As soon as Su Yueli’s words fell, there was a tremendous “boom.” Qin Wanwan felt a massive force strike her. Someone pressed her down as they crashed to the ground, then she heard a light cough and blood dripped onto her shoulder.

“Jian Zhiyan?” Qin Wanwan had been forcibly yanked out of Su Yueli’s spiritual sea by external power and was somewhat dazed.

Jian Xingzhi removed the hand bearing the dharma seal from Qin Wanwan’s body, wiped the blood from the corner of his lips, and said nothing more.

Just now, when he used the dharma seal to transmit spiritual energy to Qin Wanwan’s spiritual power, he had absorbed it all through formations using ‘Jian Zhiyan’s’ body—not using his own spiritual roots to absorb it or his golden core to refine it. Under these circumstances, forcibly resisting the cultivation level of a half-step Divine Transformation cultivator was still somewhat taxing.

“Are you alright?”

Qin Wanwan had no idea what was going on. She supported the seemingly injured Jian Xingzhi and asked worriedly: “Should we go back first?”

Jian Xingzhi shook his head. Just as he was about to speak, he heard a loud shout from outside the door: “Qin Wan!”

As soon as the words fell, wind howled from the side. Jian Xingzhi pushed Qin Wanwan to one side and rolled away himself.

Qin Wanwan crashed into a nearby pillar. Looking up, she saw Jun Shu kneeling on one knee, standing not far away.

His jade xiao had struck the ground. There was blood at the corner of his lips, and his breath was turbid and chaotic—clearly he was injured. Qin Wanwan recalled the xiao sound she’d heard in Su Yueli’s divine sense and instantly realized.

“That was you just now?”

Seeing that Qin Wanwan had only now realized the person who launched the surprise attack with xiao sounds was him, Jun Shu laughed coldly. His usually gentle tone carried a bit of teeth-grinding meaning: “Qin Wan, I really underestimated you. Since you have the ability to injure me, why pretend your cultivation is completely lost?”

Qin Wanwan froze. She unconsciously raised her hands and saw the few traces of spiritual power still remaining on them, feeling somewhat confused: “I… I hit you?”

“That’s right,” Jian Xingzhi watched the magnificent electric currents in his divine sense being blocked by 666 not far away. He quickly followed the script on the teleprompter and lied with his eyes open, “You truly are my pride. You’re even stronger than I imagined!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the electric current dimmed.

Qin Wanwan was completely dazed. She looked at the injured Jun Shu, then at her own hands still bearing traces of spiritual power.

It really was her who hit him. Could this be the legendary protagonist’s golden finger?

Having received Jian Xingzhi’s affirmation, Qin Wanwan’s heart suddenly filled with some excitement.

Sensing Qin Wanwan’s mood, 38, who had originally been about to say something, held back its words. It changed tack and encouraged: “Host, do you feel the joy of being a great female lead?”

“I feel…” Qin Wanwan hesitated, still unable to believe it, “I feel it.”

“Qin Wan!” Seeing Qin Wanwan continuing to be dazed, Jun Shu couldn’t help but feel somewhat annoyed, “This young master is speaking to you—can’t you hear?”

“Fight!”

38 shouted excitedly: “Beat the hell out of him!”

“You…” Qin Wanwan scrambled to her feet and nervously warned him, “Don’t go too far.”

“This young master is going too far,” Jun Shu laughed coldly, “What are you going to do about it?”

As he spoke, the jade xiao in his hand spun and thrust directly toward Qin Wanwan: “If you dare cause trouble at Linglong Pavilion, you must pay the price. Let me see just how capable you are!”

“Bastard!”

Seeing Jun Shu attack, Jian Xingzhi instinctively wanted to intervene, but as soon as he moved, he saw the electric current in his divine sense suddenly light up, and 666 shouted: “Don’t!”

Jian Xingzhi stopped his movement, took a deep breath, and quickly changed his approach.

“Qin Wan,” Jian Xingzhi shouted, “Fight back!”

Qin Wan was forced back step by step by Jun Shu. Just as she was about to retreat to the wall, hearing Jian Xingzhi’s words, she simply took a gamble. Her toe tapped against the wall and she did a backflip, using her flute as a sword and whipping it toward Jun Shu’s face!

Jun Shu sneered and tilted his head slightly. At the same time, Jian Xingzhi condensed his divine sense into a needle and sent the flying needle toward Jun Shu!

The needle entered Jun Shu’s shoulder. Jun Shu’s movement slowed, and in that very instant, Qin Wanwan’s flute struck hard against Jun Shu’s head, immediately sending Jun Shu flying. Jun Shu managed to do a backflip in midair with difficulty and landed on one knee. He drew in a sharp breath, raised his hand to touch his face that now bore a bloody mark, and turned to look at Qin Wanwan.

“Qin Wan, you played dirty?!”

“I didn’t…” Qin Wanwan was about to deny it when she heard a cheer from beside her: “Excellent!”

Jun Shu and Qin Wanwan turned back together to see Jian Xingzhi sitting cross-legged on the ground applauding, looking at Qin Wanwan with eyes full of worship: “Condensing true energy into needles—this move was executed divinely, beautiful!”

Qin Wanwan was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized this must be 38’s doing. She cleared her throat lightly and tried to persuade Jun Shu: “Young Master Jun, just let it go…”

“Young Master,” the attendants outside also quickly spoke up, “Let us handle…”

“Everyone stand down!” Jun Shu shouted at the servants standing outside, then turned to look at Qin Wan, his gaze sinister.

“Despicable villain,” Jun Shu completely ignored the advice and without another word, spun his jade xiao in his hand and charged forward again, calling out lowly, “Let me see how many tricks you have!”

This time Jun Shu added spiritual power. Having gained confidence from the previous two times, Qin Wanwan no longer dodged. She raised her hand with the flute and whipped it directly toward Jun Shu’s face.

Seeing the two fighting, Jian Xingzhi immediately became excited. His palms itched, but mindful of the electric current in his divine sense ready to strike, he chose to spare 666 and himself. He simply found a comfortable position and lazily reclined on the ground, imperceptibly helping Qin Wanwan.

Whenever Jun Shu was about to hit Qin Wanwan at a critical moment, he would secretly use his divine sense to condense a flying needle, temporarily stopping Jun Shu’s true energy circulation.

Jun Shu couldn’t figure out at all where this evil technique was coming from. He only felt that each time at the critical moment, the true energy in his body would stagnate, and then he would be directly whipped away by Qin Wan. Qin Wanwan’s moves had no pattern whatsoever, her movements were both slow and ugly, so terrible they hurt the eyes, yet he seemed to have seen a ghost—he just couldn’t avoid them. Every time, he was hit precisely.

And that ‘Jian Zhiyan’ beside them was truly a waste, completely unable to understand the situation. Like he was blind, he blindly praised Qin Wan, making him want to vomit blood listening.

“Good!”

A flute strike hit Jun Shu’s back, making him stumble.

“Beautiful!”

A flute strike hit Jun Shu’s face, leaving a bloody mark.

“Master, your swordplay is as graceful as a startled swan, as elegant as a wandering dragon—truly the work of a great master!”

A flute strike knocked Jun Shu’s hand, directly seizing the white jade xiao.

“Master, I’m truly proud of you!”

A flute strike smashed into Jun Shu’s chest, immediately sending Jun Shu flying.

“Shut up!”

Jun Shu twisted his head to roar, and was met with Qin Wanwan’s flute, which smashed him hard to the ground. She didn’t know who she’d learned the move from, but she stomped heavily on Jun Shu’s face with one foot and pointed her flute at him: “Who are you yelling at?”

“That’s right,” Jian Xingzhi heard Qin Wanwan standing up for him and suddenly felt an indescribable happiness. He rolled up his sleeves and repeated to Jun Shu: “Who are you yelling at?”

“What kind of thing are you?”

Hearing Jian Xingzhi speak, the guards outside finally couldn’t hold back. One drew his sword and pointed it at Jian Xingzhi: “Is it your turn to speak?”

“Qin Wan,” Jian Xingzhi turned to look at Qin Wanwan, “He said I’m not qualified to speak.”

“You shut up,” Qin Wanwan pressed down on Jun Shu with more force, pointing her flute toward the doorway, “Is it your turn to speak?”

“All of you shut up!”

Jun Shu shouted loudly. He steadied himself and calmed down: “Qin Wan, let me up.”

“I can let you up,” Qin Wanwan said righteously, “but I’m going to ask you a question, and you must answer truthfully. Can you dispel Shen Zhiming’s tracking curse or not?”

Hearing this, Jun Shu laughed scornfully: “You still want to dispel your master’s tracking curse? What trick are you playing now?”

“When asked, just answer,” Jian Xingzhi said impatiently, “Are you annoying or not with all this nonsense?”

“I can.”

Jun Shu glared at Jian Xingzhi and calmly lay on the ground: “But unless you’re willing to save Yueli, I won’t help.”

“Easy enough.”

Hearing this, Qin Wanwan immediately smiled. She quickly withdrew her foot and agreed readily: “As long as you don’t regret it.”

Jun Shu froze. The guards rushed over to help him up. He looked at Qin Wanwan in disbelief, and after a moment, reminded her: “I said to save Yueli!”

“No problem.” Qin Wanwan agreed wholeheartedly: “You help me dispel the curse, I’ll help you save her.”

“You’re this kind?” Jun Shu’s face showed suspicion, “Then why didn’t you save her earlier?”

“I only just saw her tonight, didn’t I?”

Qin Wanwan’s face was completely sincere: “I just figured out what’s going on.”

“Still pretending,” Jun Shu sneered, “Qin Wan, I know exactly what kind of person you are. Don’t think that just because you’re willing to save Yueli, I’ll think any better of you. In my heart, you’ll never compare to Yueli.”

Qin Wanwan: “…”

She clenched her fists. She felt like hitting someone again.

But considering the plan to go down the mountain, she still decided not to argue with idiots.

She took a deep breath and smiled: “Young Master Jun, just tell me if you agree or not.”

Jun Shu thought for a moment and nodded: “Fine.”

“Then…”

“However,” Jun Shu raised his eyes to look at Qin Wanwan, “to dispel Sect Master Shen’s tracking curse, I need some time to prepare.”

“How long?”

“Two days.”

“That works.” Qin Wanwan nodded, “Then in two days, you dispel the tracking curse for me, and I’ll awaken Su Yueli for you. Just promise me,” Qin Wanwan smiled slightly, “don’t regret it.”

“What trick are you trying to play now?”

Jun Shu stared at her closely. Qin Wanwan shrugged her shoulders and said nothing more, turning to look at Jian Xingzhi: “Alright, I’m leaving. See you in two days.”

As she spoke, she extended her hand toward Jian Xingzhi.

Jian Xingzhi stood up directly and left together with Qin Wanwan. When they reached the doorway, Qin Wanwan seemed to remember something and suddenly stopped, turning back to look at Jun Shu: “Um, Young Master Jun.”

“What is it?”

Jun Shu looked up. Qin Wanwan’s face was completely serious: “May I ask if City Lord Jun has any other children?”

“The Jun clan has only me,” Jun Shu frowned, “You clearly know this—why ask?”

“Oh,” Qin Wanwan nodded, thought about it, and earnestly suggested, “Then when you go back, tell City Lord Jun that for the future of Le City, he should hurry up and have another one. There’s still time.”

“Qin Wan!”

“We’re not seeing you out!” Jian Xingzhi saw Jun Shu getting angry and raised his voice to interrupt him, waving his hand as they left with their backs to Jun Shu, “We’re leaving.”

With that, the two swaggered out.

Jun Shu watched their backs and clenched his fists.

A guard stepped forward and called out tremulously: “Young Master…”

“How did Qin Wan get in?!”

Jun Shu finally found someone he could vent at and roared.

“I… don’t know.”

“How is that Jian Zhiyan alive? How did he get up the mountain?”

“I… don’t know.”

“When did Qin Wan have such strength—how did I not know?!”

“You don’t even know,” the guard nearly cried, “how would this subordinate know?”

“You useless thing!” Jun Shu viciously slapped the guard across the face, his eyes nearly splitting with rage, “Go investigate!”

“Yes, yes,” the guard quickly turned over and knelt on the ground, “I’ll go investigate right away!”

The guard hurried out in a panic. Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi walked out of the courtyard together. The two exchanged a knowing glance, then laughed together.

Qin Wanwan cleared her throat lightly, her eyes carrying some embarrassment: “Tonight, I made you suffer through quite a scare.”

“Huh?” Jian Xingzhi realized what she was saying. In his heart he didn’t care at all—this kind of minor scuffle didn’t even register in his mind—but on the surface he still disguised it very appropriately, “It’s nothing, as long as you’re alright.”

He was gradually mastering the qualities a male companion should have, speaking more and more smoothly.

He thought about it, and to encourage Qin Wanwan’s spirit of courageously fighting tonight, he continued to close his eyes and praise: “Tonight you were truly mighty! If you continue like this, future ascension is within reach.”

“I think so too!” Qin Wanwan was full of confidence, but felt she couldn’t erase ‘Jian Zhiyan’s’ contribution, so she quickly added: “But thanks to your help in bringing me here.”

As she spoke, Qin Wanwan thought about it: “Next, I might have to trouble you to do two more things for me.”

“Go ahead.” Hearing that Qin Wanwan was going to cause more trouble, Jian Xingzhi immediately became excited.

“The first thing,” Qin Wanwan thought about all the twists and turns in her mind these past days, planning, “is that I need to find some tools to make a projector.”

“A projector?”

Jian Xingzhi didn’t quite understand. Qin Wanwan thought about what was going to happen, and her smile became much sweeter: “Zhiyan, we need to be good people.”

“Mm?”

“Jun Shu wants to save Su Yueli, so I have to save her,” Qin Wanwan thought about what was going to happen and became happier the more she thought about it, “Not only do I have to save her, I also need to let him see what his most beloved Sister Yueli has really been doing lately, right?”

Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi immediately realized this definitely wasn’t anything good.

He nodded, his face serious: “You’re absolutely right. What’s the second thing?”

“Shen Zhiming has already been at the secret realm for two days,” Qin Wanwan contemplated, “In two days, I don’t know if he’ll come back. But either way, we need to prepare for the worst.”

As she spoke, Qin Wanwan took out a universe pouch from her sleeve and handed it to Jian Xingzhi: “This contains a map of Wenxin Sect and some formations I’ve made. Follow the locations I’ve marked and set up all the formations. In two days,” Qin Wanwan’s voice lowered, “no matter what happens, as soon as the tracking curse is removed, we leave immediately.”

“When I handle things,” Jian Xingzhi took the universe pouch and smiled, a plan rapidly forming in his mind, “you can rest assured.”

“Qin Wan’s formations,” Jian Xingzhi asked 666 in his spiritual sea, “if I amplify their power tenfold, that shouldn’t be a big problem, right?”