Luo Xue stood quietly to one side, awaiting the outcome. Wang Zhan could feel the anguish Luo Xue was enduring. If she can bear this, it will be an excellent outcome, he thought. After all, if Luo Xue’s strength improves sufficiently, I won’t need to watch over her so closely, and she could even become my right-hand woman.

But the current situation was far from certain. Accepting an inheritance brings immense pressure, far beyond what ordinary people can imagine, Wang Zhan knew all too well. Besides, Luo Xue is a young woman. I naturally worry she might not withstand such pain. Her cultivation could stagnate, and all our efforts would be for naught.

As time ticked away, Wang Zhan was on tenterhooks for Luo Xue. An enormous vortex appeared between Heaven and Earth, seeming to link the sky and the coastline. Luo Xue stood quietly within this huge vortex, while the Black Tortoise Venerable beside her relentlessly swung his arms, doing his utmost to alleviate some of her pain.

Luo Xue’s face had turned ashen. She glanced at Wang Zhan beside her and cried out, "Brother Wang, this pain is unbearable! I can’t hold on any longer!"

The Black Tortoise Venerable’s complexion also changed noticeably for the worse. After all, this was a critical moment. If Luo Xue couldn’t endure, all their efforts would be wasted, and even his own cultivation would suffer a degree of damage. It was indeed a lose-lose situation. However, everything now depends on Luo Xue; I can do nothing about how things will unfold, he mused.

The Black Tortoise Venerable’s voice rang out again beside her ear.

"Young lady, if you want to rise above others, then you must endure pain that ordinary people cannot tolerate. Only by persevering can you stand by your beloved’s side. Only by doing this can you lend him some assistance. If you cease to make progress, how could you possibly remain by his side?"

"Even if he would look after you at all times, don’t you ever dream of the day you could stand in front of him, protecting him?"

Hearing these words, Luo Xue clenched her fists once more, feeling waves of vast energy wash over her. Though her will was incredibly strong, her body seemed to be on the verge of collapsing.

Wang Zhan, standing to one side, watched Luo Xue intently. After a moment, he could sense the agony she was enduring. Then, he shouted at the Black Tortoise Venerable, "Luo Xue’s body seems unable to bear your energy infusion! If this continues, it will not only fail to benefit her but could even cause her harm!"

"How about this: let me help."

As he spoke, Wang Zhan shot straight into the sky. He immediately raised his fist, unleashing a sword-like attack as Fire Dragons rapidly descended towards the enormous vortex. If he could shatter this vortex, it would not only alleviate some of Luo Xue’s pain but also hasten the completion of her inheritance.

But the power of Heaven and Earth was not something mere mortals could easily resist.

The Black Tortoise Venerable’s face changed, but it was too late for him to intervene. A thunderous roar echoed from above. To Wang Zhan’s surprise, the huge vortex possessed some offensive power. Several Fire Dragons were instantly swallowed by the vortex. Before Wang Zhan could react, a massive wave from the vortex slammed into his chest. Like a kite with its string cut, Wang Zhan fell rapidly backwards, hitting the sea level with a heavy splash.

Wang Zhan let out a low grunt, his face quickly paling.

Beside him, the Black Tortoise Venerable’s expression also changed. He hurriedly asked, "How are you, young man? Can you still hold on?"

Wang Zhan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. He stood proudly and, with a grin, squinted at the gigantic vortex, speaking word by word, "Don’t worry. Even if it can hurt me, killing me won’t be easy. Besides, I can’t just stand by and watch my companion perish before my eyes. So, no matter what, I have to step in and lend a hand."

Saying this, Wang Zhan rose to his feet again. He revealed the Deep Fire Blade in his hand and swiftly hurled it forth.

"Nine Heavens Mysterious Fire Formation!"

Following Wang Zhan’s roar, gigantic Fire Dragons materialized in the sky. They quickly entangled the vortex. However, the Fire Dragons seemed to be no match for the vortex; in the blink of an eye, two of them had already dissipated.

Even so, Wang Zhan would not back down. He retrieved the Deep Fire Blade and once more charged ferociously towards the vortex, swinging the blade in his hand, striking down at the massive maelstrom again and again. With every strike, Wang Zhan felt a searing pain shoot through the web of his hand. Despite this, he didn’t retreat an inch. He had pushed his strength to its absolute limit, to the point that the Fire Deity Armor had even manifested upon him.

Yet, even this was not enough to affect the vortex.

Wang Zhan’s expression tightened. He clenched his fists, and once more, Fire Dragons materialized in the sky, smashing into the vortex. He could feel tremors shaking the heavens, but the vortex showed no sign of weakening.

The Black Tortoise Venerable, who had been watching Wang Zhan all along, finally called out, "Young man, stop trying to fight this vortex. If the young lady truly cannot hold on, I will naturally not make things difficult for her. I will certainly withdraw my power and not allow her to come to any harm."

"So, you don’t need to worry. But if you continue to expend your energy like this, your own body will suffer considerable damage."

Wang Zhan squinted, his brow furrowed. "Since the inheritance has progressed this far," he said seriously, "I can’t just watch her throw it all away."

Luo Xue, although exhausted and suffering greatly, was touched by Wang Zhan’s words. Then, she looked at Wang Zhan and waved her hand. "Brother Wang," she said, "I can still hold on. You don’t need to worry about me. Please, step aside and don’t get hurt. Otherwise, it would be a heavy blow to me as well."

"And even if you help me earn the inheritance this way, how could I be at peace in the future?"

Wang Zhan frowned and said, "I’ve always considered you my younger sister. Since you are, I can’t just watch you let this inheritance go to waste. Besides, I have my own trump cards. Even if I can’t overcome it, I can certainly protect myself. So, you don’t need to worry. And with me here holding back this vortex, it will buy you more time to safely absorb the inheritance."

Luo Xue hesitated. Then, the Black Tortoise Venerable’s voice sounded in her ear again: "Since he’s put it that way, don’t waste his kind efforts. Hurry and focus your spirit. Absorb as much of the energy I’m channeling to you as possible. This will also strengthen your body to a certain degree. Our inheritance process is almost complete. Just hold on a little longer."

Luo Xue nodded firmly. "Don’t worry, I will persevere!"

The Black Tortoise Venerable smiled with satisfaction and increased the power in his hands, clearly intending for Luo Xue to receive as much of the inheritance as possible, thereby significantly boosting her strength.

Meanwhile, Wang Zhan continued to battle the vortex, soon reaching the end of his strength. At this moment, Luo Xue had finished her absorption. A loud BOOM resounded from the sky. Wang Zhan swiftly retreated, and the vortex dissipated into nothing. However, Wang Zhan had already exhausted a great deal of his own energy.

Wang Zhan stood at sea level, clutching his chest. After completing the inheritance, Luo Xue, without a thought for her own condition, immediately rushed to Wang Zhan’s side. She quickly supported him and asked anxiously, "Brother Wang, are you alright?"

Wang Zhan shook his head and said with a smile, "I told you, a vortex like that couldn’t pose too much of a threat to me. You just needed to focus on completing your inheritance. And it looks like your strength has improved considerably, which is a wonderful thing for you. So, it’s all worth it, regardless of the cost."

At first, the Black Tortoise Venerable had assumed the two were lovers, but now he understood the true nature of their bond.

The Black Tortoise Venerable chuckled, shook his head, and after glancing at the two, remarked, "This young lady is indeed fortunate to have such a fine companion."

"I think she’s the lucky one," Wang Zhan said, looking at Luo Xue with a smile. "Even with a companion like me, what good is it? I can’t help her improve her strength much. But after meeting you, Venerable, her power has seen a great leap."

Wang Zhan then asked, "If I’m not mistaken, her strength should now be on par with mine, right?"

The Black Tortoise Venerable nodded, then shook his head. "Technically, yes, your strengths are now comparable. However, if you were to use all your trump cards, she would still not be your match."