Rainfall Pavilion.

Xiao Bai lay sprawled lazily across the table, clutching a beast stone tightly in her paws. Occasionally, she batted at it playfully.

Opposite her, Wei Zhaoli sat on a stone stool. Her back was straight, exuding an air of cool, scholarly elegance.

However, her serene eyes kept stealing glances at Xiao Bai. Her jade-like hands, hidden within her wide sleeves, curled slightly. She clearly wanted to pet the little cat but ultimately restrained herself, maintaining her decorum.

“This time in seclusion, it was all thanks to your magical treasure…” she said softly, her gaze turning gentle as she looked at the man across from her.

Shen Xian smiled warmly. “Between you and me, there’s no need for thanks. Your breakthrough is a good thing for me as well.”

Her breakthrough meant the coast was clear for him to break through, which was naturally beneficial.

However, these words carried a different weight to Wei Zhaoli. She straightened her posture further, her expression turning serious.

“Don’t worry. With me here, no one would dare bully you.”

Hearing such a domineering statement coming from someone with such delicate, elegant features made Shen Xian smile knowingly.

This fiancée of his was rather adorable.

He reached into his storage ring and produced a prepared sandalwood box. “Perfect timing. This is for you.”

The box opened to reveal a crystalline jade slip resting inside. Its surface flowed with pale golden talisman scripts, shimmering with a mysterious light.

He had prepared this item long ago and was simply waiting for the right opportunity to hand it over.

“The ‘Void Talisman Nurturing Art’?” Wei Zhaoli’s eyes flickered with recognition.

This was clearly a cultivation method specifically tailored for talisman masters.

She looked up at Shen Xian, a strange ripple stirring in her heart. He had remembered that she was a talisman master all along and had even gone out of his way to prepare such a gift.

“You…” Her voice tightened slightly. “How did you think to prepare this?”

“I thought it suited you, so I set it aside,” Shen Xian replied with a light smile.

In truth, this cultivation method was given to him by his mother. It was originally intended for Wei Zhaoli anyway; he just hadn’t gotten around to giving it to her until now.

After handing this over, he was officially out of high-grade items to gift. He would need to find ways to acquire some fresh treasures later.

“Thank you. I like it very much,” Wei Zhaoli said. She did not refuse.

As he had said, there was no need for calculation between them. Yet, her calm heart was already rippling with waves.

The young maiden’s defenses were gradually crumbling under his continuous, inadvertent onslaught.

[System Message: Host has gifted Dao Companion with the mid-grade fourth-tier “Void Talisman Nurturing Art”. Received fifty-fold blessing return. Reward: mid-grade fifth-tier “Heavenly Abyss Snow Illumination Sword Scripture”. Claim?]

“By the way,” Wei Zhaoli suddenly recalled something important. “The Godfiend Battlefield within the Ancient Ruins will open in two years.”

She paused, a flash of yearning visible in her eyes. “That battlefield only appears once every five hundred years. If we miss this one, we’ll have to wait another five hundred.”

The Ancient Ruins were the largest secret realm in the Azure Province. Within it lay the Godfiend Battlefield—a treasure land among treasure lands, holding great opportunities coveted by countless cultivators.

Shen Xian nodded thoughtfully.

Being well-read in ancient texts, he had some understanding of this Godfiend land. It was located within the Ancient Ruins, which typically opened once a year. To enter the battlefield specifically, one must have reached the Foundation Establishment Realm.

He hadn’t realized the cycle had come around again so soon. In just two years… who knew how many cultivators were eagerly sharpening their blades for it?

Seeing his contemplative expression, Wei Zhaoli hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

“It’s said that the Celestial Venerable who came from the Ice Soul Immortal Sect in the Northern Region is also here for this. If you can break through to Foundation Establishment…”

A treasure land that could stir the heart of a Celestial Venerable spoke volumes about its value.

Halfway through her sentence, she suddenly realized she might have touched a sore spot regarding his cultivation speed. She quickly corrected herself. “Of course, cultivation matters cannot be rushed.”

But her bright eyes clearly held expectation.

In the world of cultivation, a Golden Core cultivator’s lifespan was around six hundred years. Even Nascent Soul True Lords only lived about twelve hundred years. For the vast majority of cultivators, this was likely their only chance in this lifetime to enter the Godfiend Battlefield.

If her fiancé could go, he might very well encounter life-changing opportunities.

However, Shen Xian’s attention was entirely caught by the term she had mentioned.

Celestial Venerable?

“Is that Ye Qingxian’s master?”

His thoughts immediately turned to the golden letter in his possession.

So, she hasn’t left yet…

Shen Xian had assumed Ye Qingxian had already departed for the Northern Region. But now, it seemed she was still in the Southern Region—perhaps even right here within the Divine Wood Sect.

Given her temperament, if she went to the Ancient Ruins, she would definitely enter the Godfiend Battlefield.

His fingers lightly traced the rim of his teacup. His gaze drifted to Xiao Bai on the stone table. Ever since Ye Qingxian left, this little creature had been discontented, refusing to let anyone else touch her.

This cat… it’s not really good for her to stay here all the time either. Should I make a trip?

The idea suddenly popped into Shen Xian’s mind.

The Godfiend Battlefield restricted entry to those below the Nascent Soul level.

Although he was technically only at the late Golden Core stage, he possessed an arsenal of powerful treasures and formidable life-saving trump cards, such as substitute dolls and the Profound Heaven Golden Silk Armor.

Not to mention, before Ye Qingxian left, she gave him that golden letter. It still contained a wisp of Divine Phoenix True Fire, capable of incinerating any enemy below the Deity Transformation level.

Entering such a place held absolutely no danger for him.

In that case… why not go?

Moreover, Ye Qingxian was, after all, his Dao Companion. Although she was once an Empress who shook the heavens in her past life, right now she was merely a small Foundation Establishment cultivator. She was unable to utilize many of her past methods.

With her stubborn nature, entering such a chaotic battlefield would likely lead to great losses for her.

Thinking this far, Shen Xian’s lips unconsciously curved into a slight smile.

After spending so much time together, it was impossible not to have developed some feelings for her. And after this separation, who knew how many years might pass before they met again?

Previously, it had always been her protecting him—even forcing herself to leave alone to spare him from danger. So, this time, he decided he would make the trip to ensure her safety instead.

“Shen Xian.”

Seeing him lost in thought, Wei Zhaoli worried that her words had hurt his pride, causing her heart to tighten slightly.

She only knew Ye Qingxian had gone north. She was unaware of the specific details and naturally did not understand Shen Xian’s current train of thought.

Snapping back to reality, Shen Xian chuckled lightly. “Sorry, I got distracted. I just suddenly thought about an opportunity appearing once every five hundred years. It really is worth making a trip.”

Hearing this, Wei Zhaoli’s tense shoulders relaxed. A faint smile touched her lips.

“If you need any help with your cultivation, just say so.”

She genuinely hoped he could go. Since they were Dao Companions, they should walk side by side on this path of cultivation.

After chatting idly for a while longer, Shen Xian saw her off, then turned back into the courtyard.

Xiao Bai lay lazily sprawled across the stone table, her tail occasionally tapping lightly against the surface.

Shen Xian murmured to himself, looking at the cat. “Since we’re going to meet, I might as well prepare a grand gift.”

From a purely beneficial perspective, giving treasures to Wei Zhaoli was indeed more advantageous. Not only did she trigger a higher return multiplier, but it also deepened her affection, securing his political shield.

Yet, the image of that graceful, cold figure involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

“Must let her… become stronger to protect you,” Shen Xian said lightly, poking the little creature before him.

But the truth or falsehood of these words remained known only to him.