Chapter 81 Chapter 81 How could she pull Pei Zichen!!

Jiang Zhaoxue was unable to speak for a moment.

Although Pei Zichen didn't say much, she knew that in Pei Zichen's eyes, Shen Yuqing had never protected her well, so it was not surprising that he was so worried.

In fact, she also understood Pei Zichen's thoughts. Although they had broken the formation now, Song Wulan was behind them, so it was impossible for Ming to make only one move.

Perhaps even Ming's existence was to weaken them, and Song Wulan did it.

Needless to say, Pei Zichen is in great shape now. Although Shen Yuqing's injuries are not serious, she is still injured. In order to heal Pei Zichen, she will probably use up all her spiritual power.

If they continue like this, they will definitely be in danger.

Storing spiritual power in the Yin-Yang Lantern and catching the enemy off guard is their only chance of survival.

Jiang Zhaoxue thought about it and decided to confirm one last thing. It was embarrassing to say, but he had to ask.

She looked up at Pei Zichen and asked tentatively, "Have you had any strange dreams recently?"

Pei Zichen froze at this, and he knew that Jiang Zhaoxue was asking about Rumeng's dream last night.

He lowered his head and whispered, "Yes, I had a dream."

Jiang Zhaoxue felt a little nervous when he mentioned this, but pretended to be calm and asked, "In this dream, do you feel like you were being controlled by someone, or was it your own desire?"

If it is the desire in a person's heart that is magnified, that is one thing.

If there is no desire but one is forcibly controlled by others, that is another matter.

She had to ask clearly.

Pei Zichen felt embarrassed listening to this, but he also knew that Jiang Zhaoxue was confirming the current situation. He didn't dare to hide it and could only lower his head and say, "My dreams are all born out of my desires. However, I have been raised in a cultured manner since childhood. Unless it's an accident, I dare not have any unrealistic thoughts."

"Understood."

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, pretending not to know what he had dreamed about, and replied, "Okay, I understand now."

As she spoke, she calmed down, suppressed the matter and pretended not to know, sitting cross-legged opposite Pei Zichen.

She didn't want anyone to know what happened next, so she set up another barrier based on the Mountain and River Bell.

After the barrier was set up, she raised her hand and summoned the Yin-Yang Lantern.

The Yin-Yang Yanyi Lamp stopped between the two of them, with her and Shen Yuqing's spiritual power flowing on it.

Jiang Zhaoxue briefly explained how to use the Yin-Yang Lantern and looked at Pei Zichen: "Is there anything you don't understand?"

Pei Zichen remained silent, staring silently at the magic lamp that carried the spiritual power of her and Shen Yuqing. Seeing that he hadn't responded for a long time, Jiang Zhaoxue reminded him, "Are you listening to me?"

"oh."

Pei Zichen was brought back to his senses by her question, and quickly said, "No, Master, please start."

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, took her hand away and called out to him, "Then give me your hand."

Pei Zichen paused for a moment, then responded, "Yes."

As he spoke, he extended his hand. Jiang Zhaoxue slightly bent her fingers, clasped their hands together, closed her eyes, and injected her spiritual power into his body.

The spiritual power in his body had been completely frozen by the poison and could not function until Jiang Zhaoxue's spiritual power came in. Jiang Zhaoxue used her spiritual power to force the poison away and then wrapped it with her spiritual power.

The Heart-Eroding Powder is a natural nemesis for the spiritual power of water-type spiritual roots, but has no effect on the wood-type spiritual roots. After Jiang Zhaoxue's spiritual power wrapped around Pei Zichen's spiritual power, Pei Zichen's spiritual power followed Jiang Zhaoxue's spiritual power and flowed into her body. After circulating in Jiang Zhaoxue's body for a week, the spiritual power was completely dissipated into a substance that could be transported out of the body independently, and then discharged from the body along with the spiritual power and sent into the Yin-Yang Instrument Lamp.

There was still some spiritual power of Shen Yuqing remaining in the Yin-Yang Yanyi Lamp. The spiritual power of a cultivator was like the remaining eyes. She didn't want to cause trouble for Shen Yuqing and let him notice this at this time, so she first used her own spiritual power to set up a barrier, and then led Pei Zichen's spiritual power into the lamp.

Seeing this sneaky look, Anan sighed and couldn't help but said, "Tell me about what you did..."

Jiang Zhaoxue also felt something was wrong, and subconsciously looked up, only to see Pei Zichen with his eyes lowered. The older he got, the less likely he was to show any emotion, but she could clearly sense that he was unhappy at the moment.

But he didn't say anything, and Jiang Zhaoxue had no intention of causing trouble. She just closed her eyes and transferred his poison into the lamp first.

The spiritual power of the two people circulated in circles. Although Shen Yuqing didn't know what they were doing specifically, he could feel the spiritual energy he left in Jiang Zhaoxue's body slowly disappearing. He could even vaguely feel the spiritual power of the two people emanating from the barrier behind him.

The sword lying across his knees kept humming, but at this moment, he was inexplicably reminded of the past years.

He remembered that when Mu Jinyue first came up the mountain, he actually wanted to have a good talk with her.

One night, he had already made an agreement with her, and she understood that he wanted to take this disciple. She asked him to stay overnight, and he had already agreed.

As a result, before going to bed, a thunderstorm broke out. The maid who served Mu Jinyue rushed to Yunfu Mountain and said that Mu Jinyue was frightened by the thunder and suddenly vomited blood.

At that time, Mu Jinyue was only fourteen years old. Her family had just been massacred by their enemies and she was also seriously injured. In addition, the night her family died was a stormy night. She witnessed the death of her family with her own eyes. He was afraid that she would be too mentally traumatized, so he rushed to save them.

At that time, Mu Jinyue was crazy and would not let anyone get close to her except him. He could only stay in her room, let her drink the medicine, and stand outside the screen, using his spiritual power to protect her heart meridians and wait for her to recover.

But how could Jiang Zhaoxue tolerate such an inappropriate thing?

Even if it was to save people, Jiang Zhaoxue still chased all the way to Luoxia Peak. He was afraid that she would cause trouble, so he set up a barrier to force her outside the door.

So she stood outside the door, first she lost her temper and cursed, then she stopped talking.

He looked at her shadow on the window grille. At first he thought it was a demonstration, a coercion.

However, at this moment, he felt a piercing pain in his chest, and he realized that the lonely figure in that night of waiting was not a protest or reminder, but fear.

It's like being on the edge of a cliff, afraid that if you retreat, there will be no turning back.

So she had to stay there.

She waited until he had completely rescued Mu Jinyue and opened the door. The morning light fell on her soaked body. Only then did she turn her head, look at him, and say lightly, "Good Master."

Good Master.

In front of his wife, he disregarded the strict rules between men and women and devoted himself to treating a disciple.

Good Master.

That sentence, like a sharp knife, pierced my heart many years later.

He felt the breath of spiritual energy flowing behind him, and had the illusion that he was disappearing from Jiang Zhaoxue's life bit by bit. He couldn't tell whether it was the pain of the Heart-Eroding Powder or the pain coming from somewhere else. Only the figure of Jiang Zhaoxue blocking the outside of Luoxia Peak in the past appeared in his memory again and again.

He seemed to have returned to that moment, but he was standing in Jiang Zhaoxue's position. For the first time, he experienced the pain of being driven crazy little by little by someone using righteousness, but he was powerless to do anything.

He waited quietly, watching the sky gradually brighten.

When he felt the spiritual power on the barrier dissipate, he knew it was over.

He couldn't control himself at all, and immediately stood up and rushed to the cave.

Jiang Zhaoxue completely cleaned the toxins from Pei Zichen's body and sealed the Yin-Yang Instrument Lamp. Then he heard Shen Yuqing's hurried footsteps, followed by Shen Yuqing's restrained and anxious voice: "Axue!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue quickly put away the Yin-Yang Instrument Lamp and stood up to deal with Shen Yuqing. However, as soon as she moved, she was stopped by Pei Zichen.

Jiang Zhaoxue turned around in confusion and saw Pei Zichen looking at her with restraint. He seemed to be thinking for a long time before asking, "Did Master's wife have a dream the night before?"

Jiang Zhaoxue froze in her tracks. Pei Zichen stared at her quietly, listening to Shen Yuqing's voice as she arrived at the barrier. He suppressed his voice and asked, "If she had a dream, then what was Master's wife's desire?"

"Jiang Zhaoxue," Shen Yuqing couldn't see the situation inside the barrier clearly, so she asked from outside, "Are you okay?"

Jiang Zhaoxue listened to his questions, and the excitement that had been aroused by Pei Zichen quickly stopped, and then she felt something was wrong.

They must have been affected last night, which is why they behaved so inappropriately.

But isn't it inappropriate for Pei Zichen to pull her at this moment?

Jiang Zhaoxue's heart trembled, but he immediately calmed down. Hearing Shen Yuqing's voice at the door, he quickly squatted down and said in a low voice: "There is something strange here. You have to promise me one thing."

Pei Zichen knew that Jiang Zhaoxue must have noticed something, so he immediately said, "Please give me your instructions, Master's Wife."

"No matter what, you must not hurt your master."

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, and Pei Zichen was stunned.

He stared blankly at Jiang Zhaoxue. Jiang Zhaoxue hadn't noticed his emotions. She pulled her hand away from his, patted his shoulder, and instructed: "Rest and meditate first. I'll go see your master."

As she spoke, she stood up and walked out. Just as she reached the door, she saw Shen Yuqing standing outside the barrier. His emotions seemed to have calmed down, and when he saw her come out, he did not speak immediately.

Jiang Zhaoxue paused slightly, her gaze falling from his face to his hand, which was clearly still injured. After hesitating for a moment, she finally said, "Sit outside. I'll heal you."

Shen Yuqing paused, and all the suppressed and sharp aura in his heart subsided in an instant, as if he was a little at a loss.

I could only follow Jiang Zhaoxue out numbly.

It was still dark at this moment. Mu Jinyue and Pei Shulan had already rested. Jiang Zhaoxue led Shen Yuqing to sit outside the cave and watch the moon set in the west.

After the two sat down, Jiang Zhaoxue stretched out her hand to him and said tiredly, "Give me your hand."

"It's just a minor injury." Shen Yuqing looked at her face and lowered his eyes and said, "I'm fine for now, you can rest first."

"It's okay." Jiang Zhaoxue said calmly, "I still have some spiritual power. You should recover soon. We still have a long way to go."

As he spoke, Jiang Zhaoxue took out a white handkerchief from his sleeve and placed it on Shen Yuqing's wrist.

Shen Yuqing saw the white handkerchief and felt it was blinding. After a long silence, he said, "I'm sorry."

Jiang Zhaoxue was stunned and looked up at him: "What?"

Shen Yuqing didn't say anything.

How does he start?

How to express it clearly? His sorry was an apology to Jiang Zhaoxue, the one who had been waiting for him at the door and outside Luoxia Mountain.

Eight and a half years later, he finally realized that not all feelings in this world can be measured by reason.

It was right for him to save people, but her pain was also real.

Just as there was nothing wrong with her saving people now, but it was also true that he had been guarding the cave all night, like being tortured to death by a rolling needle.

Because she had been hurt, he didn't dare to speak at this moment. He could only fall into endless silence after saying this.

Seeing that he remained silent, Jiang Zhaoxue didn't want to say anything more. After expelling the toxins, she stood up and said, "Rest."

As she said that, she went back to the side of the cave and found a place to lie down.

After saving two people in a row, she was already extremely tired. Anan couldn't help but feel distressed and sighed, "This little injury was just done by Shen Yuqing on purpose for you to see. It's not a big deal. You force yourself to heal him, and he will be happy again. Oh, Axue has me in her heart~"

"He is very sensitive to the Nine Nether Realm."

Jiang Zhaoxue closed her eyes and said coldly, "Pei Zichen will have to use the Nine Netherworld Realm technique to heal his injuries. I want him to have time to think, otherwise Pei Zichen will be in great danger."

"Oh." Anan understood and couldn't help but say, "You are thinking about Pei Zichen, so why don't you remind him again?"

"What instructions?"

"Just like you told Pei Zichen, tell him not to touch a hair of our Zichen!"

This made Jiang Zhaoxue laugh, and she couldn't help but ask, "What kind of magic potion did Pei Zichen give you that makes you support him like this?"

"After all, I'm the one who took care of him the most. Between Shen Yuqing and him, I'm definitely on his side!" Anan said frankly, complaining a little, "You warned him but not Shen Yuqing. I won't accept it!"

"Shen Yuqing and Pei Zichen have different personalities," Jiang Zhaoxue explained patiently. "He has a high level of cultivation and must have noticed something was wrong here long ago. Even if he had murderous intentions, he wouldn't settle with Pei Zichen here. If I said this on Pei Zichen's behalf, it would only disturb his state of mind and add fuel to the fire."

"Then aren't you afraid of adding fuel to Pei Zichen's fire?"

Anan was surprised, and Jiang Zhaoxue remained silent.

Pei Zichen's temperament became increasingly difficult for her to understand, and she didn't know why she had taken the initiative to give Pei Zichen instructions.

But the moment she opened her mouth, she seemed to really think that if she opened her mouth, Pei Zichen would not take action.

But this kind of trust without any basis was too absurd, and it was probably laughable. If Pei Zichen didn't listen to her, it would be even more embarrassing.

So she simply closed her eyes and went to sleep without saying anything more.

She had consumed too much spiritual energy and quickly fell asleep. When she woke up, it was already noon. Mu Jinyue and Pei Shulan were lighting a fire and cooking. Jiang Zhaoxue yawned and stood up. She heard Pei Shulan laughing and quickly said, "Master Jiang, are you awake?"

"Um."

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, yawned as she walked to the fire, then turned to glance at the cave: "Is Pei Zichen not out yet?"

"Master's Wife."

As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Zichen's voice rang out.

Everyone turned around and saw Pei Zichen standing not far away. He had changed his clothes and combed his hair. He looked as elegant and neat as usual, as if he had not experienced the battle last night at all.

After he and Jiang Zhaoxue saluted, he then saluted and greeted Shen Yuqing and others one after another.

Jiang Zhaoxue breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he was alright. She nodded and said, "Since you are alright, come and sit down."

Pei Zichen heard what was said and walked forward to the fire.

He found a seat farthest from Jiang Zhaoxue and sat down. Pei Shulan cooked breakfast for everyone. No one was in the mood to eat, so they only ate a few bites. Although Pei Shulan looked uninterested, she still forced herself to eat more. Then she remembered something and asked Pei Zichen with some embarrassment, "Little Taoist Pei, where is Master Ming?"

Everyone paused, and Pei Shulan's face turned sad: "Is he..."

"What happened last night must have been the work of Ming."

Pei Zichen spoke frankly. He had been in such a hurry last night that he didn't explain everything to Jiang Zhaoxue. He then elaborated, "After Ming and I went out last night, I discovered that there were countless life-eating beasts outside, and those vines were impossible to kill. I wanted to exhaust all my spiritual energy and try to fight these things to the death, but before I did, I told him that Master's wife was sorry for not saving Li..."

Pei Zichen paused, thinking of Pei Shulan, who still didn't know about Li Xiuji's death, so he suppressed the name. But Jiang Zhaoxue knew who he was talking about in an instant and nodded, "I know. Because I didn't save that child back then, I actually have some feelings for him."

"I told him that you felt guilty and would definitely help him now," Pei Zichen continued, seeing that she understood. "When we're done with everything in the future, we'll take him away. So before I could do anything, he suddenly stopped me and said that this was all an illusion, just to drain our spiritual energy. He then told me that this was the Thirteen Crossbow Formation and told me to hurry back and save him."

"So you're here." Shen Yuqing looked up at him.

Pei Zichen met Shen Yuqing's gaze, neither humble nor arrogant, and said calmly: "Yes."

The two of them looked at each other, neither of them retreating, and the meaning of "come" became particularly subtle.

Jiang Zhaoxue hadn't noticed. He just held the bowl and thought, "He said this is all an illusion. He must be referring to the situation during the formation over the past two nights. Now that we've broken the formation, the illusion is gone. This should be the original appearance of Xuecang Mountain. So where are the others?"

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at Pei Zichen curiously: "You're back, but he didn't come with you?"

"Since he's done something treacherous, he naturally wouldn't dare to follow us," Pei Shulan said with some regret. "I saw that he had good character and thought he must be a good kid, but I didn't expect..."

"I don't know where he went either," Pei Zichen only responded to Jiang Zhaoxue, recalling, "I was busy rushing back and didn't have time to take care of him, but at that time, he certainly didn't keep up with me."

That means there is no return.

Jiang Zhaoxue came to a conclusion. She thought for a moment and then said, "After all, he's an enemy, not a friend. We'll probably see him again down the road, so there's no need to worry about him. Time is urgent now... Are you all okay?"

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at everyone curiously, especially Pei Zichen and Shen Yuqing. Pei Zichen knew what Jiang Zhaoxue was worried about and immediately bowed: "My disciple is fine."

Jiang Zhaoxue turned around and looked at Shen Yuqing, who also said, "Nothing."

Jiang Zhaoxue felt relieved and nodded. "If everything is alright, let's pack up and leave. According to the original plan, we should get a map for the second half of the journey halfway through. Since there's no one guarding the Xuecang Mountains, the map must be somewhere we're bound to pass by. Let's go a little further and explore any unusual places. Once we get the map, we can move on quickly. What do you think?"

No one present had any objections, and Jiang Zhaoxue was quite satisfied. Then he remembered the most important thing: "Oh, there's one more thing."

Everyone looked at Jiang Zhaoxue. He took out the Qiankun bag containing the black blue stone, weighed it in his hand and tested it, saying, "This journey is difficult. I want to free up a Qiankun bag to carry things. Otherwise, I can leave the black blue stone behind and just use it as a pile of broken stones..."

"How can this be possible?"

Pei Shulan subconsciously spoke upon hearing this. Everyone saw that Pei Shulan's aura had subsided slightly, and he hurriedly said, "Master Jiang, when we get to the underground palace, there will definitely be people inspecting this black blue stone. If we throw things away on the way and can't enter the underground palace, how will we get to the Holy Pool?"

"That's right."

Jiang Zhaoxue listened, nodded, and said with some regret: "Then we can only carry these big stones with us on the road."

"After all, this is our product."

Pei Shulan laughed: "How could a caravan abandon its goods?"

"Mrs. Pei is right."

Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, put away the Qiankun bag, put the bowl aside, stood up and said, "Then I'll go change my clothes first. Everyone, please pack up for a while and we'll set off immediately."

Jiang Zhaoxue walked back to the side of the cave and changed her clothes alone. Everyone started to pack their luggage and got busy. Only Shen Yuqing sat there and watched Pei Zichen clean up the traces they left behind.

Pei Zichen changed his clothes and tied the jade pendant again, but the way he tied the knot was exactly the same as Jiang Zhaoxue's.

He couldn't tell whether Jiang Zhaoxue had tied the jade pendant for him or Pei Zichen had tied it himself.

But no matter which one, he felt it was an eyesore when he saw the jade pendant hanging on Pei Zichen's waist.

After watching for a long time with cold eyes, he pointed his finger and silently opened the barrier. He finally spoke: "Give me the jade pendant on your waist."

Pei Zichen paused and said nothing.

Shen Yuqing lowered her eyes to look at the ground, and said nonchalantly, "The first time she gave a gift to a man, she gave me a jade pendant."

Pei Zichen turned his head and saw Shen Yuqing sitting next to him.

A few strands of his hair fell messily, and his tone seemed a little tired, but he still described their past in detail: "She didn't know how to tie the jade pendant for others, so she tried to learn it herself. But I was young and aggressive, and the usual way of tying the jade pendant always made it slip off during fighting. So she came up with a way to tie the jade pendant again from the middle after tying it. So the first time this jade pendant appeared, I knew it was her gift to you."

As he spoke, Shen Yuqing raised his eyes and stared at the disciple who was now a fully grown man through his slightly visible hair. He felt the aura of Jiang Zhaoxue on him, and with a hint of murderous intent in his calmness, he said calmly: "She is your master's wife. You should abide by human ethics and etiquette. You shouldn't take such things."

This statement couldn't be more insightful.

Logically, he should return the jade pendant.

But how can he return it?

Jiang Zhaoxue didn't give him much, and this was the only gift she had ever given him.

But Shen Yuqing wanted to snatch even this little thing.

How is he going to pay it back?

He rested his hand on the sword, lowered his eyes, and said calmly, "I dare not refuse a gift from an elder. This is a gift from my master's wife, and I will never give it to anyone else."

Hearing the words "give it to someone else", Shen Yuqing's breath turned cold in an instant. Pei Zichen seemed to be unaware of it. He stood there neither humble nor arrogant, and did not move.

The two of them stood in silence. Jiang Zhaoxue packed up her things and walked out of the cave. Looking around, she saw that both of them looked unhappy. She couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing? Are you arguing?"

After the two of them heard the words, they shifted their gazes without leaving a trace.

Pei Shulan and Mu Jinyue walked out of the cave. Jiang Zhaoxue asked a few questions and after confirming that everyone had packed up, they set off together.

Now that the maze has been broken, the location of the snow-capped mountains can be seen. They walked forward along the direction of the snow-capped mountains. After less than half an hour, they saw a small house. They went in and searched around, and found the map of the second half of the road.

The map was clearly drawn, so they didn't have to search the ground slowly. Jiang Zhaoxue summoned Baihe, and took Pei Shulan, Mu Jinyue, Shen Yuqing, and Pei Zichen on flying swords. They followed the map and arrived at the underground palace before sunset.

They delivered the black blue stone through the back door of the underground palace. When they arrived at the back door marked on the map, they found nothing there but a cliff that rose straight up into the sky, like a man-made wall, blocking their way.

Jiang Zhaoxue took the black stone out of his Qiankun bag, put on a black robe, disguised himself as a servant escorting the stone, followed Pei Shulan forward, and according to the instructions on the map, he knocked on the cliff wall six times, three times lightly and three times heavily.

After knocking, there was no change on the cliff. Pei Shulan turned around hesitantly and said awkwardly, "It seems..."

Before he could finish his words, the cliff suddenly shook violently.

Everyone immediately became alert. Pei Shulan screamed and ran away in fear. They saw the cliff slowly moving away, with broken stones falling and dust flying. When the dust settled, a three-meter-high black iron gate appeared in front of them.

“This…what is this?”

Pei Shulan was in a state of confusion. After a moment, she heard a voice coming from behind the door: "Who is coming?"

Hearing this, Pei Shulan and Jiang Zhaoxue exchanged a glance. Jiang Zhaoxue used her eyes to signal Pei Shulan to answer. Pei Shulan reacted and quickly said, "I am from the Pei family of Cangcheng. I am destined to deliver the Xuanqing Stone."

"Pei..."

There seemed to be the sound of flipping pages coming from inside. A moment later, someone asked a question: "You run a silk shop. What was the most expensive material you sold five days ago?"

Pei Shulan was stunned for a moment, then realized that the other party was questioning her identity, and quickly recalled: "It's Shu Jin."

The other party was obviously very cautious and asked a few more questions. These questions were extremely detailed and tricky, and it would have been difficult for me to prepare in advance if I hadn't done so myself.

After the two of them asked and answered for a while, they heard the other party say, "Wait a moment, I'll open the door soon."

As he spoke, the black iron gate slowly opened, revealing the figure of the guard inside.

These are two Taoist children, who look about fifteen or sixteen years old, with kind eyes and pure gaze. They hold whisks in their hands, wear blue Taoist robes, and look at everyone with a smile.

If there wasn't a row of corpses holding knives following behind them, I would have no idea why they were guarding the gate here.

But with the corpse behind and the smile in front, the smiles of the two people seemed even more sinister. Pei Shulan couldn't help but turn pale and subconsciously took a step back.

This retreat seemed to finally put the two men at ease. They breathed a sigh of relief and saluted, saying, "Madam Pei, we are the guards here. His name is Liu Bai, and mine is Liu Hei. I heard that Madam wants to personally escort Xuan Qingshi into the Holy Pool?"

“Yes… yes.”

Madam Pei's voice trembled slightly, then she slowly calmed down and bowed, saying, "My Lords, I have served in the sect for a long time and have heard of the great name of the Holy Pond. Therefore, I have found an opportunity this time and would like to enter the Holy Pond and sacrifice my life for the faith. I beg you to give me a chance."

"The Holy Pond is the final destination of our Paradise Immortality Sect. Once you go there, there's no returning. Has Madam Pei made up her mind?"

Liu Hei asked with a smile. Madam Pei showed a resolute look on her face and nodded, "It is my great blessing to be able to enter the Holy Pool."

"Okay then."

Liu Hei flicked his whisk and said with a smile, "We will first inspect the goods. After the inspection, if there is nothing, we will lead you into the sacred pool."

As he was speaking, Liubai, who had been silent all the time, came forward, walked to the front of the car, and carefully examined the Xuanqing Stone.

Jiang Zhaoxue stood by and watched them inspect. The black bluestone was dark in color, and apart from some oil, it was not much different from ordinary stones.

After Liu Bai checked, he nodded to Liu Hei, who immediately smiled and saluted, "Mrs. Pei, please."

After hearing what Pei Shulan said, he mustered up the courage to follow Liu Hei.

Jiang Zhaoxue quietly put on the powerful talisman and followed Pei Zichen, Shen Yuqing and Mu Jinyue. The four of them each pushed a cart and followed Liu Hei and Madam Pei inside.

Liubai stood by the door, examining them and watching them enter.

After entering the gate, it seemed as if we had arrived in the belly of the mountain. It was as if they had hollowed out the mountain and built a huge cave.

Liu Hei walked in front and chatted with Mrs. Pei. He seemed to have lived in the mountains for a long time and there was no one to talk to, so he seemed particularly attentive.

"My junior brother and I are the sect leader's disciples. We've been here since we founded the sect five years ago. This road was specially opened up to carry the Black Blue Stone to the Holy Pond. It's still some distance from the underground palace. If you take the path of the Holy Seed to the underground palace, it will take some time to reach the Holy Pond. If you carry the Black Blue Stone, it will be much faster."

"Why is he talking so sarcastic?"

Anan listened in Jiang Zhaoxue's mind and couldn't help but say, "Why do I feel like he's picking us? If he does, that would be too arrogant."

"Rest first and get ready."

Jiang Zhaoxue spoke, and Anan was a little surprised: "Prepare? What should I prepare?"

Jiang Zhaoxue didn't say much, just listened intently to Liu Hei's words. After listening to him recount the history of the founding of the Paradise Immortal Sect, they came to a door. Liu Hei stopped and said with a smile, "There is a formation near the Holy Pond that tests people's hearts. Outsiders are not allowed to approach. I can only escort you here."

"Then what's next..." Pei Shulan asked tentatively, and Liu Hei smiled slightly.

He flicked his whisk, and the door in front opened instantly, revealing a wide platform. In front of the platform was a solitary bridge that could only accommodate one person and had no guardrails at all. There seemed to be a bottomless abyss below the bridge, and in front was a blood-stained bronze door.

Seeing the bridge, Anan immediately screamed, "Bridge! It's a bridge! The second time Shen Yuqing was injured for Mu Jinyue was on a bridge!!"

Jiang Zhaoxue said nothing and carefully observed the lonely bridge.

Not far away, Liu Hei raised his finger and pointed at the bronze door: "Go forward, cross the bridge, and the door to the Holy Pool will open. Just go in."

Jiang Zhaoxue listened and turned to look at him. She felt that the smiling Taoist boy in front of her was somewhat familiar.

Liu Hei obviously noticed her gaze and looked over.

The two looked at each other and Liu Hei smiled kindly.

Pei Shulan reacted and quickly bowed: "Thank you, Taoist."

Liu Hei raised his hand and saluted, then his figure faded in the candlelight.

When Liu Hei completely disappeared, everyone looked at Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue pondered for a moment, then looked up at Shen Yuqing: "Go and check the situation first."

He has the highest level of cultivation, and if something were to happen to him, they would turn around and run.

Shen Yuqing knew what Jiang Zhaoxue was thinking at a glance. He looked at her coldly and reminded her, "If something happens to me or him, you choose."

Jiang Zhaoxue paused when he heard this, and then he remembered that since they had a heart-to-heart agreement, if something happened to Shen Yuqing, it would be the same as if something happened to both of them. So, it would be more cost-effective for Pei Zichen to go.

Seeing her hesitation, Pei Zichen immediately stood up, bowed and said, "Disciple will go explore the way first."

There was no expression on his face, but Jiang Zhaoxue had a hunch that something was wrong and felt a little embarrassed.

Shen Yuqing stood by, turned his head away, and couldn't help but tighten the sword.

She almost forgot the existence of the heart contract.

Pei Zichen walked quickly and reached the bridge in just a few steps.

When they reached the cliff, Pei Zichen paused noticeably. Jiang Zhaoxue frowned, twisted the rune in his hand, ready to save people at any time.

Fortunately, Pei Zichen paused for a moment before resuming his activities. After checking everything, he turned around and calmly reported, "There's something wrong with the water below. It seems to be attacking the soul, but there's a barrier around it, so the open space is fine."

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue walked out tentatively.

As soon as she walked out of the door, she clearly felt several images flashing through her mind.

Shen Yuqing took her spiritual roots, Pei Zichen strangled her to death, and Mu Jinyue wept and hid in Shen Yuqing's arms...

All those memories that she had only read in books or had suppressed many years ago suddenly surged up. She immediately performed a heart-clearing technique and approached the edge of the cliff with Shen Yuqing.

As they approached the cliff, the sound of the river suddenly became louder. Jiang Zhaoxue stood by and looked at it for a moment. He could vaguely sense the aura of a formation below through the river water.

She frowned slightly and calculated again. Pei Zichen had been holding the sword and guarding beside her, staring at everyone.

The Nine Netherworld Realm technique allows for much sharper perception of the surroundings. He had already sensed something was wrong below, but he couldn't say it out loud and had to wait for Jiang Zhaoxue.

Jiang Zhaoxue was well versed in magic. After calculating for a long time, she had almost come to a conclusion. Shen Yuqing turned to look at her and asked, "How is it?"

"The river is just a decoy," Jiang Zhaoxue said. "Beneath the river lies a massive formation designed to confuse people. If I'm not mistaken, the lower part... should be made of Xuanyang Stone, while the bridge above is influenced by the mind's state of mind. If a person's mind is calm and unaffected, they can cross the bridge smoothly. But if their mindset changes and they act out of control, the bridge will immediately break, sending the person into the center of the formation, completely devouring their mind and driving them mad until death."

Xuanyang Stone is the most hallucinogenic stone in the True Fairyland. It's said to be a strange stone from outer space, completely white. Anyone with a weak mind will go crazy if they get close. Many years ago, it was completely destroyed by the True Fairyland.

Just because there are no stones in the real fairyland doesn't mean there are none in the human world. These stones, which target cultivators, cover the entire riverbed, and with the addition of the formation...

“Even if Ancestor Gujun comes here, he may not be unaffected…” Jiang Zhaoxue muttered as he thought, and everyone’s heart sank.

"What should we do then?" Mu Jinyue was quite worried. "Should we take another route?"

"How do we change it?" Jiang Zhaoxue turned to look at her. "If changing the route was so easy, why would we go through all this trouble? The only way now is to set up a restraining formation."

Jiang Zhaoxue said as he took out his Qiankun bag and saw his own talisman paper. He couldn't help but say, "It's a pity that Tianjiao is not here."

Shen Yuqing and Pei Zichen looked over. Jiang Zhaoxue said nothing more. She drew a magic circle on the ground and took out the Qiankun Lottery. After betting on her luck to bless the magic circle, she took out a silver hairpin from her sleeve, stood in the magic circle, and waved to Pei Shulan: "Mrs. Pei, please come here."

Upon hearing this, Pei Shulan cautiously walked into the formation. Jiang Zhaoxue handed her the hairpin and said seriously, "Madam Pei, this is the Bingxin Hairpin, my Penglai Mountain Guardian Divine Artifact, used to calm the mind and spirit. This formation is the Shangqing Calming Formation. I'm afraid it will be dangerous in the Holy Pool later. If you hold this object and stand in the center of the formation, it will be able to exert its maximum effect and ensure our safe crossing of this bridge."

"Oh..." Pei Shulan took the hairpin and said uneasily, "I'll just stand here. What then? Where should I go next?"

"I'll leave it to you."

Jiang Zhaoxue raised his hand and a white crane landed beside Pei Shulan, holding a black robe in its mouth.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at Pei Shulan gently and said apologetically, "After we enter the Holy Pool, you will change into this black robe so that ordinary people can't see you. Then you will ride on this crane, and it will take you away."

Pei Shulan listened, and although she was a little scared, she had been in the martial arts world for many years after all, so she nodded and said, "Okay."

"I am sorry for frightening Madam Pei on this trip. If I have the chance in the future, I will definitely meet Madam Pei again and thank her."

Jiang Zhaoxue bowed, and Pei Shulan smiled. Seeing the unreadable emotion in her eyes, she simply said, "I should be the one to apologize. I've been a burden to everyone along the way and haven't been of much help."

As she spoke, Pei Shulan bowed solemnly, and Jiang Zhaoxue hurried forward to help her.

Pei Shulan was supported by her, and after a pause, they both laughed.

Jiang Zhaoxue patted her and said gently, "Let's not worry about these empty formalities now. Madam Pei, please take the Ice Heart Hairpin and guard the magic circle. We will leave first."

Pei Shulan nodded and said no more.

Jiang Zhaoxue turned around and returned to the bridgehead, and everyone was looking at her.

Shen Yuqing's gaze fell on Jiang Zhaoxue. Jiang Zhaoxue looked at him, and Shen Yuqing knew what she meant.

Jiang Zhaoxue took the initiative and said, "Yuqing will lead the way, and Zichen will hold the fort."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuqing was the first to walk towards the bridge head without arguing.

After he stepped forward, Jiang Zhaoxue gestured to Mu Jinyue, who followed cautiously. Jiang Zhaoxue touched her sleeve suggestively, where her Yin-Yang Lantern lay. Pei Zichen understood what she meant and nodded, "Master's Wife, please."

A group of people walked onto the lonely bridge like a string of grasshoppers.

As soon as they stepped onto the bridge, the sound of water that had been suppressed by the barrier came roaring in the ears of the four people. Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly felt a headache, and the most unwilling memories in her heart surged up, echoing in her mind, true and false.

As memories flooded back at Anan, he immediately shouted, "Your formation is useless? Isn't it the Penglai artifact?!"

"If it hadn't worked, the effect wouldn't be just this."

Jiang Zhaoxue looked around. Shen Yuqing and Pei Zichen couldn't see anything, but Mu Jinyue in front of her was frowning, sweating profusely, and clutching her sleeves tightly. She was obviously the one most affected.

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn't help but look at her a little longer. Anan said quickly, "There's something wrong with her. You have to be careful of her."

"Do I need to tell you?"

Jiang Zhaoxue checked Shen Yuqing's condition and then turned to look at Pei Zichen.

There was no change on Pei Zichen's face. When he saw Jiang Zhaoxue turning around, he just fixed his gaze on her face, staring at her quietly, and nodded to indicate that everything was fine.

But the hand hidden in the sleeve had been reciting the Qingxin Jue, and was already covered in cold sweat.

The four of them walked nervously to the center of the stone bridge. The sound of the rushing river was deafening. Just as they were about to cross safely, a loud voice suddenly came from behind them: "Master Jiang!"

Everyone turned around when they heard the voice and saw Pei Shulan standing in the center of the formation. She was holding the silver hairpin given by Jiang Zhaoxue and staring at Jiang Zhaoxue quietly.

Jiang Zhaoxue had a feeling something was wrong, and then Pei Shulan suddenly asked, "Answer me again."

"What?" Jiang Zhaoxue didn't understand.

Pei Zichen held the sword in his hand, frowning cautiously. Pei Shulan asked loudly, "If this person is destined to die, would you change her fate?"

Jiang Zhaoxue paused. Ming had asked a similar question before, and she had asked it before.

She said nothing. Behind her, Shen Yuqing said, "Since it's fate, why change it? Life and death are determined by fate. If you can't change it yourself, why ask others for help?"

"It's fate... If you can't change it yourself, why ask others for help?"

Pei Shulan laughed when he heard this and murmured, "Yes, if you don't change yourself, how can you ask others to change? Then Master Jiang--"

Pei Shulan raised her eyes to look at Jiang Zhaoxue, her eyes filled with apology and hatred. She suddenly pulled out a dagger wrapped in black energy from her sleeve. The moment she took out the dagger, Pei Zichen rushed out like lightning. However, Pei Shulan had obviously used a talisman to speed up the movement. The moment Pei Zichen attacked, she stabbed the dagger fiercely into the formation, accompanied by her stern voice: "Use your lives to beg us!"

After saying that, the black gas instantly penetrated the formation, and the black gas rose from the river into the sky like a swimming dragon, accompanied by all the dark memories!

Pei Zichen instantly retreated to Jiang Zhaoxue's front, and the sword formation was opened. Jiang Zhaoxue summoned the Qiankun Lottery and was about to speak when he heard Shen Yuqing shout, "Axue!!"

Jiang Zhaoxue turned around in surprise and saw Mu Jinyue coming towards her with a sword from behind!

Mu Jinyue's eyes were bloodshot, like a mindless beast pouncing forward. The bloody smell and murderous intent were overwhelming. Jiang Zhaoxue had never felt such a strong bloody smell, and fell to the ground in horror.

In a flash, at the critical moment, when the tip of the sword was about to hit him, Shen Yuqing arrived in time, pulled Mu Jinyue behind him, and separated the two.

At the same time, the entire bridge shattered, and everyone fell off the bridge together. All the air-control spells were sealed at that moment, and the four of them fell down together in weightlessness.

The sound of the river was deafening, and she couldn't hear anything for a moment. She only saw Shen Yuqing and Pei Zichen rushing towards her from both sides. She subconsciously reached out towards Pei Zichen, and Mu Jinyue grabbed Shen Yuqing's sleeve at the same time, crying out in horror: "Master, save me!!"

Gravity slowed Shen Yuqing down for a moment. He clearly felt Jiang Zhaoxue's fingertips intertwining with his, like a piece of elusive snow gauze being snatched from his hand by Pei Zichen.

He can move forward.

At that moment he knew clearly that he could move forward, explore another inch, take another step, and he could catch her.

But that means Mu Jinyue will die.

Pei Zichen will save Jiang Zhaoxue, but Mu Jinyue has no one to save her except him.

After hesitating for just a moment, Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed Pei Zichen, and Pei Zichen pushed Jiang Zhaoxue to the shore. Shen Yuqing had no time to hesitate, so he could only grit his teeth and grab Mu Jinyue and push her to the shore at the same time!

The moment he held Mu Jinyue, his palm began to hurt violently as if it were burning on fire. The red mark seemed to be burning, like a fuse that was burning out quickly, throbbing and aching in his palm.

Shen Yuqing and Pei Zichen fell down from the ground at the same time. His eyes were all on Jiang Zhaoxue who was high up. The light of the whole world seemed to be on that person. For a moment, he seemed to have returned to the battle in Cangming Sea two hundred years ago.

That was the most embarrassing battle in his life. His tendons and veins were broken and he fell heavily into the sea. The sea water roared in his ears and he sank into the deep sea in despair. At that moment, Jiang Zhaoxue was like a light that split the sky in the darkness. She rushed towards him without hesitation and resolutely, through the countless dead and wounded disciples and the surging torrent.

When did he start to feel that Jiang Zhaoxue would never leave no matter what?

It was around that moment.

He clearly told her that he wanted to break up and refused to see her, but she would still rush to his side whenever he was in danger.

No matter how he refused or drove her away, she would not give up on him.

The white silk in her sleeve will cross thousands of mountains and rivers, cross the vast ocean, and hold him forever and ever.

Ah Xue...

Shen Yuqing stretched out her hand in a daze. Jiang Zhaoxue turned around from a high place and saw Pei Zichen and Shen Yuqing falling together. She hurriedly pushed the white silk out.

The moment the white silk fell, she seemed to be intertwined with the woman who sent the white silk in the sea two hundred years ago. Shen Yuqing looked at the white silk and instinctively reached out her hand!

"Axue..."

"Pei Zichen!!"

The white gauze swept away from his eyes and suddenly rolled up Pei Zichen beside him. Jiang Zhaoxue's voice suddenly exploded from above, pulling Pei Zichen upwards.

Shen Yuqing froze, and all the sounds around him were stretched, distorted, and intertwined into a vague sound of water, which filled his ears with a rumbling sound.

He stared blankly at Jiang Zhaoxue pulling Pei Zichen to a higher place, and felt that time suddenly became extremely long.

He fell into the abyss, endlessly and without end.

He watched Jiang Zhaoxue fall off the cliff and lie on the cliff, holding on to his white silk tightly.

Watching Pei Zichen then use Bai Ling to instantly transfer his spiritual power into Jiang Zhaoxue's body, the Yin-Yang instrument lamp in Jiang Zhaoxue's sleeve lit up.

He watched as Pei Zichen's skin cracked inch by inch because he cast the spell too quickly with his spiritual power, and blood dripped from his fingertips. Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed Bai Ling's ring finger, and another rope of marriage lit up.

He plunged into the water with a "bang" and looked at the figure high up through the water and Pei Zichen's blood.

Why did Jiang Zhaoxue's Yin-Yang instrument light up?

Why did Jiang Zhaoxue still have a marriage rope that lit up at the same time as Pei Zichen when Pei Zichen was injured?

"Pei Zichen, if you die once, I will save you once. If you die a thousand times, I will save you a thousand times. Do you want to die?! It's not that easy!"

"I want Ah Xue to love me like I love you."

"The universe is vast, the sun and the moon shine upon us, and all things are blessed. At this auspicious time, I pray that Heaven will bless us and bring us together..."

Pei Zichen's memories surrounded his blood and quickly spread out in the river, enveloping him in an instant.

The young Pei Zichen, panicking and obsessed, picked up the handkerchief that the white tiger used to catch butterflies;

When he was young, he was desperately searching for Jiang Zhaoxue, and he tricked her into wearing a crown and going to bed with her;

In the dream world, they were married, and had their wedding night; even last night...

"If you wish..."

"You do."

Kill him!

The murderous intent suddenly arose in Shen Yuqing. He stared at the person on the high ground through the rippling blood. Black air burst out from his body. The river water instantly turned into a black dragon and flew up, rushing straight to the heights, instantly wrapping up Pei Zichen.

Pei Zichen simply let go and shouted urgently: "Lady, go!"

The moment the sound fell, Pei Zichen seemed to be swallowed by the black dragon and dragged straight down. Jiang Zhaoxue opened her eyes wide in shock and couldn't help but cry out: "Pei Zichen!"

Pei Zichen heard the scream and fell heavily into the river.

The moment he was swallowed by the river, he was instantly swallowed by Shen Yuqing's murderous intent and memories.

He watched as Jiang Zhaoxue pleaded time and again in Shen Yuqing's memory, watched him repeatedly admonish and humiliate Jiang Zhaoxue, until finally, Shen Yuqing knelt before the ancestor Gu Jun, who sat high up playing chess, his tone flat, "If Jin Yue's spiritual roots can't be healed, then take Jiang Zhaoxue's spiritual roots to make up for it. A demon cultivator can't ruin the future of the disciples of the Spirit Sword Immortal Pavilion."

Kill him.

Thoughts arose, and someone shouted angrily: "He wants to hurt Jiang Zhaoxue, kill him!"

"Kill him." Someone poked his head out from behind him and chuckled as if to tempt him, "Jiang Zhaoxue is yours." Kill him.

Kill! Kill! Kill!

The river was filled with murderous intent, causing the water to surge and shake. The moment the two men landed, they attacked almost at the same time.

Shen Yuqing opened the sword formation, and Pei Zichen bent his bow and drew his arrow.

At that moment, there was no distinction between master and disciple, no distinction between high and low, they looked at each other with only one thought in their minds.

kill! ! ! !

On the other side, Jiang Zhaoxue watched Pei Zichen being dragged into the river by the black dragon, and then heard Anan shout: "Look behind!!"

Jiang Zhaoxue was instantly startled. Without thinking, she turned around, pulled out the dagger Pei Zichen had given her, and stabbed Mu Jinyue!

The surroundings suddenly began to tremble, and a whirlpool seemed to appear behind Mu Jinyue. Jiang Zhaoxue stared at the whirlpool in shock and rushed towards Mu Jinyue.

When Mu Jinyue saw the dagger in Jiang Zhaoxue's hand, she was instantly startled and hurried back.

Jiang Zhaoxue was relentless and walked up to Mu Jinyue first, grabbed her hand and threw it behind him, then raised his hand to face the whirlpool.

A rather slender and somewhat feminine hand stretched out from the whirlpool and collided with Jiang Zhaoxue's hand at the same time. Jiang Zhaoxue grabbed the other party tightly, and the other party pulled her forward fiercely!

"The laws of nature are unpredictable, and your luck depends on fate—" The Yin-Yang instrument lights in her sleeves lit up at the same time, and she was pulled out of the vortex by Song Wu Lan.

The gorgeous clothes were waving in the water. Seeing the person coming, Song Wulan was so frightened that he quickly let go and stepped back. Jiang Zhaoxue raised his hand and flicked it. Sixty-four jade sticks were like swords chasing Song Wulan. The Yin-Yang Yanyi Lantern flew out with a brilliant light. Jiang Zhaoxue twisted the seal with his hands, stepped on the magic circle, and shouted: "Good luck, there is no door in the world, I am the one who locks the universe!"

The moment the sound fell, Shang Ji Qianwen flew out, Jiang Zhaoxue pressed the ground with one palm, and light chains appeared out of thin air from all directions. Song Wulan turned around and tried to escape, but Shang Ji Qianwen seemed to have a third eye, and the moment he turned around, it turned into a light cage and fell down with a bang!

The light cage was turned upside down above Song Wu Lan, and the light chains were then tied to his limbs. With a pull of the net, his whole body was hung up and locked in the light cage.

Seeing that he was captured and all around were safe, Jiang Zhaoxue finally stood up slowly.

As soon as she moved, the formation under her feet spread out like ripples. Jiang Zhaoxue raised her hand and took back the Qiankun sign. She stood not far away with a lamp in her hand and looked coldly, just like Guanyin, looking up at the young man in the green robe in front of her and smiling slightly.

"We meet again," Jiang Zhaoxue said with a hint of annoyance, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

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The author has something to say: [Small Theater]

Jiang Zhaoxue: "Men, you affect my sword-drawing speed."

The next chapter is tomorrow.