Chapter 526: Atone and Earn Merit

Yuan Yao smiled and nodded, "Alright."

Qian Yunzhou suddenly asked with concern, "Little Six sister, how are your injuries?"

"About fifty‑to‑sixty percent healed," Yuan Yao was taken aback and replied.

Qian Yunzhou's brows furrowed, speaking earnestly, "I saw you injured at the Sect Grand Competition, and it pained me."

Yuan Yao: "……"

Cang Li looked at Qian Yunzhou, "Then do you feel any pity for me? If you don't mind, you may also call me 'Little Third Brother.'"

Qian Yunzhou fell silent.

Yuan Yao couldn't help but laugh.

"When shall we go to the Boundary Abyss?" Ling Huya spoke up.

Xiao Lingwei said, "Our master has already decreed that the Boundary Abyss passage will officially open in two months. Therefore, we do not intend to return to the Ninth Province during this time; we will set out for Xianling Capital in a few days to recuperate and gather strength. Would you… like to go together?"

Cang Li agreed, "Indeed, Xianling Capital is the bustling heart of the First Continent, perfect for a break. Moreover, the back‑and‑forth travel is troublesome; you might as well stay with us in Xianling Capital and save a lot of hassle."

Ling Huya and Zhai Qingye, hearing this, exchanged a glance, seeing a hint of hesitation and deliberation in each other's eyes.

Ling Huya pondered briefly, then said, "This matter is of great consequence; we must first report the situation to our sect master before deciding whether to accompany you to Xianling Capital."

Yuan Yao heard this and suddenly recalled that both of their masters are the Holy Gate Sect leaders.

Zhai Qingye added, "Rest assured, we will not tell the master about our plan to enter the Boundary Abyss together with you."

"No," Yuan Yao gently shook her head, her gaze steady as she looked at them, her tone unusually solemn, "You may—and should—inform your master. This journey to the Boundary Abyss is not a routine trial but a life‑or‑death peril; a slight slip could trap you in an irredeemable abyss, endangering your life. Your master, the Holy Gate Sect leader, was once a member of Tian Jiaocheng and personally entered the Boundary Abyss. Most of the Tianjiao from the previous Tian Jiaocheng cohort remained forever in that desolate realm; its danger far exceeds our imagination. Our purpose is not to undergo an ordinary test."

She paused, surveyed Ling Huya, Zhai Qingye, Xiao Zhufeng, Qian Yunzhou, and Dong Jiao, and said clearly and firmly, "Therefore, whether it's you, me, or anyone present, you must prepare for the worst and inform your closest ones, lest we later… be left with only regret."

The atmosphere in the pavilion grew heavy because of Yuan Yao's words.

"In that case…" Dong Jiao frowned, "Aren't you afraid we'll leak the secret?"

Yuan Yao smiled slowly, "I trust everyone here."

Qian Yunzhou's brows were no longer smiling; in a calm voice he said, "Yuan Little Six, you're still too kind and your guard is thin. If any of us were to leak this, or have it leaked through someone close, do you realize how severe the consequences would be?"

"Only those who pass the screening of the thirteen City‑Guard Elders of Tian Jiaocheng may enter the Boundary Abyss. If someone enters without passing, being discovered is a capital crime!"

Dong Jiao's face turned serious as she nodded, "Indeed, if those Immortal Lords catch you, they'll make an example of you."

Zhai Qingye suddenly recalled something, his expression dark, "If we truly enter the Boundary Abyss, we'll inevitably clash with those Tianjiao of Tian Jiaocheng; our identities will be exposed, and even if we manage to escape, we'll still face severe punishment."

"We can disguise ourselves," Yuan Yao told Zhai Qingye.

Immediately, Yuan Yao looked at Qian Yunzhou, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Brother Yunzhou, shall we atone and earn merit together?"

Hearing "Brother Yunzhou," Qian Yunzhou slightly narrowed his eyes, looking at the mischievous, lively girl before him, his chest warming; although he knew her motives weren't pure, he found it quite useful.

He recalled the last time she called him "Brother Yunzhou," it was to tell him not to follow her.

Now it was the opposite.

Qian Yunzhou's lips curled slightly, "As you wish."

Ying Wuji gave Qian Yunzhou a cold glance.

After Qian Yunzhou and the others left the pavilion,

Yuan Yao set up a sound‑blocking barrier again.

Xue Jin spoke slowly, "That Qian Yunzhou is too clever; he's tried to trap us several times."

Ying Wuji's fingertip lightly tapped the table, "Even if we don't reveal our plan to go to the Boundary Abyss, he could still guess or discover it. Rather than that, we should pull him into our camp. But we cannot trust him completely; interacting with him requires us to stay on high alert."

In this life, many things have already shifted.

Qian Yunzhou was supposed to like Lu Xiangxiang, but in this life he prefers clinging to Yuan Yao.

Though it's unclear what Qian Yunzhou thinks of Yuan Yao—whether friend, something else, or simply treating her like a little sister…

Yet it's evident that Qian Yunzhou bears no ill will toward Yuan Yao.

Qian Yunzhou is deeply scheming; he appears nonchalant but actually likes to keep the situation in his hands, and he is cold‑hearted with a strong desire for revenge.

Ying Wuji turned his head toward Yuan Yao, "Yuan Yao, you must not be careless."

Yuan Yao nodded, "I have my limits now."

…

Time flew, and two more days passed.

And the final list of those entering Tian Jiaocheng was almost finalized.

Teams from the various continents and island realms were also preparing to return.

Qianshan Six Sons did not return to the Ninth Province with the Carefree Sect; instead they followed Qian Jueshan to head for Xianling Capital in the First Continent.

Zhai Qingye and Ling Huya chose to return to the Ninth Province first.

Xiao Zhufeng also went to Xianling Capital.

Dong Jiao and Qian Yunzhou chose to stay a few more days in Fudu.

On the day before the multitude of Tianjiao entered Tian Jiaocheng.

Qian Yunzhou suddenly received an invitation from Lu Xiangxiang.

"Lu Xiangxiang?" a hint of mockery flashed in Qian Yunzhou's eyes.

He hadn't forgotten that during the Sect Grand Competition, Lu Xiangxiang had a way to block his sound attacks.

His pupils flickered.

"How interesting."

He went to keep the appointment.

In a private room of a tavern, Lu Xiangxiang had been waiting there already.

Lu Xiangxiang heard the knock on the room door, quickly rose, walked a few steps, inhaled deeply, and opened the door.

What came into view was a young, handsome man; a small red mole sat beneath the corner of his right eye, and his amber eyes stared at Lu Xiangxiang without blinking.

Lu Xiangxiang's heart skipped a beat.

"Daoist friend Lu, what do you seek from me?"

"Daoist friend Qian, come in and speak."

Qian Yunzhou nodded slightly.

After the two sat face to face, Lu Xiangxiang smiled faintly and said, "Daoist friend Qian, with your cleverness, have you already sensed that something is amiss?"