CHAPTER 235: CHAPTER 222: SOUL FRAGMENT

Lu Zhuoyan didn’t stay for too long; after having a chat with Lin Tiantian, he returned to his room.

Shi Nian, watching his back, couldn’t help but ask the others, "Do you guys feel like Junior Martial Uncle has been acting weird recently?"

"Weird?" Zhu Lin pondered thoughtfully, "Somewhat! The sect leader actually looked at me today without murderous intent in his eyes! What’s going on? Has he finally realized that I am the most suitable one to inherit his mantle?"

Lin Changdong, expressionless as always, said abruptly, "Or maybe it’s because the sect leader is utterly disappointed in you and can’t even be bothered to scold you."

As if struck by a bolt from the blue, Zhu Lin immediately felt utterly devastated.

Shi Nian was somewhat at a loss for words, "That’s not what I’m talking about! Haven’t you noticed that he’s been fond of isolating himself for cultivation recently?"

Zhu Lin, completely clueless, "The sect leader has always had a cold disposition and prefers solitude. Anyway, every time I go to find him, he always seems quite impatient."

In his opinion, Lu Zhuoyan has always been someone who isn’t much of a social butterfly.

Rather than being amidst a lively crowd, he prefers to be alone.

"??? How is that possible! Junior Martial Uncle is such a warm person!" Shi Nian was quite angered.

What’s wrong with Zhu Lin, spouting nonsense like that!

All she could remember was...

Every time she was headed for dangerous places, Junior Martial Uncle would always find ways to accompany her.

Even though she had revealed many secrets to him and had demonstrated her considerable strength, he was always worried about her, facing every challenge together with her.

How could such an enthusiastic Junior Martial Uncle become indifferent!

Zhu Lin: "???"

Lu Zhuoyan, enthusiastic?

"Indeed, Junior Martial Uncle is a very good senior." Yun Jian nodded in agreement.

"Exactly." Lin Tiantian concurred, "The first gift Junior Martial Uncle gave me when we met was super valuable!"

Zhu Lin sighed looking at the three from Ling Tian Peak, "After all, you are all from Ling Tian Peak. The sect leader being willing to occasionally give us pointers is all thanks to the team captain’s face, otherwise, with the sect leader’s personality, he wouldn’t bother with others."

Upon reflection, Shi Nian realized there was some truth to Zhu Lin’s words.

Lu Zhuoyan was passionate, but only towards her and the junior brothers and sisters from Ling Tian Peak.

As for others...

He would only offer guidance when he was bored.

Shi Nian, upon thinking it through, felt triumphant, "Of course. That’s our Junior Martial Uncle, not yours!"

Zhu Lin felt a pang of frustration, blurting out, "So, I think the sect leader’s behavior is quite normal."

Shi Nian then asked Yun Jian and Lin Tiantian, "What do you two think?"

Lin Tiantian was somewhat puzzled, "I didn’t notice anything wrong. Junior Martial Uncle doesn’t seem any different from before."

Yun Jian also said, "When I used to go into seclusion, it would often be for ten days to half a month at a time. Isn’t Junior Martial Uncle just spending a little more time daily in his own room? That’s not really a big deal, is it?"

Shi Nian scratched her head, feeling slightly confused.

Could it be... she was overthinking it?

In the room.

Lu Zhuoyan’s expression was unusually grim.

With a cold face and expressionless, he said, "I said, wait another seven days."

There was no one else in the room.

But Lu Zhuoyan seemed to have heard some response, and his expression grew even worse.

His voice became colder, "If you push me, I might as well risk the shattering of my soul! Even if I cease to exist, I will make sure you are never complete."

At this moment, Lu Zhuoyan bore none of his usual air of strategizing behind the scenes.

He was angry, resentful, and even had a hint of despair.

For that person, he had no bargaining chips; only his life was at stake, which made the other party slightly wary.

Yet even so, he only managed to buy himself seven days.

After seven days...

This world would likely no longer have Lu Zhuoyan.

A trace of sorrow flickered through Lu Zhuoyan’s eyes.

He should be content; after all, he was merely a soul fragment casually cast into the Lower Realm by some entity.

That person had split countless soul fragments across three thousand minor worlds for experience and growth, and he, Lu Zhuoyan, was just one of the many fragments.

Logically speaking.

He and that person should be one and the same.

But Lu Zhuoyan is different from the other fragments; from the moment of his birth, he had a strong sense of self.

He does not acknowledge that he is someone else; he only wishes to be Lu Zhuoyan.

Therefore, for many years, he’s been carefully hiding, not letting his Upper Realm self find him.

But last time, at the Demon Pool.

To assist Shi Nian, he used a thread of power from his soul.

It was this thread of power that allowed his Upper Realm self to lock onto his presence in this realm.

His Upper Realm self has cultivated to the supreme realm, just waiting for this soul fragment to return to achieve Perfection.

But...

At that time, he will no longer be Lu Zhuoyan.

But his Upper Realm self is far, far stronger than he is now.

How could he possibly resist?

After all, he is a fragment of that person; isn’t it natural for him to return?

Immortal World.

In a lofty palace.

A blurred figure stands in front of the Two Realms Mirror, the corners of his lips curling into a smile.

Interesting.

This fragment of his actually developed a sense of self so early and has hidden well for so many years.

To expose himself this time, just to help a woman?

And his resistance to returning also seems to be for a woman?

What kind of woman is she, to have such charm?

The man rotated the Two Realms Mirror, and Shi Nian’s face appeared on the screen.

At this moment.

Shi Nian, as if sensing something, suddenly glanced towards the sky.

The next moment.

The images on the Two Realms Mirror shattered, leaving nothing but emptiness on its surface.

The man couldn’t help but frown.

With his current mighty power, and the Two Realms Mirror in hand, he was unexpectedly blocked while surveilling a Lower Realm woman?

This cultivator named Shi Nian, there must be some problem with her.

But.

This is of no concern to him.

Right now, all he awaits is for the fragment to return, the soul to become Perfect, to achieve the ultimate Perfect realm, and then, even the Divine Position will be within easy reach.

In the courtyard.

Shi Nian frowns and inquires in her mind, "Xiaotong, did you sense that?"

Xiaotong’s voice is clear and crisp: "I sensed it. Someone tried to pry into the Host. Although I managed to block this energy in time, he still caught a glimpse. This person must be from the Immortal World, and in the Immortal World, he must be a top figure."

Shi Nian’s frown deepens.

Why would someone from the Immortal World want to spy on her?

"The Host need not worry. I will be more vigilant in the future and will not let anyone spy on you again," Xiaotong hurriedly assures.

Shi Nian shakes her head.

That’s not the point.

The purpose of this person is what’s most crucial.

She has a vague feeling; this person is likely to be a huge trouble.

But why this trouble has come, Shi Nian currently has no clues.

Shi Nian purses her lips and asks, "Xiaotong, with my cultivation level, if I were to ascend to the Immortal World, would I have the power to protect myself among the Immortals?"