After transmigrating into the body of the protagonist's childhood friend, he was targeted by a

Just as Yu Linzhou was about to retort, Lin Zhixu gently pressed his arm and stepped out from behind him.

He lowered his eyelashes, his voice calm: "We went to the mountaintop in the far east to pick Moonflower Vine. When we got to the top, we found a guardian beast next to the spiritual plant. He told me to pick the Moonflower Vine and leave first, while he stayed behind to lure the beast away. I thought he had already returned."

Yu Linzhou turned his head to look at him, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

Yan Lingcang remained silent for a moment, then gave Lin Zhixu a deep look before turning and leaving.

Yu Linzhou watched the figure disappear into the distance before slowly turning around and looking at Lin Zhixu seriously: "Why did you lie? This isn't like you."

Lin Zhixu looked away. "I wasn't lying. I really thought he was back."

Yu Linzhou remained silent for a long time, looking at Lin Zhixu's turned profile. He sighed softly, feeling helpless. "If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. But please don't push me away, okay?"

"If anything happens, you must tell me. Even if you've really done something wrong, I will always stand by you."

Lin Zhixu remained silent, his hands clenching slightly and trembling gently.

Yu Linzhou said helplessly, "Since you don't want to talk about it, then forget it. You get some rest, I'm leaving now."

Lin Zhixu watched him leave.

……

That night, Lin Zhixu had a rare nightmare.

Meng Liluo stood atop a cliff in the Far East, covered in blood, repeatedly questioning him, "Zhixu, why didn't you save me? I'm in so much pain, Zhixu..."

Lin Zhixu suddenly woke up, drenched in cold sweat, his heart pounding in his chest, making him panic.

"It's alright, it was just a dream, dreams are all fake." A familiar voice came from above.

Lin Zhixu then realized that he was being held in someone's arms, his back pressed against that warm and firm chest, and he could even feel the frequency of the other person's heartbeat.

He closed his eyes, took a few breaths, raised his hand to push away Yu Linzhou's arm, and said in a hoarse voice, "You climbed into my bed again in the middle of the night."

Yu Linzhou looked away guiltily: "I was just worried about you, so I came to check on you."

Lin Zhixu remained silent for a moment, no longer dwelling on the matter of him climbing into her bed. She turned her head and looked out the window at the bamboo forest that was bathed in silvery moonlight.

He suddenly spoke up: "I just watched him die. He trusted me so much, and his hand was only an arm's length away from mine. I could have easily reached out and grabbed him. But I just stood there and watched him get swallowed."

Yu Linzhou was silent for a moment, then reached out and held Lin Zhixu's head, pressing him against his shoulder. "It's alright, he's a person with great fortune, he won't die so easily. Maybe he'll come back on his own in a couple of days."

"Even if he really dies, I'm still here. I'll atone with you."

Lin Zhixu buried her face in his shoulder, her eyes vacant.

……

Yan Lingcang never returned after leaving that day.

As time passed, the day of the competition between the various sects finally arrived.

The entire Tianheng Sect began to bustle with activity, with each peak making final preparations for the disciples who were about to depart.

Only Qiyue Peak was unusually quiet.

Lin Zhixu also became increasingly silent.

He no longer has nightmares at night because he hardly sleeps anymore.

He often looks up at the sky every day to make sure there is no lightning brewing in the clouds before he can start a new day as usual.

As long as Heaven doesn't punish him, it means Luo Yiyan is still alive, which gives him some breathing room.

Meanwhile, inside the main council hall, several elders were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

The sect competition is just around the corner, but Immortal Venerable Wu Cang and his disciple have yet to return. What should we do?

"Where on earth did Immortal Venerable Wu Cang go? It's been so many days, and there's not a single word!" An impatient peak master spoke first. "The people from all the sects are arriving the day after tomorrow. As the face of the Tianheng Sect, he can't possibly be absent!"

Elder Xuanqing frowned and pondered, "Immortal Venerable Wucang is not someone who doesn't know what's important."

The Grand Elder raised his hand to stop the murmurs, his voice aged yet steady: "I believe Ling Cang knows what he's doing. The most important thing right now is to arrange things properly for the disciples of each peak, and not let outsiders suspect anything."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the hall. "Has anyone inquired with Immortal Venerable Feng Heng?"

Elder Xuanqing shook his head and sighed, "We asked. Immortal Venerable Fengheng only told us not to worry, that Immortal Venerable Wucang wouldn't die. He didn't say anything else."

Everyone fell silent. Although these words were Yu Linzhou's usual style, they were still unsettling at this juncture.

The Grand Elder remained silent for a long time. "Fine. We won't wait any longer. Instruct the peaks to prepare for departure."

Everyone in the hall rose and bowed in unison.

The Grand Elder left the main hall, gazed at the mountain peaks shrouded in twilight outside, and sighed silently.

"The will of Heaven cannot be reversed."

The following morning, flying boats lined up in front of the Tianheng Sect's mountain gate, and disciples from each peak prepared to depart in the morning light.

As various sects arrived at the venue one after another, flying boats rose and fell, creating a dazzling display of light.

Disciples from each sect entered the venue in single file, led by their masters, and sat in rows according to their sects, creating a spectacular scene.

On the high platform, the elders and sect leaders of each sect took their seats in turn, except for the Tianheng Sect, where there was still an empty seat next to Yu Linzhou.

Many people glanced at him frequently.

Finally, someone couldn't help but speak up: "Immortal Venerable Feng Heng, why didn't Immortal Venerable Wu Cang come this time? I heard he also took on a disciple, and a rare genius at that. Surely he's qualified to participate?"

Yu Linzhou leaned back in his chair, giving the man a half-smile: "Which sect are you from?"

Just as the man was about to introduce himself, Yu Linzhou withdrew his gaze, his tone nonchalant: "Forget it, I don't care to know. Which rule says that Immortal Venerable Wucang must come?"

"Besides, the competition hasn't even started yet. Important figures should naturally be the last to appear. What? Are you in a hurry to lose?"

The man was speechless, his face turning pale. He awkwardly bowed and sat back down.

The sect leaders nearby exchanged glances, each with their own thoughts.

Immortal Venerable Fengheng is known for his difficult temper in the cultivation world; they are not like those brainless people who would stick their necks out.

The disciples below the stage, however, had no such reservations and whispered among themselves, naturally focusing their discussions on the legendary prodigies.

Shen Yue was anxious because she didn't see the person she was looking for at the Wan Jian Sect's seats.

She's been preparing for so long, don't tell her now that she's not coming.

Gu Yunxuan frowned slightly; things had taken him by surprise.

Logically speaking, Luo Yiyan shouldn't have missed it. Didn't you see that Immortal Venerable Fengheng and his disciple were both there?

Gu Yunxuan glanced at the anxious Shen Yue beside him out of the corner of his eye, suppressed his annoyance, and said in a low voice, "What's the rush? The competition hasn't started yet, let's wait a little longer. Also, watch your expression, don't make it too obvious."

Shen Yue took a deep breath, trying to suppress the anxiety in her heart.

Yan Qinghan, sitting next to the two, took in the whole scene.

He watched Gu Yunxuan and Shen Yue whispering to each other, and his brows slowly furrowed.

What kind of trouble are they up to now?

He had never been interested in the dealings of these two people, but this time it was in public, and if something embarrassing happened, it would be a disgrace to the entire Ten Thousand Swords Sect.

He held his sword, remained silent for a long while, and finally spoke: "What are you up to now?"