wrong. My obsession was never to kill him.”

Zhuang Yan raised her eyes, staring at Zhuang Ping’s panic-filled eyes. Then she suddenly tightened her grip on his neck. Ghostly energy like countless snakes bit upward, mouthful by mouthful tearing into Zhuang Ping’s flesh.

Zhuang Ping struggled and howled—it was like the ultimate slow slicing torture.

“No good!” Ye Wenzhen shouted loudly. “They’re not her obsession—she’s feeding!”

If killing Zhuang Ping wasn’t her obsession, then eating Zhuang Ping right now would not only fail to eliminate her obsession but would enhance her power.

However, everything had already happened. Every bite of Zhuang Ping’s flesh was nourishment for Zhuang Yan. Zhuang Yan’s ghostly energy tightly entangled everyone. Pei Zichen was pursued by the ghostly energy all along and couldn’t get close at all.

Daniang watched all this in shock, hearing Jiang Zhaoxue’s calm voice transmit: “Her obsession isn’t to kill you all.”

Hearing this, Daniang looked back in confusion to see Jiang Zhaoxue looking at her, hinting: “Is this your daughter? What did she leave unfinished before she died?”

Was this her daughter? What had Yan’er left unfinished before she left?

Daniang stared blankly at the woman ahead who was tearing Zhuang Ping apart bite by bite, her face full of excitement.

In her mind, she remembered the year she returned. She had brought Zhuang Yan back to the room. From her clothes, she pulled out half a cold steamed bun and told her: “Mother, the bun is delicious. I saved it for you.”

“Mother,” she hadn’t eaten well. At five years old, she hadn’t even grown much hair—so little and yellow. The only wish she made was: “I want a hair ribbon. Mother, braid my hair.”

That wasn’t her daughter…

Tears welled up in her eyes. She looked up at the woman who had thrown aside Zhuang Ping, now only white bones, as if she had eaten a delicacy. After absorbing life, she revealed a gorgeous smile, wiped the blood splattered on her face, and said gently: “Many thanks.”

With that, her power instantly surged. The disciples around were blown away.

She turned to look at Jiang Zhaoxue sitting calmly within the Mountain River Bell and sneered coldly: “Jiang Zhaoxue—”

Jiang Zhaoxue completely ignored her, only looking at Daniang, saying calmly: “If you owe her something, give it back to her.”

Owe what?

Daniang raised her head, remembering that morning.

“Wait under the bed. Mother will buy you a hair ribbon today and braid your hair tonight.”

“I’ll wait for Mother. I’ll wait for Mother to come back and braid my hair.”

She wasn’t hungry…

Daniang suddenly understood. Zhuang Yan crawled out because she had said she would come braid her hair that night.

But she didn’t go, so Zhuang Yan came to find her.

Perhaps worried about her mother, or perhaps wanting to fulfill the promise.

She was the one who killed her…

Hair ribbon…

Daniang frantically pulled off her own hair ribbon, emotionally stood up, and ran toward Zhuang Yan who was charging at Jiang Zhaoxue, crying out: “Yan’er… the ribbon…”

Before her words fell, Zhuang Yan seemed startled. Ghostly energy madly rushed toward Daniang as she screamed: “Get away!”

However, at the same time, a girl’s soul flew out from Zhuang Yan’s body and blocked in front of Daniang: “Mother!”

Daniang frantically embraced the small child in her arms, protecting her. Black energy instantly pierced through both mother and daughter. The red-clothed “Zhuang Yan” coughed up blood, then turned and rushed urgently toward the coffin!

Zhuang Yan’s soul’s malevolent energy had dispersed. She was just resentful thoughts. She had nowhere to go. She had to find a body to attach to.

She wanted Ye Wenzhi.

Ye Wenzhi was her last resort—

“Ye Wen…”

She suddenly lunged at the coffin. The instant she prepared to possess him, pain shot through her chest.

The person lying in the coffin had awakened at some point, holding an Evil-Slaying Blade in his hand that had already pierced her chest.

Zhuang Yan looked at Ye Wenzhi in disbelief. Ye Wenzhi stared at Zhuang Yan, his hand trembling slightly, but his eyes extraordinarily firm. Breathing lightly, he said: “You wanted my protection to kill people wantonly?”

“The Heavenly Dao is inconstant, gambling fortune on heaven—” At this moment, Jiang Zhaoxue’s voice finally rang out behind her.

Hearing this, Zhuang Yan instantly understood.

Why Jiang Zhaoxue was so composed, why Jiang Zhaoxue wasn’t afraid at all.

Jiang Zhaoxue had planned everything from the start!

Jiang Zhaoxue had been observing her all along. The fighting before was all just to test her.

Jiang Zhaoxue used Zhuang Ping to test that her true obsession was Daniang, then had Daniang force Zhuang Yan’s soul to separate from this resentment energy conglomerate. After separation, she would definitely seek Ye Wenzhi, wanting to use Ye Wenzhi’s body. And Jiang Zhaoxue had already given Ye Wenzhi this Evil-Slaying Blade early on, just waiting for this moment when she was at her weakest. Even if she couldn’t wait—

Ye Wenzhi held the blade. As long as he killed himself, Ye Wenzhi would no longer block heavenly punishment for her. When heavenly punishment truly descended, for an evil spirit like her, thunder was a restraining force. In her such weakened state, she had no power to resist.

From the very beginning, Jiang Zhaoxue had already placed her piece at the endgame.

She was certain to lose.

Zhuang Yan gasped for breath, coldly turning back to look at Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue stood in the distance, the Qiankun lots continuously turning in her hand. Her expression was indifferent, like a god or buddha, looking down on Zhuang Yan as she recited the final passage: “Supreme great fortune, all directions without evil—Execute!”

The instant her voice fell, thunder descended from the sky. Zhuang Yan grabbed Ye Wenzhi’s neck and roared in fury: “Let’s die together!”

Seeing this, Chen Zhao shouted in alarm and rushed forward: “Young Master!”

But it was already too late. Heavenly punishment and thunder fell together, like an inverted waterfall pouring down, completely blasting Chen Zhao away.

Seeing this, Ye Tianjiao charged forward urgently, crying out: “Brother—”

“Don’t act rashly!” Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed him and shouted sternly, “I gave him a life-saving talisman!”

Only then did Ye Tianjiao calm down, held back by her. Jiang Zhaoxue watched this heavenly punishment alertly, feeling something was off.

Not right…

Too long.

Jiang Zhaoxue watched the lightning continuously falling, feeling the Su Guangji frantically pulsing.

The ground began to shake. Pei Zichen had already leaped back to Jiang Zhaoxue’s side, alertly saying: “Master’s Wife, something’s wrong. Zhuang Yan shouldn’t be able to withstand heavenly punishment for this long.”

“I know.”

Jiang Zhaoxue sensed the surrounding spiritual power madly surging, rushing toward Zhuang Yan ahead.

The mobilization of surrounding spiritual power was too great. The more Jiang Zhaoxue watched, the more alarmed she became.

She was alive? Zhuang Yan was actually still alive?

Why?

Jiang Zhaoxue observed the surroundings, trying to find the answer.

Suddenly, A’Nan screamed: “Divine artifact!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue instantly looked up to see that amid the pouring thunder, in the middle of the courtyard, a bow broke through the earth.

Seeing that bow, Jiang Zhaoxue’s mind roared once, then instantly understood: “Yuan Luogong!”

She finally knew what the Su Guangji fragment was guiding toward.

It was a divine artifact!

In the book, after Pei Zichen returned to Central Continent, he brought back three divine artifacts—Yuan Luogong, Lingxu Fan, and Zhan Shen Sword.

The reason the Su Guangji brought them back to the past was to obtain these three divine artifacts!

“Zichen!”

Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed Ye Tianjiao’s hand and began drawing arrays, violently blasting Zhuang Yan in the thunder away. At the same time, she drew countless talismans to strangle her, loudly ordering Pei Zichen: “Go get that bow!”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen drew his sword and rushed out, heading straight for the Yuan Luogong.

When a divine artifact emerged, it would inevitably bring tremendous power overflow. Zhuang Yan was absorbing this power, which was why she could resist heavenly punishment to this degree.

However, heavenly punishment wasn’t without limits—it was clearly growing weaker.

Pei Zichen fought through thunder and ghostly energy all the way toward the Yuan Luogong. Zhuang Yan’s main body simply roared and charged at Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue held Ye Tianjiao’s hand, shouting instructions to Pei Zichen: “Don’t look back! Make the bow acknowledge you as master!”

At that very moment, Zhuang Yan heavily crashed into the Mountain River Bell, producing earth-shaking thunder. Pei Zichen grabbed the Yuan Luogong. Tremendous spiritual power instantly rushed into his body. An ancient voice sounded: “You have come.”

Pei Zichen raised his eyes to see a kite-purple bow body slowly appearing in the thunder.

Spiritual power poured into his body, desperately resonating with him. However, his spiritual power couldn’t pour in—this was the divine artifact’s resistance.

He calmly looked at the Yuan Luogong before him, hearing it say placidly: “You currently have two choices: open space-time to send her back, and you will fall forever into the chaos of space-time. Or—obtain me.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen instantly understood its meaning. Divine artifacts acknowledging masters all had trials—they chose the masters they wanted.

And the divine artifact before him posed a requirement that wasn’t difficult.

As long as he was willing to stay and give up the chance to let Jiang Zhaoxue leave now, he could obtain it.

The price was only to have Jiang Zhaoxue stay and continue suffering with him in this temporal chaos.

“This requirement isn’t excessive.” The Yuan Luogong’s tone carried condescension. “A small trial, that’s all. I’m not even demanding her life. She’s just a woman who approached you for others. Suffering a bit shouldn’t matter, should it?”

Was this just suffering?

Accompanying him wandering in the temporal chaos, spiritual power sealed, constantly facing life and death crises.

Was it worth it?

She only felt he was pitiful, only because of her moral sense, only because she felt Shen Yuqing had wronged him. To correct her husband’s mistake, she compensated him in his stead.

So she saved him, accompanied him, gave him heart-stirring moments and happiness. But all of this was just foam and illusion, destined to be lost from the beginning.

The longer time went on, the more pain he would feel when losing it.

And in this world, aside from her, everything else was meaningless.

“How do you send her back?”

Pei Zichen raised his eyes, coldly staring at the bow before him.

“The Su Guangji and I were originally one.” The Yuan Luogong guessed his answer and said calmly: “If you’ve decided, pour spiritual power into my body and I will open the space-time passage. But have you thought it through? If you choose to give up on me, you will fall forever into the chaos of space-time. Just to let her return safely—is it worth it?”

“Can I die?”

Pei Zichen asked calmly. The Yuan Luogong fell silent.

After a moment, it asked back: “Dying so a woman can live better? I’m only making her suffer a bit in space-time—”

“Then it’s possible.”

Pei Zichen interrupted it, already understanding. He gripped the Yuan Luogong, trying to pour spiritual power in as a test. He sensed the state when spiritual power entered, confirming the truthfulness of the Yuan Luogong’s words. Lowering his eyes, he said softly: “My life—”

As Pei Zichen spoke, he felt darkness slowly submerge him. He seemed to return to that cave when he first opened his eyes—only emptiness and pain.

However, Jiang Zhaoxue’s every smile and frown crowded into his mind, repeatedly hovering before his eyes.

Her absurd words, her perpetual smile looking at him, her handkerchief, and also…

The moment she unhesitatingly followed him down, grasping his hand.

On the snow mountain, carrying him through wind and snow, tilting her head to give him a plum branch.

But these…

Were not caring.

No one loved him, no one saw him. Even if they pitied him, it wasn’t for him.

He shouldn’t drag her down anymore.

Pei Zichen thought calmly, remembering his filthy, base desires, remembering impulses he couldn’t suppress wanting to compete for her.

He deserved to die.

The moment this thought surfaced, Pei Zichen smiled and said gently: “Not worth her suffering.”

With that, he turned back to look at the woman in the distance protected by Chen Zhao and Ye Wenzhen, holding Ye Tianjiao’s hand and frantically writing talismans.

Zhuang Yan seemed to have completely given up on the Yuan Luogong. Black fog surged forward—she only wanted to kill her.

Though her face was stained with blood, she remained composed throughout, her eyes always so bright, so brilliant—like the sun that couldn’t be looked at directly, yet attracting people like moths to flame wanting to possess, trying to look up at.

She shouldn’t be here.

She was like the bright moon—she should sit on high.

“Master’s Wife.”

Pei Zichen spoke.

The instant she heard this, Jiang Zhaoxue looked up. Only then did she discover Pei Zichen holding the Yuan Luogong, his face showing a rarely relaxed smile recently. He said to her gently: “Go back.”

The instant his voice fell, the sky shook. Space-time split open. Pei Zichen spread his arms and fell backward into the space-time rift!

Zhuang Yan laughed loudly: “He wants to die! He’s actually willing to die for you!”

“Move aside!”

Jiang Zhaoxue rose in shock, gripping the Su Guangji in her hand. Spiritual power surged violently. Talismans flew out spinning—she instantly executed the remaining resentful thoughts of Zhuang Yan!

Amid Zhuang Yan’s screams, Jiang Zhaoxue used a Swift Movement Talisman to rush forward at maximum speed. She exerted her greatest effort but still only touched Pei Zichen’s cold fingertips before watching him fall into the space-time rift.

The rift instantly closed. Jiang Zhaoxue understood in a moment what had happened.

Without hesitation, she tightly gripped the Su Guangji fragment and used the blood-stained mirror shard to viciously stab into the about-to-vanish space-time rift!

Spiritual power surged in the Su Guangji. A’Nan screamed: “Master, you can’t! If you use spiritual power, the Su Guangji will activate and randomly enter the next space-time!”

However, Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t care. She only mobilized spiritual power to the maximum, using the Su Guangji to madly slash downward inch by inch, saying through gritted teeth: “The Heavenly Dao is inconstant, gambling life with heaven. Supreme great fortune, no time no space—Break!”

The instant her voice fell, jade lots fell. Enormous power poured into her body. She used the Su Guangji to viciously tear open the space-time rift, then tore it wide!

Light shone into the pitch-black silent space. She leaped in, bathed in that single beam of light urgently chasing forward. She grabbed Pei Zichen and violently pulled him before her, roaring: “You want to die, don’t you?!”

Pei Zichen looked at her in shock, falling together with her in endless space, murmuring: “Master’s Wife…”

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Jiang Zhaoxue was rarely furious, losing composure as she scolded: “You think I can’t go back? You think your life isn’t important? Here performing for me some sorrowful spring tragic autumn life-death parting desireless and undemanding?! Pei Zichen, I’m telling you—remember this well!” Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed his collar and pulled him before her.

Their breaths mingled. Jiang Zhaoxue stared at him intently: “I never saved you by accident. In Wuyue Forest I saved you, at the cliff I saved you. The price of the Continuation Spider is that once I activate spiritual power I lose my five senses—all of this was for you! You owe me all of this! Your life is priceless to me! I’m not joking with you.”

Jiang Zhaoxue gazed at him. He looked at the person before him, his heart racing madly.

He saw in her eyes only him, saw brightness, saw cherishing, saw uniqueness, saw myriad stars—only him alone.

He knew this might be his delusion, might be his misunderstanding. But in that moment, his heart bloomed like fireworks, brilliantly illuminating all his years and seasons.

He looked at the woman before him, unable to suppress his heartbeat and longing. Jiang Zhaoxue gasped as she leaned closer to him, somewhat wearily pressing her forehead against his, saying earnestly: “Pei Zichen, you die once I save once. You die ten thousand times I save ten thousand times. You want to die? It’s not that easy! Give this to Ye Wenzhi.”

Jiang Zhaoxue handed a box to Pei Zichen, instructing: “Have him remember to build me temples and create golden statues, bowing daily and checking nightly, remembering my great kindness. And you, Pei Zichen—”

Jiang Zhaoxue felt space-time splitting, something tearing at him. Pei Zichen clearly sensed it too. He frantically grabbed her hand, finally slowly reacting in his shock. He looked at Jiang Zhaoxue in terror, hearing her voice soften: “The Su Guangji, once activated with spiritual power, will go to the next space-time. The fragment can only take one person. I must separate from you. You give me your life, become my Life Attendant. In future space-time, we’ll meet again. With blood as contract—” Jiang Zhaoxue’s blood flowed down.

Pei Zichen understood her meaning. He remembered in sword cultivation courses he’d once seen contracts for forming bonds with Destiny Masters.

Only by forming a Life Attendant contract could he forever sense Jiang Zhaoxue’s location. Only then could he find her immediately in the long space-time ahead!

But where was the end of this time?

How long must he wait before he could see her?

But he had no choice. He could only tremble as he accepted the contract: “To be your attendant.”

“Never to part.”

“In life and death together.”

“Master’s Wife!” Pei Zichen’s voice trembled. He felt her fingers separating from his bit by bit. He finally realized what was happening, what he had done.

He desperately pulled at her. Panic flooded him. His eyes reddened as he frantically spoke: “Master’s Wife, I accepted the contract. Don’t go, don’t leave me behind. I was wrong… I did wrong… From now on you can make me do anything… Hold onto me, don’t let go!”

Whether pity, compassion, love extending to all, or transference.

It didn’t matter—none of it mattered.

As long as she lived.

As long as she wanted him.

The instant he felt her slipping from his hands like sand, unprecedented despair and terror madly surged up.

He suddenly gave birth to such intense longing.

He wanted her.

He wanted her by his side. He wanted her to always look at him.

He wanted her to forever exist in his life. As long as she existed, she could save him ten thousand times.

He finally knew why he lived, where his anchor lay.

All his happiness, joy, hope for life—he wasn’t without them. He just didn’t dare want them.

“Master’s Wife!” Pei Zichen used both hands to pull at her fingers, becoming agitated. “Don’t let go. Hold onto me, don’t let go! I’ll live well. I won’t let go again. Master’s Wife, hold onto me! Don’t abandon me!”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak. Jiang Zhaoxue looked at his eyes finally showing vitality and longing, couldn’t help but smile.

She actually wanted to scold him, but feared this separation would be a hundred years, a thousand years, even ten thousand years.

So she suppressed the impulse to curse and softly consoled: “Don’t be afraid. Wait for me. A hundred years, a thousand years—as long as you’re still alive—”

Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat exhausted. Her fingers slipped from Pei Zichen’s hands.

She fell all the way down, heavily sinking into endless darkness. Looking at Pei Zichen frantically trying to chase her against the light, she smiled: “We will meet eventually.”

The instant her voice fell, she felt herself crash into an endless deep sea.

Pei Zichen roared: “Master’s Wife!!”

However, the surroundings rapidly collapsed. Enormous force madly pulled him back. He exerted all his strength but could only watch her sink.

Master’s Wife… Master’s Wife… Master’s Wife!

He frantically pursued but was still rapidly pulled back by the enormous force.

When light reappeared, he turned back to see the Yuan Luogong standing in place with radiance.

Yuan Luogong!

Pei Zichen frantically realized.

The Yuan Luogong and Su Guangji were one—it could also open space-time tunnels!

Pei Zichen rushed forward without hesitation, sliding his palm across the bowstring. Gripping the bow body with blood, he turned back toward the darkness and shot an arrow!

“Open it!” That arrow carried spiritual power as it went. Pei Zichen desperately shouted: “Open the space-time rift!”

However, that arrow only calmly flew in at the final moment before the rift closed, then everything vanished.

And in the endless darkness, Jiang Zhaoxue watched that arrow fly toward her, transforming into flowing light scattering down.

Each ray of light was her and Pei Zichen.

Their first meeting as youths, full of vigor;

Myriad glorious lights falling from the cliff, life and death together;

Relying on each other in the snow mountain, like shadows following in the mortal world…

Her vision slowly darkened. She couldn’t help but smile.

“You know…” Jiang Zhaoxue closed her eyes and murmured, “He’s really quite good-looking.”

Her vision slowly went dark. She felt the surroundings becoming quieter and quieter, only the sound of water rushing crowded at her ears. She kept falling in seawater, not knowing how long she fell.

Until finally, she heavily crashed into someone’s arm.

It should be an adult male with strong, powerful arms. With a light embrace around her waist, he pulled her from the water.

She collapsed in his arms, breathing urgently. Even exhausted, she still pinched a talisman to strike in the first instant.

The other person grasped her hand holding the talisman. He used very little force—just enough to stop her without causing her pain.

Familiar pressure descended—compared to last time, much gentler.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s whole body froze, then immediately realized who had come.

She asked cautiously, probing: “Senior?”

On the other side, in Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, Shen Yuqing suddenly opened his eyes, looking at the glowing Time-Seeking Mirror before him, saying calmly: “Found her!”