The male cultivator in the Body Integration Realm visibly froze, seemingly not expecting Shi Sanniang to be utterly unconcerned about the destruction of her body.
His lips parted, and he was about to reply when a figure came speeding out through the mountain gate.
"Grandaunt!"
The newcomer was none other than Shi Min.
Her lovely face was filled with sorrow.
"Your body?"
Seeing Shi Min safe and sound, the worry between Shi Sanniang's brows vanished, and her voice softened considerably.
"Ye Pi destroyed it."
Shi Min's delicate brows immediately shot up, and she said coldly,
"That fiend Ye Pi! I swear I'll tear him into ten thousand pieces."
"Ye Pi is dead." Shi Sanniang turned toward Song Wen. "This fellow Daoist Yan'e killed him. He also saved my soul. Otherwise, I would probably have been scattered into oblivion."
Only then did Shi Min turn her eyes to study Song Wen.
Although she had noticed this stranger long ago, she had paid him no mind earlier.
Shi Min cupped her hands and bowed deeply to Song Wen.
"Thank you for lending your aid, fellow Daoist. By saving Grandaunt's soul, you have become a benefactor of the Shi Family, and I personally owe you an immense debt as well. If you need anything done, please say the word. I will see it through."
Shi Min's words sounded genuinely heartfelt. At least on the surface, there was no trace of pretense.
"You're being too generous, fellow Daoist Shi Min. I merely happened to be there," Song Wen said.
"No!" Shi Min shook her head, her tone firm. "You may not know this, but Grandaunt has always looked after me and treated me as her own child. Without her, I could never have become who I am today. So these are not mere pleasantries.