What a coincidence

It's over…

Elder Yao's body swayed violently twice, nearly losing his balance.

"Elder Yao, what are you doing standing there in a daze? Go take a look!"

Yun Ying's eyes were slightly red as he stumbled over to Elder Yao, grabbing his arm with fingers turning white from the strain. "My master... only you can save her now!"

Yun Ying's words pierced like a needle into Elder Yao's crumbling nerves.

He snapped back to reality, his murky old eyes instantly filled with immense struggle.

If that murderous fiend was coming…

Could he really manage on his own?

Maybe he should just flee for his life?

But…

He subconsciously looked down at the floor.

The dusty pill lay quietly there.

Right!

The pill!

The Returning Void Pill!

Elder Yao, like a drowning man grasping at a lifeline, shoved Yun Ying aside and scrambled over, crawling desperately.

With trembling hands, he carefully lifted the pill from the ashes, brushing off every speck of dust with the utmost care.

The perfectly round pill, glowing softly with a spiritual light, rested in his palm.

Flawless!

This was the true Returning Void Pill!

The pill that could destroy and rebuild, reforging the very foundation of cultivation!

Elder Yao lifted his head sharply, staring toward the mist-wrapped Moon-Gazing Pavilion in the distance. The ashen despair in his eyes was replaced by a near-crazed flame.

What was there to fear?!

That murderous fiend was coming!

But he hadn't yet stormed the gates!

The Sect Leader's old wound had flared up, but she wasn't dead yet!

And in his hand, he held the life-saving Returning Void Pill!

Once the Sect Leader regained her former strength…

Combined with the easily defensible terrain of Kongxuan Mountain, the protective mountain array she had personally laid down…

And finally, himself!

They might not be without a fighting chance!

Right!

No panic!

This was the time to stay calm above all!

He was Elder Yao of the Yin-Yang Sect, one of the last pillars of the sect. If even he panicked, then the Yin-Yang Sect was truly doomed!

Elder Yao took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled a mouthful of stale air.

With it, he expelled all the panic in his heart.

His murky old eyes sharpened once more.

He turned to Yun Ying, still lost in his grief, and forced a smile onto his aged face.

He reached out a withered hand and firmly patted Yun Ying on the shoulder.

"Brat! What are you panicking for!"

Elder Yao's voice carried an unshakable calm. "The sky hasn't fallen yet. Your master will be fine."

Yun Ying's head shot up.

"Elder Yao… you…"

Elder Yao held the Returning Void Pill up in front of Yun Ying, his old face beaming with pride.

"See this?"

"The Returning Void Pill!"

"Isn't this fate itself refusing to let the Yin-Yang Sect fall? It's proof that Heaven helps the righteous!"

"Your master isn't meant to die. At this very critical moment, I managed to get my hands on it!"

Yun Ying listened.

He looked at the pill in Elder Yao's hand, then at the old man's face practically screaming "praise me." A hint of confusion crept into his mind.

Was it really that coincidental?

But… seeing Elder Yao's determined expression and the pill radiating vibrant life force, his small doubts were swept away by overwhelming joy.

"R-really?"

"Nonsense!" Elder Yao glared at him irritably. "When have I ever spoken a lie?"

He carefully took out a new jade bottle, placed the Returning Void Pill back inside, and tucked it into his robe.

"Alright! Stop standing around like a statue!"

Elder Yao waved his hand grandly and ordered Yun Ying, "Let's go. We'll treat your master's injuries."

"Yes!" Yun Ying nodded heavily, finally finding his anchor.

The two turned to leave.

Only then did Elder Yao remember the true owner of the divine pill, who had been standing quietly nearby the whole time.

He quickly turned around and bowed deeply to Su Ji, who had not spoken a single word throughout.

This bow came from the depths of his heart, without a hint of pretense.

"Friend Su!"

Elder Yao's voice carried profound apology.

"Earlier, the old man was blind and failed to recognize a true master. I was greatly offensive! I hope you can forgive me!"

"The old man now has urgent matters and must go treat the Sect Leader immediately. Another day… another day, I will come to formally apologize and thank you!"

Su Ji watched him silently, then calmly waved his hand.

"Elder, you are too kind."

"We each got what we needed. Consider this a settlement between you and me and the Yin-Yang Sect."

Su Ji's voice was faint, its tone unreadable.

"I'm still a bit weak now. After a day or two of rest, I will leave the mountain on my own."

"Please don't trouble yourself over me, Elder."

…

Moon-Gazing Pavilion.

Yun Yao knelt by the bedside, tightly gripping Yun Xi's ice-cold hand, tears streaming down her face like a broken string of pearls, impossible to stop.

On the bed, Yun Xi lay with her eyes shut tight, bloodless face frighteningly pale.

The rise and fall of her chest was almost imperceptible.

If not for the faintest breath lingering in her heart, Yun Yao would have thought her master had already…

Bang!

A loud crash.

The door of the Moon-Gazing Pavilion, crafted from agarwood, was slammed open by an immense force.

Elder Yao's figure rushed in like a gale.

"Sect Leader!"

He saw the gasping figure on the bed, eyes blazing with fury, and rushed over in three swift steps.

"Elder Yao!"

Yun Yao cried out, lunging toward him like she had found a savior.

"Move aside!"

Elder Yao pushed her away, ignoring formalities, and sat directly by the bedside. He reached out with his withered hands and placed them on Yun Xi's wrist.

A stream of pure spiritual energy carefully entered Yun Xi's body through his fingertips.

The next second.

Elder Yao's face turned even paler than Yun Xi's.

That strand of blade qi was rampaging like a furious venomous dragon through Yun Xi's foundational cultivation!

Wherever it passed, meridians shattered, life force extinguished!

At this rate, the Sect Leader would… be drained into a cripple by this blade qi!

"Elder Yao… how is she?"

Yun Yao's trembling voice asked from the side.

Elder Yao did not answer.

He took out the jade bottle from his robe.

He opened the stopper.

He carefully placed the golden Returning Void Pill between Yun Xi's pale lips.

The pill dissolved upon entering her mouth, turning into a warm current that slid down her throat.

"Sect Leader!"

Elder Yao's voice was hoarse, laced with a tremor he himself had not noticed.

"Hold on!"

"Wooom——!"

A vast, brilliant golden light erupted from within Yun Xi's body!

The light was warm, carrying an endless, rejuvenating life force, instantly filling the entire Moon-Gazing Pavilion!

Wherever the light passed, the frost formed by the chill melted quickly. Even the orchid on the table, half-withered, visibly sprouted fresh green buds!

It was working!

Elder Yao and Yun Yao's eyes simultaneously lit up with ecstasy!

But this joy lasted less than three breaths.

"CLANG——!!!"

A piercing blade cry, capable of tearing the soul apart, suddenly exploded from within Yun Xi!

A stream of eerie black mist, as dark as ink, surged violently from her dantian, accompanying that blade cry!

The black mist was icy cold, filled with an aura of slaughter and destruction.

Two completely opposing forces collided with a thunderous impact inside Yun Xi's body!

“Ahhh—!”

On the bed, Yun Xi, who had been unconscious moments before, let out a shriek of extreme agony!

Her body arched violently, veins bulging across her pale face, her expression twisted and distorted by unbearable pain.

“Master!”

“Sect Leader!”

Yun Yao and Elder Yao cried out in alarm, yet they could do nothing!

They could only watch helplessly as the golden light and black mist waged a frantic battle within Yun Xi’s body.

With each collision, Yun Xi’s body trembled violently, wisps of black vapor and golden radiance spilling from her seven orifices!

“Hold on! Sect Leader! You must hold on!”