Chapter Nine: Why Did My Face Turn Red?

The stone gate to the Fourth Prison was about a hundred yards away.

Lin Bufan swiftly cast a spell; the protective shield around him, nearly shattered, suddenly flashed with golden light, once again resisting several bolts of lightning. Seeing the stone gate within arm's reach, he felt a faint sense of comfort.

Seven years ago, he had nearly exhausted everything just to barely step into that stone gate. Yet this time, he had reached this point without even exerting his full strength.

Though he had not broken through to the Fifth Level of Concentration, years of persistent cultivation had strengthened his spiritual sea far beyond that of others in his realm.

By the measure of cultivation foundation, he was almost invincible among his peers.

He smiled with satisfaction, and once more activated the Clear Breeze Technique beneath his feet.

His speed increased, dodging several lightning strikes in succession, and he entered the stone gate smoothly.

Looking back at the thunder-filled black space, he seemed to see his former self from seven years prior.

Hardship, helplessness, grievance, unwillingness—whatever they had been, all faded away in this moment.

"Let the past stay in the past."

With a sigh, Lin Bufan’s steps grew resolute; he turned and walked directly onto the stone stairs leading to the Fourth Prison.

Meanwhile—

Shen Wan’s arms, swinging like windshield wipers, were numb and aching, but he paid it no mind.

Watching Zhu Qianqing’s trembling form beside him, delicate as a blossom in a storm, he felt an overwhelming urge to protect.

Hmph! What was this compared to his resolve?

He straightened his chest, quickening his steadfast right hand.

A bolt of lightning struck; Zhu Qianqing tensed, and Shen Wan’s heart blossomed with a tiny red flower.

Another lightning bolt, another tense moment, and a small yellow flower bloomed within him.

The soft sensation made Shen Wan’s heart a veritable sea of flowers—how beautiful…

In truth, Zhu Qianqing’s fear stemmed entirely from the overwhelming sensory impact of this prison, both visual and auditory.

The spiritual pressure here was only at the Fourth Level of Concentration, not enough to seriously affect her at the Third Level.

It was merely a girl’s instinctive fear of thunder.

If she had not covered her eyes, she would have gradually adapted in the darkness and not been so afraid.

But Shen Wan would never tell her that.

How could you ask a girl not to cover her eyes in a haunted house? Nonsense! Besides, wasn’t he enjoying the softness and warmth in this sea of flowers? Who wouldn’t?

Shen Wan grinned mischievously, struggling to contain his expression.

He slowed his pace, redirecting all nerves and blood from his legs to his face to avoid becoming expressionless.

Such wisdom only belonged to the truly clever.

Shamelessly, Shen Wan gave himself a hearty thumbs-up.

“Hahahahaha...”

Nearby disciples watched in astonishment.

We’re fighting desperately, and you—what’s with that smile on your face?

It was impressive enough to withstand the lightning alone, but to protect another so easily?

Could you swap that person for me? I’ll pay!

Basking in the envious gazes around him, Shen Wan guarded Zhu Qianqing with renewed vigor.

In the darkness, Zhu Qianqing felt as though this layer took forever to traverse; even the previous two prisons combined seemed shorter than this one.

Nervous all the way, they finally reached the stone gate to the Fourth Prison.

Removing her blindfold, the dimness of the stone corridor soothed her greatly. Seeing Shen Wan’s drooping arm, her cheeks flushed once more.

She hesitated before asking,

“Senior brother... are you all right?”

Shen Wan’s arm was long numb; he wanted to swing it for relief.

But Zhu Qianqing’s gentle concern sent a shiver through him, and he answered with a stoic, resolute expression,

“It’s nothing at all.”

When the right time, right expression, right words, and right actions all converge—

That is the pinnacle of charm!

Shen Wan felt himself, in that moment, unbelievably dashing.

Yet his dazzling expression lasted only briefly before sensation returned to his armpit, then his whole arm, as if invaded by countless ants crawling through his veins.

“Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...”

His cool demeanor collapsed instantly, and he stomped in place from the numbness.

Zhu Qianqing stared speechlessly.

After both recovered, Zhu Qianqing changed into a fresh outfit.

Shen Wan lamented that women had always had more clothes, only they themselves didn’t realize it.

He looked up at the stone stairs vanishing into darkness, resigned once more.

Sneaking a glance at Zhu Qianqing, he trudged up with a face full of misery.

At last, they reached the Fourth Prison.

This time, Shen Wan sprawled out in a big character shape as soon as he entered.

With the previous experience, Zhu Qianqing asked no questions, quietly standing by to observe this prison.

The Wind Blade Prison.

As its name suggested, it was a space condensed from violent storms.

Countless tornadoes rampaged unchecked; wherever they passed, rocks and low peaks were leveled to the ground.

Even by eye, one could see layers of wind as sharp as blades, and without even touching them, one could feel the sting of a blade scraping the skin.

Zhu Qianqing grimaced, shivering several times.

After a long while, Shen Wan finally recovered and studied the inscriptions on the tombstone.

Wind blade, wind blade, wind blade...

“Hmm…”

“How about I carry you through this layer?”

Shen Wan judged this layer to be a chaotic tempest, wind direction utterly unpredictable and wild.

Only by shielding Zhu Qianqing’s entire body could he protect her as they crossed.

This time, Shen Wan’s intention was pure, solely to protect.

But innocent words, when heard by someone sensitive, take on a different meaning.

Zhu Qianqing’s face reddened instantly, and she waved her hands,

“No… no, perhaps I should just leave at this layer.”

“What, you want to carry me? My hands have never been touched by a man, you scoundrel!”

She cursed inwardly, though remembering how close she’d been to falling into his arms in the Thunder Prison, her face reddened even more.

“Uh… Sorry, I was too forward.”

Shen Wan realized his words were inappropriate and fell into contemplation.

Finally, he moved his hands behind him like a penguin, inviting Zhu Qianqing to stand at his back.

If facing forward wouldn’t do, perhaps carrying her backward would be acceptable.

Even then, Zhu Qianqing hesitated for a long time before agreeing.

So, Shen Wan puffed out his chest, Zhu Qianqing blushed, their faces nearly touching his back, and in this bizarre posture, the two entered the Wind Blade Prison.

Sure enough, though the winds lashed wildly, within Shen Wan’s immediate vicinity, the wind blades dispersed as if hitting a wall.

Zhu Qianqing kept her eyes open this time, growing more astonished the longer she watched.

Though the dispersed wind blades still inflicted minor injuries below her knees, they were mere superficial scratches, hardly worth mentioning.

Following Shen Wan’s broad back, Zhu Qianqing’s cheeks flushed again.

“What kind of person is he? He speaks like a fool, and I sense no cultivation from him, yet he’s so unrestrained in the Ten Prison Tower?”

Feeling the heat on her face, she hurriedly covered her cheeks.

“How embarrassing… I’ve never blushed in my life, and today it happens again and again!”

She slapped her face, purposefully maintaining a fist’s distance behind Shen Wan to avoid touching him.

While Zhu Qianqing daydreamed behind him, Shen Wan was unaware.

One arm had been useless in the Thunder Prison; now, both arms were out of commission.

His chest, once proudly lifted, now drooped as exhaustion made him tuck his neck into his collar.

He felt like a lovesick old turtle, awkward in every pose.

He was about to suggest to the girl behind him that perhaps they could switch positions—maybe turn around?

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar figure.

Lin Bufan?

Lin Bufan was already battered by wind blades, his clothes in tatters, his body covered in lacerations, blood spurting as if it cost nothing.

Shen Wan was startled, quickly moving over with Zhu Qianqing.

"Brother Lin, what happened? Are you performing stunts?"

Lin Bufan, hearing someone call him, hastily cast three protective spells and turned his head toward the voice.

"Brother Shen?"

Seeing Shen Wan’s face, Lin Bufan froze, then asked in astonishment,

"You… how did you get here?"

"Uh..."

Shen Wan was embarrassed, about to explain, when Lin Bufan cried out. Distracted by Shen Wan, his protective shield shattered under the wind blades, and blood sprayed anew.

Seeing this, Shen Wan had no time to explain, shouting,

"Quick, get behind me! Hurry!"

He feared if he delayed, Lin Bufan would bleed out on the spot.

Lin Bufan’s face turned pale; hearing Shen Wan’s words, he moved sluggishly, but with no hesitation, twisting through the wind blades to Shen Wan’s back.

Instantly, the wind blades’ assault diminished greatly.

"Press closer."

Shen Wan urged him again.

Lin Bufan was dazed, unable to understand why it was so safe behind Shen Wan.

But hearing his voice again, his body instinctively obeyed, pushing forward and bumping into Zhu Qianqing.

She frowned, and the collision made her lose balance, causing her to fall onto Shen Wan’s back.

Shen Wan, too, staggered from the sudden weight; already unsteady, he toppled forward.

His heart sank, and instinctively, with his arms behind his back, he grabbed Lin Bufan’s waistband and pulled him forward.

And so—

Lin Bufan pressed against Zhu Qianqing, Zhu Qianqing against Shen Wan, and Shen Wan holding them both in reverse—a human sandwich.

None of them fell, but—

The atmosphere was terribly awkward.