The Zhang Xiaofan before them had already regained his full strength. The trio exhausted all their efforts but could not defeat him. The Jing An Golden Body was directly shattered, Li Qing spat out blood in despair, and Yang Yuhuan's proud Taizhen Ring was completely destroyed by the God Slaying Spear.

Holding the black spear, Zhang Xiaofan stared at the disheveled trio and said, "Ah Yao might have had bad intentions when she approached me initially, but in her final moments, she proved to me that she truly loved me.

You three care about each other too, don't you? So, let's play a little game."

"This God Slaying Spear has the ability to probe into the depths of one's heart. You three just have to name the person you would stake your life to protect. If a person gets named twice, I will spare them."

Upon hearing this, Jing An strained to get up and was the first to resolutely say, "This humble monk is willing to protect Li Qing."

After speaking, he closed his eyes and said no more.

Yang Yuhuan was surprised, though not overly so. She knew Jing An wouldn't choose her, but she hadn't expected him to have such a strong bond with Li Qing, enough to be acknowledged by the God Slaying Spear.

After Jing An spoke, Li Qing immediately said without hesitation, "I am willing to protect Yuhuan."

This declaration was within Yang Yuhuan's expectations. She wasn't oblivious to Li Qing's feelings, nor did she think Li Qing was bad; she simply didn't feel the same way — there was no spark.

Considering the current situation, her best option would be to name Li Qing, so two people could survive. But, was she truly willing to lay down her life for Li Qing?

The "Blood Demon" across from them did not rush Yang Yuhuan into making her decision but instead watched the trio with interest. His leisurely tone carried a hint of menace. "Think it through carefully. This Demon Gun cannot be deceived. If you lie, all three of you will die."

Yang Yuhuan did not doubt the Blood Demon's words. The penetrating power of the God Slaying Spear was something she had personally experienced — she knew she could not deceive it.

But deep down, what was her truest thought?

She was unwilling to die for anyone, whether it be Li Qing or Jing An. So, she chose silence.

After a moment, the Blood Demon evidently discerned Yang Yuhuan's choice and suddenly burst into laughter. "You are nothing compared to Ah Yao!"

With that, the black spear swept across in a single stroke. Yang Yuhuan, who had been secretly gathering her strength, attempted to retaliate, but her meager power barely made a ripple before she fell unconscious.

…

In another space, having watched the entire sequence of events, Li Qing remained silent before asking, "Ancestor, are you telling me not to love Yuhuan?"

Nezha yawned and replied, "No, on the contrary, I approve of that girl's actions. I'm simply trying to tell you that the person you should love the most, first and foremost, is yourself.

Take this little girl for example."

After speaking, Nezha's figure began to fade, the surrounding scene dissolving into drifting spirit lights. Li Qing wanted to say something more but could no longer see Nezha's form. At the same time, his mind was imbued with the Divine Skill, "Word Spirit·Pardon."

As the countless spirit lights dissipated, the true appearance of the Thousand Illusion Cave revealed itself—a neatly arranged cave residence. Jing An and Yang Yuhuan sat safely in meditation nearby.

Li Qing glanced at Yang Yuhuan with a complicated expression for a while. He understood the principles Nezha had spoken of, yet he still loved Yang Yuhuan—recklessly, selflessly.

Nezha, observing from the Magic Mirror, naturally noticed this. The simplest solution would be to go to Tushan and cut the red thread tying Li Qing to her, but it wasn't necessary.

All that was needed was a little nudge in the right direction. Ultimately, the path was one Li Qing had to walk himself. Just like Nezha's master, Nuwa, who had never directly intervened—every trial had to be shouldered by Nezha alone. Otherwise, whose cultivation would it be? Nezha's or Nuwa's?

It was the same principle.

Li Qing realized the two were receiving the Thousand Illusion Cave's inheritance and did not interrupt but instead stood by as a protector. Before long, Jing An and Yang Yuhuan emerged from their meditative states.

During this time, Li Qing had buried all his emotions deep within himself. Now, observing Alai, he appeared unchanged. When Yang Yuhuan saw that everyone was unharmed, a faint sense of guilt stirred within her. However, seeing Li Qing's gentle and warm care, that guilt gradually dissipated. She repeatedly justified to herself that prioritizing her own survival was not wrong—even if Li Qing knew, he would understand.

Thinking this way, Yang Yuhuan immediately felt a weight lifted from her heart.

Among the three of them, it was as if nothing had happened. Their relationship seemed unchanged, and they began to share the gains they had received.

Li Qing had obtained the Divine Skill, "Word Spirit·Pardon."

Jing An acquired the Divine Skill, "Tathagata Divine Palm."

Yang Yuhuan gained the Divine Skill, "Seven Emotions and Six Desires."

The three attempted to exchange skills and learn from each other, but it was impossible to pick up techniques not meant for them, so they had to give up. However, Li Qing had another significant gain—the "Qi Nourishing Technique" he had seen within the illusion.

This Qi Nourishing Technique was no longer the version Nezha had during his Human Immortal stage. At present, Nezha's knowledge spanned the doctrines of both Buddhism and Daoism. He had mastered everything worth learning and dabbled in things beyond that.

This Qi Nourishing Technique was not only suitable for Li Qing to practice himself, but even Jing An, a disciple of the Buddhist Sect, and Yang Yuhuan, a follower of the White Lotus Sect, could practice it without issue.

Li Qing did not monopolize the cultivation technique but shared it with the other two. Just hearing it, they found it remarkably elegant and clear. It wasn't that Nezha's cultivation was superior to those ancient seniors; it was simply that he had risen step by step from the position of a mortal. Though his progress had been rapid, walking the path firsthand made his technique far more accessible than those created by Innate Sacred Beings.

Jing An did not hesitate to switch, as Nezha was acknowledged as a Buddha by the Buddhist Sect, and cultivating his technique involved no taboos. Yang Yuhuan had even fewer reservations. Having been crushed by Zhang Xiaofan, especially the remark "You are nothing compared to Ah Yao," she was spurred to wholeheartedly pursue power and prove herself, even if it had only been an illusion.

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