Ye Shuyao was deeply worried. "But it seems Senior Brother cannot be easily moved…"
Yu Huan took the hint, suppressed the irritation in her heart, and looked over sideways. "If the pain is truly unbearable, Lord Xie, I possess some modest medical skills and might be able to—"
Before she could finish, a sudden change occurred!
Crack!
A piercing sound of shattering erupted from beneath Ye Shuyao's feet.
The giant rainbow marshmallow instantly split with spiderweb-like cracks.
Foul-smelling syrup burst forth like a flood. The entire space began to vibrate violently, letting out groans as if it were under an unbearable burden.
The upside-down Rainbow Ghost Faces twisted and shrieked; the dancing dolls lost their bright colors, revealing bleached white bones; the sweet river of honey churned and boiled, emitting gurgling black bubbles; the giant candy house melted into a stench-filled pus that corroded through the floor, revealing the endless, pitch-black void beneath.
The sweet illusion collapsed in an instant, replaced by an overwhelming aura of malice and destruction.
Yu Huan's pupils constricted. "The restricted area laws saw through our Mental State Disguise!"
"The space is about to collapse! Go!"
Gu Qianli reacted with lightning speed. The radiance of his folding fan surged as he instantly pulled Ye Shuyao behind him for protection.
Yu Huan instinctively looked toward Xie Wulei.
His aura was weak, and his eyes were half-closed, as if even maintaining consciousness was a struggle.
Amidst the roar of the collapse, however, he opened his eyes slightly and whispered to her, "My junior sister has been found; do not worry about me. Strike together to break through the void and leave."
He raised a finger, and a strand of Frost-white Sword Qi—condensed yet followed by a hollow weakness—tore through the air, pointing directly at a specific spot in the void.
Yu Huan understood immediately; escaping with their lives was the priority now.
"Gu Shaoqing, help me!"
Making a split-second decision, surging pale purple spiritual power gathered in her free palm, clashing violently with the dark red spiritual light thrown by Gu Qianli and Xie Wulei's strand of Frost-white Sword Qi.
Riiiip—!
A piercing sound of tearing rang out. In the midst of the violent Spatial Turbulence, a narrow rift barely wide enough for one person was forcibly torn open, and astral winds gushed out.
"Go!" Gu Qianli barked. Protecting Ye Shuyao, he transformed into a red shadow and was the first to charge in.
Yu Huan gritted her teeth. Supporting and half-carrying Xie Wulei, she followed closely behind, plunging into the turbulent flow of destructive energy.
The power of space felt like ten thousand steel needles scraping against her bones, and her Body-Protecting Spirit Light sizzled as it was torn apart.
Yu Huan pushed her spiritual power to its limit, tightly gripping the nearly unconscious man beside her as she lunged forward with all her might.
Behind them, the high-pitched laughter and wailing of the Candy World were finally swallowed whole by the cataclysmic roar of the spatial collapse.
The group stumbled out of the light gate, falling heavily onto the rocky ground in front of the Bronze Giant Door.
The moment Yu Huan's toes touched the ground, a dark shadow flitted before her.
The newcomer wore dark, tight-fitting martial attire. His brows were like distant mountains, his eyes like spring water, and the bridge of his nose was elegant. His appearance was feminine, yet he exuded a pressing, murderous aura.
It was Xiao Jin, the commander of the Southern Border's Dust-Cleansing Guard and a cultivator at the Unity Stage Peak Realm.
When he looked at Yu Huan, the sharpness in his eyes softened slightly, a trace of almost imperceptible tenderness flickering through them. But when he caught sight of the half-fainting figure in her arms, his pupils constricted, and his fingers tightened around the hilt of his blade.
"Commander Xiao," Yu Huan called out.
"Your Highness." Xiao Jin's voice was deep as his gaze locked onto Xie Wulei. "The Lord Commander…"
The man's clothes were tattered at the back, and the crimson blood soaking through his white robes was a shocking sight.
"Lord Xie's injuries are critical. I will escort him back to his room." Xiao Jin reached out to take him, his movements decisive.
Just as his fingertips were about to make contact, Xie Wulei's closed eyes opened a fraction. His gaze was clear and cold, and a sliver of faint light fell straight into Xiao Jin's eyes.
"Do not… trouble yourself, Commander Xiao." His voice was like cracked jade. He swept a half-smiling glance over the other man's tightly gripped sword hilt. "Your killing intent… is too heavy. I… cannot endure it."
Xiao Jin's movements froze instantly, and his knuckles creaked under his dark iron gauntlets.
Yu Huan said tiredly, "It is fine. I will take Lord Xie back."
She helped Xie Wulei up. As her fingertips inadvertently brushed against the edge of the wound on his back, her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Just now, in the spatial tunnel, fragments of chaotic memory had surfaced:
In the final moments when their Body-Protecting Spirit Light was about to fail, it was this body that had suddenly spun around, pressing her into his embrace and using his back to weather the brunt of the tearing forces.
The last clear thing she remembered was his suppressed, heavy breathing against her ear.
She found it inconceivable. The turbulence of the restricted area was specifically designed to break spiritual defenses; how did he dare to resist it with his own flesh and blood?
Was he that afraid that she, the suspect, would die and the clues would be lost?
Yu Huan lowered her gaze to the pale side-profile of the man in her arms. His long lashes were lowered, and his breath was weak; the sharpness from a moment ago seemed like a mere hallucination.
"Sister Yu! Brother Xie!"
Gu Qianli's voice drifted over.
He helped Ye Shuyao stand steady. His own dark red brocade robes were torn in several places, and his arms and neck were covered in several bone-deep, bloody gashes.
Seeing that Ye Shuyao was unharmed, his gaze landed on Xie Wulei's mangled back. He froze for a moment, a trace of startled suspicion flickering in his peach-blossom eyes.
Yu Huan raised a hand, and a wave of Celestial Physician Spiritual Power brushed over Gu Qianli.
The Divine Ability flowed, and his wounds healed instantly.
He smiled. "Sister Yu's Divine Ability is even better than spirit pills. My thanks."
Yu Huan returned the smile. "Lord Xie's situation is tricky. I will tend to him first."
Late at night, in the quiet room of the Listening Bamboo Pavilion in the guest courtyard.
Yu Huan sat cross-legged by the bed, her hands forming seals. The glowing Celestial Physician Spiritual Power, like a trickling stream, enveloped the man leaning half-upright against the headboard.
There was no need to remove his clothing; the spiritual power from her fingertips was enough to smooth away all the external trauma on his back.
In truth, with the formidable recovery power inherent to a Great Ascension Cultivator, such flesh wounds should have healed instantly. It was only because Xie Wulei's Divine Ability Backlash was too severe that he had temporarily lost his self-healing capabilities.
Now, the flesh was restored to its original state, without leaving a single scar.
The truly difficult part was internal.
From one side of his neck to his collarbone, several Ice-Crack Patterns persisted. These were the result of the Trace Fate Backlash and the reverse surge of blood through his meridians, shimmering with a ghostly cold luster.
Yu Huan focused her mind and held her breath, carefully probing deep into Xie Wulei's heart meridians with a thread of healing spiritual power.
Unexpectedly, the moment she made contact, it was like falling into a purgatory of ice and fire.
An incredibly cold and domineering power occupied his Dantian and heart, condensed into an ice wall that frantically froze and repelled all external vitality. Beneath the ice wall, a violent karmic fire, as if capable of boiling the heavens and seas, was imprisoned, constantly and fiercely battering the barrier.
Ice and fire—two extreme forces were in a violent clash within his body. Every collision formed a terrifying energy vortex, instantly shredding Yu Huan's incoming healing spiritual power to nothing.
Yu Huan was violently repelled, her heart filled with horror.
This was no ordinary Divine Ability Backlash; it looked more like a Soul Dao Injury that had struck his Origin Power.
Fine sweat broke out on her brow. Refusing to give up, she once again channeled her Origin Power, attempting to forcibly break through the barrier of ice and fire.
But it had the opposite effect.
Xie Wulei's body temperature suddenly soared as if consumed by karmic fire, yet his skin and bones took on an eerie, pale coldness—nearly transparent, making the color of his lips appear vividly, piercingly red.
The clash of ice and fire intensified abruptly due to the external intervention.
「Ahhh! The wicked woman is making her move! She must have practiced some heterodox lightning art; she's shocking Master until he's shaking! Wake up, quickly! Go and punish her severely!!」
In a corner of the quiet room, a long, slender sword hummed violently. The Frost Severance Sword Spirit's intent shrieked piercingly within Xie Wulei's Sea of Consciousness.
"Ngh…" Xie Wulei struggled to open his eyes, his gaze unfocused.
Once he discerned Yu Huan's movements, he suddenly raised his hand, his knuckles pressing down on the back of her hand which rested over his heart.
His brow furrowed slightly as he used his intent to forcibly suppress the sword spirit's agitation. His fingers paused on her hand for a moment before he gently pushed her away.
"Your Highness… stop…"
His voice was hoarse, a world apart from his usual clear tone like ice water striking jade. Chaos and heat churned deep in his eyes, only to be covered by even colder frost in the next instant.
He spoke intermittently, "Trace Fate Backlash… layered over old injuries… external intervention only increases the danger. Just wait… for it to subside on its own."
Yu Huan withdrew her hand. In her shock, a sense of powerlessness welled up.
Those staggering Soul Dao Injuries were actually old injuries?
Her Earth-rank healing Divine Ability was actually helpless before this terrifying Heaven-rank backlash and years of accumulated Dao injuries.
"But, Lord Xie, you…"
"I am used to it." Xie Wulei half-closed his eyes, hiding the pain within. "I am fine. I have troubled Your Highness."
Since he had stated he could only endure it, forcing her intervention would indeed cause more harm.
Besides… the more severely he was injured and unable to look after himself, the more opportunities she would have to break through to Great Ascension and find a way to survive.
Yu Huan's heart stirred. She followed his lead and said, "Then, will you rest well, Lord Xie? I shall take my leave."
However, the moment she turned around, an invisible pressure permeated the room, filling the quiet space and making the air stagnant.
Yu Huan's steps faltered. She looked back.
On the bed, Xie Wulei's eyes remained closed as if he had fallen into a deep slumber.
But the omnipresent pressure proclaimed his unyielding will—he had not permitted her to leave.
Yu Huan was startled. Looking at his paper-pale profile, a chill rose up her spine.
He was injured to such an extent, yet he still wanted to monitor her?
What deep-seated suspicion lay buried beneath this persistence!
Was he afraid she would use a secret method to escape?
It seemed that in his eyes, she was already a confirmed traitor, and he could only be at peace if he personally confined her within his sight!
"Lord Xie?" she tested. "Your injuries are severe. I fear I may disturb your peace if I stay. May I take my leave?"
Silence.
There was only his weak but steady breathing.
That pale, broken state was like a dying white fox on a snowy field—tragically beautiful and noble.
Yu Huan was unable to move an inch and remained silent.
Out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly noticed something leaning against the corner of the wall by the door.
It was a long, thin sword, frost-white all over. Although it was not drawn, the scabbard was vibrating violently as if a surging power was about to break through.
Yu Huan naturally recognized this sword: it was one of the Four Ancient Famous Swords, the Vein-Suppressing Artifact of the Shangqing Immortal Sect's Ninth Peak. It had a heritage of ten thousand years and had tasted the blood of a million demons.
Xie Wulei had not carried a sword for the past half-month, which did not fit his title as the Shuangjue Jianzhu.
She had originally thought the sword was kept elsewhere, never expecting it would be discarded so casually in a corner.
If the sword were not vibrating incessantly right now, she might have even overlooked it.
A soft knock suddenly came from the door.
Xie Wulei's eyelashes fluttered, as if a sliver of clarity had been awakened. "…Enter."
The door opened, and Qin Zheng, the Deputy Commander of the Jiangyaosi, appeared.
He was tall with dark skin and regular features, carrying a natural aura of righteousness. Only his eyes were exceptionally lively, revealing shrewdness and alertness.
Seeing Yu Huan present, a flash of surprise and inquiry crossed his eyes before he cupped his fists in a salute. "Lord Commander, Saintess."
Yu Huan quickly returned the gesture. "Commander Qin."
Qin Zheng did not dare look too long at this Saintess. With just a fleeting glance, he felt as if those eyes had the power to ensnare one's soul. He quickly looked away.
Rumor had it that this Saintess was born with 'charming bones.' Even without a smile, she could hook one's soul. An ordinary man, upon seeing her, would likely want to offer his heart and soul just for another glance.
He was on official business and could not lose his composure now.
Immediately after, he fell silent.
His silence and the calculating look in his eyes clearly said: I have a secret report; it is not suitable for outsiders to be present.
Xie Wulei swept a cool gaze over him.
The confining force enveloping Yu Huan eased slightly.
She felt her feet lighten.
She knew that although he was unwilling to let her out of his sight, he had to make a temporary concession.
With Qin Zheng here to report secrets, this was the perfect chance to escape. If she didn't leave now, when would she?
Qin Zheng stepped aside to clear the way.
Yu Huan did not stop her pace, yet she could clearly feel a profound gaze falling on her back.
She did not look back, pulling the door shut behind her.
「Master! Why let her go?! Why not punish her? Look at how fast she's running! She must have a guilty conscience!」
The Peerless Frost Sword Spirit hissed unwillingly in his Sea of Consciousness, only to be ruthlessly suppressed by its master.
Qin Zheng took a step forward and asked in a low, concerned voice, "How do you feel, Lord Commander?"
Xie Wulei: "Speak of the business."
Qin Zheng's expression turned serious. "The recent movements of the Southern Border demons are just as you expected, Lord Commander. Their tracks finally lead to the Soul-Severing Ravine on the outskirts of the Forest of Return to Silence! The Forest of Return to Silence is where Wu Yi of the Jidaozong slumbers. I fear the demons have major designs this time."
Xie Wulei propped himself up, his gaze sweeping over Qin Zheng with a coldness that had just broken free from intense pain. "Mhm."
A sharp light flashed in Qin Zheng's eyes. "Your fierce name has long deterred the demon race, Lord Commander. Now that the news of your Trace Fate Divine Ability being restricted and you being heavily injured has spread, how could they miss this once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity?"
"The more severe my illness and injuries appear, the more anxious they will become, and the more flaws they will reveal. Keep a close watch; let the snake out of its hole."
Qin Zheng had an epiphany. "I understand! Also… you ordered me to lead the County Princess into the restricted area, and as expected, the restriction seals did not block her. You seemed to have… foreseen this, Lord Commander?"
"Ye Xun, the former Commander of the Zhenmosi, once used the 'Earth Gate' Divine Ability to summon Ancient Battle Souls to block the demon tide during the Blazing Demon Calamity. His bloodline is extraordinary. It may not be unrelated to the Wanxiang Hub Core."
Xie Wulei stopped there. "Once she breaks through to the Transcending Divinity stage and her Divine Ability awakens, the answer will be clear."
Qin Zheng was enlightened.
Was letting the County Princess into the restricted area a way to use her body to investigate the secrets of the Jidaozong, or to confirm the bloodline connection?
He wanted to ask more, but seeing that Xie Wulei was disinclined to say more, he fell silent for a moment before saying:
"In the restricted area, you forcibly activated Trace Fate to investigate the Princess's bloodline, Lord Commander, resulting in unprecedented backlash before everyone's eyes. Since you knew her bloodline was abnormal and that tracing it would surely result in backlash, why did you still perform such a… self-destructive act?"
He made a bold guess: "Could it be… this backlash was part of your plan all along? To intentionally trigger your old injuries and play the 'heavy injury' to the extreme, so as to entice the enemies in the shadows to relax and take the initiative to attack?"
A trace of cruel acquiescence flitted through Xie Wulei's eyes. He half-closed his eyelids, neither confirming nor denying it.
Qin Zheng felt a chill in his heart, but he had long grown used to his superior's ruthless style. He could only say in a low voice, "This plan is perilous! I will do my utmost to ensure your safety!"
"Mhm."
Qin Zheng lowered his voice. "There is one more matter regarding the Saintess… For the past half-month, we have spread rumors of you being inseparable from her. However… as the rumors spread, they became difficult to control. They are becoming more and more scandalous and are causing a massive stir… I fear it may damage your reputation, Lord Commander."
He carefully observed Xie Wulei's expression, only to see the corners of the other man's lips curl slightly. "What does a reputation matter? Only when the water is muddy can one catch the fish. These rumors must reach the ears of the Emperor and spread throughout the Jiuzhou."
Qin Zheng understood instantly—it was a tactic to use rumors to divert attention and paralyze the enemy.
However, seeing his superior show such indifference toward the clean reputation he had earned through austerely cultivating the Emotionless Dao, a trace of pity still flitted through his heart.
"Add more fuel to the fire."
Xie Wulei spoke suddenly. He leaned on his side, supporting his forehead with one hand, his posture exuding a sickly languor. "Spread word that my injuries are difficult to heal and my days are numbered. Before I die, I only wish to enjoy a final romance—that I have been bewitched by the Saintess, fallen deeply in love, and no longer have the heart to investigate the case."
Qin Zheng: "?"
His mouth twitched, shocked by this ruthless tactic of self-defilement.
If such a scandal spread, it would likely invite the fury of the Immortal Dynasty and the criticism of his sect!
He could only steel himself and say, "I… understand! I will ensure this matter spreads across the four seas and eight directions, known by all the world!"
He hesitated for a moment before finally voicing his concern: "It's just… you may not care about such rumors, Lord Commander, but I fear they will damage the Saintess's reputation. Her past… her circle of friends was very wide, and her reputation was already… difficult to call clean. Now, adding the rumor of you, Lord Commander, as her 'guest of the bedchamber,' I fear the infamy will only worsen. Are we… using her a bit too much?"
"Who said this is using her?"
The young man on the bed narrowed his long, thin eyes. His long hair slid down his shoulder as his gaze met Qin Zheng's.
"I am helping her."
"Helping her?" Qin Zheng was stunned.
Xie Wulei looked down at him, the candlelight casting deep shadows on his pale face.
"You already know that her romantic escapades have never ceased. Now, I have entered the game, letting the whole world know that Xie Wulei is infatuated with her… One day, two days, day after day… when the world is flooded only with rumors of her and me… who will still dare to mention her old rumors with others? Who will still believe them?"
A ghostly flame seemed to dance deep in his eyes as he said slowly:
"The people of the world will only believe that from now on, there is only me by her side. Is this not the most effective cleansing of all her infamy?"
"…?"
Beads of cold sweat dripped one by one from Qin Zheng's forehead, cowed by this logic that was both bizarre and overbearingly absolute.
A chilling feeling he couldn't describe welled up in his heart, yet he could only force an answer: "I… I understand!"