After receiving the message from his future self in the illusion realm, he immediately contacted Gujun and had Mu Jinyue open the Time-Seeking Mirror on the spot to return to the past, heading straight for Shu.

He had rushed back fearing she would meet with an accident, but upon arriving in Shu, he sensed Jiang Zhaoxue’s spiritual power spreading wantonly throughout this small world, growing ever closer.

Seeing she was unharmed, he felt relieved, but his desire to see her became urgent.

He didn’t understand what exactly had happened, nor did he comprehend why she wouldn’t return.

He had already made himself perfectly clear to Pei Zichen—he wouldn’t kill Pei Zichen, and he would help her obtain the divine artifact. What exactly was she hiding from?

Moreover, eight days had already passed…

At this thought, Shen Yuqing’s heart grew somewhat flustered.

The flow of time in the True Immortal Realm differed from here—one day there equaled one year, which meant he had already been away for eight years.

Eight years was too brief in a cultivator’s lifetime. In the past, whenever he went into seclusion, it would often last decades, and he had never felt any worry then. But this time, he constantly felt anxious.

Some vague premonition told him…these eight years were different from the past.

He had to see Jiang Zhaoxue as soon as possible, had to keep her by his side as soon as possible.

Previously, she had cooperated with Pei Zichen several times and escaped from his grasp twice in succession. This time, he had specifically brought along magical treasures designed to counter and restrain Fate Masters.

Fate Masters were accustomed to remaining extremely far from the battlefield, yet their威力 was too great. Old Ancestor Gujun had specially forged a magical artifact called the Fate-Sensing Tablet. The Fate-Sensing Tablet would sense when a Fate Master cast spells, and the moment a Fate Master used their abilities, they would instantly be summoned by the Fate-Sensing Tablet and transported to a formation pre-prepared by the Fate-Sensing Tablet’s user.

Sensing Jiang Zhaoxue rapidly approaching and knowing she must have urgent business, Shen Yuqing didn’t waste words. He immediately took the Fate-Sensing Tablet and rushed to the suburbs to begin setting up the formation.

Jiang Zhaoxue knew nothing of this. She was only anxious to open formations and hurry on her way.

Half an hour—she not only had to reach Shu, but also had to ensure Qian Sisi could see the disciples of the Sword-Asking Manor.

She opened three formations in succession and finally arrived at the Golden Treasure Pavilion in Yi Zhou. The moment she landed, she stumbled. Pei Zichen caught her, looking at her slightly pale complexion as he channeled spiritual power into her, voicing his concern: “Husb—My Lady, please rest a moment.”

Hearing the word he nearly let slip at the beginning, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but curse him internally again.

On the surface, she had to pretend she’d heard nothing, merely withdrawing the hand he’d supported without a trace and standing up to look ahead.

Raising her head, she saw a black plaque with white and gold characters, formally inscribed with: “Life and Death Manor.”

“Did we come to the wrong place?”

Qian Sisi asked worriedly. She didn’t have much time left.

Hearing this, Pei Zichen immediately walked to a passerby nearby, raised his hand to touch the person’s forehead, rapidly read through the information in their consciousness sea, then returned and confirmed: “It’s currently the twenty-seventh year of Chongming. Ten years ago, this place was indeed called Golden Treasure Pavilion and belonged to the Sword Pavilion. But after the great calamity in Shu, the Sword Pavilion was destroyed, this place became unmanaged, and was later sold and renamed Life and Death Manor.”

“What does Life and Death Manor do?”

Using her consciousness sea to overlook the courtyard, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t see much from outside the gate, but looking down from above, she discovered there was another world within.

This manor was enormous, appearing nearly a hundred acres in size. The leftmost side did look like residential quarters, but the vast open space on the right was filled with countless individual cells connected together, arranged across the manor grounds like a massive prison.

People were confined in the cells. Some were being beaten, some were wailing. They were clearly crying out, yet not a sound could be heard around them. Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but probe beneath the manor, discovering not only was there a hollow space below, but layer upon layer of formations had been set up, clearly indicating this was no ordinary manor.

“Life and Death Manor’s main business is gambling. Every night they set up gambling matches, putting purchased people in cages to fight to the death while everyone places bets.”

Pei Zichen explained patiently: “Because they purchase many slaves during the gambling process, they simply went into the business of human trafficking as well. Over these ten years of accumulation, Life and Death Manor has become the largest slave market in the entire southwestern region. Everyone locked up here was abducted and trafficked from various places, ready to be sold. Underground is their gambling den.”

“Then where exactly did my master place the souls of our sect members?”

Qian Sisi had no heart to listen to all this. She already felt her memories becoming increasingly hazy. She kept repeating her original memories, urging: “How can I see them?”

“Your master has a Soul-Nurturing Pearl for housing souls. Life and Death Manor’s geographical location is special. This Soul-Nurturing Pearl is beneath Life and Death Manor. You only need to break the formation your master set up to protect the Soul-Nurturing Pearl, and you can open it.” Pei Zichen explained.

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue identified what those layers upon layers of formations were.

“There are cultivators guarding this place. Besides the formations your master left behind, there are also formations used by cultivators to protect Life and Death Manor and control these trafficked people.” Jiang Zhaoxue considered. “Once the formations are triggered, this place will immediately collapse. These mortals will have difficulty escaping. We must wait until they all leave before we can open the formation, otherwise there will certainly be casualties.”

“Then what do we do?” Hearing this, Qian Sisi asked anxiously, “I only have a quarter hour left.”

“At the four corners—east, south, west, and north—there are four formations that, once activated, will immediately completely destroy Life and Death Manor,” Jiang Zhaoxue scanned Pei Zichen with her divine sense, saying calmly, “Zichen, you attract the guards’ attention. Sisi, you go disable these four formations. I’ll rescue the people.”

As she spoke, Jiang Zhaoxue extended her hand toward Pei Zichen: “Leave a trace of sword intent in the sword. I’ll use your sword to cut the locks.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s eyes couldn’t help but fill with mirth. He drew his sword and handed it to Jiang Zhaoxue, instructing: “Be careful.”

“Then what will you use?”

Qian Sisi asked curiously. Pei Zichen smiled: “I have other magical artifacts.”

“He has plenty of magical artifacts, don’t worry about him.”

As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, jealousy stirred in her heart, but thinking that all these magical artifacts would eventually be hers, she finally felt somewhat balanced and urged: “Hurry, charge in through the main gate!”

Pei Zichen nodded at her words and without another word walked directly toward the entrance. With a wave of his hand, a folding fan appeared. Walking to the main gate, when the guards saw him approaching and came forward saying, “Hey, what are you—”

Before they could finish, Pei Zichen raised his hand with the fan, flinging both men and gate flying as he entered, calling out loudly: “Might I ask where the manor’s master is? I have a matter to inquire about and request an audience.”

As he spoke, people around him rushed forward. He fought his way in using the fan as a sword, leading people toward the left residential area.

Seeing the people at the entrance all drawn away, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately said: “Go.”

Qian Sisi and she exchanged a glance, and the two split up.

Jiang Zhaoxue ran wildly toward the “prison” holding people, sword in her arms, while Qian Sisi went to dismantle the formations.

Many of the guards in the prison had been drawn away by Pei Zichen. When Jiang Zhaoxue arrived, only two or three people remained. Almost the instant she charged in, she raised her hand and three Immobilization Talismans flew out. Everyone instantly fell to the ground. Jiang Zhaoxue rushed in swiftly, then using Pei Zichen’s sword intent, split open the surrounding wall with one strike!

The moment the wall split open, everyone in the prison looked over. Jiang Zhaoxue held her sword forward, cutting the iron locks of the cages one strike after another, shouting loudly: “Run! The wall has collapsed. In half a quarter hour this place will be razed to the ground. No need to thank me, run quickly!”

Hearing her words, everyone fled outside without hesitation, though some couldn’t help but look back and shout: “Thank you, Miss!”

“Thank you!”

One voice after another thanking her surrounded Jiang Zhaoxue from behind, but Jiang Zhaoxue had no time to attend to them, only shouting loudly: “Run!”

Her movements were extremely swift. In just moments, more than half the iron locks throughout the prison had been cut by her. All around were people frantically escaping. Jiang Zhaoxue walked through the darkness, opening door after door, completely unaware that in the darkness, a gaze burned with hope as it watched her.

She vaguely heard someone making “ah ah” sounds, but Jiang Zhaoxue had no time to think much of it. Just as she split open a cell door and prepared to turn, a young boy suddenly lunged forward, grabbing her hand through the wooden bars!

Jiang Zhaoxue turned to strike, but froze the moment she made contact with him.

He was a boy who looked only about ten years old, terribly thin, with disheveled hair and dirt covering his face so his features couldn’t be seen clearly. Only a pair of tear-filled eyes stared at her intensely and madly, as if recognizing her, excitedly trying to say something.

But he had clearly had his tongue cut out and couldn’t make any sound at all, only crying “ah ah,” obviously trying to express something.

“What do you mean?”

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t understand, but seeing the child’s age, she guessed he was overly frightened and regarded her as someone to depend on, immediately saying: “I don’t raise children. Go find your parents. I still have people to save.”

As she spoke, she turned to leave. The child grabbed her, his eyes full of terror and despair, crying out frantically.

Seeing his emotions were too agitated, Jiang Zhaoxue could only turn back: “You want to follow me?”

The boy froze, then quickly nodded, his eyes full of hope.

Jiang Zhaoxue frowned, taking out a bag of spirit stones from her sleeve and placing it in his hand, quickly explaining: “I won’t stay long in this place and can’t bring anyone with me. Take these spirit stones and go out to make your own way.”

Hearing this, the boy’s face showed horror, as if recalling something. He grabbed her, shaking his head frantically.

Jiang Zhaoxue tried to pry him off, somewhat impatient, shouting sternly: “Let go, or I’ll use force!”

The boy paused, then became agitated, only using his tear-filled eyes to desperately pat his own chest, like an old acquaintance.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s intuition told her something was wrong, but she truly couldn’t recall ever knowing such a child. Looking left and right, knowing her time was limited, she said hurriedly: “I have business now and can’t look after you. Here’s a Voice Transmission Talisman and a Safety Talisman. Go out and wait for me.”

As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she handed the two talismans to the boy, saying earnestly: “I’ll come find you later.”

The boy clearly didn’t believe her, clutching her tightly and refusing to let go.

Jiang Zhaoxue frowned. Thinking through the layout of Yi City in the illusion realm, she instructed: “Wait for me at the east city gate.”

As she spoke, she grasped his hand in return. The boy froze, watching as Jiang Zhaoxue said seriously: “I will definitely come.”

The boy dared not speak. He felt Jiang Zhaoxue holding him. He watched this person who came walking through despair, and finally forced himself, trembling, to release his grip, using simple hand signs to express: “I’ll wait for you.”

“Run.”

Seeing him release her, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately turned back, reminding him: “This place will be very dangerous soon. Run quickly.”

The boy watched her turn her back to him and leave, going to save others, cutting the iron locks of other prisons one strike after another.

He stared at her retreating figure for a long time before taking a deep breath, forcing himself to climb up from the ground and stumbling after the crowd to run out.

But halfway through running, he still couldn’t control himself. He looked back toward Jiang Zhaoxue, crying out loudly, gesturing chaotically with hand signs for “I’ll wait for you.”

Hearing the sound, Jiang Zhaoxue turned back. Seeing the boy’s movements, she smiled slightly and said soothingly: “I will definitely come. Go!”

Hearing this, the boy paused, finally no longer lingering. He followed the tide-like crowd, his thin, young body swept along by the flood of fate, carried forward by the current.

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t concern herself with this child, only cutting through iron locks along the way. In no time, as Jiang Zhaoxue reached the last room, she heard a stern shout from above: “What audacious villain dares cause trouble at Life and Death Manor?!”

Jiang Zhaoxue raised her sword and turned back to see a yellow-robed elder standing high above holding a whisk, staring at Jiang Zhaoxue: “I am Ge Shan, guest elder of the Tianji Academy. Fellow Daoist, if you leave quickly today, I can overlook today’s offense.”

Hearing this, the people in the prison showed terror on their faces, crying out in panic: “Immortal Master, save me, save me, Immortal Master!”

“Leave quickly!”

Ge Shan shouted sternly, but Jiang Zhaoxue only smiled.

She said nothing, only raised her sword and decisively struck at the iron lock beside her!

At such a provocative gesture, Ge Shan immediately cried out in shock and anger: “Seeking death!”

With that, Ge Shan swept his whisk, striking directly toward Jiang Zhaoxue’s head.

Jiang Zhaoxue stood motionless, raising her hand to fling the sword straight at Ge Shan’s face.

Ge Shan sneered and dodged to the side. The sword easily passed by his side.

“Insignificant tri—”

The moment two words left his mouth, the longsword suddenly pierced through from behind!

Ge Shan instantly froze above Jiang Zhaoxue, looking in disbelief at the woman before him who had begun to smile while raising her hand to draw formations.

She hadn’t even retreated, only watching him with a smile: “Who told you I threw the sword to hit you?”

As she finished speaking, Pei Zichen behind Ge Shan used the sword to lift him up and fling him aside, quickly landing protectively before Jiang Zhaoxue. Glancing at the people in the prison, he urged: “Let’s go.”

Hearing this, the people in the prison quickly thanked them and ran out. Pei Zichen raised his hand with one sword strike. Sword qi rose magnificently, forming a spiritual power wall that followed along, protecting those ordinary people as they ran out.

Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at that spiritual wall, couldn’t help but let her gaze fall on the young man’s profile, then quickly moved away, as if nothing had happened, and began rapidly drawing formations.

Ge Shan nearby had been heavily knocked to the ground by Pei Zichen. The disciples who rushed over hurriedly helped him up, crying urgently: “Master!”

Ge Shan covered his wound, supporting himself to stand. Looking at Pei Zichen standing before Jiang Zhaoxue, he finally understood—when Jiang Zhaoxue had thrown the sword earlier, she was throwing it to the young man before her.

Knowing the visitors were hostile, he said with labored breathing: “I have no enmity with you. Why do you trouble me so?”

“I’m not really troubling you.”

Jiang Zhaoxue smiled slightly, her fingers drawing rapidly, her expression cold: “I’m just taking something, and incidentally releasing the people. For a cultivator to do such things—isn’t it despicable?”

“Good, good, good.”

Hearing this, Ge Shan laughed, saying through gritted teeth: “Since you want to destroy my foundation, then I’ll fight you to the death!”

Finishing, Ge Shan shouted: “All disciples, attack!”

Hearing this, those disciples looked somewhat timidly at Pei Zichen. After thinking a moment, they still gritted their teeth and surged toward Pei Zichen and Jiang Zhaoxue! Shouting: “Kill!”

Over a hundred disciples rushed toward the two. Pei Zichen placed the sword at his waist, gripping the scabbard as he protected Jiang Zhaoxue before him.

With just a sword scabbard, he protected Jiang Zhaoxue completely. But Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat anxious.

Time was running out, yet the formation was abnormally difficult. Clearly something was obstructing her. She could only increase her spiritual power to suppress it, forcibly drawing the formation down.

Spiritual energy poured in from all directions. The ground around them trembled.

Ge Shan watched this scene. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue opening the formation and knowing he couldn’t win, watching as his disciples couldn’t get within half a step, he gritted his teeth. He simply formed hand seals, shouted loudly, and raised his hand to smash toward the ground!

The moment the spell light struck down, the surrounding formations instantly rose up. Countless light arrows shot toward Jiang Zhaoxue from all directions at high speed. Every spot where a light arrow was shot from rapidly collapsed.

The ground beneath Qian Sisi’s feet gave way. She leaped up to see light arrows shooting rapidly toward Jiang Zhaoxue. Her pupils constricted sharply as she ran frantically, crying out: “Jiang Zhaoxue!”

Light arrows surged toward Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen like a tsunami. Wherever they passed, disciples were shot down everywhere by those light arrows.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s calm voice came from within the crowd: “The Heavenly Dao is inconstant. Gambling fortune on heaven. Supreme great fortune—”

The light arrows instantly stopped, densely surrounding them in a spherical formation. A moment later, Jiang Zhaoxue said: “Soul-Nurturing Pearl, emerge!”

In that instant, light exploded from within the arrow tide, and everyone was immediately blown away by spiritual power.

In the fierce wind, Pei Zichen and Jiang Zhaoxue were revealed.

Pei Zichen wore blue robes with white trim, his hair ribbon flying. A folding fan floated in his palm as he coldly stared at Ge Shan ahead.

Behind him was Jiang Zhaoxue in white robes with cloud patterns, her hand suspending the Qiankun Fortune Stick.

The supreme fortune slip fell, shattering instantly before Jiang Zhaoxue.

Pei Zichen’s sword intent exploded simultaneously. Over a dozen light swords shot straight at Ge Shan as he said coldly: “Those who wish to harm My Lady shall be killed without mercy.”

Ge Shan fled in panic, light arrows pursuing him all the way.

Amidst this life-and-death slaughter, Qian Sisi froze in her movements.

She felt the ground rumbling, breaking and falling piece by piece. Except for where people stood, everything turned to darkness.

In this darkness, something summoned her.

Memories flowed away like water. The last half hour had nearly reached its end. Her heart beat rapidly. Part of her was forgetting, while part felt something important lay behind her.

“Sisi, turn around!”

Jiang Zhaoxue shouted urgently. Qian Sisi stiffly turned her body.

At first, urgent glowing lights floated up from the darkness underground, like summer night fireflies, like stars in the dark night.

Then the ground began to shake. Light rose and intertwined like silk in water. Within this light were faces—their bodies seemed to soak in water, slowly ascending toward the sky.

Seeing the Soul-Nurturing Pearl appear, Pei Zichen immediately raised his hand to unfold the Spiritual Void Fan. Following its guidance, he recited incantations, then raised his hand with a wave. A rainbow-like light bridge appeared in the sky. The souls were guided by a gentle breeze along the light bridge.

Can’t remember much anymore.

Qian Sisi looked up at those people. She discovered she was beginning to forget the faces of these people, their names.

She frantically tried to call their names: “Zhuang Wen… Sun Xin… Master…”

With each name she called, one person opened their eyes.

“Sisi.”

“Senior Sister.”

“Junior Sister.”

“Old Qian!”

…

“We’re leaving now.”

One voice after another bid farewell to Qian Sisi: “See you again in the future!”

Hearing this, Qian Sisi couldn’t help but cry and laugh at the same time.

She had clearly begun to forget, yet tears still flowed.

Memories slowly faded with the departure of these people, and her expression gradually became calm and vacant.

Jiang Zhaoxue watched from afar.

These were all people she had met, spoken with, and known in the illusion realm.

Even though she had tried her best not to interact with them, their names were still imprinted in her mind.

If she felt this way, then Pei Zichen…

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but turn to look at him, only to see Pei Zichen looking up at those souls drifting toward the sky. His clear eyes held a faint sorrow, perhaps because he had bid farewell too many times—it had become a habit.

But pain doesn’t disappear just because it becomes habitual. Jiang Zhaoxue quietly observed his refined features, suddenly feeling an impulse to comfort him.

Pei Zichen seemed to sense her gaze and turned to meet her eyes. The moment their gazes met, his heart jumped, and an impossible hope suddenly rose within him: “My Lady…”

“Ah…”

Realizing her lapse, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately suppressed that tenderness from moments before and said with feigned composure: “I’ll go check on Qian Sisi. She must have forgotten everything by now.”

Pei Zichen couldn’t speak, staring blankly at her retreating figure, feeling something was off.

Why had she looked at him with such eyes?

Could she remember…

Pei Zichen’s heart filled with doubt and uncertainty. Jiang Zhaoxue knew he was suspicious, and her heart tensed as well. Just as she was considering how to respond later, she suddenly felt a tremendous force strike her, violently yanking her downward!

Pei Zichen reacted instantly, rushing forward swiftly as he reached out: “My Lady!!!”

However, he only managed to touch a corner of her sleeve before Jiang Zhaoxue felt the world spinning around her, everything turning dark.

When she came to, countless ropes instantly bound her body, pulling her sharply and trapping her in a formation, unable to move!

The Fate-Sensing Tablet!

Jiang Zhaoxue immediately realized this. She raised her head fiercely, only to see Shen Yuqing holding a whisk, standing outside the formation, his eyes dark as he watched her.

The Fate-Sensing Tablet floated before him. Mu Jinyue stood not far behind him. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue look over in shock and anger, she said nervously: “Master’s Wife…”

“Finally, we meet again.”

Shen Yuqing restrained his emotions, his eyes entirely fixed on Jiang Zhaoxue. After hesitating a moment, he suppressed the tremor in his voice and called out calmly and softly: “A’xue.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue snapped to awareness.

Shen Yuqing had actually brought the Fate-Sensing Tablet to capture her!

This thing was a treasured relic enshrined in the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, rarely removed from the Hall of Heavenly Fate, yet he used it to catch her?!

Realizing this, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but curse aloud: “Reluctant for two hundred years of marriage, now pursuing relentlessly—are you sick?!”

Shen Yuqing’s eyelashes trembled slightly as he said calmly: “You are my wife. You left home without permission. Naturally, I must bring you back.”

“Wife?” Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but laugh in anger. Her hands immediately began drawing formations as she argued: “When I left, I made myself very clear. I have my own matters now. Let’s not make this too ugly.”

As she spoke, Pei Zichen’s Spirit-Seeking Formation instantly spread over. Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyes brightened immediately.

Seeing her expression, Shen Yuqing’s face instantly grew colder. He swept his whisk, erecting a barrier. The Spirit-Seeking Formation spread flat past them, as if discovering nothing.

Jiang Zhaoxue instantly raised her head in fury: “You?!”

“I have many things I want to say to you,” Shen Yuqing said, his expression unchanged despite her anger, his voice cold. “Let’s talk properly.”

“I have nothing to discuss with you!”

“Jiang Zhaoxue!” Seeing her stubbornness, and watching as her formation neared completion, Shen Yuqing warned: “You cannot open a formation before me.”

Jiang Zhaoxue paid no heed, using her barely mobile fingers to complete the formation. As her finger rose, the Qiankun Fortune Stick appeared in midair, beginning to shake: “The Heavenly Dao is inconstant, gambling fortune on heaven, supreme great fort—”

Before she could finish, Shen Yuqing’s expression turned stern. He broke into the formation and lunged to snatch her Qiankun Fortune Stick!

Seeing him charge forward, Jiang Zhaoxue retreated quickly within the limited space, shouting: “Pei Zichen!”

The moment her voice fell, someone seemed to have been waiting. Space split open, wind carried the scent of pine.

The young man instantly appeared before Jiang Zhaoxue, bringing his sword down viciously toward Shen Yuqing!

Sword intent carried ice and snow. Shen Yuqing’s pupils constricted sharply as he suddenly realized.

Fate Attendant!

Without this contract, even he—her Dao companion—could not possibly appear before her so instantaneously, not even a Fate Attendant bound by verbal contract.

She had actually formed a Fate Attendant contract with Pei Zichen.

Pei Zichen had dared to form a Fate Attendant contract with her!

The whisk rang out with a “ding” as it collided with Pei Zichen’s sword edge. Shen Yuqing looked at them in disbelief. Jiang Zhaoxue immediately shouted: “Supreme great fortune, thunder and lightning descend!”

Thunder crashed down. Pei Zichen turned and with one sword strike severed the ropes binding Jiang Zhaoxue, tore through space, grabbed her, and leaped forward.

As the two ran forward hand in hand, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly heard an angry voice strike from behind: “Jiang Zhaoxue!”

At the same time, Mu Jinyue’s cry of alarm also rang out: “Master!”

Before Jiang Zhaoxue could react, she felt a sharp pain in her heart. She stumbled violently, grabbing Pei Zichen and forcing him to stop.

Pei Zichen turned back in surprise. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue’s expression, he said anxiously: “My Lady?”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak. She supported herself against Pei Zichen, panting as she looked back coldly.

Moonlight fell on the grassland, deep grass rising past their knees.

Shen Yuqing stood not far away, his sword piercing through his chest, held before him, blood flowing from his chest and dripping onto the grass leaves.

Jiang Zhaoxue stared at him intently, clearly sensing her own heart experiencing a cold pain as if pierced by a blade with each heartbeat.

The Synchronized Heart Contract would share all fatal serious injuries. An injury like this, directed straight at the heart, she would inevitably share and sense.

She stared at Shen Yuqing. Shen Yuqing also panted, looking at her coldly, as if they were mortal enemies. He raised his blood-stained hand toward her, commanding breathlessly: “Come back.”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak, just stared at Shen Yuqing.

Seeing her hesitation, Pei Zichen’s heart suddenly panicked.

He knew Jiang Zhaoxue had never intended to leave Shen Yuqing.

She had jumped off the cliff with him to make amends for Shen Yuqing’s failures as a master.

She hadn’t returned to Shen Yuqing after he decided not to kill Pei Zichen because of his lies.

As long as they met and compared notes, the lies he had told would immediately dissolve into nothing.

He had no confidence in keeping Jiang Zhaoxue. He could only grip Jiang Zhaoxue’s wrist tightly, quietly dissuading her: “If My Lady returns…”

“Come back!”

Hearing Pei Zichen speak, Shen Yuqing instantly flew into a rage, immediately pressing his sword forward another inch.

Pain transmitted instantly. Jiang Zhaoxue could no longer restrain herself. She flung off Pei Zichen’s hand and rushed urgently toward Shen Yuqing.

Pei Zichen looked at his now-empty hand, frozen in place, completely consumed by fear.

Jiang Zhaoxue rushed to Shen Yuqing, raised her hand to snatch his sword and throw it to the ground, then gripped his collar, yanked him forward, and viciously slapped Shen Yuqing’s face.

This slap tilted Shen Yuqing’s hair crown askew, hair falling loose. Jiang Zhaoxue pulled Shen Yuqing forcefully forward, staring at him intently as she transmitted her voice to ask: “Did I give you the Synchronized Heart Contract so you could bully me like this?”

Shen Yuqing panted as he raised his eyes, only saying: “I have something to say to you.”

The two stood in deadlock, silent.

Seeing them facing off, Mu Jinyue hesitated a moment before stepping forward respectfully: “Master’s Wife, Master came this time because of the Jiuyou Realm. Please give Master a chance to discuss this matter in detail.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes to sweep over Mu Jinyue.

She had followed Shen Yuqing searching for her for four years and now clearly had the appearance of an adult woman, much more dignified and steady than before.

Seeing her, Jiang Zhaoxue looked her up and down, couldn’t help but smile: “Taking her everywhere you go—she’s truly a treasure.”

These words made both Shen Yuqing and Mu Jinyue’s expressions change slightly. Knowing she couldn’t leave without making things clear now, and considering the matter of the Jiuyou Realm, Jiang Zhaoxue simply released Shen Yuqing’s collar, turned outward, and said coldly: “Zichen, let’s go!”

As she spoke, Shen Yuqing immediately took a step. Pei Zichen paused a moment, then suppressed his emotions and forced himself to follow.

Mu Jinyue looked at him with concern, saying carefully: “Senior Brother, are you alright?”

Pei Zichen responded quietly: “Mm.”

The four split into two rows—Shen Yuqing and Jiang Zhaoxue walking side by side, Pei Zichen and Mu Jinyue following closely behind—hastening back to the city. Once they entered, Jiang Zhaoxue led everyone into an inn. Arriving at the counter, Shen Yuqing said: “Three—”

“Four superior rooms.” Pei Zichen spoke simultaneously, placing spirit stones on the table.

Shen Yuqing looked over coldly. Pei Zichen lowered his eyes as if knowing nothing.

That “three” echoed in his mind, his heart beating fiercely.

He knew what that “three” meant, but he didn’t know what he should do, what he could do.

His earlier words had been cut off before he could ask them. He hadn’t even been able to ask clearly whether she remembered or not.

And now, asking again would be inappropriate.

Shen Yuqing had come to find Jiang Zhaoxue under the pretext of the Jiuyou Realm. If he obstructed too much, it would only make Jiang Zhaoxue suspicious.

If Jiang Zhaoxue remembered those four years, she would make her own choice.

If she didn’t remember… there was no use in him saying anything.

He put down the spirit stones. After the innkeeper arranged their accommodations, the group followed him to the rear courtyard.

Jiang Zhaoxue took the lead entering the courtyard, selected a room, pushed open the door, and stood inside saying coldly: “Shen Yuqing, come in.”

Pei Zichen’s footsteps toward the corridor paused slightly. He restrained the impulse to step forward and raised his eyes.

Nothing was decided yet. He couldn’t be hasty.

He had to wait for Jiang Zhaoxue to make her decision. Perhaps she wouldn’t discuss his lies with Shen Yuqing. Perhaps she wouldn’t stay.

She might… she might also remember.

Recalling how she had looked at him standing by her side earlier, Pei Zichen suddenly harbored a desperate hope.

Shen Yuqing swept a glance at him, walked past his side, strode inside with great steps, and with a sweep of his whisk, directly closed the door.

Hearing Shen Yuqing enter, Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand to erect a barrier, knowing no one could hear. She no longer restrained herself, turning her cold eyes and directly asking: “Did you rehearse your story on the way here? What happened with the Jiuyou Realm?”

Shen Yuqing didn’t speak, standing at the door in silent stillness.

His hair crown was still not properly fastened, bloodstains remained on his chest, stubble covered his face—clearly he hadn’t groomed himself in a long time.

Seeing him remain silent, Jiang Zhaoxue poured herself tea, suppressing her anger: “Haven’t seen you in a while—when did Pavilion Master Shen become mute? You went to such lengths to force me here just to play dead? Whatever you want to ask, ask quickly. I have no patience for you.”

“You formed a Fate Attendant contract with Pei Zichen?”

Shen Yuqing only asked this one question calmly. Jiang Zhaoxue instantly froze.

He asked very calmly, but in that moment, Jiang Zhaoxue clearly sensed his killing intent.

“Why? When?”

As Shen Yuqing spoke, he slowly raised his eyes: “Do you still remember,” he restrained his emotions with great effort, speaking with unusual solemnity, “who is the Fate Attendant you pledged your life to, who is the husband you announced to heaven and earth?”