Mo Wu and Hei Zun searched the ruins thoroughly, yet no matter how carefully they looked, the sect token was nowhere to be found.
"Tch… it's gone," Hei Zun muttered, frustration flickering across his face.
Just as they were about to leave, a thought flashed through Mo Wu's mind.
"Wait," he said suddenly. "Let's search using our spiritual sense."
Hei Zun's eyes brightened. "Ah. yes. That's a brilliant idea."
Mo Wu nodded. "The Sect Master once told me that every sect token carries a unique spiritual signature. Not ordinary Qi… but a special kind."
The two closed their eyes and released their spiritual senses, invisible waves of awareness spreading through the ruins.
Moments passed.
Then
Hei Zun felt something stir.
"There's something over there," he said, pointing toward a shadowed corner of the ruins.
At that instant, countless thoughts surged through Hei Zun's mind.
In this world, there were many kinds of people.
Some were righteous.
Some were cruel.
Some were jealous.
Some were greedy.
And at this very moment… temptation crept into his heart.
If I kill Mo Wu…
Take the token…
Offer it to the Sect Master…
I would be rewarded.
My status would rise.
My future would change.
His heart pounded violently in his chest.
But then reality struck like cold water.
No… I can't.
If Mo Wu dies, the Sect Master will eventually uncover the truth.
And Mo Wu is the future Sect Master of the Heaven-Devouring Demon Sect.
Hei Zun clenched his fists silently, forcing the dark thoughts back into the depths of his mind.
"What are you thinking about?" Mo Wu asked suddenly.
Hei Zun jolted. "Huh? Ah nothing. I just sensed something powerful here."
Mo Wu smiled faintly but said nothing.
Inside, his thoughts were sharp and clear.
So I was right…
He did think of killing me.
But he knows he can't.
Mo Wu turned toward Hei Zun.
"Elder Hei Zun," he said calmly.
"Yes?" Hei Zun replied.
"You do remember that I am the next Sect Master… right?"
Hei Zun's expression stiffened.
For a brief moment, Mo Wu's eyes turned cold, like blades hidden behind a smile.
"I could kill you right now," Mo Wu said quietly, "and no one would ever know."
Hei Zun's heart skipped a beat.
"Mo Wu," he said grimly, "don't go too far."
Then
"Hahahahahaha!"
Mo Wu suddenly burst out laughing.
"I'm joking," he said, waving his hand casually. "Relax."
Hei Zun let out a slow breath. "That's not something you should joke about."
Mo Wu smirked. "Fair enough. Let's finish this and return to the sect."
Together, they struck the spot where the strange energy lingered.
—Crack!
But instead of a sect token, a glowing stone was revealed.
"…What?" Mo Wu frowned.
"It's not the token," Hei Zun said. "It's a spiritual stone."
Mo Wu picked it up, his eyes narrowing in surprise.
"This thing is extremely pure… packed with dense spiritual energy."
After a brief pause, he shook his head.
"Forget it. Let's go."
The two stepped onto their swords and shot into the sky, disappearing beyond the ruins.
Five Days Later
Xinyi woke up suddenly.
Her heart raced, fear surging through her body.
"My child!"
She tried to sit up, panic flooding her chest.
"Where is my child?!"
She looked to the left.
To the right.
Behind her.
Then she saw them.
An elderly man and an elderly woman stood nearby.
And in the old woman's arms—
Wang Fang.
Xinyi immediately tried to stand, but the old man raised his hand firmly.
"Don't move," he said. "Your condition is very serious."
"My child—" Xinyi whispered weakly.
"He is safe," the old man reassured her. "But if you force yourself up now, your injuries will worsen."
The old woman approached gently, holding a bowl of water.
"Here, young lady. Drink this."
Xinyi took it with trembling hands and drank deeply.
It felt as though she hadn't tasted water in an entire year.
Warmth spread through her body.
Her breathing steadied.
Her chaotic thoughts slowly calmed.
Only then did she look around once more.
The old woman carefully handed Wang Fang to her.
He was asleep.
Peaceful and unharmed.
Tears welled up in Xinyi's eyes.
"I am Old Lady Shen," the woman said softly.
"And this is Doctor Lu Cheng," she gestured to the old man.
"We found you unconscious by the river."
Doctor Lu Cheng nodded. "You lost a great deal of blood essence. Whatever you faced… it was not ordinary."
His expression turned serious.
"If you do not rest properly, your lifespan will be shortened."
Xinyi lowered her head, hugging Wang Fang tightly against her chest,
As long as my child is alive
That is enough