Jade Dynasty: I am the master of the Burning Sword, my swordsmanship is unparalleled.

Chapter 10 Leave it to fate, not destiny!
Little Grey was startled by Tian Ling'er's actions and almost instinctively hopped two steps toward the pool. Then, its body swayed and it suddenly fell to the ground.

Seeing this, Tian Ling'er was overjoyed and was about to speed up when she suddenly felt dizzy and felt a surge of evil energy rushing into her brain, causing her face to turn pale with pain.

"call out!"

The next moment, a sword light suddenly appeared in front of Tian Ling'er, and then transformed into the figure of a young man.

Zhang Xiaofan grabbed Tian Ling'er and then, with a light tap of his toes, pulled her back.

As soon as they left the vicinity of the dark pool, the sinister aura vanished. Tian Ling'er gasped for breath, recalling the sudden turn of events, and a sense of relief washed over her.

Immediately afterwards, Tian Ling'er subconsciously recalled the figure that had appeared in front of her at the crucial moment, and the warm embrace that had given her when she felt the coldness of death.

Subconsciously, Tian Ling'er looked up to look for Zhang Xiaofan.

But then she saw the boy standing with his back to her by the eerie pool, carefully picking up the trembling little gray monkey. His gentle movements seemed to carry a hint of pity.

The boy's back reminded Tian Ling'er of the scene in the bamboo forest where her junior brother had protected her from behind. For some reason, her heart began to race.

But soon, Tian Ling'er gritted her teeth and stared at the small gray figure in Zhang Xiaofan's arms with a hint of hostility in her eyes.

"Squeak! Squeak!"

Little Grey, who was already a little scared, screamed twice after meeting Shangtian Ling'er's gaze. The rather shrill sound made Zhang Xiaofan's brow ache.

"Alright, Little Grey, it's okay, your senior sister won't hurt you."

Zhang Xiaofan reached out and touched Xiao Hui's head, stroking the thin golden line between its eyebrows with his fingers, and gently soothed it.

Under Zhang Xiaofan's reassurance, Xiao Hui calmed down, but was still a little afraid of Tian Ling'er. It carefully hid behind Zhang Xiaofan, hugged his neck tightly, and secretly peeked at Tian Ling'er.

"Xiao Fan, why did you save this dead monkey?"

Tian Ling'er didn't know what was wrong with her, she just felt a little uncomfortable and couldn't help but mutter to herself.

"Senior sister, its name is Little Gray. I feel sorry for it and we have a connection, so I'll keep it as a companion."

Zhang Xiaofan explained softly, and then reached out to rub Xiao Hui's head. Xiao Hui squeaked twice, seemingly enjoying it. Perhaps sensing that Zhang Xiaofan preferred quiet, the sound wasn't sharp, but rather lively and playful.

Upon hearing this, Tian Ling'er couldn't help but think of Zhang Xiaofan's background, feeling a pang of heartache. However, she still glared angrily at Xiao Hui without saying anything more.

"Senior sister, let's go back, it's getting late."

As Zhang Xiaofan spoke, he prepared to leave the place. Tian Ling'er did not object and was about to leave on her amber brocade.

However, at this moment, Little Gray suddenly started jumping around on Zhang Xiaofan's shoulder, looking somewhat anxious, pointing to the depths of the pool and chirping.

"Alright, Little Grey, let's go back."

Zhang Xiaofan reached out to comfort Xiao Hui. He knew what Xiao Hui meant, but he didn't want to steal her soul.

Seeing this, Little Grey thought Zhang Xiaofan didn't understand what it meant, and couldn't help but get a little anxious. Then, as if it had made a major decision, Little Grey leaped in front of Tian Ling'er, tugged at Tian Ling'er's sleeve, and pointed at the dark pool, squeaking loudly.

Tian Ling'er was puzzled at first, but then, seeing Xiao Hui's anxious look, she realized something and quickly grabbed Zhang Xiaofan, saying excitedly.

"Xiao Fan, Xiao Fan, Xiao Hui seems to be saying that there is treasure in here!"

As she spoke, Tian Ling'er looked around the secluded pool again, and after thinking for a while, she became even more excited.

"This place is so strange, there must be some rare treasures here. Neither Xiao Hui nor I can get close, but Xiao Fan, you can get close at will. This treasure is destined for you!"

"Senior sister, no need, I have the Burning Sword, that's enough."

Zhang Xiaofan shook his head slightly. He didn't know what he was afraid of. He just subconsciously wanted to escape. Perhaps he knew what he was afraid of, but he was just deceiving himself.

"Why? You have the Burning Sword, you can take that treasure too! If you don't want to use it, you can give it to me, your senior sister!"

Tian Ling'er was somewhat puzzled. She was no longer the innocent girl she once was. She vaguely realized something, but on the surface, she smiled and tried to persuade her.

"Senior sister, look around. Within a radius of three zhang, all life is gone. This shows that this thing is extremely malevolent. This strange phenomenon matches a rare object recorded in the Ten Chapters on Strange Treasures."

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaofan tried to explain to Tian Ling'er, but it was unclear whether he was trying to persuade her or continue deceiving himself.

"The ancient book 'Ten Chapters on Strange Treasures' records: There is a strange iron in the sky that fell into the Nine Netherworlds. It was refined by burning the evil spirits and fierce souls of the underworld with ghost fire. It takes a thousand years to turn red, a thousand years to take shape, a thousand years to gather the evil spirits and fierce energy, and a thousand years to acquire the ability to capture souls."

"If I'm not mistaken, the thing in the dark pool is an extremely yin and evil object, a rare treasure that can steal your soul!"

Seeing that Zhang Xiaofan seemed to want to explain something, Tian Ling'er suddenly interrupted him.

“But Xiao Fan, isn’t the Burning Sword in your hand also a vicious sword? According to my father, the ferocity of your sword is even greater than the legendary Bloodthirsty Pearl, the supreme treasure of the Demonic Sect. It is probably even more terrifying than the Soul-Seizing Sword.”

"Xiao Fan, I remember you once said that no matter what kind of magic weapon it is, its use depends on the user. Xiao Fan, your mother said that you are kind-hearted. Although you are a bit aloof, you have a strong sense of righteousness. Only in your hands, Xiao Fan, will this Soul-Capturing Weapon not become an evil thing that wantonly harms living beings!"

Zhang Xiaofan suddenly froze, his eyes glazed over.

He had always tried to escape the pursuit of fate, but fate was like a large net that had already been woven, and he was nothing more than a prey stuck in the net with nowhere to escape.

Yes, he could hide. Two years later, at the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament, he could deliberately lose and hide on Mount Qingyun.

But could he still avoid the trip to the East Sea? Could he really ignore his senior sister's danger?
Afterwards, the Demonic Cult attacked the mountain. Ten years later, the Beast God was born. Then, the Ghost King led the Demonic Cult to attack the mountain. Could he keep hiding forever?
If the price of escaping fate is to be a coward, then is he still him? Faced with the injustice of fate, he rebelled, went mad, and became obsessive, but he never showed fear!

Now, whether he is the man from his past life, the man as Crown Prince Changqin, or the man as Zhang Xiaofan, he has a second chance. Is he willing to be a coward?

No, that's not him!

Fate? So what!
We must leave it to fate; it cannot be left to destiny!
Even if I die and my immortal soul is forever scattered, I will have no regrets!

(End of this chapter)