Chapter 2: The Returned Beloved Who Took the Blade (Part One)

Qingyuan Celestial Venerable gazed at Xiyun, whose face was ashen as she was bound to the wooden stake, without a single ripple in his heart. With a wave of his right hand, he channeled his power, infusing Xiyun’s blood into the array.

As her blood steadily drained away, Xiyun’s mind grew ever more clouded. Amidst her delirium, she heard a voice: “Xiyun, being able to save Celestial Lord Qiuzi is a blessing for you.”

“A blessing?” At those words, she forced a mocking smile. “If it’s truly a blessing, why doesn’t the Celestial Lord come in person? That would show real regard for Celestial Lord Qiuzi.”

But the blood loss left her unable to speak clearly.

Qingyuan remained silent, wholly focused on the array inscribed on the ground.

As more blood flowed into the complex patterns, the array began to glow with golden light.

Seeing the array successfully activate, a rare smile appeared on Qingyuan’s usually cold face. He looked at the person lying within the array, his gaze burning with fervor.

“Senior Sister, I will bring you back. I must.”

Time slipped by, and the blood in Xiyun’s body grew ever less. Her head spun with increasing dizziness.

In a haze, scenes flashed through her mind—memories of the day she saved Qingyuan at the foot of the mountain. Back then, she had just taken human form, a little fox. If she had never met Qingyuan, she would not be suffering like this now!

If she could survive, all she wanted was to return to her peaceful life—cultivate diligently, and kill Qingyuan.

That thought flickered through her mind, but she could hold on no longer. Her head dropped, and she slipped into unconsciousness.

Qingyuan, who was drawing her blood, saw her faint and his pupils contracted; a trace of panic flashed inexplicably through his heart.

With two swift gestures in the air, a talisman floated over to Xiyun, transforming into a net of fine threads that enveloped her.

With the net in place, her bleeding gradually lessened.

Seeing her condition stabilize, Qingyuan breathed a little easier.

As long as she lived—otherwise, if word got out, his senior sister’s reputation would be ruined.

He steadied himself and focused once more on operating the array.

Continuing to pour his spiritual power into it, the golden light of the array intensified.

Now that Xiyun’s blood was exhausted, he could only risk all his cultivation to try.

This was his last chance—if he failed, his senior sister would truly be lost forever.

At that thought, he pushed his spiritual power even harder.

He could not allow that possibility to become reality.

When Tushan Xi and the system arrived, they found the situation had reached its direst point.

After confirming that the protagonist was only unconscious and not in mortal danger, the system exhaled with relief. “Host, please go in. If you don’t treat her now, she really will die.”

Tushan Xi nodded, and together the woman and the system strode past Qingyuan as if no one else were present, entering the array.

At the very center stood a massive block of ice, atop which lay a woman dressed in deep green robes.

Drawing closer, Tushan Xi saw the woman’s eyes closed, her expression serene. If not for the gruesome, penetrating wound at her chest, anyone would think she was merely asleep.

“System, her face looks exactly like mine.”

“Yes, Host. To avoid unnecessary trouble, both your name and appearance in this world are identical to your own,” the system explained, urging her onward. “Host, if the protagonist dies, your task will truly become impossible.”

Tushan Xi chuckled softly. “Don’t worry, I won’t let her die.”

With that, she flicked her right forefinger, sending a thread of yellow spiritual energy toward Xiyun right under Qingyuan’s nose, protecting the vital pulse of her heart.

Suddenly, Xiyun’s brow eased in her unconsciousness. Seeing this, Tushan Xi relaxed, then melded her spirit with the body lying in the ice coffin.

“Host, when you feel you’ve adjusted to the body, you may open your eyes.”

“Alright.”

After a brief adjustment, Tushan Xi opened her eyes.

Qingyuan, who had been watching her intently, immediately withdrew his power, hurried to the ice block, and reached out to touch her—then drew back, hesitant. He dared only to whisper, “S-senior sister, are you awake?”

Tushan Xi nodded slowly. Only after sitting up did she look at Qingyuan and see the joy and disbelief in his eyes, his voice trembling with emotion.

Anyone would think, from Qingyuan’s manner, that his feelings for her ran deep. No wonder the original owner of this body had been so confident in sowing discord between him and Xiyun.

And after the great battle, all the original’s friends had perished. If she wanted to survive in this new era, clinging to Qingyuan was the best and most convenient choice.

Thinking thus, she looked at Qingyuan with desperate anticipation, her hand clutching his sleeve trembling.

“You’re sitting here before me—does that mean the great battle is over? What about our master and the others? Did any survive?”

Hearing her first question concern the fate of their sect, Qingyuan lowered his head in sorrow. “Senior sister, master and all the other brothers perished in battle. I lacked the power to bring them back.”

At the words “perished in battle,” Tushan Xi closed her eyes, and two lines of tears slipped down. When she opened her eyes again, her emotions were already in check.

Her gaze toward Qingyuan grew calm. “I’m sorry, Junior Brother Qingyuan. I lost my composure just now.”

Qingyuan shook his head. “Think nothing of it. I know you worry for the sect. Any of our brothers would feel the same.”

Tushan Xi nodded and asked, “By the way, Qingyuan, how did you revive me? I have studied medicine for many years, yet never found a way to restore one whose soul has been utterly destroyed.”

“This…” Qingyuan’s gaze flickered at the question.

His senior sister was always kindhearted. If she learned her revival had come at the cost of Xiyun’s blood, she would blame herself forever.

No, he must not let her know. She had done him great kindness; he could not let her feel any more pain.

With that resolve, his gaze grew determined. He raised his head and replied firmly, “Senior sister, I found an ancient array that could reverse time. Through it, I was able to find your soul and bring you back to life.”

“So that’s how it is. You’ve worked hard,” Tushan Xi said gently, her eyes soft as she looked at him. “You must have suffered much.”

“Not at all,” Qingyuan shook his head. “As long as you live, it’s nothing. Senior sister, the world is at peace now, and my cultivation has reached the first stage of Supreme. Rest assured, I will protect you from now on.”

Tushan Xi nodded. “I understand.”

After exchanging a few more words with Qingyuan, her gaze suddenly fell on Xiyun, who was still bound in the distance. “Who is that? Why is she tied up, and why is the scent of blood so heavy on her?”

“Just someone of no importance.”

“Is that so?” Tushan Xi pushed herself to climb down from the ice.

Qingyuan hurried to support her, his voice taut with anxiety. “Senior sister, what are you doing? Your body hasn’t recovered yet; why trouble yourself over others?”

Tushan Xi looked at him. “Qingyuan, with such a strong smell of blood, this woman’s injuries must be severe. I am a healer—do you truly wish me to turn a blind eye to the suffering of a patient?”

Hearing her words and seeing her steadfast expression, Qingyuan unconsciously released his grip, watching as she walked step by determined step toward Xiyun.

For a moment, he seemed to see the same steadfast back that once shielded him from a blade years ago.

His senior sister had always been like this—compassionate, devoted to healing and saving the world.