Remnants

"..., pray!"

Xuanming's name is very difficult to pronounce; it's a long string of strange syllables that's hard to describe even with onomatopoeia.

Zhang Xuezhou could only let Xuanming read it aloud to avoid any mistakes.

He led others in reciting the "Tomb Scripture" more than once or twice.

The "Tomb Scripture" differs significantly from the Heart Demon Oath. The "Tomb Scripture" emphasizes the fulfillment of wishes, selecting words of blessing to realize beautiful desires.

Heart Demon Oath is Curse, bringing about all sorts of terrible consequences.

If Heart Demon Oath is truly made, there will be a surge of Blood Qi, and some great cultivators may even evoke a warning from Heaven and Earth, accompanied by lightning and Lei Ming.

Zhang Xuezhou had never done anything that triggered his Great Heart Demon Oath, nor did he want to get involved in such matters.

When he recited the "Tomb Scripture," he only asked Xuanming to pray for protection and not to make any changes at will, thus establishing a relatively stable cooperation.

This kind of positive blessing is not difficult to achieve, and Zhang Xuezhou felt that Xuanming should have a chance to realize it after chanting it several times.

After reciting the "Tomb Scripture" once, Zhang Xuezhou gestured to Xuanming.

After a series of strange pronunciations, Xuanming abruptly stopped reciting as well.

"Are you not using your real name?"

If reciting the "Tomb Scripture" doesn't work, it has to be recited a second time. Zhang Xuezhou glanced at him and started using his old tricks of belittling and doubting, trying to find a reason to make Xuanming recite it again.

"What... Damn it, this Heart Demon Oath... made my words become law... It actually..."

Xuanming opened his mouth toward Zhang Xuezhou, the sound coming from Ren Anran's body in a broken and intermittent manner.

Before he could finish his sentence, Zhang Xuezhou saw the golden tortoise in Ren Anran's eyes turn into golden light and disappear.

"You made Xuanming recite the ' Tomb Scripture '?"

Ren Anran's familiar voice rang out.

Her body had been possessed by the Emperor in the past, but now it was being temporarily borrowed by Xuanming.

Compared to the past, her strength has increased several times over.

In the past, she was oblivious to everything; now, she is like an observer and collaborator, able to see clearly everything that happens.

Xuanming's use of the Xuanqi Heavy Armor to possess him wasn't particularly strong; Ren Anran could even break free.

Xuanming didn't do anything to her body, and the agreed time hadn't arrived, so Ren Anran didn't resist.

It wasn't until Xuanming, like a cat whose foot was on fire, jumped and ran away that Ren Anran suddenly regained control of her body.

"It's good to read it together; it's good for him and good for me," Zhang Xuezhou nodded.

"I never imagined something like this!"

Looking at the calm and composed Zhang Xuezhou, Ren Anran felt that Zhang Xuezhou's previous unease had vanished without a trace.

This is indeed the life that Zhang Xuezhou has adapted to. From being diagnosed with a mental illness in his youth to breaking through after growing up, Zhang Xuezhou has adapted to everything under this confrontation and has the ability that others find difficult to match or catch up with.

Even an average person would feel awkward and flustered if they had to say just a few words on stage, and would stumble over even the most familiar language, let alone demonstrate extraordinary thinking ability.

Interacting with top-tier cultivators is far more valuable than being watched by dozens or hundreds of people in the audience. After all, these top-tier cultivators have far greater control than the audience and can even hold lives in their hands.

Every interaction was like dancing on a knife's edge, and Zhang Xuezhou was the dancer on that edge.

Ren Anran seemed to have never seen Zhang Xuezhou show even the slightest hint of inferiority. Zhang Xuezhou never bullied anyone, nor did he ever look up to others; he always maintained an equal stance.

This principle applies to both superiors and subordinates, truly achieving a balanced unity of knowledge and action.

For a fleeting moment, Ren Anran felt very close to Zhang Xuezhou, yet she also felt that she was gradually surpassing Zhang Xuezhou, and could even lead him in the opposite direction.

But as she continued forward, she discovered that this distance felt like an insurmountable gap; whenever she felt they were getting closer, they were actually still far apart.

Compared to himself, Zhang Xuezhou has had far more experience, far exceeding that of a sheltered expert.

A person's abilities are comprehensive. A person is not strong just because their cultivation level is slightly higher, or because they are better at a certain Technique Method or fighting style. Nor does a person become strong simply because they temporarily possess advantages that others do not have. Only those who are strong in both inner and outer cultivation can become truly strong.

While Technique Method and sequence locks can certainly make a person stronger, they are only one aspect of that strength.

Ren Anran looked at Zhang Xuezhou, constantly comparing the differences between herself and Zhang Xuezhou when facing Xuanming, and also constantly reflecting on the areas where she needed to grow.

She eventually discovered that this advantage is difficult to learn by analogy; everyone's experiences are different, their reactions to challenges are different, and therefore, what they gain is different.

Even if she remains calm and composed when facing Xuanming next time, and there is a possibility of normal communication, that will be a different matter altogether.

"We have different strengths, you don't have to be me. In fact, I often envy you!"

What do you envy about me?

"Your keen insight and ability to correct mistakes are exceptional; you always correct errors immediately, while I am not. I tend to make mistakes repeatedly and continue down the wrong path!"

"But I didn't see you miss even one!"

"How can anyone not make mistakes? I've made quite a few!"

Zhang Xuezhou felt that he had made quite a few mistakes.

Ren Anran didn't notice his mistake, simply because Zhang Xuezhou went in the wrong direction when he was wrong, and when he hit a wall, he tried to break through it or find a shortcut. The price he paid for this was far higher than that of ordinary people.

"Look at all the medicines I've developed, which one is widely praised?" Zhang Xuezhou said with a smile.

"Your medicine?"

Zhang Xuezhou's self-disclosure of his weaknesses left Ren Anran speechless.

"For example, we're like a makeshift team; we don't think long-term when we do things, and we're more focused on quick results," Zhang Xuezhou said. "We just do things first and worry about the consequences later!"

"That's an advantage; those who are timid and strive for perfection will never get anything done," Ren Anran said.

"It's easy to make mistakes," Zhang Xuezhou laughed. "Perhaps one day, if the problem isn't resolved, things will spiral out of control and ultimately lead to disaster!"

"Everything is based on the principle of voluntariness. Once you've made your purchase, you can't hold onto it; no one can blame you for your choice!"

Zhang Xuezhou seemed to be implying something, and Ren Anran added to the comment.

The two exchanged a glance. Zhang Xuezhou's eyes remained calm, while Ren Anran's listless disappointment was gone.

Everyone is indeed different; she can't become Zhang Xuezhou Zhang Xuezhou, nor does she need to.

Any good partnership is complementary, rather than a competition based on similarities.

What Zhang Xuezhou admired was what Ren Anran needed to develop and grow in, and what Ren Anran lacked, Zhang Xuezhou would step in to solve on her behalf, so she didn't have to worry about it.

Face your shortcomings, accept your weaknesses, and complement each other's strengths.

As the sun gradually set in the west over the distant eastern mountains, Ren Anran, unusually, leaned her head on Zhang Xuezhou's shoulder.

As if remembering something, Ren Anran recalled long-forgotten memories: Zhang Xuezhou had beaten her up and then saved her. Her youthful, irrational behavior was now tinged with absurdity and ridiculousness.

But in an instant, Ren Anran had already reacted.

Clearly, just as the Emperor had left some mystical traces in her body to adapt to it, Xuanming had also left some remnants when he borrowed her body, which is why her distant memories had returned to her heart at some unknown time.

For Xuanming, this residue is not important, but for Ren Anran, who has not suffered any damage from the erosion, this residue may be a beneficial gift.