Master, and you still say this isn’t a dual cultivation technique?

After hearing Guan Xunzhi’s explanation, Xiao Lingchen understood at once. This man was a filial son who had abandoned the sword for medicine to save his father.

In that regard, Xiao Lingchen saw a reflection of himself. That alone was reason enough—he couldn’t possibly abandon Guan Xunzhi here.

“I can take you part of the way,” Xiao Lingchen said. “But let’s be clear: these skeleton soldiers are strange. If I can’t handle them midway and you drag me down, I’ll leave you behind without hesitation.”

Guan Xunzhi grinned. “Agreed! I’m already endlessly grateful that Brother Lingchen is willing to help me. If danger strikes, feel free to abandon me!”

Xiao Lingchen nodded. With that, he led Guan Xunzhi forward, cutting through the enemies ahead!

He had considered storing Guan Xunzhi in the secret realm of the Cauldron of Creation. But he soon discovered that spatial treasures like the cauldron and storage rings didn’t work here. Left with no choice, he had to bring him along physically.

Spring faded into autumn. Xiao Lingchen and Guan Xunzhi trekked through the wasteland for three years.

At first, Xiao Lingchen clung to the hope of finding supreme opportunities in the True Martial Space. But this endless wasteland offered nothing but countless skeleton soldiers—no trace of any opportunity!

Later, Elder Yun Zhu never appeared to take him back. Thinking the elder might have lost his way, Xiao Lingchen tried to retrace his steps. But the path back was long gone.

He could only press onward with Guan Xunzhi. Three years passed, and they covered millions of miles.

Fortunately, the skeletons’ strength peaked at the Delusion Breaking Realm. No stronger foes emerged, allowing the two to travel without injury, steadily pushing forward.

In the fifth year, they finally left the wasteland.

By the sixth year, they reached Guan Xunzhi’s hometown. But it was a ruin—his father, family, and neighbors reduced to piles of skeletal remains.

Guan Xunzhi was overwhelmed with grief. People from a nearby town explained that, shortly after he left home, bandits had raided his village. The men were slaughtered, the women taken to the bandit stronghold.

His decade-plus of effort in medicine crumbled in an instant. Guan Xunzhi teetered on the edge of madness, a strange light flickering within him.

The next day, he reported the crime to the authorities. But no response came.

On the third day, he stormed the bandit stronghold with a sword, slaughtering every last one of them. Yet he was soon captured by soldiers.

He learned the truth: the officials and bandits were in league, a cold reflection of the world’s cruelty. Turning to Xiao Lingchen, he asked to become his disciple, honing his swordsmanship with terrifying talent.

In the seventh year, Guan Xunzhi, alone with his sword, cut down the corrupt officials. He won the people’s hearts but earned a bounty from the imperial court.

By the ninth year, a million soldiers surrounded him. Among them was the reigning empress—his own younger sister, born of the same parents.

He froze, stunned. The realization hit: the “bandits” who killed his parents were no bandits at all. It was his sister, who had climbed to power over their corpses—and now sought to kill him too.

In that moment, Guan Xunzhi descended into madness. The strange light within him flared again, his cultivation surging. He slaughtered the million soldiers and, with his own hands, ended his sister’s life.

In the tenth year, the dynasty collapsed. Guan Xunzhi returned to his town.

After paying respects to his parents and finishing the wine at his waist, he plunged his sword into his chest. From his body, he pulled out a sword-like bone and handed it to Xiao Lingchen.

“What are you doing?” Xiao Lingchen demanded, horrified.

Cradled in Xiao Lingchen’s arms, Guan Xunzhi gave a bitter smile. “Master… this is my Innate Sword Bone, something I was born with.”

“Before this, it was just an ordinary bone, hidden and dormant in my body. Only through the extremes of joy and sorrow could it transform.”

“Now, this supreme Sword Bone is complete. I offer it to you, Master.”

Xiao Lingchen snapped, “Who wants your Sword Bone? Put it back, or you’ll die!”

He tried to force the bone back into Guan Xunzhi’s body.

Blood trickled from Guan Xunzhi’s mouth, his face pale. “It’s useless, Master… Once the Sword Bone is removed, it can’t be returned.”

“I had planned to use my essence blood to cure my father, then give this to you. But I never expected… all this, or such a delay.”

“Now, my family is gone, my vengeance fulfilled. I’ve no regrets left. I give this Sword Bone to you—refine it, and you’ll gain immense benefits. Consider it my repayment.”

“At the very end… I’ll say this: meeting you, a master and friend, leaves me with no regrets in death. One last request—after I’m gone, please bury me with my parents.”

With those final words, Guan Xunzhi’s strength faded. He collapsed in Xiao Lingchen’s arms.

Grieving, Xiao Lingchen mourned the loss. Ten years of companionship had forged a bond—how could he feel nothing?

Yet nothing could change the outcome. He buried Guan Xunzhi beside his parents’ graves and lit three sticks of incense.

Suddenly, the surroundings shifted. Everything dissolved into nothingness. A vortex exit appeared before him.

Elder Yun Zhu’s voice called out, “Lingchen, three months are up. Time to come out!”

Xiao Lingchen jolted awake. Only now did he realize that the past ten years had been an illusion crafted by the True Martial Space!

Steadying his emotions, he stepped toward the exit. In the next moment, he returned to the spiritual, mysterious place from before.

The thirteen sect elders stood before him, Elder Yun Zhu among them. Seeing Xiao Lingchen emerge, Elder Yun Zhu sighed in relief, his mood lifting.

“Good thing you’re out! No injuries, right?”

Xiao Lingchen shook his head. “None.”

Now fully awake, he understood he had left the True Martial Space. Everything he’d experienced was just an illusion.

Elder Yun Zhu grabbed his hand. “Then let’s not delay—time to head back!”

He hurried to lead Xiao Lingchen away. They couldn’t afford to linger.

Knowing Xiao Lingchen would exit the True Martial Space today, the Tianyan Sect had stationed people outside, ready to punish him. Thankfully, Elder Yun Zhu had foreseen this and brought Taixuan Sect forces to block them, buying time to escape.

But just as they turned to leave, Elder Xinghe stepped in their path.

“Xiao Lingchen, you think you can just walk away?” he sneered. “Today, my Tianyan Sect will—”

Before he could finish, his head hit the ground.