78: Aokigenchi, a place for healing and love.

The dizziness from the spatial teleportation had not completely faded, yet the four of them were already in a realm completely different from the previous desolate and lifeless one.

This was a secluded valley, filled with Spiritual Qi and lush greenery, exuding a sense of vitality. Although the sky was still dim, a soft glow emanated from within the valley, dispelling some of the oppressive atmosphere brought by the Burial Star Sea. Most striking was a pool of water, about a zhang square, in the center of the valley. The water was a warm, clear azure, emitting an extremely rich life essence and pure Spiritual Qi. Several crystal-clear Spiritual Plants, like carved jade, grew by the pool.

"Such dense life essence!" Su Wanqing's cold eyes flashed with surprise as she felt the aura of the pool water. The black Qi spreading from Qu Feiyan's wound, held in her arms, seemed to be slightly suppressed upon contact with the valley's aura.

Lin Xuan endured his injuries and immediately scouted the surroundings. After confirming there was no immediate danger, his gaze locked onto the azure pool. "First, put Senior Sister Qu into the pool!"

He carefully took the unconscious Qu Feiyan from Su Wanqing's hands. Her body felt cold and soft to the touch, her breathing so faint it seemed she could dissipate at any moment, and the five hideous wounds on her back were still shocking. A pang of pain struck Lin Xuan's heart as he gently and steadily immersed her into the azure pool water.

The pool water seemed to possess sentience. The moment Qu Feiyan's body entered, the azure light intensified. Rich life essence, as if conscious, actively permeated her body in threads, nourishing her almost depleted vitality and engaging in a tug-of-war with the stubborn Guixu Death Qi. Qu Feiyan's ashen face regained a hint of color at a visible rate, and her tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, though she remained unconscious. Clearly, her injuries were extremely severe and would not heal in a short time.

Lin Xuan dared not be careless, guarding by the pool and continuously channeling his gentle magical power into her body, assisting the pool water's medicinal properties in dispelling the Death Qi and repairing her damaged Meridians and internal organs. His movements were gentle and focused, his eyes filled with guilt and an indescribable tenderness. If not for saving him... Su Wanqing silently walked to the other side of the pool, extended her delicate hand, and placed it on Qu Feiyan's wrist, which was exposed above the water. Pure Taiyin Moon Essence slowly flowed in. Her Moon Essence power was balanced and peaceful, possessing both nourishing and purifying effects, which could better help stabilize Qu Feiyan's chaotic Qi. She looked at Lin Xuan's expression, a mix of self-reproach and concern, then at the weakly breathing Qu Feiyan in the pool. Her clear, cold gaze flickered slightly, eventually turning into an almost inaudible sigh. She understood that after this incident, Qu Feiyan's significance in Lin Xuan's heart had changed.

Gongsun Yu obediently stood a little further away, vigilantly watching the valley entrance, tightly clutching her thunder light silver ring, acting as Protector for Lin Xuan and Su Wanqing. She looked at the scene by the pool, her small face full of worry, both for Qu Feiyan's injuries and for Lin Xuan's heavy expression.

Time flowed in silence. The valley was rich in Spiritual Qi. While Lin Xuan and Su Wanqing healed Qu Feiyan, they also rapidly recovered their own depleted energy. Lin Xuan even noticed that the life essence in this valley was greatly beneficial to his Cultivation of the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art, slowly healing his hidden Physical Body injuries.

Several hours later, Qu Feiyan's breathing finally became steady and long. About seventy to eighty percent of the black Qi from her wounds had been dispelled. Although still weak, her life was no longer in danger. Only then did Lin Xuan and Su Wanqing slightly relax.

Lin Xuan withdrew his hand from Qu Feiyan's back, looking at her serene (due to unconsciousness) yet still charming profile in the pool water. He recalled her resolute moment of shielding him and her teasing remark, "It was a loss." His heart was filled with mixed emotions. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of wet, disheveled hair from her forehead behind her ear, his movement natural and soft.

Su Wanqing, who had been meditating with her eyes closed, happened to open them and witnessed this scene. She paused slightly, then lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes concealing a fleeting complex emotion in her eyes. She stood up and said coolly, "This place is rich in Spiritual Qi and suitable for recuperation. I'll go scout the surroundings of the valley." With that, without waiting for Lin Xuan's response, she turned and walked towards the valley entrance, her back still straight, but seemingly carrying a hint of indescribable loneliness.

Lin Xuan watched her retreating figure, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. He was not a dull person; how could he not feel Su Wanqing's intentions? It was just that now... "Big Brother Lin," Gongsun Yu whispered, breaking the silence, "Senior Sister Su, she..."

"I know." Lin Xuan interrupted her, rubbing his temples, a trace of fatigue on his face. "First, take good care of Senior Sister Qu. As for the rest... we'll talk about it later."

He turned his gaze back to Qu Feiyan in the pool, his eyes gradually becoming firm. No matter what the future held, he absolutely could not betray this deep bond of protecting him with her life.

Just then, Qu Feiyan's long eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes. She first felt the comfortable sensation of being enveloped by warm, pure energy, then saw Lin Xuan guarding by the pool, his eyes filled with concern as he looked at her.

She weakly pulled at the corners of her mouth, trying to show a habitual charming smile, but frowned slightly as it tugged at her wound. Her voice hoarse, she said, "Little Brother Lin... it seems my... investment this time... wasn't a complete loss?" Although she had just woken from severe injuries, her eyes still held that unique cunning and probing, as if she wanted to confirm something from Lin Xuan's reaction.

Lin Xuan looked at the forced smile on her pale face, and the softest part of his heart was touched. He held her slightly cool hand, which was exposed from the pool water, and looked directly into her eyes, his tone more serious than ever: "No, Lin Xuan owes Senior Sister a life. This debt... must be repaid."

He didn't say any moving words of love, but this weighty promise had more power than any sweet nothings.

Qu Feiyan looked at the undisguised seriousness and affection in his eyes, paused slightly, and then a truly heartfelt, somewhat satisfied and relieved faint smile slowly blossomed on her lips. She gently squeezed his hand back, and whispered, "Then... I'll remember that."

Their gazes intertwined, the pool water misty. For a moment, it seemed only their heartbeats remained in the valley.

Outside the valley, Su Wanqing stood alone on a green stone, gazing at the dim sky. Her cold, straight back seemed a little lonely in the faint light. She knew that some things had changed.