CHAPTER 49

— Naihe Bridge —

If giving birth is a more painful experience than having a period, then being poisoned by the Siam Honey-Fruit is akin to the torment of a period gone wild.

At first, it was just abdominal pain and bloating, as if a cold, sinister energy was rampaging inside her body, searching for an exit. By the time cold sweat beaded on her forehead and frost formed on her brows, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse. The area around her lower abdomen and dantian felt as if it were on fire, burning intensely. It was as though someone was taking a sharp awl and drilling fiercely into her, but not in a straightforward manner. Instead, it twisted and turned in that small area, as if painstakingly tracing a pattern like embroidery, making her experience every variation of pain over and over again.

Curled up on the ground, rolling in agony, she had completely lost any semblance of a cultivator's dignity. Her hair was already disheveled beyond recognition, and her plain, delicate face was smeared with dust from the ground. The most pitiful thing was that her bright, sparkling eyes had lost their luster under the pain, welling up with a pool of glistening tears, giving her a uniquely pitiful and moving appearance.

Lu Xianrou didn't understand what kind of emotion suddenly surged within her at the sight of such misery. Before her rationality could return, her hands and feet had already reacted ahead of her. She teleported to Tong Tong's side and, disregarding the possibility of dirtying her freshly changed white robe, scooped up the petite figure, placing her fingers steadily on Tong Tong's wrist pulse.

The touch was scalding, as if seared by magma, yet the pulse flowed with a cold, sinister energy, leaving her utterly perplexed.

After focusing and probing for a while longer, Lu Xianrou let out a long sigh, the urgency fading from her expression.

She positioned Tong Tong in a five-points-upward [meditation] posture, slowly stood up, and stepped aside. Ignoring the ever-changing expressions of pain on Tong Tong's face, she resumed her guard duty—only now, the subjects of her protection had increased from Su Yan alone to two.

Swinging her longsword casually, she shook her head and sighed, yet a faint smile appeared on her lips. Lu Xianrou couldn't help but marvel: This little senior sister's luck is so good that even she couldn't help but feel envious.

If it were anyone else, who would break through a barrier and show signs of advancing again after being poisoned?

Although the pain was unbearable for ordinary people, the benefits were also extraordinary. Given the chance to choose, probably seven or eight out of ten would willingly endure such poisoning once.

—The legendary Myriad Manifestation Meridian is truly heaven-defying... No wonder Master instructed me to watch over it in secret.

But this outcome is truly both laughable and frustrating...

Time passed slowly as Lu Xianrou watched over Su Yan with a mix of boredom and unwavering dedication.

A month later, Su Yan awoke from her meditative state, completely free of residual poison, her cultivation fully restored, and even slightly refined.

The moment she opened her eyes, a clear cry echoed as she grasped her sword, Changhong, and shot forward like an arrow from a bow, engaging Lu Xianrou in battle.

As the top disciple among the younger generation of Chonghua, Su Yan's swordsmanship was naturally exquisite and unparalleled. Lu Xianrou, too, was a rare genius in the way of the sword, her skill not to be underestimated.

These two prodigies, regardless of cultivation or techniques, were evenly matched in swordsmanship—a true meeting of equals.

And at this moment, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a duel. Those obsessed with the way of the sword would never easily let it slip away.

Their eyes met, both recognizing the fighting spirit in the other's gaze—the path of a sword cultivator lies in k!lling, in duels, in comprehending the essence of the sword through countless battles, and in refining one's cultivation through exhilarating sparring.

To become a sword cultivator unmatched among peers, the only secret is—fight, fight, and fight!

Two months later, when Tong Tong awoke, the indescribable pain had long vanished—replaced by a deep-seated comfort, akin to the serene feeling after successfully building her foundation. Her dantian felt warm, and her body seemed brimming with strength.

She vaguely sensed—though she had mistakenly consumed many Siam Honey-Fruits, she had turned misfortune into fortune!

However, her joy was short-lived. The scene that greeted her when she fully opened her eyes immediately darkened her expression, making her wish she had never opened them... No, she wished she had opened them sooner!

Not far away, two figures—one in black, one in white—stood leaning on their swords, dancing gracefully, deeply stinging her eyes. She gritted her teeth so hard she nearly choked on her qi and fainted—they were actually practicing swords openly while flirting secretly behind her back!

Did they think she couldn't tell? The meaningful glances, the perfectly timed counters—it was all just playful teasing!

If they weren't flirting, were they really just sparring?

She didn't believe it! Hmph...

The one in black was sharp and fierce, the one in white free and unrestrained. The black-clad figure was cold and enchanting, the white-clad one calm and indifferent. The black-clad figure was handsome, the white-clad one elegant and refined...

Tong Tong refused to admit it: the sight of the two stoic beauties standing together was damnably pleasing to the eye!

Then she looked at herself—her clothes were no longer recognizable in color, her body still sticky with the foul, dark-yellow residue left after detoxification. What a "wretched" sight! Even she couldn't help but want to throw this third wheel, who ruined the atmosphere and marred the view, into outer space—lest she disturb the budding romance between the talented pair!

Lost in her own sorrow and frustration, she didn't notice that the two sparring had stopped and were now walking toward her.

"Senior Sister Tong, are you feeling unwell?" Lu Xianrou half-knelt, looking directly into Tong Tong's eyes, which held three parts confusion and seven parts melancholy, and asked gently.

—My body is fine, but my heart feels so inferior... Would I say such a thing?

"Mm... I'm okay," Tong Tong replied softly, averting her gaze.

Lu Xianrou's long eyelashes trembled slightly, but she said nothing about Tong Tong's deliberate avoidance.

"Late Foundation Establishment stage, not bad." Su Yan stood with arms crossed three feet away from her, not approaching, her face showing disgust at the filth on her body, yet a flicker of amusement passed through her eyes. She casually snapped her fingers and cast a cleansing art, instantly restoring her to a clean and tidy appearance.

"Huh? ...Thank you, Senior Brother." Tong Tong touched her spotless clothes and smooth skin, finally curling her lips into a pleased smile. Her eyes were fixed only on Su Yan's clear, smiling gaze, completely forgetting what she had been about to say.

"..." Lu Xianrou's eyes darkened at this obvious favoritism, but she showed no sign of dissatisfaction.

Jumping up to stretch her sore and numb limbs, twisting her neck, and performing exaggerated calisthenics, Tong Tong noticed Lu Xianrou's unusually quiet profile and felt a pang of guilt. After a moment's thought, she asked, "Um... Junior Sister Little Lu, how long have I been asleep?"

Her memory only extended to the excruciating pain after consuming over a dozen Siam Honey-Fruits, after which she seemed to have fallen into a dreamlike state, completely unconscious. Waking up to find Su Yan already awake, she had no idea how much time had passed.

A faint smile curved Lu Xianrou's lips in a place Tong Tong couldn't see, but when she turned her face back, it was calm and expressionless. "Senior Sister Tong, it has been over two months since you entered meditation."

"What? Two months? I was out for that long?" Tong Tong exclaimed, touching her face, waist, and abdomen. Under the bewildered gazes of the other two, she muttered to herself, "I heard that staying in one position for too long can cause muscle atrophy! I hope I didn't get wrinkles or gain weight..."

—'Idiot.'

—'Is that really what she's worried about?'

Su Yan and Lu Xianrou, for once in rare agreement, rolled their eyes simultaneously.

One did it right in front of her, while the other turned her face away, but the sheer disdain was fully conveyed.

"Since you're awake, let's go." Su Yan recalled Jiya, who was still keeping watch nearby, back into her spirit beast pouch, sheathed her Changhong Sword, and extended a hand to Tong Tong.

"Huh? Where to?" she asked, confused, but followed suit by reluctantly recalling Cookie into her own spirit beast pouch. Her hand, however, unhesitatingly grasped Su Yan's jade-like palm, using it to pull herself up—with no intention of letting go. She even unconsciously rubbed it a few times, mesmerized by its smooth texture—only stopping her flirtatious behavior when she received a cold glare from him, obediently tightening her grip instead.

Seeing her compliance, Su Yan tacitly allowed her actions—after all, she was used to holding hands, and being taken advantage of had become so routine she couldn't be bothered to stop it. Besides, there was also a hint of showing off and asserting dominance toward Lu Xianrou in her actions.

"The trial took a few days, and your meditation and advancement took two months. With less than a month left, the three-month period will expire, and we'll be teleported out. After that, there will be no more chances to enter the Abyssal Secret Realm... So, we must hurry to the next checkpoint and try to clear as many stages as possible." Unperturbed by the int!macy between Su Yan and Tong Tong, Lu Xianrou held her sword and followed leisurely beside them, explaining in a gentle tone.

"Oh... I'm sorry." Tong Tong pouted and mumbled an apology.

—It's all her fault for holding them back... Wuwuwu...

"It's fine." Before Lu Xianrou could respond, Su Yan tightened her grip on her hand, a faint, rare smile curling at the corner of her lips. The gentle expression instantly melted Tong Tong's heart, leaving her both shy and deeply moved, a blush spreading from her cheeks all the way to the tips of her ears.

"..." Lu Xianrou silently turned her face away, inwardly scoffing, but chose to remain silent.

—She had merely meant to explain Tong Tong's haste out of goodwill, but not only was she misunderstood, Su Yan's words twisted her meaning to make her look like the bad person... Forget it, no point in saying more.

Lu Xianrou was also a sword cultivator, with a naturally proud temperament. Caught between one person's unintentional carelessness and another's deliberate scheming, she found it hard to swallow her frustration. Instead, she silently recited sword techniques and alchemical formulas, burying her head in her steps as if the other two didn't exist.

Meanwhile, Tong Tong occasionally swung their clasped hands playfully, brushing lightly against Su Yan's body as she skipped along, humming a tuneless melody with a grin so wide it nearly reached her ears. She might as well have carved the words "I'm overjoyed" on her face.

Infected by her mood, Su Yan's expression softened from its usual sternness. It wasn't to provoke the irritating Junior Sister Lu but a genuine, rare sense of relaxation, as if she had returned to those days alone atop Luoxia Peak, listening to the wind and admiring the moon. Her gaze softened as she looked back at Tong Tong, who was as happy as a little bird, and the corners of her lips lifted involuntarily.

On one side, the atmosphere was warm as spring; on the other, it was bleak as autumn—a stark contrast.

Maintaining this vast difference for several hours, the trio passed through a sparse and desolate Hundred-Herb Garden that looked as if it had been ravaged by a storm, only to find a wide river ahead.

The river's water was thick and black, almost tangible, with occasional floating white bones struggling futilely before inevitably sinking into the depths.

A small wooden bridge spanned the river, its rotten planks so fragile they seemed unable to withstand the slightest wind or rain. It looked as if the slightest force would shatter it into splinters, dragging anyone crossing into the river below—yet this was the only bridge in sight across the endless river, as if telling travelers they had but one choice.

Squinting, they could barely make out ancient characters carved on the bridgehead. The elegant script inexplicably carried a mournful and sorrowful tone, accentuated by the floating skeletons beneath the bridge, sending chills down their spines.

"Is this—Naihe Bridge [Bridge of Helplessness]?" Tong Tong guessed after a long moment of scrutiny, her eyes widening as if she had seen something terrifying.

"Yes," Su Yan nodded, confirming her guess.

"It really is Naihe Bridge..." With her confirmation, Tong Tong's eyes widened even further, as if they were about to pop out of their sockets.

—Oh my goodness! The legendary Naihe Bridge! So this is what it looks like! If only I had a camera to take a picture! I could hang it in an exhibition hall and charge a thousand yuan per ticket—people would still come to see it!

Only someone from the modern world would understand the impact of the Naihe Bridge—a place steeped in mystery across ancient classics, modern novels, mythology, and cinema.

—If you die at ninety-seven, wait for me for three years on the Naihe Bridge.

Naihe Bridge had always been the bane of lovesick men and resentful women, a symbol of separation and farewell.

Equally famous as this most formidable bridge in history was its corresponding bridge administrator—Meng Po [Madam Meng].

When Tong Tong finally saw Meng Po's true appearance, she realized just how unreliable myths and legends could be.

Where was the promised white-haired old woman? Where were the kind and gentle features?

Who was this dazzling, flamboyant woman in red, more striking than the queen in Snow White?!

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