Nothing Left

Seeing Little Yu's expression, Jiang Ningshu understood her answer.

For a moment, she grew curious—was it really that enticing?

Hmph, I don’t believe it.

Of course, Jiang Ningshu wouldn’t personally verify it right now, but stirring up some trouble was still an option.

"Hmph, let me give them a little surprise."

With that, Jiang Ningshu walked toward the room.

"Ah, what are you doing?"

Little Yu exclaimed, quickly grabbing hold of Jiang Ningshu.

"Want to join me?"

"Let’s not."

Was this really something they should do?

In the end, Little Yu failed to stop Jiang Ningshu.

Step by step, Jiang Ningshu approached the room.

Su Luo and the others naturally noticed.

"Hold on," Su Luo said to Nangong Xiyun.

Nangong Xiyun flipped over, taking charge.

"Don’t mind her. I don’t believe she’d dare come in."

"Come on, that’s not a bet worth taking."

Su Luo wasn’t afraid, but he felt they should show some respect—both for their own sake and for Jiang Ningshu’s.

"I’ll bet she won’t come in."

Nangong Xiyun refused to believe Jiang Ningshu would enter. Didn’t she know what was happening here?

Then the door opened.

"So you really don’t see me as human, huh?"

Silence fell instantly.

With a snap, Jiang Ningshu closed the door.

She left with a darkened expression.

Originally, she had planned to sit right beside them and watch.

Jiang Ningshu refused to believe they could continue under such circumstances.

But it seemed they just might.

Better not subject herself to that humiliation.

She truly couldn’t understand it at all.

......

And so, Su Luo enjoyed himself for a while before this chapter of their lives finally came to an end.

Back to normal.

"So, what now? Head to the Seven Stars Sword Sect?"

"What do you all think?" Su Luo asked the others.

"Yeah, let’s go," Little Yu said.

The Seven Stars Sword Sect held fond memories for her—it was where her journey with Su Luo began.

Jiang Ningshu, however, remained silent.

"What’s wrong?"

"I feel... something’s off."

"Off how?"

"My cultivation... it’s fading!"

Jiang Ningshu realized it wasn’t her imagination—her cultivation was truly slipping away again, bit by bit.

She had sensed it faintly before, but now it was unmistakable.

Fear crept into her heart. She never wanted to experience that powerless feeling again.

Hearing this, Su Luo chuckled.

"Oh, so that’s it. Don’t worry—this is part of the process for your cultivation to recover. Once this phase passes, you’ll be one step closer to regaining your strength."

Jiang Ningshu was indeed destined to lose her cultivation once more, but it wouldn’t last long. Afterward, her power would surge back even stronger.

Still, this wouldn’t fully restore her to her peak.

The third stage would take time.

"So you’re saying I’ll return to having no cultivation at all?" Jiang Ningshu wasn’t the least bit pleased by this news.

"Yes, but it’s only temporary."

"Fine. I thought I was becoming an ordinary person again."

If that were truly the case, Jiang Ningshu would have wanted to die.

These ups and downs were unbearable.

"You’re scared?" Su Luo had sharp eyes.

"Yeah. I’m afraid that without my cultivation, someone might... take advantage of me."

As she spoke, she glanced at Nangong Xiyun.

Nangong Xiyun immediately flared up, smiling coldly. "How about I take advantage of you now, while you still have your cultivation? That way, you won’t have to worry later."

"How... considerate of you."

Su Luo, however, noticed Jiang Ningshu’s unease ran deeper than expected.

"Don’t worry. When you lose your cultivation, I’ll protect you," Su Luo said solemnly.

"Really? You promise?"

Jiang Ningshu brightened at his words.

Because of this, their plans to visit the Seven Stars Sword Sect were postponed.

If Jiang Ningshu lost her cultivation there, she’d feel too vulnerable.

Nangong Xiyun and Little Yu chatted with Su Luo as usual, but Jiang Ningshu grew increasingly distressed as she felt her power draining away.

Nangong Xiyun smirked. "What’s this? The mighty Jiang Ningshu, deflated so soon?"

Jiang Ningshu shot back, "You might have your turn one day."

With Nangong Xiyun’s talent, reaching her peak cultivation was only a matter of time.

"Who says? Maybe I’ll smoothly transcend the heavenly tribulation."

"I doubt it."

No evidence, but she said it anyway.

Su Luo nodded to himself. If they were still bickering, her spirits weren’t completely broken.

By now, Jiang Ningshu’s cultivation had fallen to the Hollow Void stage.

"Su Luo, is there any way to stop my cultivation from fading?"

"This is a necessary step for your recovery. You should be happy."

"Sigh... but watching it slip away hurts."

Jiang Ningshu vividly recalled the days when she had no cultivation, hiding alone in the Heavenly Demon Sect’s palace.

Living in constant fear.

Even knowing it would be brief, dread gnawed at her.

She grew quieter.

"I’ll stay by your side."

Su Luo didn’t know how else to comfort her, but this much he could promise.

"Mm. I know. I’ll be fine."

Yet the situation worsened faster than expected.

Jiang Ningshu’s cultivation dropped to the Nascent Soul stage.

She could barely take it and began meditating, hoping to slow the decline.

But her efforts were futile.

"Su Luo... will it really come back?"

"Of course. Trust me."

"I do."

Yet her mind kept wandering to dark places.

Su Luo sensed her turmoil. "Just ask whatever’s on your mind. Keeping it bottled up will only make it worse."

"If I lose my cultivation... will you abandon me?"

"No."

"What would you do if you lost your cultivation?"

"Stay home."

......

Jiang Ningshu asked many questions, and Su Luo answered each one.

Her cultivation fell to the Golden Core stage.

"Fine. I accept it. Go ahead, leave. Do as you please."

Her cultivation dropped to the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Stop... please, stay with me. Don’t go."

But no matter how she pleaded, her power continued to dissipate.

Her cultivation dwindled to the Qi Refining stage.

"Don’t go... sob..."

Exhausted from the loss, Jiang Ningshu succumbed to sleep. Yet even in her dreams, she saw her cultivation fading.

She dreamed of being powerless again, abandoned by everyone.

She had no value left.

Jiang Ningshu jolted awake in terror.

"Su Luo! Su Luo! Where are you?"

Su Luo had been holding her hand the entire time, sensing her nightmare.

"I’m here. I’m here."

Seeing him, Jiang Ningshu calmed down.

Then, as clarity returned, she realized—her cultivation was entirely gone.

Once again, she was forced to endure this feeling.

"Everything... is gone."