Chapter 117: Resolution

“You’re saying Qin Qingyue and Wu Zhaohua are coming?” Zhu Siyao’s eyes widened as she asked excitedly.

If that’s the case, doesn’t that mean I can go home?

Jiang Huai nodded, but the sudden warmth he felt quickly faded, as if some invisible force was abruptly pulling it away.

That sensation was like confirming his coordinates.

Only this time, the distance between their perceptions was close enough to clearly recognize each other.

“Qin Qingyue is that strong? She can even find you,” Zhu Siyao murmured quietly, her tone mixed with complexity.

“I still have to go to that Nine Heavens Palace…”

If I can go back, maybe I’ll see Mother.

If Mother stayed in Nine Heavens Palace, then she must be cultivating there too.

That’s not bad—she didn’t like the Blazing Sun Sect without Mother anyway.

Suddenly, Jiang Huai asked, “Are you the Successor of the Blazing Sun Sect?”

“Yes, just a title,” Zhu Siyao said with a pout, somewhat sulky.

“Not many actually see me as the Successor.”

“This time entering the secret realm, I’m not the only one from the Blazing Sun Sect, but none of them are willing to travel with me.”

After all, it was because her strength was lacking, unworthy of that position.

“Then come to Nine Heavens Palace,” Jiang Huai said.

“It’s better than staying in the Blazing Sun Sect.”

Just as the two were talking, a sudden sound broke through.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

Heavy, urgent—the alarm bell signifying the utmost crisis rang out again without warning, echoing throughout the Xuanxian Immortal Sect.

Its waves were far more violent than before, carrying a sharpness like the end of the world was upon them.

Jiang Huai’s face darkened instantly. That bell?

The Xie Tide is coming again?!

He immediately grabbed Zhu Siyao and rushed toward the Main Hall.

On the square in front of the hall, Tang Zhaoxue was surrounded tightly by a group of Elders.

Her face was pale as paper, standing upright.

The news she brought was suffocating.

The Xie Tide seemed to have gained awareness, its power surging, and in a way defying logic, it silently bypassed all outer warnings and tore through the strongest Ironwall Pass with unstoppable force.

At this moment, it surged directly toward the Xuanxian Immortal Sect’s main base.

Ironwall Pass was broken without any sign.

“Impossible, absolutely impossible!” Tang Zhaoxue muttered, eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

“Ironwall Pass has heavy troop formations and is only a short distance from our sect. Even if there was danger, I could have immediately supported it. How could there be no timely alarm…”

The Elders’ expressions turned anxious, and they urged bitterly:

“Sect Master, this is hopeless. The Xie Tide’s strength far exceeds expectations!”

“Please lead the core disciples to retreat to the rear Jade Maiden Pass! We are willing to stay and fight here to cover your withdrawal!”

Ironwall Pass had fallen; soon the Xie Tide would flood in uncontrollably, covering a vast area, impossible to stop.

It was better to let Tang Zhaoxue defend Jade Maiden Pass, preserving the last spark for Xuanxian Immortal Sect.

However, Tang Zhaoxue slowly shook her head, her gaze sweeping over the sect’s foundation she had guarded for countless years.

Her shock gradually turned into a resolute deathly silence.

“Xuanxian Immortal Sect has existed here since its Founder established it, living and dying with Ironwall Pass.”

Her voice was low but clear to everyone present.

“Now that the pass is broken, how can I live in shame? How can I retreat in shame?”

“I should have died defending Ironwall Pass. Now that it has fallen, I will not survive either.”

She swiftly issued a series of orders:

“Mu Nianyan, immediately organize all disciples with lower cultivation and the sect’s families to evacuate urgently toward Jade Maiden Pass.”

“From now on, you will be the Sect Master of Xuanxian Immortal Sect, coordinating with other sects to continue resisting the Xie Tide.”

“I will lead all willing disciples to stay behind and die for the sect, buying the last bit of time for the retreat.”

Everyone knew that if you stayed behind, survival was impossible.

“Master!” Mu Nianyan wept, wanting to refuse.

Tang Zhaoxue shook her head, unwilling to say more—her will to die was firm.

At that moment, her gaze passed over the crowd and landed on Jiang Huai and Zhu Siyao, who had just arrived.

They stood apart, looking at her silently across the distance.

Tang Zhaoxue suddenly recalled that in this world, the only one she had ever had close contact with was Jiang Zhun.

Well, at least before dying, she wouldn’t be a woman who never held a man’s hand.

If only she had lived two more years, maybe she could have left a child behind in this world.

A deep sorrow welled up in her heart.

If only there were no Xie Tide in this world, how wonderful it would be.

After a moment, Jiang Huai clearly saw Tang Zhaoxue’s lips move slightly, silently forming two words to him:

“Run.”

Then, almost inaudibly, she added a phrase only she could hear:

“I’ll hold them off.”

Jiang Huai listened to the desperate cries around him and looked at Tang Zhaoxue’s resolute expression, wondering if the abnormal Xie Tide was somehow related to himself.

Was that Fox the one who sent him to this world, just to eliminate him at this moment?

If Xuanxian Immortal Sect fell today, would that count as it shielding him from disaster?

Thinking of this, Jiang Huai’s fingers tightened fiercely, clutching the sword hilt until his knuckles whitened.

Tang Zhaoxue no longer looked at him, resolutely turning to lead the remnants into the darkness that was about to consume everything.

“Sect Leader Tang!” Jiang Huai suddenly called out.

Tang Zhaoxue stopped but did not turn back.

“I’ll go with you. Maybe I can help.”

A powerful aura radiated from Jiang Huai, the Yin-Yang body’s power pushing his combat strength beyond the Golden Core stage, his momentum overwhelming.

Tang Zhaoxue said calmly, “There’s no help or no help. You don’t understand the Xie Tide.”

“Going means death. There’s no coming back.”

“It’s just a pity about your… Immortal Sword.”

If she died here, the sword would be left behind as well.

Jiang Huai stepped forward and asked,

“How long can we hold? As long as we can stall.”

“My reinforcements will arrive soon. I can sense they are already very close.”

If they could hold out until Qin Qingyue and Wu Zhaohua returned, the Xie Tide would surely be dealt with.

“Your Great Ascension stage… wife?” Tang Zhaoxue tilted her head to ask.

Jiang Huai nodded.

“That’s great. This world might still be saved.”

Hearing this, a bright smile appeared on Tang Zhaoxue’s face. She was genuinely glad—for this, and for the future of the world.

“Help me thank your Great Ascension stage wife, but don’t worry about my life.”

She smiled, the exhaustion in it endless, yet with an extraordinary calmness.

“Don’t follow me. Go and be with your wife.”

“I’ll buy time for you.”

She was going to die so that more people could be reunited.

Tang Zhaoxue didn’t care when Jiang Huai’s wife would arrive—she was resolved to fight this battle to the death, filled with hatred but also a trace of gentleness.

“Then I’ll go with you.”

If this all started because of him, he would not hide behind others.

With a sharp sound, Jiang Huai drew the long sword at his waist.

The sword sang clearly, shining with a resolute chill.

Tang Zhaoxue paused slightly, quietly gazing at his face as if wanting to deeply remember this moment.

At the same time, a massive Xianzhou was slowly arriving at the outskirts of this world.