Where he is headed is undoubtedly a broader world.

Su Ji gritted his teeth and stepped forward, reaching out to pinch that overly radiant, beautiful face.

Seeing this, Su Jiu stopped laughing and hastily took a step back.

Dodging his demonic claws, her watery, fox-like eyes still held a lingering amusement.

"Senior Brother, your reaction is so slow."

Su Ji's face grew even darker.

He felt his blood pressure soaring.

"Do you think my temper has been too good these past few days?"

Su Ji advanced on Su Jiu step by step, and she retreated step by step, refusing to let him close the distance.

"I do not."

Su Jiu denied it verbally, but the upward curve of her lips betrayed her true mood.

She just felt that the lifeless Su Ji from the past few days, who could not muster enthusiasm for anything, had made her deeply uneasy.

This current Su Ji—the one who could get angry, blow his top, and call her name through gritted teeth—was the one who made her feel familiar and at ease.

Su Ji finally seized an opportunity, cornering her against a protruding rock. Planting his hands on either side of her, he trapped her securely between himself and the stone.

He lowered his head, his nose almost touching hers.

In his reignited eyes burned a dangerous flame.

"I think you are itching for a beating."

Su Jiu's cheeks flushed under his scorching gaze. She instinctively turned her head to the side, not daring to meet his eyes.

"Who told you to... who told you to look half-dead these past few days." Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of imperceptible grievance.

Hearing this, Su Ji paused.

Looking at Su Jiu's reddened earlobes and slightly trembling eyelashes, the little bit of anger in his heart vanished without a trace.

He reached out. This time, he did not pinch her face, but gently brushed aside the loose hair at her temples that had been ruffled by the wind.

His movements were tender.

"I was wrong."

Su Jiu's body stiffened slightly.

She had not expected Su Ji to apologize so straightforwardly.

Su Ji withdrew his hand and took a step back, putting some distance between them.

The expression on his face turned solemn once more.

"So, the rift is still there, right?"

Su Jiu fell silent for a moment before nodding gently.

"Yes."

She paused, then added a sentence.

"But it feels like it will not last much longer."

Hearing this, Su Ji let out a long sigh of relief.

The heavy weight in his heart finally settled.

Thank goodness.

The path is still there.

"Let's go then."

Su Ji turned around without the slightest hesitation.

Su Ji's footsteps paused. He looked back at Su Jiu and grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

"First, we will settle the sect's affairs, and then..."

He paused, an ambiguous light flickering in his eyes.

"Then, we go meet that golden-robed bastard."

Su Jiu looked at his confident and spirited appearance, losing herself in a momentary daze.

She opened her mouth, wanting to ask if he was really sure about this.

But the words reached her lips and were swallowed back down.

She knew that this question had lost its meaning.

Because Su Ji had already made his choice.

Regardless of whether the road ahead led to life or death, he would walk down it.

Not every choice is right.

Nor does every choice necessarily have to be the right one.

As long as you feel it is right.

Then it is right.

Su Jiu said no more, simply following his footsteps in silence.

The two of them, one in front of the other, walked toward the direction they had come from.

The wind blew from behind.

It carried over the distant shouts of the burly man leading the workers as they carved a path on that cliff of despair.

"As long as I want to walk, the path is right beneath my feet!"

Su Ji's footsteps did not pause for a second.

Yes.

The path is right beneath his feet.

...

Xiangsi Sect.

When the figures of Su Ji and Su Jiu appeared before the mountain gate once again.

The disciple guarding the mountain, Senior Brother Liu, was stunned for a moment before immediately bowing to pay his respects.

"Sect..."

"That is enough." Su Ji waved his hand, cutting him off directly.

He had no time to deal with such red tape right now.

Su Ji walked straight toward the back mountain, with Su Jiu silently following behind him.

He first went to find Li Fan.

At this moment, Li Fan was with his soul cultivator Dao companion on the martial arts field, instructing a group of newly recruited disciples in their cultivation.

Upon seeing Su Ji, Li Fan's serious face instantly filled with fanatical worship. Leaving the group of disciples behind, he ran over in quick strides.

"Senior! You have returned!"

Su Ji looked at his eager appearance, looking as if he wanted to drop to his knees and kowtow, and felt a headache coming on.

"During the time I was away, did anything major happen in the sect?"

Li Fan shook his head. "Everything is peaceful."

He paused, then added, "If I have to mention a major event... it would be that the Puppet Heaven Holy Land sent someone over to deliver the remaining spirit stones."

"Oh?" Su Ji raised an eyebrow. "How much did they send?"

"The remaining 1.9 million top-grade spirit stones have been paid in full."

Saying this, a satisfied smile appeared on Li Fan's face.

"The elder who came to deliver the spirit stones was as respectful as a grandson, terrified that we might refuse to accept them."

Hearing this, Su Ji nodded in satisfaction.

Good thing that old geezer knew what was good for him.

"Where are the spirit stones?"

"They have all been placed in the sect's storehouse, just as you instructed."

Su Ji nodded, then patted Li Fan on the shoulder.

"Well done."

He thought for a moment before speaking again.

"From today onward, you are the acting Sect Master of the Xiangsi Sect."

Hearing this, Li Fan turned pale with fright and hastily waved his hands.

"Senior! This is absolutely impossible! How could I possibly have the virtue or ability..."

"If I say you can, you can," Su Ji interrupted him impatiently. "My junior sister and I are going on a long journey, and our return date is uncertain."

"I am leaving everything inside and outside the sect to you."

"If the two of you need those spirit stones, feel free to use them."

"You can also reward some to disciples who perform well within the sect."

Li Fan wanted to say more, but Su Ji glared him into silence with a single look.

"This is an order."

"For the time being, no one will dare lay a hand on the Xiangsi Sect."

"But as time passes, if I do not show myself, there will always be someone eager to try."

"Hold the fort for as long as you can; if you cannot, just run away."

"I really have offended too many people."

"But it is impossible for me to run over and kill them all right now."

Li Fan opened his mouth, but ultimately could only bow and accept the order.

"Yes!"

He knew that the senior before him was by no means an ordinary figure confined to a small pond.

The place he was heading to was definitely a much broader world.

To be able to guard this sect for him was already an immense honor.

Having given his instructions to Li Fan, Su Ji turned and left.