In the quiet chamber, only the sound of He Wanxing's forehead striking the floor remained—once, then again, dull and stubborn.
"Enough." Patriarch Xuancha withdrew her aura, and the oppressive pressure vanished with it.
She looked at He Wanxing, a rare trace of warmth in her voice. "But Wanxing, don't regret this."
He Wanxing raised her head, her forehead already red and swollen.
Tears shimmered in her eyes, yet she forced out a smile. "Patriarch, I won't. I won't regret it."
Patriarch Xuancha said nothing further. She merely watched her in silence for a moment before turning her gaze back to Li Bufan. "Boy, I presume you already know the secret of Six Desires Heaven?"
Li Bufan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Yes."
"Good."
"The reason Tianxiang Cult repeatedly sent disciples into Six Desires Heaven was to find the inheritances left behind by those True Persons of old. After all these years of searching, only the inheritances of Shuiyue True Person and Yuntian True Person remained undiscovered."
"And you have been rather fortunate. Yuntian True Person actually favored you and bestowed his entire inheritance upon you."
She looked calmly at Li Bufan. "And you are not a member of Tianxiang Cult. So, do you know what your fate should be?"
Li Bufan met her gaze, his tone even. "Please speak, Senior. Whatever moves you have, this junior will take them all."
Patriarch Xuancha nodded faintly. "Good. You have some backbone, at least."
Then her tone shifted. "That is—hand over the inheritance you received, and then be executed."
He Wanxing abruptly raised her head. "No, Patriarch!"
Patriarch Xuancha did not move. She merely gave He Wanxing an indifferent glance.
That single glance seemed to contain some invisible power. He Wanxing's body went limp as though all strength had