Hearing these words, Jiang Zhaoxue stared at Pei Zichen in a daze, not expecting him to dare make such a vow. For a moment she couldn’t tell if she was worried or angry—she just felt a wave of irritation rising within her. She forced herself to look away. Beside her, Gujun’s words seemed to satisfy him, as his qi smoothed out. Finally showing some satisfaction, he nodded and said: “With your word, I’m also at ease. During these days at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, you two need not meet. The Female Sovereign should do her inventory and wait for Zichen’s triumphant return.”

Gujun turned his head to look at Jiang Zhaoxue, smiled, and said: “Then you’ll take ten disciples from Lingjian Immortal Pavilion and depart?”

“Easily done.”

Jiang Zhaoxue tossed the chess pieces into the box, raised her eyes to look at Gujun, nodded and said: “Thank you, Old Ancestor, for making this possible.”

“Then you may descend the mountain. Xiushu.”

Gujun raised his voice, and footsteps came from outside. Not expecting Gujun to summon someone so quickly, Pei Zichen was startled. By the time he reacted, Guan Xiushu had already entered the courtyard and bowed to Gujun: “Senior Brother.”

“Take them down the mountain.” Gujun’s tone was casual as he collected the chess pieces from the table, saying plainly: “Announce this: half a month ago, the case of the Jiuyou Realm barrier breach—Pei Zichen and several of his junior disciples were framed. The truth has now been ascertained. Restore him to his position as Ze Yuan’s first disciple with all previous treatment. Additionally, today he rendered meritorious service in repelling the demonic creatures of Jiuyou Realm at the Cangming Sea. Record this merit in the Disciple Hall and select some spiritual medicines from the warehouse to send to him separately. After he has rested, you will arrange for him to go to the battlefield to aid the Immortal Alliance and drive the demonic cultivators back to Jiuyou Realm as quickly as possible.”

“Senior Brother!” Hearing this, Guan Xiushu’s face showed urgency. “He has unclear connections with Jiuyou Realm…”

“The Book of Fate knows his relationship with Jiuyou Realm better than you do.”

Gujun spoke. Guan Xiushu froze. Both Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen sensed something, glanced at Gujun, but said nothing more.

Guan Xiushu composed himself, seeming to finally accept this reality. He gritted his teeth and said: “Yes, Junior Brother will see to it immediately.”

“Take them down.”

Gujun waved his hand, and the three bowed and withdrew.

Guan Xiushu led the two out of Gujun’s courtyard with a cold face, not saying a word. When they reached the foot of the mountain, Pei Zichen took the initiative to look at Jiang Zhaoxue and said: “Master’s Wife, you still have injuries. Why don’t you come with this disciple to the medical hall for treatment?”

Going to the medical hall together was the only legitimate way for them to stay together at present.

Hearing this, Guan Xiushu glanced at the two of them. He wasn’t quite certain about their relationship either. If there truly was some conflict between them, they had just seen Gujun. Since he let them descend the mountain, they must have reached an agreement—there was nothing to hide. But if they had nothing…

Guan Xiushu frowned. Could it be that his mind was too filthy?

This thought suddenly made him less confident.

Beside him, Jiang Zhaoxue heard Pei Zichen’s words and knew he was looking for a chance to be alone with her—he must have something to discuss. But when she thought of how he had just vowed not to reveal his feelings before others, she grew cold. She raised her hand to summon her white crane and said coolly: “No need. Yunfu Mountain has its own physicians. You go to the medical hall.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue departed on her crane. Pei Zichen was stunned, then grew somewhat flustered. He knew Jiang Zhaoxue was unhappy, but he didn’t know what she was unhappy about. But he couldn’t show it in front of Guan Xiushu. He could only pretend to be composed as he turned to Guan Xiushu, who had been secretly observing them, and bowed: “Grand Master Uncle, if there’s nothing else, this disciple will proceed to the medical hall first.”

Hearing this, Guan Xiushu nodded: “Mm.”

Pei Zichen respectfully withdrew.

After the two left, Guan Xiushu couldn’t quite figure it out.

“What kind of relationship is this?”

After the three left one after another, the back mountain fell completely quiet.

Gujun put away the last chess piece, stood up, and went to the Hall of Heavenly Mandate.

In the Hall of Heavenly Mandate, the Book of Fate floated high above, emanating golden light.

Gujun walked into the hall, performed a grand bow, then showed anger on his face: “Lord Shenjun, Pei Zichen possesses the divine artifact and colludes with Jiuyou Realm. If we don’t eliminate him now, he will become a great threat in the future. This disciple has already separated Pei Zichen from Jiang Zhaoxue. Why not strike now? What does the Lord Shenjun think?”

After Gujun finished asking, three characters appeared on the Book of Fate: “Cannot kill.”

Gujun frowned: “With this disciple’s abilities, not necessarily…”

Before he finished speaking, the Book of Fate revealed another character: “Wait.”

Seeing this character, Gujun understood. He said respectfully: “This disciple understands.”

As he spoke, voices came from behind the room. Gujun looked up and saw Shen Yuqing stumbling out from the rear hall in single-layer clothing with loose hair. He grabbed Gujun’s sleeve urgently: “Master, where’s A’Xue? A’Xue…”

“She’s fine.”

Gujun looked at him, knowing what he wanted to ask. He patted his hand and said kindly: “She has already returned to Lingjian Immortal Pavilion. Pei Zichen has also been imprisoned. Master has already kept her here, just waiting for you to get better.”

Shen Yuqing was stunned. Then he heard Gujun say gently: “Ze Yuan, Young Master Jiang is now also at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion. If they learn that your spiritual root is damaged, Penglai may not be willing to acknowledge you as their son-in-law anymore.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing instantly stiffened.

After being locked by Jiang Zhaoxue’s Dragon Locking Array, his spiritual power had been continuously drained. He didn’t have much spiritual power left to begin with. Later, when he rushed to Snow Cang Mountain, he had been barely holding on the whole way. Damage to his spiritual root was inevitable.

Penglai had always felt he wasn’t worthy of Jiang Zhaoxue. Now that he and Jiang Zhaoxue had dissolved their marriage contract, if he made Penglai feel he was useless, how could he keep Jiang Zhaoxue?

Without emotion, there should at least be mutual benefit. To have mutual benefit, he at least needed to be useful.

“Your spiritual root damage isn’t severe. Recuperate well in the Hall of Heavenly Mandate.” Seeing Shen Yuqing waver, Gujun patted his hand and said: “Rest assured, as long as you remain the True Immortal Realm’s foremost sword cultivator, Penglai will not abandon you.”

“Mm…”

Listening, though Shen Yuqing felt uneasy, he still said: “This disciple understands.”

“Go rest.” Gujun waved his hand and said gently: “When your spiritual root recovers, perhaps A’Xue will have come around. You two were husband and wife for two hundred years—there will always be friction. Pei Zichen is just a demonic cultivator destined to die. He doesn’t amount to anything.”

Hearing about Pei Zichen, Shen Yuqing’s heart felt as though it had been harshly sliced by a blade.

His heart held killing intent. He knew what Gujun said wasn’t right, but still said: “This disciple understands. This disciple will recover quickly. You… please give this to A’Xue.”

Shen Yuqing thought of something and took out a wooden hairpin from his sleeve. He handed it to Gujun, his eyes welling with tears as he said hoarsely: “She gave this to me back then. She said this hairpin represents a wish. Give it to her. Tell her my wish is for her to wait until my injuries heal. Let’s discuss everything after my injuries heal.”

“Rest assured. After all, she liked you for so many years. Her feelings won’t disappear all at once. She’s waiting for you.”

Gujun gripped the hairpin and said with a smile: “Go rest quickly.”

Hearing this, Shen Yuqing finally felt completely at ease.

He realized he had lost his composure. He bowed to Gujun and took his leave.

After he left, Gujun held the wooden hairpin and sighed: “This child…”

As he spoke, he sensed something and raised his eyes.

He saw three characters written on the Book of Fate:

Shatter it.

Gujun was stunned. The Book of Fate seemed afraid he wouldn’t understand and specifically reminded him:

This hairpin.

*** ***

From the back mountain to Yunfu Mountain wasn’t far. Jiang Zhaoxue rode her crane over and quickly spotted Yunfu Mountain’s location.

Seeing that she didn’t look back, A’Nan couldn’t help but sigh and remind her: “If you don’t go to the medical hall now, Pei Zichen will go to the battlefield tomorrow. You two won’t be able to see each other for a very long time.”

“As you said, we won’t see each other for a long time.” Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone was indifferent. “Then what’s the point of meeting at the medical hall? If he wants to see me, he should come find me.”

“Come find you?”

A’Nan was shocked and couldn’t help saying: “This is Lingjian Immortal Pavilion. He… he won’t, will he? Our Zichen is very rule-abiding unless absolutely necessary.”

“If I can’t compete with the rules, then let’s not meet.”

Jiang Zhaoxue snorted coldly and said insincerely: “Besides, I don’t want to see him anyway.”

Hearing this, A’Nan looked at her with disdain. But afraid of angering Jiang Zhaoxue, he didn’t dare point out that she actually wanted to see Pei Zichen. He could only speak in roundabout terms: “What if he can’t come? Lingjian Immortal Pavilion isn’t like being outside—there are guards everywhere.”

“If he doesn’t even have this much ability, then he really doesn’t need to come see me.” As Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, she firmly believed: “If he wants to see me, he’ll definitely find a way.”

As she spoke, Jiang Zhaoxue landed on Yunfu Mountain.

Although Yunfu Mountain was at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion, it was more like a mobile large ship and actually still belonged to Penglai. Living on it were all the demon cultivators Jiang Zhaoxue had brought from Penglai. When Jiang Zhaoxue landed, she prepared to be greeted by everyone. She tossed her hair rather dashingly and said: “Little ones, I’m back…”

Before she finished speaking, Jiang Zhaoxue’s movement froze.

She saw Jiang Zhaoyue’s attendant standing not far away, calmly watching her.

Jiang Zhaoxue was cold and aloof by nature, and his attendant was no better. Looking at Jiang Zhaoxue’s expression was like looking at a dead person—respectful yet numb: “The Female Sovereign has returned.”

“Ah…”

Jiang Zhaoxue forced an awkward smile: “Li You, it’s you.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue dismounted from her crane and cautiously approached, squeezing out a smile as she probed: “My brother came?”

“This way, please.”

Li You turned to lead Jiang Zhaoxue toward the great hall, walking while saying: “The Young Master has been waiting for quite some time.”

“Oh.”

Jiang Zhaoxue knew things were bad. She looked around and, seeing no one, carefully asked again: “Then… where is everyone else on Yunfu Mountain?”

“Qingye is arranging care for the wounded. The rest are receiving instruction in the hall.”

Hearing the word “instruction,” Jiang Zhaoxue’s heart dropped.

Standing just at the doorway, she heard Jiang Zhaoyue’s voice coming from the great hall, cold as he said: “She’s irresponsible, and you’ve all forgotten the rules too. Is this how Penglai taught you? One by one, staying at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion until you’ve all lost your minds…”

“Brother!”

Seeing that he would probably start punishing people if he continued scolding, Jiang Zhaoxue, adhering to the principle of “if I don’t enter hell, who will,” called out loudly.

Everyone looked over excitedly. Someone couldn’t help but cry out: “Female Sovereign!”

“Go out, go out.” Jiang Zhaoxue waved to her people, quickly shooing them away. “The Young Master and I still have things to discuss. Hurry and go.”

Hearing this, though everyone still wanted to say more to Jiang Zhaoxue, they knew it wasn’t the right occasion and quickly withdrew.

Once only Jiang Zhaoxue and Jiang Zhaoyue remained in the great hall, Jiang Zhaoxue hurried forward to pour tea and water for Jiang Zhaoyue: “Brother, why did you come?”

“If I didn’t come, would you still remember me?”

Jiang Zhaoyue’s tone was bland as he scanned her up and down. After confirming she was unharmed, he said sarcastically: “An Eighth Realm Fate Master. Seems you’ve been living quite comfortably.”

“Thanks to your blessings.”

“Sit down.” Jiang Zhaoyue didn’t want to make small talk and said directly: “Give me your hand.”

Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t dare say more. She sat across from Jiang Zhaoyue and extended her hand, letting him examine her body as she probed: “Brother, why were there so many demons at the Cangming Sea today? How come Penglai’s people also came over?”

“It’s not just the Cangming Sea.” Jiang Zhaoyue took her pulse and said calmly: “These things are now everywhere in the True Immortal Realm.”

“How could that be?” Jiang Zhaoxue was somewhat surprised and couldn’t help saying: “Resentment insects feed on resentment energy. What they fear most is spiritual energy. They’re suppressed by the Heavenly Dao in the True Immortal Realm and simply cannot reproduce. If there are some near the Cangming Sea, how could other places…”

“Because they can now reproduce in the True Immortal Realm.”

With these words, Jiang Zhaoxue was shocked.

Jiang Zhaoyue said calmly: “The day you left, the Jiuyou Realm barrier was completely destroyed, and Jiuyou Realm launched a full-scale invasion. In the seventeen days since you left, the fighting has been intense. Fortunately, Jiuyou Realm hasn’t committed their full strength either—they’ve just been continuously releasing these things. And the True Immortal Realm’s fortune has long since begun to decline. Without the protection of the Heavenly Dao, the resentment insects can reproduce.”

“The True Immortal Realm’s fortune is declining?”

Jiang Zhaoxue began to react: “How did I…”

She was a Fate Master. She should have detected this early on.

She was about to say how she hadn’t noticed anything unusual, but she suddenly realized—her breakthrough to the Seventh Realm and possession of A’Nan were themselves the greatest anomalies.

Jiang Zhaoxue remained silent in shock. After confirming her body was unharmed, Jiang Zhaoyue looked up at her and said coolly: “Enough about all that. Your most urgent matter now is to explain to me clearly—what exactly is your relationship with that young disciple?”

With these words, Jiang Zhaoxue froze.

Jiang Zhaoyue knew her temperament all too well. Seeing her expression, he curved his lips in a cold smile: “What, you’ve given up on the old one and taken a liking to the young one? Are you destined to fall for Lingjian Immortal Pavilion men in this lifetime?!”

“Brother…” Jiang Zhaoxue braced herself to explain. “Listen to me…”

“Listen to what?!” Upon hearing Jiang Zhaoxue still wanted to make excuses, Jiang Zhaoyue flew into a rage. He instantly stood up and shouted sternly: “What good fruit can grow from Lingjian Immortal Pavilion’s muddy ground? Haven’t you suffered enough at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion? So that’s why you suddenly let go of Shen Yuqing—you’ve taken a fancy to someone new? Even with someone new, you can’t pick properly? How old is he and how old are you? Plus he’s Shen Yuqing’s disciple—what good stock could he be? Is it worth bearing infamy to entangle yourself with him? And what about your Concentric Contract with Shen Yuqing? In the future, you’ll be throwing money at this young disciple while continuing to be Shen Yuqing’s blood bag…”

“Brother, calm down!”

Jiang Zhaoyue’s wild scolding came down on Jiang Zhaoxue’s head like clubs. Jiang Zhaoxue hurriedly grabbed Jiang Zhaoyue and said urgently: “Listen to me…”

“There’s nothing to say. This time I absolutely won’t let you make mistake after mistake. If you really fancy him, I’ll kill him right now…”

“He has my Spirit Locking Array on him!”

Jiang Zhaoxue loudly interrupted Jiang Zhaoyue. Jiang Zhaoyue froze.

Jiang Zhaoxue pulled him down to sit, pressed down on Jiang Zhaoyue’s shoulders, met his shocked eyes, and said seriously: “Brother, I’m not that fool who blindly gave everything for feelings anymore. My being with Pei Zichen—it’s not him using me, it’s me using him.”

“What do you mean?”

Jiang Zhaoyue didn’t understand.

Jiang Zhaoxue explained patiently: “I planned to separate from Shen Yuqing long ago, but to separate I must dissolve the Concentric Contract. There’s only one way to dissolve the Concentric Contract—using the Tianji Lingyu. But when I snatched the Tianji Lingyu, the jade entered Pei Zichen’s body. All its power was used to save his life. I could only choose between killing him to retrieve the jade or placing a Spirit Locking Array on him.”

“So you placed a Spirit Locking Array on him?”

Jiang Zhaoyue understood. “From then on, he’s no longer a person but a human-shaped magical treasure filled with spiritual energy. All magical artifacts belonging to him belong to you. When you activate the Spirit Locking Array, it will absorb all his spiritual power to nourish the Tianji Lingyu.”

“Exactly.” Jiang Zhaoxue said seriously: “When that time comes, not only can I dissolve the Concentric Contract, I might even step into the Ninth Realm.”

A Ninth Realm Fate Master—one who could glimpse the Heavenly Mandate, manipulate cause and effect, and make words become law.

It would break through all the weaknesses of Fate Masters. At that point, she would become an absolute powerhouse of the True Immortal Realm.

Jiang Zhaoyue looked at her in disbelief, as if looking at a stranger.

Jiang Zhaoxue pressed her lips together and said apologetically: “Brother, I know I made many mistakes before, burdened Penglai, and made you all worry about me. So rest assured, I absolutely won’t repeat those mistakes.” Jiang Zhaoxue looked seriously at Jiang Zhaoyue. “I maneuver around Pei Zichen because he’s useful. Between him and me, I definitely won’t lose.”

“So do you like him?”

Jiang Zhaoyue blurted out. Jiang Zhaoxue stiffened.

Jiang Zhaoyue immediately knew the answer and frowned: “Does he know about the Spirit Locking Array?”

“I… I told him I’m deceiving him.” Jiang Zhaoxue said vaguely: “He said he doesn’t mind.”

“That’s because he doesn’t know what you’re deceiving him about.” Jiang Zhaoyue reminded her. “What if he knows and he does mind?”

“Then I even more can’t tell him.” Jiang Zhaoxue immediately said: “If he minds, he’ll definitely find a way to run. How can I let him leave?”

Jiang Zhaoyue was stunned. He hadn’t expected Jiang Zhaoxue to be so resolute in executing this plan. He couldn’t help saying: “But you like him.”

“It’s… not…” Jiang Zhaoxue evaded, laughing awkwardly. “I don’t like him that much.”

“Why not tell him?” Jiang Zhaoyue couldn’t understand. “A’Xue, you weren’t this kind of person before. Tell him and let him choose. If he loves you, he’ll stay.”

“What if he’s unwilling?”

Jiang Zhaoxue countered. For a moment, Jiang Zhaoyue couldn’t speak.

He seemed not to know what to do either. Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment and said seriously: “Brother, I’ve seen the future.”

Jiang Zhaoyue stiffened. He seemed to remember something. Jiang Zhaoxue’s thoughts were somewhat chaotic. Recalling the contents of the book, her hands and feet grew cold as she said softly: “In the future I saw, he and Shen Yuqing became mortal enemies. He wanted to kill Shen Yuqing, and I, because of the Concentric Contract, was forced to be bound together with Shen Yuqing. In the end, I died at Pei Zichen’s hands, and Penglai was also destroyed because of him. Although many things have already changed now and I believe he’s not that kind of person, I can gamble with myself, but I cannot gamble with Penglai.”

Jiang Zhaoyue froze. In that instant, he suddenly remembered the night Jiang Zhaoxue formed the Concentric Contract with Shen Yuqing—the siblings had a very heated argument.

That night, he had cursed at her, calling her a fool, saying she was gambling with her entire life, saying she was dragging Penglai along to bet on a future they were bound to lose.

The young Jiang Zhaoxue, pale-faced, had firmly told Jiang Zhaoyue:

She wouldn’t lose.

“Ze Yuan has feelings for me, I know it.” She had said. “I can tell he likes me. Even if he doesn’t, I’ll always be good to him, consistently good to him. He’s a good person—he’ll eventually be good to me.”

She had spent two hundred years in utter defeat. Even though she never spoke of it, it was all part of her past that could never be erased.

This scar harshly carved through her years, dripping with blood.

When it was laid bare before Jiang Zhaoyue, he suddenly felt his heart grow sour. He couldn’t help but say hoarsely: “Yaoyao…”

“So I can’t tell him.”

Jiang Zhaoxue stared at Jiang Zhaoyue and said seriously: “To change the fate of myself and Penglai, I must ensure I obtain the Tianji Lingyu with absolute certainty. If he minds, then I shouldn’t tell him. If he doesn’t mind, then he’ll be with me anyway. I’ll go through fire and water to make it up to him.”

Jiang Zhaoyue said nothing more.

He fell silent, seeming to think about something. Jiang Zhaoxue looked at him and said patiently: “Brother, there’s no need to worry.”

“Since you’ve decided, then do it this way.” After thinking for a long time, Jiang Zhaoyue said softly: “Just… be good to him.”

Jiang Zhaoxue looked up in confusion. Jiang Zhaoyue lowered his head and said in a low voice: “If you’re good to him now, in the future he’ll remember you more and be a bit more soft-hearted. When the time comes and you become a Ninth Realm Fate Master, as long as he’s willing, even if he becomes an ordinary mortal, Penglai will accept him.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoyue raised his head, stared at Jiang Zhaoxue and said: “When that time comes, I’ll personally arrange the wedding for you two.”

Hearing this, a flash of unnaturalness crossed Jiang Zhaoxue’s face. Somewhat embarrassed, she said: “That’s thinking too far ahead…”

Then she suddenly remembered Pei Zichen’s vow to Gujun today. Feeling somewhat dissatisfied, she sneered: “Besides, he already told Gujun that he won’t publicly acknowledge this matter. If it damages my reputation or that of Lingjian Immortal Pavilion and Penglai, he’ll be struck by five thunderbolts and die a terrible death. He doesn’t want to be proper husband and wife—he just likes playing with danger.”

These words made Jiang Zhaoyue pause. His expression gradually improved as he said warmly: “If he said that, I actually respect him more.”

Being an open and honest son-in-law of Penglai was always better than being some nameless young disciple.

But Jiang Zhaoxue was dissatisfied. She snorted coldly and didn’t respond to this.

Jiang Zhaoyue thought for a moment, pulled the crouching Jiang Zhaoxue up, and said softly: “Alright, tell me what happened after you fell off the cliff. How did you obtain the divine artifact? And how did you and Pei Zichen reach this point?”

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue knew Jiang Zhaoyue wanted to know many things.

She truly had no one to confide in along this journey, so she sat up and told him everything about these years in great detail.

Jiang Zhaoyue listened patiently. When Jiang Zhaoxue finished, she said with some emotion: “It wasn’t until after I killed Xin Luoyi that I realized I didn’t return for Xin Luoyi at all, but for Li Xiuji. But I still wasn’t in time. In the end, he became the Jiuyou Xuanming Emperor. If only I could have saved him earlier…”

“That’s not something you could control.” Understanding the situation, though Jiang Zhaoyue felt regret, he could only console her.

Jiang Zhaoxue knew this principle. After thinking for a moment, she asked urgently: “Speaking of which, Brother, do you know what ultimately happened to Li Xiuji in the Battle of Cangming Sea back then?”

Everyone only knew they had won back then, but whether Li Xiuji lived or died in the end was never clearly stated.

Although Jiang Zhaoyue was the Young Master, he had long since taken over Penglai’s affairs, and these matters had passed through his hands. He thought for a moment and recalled: “At that time, three Tribulation Transcendence Stage cultivators from the True Immortal Realm, together with forty-seven Grand Ascension Stage cultivators, jointly formed an array. They staked their lives to completely seal him at the bottom of the Cangming Sea. He entered the dao as a ghost body. I heard he’s only a demi-god form and must continuously draw power from the outside to condense his body. If his power is exhausted, he’ll naturally perish. So, barring any accidents, if he continues to be sealed in the Cangming Sea, within fifty years he’ll completely disappear.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue froze.

Jiang Zhaoyue glanced at her and immediately reminded: “I know you’ve developed feelings of compassion for him, but remember—that’s a Li Xiuji of a thousand years. You don’t know what he experienced in this millennium. He’s no longer the young man you knew. Don’t act rashly or do anything at the Cangming Sea that would harm the True Immortal Realm.”

“Of course not.”

Though Jiang Zhaoxue felt regret, she still said: “Between him and me… there’s just some regret, that’s all. However,” thinking about it, Jiang Zhaoxue brightened up, “I worked so hard—I must have saved quite a few people, right? Where’s the Tianli Calendar? Let me see if I changed history.”

If she had changed history, the later records would change accordingly.

Seeing her happy expression, Jiang Zhaoyue laughed.

Those who managed sect affairs like them always carried the Tianli Calendar with them. He took out the Tianli Calendar from his qiankun bag and tossed it to her: “Look for yourself. I still need to check on the injuries of Penglai’s disciples. I’ll leave if there’s nothing else. Stay at Lingjian Immortal Pavilion during these days. I’m afraid that if I leave, they’ll harm Pei Zichen. With you, an Eighth Realm Fate Master and Penglai’s Female Sovereign, staying here to watch, they’ll still have to show some consideration. Bringing Pei Zichen back safely is the top priority.”

“I know.”

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded.

Jiang Zhaoyue took out a bag of talisman papers and pushed them to her: “These are new talismans. If you need more, find me. And this.”

Jiang Zhaoxue received a silver talisman paper. This talisman paper clearly had exceptionally rich spiritual power. Jiang Zhaoxue looked up in surprise and heard Jiang Zhaoyue say: “This is a teleportation talisman written with my heart’s blood. It can instantly transport you directly to Penglai’s border. If there’s an emergency, just leave directly.”

Jiang Zhaoxue took the talisman paper and looked worriedly at Jiang Zhaoyue’s pale complexion, unable to help saying: “Brother… you…”

“Wait until you become a Ninth Realm Fate Master.” Jiang Zhaoyue looked up. “That’s more important than your nonsense.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue smiled: “True.”

“Anything else you want to ask?” Jiang Zhaoyue inquired directly.

Jiang Zhaoxue thought: “One more thing.”

She recalled: “When I sealed Li Xiuji, Qian Sisi’s soul was about to shatter. I gave her a demon core. She could stabilize her soul in the demon core and then send it to Penglai’s Reincarnation Pool to be reborn as a demon cultivator. In this thousand years, has any outsider brought a demon core to the Reincarnation Pool?”

This made Jiang Zhaoyue think. He nodded: “Yes.”

“Who?”

“Qingye.”

The moment Jiang Zhaoyue spoke, Jiang Zhaoxue froze.

Qian Sisi’s final words flashed through her mind: “I must become a wealthy demon cultivator, keep eight or ten beautiful men, and be good sisters with you again!”

Wealthy, keeping many beautiful men, good sisters…

Before Jiang Zhaoxue could react, an anxious female voice came from the doorway: “The Female Sovereign has returned?!”

She stiffened and slowly turned her head to see a woman in green robes with dual blades at her waist rushing in energetically.

The moment she entered, her features strangely overlapped with Qian Sisi’s face.

Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly realized—when she returned to the past, she didn’t remember Qingye’s appearance at all.

And at this moment, she discovered that Qingye and Qian Sisi looked exactly alike.

“Female Sovereign!!”

Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue, Qingye excitedly rushed over.

“I finally get to see you! You don’t know—these days have felt like years to me, thousands and thousands of years. I feel like I’ve been waiting for you for such a long time!!!”

Jiang Zhaoxue was held by Qingye, taking a long time to react.

Seeing this, Jiang Zhaoyue stood up and silently left.

After a moment, Jiang Zhaoxue slowly extended her hands and embraced the woman in her arms.

“Qingye.”

Sisi.

“Long time no see.”