The scene was awkward. All four present said nothing.

Jiang Zhaoxue pretended to be composed as she released Ming, stood up smiling and said, “You’re back?”

Shen Yuqing’s gaze fell on Ming. He seemed to want to say something. After coldly glancing over, he turned and said, “Pack your things. Prepare to depart.”

Seeing that Shen Yuqing, this firecracker, hadn’t exploded, Jiang Zhaoxue breathed a sigh of relief. Pei Zichen bowed: “This disciple will also go pack.”

With that, Pei Zichen turned and left.

Jiang Zhaoxue felt even more relieved. She patted Ming’s shoulder and said happily, “I’m also going to pack my luggage. See you later, Young Master Ming?”

After speaking, she left, heading straight to her room. Just as she opened the door, she sensed someone in the room. Looking up, she saw the other person had habitually covered her mouth.

Jiang Zhaoxue blinked at him. Pei Zichen looked down at her, couldn’t help but smile, and released the hand covering her mouth. Jiang Zhaoxue disdainfully swatted his hand away: “Don’t cover it next time. I’m not someone who gets startled easily. I won’t scream randomly.”

“Oh.”

Pei Zichen spoke with a smile. In an instant, both thought of something.

Jiang Zhaoxue felt slightly awkward, but since everything remained unspoken, she acted as if it didn’t exist and said directly, “What is it?”

“What did Ming say to you?”

Pei Zichen immediately inquired. He didn’t move from in front of her, instead blocking her against the door and window. Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat uncomfortable and slipped out sideways. She knew what he wanted to ask and said casually, “Nothing much. He just asked me to pay more attention to him. Then said no one had ever hugged him and asked if I could hug him.”

“He did it on purpose.”

Pei Zichen followed Jiang Zhaoxue into the inner chamber, saying seriously, “Master’s Wife, with his hearing, he could hear us coming back long ago. He deliberately tempted you at this time. This child has deep schemes. In the future, you should still keep your distance.”

“I know.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded and sat down, thinking aloud, “I knew what he was thinking the moment he opened his mouth.”

“Then you…”

Pei Zichen frowned.

Jiang Zhaoxue seemed to remember someone and said slowly, “But when I look at him, I always think of Li Xiuji.”

Pei Zichen’s breathing paused slightly. Jiang Zhaoxue sighed, “Even if not for Li Xiuji, he’s so young, his life has been pitiful, and he’s clever. If there’s a chance, leading him back to the right path would be best.”

“That doesn’t require this…” Pei Zichen deliberated, reminding her vaguely, “He… isn’t that young.”

“He’s only fifteen.” Jiang Zhaoxue looked up in confusion. “When I saved you, you were two years older than this, but still just a child.”

“Not young anymore.”

Pei Zichen left no room for discussion. He knew clearly what he was doing at seventeen, only saying, “In the future, Master’s Wife should still keep distance from him. There are distinctions between men and women.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue felt like Shen Yuqing 2.0 had appeared.

Not really wanting to engage, she changed the topic: “Did you come just to tell me this?”

“There’s one more thing.”

Pei Zichen said seriously, “Master’s Wife, I’ve observed Ming’s actions these past days. He aims to sow discord among the four of us. After entering the Holy Pool, this will likely be their focus. They may divide and conquer. I don’t trust Master. Please be sure to travel with me.”

Jiang Zhaoxue paused. Pei Zichen immediately said, “I’m your life servant. You can use this as your reason. As long as you speak, no one can stop you.”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t speak, so Pei Zichen took it as tacit agreement. He took out several bags of talisman papers and handed them to Jiang Zhaoxue, continuing, “These are talismans I got from Ye Tianjiao early this morning. Keep them. This one is for transferring injuries. I dripped my own blood and had Ye Tianjiao write over a hundred. If you get injured, just paste it on. I’m used to martial arts and don’t fear pain. Also—” He pulled Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand over and placed dozens of sword intents into it.

Jiang Zhaoxue was startled and stopped him: “What are you doing?!”

For sword cultivators to give out sword intent separately consumed tremendous spiritual power. For Pei Zichen to give her so many at once, Jiang Zhaoxue pressed down on him and couldn’t help but say, “What madness is this?”

“I’m not at ease.”

Pei Zichen’s face paled slightly as he continued, “If any accident happens and I’m not by your side, I’ll be afraid. Also…”

“Alright, alright.”

Jiang Zhaoxue stopped him, unable to help saying, “I’m your elder. You don’t need to worry about me. Just protect yourself. Anything else?”

Jiang Zhaoxue urged. Pei Zichen calmed down, reviewed the things he needed to do, and stood up: “Let me pack your things first.”

Jiang Zhaoxue agreed with this. She didn’t like doing chores.

Pei Zichen stood up and began packing her things in an orderly manner. After packing everything he could think of that might be needed, just as he was about to put it in his cosmos bag, Jiang Zhaoxue called out: “Wait!”

Pei Zichen looked up questioningly. Jiang Zhaoxue insisted, “I’ll carry it myself.”

Pei Zichen frowned. Jiang Zhaoxue quickly jumped up and grabbed the things, stuffing them into her cosmos bag, saying in a low voice, “If everything comes out from your side, it won’t look good if people see.”

This reasoning made sense. Pei Zichen couldn’t say much for the moment. He only watched Jiang Zhaoxue stuff things in haphazardly, then began shooing him out: “Go pack your own things.”

“But you must remember,” Pei Zichen began listing for her, “Talismans are in the yellow bag. I put the injury transfer talismans in the outermost layer for you. Also, I sewed antidote pills into the hem of your clothes, and in your shoe sole…”

“I remember!”

Seeing him going on endlessly, Jiang Zhaoxue began pushing him out, repeating all the things he reminded her of daily: “The hairpin has poison and your sword intent, the necklace has antidote. I remember, I remember it all.”

“You must travel with me.”

As Pei Zichen was pushed toward the door, he gave a final reminder. Jiang Zhaoxue shut the door with a “click” without responding.

Pei Zichen stood at the door, somewhat anxious.

Jiang Zhaoxue had a temper. When she didn’t answer, it meant she wanted to act alone.

But he had no solution. With others, he could use both soft and hard tactics, exhaust all means. But with Jiang Zhaoxue—if she insisted on something, he neither dared nor wished to do anything about it.

He stood at the door for a moment, then could only return to his room.

Hearing him leave, Jiang Zhaoxue played with the small knife he had hidden in her sleeve, thinking aloud, “What do you think Song Wulan is really plotting?”

“Don’t know.” A’Nan spoke. “This isn’t a question a bird should ponder.”

“When was Mu Jinyue’s second injury in the book again?” Jiang Zhaoxue continued pondering.

A’Nan gasped: “You’re not going to do it again, are you? Look at Pei Zichen’s state. If you repeat what happened on Qixi, he’ll immediately perish together with Shen Yuqing and Mu Jinyue.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue paused, recalling Pei Zichen’s expression when he saw her wound on Qixi night.

Indeed, this possibility couldn’t be ruled out.

She felt somewhat guilty and pondered, “But Mu Jinyue getting injured means Shen Yuqing gets injured. If Shen Yuqing gets injured, it must be at a critical juncture. His second injury later seems to be from falling off a bridge…”

Thinking about it, Jiang Zhaoxue understood: “When we encounter a bridge, we’ll know something’s about to happen.”

“Oh, there’s one more thing.”

A’Nan reminded her. Jiang Zhaoxue turned to look and heard A’Nan say, “The book seems to have written that they encountered many Life-Devouring Beasts in a mountain.”

Jiang Zhaoxue paused and nodded: “I understand.”

Life-Devouring Beasts were natural enemies of fate masters. Shen Yuqing had killed many in his youth and had rich experience.

It seemed that emotionally and logically, following Shen Yuqing this time would be best.

Jiang Zhaoxue calculated this journey in her mind.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Shen Yuqing returned to his room. Just entering, he saw Mu Jinyue packing things for him. He immediately said, “Leave it. I’ll do it myself.”

“This is this disciple’s duty.” Mu Jinyue looked up and smiled, saying gently, “This disciple should do it.”

“It wasn’t you doing it in the past.”

Shen Yuqing walked to the side, took things, and packed them himself, his tone peaceful: “Next time you can call Pei Zichen to do it.”

Hearing this, Mu Jinyue’s face showed some sadness. She said softly, “Master…”

“Hm?”

“Now that Master’s Wife has returned, must we, master and disciple, become so distant?”

Shen Yuqing paused. Mu Jinyue said softly, “When Master brought me back to Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, I had no one at home. Now the only family I have left is Master…”

“You’re not young anymore. You should understand the distinctions between men and women.” Shen Yuqing packed things patiently. “Your master’s wife and I have many conflicts, but now she’s restraining her temper and has thoughts of repentance. I shouldn’t continue being angry with her either. There have already been too many misunderstandings in the past. She and I…”

As Shen Yuqing spoke, thinking of these past days—whether it was that disappeared red mark, that demonic cultivator who only appeared once but whom he clearly knew Jiang Zhaoxue would like, or the jade pendant Jiang Zhaoxue had recently given Pei Zichen…

His heart felt uncomfortable, yet he had to admit: “Can’t withstand any more misunderstandings. Jinyue, after you recover your spiritual roots,” he looked up at her seriously, “you should have a vast world ahead.”

“But,” Mu Jinyue’s eyes carried bitterness, “observing Master’s Wife, her thoughts now seem to be…”

She didn’t say it outright, but Shen Yuqing already understood.

“I know she wants to leave.”

He had struggled, suffered, denied, but through these days of arguing day after day, and through these few days of Jiang Zhaoxue speaking properly with him and eating properly, he slowly came to realize.

Blindly avoiding wouldn’t solve anything.

Lowering his head wasn’t that big a deal either.

If he lowered his head and yielded, Jiang Zhaoxue could speak properly with him. Every word she greeted him with made him feel settled.

This was what he sought. Since it was what he sought, whether yielding, enduring, or striving for it—it was nothing.

He said softly, “But there’s still time.”

“What does Master plan to do?” Mu Jinyue showed confusion.

Shen Yuqing smiled and only said, “She has a child’s temperament. If your skills are more impressive, you’re more handsome, you look after her more—she can be coaxed away. On this road to the Holy Pool…”

Shen Yuqing didn’t finish, but Mu Jinyue understood.

If she could be coaxed away by others, naturally she could be coaxed back.

Mu Jinyue nodded and bowed: “This disciple understands.”

“On this journey, follow your senior martial brother closely.” Shen Yuqing put things into his cosmos bag, saying calmly, “I need to look after your master’s wife.”

“Yes.”

Mu Jinyue said softly.

After everyone packed their things and night fell, after eating dinner, they departed from the Li Residence.

The Li Residence now had few people left. Pei Shulan led them, pulling several carts of stones, heading toward Xuecang Mountain.

Their party of six—Pei Zichen drove the cart, Shen Yuqing and Ming rode horses, Jiang Zhaoxue sat in the carriage with Pei Shulan and Mu Jinyue. Pei Shulan explained this journey to Jiang Zhaoxue.

“They said the Holy Pool’s location is confidential and must be checked at every level. This is the entrance,” Pei Shulan explained to Jiang Zhaoxue. “Here, someone will give us a map and tell us how to get in.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded and acknowledged, “Understood.”

The carriage traveled for half the night before finally arriving at the “entrance” Pei Shulan mentioned. At the entrance were just two people. They had everyone get down and checked their identities one by one.

Pei Shulan had already prepared all the identification documents. Along the way, afraid Ming would speak carelessly, Jiang Zhaoxue had Pei Zichen put a silencing spell on him first.

The guards confirmed their identities, then gave them a map scroll, instructing, “First enter the mountain range and follow the route on the map. When you reach the end, you’ll encounter a cave. Inside the cave is the second half of the route’s map. This map has two paths. Both paths are safe, but there’s one condition.”

Everyone listened. The guard said, “These two paths were both opened separately by the cult leader. Each time, a maximum of three people can pass through. So you’ll split into two groups to enter. Have you decided how to divide?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue knew it was bad. She immediately said, “Two elder brothers, allow us to discuss this.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue called everyone to move aside. Everyone followed and walked away. Jiang Zhaoxue quietly set up a soundproofing formation. The moment the formation opened, Pei Zichen immediately said, “I’ll go with Master’s Wife.”

“No.”

Shen Yuqing denied this without hesitation: “You and I are the only two here who can protect others. Lady Pei and Young Master Ming needn’t be mentioned. Your master’s wife needs protection, as does your junior martial sister. If you follow your master’s wife, your junior martial sister will have no one to look after her.”

“This disciple’s spiritual power is meager, inferior to Master’s.” Hearing this, Pei Zichen understood Shen Yuqing’s arrangement and refuted, “This disciple is incapable of looking after Junior Martial Sister.”

“Then you’re even less capable of looking after your master’s wife.”

“Master’s Wife is an Integration Stage fate cultivator.” Pei Zichen reminded Shen Yuqing. “This disciple still needs Master’s Wife’s protection. Master’s Wife leading this disciple, Master bringing Junior Martial Sister—most appropriate.”

“But she’s my wife.”

With these words, Pei Zichen’s movements stiffened. Shen Yuqing stared at him: “I don’t care about any reason. I want to travel with her.”

“Ahem.”

Seeing the conversation reach this point, Jiang Zhaoxue coughed awkwardly and only said, “Stop arguing. Why don’t I divine…”

“I won’t divine!”

Shen Yuqing and Pei Zichen spoke simultaneously. Neither yielded.

Pei Shulan looked left and right. Finally, her gaze fell on Pei Zichen as she said cautiously, “Young Dao Lord Pei, your master and master’s wife are husband and wife. For you to travel with Master’s Wife truly seems inappropriate. Your martial skills are good. This journey shouldn’t have any major problems. Why not let your master and master’s wife bring this useless one, and you go with your junior martial sister and Young Master Ming?”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak, only looking at Jiang Zhaoxue.

Shen Yuqing also shifted his gaze to Jiang Zhaoxue’s face.

Mu Jinyue nervously watched both. Ming stood aside watching the excitement.

With the conversation at this point, Jiang Zhaoxue took a deep breath and decided to be the villain. She said directly, “Then I’ll go one route with Yuqing and Jinyue. Zichen, you take Young Master Ming and Lady Pei on the other route.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen looked up at Jiang Zhaoxue unwillingly.

Under his gaze, Jiang Zhaoxue felt chills running down her back, but still had to steel herself and say, “That’s decided. I made the decision and can’t change it. If you must insist, I’ll have to find other methods.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen instantly recalled when she and Qian Sisi had deceived him together at the Gluttonous Feast, then fled at the Yuelao Temple. Last Qixi, she also deceived him and went with Shen Yuqing to the Longevity Altar.

She said it and did it. By then, it would probably be even more dangerous.

Pei Zichen pressed his lips together silently. After calming himself for a long while, he finally said, “Junior Martial Sister will come with me.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue was stunned. Pei Zichen looked up at Shen Yuqing without any courtesy: “With Junior Martial Sister following Master, I’m afraid I won’t be able to look after her properly.”

“Your willingness to help fellow disciples,” Shen Yuqing’s tone was flat, “is excellent.”

“Then,” hearing this, Mu Jinyue glanced at Shen Yuqing, “I’ll follow Senior Martial Brother over.”

“I want to follow Immortal Master Jiang.”

Ming spoke next.

Having settled the most troublesome Pei Zichen, the teams were quickly divided. Pei Shulan went forward and greeted the guards. The guards opened the gate and said to them, “Go ahead, but remember this.”

The guard reminded, “On the road, absolutely don’t look for the other party. Once your two teams meet, the map will become invalid and the path won’t be the original path anymore.”

Everyone nodded. Jiang Zhaoxue first led Shen Yuqing and Ming toward the east. Pei Zichen silently watched Jiang Zhaoxue’s back. Only after she walked far away did Mu Jinyue remind, “Senior Martial Brother, shall we depart?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen nodded in acknowledgment and stepped forward.

The two groups entered the mountain path. Xuecang Mountain was a huge mountain range. The main mountain was in the depths. Just entering the forest, it was still a normal tree-lined path. But Jiang Zhaoxue looked into the distance, knowing that as they walked, they should enter a snowy mountain area.

Shen Yuqing was responsible for leading the way. Jiang Zhaoxue and Ming observed all around. After walking for half the night, Ming needed to rest. Everyone casually found a place to lie down. Shen Yuqing took out a jade bed from his cosmos ring. Ming looked somewhat shocked. Shen Yuqing ignored him, only spread out the bed and had Jiang Zhaoxue lie down to sleep.

Just as Jiang Zhaoxue lay down, she saw Pei Zichen’s messages. He had written many—either writing about special plants and trees in his location, reporting positions, or inquiring about the situation.

The last one was just sent, reading: “Ming’s stamina should be at its limit and he needs rest. Did Master bring a soft bed?”

Looking at this message, Jiang Zhaoxue thought of the cold jade bed beneath her. Expensive was truly expensive, hard was truly hard.

She sighed and replied to Pei Zichen: “Brought a bed, not soft.”

A moment later, Pei Zichen replied: “I put a soft cushion and goose down pillow in your cosmos ring. Take them out and have Ming or Master spread them.”

Jiang Zhaoxue hadn’t expected Pei Zichen to prepare so thoroughly. She quickly took the items out. Just as she placed the soft cushion down, she heard Shen Yuqing say, “Bed too hard?”

Jiang Zhaoxue paused, kneeling on the bed and nodding: “Ah, yes.”

Shen Yuqing’s gaze fell on her soft cushion. He said softly, “Come down. I’ll spread it for you.”

Jiang Zhaoxue quickly yielded, watching Shen Yuqing make the bed.

Ming observed them. After Shen Yuqing finished, Jiang Zhaoxue lay down in the soft bedding. Shen Yuqing turned his back to her, looking at the campfire, saying softly, “We didn’t bring these things when we traveled together in the past.”

“Because I’m now living in extravagance and debauchery,” Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue rolled her eyes. “Satisfied?”

“Not really.”

Shen Yuqing looked at the fire, saying softly, “I brought them when we were young. After we married, I got used to cold jade beds, and you got used to them too.”

“I never got used to them, okay?!” Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but say, “Go look at Cloud Floating Mountain—see how many layers my bed has! Didn’t you feel it was soft when you slept on it?”

These words made Shen Yuqing laugh. He didn’t speak.

He didn’t dare say that when he slept at Cloud Floating Mountain, how could he care whether the bed was soft or not?

He only wanted to escape.

He remained silent, feeling Jiang Zhaoxue fall asleep behind him.

He looked up at the youth across from him who had been staring at him.

“What are you looking at?” As soon as he spoke, his tone carried interrogation, similar to his usual Immortal Lord manner.

Ming thought about it and only said, “You like her.”

Shen Yuqing didn’t answer directly. He only calmly placed wood into the fire and said seriously, “She is my wife.”

The three slept quietly through half the night. At dawn, they set out again.

After walking for most of the night, Jiang Zhaoxue had roughly figured out the situation and explained to Shen Yuqing: “This Xuecang Mountain Range should be a huge formation. Its paths are constantly changing. Any spiritual power fluctuation will cause changes in the roads. If we use magical artifacts or sword flight, there’s a risk of the path changing.”

“Why three people?”

Shen Yuqing pressed further. Jiang Zhaoxue smiled and explained, “Because the path we’re walking now is essentially a road created by someone using spiritual power. I’m following their spiritual power guidance, like walking in a pipeline. Once it exceeds the bearing capacity, this pipeline will rupture.”

“Then it no longer leads to the Holy Pool.”

“Exactly.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded. Shen Yuqing understood.

He glanced sideways at the person standing beside him. Morning light fell on her. As she observed the surroundings and spoke eloquently, confident and beautiful, she was like a golden phoenix spreading its wings at dawn.

After Jiang Zhaoxue roughly guessed the structure, she thought of Ming and turned to ask, “Are you hungry?”

“Hungry.”

Ming clearly accepted all food. Jiang Zhaoxue took out a warm meat pie and handed it to him: “Here, I know you like it, so I bought it specially.”

Ming was stunned for a moment. Looking at this specially prepared meat pie, after a moment of silence, he took the cake, somewhat more respectful: “Thank you.”

The three walked and stopped. Their stamina was all good. They walked until evening when Ming needed to sleep and stopped again.

Along the way, Ming hunted some wild game himself. After eating dinner, Ming lay down to sleep.

This journey was unnervingly peaceful. Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t quite fall asleep. She sat by the fire in a daze. Shen Yuqing glanced at her and said softly, “What are you thinking about?”

“I was just thinking,” Hearing his peaceful tone, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but say, “your temper has improved quite a bit recently, hasn’t it?”

Shen Yuqing’s movements paused. Then he looked up at her seriously: “Haven’t you as well?”

“Really?” Jiang Zhaoxue was surprised. “My temper has always been good.”

“It hasn’t.” Shen Yuqing seemed to recall something and said slowly, “Your temper was decent when you were young. After marriage, it became increasingly strange. Unable to distinguish right from wrong, often beating and scolding disciples, frequently causing absurd scenes like making a ruckus in the Punishment Hall. Every time we met, if we weren’t arguing, you were crying. Every time I asked you to reflect, you’d end up pretending nothing happened, playing dumb to get by.”

Recalling those years, Shen Yuqing’s tone carried dissatisfaction as he said coldly, “Drugging, getting drunk—you could do anything.”

“Sounds quite dissatisfied.”

Jiang Zhaoxue chuckled lightly, curious: “Why not divorce then?”

They had argued for two hundred years, yet Shen Yuqing truly had never once mentioned divorce.

Even in the book, after digging out her spiritual root, he never mentioned divorce.

Hearing the word “divorce,” Shen Yuqing immediately stiffened, then said, “I don’t do such absurd things. Either don’t marry, but once married, I won’t divorce.”

“Stubborn.”

Jiang Zhaoxue sneered.

Shen Yuqing seemed to want to refute again, then forcibly held it back, only saying, “Never mind, it’s all in the past. Now that you’re doing well, that’s what matters.”

“I was doing well in the past too.”

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke defiantly, saying coldly, “I don’t think I was that wrong in the past either.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing frowned. Jiang Zhaoxue said calmly, “You say my temper was strange, but you should also look at cause and effect. Lingjian Immortal Pavilion wasn’t suitable for me. I don’t think singing and drinking in my own room during the day was any crime. You people dragged my people out to punish them, and I fought back—this is what you call beating and scolding disciples. The Punishment Hall people beat my people, so I went to the Punishment Hall to reason with them—this is what you call making a ruckus. I did do many wrong things, like…”

Jiang Zhaoxue thought of how she used to beat and scold Pei Zichen, saying softly, “I would vent my anger on your disciples to force you out. But Shen Yuqing, you people locked a wild beast in a cage, drove her mad, then said she was wrong—I always feel that’s not right. But it doesn’t matter anymore,” Jiang Zhaoxue said, happily, “Anyway, when I return, I’ll leave. Lingjian Immortal Pavilion isn’t suitable for me. I just won’t stay.”

“Stop speaking in anger.”

Shen Yuqing lowered his eyes, saying softly, “Everything will be fine.”

“I’ll definitely get better and better.”

As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she suddenly remembered something, thinking aloud, “Speaking of which, have you felt anything unusual these past two days?”

“What unusual?”

Shen Yuqing asked in return. For a moment, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t articulate it.

She thought about it and only said, “Consider it my overthinking.”

With that, too lazy to say more to Shen Yuqing, Jiang Zhaoxue lay down on the bed, her back to him as she slept.

Shen Yuqing sat quietly. After thinking for a long while, he finally said, “A’Xue.”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t respond. He spoke slowly, “I’m sorry.”

Jiang Zhaoxue paused, then messaged Pei Zichen, inquiring, “Have you sensed any changes in fortune?”

Pei Zichen quickly replied: “No, why?”

Jiang Zhaoxue said nothing more, always feeling something was wrong.

She simply closed her eyes. While sleeping at night, rustling sounds came from around her. Then came a “ding” of sword resonance. Everyone present suddenly woke to find Pei Zichen’s sword intent had somehow emerged and was now circling around her.

A small creature lay beside her, appearing only three palms tall, with one eye, resembling a pile of mud, looking sticky and gooey.

The moment she saw this thing, Jiang Zhaoxue’s entire body froze. Shen Yuqing beside her instantly reacted, pulling her into his embrace protectively, saying calmly, “It’s fine, don’t be afraid.”

Jiang Zhaoxue froze, not daring to make a sound. Even breathing was difficult. She clearly sensed that densely packed—these things were throughout the entire forest, densely packed.

Her body instinctively trembled uncontrollably. Shen Yuqing observed the surroundings.

Ming also sensed something wrong, gripping his sword: “What is this?”

“Life-Devouring Beasts.”

Shen Yuqing surveyed the area, protecting Jiang Zhaoxue as he tossed a stack of talisman papers to Ming. Staring at the Life-Devouring Beasts around them ready to pounce, he instructed, “These things only target fate masters. Stay here and wait for us to return.”

With that, Shen Yuqing held his sword in one hand and draped his robe covered in sword energy and talismans over her with the other.

Jiang Zhaoxue wrapped her arms around his neck, held in his embrace, desperately restraining the instinctive fear of her natural enemy, saying calmly, “Find somewhere with many trees.”

“I know.”

Hearing her speak, Shen Yuqing felt as if he had returned to his youth. Without thinking of anything else, holding this person in his arms, his tone gentled: “Just like before.”

With that, his toes touched down lightly and he rushed forward. The moment he charged ahead, those mud-like things in the dense forest surged forward like waves.

Jiang Zhaoxue trembled lightly in his embrace. Shen Yuqing’s water sword flew down toward those evil beasts’ faces and eyes!

Life-Devouring Beasts were only natural enemies of fate masters. They always appeared in groups. Everything a fate master did relied on sensing heaven and earth’s fortune to channel spiritual power.

And Life-Devouring Beasts could precisely block all perception.

They were the natural counter to fate masters, while fate masters’ flesh and blood were great nourishment for them. Therefore, whenever they encountered fate masters, they would spare no effort to take a bite.

They weren’t strong in combat. The problem was they were difficult to kill. Unless stabbing directly into their eyes to pierce their soul core, no matter what slashing method, they would quickly recover.

What made Jiang Zhaoxue feel most terrified was—they were disgusting!!

Just thinking of them wanting to gnaw on her, those sticky gooey things—she felt nauseated!

Fortunately, when she was young, these things were everywhere in the True Immortal Realm. She and Shen Yuqing long knew how to deal with them. She had wood-type spiritual roots, and the range Life-Devouring Beasts could isolate didn’t include underground. As long as she formed a Spirit-Drawing Formation with Shen Yuqing’s help, she could activate it.

To kill these things, sword cultivators killing them one by one wasn’t efficient. As long as she had enough spiritual power and could activate her formation, she wouldn’t leave a single one!

Jiang Zhaoxue secretly gritted her teeth in resentment, hiding under Shen Yuqing’s robes, feeling mud constantly exploding beside her, startling her into burying her head quickly.

Shen Yuqing glanced down at her, couldn’t help but tighten his arms. These past days, even without Jiang Zhaoxue saying, he would notice places with many trees. He had long since chosen this forest.

He leaped with Jiang Zhaoxue to the heights of the forest, raised his hand to form seals and opened a sword formation. Tens of thousands of light swords densely surrounded Jiang Zhaoxue simultaneously. Pei Zichen’s sword formed the final protective layer. Those Life-Devouring Beasts rushed forward like mad but couldn’t get close at all.

Seeing this overwhelming situation, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, turning to look at Shen Yuqing and smiling, “These two hundred years weren’t wasted on you, huh?”

“Mm.”

Shen Yuqing acknowledged but didn’t say more.

He always felt something wasn’t quite right, staring carefully at the forest.

Jiang Zhaoxue seized the opportunity and closed her eyes. Her entire person seemed to emit light. The meridians in her body were like tree roots, growing and spreading downward.

Seeing her actively unfold her spiritual roots, the Life-Devouring Beasts became even more frenzied.

Blood and flesh splattered everywhere. Jiang Zhaoxue closed her eyes, drawing in the laws of heaven and earth transmitted from the earth, sensing the existence of fate. Her Cosmos Fortune Sticks began to shake, and the ground also began to tremble.

On the other side, the moment Jiang Zhaoxue was attacked, Pei Zichen immediately opened his eyes.

Mu Jinyue and Pei Shulan looked up in confusion, curious: “Senior Martial Brother, what’s wrong?”

“Can you find Master?”

Pei Zichen immediately pressed. Connecting with what Jiang Zhaoxue had just said—she asked if he sensed changes in fortune, then his sword intent transmitted information of being attacked.

What would make a fate master worry and sense fortune changes?

What could ambush Jiang Zhaoxue when both Shen Yuqing and Jiang Zhaoxue had set up barriers simultaneously?

Life-Devouring Beasts.

Only these things that could block all perception while remaining undetected could accomplish this.

Thinking it was Life-Devouring Beasts, Pei Zichen’s heart pounded. He didn’t dare think further. For Shen Yuqing, killing these things was extremely troublesome. On the contrary, Jiuyou Realm techniques were much simpler.

He couldn’t delay.

He must reach Jiang Zhaoxue’s side immediately.

Even if these things took just one bite of Jiang Zhaoxue, it would be a severe injury to her.

“If you can’t find him, these are location talismans and protection talismans.” Pei Zichen handed the talismans to Mu Jinyue, then set up a formation, saying calmly, “Wait for me here. If any accident occurs, escort Lady Pei and immediately go find Master.”

“Senior Martial Brother, where are you going?”

Hearing this, Mu Jinyue spoke anxiously.

But Pei Zichen had already stepped away: “I’m going to find Master’s Wife.”

With that, he recalled the two maps from when they separated, calculated where Jiang Zhaoxue should have reached by now, and rushed in that direction. As he ran, he took out disguise robes and put them on.

Lingjian Immortal Pavilion sword techniques were meaningless against Life-Devouring Beasts. At critical moments, he’d have to use Jiuyou Realm techniques.

Never mind Shen Yuqing being there—even if he weren’t, Pei Zichen didn’t want to expose this matter before Jiang Zhaoxue.

He rushed urgently forward while Jiang Zhaoxue, protected by Shen Yuqing, extended her wood-type spiritual root downward, connecting with all the surrounding plants and trees. She drew in surrounding spiritual power, using the trees to sense the laws of heaven and earth. Jiang Zhaoxue rapidly drew formations, Cosmos Fortune Sticks swaying ahead.

Spiritual power surged from all directions. Just as the formation was about to complete, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly felt something wrong. However, Shen Yuqing had been waiting for a long time. The moment a giant Life-Devouring Beast burst from the earth, his sword shot forth like a meteor. Jiang Zhaoxue simultaneously struck without hesitation: “The Heavenly Way is impermanent, gambling fortune on heaven, supreme great fortune—Ten Directions Evil Elimination!”

The moment the words fell, Shen Yuqing unhesitatingly surrendered control of all spirit swords except the one in his hand.

Spirit swords fell like rain. Shen Yuqing’s sword light like a dragon pierced through the Life-Devouring Beast that had been lying in ambush. But it wasn’t enough—

Nowhere near enough!

This Life-Devouring Beast was completely outside her calculations. This was a Nascent Soul stage Life-Devouring Beast—one equivalent to the energy needed for a million others.

For Shen Yuqing, this was actually good news. But for her, the spiritual power she had originally calculated and accumulated was nowhere near enough to annihilate all the Life-Devouring Beasts after this one appeared.

But Shen Yuqing’s sword formation had already been used by her to kill these Life-Devouring Beasts. After the first wave of sword rain ended, the remaining Life-Devouring Beasts would counterattack madly…

“Master!!”

Before Jiang Zhaoxue could react, A’Nan cried out in alarm. Jiang Zhaoxue instantly turned back and saw a purple formation rising from the south, followed by rays of magical light like falling stars, tracing brilliant trajectories across the sky, covering all the Life-Devouring Beasts’ area. Starting from the outermost edge, then intersecting with the sword rain, in an instant, they crashed down with tremendous sound amidst billowing dust!

In the dust, a young man in a black cloak and silver mask stood in the distance, gazing at her across sword light and starfire.

Jiang Zhaoxue stared blankly at the other person. The moment Shen Yuqing turned back and saw her expression, his heart felt like a sharp sword piercing through. He unhesitatingly pulled his long sword from the Life-Devouring Beast and pursued that black-clothed youth with a sword light!

Jiang Zhaoxue came to her senses and quickly followed, crying out urgently, “Shen Yuqing!”

But he left too quickly, appearing before the other person in just a moment.

And the other person instantly transformed into radiant light and disappeared from the spot.

Both parties chased, one pursuing, one fleeing, relentless.

That demonic cultivator rushed into the dense forest and disappeared from sight. Shen Yuqing landed on the ground, raising his hand to form a spirit-seeking formation. But just as he moved, Jiuyou Realm aura came from the distance. He immediately pursued, giving Pei Zichen space to leave.

Pei Zichen caught his breath, covering the wound just inflicted by Shen Yuqing, and quickly left.

He didn’t dare use spiritual power, only running wildly through the trees on the ground. Jiang Zhaoxue rushed past overhead. He looked up, seeing the goddess pass by while he had to go in the opposite direction from her.

The two passed each other, one above and one below. When Pei Zichen reached a safe place, he finally found a spot to sit down, removed his mask and black robe, pulled off his clothes, and looked down to treat his wounds.

Just as he poured medicinal powder on his shoulder, he heard footsteps on dead branches nearby.

He looked up coldly and saw a woman emerge from the forest.

The other person’s eyes showed concern as she looked at him. Pei Zichen frowned slightly.

“Senior Martial Brother,” Mu Jinyue spoke, her gaze falling on his wound as she hurried forward, “How did you get injured…”

Before she finished speaking, purple light swords swept toward Mu Jinyue overwhelmingly, leaving no mercy. A purple light barrier blazed up the instant before the sword reached her.

Pei Zichen’s expression cooled, already understanding.

And Mu Jinyue formed seals with her hands. After realizing what she was doing, she no longer concealed it. Her habitually misty eyes finally showed brilliance. She looked up and smiled: “Senior Martial Brother, what are you doing?”

“That Jiuyou Realm aura just now,” Pei Zichen spoke calmly, “it was you after all.”