Silence reigned within Zhou Kai’s cave abode.

He held Shen Hanyi’s pale wrist in one hand, while the other pinched the Jade Universe Pill Xia Min had delivered. The pill felt warm and smooth, radiating a surge of vibrant life force. Its rich medicinal fragrance was almost tangible, invigorating his spirit with just a single whiff.

Zhou Kai praised it inwardly. As expected of a Third Grade pill. This Jade Universe Pill has the divine efficacy of reconnecting meridians and reviving flesh and bone.

However, the real trouble lay in the Heavenly Demon Qi, which had fused with Shen Hanyi’s flesh, blood, meridians, and even her bone marrow. The demonic energy was overwhelmingly domineering, tinged with bloodlust and savagery, constantly gnawing away at her vitality.

“This demonic energy… it’s more like ‘Heavenly Demon Vitality’!” Zhou Kai carefully probed with his senses. “Its essence is a perverse, tyrannical force of pure blood vitality. Could it be that the Heavenly Demon Ridge is fundamentally a Body Cultivation sect?”

He attempted to circulate the Lawless No Word Heavenly Scripture to convert the energy, but the Heavenly Demon Vitality was fused too deeply with Shen Hanyi. Converting even a single wisp was like tearing off a shred of her living flesh; the pain was unimaginable.

Zhou Kai frowned deeply. The intensity of this Heavenly Demon Vitality was equivalent to a Bone Forging Sixth Layer cultivator. To convert it completely, Shen Hanyi would likely turn into a withered skeleton first.

“First, use the Jade Universe Pill to sustain her life, repairing her flesh and meridians while I simultaneously help her convert the Heavenly Demon Vitality, maintaining a delicate balance?” Zhou Kai muttered. “But how is this different from directly refining it with Mana?”

What exactly did Li Youci mean? Was she testing whether I had the capability to keep her alive using my own methods? My methods…

Knock, knock, knock.

A light rap sounded on the stone door, followed by Xia Min’s slightly chilly voice. “Senior Brother Zhou, the Young Miss has a question for you.”

Zhou Kai stood up and opened the door, met by Xia Min’s aloof “strangers stay away” demeanor. “Please speak, Junior Sister.”

Xia Min’s gaze swept over Shen Hanyi on the bed. “An ordinary sword cultivator’s Sword Embryo, even if it has some protective abilities, shouldn’t possess such immense vitality to sustain her until now. What is special about this Shen woman’s Sword Embryo?”

Zhou Kai’s mind raced. Shen Hanyi’s “Innate Stainless Sword Embryo” wasn’t a secret among low-level Loose Cultivators. The Lone Goose Palace was already destroyed, and she would undoubtedly seek to join Calamity Abyss Valley in the future. There was no need to hide this.

“She possesses an Innate Stainless Sword Embryo.”

“Innate Stainless Sword Embryo?” Xia Min’s tone was clearly surprised. “This type of Sword Embryo, after Spirit Shaping, can undergo ascension and transformation based on the cultivator’s Spirit Root attributes, cultivation techniques, and even ingested heavenly treasures. So that’s it…”

Zhou Kai was taken aback. A mere maidservant has such deep knowledge? Suppressing his doubts, he asked, “What do you mean by that, Junior Sister?”

Xia Min seemed unaware of Zhou Kai’s suspicion and continued, “The reason the Heavenly Demon Vitality fused with her flesh and blood is that her Sword Embryo is actively drawing in and absorbing it. But she is only at Sword Control Seventh Layer, not yet Spirit Shaped. Do you know why?”

A flash of insight struck Zhou Kai. He remembered earlier, outside Wangchuan City, when Shen Hanyi forcibly broke through to save him, leaping from Sword Control Seventh Layer all the way to Spirit Shaping Fourth Layer in one go!

Could it be… that forced breakthrough caused her Sword Embryo to prematurely awaken traits that normally only manifest after Spirit Shaping?

“Hanyi… she once forcibly broke through from Sword Control Seventh Layer to Spirit Shaping Fourth Layer.”

“Sword Control Seventh Layer directly to Spirit Shaping Fourth Layer?” Xia Min blurted out. “Her comprehension is that high?”

Zhou Kai looked deeply at Xia Min. “Junior Sister Xia, you know quite a lot. You don’t seem like an ordinary maidservant.”

Xia Min regained her cool demeanor instantly. “The Young Miss told me.” She changed the subject, getting straight to the point. “Convert all the Heavenly Demon Vitality within her body into Heavenly Demon Sword Essence. Then, channel it into her Sword Embryo to aid its transformation.”

“Did the Young Miss tell you this too?” Zhou Kai retorted. “She’s not even here. Can she foresee the future?”

Xia Min snorted coldly. “The Young Miss’s Divine Sense sweeps over, naturally knowing everything.”

Divine Sense can even detect special physiques? What kind of divine ability is that?

“How do I channel Sword Essence into her Sword Embryo? She is currently unconscious and can’t actively guide the flow,” Zhou Kai asked.

Xia Min’s tone turned mocking. “Isn’t she your Dao Companion? Isn’t that Universe Qi Unification Return to Truth Mysterious Canon of yours prepared for exactly this?”

“What?!” Zhou Kai felt as if struck by lightning, freezing in place. “Performing Dual Cultivation while healing injuries? Junior Sister Xia, are you joking?”

“The Young Miss’s words have been conveyed.” Xia Min turned and left, her voice drifting back from afar. “The Young Miss also said this woman’s Sword Embryo vitality can last at most one more day. Do as you see fit.”

The stone door slammed shut with a boom.

Zhou Kai stood in place, holding the Jade Universe Pill, then looked at Shen Hanyi lying weakly on the bed.

Saving her was paramount!

Zhou Kai hesitated no longer. First, he placed the Jade Universe Pill into Shen Hanyi’s mouth.

How potent was a Third Grade healing holy pill? Shen Hanyi’s pale face instantly flushed crimson. Her bones emitted crisp crackling sounds as her severed meridians began to repair at an astonishing speed.

However, the Heavenly Demon Vitality entangled with her flesh also seemed nourished. It swelled violently, merging with and eroding her newly regenerated flesh even more madly!

Under the excruciating pain, Shen Hanyi’s eyes fluttered open, her gaze hollow and confused.

When her focus settled on Zhou Kai’s face so close to hers, her lips moved slightly.

Zhou Kai quickly leaned down, bringing his ear close to her lips.

“Zhou Kai… I… I only have you now…”

“I’m here. I’ll always be here from now on,” Zhou Kai’s voice was slightly hoarse. “Hanyi, I’m sorry…”

The next moment, he activated the Mysterious Canon. Mighty spiritual power surged from his body, simultaneously stirring the Heavenly Demon Vitality within Shen Hanyi.

Boom!

A violent, extreme surge of Heavenly Demon Vitality, like a runaway wild horse, rushed fiercely into Zhou Kai’s body through their point of contact!

Even with Zhou Kai’s robust Body Forging Second Layer physique, this force churned his blood. This Heavenly Demon Vitality, at least equivalent to a Body Forging Sixth Layer expert’s strike, was ferociously savage!

The Lawless No Word Heavenly Scripture operated frantically. Gritting his teeth, Zhou Kai converted this Heavenly Demon Vitality strand by strand. Then, using the profound principles of the Mysterious Canon, he channeled this pure “Heavenly Demon Sword Essence,” carrying a hint of Shen Hanyi’s sword intent, back into her Sword Embryo!

Shen Hanyi’s body, caught between the immense medicinal power of the Jade Universe Pill and the repeated tug-of-war with the Heavenly Demon Vitality, resembled a balloon being repeatedly inflated.

Her skin would shrivel as vitality was forcibly extracted, revealing a skeletal appearance that was startling. Then it would swell, nearly bursting, as Zhou Kai channeled back pure Sword Essence and the Jade Universe Pill’s power, veins bulging under her skin like coiling dragons.

The extreme agony made her delicate body tremble uncontrollably; cold sweat had long since drenched her.

Time flowed slowly in the suffocating torment, marked only by Zhou Kai’s heavy breathing and the intense sounds of their interaction.

Roughly half a day later, the confusion in Shen Hanyi’s eyes gradually receded, replaced by clarity.

When she saw the situation clearly and sensed the familiar yet strange Sword Essence within her body, her pretty face instantly flushed crimson.

“Zhou Kai…” Her voice was weak, carrying three parts shyness, three parts anger, and four parts indescribable emotion. “You! What are you doing? I can guide the Sword Essence myself. You could have just used a secret technique to help me convert the Heavenly Demon Qi…”

With a slight perception, she understood how Zhou Kai was saving her. But such intimate skin contact, such deep fusion—and again, like in Red Cliff Town, occurring without her conscious awareness—how could this aloof Sword Fairy not feel shy and angry?

Outside the stone door of the secret chamber, a commotion arose.

Fish Baibai’s crisp voice rang out, “It’s been so long! How is Sister Shen? I brought lots and lots of delicious food to nourish her when she wakes up!”

Immediately followed by Xia Min’s still chilly voice, “The Young Miss asked me to deliver some Spirit Stones to help her stabilize her realm.”

Wang Qiaoqiao’s charming voice interjected, “Our husband has plenty of Spirit Stones! No need for the Young Miss to trouble herself!”

Chen Ziqing seized the conversation, “Exactly! The Spirit Gathering Array in your Young Miss’s cave abode was refined by Sister Zhiwei! In terms of abundant Spirit Qi, our place isn’t lacking!”

Chen Ziyi added, “This is our family’s matter. Thank you, Miss Xia Min, for conveying our gratitude for the Young Miss’s kindness.”

Lin Zhiwei didn’t speak, silently offering support.

Xia Min seemed somewhat annoyed and snorted coldly.

“Hmph! Not recognizing a good heart! I’m just a messenger! These Spirit Stones are the Young Miss’s sincere intention. Take them or leave them! I’ll leave them by the door!”

Another half-day passed.

Shen Hanyi’s breathing gradually stabilized. Her internal Sword Essence was full, and most of that domineering Heavenly Demon Vitality had been converted, fully integrated into her Sword Embryo.

At this moment, her Sword Embryo emitted a faint, profound dark golden halo. To its original peerless sharpness was added a sense of majesty and tyranny capable of suppressing all evil and annihilating everything.

On the surface of the Sword Embryo, countless intricate demonic patterns flickered faintly beneath the dark golden radiance, profoundly mysterious.

“My Sword Essence has recovered sixty percent.”

“I can refine the remaining Heavenly Demon Qi myself. Please… please, Husband, guard me! I feel the time is ripe to charge through the barrier in one go, aiming directly for Spirit Shaping Fifth Layer!”

Zhou Kai smiled gently. “Simply refining it is too wasteful; it would only turn into ordinary Spirit Qi. I’ll directly assist you, converting it into Sword Essence and channeling it into your Sword Embryo. The breakthrough will be smoother!”

Shen Hanyi’s aura climbed steadily. A sharp, peerless sword intent shot skyward, as if to pierce through the cave abode!

The bottleneck shattered instantly. Her momentum continued to surge wildly!

From Sword Control Seventh Layer to Spirit Shaping Fifth Layer—a leap of seven minor realms and one major realm! What terrifying accumulation and foundation was this!

Inside the cave abode, Shen Hanyi’s aura finally peaked!

[Ding! Red Beauty Shen Hanyi has broken through to Spirit Shaping Layer Five! Reward: 100 Omni-Interaction Points!] [Red Beauty Shen Hanyi’s panel has been updated]

[Shen Hanyi] Sword Essence: Spirit Shaping Layer Five ( / ) Divine Sense: 6592 Comprehension: Spirit Root: Metal (Upper Grade 530/900) Constitution: Suppress Demon Return to Ruins Sword Embryo Affection: 100 (Unwavering) Point Type Provided: Comprehension Points Provided: 200

Zhou Kai’s eyes widened as he scanned Shen Hanyi’s updated panel, his mind reeling with shock.

Suppress Demon Return to Ruins Sword Embryo!

Was this the new constitution that had formed after her Innate Stainless Sword Embryo absorbed the demon’s vitality, undergoing a transformative evolution?

Even more astonishing, the Points Provided had skyrocketed from the previous fivefold rate during the Sword Control stage to a full tenfold. Two hundred points of Comprehension!

His gaze intensified, a spark of fervor igniting in his eyes. A bold idea took root in his heart.

If I could find a way to acquire similar acquired constitutions for Ziyi and the others… wouldn’t my Red Beauty Corps become utterly unstoppable?