The light and shadows in front of Lin Qingxue were changing rapidly.
The location changed from the circular formation deep in the forest to the familiar Immortal Gate.
"Lin Qingxue, what are you going to do!?"
"Master, the invaders are just low-level demonic cultivators. I have already reached the Nascent Soul stage, they are not worth fearing. I also want to go to the front line and fight."
"Hold on, demonic cultivators are cunning and there are many of them. The sect leaders will handle the front line, so don't worry. Your task is to protect the younger disciples here."
The somewhat immature Lin Qingxue did not listen to her master's advice. After apologizing to her master, she left the sanctuary and returned to the sect to fight against the demonic cultivators.
Over a hundred years ago, Immortal Gate was attacked by demonic cultivators. The incident happened too suddenly. There was no time to activate the defensive formation.
Ordinary disciples were evacuated to safe places, while cultivators skilled in combat remained in the sect to protect the library and other main peaks from being breached.
In her youth, Lin Qingxue was once known as a sword prodigy, surpassing many elders in terms of swordsmanship.
The young and arrogant Lin Qingxue ignored her master's advice and went to the front line alone.
The purpose of her sword training was to slay demons and defend the righteous path. If she didn't stand up in times of danger, what kind of swordsman would she be? What kind of righteous cultivator would she be?
At first, she encountered only trash cultivators at the Qi Refining stage or even the Body Refining stage of the demonic path, whom she easily killed.
As she went deeper, two Nascent Soul stage demonic cultivators suddenly appeared from the shadows, which was when she realized she had fallen into a trap.
They were injured, clearly having fought against humans. With both of them at the early Nascent Soul stage, Lin Qingxue believed she could try to fight them.
Lin Qingxue fought against them for several hours. Relying on her exquisite swordsmanship and abundant spiritual energy, she even seized the opportunity to kill one of the Nascent Soul demonic cultivators.
At the same time, she was covered in wounds, and the price of trading injuries for kills was damage to her origin and impairment of her spiritual consciousness.
"Is this my limit?"
She could even smell the scent of blood in her breath. Lin Qingxue's left hand was broken, and she was knocked down by the demonic cultivators.
Lin Qingxue struggled to support her body and raised her sword towards the Nascent Soul demonic cultivator in front of her.
"Don't think you've won. You're just a petty person who bullies the weak. As a disciple of Immortal Gate, I will never submit to the forces of darkness."
"Hehe, arrogant brat! Even in the face of death, you still speak shamelessly. Die!"
A silver-white light quickly approached, and the demonic cultivator threw a flying sword with all his strength.
Lin Qingxue closed her eyes, but she didn't feel the expected pain.
She forced herself to open her eyes and saw the person she was most familiar with standing in front of her, her master who treated her like she was his own daughter.
It was a full-force strike from a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, and there was no time for Lin Qingxue's master to defend himself. The spiritual sword broke through his robe and pierced his body, causing a red flower to bloom on his chest.
The senior members of the sect arrived immediately and took control of the situation.
The past scenes replayed before her eyes.
These were the memories deeply hidden by Lin Qingxue, memories she didn't want to mention.
After this incident, she shed her immaturity and became mature and steady, inheriting her master's legacy and taking on the responsibilities of an elder.
But the price of growth was too great.
They were right.
She was a murderer, she killed the person who raised her and guided her onto the path of cultivation.
Perhaps she shouldn't have survived.
Her master must have regretted taking her as a disciple in the end, as they said before she killed them.
The environment in front of her began to change again, from Immortal Gate back to the forest.
The appearance of the black-clothed person turned into Lin Qingxue's master.
Ding...
The long sword slipped from her hand.
Facing her master, Lin Qingxue couldn't even pick up the sword. She couldn't bring herself to do it.
At the same time, from Lu Chuan's perspective...
After stepping onto the circular formation, Lin Qingxue suddenly fainted.
"Martial Aunt?" Lu Chuan quickly caught Lin Qingxue.
After touching her, Lu Chuan saw Lin Qingxue being surrounded by wave after wave of black-clothed people.
He also saw her unknown past.
The original novel did not mention this past, only mentioning Lin Qingxue's old wounds and their connection to the Demon Dao.
Everything Lin Qingxue saw was an illusion created by the Ice Soul Sword.
As a Ninth Grade treasure sword, it was already considered a Divine Weapon. To become its master, one needed its recognition.
The trial of the Ice Soul Sword was to make the participants see the memories they least wanted to recall.
In the original novel, it was not Lin Qingxue alone who went through the trial and ultimately gained the recognition of the Ice Soul Sword.
Lin Qingxue should have overcome it with her strong will.
But the current situation was completely different.
Lu Chuan did not enter his own illusion, and Lin Qingxue might be trapped in the illusion and unable to come out.
[Don't worry, host. Your lovely system will analyze it for you.]
The voice of the system sounded.
[The reason why this illusion doesn't work on you is because of your special physique. The Chaotic Immortal Physique has the effect of immunity to illusions.]
The reason why Lin Qingxue's results are different from the original novel is also related to this.
The illusion trial that was supposed to be shared by the both of them was imposed on Lin Qingxue alone by the Ice Soul Sword.
She has exhausted her spiritual energy, and the possibility of passing the trial is slim.
"How can we help her come out of the illusion?"
Lu Chuan was not a good person, but this is because he was not him.
From the perspective of the antagonist, perhaps it would be beneficial to him if the protagonist's master died at this time.
But he is not the villain Lu Chuan in the novel, he is himself.
He wants to act according to his own will.
Moreover, helping Lin Qingxue come out of the illusion is the only way to complete the system's mission.
The system seems to know Lu Chuan's thoughts and gives advice.
[Well done, host. I have a suggestion for you.
While kissing Lin Qingxue with your physical body, activate your spiritual energy.
The characteristics of the Chaotic Immortal Physique will make Lin Qingxue's body mistake you for a part of her, and your consciousness will be able to enter her illusion and communicate with her.
Then it depends on your performance, host.]
Lu Chuan skillfully kisses Lin Qingxue's lips.
Her face is pale, even more haggard than when the dragon poison attacked.
The enemies in the illusion are preparing to attack her, so Lu Chuan quickly took action to protect her.
If she is defeated, Lin Qingxue may never be able to escape the illusion.
Lu Chuan called out to her while defending against the enemies.
"Master, wake up!"
Lu Chuan can now feel Lin Qingxue's most direct feelings.
Lin Qingxue is trapped in deep self-doubt, wondering if she really is a murderer.
If she hadn't rushed out that day, if she had listened to her master's words and stayed in the shelter, would her master still be alive?
Lu Chuan experienced this state in his previous life as well. Over time, he might even give up on life.
The external enemies are getting stronger, and their strength has reached the Gold Core stage.
Lu Chuan can only barely defend himself and protect the motionless Lin Qingxue from the enemy's attacks.
"Master..."
Lin Qingxue faintly hears someone's voice, very familiar but she can't remember who it is.
"Qingxue... Qingxue..."
"Qingxue, everything you see now is an illusion, wake up!"
Although Lu Chuan has never called her Qingxue, she still remembers whose voice it is.
The junior who reached out to her in her time of need, the young boy who teased her with words.
They have a husband and wife relationship, he is an important person to her.
"Qingxue, it's not your fault.
You are not a murderer, your survival has meaning, don't give up.
You have helped so many ordinary people, you have saved them.
Just like how your master protected you.
If you were injured while helping others, you wouldn't blame those who needed help.
It was your choice to step forward and help those in need.
It's okay, even if you still feel guilty.
I will be by your side, sharing the burden with you."
He will be with me.
These words give her courage.
She opened her eyes and saw the scarred Lu Chuan in front of her.
But he was still smiling foolishly, "Master, you're awake, help me out."
Once again, he extended a helping hand when she needed it the most.
Lin Qingxue's chest feels hot, her heart pounding, and her mouth tastes as sweet as honey.
She doesn't know what this feeling is, she has never experienced it before.
"Fool."
Lin Qingxue took action, easily defeating the enemies wearing her master's mask.
Now that she knows it's an illusion, she can fully unleash her strength.
Her master was a gentle person, someone who protected those who wielded swords. These cunning enemies are nothing more than illusions.
Before this, her master's death was like a needle embedded in her heart, perhaps during her cultivation, a heart demon would arise because of it.
But now she no longer has this worry, she has let go of her guilt towards her master's death.
She remembered her master's smile when he stood in front of her.
When he died, he wasn't regretting raising her, but thinking that his disciple was safe and sound.
In fact, it is true. To die in order to protect his disciple, Lin Qingxue. Compared to him who has no hope of advancing and has a limited lifespan, it is a good ending.
In the end, he thought that his death had value.
Lin Qingxue will live on, carrying the weight of her deceased master.
Now, she is wielding her sword to protect Lu Chuan, carrying on the legacy of her master's swordsmanship.