On the mountain path, Xie Buchen similarly wore a freshly changed clean dark azure robe.

As if reborn overnight, washing away the coldness bordering on cruelty, his entire being gave people a sense of otherworldly transparency, with indifference hidden within the sparse coldness.

His eyes remained emotionless and unfeeling, yet could reveal traces of past gentleness.

His right hand held a sword with a completely black scabbard, impossible to tell what material it was made from, much less what kind of sword lay within.

From afar, Xie Buchen raised his eyes and saw Jian Chou’s moon-white figure.

Standing before the mountain, her dark hair like a waterfall, her entire being sharp and stern.

Standing among several people, she truly had the bearing of an outstanding prodigy.

A trace of smile appeared at his lips, his eyes holding natural appreciation and admiration.

Real Person Hengxu wore Daoist robes, with nearly century-old beard and hair, walking in front.

Fudao Shanren held a broken bamboo pole in his hand, carrying a wine gourd, but no chicken leg this time, looking exactly like a beggar, yet walking grandly beside Real Person Hengxu without feeling embarrassed at all.

Xie Buchen followed behind the two with Wu Duan, descending together.

Below on the mountain path, Jian Chou and the other four had been waiting for a long time.

Hearing those light footsteps, Jian Chou turned around and immediately saw the carefree Fudao Shanren, unable to suppress a smile.

She didn’t know why, but whenever she saw her master with such a roguish appearance standing beside the leader of the righteous path, she would feel that Real Person Hengxu was nothing special.

A strange sense of satisfaction.

Perhaps seeing Jian Chou’s smiling gaze, Fudao Shanren glared at her with bulging eyes.

Jian Chou had to seriously restrain the expression between her brows and eyes, standing obediently below the mountain path. Her gaze wandered and suddenly caught sight of Xie Buchen standing behind Real Person Hengxu.

In that instant, the divine light in her eyes finally condensed.

Xie Buchen also looked at her, his face completely calm.

The two gazed at each other, no longer with yesterday’s confrontation and sword shadows, only harboring indescribable deep currents within the tranquility.

Changed.

This was completely different from yesterday’s Xie Buchen.

He seemed to have suddenly washed away worldly dust, becoming a piece of pure jade, standing on the mountain path, remaining unmoved despite the clear wind blowing.

In her memory, a figure suddenly began to overlap with Xie Buchen’s current form.

Standing before her was neither today’s Xie Buchen nor yesterday’s Xie Buchen, but actually the former—

Xie Wuming!

Completely composed, with elegant poetry and literature in his heart, harboring strategies for mountains and rivers, just by standing among the world’s ordinary people, he would certainly be the most dazzling one.

Unfortunately, in her view, he was the most vulgar one.

Acting as if nothing had happened?

Composed and steady?

Just one word: “pretending”!

Jian Chou’s face remained unchanged in its kindness, only turning the jade slip behind her back as a smile suddenly bloomed on her lips: for the Azure Peak Nunnery hidden realm journey, she had made full preparations. If Real Person Hengxu wanted Xie Buchen to become the natural leader among them? Dream on!

“Young people really have vitality—coming so early.”

Fudao Shanren stroked the scattered whiskers on his chin, sighing with admiration.

Supporting himself with his bamboo pole on the ground, he looked completely lazy.

Hengxu smiled and said: “Today, all young friends will depart from Kunwu for the Azure Peak Nunnery’s hidden realm. Now that the hidden realm is damaged, I fear even communication spirit beads cannot exchange messages. To ensure everyone’s safety, Fellow Daoist Fudao and I have prepared something to present to you young friends.”

After speaking, he spread his hand, and six spiritual lights scattered outward.

Jian Chou’s attention returned from Xie Buchen to what was before her.

Six small ancient bronze bells floated before the six people, their surfaces carved with complex patterns that caused dizziness at first glance.

The bells emitted light azure radiance that could clear one’s mind.

“These bells are called Immovable Bells. Six form a set, interconnected, capable of guiding each other’s direction. If you become separated in the hidden realm, these bells may help somewhat.”

“When not in use, wearing them provides clarity of mind, making cultivation twice as effective.”

“Each Immovable Bell contains a red bead. In danger, you can shatter the bead inside to block one strike from a Golden Core peak cultivator.”

Real Person Hengxu explained the bells’ functions one by one.

Fudao Shanren standing nearby added insult to injury: “But if the red bead breaks, the Immovable Bell’s directional guidance will disappear—somewhat useless. However, I imagine you won’t encounter any particularly great dangers in the hidden realm, so the Immovable Bells should suffice. Just be careful.”

What did he mean by “somewhat useless” and “won’t encounter particularly great dangers”?

Hearing this, everyone broke into cold sweat, tremblingly answering “Yes” with twitching mouths.

Having his thunder stolen, Real Person Hengxu glanced at Fudao Shanren, then shook his head and withdrew his hand seal. All six bells fell simultaneously.

Everyone reached out to catch their bells.

The Immovable Bells were only thumb-sized but very exquisite.

When Jian Chou held it in her palm, the bell vibrated slightly with faint ringing, and red light projected from within—presumably the “red bead” Real Person Hengxu had mentioned.

The six bells sensed each other, their lights flickering.

A trace of contemplation passed through Jian Chou’s eyes as she concealed her various thoughts and casually hung it at her waist.

Everyone else had also finished putting them on.

Real Person Hengxu turned to Wu Duan: “You’re going to Wangjiang Tower anyway, so escort them partway and be careful on the road.”

“Yes, disciple obeys.”

Wu Duan smiled, stepped forward, cupped his hands, and walked toward Jian Chou and the others.

Xie Buchen followed behind Wu Duan, also entering the group.

Then Jian Chou saw the sword in his hand.

Yesterday at the training ground, she hadn’t seen this sword. From the surface, she couldn’t tell anything about its origins…

But once Xie Buchen held a sword, it reminded her of that ordinary sword hanging in the crude thatched hut…

Carrying a sword again—did he want to kill her once more?

This time…

It wouldn’t be so easy.

Her butcher’s knife was also prepared for him.

Sword shadows and blade light flashed through her eyes.

Jian Chou watched the approaching figures, her gaze moving from Wu Duan to Xie Buchen, meeting his eyes directly with a curved smile: “Junior Brother Xie has also come.”

Three words that would be ordinary on any other day.

But in Wu Duan’s ears, they thundered, immediately recalling yesterday’s tense confrontation.

Fearing conflict, he was about to mediate again when he heard a gentle voice from behind: “Senior Sister Jian Chou.”

“…”

In this instant, Wu Duan felt his scalp explode.

This voice…

He was familiar with it.

But he couldn’t believe…

Turning his somewhat stiff neck, Wu Duan looked back to see Xie Buchen nodding slightly to Jian Chou in greeting.

Scholarly and refined, though his face showed no expression, he appeared peaceful and composed.

Gone was yesterday’s oppressive aura and that sense of confrontation and approaching storm.

Facing Jian Chou, he seemed to face an ordinary person, calling her “Senior Sister” as naturally as he would call them “Senior Brother.”

Inexplicably, Wu Duan felt Xie Buchen had gained some “human feeling.”

Human feeling?

Could these words really describe Xie Buchen?

His eyes clearly remained emotionless and unfeeling, yet Wu Duan couldn’t suppress this absurd thought.

The words “Senior Sister” coming from his mouth felt completely wrong.

Even the others standing beside Jian Chou frowned imperceptibly, only Jian Chou seeming to have anticipated this, her eyes deepening with amusement.

In the past, he had called her “wife,” but today he had to bow his head respectfully and call her “Senior Sister”—she wondered what he felt inside.

After years together, except for that sword strike that killed her, she knew him inside and out.

Every movement, every word and action, every thought…

If she were Xie Buchen, seeing the person she had killed alive again, and unwilling to break her immortal path, she would certainly harbor killing intent again.

Having decided to kill, all scruples would be cast aside.

He could calmly and cold-heartedly face someone standing before him, whether treating them as acquaintance or stranger.

This was Xie Buchen.

With consideration thorough to the extreme, he could control all his emotions.

From this point, she was far inferior to him.

So she remained Jian Chou while he became Xie Buchen.

His stern brows, face touched with frost, adding past gentleness and removing that harsh coldness.

Jian Chou couldn’t help but feel admiration.

Still Xie Buchen after all.

If she really had to kill him, she’d feel somewhat reluctant.

What a pity—such a handsome face hiding an iron heart beneath.

Squinting slightly, Jian Chou raised her eyebrows with a mocking smile, seeming very satisfied with Xie Buchen’s obedient address, speaking without hostility: “For the Azure Peak Nunnery hidden realm journey, we’ll trouble Junior Brother Xie to lead the way.”

Her bright gaze held no darkness.

Though clearly a request, even gratitude, in everyone’s ears it sounded like a superior’s command.

As if Xie Buchen wasn’t this journey’s leader—she was!

Hearing this, Young Master Ruhua couldn’t help rubbing his palm with his paper fan, feeling unbearably itchy.

Lu Xiangleng sighed inwardly, ultimately admiring her extremely.

Zuoliu couldn’t detect the surging undercurrents, just pretending to be a wooden dummy with Xia Houshe.

Seeing this, Real Person Hengxu’s eyes flashed briefly.

Wu Duan, cold sweat on his neck, pretended to hear nothing, turning to bow to the two masters with everyone: “Disciples take their leave.”

Real Person Hengxu and Fudao Shanren both nodded, watching seven lights rise from the mountain front into the layered clouds, gradually disappearing toward the transmission array outside Nine-Head River Bay.

“Looking at them really makes one feel good.”

Like a mortal who hadn’t slept well, Fudao Shanren yawned again with a sigh.

Real Person Hengxu glanced at him: “What did Fellow Daoist Fudao do last night?”

“Hehe…”

Fudao raised his eyebrows, looking northwest.

He squinted slightly, not saying what he had done, only asking: “You’re busy with myriad affairs, but do you know who’s currently named on the Second Heaven Tablet?”

The Second Heaven Tablet?

The first among Foundation Establishment cultivators?

This first place had changed from Xie Buchen to Jian Chou, and after Jian Chou broke through to Golden Core, a new name appeared.

Though Hengxu had many Kunwu affairs to handle, he was clear on this.

“Yesterday I discussed this person with Master Jade Heart. He’s a young monk from Western Sea’s Zen Forest named Liaokong, with three lifetimes of good deeds and excellent fortune, cultivating extremely quickly. But this person’s talent is slightly inferior to our disciples. Why does Fellow Daoist Fudao suddenly think of him?”

“Among the Nineteen Provinces’ cultivators, there’s no reincarnation, except in two places.”

Fudao took out a chicken leg, took a bite, and immediately showed satisfaction like he’d just bedded a beautiful woman.

Hengxu nodded: “Buddhism—Western Sea’s Zen Forest and the Snowy Region’s Esoteric Sect.”

“Correct.” Fudao Shanren turned his head, licked the chicken bone twice, still unsatisfied. “That bald donkey Jiehui from the Esoteric Sect is entering three years of closed cultivation. I haven’t been to the Snowy Region in ages—perfect opportunity. Hehe, the Zen school produced a new generation, but the Snowy Region shows no movement. My heart itches like cat claws.”

Three years of closed cultivation?

Real Person Hengxu’s brows furrowed, a bright light flashing in his eyes as he understood Fudao’s meaning: “Shall we investigate?”

“Shall we investigate.”

Fudao Shanren rarely gave him a serious reply.

But then he laughed: “Can you abandon Kunwu’s affairs?”

They had both risen to fame in the same year’s small assembly, standing together in the Nineteen Provinces, having once traveled together through treacherous mountains and waters, killing countless demons and monsters.

But later, each became a sect’s backbone, rarely leaving their posts, losing some of their former spirit.

Real Person Hengxu sent a message to Kunwu’s main peak: “My thirteen disciples are all capable leaders. Kunwu will be fine without me.”

Then he looked at Fudao Shanren.

Fudao Shanren wore a tragic expression, sighing: “To travel with you old monster again—truly infuriating!”

After speaking, he transformed into a towering flame and instantly vanished.

Real Person Hengxu unhurriedly stepped into the void and also disappeared.

On Western Sea Plaza.

Jian Chou and the others came from the transmission array outside Kunwu’s Nine-Head River Bay, directly arriving at the plaza.

Still bustling with people, but especially boisterous today.

“Who did this?”

“What does this mean?”

“Who put it together?”

“Did anyone see?”

…

Wu Duan emerged from the transmission array, immediately hearing the surrounding voices.

He frowned, looking around to see many passersby pointing toward the sea.

Jian Chou followed, with Young Master Ruhua, Lu Xiangleng, and others behind her, while Xie Buchen brought up the rear unhurriedly.

The salty sea breeze blew as nine black Heaven Tablets stood at the plaza’s end, pointing diagonally toward the sea. countless gazes focused in that direction—

On the undulating sea surface, a stone tablet eroded by seawater for years, weathered through vicissitudes, still stood.

But when Jian Chou’s gaze fell upon it, her pupils contracted sharply!

This was the Western Sea’s famous “Wendao Tablet,” legendary site where someone once heard the Dao and ascended in daylight, leaving this monument.

However, at this moment…

This familiar giant tablet now had an additional section, moss-covered but identical in form and size to the Wendao Tablet, even the break perfectly matching, quietly embedded atop the Wendao Tablet.

The tablet weathered by sea winds was dark-colored.

The newly embedded section bore fresh soil and green moss.

An ancient character “朝” (Morning) stood prominently above the words “闻道” (Hear Dao)!

—朝闻道 (Hear Dao at Dawn)!

Jian Chou heard several sharp intakes of breath around her.

In her heart, it was like a heavy hammer striking.

Images flashed rapidly through her mind!

The stone tablet by the small pond, sat upon by that youth then mysteriously vanished, the mayfly born from hearing the Dao yet living only a day, the borrowed Time Eye, and now the suddenly appearing “朝闻道”!

The nearly perfect matching traces seemed like some powerful cultivator’s prank, carrying chilling implications.

“朝闻道” wasn’t simply “hearing the Dao.”

朝闻道，夕死可矣！ (Hear the Dao at dawn, die at dusk without regret!)

Vague coldness rose from her feet.

Jian Chou felt the same shock as everyone else, but beyond shock, she also felt indescribable anticipation: what storms would a small mayfly stir in this world?

Everyone around discussed the upper tablet’s origins without result.

She suddenly smiled, speaking in the silence: “It seems this is a Nineteen Provinces full of secrets everywhere.”

Wu Duan remained silent for a long time, taking out his communication spirit bead to report to his sect.

“This matter is extraordinary. I’ve reported to my sect. It seems I’ll have one more thing to ask about at Wangjiang Tower.”

Frowning, he put away the spirit bead and told Jian Chou: “Time is short, and I have business. I won’t escort Senior Sister Jian Chou further.”

“Farewell.”

Jian Chou cupped her hands in salute.

Wu Duan smiled slightly, watching several people walk toward another transmission array. Their next destination would be the Thirteen Immortal Islands, then crossing to the mortal island, Azure Peak Nunnery.

Unexpectedly, after walking a few steps, Jian Chou suddenly stopped: “I suddenly remembered some things I forgot to ask Senior Brother Wu Duan. Fellow Daoists, please wait in the array for a moment.”

Without caring what those behind her thought, she returned to Wu Duan.

Wu Duan was surprised: “Senior Sister Jian Chou?”

Standing before him, Jian Chou transmitted: “I’ve heard Junior Brother Xie is a first-class genius of Kunwu. We only know his current Golden Core cultivation but don’t know his true abilities. The hidden realm journey is dangerous—could Fellow Daoist Wu Duan provide some guidance?”

Guidance?

Guide her regarding Xie Buchen’s cultivation?

His thoughts stirred as Wu Duan recalled yesterday’s near sword-drawing scene, his gaze circling Jian Chou’s face but seeing no signs of calculation.

Though he disliked Xie Buchen, Xie Buchen was still a Kunwu disciple.

If Jian Chou truly had deep enmity with Xie Buchen, who knew if she’d be another Qu Zhengfeng plotting against him?

So Wu Duan, after consideration, didn’t answer directly: “If Senior Sister requests, Wu naturally has no reason to refuse, but if Wu can resolve Senior Sister’s doubts, could Senior Sister also resolve Wu’s?”

Reasonable—give and take.

Jian Chou became curious: “Senior Brother Wu’s cultivation is high—you need me to resolve doubts?”

“What enmity exists between you and Junior Brother Xie?”

Wu Duan didn’t hesitate, finally voicing his long-held confusion.

In this instant, Jian Chou was stunned.

She hadn’t expected Wu Duan’s exchange question to be this.

So she hadn’t misjudged—Wu Duan still disliked Xie Buchen!

But this question gave Jian Chou a sense of absurdity.

Her eyes rolled slightly as she squinted with a fox-like smile: “Senior Brother Wu really wants to know?”

Why did Jian Chou’s expression seem wrong?

Wu Duan vaguely sensed something amiss, but this question had troubled him too long to withdraw.

After consideration, he nodded: “Please speak plainly, Senior Sister Jian Chou.”

“Sigh, originally I thought this was an eternal secret that shouldn’t be known, but since Senior Brother Wu asks, how can I not speak? Actually…”

Jian Chou stood with hands behind her back, composed, sighing softly with some melancholy.

“He’s my ex-husband.”

“Pfft!”

Ex-husband?!

He nearly spat!

Wu Duan almost choked himself to death on the plaza, coughing violently, unable to speak a complete sentence. He stared wide-eyed at Jian Chou, seeing the deep smile on her face, then turned to look at Xie Buchen standing in the transmission array.

Xie Buchen’s face was indifferent, looking at him with emotionless eyes.

This gaze, originally plain and ordinary, was familiar to Wu Duan.

But…

At this moment, coldness crept up his back from his feet.

He remembered asking Qu Zhengfeng: Does your senior sister have a Dao companion?

This relationship, or possible relationship, was suddenly quite complex.

With a stiff face, Wu Duan, already called an “old monster” by others, slowly turned back, speaking to Jian Chou with utmost seriousness and unusual formality: “This matter is significant—please don’t jest, Senior Sister.”