In Zhu Xian, people start to rise from plundering entries

Her gaze slowly shifted, surveying the unfamiliar hall before finally settling on the Soul-Stabilizing Bead floating before her forehead. The bead rotated gently, emitting a calming, soft light.

"This is... Zhenyue Tower?" Her lips moved slightly, silently mouthing the words. She remembered her last impression before losing consciousness: she was in a stone chamber, Su Han was holding her, and Lu Xueqi was also there.

“Yes, Zhenyue Tower. It’s the place guarded by Senior Brother Shi Yue of the Qingyun Sect.” Su Han explained in a low voice, briefly recounting Elder Mu’s rescue, Lu Xueqi’s assistance with the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, and the fact that she needed to rest for seven days after taking the Jade Marrow Rejuvenation Pill. He spoke slowly and in a deep voice, each word carrying the weight of someone who had survived a calamity.

Biyao listened quietly, her eyes flickering slightly when she heard "vengeful energy" and "Nine Heavens Divine Thunder penetrating the body." As a member of the Ghost King Sect, she was no stranger to the power of vengeful energy, knowing its difficulty and terror. The Nine Heavens Divine Thunder was the nemesis of all evil and malevolent energy in the world. Using divine thunder to cleanse wounds of vengeful energy sounded simple, but it was extremely dangerous, requiring exceptional control from the practitioner and being a tremendous test for the recipient. No wonder…after waking up, she felt her soul was exceptionally clear and transparent, as if washed by the purest rain.

Lu Xueqi...

She remembered the woman in white, as serene and aloof as the bright moon in the heavens. It was she who had saved her, in the most direct and dangerous way.

Her feelings were complicated. They belonged to the righteous and demonic paths respectively, and should have been sworn enemies. But in this twist of fate, first she had shielded her from the bone spurs, and now the other woman had saved her with divine lightning. This unresolved situation also entangled Su Han in the middle.

Her gaze involuntarily fell back to Su Han's face. He looked terrible, his complexion not much better than hers, with dark circles under his eyes, bloodshot veins, and a bluish stubble on his chin. His blue robe was stained with dust and dried, dark bloodstains—some hers, and probably some of his own. Yet, the way he looked at her was astonishingly bright, the emotions surging within so intense that her heart trembled, and she dared not look directly at him.

She wanted to raise her hand to touch his face and tell him, "I'm fine, don't worry about me," but her whole body felt weak and she couldn't even move her fingers. She could only squeeze his hand back a little tighter.

Su Han felt the subtle force, her heart ached, and she was overwhelmed with endless relief and tenderness. "Don't move around. Elder Mu said you need to rest. The medicine is taking effect. Sleep, sleep a little longer. I'm here."

Biyao was indeed still very sleepy. The medicine seemed to have a calming effect on her soul. Hearing his deep, gentle voice whispering in her ear, her eyelids began to grow heavy again. But she forced herself to stay awake, her gaze questioning as she looked towards the entrance of the main hall.

Su Han understood what she was asking. "Senior Sister Lu's true energy has been significantly depleted. She is recuperating in the tower and will return to Qingyun tomorrow."

A flicker of understanding crossed Biyao's eyes, along with an emotion so subtle it was almost imperceptible, perhaps even to herself. She blinked gently, indicating she understood, then finally succumbed to the overwhelming drowsiness and closed her eyes again. This time, the faint curve of her lips seemed even more pronounced, and she didn't loosen her grip on Su Han's hand.

Su Han quietly watched over her, observing as her breathing became even and deep again. He slowly adjusted his own breathing, trying to circulate his stagnant true energy. Even if he could only recover a trace, it would be good.

Lu Xueqi did not go to the quiet room arranged by Shi Yue.

After leaving the main hall, she stood quietly for a moment in the winding corridors of the tower. The tower was dimly lit, with only some luminous minerals embedded in the walls providing faint illumination. The air was filled with the ancient scent of stone and a faint, lingering spiritual energy.

She walked to a window in the corridor. The view outside wasn't the real sky, but a scene conjured by the Zhenyue Tower's formation: drifting clouds, verdant mountains, resembling the real scenery of the Ten Thousand Mountains outside the tower, only with added tranquility and a sense of eternity. The Tianya Sword hummed silently in her hand, its cold blade reflecting her calm, unwavering eyes. Only she knew the turmoil beneath that calm surface.

The backlash from the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning did exist, but with her cultivation level and foundation, it shouldn't have prevented her from traveling. Staying to recuperate—this reason seemed reasonable, but it was actually far-fetched. Even when Senior Brother Shi Yue transmitted his thoughts, his calm tone seemed to carry a hint of understanding.

Why did she stay?
To observe whether Biyao's injuries were stable? To guard against possible accidents? Or... for the person who was currently staying by the jade bedside without leaving for a moment?

She pictured Su Han tightly gripping Bi Yao's hand, his eyes brimming with a mixture of panic and relief. She had seen that look before, outside Xiaochi Town, when he faced Bi Yao's injury. But this time, it was more profound, more heavy, as if he had lost the whole world and then regained it.

She also remembered the look in his eyes when she activated the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, her true essence was severely depleted, and her face was pale. His gaze was filled with gratitude, worry, and a subtle, complex emotion. That "thank you" was as heavy as a mountain.

He thanked her for saving Biyao.

Biyao also saved her.

Between her and Biyao lies the distinction between righteous and demonic, the precepts of their sect, and even more so... someone neither of them has spoken of, yet perhaps both are already aware of.

Lu Xueqi's fingers unconsciously caressed the cold hilt of the Tianya sword. She had cultivated the Dao since childhood, possessing a steadfast will, her only pursuit being the ultimate swordsmanship and the protection of all living beings. Love and affection were distant and unfamiliar to her, even seen as obstacles on her path of cultivation. The teachings of her master, Master Shuiyue, and the experiences of her fellow disciples had all instilled in her a respectful distance from such matters.

However, some things will not happen simply because you ignore them or don't want to think about them.

When did it begin? Perhaps it was in the Abyss of the Dead, when he grabbed her hand amidst countless spirits? Perhaps it was on Mount Liubo, when he stood up to face the Kui Niu? Or perhaps it was just in those moments of fighting side by side, those occasional glances that something quietly took root, without her even realizing it.

And Biyao… that elfin, radiant woman, yet possessing the stubbornness and fiery passion of a demonic sorceress, entered their world so abruptly, yet so naturally. She risked everything for Su Han, even betraying the Ghost King Sect (at least temporarily). This decisiveness and fervor were something Lu Xueqi could never achieve.

She could wield her sword for him, risk her life for him, and even break some principles for him, but she could never be like Biyao, so clearly writing the word "like" in her eyes, in every glance she gave him, and in every reckless action.

The distinction between good and evil, like a cold chasm, separated her from Biyao and cast a heavy shadow over a possible future between her and Su Han. Biyao's existence made this shadow even more concrete and profound.

Staying might simply be a way to see things more clearly. To see his choice clearly, to see one's own heart clearly, and to see where this tangled mess will ultimately lead. (End of Chapter)