Li Xuanxiao rubbed his temples, suppressing his irritation.

    He’d seen plenty of weirdos over the years—these two were just more to the list.

    He continued, “Have you considered how many casualties Mount Shushan will suffer once the Demon Suppression Tower is opened?

    How many disciples will die at the hands of the demons and evil spirits inside that tower? Those beings have been sealed for ages and aren’t weak.

    Even if we recapture and reseal them all, Mount Shushan will suffer great losses.

    If any of them escape the mountain, the whole realm will be thrown into chaos. What then?”

    Su Mu frowned slightly. “You’re saying all this because you don’t want to help, right?

    Are you really going to just stand by and watch a Mount Shushan disciple—our junior sister—die without lifting a hand?”

    Li Xuanxiao forced down the flying kick he was about to throw and said patiently,

    “Why don’t we try a different approach—convince Junior Sister Cui Wanwan to let go of her feelings for Senior Brother Lu.

    Or maybe you and Junior Sister Su Mu could get married in secret. Hide your Dao partnership from her.”

    “No way! If I’m getting married, I’m giving Su Mu a proper title!!”

    At that moment, Lu Zhaoyao, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke.

    Su Mu looked deeply moved, her eyes brimming with affection.

    Li Xuanxiao said, “Then I have another plan—convince Junior Sister Cui Wanwan to move on from you.

    Try not to have contact with her anymore. If you don’t love her, don’t hurt her.....”

    Lu Zhaoyao raised his eyes, filled with gloom.

    Before Li Xuanxiao could finish, he cut him off loudly.

    “What’s that supposed to mean? There’s nothing improper between me and Junior Sister Wanwan.”

    Li Xuanxiao explained, “I never said there was. But if you know she likes you, and you’re planning to marry someone else, why haven’t you made that clear to her?”

    “Bang!”

    Lu Zhaoyao shot up from his seat.

    “Disgusting!”

    Then turned and stormed off.

    Li Xuanxiao: ..........

    Su Mu said, “Don’t take it personally, Senior Brother Xuanxiao. That’s just how Senior Brother Lu is.”

    Li Xuanxiao waved his hand, about to say he didn’t mind.

    Then Su Mu continued, “You should go apologize to Senior Brother Lu.”

    Li Xuanxiao: (^▽^)

    I really wanna stab both of you with a sword!!

    No wonder you two ended up as Dao partners.

    ...........

    Lu Zhaoyao and Su Mu walked along the path back to Little Bamboo Peak.

    “He may be a Mount Shushan disciple, but he has none of the responsibility one should have. Cowardly, timid, unwilling to act.”

    Lu Zhaoyao said coolly.

    “If he won’t help us, what now?”

    Su Mu hesitated for a moment, then suddenly remembered something.

    “That’s right, I just remembered—Li Xuanxiao has always liked my elder sister, Su Wan. If she steps in, he’ll definitely agree!!”

    “Oh? Really?”

    Su Mu nodded like a pecking bird. “My sister once said that Li Xuanxiao from Silver Sword Peak would give up his life for her if needed. He’s always protected her in secret.”

    Lu Zhaoyao said, “Then it’s settled. Let Senior Sister Su Wan persuade him. Li Xuanxiao will surely agree to our plan.”

    ..........

    The next day.

    Su Wan came to Silver Sword Peak. Then she left Silver Sword Peak.

    ε=ε=ε=┏(゜ロ゜;)┛

    Li Xuanxiao put aside his current tasks and started focusing entirely on this situation.

    He had basically figured everything out.

    On the day of Su Mu and Lu Zhaoyao’s wedding,

    Cui Wanwan would enter the Demon Suppression Tower.

    And Su Mu said she’d been inspired by some mysterious force.

    As long as the Demon Suppression Tower existed, Cui Wanwan would die.

    Unless the tower was destroyed—or all the demons inside were released.

    So to save Cui Wanwan, the two of them planned to release the demons from the tower......

    As he thought about it, Li Xuanxiao actually laughed.

    Seriously, this was just too ridiculous.

    Is this the kind of idea humans come up with?

    Counting the days, there were three months left until Su Mu and Lu Zhaoyao’s wedding.

    ..........

    Little Bamboo Peak.

    Cui Wanwan walked along the road. Every time she thought of Senior Sister Su soon marrying Senior Brother Lu Zhaoyao,

    She felt distracted.

    Just then, a pair of ruthless hands suddenly burst out from the ground and dragged her underground.

    Several hours later.

    “You two, how about this—I’ve taken Junior Sister Cui Wanwan to the back mountain of Silver Sword Peak.

    It’s completely safe there, and I’ve already given her a pill.

    She’ll sleep for half a year, no need to worry about her physical condition.

    The pill was given to me by Master—absolutely safe. Plus, when she wakes up, her cultivation will have greatly improved.

    By the time she wakes, your wedding will be over.

    And just in time—our sect recently launched a Dao partner honeymoon event. All newlywed Dao partners in the sect can enjoy a discounted flying boat tour across Central State.

    You two can travel around Central State. By the time you return, it’ll have been over a year.”

    With a year’s time, Li Xuanxiao was confident he could mold Cui Wanwan into what he needed.

    His plan was flawless.

    “Well?”

    Lu Zhaoyao and Su Mu looked at each other.

    Could this plan work?

    “Relax. Even if she suddenly falls deathly ill, with full organ failure, I can still save her!”

    Seeing their hesitation, Li Xuanxiao assured them.

    Lu Zhaoyao pondered for a while, then said:

    “At this point, this is the only way.”

    After that, Lu Zhaoyao sat down right there.

    “Until the wedding, I’ll stay here and keep watch over Wanwan.”

    Hearing that, Su Mu bit her lip slightly.

    “Alright, Senior Brother. I’ll stay with you and watch over Junior Sister Wanwan.”

    Li Xuanxiao’s mouth twitched.

    These two staying here? That made him even more uneasy. The risk level just went up.

    Still, he could handle it.

    Let’s just hope nothing stupid happens.

    Thinking that, Li Xuanxiao secretly set up several layers of barriers around the place and dispatched two clones to stand guard.

    ........

    After Li Xuanxiao left—

    “Senior Brother, can we really trust this Li Xuanxiao?” Su Mu asked.

    Lu Zhaoyao shook his head. “That guy’s mediocre, but probably trustworthy enough.

    I just don’t understand why Senior Brother Xue Yun would pass his life-bound flying sword to someone like him.

    If it were anyone else, the Demon Suppression Tower would be open by now. He doesn’t even have that much guts.....”

    Su Mu nodded in agreement and added,

    “Senior Brother, not everyone can be like you.”

    Time passed quickly.

    Three months went by in peace.

    The night before Lu Zhaoyao and Su Mu’s wedding.

    He looked at the sleeping Cui Wanwan.

    Then turned to look at Su Mu, immersed in cultivation.

    His expression shifted slightly, and then he stood up.

    Over the past three months, Lu Zhaoyao had realized something.

    Whether what Su Mu said was true or not, he couldn’t gamble with Cui Wanwan’s life.

    Even if it meant being branded a Mount Shushan traitor.

    He would forcefully open the Demon Suppression Tower.

    Lu Zhaoyao looked at Su Mu and sighed lightly.

    “Goodbye.”

    ........

    Then, without hesitation, Lu Zhaoyao turned and left.

    Bathed in moonlight, Lu Zhaoyao’s steps were steady and firm, every stride full of resolve.

    Just then, a slightly sorrowful voice called out.

    “Why say goodbye? Sounds like we’ll never meet again.”

    Hearing the voice, Lu Zhaoyao couldn’t help but feel surprised.

    He stopped and slowly turned back.

    There stood Su Mu under the moonlight, its glow casting a shimmer over her delicate features, making her fair skin look even more translucent.

    Tears rolled down her face.

    “Why say goodbye? Like we’ll never meet again. I hate farewells.”

    Su Mu repeated.

    “Lu Zhaoyao, you once said I was yours—in life your person, in death your ghost.

    No matter where you go, I’ll follow you. Even if ahead lies a bottomless abyss!”

    Lu Zhaoyao could clearly see his reflection in Su Mu’s eyes.

    It was all him—only him.

    Their swords hummed in unison at that moment, as if answering the call of their bond.

    “This path leads to the underworld with no return!”

    Lu Zhaoyao said.

    Su Mu answered resolutely, “We’ll continue our fate in the next life, in the heavens above!”

    “Alright! Then tonight, we take the life-bound sword and open the Demon Suppression Tower!”

    Lu Zhaoyao declared boldly.

    Su Mu nodded.

    In that moment, she understood.

    Even if the whole world stood against her, as long as she had Senior Brother Lu by her side, she was content.

    The two of them made their way to the straw hut where Li Xuanxiao lived on Silver Sword Peak.

    Li Xuanxiao looked up calmly at the two.

    Their swords were already drawn, clearly not here for friendly negotiations.

    Li Xuanxiao didn’t look surprised—like he had expected this all along.

    “Senior Brother Lu, Junior Sister Su, your wedding is tomorrow. What business do you have with me tonight?”

    “Hand over Senior Brother Xue Yun’s life-bound sword!” Lu Zhaoyao said.

    Li Xuanxiao shook his head. “Senior Brother Lu, don’t make this hard for me. I honestly don’t know where the sword is.

    Even if he really did store it inside me, I can’t just pull it out. sea??h thё ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Senior Brother died defending the Demon Suppression Tower—how could I casually open it now?

    Besides, Senior Brother was incredibly powerful.

    If I forcibly take out his life-bound sword, I’ll probably cripple myself—or die.

    Also, Junior Sister Su Mu, what gives you such certainty that opening the Demon Suppression Tower will save Junior Sister Cui Wanwan?

    What if someone is tricking you? What if you weren’t reborn at all?

    Think—what’s so special about you? Even Tribulation Stage powerhouses have to reincarnate. Retaining one’s memories is nearly impossible....

    You haven’t made a huge mistake yet. Please, reconsider!”

    Li Xuanxiao’s words were sincere, laying out every pro and con.

    Lu Zhaoyao and Su Mu exchanged a look.

    “What’s with all that blabbering? Just hand over the life-bound sword!”

    Su Mu pointed her sword tip at Li Xuanxiao.

    Li Xuanxiao’s mouth twitched.

    “Senior Brother Li, we don’t want to hurt you.”

    Li Xuanxiao closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them again.

    He formed a sword gesture with his fingers and shouted in fury:

    “You motherf***ers!!”

    “I’ve tolerated you two long enough—Mount Shushan Sword Formation, activate!!”