Chapter 046: Suddenly Losing the Will to Live

Qiao Yue Ru was taken aback by his sudden retreat. "Brother Xiao?"

Watching Yan Shu, who had already withdrawn her gaze, Xiao Ji Han felt a pang of regret in his heart. He must have been out of his mind to subconsciously distance himself from the woman beside him just because of that woman's glance.

He lowered his eyes and spoke in a calm tone. "I've remembered. Thank you for telling me, Sister Qiao."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Yue Ru immediately lit up with a radiant smile. "It's nothing. Though I discovered that forbidden ground myself, for nearly a hundred years I've returned again and again to explore it, yet always found myself blocked from entering. I believe it's where the true legacy of the Brahma Heaven Secret Realm lies. I have no fate with it, but you, Brother Xiao, perhaps you can try."

While listening to Qiao Yue Ru, Xiao Ji Han's mind wandered to what Yan Shu had told him: after divining fate, she discovered that he had a destined opportunity within this secret realm.

At the time, he scoffed at her words. Divining fate shortens one's lifespan—how could that vicious, selfish woman ever do such a thing for him?

But now, his conviction wavered.

He looked up at Qiao Yue Ru and asked, "That forbidden ground—besides you, who else knows of it?"

"It should be only me." Qiao Yue Ru replied quietly, "There's only one entrance to the forbidden ground. Each time, I scatter Shadow-Seeking Powder at the entrance to check whether the legacy has been claimed by anyone else. Before leaving the secret realm, I always inspect it."

Xiao Ji Han fell silent.

Qiao Yue Ru gazed at his downcast phoenix eyes and thick, curled lashes, her ears turning faintly red. "Um... Brother Xiao, if you wish to go, after entering the secret realm I can take you there. Would you—would you like to exchange the Mystic Spirit Mirror with me?"

Xiao Ji Han looked at Qiao Yue Ru, noting her flushed cheeks and hopeful expression. After a brief pause, he replied, "Alright."

Though Yan Shu had withdrawn her gaze, she kept a watchful eye on Xiao Ji Han from the corner of her eye. After all, she had once sincerely shipped this couple, and now, seeing them together, she couldn't help but sneak a few glances.

Yet Xiao Ji Han was far too perceptive, so she didn't dare to look openly. Instead, she feigned interest elsewhere, observing the two from the side.

In the original novel, Xiao Ji Han and Qiao Yue Ru met within the secret realm. Then, when Qiao Yue Ru was besieged by demonic beasts, Xiao Ji Han lent a hand, and the story detailed the classic hero-saving-beauty trope. The moment Qiao Yue Ru saw Xiao Ji Han, she felt as though a celestial being had descended, falling instantly in love.

The Brahma Heaven Secret Realm contained a forbidden ground—the legacy of the Medicine King, its entrance known only to Qiao Yue Ru. After her infatuation with Xiao Ji Han, she revealed the entrance to him without hesitation.

Yan Shu had expected this plot point to unfold after entering the secret realm, but judging by the current situation, events seemed to be happening ahead of schedule.

Lost in her musings, suddenly the entrance of the Brahma Heaven Secret Realm erupted in brilliant green light, dazzling everyone into closing their eyes.

After a moment, the light gradually faded, and at the entrance appeared a shimmering portal.

The secret realm had opened.

Yu Wen Che glanced at Yan Shu, then turned to Liu Zhi Qing. "The secret realm is open. I will go ahead."

Liu Zhi Qing cupped his fists toward him. Once Yu Wen Che departed, he turned to address the others. "Prepare to enter!"

Everyone promptly lined up, and Xiao Ji Han returned to the ranks.

Though the Brahma Heaven Secret Realm was open to all, there were conventions to follow. First entered the host sect, Brahma Heaven Sect, followed by the top sect, Primordial Sect, then Beast Taming Sect, then Mystic Heaven Sect, and so on.

Entry order was determined by rankings from the previous secret realm exploration—the realm itself had its own system of points.

The Buddhist cultivators of Brahma Heaven Sect had already entered. Yu Wen Che glanced once more at Yan Shu, then led the disciples of Primordial Sect through the portal.

Sun Chang Feng approached Qiu Shuo Ran. "This is a Substitute Talisman. Use it with caution. Do not be overly greedy within the secret realm. If danger strikes, crush the jade token immediately."

Qiu Shuo Ran accepted the talisman and carefully put it away. "Rest assured, Master. I understand."

Yan Shu looked at Qiu Shuo Ran's moved expression, then glanced at Xiao Ji Han, whose favorability above his head still read -25 (disgust). She lowered her gaze, rummaged through her mustard seed pouch, and pulled out a brocade box, walking over to Xiao Ji Han.

She handed him the box. "Disciple, there are many monsters in the Brahma Heaven Secret Realm. This Hao Yuan Pill can save your life. Take it."

At the mention of "Hao Yuan Pill," a gasp sounded around them.

The Hao Yuan Pill was a seventh-grade spiritual elixir, crafted by the late sect master of Mystic Heaven Sect. To mortals, it could raise the dead and heal the gravest wounds.

For cultivators, it preserved the soul from dispersing for several years.

To cultivators, physical destruction was not truly terrifying; as long as the soul remained, rebuilding the body was only a matter of time. Especially after reaching the Nascent Soul stage—as long as the nascent soul endured, one could cultivate back to their peak.

There were only a handful of Hao Yuan Pills in existence—a true life-saving divine medicine.

Even Liu Zhi Qing, upon hearing the words "Hao Yuan Pill," drew a sharp breath, about to object. But recalling that Yan Shu might have perished long ago without Xiao Ji Han, he could only feel a pang of regret and said to Xiao Ji Han, "This is your master's heartfelt gift. Accept it."

Xiao Ji Han looked at Yan Shu with a complicated expression, pursed his thin lips, and finally reached out to take it. "Thank you, Master."

Favorability: -15 (indifferent)

A ten-point jump in favorability made Yan Shu break into a delighted smile. "No matter. Just focus on your training."

Xiao Ji Han stored the Hao Yuan Pill and lowered his gaze with a faint response.

It was now Mystic Heaven Sect's turn. Xiao Ji Han stepped forward and entered the shimmering portal.

Watching his figure disappear, Yan Shu nearly jumped for joy!

She was finally, truly free!

At last, she didn’t have to live in constant fear, wondering every day if her head would roll!

She wanted to sing out loud to celebrate her hard-won ten years of freedom!

We common folk, today is truly a happy day!

Hey! So happy, so happy!

Hehe!

Liu Zhi Qing watched his disciple enter the secret realm, and upon turning around, saw Yan Shu trembling, her lips twitching. "Junior Sister, why are you shaking? Are you unwell?"

"No." Yan Shu quickly composed herself, her bright eyes sparkling as she replied, "Senior Brother, shall we go drink?"

At the mention of wine, Liu Zhi Qing's eyes lit up. "Let's go drink!"

The two siblings were about to leave cheerfully when a shadow suddenly loomed overhead.

Liu Zhi Qing looked up at the sky. "What's happening? Why have two thunderclouds appeared out of nowhere? Huh, the wind's picking up too?"

A dull rumble sounded; purple lightning rolled within the clouds. Startled, Liu Zhi Qing stepped back. "Junior Sister! There are thunderclouds above your head—come over here!"

Yan Shu: …

Suddenly, she felt utterly hopeless.

Boom!

Zzz—

With purple lightning crackling overhead, Yan Shu dashed toward the secret realm’s portal. Just before stepping through, she could bear it no longer and raised her middle finger toward the sky. "Damn you!"