Inside Zhang Suannai's cave.
The cave was simple. A Divine Statue had been damaged until only its lower legs remained, and the murals had faded to mottled patches of color. An earthquake or a High-Tier battle had probably taken place here; the cave itself bore cracks and other damage. A Formation blocked light from passing outward, and once sleep mode was activated, it also blocked most of the light coming in. The cave was dim, though they could just make things out.
Dull yellow light filtered in across the ocher stone walls, making the place feel drowsy.
Two layers of coir mats and an animal hide lay in the middle of the cave. That was Zhang Suannai's bed. Her other belongings were scattered across the floor.
She and Yan Keling were holding each other tightly now, like young animals huddling together for warmth and safety. Both slept soundly, their breathing even.
Chen Shu and Qingqing returned to their cave as well.
They activated the Formation to ensure their privacy.
"Hiss..."
Chen Shu pulled aside his slashed clothes and looked at the wounds beneath, which had already begun to heal. Wu Eiwei had inflicted most of them. The elusive movement and speed of the Ultimate Sword Dao, coupled with the King Court Sword Cultivators' arguably unmatched sharpness, were truly hard to deal with. Chen Shu was willing to call them the greatest bane of Spiritual Cultivation practitioners.
Ning Qing sat down in front of him, very close. She took hold of his clothes and tugged open his collar, then straightened up and leaned in to look inside.
Two little spots on his chest.
"..."
Ning Qing withdrew her gaze and looked up at him.
"Does it hurt?"
"What do you think?"
"Well, you were the one who went and fought