With that, Jiang Zhaoxue pushed Shen Yuqing aside and got off the bed to go out.

Shen Yuqing was dazed for a moment. Reacting, he quickly caught up. The moment before Jiang Zhaoxue opened the door, he pulled her back, raised his hand, using his wide sleeve to block the blood water splashing toward them. Lowering his sleeve, he saw Pei Zichen already standing outside the door, having just slain a Life-Devouring Beast. He calmly looked back. “The barrier is broken.”

As he spoke, he instinctively glanced past Shen Yuqing toward Jiang Zhaoxue behind him. He could only see the corner of her garment—no different from his dream—and quickly looked away.

“Master! Master’s wife!”

The moment his words fell, Mu Jinyue and Ming rushed in with Pei Shulan.

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t waste words. Scanning the surroundings, she saw that Pei Zichen and Shen Yuqing had already deployed their sword formations.

Their densely packed sword formations were slaughtering the Life-Devouring Beasts rushing toward the room. However, sword cultivators naturally had limited ability against these numerous and difficult-to-kill creatures. At this moment, they were completely relying on the density of their sword rain to forcibly annihilate them.

But this method extremely exhausted spiritual power and couldn’t be sustained long. Both men looked toward Jiang Zhaoxue. Jiang Zhaoxue decisively took out the Qiankun Divination Sticks and casually spun them. “The heavenly way is inconstant, wagering fortune with heaven—supreme great fortune, exorcising evil from all directions! Go!”

The supreme fortune stick fell on cue. Jiang Zhaoxue crushed the divination text with one hand. Thunder roared down, densely striking the Life-Devouring Beasts. In mere moments, the Life-Devouring Beasts collectively turned to ash and vanished.

The temple instantly became quiet. The bright moon hung high. If not for the walls destroyed by the Life-Devouring Beasts as a reminder, it was as if nothing had happened.

Pei Shulan breathed a sigh of relief, wiping cold sweat as she retreated and collapsed into a chair, panting. “That was terrifying… what were those things…”

“Is Madam Pei all right?”

Hearing Pei Shulan’s words, Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone softened as she looked over with concern.

Pei Shulan raised her pale face and smiled bitterly. “To be honest with Immortal Jiang, this humble wife has never seen such things in her entire life. I certainly can’t say I’m all right now.”

“Madam Pei need not worry.” Jiang Zhaoxue glanced at Pei Zichen. Pei Zichen understood Jiang Zhaoxue’s meaning and stepped forward to pour tea for Pei Shulan.

Pei Shulan accepted the tea, listening as Jiang Zhaoxue comforted her. “These things only look terrifying. It’s not a big matter. We will certainly protect Madam Pei and ensure her safety.”

“Don’t speak too boldly.”

Ming reminded indifferently, “Your barrier can’t stop these things at all.”

At these words, Pei Shulan’s expression froze, as if recalling the earlier events.

The four from Jiang Zhaoxue’s group didn’t speak. Life-Devouring Beasts weren’t very aggressive. The problem was their concealment was too strong—barriers were completely useless against them. They appeared in swarms, too numerous and difficult to kill.

“Where did all these Life-Devouring Beasts come from?”

Pei Zichen looked at Jiang Zhaoxue, reminding her, “Under normal circumstances, there couldn’t be this many Life-Devouring Beasts.”

“I know.”

Jiang Zhaoxue contemplated, using her divine consciousness to probe the surroundings.

After probing for a moment, she frowned.

Shen Yuqing noticed her expression had changed and couldn’t help saying, “What’s wrong?”

“There are twelve hills here.”

“So?” Shen Yuqing didn’t understand.

Jiang Zhaoxue calculated, saying uneasily, “Just now, one hill disappeared.”

These words startled Shen Yuqing. Both he and Pei Zichen reacted. “The Twelve Crossbow Formation?”

Hearing this term, Mu Jinyue also froze. Beside her, Pei Shulan couldn’t understand, but as it concerned life and death, she asked anxiously, “What is that?”

“The Twelve Crossbow Formation is a type of offensive formation placed within a maze formation.” Jiang Zhaoxue patiently explained. “It traps the target at the formation’s center, with twelve attacks arranged at twelve positions around them. In this formation, all spiritual power released by the target will be absorbed by the next attack, so each attack will be stronger than the previous one. For example, the power I used to slay those Life-Devouring Beasts just now should have been absorbed by the next offensive. The next thing that attacks us will be something built upon the power I used to slay the Life-Devouring Beasts. Because this attack method resembles drawing a bow and shooting arrows—one arrow per hour for a total of twelve times—it’s called the Twelve Crossbow Formation.”

“Then…”

Pei Shulan half-understood, only saying, “So, every hour, there will be a wave like what we just experienced, and each time will be much stronger than the last?”

“Yes.” Jiang Zhaoxue nodded. “The more fiercely we resist, the stronger the next wave becomes.”

“Then sooner or later we’re all going to die.” Pei Shulan’s face turned deathly pale. “If we stay here, we can only wait for death?”

“That’s correct.” Jiang Zhaoxue analyzed calmly. “If we remain as the arrow target, there’s no way we can win.”

“Then what do we do?” Pei Shulan panicked. After thinking left and right, she looked at Jiang Zhaoxue. “Immortal Jiang, what about that lamp? Can’t that lamp get us out? Wouldn’t we be fine then?”

At these words, everyone fell silent, looking at Jiang Zhaoxue and Shen Yuqing.

Jiang Zhaoxue remained silent. Shen Yuqing spoke truthfully. “If we open this lamp, A’Xue and I will both exhaust our spiritual power. We’ll have no ability to resist—that’s also a dangerous situation.”

“That’s still better than now!” Pei Shulan urged. “This way we can at least get out. Although you two immortals will have exhausted your spiritual power, isn’t Young Daoist Pei still here?”

These words made sense. Everyone fell silent.

Jiang Zhaoxue seemed to seriously consider for a moment, then nodded. “Indeed, with Zichen here, opening the Yin-Yang Manifestation Instrument Lamp is the best method.”

As she spoke, she raised her eyes to look at Shen Yuqing. “What do you think?”

“Mm.” Shen Yuqing was obviously still somewhat dazed, nodding casually.

“Then it’s settled.” Ming spoke up calmly. “The next wave of attacks will be in one hour. Everyone should return to the great hall to rest. After re-establishing the barrier, Immortal Shen and Immortal Jiang can channel their spiritual power into the Yin-Yang Manifestation Instrument Lamp. After opening it, everyone can leave together.”

“That’s fine.” Jiang Zhaoxue nodded. “The great hall has a divine statue. Although this broken temple doesn’t have much divine power, it’s better than nothing. Let’s do that.”

After everyone settled on the plan, they all moved together to the great hall.

Once they arrived at the great hall, Jiang Zhaoxue first opened the Mountain-River Bell. Pei Zichen and Shen Yuqing established the barrier, then sat down and began making Yin-Yang Banners.

They didn’t know what the next wave of attacks would be. If they were Life-Devouring Beasts, the Yin-Yang Banners wouldn’t be very effective, but if they were other demon creatures, Yin-Yang Banners were indispensable.

Pei Shulan’s face was full of anxiety. Mu Jinyue, having traveled far and wide with Shen Yuqing for many years, appeared somewhat more composed. The two women sat to the side, with Mu Jinyue softly comforting Pei Shulan.

In the great hall, aside from Mu Jinyue’s comforting voice, only the sound of flames and the rustling of brush tips making Yin-Yang Banners intertwined and lingered.

Jiang Zhaoxue sat by the fire, mentally reviewing what had just happened.

Although Pei Zichen’s temperament had obsessive tendencies, he had after all been trained in propriety and righteousness. Under normal circumstances, no matter what, he couldn’t possibly enter her dream tonight, much less lose his composure to this degree.

And Shen Yuqing was even more adherent to his principles, deeply detesting matters of desire. When they were properly husband and wife, he rarely felt desire—how much more so now?

Even she herself…

Thinking of Pei Zichen’s words “you’re willing,” Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart trembled slightly.

She didn’t dare think further, only continuing to contemplate. If the three of them hadn’t regained clarity at the last moment, when those Life-Devouring Beasts crawled in, it would have been too late for everything.

Fortunately, she had always been on guard. Although Pei Zichen and Shen Yuqing had momentarily indulged, they were both people of extremely firm will. As long as they received a slight hint, they could immediately react.

They must have been influenced in their mental state, but what exactly was influencing them?

Jiang Zhaoxue pondered. Suddenly, an inquiring voice came from beside her. “Speaking of which, we’ve known each other for so long, but it seems we’ve never properly chatted.”

These words came from Ming initiating conversation. Everyone present was somewhat surprised.

Pei Zichen sat in the corner, coldly raising his eyes. Shen Yuqing turned to look. Jiang Zhaoxue raised an eyebrow at Ming. Only Mu Jinyue and Pei Shulan seemed completely unaware of the strange atmosphere, looking blankly at Ming who had abruptly spoken.

“Earlier was too frightening.” Ming seemed to know he had spoken abruptly, glancing at Pei Shulan beside him and saying indifferently, “Since there’s nothing now, everyone can chat casually to ease Madam Pei’s emotions.”

“That’s true.” Hearing this, Mu Jinyue slowly understood, looking at Pei Shulan with considerable concern. “Madam Pei is still breaking out in cold sweat.”

“All right.” Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue looked at Ming and smiled. “Then why don’t we talk about Young Master Ming’s past? Young Master Ming speaks in the Great Xia official dialect with no discernible accent. I wonder where your ancestral home is?”

“Taizhou.”

When Ming said this, both Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Shulan were somewhat surprised.

Pei Shulan finally showed a reaction, smiling. “What a coincidence—I’m also from Taizhou. We’re fellow townspeople then. How old are you this year, Young Master Ming? Where are your parents?”

“Fifteen. My parents abandoned me since childhood. I don’t know where they are.”

Ming’s tone held no ripples. Listening to this, Pei Shulan’s expression seemed to recall something. She murmured, “Fifteen… only two years younger than my son…”

“Madam Pei has two children. Neither seems to be only two years younger than me, do they?” Ming raised his eyes to look at her, carrying some sharpness.

Pei Shulan smiled bitterly. “I’m not talking about those two at home. I have another child, called Xiuji. Back then he was lost outside, whereabouts unknown. If he were alive, he would be seventeen this year.”

“Was he lost?” Ming’s tone was indifferent. Pei Shulan’s movement stiffened. Ming laughed softly. “I thought he was like me—abandoned by his parents.”

“What parents would want to abandon their child?” Pei Shulan smiled stiffly. “If a child truly ended up outside, it must have been unavoidable…”

“How did Madam Pei and Immortal Jiang come to know each other?”

Ming didn’t seem to want to hear Pei Shulan say these things. He raised his eyes to look at Jiang Zhaoxue. “I can see you didn’t just meet in Cangcheng, right?”

“Oh.” Hearing him change the subject, Pei Shulan breathed easier and smiled. “We met seventeen years ago in Taizhou.”

As Pei Shulan spoke, she looked at Pei Zichen, her eyes carrying some warmth. “I remember back then, Young Daoist Pei couldn’t use immortal techniques yet?”

“He could.” Jiang Zhaoxue opened her mouth to explain. “At that time, his spirit roots were damaged. We went to Taizhou to request the Jade Ganoderma from the Ye family to repair his spirit roots.”

“Spirit roots can be repaired?”

Ming sharply spoke up, immediately asking, “If I find Jade Ganoderma, can I cultivate?”

“Repairing and creating something from nothing are two different things.” Pei Zichen knew what Ming was thinking and reminded him. “My spirit roots were only damaged, not absent. Jade Ganoderma can’t help you create a spirit root.”

Hearing his hope dashed, Ming seemed unable to accept it. He couldn’t help pursuing the question. “Is there really no other way? Aren’t you immortals? Can’t you help me somehow?”

“You have no spirit roots—you just can’t cultivate.” Hearing his agitation, Shen Yuqing said indifferently from the side. “But you can still find other paths.”

“The weak don’t even have a chance to survive in this mortal world!” Hearing this, Ming flew into a rage. “I’m a waste without spirit roots. Sooner or later I’ll die. What other paths are there!”

“Birth, aging, sickness, and death are normal matters of reincarnation.” Hearing this, Shen Yuqing frowned slightly. “Why must you force it?”

“Then why don’t you die?” Ming looked at Shen Yuqing, angrily saying, “Since it’s a normal matter, you should go die. Why cultivate immortality?”

These words left Shen Yuqing speechless.

Seeing Shen Yuqing deflated, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help laughing out loud. Everyone around looked over. Jiang Zhaoxue quickly pretended it was a cough.

Shen Yuqing seemed to want to glare at her but felt it improper.

Jiang Zhaoxue desperately suppressed her amusement, trying to make herself more serious. She pretended to be stern. “Must you cultivate immortality?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Then why did you save Pei Zichen back then?” Ming stared at her and asked. “Would he have died with his spirit roots shattered? Why did you repair his spirit roots and let him continue cultivating immortality?”

At these words, everyone present showed different expressions.

Everyone looked at Jiang Zhaoxue, all puzzled. And Pei Zichen in the shadows raised his eyes, recalling how she had desperately grasped his hand again and again that year, gazing at her through the crowd and flames.

Why save someone whom the Book of Fate had determined must die, should die—someone betrayed by all, wholeheartedly seeking death, with shattered meridians and damaged spirit roots?

He deserved to die more than anyone.

Was harder to save than anyone.

This question was too sharp, but with everyone watching, Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t refuse to answer. She could only give the old conventional answer, using the words from back then as a facade. “He was originally a proud son of heaven with a great future, and he’s my dao companion’s disciple. He suffered injustice and humiliation. I couldn’t bear it in my conscience, so naturally I had to save him.”

“Then you won’t save me—is it because I was born as mud, or because I’m unrelated to you?”

“It’s not that I won’t save you.” Jiang Zhaoxue was made uncomfortable by his questions and patiently explained. “But you have no spirit roots. If you want to create a spirit root, there’s only one method.”

“What method?”

“The Heavenly Manifestation Vine.” Shen Yuqing spoke abruptly.

“What is that?”

Hearing this, Ming urgently spoke.

“The Heavenly Manifestation Vine is something that accompanies and coexists with divine artifacts.” Thinking of this thing, Jiang Zhaoxue smiled bitterly. “It grows at the juncture of extreme yin and extreme yang, nurtured by the power of all living things. It flowers for five hundred years and fruits for five hundred years—extremely difficult to encounter. If you have spirit roots, there are many ways to repair their cracks. But if you want to create something from nothing, or reshape Heavenly Spirit Roots above the Nascent Soul stage, only the Heavenly Manifestation Vine will do.”

“Then… where do we find it?”

Hearing this, Ming knew it was definitely not easy. Jiang Zhaoxue shook her head. “This is a matter of fate. Back then, my maternal clan Penglai exhausted all their strength and only managed to find one. I can’t find it, so I can’t save you.”

“What if I plant it myself?”

Ming thought about it, frantically considering. “If I can use immortal pills to somehow live for a thousand years, I’ll plant it now and wait for it to flower and fruit…”

“The Heavenly Manifestation Vine is very difficult to grow.” Shen Yuqing interrupted him, saying coldly, “For it, the person who plants it is its greatest supplement, so when the Heavenly Manifestation Vine encounters its planter, it will devour its master.”

Hearing this, Ming froze. Shen Yuqing raised his eyes to look at him. “Its so-called five hundred years of flowering and five hundred years of fruiting is calculated based on devouring its master. Even if you plant a Heavenly Manifestation Vine, the moment you see it will be your death.”

Hearing this, Ming sat dumbly on the ground. After a long while, he murmured, “Then… you said you found one. Where is that one…”

“That one was used by me.”

Jiang Zhaoxue interrupted him. Ming was startled. Jiang Zhaoxue recalled the past, her tone indifferent. “We came back to now from one thousand two hundred years in the future. The Heavenly Manifestation Vine I told you about matured a thousand years from now and was used by me. You can’t wait a thousand years, and even if you could, I couldn’t give it to you.”

Hearing this, Ming looked blankly at the fire before him, sitting silently without speaking.

The entire great hall suddenly became quiet. After a long while, Ming murmured, “Can heavenly fate not be changed?”

No one answered. Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes to look at him, wanting to say something but not knowing how to speak.

He sat by the fire, sinking down bit by bit. After a long while, he seemed to finally accept reality, saying calmly, “Forget it. If I can’t cultivate, then I can’t cultivate.”

As he spoke, he raised his eyes to look at the broken temple outside, his tone indifferent. “It’s getting late. Immortal Jiang, you should go with Immortal Shen to open the Yin-Yang Manifestation Instrument Lamp.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, standing up. “All right. Let me make this clear—when we’re opening the Yin-Yang Manifestation Instrument Lamp in a bit, it cannot be interrupted. So no matter what happens, you must all protect the barrier.”

As she spoke, Jiang Zhaoxue looked at Pei Zichen. “Understand?”

“This disciple understands.”

Pei Zichen immediately saluted, speaking solemnly.

Ming also said, “Rest assured. Although I’m a mortal, I’ll try my best to help.”

“Me too.” Mu Jinyue immediately said. “This disciple’s spiritual power is meager, but it’s still some assistance.”

“I absolutely won’t cause trouble.” Pei Shulan responded.

Seeing this, Jiang Zhaoxue was quite satisfied. After nodding, she looked at Shen Yuqing. “Yuqing, you set up the Yin-Yang Banners first. I’ll wait for you in the inner hall.”

Shen Yuqing responded, taking the Yin-Yang Banners outside. Jiang Zhaoxue then stood up and entered the inner hall alone, calling out, “Zichen, pour me some water.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen knew Jiang Zhaoxue had something to instruct. He brought water into the inner hall.

Jiang Zhaoxue had arranged her garments and sat properly on a meditation cushion.

Pei Zichen brought the water forward, setting down the tea. In that moment, Jiang Zhaoxue grasped his vital point.

Pei Zichen remained calmly still, raising his eyes to look at her. Even with his critical point locked, he showed not half a gesture of resistance.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the young man’s non-aggressive eyes before her. Her heart trembled slightly. Lowering her eyes, she sent a Heart-Cleansing Formula into his body, secretly transmitting, “I won’t actually open the Yin-Yang Manifestation Instrument Lamp in a moment. If someone leads you away, go with them. If it’s Ming, spare his life.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen instantly understood Jiang Zhaoxue’s meaning. Lowering his brows and inclining his head, he spoke with reassuring steadiness. “Yes.”

Finishing, Pei Zichen turned to go outside. After a few steps, his footsteps stopped.

Beneath the divine statue, in the night, the two faced away from each other, one sitting and one standing.

The lingering sensation from the dream remained. Jiang Zhaoxue’s fingertips burned from where she had grasped his arm. The moment he paused, her heart rose in suspense.

After a long while, she heard Pei Zichen say in a low voice, “Female Lord… I’m sorry.”

As he spoke, he didn’t even wait for Jiang Zhaoxue’s response before walking out of the inner hall.

After he left, Jiang Zhaoxue breathed a sigh of relief, then without further thought, calmed her mind and concentrated, waiting for Shen Yuqing to come.

Shen Yuqing quickly returned to the inner hall. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue waiting in place with a meditation cushion set across from her, Shen Yuqing walked forward and sat opposite her. After opening the barrier together with Jiang Zhaoxue, he spoke. “What do we do next?”

“Meditate and cultivate.”

Jiang Zhaoxue lowered her head to draw a formation, speaking casually. “Guard the tree stump and wait for the rabbit.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing raised his eyes to look at her.

Although the chaotic thoughts from earlier had disappeared, their traces were etched in his heart.

Jiang Zhaoxue noticed his gaze fixed on her without moving. She looked up strangely. “What are you looking at?”

Shen Yuqing’s fingertips trembled lightly as he said indifferently, “Nothing.”

“The fish has already taken the bait.” Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t pay attention to his abnormalities. She lowered her head to draw the formation, instructing, “I’m now drawing a formation to find the formation’s eye. Once I activate the formation in a bit, you directly destroy the target I’ve determined.”

“What exactly are you planning?”

Shen Yuqing still didn’t understand.

“The formation’s ability isn’t unlimited.” Jiang Zhaoxue patiently explained. “Once the formation’s attacks on us reach their limit, it must definitely coordinate with the formation’s eye. They’re forcing us, but I’m also forcing it. As long as the formation’s eye appears—” Jiang Zhaoxue raised her eyes to look outside the door, speaking calmly—”I will definitely find it.”

When Jiang Zhaoxue and Shen Yuqing established their barrier in the inner hall, Pei Zichen sat at the entrance holding his sword, looking at the Yin-Yang Banners at the door, not saying a word.

Before long, Ming also came out, lifting his robe hem and sitting beside him. He asked curiously, “How long will it take them to open this lamp?”

“With their cultivation levels, at least half an hour.”

“Don’t you feel bad?”

Ming turned to look at him. Pei Zichen paused, pretending not to understand anything, saying softly, “Why would I feel bad?”

“Don’t I know your temperament?”

Ming laughed softly. “If a dog passes by Jiang Zhaoxue, you’d kick it. Now her legitimate husband has come over, and you’re not itching with hatred?”

“You seem to understand me very well.” Pei Zichen raised his eyes to look over, asking in confusion. “Do we know each other?”

“No.” Ming turned to look at him. “But I understand people like you.”

Pei Zichen remained silent. Ming stared at him as if dismantling him bone by bone with utter transparency, saying casually, “On the surface, a gentleman of moral integrity—deep down, who knows what filthy things worse than beasts. My fate just isn’t as good as yours. If I could be like you with Heavenly Spirit Roots, born in the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion—” Ming thought about it and laughed softly—”perhaps I could live like you.”

“What’s good about being like me?” Pei Zichen thought about it and said indifferently. “I lost my father, mother, and brother at seven. To follow Master’s wife, I traveled thousands of miles from Jiangzhou to the Lingjian Immortal Pavilion. I cultivated bitterly for nearly ten years, suffered false accusations and fell from a cliff, lost all my relatives and friends…”

“But she’s by your side.” Ming interrupted him. “You lost your father, mother, and brother. You traveled thousands of miles from Jiangzhou, but in the end, someone was still waiting at the finish line. But some people—” Ming’s tone paused slightly, as if restraining himself with great effort before saying—”their whole life, from one place, drift to another place. They search and search, wait and wait, but will never have anything.”

Pei Zichen didn’t speak. He examined the person before him, listening as Ming said softly, “Your parents are dead—that’s still good. But some people’s parents are alive, yet they were abandoned by them. Isn’t that more painful than having their parents die? I envy you.”

As Ming spoke, he turned to look into Pei Zichen’s eyes. “If I were you—if I could be like you—”

He didn’t continue. Pei Zichen quietly looked at him.

On that face crisscrossed with scars, completely unrecognizable in its original appearance, he seemed to see the outline of his seventeen-year-old self.

Pei Zichen couldn’t help frowning, looking at the person before him, saying hesitantly, “You…”

Before he finished speaking, a tremendous “boom” suddenly sounded from beside them!

Pei Zichen and Ming instantly turned their heads to discover a massive vine heavily striking the barrier.

Then densely packed Life-Devouring Beasts surged from behind the vine, like wasps searching for their queen, throwing themselves at the barrier in a frenzy without regard for life or death!

“How much time has passed?!”

Pei Zichen immediately spoke, turning back to ask Mu Jinyue who was calculating the time.

Mu Jinyue frowned, responding coldly, “Half an hour.”

The next attack should have come after one hour, but now, in less than half an hour, the second attack had already begun.

It was early!