Duel to the Death, Blood Staining Lake Peak, the Jade Maiden's Guilt, Stirring the Heart

Zhao Ranran frowned slightly, immediately pushed open the wooden window, and looked in the direction the arrow had been shot. The sky was pitch black, and although her eyesight was sharp, she could not penetrate the layers of darkness. The Pure Jade Divine Bird was trembling all over, suffering from a severe case of being startled by a bow.

She clenched her fists, knowing the arrow had been shot by Li Xian, both shocked and furious. But in the pitch black, there was nowhere to look. Zhao Zaizai took out the letter, examined the handwriting, and murmured, "Tomorrow evening, Severed Palm Peak, will we see life or death?"

She couldn't believe it and found it ridiculous. She read the letter several times. Only then did she realize that Li Xian really wanted to duel her. She was utterly dumbfounded. The Flower Thief was incredibly foolish and wanted to seek his own death, which suited her perfectly.

But after a while, all around was pitch black, and the night was silent. The absurdity in his heart dissipated, but he couldn't help but think, "If I'm not mistaken, that Flower Thief evaded us and arrived at this city by boat. There are only a few inns in this Swallowing Water City, and he should have checked into one before us. We didn't notice when we arrived, which allowed him to escape without our knowledge. He suddenly started an archery duel for no reason; it must be that he overheard our conversation in the hall and was furious, hence his challenge to a duel."

"That's utterly ridiculous. That dangerous and underhanded scheme was proposed by Nangong Xuanming. It's their family matter; why should I interfere? I don't even like her, so why should I be so considerate of her?"

She argued inwardly, her face flushed with embarrassment, and she felt a sudden sense of bewilderment. She hated Nangong Liuli because of her family, and disliked her for not helping her in her time of need. But upon closer reflection, the matter was indeed shameful; she had indeed used Nangong Xuanming to carry out despicable schemes. Her reputation as a "Jade Maiden" had been tarnished. Yet, she harbored extreme hatred for Li Xian, and desperately wanted to kill Li Xian as soon as possible to settle her grievances. Torn between Celestial Person conflicting emotions, she chose to abstain.

However, abstaining was tantamount to consent. She was not standing idly by, but rather aiding and abetting evil. She could foresee Nangong Liuli's fate, but selfishness clouded her judgment, and she remained indifferent, thinking, "She fell in love with the Flower Thief; whatever her fate, it's her own doing. Although I have a duty to save people in distress, I will not save those who commit suicide."

Her mind was in turmoil. She was new to the world, naive and ignorant of love and hate, yet proud and arrogant. When she encountered this situation, it was inevitable that she would be biased.

She didn't want to see Bian Qiaoqiao, but guessed that Bian Qiaoqiao would come for help, so she asked Su Lan Feng for assistance.

Now, she suddenly encountered a message delivered by arrow. The handwriting in the letter was strong and resolute, with a hidden anger and a willingness to die. Although her writing skills were still shallow and her calligraphy was not as good as hers, the artistic conception was strong. Zhao Yingying was also an outstanding calligrapher. When she read the six characters "Severed Palm Peak, Jian Si Sheng", she felt a chilling killing intent rushing towards her.

There was absolutely no room for maneuver; knowing they were no match, they still insisted on showing off their courage.

Zhao Zaizai knew this letter was no joke; it could not have been written without genuine fighting spirit. It was precisely for this reason that her scheming thoughts and her indifference to the situation were now exposed and revealed.

This was exposed to Li Xian's eyes.

The Jade Maiden, though inherently pure and noble, already had flaws. Zhao Zaizai was far from being entirely innocent regarding the "Nangong Liuli" matter. Rather, she harbored too much murderous intent towards Li Xian and placed too much importance on that "one-time encounter," ultimately leading to her indirect sacrifice.

A sense of shame washed over him. A thought suddenly crossed his mind, "I desperately wanted to kill that Flower Thief, knowing full well that Nangong Liuli would meet a tragic end, yet I still didn't help her. Nangong Xuanming's schemes were treacherous; I appeared to forfeit, but in my heart I agreed. That Flower Thief found out about this, and thus, in his anger, he challenged me to a duel—"

"Even the Flower Thief was willing to die for Nangong Liuli. I came here to save her, but due to a moment of wicked thoughts, I've ended up like this—so be it, so be it. This matter is too chaotic. Tomorrow we'll see if the Flower Thief dares to show himself. Killing the Flower Thief is the priority!"

She forced herself to clear her mind and sat cross-legged until dawn. The next day, Nangong Xuanming, Nangong Wuwang, and the other Jianghu guests drank porridge in the hall, while Bian Chengfeng and Ka Bianyun sat at another table. Bian Qiaoqiao sat in a corner, gazing wistfully out the window, lost in thought.

Zhao Zaizai stared intently at Nangong Xuanming, as if he had something to say. Suddenly, a surge of arrogance welled up within him, and he thought, "That's it! Could that Flower Thief be trying to provoke me into stopping Nangong Xuanming? Does he really have the guts and the determination to duel me? If he truly did, he wouldn't be Flower Thief. How can I let him get away with this?"

She looked down on Li Xian, yet suddenly couldn't believe Li Xian possessed such Blood Qi.

She remained silent, ate and drank simply, and then returned to her room to rest quietly. She practiced the "Nine-Aperture World-Purifying Art," internally cultivating her body and purifying both her mind and spirit. But when she suddenly saw the bronze arrow on the table, she couldn't help but feel inexplicably angry.

As noon approached, Zhao Zaizai had made no progress whatsoever. Her feelings grew increasingly complicated. She clearly hated Li Xian intensely and wanted to kill Li Xian, yet she was unwilling to let Li Xian fight as promised. The fact that a Flower Thief her, this "Jade Maiden," appear so insignificant and despicable made her unwilling to get involved with the Flower Thief for the sake of "perfect fate." However, she went along with the Flower Thief's actions and did something just as despicable.

She gazed at the lake, thinking, "I must kill that Flower Thief. Why has such a simple matter become so complicated?" She recalled her master's instructions before she descended the mountain, "The Jade Maiden of each generation possess unparalleled talent. Learning martial arts is not the most difficult thing; cultivating the mind and emotions is the real challenge."

As noon passed and evening approached, Zhao Zaizai, having already ascertained the location of Severed Palm Peak, deliberately set out later than usual, her mind filled with conflicting emotions. She cut the boat ropes on the lake shore and set off by boat towards Severed Palm Peak.

Seeing that the peak was deserted, she felt a surge of relief. "I'll only wait for him for half an hour; if that time passes, I won't wait for him at all. How could I easily believe the words of this Flower Thief? I've truly been foolish."

"When we meet, we'll find a way to kill him."

The boat docked at the foot of the peak. Zhao Zaizai leaped up gracefully and walked a short distance along the mountain path, arriving at the palm of Severed Palm Peak. Looking around, he could not see anyone.

Suddenly, a voice came from above. "You're late." Zhao Zaizai looked up and saw a figure lying on the summit of Middle Finger Peak.

It was indeed Li Xian.

Zhao Zaizai, clenched her fists, scrutinized him for a moment, and said, "You actually dared to come? Aren't you afraid of death, or do you think I can't beat you?"

Li Xian said, "My martial arts are still shallow, and I know my own limitations. How could I be your match? You, a dignified Jade Maiden, have resorted to such underhanded tactics to kill a lowly thief like me. Well, that's fine—no need to waste time and effort on a wedding. I'll just show myself now, saving a lot of energy."

Zhao Ranran narrowed her eyes slightly, instinctively retorting, "The Nangong Clan's affairs are none of my business. I only want to kill you."

Li Xian angrily asked, "If you had remained aloof on your Profound Dao Mountain, continuing to look down upon the mortal world, this matter would naturally be none of your concern. But you came here specifically to save Sister Liuli, yet you coldly watched as her own kind plotted against her. In the hands of this Flower Thief, her life was still safe. But in your hands, she is now in danger of her life being destroyed. Is this any of your business or not?"

Zhao Ran continued, her face flushed red, unable to refute, and she cursed, "You silver tongue!"

Li Xian sneered, "What 'Jade Maiden Saving the World'? What difference is there between you and people like Nangong Xuanming? If the world relied on you for salvation, it would truly be a tragedy."

Zhao Ran drew her sword again with a whoosh and shouted angrily, "No matter what I am, it's none of your business to talk about me, you Flower Thief!" Li Xian's voice was like thunder, "Fine, then let me, this Flower Thief, taste your Jade Maiden's methods!" His fighting spirit was high, his voice was like rolling thunder, and he immediately raised his heavy bow.

Enemies meeting are filled with intense hatred. In an instant, swords are drawn and tensions rise, accompanied by the muffled roar of thunder.

Zhao Ranran had long known that Li Xian's Archery were extraordinary. With a light step, waves surged from all sides of Severed Palm Peak, creating terrifying waves that shook the entire mountain. She had just entered the Third Realm, possessed remarkable talent, and her martial arts attainments were astonishing. This move was the "Profound Sword Formula; Startling Sea and Driving Waves" stance, capable of instantly stirring up thousands of waves.

Her move was incredibly powerful, far exceeding its actual strength. It was deliberately designed to intimidate Li Xian. She thought to herself, "This Flower Thief dares to challenge me, but he doesn't know my capabilities. Once I unleash my full power, I'll scare him into submission, and he'll surely flee in a sorry state! After he's completely exposed his true colors, let's see how he dares to challenge me!"

I only wish that Li Xian would reveal her ugly face, so that she would have no regrets.

Water droplets scattered everywhere. Zhao Zaizai formed a hand seal, his long hair moving without wind, and said, "Freeze!" In an instant, countless water droplets were suspended in the air.

Densely packed.

Li Xian was soaking wet; the violent tremor of the mountain hadn't knocked him off. He drew his bow, narrowed his eyes, and released an arrow that pierced through countless water droplets, aiming straight for Zhao Zaizai's heart.

Zhao Ran sensed the murderous intent again and gracefully stepped to the side, dodging the arrow. The bronze arrow struck the mountainside with a loud bang, creating a deep crater. Li Xian frowned and fired several more arrows. Zhao Zaizai could easily dodge them with just a slight movement. This was the "Three-Foot Microstep," an extremely advanced martial art. Within three feet, one could avoid any murderous intent!

Zhao Ran sneered again, "A firefly dares to compete with the bright moon. What you're so proud of is nothing but trifles in my eyes. Your Archery are indeed good, but if I wanted to, I could make sure you couldn't even shoot an arrow."

Suddenly, he drew his longsword and gently touched a suspended water droplet. The sword's image was reflected in the droplet, then refracted and spread to thousands of other water droplets. When Li Xian shot his arrow again, the arrow had barely left the bowstring when it touched the suspended water droplet, and a clanging sound of metal colliding with metal could be heard.

The power and Intent-Qi of the arrow were diminished. A single, light drop of water was more difficult to break through than a stone wall or a boulder. Li Xian frowned and shot several arrows, but they all lost their force and fell to the ground four or five zhang away from him.

It turns out that Zhao Zaizai was using the "Myriad Gleaming Shadow Sword" and the "Azure-Heavens Shadow Sword" just now, both of which are extremely skillful sword techniques. The martial arts combined and evolved with each other, forming their own school. This made every drop of water contain a sword technique of hers.

Countless sword techniques, using water droplets as carriers, hovered in the air.

As Li Xian's arrows left the bowstring, they inevitably touched the water droplets, much like a sword strike exchange with her. In this way, the arrows were repeatedly intercepted. Although his Archery were superb, he could not break through this move.

His Archery were unparalleled, but the world is full of complexities, and there are always ways to easily defeat him. The pursuit of martial arts is endless; how can one be content with the status quo?

Zhao Zaizai put two fingers together and pointed at Li Xian. Countless water droplets instantly gathered towards Li Xian, as if hundreds or thousands of sword-like attacks were coming from all directions.

Li Xian initially intended to use "Golden Light" to dodge, but suddenly thought, "I came here to die, why should I avoid her sharp edge?" He burst forth with dark light, forcefully resisting the murderous intent, and secretly plotted a deadly move. Instantly, Li Xian was soaking wet, his clothes were tattered, and his body was covered with thousands of sword marks.

Although the water droplets reflect the sword's form, they are ultimately not the real sword.

Zhao Ying continued, "If you intended to escape, it wouldn't be easy for me to find and kill you. But you've delivered yourself right to my doorstep. You're just a lowly street thief, daring to challenge me to a duel. You truly don't know your own mortality." He thought to himself, "This move should have crushed his courage; he must be preparing to escape now."

Suddenly, a whooshing sound rang out. A long sword came crashing down, and Zhao Ranran dodged it to the side. Li Xian, covered in blood, swooped down, grabbed the hilt, and swung it horizontally.

Seeing Li Xian covered in blood, his eyes resolute, the bloodstains on his body revealing not a disheveled appearance, but rather a determination to die, Zhao Ranran felt a sudden pang in her heart. It was impossible to reconcile Li Xian with the image of the Flower Thief in this situation. She recalled Nangong Liuli's words about Li Xian being different.

Suddenly, she began to believe it. Despite her pride, seeing others fighting to the death stirred something within her, and she thought to herself, "Why isn't he running away yet?"

But now that things have come to this, how could she admit her mistake? Gritting her teeth, she lightly swept the Heaven's Favor Sword across the room. The already broken "River-Sinking Sword" snapped in two.

Li Xian remained expressionless, casually tossing aside the River-Sinking Sword. He then drew the "Azure Sword," unleashing a powerful vertical slash that came straight at him, employing the "Setting Waning Sun Blood-Draining Sword" technique.

The sword flashed like the sun, scorching hot. Three clangs rang out, and after a few exchanges, the Azure Sword snapped completely with a crack. Now, both swords were lost!

Heaven's Favor Sword, capable of shattering mortal weapons!

Zhao Ran demanded again, "Your sword is destroyed, why don't you admit defeat?!" At this point, killing Li Xian was secondary; she wanted to see Li Xian submit and admit defeat, to see this blood-soaked youth reveal his ugly side, and prove that she had done nothing wrong.

Li Xian, too lazy to speak, took three steps back. Zhao Zaizai him, when suddenly a cold glint appeared— Ghost Python had darted out! Zhao Zaizai couldn't dodge in time and was grazed on the left arm. Li Xian remained silent, but the more blood he shed, the more courageous he became, blood flowing down the shaft of his spear. Each shot, however, was unstoppable.

Zhao Zaizai had defeated many people, but she had never encountered such a fighting style. She was not afraid of the sharpness of the spear, but because of a flaw in her heart, she was afraid of the fearless intent within it. Her gaze subtly swept across Li Xian's face, trying to see hypocrisy, cunning, ugliness, and wretchedness. Instead, she saw determination, resolve, heroism, and handsomeness—she suddenly thought, "He—is he really here to die!?"

He hesitated for a moment as he drew his sword, and was forced to take a half-step back. Though there are many heroes in the world, how few can face death calmly? There is great terror between life and death. Zhao Zaizai once encountered the Ever-Sleeping Mother Tree and feared he would perish at the bottom of the lake. He still remembers the fear that arose in his heart.

Seeing Li Xian fight with reckless abandon, letting blood flow freely yet remaining calm and composed, was something she had never witnessed before in her life—her mind was in turmoil, and she was forced back step by step. She only wanted to kill the Flower Thief and sever all ties, but unexpectedly, her thoughts, in turmoil, led to this outcome.

Zhao Zaizai took another step back, and several pebbles fell off the cliff. Zhao Zaizai gritted his teeth, stubbornly maintaining his composure, thinking, "I'll shatter your spear again, and see what you do then!" The Heaven's Favor Sword was incomparably sharp, and although the Ghost Python Spear had a mysterious origin, it was far inferior in terms of quality and materials.

Li Xian thrust his spear forward, like a dragon pouncing and a tiger slaying.

Enraged, Zhao Zaizai unleashed his sword with a surge of Inner Qi, his intent not only to sever the spear but to utterly shatter it! Facing it head-on, his superior martial arts skills were on full display, and in an instant, the Ghost Python Spear was reduced to countless silver fragments. A rare and precious spear, its very essence destroyed.

It's as if it never existed!

Zhao Zaizai breathed a slight sigh of relief, thinking that this would break Li Xian's momentum. With Li Xian's sword and spear destroyed, he immediately unleashed his fists again, using the Four Directions Fist technique. Zhao Zaizai. He saw that although the fist technique was mediocre, the skill was profound, even Peak Mastery!

She was no longer aware of why she was fighting, and in a daze, she thought, "Do I really have to kill him?" She used basic Swordsmanship to defend herself.

He also possessed Peak Mastery skill, but his Swordsmanship was of even higher quality and more refined, naturally giving him the upper hand.

Li Xian used a variety of martial arts techniques, including Clearwind Leg, Jade Luo Palm, and Vast-Expanse Leg. Every time he changed a martial art, Zhao Ying would also change hers.

Its quality has always been superior to his, reaching the Peak Mastery achievement.

But the more they fought, the more alarmed he became. Her martial arts were all orthodox, with subtle connections between them, making them quite complete and perfect. Li Xian's, on the other hand, seemed to be pieced together from scattered pieces, lacking a school or system. Many of his martial arts had obvious flaws and were extremely difficult to master.

Although she was superior in every way and completely crushed him, her astonishment grew. Even though she was naive and unaware of the hardships of the world, she could still understand the difficulties involved in various martial arts.

She had always thought she was eradicating the Flower Thief and punishing evil. But now she suddenly felt that she was bullying Li Xian. Using her superior innate abilities, family background, and deep knowledge, she was oppressing him at every turn. Although she was victorious, she felt no joy, and her face grew even paler.

She suddenly unleashed a move called "Heart-Severing Meridian Break- Lower Vehicle," a killing move from the inferior martial art "Bowing-for-Truth Sword." The sword was straight and unpretentious, but its power was immense. If one was stabbed, their heart meridian would be severed, leaving little chance of survival.

When she unleashed this move, her mind and body were in a state of chaos, anticipating that this attack would be difficult to kill Li Xian. Suddenly, she no longer wanted to kill Li Xian, her thoughts a jumble of complex emotions. But then she suddenly felt the sword's edge pierce her flesh, through her chest and through her body, truly disappearing into her blood and flesh, shattering her heart meridians and severing her life force.

She suddenly woke up, took a step back, and leaned her back against a tree trunk beside the cliff. Her pupils contracted.

The Bowing-for-Truth Sword – This Swordsmanship refers to the sages of past generations who, in their quest for truth, kowtowed with every step, enduring countless hardships, ultimately suffering the Heart-Severing Meridian Break, yet never regretting their actions.

Zhao Yingying was shocked to learn that Li Xian had been killed in this way. Her beautiful eyes looked at Li Xian, and seeing that his expression remained unchanged, she asked inexplicably, "You—you—why?"

It was late at night, late April, and the moon was waning. The cold light shone on Li Xian's face, and his vitality gradually faded.

Yuan fell into the lake, creating a wave, and sank upon touching the water.

Zhao Zaizai distraught, "He really came to die? And I really killed him too." His breathing was slightly rapid, and he felt neither pleasure nor joy. He stood at a distance for a long time, his mind heavy and unsettled.

She saw that the Severed Palm Peak was covered in blood, and following the bloodstains, she could identify many of the martial arts techniques used by Li Xian. Her wish to kill all the Flower Thief on this trip had been fulfilled, but she was instead confused and bewildered.

The pale moon shone down, and the dark clouds hung heavy.

Zhao Zaizai stood by the cliff for a long time, recalling the battle just now, Li Xian's resolute face and determined eyes—the emotions she felt lingered, unforgettable, and filled her with unease. "My wish has been fulfilled. Whether that Flower Thief saw my face or not, he is dead by my My Sword. The bond was severed before it even began. This journey—destroying the Flower Thief, destroying the Water Altar, and saving Liuli —can be considered Perfection. I should be happy now, so why do I feel no joy?"

"I admit that my actions in coercing Nangong Liuli were not entirely aboveboard. My obsession with killing Li Xian clouded my judgment, allowing Nangong Xuanming to use this as a pretext for my treachery. Li Xian is cunning; I pursued him several times, but he always managed to escape. He is no fool. Since he went to the duel to the death, he must have been wholeheartedly trying to save Nangong Liuli, risking his own life. If he dies by my My Sword, the pretense of marriage between Nangong Xuanming and the others will naturally become impossible to maintain."

Zhao Ranran's breathing quickened slightly. "Regardless of whether he's Flower Thief or not, how many men in the world would truly die for a woman?" Li Xian's image flashed through her mind again, making her even more confused. "If the two weren't truly in love, how could they do such a thing? If it is true love, then what Nangong Liuli said might not be false. Could I have truly misjudged things?"

She suddenly asked herself, "Am I here to wipe out a Flower Thief, or... or am I just being arrogant and bullying a young boy?"

Just now, with broken swords and shattered spears, such a sight and emotion are rare even for heroes. How could she not be moved, yet remain indifferent? It is precisely this that adds to her sorrow.

After standing there for a long time, Zhao Zaizai suddenly saw a green light flashing on the Middle Finger Peak. He leaped up and stepped onto the peak, where he found a Ghost Jade.

The Ghost Doctor Lineage single heir, and they have always used the "Ghost Jade" to signify their identity. The one who wears the Ghost Jade is the Ghost Doctor. Just now, after being sliced by a thousand swords, the Ghost Jade fell here without the person realizing it.

Zhao Zaizai took two steps back, her face pale, and said, "He—could he really be the successor of the Ghost Doctor? This matter is so confusing—I—I need to think quietly." She gazed at the lake, having won, she fled, urging her boat to move quickly. Only when she could no longer see Severed Palm Peak did she gradually slow down and drift with the current.

She examined the Ghost Jade, her unease growing. Killing the Flower Thief had only added to her distress; upon reflection, she realized her actions had been extremely inappropriate. She kept recalling the battle. Suddenly, the Pure Jade Divine Bird let out a long cry and flew down beside her.

The next morning, the lake water surged and gradually carried them back to the shore. Zhao Zaizai returned to the inn, where everyone sat in the hall. Taishu Yuzhu and Su Lan Feng drank wine and discussed tea, saying that although the wine here was cloudy, it had a unique flavor when tasted carefully.

Nangong Xuanming, Nangong Wuwang, and a group of martial arts practitioners are plotting a fake marriage. The two men harbor malicious intentions, but all they say is for Nangong Liuli's good.

Bian Chengfeng and Bian Bianyun discussed their return journey.

Bian Qiaoqiao stared out the window, lost in thought. Zhao Zaiying walked to the table where Nangong Xuanming and the others were sitting and listened to the details of the fake marriage. The two of them were being insincere and coy, and then they thought about the bloody battle they had fought the night before. The contrast between the two made their pretense seem even more dignified.

She felt utterly disgusted, finding their voices grating.

Suddenly she awoke with a start. She prided herself on her purity and integrity, yet she had tacitly approved of this plan. How was she any different from Nangong Xuanming and the others? Now that her obsession had vanished, she was suddenly awakened. "I have fallen into delusion! I have been deluded since the first time I descended the mountain! When I first entered the secular world, I felt superior and regarded saving people as a great favor."

"My ambition was to save people, but it was for fame and fortune, to demonstrate my superiority, not out of genuine compassion or heartfelt compassion. I was blinded by arrogance, and my actions were all acts of charity. Why did I despise Li Xian, yet feel compelled to kill him?"

"Even if One-Glance Fated Bond, it doesn't necessarily mean we are in love. Even if I despise him and thus have any connection with him, I feel tainted and will not rest until I cleanse myself. Looking at him now, even if he sees my face, if he is indeed a heinous villain, I will surely meet him again in the future, and killing him then will be easy. If he is not a heinous villain, why should I be in such a hurry to kill him now?"

"I have a very high opinion of myself, and I believe that only those with exceptional talent can be destined to be with me. Therefore, I was filled with rage when I got involved with the Flower Thief."

Feeling even more confused, she suddenly said, "Let's call this off the fake marriage."

Nangong Xuanming was taken aback and said, "Miss Zhao, you—" Zhao Ranran said, "After careful consideration, I believe this is inappropriate."

Nangong Wuwang said, "But if we let this cunning Flower Thief escape, he will commit evil again in the future, and more women will suffer! How can we let him go so easily?"

Zhao Ran thought to herself, "They are chasing Li Xian for their own benefit, not truly for the sake of women. I am also chasing Li Xian for my own benefit." The more she realized she had done something terrible, she felt immense remorse. She said, "If I do anything evil again, blame it on me. There's no need to say more. Let's go home tomorrow."

Nangong Wuwang said, "But this is our family matter—" Zhao Zaizai said coldly, "Since it is a family matter, you should report your every word and action to the Lineage. Only with the Lineage's approval can the fake marriage plan be carried out, not your reckless actions."

Nangong Xuanming said, "We will report this to the Emperor ourselves." Zhao Zaizai added, "I will also report this to the Emperor, and will personally present it to Nangong Bolong with the Pure Jade Divine Bird."

Nangong Xuanming and Nangong Wuwang exchanged glances, feeling as if they had been doused with cold water. They realized that Zhao Zairan was not someone to be fooled. Nangong Bolong was the head of the direct lineage, and the two of them had kept their actions hidden, having the elders of the lineage cover them up, waiting for things to brew and explode before anything happened. If they were exposed too early, Nangong Bolong would definitely be furious.

Back in the bedroom.

Zhao Zaizai haunted by the battle of the previous night. She recalled the other man's eyes—deep, misty, resolute, and bright, yet also filled with disgust and disdain. A tightness gripped her chest, a feeling of unease she couldn't vent.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Li Xian suddenly opened his eyes. Although his heart meridian was broken, his Heart-Protecting Divine Intent " kept him from dying. He was in excruciating pain all over his body, and his life was hanging by a thread.

Li Xian, with the "Jade-Water Pearl" in his mouth, was sinking rapidly. Dongran Lake was extremely deep, seemingly bottomless, and he had been sinking for a long time in a daze.

The Life-Saving Yang Qi surged into the heart cavity, healing the injuries.

Li Xian had planned to fake his death early on, but the only way to die was by "damaging the heart meridian," which would allow him to survive. He fought desperately, not to win or show off, but to wait for a fatal blow that would pierce his heart and sever his meridians.

He firmly declared in his heart, "Since I am not dead, I will surely ascend to the Dao Xuan and fight another battle!"