"This sword formation I wield is called the Void-Annihilating Sword Formation, originating from the ancient Weapon Cultivators. It is one of the tenth-rank Sacred Spirit Secret Canons passed down in my Lu family. You should feel honored to have the fortune to die beneath it today—"

As Lu Xichen finished speaking, countless minute sword shadows shot forth.

Over ten thousand sword shadows descended like a surging river from the colossal vortex above. Mid-descent, they ignited with myriad white flames, engulfing the sky with earth-shattering momentum.

Jingyin’s face drained of color. She lunged forward, intending to shield Zong Shou, but was pinned in place by Lu Xichen’s overwhelming spiritual will, unable to move an inch.

Zong Shou merely let out a cold laugh, and the light surrounding his body began to warp. One side dimmed into shadow while the other blazed with unbearable brilliance. He lightly flicked his right index finger, intending to annihilate this annoying creature who clearly didn't know its place.

But the very next moment, a cold shout rang out from not far away: "Stop! Lu Xichen, if you dare to kill someone here, even if it means mutual destruction, this humble nun will demand justice."

Lu Xichen’s sword attack faltered; every flying sword instantly froze in mid-air.

The few heads turned toward the sound, seeing the Chan Master Xiaoyue approaching from the foot of the cliff, her expression grim. Her gaze, sharp as a blade, fixed on the man in green armor: "This Water Moon Nunnery was established only after the Prefect granted his express permission. We reside apart from the world, we preach no Buddhism, accept no incense offerings, and have never involved ourselves in worldly disputes. For twenty years, we have strictly followed every regulation without transgression. Lu Xichen, are you intending to violate that ancient pact by committing murder here today?"

Lu Xichen’s brow furrowed tightly, then smoothed out again. He looked at Jingyin and sneered coldly, "The Prefect agreed to let you build this sanctuary for a specific purpose, not to allow you to harbor a major fugitive from my Flame Heaven Prefecture, nor someone of such an unknown origin—"

"You refer to Jingyin? So, your pretext of searching for that Flame Heaven Prefecture fugitive today is merely a front; your true intention lies with her?"

Xiaoyue’s momentum intensified rather than waned. She strode forward a few more steps: "Jingyin became a novice nun several days ago. She has stepped beyond the mundane world and has no further connection to the Lan family. The Prefect also promised that as long as those of the Water Moon Nunnery abide by the rules, no weapons shall be raised against us, nor shall worldly constraints be imposed! You should put away those wicked thoughts of yours, Lu Xichen, sooner rather than later."

Lu Xichen merely laughed upon hearing this: "After becoming a nun, you transcend the world and sever ties with the Lan family—is that the rule you established? I insist on taking her away today; what are you prepared to do about it?"

Only then did Xiaoyue’s expression shift. She then performed a single gesture of palms pressed together, her demeanor cold as ice: "Ten days from now is the agreed date for delivering the child. If the benefactor insists on this path, this humble nun must break the covenant. At that time, I suggest you give the Prefect your own explanation—"

Lu Xichen’s face immediately cycled through shades of green and white. He stared fixedly at Jingyin with eyes brimming with longing and resentment. Then, his gaze shifted to Zong Shou, killing intent flickering within his eyes. He felt constrained and dared not act against the two nuns. But killing the person before him seemed perfectly acceptable.

However, Xiaoyue spoke again immediately: "This person has deep ties to my sect. If you dare lay a finger on him, this humble nun will choose utter destruction over compromise!"

Lu Xichen narrowed his eyes slightly, finally letting out a cold snort: "Fine. Ten days, is it? You can only protect them for ten days. I, Lu Xichen, can afford to wait. We shall see what capabilities you possess then—"

With that, he coldly flicked his sleeve and strode away.

Zong Shou’s brow twitched slightly, but ultimately, he retracted his Soul Thought. It was best not to mobilize these power of wishes unless absolutely necessary.

Once the figure of that person had vanished far in the distance, Jingyin sighed, her countenance etched with sorrow: "I apologize for frightening you, Benefactor! It is laughable that the safety of my Water Moon Nunnery today relies entirely upon an old agreement with the Flame Heaven Prefect. Every year, the Flame Heaven Prefecture selects expectant mothers who possess exceptional aptitude and have undergone the Lu family's secret forbidden arts while in utero, entrusting them to the care of my Water Moon Nunnery so they can safely give birth. Although we managed to postpone things by luck today, my heart is filled with unbearable guilt and unease. Xiaoyue’s sin is heavy; for decades, she has not known a single day without torment from her conscience—"

Zong Shou paused, looking down toward the mountain base. He mused that it was no wonder there were so many pregnant women in this convent. They give birth safely, only for the children to be taken by the Flame Heaven Prefecture to extract their innate Fire Essence Marrow? If that were the case, then Xiaoyue, too, was perhaps worthy of death.

Jingyin spoke up indignantly: "Master, why must you torment yourself so? You had no other choice back then. Twenty years ago, you traveled everywhere offering medical aid to all sentient beings, saving countless lives! It was only because Lu Tianyan threatened the lives of hundreds of thousands of people that Master was forced into this situation. For preserving the peace of this three-thousand-mile region, Master’s merit should be boundless—"

Xiaoyue’s expression remained dim, and she shook her head without speaking.

Zong Shou, however, was disinclined to listen further. There might be reasons behind it, but they were neither what he wished to know nor relevant to him. He was merely secretly surprised that Lu Xichen hadn't recognized him. The Lu family bloodline had indeed been suppressed by his power of wishes, and the white flames no longer clung to him. But surely, his appearance shouldn't be wrong? Since Lu Wushuang and the Flame Heaven Prefecture were searching everywhere in this realm, hadn't they informed their subordinates of his likeness? Moreover, the man just now seemed to hold a high position within the Lu family—commanding two thousand six-rank Dao Soldiers, surely a figure of authority within the Flame Heaven Prefecture. Why did he not recognize him?

Zong Shou felt puzzled when suddenly a thought struck him, and he looked down the mountain. He saw many armored soldiers holding illustrated scrolls, diligently comparing them against the devotees gathered outside the nunnery.

Zong Shou casually beckoned, and without a sound, without a trace of awareness, he drew one scroll into his hand. After a single glance, a faint smile touched his lips. The scroll indeed depicted his likeness, with every feature—eyes, brows, nose, ears—being exactly the same. Yet, staring intently brought about a bizarre sensation. The impression was utterly scrambled, appearing both familiar and alien. Though the drawing was flawless, one simply couldn't discern his true face; the memory remained in chaos. If one looked too long, a dizzying sensation would set in.

"The Method of Confusion, so that’s it. Could it be the Flame Heaven Prefect—"

Lu Wushuang wished him dead; he certainly wouldn't have tampered with a portrait like this. The only possibility was the Flame Heaven Prefect himself. It seemed that individual was not universally beloved within the Lu family either. The ruler of the Lu family in this realm appeared quite unwilling to see matters resolved quickly so they could return home.

Zong Shou shook his head, returning the scroll to its place. Then, with a faint light flickering in his eyes, he looked toward the distant horizon: "Jingyin, if you could have one wish fulfilled, what would you desire most?"

Jingyin was startled, initially finding the question absurd. Then she noticed Zong Shou's expression was unusually grave. She instinctively prepared to say she wished for the Boundless Beginning and End Buddha to descend into this world, but as the words neared her lips, she changed them: "Jingyin only wishes that no woman in our Azure Spirit Realm will ever again suffer the pain of losing a child due to the innate Fire Essence Marrow—(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.) RQ