Chapter 31: Sword Aura Piercing the Sky

Luo Suyi's face was streaked with tears, yet her voice held unwavering resolve. "Husband, I am your wife, meant to share our lives together until the end, through life and death alike. If anything happened to you, I could never live on alone."

Lu Chengfeng frowned, gently placing his hand over her delicate lips. "Enough of this nonsense. Life and death... we'll be fine, both of us, and nothing will happen to either of us."

But Luo Suyi subtly turned her face away, evading his hand. "I know you try to shield me from worry, my husband, but we are one. If you keep things hidden from me, I'll only worry more."

"I'd rather live in fear for your sake than remain oblivious. I am your wife; even if I am afraid, that's my role because… because you are my husband!"

Her last words, so tender and heartfelt, softened Lu Chengfeng's heart completely. He couldn't hold back any longer and pulled his wife into a tight embrace.

"Suyi, I was wrong. I'll never keep things from you again. It was wrong of me as your husband."

They held each other, feeling a closeness they had never experienced before. After a long while, Luo Suyi's face flushed, and she shyly placed her delicate, pale hand on Lu Chengfeng's chest.

"Husband… take me."

In that instant, passion ignited between them. Lu Chengfeng, unable to resist, drew her close with a deep murmur.

The night was quiet, with stars scattered across the sky. Gentle breezes swept through the mountains, and faint, tender sounds filled the air as the couple immersed themselves in each other's warmth.

Perhaps their heartfelt conversation had drawn them even closer. When they finally finished, Luo Suyi, for once, didn't fall asleep immediately. Instead, she lay on his chest, gazing at him with a lazy, affectionate smile. "Husband, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Lu Chengfeng, feeling utterly content, nuzzled her forehead and said, "We're husband and wife. Whatever it is, just say it."

"I was thinking…" Luo Suyi began, only to feel the ground tremble suddenly, her expression changing at once.

Without hesitation, Lu Chengfeng grabbed his outer robe, wrapped it around Luo Suyi, and carried her outside.

He looked toward the inner peaks, where five streaks of sword energy shot into the sky, tearing through the night as if slicing the heavens open.

Blades of blue, yellow, black, white, and crimson surged upward, converging into a canopy of light before crashing down. The sky roared with thunder, and beastly howls echoed, as if signaling the end of days.

Lu Chengfeng's face betrayed a rare look of shock. He had never imagined martial arts could reach such an unimaginable realm, where human power could shake the heavens like this, as if it were the work of gods or demons.

"Is this something that humans can truly achieve?" Even Luo Suyi, in his arms, couldn't help but widen her eyes, overwhelmed by both awe and fear.

"This is what the power of martial arts can become!" Lu Chengfeng's eyes sparkled with newfound determination, his ambition awakened like never before.

"With my talent, there's no reason why I couldn't someday reach the level where my sword cuts through the sky!"

The unexpected upheaval was swift, vanishing as quickly as it had arrived. As the five-colored sword energy dissipated, the thundering howls faded, and the night returned to its serene stillness under a star-filled sky.

Everything that had just happened seemed like a surreal dream.

Lu Chengfeng and Luo Suyi stood in stunned silence. After a while, confirming there would be no further tremors, they finally returned to their room.

"Suyi, you should get some more rest. It's been a long night, and you must be tired," Lu Chengfeng said, dressing himself. "With everything that just happened, I doubt Brother Zhou will be sleeping either."

"I'm sure he'll be eager to return to Jade Immortal Peak for news. I'll go check in with him and see if anyone was injured by the recent tremors."

"You stay here, and don't go wandering. Wait for me to come back."

Obediently, Luo Suyi helped adjust his robe and fasten his belt. Noticing his unkempt hair, she quickly tied it up with a simple copper ring.

"Hurry along, and don't worry about me." Lu Chengfeng nodded, kissed her forehead, then took his sword and left.

Standing at the door, Luo Suyi watched his figure fade into the night, her heart aching with longing even after he disappeared. Somewhere along the way, this man had burrowed deep into her heart, inseparable from her own soul.

Even a brief separation left her restless.

…

When Lu Chengfeng arrived at Zhou Tong's quarters, he found his senior brother indeed unable to sit still.

"Perfect timing, Junior Brother! I was just about to head back to Jade Immortal Peak myself. If you'd arrived any later, I would have already gone." Zhou Tong, with his heavy Sword of the Abyss strapped to his back, looked unusually solemn. "I've read some of the sect's ancient texts, and every time there's a disturbance in the inner peaks, it's soon followed by a beast horde."

"The inner and outer peaks are bound to be in turmoil soon. Be prepared, as I expect there will be urgent tasks from the sect."

"I'm heading back to see if Master has any news. Bring your wife and join us on Jade Immortal Peak as soon as possible."

"The sect is bound to be chaotic for a while. Leaving her alone here would be unwise, and it would haunt you if something were to happen to her."

"That's all I have to say. The rest is up to you. I'll be off now; see you at Jade Immortal Peak."

With those words, Zhou Tong cupped his hands in farewell and left decisively.

Watching him depart, Lu Chengfeng went to check on Su Wanqing, Li Mo, and Luo Yong. They, too, had been roused by the disturbance.

Relaying Zhou Tong's message to them, he noticed they were all wide awake and suggested, "Since Master's passing, it's been a long time since we've practiced swordsmanship together. Why don't we seize the moment and run through the Bluewave Sword Technique?"

The others agreed readily, and they all headed to Qingyun Terrace.

Drawing his sword, Lu Chengfeng looked toward the inner peaks, recalling the sight of those five pillars of sword energy. In that moment, any pride or conceit he had held within his heart vanished entirely.

It was as though he had returned to his early days as a disciple, full of reverence and dedication. Starting from the first form of the Bluewave Sword Technique, he executed each movement with unwavering focus.

Following his lead, Su Wanqing, Li Mo, and Luo Yong practiced the sword techniques in perfect harmony. The ringing of their swords filled the night air.

Perhaps it was the nostalgia of practicing together that rekindled their camaraderie. Before they knew it, an hour had passed.

With dawn breaking, Lu Chengfeng sheathed his sword. "That will be all for now. I'll head to Jade Immortal Peak to gather information."

"Wanqing, look after Suyi. Let her know that once I return, I'll bring her to Jade Immortal Peak with me."

"Yes, Senior Brother," Su Wanqing replied, though there was a hint of unease in her expression, and her eyes seemed to avoid his.

Preoccupied, Lu Chengfeng didn't notice her hesitation. After giving his instructions, he left with his sword in hand.

Descending the mountain, he noticed a group of seven or eight well-dressed, distinguished individuals making their way toward Cangxiao Peak. Their attire and bearing clearly set them apart from the sect's disciples.

"With such upheaval within the sect, now these outsiders are arriving. The storm truly is brewing."

He had no intention of meddling, so after a quick glance, he continued on his way to Jade Immort

al Peak.

Shortly after his departure, that group of outsiders proceeded directly toward Cangxiao Peak.