Master Green Thunder and the Devil Music Sect leader exchanged glances.

Such audacity, huh?

Inside the jade pendant, Shu Han nodded repeatedly, feeling pleased, "In just one year, Linlin, you've truly learned!"

"Fine!"

With a grim face, Master Green Thunder separated a strand of the Chaos Immortal Stone from the runes and sent it flying toward Shangguan Ruolin.

He said coldly, "In consideration of the Sky Palace Sect, I'll overlook your impudence. Now that you have the immortal stone and the passage as you demanded, leave promptly."

Shangguan Ruolin stored the strand of Chaos Immortal Stone into her jade pendant, withdrew her overwhelming spiritual power, and bowed slightly, "I wish both seniors success in your refining. I will take my leave now."

Subsequently, she transformed into a streak of light, diving into the space-time tunnel.

Since the Immaculate Realm was closely connected to reality at this moment, through a twist in space-time, Shangguan Ruolin found herself in a mortal town. Taking a deep sigh of relief, her cultivation level gradually receded from its peak. Just as she thought she had escaped the danger, a dark hand suddenly stretched out from the still-open space-time tunnel.

In the town, the ordinary people suddenly felt the sky darken. A chilly air whirled on the streets, and the flowing water in the ditches instantly turned to ice. People shrank back, looking up in horror. A massive, dark hand obscured the sky, pressing downwards. It felt like the apocalypse.

Shangguan Ruolin was taken aback. She immediately summoned the Six Harmonies Silken Bracelet. The jade bracelet rapidly enlarged, with countless threads shooting out, trying to block the enormous demonic hand.

However, this wasn't the Immaculate Realm. The Devil Music Sect leader, without resorting to his corporeal spiritual power, displayed his divine abilities. His Nascent Soul power, arriving from a distance, was far more formidable than his corporeal self in the Immaculate Realm.

The threads from the Six Harmonies Silken Bracelet instantly shattered inch by inch. With her spiritual power greatly diminished, Shangguan Ruolin found it hard to resist.

Yet, sensing the threat of the Nascent Soul power, the blue and white Nascent Soul mark on her wrist shone brilliantly. An ethereal phantom appeared in front of Shangguan Ruolin. It was the master of the Sky Palace Sect.

The phantom of the Sky Palace Sect master bowed and said, "I wonder whom my daughter has offended. Unless it's a deep-seated grudge, I kindly request you to spare her. I assure you, I will personally visit and express my gratitude in the future."

Seeing this phantom, the descending dark hand halted.

The voice of the Devil Music Sect leader reverberated through the air, "Hand over the Chaos Immortal Stone, and I'll spare your life out of respect for your father. Otherwise, don't blame me for not showing mercy! I'm not afraid of the Sky Palace Sect!"

Shangguan Ruolin sneered, "A mere Nascent Soul cultivator breaking his word?"

The Devil Music Sect leader snapped, "Enough with your nonsense! It was that cowardly Green Thunder who agreed to your terms earlier, not me! Give me the Chaos Immortal Stone!"

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"Wishful thinking!"

Shangguan Ruolin coldly retorted, "If you dare kill me, the price you'll pay is something you absolutely cannot bear!"

"Ha-ha!"

The Devil Music Sect master laughed disdainfully, "The Sky Palace Sect is powerful, but not enough to make me hesitate! Die!"

The dark hand pressed past the phantom of the Sky Palace Sect leader and went straight for Shangguan Ruolin.

With a long sigh, Shangguan Ruolin finally summoned a beam of golden light from her brow.

Under the overwhelming golden glow, the voice of the Devil Music Sect master changed dramatically.

"What... What is this..."

Shangguan Ruolin coldly declared, "As I said, you can't bear it."

The Devil Music Sect leader hesitated, then suddenly shouted, "Even if I can't kill you, I will still teach you a lesson! Otherwise, how will I save face as the sect leader?"

In an instant, the large hand still pressed down from the sky. Biting her red lip, Shangguan Ruolin's body started to become ethereal.

"Sixfold Shadow Escape!"

Whoosh!

She rapidly split into six figures, darting in six different directions. Her escape was faster than any technique Shu Han had used, so swift that one couldn't follow the process or track her movements.

However, against a Nascent Soul cultivator, she was still a step behind. Four of her avatars were obliterated by the dark hand, and her main body also suffered from the residual force of the attack.

Boom!

A massive palm imprint engraved the earth, and the once-prosperous mortal town was instantly reduced to nothingness beneath it.

The power of this strike was immense. Shu Han, who was inside the jade pendant, was also affected, getting knocked unconscious instantly. And this unconscious state lasted for an unknown duration.

When Shu Han woke up again, he felt a sharp pain all over his body, as if every meridian was being scorched. The faint spiritual power flowing through his channels felt like tiny insects crawling inside, itching and stinging at the same time.

However, a dense essence remained in his dantian, constantly repairing his damaged body. The Profound Ice around his neck also continuously released a soothing chill. He turned his head and found himself in a loft, lying on a soft fur bed.

At that moment, Shangguan Ruolin, who was meditating by his side, noticed he had awakened. With a mix of concern and joy on her face, she sat beside him, holding his hand, and said with teary eyes, "You've been asleep for so long. I'm glad you're awake."

"Linlin, where are we?"

"To the north of Great Cloud, at Canglan Mountain Villa."

Shu Han asked, "We survived?"

Shangguan Ruolin nodded with a smile.

Shu Han couldn't help but smile, thinking about their thrilling experience in the Immaculate Realm. After a year of planning and a dozen days of life and death encounters, they had finally made it out alive. He held Shangguan Ruolin's hand, reluctant to let go.

Suddenly, with a tug, she let out a gasp as he pulled her into his embrace. She playfully chided, "You're still badly injured, and yet you're thinking of this?"

With a cheeky grin, Shu Han wrapped his arms around her slender waist, inhaling her intoxicating scent, "Holding you, I'll heal faster."

The normally formidable Shangguan Ruolin now resembled a docile kitten, resting against Shu Han. As she placed her hand on his chest, her vast spiritual power began to flow into him, accelerating his healing.

"Where's your sister?"

"Tongtong has already returned to the Sky Palace Sect."

Remembering that she had sacrificed her Golden Core's power to revive Shangguan Ruolin, Shu Han inquired, "Have you two reconciled?"

"Yes."

"What about the conflict in your cultivation techniques?"

Shangguan Ruolin smiled, "Thanks to the Heavenly Creation Fluid and your Five Elements essence, the two techniques now operate perfectly within the Five Elements framework. Because of both techniques, my strength now surpasses most late-stage Core Formation cultivators!"

Late-stage Core Formation!

Feeling the immense spiritual power inside Shangguan Ruolin, Shu Han felt an insurmountable gap between them. It seemed as if they were from different worlds. He turned to look at her, their eyes meeting with deep affection. Unable to resist, Shu Han captured her lips in a passionate kiss. Initially hesitant, Shangguan Ruolin responded fervently.

As the tender moment transformed into an uncontrollable passion, Shu Han, despite the pain, held Shangguan Ruolin even closer. Her garments became fewer and fewer, and when his hand reached her peak, she trembled at the sudden sensation.

Suddenly, she pushed Shu Han away, her face flushed, "Thinking of this with your injuries? Naughty! Pervert!"

"So, can I think about it when I'm healed?"

With a soft hum, Shangguan Ruolin gently pushed his face away and settled comfortably in his arms.

"First, heal your injuries."