Chapter 79: What a Delightful Misunderstanding

“So it’s been this long?” Yan Shu was somewhat surprised. “I thought at most three or five days had passed.”

Yu Wenche replied, “Time doesn’t show itself in the illusion, so it’s normal not to notice. I agree with Brother Xiao’s suggestion: let’s risk leaving from the top of the cliff. If our spiritual power runs out along the way or we accidentally fall, we can immediately shatter the jade token and exit the illusion.”

On hearing this, Yan Shu’s face fell. “But… I don’t have a jade token…”

Both Yu Wenche and Xiao Jihan looked at her in astonishment.

Yan Shu explained, “I hadn’t intended to enter the secret realm, so I never received a jade token.”

Yu Wenche glanced at Xiao Jihan upon hearing this, his heart growing heavy. She hadn’t planned to enter the secret realm, yet ended up rushing in without even the life-saving jade token—how much did she value this matter?

Was he too late?

Xiao Jihan gazed deeply at Yan Shu, saying nothing.

Affection level: 6 (Just met)
Affection level: 7 (Just met)
Affection level: 8 (Just met)

The affection level had increased by three points, leaving Yan Shu bewildered. She hadn’t said anything flattering or pledging loyalty, had she?

Suddenly, inspiration struck. Did he misunderstand her hasty entry into the secret realm as being prompted by concern for him, throwing caution to the wind?

Yan Shu suppressed a smile, pressing her lips together. What a delightful misunderstanding.

For a moment, the three were silent. After a while, Yu Wenche spoke, “Brother Xiao and I will climb up first. Master Kongwu’s sash can stretch dozens of yards. Once we reach the top, we’ll pull you up.”

Perhaps it was because she’d grown accustomed to hearing Xiao Jihan and Yu Wenche call her ‘Shu’ in the illusion, but now, outside of it, Yu Wenche’s address didn’t feel out of place. She nodded. “All right, be careful.”

Yu Wenche wasted no time. He took out the sash, lengthened it to about sixty feet, tied one end securely around his waist, and handed the other end to Xiao Jihan.

Xiao Jihan lifted his phoenix eyes to glance at him, hesitated only briefly, then took the sash and secured it around his own waist.

Together, they moved to the edge of the cliff, and with a light step, began their ascent.

Yan Shu stood on the protruding platform, looking up. She could see them climbing the cliff by hand.

Cultivators possessed excellent vision. From her vantage, she could see the forearms exposed as their wide sleeves slid back, and the muscles flexing with effort. The lines of their muscles were striking—too much would seem bulky, too little would seem frail—full of the beauty of strength.

She could also see their powerful thighs; though their pants were loose, the exertion made the muscles’ shape inevitable.

Their thighs…

Yan Shu quickly covered her nose.

No! They were engaged in a serious and dangerous task; she couldn’t let her mind wander!

She should be worried for their safety, not standing here admiring their looks and coveting their bodies!

Nonsense! She wasn’t coveting their bodies; she was simply appreciating beauty!

When she looked up again, her expression was entirely serious—if she weren’t covering her nose, she might look even more proper.

Both Xiao Jihan and Yu Wenche had entered the secret realm with suppressed cultivation. Now, at the late Golden Core stage, after days of recovery, their spiritual power was abundant. Moreover, the secret realm seemed deliberately to leave a path of survival; the cliff was much easier to climb than expected.

Watching their effortless ascent, Yan Shu felt an urge stirring. Free climbing—an extreme sport she’d only dreamed of in her previous life—now seemed within reach.

But the thought quickly faded. Xiao Jihan was the protagonist; nothing need be said about him. Yu Wenche, too, survived to the end of the story. They had jade tokens, and the sashes around their waists meant that even if they lost strength or missed a foothold, their lives weren’t in danger.

She, however, was different—a minor character destined for an early death. If she fell, she would truly die.

At that moment, Yan Shu suddenly recalled something.

In the original novel, the day Xiao Jihan killed her was… today?

Realizing this, any lingering thoughts vanished. She quickly retreated into the cave.

Maybe it was better to let the two of them go on their own. She’d stay here and wait out the secret realm.

She’d been given a second chance at life; why risk it recklessly? To survive, caution was best!

But… what if Xiao Jihan encountered danger again? The Heavenly Dao was so ruthless—it would surely strike her with lightning. At that point, unable to go up or down, she’d be forced to endure the lightning herself!

Furthermore, the original story said it took Xiao Jihan ten years to inherit the Medicine King’s legacy. If she were teleported out, would she be struck by heavenly lightning for ten years?

The thought alone was terrifying.

While she was lost in wild imaginings, the sash dropped down and Yu Wenche’s voice sounded from above: “Shu, tie the sash securely around your waist. We’ll pull you up!”

Yan Shu hesitated for a moment, then agreed. She obediently wrapped the sash several times around her waist and tied several tight knots.

Yu Wenche and Xiao Jihan were reliable, and soon she was hoisted up like a fish caught on a line.

Once on the summit, Yan Shu realized they were still atop the same mountain. The giant stone was gone, and the mist below had cleared, revealing the true face of the cliff.

Untying the sash, Yan Shu thanked Yu Wenche and asked with concern, “Earlier, when we were suddenly transported to the sealed land, what happened to the disciples of the Primordial Sect?”

Yu Wenche gazed at her quietly. “Are you trying to send me away?”

With that remark and his slightly wounded eyes, Yan Shu felt as if she were a heartless woman, using him and then tossing him aside.

She quickly waved her hands. “No, no, no, that’s not what I meant! I was just worried about you—after all, you came at your sect’s request, but we dragged you into this mess. Not only did you fail to help your fellow disciples, but…”

Yan Shu genuinely felt guilty. Since their acquaintance, whether at the Treasure Pavilion or in the secret realm, he had always helped her.

Yet she had caused him to be estranged from his fellow disciples, and worse, the disciples of the Primordial Sect had faced a monster attack that night—all because of her and Xiao Jihan’s mischief.

Thinking about it, her guilt only deepened.

After a moment’s consideration, Yan Shu turned to Xiao Jihan. “Why don’t you contact Qiao Yue Ru and join her? I can go with Brother Yu Wen to check on the Primordial Sect disciples. After all… you know.”

Xiao Jihan understood her meaning but didn’t follow her suggestion. Instead, he said, “I’ll go with you.”

“But what about Qiao Yue Ru?” Yan Shu was anxious. That was the Medicine King’s legacy—the beginning of his rise to greatness.

“It doesn’t matter,” Xiao Jihan said, unconcerned. “We can go later. It’s best not to owe others favors.”