Upon hearing this, Pei Zichen’s entire body froze.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyes lit up. “Song Wuya? The Third Prince from the capital?”

“Precisely.”

Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue’s interest, Pei Xueyi said solemnly, “When this Third Prince was born, he was believed to possess true dragon fortune and would bring a golden age to Great Xia. But two years ago in the capital, he was judged by the Tianji Academy and many cultivators to be a false dragon. He also angered His Majesty and was dispatched to the southwestern garrison. After arriving in the southwest, there was great drought, continuous military disasters, and he repeatedly fell into deadly situations yet survived against all odds. This time foreign tribes invaded Shu. He was leading the army fighting at the front lines when he was assassinated. His maternal family sent people to rescue him from the front, but he was hit by curse magic—half his heart is missing.”

Pei Xueyi’s expression grew grave, his tone heavy. “His maternal family has old ties with Sword Pavilion. They sought our help, which is how we found Sect Master Shen.”

“I see.” Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, immediately saying, “Since it’s saving a life, we cannot refuse.”

She turned to look at Pei Zichen, suppressing her excitement. “Shicang, why don’t we depart today?”

This made Pei Zichen unable to react for a moment. His heart pounded wildly, unable to speak.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at him puzzled and pressed, “What are you worried about?”

“I…” Pei Zichen frowned, hesitating. “This is a major matter. I need to think about it.”

“What’s there to think about?”

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled. “The Yin Zhulong secret realm was secured with help from all of Shu’s immortal path. Now we’re just opening the secret realm to save someone—that’s not excessive, right? How about this.”

Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment, then turned to Pei Xueyi. “I’ll go with you. Curse magic—perhaps I can cure it.”

“Lady Jiang has a chivalrous heart.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Xueyi’s face showed joy. He hurriedly bowed. “This humble one thanks you in advance on behalf of the Third Prince.”

“Alright, then I’ll go pack.”

Having settled things with Pei Xueyi, Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand and patted Pei Zichen’s shoulder, leaning toward him while smiling at Pei Xueyi. “This one of mine, I’ll persuade him some more. I’ll give you an answer shortly.”

“Wife…”

Pei Zichen frowned and called out softly, as if wanting to stop her.

Seeing this, Pei Xueyi hurriedly bowed and retreated, afraid Jiang Zhaoxue would change her mind.

After Pei Xueyi left, Jiang Zhaoxue turned her full attention to Pei Zichen and said directly, “You don’t want to go?”

Pei Zichen paused. Just as Jiang Zhaoxue was about to speak to persuade him, she heard him say, “I’m afraid.”

“Afraid?”

Jiang Zhaoxue was puzzled. Pei Zichen remained silent. He carefully chose his words and said slowly, “I’m afraid of being separated from you.”

Song Wuya’s appearance meant the Lingxu Fan would soon appear.

Everything would end. Although he had been prepared, he was still uneasy.

Listening to his words, Jiang Zhaoxue pondered his meaning.

She guessed that without his memories, having been in the illusory realm too long, he had merged deeply with it. Once there was any possibility of breaking the illusion, he would produce a resistant reaction.

Like right now—his unwillingness to save Song Wuya perhaps proved that saving Song Wuya was a way to leave the illusory realm.

He would try to stop all possibilities of her leaving. She had noticed this over the past four years.

But she also discovered that dealing with such situations, as long as she soothed Pei Zichen, his personal will wouldn’t be violated.

And his personal will often prioritized protecting her.

So she smiled and pulled over his hand as before, patting it. “Don’t worry. Wherever I go, I’ll be with you.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen indeed visibly settled down considerably.

He looked up at the person before him, gazing at Jiang Zhaoxue. After a long while, he murmured softly, “Yaoyao likes me.”

“That’s right.” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled. “I’m your wife, your family. So now I want to save someone. Will you help or not?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen fell silent.

Jiang Zhaoxue raised an eyebrow. Seeing the degree of his resistance, she knew Song Wuya must be the key to getting out.

Just as she was about to coax him more, she heard Pei Zichen say, “If my wife wants to save him, naturally I cannot refuse. But there’s one thing—”

“Mm?”

“We need to rush back to celebrate New Year together.”

At these words, Jiang Zhaoxue paused.

Pei Zichen gripped her hand preciously. “This year I promised father-in-law and mother-in-law. We have to go back.”

“This…” Speaking of her parents, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat guilty. She didn’t want to lie too much and only said, “I’ll just celebrate with you.”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. He quietly gazed at her.

Jiang Zhaoxue felt quite uneasy. “Zichen?”

“That works too.”

Seeing her anxiety, Pei Zichen gave her reassurance. “Then we’ll depart today. I’ll go pack our luggage first.”

“Really today?” Jiang Zhaoxue reacted with surprise.

Pei Zichen looked at Jiang Zhaoxue’s expression and couldn’t help but smile. “Consider this my apology. About today’s matter…”

He lowered his eyes and handed the paper figure to Jiang Zhaoxue, apologizing in a low voice, “Wife, please don’t be angry.”

Jiang Zhaoxue held the paper figure, raising an eyebrow slightly. Pei Zichen smiled, stood up and said, “Go find Ye Tianjiao.”

With that, Pei Zichen got up and left.

After leaving, he looked up at the overcast sky, losing his smile as he exhaled deeply.

It was good enough.

He told himself four years was enough.

Four years ago he knew—he couldn’t keep her.

Jiang Zhaoxue was different from him. She had family. He couldn’t trap her in the illusory realm for his own selfish desires.

But he couldn’t let go either. So when she unexpectedly agreed to go into seclusion with him, he thought—

At most six years—

He would make her like him, fall in love with him.

Even if everything vanished into smoke, even if the beautiful dream became empty, she had loved him, been his wife. He would be content.

Although four years was somewhat too short, she had cared about him.

Thinking of her saying “I’ll just celebrate with you,” Pei Zichen couldn’t help but smile.

She hadn’t lied to him.

She didn’t dare say she’d celebrate New Year with him in the illusory realm, but she was looking forward to a future outside the illusion.

His Yaoyao.

Pei Zichen’s heart softened completely. He turned and walked out of the corridor.

Seeing him walk away, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately got up to find Ye Tianjiao.

Ye Tianjiao was cooking in the kitchen. Hearing this news, he was stunned.

Jiang Zhaoxue hurriedly urged him, “So now we need to rush over and bring them along?”

Hearing this, Ye Tianjiao paused, then realized something. He hesitated for a moment and said vaguely, “I still have fire in the kitchen…”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand and pressed it on the stove. The fire instantly extinguished. She stared at Ye Tianjiao and said calmly, “Now you don’t.”

Ye Tianjiao fell silent. Jiang Zhaoxue knew he was sad.

Over these four years, although he and Qian Sisi hadn’t made it explicit, they already seemed like a couple. He had actually somewhat forgotten the feeling of the outside world.

But fortunately, he’d forgotten some things but remembered most.

Jiang Zhaoxue stared at him and said solemnly, “It’s been four years. Can we leave now?”

Getting the words, Ye Tianjiao lowered his head and responded, “Mm.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue brought him back. Pei Zichen had already packed their luggage. The three went together to find Pei Xueyi. Pei Xueyi hadn’t expected them to come so quickly and was extremely delighted, hurrying to lead the three to find Song Wuya.

Song Wuya was hidden by them in the densely populated Furong City. Pei Xueyi led them through alleyways toward an inn, walking while speaking in a low voice, “The cultivators hunting him have been lurking and following. To conceal his aura, he was placed here. With many people and mixed energies, it’s not easy to detect.”

“Sister, are we just going to save him?” Ye Tianjiao, following behind Pei Xueyi, asked with confusion.

“Of course not.”

Jiang Zhaoxue said decisively, “Everything we’re experiencing now must be what happened back then. After Song Wuya appeared, what happened that caused the Lingxu Fan to appear? In a moment, let’s first determine whether Song Wuya’s consciousness sea is intact. If it’s intact, he has the possibility of recovering his memories.”

“If he can recover his memories, we can advance the progression of the past.” Ye Tianjiao understood Jiang Zhaoxue’s words. “Do you know how to restore memories?”

“That depends on how the Lingxu Fan hid his memories.”

As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she couldn’t help but feel regretful. “Actually, Lingjian Immortal Pavilion has a kind of pill specifically for this situation. Unfortunately…”

“Unfortunately, there’s no Lingjian Immortal Pavilion here.”

Ye Tianjiao sighed.

The two exchanged words, their spiritual power fluctuations constant.

Pei Zichen glanced at Jiang Zhaoxue, quite dissatisfied. He secretly squeezed Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand. Jiang Zhaoxue turned back with a smile but didn’t speak.

The three followed Pei Xueyi to a guest room in the back courtyard. Pei Xueyi raised his hand to remove the room’s seal, led the three inside, and then urgent coughing sounds came through.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked up to see Song Wuya lying on the bed with cultivators constantly transmitting spiritual power to him. But Jiang Zhaoxue could tell at a glance—nearly half his heart was missing.

“How can he survive like this?!”

Ye Tianjiao blurted out. Pei Zichen also frowned.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked over calmly and walked to Song Wuya.

Pei Xueyi stepped forward to stabilize Song Wuya’s condition. Song Wuya slowly recovered. Pei Xueyi introduced Song Wuya to them. “Third Prince, these are the people from Wenjian Manor.”

Hearing this, Song Wuya nodded weakly toward the three.

Compared to how he looked when they met outside the illusory realm, Song Wuya was obviously much thinner now, his eyes lifeless, his aura dim, without any of the spirited appearance from later.

The way he looked at them was very unfamiliar. Ye Tianjiao couldn’t help but feel anxious. “Third Prince, do you still remember me?”

“Who might you be?”

Good heavens, not a trace of memory.

Although it was expected, Ye Tianjiao was still somewhat disappointed.

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t say much, only saying, “Please don’t worry, Third Prince. We had some immortal fate in a past life. Now that Your Highness has forgotten us, my junior brother feels regretful, but you needn’t take it to heart.”

Hearing this, Song Wuya didn’t relax at all. Instead, he became even more vigilant. His face showed no abnormality though—he only smiled. “So I’m old friends with you all.”

“More or less.” Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, walking to Song Wuya’s side and saying slowly, “If Your Highness trusts us, may this humble one examine your pulse?”

Hearing this, Song Wuya glanced at Pei Xueyi. Pei Xueyi hurriedly said, “Your Highness, these are all trustworthy people.”

Song Wuya obviously didn’t believe him, but with Pei Xueyi speaking, he had no choice. Currently his life was in others’ hands. He could only feign composure and extend his hand toward Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue examined his pulse. Spiritual power flowed in through the pulse. Jiang Zhaoxue silently probed his soul.

“His consciousness sea is very intact, no deficiencies.” A’Nan evaluated. “But his memories are sealed somewhere unknown.”

“If only we had the Mind-Awakening Pill.”

Jiang Zhaoxue thought but knew it was impossible.

The Mind-Awakening Pill belonged to Lingjian Immortal Pavilion. Unless this illusory realm had Shen Yuqing, where could they find a Mind-Awakening Pill?

Without the Mind-Awakening Pill, the most reliable method now was to place Song Wuya near the Lingxu Fan. He was the Lingxu Fan’s master. Once he sensed the Lingxu Fan, his memories might be awakened.

And the place where the Lingxu Fan was most likely to be…

Jiang Zhaoxue turned to glance at Pei Zichen.

Although four years ago Pei Zichen hadn’t found the Lingxu Fan in the secret realm, they had gone through great hardships to kill Yin Zhulong. Now Song Wuya came specifically asking to enter Yin Zhulong’s realm. All signs pointed to the most likely place for the Lingxu Fan still being in Yin Zhulong’s secret realm.

Either the Lingxu Fan hadn’t appeared and Pei Zichen hadn’t sensed it, or… Pei Zichen had lied.

Whichever it was, they had to let Song Wuya enter the illusion to try.

Thinking this, Jiang Zhaoxue sighed and shook her head. “The injuries are too severe.”

Hearing this, Song Wuya’s people all became nervous. Jiang Zhaoxue turned to look at Pei Zichen and said directly, “Use the sect master’s seal to transport Song Wuya to the secret realm.”

The secret realm was at Emei Xu. For convenience, Pei Zichen had used the sect master’s seal to create a transportation array, so they wouldn’t need to first enter Emei Xu and then the secret realm.

Hearing about direct transport to the secret realm, Song Wuya and the others immediately showed joy. Pei Zichen glanced at Jiang Zhaoxue and without saying much, only nodded.

“Everyone please step back a bit.”

Jiang Zhaoxue urged everyone. The crowd retreated. Pei Zichen came before Song Wuya. With a wave of his hand, he revealed a sect master’s seal floating in midair.

Pei Zichen chanted incantations. The surrounding spiritual power trembled. The ground began shaking too. Song Wuya looked surprised. Watching the surrounding space change, Pei Zichen raised his hand. “Third Prince, please place your palm…”

Before he finished speaking, a killing intent rushed toward Jiang Zhaoxue. Without hesitation, Pei Zichen drew his sword with his other hand and pulled Jiang Zhaoxue back!

In that instant, a figure leaped in through the window, grabbed the sect master’s seal, then flipped and rushed out!

“Qian Sisi!”

Ye Tianjiao shouted urgently. Pei Xueyi had already given chase. Jiang Zhaoxue pushed Pei Zichen and commanded sharply, “Chase!”

Pei Zichen said nothing more. His toes touched the ground and he gave chase.

In moments, Qian Sisi was brought back by two people. Pei Zichen threw her to the ground and said coldly, “She fused the sect master’s seal into her own body.”

This stunned everyone. Ye Tianjiao didn’t quite react. “Fused into her body? That doesn’t hurt her, does it?”

“It doesn’t hurt her much,” Pei Xueyi said coldly, “but the Third Prince’s body absolutely cannot withstand the turbulence of going to Emei Xu. Now without the sect master’s seal, what about the Third Prince? We’ve never heard of Fairy Qian having any grievance with the Third Prince. Why would she act today to put the Third Prince to death?”

Hearing this, Qian Sisi glanced at Song Wuya and sneered coldly without saying more.

Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen exchanged a glance. Pei Zichen immediately knew Jiang Zhaoxue’s meaning and said at once, “Our sect’s disciple is unruly. We’ve made you laugh. Wait for me a moment.”

With that, Pei Zichen raised a finger. Several light swords pinned against Qian Sisi. Pei Zichen turned. “Let’s go.”

Qian Sisi was led away by Pei Zichen’s swords. Everyone fell silent for a moment. After Jiang Zhaoxue and Ye Tianjiao exchanged glances, Ye Tianjiao reacted. “No, I have to go save…”

“Let’s eat.”

Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed Ye Tianjiao and dragged him out. “It’s almost dinner time. Everyone, let’s eat together.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue dragged Ye Tianjiao outside.

Meanwhile, Pei Zichen pulled Qian Sisi to the adjacent guest room. Closing the door with a bang, his sword pressed directly against Qian Sisi’s neck. “Hand over the token, or I’ll gut you.”

“Senior Brother,” Qian Sisi said calmly, “how can you tolerate them humiliating the sect like this?”

“Is this humiliation?”

Pei Zichen raised his eyes. “Sword Pavilion asked me for help. My wife wants to help, so I help. How is this humiliation?”

“You became sect master today!”

Qian Sisi shouted, unable to restrain herself. “If they cared about you even a little, they wouldn’t force you out on this day.”

“I volunteered.”

“Did you volunteer?”

Qian Sisi stared at him. “Did you volunteer to help her leave?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen frowned and looked up at Qian Sisi, staring at her. “Who are you?”

“Who am I?”

Qian Sisi slowly smiled. “Do you remember what this place is?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen remained silent for a long time.

He stared at the woman before him whose expression was obviously abnormal, slowly speaking, “Lingxu Fan.”

“Qian Sisi” laughed lightly. “As long as you fulfill Qian Sisi’s wish, or become my new master and stay here forever, everything here will become completely real. You won’t remember the past, and neither will Jiang Zhaoxue.”

“I won’t be tempted by you.”

Pei Zichen answered calmly. He knew clearly what these artifact spirits wanted.

The other smiled. “Were those four years happy?”

Pei Zichen froze. The other seemed able to see through the fear in his heart, saying slowly, “Once you leave, you’ll have nothing.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Because you’ve had her love, right?” The other sat down methodically, conjuring a folding fan in hand, lightly tapping her palm. “But what if she hasn’t fallen in love with you? You have nothing. Do you want a bit more time here?”

Pei Zichen didn’t dare speak. The other said slowly, “Are four years really enough? Do you really know what it will be like outside? Why don’t I show you. Pei Zichen—”

The other reached into her own body as if feeling no pain, pulling out the sect master’s seal with blood and flesh, saying blandly, “Your master will come shortly. As you know, we’re now in the second year after you returned to the past. At that time, you and Shen Yuqing were both searching all over for Jiang Zhaoxue. He happened to come to Shu—old friends reunited. Tell me, if your master’s wife knows how good your master is to her, might she be moved?”

Pei Zichen was obviously somewhat flustered but still said calmly, “Not here.”

“Qian Sisi” laughed lightly, raised her hand and threw out the blood-and-flesh-covered sect master’s seal, smiling. “Go ahead then. Remember, if you want to stay here forever, kill my old master Song Wuya. That’s also Qian Sisi’s wish.”

“Why?” Pei Zichen gripped the bloody token, looking up at “Qian Sisi.” “What’s her relationship with Song Wuya?”

“Everything you have now belonged to her.”

The Lingxu Fan said with a smile, “Back then, she was the one who inherited Yin Zhulong’s secret realm. She was also the one who opened the secret realm for Song Wuya. Though there was a slight deviation—back then she actively opened it for Song Wuya. In the secret realm, Song Wuya learned the secret of the Lingxu Fan—you should know, the reason the Lingxu Fan hasn’t appeared is because there isn’t enough power. Without accidents, it wouldn’t appear for over a hundred years.”

“How did he open the secret realm?”

“Guess?”

This response made Pei Zichen frown. The Lingxu Fan smiled. “Go ahead, Pei Zichen. Will you kill Song Wuya, or bring him into the secret realm—”

As she spoke, she raised her hand to her wound. Qian Sisi’s wound rapidly healed. The Lingxu Fan tilted her head. “I’ll wait for you. Oh, and one more thing.”

The Lingxu Fan’s smile was meaningful. “Remember to ask whether Jiang Zhaoxue wants to have a child with you.”

“Evil creature!”

Pei Zichen shouted urgently. His sword array flew forward, but Qian Sisi suddenly closed her eyes, her whole body collapsing.

The sword stopped before Qian Sisi. Pei Zichen panted urgently. He stared at the fallen Qian Sisi. After a long while, he raised his hand and swept her onto the bed.

Pei Zichen set up a barrier for her. Gripping the blood-and-flesh-covered sect master’s seal, he took a deep breath and turned to leave.

Fake.

It must be an evil thing disturbing his mind.

Jiang Zhaoxue had been with him so long. She even said she would celebrate New Year with him.

How could she not love him?

Pei Zichen strode outside.

Four years of memories flowed through his mind—celebrating New Year together, brewing wine together, spending day and night, spring and autumn together.

Pei Zichen slowly calmed down in these images.

When he sensed Jiang Zhaoxue’s presence and walked to the main hall, Jiang Zhaoxue was drinking with Ye Tianjiao.

“What’s Sisi going crazy about?” Ye Tianjiao couldn’t understand. “Why is she suddenly so agitated?”

“Because we’re about to succeed.” Jiang Zhaoxue said with certainty. “This is Qian Sisi’s illusory realm. Everything exists to satisfy her. Once there’s a risk of breaking the realm, Qian Sisi will awaken to resist.”

Listening, Ye Tianjiao hurriedly asked, “She’s awake?”

“It might be her, might be the Lingxu Fan.” Jiang Zhaoxue drank her wine, speaking slowly. “But her obstruction proves two things. First, Song Wuya is indeed the direction to finding the Lingxu Fan. Second…”

Jiang Zhaoxue sighed, looking up at Ye Tianjiao. “From now on, slowly, we can’t trust anyone anymore.”

“Then why did you let her meet Pei Zichen alone?”

Ye Tianjiao reacted, exclaiming, “Aren’t you afraid she’ll turn Pei Zichen against us?”

“He’s trustworthy for now.” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled. “Don’t worry.”

As they spoke, Jiang Zhaoxue smelled a familiar fragrance.

It was a scent of pine and cypress mixed with her floral fragrance. Pei Zichen had used it since the day he took his courtesy name, even in the illusory realm.

She turned to look and saw Pei Zichen standing behind her.

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled, looking him up and down. “You’re back?”

Looking at Jiang Zhaoxue’s smile and the dishes on the table that were obviously his favorites, Pei Zichen’s heart settled.

Evil things disturbing the mind—he needn’t think more.

He nodded and sat beside Jiang Zhaoxue, saying softly, “I’m back.”

“What about the sect master’s seal?”

Jiang Zhaoxue began using her chopsticks. Pei Zichen’s fingertips flowed with water to clean his hands. Taking a cloth to wipe them, he said blandly, “I got it back.”

“What about Qian Sisi?”

“She’s sleeping.”

“I’ll go check.” Upon hearing this, Ye Tianjiao stood up.

The table was suddenly left with just two people. Jiang Zhaoxue said in a low voice, “She’s not hurt, is she?”

Pei Zichen didn’t lie, only saying, “I healed her.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded and began pondering. “Then after we finish eating, we can send Song Wuya to Emei Xu. Hopefully he’ll remember, and we can leave quickly.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue pouted. “If only we had the Mind-Awakening Pill…”

Before she finished speaking, Jiang Zhaoxue froze.

Pei Zichen followed Jiang Zhaoxue’s gaze and looked up to see a white-robed young man with a young woman entering from outside.

The young man held a whisk, a sword on his back. The young woman wore a pale yellow dress, holding a portrait.

As soon as the two entered the hall, everyone looked over. The young woman held up the portrait, asking along the way, “May I ask if you’ve seen this woman?”

Jiang Zhaoxue stared at them blankly. But Pei Zichen, the instant he saw the young man, felt as if plunged into an icy abyss.

“You know, we’re now in the second year after you returned to the past. At that time, you and Shen Yuqing were both searching all over for Jiang Zhaoxue. He happened to come to Shu—old friends reunited.”

“Tell me, if your master’s wife knows how good your master is to her, might she be moved?”

The Lingxu Fan’s words instantly echoed in his ears. Pei Zichen felt as if choking. When he reacted, he immediately stood up and pulled Jiang Zhaoxue to her feet. “Yaoyao, let’s go.”

“Wait.”

Jiang Zhaoxue pressed down on Pei Zichen. Pei Zichen froze in place.

He couldn’t show that he couldn’t recognize Shen Yuqing, couldn’t let Jiang Zhaoxue realize he had awakened long ago, that he was just deceiving her to stay here.

Even if he… he only wanted to deceive her for these four years.

It still wasn’t allowed.

Since it was already a dream, he wanted it to end perfectly.

He turned his head away and forced out a smile. “Wife, what are you looking at?”

“I think I’ve met an old friend. Wait a moment.”

Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand and brushed away his hand, walking toward Shen Yuqing.

Pei Zichen felt even his breathing carried ice shards. He forced himself to calm down a bit.

Jiang Zhaoxue was more clear-headed than him, knew more clearly that this was an illusion. She was going to find Shen Yuqing for another purpose.

He didn’t dare speak, didn’t dare move, staring at them fixedly.

Jiang Zhaoxue walked near Shen Yuqing. In the illusory realm, she knew the person before her was an illusion because Shen Yuqing had come to Shu back then, so in this virtual little world, Shen Yuqing also existed.

But this Shen Yuqing was replicated from reality. He had everything the real Shen Yuqing had. The only difference was that for high-level cultivators like Shen Yuqing, the illusory realm didn’t have the ability to truly replicate his power.

But he would have memories from reality, while also adjusting according to the illusory realm’s characters.

For example, he would remember her appearance, but upon seeing her, because her identity in the illusory realm was “Jiang Xue,” he would automatically change her face to someone he didn’t recognize.

Jiang Zhaoxue walked smiling to Shen Yuqing’s side. She was just pondering how to trick him into giving her the Mind-Awakening Pill when she turned and saw her own portrait.

Seeing the portrait, she was somewhat surprised, then heard Mu Jinyue ask, “Madam, have you seen this woman?”

Jiang Zhaoxue stared blankly at the portrait, then couldn’t help but turn to look at Shen Yuqing. “You… have been searching for her?”

She had guessed that Shen Yuqing should have come to Shu at this time, but he… was searching for her?

Wasn’t he searching for Pei Zichen?

Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat confused, then immediately calmed down and understood the reason.

After all, she was Shen Yuqing’s wife. Although she had dissolved the Dao companion contract, Shen Yuqing refused to dissolve it. In his heart, he at least still thought so.

Then searching for her was normal.

Bringing Mu Jinyue to search for his wife—what a talent.

Jiang Zhaoxue was too lazy to think more. She instantly thought up a fraud scheme and said with a smile, “You’re looking for her? I’ve seen her.”

“Where?”

Shen Yuqing immediately looked over. Jiang Zhaoxue crossed her arms and thought, speaking slowly, “Well, I know where she is, but she won’t let me say. However, I have her communication talisman.”

“Then may I…”

“What will you exchange for it?”

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled.

Shen Yuqing paused, then reacted. His expression grew colder, as if knowing she was a fraud, yet still holding a thread of hope. “What do you want?”

“Mind-Awakening Pill.”

Jiang Zhaoxue took out a communication talisman and said decisively, “This is the communication talisman Immortal Jiang gave me.”

Immortal Jiang.

Shen Yuqing’s expression became serious. He hadn’t mentioned Jiang Zhaoxue’s name, yet the person before him could say it accurately.

Jiang Zhaoxue, seeing him take the bait, smiled. “Once you give me the Mind-Awakening Pill, you can meet the immortal.”

“I want to see the person first before giving the Mind-Awakening Pill.”

“You can verify first.” Jiang Zhaoxue said directly, “You should recognize her handwriting, right?”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing remained silent for a long while before speaking, “Acceptable.”

“Then stay at this inn tonight. I’ll use the communication talisman to write to you.”

Jiang Zhaoxue said immediately, “Tomorrow you give me the Mind-Awakening Pill, and I’ll arrange for you to meet.”

“If you dare deceive me,” Shen Yuqing threatened, “you won’t have a life to reincarnate.”

“Oh my,” hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue patted her chest, “I’m so scared.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue smiled and tossed away the communication talisman, turning to say, “Wait for it.”

Pei Zichen had been quietly waiting in place. Seeing her turn back, only then did he feel he had come back to life.

Jiang Zhaoxue knew his temperament and took the initiative to link arms with him, smiling, “What, are you angry?”

“I…” Pei Zichen continued lying, “I feel like I’ve seen him before.”

“In a past life perhaps.”

Jiang Zhaoxue responded casually, smiling, “But he really came at the right time. Just when we need the Mind-Awakening Pill, it arrives.”

Timely rain, is it?

Pei Zichen forced out a smile. “Indeed.”

“Let’s go back first. I need to practice my handwriting.” Jiang Zhaoxue pulled Pei Zichen along, quite pleased.

Pei Zichen was pulled along by her, following her back to the room. After setting up a barrier, Jiang Zhaoxue sat at the desk and began writing.

Pei Zichen sat beside her, watching her write stroke by stroke, forcing himself not to think about what the Lingxu Fan had said.

But the more he tried not to think, the more clearly those words surfaced.

He looked at the person beside him and couldn’t help but speak, “Yaoyao.”

“Mm?” Jiang Zhaoxue was focused on writing and responded absently.

“When we go back, do you want to have a child?”

This question made Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand pause. She looked up at Pei Zichen with some surprise.

Pei Zichen looked at her intently, his eyes somewhat eager, waiting for her answer.

Jiang Zhaoxue was stunned by the question. After a long while, she smiled and said, “Let’s talk about it later.”

“Why later?” Pei Zichen pressed. “Don’t you want to?”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t know how to respond. She looked at Pei Zichen’s expression and vaguely sensed something was wrong.

She pondered for a moment, then thought perhaps it was because leaving the illusory realm was imminent, so Pei Zichen’s subconscious resistance was growing stronger.

If she directly refused, she feared it would cause problems, so she only said gently, “It’s not that I don’t want to. I just think we should focus on getting through this crisis first, then we can discuss it properly.”

“What crisis?” Pei Zichen looked at her. “Yaoyao, this is just saving someone.”

Jiang Zhaoxue paused, then understood—he couldn’t hear anything related to the illusory realm.

She could only change her approach. “I mean the crisis in Shu. Didn’t you say there would be a great calamity? Let’s get through that first.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen fell silent.

He looked at Jiang Zhaoxue for a long while before slowly saying, “Alright.”

Jiang Zhaoxue breathed a sigh of relief and continued writing.

Pei Zichen sat beside her, watching her write, his hand unconsciously touching the ring finger of his other hand where the red thread was.

The Lingxu Fan’s question echoed repeatedly in his mind.

Does she want to have a child with him?

The answer was clearly no.

Pei Zichen closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and told himself—it was fine.

He had known from the start that these four years were stolen time.

Being able to have her for four years, to be her husband for four years, was already more than he deserved.

Jiang Zhaoxue finished writing the letter, checked it over, and transmitted it through the communication talisman to Shen Yuqing.

On the other end, Shen Yuqing received the communication talisman. Looking at the familiar handwriting on it, his hand trembled slightly.

Mu Jinyue leaned over curiously. “Shizun, is it really her?”

Shen Yuqing didn’t respond. He only stared at the words on the communication talisman.

The writing was identical to Jiang Zhaoxue’s, but the tone was completely wrong.

Jiang Zhaoxue would never speak to him in such a cold, unfamiliar manner.

But… there was indeed a possibility.

If she had truly made up her mind to cut ties with him.

Shen Yuqing gripped the communication talisman, his fingertips turning white from the pressure.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, “Prepare the Mind-Awakening Pill.”

The next morning, Jiang Zhaoxue went to find Shen Yuqing.

Shen Yuqing handed her a jade bottle. “The Mind-Awakening Pill is inside. Where is she?”

Jiang Zhaoxue took the jade bottle, opened it to check, confirmed it was genuine, then smiled, “I’ll take you there.”

She led Shen Yuqing and Mu Jinyue to a secluded spot outside the city, then turned and said with a smile, “I’m very sorry. I lied to you.”

Shen Yuqing’s expression instantly turned cold. His hand moved to his sword.

“Don’t rush.” Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand. “Although I lied, I can tell you—Immortal Jiang is safe. She just doesn’t want to see you right now. As for when she’ll want to see you, that depends on fate.”

“You’re courting death.”

Shen Yuqing’s voice was icy. Spiritual power surged around him.

Jiang Zhaoxue had already prepared an escape array. She smiled, “Thank you for the pill. Farewell.”

The array activated. Jiang Zhaoxue vanished.

Shen Yuqing’s sword struck where she had been standing, leaving a deep crater.

Mu Jinyue hurriedly said, “Shizun, should we chase?”

Shen Yuqing stood silently for a long while before finally sheathing his sword. “No need.”

At least he knew she was safe.

That woman said she didn’t want to see him now—perhaps that was really a message from Jiang Zhaoxue.

Shen Yuqing closed his eyes, his hand tightening on his sword hilt.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhaoxue returned to the inn triumphantly with the Mind-Awakening Pill.

Pei Zichen had been waiting for her. Seeing her return safe and sound, he finally relaxed.

“Got it?” he asked.

“Of course.” Jiang Zhaoxue held up the jade bottle. “Now we can give it to Song Wuya.”

The group quickly made their way to Song Wuya’s room.

Jiang Zhaoxue directly fed Song Wuya the Mind-Awakening Pill, then said to Pei Zichen, “Use the sect master’s seal now. Let’s send him to the secret realm.”

Pei Zichen nodded. He took out the cleaned sect master’s seal and began activating it.

The space began to distort. Everyone watched nervously.

Song Wuya’s body gradually became transparent as he was being transported.

At that moment, his eyes suddenly snapped open.

A trace of clarity flashed through those previously lifeless eyes.

“Wait—” Song Wuya suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse. “Don’t… send me there…”

But it was too late.

The transportation was complete. Song Wuya vanished from the room.

Everyone stood frozen.

Ye Tianjiao was the first to speak, “Did he… just regain his memories?”

Jiang Zhaoxue’s expression was grave. “It seems so.”

“Then why did he tell us not to send him there?” Ye Tianjiao asked, confused.

Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen exchanged glances.

Both of them had the same thought—

What exactly happened in that secret realm back then?

“We need to go there immediately,” Jiang Zhaoxue said decisively.

Pei Zichen gripped her hand. “Together.”

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at him and nodded. “Together.”

Whatever was waiting for them in that secret realm, they would face it together.

Pei Zichen activated the sect master’s seal again.

This time, all of them would enter the secret realm.

As the space around them distorted and they prepared to be transported, Pei Zichen’s hand unconsciously tightened around Jiang Zhaoxue’s.

The four years of peace were about to end.

Whatever truth awaited them, whatever would happen next—

He only knew one thing with certainty.

He would protect her until the very end.

Pei Zichen listened, turning to look.

He watched as Shen Yuqing treasured and caressed the communication talisman, understanding clearly.

This wasn’t timely rain. This was a threat.

This was the Lingxu Fan warning him what kind of life awaited him after leaving.

Seeing him remain silent, Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at him. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Pei Zichen restrained his emotions. “I’m just… happy for you.”

The two returned to their room together, each bathing and changing. When Pei Zichen was making the bed, Jiang Zhaoxue saw Shen Yuqing’s inquiry appear on her communication talisman: “Jiang Zhaoxue?”

To conceal handwriting and form standard characters on a communication talisman required additional spiritual power infusion. Normally, they would replicate the original handwriting. Jiang Zhaoxue looked at Shen Yuqing’s writing, contemplating how to respond more definitively as “Jiang Zhaoxue.” After thinking, she replied: “Who are you?”

The other side remained silent for a long while before slowly saying, “Are you well?”

“Oh, he knows he’s annoying?”

A’Nan spoke. Jiang Zhaoxue was amused.

She hadn’t expected Shen Yuqing not to identify himself. She found it interesting.

She began responding: “You don’t even say who you are. How dare I speak with you? Let me guess—Shen Zeyuan?”

The other side waited a while before saying, “Yes.”

“How did you get the communication talisman?”

“Bought it.”

“That’s my benefactor. Return the communication talisman.”

“Stop fooling around.”

With just a few exchanges, Shen Yuqing deduced the person on the other end must be Jiang Zhaoxue. He couldn’t help but say, “Are you with Pei Zichen? Though he’s young, he’s still a man. If you stay with him too long, it will invite gossip. Come back quickly, and I can let bygones be bygones.”

“My goodness…”

A’Nan saw this sentence and raised her wing to cover her bird eyes. “My heart is racing. I want to hit him so badly.”

Jiang Zhaoxue felt the same. She felt her blood pressure instantly spike, so angry she pounded her chest.

She immediately replied: “Already slept together.”

Shen Yuqing instantly collapsed and directly transmitted his voice.

Jiang Zhaoxue disdainfully put away the communication talisman. Looking up, she saw Pei Zichen sitting on the bed’s edge.

He silently gazed at her, not saying a word.

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t know why, but she suddenly felt guilty. She coughed lightly. “Um, I’m scamming him for the Mind-Awakening Pill.”

“You seem quite happy.”

Pei Zichen concluded. Jiang Zhaoxue smiled awkwardly.

Being able to defraud Shen Yuqing did seem quite satisfying.

Pei Zichen knew he couldn’t delve too deeply into this matter. He said softly, “It’s late. Let’s sleep.”

Seeing he was unhappy, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly climbed into bed, not wanting to provoke him.

She had experienced it in the secret realm—when this person became dejected, there was a damp feeling as if the whole world was raining. She didn’t like that feeling, so she quickly lay down properly.

Pei Zichen glanced at the continuously glowing communication talisman, feeling an urge to tear it apart.

Jiang Zhaoxue obviously noticed and immediately got up. “Don’t tear it! Wait until we get the Mind-Awakening Pill before tearing it!”

Pei Zichen turned his head away without saying more.

He took a deep breath, raised his hand and waved, extinguishing the lamp. “Sleep.”

After the two lay in bed, Pei Zichen couldn’t sleep.

His mind kept replaying the moment Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyes lit up when she saw Shen Yuqing today, her figure running toward him.

He had seen this figure too many times.

At Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, she always followed behind him, and he followed behind them.

Back then, he thought this figure had nothing to do with him. But lying beside her now, he clearly perceived—some pain could cross years and months, suddenly sweeping over you at some future moment.

He lay quietly in bed, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. He simply turned over and held her in his arms.

The full feeling in his embrace calmed him somewhat. Jiang Zhaoxue responded groggily, “What are you doing?”

“Yaoyao…”

“Mm?”

“Would you be moved?”

“What?” Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t understand.

Pei Zichen said in a low voice, “Today… seeing that person searching for his wife, would you be moved by it?”

“Of course I’m moved.” Jiang Zhaoxue said casually. “Moved to heaven and earth, moved to tears of gratitude.”

These words twisted in Pei Zichen’s heart. He couldn’t help but tighten his arms slightly, saying in a low voice, “I… searched for you like that too.”

“Huh?”

“In the dream.” Pei Zichen recalled those years, feeling increasingly fearful.

Never having obtained something, he hadn’t noticed. Having obtained it and then thinking back to that time, he discovered how painful it was.

“In my dream, I searched for you like that for four years. Every day I painted you, because I was afraid I’d forget. Every day I asked others about you, afraid I’d miss you. Every day I wrote down what happened between us, then burned it. I was afraid others would see it, yet afraid I’d forget.”

Pei Zichen murmured hoarsely, “Every day when I woke up, I was aware—this is a dream.”

“Mm-hmm.” Jiang Zhaoxue patted his hand. “Sleep. Don’t be so sensitive. If it really doesn’t work, take some calming medicine.”

This made Pei Zichen want to laugh a bit. He looked at the person in his arms who seemed to know nothing, or perhaps didn’t care. After a long while, he said, “Yaoyao, do you… like me?”

“I like you.” Jiang Zhaoxue’s ears had calluses from hearing this. “How many times do you want me to say it?”

“Then…”

Pei Zichen’s heart beat faster. He knew he shouldn’t ask, but he couldn’t control himself. With difficulty, he said, “Can I stop taking the contraceptive pill?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue turned back somewhat surprised, becoming more alert. “You’ve been taking contraceptive pills?”

Seeing she didn’t know, a spark of hopeful joy ignited in Pei Zichen’s heart. He smiled. “I originally didn’t want to have children…”

“Then don’t take them anymore.” Jiang Zhaoxue immediately spoke.

In that instant, joy surged wildly. Pei Zichen couldn’t believe it.

Just as he was about to speak, he heard Jiang Zhaoxue lie back down, turning away from him as she continued, “Demon cultivators choose their own children. I clean it up every time. You don’t need to take this.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen froze.

It took him a long while to slowly process this.

Demon cultivators chose their own children, so over these four years, she never mentioned this matter because she chose to “clean up.”

She didn’t want his child.

Pei Zichen felt as if he had fallen into an icy river. The water submerged him, poured into his lungs. He stared at Jiang Zhaoxue, suddenly thinking—

What about Shen Yuqing?

She and Shen Yuqing had been childless for two hundred years. Was it because she was unwilling, or because of Shen Yuqing?

If it was Shen Yuqing’s decision, would she have kept the child?

This thought kept rolling through his mind. He couldn’t fall asleep at all.

His mind was filled with only one thought—he had to go ask him.

He had to ask what her love looked like.

Once this thought arose, it could never be suppressed again.

He tossed and turned for a long time, finally unable to restrain himself as he got up.

The moment he moved, Jiang Zhaoxue noticed. She turned her head. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to take a cold bath.”

He spoke. Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t mind—he often took cold baths in the middle of the night before.

Jiang Zhaoxue responded and turned over to sleep. As soon as she turned, she felt the communication talisman glowing endlessly.

Feeling somewhat irritated, she opened the communication talisman. The first sentence was: “I’m not giving you the Mind-Awakening Pill.”

Jiang Zhaoxue: “…”

Good heavens, he’d figured it out.

Jiang Zhaoxue immediately sent a message: “What right do you have not to give it?”

“It’s you, isn’t it?” Shen Yuqing responded. Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat surprised.

“The Mind-Awakening Pill is used to awaken the memories of people in illusions. Is this an illusory realm?” Shen Yuqing’s message came through. This time Jiang Zhaoxue truly laughed.

“Clever.”

“So the one asking me for the Mind-Awakening Pill is you?”

“Correct.”

“Then who is that man beside you?”

At Shen Yuqing’s question, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat awkward.

Then she saw the communication talisman light up: “Where’s Pei Zichen?”

Seeing this, Jiang Zhaoxue knew she couldn’t respond carelessly.

Although this was an illusory realm, the other party had a temper. If he didn’t give her the Mind-Awakening Pill, wouldn’t that be troublesome?

She remained silent. Shen Yuqing pressed his lips together, wanting nothing more than to get up right now and find her.

But before he could write about going to find her, he heard footsteps at the door. Shen Yuqing looked up to see a young man wearing a white robe, his hair half-tied with a hair ribbon, holding a lantern as he stood by the window like a painting, like the moon, like pine and bamboo.

Shen Yuqing recognized at a glance that this was the man who had been waiting for Jiang Zhaoxue all day. His expression grew stern, watching the other warily. Then he saw the young man turn his head, looking at Shen Yuqing calmly. “Immortal Shen?”

“Who are you?”

Shen Yuqing looked at the other coldly, clearly feeling a familiar deathly aura from him.

That deathly aura was very close to cultivators from the Jiuyou Realm, yet the other’s temperament was pure and cool, his spiritual energy proper. He didn’t look like a demonic cultivator at all.

Pei Zichen gazed at him quietly and said calmly, “This humble one is Shen Shicang, new sect master of Wenjian Manor. Hearing that Immortal Shen is here, I have some doubts and came specially to inquire.”

“What matter?”

“I’ve been with my wife for several years, yet I don’t know if she loves me. Today, seeing Immortal Shen searching for his wife, I assume you two have a loving marriage. I wanted to see how Immortal Shen’s lady treats him.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing gripped the talisman tightly. He stared coldly at the other, momentarily unable to determine—was he talking about Jiang Zhaoxue? Even knowing this was an illusory realm, he almost erupted with fury in that instant. But unable to confirm the current situation, not daring to act rashly, he could only look coldly at the person before him, unable to resist claiming some verbal advantage. “I see. My lady’s feelings—I’ve never doubted them.”

“Would she actively say she loves you?”

“Of course.” Shen Yuqing said immediately, seeming annoyed. “She loves saying these childish words. Quite troublesome.”

Pei Zichen gripped the lantern pole tightly, smiling as he spoke. “My wife has never said it on her own. It’s always me asking repeatedly. Immortal Shen, you’re truly blessed.”

“Everyone has their own fate,” Shen Yuqing’s expression cooled, his hostility toward this person dissipating somewhat but remaining wary. “Can’t really say whether it’s good or bad.”

“When you became sect master, did she care?”

“Naturally she cared. It was a major life event,” Shen Yuqing spoke of distant past events, his expression momentarily dazed. “She… did many things then. She knelt on the heavenly steps to pray for blessings for me, and hand-copied three thousand scriptures as offerings. She always hated such things.” Shen Yuqing unconsciously smiled. “Whenever she made mistakes, I’d punish her by making her copy pavilion rules. She’d rather be beaten than copy. I could only have disciples imitate her handwriting to turn in to the punishment hall.”

So he had copied many.

Pei Zichen thought—in his youth, he had copied countless pavilion rules for her. He had always thought his master’s wife would never do something like copying scriptures in this life. But it turned out…

She had also copied three thousand scriptures for one person.

Pei Zichen instantly felt his eyes sting, yet couldn’t cry.

He only smiled. “Your honored lady treats you so well. Then surely…”

Pei Zichen couldn’t get the words out, but still forced himself to say, “You two should have had children early. I wonder if it’s a fairy maiden or a fairy boy?”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing paused. After thinking for a moment, his expression cooled. “She and I have too much between us. Before resolving it, we don’t plan to have children.”

Pei Zichen raised his eyes. Shen Yuqing, remembering the other’s identity, said provocatively, “But she wants to. She’s actively asked me several times.”

“She wants to?”

Pei Zichen listened and smiled. “She wants to have a child with you?”

“She’s my wife,” Shen Yuqing seemed to warn as he looked up. “Naturally she would have such thoughts.”

“But you don’t want to.”

Pei Zichen smiled, his killing intent barely restrained.

Shen Yuqing didn’t want it.

He dared not want it.

The thing Pei Zichen had fought for, coaxed for, deceived for with everything he had.

The person he held in his palm afraid of bruising, held in his mouth afraid of burning—he dared treat her like this.

Pei Zichen stared at Shen Yuqing, lowering his eyes to see the communication talisman in Shen Yuqing’s hand light up with: “Pei Zichen has business. We got separated.”

Seeing this, obvious amusement appeared in Shen Yuqing’s eyes. He grew somewhat impatient with the young man before him and looked up at Pei Zichen. “Fellow Daoist, if there’s nothing else, please leave. I need to find my wife…”

Before he finished speaking, Pei Zichen could no longer restrain himself. The lantern in his hand transformed into a sword that flew in. In that instant, the array beneath Shen Yuqing’s feet blazed bright, and his vision instantly became pitch black. In the darkness, thousands upon thousands of Yin Paper Immortals came shrieking!

Shen Yuqing’s sword array urgently opened, all rushing toward the illusory Yin Paper Immortals. His body had no defenses whatsoever. By the time he reacted, the sword had already pierced through Shen Yuqing. Shen Yuqing looked up in disbelief to see the young man leaning against the window frame, looking at him coldly.

“Those who covet another’s wife deserve death.”

Hearing this, in a flash of lightning and spark of flint, Shen Yuqing instantly understood.

“Wife? You think she’s…” Shen Yuqing covered his wound, gasping out, “Whose wife?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen raised his eyes. His handsome face stained with blood, his expression calm and composed. “Mine.”

At least in this illusory realm, his.

“Yours?” Shen Yuqing laughed, secretly flicking a pill under the pillow as he said through gritted teeth, “Only in an illusory realm.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s pupils contracted sharply. In that instant, urgent footsteps suddenly came from outside.

“Shen Yuqing?!”

Jiang Zhaoxue urgently called out while drawing an array into the courtyard. The array spread from underground!

Pei Zichen’s expression turned stern, recognizing this as a grand array that could suppress all of a person’s combat abilities. He raised his hand to withdraw his sword, transforming it back into a lantern. His toes touched the ground as he leaped to the upper floor, just in time to see Jiang Zhaoxue rushing into the courtyard.

He rushed out hastily as Jiang Zhaoxue ran in urgently. One heading in, one heading out, one high and one low, crossing paths on different levels.

Jiang Zhaoxue rushed into the room to see Shen Yuqing had already collapsed on the ground.

She had just been transmitting messages. Seeing the communication talisman dim, she knew Shen Yuqing was in trouble.

Sure enough, upon reaching the room, Shen Yuqing was already lying in a pool of blood, breathless.

“Who did this?”

A’Nan was somewhat dazed seeing this.

Jiang Zhaoxue closed her eyes and bit her teeth, immediately knowing the culprit. “Who else could it be?!”

With the person absent yet able to kill Shen Yuqing—who else?

“Why?” A’Nan couldn’t understand. “Just… just out of jealousy he killed him? That’s not necessary, is it?”

“He knows this is an illusory realm!”

Jiang Zhaoxue said with certainty. She had suspected before but wasn’t certain. Now it was confirmed.

“If he didn’t know this was an illusory realm, how would he dare seek out Shen Yuqing like this? Why kill him? And did you hear what he said tonight?”

Jiang Zhaoxue recalled everything bit by bit, analyzing, “He asked me tonight whether I was moved that Shen Yuqing was searching for his wife. Who told him Shen Yuqing was searching for his wife?”

Mu Jinyue had asked about a “woman.”

None of them had ever said this person was Shen Yuqing’s wife.

But he knew!

If he wasn’t awake, what else could it be?

He had deceived her.

Rage surged in Jiang Zhaoxue’s chest, but she really couldn’t confirm Pei Zichen’s situation right now.

When exactly had he awakened?

Why did he deceive her?

Did he want to stay here? For what? For the identity of Shen Chen? Or for a family? Or…

For her?

Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart trembled. She didn’t dare think further.

She only forced herself to calm down. Regardless of what Pei Zichen wanted, he had killed Shen Yuqing.

He knew clearly that Shen Yuqing had the Mind-Awakening Pill, that he was of great use to her, yet still killed him. Why?

Had he gone mad, killing randomly?

Or was it jealousy?

Or perhaps—

He wanted to stay here?

She couldn’t trust him anymore.

Jiang Zhaoxue confirmed this.

She pondered for a moment, then looked around.

Shen Yuqing wasn’t a fool. If attacked, he would at least leave what needed to be left behind. According to his character, he should have left the Mind-Awakening Pill under the pillow.

Jiang Zhaoxue quickly walked over and indeed found the Mind-Awakening Pill from under the pillow.

Having obtained the Mind-Awakening Pill, she heard footsteps approaching from outside. She immediately turned to leave, seeing Mu Jinyue running over in the distance.

Across the building, she and Mu Jinyue crossed paths leaving through two different corridors.

Urgent footsteps in the adjacent corridor. Jiang Zhaoxue turned to look, and through the window, she saw Mu Jinyue’s expression was exceptionally calm—completely different from her usual demeanor.

She found it strange, but thinking she didn’t know Mu Jinyue well, she didn’t dwell on it.

She only hid the Mind-Awakening Pill well, sensing that Pei Zichen had already returned to the room.

He actually dared to go back!

Jiang Zhaoxue gritted her teeth. After hesitating between returning or not, she took a deep breath and decided to see the situation.

She wanted to see how he would perform.

She thought for a moment, got up and went upstairs. Approaching the door, she saw it wide open and warily held a talisman paper in her sleeve.

Pei Zichen heard sounds at the door. Knowing Jiang Zhaoxue had returned, he secretly gripped the Immortal Binding Rope.

The courtyard was now full of Jiang Zhaoxue’s arrays. He might not have the advantage. And even if he did, he could never hurt Jiang Zhaoxue.

But he wasn’t certain what Jiang Zhaoxue was coming back to do. Had she confirmed he killed Shen Yuqing? But this was an illusion. Did she know he wanted to keep her here? If he denied it, would she believe him? If she didn’t believe him, what would she do? Would she kill him?

His mind was a chaotic mess.

Both their hearts beat somewhat rapidly.

Jiang Zhaoxue forced herself to walk to the door and stopped.

The night wind swept in. Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes to see the young man in a simple robe, white ribbon binding his hair, sitting quietly in a chair, watching her.

His frame was sturdy, but wearing the simple robe, he carried a slender, flowing elegance, like some noble young master, appearing exceptionally composed and graceful.

His right hand was hidden in his sleeve, obviously concealing something. His usually gentle eyes gazed at her, also full of scrutiny.

The two remained silent. Moonlight spilled into the room. Jiang Zhaoxue in the light, Pei Zichen in the shadow.

They looked at each other’s faces. Seeing each other in that instant, neither could bear to expose the other.

After gazing for a long while, Pei Zichen smiled first. “Going out so late—where did you go?”

“Woke up and didn’t see you. Thought you went out, so I went to find you.”

“I went to fetch some water.”

“Ice cultivator sword practitioners also need to fetch water?”

“It’s not as refreshing as well water.”

The two exchanged words, probing each other.

Pei Zichen wasn’t sure how much she had confirmed.

Jiang Zhaoxue wasn’t sure what he wanted to do.

However, in this probing, perhaps because he had just killed someone, Pei Zichen actually felt a familiar excitement.

Like when he first saw her after four years, when he craved her so desperately and she gripped his neck—that impulse.

In his youth, he didn’t understand what this was. But now he knew clearly—the more suppressed, the stronger the craving.

Just like this moment—he was afraid, he was angry, he was unwilling, he was jealous, he hated her, he loved her…

All of it, everything, only transformed into desire circling around him, frantically begging for her.

He gazed quietly at the person before him. Jiang Zhaoxue felt his gaze change.

She was all too familiar with this kind of look. Realizing he was actually aroused at this moment, she couldn’t help but turn her head away and laugh coldly.

Unbelievable.

Hearing Jiang Zhaoxue laugh, Pei Zichen knew he had been noticed and also smiled.

He secretly put away the Immortal Binding Rope, stood up, and walked before Jiang Zhaoxue. One icy hand drew Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand over while the other closed the door and window behind her.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked up at him to see him slightly bow his head, speaking meaningfully. “Wife, it’s time to rest.”

In the past, not knowing he was awake, hearing this was fine.

Now knowing he was awake, hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue only wanted to laugh.

She couldn’t determine what exactly Pei Zichen wanted—whether he was indulging in the illusory realm wanting a wife, or… her?

Jiang Zhaoxue stared at the person before her, peering into his desire. Pei Zichen stared into her eyes, his hand tentatively caressing her sash.

“Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s rules,” she asked with a cold laugh, not refusing, only asking, “how many do you still remember?”

Pei Zichen chuckled softly, lowering his head to bite open the ties of her undergarment behind her back, gently pressing her against the carved window, tugging at the ties at her front with his teeth, his voice hoarse. “Wife, you’ve remembered wrong. I’m a disciple of Wenjian Manor.”

Good, very good.

Jiang Zhaoxue was angered into laughter by him.

So you want to deceive? Fine, let’s all keep deceiving and see who deceives whom.

She kept a cold face, silent, as he pressed her against the carved door and lifted her up.

Pei Zichen didn’t care whether she realized he was awake, didn’t care whether she discovered he had killed someone.

He only felt—four years was too short, really too short.

He had received too little. This world was too unfair.

How could Shen Yuqing deserve it?

He chased after her lips, his heart piercing with pain.

He wanted to hold her tight, yet feared hurting her. He could only place her on the desk. The table and chairs clattered and scattered. He caressed her neck, yet didn’t dare use force.

Repeatedly thinking—

Why did Shen Yuqing have what he didn’t?

He stared at her with resentment. Jiang Zhaoxue gripped his hand, feeling his rare forcefulness, gasping, “Just now… that immortal who was messaging me died.”

“Oh?”

Pei Zichen propped one hand on the desk surface, the other supporting her leg, leaning forward slightly. “How gratifying.”

“Was it you?”

Jiang Zhaoxue asked while gasping. Pei Zichen’s expression was bland. “Would you believe me if I said so?”

“I’d believe you.”

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke. Pei Zichen froze.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked up at him, actively reaching out to touch his face, saying seriously, “You tell me, and I’ll believe you.”

Hearing her words, Pei Zichen couldn’t move.

His muscles stiffened. He knew she was lying, but he wanted to believe.

He looked into her eyes and said hoarsely, “Why?”

“We’re husband and wife,” Jiang Zhaoxue smiled. “If I don’t believe you, who should I believe?”

These words were like a levee breaking, instantly flooding over him.

His eyes stung for an instant. Looking at Jiang Zhaoxue, he opened his mouth to speak, yet knew it was meaningless. What good would saying it do? Even if he said it, she still wouldn’t love him. If she didn’t love him, he had to keep her. Keeping her, she wouldn’t allow it. Letting her go, he didn’t dare release her. So they could only tangle into a dead knot, gently swaying in the dark night. He stared at her fixedly and said hoarsely, “It wasn’t me.”

“That’s good.” Jiang Zhaoxue seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

She raised her hand to actively embrace Pei Zichen, whispering in his ear, “I knew it. My husband is a perfect gentleman. How could it be you? Right?”

Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand to stroke his spine, licking and biting his earlobe, gently grinding her teeth. “Husband?”

Meanwhile, near the Cangming Sea in the True Immortal Realm, demons covered the sky and earth.

Shen Yuqing formed an array and swung his sword in a slash. After avoiding most of them, he suddenly heard a voice.

That voice was clearly his own, breaking through layers upon layers of restrictions, coming from afar.

“Year seventeen of Chongming, illusory realm, encountered Jiang Zhaoxue calling for help.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing’s expression turned stern.

His sword fiercely struck the sea surface. The sea rolled up with thousands of waves, transforming into water swords that instantly slaughtered all demons on the battlefield.

This was him from some illusory realm.

His heart raced wildly.

Though people in illusory realms were fake, to forge that illusion, they must use memories from someone who had seen him. This illusion, based on his “brief encounter,” also created an extremely weak connection with him.

Possessing his personality and basic techniques, the him in the illusory realm had used Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s most extreme divine soul connection technique to send this message.

If Jiang Zhaoxue weren’t in danger, if there weren’t an extreme threat, the him in the illusory realm couldn’t possibly do this.

He had to go back.

He knew clearly—even if it meant disobeying his master’s orders, he had to return to save Jiang Zhaoxue.