Within the spirit-vein light sphere, Helan Ying’s body was wrapped in green energy that continuously repaired his wounds.
In no more than half an hour, all his injuries would be fully healed.
Immersed in his joy, Helan Ying never imagined that Yuan Shu would suddenly throw herself at him!
The spiritual energy surging within the light sphere was so powerful that even an ordinary person standing nearby could be injured by it.
Not to mention someone rushing straight into it!
The words “reduced to ashes” flashed through Helan Ying’s mind. He instinctively raised a hand to block her.
But Yuan Shu nimbly dodged it. Then, from an angle no one could have anticipated, she seized his arm and pulled herself straight into his embrace!
“Boom!”
His mind exploded into a paste. Helan Ying stared wide-eyed at Yuan Shu in his arms, completely at a loss.
She… she had come in?
Strands of green energy coiled around Yuan Shu’s arm, continuously corroding her body.
Yuan Shu’s delicate face gradually twisted with pain. She lifted her large, black eyes to gaze at him pitifully.
Under his stunned gaze, she slowly revealed a pale smile.
“Helan Ying, this way, you’ll be able to absorb my divine power along with it, right?”
“Big Sister!”
Helan Ying panicked. He fumbled desperately to push Yuan Shu out of the light sphere, but she clung tightly to his waist.
“Don’t move. Let me… hold you a little longer.”
Her soft, sweet voice was so faint that it seemed to have lost most of its strength, as though it might be scattered by the slightest breeze.
Yuan Shu slowly closed her eyes. A dazzling green light flared across her body, and her form began to dissolve.
It was too late. It was already too late!
Yuan Shu’s body had been completely permeated by the green energy. There was no time left!
Helan Ying’s deep-green eyes shimmered with tears. Trembling, he gripped Yuan Shu’s arm and called out softly,
“Big Sister…”
Using the last of her strength, Yuan Shu tilted her head. With her arms around his neck, she raised her face and kissed the corner of his lips.
“Don’t cry. You won’t look good if you cry. Please, please call me one more time…”
Helan Ying’s throat tightened. In a hoarse voice, he said, “Big Sister…”
A radiant smile bloomed across Yuan Shu’s beautiful face.
The next instant, she vanished completely from Helan Ying’s arms.
Tiny fragments of energy drifted into the air. Along with the black spiritual energy Helan Ying had previously left on Yuan Shu’s wrists and ankles, they silently dissipated.
The cavern was left with only him.
Helan Ying’s eyes widened. For a moment, he even forgot to maintain the hand seal that could not be stopped.
His deep-green eyes stared blankly at the points of light vanishing in the air. Only after a long while did he seem to come back to himself.
“Ah!”
A furious, maddened roar rang through the cavern, carrying wildly surging spiritual energy with it.
The hard stone walls were forcibly blasted full of irregular holes.
After a long time, Helan Ying finally raised a trembling hand and stared at his empty palm. Then he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
…
The violent fluctuations of power spread outward, affecting Yuan Shu even as she was being transported.
Fortunately, the power was not aimed at her, and the underground spirit vein’s transportation ability was extremely stable. Yuan Shu landed safely in a secluded cavern.
The green transportation portal lit up and sent Yuan Shu out. A vine extended from it and affectionately rubbed against her cheek.
It recognized Yuan Shu and knew that she had helped it give birth to a new source of power, preventing it from perishing completely.
That was why it had taken the initiative to help Yuan Shu escape from the cavern.
Yuan Shu gave a soft laugh and reached out to stroke its head approvingly.
“Thank you.”
The vines of the underground spirit vein then withdrew, and the green transportation passage vanished with them.
Yuan Shu possessed the Acacia Divine Tree within her body. Even direct contact with the underground spirit vein’s power could not harm her.
Otherwise, she would never have been able to help the underground spirit vein give birth to a new source of power in the first place.
However, Helan Ying did not know this—and that was precisely what Yuan Shu wanted!
It would be best if Helan Ying believed she was already dead.
She did not want to be imprisoned at his side again!
The location to which the underground spirit vein had transported Yuan Shu was somewhat remote. Fortunately, it was not far from Medicine Cloud Peak.
After walking for a short while, Yuan Shu emerged from the cavern.
After giving it some thought, she took out a communication jade talisman and sent Mo Yi a message.
She was actually rather curious about what had caused the spatial fluctuations hidden within Fallen Immortal Sect.
Perhaps she would have an answer soon!
…
“Guest Elder Yuan, you’re back!”
“Guest Elder Yuan, Elder Hai has been looking everywhere for you. Hurry to the Scarlet Sun Hall and see him!”
At a bend in the path, two disciples from Medicine Cloud Peak blocked Yuan Shu’s way. Their expressions were animated as they urged her repeatedly.
Yuan Shu raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. She had encountered quite a few things during her trip to Profound Shadow Peak and had indeed been gone for several days.
“What happened at Medicine Cloud Peak? Why is he looking for me so urgently?”
The younger disciple hurriedly explained, “It’s like this. The sect hasn’t been peaceful these past few days. Several elders suddenly died for unknown reasons, and their deaths were extremely gruesome.”
“The sect master has already ordered a lockdown. No one from below the mountain is allowed to come up, and no disciples are allowed to go down.”
“I heard that the sect master personally brought a patient to Medicine Cloud Peak for treatment yesterday. They’ve been looking for you ever since.”
The young disciple scratched his head. “That’s all we know. If Guest Elder Yuan wants to know more, you can ask them yourself.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
Yuan Shu cupped her hands in thanks and headed toward Medicine Cloud Peak.
The Great Elder had taken Medicine Cloud Peak’s master, Yao Qianci, away for treatment last time. Yuan Shu did not know how he was doing now.
She wanted to go and see him.
…
The sect was indeed under far tighter security than before, with many more patrols and guards.
By the time Yuan Shu arrived, she had already encountered her third patrol team. Their leader was even a Nascent Soul disciple.
It seemed that Qu Qing had also noticed something was wrong. The demons and Earth Fiend Demon Clan had been making frequent moves lately.
When Yuan Shu entered the Scarlet Sun Hall, several disciples guarding the entrance saw her and hurriedly bowed in greeting.
Yuan Shu waved them off and continued inside. Elder Hai, who had already received word of her arrival, immediately came out to meet her.
“Guest Elder Yuan, you’re finally back!”
“Come, come and take a look at this person. The sect master personally brought him here. I believe only the ancient formula you restored last time can save him.”
“We’ve tried researching and refining it several times, but all our attempts failed. I’m afraid you’re the only one who can give him a chance at survival. Come quickly and take a look!”
Yuan Shu had barely entered the hall and had not even had time to drink a sip of water before Elder Hai led her toward the rear hall.
The rear hall was under tight guard, with sentries posted every three paces and another watch every ten. Everyone entering or leaving to deliver supplies was a familiar face from the Scarlet Sun Hall.
Yuan Shu was somewhat surprised. “Who is it that requires such heavy security?”
Elder Hai gave a dry chuckle. “The sect master personally brought him here and ordered us to save him at all costs. As for the exact reason, we don’t know either.”
“Enough talking. His condition is worsening by the minute. Guest Elder Yuan, you’d better go in and take a look!”
Urged forward by Elder Hai, Yuan Shu entered the hall.
She crossed the swaying bead curtain and looked up.
On the bed in the inner room lay a familiar figure.
“Hm? It’s him!”
