The young girl's face made Lin Taichu's heart quake—she looked exactly like Xiao Yu, the girl next door from before he had transmigrated!
But before he could respond, cries of battle suddenly rang out beyond the courtyard. Countless Black-clothed Men vaulted over the walls, and the sword held by their leader was the very Broken Sword that had killed Master Chen in the illusion.
"Protect the young master!" the old servant shouted, only for his voice to fall silent beneath a black-clothed man's sword.
The young girl's silver bell fell to the ground. Amid its crisp chime, the terror in her eyes reminded Lin Taichu of what he had seen in the illusion.
This time, he did not hesitate. With a sweep of his sleeve, spiritual energy surged forth.
"Stay close to me!" Lin Taichu grabbed the young girl's hand. The instant his long sword left its sheath, he suddenly realized that this might be the Reincarnation Well's trial: every life had someone who needed protecting, and every choice could alter the course of reincarnation.
When the black-clothed man leader's sword was about to pierce the young girl's chest, Lin Taichu resolutely used his body to block it. As blood dyed his moon-white robe red, he finally understood that one's true heart was not about fleeing from fear, but about never abandoning the conviction to protect others, no matter how many reincarnations one endured.
The well water churned once more. When Lin Taichu opened his eyes, he found himself standing on the central platform of the Reincarnation Well.
The jade pendant on his chest emitted a warm glow, while the medicinal power of the Dragon Origin Fruit he had obtained earlier suddenly erupted. The spiritual energy within him surged like a burst dam, swiftly breaking through the bottleneck of the