Then Let Them Step Over My Corpse

Qian Xunji looked at Qian San, whose soul power fluctuations had already stepped into the threshold of the fortieth level, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Pack up, bring Xiao Qing, and Dad will take you two to a good place."

Qian San didn't waste any words and quickly brought over a bewildered Xiao Qing. Qian Xunji offered no explanation; his vast soul power enveloped the two children, transforming into a golden meteor that was impossible to track, heading straight into the depths of the Falling Moon Forest.

Before long, the three landed steadily outside a valley shrouded in dense, blood-colored poisonous mist.

"Senior, you've arrived!"

Dugu Bo, who had been guarding outside the valley, felt that familiar holy aura. He immediately dispersed his martial soul and stepped forward to welcome them respectfully. When he saw Qian San and Xiao Qing behind Qian Xunji, his gaze lingered on Xiao Qing for a second longer, but recalling Qian Xunji's previous death threat, he immediately kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, pretending he hadn't seen a thing.

Strange, why can't I discern her true form? Dugu Bo muttered to himself.

As the poisonous miasma dissipated, the Light and Dark Yin-Yang Eye, with its boiling dual-colored spring water in the center of the valley, was revealed to the two children without reservation. Qian San's originally calm face froze the moment he saw the dense, spirit-rich exotic flowers and herbs filling the valley. The Purple Demon Eye in the depths of his pupils even began to spin on its own due to extreme shock, purple light flickering wildly.

But... why is it different from the records in the Tang Sect classics from my past life? Why has it turned black and white? However, he didn't dwell on it; after all, the world was different, so some discrepancies were normal.

"Alright, stop looking like you've never seen the world before." Qian Xunji tapped the back of Qian San's head lightly.

"You know more about these flowers and grasses than I do. Go on, pick the most suitable immortal herb for yourself and Xiao Qing in this Herb Garden. Remember, don't damage the roots."

Qian San was trembling with excitement. He nodded heavily, grabbed Xiao Qing, and dived into the Herb Garden, muttering as he began to educate her on the wonders of these immortal herbs.

Having dismissed the two little ones, Qian Xunji turned to look at Dugu Bo, who was waiting respectfully to the side. With a flip of his wrist, a strange herb burning with golden flames drifted in front of Dugu Bo.

"This is the Dragon Flame Spirit Vine. Take it and have your granddaughter Dugu Yan consume it. It will not only completely eradicate the fire poison inherited in her body but also allow her martial soul to undergo a qualitative leap. You should guard her well over the next few days."

Dugu Bo was moved to tears, his old eyes brimming. Holding the immortal herb with both hands, he bent his knees, ready to kowtow: "Many thanks for your great kindness, Senior! This old man..."

"Enough, spare me the formalities. I'm not even as old as you, yet you call me 'Senior' at every turn..." Qian Xunji waved his hand to interrupt him, his gaze shifting toward the distant east.

"I need to leave for about half a month to head to the sea. I have to find him a fourth soul ring."

Qian Xunji turned to shout at Qian San, who was still picking through the Herb Garden: "Xiao San, Dad is going to the sea to get you something good. You and Xiao Qing stay here, refine the immortal herbs, and consolidate your cultivation. Wait for me to return!"

"Understood, Dad! Please stay safe!" Qian San poked his head out from a pile of immortal herbs and shouted back.

Qian Xunji nodded. The phantom of an Eight-Winged Angel flashed behind him and vanished in an instant. He took flight, disappearing into the clouds.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

When Qian Xunji returned, carrying a faint scent of the sea and dragging a half-dead, massive whale, he landed back at the Light and Dark Yin-Yang Eye in the Falling Moon Forest, only to be slightly stunned by the scene in the valley.

In a clearing not far away, two girls were sitting together, chatting and laughing. One was Xiao Qing in her blue-green combat outfit, and the other was Dugu Yan, with her fiery red short hair and an air of wild, spirited energy.

What surprised Qian Xunji wasn't Dugu Yan's presence, but the fact that the two looked like inseparable best friends. Dugu Yan was holding Xiao Qing's hand, excitedly showing off her newly evolved martial soul—a Red-Scaled Flood Dragon covered in crimson scales and radiating dragon might!

Although Xiao Qing didn't talk much, her usually expressionless, cold face now wore a hint of a soft smile, and she nodded in agreement from time to time.

Friendship between women is truly an unsolved mystery... Qian Xunji stroked his chin. He didn't reveal himself immediately; instead, he suppressed his aura and landed silently on the canopy of a towering tree at the edge of the valley.

His gaze shifted, and he quickly found Qian San on a high slope on the other side of the valley.

Qian San was sitting quietly on the edge of the cliff. Xiao Qing, who had been chatting with Dugu Yan just moments ago, had walked over at some point and sat down beside him very naturally. The two sat shoulder to shoulder, the atmosphere filled with the vibrancy of youth.

These two kids... Qian Xunji raised an eyebrow, suppressing the urge to speak, and decided to see what they usually talked about.

Below, Xiao Qing looked at the sunset in the distance, a trace of confusion about the future flashing in her eyes. As a hundred-thousand-year-old transformed soul beast, even with the cover of that Breath-Concealing Phantom Lotus, the unease deep in her heart could never be fully erased. What if Qian San's father is lying to her?

She suddenly turned her head, looked at Qian San's profile, and asked softly:

"Xiao San... if one day, many people want to kill me, people who are very, very strong—so strong that you can't resist them at all... what will you do?"

Hearing this, Qian Xunji, perched on the tree, almost fell off.

He covered his face, his toes curling so hard inside his shoes that he felt like he was digging a three-bedroom apartment into the ground.

Is this right? Shouldn't this be the kind of question asked when they first became siblings? Qian Xunji ranted wildly in his heart.

He stared at Qian San below, praying frantically:

My good son, you are usually so calm and wise, your head filled with Tang Sect hidden weapons and metal storms. Please, don't say that cheesy line. Your father really can't handle this kind of sweet critical hit...

However, the gears of fate clearly did not hear Qian Xunji's prayers.

On the edge of the cliff, Qian San did not hesitate for a second. He turned his head slowly and looked directly into Xiao Qing's eyes with sincerity. There was not a hint of joking in his gaze. He spoke word by word, his voice so firm it felt as if it could sever metal and stone:

"Sister Qing... then please have them step over my corpse first."

"..."

Goosebumps erupted all over Qian Xunji on the canopy. He felt so awkward he wanted to dig a two-bedroom grave with his toes right there and bury himself alive.

This line... the damage is too high. Qian Xunji helplessly accepted reality. It turned out that eavesdropping was bad for one's mental health.

But don't worry, Xiao Qing. With me here, you won't sacrifice yourself for Xiao San... never!