Chapter Thirty-Five: Because I Favor You

In the next instant, Huo Shiqing was struck hard in the chest by some unseen force. The magnitude of this invisible blow was so great it nearly shattered his bones. He slammed his sword into the ground, stabilizing his stance as he channeled sword energy to shield himself. Yet, the force pushed him back with such raw power that it carved a long, deep fissure into the earth. His sword-energy barrier shattered instantly; his face turned deathly pale, and he choked up a mouthful of blood.

Xia Zhiyu was struck with alarm. He immediately waved his hand to unfurl the Circular Light Veil bestowed upon him by his Master, enveloping all four of them within it. The ethereal, snowy veil fluttered gracefully, first forming a sphere before being violently distorted into jagged shapes, clearly suffering from fierce, relentless attacks. The veil was not only defensive but could also reveal the trajectories of hidden strikes, ensuring that even wind blades could not escape detection.

However, none of the three could see anything. It was as if countless invisible hands were violently tearing at this high-grade magic treasure. Given the degree of the veil's deformation, these forces were terrifyingly powerful, comparable to the strikes of a Nascent Soul cultivator. It was no wonder they had shattered Huo Shiqing’s sword energy so easily. It seemed they were trapped within the confines of the veil for the time being.

Xia Zhiyu suddenly realized something, his shocked gaze slowly turning toward Jiang Heng. "You can see them, can't you?"

Jiang Heng said coldly, "I cannot. I only sensed the danger by instinct." In truth, she could see them, but since no one else could perceive the black shadows, Jiang Heng suspected it might be related to the Path of Evil Rakshasa. That was her only trump card, and it must never be revealed.

Xia Zhiyu pursed his lips, his eyes filled with indignation and disappointment. "Then why did you ignore what was close at hand and only save the man surnamed Han?" The earlier battle had been so effortless that Xia Zhiyu had had plenty of time to observe the others. Jiang Heng had clearly been closer to Huo Shiqing, yet after her expression shifted, she had turned away to protect Han Jie, completely disregarding the life or death of her Second Senior Brother.

Huo Shiqing watched Jiang Heng and Han Jie, slowly wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth without a word. However, the aura surrounding him was chillingly cold. Sensing the heavy atmosphere and wishing to avoid internal conflict that would hold them back, Han Jie spoke up to smooth things over. "Junior Sister Jiang knew my strength was inferior to Senior Brother Huo’s, so she subconsciously chose the weaker party. It was not a matter of ignoring those nearby..."

"No," Jiang Heng interrupted.

They all looked at her. Jiang Heng stated calmly, "Senior Brother Han’s strength is not inferior to his. I was simply more worried about Senior Brother Han."

She spoke with such candor, devoid of any trace of guilt. Her eyes, however, remained cold.

Xia Zhiyu exploded with rage. "How can you be so brazenly biased toward an outsider?! He is an outsider; the Second Senior Brother is the one closer to you!" Although it was Huo Shiqing who had been neglected and abandoned, Xia Zhiyu inexplicably projected himself into the situation. He became irrationally convinced that if he had been the one standing there, Jiang Heng would still have only cared for that man surnamed Han. The mere thought of such a possibility left him feeling stifled and wretched.

Jiang Heng’s voice was flat. "Because I am biased. Is it not you who taught me that, after all?"

Xia Zhiyu’s fury was like a punctured drum, instantly deflating. He opened his mouth, but not a single word came out. Huo Shiqing’s eyes flickered with a dark, complex light.

Han Jie handed a box of pills to Huo Shiqing. "Senior Brother Huo, your injuries are severe. Meditation will be too slow; use these."

Huo Shiqing did not even glance at him, walking straight to another corner of the veil to sit and regulate his breath, taking his own pills from his storage bag instead.

Jiang Heng said, "Senior Brother Han, keep them for yourself. Don't waste such good things; feeding them to a dog would be better than giving them to such a person."

Han Jie chuckled softly and whispered in her ear, "Say less; don't add fuel to the fire."

Watching the way the two of them interacted, Xia Zhiyu felt a bitter mix of emotions, struggling to calm his heart. He sent a telepathic message to Peak Master Xu, explaining their situation and asking for instructions. Not long after, a reply came. After hearing it, Xia Zhiyu’s heart sank.

It turned out they were not the only ones trapped; Peak Master Xu’s group had also been subjected to violent attacks from these invisible entities. Except for the Peak Master, who could hold his own, the others were no match; one junior brother had nearly lost his life for being a moment too slow. These were the elite Golden Core cultivators of the Wanling Sect! What kind of eerie things could inflict such heavy damage on them? Furthermore, when had these demonic cultivators seen through their infiltration and deliberately led them here to set this trap?

Han Jie asked, "What did Peak Master Xu say?"

Xia Zhiyu, no longer caring about distinctions between "insiders" and "outsiders," frowned and said, "He told us not to act rashly; these things are wicked. Since we have a protective treasure, we should stay put. Once he finishes dealing with the situation on his end, he will come for us."

Han Jie nodded, looking at the Circular Light Veil with a hint of admiration. "As expected of a treasure bestowed by the Immortal Lord Yunyin; it truly is extraordinary."

Xia Zhiyu’s tone was sour. "Like it? It doesn't matter if you do; you aren't a member of our sect."

Han Jie replied, "Fortunately, Junior Sister Jiang is. I can bask in her glory."

Xia Zhiyu sneered, "Listen to you. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were her dao companion! Is the glory of our sect something any outsider can just bask in?"

Han Jie smiled but did not respond. Jiang Heng glanced at Xia Zhiyu. Though she said nothing, Xia Zhiyu grew angry again. "What? Do you think I spoke out of turn and want to protect him again?"

Jiang Heng simply closed her eyes, not bothering to engage with him. This only angered Xia Zhiyu further. He hadn't realized it before, but this Han Jie was quite the "green tea" manipulator. His words sounded proper and humble, yet they were designed to infuriate others, making the victim appear to be the villain in the end. And Jiang Heng—could she not see how much this man was putting on an act?

In a fit of pique, Xia Zhiyu went to sit by Huo Shiqing, refusing to look at the other two again.

Han Jie smiled at Jiang Heng and said, "Junior Sister Jiang, you have saved me once again. I truly do not know how to thank you."

Jiang Heng shook her head. "I have received many favors from Senior Brother Han in the past. Having the chance to repay them puts my heart at ease." She disliked owing anyone. Just like the people in her sect, who had once been like mountains of benevolence to her—though in this life, she had not yet reached the point where she had to trade her life for theirs as she had in the last. That was why she was not yet ready to truly tear off the mask and sever ties, choosing instead to maintain as much distance as possible. Of course, even if she wanted to break things off now, she lacked the strength to do so.

Han Jie suddenly asked via secret transmission, "Junior Sister Jiang, have you ever considered coming to our Medicine Hall?"

Jiang Heng was stunned. "What do you mean, Senior Brother Han?"

Han Jie continued the transmission: "The behavior of your senior brothers is truly excessive. It is only natural that you feel disillusioned with them; were it me, I would have broken ties long ago."

"Since the bonds of your sect are shattered and irreparable, and you intend to dissolve your dao companion relationship with Senior Brother Jiang, why force yourself to stay and make things awkward for everyone?"