Chapter 129: Safe and Sound

“Ling’er, what’s wrong?” Li Zai’an stood beside Qiao Ling’er.

Qiao Ling’er grabbed Li Zai’an’s arm and pointed at the shield in front of them, her eyes full of anticipation. “Zai’an, can you break this shield?”

Li Zai’an shook his head. “I’m not sure, but I’ll give it my best shot. Princess Ling’er, you two should step back, just in case.”

The two sensibly took a few steps back. Li Zai’an drew his longsword from behind him and, with a shout, brought it crashing down on the barrier.

With a metallic clang, the impact left his hand trembling but the shield didn’t budge an inch.

Li Zai’an looked surprised but quickly gripped his sword tighter and struck the barrier again, harder than before.

Again and again, he swung until he was exhausted and had to stop to catch his breath.

Xie Wanyi sighed and said, “Alright, enough now. Let’s wait for my brother to wake up before we make any decisions.”

But Li Zai’an was too riled up to listen. He steadied himself, took another leap and slammed the sword down hard on the barrier.

The force shot him backward, sending him flying over ten meters before crashing heavily to the ground.

Qiao Ling’er could only hold her forehead in exasperation, then hurried over to help him up.

“Oh Zai’an, why do you have to be so stubborn?”

“Ling’er, I just wanted to give it a try. But this shield is so strange—not only can’t I break it, it even suppresses my cultivation.”

“Look, Ling’er, my hand’s cut.”

Li Zai’an plopped down on the ground, looking dejected. He glanced at Qiao Ling’er, a little aggrieved.

Qiao Ling’er let out a sigh. “Alright, it’s okay, let me blow on it for you.”

She gently took Li Zai’an’s hand, brushed her hair behind her ear and softly blew on his wound.

“Zai’an, how does it feel? Is it better now?”

“No, it still really hurts. Can you blow on it a bit more?”

Li Zai’an sprawled into Qiao Ling’er’s lap, greedily savoring the unique fragrance of her hair as he brought it close.

Qiao Ling’er froze at his sudden move, then a hint of annoyance flashed across her face as she stood up abruptly.

“So that’s it, Zai’an! You tricked me, just wanted to take advantage, huh? See if I don’t teach you a lesson!”

Li Zai’an barely had time to react before he landed hard on the ground. He quickly scrambled up with a sheepish grin, rubbing Qiao Ling’er’s shoulders.

“Come on, Ling’er, don’t be mad.”

While the two were bickering and flirting, Xie Jinxuan slowly pressed a hand to his forehead, struggling to sit up as he looked around in confusion.

“That’s strange. Didn’t I self-destruct? So why am I still here?”

“Wait… I remember now. Just before I exploded, a blue light shot into my body and stopped me.”

“I’ve no idea who did it.”

At this moment, Qiao Ling’er was twisting Li Zai’an’s ear.

“Ling’er, stop, look behind you—someone woke up,” Li Zai’an said through gritted teeth, pointing behind her.

Qiao Ling’er scowled. “What, Zai’an, you think you can trick me again? I’m not falling for that!”

“Ling’er, I’m not lying. Just look,” Li Zai’an said, forcing a bitter smile and making repeated promises.

Qiao Ling’er snorted. “Fine, Zai’an, I’ll believe you this one last time.”

She glanced back and, to her surprise, saw Xie Jinxuan already awake. Forgetting about Li Zai’an, she ran straight to Xie Jinxuan’s side.

“Your Highness, how are you feeling? Are you alright?”

Xie Jinxuan saw Qiao Ling’er, looking almost like an immortal, and blinked in confusion.

“I feel fine now, but may I ask who you are, miss?”

Qiao Ling’er gave a gentle smile. “Your Highness, I was the one who stopped you from self-destructing. My name is Qiao Ling’er, from the Sky Sword Sect.”

“Ling’er, what are you running for? Wait up!” Li Zai’an hurried over, panting.

Xie Jinxuan asked, “And who is this beside you?”

“Your Highness, this is Li Zai’an, also an elder of the Sky Sword Sect like me. He accompanied our sect leader to battle the Demon Race and was entrusted by His Majesty to find you.”

Qiao Ling’er smiled and pulled Li Zai’an close, then started chatting away.

“I see, so both of you are my saviors. Please accept my deep gratitude!” Xie Jinxuan said, bowing deeply.

The two immediately replied in unison, “Your Highness, please, we can’t accept this honor! Please don’t humble us like this!”

A trace of displeasure flashed across Xie Jinxuan’s face. “You saved me and my sister. You deserve my gratitude!”

“Wait, how could I forget Wanyi!”

A thought hit Xie Jinxuan. He turned and dashed toward Xie Wanyi, uncaring of the rough ground.

“Thank goodness, Wanyi, you’re alright… Hang on, what’s wrong with your hands?” Xie Jinxuan stared at her hands, eyes wide.

Xie Wanyi’s gaze flickered. “Um… I just slipped, that’s all. I’m fine now, brother, don’t worry about it.”

Xie Jinxuan placed his hands on the shield, gently stroking it as he looked at Xie Wanyi and sighed.

“Alright then, let me get you out first. Heaven and Earth Shield, withdraw!”

The blue Heaven and Earth Shield shrank and floated toward his palm. With a twist of his wrist, he put it away.

He then carefully helped Xie Wanyi up, worriedly watching her wounded, bloody hands as he guided her to sit on a nearby stone.

Seeing this, Qiao Ling’er and Li Zai’an quickly rushed over. Qiao Ling’er took a sharp breath when she saw Xie Wanyi’s mangled hands.

She pulled out a bottle of healing salve and with utmost care began treating Xie Wanyi’s wounds, disinfecting and bandaging them.

Looking at the delicate butterfly bows on her bandages, Xie Wanyi couldn’t help but feel delighted. She quickly made a formal bow to Qiao Ling’er.

“Thank you, Miss Ling’er, for your help. If not for you and your friends, my brother and I wouldn’t have survived today.”

“And your handiwork is wonderful. I really like it, thank you so much.”

Qiao Ling’er hastily supported her. “Princess, you don’t need to thank me. It was nothing, really.”

While the three were chatting away, Xie Jinxuan sat on a rock, turning the Heaven and Earth Shield over in his hands as a strange feeling washed over him.

“Brother Xiaoyao, the world is in chaos now. I wonder if you’re still alright out there…”

………………

Meanwhile, on the other side, Gu Xiaoyao was heading for Jade Pool Mountain, searching for the Golden Gate and a way to attain Sword God.

Mountains soared into the clouds, the air crisp and refreshing. Wild geese flew overhead, and a smile played on his lips as he soaked in the peace and beauty all around.

Suddenly he sneezed several times in a row, puzzled. “That’s odd. Am I catching a cold? But with my constitution, that shouldn’t even be possible.”

“Especially now that I’m on the verge of breaking free from mortal limits and becoming a god above all!”

With that thought, Gu Xiaoyao’s smile grew even brighter as he picked up his pace, hurrying toward Jade Pool Mountain.