Su Youzhu lifted her head, her snow-like face devoid of color, pale as paper: "Do you feel it? There should be some kind of Alchemy Matrix power here; the effects of Mythical Weapons will be undone in this place."

Gu Jianlin glanced at his own right wrist. Both the Lock of Nonexistence and the Soul Comforting Bell had completely gone silent.

"Then I'll figure out a way to get you out of here."

He said resolutely without hesitation.

Unexpectedly, Su Youzhu shook her head: "It's useless. The effects of the Yin Yang Twin Jade have already been nullified. The collapse of this body of mine is irreversible. Even if I leave, it won't help."

As her words fell, she noticed the trembling in the hands of the young man holding her.

After hesitating for a second, in a voice hoarse with a feeling he couldn't even begin to describe, Gu Jianlin asked: "If this body of yours collapses... what effect will it have on your true self?"

"Are you nervous?"

"Mm."

Su Youzhu was startled, blinking her clear, beautiful eyes.

Gu Jianlin's face remained expressionless, frozen as always, completely unchanged.

But the tightening of his grip seemed to speak volumes.

"It's alright."

Su Youzhu said softly: "My true self will be fine."

"Do you think I'll believe that?"

Gu Jianlin averted his gaze, a subtle quiver in his eyes.

He felt short of breath, a deep helplessness creeping in.

He hated this feeling – this impotence when an insoluble problem stares you in the face, and all you can do is watch it spiral into disaster.

"Alright, alright, I won't lie to you."

Resting her head against his chest, Su Youzhu quietly listened to his heartbeat and said lightly, "I'm not entirely sure what will happen if this body collapses. But your father must've had a reason for leaving it to me, right? If the death of this avatar meant the true self would also die, it'd be an awfully impractical Mythical Weapon, wouldn't it?"

Gu Jianlin had considered this, but he genuinely didn't want to take the risk.

Since his father's death, this was the first time he had felt the taste of fear.

It wasn't an emotion he was accustomed to.

"I insisted on coming here for my own reasons, not out of stubbornness or recklessness. The ancient texts and ciphers left by our teacher, I'm the only one who can understand them. If I had to teach you from scratch, there wouldn't be enough time. Moreover, even if my body collapses, there's a good chance I won't die. But you, you only have one life."

Su Youzhu said quietly, "I promised our teacher that I would protect you, to take his place in caring for you. If something happened to you, I wouldn't know what to do or how to face him in the future."

She paused for a moment: "So, please, don't be angry, alright?"

Gu Jianlin fell silent for a long time.

"No."

"Why? I'm already badly injured."

"Playing the pity card won't work with me."

"Hey."

Su Youzhu reverted back to her cold, aloof demeanor: "This is the first time I've tried coaxing a man."

Gu Jianlin, face unmoving, replied, "This is the first time I've been mad at a woman."

It's the first time for both of us; why should I yield to you?

Su Youzhu glared at him coldly.

Gu Jianlin expressionlessly met her gaze.

Just as the two siblings were locked in a stalemate, a furious roar echoed through the cave.

"Boss, I'm here!"

With a roar like an enraged bull, Butcher charged in: "Shameless bald monk, take my—"

In that instant, both Gu Jianlin and Su Youzhu turned their heads toward him simultaneously.

Butcher screeched to a halt, leaving two deep grooves in the ground as rubble flew everywhere.

What the hell!

Where are our enemies?!

Where did those seven bald monks go?!

And more importantly, what the hell is going on here?

Butcher's large head was filled with question marks. He thought he'd only been blasted away for a short while—how come he couldn't comprehend the situation before him now? When did these two get so close?

And why are they hugging?

This close—why don't you two just go ahead and kiss?

Butcher suddenly felt enormously unnecessary, wishing he had just stayed lying down earlier.

Su Youzhu turned her gaze away, muttering under her breath: "I'll never make you a midnight snack again."

Gu Jianlin retorted without hesitation: "Then you can do your homework yourself from now on."

After a brief silence.

Su Youzhu glared angrily at him: "Gu Jianlin, you're heartless. You, have no heart!"

"Sorry, I don't respond to threats."

Gu Jianlin's face was stern.

The atmosphere was awkward.

Butcher, watching for some time, couldn't help but interject: "You two, now's really not the time to argue, is it?"

The siblings spoke in unison: "Shut up!"

Butcher was immediately aggrieved, thinking, "You two are fighting—why are you yelling at me?!"

The burly man crouched down and began drawing circles in the dirt with an utterly forlorn look in his eyes.

Rumble.

Suddenly, the cave trembled, as though something was brewing in the darkness.

At the same time, the pitch-black rock walls lit up with jagged, vein-like markings that resembled blood vessels.

It felt as if something monumental was about to happen.

Gu Jianlin frowned, sensing the agitation of the Black Qilin deep within his mind. Without another word, he scooped up the girl in a bridal carry. Behind him, pale Ghost Fire flickered into existence alongside four raging Ghost Hands emerging in manifestation.

Having multiple hands is undeniably handy—it allows for effortless princess carries.

Su Youzhu let out a soft hum, offering no resistance.

Instead, she curled up like a lazy cat, finding a comfortable position in his arms.

"Our teacher once visited this place, but due to the instability of the dimension, he couldn't reach its deepest parts. There should be a fragment of the Qilin Wedge within these underground ruins."

She said softly: "Beyond that, there might also be a few relics he left behind. I pursued this far not only to stop Master from obtaining the Qilin Wedge but also to find those relics."

Gu Jianlin glanced down at her: "What's the use of them?"

"Years ago, our teacher received an invitation from a mysterious organization called The Order of the Hidden. You know his character—he would never join such a shadowy group."

Su Youzhu explained, "But he later discovered that the organization's power was unimaginably vast. It had deeply infiltrated not only the Dark World but also the upper echelons of the Ether Association. Many cases of unexplained power surges and deaths were actually orchestrated by them."

Gu Jianlin froze mid-stride, having already crossed paths with that mysterious organization.

"Our teacher died due to the Vermilion Bird Clan's curse, but the incidents he encountered beforehand can't be brushed aside. A significant part of the reason I joined the You Ying Group is to thoroughly investigate this matter."

Su Youzhu's voice grew colder.

Gu Jianlin could vividly imagine this girl venturing alone into the Dark World.

Hunted by the Ether Association.

Facing internal strife within the You Ying Group.

And even investigating The Order of the Hidden.

"You've endured a lot recently, haven't you?"

He asked suddenly.

Su Youzhu puffed her cheeks as she replied softly: "Not too much, really. It's just that I've run into Order agents several times, only to let them escape after narrowly dodging their traps. Lately, I found out they've been helping Master, but I've been outmatched and suffered losses repeatedly."

She bit her lip: "Especially that Jing Shangxiu—he's infuriating."

Gu Jianlin nodded lightly: "It's fine. I'll help you vent your anger later."

Nobody knew this young man better than Su Youzhu.

She understood.

"Venting" meant bloodshed.

And lots of casualties.

"Butcher, let's go."

Gu Jianlin, holding the girl firmly in his arms, casually asked: "Still up for a fight?"

Butcher scratched his head and grinned: "No problem."

Gu Jianlin gave a slight nod and walked into the darkness.

At that moment, Su Youzhu suddenly extended a slender finger, poking him lightly in the chest.

"Do you hate me?"

She asked softly.

Gu Jianlin replied, puzzled: "Why would I hate you?"

Su Youzhu blinked her clear eyes, her tone serene: "Because I stole your father's and mother's love."

For a brief moment, Gu Jianlin's steps halted.

"I don't hate you."

He said lightly: "Didn't you already plan on compensating me by giving yourself to me?"

Su Youzhu froze.

"You've mentioned it more than once—you and I aren't even nominal blood siblings; we can get married."

Gu Jianlin stated coldly, "Miss Moon Princess."

Su Youzhu's delicate body trembled, recalling the words she had spoken during her disguise.

Her body temperature spiked, her face flushed bright red.

Covering her face, her watery eyes filled with shame.

She felt like she'd just experienced social death.

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