Lin Xuanshuang’s residence, though situated within the Tianfang World, was a space temporarily carved out within the Tianfang Realm, jointly established by her and Long Ying, using the Juntian Immortal Mansion as its foundation.

The environment mirrored that of the original Juntian Immortal Mansion in every respect, save for its vastly expanded area. It was more than spacious enough for five Supreme Realm Saints to recuperate and cultivate in quiet contemplation.

When Zong Shou rushed to the location, Long Ying was already in seclusion within the Immortal Mansion. Lin Xuanshuang, meanwhile, sat before Su Xiaoxiao’s ice coffin, lost in deep thought.

Zong Shou first offered a respectful bow. Though his Master’s temper was eccentric, almost like that of a demoness, Zong Shou dared not show the slightest disrespect.

Should Lin Xuanshuang catch him slipping in this regard, he knew she might seize the opportunity to tease him mercilessly again. Moreover, he was asking a great favor of her now.

After the bow, Zong Shou carefully examined Su Xiaoxiao and breathed a sigh of relief. Her complexion appeared decent, yet at this moment, all of Su Xiaoxiao’s vitality and all physical changes had effectively been frozen in time.

“It’s only been half a year, and you’ve already been out causing trouble with women again? You’re quite the spitting image of your Martial Uncle back in the day!”

Lin Xuanshuang sighed wistfully, awakening from her reverie, then turned to look at Zong Shou with a peculiar expression.

“It’s only been a few years for you, yet you already have five or six women. Living long in this world, who knows how many confidantes and peerless beauties will surround you? Truly, I pity the girl beside you, disciple—”

Zong Shou was speechless, wanting to defend himself but finding no possible rebuttal. Should he claim he truly hadn't intended any of it, that he was actually innocent? That would sound utterly preposterous!

But then again, Zong Shou, in his original nature, had actually been quite devoted. It was simply that the favors bestowed by beautiful women were hard to resist—

However, saying such a thing aloud would surely make him blush.

Fortunately, Lin Xuanshuang only teased him for a brief moment before losing interest and moving to the main topic: “Did you reconstruct her Dao foundation?”

Zong Shou quickly nodded. “Precisely! In that desperate situation, I had no choice but to use the method of breaking before remaking to recast Xiaoxiao’s foundation. And only with Master’s Yuansheng Lingxi Jue can she recover her vital essence in the future—”

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Lin Xuanshuang’s expression suddenly harden. “The Yuansheng Lingxi Jue is my secret inheritance, one of the core grand techniques of the Cangsheng Dao. Disciple, to reveal it so casually, do you understand the consequences?”

“It was done out of necessity; I implore Master to forgive me!”

Zong Shou was unconcerned and even started to smile. “The Demonic Path has withered, and Su Xiaoxiao’s Grand Technique of Seven Emotions Demonic Art is ruined. Because of Li Biexue, she can never return to the Demonic Path. She possesses the Primordial Wisp Fetus, and since I have rebuilt her Dao root, her temperament is also excellent. Though not entirely unsullied by the mire, her spiritual nature has not been dulled. She can be considered the most suitable person to inherit Master’s Yuansheng Lingxi Jue. Your disciple dares to request to bring Su Xiaoxiao under Master’s tutelage—”

Lin Xuanshuang’s eyelids flickered, and she let out a soft huff, but a sliver of satisfaction showed in her eyes.

Zong Shou immediately knew she was moved. Supreme Realm Saints, having attained longevity, no longer place much importance on their own line of inheritance.

For any ordinary person, even one possessing talent comparable to Shi Yueshui or Ling Bo, it would be difficult to capture her notice.

Only Su Xiaoxiao, in terms of temperament, was truly exceptional. Her innate cultivation talent was secondary.

“It’s just that I have already mastered the Great Dao of ‘Life,’ which my primordial spirit is anchored to. Her future cultivation of the Yuansheng Lingxi Jue might prove arduous.”

“While the Great Dao of ‘Life’ is inaccessible, Master’s Yuansheng Lingxi Jue doesn’t solely focus on this single vital energy divine art, does it?”

Zong Shou possessed the Spiritual Connection Dream Induction Method and had received the profound insights of the Yuansheng Lingxi Jue from Lin Xuanshuang, giving him a deep understanding of the technique’s foundation.

The Great Dao of ‘Life’ was blocked, but regarding the divine art of the word ‘Origin’ (Yuan), in this realm, no one could yet merge their spirit with it.

Furthermore, no matter how difficult her path might become, it wouldn't be much worse than the Demonic Art of Seven Emotions she had cultivated before.

Although the Seven Emotions Demonic Art was wondrous, it was fundamentally isolated from the fundamental Daos of this realm, offering no hope of reaching the Supreme Realm. This was why, despite being a Demonic Sect Saintess, Su Xiaoxiao’s status wasn't particularly high.

His heart couldn't help but rejoice; since Lin Xuanshuang showed intent to take her as a disciple, Su Xiaoxiao likely had a chance to be saved.

“Very well! I only hope she can truly become a pillar of the Cangsheng Dao as you say.”

Lin Xuanshuang pursed her lips, then furrowed her brow. “It is fortunate you administered aid in time, maintaining that thread of life in her physical body. Her primordial spirit has a tether, so her Seven Souls remain and her Three Spirits are not scattered. Saving her is possible, but I will require several months here, and I lack a suitable artifact to enhance the divine power of the Yuansheng Lingxi Jue.”

Zong Shou’s mouth twitched. When he entrusted Lin Xuanxuan to deliver Su Xiaoxiao to Lin Xuanshuang’s side, he had also sent over those dozen or so resurrection array artifacts used by the Qin Emperor.

Only the stone, Zong Shou kept close, fearing casualties during the battle at the Imperial City and opting for absolute safety.

Knowing Lin Xuanshuang was now engaging in extortion, he had no recourse but to produce the Nine Aperture Vitality Stone.

“This is a supreme treasure this disciple discovered in the Qin Emperor’s tomb. Perhaps Master can find a use for it in the future—”

He had originally planned to exchange this divine object for some fine goods from the Cangsheng Dao treasury. Now, it seemed that was impossible.

What choice did he have when he was the one asking for a favor?

Lin Xuanshuang’s eyes lit up, and with a flick of her sleeve, she pocketed the Nine Aperture Vitality Stone, her face instantly blooming into a smile.

With this stone as material, finding a suitable artifact refiner gave her a near-certain chance of forging a Post-Heaven Divine Treasure.

Seeing Zong Shou’s crestfallen expression, his face ashen, she immediately chuckled and tossed several booklets and a few scrolls toward him.

“Master won’t let you suffer a loss either. Keep these items. Study them carefully. For you, their value is likely even greater than the Nine Aperture Vitality Stone!”

Zong Shou took them, half-believing and half-doubting, and opened one of the scrolls to examine it closely.

In less than half an incense stick’s time, Zong Shou’s expression shifted to one of gravity, mingled with endless delight amidst his shock and uncertainty.

“I have already heard from Lin Xuanxuan about the Supreme Annihilation Scripture and the Immortal Slaying Flying Dagger. Your Six Gods Dao Control Technique and the Immortal Slaying Flying Dagger complement each other perfectly, do they not? I also surmised that the Six Gods Dao Control Technique originated from a damaged page of the Supreme Annihilation Scripture. This diagram must also have appeared in the Cloud Realm.”

Lin Xuanshuang explained with seeming nonchalance: “We have been diligently inquiring on your behalf during this period. We cannot yet ascertain its exact whereabouts. However, this diagram is said to be named the Supreme Six Gods Catalog. It has had over twenty owners. Nine of them managed to comprehend a martial art from the catalog. Most were flying dagger techniques, but there were also saber arts, sword techniques, and even spiritual techniques—all possessing considerable might and being quite wondrous. However, most owners of this catalog met untimely deaths. Over time, it came to be viewed as inauspicious and eventually disappeared somewhere. I thought these martial arts might be of some use to you, so I collected what I could.”