The earth dragon flames surged from both sides. Holding Gu Panchun, Shu Han looked up and noticed that the exit above was slowly being pushed open by the flames.

Just a little longer! A few more moments and they could escape!

But Gu Panchun couldn't hold on any longer.

Despite the strength of the full version of the Heavenly Fire Conversion Formation, it was beyond Gu Panchun's capabilities to withstand the main vein of the earth dragon flames.

Almost within three breaths, the approaching flames surpassed Gu Panchun's endurance.

Seeing this, Shu Han had to act.

If Gu Panchun failed, he would be doomed as well.

He quickly took action, reinforcing Gu Panchun's complete Heavenly Fire Conversion Formation with his own, and activated the Heavenly Feather White Phoenix Armor to protect their surroundings.

With Shu Han's intervention, the pressure on Gu Panchun eased considerably. Finally, as the exit was halfway open, Shu Han used the force of the surging flames to leap out, bringing Gu Panchun with him.

Whoosh!

The force of the earth dragon flames propelled Shu Han and Gu Panchun a thousand meters into the sky, where the cool breeze relieved the pressure around Shu Han.

But then, the searing pain spread throughout his body. Shu Han dared not stay still, for what if there were patrols near the exit?

The moment he caught his breath, he instantly deployed Shrinking Earth into Inches. The spell stirred ripples in time and space, and he turned into a streak of light with Gu Panchun, fleeing towards the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect.

After traveling several hundred miles, Shu Han felt relieved and descended with Gu Panchun to a desolate mountain area.

Beside a gentle stream, he laid down the severely injured Gu Panchun.

His condition was dire.

Using Shrinking Earth into Inches twice had almost depleted all his magic power.

Moreover, the rapid collisions within the tunnel due to the spell resulted in various internal injuries, even with Shu Han's robust physique.

Yet, he couldn't focus on his own wounds as Gu Panchun's injuries were far more severe.

Her entire body was covered in blood. Her originally bright red dress was now even more vivid, and her fair skin was stained with rivulets of crimson.

If not for the elixir that Shu Han had poured into her, Gu Panchun would have fainted and met her end.

She looked up at Shu Han with a pale face, but there was still a smile on her lips. "The force you used on me in the tunnel was too strong. My fragile body couldn't withstand your impact."

"With our lives at stake, you still find the humor to joke?"

Lying beside the stream, as pliable as mud, Gu Panchun listened to the flowing water and watched the clouds drift by among the trees. There was no trace of fear of death in her eyes, only a serene smile.

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"To worry about life and death is too taxing. I don't want such burdens. I just want to peacefully appreciate every moment of my limited life. Even if the next moment takes this wretched life from me, it's worth it."

Her words brought back memories to Shu Han.

He remembered that when he first met Gu Panchun, she too had a calm resolution towards death.

Having met all kinds of people, all of whom were desperate to live, Shu Han had never seen someone like Gu Panchun who could face death so peacefully.

Shu Han helped her up and examined her injuries carefully. He discovered that Gu Panchun's injuries were extremely severe.

The collisions in the tunnel had shattered her bones, displaced her internal organs, and broken numerous meridians. Her spiritual power, used to maintain the Heavenly Fire Conversion Formation, was nearly depleted. On top of that, her body was severely burned by the earth dragon flames.

If Shu Han left her as is, she wouldn't live more than two hours.

"Rest assured, with me here, it's not that easy for you to die."

With that, Shu Han took out a flask and refined a healing elixir using Heavenly Fire. He slowly infused the liquid into Gu Panchun's body. Watching Shu Han carefully tending to her, she smiled warmly and said, "Young master, you could have just left me here. Then no one would ever know your secret."

It wasn't that Shu Han hadn't thought of that. By leaving Gu Panchun to her fate here, he wouldn't be directly responsible for her end. Then, nobody would know his true identity.

However, upon reflection, when he mistakenly entered the Heavenly Fire Protection Formation during his cultivation, it was Gu Panchun who played a crucial role in his escape. She essentially saved his life. Plus, Gu Panchun bore no malice towards him.

Repaying kindness with enmity was never Shu Han's way.

"Do you think I'm that kind of person? Besides, you tried to modify Song Jinglun's main Heavenly Fire Conversion Formation, jeopardizing his Nascent Soul project. If this gets out, your situation will be much worse than mine! And as you've seen, aside from Song Jinglun, there are few in the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect who can catch me."

Gu Panchun sighed, "So you saw through me after all."

Shu Han advised, "I don't know what grudges you hold against Song Jinglun, but I urge you not to oppose him. He's an enigmatic figure, and even I instinctively avoid him. You're not his match! Why not let go of your grudges and enjoy the rest of your days, as you said? Your life was given by your parents. Do you really want to throw it away at the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect?"

Hearing Shu Han's words, Gu Panchun's laughter faded. Her lips trembled, her eyes reddened, and she broke down crying.

Shu Han silently listened as her soft sobs gradually became uncontrollable cries, her face wet with tears, evoking sympathy.

Shu Han only remembered her always smiling since they met. This was the first time he saw her cry like this.

After a while, as Shu Han had healed most of Gu Panchun's injuries, her crying slowly ceased.

With her back to Shu Han, she murmured, "Young master, speaking morbidly, have you ever thought about where you'd like to be after death?"

Caught off guard, Shu Han replied, "I haven't really thought about it. I made a promise to someone: I can't think of death until I see her again."

Gu Panchun said, "I know a place. Past the vast western wasteland, through the Flowing Silver Desert, lies the Starfall Corner to the north of the Great Cloud. Due to the sparse spiritual energy there, few humans venture. But it's home to the most spectacular sea of flowers in the north of Great Cloud, called the Star Flower Sea. The colorful expanse of flowers stretches as far as the eye can see, like a paradise on earth."

Longing shone in Gu Panchun's eyes.

"If I could be buried there after my death, it would be the ultimate peace."

"Why wish to be buried there after death? Why not live there?"

Now mostly healed, Gu Panchun stood up, tidied herself, and with an uncharacteristic solemnity, thanked Shu Han, "Thank you for your kindness. In this world of cultivation, sometimes we don't have a choice. Not only did you spare me in the formation, but you also used precious medicine to save me. I owe you."

With that, she took out an unmarked Unbearing Waters Jade Mallow seed from her storage bag and handed it to Shu Han, saying, "I noticed your interest in the Unbearing Waters Jade Mallow seed. I gift this to you."

Then, she soared into the sky, gazing softly at Shu Han, and said, "Please avoid associating with me in the future to spare you any trouble. Take care."

With those words, Gu Panchun turned into a streak of light, heading back to the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect.

Staring at the translucent seed in his hand, Shu Han felt that beneath Gu Panchun's carefree exterior lay a sincere heart.

"The Star Flower Sea, huh... If you wanted to go, why not go directly?"