618: Lu Xueqi and Biyao

Bi Yao was severely injured this time to save Lu Xueqi; it could be said that her actions were excusable, and she even did a favor for the Qingyun Sect.

However, her identity would always be a thorn in their side.

Within the Qingyun Sect, not everyone could distinguish right from wrong like Lu Xueqi or Elder Mu, nor could everyone set aside the prejudices between the righteous and demonic paths.

Moreover, if the Ghost King Sect knew Bi Yao was here, how would they react?

Thinking of this, Su Han's heart sank.

Before, he had only been focused on saving Bi Yao's life and had no time to consider these subsequent troubles.

Now that Bi Yao's life was out of danger, these realistic problems immediately surfaced.

"I understand." Su Han's voice was low.

"Once Bi Yao's injuries stabilize slightly, we will leave. We won't make things difficult for Senior Brother Shi and Town Yue Tower."

Lu Xueqi glanced at him, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately held it back.

She simply said, "I will return to Qingyun as soon as possible to report everything. Perhaps... the sect will have a plan."

These words were vague, but Su Han detected a trace of goodwill in them.

Lu Xueqi was implying that she would do her best to mediate within the sect, perhaps managing to secure a relatively proper treatment for Bi Yao, or at the very least, delay any potential conflict.

"Thank you." Su Han thanked her again, this time for this unspoken, tacit protection.

Lu Xueqi said no more and turned to walk out of the hall.

Lu Xueqi reached the entrance of the great hall, but her footsteps paused.

She did not turn back. The light from the moonstone cast a soft silver rim on her cold profile, echoing the faint glimmer flowing along the scabbard of the tianya sword.

"My True Qi consumption is also quite significant," her voice was calm and waveless, devoid of emotion, "The backlash from the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder has not fully dissipated, and forcing myself to travel now might cause complications. Senior Brother Shi Yue just sent a message that there is still a quiet room in the tower, so I can meditate for a day before leaving."

This reasoning was sufficient, yet it carried an indescribable sense of deliberation.

Su Han was slightly stunned, then nodded: "That is for the best. Senior Sister Lu, please rest and recover with peace of mind."

Lu Xueqi said no more, her white figure merging into the shadows of the corridor outside the hall, her footsteps gradually fading until they disappeared entirely.

The great hall returned to silence.

This time, it was a true silence, with only the sound of two people breathing.

Su Han slowly exhaled a breath of stale air—the breath he had been forcing himself to hold, not daring to completely relax.

Exhaustion, like a tidal wave, instantly submerged every inch of his bones and every bit of his Divine Thought.

He still held Bi Yao's hand. It was warm and soft, the pulse beating steadily beneath his fingertips, one beat after another—the most moving rhythm of life.

He did not let go, and he could not let go.

It was as if only through this sole connection could he be certain that everything before him was not a dream, nor a false delusion born from the abyss of despair.

He sat like this, watching Bi Yao's sleeping face.

Her complexion was still pale, but it was no longer that deathly ashen white; it was a translucent, jade-like fairness. Her long eyelashes cast shallow shadows under her eyelids, and the faint, almost imperceptible curve at the corners of her lips gave her a rare, defenseless tranquility.

Time flowed in silence.

The light of the moonstone radiated its clear brilliance tirelessly, intertwining with the soft, clear light of the soul-stabilizing pearl, enveloping the jade bed and the person who seemed frozen by the bedside.

He did not know how much time had passed when a very faint glimmer permeated from outside the window, blending with the light of the moonstone; it was impossible to tell if dawn was approaching or if it was the radiance of some operating Formation.

Inside the Town Yue Tower, there seemed to be no strict distinction between day and night.

The sense of emptiness within Su Han became increasingly apparent, and a faint stinging pain came from his Meridians—a sign of True Qi overdraft and near exhaustion.

He tried to circulate the most basic breathing techniques, attempting to draw the thin Spiritual Qi from his surroundings, but his mind found it difficult to truly focus.

What churned in his mind was the deafening sound of the underground palace collapsing, the resolute look in Bi Yao's eyes when she pushed him away, the glaring, spreading crimson on her chest, Elder Mu's grave expression while administering aid, and the blazing white light that illuminated the entire hall when Lu Xueqi summoned the thunder... In the end, everything froze on the tragic scene of Bi Yao with her weak breath, entangled by the black aura of resentment.

A sharp, dull pain came from his chest, even worse than the stinging pain in his Meridians.

He subconsciously tightened his grip on Bi Yao's hand, as if wanting to draw strength from this solid, tangible sensation.

Just at that moment, he felt the fingers in his palm move ever so slightly.

Su Han snapped his head up, staring unblinkingly at Bi Yao's face.

He saw her long eyelashes tremble, her brows knitting together almost imperceptibly before relaxing again, as if she were struggling to break free from a deep dream.

A moment later, those eyes slowly opened.

At first, her gaze was somewhat dazed and unfocused, veiled in a layer of watery mist, reflecting the light of the soul-stabilizing pearl and the moonstone, hazy like stars.

She blinked, her vision slowly clearing, meeting Su Han's bloodshot eyes that were inches away, which lit up in an instant.

Their eyes met.

A trace of confusion first flashed in Bi Yao's eyes, then memories returned: the underground palace, bone spikes, intense pain, coldness, and Su Han's face, twisted with anxiety, and the words "Don't you dare sleep"... Finally, there was the warm medicinal power and the reassuring scent.

She opened her mouth, wanting to speak, but found her throat too dry to make a sound.

"Don't rush." Su Han noticed immediately; his voice was extremely hoarse, yet carried an unprecedented gentleness.

He let go of one hand—this action seemed to make him somewhat uncomfortable, his fingertips lingering on the back of her hand for a moment—and turned to get some water, only to find that in this empty hall, apart from the jade bed and a few prayer mats, there was nothing.

His movements paused, and he felt somewhat at a loss.

Bi Yao watched his slightly clumsy appearance, the mist in her eyes seeming to thicken, yet the corners of her lips curved up in a very faint, yet genuine smile.

She shook her head gently, signaling with her eyes that she was fine.

Su Han sat back down, still holding her hand, only gripping it tighter, as if afraid she would disappear.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked, his gaze sweeping quickly over her chest, where her clothes were neat, with only a very faint medicinal scent lingering.

Bi Yao shook her head gently.

It still hurt, but it was a dull, tingling pain as the wound healed, completely different from the agonizing pain that had torn at her Divine Soul before.

She could clearly feel the gentle and rich medicinal power circulating slowly within her, nourishing her damaged Meridians and internal organs, while the cool aura of the soul-stabilizing pearl soothed her Divine Soul, making her feel incredibly at ease, even somewhat languid. (End of Chapter)