In the world of cultivation.
Seeing Jiang Ze and the others return severely wounded, the crowd maintained solemn expressions, but inwardly, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
In such a perilous situation, surviving was already something to be grateful for.
Xie Tingbai, being the most skilled healer present, reached the four of them before anyone else could react.
Their injuries were strikingly similar—first, the strain of depleted spiritual energy; second, wounds inflicted by demonic energy corrosion; and third, the most severe of all, the backlash from the collision between spiritual and demonic energies.
After examining their conditions, Xie Tingbai sensed the anxious gazes of those behind him. He retrieved the medicinal pills he had prepared earlier, having overheard the Buddhist disciple Bai Zhou’s guidance to the four from the demon realm. His voice carried reassurance:
"Though the honored ones’ injuries are grave, they have not damaged their foundations. With these pills and a month of recuperation, they will recover fully, with no lasting impact on their cultivation."
The Grand Elder swallowed a pill and bowed to Bai Zhou in the distance.
"This journey would have ended in our demise had it not been for the Buddhist disciple’s aid."
Bai Zhou, seated cross-legged on the ground, had already healed his wounds with the help of a spiritual treasure. A gentle surge of energy swept over him, cleansing the bloodstains from his robes as the traces scattered into the nearby spiritual plants.
The blood of a Tribulation Transcension expert, infused with Buddhist serenity, carried no trace of malice, silently nourishing the surrounding flora and earth.
As he stood, a leaf touched by his blood drifted lightly onto his shoulder. He made no move to brush it away, remaining composed as he spoke:
"You honor me too much, Grand Elder."
"Had it not been for Xu Wanci disrupting the Demon Lord’s focus, leaving him severely wounded from reckless use of his demonic consciousness, even the Demon-Subduing Bowl would have been futile."
"Now that the crisis has passed, I hope all honored ones may rest and recover in peace."
Gu Yunqi swallowed her pill and lifted her head to look at Bai Zhou, her gaze bright and bold:
"These minor injuries are nothing! The Buddhist disciple need not worry."
With an air of unshaken confidence, she declared, "Back when I heard the Soul-Corroding Forest held the Heaven-Falling Stone, I charged in without hesitation. Half my body was devoured by soul energy, yet here I stand, perfectly fine!"
Beside her, Ning Menglan’s face paled:
"Third Elder, you actually ventured into the Soul-Corroding Forest?"
He knew Gu Yunqi had once been obsessed with seizing opportunities, nearly to the point of cultivation deviation, but he never imagined she’d dare enter the Soul-Corroding Forest alone—and suffer such grievous injuries without the sect ever knowing.
Gu Yunqi suddenly remembered Ning Menglan was present and chuckled awkwardly:
"Well, it wasn’t that bad. I might’ve... exaggerated a little."
"Besides, Sect Leader, look at me now—completely unharmed, right?"
Her lighthearted interruption eased the tense atmosphere somewhat.
Yet, once reassured of Jiang Ze and the others’ recovery, another worry weighed heavily on their minds.
Ning Menglan’s voice was laced with restrained concern:
"I wonder how Xu Wanci is faring now?"
Though they knew she had entered the Spirit-Nurturing Secret Realm to undergo her tribulation, the realm’s location was ever-shifting, impossible to predict.
If she emerged within the cultivation world, all would be well. But if she reappeared in the demon realm...
It would be like sending a lamb into the jaws of a wolf.
Just then, the communication talisman at his side flickered to life.
The voice of Taiqing Sect’s Fifth Elder, Rong Shaozhi, reached them:
"Sect Leader, I divined Xu Wanci’s fate. The signs are auspicious. Return to the sect and await her in peace."
Back in Taiqing Sect.
Rong Shaozhi extinguished the talisman.
Feeling the abundant spiritual energy within his dantian, his eyes held a trace of bewilderment.
Days ago, he had performed a divination for Jiang Ze’s group’s journey into the demon realm, injuring his dantian in the process and forcing him into seclusion to recover.
Today, despite his unhealed wounds, he had insisted on divining Xu Wanci’s whereabouts, prepared to worsen his condition. Yet not only had he escaped further harm—his dantian’s injuries showed signs of improvement.
Shaking his head with a faint smile, he mused:
Perhaps Xu Wanci truly is heaven’s favored.
And thus, by divining her fate, he too received heaven’s grace.
Meanwhile, upon hearing Rong Shaozhi’s words, Ning Menglan and the others finally relaxed.
Having lingered here for so long, the various sects and clans had pressing matters to attend to and could not afford to wait at Taiqing Sect. Thus, they took their leave one after another.
Karmic matters could not be rushed. Since Xu Wanci was safe, they could always visit Taiqing Sect later after settling their affairs.
Moreover, though they hadn’t exhausted all their resources, they had contributed significantly. Perhaps a portion of the karmic debt had already been resolved without their notice.
With this thought, none of the honored ones dwelled on the lost spiritual treasures, bidding the Taiqing Sect members farewell with warm courtesy.
Jiang Ze and Ji Wang did not want Xu Wanci to see them in their severely injured state. Even though they longed to see her, they still chose to return to their respective sects/families.
After exchanging pleasantries with the others, Ning Menglan instinctively glanced at the Buddhist monk standing to the side, whose gaze was calm yet filled with compassion.
Bai Zhou’s injuries were the most severe among them all.
His face was pale, his lips devoid of color, and the sacred aura around him showed signs of dissipating. Fortunately, his profound Buddhist cultivation allowed him to suppress it firmly.
His condition seemed even worse than when he had clashed with the Demon Lord years ago.
Sensing Bai Zhou’s mid-stage Great Ascension realm cultivation, Ning Menglan’s expression grew increasingly remorseful:
The Buddhist monk had once halted the Demon Lord’s rampant invasion of the cultivation world and possessed the virtue of saving the realm.
Yet, he never demanded repayment for the karma he had resolved for others, and his integrity was revered throughout the cultivation world.
With his virtue of salvation, he was the only cultivator unburdened by the karma of the Immortal Venerable.
To him, Xu Wanci’s identity was no different from that of any other mortal.
Despite this, the Buddhist monk had not refused the Taiqing Sect’s request. He had forced himself out of seclusion despite his injuries and suffered further harm as a result.
These two injuries would likely hinder his cultivation.
Such a debt of gratitude was as weighty as a mountain.
When Bai Zhou looked up, he saw Ning Menglan’s tearful eyes filled with gratitude. His gaze remained serene as he took two steps forward with a faint smile:
"I’ve heard the Taiqing Sect possesses a Cleansing Heart Spring, which opens once every thirty years and can heal hidden injuries while consolidating one’s cultivation."
"Given my current condition, may I borrow your sect’s Cleansing Heart Spring?"
Ning Menglan was even more moved upon hearing this:
With all the treasures in the Thousand Buddha Temple, why would the Buddhist monk need the Taiqing Sect’s Cleansing Heart Spring?
It was clear he had made this simple request to allow them to repay today’s karma and put their hearts at ease.
Suppressing his overwhelming gratitude, he replied firmly:
"Not just the Cleansing Heart Spring—even if you sought a heavenly treasure, the Taiqing Sect would spare no effort to obtain it for you."
"Please stay at the Taiqing Sect for a while. I will open the Cleansing Heart Spring immediately."
Meanwhile, Jiang Qiuning did not return to the Jiang family with Jiang Ze. Instead, she went to Luolong City, where Xu Wanci had been abducted.
A few days ago, she had coincidentally received a message from Jiang San:
When rumors of the Immortal Venerable’s divine artifact had spread, Chu Qingchuan had arrived in Luolong City before anyone else.
Yet, for some reason, he had left the same day.
Jiang Qiuning gazed at the now-bustling city, its streets teeming with people, and walked resolutely toward the spot where Xu Wanci had been taken by the Demon Lord.
She knew Chu Qingchuan’s luck was extraordinary—he never acted without purpose.
If he had come and then left Luolong City, it meant he must have discovered something.
One possibility was that he had realized the artifact emerging here was not the Immortal Venerable’s divine treasure.
But that didn’t make sense—any spiritual treasure capable of mimicking the Immortal Venerable’s aura would be extraordinary. Given his obsession with opportunities, he wouldn’t have given up so easily.
The most likely explanation was that he had stumbled upon a danger—one far greater than the city’s hidden treasure.
For instance, the Demon Realm’s schemes in Luolong City.
Step by step, Jiang Qiuning arrived beneath the Cangqing Tree where Xu Wanci had been taken. Her expression was icy:
She didn’t want to suspect Chu Qingchuan, whom she had spent years with.
Yet reason told her he was not to be trusted.
She knew Chu Qingchuan possessed a pocket dimension that could evade all detection, allowing him to come and go without a trace.
She also knew how to detect whether this pocket dimension had been here.
Jiang Qiuning extended her right hand, condensing spiritual energy into a pale orb. Ripples of energy pulsed outward from it.
All the spiritual energy flowed around one particular spot.
Her gaze darkened as she stared at that direction:
Chu Qingchuan had indeed been here.
Which meant—even though he knew the Demon Realm had laid a trap here; even though he knew the Taiqing Sect and others would likely come searching for treasures; even though among them were his master and Xu Wanci, who had helped and saved him—he had still given no warning.
He had simply left in silence after discovering the Demon Realm’s scheme.
Jiang Qiuning slowly closed her eyes:
For the first time, she realized with painful clarity just how ruthless Chu Qingchuan could be.
If he could treat the Taiqing Sect’s leader and Xu Wanci this way today, he would do the same to her tomorrow.
When she opened her eyes again, it was as if she had made a decision. She turned and walked away with unwavering steps.
At the Taiqing Sect.
Chu Qingchuan had spent the past days on the outskirts of the Soul-Corroding Forest. After obtaining a Soul-Condensing Stone, his spiritual sense had greatly strengthened, and his cultivation had reached the late-stage Nascent Soul realm.
Upon returning to the sect, he gave Ning Menglan a brief report on his recent activities.
Seeing how busy Ning Menglan was, he tactfully excused himself and returned to Ruoxu Peak.
At the front of Ruoxu Pavilion, a figure stood waiting, her long hair tied up and dressed in a fitted martial outfit, as if she had been standing there for a long time.
Chu Qingchuan looked at Jiang Qiuning’s striking, heroic appearance—so different from her usual gentle and demure demeanor—and a flicker of displeasure passed through his eyes.
But he quickly concealed all his emotions, curving his lips into a smile as he walked forward.
Hearing the footsteps behind her, Jiang Qiuning didn’t bother with pleasantries. Instead, she turned around, her voice cold as she asked:
“That day, you went to Luolong City and discovered the demon realm’s trap.”
“Isn’t that right?”
The smile on Chu Qingchuan’s lips froze. He stopped in his tracks, his voice tinged with hurt:
“Qiuning, it’s been so long since we last met. And the first thing you say to me is an accusation?”
Jiang Qiuning looked at his gaze, which feigned deep affection, and laughed mockingly.
She had already witnessed the most sincere love in this world—how could she not see how shallow the so-called devotion in Chu Qingchuan’s eyes truly was?
Softly, she said, “So you really did know.”
Hearing the certainty in her voice, Chu Qingchuan’s expression darkened. His voice carried restrained anger:
“I sensed the danger and left. What’s wrong with that?”
The mockery at the corner of Jiang Qiuning’s lips deepened.
“So, you admit you knew about the danger but still let Sect Leader Ning and Xu Wanci walk into it without warning.”
Chu Qingchuan’s face twisted with suppressed fury, as if her words had struck a nerve. Yet he forced himself to remain composed as he explained:
“With Master’s cultivation, nothing would have happened to him.”
“As for Xu Wanci—if she had no greed for the treasure, she would have been fine too.”
“Those who seek fortune must bear the consequences. What does that have to do with me?”
Jiang Qiuning watched him calmly. No matter how absurd his words sounded, her heart remained unmoved.
Even back during the incident with the Formless Divine Stone, she had vaguely sensed the ruthlessness hidden beneath his refined and courteous facade.
But after years of knowing him, she had still held onto a sliver of hope for him.
Jiang Qiuning spoke slowly, each word deliberate:
“It was Xu Wanci who helped you find the Limitless Flame, completing the second volume of the Thousand Elixirs, allowing you to advance without hindrance.”
“In the ancient battlefield, it was her who exhausted her divine sense to open the Divine Refinement Tome, saving you and countless Taiqing Sect disciples.”
“You are blessed with extraordinary fortune, untouched by ordinary karma, free from debts of gratitude.” She clenched her teeth, her voice trembling with accusation. “But that was Xu Wanci.”
“The Xu Wanci who helped you, who saved you!”
“Why couldn’t you even leave her a single warning?”
Chu Qingchuan’s gaze was icy. Whatever affection he once held for Xu Wanci had long since vanished, eroded by every time she had taken an opportunity meant for him.
His voice dripped with malice:
“Qiuning, can’t you see? Ever since Xu Wanci appeared, how many chances have slipped through my fingers?”
“The Instant Pocket Dimension, the Formless Divine Stone—wherever she is, I’m always one step behind, always denied those treasures!”
His tone evened out, his expression indifferent.
“As you said, my fortune is extraordinary.”
“How do you know that without her, I wouldn’t have found the Limitless Flame? How do you know that without her, I wouldn’t have returned safely from the ancient battlefield?”
“If not for her, perhaps that day, I would have been the one to shine brightest.”
Jiang Qiuning listened, her heart turning to ice at his lack of remorse—even his willingness to repay kindness with betrayal.
She didn’t argue. Instead, she asked softly:
“If one day, I stood in your way… you wouldn’t hesitate to strike me down either, would you?”
Chu Qingchuan looked at her in disbelief.
“How could you think that?”
“All these years, have I ever harmed you?”
“That’s because I never tried to compete with you.” Jiang Qiuning’s voice was laced with scorn. “Tell me.”
“That day, when you saw Xu Wanci gift me the Frost Ink Orchid as an apology… what were you thinking?”
Chu Qingchuan stiffened. With a wave of his hand, he snapped,
“But I didn’t act on it!”
Jiang Qiuning tore off his mask of righteousness:
“You see? Even you know you coveted the Frost Ink Orchid.”
“The only reason you didn’t take it was because the benefits of being associated with the Jiang Clan’s young mistress far outweighed those of a flower already fused into my body.”
She took two steps back, watching the fury twist his features.
“Our paths diverge. We are no longer allies.”
As she turned to leave, her gaze fell on a figure standing not far away. Surprise flickered in her eyes.
“Sect Leader Ning?”
Chu Qingchuan whipped his head around, his face paling with poorly concealed dread.
“M-Master!”
Ning Menglan regarded him with an impassive gaze, all former warmth replaced by cold detachment.
During the incident with the spiritual vein, he had already noticed Chu Qingchuan’s selfishness.
But when it came to opportunities, a little greed could still be understood.
He never expected Chu Qingchuan to be so heartless.
Not even a single word of warning—utterly unwilling to offer it.
Could the Taiqing Sect truly indulge his every whim without incurring his resentment?
If he unintentionally did something to provoke his hatred, the outcome would likely be even more brutal than Xu Wanci’s fate.
Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly sensed the familiar surge of spiritual energy at the sect’s entrance.
His face lit up with joy as he turned, no longer sparing Chu Qingchuan a second thought, and channeled his spiritual energy to fly toward the gates.
Jiang Qiuning, observing Ning Menglan’s abrupt movement, felt a stir in her heart and followed without hesitation.
Xiao Yuyan watched as Xu Wanci emerged from the secret realm, cleansing her hands with a flick of spiritual energy before carefully retrieving a three-leaf lotus from her sleeve.
Cradling the lotus with utmost care, her eyes held a focus rarely seen even in the demon realm.
Her fingers brushed lightly over the petals, as though touching a fragile treasure.
He felt his chest tighten, his heartbeat heavy, and averted his gaze.
Because it was an artifact crafted by ‘him,’ she cherished it so deeply.
Yet, he had no memory of this artifact.
Just like… their past.
In the span of a single breath, his gaze was drawn back to her, unbidden.
The power of the Heavenly Dao gathered in his palm, weaving invisibly around her, shielding her presence from all detection.
Xu Wanci remained unaware of the hidden divine energy.
Her eyes lingered on the lotus, brimming with unrestrained fondness.
Without it, she would never have been able to manipulate Yan Shuo’s demonic domain.
Given Yan Shuo’s sharp instincts, he would have surely noticed the discrepancies in her memory.
If her lies were exposed, not only would her life be forfeit—she might face infamy across both immortal and demon realms, her corpse desecrated even in death.
She meticulously wiped the lotus clean, ensuring not a trace of demonic energy remained, before fastening it to her waist and heading toward the distant Taiqing Sect.
As luck would have it, upon leaving the secret realm, she found herself mere miles from the sect. With spiritual energy aiding her steps, she arrived within the time it took an incense stick to burn.
Her recent streak of fortune left her astonished.
The moment she stepped through the gates, she spotted several figures rushing toward her.
A faint smile touched her lips as she bowed deeply.
"Many thanks to the Sect Master and esteemed elders for your aid. Only through your grace was I able to escape the demon realm."
Ning Menglan’s eyes brimmed with paternal warmth as he hurried forward to steady her.
After scrutinizing her from head to toe—confirming her spiritual energy was unharmed and her body unscathed—he finally exhaled in relief, though he still pressed, "Were you injured? How severe?"
Xu Wanci straightened, her voice carrying rare warmth.
"Not a scratch. In fact, misfortune turned to fortune—I’ve advanced to the Divine Transformation stage."
"I’ve troubled the Sect Master with undue worry."
Just then, a tranquil aura imbued with Buddhist serenity drifted into their midst.
Ning Menglan snapped out of his joy and turned to Bai Zhou with concern.
"Your Reverence, your injuries haven’t yet healed. Why have you left the Heart-Cleansing Spring?"
Bai Zhou’s wounds ran deep. Even the spring’s restorative powers worked slowly; a full month would be needed to mend the surface damage alone.
As for his cultivation… regaining his Transcendent Tribulation-level strength might take another century.
Bai Zhou’s voice was calm.
"I merely wished to see with my own eyes that Benefactor Xu had returned safely."
He spoke lightly. "These injuries weren’t sustained in a day, nor will they heal in one. There’s no need to rush."
Hearing his composed reassurance, Ning Menglan’s admiration—and guilt—deepened.
"Had it not been for Your Reverence that day, two of our elders would have perished in the demon realm."
"And you… wouldn’t have lost three centuries of cultivation."
If only there were a treasure to accelerate recovery, he thought bitterly. At least then, this weight would lessen.
Bai Zhou shook his head gently.
"Sect Master Ning overstates it."
His tone was almost playful. "If it took me three centuries to rebuild what I first achieved in the same span, even the Abbot would call me dull-witted."
"A hundred years will suffice. Please, set your heart at ease."
"A mere century is but a fleeting moment to cultivators."
Listening to their exchange, Xu Wanci pieced together Bai Zhou’s role in her rescue.
The original text had described him as transcendent yet worldly.
As the Buddhist Saint, he stood apart from mortal strife—yet he understood its suffering intimately.
He could have secluded himself in ascetic practice, yet time and again, he chose to intervene in worldly crises, even when it left him grievously wounded.
She moved to bow in gratitude when a faint tug of spiritual energy caught the hem of her skirt.
Following its source, she opened her palm—and two seeds tumbled into her grasp.
Feeling her breath, the seed took root and sprouted in her palm, gradually growing into a slender stem.
This was a rare treasure capable of enhancing a cultivator's spiritual energy recovery—precisely what Bai Zhou needed most at this moment.
The fragrance of the Celestial-grade Mystic Cloud Orchid, emanating from Xu Wanci, spread throughout the entire Taiqing Sect.
This... was the blessing of the secret realm.
