「A few days later.」

Dragon Head Peak.

Pei Jingque’s figure wandered before the bookshelves of the Library Pavilion. From time to time, she would pull out a book to flip through, only to gently shake her head and put it back.

She seemed unsatisfied with what was recorded within.

"Jingque."

"Martial Uncle Fengg."

Pei Jingque turned at the sound of the voice.

"What are you looking at now?" Fengg Wuju’s face was haggard. His gaze swept over the cover of the book in her hand as he spoke slowly, "Secret techniques for possession and reincarnation are subjects for the late-stage Dao Foundation, or even Golden Core Grandmasters. It’s no use for you to look at them now."

"Yes."

Pei Jingque nodded.

"My mind is in turmoil, so I thought I’d look at some miscellaneous books."

"Mm," Fengg Wuju nodded. "You carry heavy responsibilities and are under too much pressure. This time, you also faced a great calamity and barely managed to escape. It’s a good thing to relax your mind a little."

"Martial Uncle," Pei Jingque asked, "have you ever encountered someone who was possessed or reincarnated?"

"I have," Fengg Wuju said with a smile.

"A hundred years ago, there was a Dao Foundation Cultivator who was unwilling to accept that his lifespan was ending, so he used a Secret Technique to possess another person on his deathbed."

"And the result..."

"He became an idiot!"

"Ah!" Pei Jingque was dumbfounded. This outcome was not what she had expected.

"No need to be surprised." Fengg Wuju waved his hand.

"If you advance to the Dao Foundation in the future, you will understand just how fragile a person’s soul is, and how slim the chances of a successful possession are."

"It is said..."

"That the legendary Primordial Spirit True Men can abandon their physical bodies and exist between heaven and earth, able to possess and be reborn at will."

"Of course, these are all just rumors."

As for reincarnation, that was something that existed only in legends.

Pei Jingque nodded slowly.

"Then..." she began cautiously, "if a possession is successful, what are the signs?"

"Successful?" Fengg Wuju gently stroked his beard. "Because the soul and physical body do not belong to each other, such people usually find it difficult to cultivate. Even if they start on the path of cultivation, they will struggle to achieve anything and can only live for a few decades as a mortal."

"Dao Foundation Cultivators are already accustomed to their own power, so they would rather die than choose possession."

’So that’s how it is!’ Pei Jingque understood, and a weight slowly lifted from her heart.

"Why did you think to ask this question?" Fengg Wuju asked slowly. "You barely escaped from the hands of Tribulation Cultivators. You should be resting and recuperating."

"I met a Cultivator with exceptionally powerful Divine Soul Power," Pei Jingque explained. "His Cultivation was mediocre, but his Divine Soul was formidable."

"Oh!" Fengg Wuju raised his eyebrows.

"That is rather rare."

"I imagine he must have either cultivated some special Method or possesses some kind of special constitution."

’A Method?’

’A constitution?’

Pei Jingque fell into thought.

"To become a Dao Foundation Cultivator, one’s Essence, Qi, and Spirit must reach Perfection. Among these, Refining God Methods are the rarest," Fengg Wuju said.

"Even our Bright Void Sect has only a few Refining God Methods, and they require special conditions to practice."

"Fortunately, a Cultivator’s Divine Soul will also strengthen during the process of Breaking Nine Acupoints. Once all Nine Acupoints are opened, the Primordial Spirit is already quite strong."

"Supplement that with a Foundation Establishment Pill..."

"And anyone at Innate Perfection has a thirty percent chance of achieving the Dao Foundation."

This was all common knowledge for anyone attempting to break through to the Dao Foundation Realm, and Pei Jingque knew it by heart.

She just nodded silently at his words, her thoughts unreadable.

"Little Que’er."

Fengg Wuju suddenly spoke.

"You were heavily injured this time, and your strength has declined considerably. Your chances of successfully establishing a foundation will also be reduced because of it."

"So..."

"Even if you don’t succeed, it doesn’t matter."

’Little Que’er’ was Pei Jingque’s childhood nickname, one Fengg Wuju hadn’t used in many years.

Calling her that now was his way of trying to keep her from feeling too much pressure.

"If you succeed, it will naturally be a joyous occasion for all."

"If not," Fengg Wuju smiled, "it doesn’t matter. At worst, you can be like me, an Innate Peak Cultivator. Can’t you still serve the Sect?"

"Martial Uncle." Pei Jingque’s face showed her shock. Restoring the Dragon Head Lineage had always been his obsession.

"I’m on my last legs. What is there that I can’t let go of?" Fengg Wuju shook his head. "I watched all of you grow up. If you can live your lives happily, what could be wrong with that?"

"To attain it is my destiny; to lose it is my fortune."

Pei Jingque was silent for a long time before she said slowly, "Martial Uncle, I plan to enter seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to the Dao Foundation Realm."

Hm?

Surprise showed in Fengg Wuju’s eyes.

***

In the courtyard.

Zhu Ju held out a single hand, and the Five-Pointed Flying Sword trembled lightly, flying out at a relatively slow speed.

"CLANG..."

The Flying Sword fell to the ground.

It was clear its spirituality had been greatly diminished.

Restoring it to its original state would surely take a considerable amount of time.

"KNOCK KNOCK..."

Someone knocked on the courtyard gate from outside.

"Senior Sister Pei?"

The visitor was unexpected.

Beneath the stone pavilion.

The fragrance of tea filled the air.

The two sat facing each other.

Several days had passed since they had escaped back to Dragon Head Peak, and various pieces of news from the outside world had trickled in.

However, it was difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood.

"Junior Brother Zhu."

Facing Zhu Ju, Pei Jingque still felt a little uncomfortable. She lifted her teacup and took a sip before speaking. "Did you have a guest?"

"Yes," Zhu Ju nodded. "Brother Yan Bohu is a good friend who joined the Sect with me. I helped him escape on the way back, and he came over specifically to thank me."

"Mm." Pei Jingque had only asked casually. She paused for a moment before adding, "What happened between us... I haven’t mentioned it to anyone else."

"Don’t worry, Senior Sister."

Zhu Ju immediately said, "I won’t speak carelessly."

"That’s not what I mean." Pei Jingque frowned, feeling somewhat annoyed.

’What? Is being with me so shameful that it can’t be spoken of?’

"What happened, happened. We need to face it seriously. If Junior Brother is willing, we could actually try to get to know each other."

"Of course."

"That would have to be after I come out of seclusion."

"Come out of seclusion?" Zhu Ju paused in the middle of lifting his tea. "Senior Sister is going into seclusion?"

"Yes."

Pei Jingque nodded.

"The appearance of the Tribulation Cultivators this time is no small matter. It wasn’t just aimed at me, but at the entire Bright Void Sect."

"The Dao Foundation Elder of the Flying Phoenix Lineage is unconscious, and it’s uncertain if he can be saved. Elder Su of the Celestial Sword is also heavily injured. The Dragon Head Lineage can’t live in constant fear. We must have a Dao Foundation expert to hold the line."

"I plan to recuperate in quiet for a few years, then attempt to break through to the Dao Foundation Realm."

"Huh?" Zhu Ju’s expression turned grave. "It’s that serious?"

The condition of the Dao Foundation Cultivators was a secret within the Sect, something only those of Pei Jingque’s status could know.

He hadn’t expected it.

The situation had deteriorated to this point, with even Dao Foundation Cultivators suffering injuries?

"Don’t worry too much," Pei Jingque said, her voice softening. "Ever since the Sect decided to eliminate the Five Poison Sect, we were prepared to face today’s situation."

"For the Bright Void Sect to establish itself in the Ten Thousand Mountains, how could there not be setbacks?"

"Although the Tribulation Cultivators are causing trouble now, quite a few Loose Cultivator Dao Foundation experts have been recruited by the Sect to become Honored Guest Elders."

"Overall, our strength has not decreased but has actually grown."

Zhu Ju nodded slowly.

The Loose Cultivators of the Ten Thousand Mountains rarely had complete Dao Foundation inheritances, let alone a Cultivation Technique that led directly to the Golden Core.

As long as the Bright Void Sect showed goodwill, recruiting them wouldn’t be difficult.

"Here."

Pei Jingque took out a book and handed it over.

"Because you and I... practiced a dual cultivation technique, your constitution has also changed. It’s equivalent to a weakened version of the Profound Void Body."

"This contains Methods suitable for the Profound Void Body to practice. Take a look when you have time and cultivate one or two of them."

"Oh!" A glint appeared in Zhu Ju’s eyes as he reached out to take it. "Thank you, Senior Sister."

"..." Pei Jingque pursed her lips. "I’m going into seclusion this time. It could be for a few years, or as long as one or two decades. Don’t you have anything to say to me?"

"Since Senior Sister intends to break through to the Dao Foundation Realm, do you have a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

"I do."

"Then I wish Senior Sister success in achieving the Dao Foundation in advance."

"?"

Pei Jingque shrugged and tossed a token to him.

"Your Flying Sword’s spirituality is greatly diminished. It would take too much effort to restore it, and it’s no longer suitable for your current Cultivation. Prepare some Spirit Stones, and take this to Martial Uncle Yuk of the Celestial Sword Lineage to have it re-forged."

"Farewell!"

"Take care, Senior Sister."

***

Watching the Dragon-Breaking Stone slowly descend, Pei Jingque’s beautiful eyes closed bit by bit until all was darkness.

’Fine!’

’It was just a single night of passion. Why dwell on it?’

She flicked a finger, and a spot of Spiritual Light lit up between her brows. The Nine Acupoints in her body trembled, and True Qi surged forth.

"Although I lost my Innate Primordial Yin Qi, I also received Junior Brother Zhu’s help, making my Divine Soul Power even more condensed."

"With my Essence, Qi, and Spirit abundant and the help of a Foundation Establishment Pill, my chances might not be any worse than before I lost my Primordial Yin."

"The mortal world’s dusty paths are my campaign; a single point of cold light will break through to Nirvana."

"Condense!"

*

*

*

Celestial Sword Peak.

Qu Hongxiao was surrounded by a group of people, her face taut as she shouted, "I didn’t take it!"

"I just didn’t take it!"

"If it wasn’t you, who was it?" A young and beautiful Female Cultivator stepped forward, pointing at her nose and yelling, "You’ve been lurking around here for the past few days. There was no one else around when we left."

"If it wasn’t you, who could it be?"

"That’s right," someone said. "Junior Sister Qu, you’re an Inner Sect Disciple. The Sect has never been short on your Spirit Stones, so why do you keep stealing other people’s things?"

"I didn’t take it!" Qu Hongxiao shrieked. "I have a Cloud Shoulder! I didn’t take your things!"

"Still say you didn’t take it?" someone sneered contemptuously. "Last time, you also said you didn’t take Senior Brother Wuh’s Sword Pendant. And what happened? It was found in your room."

"I didn’t take it!" Qu Hongxiao continued to yell. "I didn’t take it last time either! Who knows who put that thing in my room?"

"If you say one more word..."

"I’ll cut you down!"

She drew her personal sword, her eyes wide, looking as if she was ready to fight them all to the death.

"WHOOSH..."

The crowd instantly scattered.

"Forget it, forget it."

Someone tried to smooth things over. "It’s just a Cloud Shoulder. If it was stolen, it was stolen. It’s not worth getting angry over something so small."

"Besides..."

"You probably wouldn’t want something a fool has touched anyway."

"Exactly, exactly!"

"No need to get worked up over a fool."

"Hmph!"

The woman snorted coldly.

"You, Qu! Martial Uncle Guu used to protect you, but now that Martial Uncle Guu is dead, let’s see who will protect you now."

"Stealing from people, sooner or later you’ll be expelled from the Sect!"

"I didn’t steal!" Qu Hongxiao glared and swung her Longsword. "Say that again!"

"Ah!"

The woman screamed, stumbling backward repeatedly.

"You fool! You madwoman!"

"Let’s go!"

The group dispersed, muttering amongst themselves, occasionally glancing back at the furious Qu Hongxiao and whispering to each other.

"I didn’t take it."

Qu Hongxiao pouted, sheathing her Longsword. "Anyway, I didn’t take it."

"Brother Leng, Martial Uncle Yuk is calling for you," someone in the crowd called out.

"What is it?"

"A Senior Brother from Dragon Head Peak named Zhu Ju has come to have a Flying Sword re-forged. He wants you to go and prepare."

?

’Senior Brother Zhu!’

The familiar name made Qu Hongxiao’s eyes light up, and she turned to follow.

But then she thought for a moment.

She hurried back to her small courtyard and took out a brand-new pair of cloth boots from a box, putting them on.

"Mm!"

She frowned, looking down at her slightly tight feet.

They were a bit uncomfortable at first, but the new cloth boots and their clean surface made her break into a grin.

Then she hurried out the door, running toward Martial Uncle Yuk’s Cave Mansion.

In front of the Cave Mansion.

A familiar figure was talking to someone. Seeing this from afar, Qu Hongxiao’s eyes lit up.

But her steps,

slowed, bit by bit.

From a great distance, she pursed her lips, hid behind a tree, and clutched her sword as she slowly lowered her head.

’Even if I see him, what then?’

’Would Senior Brother Zhu like me when I’m so dirty?’

’I’m...’

’Just a fool.’

***

"Hongxiao."

"You were born with a Sword Bone, which already makes you different from others. Don’t wallow in self-pity because of what other people say."

With only a breath of life left, Guu Yi leaned against a large tree, her cloudy eyes gazing into the distance as she asked slowly, "What do you want?"

"Master," Qu Hongxiao blinked her eyes, "I want you to live."

"Silly girl." Guu Yi grinned. "Your Master has been through a lot and has lived long enough. But you, do you know what you’re living for?"

"What I’m living for?" Qu Hongxiao’s eyes were vacant. "Other people’s living is called living... is a fool’s living also called living? People say I’m just here to make up the numbers."

"..." Guu Yi was silent for a long time before saying,

"No!"

"I clearly remember the feeling when you picked up that sword. My disciple is not here just to make up the numbers."

***

"Junior Sister?"

Zhu Ju arrived under the tree, looking at the figure standing there in a daze.

"Junior Sister?"

"Ah!"

Qu Hongxiao snapped back to reality, her face instantly flushing red. She fidgeted and said shyly,

"Senior Brother Zhu."