The smoke of war finally lifted, and peace returned to the Southern Region.

The world was still reeling from the shock of the demonic resurgence when an even more explosive piece of news shattered their composure.

An arrogant, mid-stage Nascent Soul demon had fallen at the hands of two Golden Core cultivators.

Li Fuxi appeared exceptionally calm. She locked herself in a meditation room for three days. When she emerged, she remained as aloof and cold as an ice lotus, as if that heart-stopping battle of patricide had never occurred. However, those closest to her knew the truth: her mental state had ascended once again. She was now infinitely close to the Nascent Soul realm.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xian’s fame blazed like the midday sun.

His legend spread like wildfire: a Golden Core cultivator who had crushed a mid-stage Nascent Soul Great Demon not with raw power, but with an endless stream of Dharma Treasures and a meticulous, merciless layout.

He had simply buried his enemy in money.

Although the victory came at the cost of countless Spirit Stones, destroyed artifacts, and his personal flying boat, no one in the Yunmiao Sect was surprised when, just a few days later, a newer, smaller, and even more exquisite flying boat hovered above Spirit Sword Peak.

Titles like “The Richest Golden Core” and “Heavenly Venerate of Self-Destruction” resounded throughout the Southern Region.

Half a year passed in tranquility.

Until one day, a transmission jade talisman from Xia Xuanyin broke the silence.

Zhang Xian crushed the jade talisman, his Divine Sense sweeping over the information stored within. His brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed into a long exhale. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

He stood up, walked to Li Fuxi’s meditation room, and gently knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Zhang Xian pushed the door open. Li Fuxi sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, surrounded by a faint, blue-gold mist.

Every time she was alone with Zhang Xian, a trace of imperceptible nervousness stirred in the depths of her heart. Now, sensing his aura approaching, that tension quietly surfaced again.

Zhang Xian looked at the glaring “88” points of Favorability floating above her head. He couldn’t help but curl his lips into a confident smile.

“Master,” he called softly.

Li Fuxi slowly opened her eyes, clear light flowing in her pupils. “What is it?”

“I need to go to the Central Continent.”

Li Fuxi’s figure stiffened almost imperceptibly, though her voice remained calm. “Oh? For how long?”

“Uncertain,” Zhang Xian shook his head. “I just received a message from the Xia Emperor. The news comes from Lin Xiaozhu of the Heavenly Abyss Alliance in the Central Continent. Xia Chengyan has been severely injured. His foundation is almost half-destroyed.”

“Xia Chengyan?” Li Fuxi’s delicate brows furrowed. “How bad is it? Who attacked him?”

“The attacker is Yang Poxiao, currently a disciple under the Guiyuan Sect.”

“Yang Poxiao?” Li Fuxi remembered the name well. She didn’t ask how he had progressed so quickly, instead asking, “Isn’t the Central Continent united in dealing with the Seven Emotions Evil Thoughts? How could internal strife like this happen?”

“The specific situation is unclear. The Central Continent and the Southern Region are too far apart for detailed transmission,” Zhang Xian explained. “The Xia Emperor’s words were tactful; he hopes I can heal his son. But I’ve decided to go personally.”

Li Fuxi nodded, her gaze falling on Zhang Xian with a trace of concern. “You are now at the peak of the Golden Core stage. Aren’t you preparing for your Tribulation Crossing?”

Zhang Xian smiled. “I’m still a step behind you, Master. I’m going personally not just to save Xia Chengyan, but to eliminate future troubles. I don’t want to wake up in a few years to find a fully grown rival coming back to sweep through our Sect.”

Li Fuxi paused, realizing he was referring to Yang Poxiao. Was he going to the Central Continent to settle the score for her sake as well? A warm current surged into her heart, dispelling her earlier nervousness.

“Master, you are a half-step Nascent Soul. You could trigger your Heavenly Tribulation at any time. The situation in the Central Continent is complex, so you shouldn’t come with me,” Zhang Xian said.

He waved his hand, taking several radiant jade boxes and brocade pouches from his Storage Ring. They were filled with rare medicinal Pills, high-level Talismans, and a miniature puppet replica.

“Keep these for self-defense. Do not be stingy with them.”

He pushed the items toward her. “The distance is too great; the United Heart Winged Pendant probably won’t be able to sense me. If you encounter any danger, immediately self-destruct this puppet replica. No matter how far apart we are, I will sense it and return at my fastest speed.”

Li Fuxi’s gaze didn’t linger on the priceless heavenly materials. She just looked quietly at Zhang Xian, her eyes reflecting only his figure.

She let out a soft “Mm.” Her voice was gentle, carrying the obedient compliance of a young wife.

“When are you leaving?” she asked softly.

“Without delay. Three days from now,” Zhang Xian replied. “I’m still waiting for Inspector Zhiyin to refine a few things for me.”

Hearing “three days,” a sudden, indescribable sense of emptiness welled up in Li Fuxi’s heart.

Over these years, she had grown accustomed to having Zhang Xian by her side. She was used to his protection, his teasing, his presence. This trip to the Central Continent meant crossing mountains and rivers, with no set return date.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something profound, but in the end, she only managed to squeeze out a single sentence.

“Wait until I break through to Nascent Soul. I will come find you.”

Zhang Xian smiled brightly. “Deal! Though, by then, I might have already solved the problem and come back.”

“Then…” Li Fuxi bit her lower lip, her voice trembling slightly. “You must be careful. The Central Continent isn’t like the Southern Region. You’ll be alone. Do not try to be a hero.”

“Master still doesn’t trust me? I might not be the strongest fighter, but my ability to run away is absolutely top-notch! As long as I want to flee, not even the King of Heaven can keep me.”

Looking at his carefree, thick-skinned grin, Li Fuxi’s taut heartstrings inexplicably relaxed. She couldn’t help but let out a laugh—soft and bright, like ice and snow melting in the spring sun.

Zhang Xian, seeing her rare, radiant smile, felt his heart skip a beat. He stepped forward and, with practiced ease, wrapped his arm around her slender waist.

This time, Li Fuxi surprisingly didn’t panic. She didn’t dodge or scold him in shy anger as she usually did. She just slightly raised her face, her clear eyes misty, gazing at him with a look of dazed infatuation.

Zhang Xian’s heart stirred. He leaned close to her ear, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“Master, your disciple is going on a long journey for the first time. Can I make a small request?”

Li Fuxi’s face flushed red. “W-what request?”

“Master…” Zhang Xian’s breath brushed over her sensitive earlobe. “Today, let’s go soak in the hot spring? It’s been a long time since you used the spiritual spring to ‘clear my meridians’ for your disciple.”

He had perfectly inherited Li Fuxi’s Water-attribute Heavenly Spirit Root. He knew exactly what that so-called “spiritual spring meridian clearing” entailed. That exquisite control of the water flow… it was essentially Master giving him a personal massage.

Upon hearing this, Li Fuxi’s body stiffened. She lowered her head, her pearly white teeth lightly biting her lower lip. She remained silent for several breaths.

Finally, in a voice almost inaudible, she replied.

“Mm.”

Joy surged in Zhang Xian’s heart. Has Master finally become enlightened?

However, reality seemed to snap back into Li Fuxi’s mind a second later. She woke from her daze and pushed him away abruptly, stammering.

“Y-you go out first! I… I still have some private matters to attend to!”

Without waiting for a response, she unceremoniously shoved Zhang Xian out of the meditation room and slammed the door shut with a bang.

Inside the room, Li Fuxi leaned back against the door panel, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her cheeks burning hot.

She looked at the familiar furnishings of her sanctuary, then slowly walked to the dressing table. Staring into the mirror, she saw a face that looked nothing like the Ice Fairy of the Yunmiao Sect—her reflection was flushed, radiant, and blossoming like a peach flower in spring.