Chapter 243: The Most Important Thing Is That You’re Alive

According to Lu Sangjiu’s memory, the entrance to that minor world was located in the Wangyun Snow Mountain range, to the east of Qingyun State.

However, the exact location was unclear. They would have to go there and search for it themselves.

After three days of Sword Flight, the trio arrived at the foot of Wangyun Snow Mountain.

The mountain’s environment was harsh, with few types of Spirit Plants capable of growing there. It was also home to a variety of powerful demon beasts, so most people stayed away.

They had been there for half a day without encountering any other Cultivators.

On the way, Lu Sangjiu had told the two of them that she was looking for an entrance to a minor world. Of course, she didn’t mention anything about the Phoenix Cry Sword’s scabbard.

After all, Xie Ningyuan and Gu Jue didn’t get along, and Gu Jue was too righteous for his own good. If she were too specific, she feared they would just end up holding her back.

So, she simply claimed to have chanced upon an ancient map and wanted to try her luck.

To keep them from insisting on following her inside, she added with great solemnity, "The map says this minor world is very fragile. It can only accommodate one person at the Golden Core Stage. If any more people go in, the world will collapse, and we’ll all be in danger!"

"So when the time comes, do as I say. Just guard the entrance for me. I’ll go in alone."

Xie Ningyuan was well aware of Lu Sangjiu’s strength and never saw her as some delicate flower in need of protection, so he had no objections.

Gu Jue, however, was worried. "Won’t it be too dangerous for you to go alone? Why don’t I go instead? Rest assured, I’ll give you everything I find inside. I won’t keep anything for myself."

Lu Sangjiu believed him, but this was her deal with Sword Bu Gui. It would be rather unethical to trick his disciple into completing it for her.

Besides, Gu Jue no longer had his protagonist’s halo; he might actually run into danger.

She, on the other hand, knew a little about the plot. To be safe, it was most prudent for her to be the one to go.

So, Lu Sangjiu gracefully declined Gu Jue’s offer. "A Cultivator who hopes to walk a long path can’t be someone who shrinks from every difficulty."

"I know you mean well, Mr. Gu, but I need more experience to grow stronger. I can’t have others handle everything for me."

Her words made Gu Jue blush, and he replied with immense shame, "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to belittle you, Ms. Lu... I was being inconsiderate."

Lu Sangjiu smiled faintly, replying magnanimously, "There’s no need to apologize. I know you meant well, Mr. Gu."

Gu Jue nodded earnestly. "Rest assured, I will guard the entrance for you."

Standing to the side, Xie Ningyuan could no longer hold back a derisive snort.

’What an idiot. You actually believe that noble-sounding speech?’

’He’d bet anything she had some other reason she absolutely had to go herself. Otherwise, she’d be more than happy to let someone else do the work.’

’Only a fool like Gu Jue would fall for her act.’

Xie Ningyuan’s snort was so loud it was impossible to ignore.

Lu Sangjiu shot him a dark look. "What are you snorting at? Got a leak in your mouth? Want me to sew it shut for you?"

Her retort left Xie Ningyuan speechless for a moment, which only made him angrier when he recovered.

’Look at how she treats Gu Jue compared to how she treats me. And she had the nerve to act all high-and-mighty, claiming she wasn’t interested in him?’

Xie Ningyuan suddenly felt a pang of melancholy. ’Why did I rush all the way here? Just to watch them be all lovey-dovey?’

While he was wallowing in his sorrow, Gu Jue was looking over at him with eyes full of envy.

’Ms. Lu and Mr. Xie get along so well. She’s always polite and thoughtful with me, but she’s nowhere near as casual and relaxed as she is with him.’

’...I really envy Mr. Xie.’

Lu Sangjiu flew aimlessly on her sword over the snowy peaks for three days. She hadn’t found the entrance to the minor world, but she did sense a restlessness from Duoduo inside her Spirit Beast Bag.

"My Spirit Beast seems to be on the verge of advancing. We need to find a place to stop for a while."

Xie Ningyuan’s cultivation was sealed, but his Divine Sense was still potent enough.

Upon hearing this, he closed his eyes and spread his Divine Sense. He quickly opened them again and pointed in a certain direction. "The Spiritual Energy is abundant over there. We just need to take care of the Fifth Rank Snow Eagle that’s there."

A Fifth Rank Snow Eagle was equivalent to a human at the Golden Core Stage of cultivation, but it was far more difficult to handle than an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator.

So, after speaking, Xie Ningyuan turned to Gu Jue. "Well, Mr. Gu, it’s your time to shine."

Gu Jue was taken aback, surprised that Xie Ningyuan would ask him to take action.

After all, they now knew Xie Ningyuan’s identity: the Buddha Son of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect. Although he hadn’t been heard from in centuries, Gu Jue had occasionally heard his master mention that the man’s talent was extraordinary and that he had likely already entered the Body Integration Realm.

With such a powerhouse present... he was the one being asked to fight?

It wasn’t that Gu Jue was lazy; he was just genuinely confused.

He was about to ask why when he saw Lu Sangjiu looking at him with an encouraging expression. "Mr. Gu, we’re counting on you!"

’Hmm... I might have to enter the minor world at any moment, so it’s best if I conserve my strength.’

’And Xie Ningyuan is out of the question. That guy’s Heart Demon is a ticking time bomb. Who would dare let him fight? If he accidentally unleashes it again, I’ll be the one paying the price!’

’So, no matter how I look at it, Gu Jue is obviously the best choice to handle this.’

Gu Jue looked at Lu Sangjiu’s expectant and encouraging face, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately swallowed the question on the tip of his tongue.

"I’ll handle it."

After calmly uttering those three words, Gu Jue gripped his Phoenix Cry Sword and headed toward the Snow Eagle.

Lu Sangjiu watched his valiant figure retreat and offered a very sincere appraisal, "So cool!"

Xie Ningyuan: "Heh."

Only after Gu Jue was a good distance away did Lu Sangjiu reluctantly pull her gaze away. She turned to Xie Ningyuan with a serious expression. "It wasn’t convenient to talk with Gu Jue around earlier, so let me give you a few warnings now."

"Barring any surprises, this trip shouldn’t be too dangerous. I can handle everything inside the minor world on my own."

"You are not to make a move under any circumstances, understand?"

"If anything happens out here, let Gu Jue handle it if he can. Don’t get into a pissing match just for the sake of it. If something happens to you again, I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to save you a second time!"

Lu Sangjiu wasn’t being the least bit gentle. In fact, she sounded downright fierce.

But as Xie Ningyuan looked at her, his mood inexplicably brightened.

For once, he was uncharacteristically obedient and didn’t argue back. He simply nodded. "Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing."

As if Lu Sangjiu could possibly be reassured by that. She thought for a moment before adding, "You need to remember this: you are the only one I can completely trust right now. If you die, I’ll be fighting all alone."

"Forget about achieving the results we both want—I could end up dead at any moment myself."

"So whether it’s for your sake, for my sake, or for our shared goal... no matter what happens, your survival is the most important thing. Got it?"