In Zhu Xian, people start to rise from plundering entries

Biyao's serious injury in saving Lu Xueqi is understandable, and she even owes a debt of gratitude to the Qingyun Sect.

But her identity remains a thorn in our side.

Within the Qingyun Sect, not everyone can distinguish right from wrong like Lu Xueqi and Elder Mu, nor can everyone let go of their differences between righteous and demonic views.

Moreover, how would the Ghost King Sect react if they knew Biyao was here?

Thinking of this, Su Han's heart sank.

Previously, they were only focused on saving Biyao's life and had no time to consider these subsequent troubles.

Now that Biyao's life is out of danger, these practical problems immediately come to the forefront.

"I see."

Su Han's voice was low and deep.

"We will leave once Biyao's injuries have stabilized. We won't cause trouble for Senior Brother Shi and Zhenyue Tower."

Lu Xueqi glanced at him, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately didn't.

She simply said.

"I will return to Qingyun as soon as possible and report everything. Perhaps... my sect will have its own plans."

The words were spoken vaguely, but Su Han sensed a hint of goodwill in them.

Lu Xueqi was implying that she would do her best to mediate within her sect, perhaps to secure a relatively appropriate solution for Biyao, or at least to delay any potential conflict.

"Thank you." Su Han thanked him again, this time for the unspoken but tacit protection he received.

Lu Xueqi said no more and turned to walk out of the hall.

Lu Xueqi walked to the entrance of the main hall, but stopped in her tracks.

She didn't turn around. The light from the moonstone cast a soft silver edge on her cool profile, echoing the faint light flowing from the scabbard of the Tianya sword.

"My true energy has also been significantly depleted," she said calmly, her voice devoid of emotion. "The backlash from the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder has not completely subsided, and forcing myself to continue my journey at this moment might cause me to suffocate."

"Senior Brother Shi Yue just transmitted a message saying there are still quiet rooms inside the tower; I can adjust my breathing for a day before proceeding."

The reason was valid, yet it carried a hint of deliberate intent that was hard to articulate.

Su Han was slightly taken aback, then nodded: "That's fine then. Senior Sister Lu, please rest and recuperate."

Lu Xueqi said no more, her white figure disappearing into the shadows of the corridor outside the hall, her footsteps fading into the distance until they finally vanished.

The hall returned to silence.

This time, it was a true silence, with only the sound of their breathing remaining.

Su Han slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, a breath he had been holding back, one he dared not completely relax.

Exhaustion surged like a tide, instantly engulfing every inch of his body and every thought.

He still held Biyao's hand, a hand that was warm and soft, with a steady pulse beating under her fingertips, one beat after another, the most moving rhythm of life.

He didn't let go, nor could he let go.

It was as if only through this sole connection could he be certain that what he was seeing was not a dream, not a delusional fantasy born from the abyss of despair.

He sat there, gazing at Biyao's sleeping face.

Her face was still pale, but it was no longer a deathly pale, but a translucent, jade-like white. Her long eyelashes cast faint shadows beneath her eyelids, and the subtle curve of her lips gave her a rare, unguarded tranquility. Time flowed silently.

The moonstone's light tirelessly radiated a clear glow, intertwining with the gentle light of the Soul-Stabilizing Bead, enveloping the jade bed and the person beside it who seemed frozen in place.

After an unknown amount of time, a very faint light shone through the window, mingling with the light of the moonstone, making it impossible to tell whether it was the approaching dawn or the glow of some kind of array in operation.

Inside Zhenyue Pagoda, there seems to be no strict distinction between day and night.

The emptiness within Su Han's body became increasingly pronounced, and a faint stinging pain came from his meridians, a sign that his true energy was overdrawn and nearly exhausted.

He tried to practice the most basic breathing techniques, attempting to draw upon the sparse spiritual energy from his surroundings, but he found it difficult to truly concentrate his mind.

What churned in his mind was the deafening roar of the underground palace collapsing, the resolute look in Biyao's eyes when she pushed him away, the glaring crimson stain on her chest, Elder Mu's solemn face as he tried to save her, and the blazing white light that illuminated the entire hall when Lu Xueqi summoned lightning...

Finally, the scene freezes on the tragic image of Biyao, her breath faint and entangled in malevolent black energy.

A sharp, dull pain shot through my chest, more intense than the stinging pain in my veins.

He subconsciously gripped Biyao's hand, as if trying to draw strength from the tangible touch.

Just then, he felt the fingers in his palm move extremely slightly.

Su Han suddenly looked up and stared intently at Bi Yao's face.

Her long eyelashes trembled, her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, then relaxed, as if she were breaking free from a deep dream.

A moment later, those eyes slowly opened.

At first, his eyes were somewhat dazed and unfocused, covered with a layer of moist mist, reflecting the light of the Soul-Stabilizing Pearl and the Moonstone, making them appear as hazy as stars.

She blinked, her vision slowly clearing, and met Su Han's bloodshot eyes, which were so close to hers but suddenly lit up.

Eyes facing each other.

A hint of confusion flashed in Biyao's eyes at first, then her memories returned: the underground palace, bone spurs, excruciating pain, coldness, Su Han's anxiously distorted face and the words "Don't sleep"... Finally, there was the warmth of the medicine and the reassuring scent.

She opened her mouth, wanting to speak, but found her throat too dry to make a sound.

"Don't worry."

Su Han immediately noticed that his voice was extremely hoarse, yet it carried an unprecedented tenderness.

He released one hand—a movement that seemed somewhat uncomfortable to him, his fingertips lingering on the back of her hand for a moment—

He turned to fetch water, only to find that the spacious hall was completely empty except for the jade bed and a few futons.

He paused, somewhat at a loss.

Looking at his slightly clumsy appearance, Biyao's eyes seemed to mist over even more, but she curved her lips into a very faint yet genuine smile.

She gently shook her head, signaling with her eyes that she was alright.

Su Han sat up straight again, still holding her hand, but holding it even tighter, as if afraid she would disappear.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked, his gaze quickly sweeping over her chest, where her clothes were neat and there was only a very faint smell of medicine.

Biyao gently shook her head.

There was still pain, but it was a dull, tingling pain that came with the healing of a wound, completely different from the excruciating pain that had torn my soul apart before.

She could clearly feel the gentle, mellow medicinal power flowing slowly through her body, nourishing her damaged meridians and internal organs, while the cool aura of the Soul-Stabilizing Pearl soothed her soul, making her feel incredibly calm and even somewhat languid. (End of Chapter)