Jade Pendant Hides Feelings, Wuchen and Qingwan's Hearts Connect

As the first light of dawn peeked into the dilapidated temple, the wind blew in through gaps in the broken walls, stirring up dust on the floor. I was still lying on the bed, my back to the door, my right hand tucked beneath the pillow.

The jade pendant was still there.

My fingertips brushed against its cool edge, and I slowly drew it out. The mottled jade surface reflected the faint light, the words "Guard Heart" carved deeply and steadily. Turning it over, the characters "Qingwan" on the back were as fine as a hair, yet clearly visible, as if chiseled in with every ounce of strength.

She had come last night.

It wasn't a dream, nor an illusion. The scent of medicine mixed with a faint trace of blood still lingered on the jade – her unique aura.

I stared at the two characters for a long time, a strange ripple suddenly rising in my throat. It wasn't pain, nor joy, but like a stone that had been submerged for three years, finally being reached for and lifted out of the water, causing ripples.

Just then, a thought surfaced silently—

"Host's emotional fluctuation detected, Heaven-Slaying Origin absorption efficiency increased by 17%."

I paused.

The System had never reacted to emotional changes before. For years, I had accumulated Origin through forbearance, relied on suppression for growth; the more silent I was, the stronger I became. Yet now, it was actively indicating an increase because of a jade pendant and two names.

So... falling in love could also increase one's power.

I let out a low chuckle, sat up, and tucked the jade pendant inside my clothes, close to my body. As the fabric rustled, the coolness against my chest slowly warmed with my body heat.

I took out a piece of green jade slip from my sleeve. Its edges had long been polished smooth, and the characters "Wuchen" were carved into it with an extremely fine blade, the depth consistent, as if repeatedly traced. I had carried this item with me for over a month, initially thinking it might not be useful, but now it seemed it was time to return it to its rightful owner.

I got up and pushed open the temple door. The morning mist had yet to dissipate, and the outlines of the distant mountains were blurry. I leaped up, and with a few bounds, I left the barren slope, heading south of the city.

Ye Qingwan's small courtyard was tucked away in a corner of the Ji Family's branch, bordering a narrow alley, rarely visited by anyone. I landed on the rooftop, lifted a tile, and saw her sleeping on her side, the edge of the blanket pulled up to her shoulder, her breathing steady. Her brow was slightly furrowed, as if there was still residual energy in her meridians that hadn't fully assimilated, even her sleep was spent regulating her Qi.

I didn't startle her, lightly leaped down, pushed open the window, and entered.

The room was simply furnished. A medicine pouch hung by the bed, a green jade medicine pestle lay on the desk, and half a talisman paper was spread on the table, the ink still wet. I walked to the bedside, lifted her pillow, and placed the jade slip inside, just enough to cover the imprint her palm had left.

Just as I was about to leave, she suddenly spoke softly, "...Is it you?"

I stopped in my tracks, turned, and leaned against the window frame. I casually took a Spirit Fruit from my embrace, took a bite, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "I've accepted Miss Ye's jade pendant."

She didn't move, nor did she open her eyes. She merely quietly probed under her pillow, and when her fingers touched the cool surface, her fingertips paused almost imperceptibly.

A moment later, she whispered, "In three months, don't lose."

I took the last bite of the fruit, flicked the pit out the window, and said, "If I win, you have to tell me the secret your mother left you." I paused, then added, "As for me... you'll know everything eventually."

With that, I flipped over and leaped out the window, my figure merging with the morning light.

Returning to my own residence, I closed the door, leaned against the wall, and closed my eyes to regulate my Qi. The Heaven-Slaying Origin within me flowed smoothly, its speed slightly faster than usual, as if the sluggishness after last night's Lightning Tribulation had been smoothed over by an invisible force. This wasn't a breakthrough from battle, nor the result of Qi transformation, but rather an internal resonance that was quietly altering my foundation.

The System didn't prompt again, but I knew that the exchange just now was more than just a token; it was something deeper that had been ignited.

I raised my hand and placed it over my heart, where the warmth of the jade pendant still lingered.

She gave me "Guard Heart," seeing through my disguise and accepting my aloofness. And I returned her "Wuchen," not as a reciprocation of affection, but as a promise not to back down—I would guard this sentiment, even if I continued to hide my strength, even if I endured for another three years.

As long as she was still waiting.

Just past noon, I was practicing my punches in the courtyard. My movements were slow but steady, each stance drawing forth the surging Origin within my body. Afu knocked on the door outside, his voice kept very low, "Young Master, City Lord Yan has sent someone with an invitation. The Secret Realm martial arts competition will begin in three days, and disciples from all clans must be present."

I didn't stop, merely nodded.

"Also... Miss Hongxiu secretly gave me a note for you, Miss." He paused. "She said that lately, someone has been lurking around the alley entrance at night, seemingly targeting us."

I finished my move, slowly raised my palm upwards, and a wisp of pale golden light flowed between my fingers before disappearing.

"Understood."

In the evening, I went to the apothecary and bought some Calming Pills and Vein-Strengthening Powder, placing them in small porcelain bottles. As I passed Ye Qingwan's small courtyard, it was already dark, and the gate was tightly shut. Just as I was about to leave, the gate was opened a crack from the inside.

She stood in the shadows, a Black Cloak draped over her shoulders, the tips of her hair faintly glowing red.

"I received the jade slip." She looked at me, her tone calm. "When did you prepare it?"

"A long time ago." I said. "I never had the chance to give it to you."

She looked down at the porcelain bottle in her hand, which I had just placed by the door. "You knew I didn't sleep well last night?"

"Your brow has been furrowed." I replied. "And your left little finger has been twitching, a precursor to spiritual power going against its flow."

She gave a cold laugh. "You observe very meticulously."

"It's not observation." I said. "It's remembering."

She looked up at me, her gaze shifting slightly.

We didn't speak further. The night wind rustled the leaves of the locust tree in front of the courtyard. A few dog barks echoed from afar, then silence returned.

She finally spoke, "On the competition grounds, I don't need you to protect me."

"I know." I nodded. "But if you encounter danger, I will intervene."

"Even if it means exposing myself?"

"Even so." I said. "Some things are more important than lying low."

She stared at me for a long time, then suddenly raised her hand to take the porcelain bottle, turned, and went inside. Just as the door was about to close, she left me with a parting sentence: "Don't you dare die before the competition."

The door closed.

I stood there, a slow smile spreading across my lips.

As I returned to the manor, the last ray of sunset vanished from the horizon. I walked down the long street, turned into a side alley, and suddenly stopped.

On the stone slab road ahead, there were a series of wet marks, as if recently splashed with water, but it hadn't rained today. I squatted down, my fingertips lightly touching the ground, and brought a bit of the dampness to my nose.

It wasn't water.

It was blood.

Extremely faint, almost undetectable. If I weren't particularly sensitive to the smell of blood, I wouldn't have noticed it at all. This blood had been deliberately wiped away and then sprinkled with medicinal powder to mask its scent. If I hadn't followed the wind to discern it, I would have just dismissed it as ordinary dirt.

I stood up, my gaze growing cold.

Someone had been here.

Not just one person, but at least three, with considerable cultivation, and they had left in a hurry. They had gone to Ye Qingwan's small courtyard, stayed for no more than ten breaths, and then quickly retreated, their route leading straight out of the city.

I clenched my fist, a trace of golden light appearing in my palm.

The System quietly activated, and the Heaven-Slaying Origin began to condense faster.

It wasn't because of anger, nor because of danger, but because—

Someone wanted to touch her.

And I had just promised myself that I wouldn't let her face the storms alone anymore.

I turned back, quickening my pace. The night deepened, and lanterns on both sides of the street lit up one after another, illuminating my figure as I moved forward.

When I was still fifty paces from her small courtyard, I heard a very faint sound of tiles being stepped on from the roof eaves.

Someone was up there.

I stopped and looked up.

The tiles were silent, and no figure appeared.

But I knew, he had arrived.