In the courtyard.
Qian Renxue had just finished practicing a sword routine. Her sword intent had grown several degrees more refined than before. Clearly, under Qian Ye's guidance, she had gained something.
She lowered her sword and stood still, her golden eyes gazing up at the sky as well. A lingering look of astonishment colored her face.
"Bringing the dead back to life... Teacher, even a god would surely be tempted by a reward like this, wouldn't they?"
She turned her head and looked at the figure leisurely sipping tea beside the stone table.
However, to her surprise, Qian Ye's face showed not the slightest reaction.
It was as if a reward powerful enough to drive even the gods mad were no more than a breeze brushing his face, unworthy of notice.
Qian Ye set down his teacup, not even glancing at the Heavenly Vault Golden List.
He merely gave a faint reply.
"Mm."
One word, and nothing more.
His composure, his indifference, filled Qian Renxue with even greater reverence.
Just how lofty was this senior's realm?
Even the power to bring the dead back to life couldn't move him.
She grew ever more curious about Qian Ye's identity, but if he didn't volunteer it, she wouldn't ask.
That was the proper restraint of a junior.
"Senior, I'll return to my room to consolidate what I learned today." Qian Renxue bowed respectfully.
"Go ahead." Qian Ye waved a hand.
Only after Qian Renxue had disappeared through the courtyard gate did Qian Ye slowly raise his head. But his gaze didn't turn toward the sky; instead, it swept over a certain corner of Jialing Pass.
A trace of amusement curled at his lips.
"Interesting. An unruly little mouse has snuck into Jialing Pass."
The Allied Forces Camp.
While everyone was still reeling from the reward, a dazzling seven-colored pillar of light had already burst through the clouds and crashed down from the sky!
Its target wasn't Tang San, as everyone had assumed, but Xiao Wu, who was nestled in his arms!
Buzz—!
The pillar of light instantly enveloped Xiao Wu's delicate body.
By then, Xiao Wu had already taken the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, and the Immortal Herb had long since fused with her.
Naturally, the Heavenly Dao's reward acted directly upon her!
Bathed in the seven-colored radiance, Xiao Wu felt a warm, surging life force pour into every part of her body.
The damage to her source left behind by her sacrifice was rapidly repaired, and then some!
The Lovesick Heartbreak Red within her was undergoing a world-shaking transformation.
Its petals turned translucent, as if carved from divine jade, and mysterious patterns of the Dao flowed across them.
A feeling of power far beyond anything she had known before filled her body.
Inside the tent, the Shrek crew first froze, then burst into even more frenzied cheers!
"Ha ha ha! It's Xiao Wu! The reward is for Xiao Wu!"
"Wonderful! That means Third Brother basically has an extra life!"
"Congratulations, Third Brother! With this divine Immortal Herb, your Dual Godhood body will surely make you invincible!"
Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the others crowded around Tang San, their faces brimming with fawning smiles. Every word they said, though, was about Tang San.
It was as if he, Tang San, had received the reward instead of Xiao Wu.
Tang San's face was flushed with excitement.
He could clearly feel that as the Immortal Herb within Xiao Wu transformed, pure energy traveled along the bond between them and flowed back into him!
His Sea God Divine Power had actually advanced a little as a result!
More importantly, the power to bring the dead back to life!
That meant he now had an absolute margin for error!
The next time he faced Qian Renxue, he could trade blow for blow and life for life!
I've got one chance to come back to life. Does Qian Renxue?
I've already won this battle!
Endless pride and elation filled Tang San's heart.
As he listened to everyone congratulate him and basked in the feeling of being the center of attention, he instinctively tightened his arms around Xiao Wu.
However, he didn't notice.
Xiao Wu, held tight in his arms, was dazed.
She felt the surging power within her and heard the constant "Congratulations, Third Brother!" The confusion in her lively eyes grew deeper.
Her long, slender legs, wrapped in pink stockings, curled up involuntarily. A chill from the depths of her soul seeped through her shapely body.
Wasn't this...
the reward the Heavenly Dao gave me?
Then why...
was everyone congratulating Third Brother?
Curled up in Tang San's arms, Xiao Wu felt a chill more piercing than the one she'd felt when she sacrificed herself.
Tang San's excitement slowly subsided. He looked down at the beauty in his arms, his voice gentle yet leaving no room for refusal.
"Xiao Wu, take out that divine Immortal Herb."
"This is vital to me. With it, I can gain the strength to protect you faster and wipe out Spirit Hall once and for all!"
His words were brimming with righteousness and devotion.
But Xiao Wu's body stiffened.
Take it out?
How?
Oscar rubbed his hands beside them, eagerly chiming in, "That's right, Xiao Wu! Hurry and give it to Third Brother! The stronger he is, the safer we'll all be!"
Ma Hongjun chuckled. "Xiao Wu, this concerns all our lives. You have to put the greater good first!"
"That's right, the greater good!"
Everyone chimed in at once.
She was stunned.
The familiar faces before her now seemed so strange.
The scene from the Golden List, showing her sacrificing her soul and life for Third Brother without the slightest hesitation, was still fresh in her mind.
Back then, she had thought that was love in its most perfect form.
But now...
Why should the reward the Heavenly Dao gave her be handed over to Third Brother as a matter of course?
Why did everyone think it belonged to Third Brother in the first place?
A hot tear slipped from the corner of her eye, carrying all her heartache with it.
Tang San noticed that something was wrong with Xiao Wu, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He immediately put on a pained expression and gently wiped away her tears.
"Xiao Wu, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Don't cry. I know you've been wronged. But you have to understand, everything I do is for us, so I can protect you forever."
"Spirit Hall is too powerful, and Qian Renxue has already become a god. I have to do everything I can to increase my strength so I can avenge you and give us a peaceful future."
Tang San's voice was magnetic, every word brimming with devotion.
"So give me the Immortal Herb, all right?"
He coaxed her gently, but inside, impatience flickered.
The effects of this divine Immortal Herb were far too extraordinary, especially its one chance to bring the dead back to life!
It was practically a trump card made just for me!
No matter what, I, Tang San, was claiming this Immortal Herb today!
Looking at Tang San's "sincere" face, Xiao Wu felt the last line of defense in her heart begin to waver.
Maybe... maybe she was overthinking it.
Third Brother was doing this for everyone, and to avenge her.
She sniffled, her voice thick with tears as she spoke in broken phrases:
"Third Brother... it's not that I won't give it to you..."
"It's... it's that the moment the Heavenly Dao's reward arrived, this Immortal Herb had already... already completely fused with my body and soul."
"I... I can't take it out."
Before you continue