The Price of Forgiveness

Under the relentless assault of an army comprising over a hundred God Concealing stage cultivators, the Gu Diao gradually began to falter. It soared and dove within a hundred-li radius outside the grand hall, yet the attacks continued to land upon it without cessation.

“As expected of a Dharma Manifestation Realm great demon, its physical defense is truly terrifying,” Chi Qiu remarked. “A hundred people have been attacking it for several hours, yet there are still no obvious wounds.”

With a hint of helplessness, she unleashed another streak of sword qi. Her true qi had already been depleted once, and only after replenishing it could she resume her long-range assault.

“This Gu Diao’s physical body far surpasses even top-grade magic treasures,” Su Hanxing stated, “I suspect it has already reached the level of some mid-grade Primordial Spirit Treasures.”

His great bow had already cracked, rendering it unusable. Now, like Chi Qiu, he could only wield his black jade longsword, channeling vital energy with each swing.

“Primordial Spirit Treasure? What is that?” Chi Qiu asked, clearly puzzled.

“They are treasure embryos, born and nurtured by nature itself,” Su Hanxing explained. “After being subtly shaped by a master refiner, they are then called Primordial Spirit Treasures, and they are also categorized into three grades: low, mid, and high.”

As he spoke, he extended the black jade longsword in his hand, offering it to Chi Qiu for a closer look.

“This, for instance, is a Primordial Spirit Treasure,” he continued. “It is currently at the low-grade level.”

Chi Qiu leaned closer, her eyes tracing the five-chi-long black jade sword. Its appearance was exquisite, and when Su Hanxing activated the spiritual energy within it, the fluctuations became even more extraordinary. She found herself gazing at it with considerable envy.

“Indeed, it’s a fine sword, yet it’s only low-grade?” she murmured. “Could it be that Primordial Spirit Treasures can somehow promote themselves in rank?”

After a long moment of examination, Chi Qiu reluctantly tore her gaze away. Then, recalling Su Hanxing’s earlier words, she pressed him with a series of questions.

“That’s right, Primordial Spirit Treasures possess their own sentience,” Su Hanxing confirmed. “If properly nurtured and refined with precious materials, they can naturally advance in grade.”

He watched Chi Qiu reach out to touch the sword, only to withdraw her hand shyly, finding her utterly adorable.

“I am currently concealing my identity, which is why I use this longsword,” he continued. “Once our journey through the Yinglong Tomb concludes, I would be pleased to gift it to you, if you would accept.”

Chi Qiu was startled by the offer. After a moment of contemplation, she shook her head.

“A gentleman loves wealth but acquires it righteously,” she stated. “I cannot accept such a valuable gift from you without cause.”

Had their relationship still been distant, Chi Qiu would have accepted such a gift without hesitation. Yet, ever since Su Hanxing had willingly given up the fortuitous encounter within the dragon scales and even gifted her soothing essence to aid her cultivation, Chi Qiu had truly come to regard him as a close friend.

Chi Qiu was never willing to demand treasures from a friend, even when they were offered voluntarily.

“Could it be that Little Chi still sees me as an outsider?” Su Hanxing asked, bewildered by her refusal. “I am giving this sword to you, Little Chi, not to seek anything in return. You can rest assured.”

He assumed she feared he had ulterior motives, which prompted his explanation.

“It is precisely because I consider you a friend that I cannot accept,” Chi Qiu replied, a rare smile gracing her lips. She glanced once more at the black jade longsword in Su Hanxing’s hand.

“Your bringing me into this Yinglong Tomb is already something I am endlessly grateful for.”

Without Su Hanxing’s guidance into the Yinglong Tomb, all the opportunities within would have been completely beyond her grasp.

“One thing has nothing to do with another,” Su Hanxing insisted, still determined to give her the sword. “Little Chi, you saved my life, and merely bringing you into the Yinglong Tomb cannot repay that kindness.”

“Besides, I once stole a wisp of your Void Gold Qi, which is far more valuable than this sword. Just take it.”

“Speaking of which, how did you obtain that wisp of Void Gold Qi from my body?” Chi Qiu asked.

Hearing Su Hanxing suddenly mention it, she couldn’t help but recall the scene immediately after her body was swapped. Su Hanxing had been unwilling to answer then, but now that their relationship had changed, her curiosity resurfaced.

“This…” Su Hanxing’s heart sank, sensing trouble. He knew, however, that the truth couldn’t be hidden indefinitely.

Steeling himself, he finally spoke: “Little Chi, you must remain calm after hearing this.”

Seeing Su Hanxing’s hesitant demeanor, Chi Qiu knew he must have resorted to some unsavory methods. She narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Speak,” she prompted. “I won’t get angry.”

Su Hanxing secretly groaned in distress, but there was nothing for it; he had to face the consequences of his actions.

“I possess a treasure called the Refinement Cauldron, an excellent alchemy furnace,” he confessed. “At that time, I took your physical body and placed it into this Refinement Cauldron, refining it for over ten hours before finally extracting that wisp of Void Gold Qi.”

Having made his confession, Su Hanxing looked at Chi Qiu, resigned to his fate, much like a criminal awaiting judgment in court.

“As expected of the Tianyan Sect’s head disciple,” Chi Qiu said, her eyes narrowed, her tone neither warm nor cold, “truly cunning methods…”

Su Hanxing’s heart sank. He merely lowered his head, adopting an appearance of accepting any punishment she might mete out.

“After burning my physical body to ashes,” she continued, “you still came to me asking for the Intertwined Gold. You certainly have a thick skin.”

Was Chi Qiu angry? Of course, she was. Her current attitude was entirely genuine, stemming from the depths of her heart.

“Indeed, I was too much of a scoundrel,” Su Hanxing admitted.

At that time, Su Hanxing had only considered them to be in an antagonistic relationship, naturally intending to exploit Chi Qiu to the fullest. Chi Qiu, under immense pressure from him and the Tianyan Sect, had no choice but to compromise.

Fortunately, Su Hanxing later felt a slight sense of remorse. He had guided Chi Qiu to exchange the divine ability ‘Intertwined Gold’ for another, ‘Blooming Life,’ which ultimately allowed her to escape a calamity. Otherwise, the two would likely have already come to blows.

“What happened to my physical body?” Although she knew her former physical body was likely long gone, Chi Qiu still asked, just to be sure.

“It was burned to ashes and buried by me on Mount Juexiu within the Tianyan Sect,” Su Hanxing answered truthfully.

“Are you building a tomb for me?” she retorted.

To have a tomb prepared before she was even dead left Chi Qiu’s mood incredibly complex.

Su Hanxing dared not answer, merely stealing a furtive glance at the fuming Chi Qiu.

“Grant me one thing, and I will forgive you,” Chi Qiu declared, still fuming, after pondering for a moment.

“Little Chi, just say it,” Su Hanxing said, instantly straightening up. “As long as it’s within my ability, I will not hesitate, even if it means climbing a mountain of blades or plunging into a sea of fire.”

His eyes shone brightly, and his tone was extremely serious.

“Your attitude is quite good,” Chi Qiu said, extending her hand. “In that case, give me your Refinement Cauldron, and I’ll refine you for ten hours. That should suffice.”

The words that came from her mouth made Su Hanxing’s hair stand on end.

“This… this…” Su Hanxing was instantly dumbfounded. If he were thrown into that Refinement Cauldron to be refined, he would be dead in half an hour, let alone ten.

“What’s wrong?” Chi Qiu mocked, seeing his dumbfounded expression. “Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t hesitate, even if it meant climbing a mountain of blades or plunging into a sea of fire? Have you withered already?”

“Refine, then refine,” Su Hanxing declared, steeling his heart. He actually took out the Refinement Cauldron and handed it to Chi Qiu.

He knew Chi Qiu wouldn’t actually refine him to death. At worst, he would endure some physical pain, being burned by fire for a while. As long as Chi Qiu could forgive him, what was a little physical pain to him?

This gesture, however, somewhat appeased Chi Qiu’s anger. She looked at Su Hanxing with a complex expression, then finally slapped his hand, pushing the Refinement Cauldron away.

“Forget it. If I really refined the Tianyan Sect’s precious disciple, I probably wouldn’t live long either. Give me your black jade longsword instead; you can keep this wretched thing yourself.”

Chi Qiu now felt no psychological burden whatsoever, boldly demanding the black jade longsword.

“Hehehe… as long as Little Chi likes it,” Su Hanxing chuckled, understanding that Chi Qiu had given him an out. He happily put away the Refinement Cauldron and then handed the black jade longsword to Chi Qiu.

Chi Qiu took the black jade longsword, casually performed a sword flourish, and after nodding in satisfaction, she put away her Azure Frost Sword.

“I’ll forgive you for now. We’ll settle accounts after we leave the Yinglong Tomb.”