Above the main seat, Ling Xi's eyes gradually turned sinister, hostility surging around him. A vast power spread, pressing down on the immortals below until they could barely breathe.
"Presumptuous!"
With a roar, he abruptly raised his right hand, and a formidable force erupted from his palm.
The immortal below, his face a mask of terror, was blasted hundreds of meters away. He crashed heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"General, please calm your anger..."
The immortals below, their faces filled with dread, lowered their heads and pleaded for forgiveness. But the man on the main seat refused to listen.
His eyes narrowed, fixed on the kneeling immortal below. He said coldly, "Whoever dares to harm the Divine Maiden by even half an inch will be killed without mercy!"
The kneeling immortal's face turned ashen, cold sweat trickling down his forehead. Yet, he mustered his courage and said, "General, please calm your anger... but this subordinate must still speak."
Ling Xi's eyebrows slightly lifted, his eyes filled with mockery. He naturally understood what the immortal was about to say. He snorted coldly, saying nothing.
"The human realm is in chaos now. I fear we cannot hold it."
"But... the Heavenly Realm is our life's work, the life's work of all immortals. You cannot let personal sentiment interfere with such a crucial matter!"
...
"Bang—" Ling Xi slammed his fist onto the table, shattering it into pieces. The immortals below were so startled they immediately fell silent.
"Who says the Three Realms cannot be saved without the Sun and Moon Divine Lamps?" His eyes flickered with cold light, his voice chilling to the bone, sending shivers down everyone's spine.
...
The soil of the illusion shattered, and the surrounding red mist gradually dissipated. Only the moonlight remained as bright as ever, casting a desolate scene upon the land.
Ye Ziling slowly opened her eyes, gazing at the empty surroundings. Her expression was one of profound change, her heart feeling as if it were being twisted by a knife.
So, from beginning to end, this was the outcome.
She had thought that the heavens had shown her a path out of hell, only to realize that she could not escape destiny.
Reborn in a time of turmoil, she was, from start to finish, forever bound by fate.
Was she born to be sacrificed for the Sun and Moon Divine Lamps?
Ridiculous!
—
Ye Ziling didn't know how she returned to the medical hall. She only felt a pervasive weakness, as if her heart had been hollowed out, the pain almost suffocating.
She knew that Ling Xi would never allow her to be sacrificed.
Pushing open the door to the room, her two elder brothers and a few medicine boys were grinding herbs. Her gaze swept over them, finally settling.
"Shanzi, did you put too much realgar? How did you memorize the medicinal text?" Ye Jingxian chased Shanzi around the table several times before angrily throwing a packet of herbs at his feet.
"A mistake... a mistake!"
"Second Young Master, please stop chasing me!"
"..."
Ye Jinghuai, on the other hand, remained calm, completely unfazed, diligently grinding the herbs.
The commotion from the two was quite loud. He lifted his eyelids, glancing in Ye Ziling's direction. Seeing her standing motionless at the doorway, he asked in confusion, "Sister, you're back?"
Hearing him, Ye Ziling's body trembled violently. She quickly regained her usual demeanor.
"Yes. It was stuffy in here, so I went out for a stroll."
After speaking, she walked directly out of the room, her steps hurried, as if avoiding something.
"Wait." Ye Jinghuai suddenly called out to her.
Ye Ziling turned to look at him. Seeing a trace of worry appearing between his brows, her heart stirred slightly.
"What is it, Brother?"
"Commander Mu said you haven't eaten all day. The kitchen still has warm food. Remember to eat it later."
His face, as warm as jade, held a hint of gentleness. His eyes curved, and he smiled faintly at her.
"Ling'er, when the human realm is peaceful, second brother will treat you and these silly boys to a tour of the capital. We'll enjoy ourselves!" Ye Jingxian patted his chest and said heartily.
"Second Young Master, just touring the capital is too boring!"
"Why don't we go to Chang'an?"
"I want to go to the Heavenly Court!"
...
The medicine boys stopped their work, their eyes filled with longing as they clamored.
Listening to their babbling voices, Ye Ziling felt a pang of bitterness in her heart, but she managed to conceal it.
Amidst the laughter and merriment, she left the hall and headed straight to her own room.
Mu Heng had already been waiting inside for a long time.
The food on the table was still steaming and fragrant, having been reheated countless times.
Seeing her, Mu Heng quickly stood up, his expression unreadable.
"...Where did you go just now?" He suddenly grabbed her sleeve, his tone urgent, laced with a hint of nervousness and unease.
Ye Ziling blinked, then lowered her head, replying with a light laugh, "Just wandered around."
Mu Heng released her sleeve, his gaze沉寂.
"Did you go to the outskirts?" he asked again, his gaze sharp.
Ye Ziling shook her head, denying it. "No..."
As she spoke, her expression was open and honest, showing no sign of anything unusual.
Seeing her put on the familiar black cloak, Mu Heng's unease intensified.
Whether going to kill or to venture, before setting out, she would always tie on a cloak, to be wrapped around her corpse.
Without him needing to say, he knew Ye Ziling was already aware of the current situation.
"Where are you going now?" he continued to ask, his anxiety evident in his eyes.
Ye Ziling glanced at him, then after a moment of silence, replied, "The Divine Spring."
She knew she couldn't hide it from him.
Perhaps it was due to their connection as divine beasts, but Mu Heng had always understood her.
This was one of the reasons she trusted him.
Mu Heng's pupils contracted violently, his expression becoming even more grim. His clenched fists tightened and loosened, then tightened again, finally falling limply to his sides.
"Who do you think... you are?"
"...A savior?"
"The Divine Spring is not for you to seal!"
"Ye Ziling, when did you become so merciful?"
Mu Heng's eyes were crimson, his voice hoarse as he roared at her repeatedly, his clenched fists seeming to suppress something.
Ye Ziling lowered her gaze, remaining silent, letting Mu Heng rage before her, her heart turning to ice.
She suddenly raised her eyes, a faint smile appearing. Casually, she said, "What's there to be afraid of? A mere Divine Spring won't take much of my strength."
As she uttered these words, her heart ached.
She knew that Ling Xi was likely already on his way to the Divine Spring. She didn't have much time.
"Commander Mu."
"I'll trouble you to look after Jiuling Palace for me during this time."
Ye Ziling lowered her eyelids, her tone bình thường, without any discernible emotional fluctuation, yet it struck Mu Heng like a bolt from the blue.
"I have already mobilized all disciples to the capital. It's temporarily safe here."
"My brothers, and these people, I'm entrusting them to you."
"Oh, right. In the Lingxiao Palace, there's a birthday gift I prepared for you. It's for... next year. Remember to take a look when you go back."
She paused, fearing he wouldn't believe her, and continued, "I will return alive."
After speaking, Ye Ziling turned to leave.
As she was about to step out the door, she suddenly remembered something and paused slightly.
She had forgotten to dissolve the divine beast contract with him.
If it wasn't dissolved, then when she died, Mu Heng would suffer along with her.