Chapter Sixteen: From Now On, I Will Be Your Greatest Support

At this moment, all the iron cages had already been brought into the lakeside pavilion.

Xi Wang’s gaze burned with fervor. “Master, tonight your Blood Transformation Technique should reach perfection!”

“All of this is thanks to you. Had I not met you, I truly wouldn’t know how to deal with the righteous alliance. Tell me, how should I reward your devotion?” Su Henli reached out, gently caressing Xi Wang’s cheek, her tone uncharacteristically soft.

Xi Wang immediately put on a look of anxious humility. “Your servant is dull-witted and has never truly grasped the essence of this divine art. It was always destined for you, Master. All of this is the will of Heaven. As for me, as long as I can remain by your side forever, I am already completely content.”

Su Henli smiled, lightly pushing aside the half-kneeling Xi Wang as she walked away. “Tomorrow marks the fifth day. Our time is running short. Until the very last moment, we must not be careless.”

Xi Wang replied, “Master’s wisdom is unparalleled.”

...

Early the next morning, Su Jian nudged the rather unruly Zhao Qianxue lying beside him.

She remained motionless.

With a sigh, Su Jian reached out to pinch her nose shut.

Zhao Qianxue’s lips parted slightly, but still showed no sign of waking.

Su Jian was hardly surprised by this. He retrieved several dozen Violet Extreme Pills from the system and stuffed them all into her mouth.

In the next instant, Zhao Qianxue jolted awake, glaring at Su Jian with barely concealed fury, her speech muffled. “You... ugh... you’re at it again!”

Su Jian responded irritably, “You really have nerves of steel. The righteous alliance is almost at our doorstep, yet you can still sleep so soundly.”

“Are... they here?”

Su Jian, trying hard to suppress a laugh at her chipmunk-like cheeks, replied, “Not yet, but probably soon. And don’t you dare waste those—each Violet Extreme Pill is worth a small fortune...”

Zhao Qianxue’s expression darkened. Though thoroughly displeased at Su Jian’s methods, she had to admit the pills tasted rather pleasant—otherwise, she’d never have swallowed them.

After a moment, Zhao Qianxue eyed him suspiciously. “I’m starting to believe you really did cozy up to a female cultivator three thousand years your senior.”

Su Jian replied, “So, Master’s Wife, are you trying to persuade me to mend my ways?”

Zhao Qianxue immediately denied it. “Absolutely not! Little Jian, you’d better hold tight to that backer. In the future, you’re the only one I can count on.”

Su Jian: “...”

Master’s Wife, there’s something off about you.

For a moment, he genuinely couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic or sincere.

Zhao Qianxue sighed. “Times have changed. Our current situation is hardly better than rats scurrying across the street. If there truly is someone powerful enough to protect us, even if it comes at a price, perhaps it’s not so unacceptable after all.”

Su Jian was surprised by her words.

It seemed the hardships of recent days had truly tempered Zhao Qianxue’s nature, making her more mature than before.

Su Jian smiled. “How unambitious. From now on, I’ll be your greatest backer.”

Zhao Qianxue harrumphed. “Hmph, I don’t care what kind of fortune you’ve stumbled upon, but since you’re not willing to say, I won’t probe. But those pills you wasted just now—do you know how many spirit stones they’re worth? Who taught you to be so outrageously extravagant?”

Su Jian’s mouth twitched, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he agreed, “You’re absolutely right, Master’s Wife. But it’s all for your own good. Who knows when some villain might plot against us? Consider this a precaution. With long-term use, these pills can repel all kinds of parasites. Besides, we’re not short on pills right now—eat as much as you like! For your safety, I’d give up everything if I must!”

Zhao Qianxue was so flustered by his words she nearly burst into laughter. She shot Su Jian a sidelong glance. Even if it all sounded like nonsense, she couldn’t help but feel a bit pleased.

Su Jian’s expression grew serious as he warned, “This recent peace is just the calm before the storm. When I said the righteous alliance wasn’t far away, I wasn’t joking.”

Zhao Qianxue’s face grew grave. “Is there anything I can do to help? Or will Su Henli just stand by and watch?”

Su Jian replied, “The best help you can give is to not cause me trouble at a critical moment. If anything goes wrong, you must use the Great Transposition Talisman to escape immediately.”

“As for Su Henli... how could she risk her life for us against the alliance? Most likely, she’ll choose self-preservation in the end. But perhaps she hasn’t given up on that item yet. It’s not impossible she might stage a timely rescue, hoping to move you with her sincerity.”

Besides, Su Henli herself was barely holding on. By his calculations, in a few more hours, the Blood Toad Gu within her would flare up.

Though he would never risk his life for Zhao Qianxue, he still didn’t want anything bad to happen to her.

Su Jian’s words left Zhao Qianxue momentarily speechless.

After all, her cultivation was supposed to be higher!

...

Truthfully, Su Jian had no idea when their enemies would arrive.

Still, it was essential to remain vigilant.

“We can’t just sit here waiting to be attacked,” Su Jian thought. He’d always detested passivity.

Though he possessed the Great Transposition Talisman and could escape whenever he wished, he was not someone who would accept such humiliation without a fight.

By his reckoning, Su Henli’s Blood Toad Gu would act up tonight.

There were still several hours left—enough time for him to set his plans in motion.

Since he would have to fall out with Su Henli anyway, he didn’t mind if it happened a few hours earlier.

It simply meant using the Great Transposition Talisman a bit sooner.

In a few hours, the Blood Toad Gu would devour Su Henli’s Purple Mansion completely.

He seriously doubted she could find anything like a Violet Extreme Pill among mortals in so short a time.

Suddenly, an idea struck Su Jian—perhaps he could divert disaster in another direction.

This would also give him a chance to gauge the strength of those the righteous alliance had sent.

If, by chance, someone at the Nascent Soul level arrived, things would be far more complicated than mere embarrassment.

With this in mind, he began wandering about the City Lord’s residence.

Of course, it was wandering in name only; in truth, he was searching for something resembling the Vajra Ring.

Before leaving his quarters, he’d already used a Breath Concealment Talisman to evade the spies watching him.

Frankly, their attempts at stealth left much to be desired.

Su Jian pondered his plan. The key to diverting disaster lay with the Vajra Ring.

The righteous alliance’s relentless pursuit was only partly about eliminating threats; their real motivation was greed.

Passing by the front courtyard, Su Jian was instantly drawn to the dark golden door knockers on the main gate.

Even their size was perfect—almost as if custom-made.

Of course, their hue was much dimmer than the real Vajra Ring, but he only needed something for misdirection, not an exact replica.

Besides, even the real Vajra Ring didn’t appear particularly special.

Given his current constraints, there was no time to forge a flawless imitation.