Chapter 916: Good Recompense

Looking into the distance, Xu Youran was running after a tiny alien creature. She had spotted the colossal figure, thousands of feet tall, like a majestic mountain range, from afar. How could she possibly let the little silver-horned alien run towards it? However, the silver-horned alien, now fully recovered, was incredibly fast. It had jumped from her arms and reached this place in mere moments, barely slower than a Nascent Soul cultivator.

The old woman sensed something. Turning her head, a flicker of excitement appeared on her ancient face. With a flash, she teleported in front of the little silver-horned alien, opened her arms, and embraced it. "Young Master! This old servant thought you were dead!" The joy of finding it again was so overwhelming that even she, a Soul Transformation stage cultivator, couldn't help but weep tears of happiness, her eyes glistening. The little silver-horned alien rubbed against her in her arms, gurgling contentedly, showing great affection and joy. "Good, good, it's good that you're safe." "This old servant was almost ready to follow you to the grave." The old woman held the little silver-horned alien and wiped away her tears. It was then that she noticed unhealed injuries on the alien, and her heart ached. Her eyes, filled with killing intent, glared coldly at Jiang Fan and the others. "I never paid attention to how you humans caused trouble in the underground world before," she began. "But you are too reckless! You dared to harm even our Young Master! This time, it was lucky to have narrowly escaped with its life. What if it hadn't been so fortunate and had died? Before, I was too lenient! From now on, any human who comes to the Tenth Layer – I will kill every single one I see! And it will start with you!"

Listening to the blatant killing intent, Jiang Fan and the others felt their hearts sink. For an entity like her to obliterate them would be effortless. "Jiang Fan?" Xu Youran had run all the way there. When she saw how affectionate the little silver-horned alien was with the old woman, she had initially intended to retreat quickly. But with a glance, she realized Jiang Fan was also present. Moreover, that old woman intended to kill him. She rushed forward, shielding Jiang Fan. Jiang Fan kept signaling her with his eyes, urging her not to come closer and to leave immediately. But she still came. "What are you doing here?" Jiang Fan asked, his voice filled with bitterness. "Can't you see the situation?" Three Nascent Soul cultivators, plus himself, stood frozen, knowing the danger they faced. "I know, I can see it," Xu Youran replied, glancing at the old woman. Even if she didn't fully grasp the old woman's power, could she not understand Jiang Fan's predicament when facing that monstrous creature thousands of feet tall? "I just can't stand by and watch you die in front of me." "You are all I have in my world." "If you die, there's no meaning in me living." She stepped forward and linked her arm through Jiang Fan's, ready to face the old woman's boundless killing intent together. If we can't sleep together in life, then we shall share the same grave in death.

Jiang Fan held her hand, a surge of shame rising within him. They had promised to marry within a month. Now, more than half a year had passed, and she was still his fiancée, not his wife. "I'm sorry, I've implicated you," Jiang Fan said softly. Xu Youran gently leaned on his shoulder and replied, "My husband has worked hard too." Xia Chaoge watched the scene unfolding, and a deep respect suddenly welled up within her. Perhaps Xu Youran's strength wasn't exceptional, and the time she spent with Jiang Fan was far less than Liu Qingxian and the others. But she deserved to forever hold the most important place in Jiang Fan's heart. Thinking of this, she subtly took out a jade box. Inside were two white feathers, emanating a sacred aura. These were life-saving items she had recently acquired, each capable of protecting one person. She decided to give them to her Martial Uncle and Xu Youran. She hoped they could grow old together and witness all seasons of life. Just as she was about to speak,

...the little silver-horned alien suddenly pointed at Xu Youran, gurgling something from its tiny mouth. The old woman's expression subtly changed. "You mean she saved you?" The little silver-horned alien nodded, then ran and leaped into Xu Youran's arms again. Xu Youran's feelings were complicated. She had saved the alien, yet its kin wanted to kill her husband. "Go back," Xu Youran said, placing it back on the ground, her expression cool, devoid of her earlier tenderness. The little silver-horned alien sadly ran back to the old woman's embrace, seemingly complaining about something. The old woman listened sheepishly. "Alright, alright, I won't kill them. I simply won't kill them." "Alright, you all can leave now!" "From now on, you are forbidden from returning to the Tenth Layer, and absolutely forbidden from entering the restricted area I have marked out!"

The group immediately felt immense relief. Their hearts, strained to the breaking point, finally found calm. Even the three Nascent Soul cultivators were drenched in cold sweat. A chilling wind blew, making all three feel a shiver run down their spines. The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion Master gratefully cupped his hands to Xu Youran. "Thank you," he said. Immortal Dry Blue and Venerable Cloud Fire also looked at her with profound gratitude. If not for Xu Youran's life-saving kindness towards this 'Young Master,' they would undoubtedly have perished. Xia Chaoge also put away her jade box and said, "Thank you, Sister Xu." Jiang Fan, in particular, was greatly surprised. He gazed at Xu Youran beside him, a little dazed. This was the most dangerous moment of his life, without a doubt. Yet, the one who saved him was Xu Youran, who had been falling further and further behind him on his martial path. A sense of destiny's hand made Jiang Fan's emotions run wild. "Thank you, Youran." Xu Youran felt a satisfaction she had never known before; she had finally helped her husband. She smiled gently, then turned to look at the little silver-horned alien. "Thank you, little one," she said. "May we meet again if fate allows." She waved her hand and left, arm in arm with Jiang Fan.

The little silver-horned alien watched Xu Youran with reluctance. When it was at its weakest, Xu Youran had gently cared for it. This feeling was like a mother's care. But its mother had long been gone. It looked up at the old woman and gurgled something. The old woman was surprised. "You want her to stay?" she asked. "She's human; it would be difficult for her to survive in such a place filled with Yin energy." The little silver-horned alien whined and said something more. The old woman looked troubled. "There is a way," she conceded. "Using things left behind by the Master, it would be quite easy. If you, Young Master, make the request, this old servant cannot object. But it also depends on whether she is willing, doesn't it? If we force her to stay here and she's unhappy, how can she properly keep you company?" The little silver-horned alien urged a few more times. The old woman, left with no choice, called out to Xu Youran. "Miss!"

Xu Youran turned back and politely gave a slight bow. "How may I help you, senior?" The old woman scrutinized Xu Youran. Her demeanor was calm, her eyes gentle, and her speech polite. Among humans, she seemed to have been well-groomed from a young age. "Our Young Master hopes you can stay here to keep it company." Upon hearing this, Xu Youran's face showed difficulty. How could she disregard Jiang Fan to accompany a little alien infant she had just met? Although it was very cute and seemed grateful, and she liked it herself, it couldn't compare to Jiang Fan by far. However, she was afraid that refusing might anger the old woman and implicate Jiang Fan. "I know you're in a difficult position," the old woman said. "But I won't ask you to accompany our Young Master for nothing. If you stay, a portion of the old Master's legacy can be given to you." The old woman spoke with a hint of envy. She herself had never been allowed to touch the old Master's belongings, yet the Young Master wanted to give them to a young human girl.