When the shadow saw Xie Liufeng, it froze in mid-air for a moment.

It seemed to assess the power comparison between them and, without hesitation, decided to retreat.

However, Xie Liufeng didn’t give the shadow a chance to escape. With a swift sword strike, he cut through the shadow.

Suddenly, Xue Heng came running from another direction, urgently shouting: “Wait—”

But it was too late.

The shadow had already been cut in half by Xie Liufeng’s sword.

The two halves of the shadow hovered in mid-air. Rather than dissipating like a typical soul fragment, they cracked into hundreds of smaller pieces, each piece covered with fine web-like cracks, resembling shattered porcelain.

The scene was undeniably eerie.

With a sound similar to porcelain shattering, the pieces of the shadow burst into countless fragments, scattering in all directions toward the three living people.

They looked like a swarm of butterfly-like shards.

The three of them were forced to huddle together to face the eerie fragments.

Xie Liufeng tested his sword against one of the pieces.

The fragment immediately shattered into even smaller pieces, continuing to encircle them.

Xie Liufeng decided not to strike again and wisely kept his distance.

Xue Heng tossed an array plate, enveloping the three of them within a protective formation. Only then did he have time to ask: “Where did you two pick up this thing?”

Chu Xinghui quickly explained what had happened in the basement.

Seeing that Xue Heng seemed to recognize the phenomenon, Chu Xinghui turned to him and asked: “Sect Leader Xue, what exactly is this thing?”

Xue Heng directly handed him a book he had just found and said: “Start from page eight.”

Chu Xinghui flipped through the pages.

It was an old-looking journal, mostly filled with obscure stories and strange methods that might not have been proven.

The content starting from page eight was rather simple. It explained how to preserve a fragment of a soul that had been separated from its original body.

Generally speaking, a soul fragment, without a physical body to sustain it, would slowly dissipate with time. To prevent this, the fragment must be placed in a specially crafted container made from the deceased’s body after it has been processed.

The soul fragment retains the memories from before the moment it was severed from its body. Once the original body’s soul completely dissipates, the fragment must absorb a new soul with sufficient energy and enter a body that is compatible with it. After a period of recovery, there is a chance for it to be reborn.

Chu Xinghui roughly went over the process in his mind.

In order to be reborn, the person had to first separate a part of their soul, then die, using their own cremated ashes as the container to preserve the soul fragment. Afterward, the soul fragment would wait for rebirth… Such a creative plan actually found its use somewhere? It was hard not to admire Cultivator Biyun for her ingenuity.

Chu Xinghui casually passed the book to Xie Liufeng beside him, suddenly realizing something: “So the porcelain statue I shattered…”

Xue Heng nodded: “It was likely made from Biyun’s cremated ashes.”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

The people from Bihai Taohua Island truly had a peculiar and incomprehensible mindset.

Xue Heng glanced at the array outside, where Biyun’s shattered soul fragments were still flying around. He couldn’t help but admit: “This method of preserving soul fragments does seem very effective. Even after the soul fragment breaks, it can still remain active.”

“The things in the basement were probably left as a backup by Biyun. Since her plan after shedding her physical form hasn’t gone well, she’s activated this backup now.” Xie Liufeng finished reading the contents of the book and turned to Chu Xinghui with a look of slight apprehension: “If you had agreed to Biyun’s deal earlier, the outcome might have been disastrous.”

His partners seemed to have some serious conflicts with the place, both trying to manipulate his soul in one way or another.

Xue Heng focused on reinforcing the array, feeling the pressure mounting: “…We’ll analyze it later. First, help me think of a way. This array won’t hold for much longer.”

The strength of the soul fragments outside was much greater than he had anticipated.

Xie Liufeng was good at dealing with enemies reduced to this state, but he had never faced fragments so broken and fragmented before. After a bit of thought, he lifted his sword and suggested a violent solution: “What if I just try to smash these things into powder?”

Xue Heng didn’t think that was a good idea: “What if… these fragments can still attack once they’re in powder form?”

That would be much harder to handle, as a few specks could be invisible and still cause harm.

Reluctantly, Xie Liufeng abandoned the violent approach and switched to a new perspective: “If they can break apart… could they reassemble themselves?”

Reassemble…

Suddenly, Chu Xinghui remembered what the soul fragment had asked him for earlier. He pulled out the “sacred object,” the cup-shaped item.

The soul fragment had asked for this object. Was it something the fragment had decided on spur-of-the-moment, or did it play a crucial role in Biyun’s plan?

As soon as the sacred object appeared, the soul fragments that had been ruthlessly attacking the array outside froze for a moment.

Then, the fragments began to gather toward Chu Xinghui, charging at him with even more intensity.

Xue Heng was starting to feel overwhelmed: “Quick, put it away!”

But Chu Xinghui suddenly spoke up: “Sect Leader Xue, how about we try opening the array and see what happens?”

Xue Heng furrowed his brow as he glanced at the object in Chu Xinghui’s hand, looking slightly concerned. He hesitated for a moment.

Right now, there didn’t seem to be another good solution. Since the soul fragments reacted to the object, opening the array to see what these fragments were trying to do was a viable option.

But… it was still dangerous.

Xie Liufeng, standing by Chu Xinghui’s side, absentmindedly brushed his spiritual sword with his fingers: “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

Xue Heng looked at the two of them and, after a moment, decided to open the array.

Once the array was opened, the soul fragments immediately surged toward Chu Xinghui.

Xie Liufeng stayed alert, ready to act at any moment.

Unexpectedly, the fragments did not attack Chu Xinghui but instead rushed straight into the “sacred object” in his hand.

Once the last fragment entered the cup, Chu Xinghui quickly sealed it.

He shook the cup, carefully examining its contents.

Inside, there were translucent, glowing particles—those were the same fragments of souls that had been outside earlier.

Xue Heng snatched the cup from him and, with great caution, placed more than a dozen seals on it, sticking several talismans on top to ensure that not even a speck of powder could escape.

Once he finished, he casually tossed the cup back to Chu Xinghui, saying lightly: “Is that all? It was handled so easily.”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

Xie Liufeng glanced at it, still worried it might be unstable like gunpowder, and took the object from Chu Xinghui, placing it into his storage bag.

He was still a little shaken, unwilling to see Chu Xinghui stray too far from him. He extended his hand toward him.

Chu Xinghui, empty-handed, placed his hand into Xie Liufeng’s, obediently following him.

The three of them circled around the building again. Aside from some unclear-use formations and magical tools, they didn’t find anything else particularly noteworthy.

The soul fragment and the journal Chu Xinghui had discovered seemed to be the most valuable items in this building.

After gathering what they could and recording what they needed, they decided to head back to the sect.

Just as they were about to leave, Chu Xinghui suddenly remembered something.

He dashed back to the underground room they had visited earlier and quickly collected the shattered porcelain statue, which had been Cultivator Biyun’s “remains.”

Xie Liufeng and Xue Heng didn’t have much to do for the moment, so they followed Chu Xinghui inside, watching him diligently handle the collection of the bodies.

After finishing, Chu Xinghui felt like he had overlooked something important.

He retraced the events related to Biyun in his mind.

The final step of this method… required a body that was compatible with the soul.

Suddenly, a flash of insight hit him, and he poked Xie Liufeng: “Do you remember what Yue Yao said earlier?”

Xie Liufeng, who had trouble recalling anything useful due to Yue Yao’s endless chatter, asked: “What?”

Chu Xinghui reminded him: “The day before our wedding.”

Xie Liufeng’s memory was jogged: “Ah, Yue Yao mentioned… the body she got for Qin Suyun was related to her master.”

They exchanged a glance, both sharing the same suspicion.

Xue Heng, who had been listening to their conversation, felt a bit left out and was confused: “What are you two playing at?”

Chu Xinghui quickly summarized Yue Yao’s words for him, explaining briefly: “The body Qin Suyun is using should be part of Cultivator Biyun’s backup plan.”

No wonder Yue Yao had said that Cultivator Biyun couldn’t have chosen Qin Suyun as a sacrificial offering.

Although they didn’t know how this body ended up in Yue Yao’s hands, Yue Yao had indeed been as filial as ever.

…

The three of them finally left the building.

It had been a rushed day, and Xue Heng went to send a message to Fang Yan, intending to have the sect’s people come and take over the place while carefully searching for any overlooked clues.

Chu Xinghui and Xie Liufeng stayed behind to wait for Xue Heng.

Chu Xinghui casually glanced at Xie Liufeng and suddenly noticed a tear in his sleeve. He couldn’t help but ask: “Did you get hurt?”

Xie Liufeng shook his head, instinctively replying: “No…”

It was probably just a tear in his clothes from the earlier battle, but he wasn’t injured.

However, as soon as he turned around, he saw Chu Xinghui staring intently at the torn sleeve.

Xie Liufeng had an idea and immediately adopted a vulnerable posture, covering the tear with his hand, frowning and saying: “It’s not a serious wound, just a bit of pain.”

Although Chu Xinghui hadn’t sensed any blood or injuries from him, and Xie Liufeng hadn’t seemed hurt earlier, he still couldn’t help but feel concerned. He quickly walked up to Xie Liufeng, gently removing his hand, and carefully checked the “wound.”

…The skin was perfectly fine, not even scratched.

Chu Xinghui looked at Xie Liufeng with a deep, silent gaze.

At that moment, Xie Liufeng quickly cupped Chu Xinghui’s face and planted a swift kiss on his lips.

Chu Xinghui: “…”

His expression was incredibly obvious, and Xie Liufeng couldn’t help but chuckle.

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He found Xie Liufeng rather annoying and silently walked away.

 

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