Cultivating immortality relies on spatial abilities; defying fate to become the protagonist.

Chapter 201

The two settled down in the cave and spent their days meditating and cultivating, refining pills, making talismans, practicing swordsmanship, and studying formations, without neglecting any of them.

The two also sparred from time to time. Duan Siqi's swordsmanship was quite good. Under Gu Shihan's guidance, her swordsmanship improved by leaps and bounds, becoming more and more sharp and fast. It could be said that she was getting stronger every day.

As for Xingbai, he quietly recuperated in the spirit pool, and after a few months, Xingbai's blood and energy slowly recovered.

Time flies, and the three-year period is drawing to a close. Gu Shihan's cultivation has improved once again, and she has now broken through to the Nascent Soul stage, becoming a true Nascent Soul cultivator.

After entering the Nascent Soul stage, Gu Shihan felt as if she had been reborn. Her body was lighter than before, the power of her swordsmanship greatly increased, she achieved the Great Perfection of the Sword Domain Realm, the immortal spiritual power in her body became more and more profound, and her divine sense also increased significantly.

As for Duan Siqi, her achievements were also remarkable. Her cultivation had reached the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and her swordsmanship, under Gu Shihan's guidance, had become increasingly sharp, reaching the intermediate stage of the Sword Domain realm.

Three years have also brought great gains to Xingbai. His blood and energy have recovered to almost 70% and his strength has greatly increased. Now, in human form, he is a handsome young man.

Just three days before the three-year term was about to expire, the Spirit Pool suddenly trembled violently.

Gu Shihan was shocked and quickly used her spiritual power to investigate, discovering that an external force was impacting the spiritual pool's defenses.

"Could it be that the Bai family is here to cause trouble?" Duan Siqi gripped her sword tightly.

"I don't know. This power seems to come from the bottom of the spiritual spring. It shouldn't be the Bai family! Whoever it is, we absolutely cannot let them destroy this place." Gu Shihan's expression was firm.

Gu Shihan and Duan Siqi stood guard around the spirit pool, preparing for the impending change.

Xingbai also jumped out of the spirit pool, transforming into a handsome young man who protected Gu Shihan.

Suddenly, the protection of the spirit pool shattered, and a group of people dressed in black and wearing masks filed out, numbering about twenty.

The leader of the men in black glanced around with obvious disdain, then sneered at Gu Shihan and the other two, saying coldly, "Hide? You can't escape the master's eyes even if you go to the ends of the earth! Xiang Ai! Come out! Don't think you can fool us by pushing out a few ants. The moment you appeared, the master found your location. Old man, stop hiding!"

Gu Shihan's heart skipped a beat. Could these people be Senior Xiang Ai's enemies? But Senior Xiang Ai has already disappeared, so why are they trying to capture him?
The man in black waited a while longer. There was no one else there except Gu Shihan and the other two. He said impatiently, "Speak! Where is that old bastard Xiang Ai? Did he give you anything? If he did, I advise you to hand over what the old man gave you, or you will all die a violent death and your path to immortality will be cut off!"

Gu Shihan feigned surprise and asked, "Who are you? And who is Xiang Ai? We didn't see anyone when we found this spirit pool. Have you come to the wrong place? Also, why...why did you come out of the pool?"

The man in black paused for a moment, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes. He glanced at Gu Shihan and the others, muttering, "So weak! I bet even if that old bastard Xiang Ai had something, he wouldn't dare hand it over to you. But now that we've run into you, you have no reason to live."

The leader of the men in black waved his hand and launched an attack, and Gu Shihan and the other two immediately retaliated.

Gu Shihan's swordsmanship was sharp and skillful, and she and Duan Siqi cooperated well, with orderly offense and defense. Although her cultivation level was a bit low, her sword domain was able to keep up with the men in black.

Xingbai also used all his skills, and for a time the stone cave was filled with the flashing of swords and blades, and colorful spells flew everywhere, making it a fierce and evenly matched battle. "Shameless! Bullying the weak and the many, do you have the face to walk out of here? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?!" Xingbai cursed incessantly while casting spells.

After fighting for a while, Gu Shihan and the other two were really exhausted. Suddenly, Xingbai's eyes lit up and he transmitted his voice to Gu Shihan and Duan Siqi: "Hanhan, Qiqi! These people are not their real bodies. If you can hold out for a while longer, they will weaken and dissipate."

Xingbai, true to his reputation as a know-it-all, quickly discovered the flaw.

"Really? Then is there still a glimmer of hope for us?" Gu Shihan and Duan Siqi exchanged a glance. Swords and talismans appeared one after another, throwing the men in black into disarray.

Nevertheless, the number of men in black was large, and their cultivation levels were far higher than Gu Shihan's. Even if they were not descending to the mortal realm in their true forms, their strength was not to be underestimated. Gradually, the three of them suffered some injuries and were finding it difficult to hold on.

Gu Shihan and Duan Siqi gritted their teeth and held on, but before they knew it, they were both sent flying by the man in black and crashed into a stone wall.

A bright light flashed across the stone wall, followed by a boom. The previously still stone wall was now shimmering with spiritual light, indicating that a restriction left by Senior Xiang Ai had been triggered.

As the spiritual light spread, the men in black fell one after another, their faces filled with disbelief. Their bodies quickly became ethereal and disappeared into the spiritual pool.

"Shi Han, do you know their origins? Are they immortals from the upper realm? And what happened with the spiritual light they just received?" Duan Siqi stared at the now calm pool.

"I'm not entirely sure, but I can make a bold guess: the stone wall was probably the last line of defense set up by Senior Xiang Ai, specifically to defend against enemies from the upper realm who came down to capture him."

"Hanhan, Qiqi, are you alright?" Xingbai ran over to check on their injuries.

Gu Shihan wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, took out a pill and swallowed it, then said, "I'm fine, Siqi, how are you?"

"It's alright, I won't die. Were those black-robed men from the upper realm? Is Xiang Ai the old man you encountered? What happened to him?" Duan Siqi asked after taking the pill and recovering.

"I don't know what happened, but he did leave something behind. I promised him that I would deliver it to some Southern Emperor in the Upper Realm. These people probably discovered his whereabouts and that's why they came looking for him."

"The Heavenly Court? It sounds so far away from us, but I'm afraid it will bring endless trouble in the future. Shi Han, did he teach you your swordsmanship? I remember that it wasn't as powerful as it is now when we practiced together before."

"Yes, he said that meeting me was his destiny, and he passed on his swordsmanship to me. I thought that since you also practice swordsmanship, that's why..."

Duan Siqi smiled and hugged Gu Shihan, saying earnestly, "Shihan, thank you. In the cultivation world, everyone's opportunities are their own. I'm really touched by what you've done. Aren't you afraid I'll scheme against you?"

Xingbai rolled her eyes. It was all thanks to him that she could keep up with her bad intentions. Even if she had a mischievous thought, she couldn't escape Xingbai's notice.

Besides, doesn't our Hanhan need helpers and partners? It's better for everyone to be strong than one person to be strong, that way there will be much less danger, right?

(End of this chapter)