I'm laying my cards on the table

Several days passed in the blink of an eye.

Bai Piaopiao and Yi Feng spent their days savoring tea, reciting poetry, playing the zither under the moonlight, and sharing heartfelt conversations—a period of unparalleled joy. Though neither spoke of it, they silently cherished these fleeting moments of happiness, avoiding any mention of the outside world.

Until dusk on the seventh day.

As the final notes of a melody faded, Yi Feng offered his usual praise.

"Lady Bai, your zither skills grow ever more refined. Your technique has reached perfection, and the emotions woven into your music are profound, truly uplifting the spirit!"

To find a kindred spirit in life is a blessing worth dying for.

Flattered by the admiration of the one she cherished, Bai Piaopiao smiled faintly, her heart swelling with both delight and bashfulness. When she stole a tender glance at him, however, she noticed the worry hidden in his eyes—no matter how well-concealed, it couldn’t escape her keen gaze.

No doubt, Yi Feng was still troubled by the matter of Gu Qingcheng.

Though they had maintained their unspoken harmony, Bai Piaopiao understood all too well. She had chosen silence, unwilling to let such burdens taint their rare and precious time together. Both knew calamity loomed, and Yi Feng had likely already resolved to face it alone, determined not to involve her again.

Now, as the seventh day drew to a close, it was time for resolution.

Her expression grew solemn as she rose and approached Yi Feng, speaking softly, "Yi Feng, the Great Desolation Sevenfold Array’s effects last only seven days. By tomorrow, the seventh strand of the Power of the Great Dao will fade, and Gu Qingcheng will return."

"When that happens, I will intercept him. I know you wish to bear this alone, but Gu Qingcheng’s fury is beyond reckoning. Even I may not be able to restrain him."

"The best course now is for you to leave immediately. Find a secluded place to weather this storm. Gu Qingcheng wouldn’t dare harm me. Once you break through to the Saint realm, you can reappear. As long as you survive, there will always be another chance. Do you understand…?"

Her words were gentle, her tone measured.

Gazing into Bai Piaopiao’s worried eyes, Yi Feng felt an indescribable warmth. This woman truly cared for him—so much so that she would shield him from such a calamity, prioritizing his safety above all else. Her sincerity was priceless.

To have such a friend in life was nothing short of divine favor.

But Yi Feng was a man of honor—how could he flee like a coward?

"I brought this upon myself. I won’t slink away and leave you to face it alone!"

Bai Piaopiao was stunned, then deeply moved. Seeing the resolve in Yi Feng’s eyes, her heart swelled with emotion. Even in the face of impending disaster, he prioritized her safety, unafraid despite his lesser cultivation. Such courage and responsibility moved her beyond words, proving her affection was not misplaced.

And yet, the more he proved himself, the more she cherished him.

"Yi Feng! This is no time for recklessness. Leave now, and we’ll reunite someday. But if anything happens to you… I… I could never forgive myself."

Her words widened Yi Feng’s eyes.

Bai Piaopiao’s cheeks flushed, but she held his gaze without hesitation, her eyes speaking volumes.

Yi Feng had never imagined she held him in such high regard!

For someone to stand between him and danger, to care for him so selflessly—such a friend was rare beyond measure. With a bond like this, there was no room for secrets, not even his greatest one.

After a brief silence, Yi Feng decided to confess.

"I’ll be honest. Even against Gu Qingcheng, a Saint, I might still have a chance."

Bai Piaopiao frowned.

"Yi Feng, don’t jest. A half-step Saint and a true Saint may differ by a single word, but the gap is like heaven and earth. The Power of the Great Dao a Saint wields is beyond your resistance—"

She caught herself, hastily adding, "I don’t mean to belittle you. I know you may have hidden cards, but you mustn’t underestimate a Saint or act rashly."

Touched, Yi Feng smiled reassuringly.

"Lady Bai, I understand your concern, but I truly have some confidence. The truth is, I possess a divine technique—though untested, I know its effects. If I die and then revive, I’ll attain an indestructible form and a surge in cultivation!"

"If you help me achieve this death and rebirth, dealing with that Chess Saint shouldn’t be an issue."

Bai Piaopiao’s eyes widened in shock.

Death and rebirth?

Did this mean truly dying once? How could such a bizarre technique exist?

Though she had reached Sainthood, she had never heard of such a thing. Were it not Yi Feng speaking, she would never believe it. To die first, then revive, becoming indestructible with heightened power—just the brief description told her this was an ancient, terrifying art, likely lost to time.

No wonder Yi Feng had reached half-step Sainthood in mere years. That he would entrust her with such a secret spoke volumes of his trust.

Her heart churned with mixed emotions, her face reflecting her astonishment. Though she harbored doubts about the technique, her faith in Yi Feng was absolute. Cultivators all had their secrets, and some things were better left unasked. Yet, she found herself torn.

After a long pause, she met his gaze solemnly.

"Yi Feng… are you certain of this technique? This is no trivial matter."

"I wouldn’t lie to you, nor jest about this. But the conditions for mastering it are extreme—I must test it once first. I haven’t begun practicing yet, and now… I need your help." Yi Feng nodded earnestly.

Seeing his grave expression, Bai Piaopiao’s heart clenched, her brows furrowing under the weight of the decision.

From what she knew, Yi Feng was no braggart—he was steady and reserved, once even concealing his cultivation. That he would reveal this secret now meant no one else likely knew of it.

Death and rebirth…

Who would choose such a perilous path unless driven to desperation? Clearly, Yi Feng had resolved to stand his ground.

To dissuade him now would only insult his courage.

A mist gathered in Bai Piaopiao’s eyes. Despite knowing the risks, she couldn’t bring herself to strike him down. The thought of failure, of losing him, was unbearable. She was trapped in an impossible dilemma.

In the silence, Yi Feng spoke again.

"It’s alright. Just strike me with all your strength, and leave the rest to fate. Trust me! If I die, the technique will succeed!"

"Life and death are fated, wealth is decreed by heaven. Just do your utmost—that’s enough."

His handsome face radiated a transcendent calm, a carefree confidence that left Bai Piaopiao spellbound.

Life and death are fated.

The words carried profound wisdom and open-mindedness, offering her immense enlightenment. While marveling at Yi Feng's transcendent state of mind, Bai Piaopiao also resolved that if she failed, she would follow him into the beyond, never betraying such deep devotion!

With unwavering conviction, Bai Piaopiao nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I will strike with all my might!"

Her soft voice faded as an air of majesty surfaced in her delicate brows. Her jade-like fingers danced, summoning a flowing sea of blossoms. Countless strands of the Power of the Great Dao gathered from heaven and earth, so dense they were nearly visible to the naked eye. The moonlight itself was eclipsed by the floral tide!

With her right hand outstretched, she unleashed the strongest strike of her life. The overwhelming force swallowed Yi Feng whole—his figure appearing pitifully small before the terrifying sea of flowers, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

At that moment, Bai Piaopiao's heart clenched violently. Tears welled in her eyes, yet she gritted her teeth and poured forth every ounce of her power.

"BOOM~~~~~~!"

A deafening roar shook the heavens and earth, sending tremors through the entire sacred land. Divine beasts scattered in terror as if the world itself faced calamity.

As the floral tide surged like a tsunami, devouring everything in its path, the small courtyard was instantly flattened. Bai Piaopiao's heart ached with unbearable pain, yet she fixed her gaze on the dissipating dust cloud—her eyes a mix of desperate hope and dread, emotions too complex to name.

Then, as the dust settled slightly, the silhouette of a figure remained standing.

A puzzled murmur drifted out.

"Huh? Why am I unharmed? What in the…"

Hearing that voice, Bai Piaopiao froze in shock!