Li Zhexian looked up at the immortal brews flashing rapidly past him, muttering:
"Tideborn Ambrosia… no, not this one."
"Yingzhou Green Elixir… wrong as well."
"Dragon Silken Nectar…"
As time passed—
He had nearly searched through all the wondrous brews described in the Brewing Records.
But he found nothing.
A wave of despair crept into Li Zhexian's heart.
"How can this be…?"
"Not a single immortal brew that can replenish blood and save a life?!"
Just as the light in his eyes was dimming—
The pitch-dark space of his consciousness suddenly lit up.
A shaft of golden light tore through, carrying surging heaven-and-earth essence that condensed into drifting clouds of mist. In an instant, it appeared before him.
It was a square jade gourd.
Golden blood-like radiance flowed around it.
In that instant—
The knowledge of the brew imprinted itself upon Li Zhexian's mind.
"Heartblood Tears · Lifesaving Nectar."
Ingredients required: One drop of divine heart blood, a portion of ten-thousand-year ice marrow, and Yellow Springs Dew
"With divine heartblood as the guide, it draws upon vast primordial energy to repair a failing heart's meridians. With Yellow Springs Dew, the new blood harmonizes perfectly with the body."
"But remember: before this brew is administered, the wounded must be placed within a vessel overflowing with life force."
The more Li Zhexian read, the brighter his eyes shone.
Facing some unseen presence, he bowed his head in gratitude:
"Many thanks, Senior."
...
Under the anxious gazes of everyone around—
Li Zhexian slowly opened his eyes.
He lowered his head, gazing at Zhu Zhuqing's paper-white face in his arms.
Though sorrow still lingered between his brows—
A spark of hope burned within.
"Zhuqing can be saved."
The moment those words left his lips—
Everyone's eyes widened, spirits soaring, ecstasy written across their faces.
"What method is it?!"
Since four Titled Douluo were present, and though he knew the general course of the original story, perhaps something new could be gained—
Li Zhexian spoke softly:
"To save Zhuqing, three things are needed…"
"First, divine heart blood. Second, ten-thousand-year Ice Marrow . Third, Yellow Springs Dew"
At his words—
Everyone fell into silence.
Leave aside the latter two—
Just "divine heart blood" alone was like an impassable chasm.
Divine heart blood?
Did that mean… slaying a god?
The four Titled Douluo exchanged looks.
Dugu Bo was the first to break the silence.
"If there is a method, then there is hope."
"As for Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow…"
He furrowed his brow.
"Only in the Extreme North, that mysterious land, might it be found."
At that, all eyes shifted toward Shui Bing'er and the others from Skywater Academy.
Shui Bing'er nodded calmly.
"It is said… in the very core of the Extreme North, Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow indeed exists."
Seeing the light kindle in everyone's eyes—
Shui Bing'er swallowed the second half of her thought…
That such a treasure, coveted even by the most terrifying Spirit Beasts, would not be easily obtained.
But now was not the time to dampen hope.
"And the Yellow Springs Dew…"
Chen Xin's voice, cold and resonant, cut through.
"The Slaughter City ."
"That dew is unique to that cursed domain."
The words "Slaughter City" made the faces of Dugu Bo, Feng Bailong, and Yu Yuanzhen change slightly.
That infamous land of slaughter and dread—
Even Titled Douluo were reluctant to tread there.
Li Zhexian tightened his arms around Zhu Zhuqing and rose to his feet.
"These three things—I will find them."
The place fell into silence.
Everyone looked at the youth before them—
His robes were caked with dried blood. His handsome face was taut, lips pressed to a hard line. The carefree lightness of the past seemed buried, replaced with the weight of iron resolve.
A sour ache welled in everyone's hearts.
Li Zhexian lowered his head, eyes falling on Zhu Zhuqing's face, and spoke slowly:
"Before I find those three things—"
"Zhuqing must be placed within a spirit vessel brimming with life force to be nourished."
Dugu Bo pondered for a moment.
"The area around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well…"
But before he finished speaking, he shook his head in denial.
Though the energy there was abundant, it had nothing to do with nurturing.
As everyone frowned in thought—
Xiao Wu bit her lower lip hard.
She gazed at Zhu Zhuqing's withered hair and deathly pale face. In her mind echoed the words Zhu Zhuqing had once said: "No matter what, you and I will always be sisters."
Xiao Wu lifted her eyes to Li Zhexian and said softly:
"Leave Zhuqing to me."
"In the core of the Star Dou Forest, there lies a Lake of Life."
"The energy within that lake is vast and boundless. I will guard Zhuqing without leaving her side, until you return."
The four Titled Douluo stirred at her words.
The Lake of Life at the core of the Star Dou Forest—they had heard of it as well. Truly, it was an excellent place.
Feng Bailong gave a slight nod.
Back then, capturing Xiao Wu had only been to prevent Bibi Dong from gaining another hundred-thousand-year Spirit Rring.
Who would have thought it would prove useful now?
"Fate truly works in mysterious ways."
Li Zhexian looked at Xiao Wu.
Fragments of the original story flickered through his mind.
At this moment, there was no other choice. He could only nod and say:
"Very well. I entrust Zhuqing to you."
Xiao Wu shook her head softly, her scorpion-tail braid swaying.
"Zhuqing is my best sister. This is what I should do."
The night was deep, the cold moon like frost, casting its silent glow upon them, adding to the desolation.
Having explained everything—
Li Zhexian drew in a breath of the chilly night air. He turned to the gathered crowd and cupped his fists, bowing deeply.
"These words I've said once before—"
"But if I don't say them again now, it will weigh on my heart."
"For today's aid, I, Li Zhexian, will never forget it as long as I live."
Straightening his body, he swept his gaze across their clear eyes.
A familiar, signature smile curved his lips.
"Five years from now!"
"On this very day, five years hence!"
"Let us gather once more at the Fragrant Pavilion!"
"In that encirclement earlier, I spoke words to you all—do they still count?"
"Five years from now, I hope to see you all once more in your heroic splendor!"
Looking at Li Zhexian before them, it felt as if a bit of his carefree spirit had returned.
Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, Feng Xiaotian, Shui Bing'er, and the others smiled, cupping their fists, their voices ringing:
"Brother Zhexian, it's a promise!"
"Five years hence—do not forget!"
"Then we shall take our leave!"
The jianghu has always been a place where partings come as swiftly as meetings.
One by one, the academies took their leave beneath the moon.
Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Yu Tianheng departed with Yu Yuanzhen toward Heaven Dou City.
Chen Xin drifted away with Ning Rongrong, who looked dazed and lost, words left unsaid.
Dugu Bo and Feng Bailong remained, guarding Li Zhexian and Xiao Wu as they sped toward Star Dou Forest.
The wind whistled through the trees—
Carrying with it the echoes of their final farewells.
When the crowd dispersed, the golden-haired, breathtakingly beautiful girl still stood there.
She was different from the others.
She had no home to return to.
The moonlight traced her lonely silhouette, white dress with golden threads smeared by blood and dirt.
Li Zhexian passed Zhu Zhuqing gently into Xiao Wu's arms.
Then he turned—walking toward Qian Renxue.
Dugu Bo and Feng Bailong exhaled softly, their figures fading into the dark.
Dappled moonlight fell through the canopy, scattering pale frost upon their shoulders.
For a moment, Li Zhexian could not find words.
Qian Renxue's lips trembled faintly, lashes casting fragile shadows on her cheeks.
Only after a long silence did she raise her eyes—those golden eyes wet with dew of the night.
Her voice was soft as drifting snow.
"Li Zhexian…"
The wind stirred her disheveled hair, carrying away the trembling edge of her last words.
"You must… save Zhu Zhuqing…"