With these words, everyone was stunned.

Pei Zichen looked up in surprise. Shen Yuqing paid no attention to everyone. He raised his hand to summon his sword and slashed, creating ripples of spiritual power in the air that formed a rift. Shen Yuqing sheathed his sword and walked forward.

Seeing this, Mu Jinyue finally reacted and hurriedly followed Shen Yuqing, urgently saying: “Master, what do you mean by this? Senior Brother could never do such a thing! If he had done it, upon returning he couldn’t possibly have asked first about Senior Brother Jinglan’s safety.”

Shen Yuqing said nothing and continued forward. Mu Jinyue couldn’t help but grab his sleeve: “Master!”

Pulled by Mu Jinyue, Shen Yuqing finally stopped. He turned back and lowered his eyes, looking at Mu Jinyue’s hand grasping his sleeve.

Although he said nothing, invisible pressure had already overflowed. Mu Jinyue awkwardly let go. Only then did Shen Yuqing say: “He lied. He cannot be trusted.”

Mu Jinyue was stunned. Shen Yuqing had already turned around: “The barrier has been reinforced. I’m going back first.”

With that, Shen Yuqing stepped into the rift and disappeared before everyone’s eyes.

When Pei Zichen left Wuyue Forest, Jiang Zhaoxue was still in deep slumber.

The body needed time to recover from residual poison. In the past, she always had to endure it, but this time, for some reason, she felt extraordinarily comfortable and even fell into a deep dream.

In the dream, she suddenly recalled many years ago—was it seven years? Or ten years?

She only remembered that at that time, it was Shen Yuqing’s master, Gujun Daoren, who came to find her.

The old man said to her with distress: “For this year’s new disciples’ entrance ceremony, Yuan’er has run off again. Go to the ceremony and take in a disciple for him.”

This kind of thing that could prove her identity as Shen Yuqing’s wife, Jiang Zhaoxue loved more than anything. So that day she dressed elaborately and waited at the end of the Heaven-Ascending Ladder before dawn.

At the time she thought, she would choose a younger disciple for Shen Yuqing. The first child under fifteen years old who climbed up today, she would take him to Luo Xia Feng to become Shen Yuqing’s disciple.

So she waited all day, and that day, only one person climbed up.

That was Pei Zichen.

Actually, she couldn’t clearly remember his appearance then, but this time in the dream, she saw clearly what this child looked like.

He seemed to be less than ten years old, dressed in rags, almost crawling on hands and feet for the final stretch, climbing step by step up the Heaven-Ascending Ladder to her.

Blood on the ground formed a small path, trailing across every step he walked. She watched from afar as he crawled before her and looked up.

The child in the dream was very thin, almost skin and bones. His eyes were deeply sunken from hunger, yet they lacked the greed and ferocity that impoverished people should have, instead carrying a kind of clear, gentle quality.

He looked up at her. Afraid of frightening the child, Jiang Zhaoxue crouched down and took out a sugar pill she had prepared early from her sleeve, handing it to him and saying: “Since you’ve climbed up, Lingjian Immortal Pavilion will be your home from now on. Will you come with me?”

The child froze. He tremblingly accepted the fasting pill, stared at it for a long time, then looked up at Jiang Zhaoxue and rasped: “Master’s Wife.”

Master’s Wife.

This voice mixed with Pei Zichen’s adult timbre, and Jiang Zhaoxue was brought to the moment of death in the book’s ending.

Her neck bone was crushed with a “crack.” Intense pain came along with the sound of Pei Zichen kneeling and kowtowing, respectfully calling out: “Disciple Pei Zichen respectfully sends Master’s Wife to ascend to heaven!”

In these words of “respectful farewell,” she jolted awake with wide eyes, immediately meeting A’Nan’s excited face: “Master, you’re awake!?”

Jiang Zhaoxue was stunned for a moment, taking time to recognize before saying in a daze: “A’Nan?”

“Yes, yes,” A’Nan nodded like a pecking chick, “it’s A’Nan.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue tiredly supported herself to sit up, rubbing her forehead and saying: “The Heavenly Secret… oh no, where’s Pei Zichen?”

“Hm?” Hearing her question, A’Nan asked back, “Where is Pei Zichen?”

Jiang Zhaoxue froze, then immediately realized something and quickly looked up: “You don’t know?!”

A’Nan thought for a moment, carefully recalling: “Umm… when I came in a quarter hour ago, he seemed to have just left. I sensed his aura. Oh, he also left a cup of blood and a letter.”

As A’Nan spoke, he raised his hand and passed over the note Pei Zichen had left.

Jiang Zhaoxue snatched it and saw proper, elegant regular script that read:

Miss, as if meeting face-to-face:

Last night, Miss seemed to suffer from fire poison. I used two Spirit-Obliterating Pills, supplemented with spiritual power for suppression, which seemed to provide relief. However, Zichen does not understand medical arts. When Miss awakens, if there is any discomfort, please quickly seek a good physician. Fearing Miss may have need, I leave a cup of spiritual blood, hoping it may assist Miss somewhat. As a disciple of the Immortal Pavilion, I must quickly return to the sect to handle subsequent matters and cannot continue escorting Miss. Please forgive me.

Meeting was most fortunate, great kindness is difficult to express. Green mountains and clear waters—we shall meet again.

Miss, take care.

Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, Pei Zichen

Seeing this letter, Jiang Zhaoxue nearly choked.

She hadn’t expected Pei Zichen to run so fast. She had been deceived by him into almost believing he would truly come with her. Who knew he couldn’t even last one night and rushed back at dawn to seek death?

“Is he sick or something?” Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t help muttering. “Going back is seeking death, isn’t it?”

“Maybe he knows he can’t survive with you either?” A’Nan reminded.

Only then did Jiang Zhaoxue react—oh right, he couldn’t survive in her hands either. Both paths led to death.

But how did he discover this? Where did she expose herself? At most, she just had a bad temper. Was this seventeen-year-old child really that clever?

Moreover, if he couldn’t find a way to survive with her, Lingjian Immortal Pavilion wouldn’t work either. She had analyzed it so clearly, yet he still wanted to go back. Had Lingjian Immortal Pavilion placed a curse on him?

She couldn’t figure it out and only wanted to curse.

Just as she prepared to get out of bed and drink the spiritual blood first so as not to waste a drop, the transmission jade suddenly flashed. She swept her hand across it and heard Qingye shrieking: “Goddess, come back quickly! Your husband is flying on his sword toward Cloud Floating Mountain! He’ll arrive any moment!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue gasped sharply.

She turned to look at the sky. It was already past the hour of Mao, dawn was breaking. When they saw Shen Yuqing descending the mountain, it wasn’t yet the hour of Chou—a whole night had passed.

But Shen Yuqing still had to reinforce the Jiuyou Realm barrier, which wasn’t a simple matter. Logically, it should take at least three days, yet Shen Yuqing was rushing back to Lingjian Immortal Pavilion now, even heading straight for Cloud Floating Mountain. He must have detected something.

It was Pei Zichen.

Jiang Zhaoxue understood immediately.

Pei Zichen left a quarter hour ago. If he flew back on his sword, he should have already returned to Wuyue Forest and encountered Shen Yuqing.

He had contact with her too closely last night. Although she had deliberately changed her sachet before coming, Penglai Island’s incense was too different from Central Province. Fragrance accumulated on the body over many years wasn’t easy to remove after contact. Shen Yuqing was an extremely perceptive person, meticulous as fine hair. He must have discovered some clues and was now rushing to catch her.

Now that she hadn’t obtained the Heavenly Secret Spirit Jade, she couldn’t let Shen Yuqing detect her abnormality.

If Shen Yuqing discovered she could briefly sever the Soul Bond Contract to leave and had also repaired the Jiuyou Realm barrier, if he had any ideas, it would be taking advantage when she was sick to demand her life.

After a brief moment of thought, Jiang Zhaoxue sorted out her thinking. However, her Spirit-Gathering Pills were already consumed. Her body had just recovered, and opening such a long-distance transmission array was extremely draining of spiritual power—she simply couldn’t do it.

After contemplating for a moment, she looked at the spiritual blood Pei Zichen left on the table and suddenly had an inspiration.

The essence of how destiny masters operated was gambling with the Heavenly Dao, borrowing the Heavenly Dao’s power to help them accomplish what they wanted. Whatever result was gambled, the Heavenly Dao would lend power to achieve that result.

For example, Jiang Zhaoxue’s qiankun signature tube was divided into five results: Supreme Fortune, Supreme Good Fortune, Moderate Good Fortune, Moderate Fortune, and Great Misfortune. Different results meant different power borrowed from the Heavenly Dao.

But this result wasn’t completely random—it mainly depended on three elements.

First, whether one’s own ability could accomplish the task. For example, Jiang Zhaoxue was currently at the Integration stage. If relying only on her own cultivation level, could she dodge a sword strike from Great Ascension stage Shen Yuqing? The higher the possibility she could dodge, the higher the success rate as a destiny master praying to dodge Shen Yuqing’s sword.

Second, the formation array used by the destiny master when casting. These formation arrays were set up to increase the probability of winning the gamble. The larger the array, the higher the success rate.

Third was the most unstable item: fortune—the destiny master’s own fortune and the fortune of what was being sought. The higher the fortune, the greater the probability of winning the gamble.

These three points were difficult to predict precisely. All destiny masters only tried to increase the probability of success, but no one could accurately calculate the result, so destiny master casting was extremely unstable.

Currently, cultivation level and formation array couldn’t be changed. What Jiang Zhaoxue could change was only fortune.

Pei Zichen was the Heavenly Dao’s chosen son. Drawing arrays with his spiritual blood meant borrowing his fortune.

Realizing this, Jiang Zhaoxue was greatly delighted and quickly took Pei Zichen’s spiritual blood to begin drawing arrays.

As she drew the array, Qingye urgently inquired: “Goddess, did you hear? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Hold him off,” Jiang Zhaoxue calmly spoke. “I’ll open the array and return immediately.”

“Alright, I’ll make arrangements.”

As Qingye spoke, sounds of obstruction came from outside.

“Your husband visits at dawn. Please wait while we notify the Goddess.”

“Move aside.”

“Your husband, the Goddess has not yet finished her toilette. Please wait a moment.”

“Move aside.”

“Your husband, the Goddess was unwell last night and instructed she does not wish to see anyone today. Please wait a moment, your husband.”

“Move aside!”

Jiang Zhaoxue listened to the distant argument inside, rapidly finished drawing the transmission array, and quickly formed hand seals: “The Heavenly Dao is impermanent, gambling fortune on heaven, supreme great fortune, ten thousand li in an instant—”

As she spoke, her finger swept across: “Go!”

A jade stick inscribed with “Supreme Supreme” flew out. A’Nan quickly transformed into bird form and landed on Jiang Zhaoxue’s shoulder. Jiang Zhaoxue pressed her fingers together and swept—her vision instantly went black.

Then she heard a “bang” as a door was struck, accompanied by Qingye’s obstructing voice and urgent footsteps moving inward: “Your husband, how can you be so impolite?! Your husband, don’t go in—the Goddess hasn’t risen yet. Your husband…”

Hearing the voice, Jiang Zhaoxue gave A’Nan a look. A’Nan quickly hid in the bedding.

It and Jiang Zhaoxue were originally one entity. Shen Yuqing couldn’t sense it—as long as it wasn’t seen, there was no problem.

As A’Nan hid, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly pulled off her outer robe and hairpins with extreme speed, stuffed them into the bedding, and the instant she lay down, Shen Yuqing had already arrived at the bedside and yanked open the bed curtain.

Morning light fell through gaps in the bed curtain onto the bed. Shen Yuqing’s eyes immediately took in the woman with disheveled clothing, half her shoulder exposed, lying on the bed with closed eyes in slumber.

He was so startled he immediately released the curtain, then realized his impropriety.

At this moment, Jiang Zhaoxue’s voice weakly sounded from within the bed curtain.

“A’Yuan?”

Shen Yuqing’s movements froze slightly.

This was, many years ago when Jiang Zhaoxue first knew him, her favorite form of address.

Two hundred years ago, Lingjian Immortal Pavilion wasn’t yet the greatest sect in Central Province. He was just a small disciple of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion. Although he was considered outstanding, compared to the Goddess of Penglai Island—the great sect of Central Province for ten thousand years—the destiny master Jiang Zhaoxue with heavenly-grade wood spiritual roots who had lived to twenty years old, the difference was like clouds and mud.

At that time, he hadn’t yet reached adulthood and didn’t have a courtesy name. When she first asked his name and recited “Shen Zeyuan” once, she naturally said: “Such a complicated name—I’ll just call you A’Yuan, okay?”

He had never acknowledged this form of address.

Later, when he took a courtesy name and they married, to show intimacy she was unwilling to call him by his courtesy name like others. He would remain silent every time she called his given name.

Finally, she yielded and eventually called him by his courtesy name like everyone else, only occasionally calling him A’Yuan when her consciousness was unclear.

At those times, he didn’t want to argue with her, so he didn’t correct her.

Only such times were rare—only during her monthly fire poison period would she speak such nonsense.

Hearing this “A’Yuan,” Shen Yuqing slowly came to his senses and suddenly felt his actions were improper.

What was he thinking wildly about?

Jiang Zhaoxue suffered fire poison last night—she couldn’t possibly go out. Besides, what would she go to Wuyue Forest for?

Even if she went to Wuyue Forest, sealing Jiuyou Realm wasn’t a bad thing. What need was there to conceal it?

That bit of fragrance on Pei Zichen’s body was just incense commonly used by Penglai Island people. It wasn’t necessarily Jiang Zhaoxue’s. Even if it was, there was nothing to care about. Why rush back so urgently?

Standing before the bed curtain, listening to Jiang Zhaoxue arranging her clothes inside, he gradually became clear and calm.

He felt his speculation was too absurd, even… faintly carrying an imperceptible fear.

Only this kind of fear he himself hadn’t even realized. After quickly denying his own conjecture, he waited quietly before the bed curtain.

Through the bed curtain, Jiang Zhaoxue simply tidied up all information that might be discovered before finally opening the curtain.

Morning light fell on her pale face, making her appear even more frail. Shen Yuqing gazed at her. She looked up at him in confusion, weakly and bewilderedly asking: “Why did you come?”

These words pricked Shen Yuqing’s heart finely, but it wasn’t much. He quickly ignored it, only saying: “Last night in Wuyue Forest, someone opened the Jiuyou Realm barrier.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue showed surprise on her face, then urgently asked: “What’s the situation now?”

Shen Yuqing examined her expression. Seeing she truly seemed not to know, he completely set his mind at ease. He didn’t conceal anything, calmly narrating: “Someone sealed it in time and stabilized the situation. I’ve temporarily reinforced it. I’ll return in a bit to completely reinforce and repair it.”

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue thought as expected—Shen Yuqing had returned halfway to check on her.

She feigned ignorance, only looking at Shen Yuqing in confusion, waiting for him to continue.

But Shen Yuqing also said nothing, seemingly also waiting for her to speak.

After the two remained silent for a moment, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat awkward and finally took the initiative to probe: “Do you… need something? Need my help?”

These words made Shen Yuqing’s breathing visibly tighten. A moment later, he finally said: “Jiuyou Realm was sealed in time. The nearby Lingxiao Hua were not destroyed. I found one and brought it back. If you truly were poisoned by Spirit-Obliterating Pill, then eat it.”

Speaking thus, Shen Yuqing took out a Lingxiao Hua from his sleeve and placed it on the bedside table.

Seeing this, Jiang Zhaoxue leaned against the headboard and laughed lightly: “Thank you for your trouble.”

“Since no great wrong was committed, and you also suffered a night of fire poison, you should already know your error.” After placing the Lingxiao Hua, Shen Yuqing sat before the bed as usual, somewhat unnaturally reaching toward her pulse. “Give me your hand. I’ll suppress the toxin for you…”

Before he finished speaking, Jiang Zhaoxue instinctively dodged, actually evading Shen Yuqing’s hand that was about to grasp hers.

This movement was too fast. When they realized, both froze.

Shen Yuqing raised his eyes. Jiang Zhaoxue also realized she had dodged too quickly.

In the past, she always eagerly sought his touch. When had she ever avoided it like this?

She couldn’t help feeling somewhat embarrassed. Feigning ease while rotating her wrist, she lowered her head and said softly: “No need. Last night it hurt too much, so I temporarily found a water spiritual root disciple.”

Shen Yuqing didn’t speak, only quietly scrutinizing her.

Perhaps because the identity of wife was too special and couldn’t tolerate offense.

Or perhaps having grown accustomed to him doing this over the years, suddenly having someone take it away made him somewhat unaccustomed.

At this moment, he felt a strange yet familiar sense of restlessness. He abruptly recalled the instant he smelled her body’s fragrance on Pei Zichen—feeling like he was a beast whose territory had been violated, urgently wanting to do something to eliminate this unease.

But he knew this was losing composure, shouldn’t be indulged, so he could only remain silently unexpressive.

He remained silent too long. Jiang Zhaoxue was looked at nervously and inquired uneasily: “What’s wrong?”

“Non-heavenly grade water spiritual root power is too mixed,” Shen Yuqing came back to himself, restraining himself as he explained indifferently, “it’s of no benefit to you.”

These words made Jiang Zhaoxue silently stick out her tongue inwardly.

What mixed? Not only was he heavenly grade, he had ice spiritual roots.

Most importantly, he was gentle!!

Previously, she always thought transmitting spiritual power to suppress fire poison was this painful. Only now did she realize it was because Shen Yuqing had no patience.

But while water spiritual root disciples were many, heavenly grade spiritual root disciples were extremely rare. If she stated it clearly, Shen Yuqing could guess with his toes that it was Pei Zichen.

So she could only smile and say tiredly: “A bit mixed doesn’t matter. As long as it’s useful, I can slowly meditate and clear it. Anyway, with your spiritual power before, I also had to digest it separately again. There’s no real difference.”

These words stunned Shen Yuqing. He instinctively wanted to say something, then heard Jiang Zhaoxue say: “After all, you’re the Pavilion Master of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion. There will always be times you can’t attend to me. I thought about it last night—I truly was immature before. From now on, I’ll listen to you in everything. In the future, if you’re busy, you needn’t necessarily come. If you’re worried that mixed spiritual power is of no benefit to me, just find a heavenly spiritual root water-attribute disciple. A bit of spiritual power—these disciples surely wouldn’t refuse to help.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing gradually calmed down, observing her.

Jiang Zhaoxue’s eyes were full of gentleness as she said seriously: “Rest assured. From now on, I will never pester you again.”