Besides motherly love, Yin Changli couldn’t think of anything else that could give him strength at the brink of death and bring him back to life.

At this moment, he gazed at the long hair of the woman before him.

Meanwhile, Xiang Haikui was watching him.

He was completely immersed in his world.

But to Xiang Haikui’s eyes, he appeared entranced, his gaze gradually melting into a pool of tenderness, filled with deep affection.

Xiang Haikui had an epiphany: this scoundrel has a hair fetish!

No wonder, even when saving a snake, he had her use her hair as a thread.

Yin Changli pulled himself from his inner world and looked toward Xiang Haikui’s bun.

Was she the last woman to have contact with Dao Chen before his body was taken over?

Yin Changli frowned slightly and asked, “Miss Xiang, may this humble monk…”

“No, you may not.” Without knowing what he intended to do, Xiang Haikui refused first, tugging at the reins to make her camel beast move ahead by several dozen paces.

Up ahead, Xiang Tianqing, who was riding with Wu Mian, had been paying attention ever since Xiang Haikui slowed down to approach Yin Changli.

She was mainly watching Yin Changli.

Xiang Tianqing had met Dao Chen many times before and had always paid special attention to him. Today, she noticed that the Master seemed different from before, which raised some doubts in her mind.

Although today’s Master had shed his previous aura of radiance, there emanated from his bones a thick, otherworldly, and cold elegance.

It made people even more reluctant to offend him casually.

Those eyes had changed from their previous gentleness to resemble a deep, waveless pool.

When you look at him, he seems empty; when he observes you, he sees through everything.

She thought that the Master must have advanced in his cultivation level again, and significantly so.

After Xiang Haikui caught up, Xiang Tianqing whispered to her, “Little Kui, what misunderstanding did you have with the Master today?”

“It’s not a misunderstanding.” Xiang Haikui spoke honestly, “Sister, you should stay away from this hypocritical monk from now on. He’s a complete scoundrel…”

“It seems there is indeed a misunderstanding.” Xiang Tianqing said seriously, “If what you say is true, with the Master’s reputation in Yin Sha, you would be drowned by public criticism. Without Father emerging from seclusion, no one could protect you. Why would he help you out of your predicament?”

Xiang Haikui couldn’t respond to this; she couldn’t figure it out either.

Xiang Tianqing, who had been holding back for a long time, couldn’t resist saying, “Is it because you saw me walking close to the Master and giving him my camel beast that you’re trying to sow discord?”

What nonsense?

Xiang Haikui took a while to understand the logic behind this.

Several waves of annoyance surged in Xiang Tianqing’s heart.

She had guessed correctly that Xiang Haikui had left seclusion to find Lu Xiqiao and help Father resolve his troubles.

This notorious playboy of the royal capital was now bowing to her command.

And why was she hiding these excellent skills and that fine sword?

Gifted by a master?

What kind of master is so kind-hearted that they go around gifting precious swords to people?

Was it Father who told her to hide them?

Father had said she had no spiritual root and couldn’t cultivate, but even before her arrival, he had already started looking for spiritual herbs and miraculous methods to help her build her foundation.

Keeping the good treasures for his biological daughter was natural. What was there for her to be jealous about?

Her lips beneath the red gauze were dry from lack of water. When she bit them, the skin broke.

The pain made her frown.

At that moment, Wu Mian, who was sitting in front of her, was equally confused, unable to determine if Xiang Haikui was Master’s biological daughter.

He had always trusted his second senior brother, but now he was wavering. Had he been bewitched by her demonic transformation?

That shouldn’t be possible. Besides fighting, his heart only held space for his little junior sister. With a White Tiger bloodline, how could he be enchanted by a fox?

“Junior Sister,” he asked Xiang Tianqing, “Master’s lover was a fox spirit. That bitch… Xiang Haikui, like me, is a half-demon, right?”

In the Central States, although unions between humans and demons weren’t forbidden, few humans would marry demons and bring them home; even keeping them as concubines was rare.

Demons usually existed as “courtesans.”

Half-demons faced even more discrimination, which was probably why Master never clarified.

“She doesn’t resemble Master at all, but the temperament in her brow and eyes does have some similarity.”

Wu Mian’s words were like salt sprinkled on Xiang Tianqing’s wound. She gritted her teeth and pushed him off the camel beast: “Go ride with someone else!”

Wu Mian was completely unprepared. He rolled on the ground, got up, and was still bewildered: “Little Junior Sister, what did I say wrong?”

Behind them, Lu Xiqiao, who witnessed this, burst into laughter.

Wu Mian turned his head and glared at him. Laugh at your mother, I’ll kill you sooner or later!

…

Upon returning to the outskirts of Yin Sha City, Yin Changli, who was following behind the group, found that the procession had stopped. Everyone turned to look at him, and he understood that Dao Chen’s Buddhist cave must be nearby.

He released his divine consciousness to scan the surroundings, confirmed the location, said his farewells, and left.

“Wait.” In front of everyone, Xiang Haikui also turned her camel beast around. “Because of a misunderstanding, I stabbed you. I feel terrible about it. I’ve decided to go to the Buddhist cave to take care of you until your wounds heal.”

Yin Changli lowered his eyes. “That won’t be necessary.”

Xiang Haikui had already moved ahead of him: “You’re compassionate by nature. Surely you wouldn’t want to see a faithful woman suffering from guilt, unable to find relief?”

Lu Xiqiao and Bai Xingxian were riding together. Bai Xingxian naturally followed Xiang Haikui, but was stopped by Wu Mian: “Lu Xiqiao can’t leave. Come back with me!”

Lu Xiqiao argued, “The great City Lord Xiang only said I couldn’t leave the pass. What’s wrong with me going to the Buddhist cave?”

While they were arguing, Xiang Haikui and Yin Changli had already returned to the Buddhist cave.

This Buddhist cave was adjacent to a cliff face and was originally just a natural cave.

Many years ago, a group of ascetic monks seeking shelter from a sandstorm entered this cave and carved Buddhist statues into the stone walls.

Later, one of the monks cultivated a golden body, achieved perfect merit, and became famous.

This cave then became a checkpoint for Buddhist cultivators around the world. If they didn’t come to carve a Buddhist statue, they wouldn’t dare call themselves Buddhist cultivators.

So the Buddhist cave grew larger and larger, with its interior winding like a maze.

When Xiang Haikui brought the little black snake here for treatment, she was in a hurry. Only now did she discover that some carvings weren’t Buddhist statues but likely family members carved by devotees seeking blessings.

After taking in the dizzying array of carvings, she noticed one stone wall statue that somewhat resembled her employer.

Sitting cross-legged, clear and bright, as if playing chess with someone.

Xiang Haikui noticed a line of characters carved below the statue: “From here to the nine heavens, you are both Buddha and demon. May you be well year after year, may I…”

The characters weren’t large but were written in a flowing, majestic style. If one’s writing reflects one’s character, Xiang Haikui thought the writer must have been dignified and impressive.

Unfortunately, after so many years, the last line was difficult to make out.

The carver and the person depicted must have been kindred spirits… or rivals?

The two were evenly matched, never able to determine a winner.

Later, when the carver was about to ascend to the higher realm, he came to the Buddhist cave and carved a statue to pray for his opponent’s well-being, hoping that his opponent would live well until he could defeat him.

In other words, even in death, it had to be by his hand.

Seeing her pause, Yin Changli also glanced at the statue but didn’t linger. He continued inward, following his instincts to a room that appeared to be Dao Chen’s meditation chamber.

The furnishings inside were simple: just a meditation cushion and a writing desk.

He walked to the desk and sat down. Immediately, more fuzzy memories surfaced in his mind.

Dao Chen frantically tried to reclaim them, but couldn’t resist Yin Changli’s powerful soul.

As Yin Changli was searching for useful information, Xiang Haikui entered. She opened her sword case and threw it onto the desk with a clang.

Then she pulled out a dagger from her sleeve and stabbed it into the desk in front of him with a bang.

Yin Changli glanced at the dagger, finding it somewhat familiar. Remembering that it had once been stabbed into Dao Chen’s chest, he shifted his gaze away.

Xiang Haikui raised an eyebrow, sat down opposite him, hung the snake jar at her waist, and assumed the posture of a carefree boss, staring at him intently.

She was showing him through her actions that when she said earlier she would keep an eye on him, she wasn’t joking.

Yin Changli stopped what he was doing and met her gaze.

This troublesome attachment seemed somewhat thorny.

Oh, he dares to look back at me?

Xiang Haikui extended her hand, making a threatening gesture as if to poke his eyes: “Until my father comes out of seclusion, if you don’t leave, I’ll guard your corpse every day. Your higher cultivation level won’t help you. We’re both divine sword masters; neither of us can harm the other.”

That assailant probably wouldn’t choose to press her to death while she’s bathing anymore.

It didn’t matter where she waited.

This Buddhist cave might even be safer.

Bai Xingxian had told her that her Tian Kuang would only become lazy under Tianren Jian’s influence when she developed a fighting spirit against the master of Tianren Jian.

If she fought with others, Tianren would instead provide power for Tian Kuang.

After returning to the City Lord’s mansion, Xiang Tianqing immediately began practicing with her sword.

When Meng Xilou heard about this, he specifically went to take a look from a distance. Normally, she preferred to tinker with herbs; why was she suddenly so diligent in her practice?

And she was restless and unfocused, achieving no results.

He frowned and was about to step forward to stop her when his confidant, Huai Mie, appeared: “Young Master, bad news.”

Meng Xilou halted his steps: “What’s the matter?”

Huai Mie had been secretly protecting Xiang Tianqing and naturally had witnessed the scene of Xiang Haikui and Wu Mian fighting with the others: “Although I didn’t see that woman in action with my own eyes, her strength cannot be underestimated.”

Meng Xilou was startled: “Doesn’t she lack a spiritual root?”

“I saw that what she held in her hand seemed to be… the Tian Kuang sword, and her friend, the pale-skinned young man, was holding what should be Tian Bao…”

Now, Meng Xilou was truly puzzled.

Xiang Haikui had a bone age of twenty, undoubtedly a mortal. Why did she suddenly have cultivation power and possess a divine sword?

Huai Mie gritted his teeth: “Young Master, if I were to act in six days to torture and kill her, I’d have little chance of success.”

Six days later would be the best opportunity, just as Xiang Heng would complete a major heavenly cycle.

The next major heavenly cycle was not predetermined.

Meng Xilou rubbed his fingertips, looked toward Xiang Tianqing in the distance, and his eyes darkened: “In that case, I won’t need you. I’ll handle it myself.”

No matter what her background was, how could a mortal contend with him?

Hmph.

While Xiang Haikui was intimidating Yin Changli, Lu Xiqiao and Bai Xingxian found their way in.

It seemed they had won the verbal fight against Wu Mian.

The two were chatting happily.

Xiang Haikui withdrew her finger that was pointing at Yin Changli’s eyes, and heard them saying…

“Aren’t I impressive, young man?”

“Impressive indeed.”

“That’s right. In our royal capital, I’ve never won a fight, but I’ve never lost an argument.”

“Impressive, impressive.”

As soon as Lu Xiqiao entered, he immediately took off his storage bracelet, removed the seal, and handed it to Xiang Haikui: “Sister Kui, I forgot earlier, you haven’t picked your reward yet.”

Xiang Haikui had saved him twice, certainly not for a reward, but she was a poor person—why refuse something free?

She sent her divine consciousness into the bracelet and found treasures truly piled like mountains.

However, having seen her employer’s “department store,” she considered herself worldly and remained quite calm.

After looking through everything, she set her eyes on a red feather.

It was brighter than the red feather of a fire phoenix and had spiritual energy fluctuations.

“Sister Kui, you have a good eye.” Lu Xiqiao immediately took out that feather. “This is a Vermilion Bird feather. The Vermilion Bird, mind you, a creature from the upper realm.”

Xiang Haikui held it against her temple to see how it looked, pleased with herself: “Then I’ll take this.”

Lu Xiqiao: “Want to pick a few more?”

“This is enough.” Xiang Haikui immediately undid her messy bun and retied it.

Lu Xiqiao was surprised to discover that she was bald in a small patch on her head, but decided not to ask.

After Xiang Haikui finished tying her bun and attached the Vermilion Bird feather, Lu Xiqiao said, “Sister Kui, since you’ve accepted my gift, from now on I’m your man.”

Xiang Haikui was stunned for a moment, thinking this statement sounded a bit strange.

Lu Xiqiao quickly added, “You know, I’ve always wanted to do something significant to show my family. I have a feeling that following you, I’ll be able to accomplish great things.”

Xiang Haikui’s only goal was just to stay alive; she had never thought about accomplishing any great deeds: “Even if I were to do something significant, and I brought you along, what could you contribute? Provide treasures? Little Bai is enough.”

Bai Xingxian stood obediently in the corner, stealing glances at the “Master” sitting behind the desk.

During the exchange of treasures earlier, Lu Xiqiao had noticed that Bai Xingxian was indeed richer than him, and that dazzling sword in his hand was also very powerful.

“But young Bai is shy. I’m different. I’ve never had any shame. Today, that mad dog Wu Mian originally wanted to punch you, but as soon as I opened my mouth, he immediately changed his target to me.” Lu Xiqiao said proudly, “I excel at attracting fire. In the future, I can share the pressure with Sister Kui.”

Shocking. With this reasoning, Xiang Haikui found herself completely unable to refuse.

Yin Changli had no interest in listening to their conversation.

Quite interesting—they had just fought life and death battles, yet now they chatted enthusiastically in front of an enemy.

Their hearts were truly extraordinarily broad.

Being in the northern desert for a long time without drinking water, Yin Changli felt thirsty.

So he took out a bamboo tube and a set of tea utensils from Dao Chen’s storage bracelet and brewed himself a pot of tea.

He also casually picked up a Buddhist scripture from beside his feet to read.

After finishing one cup, still looking at the scripture, he habitually extended the empty cup in Bai Xingxian’s direction, with his pinky finger raised.

Bai Xingxian, who had been observing him, upon seeing this familiar gesture with the raised pinky finger, instinctively transformed back into Tuntun Shu, jumped onto the desk, and held the teapot with both front paws to refill his cup.

Yin Changli casually turned a page, brought the cup to his lips, and after moistening his lips with the tea, he froze.

The diligently working Tuntun Shu, holding the teapot with both paws, also froze.

Xiang Haikui, who was already quite annoyed, glimpsed this scene and, after a moment’s reaction, as if acupuncture points had been struck, also froze.

The air seemed to solidify, falling into stillness, with only Lu Xiqiao’s wildly turning eyeballs still moving.