Jing Yangyu furrowed his brows, quickly collected his thoughts, and gave a slight smile to Yanchun, although his expression appeared somewhat stiff.

He sat by the Dilin Pool, holding Yanchuns wrist, channeling his spiritual power into her inner palace to check on her injuries.

Yanchun sat by the Dilin Pool, her head resting on Jing Yangyus lap, with wet hair dripping down her shoulders, sticking to her thin but now rosy face, her whole demeanor exuding a different vitality.

She nuzzled her nose mole affectionately against Jing Yangyus leg, saying, Once I fully recover, I will go down the mountain for a big feast!

I also want to learn divination from my mother and swordsmanship from my father. Senior Brother, I will definitely be obedient this time and will surely practice diligently.

Why havent Father and Mother come? Yanchun asked Jing Yangyu, looking up.

Before Jing Yangyu could answer, Yanchun, like an inexhaustible little sparrow, chirped again, If Mother knew I had already recovered, she would definitely be very happy!

Jing Yangyu withdrew his spiritual energy from checking her pulse, feeling slightly relieved that Yanchun was indeed recovering rapidly.

However, no matter how hard he tried to focus, he couldnt help but think that Yanchuns regained vitality and health were built upon the suffering and sacrifice of another innocent person.

Thinking of this, Jing Yangyu felt deeply guilty.

At this moment, Yanchun hugged Jing Yangyus legs again, leaning against him and said, Senior Brother... I used to be disobedient before, didnt practice well. From now on, I will work hard, not make you wait too long. When I reach the mid-stage of breaking through the illusion realm, shall we become Dao companions?

As Yanchun spoke, there was a hint of shyness on her face, but more so, a sense of cherishing. She raised her head, looking at Jing Yangyu with a pair of eyes as clear as autumn water.

We will definitely love each other like Father and Mother, maybe even have a lively and lovely child. Senior Brother, do you prefer a boy or a girl?

Jing Yangyus hand, caressing Yanchuns hair, trembled slightly. His heart first raced wildly at Yanchuns words, then calmed down, but a profound sense of unease arose.

Yanchun had always been open with Jing Yangyu, admiring him with eyes full of reverence since she was young. Later, this admiration turned into a teenage infatuation.

No one could resist a man like Jing Yangyu, strong, excellent, and exceptionally handsome. Most importantly, he had always been gentle with Yanchun, like a brother, father, teacher, and friend all in one. Yanchun could find all the emotions she desired in him.

Spoiled since childhood, and especially indulged by Jing Yangyu, she never felt the need to hide herself. Therefore, from her early teens, she poured out her feelings to Jing Yangyu.

Jing Yangyu did not refuse her but only said to wait until she grew up, until her cultivation progressed further, and she could withstand the dual cultivation, then they could become Dao companions.

Although Yanchun liked to cling to Jing Yangyu, she was never in a hurry to cultivate, and Jing Yangyu did not pressure her. Both of them felt that they had a whole lifetime ahead of them, believing that waiting for a lover to grow up was also a beautiful part of their cultivation.

Therefore, they were always intimate, yet they never discussed what the future held. This was the first time Yanchun had brought up the idea of cultivating quickly to become Dao companions, to be together like revered deities, and even to have their own child.

Jing Yangyu should have been happy, but the turmoil in his heart was like a demon, difficult to dispel.

He looked at the little junior sister who once represented all things beautiful and desirable to him, although she had lost some weight, she was still as beautiful and charming as ever, but he always remembered...

Everything that seemed to return to the past was achieved through methods that went against the natural order.

Therefore, Jing Yangyu opened his mouth to speak but couldnt continue along with Yanchuns words. Instead, he lowered his eyes, unable to meet her hopeful gaze.

His throat felt dry, and he couldnt help but think, after doing such things, did they truly deserve to become Dao companions and receive the blessings of the heavens?

The turmoil in his heart grew stronger, and as he looked at Yanchun, it was as if he was seeing a different person.

All the beauty between him and Yanchun was built upon the suffering of another person.

Fortunately, Yan Chun was so happy at the banquet that she did not notice Jing Yangyus unusual behavior.

She lay back on Jing Yangyus lap and began chattering about what she would do once she recovered.

After a long pause, Jing Yangyu suppressed his anxiety and said, You... just focus on recovering first. Once youre better, it will be easy to decide what to do.

Yan Chun naturally agreed. She had survived the hopeless eleven years before, so what were a few more days now?

She kept envisioning the beautiful days ahead, feeling like fate had played a huge joke on her but ultimately favored her by returning everything to her.

It was truly wonderful!

Yan Chun asked Jing Yangyu again, Why havent my parents come yet?

They went down the mountain. They are going to the Demon Clan to find a magical plant called Soul-Stabilizing Grass.

However, Jing Yangyu and Shuangzun had already agreed in advance not to tell Yan Chun the truth.

Jing Yangyu only said, Shuangzun hasnt properly cultivated his spiritual power for over a decade, causing a regression in his abilities. This time, he is seeking opportunities and looking for herbs to stabilize your spiritual injuries.

Jing Yangyu added, Before leaving, Shuangzun left a jade token for you. Once you recover, you can go to the Kangning Courtyard to see it.

Although Yan Chun was initially puzzled as to why her parents, who had worked so hard to save her, would leave at this moment, upon hearing about the search for herbs to stabilize her spiritual injuries, she immediately understood her parents intentions.

Once she recovered, they would have plenty of time to reunite; there was no rush at the moment. Yan Chun was just happy and wanted to share it with her parents.

Yan Chun chatted with Jing Yangyu for the whole afternoon. As the sky darkened, Jing Yangyu had to leave the restricted area. He had stayed long enough today; most of the matters within the sect were handled by him in the absence of the sect leader.

Yan Chun didnt want to keep him any longer. She watched him leave reluctantly.

After Jing Yangyu left, Yan Chun was alone by the Cleansing Spirit Pool. She calmed her mind and began trying to nourish her spiritual power with the delicate spiritual flow.

Strangely, no matter how carefully Yan Chun tried, her spiritual power was still repairing slowly, showing no signs of acceleration. The spiritual tool circled her spiritual power but still couldnt stay.

In other words, her spiritual power and meridians were repaired, but for some reason, it was like pouring water into a leaking basket.

After trying for a while, Yan Chun stopped. However, she didnt panic. After all, her spiritual power had just recovered. Perhaps in a few more days, it would be fine!

Yan Chun lay by the Cleansing Spirit Pool, feeling relaxed for the first time, soaking in it. With the moon high in the sky and complete silence around her, she dozed off peacefully.

Then the soul was once again enveloped by the spiritual mist, wandering around the mountain. Perhaps because the spiritual mansion was recovering, Yanchun could autonomously control the direction of the spiritual mist this time.

She thought of going to the Kangning Courtyard to see her own courtyard, after all, she had been away for so many years.

However, she was unexpectedly blocked by a formation outside the courtyard. Although the formation did not treat her as a demon, it gently pushed her soul away. Yanchun was certain that the formation around her courtyard had been changed.

Unable to enter, Yanchun thought of going to her senior martial brothers courtyard to visit and tease him, wondering if he, at his level, could sense her soul wandering around in the spiritual mist.

But Yanchun was also unable to enter Jingyang Yus courtyard. She then tried the disciples courtyard, hoping to find her good friend Huai Yubai, but she couldnt get in there either.

Yanchun automatically assumed that all the courtyards had changed their restrictions, which was quite normal after all these years. The Hengjue Sect used to change formations every few years to prevent spies or demons from infiltrating.

Being blocked, Yanchun had no choice but to ride the wind down the mountain. Eventually, she leisurely wandered to the outer gate boundary and entered the forest where no advanced formations were set up.

After circling in the mountains, she went straight into a cave and found Yuchen, her junior martial brother, once again engrossed in manipulating the spiritual jade.

This time, the pile of depleted spiritual jade lying on the ground had shrunk into a small heap. Next to the depleted heap, there was a flat and smooth stone with a jade tablet placed on it, under which lay a familiar handkerchief.

Yanchun recognized the jade tablet as the entry token for the sects grand competition.

Last night, watching him spar, Yanchun had speculated that Yuchen would participate in the sects grand competition. Seeing the entry token today confirmed her suspicions.

This time, Yanchun didnt stick to Yuchens back uncontrollably. She floated in mid-air, drifted to the stone, and sat down, watching Yuchen and the image on the spiritual jade.

Yuchen had been practicing for who knows how long, his back soaked in sweat, yet he showed no intention of stopping. Just one day apart, his attacking style was even more relentless than the night before.

The more Yanchun watched, the more furrowed her brow became. Yuchens way of fighting was not for sparring; he had eliminated all defensive moves and focused solely on attacking.

He aimed to render his opponent incapable of fighting back with just one strike.

Many of the outer disciples in the spiritual jade, although not high in cultivation, had techniques and moves far superior to Yuchens.

If they were to face off in the sects grand competition... If Yuchen happened to draw these people, his reckless style of fighting would be a huge risk even if they didnt target his vital points.

The outer sect competition lasted for five days. Even if he managed to win a match by luck, would he have the strength to fight again?

The more Yanchun watched him practice, the more alarmed she became. She wished she could speak up and advise this junior martial brother who, like her, was ignorant and arrogant.

The sects grand competition occurred every three years. The path to immortality was long for cultivators, and with his young age and diligent cultivation, what harm would it be to wait another three years to enter the inner sect?

But seeing Yuchens frantic demeanor, even without directly asking him, Yanchun could sense his unwavering determination to win in the sects grand competition.

Just as Yanchun was struggling to understand why he was in such a rush, Yuchen, after the spiritual jade once again depleted its energy in front of her, lowered the long sword in his hand.

He turned around, holding a long sword in his hand, and the blade trembled along with Yin Yuchans already weakening arm.

He slowly walked up to Yanchun, who looked at the four-faced mask on his face, as her thoughts formed a visage.

It was the same as she had seen before, belonging to the young and clear-faced appearance of Yin Yuchan, but because Yanchun had never seen his eyes, the face on the four-faced mask was tied with white cloth straps.

Yin Yuchans long hair was slightly messy and damp with sweat. He approached Yanchun and slowly knelt down in front of her.

Yanchuns heart raced, thinking he had seen her, but she saw Yin Yuchan bend down towards the position of her knees, resting his head on the stone beneath Yanchun.

More precisely, it was on a pure white handkerchief beside Yanchuns knee.

Yanchun only then noticed Yin Yuchans handkerchief, pressed against the stone she was sitting on.

Yin Yuchan, with a devout and humble posture, knelt in front of the stone, as if kneeling in front of Yanchun, pressing his forehead against the handkerchief, as if against Yanchuns knee.

He was panting heavily, drenched in sweat, in this posture, as if praying for something, yet also as if worshipping something.

Yanchun saw the entrance token of the sects grand competition pressed on the handkerchief, thinking Yin Yuchan was praying for victory, wanting to enter the inner gate.

However, she did not know that what Yin Yuchan was seeking was a qualification to be able to stand by her side.

For this qualification, he was willing to risk his life.