Shi Lan had not been entirely unprepared. The moment Wuxu landed, she sensed his arrival.
She did not stop cultivating. Splitting her focus, she slowly opened her eyes and looked toward Wuxu.
"Senior, has something happened?"
"A formidable enemy has arrived. If I fight them, I may not be able to protect you."
Wuxu nodded. The newcomer was powerful, though not necessarily his match. But once battle began, with such a formidable foe before him, he would struggle to keep Shi Lan safe.
Any one of the Supreme Beings present could enter the realm and capture Shi Lan with ease.
The risk was too great. Wuxu was unwilling to take it.
"Why don't we stop here?"
Shi Lan slowly ended her cultivation. If her presence caused Wuxu irreparable harm, it would leave an indelible heart demon within her.
"No."
Wuxu gently shook his head. "We've already come this far. It would be a shame to fall short at the final step. Besides, it's not as though there's no other way."
As he spoke, he slowly held out his hand. "Give me Guiyun's Dao Fruit."
Shi Lan did not ask why. She did as he said, taking out the Sword Emperor's Dao Fruit and placing it in Wuxu's palm.
"Continue your cultivation without worry. Leave the rest to me."
A passage through the void opened beside Wuxu, and from another world he drew a body toward them.
Black hair, blue-green robes, eyes gently closed. His features were flawless, like a peerless painting, and an icy calm emanated from him.
The heavy divine might of an Emperor's Dao filled the heavens and earth, lifeless and still.
"Senior, why go this far?!"
Shi Lan's expression changed. That was the body of the Sword Emperor Guiyun.
Wuxu had taken the Dao Fruit and summoned