"It doesn’t matter. It wasn’t necessary," Lu Ye said calmly.
In his previous life, he had died for her once — but that was his choice. There was no need to hold it against anyone.
Shen Xitong quietly rolled her eyes.
See? This dog of a host is like that — his desire for revenge is far too mild.
If it weren’t for her transformation into human form, this host would likely just hide away somewhere and cultivate like a maniac. If he lacked resources, he’d just go and borrow some.
Utterly boring!
Thankfully, she, Shen Xitong, was around.
"He died for me?"
"When?"
"Why don’t I know?"
The questions echoed in Jiang Die’s mind.
She genuinely did not know that Lu Ye had once died for her.
He was willing to... he was willing to give up his life for her...
Why did Jiang Die harbor such ambitions?
Because she was all too clear-headed. From the moment she had proactively offered herself, she had known that what Lu Ye felt for her was not love.
It was responsibility. Duty.
She had witnessed how Lu Ye interacted with the other women — how natural it was, how affectionate.
Yue Hongling could playfully demand that Lu Ye carry her on his back.
Chu Ling could mischievously pull Lu Ye’s hair.
Bai Qiulan could calmly accept Lu Ye massaging her shoulders.
Shangguan Huanling could chatter endlessly around Lu Ye.
Zhuque could perch on Lu Ye’s shoulder in her true form.
They were so close.
But she, Jiang Die, was always the odd one out.
At first, she accepted it. After all, the other women had been with Lu Ye for over a hundred years.
She had only just joined, and it was through less-than-honorable means.
But as time passed, she found herself more and more unable to fit in. This small group of five seemed too tightly knit.
Why was that?
Gradually, Jiang Die came to understand.
The reason was simple: Lu Ye did not love her.
Despite spending so much time together, even though he treated her well, he did not love her.
Slowly, she began to realize that depending on others was never as reliable as depending on herself.
Especially after Shangguan Huanling’s Dao of Love was destroyed.
Jiang Die became even more aware —
Love was never eternal. So why pursue it?
Instead of watching her man ascend to sainthood, why not become a saint herself?
Especially when those who had been loved by Lu Ye — one by one — betrayed him. If they, who were loved, could betray him, then wouldn’t it be even more natural for her, who was not loved, to do the same?
But now, she heard that Lu Ye had died for her...
Jiang Die began to search her memories.
When? When had Lu Ye died for her?
The excruciating pain prevented her from focusing. Countless fragmented memories flashed through her mind.
Lu Ye giving her the most beautiful flower in the world.
Lu Ye taking her to soar among the stars.
Lu Ye remembering her birthday and surprising her.
Lu Ye remembering the day they got together, spending the entire day with her, fulfilling her every request.
Lu Ye’s gaze as he looked at her — warm, gentle, with a smile.
Her memories — never before had they been so vivid.
Because before, Jiang Die had always been blinded by her ambitions. In her eyes, there was only power, only surpassing Lu Ye, only stealing every fruit of his labors.
Now, she had completely failed.
Despite the endless torment, her memories had never been so clear.
Lu Ye had treated her well.
He had always treated her well.
Could mere responsibility and duty really explain it all?
Was there ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) truly no love mixed in?
Jiang Die’s face contorted. Fragments of memory kept flashing through her mind, her soul writhing in excruciating pain.
No!
No!
She hadn’t remembered. She still hadn’t remembered when Lu Ye had died for her.
It must be that woman trying to deceive her!
Unless... unless she could see it with her own eyes — the scene of Lu Ye sacrificing himself for her. Unless she could see what kind of crisis had driven him to die in her place!
Two tears slid down from the corners of Jiang Die’s eyes.
So even souls could shed tears...
Lu Ye waved his hand, and Jiang Die disappeared back into the Human Emperor Banner.
After absorbing so much Soul Essence from Jiang Die, the Human Emperor Banner finally felt empty.
The banner fluttered lazily, its lightness bringing a rare sense of satisfaction.
Now, after absorbing Jiang Die’s soul, the power of the Human Emperor Banner had significantly increased. If Lu Ye unleashed a full-powered attack, it could likely contend against even Three-Life Realm cultivators.
Even those in the Unity Realm would suffer immensely upon contact.
It had now become one of Lu Ye’s most formidable weapons.
Currently, Lu Ye was at the Fifth Layer of the Fate Realm. His strength was progressing rapidly.
With the Qilin Arm and the Heavenly Lord Fist, he could dominate any cultivator in the Three-Life Realm.
But it still wasn’t enough.
He needed to keep cultivating.
...
Second Heaven.
Shangguan Huanling had finally reached the peak of the Celestial God Realm.
"I’m exhausted!"
Shangguan Huanling muttered.
So this was how exhausting doing business was, how exhausting it was to acquire spiritual treasures!
And this was despite Chu Ling’s constant guidance, monopolizing every market and still finding it exhausting.
How much effort had Brother Lu Ye put into finding all these treasures in his previous life?
As these thoughts churned in her mind, her Dao aura continued to rise.
Chu Ling’s figure appeared.
Among all the women, Shangguan Huanling was now closest to Chu Ling.
"Are you about to face your tribulation?" Chu Ling asked.
Shangguan Huanling nodded vigorously.
"Sister Chu Ling, I’m going to find Brother Lu Ye now. You take care, okay?" Shangguan Huanling said with a smile.
Chu Ling couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.
Shangguan Huanling’s cultivation technique was a glass cannon, but her advancement speed was terrifyingly fast.
Currently, Chu Ling was only at the Fourth Layer of the Celestial God Realm.
She could attempt her tribulation too, but she refused.
Despite her longing for Lu Ye reaching a peak, she forced herself to remain calm.
If she ascended now, her cultivation path would no longer be able to keep pace with Lu Ye.
So she had to hold on!
There were still four major realms in the Third Heaven. Lu Ye wouldn’t ascend so soon.
She still had time!
"Go. If you see the young master, please tell him... Ling’er misses him. Misses him so much!"
Shangguan Huanling nodded, her eyes blazing with determination.
"I miss him too. Miss him so much!"
"Oh, right, Sister Ling’er, I got these treasures with Sword Dao Essence for you. Your Sword Dao is all about learning from various schools. Once you reach the Third Heaven, I’ll help you find more Sword Dao treasures," Shangguan Huanling said, pulling out a pile of items.
Chu Ling glanced at the pile of junk.
They were mostly rusty swords and shattered blades, with a superficial Sword Dao aura but no substance.
Her eyes reddened slightly.
"You got scammed again," Chu Ling sighed.
"Huh?"
"These things... they’re useless to you."
Chu Ling accepted the pile of junk.
"They’re useful to me. But next time, don’t go looking for me. Focus on yourself first!"
"Oh... okay, okay..."
Shangguan Huanling realized she had been tricked again. No wonder more and more people were willing to exchange these so-called Sword Dao treasures for her Heavenly Silkworm Nine Transformations.
"Alright then, I’m off to face my tribulation!"
"Be careful!"
"It’s fine. My tribulation will be weak!"
