Everyone's expressions grew complicated.
They had all seen clearly how Li Shuang treated them now. How could she possibly agree to help?
A mist of tears welled up in Ye Zhaozhao's eyes. "I know Senior Sister Li misunderstands me deeply and may refuse to save Long Yan. But I'm at my wit's end. Are we just going to stand by and watch him suffer?"
Chang Le'an's heart ached at her pitiful expression. "Speaking of which, this is Li Shuang's responsibility in the first place! She abandoned the Dragon Roar Sword out of narrow-mindedness and forced Long Yan to burn his spirit. Otherwise, how could the turbid energy have erupted so quickly?"
"Third Brother, don't say that," Ye Zhaozhao interrupted, her voice trembling. "This isn't entirely Senior Sister's fault. But she and Long Yan were together for more than ten years. She certainly won't sit idly by while he suffers! Apart from asking her for help, I have no other choice."
Tears streamed freely down her face.
Long Yan gazed at her in a daze.
Zhaozhao…
Was she crying for him?Even if he was useless, she wouldn't abandon him, right?
His flickering eyes brimmed with fragile hope.
Lingxu Zhenren's expression shifted slightly. He spoke calmly, "If you want to beg her, go ahead. I won't stop you."
Unwilling to interfere further, he turned and left.
"Big Brother, Second Brother…" Ye Zhaozhao looked at Sheng Yuan and Shen Yue with tearful eyes.
Sheng Yuan clenched his teeth. "Let's go! Let's beg Eldest Sister together. She's helped Long Yan suppress his turbid qi so many times—doing it once more won't hurt."
Shen Yue hesitated but then nodded. "Saving Long Yan is what matters most."
He, too, loved the sword. No matter what had happened, surely Big Sister would not ignore Long Yan's plight.
Chang Le'an, needless to say, quickly agreed.
And so, the disciples of Lingxu Peak made their way toward Wuqing Peak.
From a distance, Lingxu Zhenren watched their departing figures, his eyes glinting. He sent a challenge to Lin Qingling, luring her into a duel. With her fiery personality, she accepted without hesitation.
He raised an eyebrow. Now that Lin Qingling had been drawn away, Ye Zhaozhao and the others had a chance.
Li Shuang… would you save Long Yan, or wouldn't you? Your master is curious.
On the way, Ye Zhaozhao made no effort to conceal herself. She clutched the Dragon Roar Sword, crying out anxiously as she ran.
"Long Yan, hold on! We're almost at Wuqing Peak—Senior Sister Li will save you for sure!"
"Don't worry. You've been together so many years. She won't let you be consumed by foul air!"
Her voice rang out loudly, ensuring the sect's disciples quickly learned that Long Yan's spirit was failing, and that only Li Shuang could save him.
Soon, curious onlookers followed behind to watch the spectacle.
A flash of pride lit Ye Zhaozhao's eyes.
In her world, this was called moral coercion.
Morality didn't matter—results did.
Li Shuang, basking in the sect's praise, would now face a dilemma. If she saved Long Yan, resentment would inevitably follow. If she refused, she would be branded a heartless traitor.
Either way, she would suffer.
And if the disciples turned against her, wouldn't that generate the very negative emotions Ye Zhaozhao craved?
The more she thought about it, the more she felt that Long Yan's crisis was a blessing in disguise.
Her expression grew more anxious as she hugged the sword tightly.
"Long Yan, please don't leave me! No matter the cost, I will save you!"
When she finally arrived at Wuqing Peak, its once-bustling grounds now housed only a few close disciples.
Without hesitation, Ye Zhaozhao fell to her knees at the doorway.
She cried out, "Senior Sister Li! Long Yan is in trouble—please, save him!"
Fearing Li Shuang would ignore her, she grit her teeth and kowtowed heavily.
"Senior Sister Li, as long as you can save Long Yan, I'll do anything!"
Her forehead struck the ground again and again, unshielded by spiritual power, quickly reddening with blood.
"Zhaozhao!" Chang Le'an rushed forward, alarmed. "Your forehead—stop, you're hurt!"
"Third Brother, don't stop me." She shook her head miserably. "Long Yan can't hold on. If Senior Sister is willing to save him, I'll kowtow a thousand times—or even die here!"
Her desperation seemed genuine, and Shen Yue's heart wavered.
Perhaps he had misunderstood her. Perhaps leaving Long Yin behind in the ring was only a moment of panic. Now, watching her humble herself like this… who could claim she didn't care about Long Yan?
He stepped forward and knelt as well. "Senior Sister Li, Long Yan's turbid energy has returned. Only you can purge it. I know we've wronged you, but regardless of his mistakes, he doesn't deserve death. For the sake of over ten years of companionship, I beg you—save him."
Without hesitation, Sheng Yuan also knelt. "Senior Sister, I know you must have sacrificed much to keep such a tainted spirit alive until now. But can you truly bear to watch him vanish before your eyes?"
His tone carried firm conviction. To him, this was not about past grievances—only about saving Long Yan.
"You!" Chang Le'an jumped up in frustration. "Why are you all kneeling to her! She knew Long Yan was tainted yet gave him away, forcing him to burn his spirit! She owes us this!"
"Third Brother…" Ye Zhaozhao gave him a tearful look.
Chang Le'an groaned and threw up his hands. "Fine, fine! I'll kneel too!"
Reluctantly, he dropped to his knees.
The gathered disciples exchanged glances, their expressions complicated.
This Long Yan—wasn't he supposed to be a peerless sword spirit?
But in truth… he was born tainted? A useless sword spirit?