"Among those Evil Cultivators who surrounded Zi Jun, there were not only disciples from the Confucian School but also people from the Blade Sect."

"Moreover, there was an Evil Cultivator who was referred to as the 'Young Master.' His protector's cultivation was nearly on par with mine."

"If you think about it this way, do you still think it's a difficult matter for the Evil Cultivators?"

A flicker of shock crossed Dan Wulan's face. He took a deep breath, looking at her in disbelief. "Are you saying these Evil Cultivators have actually infiltrated the Great Sects without anyone noticing?"

"Perhaps it's not infiltration, but joining," Ji Nanjue said, sitting back down and analyzing carefully.

"Joining?"

Su Bei drew the Peach Wood Sword from the Sword Scabbard and placed it beside Dan Wulan, absorbing the Evil Qi as he spoke softly, "I'm thinking about a problem now. If it's really as we've guessed, the organization behind these Evil Cultivators must already be vast beyond measure."

"But they have yet to reveal themselves, only daring to act in the shadows. So, could there be a fatal flaw?"

"They fear someone."

"That person is..."

Ji Nanjue raised her head, her complexion changing slightly, her gaze meeting Su Bei's. "The Saintess."

"At Dongting Stream, we encountered that so-called 'Supreme.' He fought with Shangguan Wendao. Although his cultivation depth wasn't apparent, it now seems certain he is weaker than the Saintess."

"They are waiting for an opportunity."

A subtle gleam flickered in Dan Wulan's eyes as he spoke faintly, "They are waiting for the so-called 'Supreme.' All these clandestine actions are to enable the 'Supreme' to enhance his cultivation through some method, to a level that matches or even surpasses the Saintess..."

The group exchanged glances. Although it was just speculation, the revelation of such a conspiracy still left them utterly shocked.

Su Bei sighed softly. "I finally understand why Key Smoke was so persistent about undergoing her tribulation..."

Li Zijun blinked, gazing at the campfire that was gradually dying out.

From the conversation between her Master and the two Sword Maidens, she seemed to have grasped something. The question that had long troubled her seemed to unravel suddenly.

The moonlight was clear and tranquil as water.

The root of the problem wasn't her Master's Devouring Heaven Demon Art. If she hadn't relived her life, would the course of this life also end with her being killed by her own Master? The 'Supreme' would certainly find a way to take her special physique, and likewise, it seemed her Master had inadvertently obtained the so-called Devouring Heaven Demon Art?

Li Zijun bit her lower lip and then raised her head, her bright eyes gazing at Su Bei.

Su Bei looked at Li Zijun with puzzlement, wondering why she was just staring straight at him without saying anything. He reached out to touch her head and said gently, "Disciple, what's wrong?"

"Are you troubled by something?"

Li Zijun gazed at Su Bei for a long time. Then, meeting his puzzled gaze, she said softly, "Master, Zi Jun has a question for you, um, just for you alone..."

As her words trailed off, her small face flushed red, her tiny fists clenched tightly as she summoned her courage.

Su Bei was momentarily stunned. Dan Wulan and Ji Nanjue, however, had already risen and walked into the distance, leaving this pair of master and disciple some private space.

Seeing how considerate the two women were, Su Bei felt a warmth in his heart.

He then casually picked up a stone from the ground, examined it in the moonlight, and threw it towards the distant river.

PLOP—

A spray of water blossomed.

The night was like water, casting its elegant charm all around.

"What does Zi Jun wish to discuss privately with Master?" Su Bei asked, taking his time sitting down, brushing his robe, and looking at his fourth disciple.

Li Zijun hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, but still asked, "Master, to you, which weighs more: the lives of the people in the world or your personal feelings?"

"..."

The question hung heavily in the air, leaving a lasting silence.

Su Bei was startled; he couldn't understand why Zi Jun would suddenly ask such a question, and why she had made a point of having the others leave.

"Zi Jun, why are you suddenly asking this?" he asked. "Why so serious?"

He squeezed her small hand and tilted his head to meet her gaze.

"Master, you once said you would protect your disciple, right?"

"Mm, Master will protect his disciples, no matter the cost."

"But what if one day..."

Su Bei extended a finger and silenced Li Zijun's impending words, gazing at her with clear eyes.

The moonlight drifted, and the remnants of willow fluff flew through the air.

The shimmering water's surface stirred, perhaps by Su Bei's eyes.

Su Bei whispered in her ear, "If one day... then Master will still say the same thing: I will always protect those around me."

"Protect Master's disciples."

"So... to hell with the world."

The fragmented memories that troubled him within his recollections and illusions... Su Bei might have understood. At this moment, Su Bei seemed to comprehend why the woman before him, clearly not a time traveler, was still able to pen the 'Green Jade Case' poem. He understood why, at first glance upon seeing Xiao Ruoching, her eyes had revealed undisguised hatred for him. He understood why, whenever she saw Mo Li, her eyes would always show a hint of complex emotion, a paradox of love and hate intertwined. And he also knew why the Sword Maiden was absent in that memory.

Su Bei embraced her tightly. Li Zijun's face instantly flushed red, her body stiff, as she inhaled his scent.

The river flowed languidly, and the night wind caused Su Bei to squint, a smile on his lips. "Master won't abandon you all."

He paused, then added, "Again."

Li Zijun bit her red lips, her mind a complete blank.

Again? Again.

Tears began to fall.

Master, do you remember now?

Under the moonlight, Su Bei held Li Zijun tightly, embracing this gentle woman.

He looked up at the moon.

Do I remember now? I do not remember. But perhaps I have guessed.

「South Wind Ancient Country, South City.」

The Sword Sect's flying vessel gradually made its way into the territory of South City. High above in the sky, the Sword Sect Disciples could see throngs of Sect Disciples converging from all directions, their purpose obviously unanimous.

As the grandest event in the Twenty-One Provinces, the Immortal's Tournament held an unquestionable allure and appeal.

"Truly magnificent..." a Sword Sect Disciple remarked, a tinge of awe in his eyes as he looked at the scene unfolding before him. He had previously seen the Sacred Land's opening ceremony, which was sizable. However, witnessing this scene firsthand was far more stunning; here, one could see the finest Sect Disciples of the entire Twenty-One Provinces.

"Attention, everyone, we are about to arrive!" Dan Wuque called out joyfully. He stood at the forefront of the flying vessel, taking in everything ahead, then turned to address the Sword Sect Disciples. "Hold tight to the handrails, prepare for landing!"

On this journey, without Dan Wulan, although he had felt some trepidation, they had finally arrived in South City without any mishaps.

Finally, amidst the flying vessel's rapid descent, the Sword Sect Disciples landed in a square in South City.