Chapter 147: His Mental State is About to Collapse

Jiang Yiyi was truly too innocent to harbor any other thoughts, simply believing that Zhou Qi's soul had suffered severe trauma. Cradling Zhou Qi in one arm, she began trying various methods of healing.

Another person arrived—Huangfu Rou. Upon seeing the scene before her, she instinctively took Zhou Qi's side. Knowing that Zhou Qi was the brother Huangfu Xiu cared about most and that his life or death was currently uncertain, she could not help but loudly question, "Shui Bing, you always target Zhou Qi. Have you ever considered how my brother Xiu would feel?"

Shui Bing could not help but frown. It seemed destined that she would not succeed at this moment; Huangfu Rou was her equal, and on Zhou Qi's side, there were also the unfathomable Gao Shiyu and the Heavenly Dao Sect's Saintess, Jiang Yiyi.

Shui Bing did not answer Huangfu Rou. Instead, she communicated with Daofan via voice transmission. After a brief discussion, the two decided it would be better to wait until Zhou Qi was alone.

Seeing that the two did not make a move nor reply, Huangfu Rou could only let the matter drop. While she naturally could not sit by idly when Zhou Qi was in danger, demanding justice for him on this occasion was unnecessary.

The few individuals stood there with heavy hearts, each lost in their own thoughts.

After a long while, a figure enshrouded in brilliant light descended from the sky. It was none other than Li Xing.

Having previously acquired both a superior-grade spiritual artifact and the Sword Immortal's sword intent, his confidence had instantly surged back. What if his speed was a little slower? The Sage's secret realm wasn't a test of speed, Li Xing thought.

Before he even touched the ground, the scene that met his eyes drove him into a blind rage. Jiang Yiyi, whom he viewed as his exclusive prize, was actually holding a man in her arms. From his angle, he could even see that head moving slightly.

To see the person he desired most holding the person he detested the most—how could he possibly endure this?

A surge of brilliant light rose in his hand, and in a split second, it struck toward Zhou Qi in Jiang Yiyi's arms.

A curtain of water materialized. Huangfu Rou had made her move, blocking Li Xing's resentful strike.

Only then did Jiang Yiyi snap back to her senses. She stared coldly at Zhou Qi and asked, "Senior Brother, what is the meaning of this?"

"What is the meaning of this? What were you doing? You are the Saintess of the Heavenly Dao Sect, yet you are holding a strange man in your arms. What kind of decorum is this?" Li Xing demanded with raging fury, having already landed on the ground with fire burning in his eyes.

"I was treating him! What do you mean by 'holding him'? And even if I am holding him, what of it?" Jiang Yiyi was furious as well. This Senior Brother of hers had disappointed her to the utmost degree; time and again he threw inexplicable tantrums, completely devoid of grace, and she had no idea why he was so furious.

"You—" Li Xing was choked with anger, feeling as though a knife had been plunged straight into his heart, and a mouthful of blood threatened to spray from his lips.

Seeing this, Shui Bing and Daofan realized their opportunity had come. If someone could keep Huangfu Rou and the others occupied, their chances would be exceptionally high. Huangfu Rou and Gao Shiyu might not necessarily risk their lives for Zhou Qi, and besides, the three of them had already made an agreement.

"Fellow Daoist, the Saintess did nothing wrong. The real culprit is that Zhou Qi. Eliminate him, and everything will be resolved. The rift between you and the Saintess will naturally vanish," Daofan suggested.

Shui Bing also stepped forward, confronting Huangfu Rou directly. "Last time we couldn't determine a victor. This time, I'd like to try."

"Then let's try." Seeing that the three had already joined forces, Huangfu Rou did not retreat; her supple sword was already in her hand.

"I truly am seeing new wonders today," Gao Shiyu sneered. She walked up to Jiang Yiyi, summoning her Listening Rain Sword, and pointed it directly at Daofan and Li Xing.

A major battle was on the verge of breaking out. Just as Zhou Qi was wondering whether he should pretend to recover prematurely, Huangfu Xiu, Daohui, and the young monk also emerged from the jade wall.

Seeing Zhou Qi lying in Jiang Yiyi's arms with his life or death unknown, Huangfu Xiu was instantly overcome with rage. "Who hurt my brother?" he roared, stepping forward to fight with his life on the line.

"It was me. If you want my life, come ahead," Shui Bing replied calmly.

This... Huangfu Xiu hesitated for a moment. Every single moment shared with Shui Bing was still vivid in his mind. Even after his Golden Core had been shattered, he had harbored no resentment toward her whatsoever, yet now...

"If anything happens to Zhou Qi, I will never forgive you," Huangfu Xiu said, casting a deep look at Shui Bing. She was as holy and inviolable as she had been in the beginning, yet she had once smiled brightly at his advances. Perhaps they could never go back to how things were, Huangfu Xiu sighed.

I'd better check on Qiqi's injuries first, Huangfu Xiu thought. He stepped forward, intending to take Zhou Qi from Jiang Yiyi's arms, but noticed Zhou Qi quietly winking at him. Understanding flashed through his heart instantly, and he felt immensely relieved. He cupped his fists toward Jiang Yiyi and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Saintess. I am completely useless when it comes to healing, so I earnestly beg the Saintess to save Zhou Qi. Xiu will be eternally grateful."

"I have tried all sorts of methods, and I've fed him plenty of pills to restore the soul, but for some reason, he simply won't wake up," Jiang Yiyi said anxiously. Although her medical skills could not compare to those of supreme experts, ordinary injuries were usually nothing to her. Yet Zhou Qi's condition made her feel somewhat stumped.

Huangfu Xiu was at a loss for how to respond and prepared to leave after offering a bow.

"Let me," Gao Shiyu said, stepping forward to take Zhou Qi. Everyone present had long since realized that Zhou Qi was faking it; only Jiang Yiyi was foolish enough to believe it and doubt her own medical prowess.

"Cough... cough." Zhou Qi opened his eyes, unable to keep up the act any longer.

"You're awake?" Jiang Yiyi beamed with joy. If Zhou Qi hadn't woken up, her state of mind would have collapsed, making her believe all her years of study had been in vain.

"Thank you, Senior Sister, for saving my life." Zhou Qi struggled out of Jiang Yiyi's arms, and in an instant, he was brimming with vigor and vitality. Wielding the Canglan Sword, he faced the three of them directly.

"Although my cultivation is lower than yours, I disdain resorting to sneak attacks. Let's fight one-on-one—whoever wants to go first, step up!" Zhou Qi shouted. Fighting three against one was hopeless, but a one-on-one duel was worth a fight.

Seeing Zhou Qi step forward, Huangfu Xiu stood off to the side, while Huangfu Rou and Gao Shiyu—not to mention Daohui and Jiang Yiyi—were ready to act at a moment's notice.

The trio felt a twinge of helplessness, realizing this was turning into another stalemate like the one at Wuyang Village, where the opposing side vastly outnumbered them.

"Everyone, why such fiery tempers? Calm yourselves. We are merely here to seek our fortunes; slaughtering fellow cultivators goes against the original intent of the Sword Immortals. Why not wait until we leave to settle our private grievances?" The young monk stepped in to smooth things over.

"The Master's words are wise. Very well, this matter was my fault; Fellow Daoists, please let your anger subside," Daofan said, cupping his fists in a bow. If he didn't back down now, his side would certainly come out worse. Besides, even if they succeeded with so many people watching, how could they force out the Medicine Immortal's Saintly Estate?

Shui Bing and Li Xing remained silent. Although their hearts were filled with hatred, they understood the truth that the wise submit to circumstances.

Seeing that they had no intention of fighting, Zhou Qi put away the Canglan Sword. He had merely been leveraging the situation; he would exact his revenge himself in due time.

The impending battle was temporarily averted. Although Daohui was at odds with Daofan, he would not openly start a fight outside, and the young monk's stance remained ambiguous.

Everyone had thoroughly explored the area, arriving at the same conclusion as Zhou Qi: perhaps only when everyone had gathered would this place undergo any changes.

The sword intent radiating from the two characters "Sword Lake" also attracted the attention of the others, who immediately began meditating on it in enlightenment.

After a long while, the last two cultivators who had entered the jade wall finally emerged.

Suddenly, an ethereal figure materialized from the stone monument.

Shocked, everyone quickly cupped their fists and bowed in salute!