Gaowen’s words carried malice far too obvious. Pei Zichen looked up at him. There was actually provocation in Gaowen’s eyes, yet Pei Zichen showed no ripples of emotion, only saying calmly: “Senior Martial Brother Gao, this temple is strange. I’m afraid it’s an illusion.”

“That’s right!” Gu Jinglan reacted, instantly becoming excited, cursing loudly: “Gaowen, stop causing trouble. You’re the one who provoked that tree demon just now. Don’t create problems for everyone now. Does this temple look normal to you? Hurry out!”

“Illusion my ass!”

Gaowen was stirred up by Gu Jinglan’s words. He immediately raised his hand to light a piece of paper. Blue smoke drifted with the wind. Smoke in illusions had difficulty corresponding with wind direction—it was the simplest way to verify an illusion.

Seeing the blue smoke, Pei Zichen frowned. Gu Jinglan was also stunned, turning back to look at Pei Zichen, somewhat uncertainly: “Senior Martial Brother? What’s going on?”

Blue smoke in an illusion couldn’t possibly correspond with the wind. This was common knowledge learned by all Lingjian Immortal Pavilion disciples.

It was just that this illusion had long been adjusted by Jiang Zhaoxue. Within her formation, their common knowledge had no place to be used.

Since she wanted to trick them into the temple, how could she let them have opportunities to discover abnormalities?

If Shen Yuqing were here, perhaps he could see through her tricks, but this group of young disciples couldn’t figure out the situation at all.

Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat smug, watching Pei Zichen show a troubled expression.

His intuition told him something was wrong, but he couldn’t produce evidence. He could only watch the dilapidated temple vigilantly.

Seeing Pei Zichen’s silence, Gaowen became pleased, saying happily: “See? This isn’t an illusion. You Luo Xia Feng people don’t have to come in if you don’t want to. Lan Yue Feng, come in!”

Hearing this, the nearby Lan Yue Feng disciples all looked toward Pei Zichen. Seeing this, Gu Jinglan hastily said: “Don’t believe him! Don’t you know he’s an idiot?”

Those disciples looked at each other. The eldest among them still raised his hand before his chest, bowing to Pei Zichen: “Martial Brother Pei, we must still follow Senior Martial Brother Gao over there.”

With that, these disciples bowed one by one and left. Only Gu Jinglan and three other disciples remained standing in place, looking up at Pei Zichen: “Senior Martial Brother, what do we do?”

Pei Zichen made no sound.

This temple’s appearance was too strange. His intuition told him it should be an illusion.

But Gaowen had already verified it. Without evidence, he couldn’t speak nonsense either.

Pei Zichen thought for a long time, finally still saying: “Since Master entrusted them to me, I cannot ignore them. Be vigilant. Let’s go in.”

Having already anticipated this result, Gu Jinglan wasn’t surprised. He only sighed and couldn’t help but curse under his breath: “It’s all that Penglai Lady’s fault, causing trouble every day for no reason. Even if a female dog passes by Master’s side, she has to kick it. How did this kind of person even cultivate to the Divine Transformation stage? Heaven is unjust!”

As soon as Gu Jinglan opened his mouth, the other disciples chimed in agreement. After listening for a moment, Pei Zichen said calmly: “Enough, stop talking.”

“Just saying it privately,” Gu Jinglan muttered, “it’s not like she knows anyway.”

“That still won’t do.” Pei Zichen’s voice became somewhat stern as he seriously corrected: “Also, you should call her Master’s wife.”

Hearing this, Gu Jinglan pouted but didn’t dare say more.

Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at this youth, not particularly concerned. What Gu Jinglan said wasn’t wrong—she had indeed been like that before. Any dog that passed by Shen Yuqing’s side—regardless of male or female—she wanted to kick.

Over these years, not a single Lingjian Immortal Pavilion disciple respected her. Gu Jinglan was already showing mercy with his words. She didn’t take it to heart.

What she cared about most now was still Pei Zichen.

She lay in Pei Zichen’s embrace, listening to Pei Zichen finish instructing Gu Jinglan before leading several people into the temple. Seeing this, Jiang Zhaoxue finally felt relieved.

She had truly feared Pei Zichen would actually abandon Gaowen and these disciples and leave.

Fortunately, the current Pei Zichen was fairly similar to the book’s description—gentle in temperament, self-disciplined and principled, the kind of senior martial brother who would draw his sword to stand before everyone at any moment.

It was just that compared to the book, he showed a bit more human aura.

For instance, his love of raising small animals, having a bit of a temper, and toward those he disapproved of, he wouldn’t speak out, but he definitely wouldn’t treat them kindly either.

Like Gaowen.

Like her.

Although he spoke up to stop Gu Jinglan from badmouthing her, if he truly disapproved, Gu Jinglan probably couldn’t have even opened his mouth—the first word would have been suppressed by him.

With this kind of temperament, she wasn’t surprised by the result of being framed by fellow disciples later.

If a person was truly completely selfless, without favoritism or temper, they wouldn’t make enemies too deep.

If a person truly only cared for themselves and not others, black-hearted and rotten-livered, even if they made enemies, they wouldn’t be schemed against too deeply.

Only someone like Pei Zichen—with a saint’s heart yet acting as he pleased—was easiest to make enemies and easiest to scheme against.

It was just that in the book he was the protagonist, blessed with fortune, always turning danger into safety.

But she didn’t know what would happen to him after her interference.

For instance tonight, if she took Tianji Lingyu, could he survive?

After all, everyone else died—how could he survive?

This thought flashed through Jiang Zhaoxue’s mind, then she tossed it aside. His life or death had nothing to do with her. In fact, if he died, she could feel more at ease. At least the possibility of him strangling her to death would be gone.

Her mind wandered with random thoughts. The moment Pei Zichen carried her across the temple threshold, she immediately collected herself and began sensing the spirit-seeking formation.

Seeing a group of people enter, Gaowen laughed mockingly: “Oh, didn’t you say it was an illusion? Why did you come in after all?”

“Isn’t it because we’re worried about you!” Gu Jinglan said indignantly, “Stop causing trouble!”

The moment the two met, they started bickering like fighting roosters.

They quarreled until Jiang Zhaoxue’s head spun, unable to sense anything at all.

Pei Zichen had long grown accustomed to the two arguing and didn’t particularly care. He sat down to the side holding Jiang Zhaoxue. Where he sat wasn’t far from the formation’s eye. Jiang Zhaoxue became even more focused, raising her paw to cover her ears, seriously sensing the spirit-seeking formation’s fluctuations.

Seeing her raise her paw to cover her own ears, Pei Zichen seemed to find it somewhat amusing, so he reached out to cover her ears for her.

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but stiffen.

Although it was summer, the youth’s hands were very cool, bearing the sword calluses from years of sword practice. Pressed against her rather sensitive and warm ears, it made her feel somewhat strange.

She couldn’t help but flick her ears. Feeling his palm itch, Pei Zichen said softly: “Are they too noisy?”

That’s right!

Jiang Zhaoxue immediately looked up.

Pei Zichen sighed lightly, saying softly: “They’re always so noisy. I can barely manage them anymore.”

These words surprised Jiang Zhaoxue somewhat. She hadn’t expected Pei Zichen would actually feel tired because of such matters.

Pei Zichen seemed able to see the doubt in her eyes. He smiled and said: “Of course it’s tiring. Being a senior martial brother is very tiring. But Master also came through this way.”

Pei Zichen’s voice fell into Jiang Zhaoxue’s ears through the gaps between his fingers, his tone full of longing: “I heard that Master was also the eldest martial brother in the past. Every eldest martial brother comes through this way. If Master can do it, naturally I can too.”

Well…

Shen Yuqing had it easier than him.

After all, he came from the Shen family of immortals. Lingjian Immortal Pavilion wasn’t any famous major sect at that time. The people under Shen Yuqing weren’t nearly so troublesome.

At least Shen Yuqing couldn’t possibly be managing the Vice Pavilion Master’s uncle.

But Jiang Zhaoxue was too lazy to voice any of these thoughts. After Pei Zichen covered her ears, he also applied a silencing spell. She could only hear his voice.

This allowed her to focus on sensing the formation.

But after sensing for a while, she finally detected something wrong.

Nothing.

There was no movement at all.

Pei Zichen had clearly arrived—why was there no reaction from the spirit-seeking formation at all? Where was Tianji Lingyu?

Even if Tianji Lingyu left no trace, that snake should be there, right? A snake that swallowed Tianji Lingyu—not even a hint of movement?

Recalling that tree demon from earlier, Jiang Zhaoxue vaguely felt somewhat uneasy.

That tree demon’s final spell was Nine Nether Nether Fire—a technique from the Nine Nether Realm.

Why would a True Immortal Realm tree demon know Nine Nether Realm techniques?

The information she received was from “Jiang Zhaoxue’s” perspective. Many things weren’t clear, like the matter of Pei Zichen obtaining Tianji Lingyu—she learned of it from others’ mouths. The specifics, she actually didn’t know.

Where exactly did that black snake come from?

What exactly triggered Tianji Lingyu, and when did it appear?

She lay in Pei Zichen’s embrace thinking quietly.

Right now the spirit-seeking formation had no reaction at all. This was too strange.

As long as that black snake existed, even if it hadn’t eaten Tianji Lingyu yet, or was deliberately hiding, there would always be spiritual power fluctuations. The spirit-seeking formation would definitely be able to detect it.

If it couldn’t detect anything, then something unexpected had happened.

She needed to go to the formation’s eye now to confirm the situation.

Having pondered this, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately lunged outward. Pei Zichen scooped her back with one hand. Jiang Zhaoxue wasn’t happy and began struggling with Pei Zichen.

While the two pushed and pulled, Gaowen had already finished bandaging his wounds and began surveying this temple, saying hopefully: “This temple is truly remarkable. To exist in Wuyue Forest for so long with immortal techniques still preserved—it must have been built by a great power. Perhaps this is our fortunate opportunity. Maybe we can even find some treasures?”

“Stop daydreaming.”

Gu Jinglan glanced at Gaowen, sitting on the ground wiping his sword: “We’re here to find Lingxiao Hua for Junior Martial Sister Jinyue, not treasure hunting. Give up on these messy thoughts.”

“Gu Jinglan, that’s not how you talk.” Gaowen had already wandered to the inner chamber, observing the surroundings while muttering: “Fortuitous opportunities always come by accident. Finding a fortuitous opportunity on the way to searching for Lingxiao Hua—wouldn’t that kill two birds with one stone? Besides, something like Lingxiao Hua depends on fate. What if I see it first? Won’t the credit be mine?”

“Everyone, when people have greed, inner demons arise.” Hearing Gaowen’s words, Pei Zichen finally spoke. His slender fingers stroked along Jiang Zhaoxue’s fur as he calmly reminded: “This place is strange and easily produces illusions. Fellow disciples should still firmly remember the rules the sect established before departure. Do not touch异物 on the walls, do not look directly at萤光 in the dark night, do not…”

“Aiya!” A loud exclamation came from the inner chamber. Gaowen’s excited voice rang out: “Senior Martial Brother Gao, look—Lingxiao Hua!”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s movements stiffened, immediately sensing something was wrong.

Jiang Zhaoxue took the opportunity to leap out. But Pei Zichen could no longer worry about her. Leading people, he rushed toward the inner chamber, urgently saying: “Gaowen, don’t act rashly!”

Listening to their conversation, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat strange. Lingxiao Hua—this thing grew at the Nine Nether Realm border and depended heavily on fate.

They found it this easily?

The book didn’t have them finding it either. If they’d found it, could her spiritual roots still have been dug out?

Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat bewildered, but had no time to think more. She rushed to the spirit-seeking formation’s eye, pressed down with her tiger claw, closed her eyes, and after infusing spiritual power, began sensing all spiritual power fluctuations throughout Wuyue Forest.

Even a single insect—she could sense it.

However, even with the formation pushed to its extreme, she looked at countless snakes but didn’t see that black snake that should have swallowed Tianji Lingyu.

Where was it?

Where was Tianji Lingyu? Where was the black snake?

Jiang Zhaoxue frowned, thinking hard.

Inside, the noise had already erupted.

Gaowen’s proud voice rang out: “Everyone saw it—I, Gaowen, found Lingxiao Hua. Everyone bear witness…”

“Gaowen!” Pei Zichen shouted sternly, “That’s an illusion!”

“You also said earlier it was an illusion,” Gaowen sneered coldly, “whether it’s an illusion or not, one test will tell. The sooner we find Lingxiao Hua, the sooner we can return to report to Master!”

“Gaowen, let go!”

“I won’t!”

“Get out of the way—anyone else blocks the way, this young master will take action!”

…

The inner chamber descended into chaos. Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t listen, only seriously contemplating the current situation.

She couldn’t possibly have missed anything within the spirit-seeking formation. That snake appeared at the Nine Nether Realm boundary marker—could it not be in Wuyue Forest?

But Tianji Lingyu’s appearance location was clearly stated to be Wuyue Forest. To be in Wuyue Forest yet not discovered by the spirit-seeking formation—there was only one possibility—

Jiang Zhaoxue’s movements paused. She suddenly realized something was wrong.

She turned back to look behind the temple. After seeing through the illusion, she could see behind the boundary marker—that faint barrier.

Behind the barrier was also within Wuyue Forest’s range, but that was already the Nine Nether Realm.

If Tianji Lingyu appeared in the Nine Nether Realm, how did it come to the True Immortal Realm?

And Lingxiao Hua—they never obtained this thing in the book. How did they obtain it now?

The moment this question emerged, in a flash of insight, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly realized something and shouted loudly at the same time as Pei Zichen: “Gaowen!”

But everything was already too late. Demonic energy suddenly exploded from the inner chamber in an instant!

Pei Zichen swiftly swept out, scooped up Jiang Zhaoxue from the ground in one motion, stuffed her into his embrace, and holding her, instantly retreated dozens of zhang.

When Pei Zichen knelt on one knee and stopped, Jiang Zhaoxue looked up in his embrace and saw all the disciples being blasted out.

The temple seemed to be torn apart, shattering. A sky-high transparent wall revealed itself amid rumbling sounds, extending infinitely in all directions, becoming a towering wall between heaven and earth.

Behind the high wall was the vast, endless Cangming Sea shore. Black demons densely covered the transparent wall, emitting shrill cries, “bang bang” pounding against the barrier.

Then an enormous black snake struggled up from the seawater, breaking through the surface, fiercely crashing toward the transparent wall.

The wall shattered like glass. The black snake broke through the barrier, raising its head to break through!

The spirit-seeking formations set up everywhere began lighting up frantically one by one, becoming burning points of light on Jiang Zhaoxue’s arm, desperately reminding her—

Tianji Lingyu had appeared!