As the last words were spoken, Gu Xianyu, who was cradled in his arms, went completely still.
The surrounding scenery began to shake. Jiang Tong tightened his grip on her, his consciousness feeling somewhat numb.
He initially thought it was a hallucination, but as the shaking grew more violent, he couldn’t help but look up.
The world was collapsing.
The distant mountains, the sky, and then the lake and house before him—all dissolved into points of light and vanished.
When everything finally cleared, the lush, verdant bamboo house came back into view.
Jiang Tong remained in his posture, and Gu Xianyu had returned to her youthful form, currently fast asleep in his arms.
“You’re awake?”
The Sword Soul ran its hand over a bamboo leaf cup, its gaze toward them carrying a hint of melancholy.
“Truly remarkable, truly remarkable…” it sighed. “To think the meaning of a sword could be interpreted this way. This old man can now die without regrets.”
The Sword Soul had heard too many answers—those who sought persistence, those who sought revenge, those who pursued the Great Dao… It had never heard one so simple.
Folly and the mundane, proven over the course of several decades, all just to swing a sword for a single person.
Jiang Tong didn’t respond immediately. He was still immersed in the world they had just left.
He had practically lived an entire lifetime in that illusion. Being yanked back so abruptly left him dazed, and it took a moment before he could speak.
“How much time has passed outside?”
The Sword Soul replied, “Early summer had arrived when you entered; it is now late autumn. Over five months have passed.”
Jiang Tong nodded, looking down at the girl in his arms. “How much longer until she wakes up?”
“It will take some time.” The old man stood up slowly, slung a bamboo basket over his back, and picked up an axe.
“The Sword Fetus within her is undergoing a second transformation… which is to say, it is growing its blade. If you wait here for a few more days, she will awaken.”
With that, the Sword Soul walked out of the wooden house and vanished into the bamboo forest, heading to parts unknown.
Jiang Tong used his soul power to set up several formations to ensure their presence was hidden. Only then did he return to sit by the girl, staring blankly as he held her soft body.
He leaned close to Gu Xianyu’s face, touching her forehead, then her nose, and finally, he cautiously brushed her petal-like lips.
‘Silently, you fool. You didn’t need to say it.’
‘You swung your sword for fifty or sixty years… I’ve known for a long time.’
***
Several days later.
Jiang Tong opened his eyes as a powerful force surged forth, accompanied by a blinding, cold light.
A massive sword intent erupted from the bamboo forest, shooting straight into the heavens. It only began to subside after several breaths of time.
However, the discharge was entirely suppressed by the concealment formations he had laid out beforehand.
“Jiang Tong!”
The girl’s voice rang out, filled with pleasant surprise.
Before Jiang Tong could even react, Gu Xianyu was already in front of him, clinging to him like a koala.
“Jiang Tong, I…” The girl spoke piteously. “I want a hug.”
Belatedly, she realized she had almost died in the illusion. If it hadn’t been for Jiang Tong…
“Not calling me Master anymore?” Jiang Tong smiled and patted her head. But when he looked down at her, he froze.
Wait…
“I got used to calling you that in the illusion.” Gu Xianyu pursed her lips and met his eyes. “Should I keep calling you Master, then?”
“…”
They stared at each other. Jiang Tong didn’t even blink as he scanned every inch of her face.
“Master, why are you staring at me like that?”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Really? My Sword Fetus transformed, so I think I might have become a little prettier…” the girl whispered, lowering her head as the tips of her ears turned red.
Jiang Tong took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. “It’s true.”
He finally remembered who Gu Xianyu reminded him of.
He hadn’t noticed it before because Gu Xianyu had always maintained a youthful style; her temperament was lively, and her eyes were full of youthful energy.
Even if he felt a sense of familiarity, it was just a fleeting thought he had brushed aside. After all, there were many look-alikes in the world.
But now…
Jiang Tong’s gaze swept over her cold, clear eyes, her elegant nose, and finally landed on those trademark willow-leaf eyebrows. He felt a sudden ache in his teeth.
This feeling… was like he was holding a miniature version of his own master, Jiang Yueliu.
“Xianyu, you should get down first.”
Jiang Yueliu’s intimidating aura was too strong. Simply looking at this face made Jiang Tong feel unsure of where to put his hands.
“Oh…” His little disciple dazed for a moment, then let go of him with a look of disappointment.
Before her mind could wander into gloomy thoughts, a soft soul body pressed against her, pulling her into a warm embrace.
Gu Xianyu’s eyes widened slightly before she closed them, her heart feeling warm and cozy.
Being held by Jiang Tong made her feel safe.
“Alright.” After holding her for a short while, Jiang Tong released her. “Let’s head back.”
He wanted to return to reality quickly to confirm a few things… but before that, he needed to get Gu Xianyu back safely.
There were still many demonic cultivators outside. Although it was unlikely they would notice them, it was better to be safe than sorry.
The girl nodded. The two of them left the bamboo house and searched the forest but could not find any sign of the old man.
Jiang Tong placed two jars of wine on the table, faced the bamboo forest, and bowed deeply before leaving.
Only after the two had departed did the old man slowly emerge. He opened a jar, squinted, and took a sip.
He looked toward the horizon, closed his eyes to calculate for a moment, and then coughed twice, a trace of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth.
“A soul that does not belong to this world…” The old man shook his head and sighed softly. “This world’s fate is a blessing, but it is also destiny…”
***
After leaving the bamboo forest, Jiang Tong retreated into the bell, and he and Gu Xianyu hurried toward the Shangyuan Sect.
However, along the way, the two of them felt that something was wrong.
The commoners were all in a state of panic. The shops on the streets were abandoned, and the once-prosperous provincial cities were now largely deserted.
Along the border, Jiang Tong even saw many small sects with buildings on the verge of collapse, already reduced to ruins.
“Master…” Gu Xianyu asked uneasily. “What happened to the outside world?”
Jiang Tong stayed inside the bell, his brow furrowing as he observed the changes that had occurred over the past five months.
Yao Xining had once mentioned that the five great demonic sects were stirring and had even issued a kill order targeting the Sword Fetus…
Could they have already begun their next move?
“Whatever the case, be careful.” Jiang Tong looked at Gu Xianyu. “Avoid the main roads. Stay hidden and try not to be noticed.”
The girl gave an “Oh” in response. After thinking for a moment, she drew her sword. “I’m very strong now.”
“You are very strong.”
“So… I will protect you, Master.”
Jiang Tong was stunned. Looking at those familiar features, he didn’t know what to feel for a moment.
Ultimately, he just smiled and replied, “Alright.”
The journey was relatively peaceful, though a few blind evil cultivators did approach them. They were dealt with swiftly and cleanly by Gu Xianyu.
After her Sword Fetus transformed, her cultivation had reached the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, with signs of approaching the late-stage.
And that was just her surface strength. Her true combat power could likely trade blows with someone at the Nascent Soul stage.
As they got closer to the Shangyuan Sect, the sights along the road improved slightly; at least it wasn’t ruins everywhere.
Jiang Tong saw a large number of refugees, likely fleeing from the border to seek protection from the major sects.
Currently, they were gathered near the city walls of the Qian State, wailing in despair.
“Please, have mercy! Let us into the city!”
“My whole family was refined into blood water! I’m the only one who escaped! Please give me a chance to live!”
“My youngest daughter is dying! You heartless people, are you just going to watch her die and do nothing?!”
Gu Xianyu’s heart was heavy. After showing her Shangyuan Sect disciple token, she mounted a spirit horse and raced toward the interior of the Qian State.
Two days later, the master and disciple returned to the Shangyuan Sect.
Not long after they returned to their courtyard, Yao Xining arrived upon hearing the news. The moment she saw Gu Xianyu, her heart skipped a beat.
“You broke through again?”
Gu Xianyu didn’t say much, only mentioning that she had gone out and encountered a fortuitous opportunity, which led to her increase in cultivation.
Yao Xining sighed, her gaze toward the girl becoming complicated.
She seemed happy, but also somewhat unwilling.
“Whether you want to or not, you must hide yourself well for the foreseeable future.”
“The five demonic sects have issued an announcement. They are about to begin a so-called Holy War, and Qingyang Province will be the first to be hit.”
“No matter how you look at it…”
Yao Xining stared intently at her. “Their primary objective for this stage is you.”