The courtyard returned to silence, with only a pool of blood remaining on the ground.

As Shen Xian turned around, he happened to see a strand of hair fall from Ye Qingxian’s temple, making her pale complexion even more pronounced.

He couldn’t help but feel a stir in his heart.

“Take it, don’t let it go to waste.” He took out a second-grade pill that replenished spiritual power and healed injuries, offering it to her.

The cooldown time for the system hadn’t passed yet; giving it away wouldn’t trigger a return, but he still chose to offer it. After all, she had been injured because of him.

What surprised Shen Xian was that this Empress had actually forced her way out of the formation, risking severe injury to help him. This was completely unlike her usual temperament.

It seems… she truly values her promises!

“It’s fine.” Ye Qingxian, however, did not accept it.

Although her aura was unstable, it didn’t affect the overall situation nor damage her foundation. With her past life’s experience, half a day of meditation would be enough for recovery.

But… why had she acted so decisively just now, forcibly using a secret technique? Why did she break through the formation even at the cost of damaging her meridians?

She felt somewhat confused herself.

Faced with the refusal, Shen Xian didn’t hesitate either and directly put the pill away.

“What do you plan to do next?”

Perhaps to avoid the turmoil in her heart, Ye Qingxian took the initiative to speak.

A direct descendant of the family was dead, and not just any descendant—the future heir to the family head. This matter was no small affair. Once the family investigated, both of them would face punishment.

She had her own trump cards and would be fine, but what about him?

Shen Xian stretched lazily, his tone relaxed. “Anyway, I’m the family heir now. When we go back, I can just pin all the blame on Shen Li, saying he colluded with evil cultivators and intended to rebel—he got what he deserved.”

“In any case, I’ll take full responsibility for this matter alone.”

Having received the recognition of the founding family head, and with only three direct descendants in the family—excluding his eldest brother who was solely devoted to cultivation—he was indeed the only candidate left.

So theoretically speaking, he really was the heir to the family head.

As for why he wanted to take full responsibility alone, it was because he worried the family might vent their anger on Ye Qingxian instead, affecting her.

A flicker passed through Ye Qingxian’s beautiful eyes as she said calmly, “Do you think the higher-ups of the Shen Family will believe that?”

Shen Xian grinned. “They don’t need to believe it; they just need… to have no choice but to believe it.”

The family had no choice. Because a dead person holds the least value.

This could be seen from how his eldest brother, Shen Xing, hadn’t imposed excessive punishment earlier.

Ye Qingxian remained silent.

This Empress had experienced far more than him and knew that this matter needed an explanation one way or another. If not him, then it would inevitably be her.

But she didn’t tell him that.

If things really escalated, she would have no choice but to take that step.

She looked at her “husband” before her, a strange glint flashing deep in her eyes.

That night, Shen Xian was suddenly summoned by Shen Xing.

Guessing it was likely related to Shen Li, he went alone to Shen Xing’s residence.

In the room, Shen Xing wore a blue robe, his expression calm and unreadable.

“Third Brother, have you thought it through?”

As soon as they met, he asked gently, seemingly not angered by his brother’s act of fratricide.

Shen Xian felt puzzled but still replied seriously, “Eldest Brother, I did nothing wrong!”

Shen Xing was taken aback.

He hadn’t expected that even after offering a way out, his brother still refused to back down.

Today’s events were indeed unexpected; even his most valued Second Brother had died. But he didn’t want to do anything to his Third Brother because of it.

Because he walked the path of Severing Emotions to achieve immortality. Now that the object of his fraternal bond was gone, he needed to find another one.

And this Third Brother—who had just received the founding family head’s blessing and had his spiritual root upgraded to second-grade—was perfectly suitable.

So he wouldn’t do anything to him. On the contrary, he would treat him well, help or protect him, maintaining this fraternal bond.

For someone like him, so-called emotions were merely transactions on the path to immortality.

But he had already hinted that this matter could be downplayed; yet his brother stubbornly insisted otherwise.

“Forget it. This matter was originally my fault for not paying attention to the rift between you brothers,” Shen Xing said indifferently.

A glint flashed in Shen Xian’s eyes.

His eldest brother had always been detached from worldly affairs. Apart from cultivation, he cared little about anything. Since when did he develop such considerations?

Before he could ponder further, Shen Xing continued. “After we return, I will explain to the family that you were not at fault.”

These words clearly expressed his goodwill. However, Shen Xian felt inexplicably uneasy.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that there were other schemes hidden behind this.

“Will the family agree?” He didn’t foolishly ask why but instead probed tentatively.

“You are the future head of the Shen Family. The clan won’t have much to say about it,” Shen Xing said. This statement thoroughly acknowledged Shen Xian’s status, placing him in a higher position.

But then he added, “Moreover… you are not at fault.”

“What do you mean, Eldest Brother?” Shen Xian asked.

“The root of this matter lies with your wife. So…” Shen Xing looked at him calmly. Though his expression was gentle, there was an indescribable coldness about him.

He paused before saying slowly, “Let her bear the blame.”

The death of a direct family descendant was no small matter. Someone had to be held responsible for it. Since it couldn’t be his Third Brother, Shen Xing could only think of Ye Qingxian. It was precisely because she intervened and restrained Second Brother that led to his death.

“I disagree!” Shen Xian raised his voice loudly.

If it were himself facing punishment from their clan, they might not punish him too severely. But if an outsider were blamed, they would inevitably face heavy penalties.

That would actually hinder his own cultivation plans instead.

“Your wife has already agreed. And presumably by now… she has ‘fled from justice,'” Shen Xing stated.

Before summoning Shen Xian, he had privately sought out Ye Qingxian, explained the severity of the situation, and gave her the opportunity to leave.

He believed that if she were a smart person, she would know what choice to make.

Shen Xian was startled and felt a sudden panic in his heart. He abruptly stood and turned to leave.

Shen Xing watched the retreating figure, his clear eyes filled with determination. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he whispered softly, “This bond of affection has been planted…”

Shen Xian quickly returned to the room, but indeed, he did not see Ye Qingxian.

Only a golden envelope remained on the sandalwood table.

On the sealed flap, the words “To Be Opened By Shen Xian” were glaringly conspicuous.

Shen Xian stepped forward and opened the letter. The contents were quite lengthy—

Today’s events began because I broke the formation; naturally, I should resolve them myself.

If the Family holds you accountable, simply say I fled out of guilt.

Years will pass after my departure; there is no need to seek me.

Since you have received the recognition of the founding family head, you should focus on the Great Path.

Shen Li’s death is a mere speck of dust; do not let it trouble your Dao Heart.

If a day comes when you encounter mortal danger, shatter this letter—I have left a wisp of Divine Phoenix True Fire within that can incinerate any enemy below the Deity Transformation Realm.

Consider it… repaying the karma of these past days together.

If the day comes when we meet again, I hope you will have advanced further on the immortal path.

Your Eldest Brother’s actions today were somewhat strange. Perhaps he cultivates the Severing Emotions Path, so you need not worry about his intentions now, but you must exercise extreme caution when he approaches the threshold of immortality.

Shen Xian’s thumb unconsciously traced the golden pattern. The system interface information about the Divine Phoenix True Fire was clearly visible.

His gaze gradually deepened, and the corners of his mouth curled into a meaningful smile.

“You are the Empress of the Nine Heavens, lofty and untouchable…”

He murmured softly. The golden pattern at his fingertip suddenly grew hot, as if responding to his words. “But now, after all, you are still my Dao Companion.”

Shen Xian slowly folded the letter and tucked it close to his body.

His eyes looked toward the boundless night outside the window, flames of ambition igniting within them.

“When the day comes that I ascend to the pinnacle…” His voice was low and firm. “I wonder then, if you will still maintain that lofty, aloof demeanor?”

Thinking of that future reunion, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted upward.

He seemed to already see that always ice-cold Empress one day lowering her proud head before him.

“Quite something to look forward to…”