Senior Brother, let's discuss it. I'd like to have another sip of the medicinal liquid next month.

"Yet... I still can't help feeling unwilling."

"If I could cultivate step by step from Qi Refining to Golden Core, then why can't an ordinary magic weapon grow into a divine spear that strikes fear into the hearts of countless cultivators?"

"The world is noisy and fickle. In pursuit of stronger artifacts, people discard the very weapons that accompanied them through their hardest times without a second thought."

"It's like when I reminisce about childhood—was it the cicada I failed to catch that day, or the summer I could never return to?"

"The first time I drew Qi into my body, the first time I gripped that spear."

"The joy it brought me in that moment could never be matched by any later breakthrough or any other artifact."

"Even if one day I truly ascend to the supreme realm."

"Without a fellow Daoist like my junior sister, who aided me so greatly, to stand with me at dusk, nor a Dao companion to ask if my porridge is warm..."

"Why should I walk that path of eternal solitude?"

"I had hoped to give it my very best..."

"Ah, forget it. Fate is inherently rugged—how could everything go as I wish?"

"If it can help me save my junior sister, that alone is its good fortune."

"Junior Sister, don't dwell on it. Life is full of regrets."

These words were half-truths.

A person loses too much on the path of growth.

But Su Ji was greedy—he didn’t want to lose too much.

Yet that wasn’t the point.

The point was, by saying this, he made Su Jiu feel guilty.

Later, when he asked Su Jiu to buy him a new spear, wouldn’t it be effortless?

Only...

Why did Su Jiu’s gaze seem a little off?

...

Su Jiu bit her lip lightly as she looked at Su Ji.

See.

He was different.

The world was full of ungrateful people.

But those like Su Ji were rare.

Even an ordinary magic spear, just because it had accompanied him through his hardest days, was something he couldn’t bear to part with.

He told her not to dwell on it.

But in truth, Su Ji must be so heartbroken he was on the verge of tears...

If he was like this with a mere spear, wouldn’t he be utterly devoted to a Dao companion?

Being Su Ji’s Dao companion would surely be...

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

What nonsense was she thinking, Su Jiu?

Who would like such an unserious fellow?

Besides, she still bore the destiny of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox lineage.

How could she afford to indulge in romance?

Then, Su Jiu fell silent.

She could sense Su Ji’s expression was barely holding together.

He must be afraid of letting her see a man’s tears, right?

Meanwhile, Su Ji also fell silent.

He could feel his own expression wavering.

Su Ji was afraid he’d burst out laughing and then have no way to explain himself.

He needed to distract himself with something else.

Wait—

Why not just use the enlightenment opportunity now?

After all, the [Fallen Dragon’s Desolation Art] was definitely high-tier.

He wouldn’t find a better cultivation method anytime soon.

No time like the present.

So, under Su Jiu’s slightly stunned gaze, Su Ji casually took off his shoes and, without a hint of reservation, climbed onto her fragrant, soft bed, assuming the cross-legged posture for cultivation.

"Junior Sister, I’ll meditate for a bit."

Su Jiu: "..."

She was still mulling over whether to return to the Profound Yellow Mountain later to retrieve that broken spear for Su Ji and see if it could be repaired.

Hearing his words, she was momentarily speechless.

Su Ji was fine in every way.

Except for his carefree personality—completely oblivious to details.

This was her bed. His own quarters weren’t far. Was he really in such a hurry?

Complaints aside, she didn’t actually tell him to get down.

The reason? Life-saving debt.

She pretended not to see it, turning away to assess the value of their recent haul.

Meanwhile, Su Ji closed his eyes and silently recited:

"Activate the three-hour enlightenment opportunity!"

The moment the thought formed, an indescribably profound sensation enveloped his entire consciousness.

Countless insights into the [Fallen Dragon’s Desolation Art] surged into his mind like a bursting flood.

His cross-legged posture instantly collapsed.

Since Su Jiu’s bed was placed against the wall, Su Ji’s sudden backward tilt resulted in—

Thud!

The back of his head struck the wall with a solid impact.

The noise was loud enough that Su Jiu, who had been facing away, whipped around.

What happened?

Su Ji was slumped against the wall, head tilted back, eyes shut, completely motionless.

Su Jiu: ???

She rushed to the bedside, staring at his odd posture, her delicate face full of confusion.

"Senior Brother?"

She called out tentatively.

No response.

"Stop meditating for now. There’s something I want to discuss."

Still nothing.

Her heart sank.

Had the hidden injuries from slaying that Nascent Soul remnant flared up?

Not daring to delay, she pressed slender fingers beneath his nose.

Steady breath, deep and even.

No sign of trouble.

Next, she pressed a pale ear lightly against his chest.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

His heartbeat was strong and regular.

Then what was wrong?

Frowning, Su Jiu hesitated before placing a small hand on his lower dantian.

A wisp of spiritual energy seeped in, carefully inspecting his core.

His Qi circulation was smoother than usual, even more vigorous.

Now she was utterly baffled.

Breathing, pulse, spiritual energy—all normal.

Faking it?

Playing a prank?

Unlikely.

Their earlier conversation had been quite heavy.

But Su Ji was unpredictable.

After a pause, she decided to test him: "Senior Brother, let’s discuss something. Next month, I’d like another sip of that medicinal brew. I feel my Golden Core breakthrough is near."

Still no reaction.

Her heart lurched.

This was bad!

Su Ji was genuinely unconscious!

No way he was faking it!

But here was the puzzle—every vital sign was normal. Why wouldn’t he wake?

A Qi deviation?

Unlikely.

Deviating cultivators exhibited chaotic, rampant spiritual energy—nothing like Su Ji’s current stability.

Then perhaps...

A backlash from that secret technique?

That had to be it!

The method Su Ji used to slay the Nascent Soul remnant was too unbelievable.

How could there be no cost?

This was the only logical explanation.

The moment she considered it, her face paled.

Backlash from secret arts was notoriously hard to treat. Ordinary elixirs were useless.

Only a handful of heavenly treasures could alleviate it.

But such items—forget the Love-Longing Sect, even the entire Great Xia might not have more than a few.

All locked away in the vaults of sacred sects.

What to do?

Su Jiu carefully adjusted Su Ji’s position, letting him rest properly on her pillow.

Meanwhile, she paced anxiously, her mind in turmoil.

The more she looked at his peaceful face, the more convinced she became—he must have been forcing himself this whole time.

To keep her from worrying...

He must have been in agony the entire journey back.

That’s why he kept talking—to distract himself.

Even groping her leg was just to divert his focus.

Until finally, he couldn’t hold on any longer...