Qingbai's fury surged through his body like a tide, his eyes burning with a crimson glare.
Ye Ziling sneered, her sword qi behind her suddenly erupting. Her eyes held a sharp killing intent as she thrust her sword, piercing the man's shoulder.
Blood spurted out, splattering onto her face.
As if oblivious, she twisted her wrist and thrust again, aiming for the man's heart. Her voice carried an extreme coldness, "This sword, it's finally for you." 138 Reading Net
It was the same spot he had stabbed Ling Xi last time.
Today, she would make him pay with blood!
Her figure flickered like a phantom, and in an instant, she was beside him, thrusting her sword out once more. This strike was faster and fiercer than the last.
Qingbai had not expected Ye Ziling's sudden attack and couldn't evade it. His chest was pierced, and a hot current surged from the wound. Immediately after, an icy, bone-chilling power flowed with the blood into his limbs, causing him to go numb and utterly unable to move.
"You truly hate me..." he murmured, blood trickling from the corner of his lips, his eyes filled with a smile. "Hate me, it's wonderful to see you hate me before I die..."
Had he never loved her?
"We'll meet in hell." With his last words, the man collapsed entirely, dissipating into a cloud of red mist that scattered across the pond's surface. The water immediately began to boil, churning into enormous waves.
"Master, farewell." Ye Ziling retracted her sword and stood firm, her expression indifferent, a hint of genuine light gleaming in her eyes.
At fourteen, he saw her exceptional talent and took her under his wing, teaching her cultivation techniques, intending to mold her into a killing sword by his side, yet simultaneously fearing her strength.
She had been extraordinarily intelligent since childhood, learning with astonishing speed. By fifteen, her aptitude far surpassed that of ordinary immortal officials in the heavens.
He recognized her potential and, to prevent her from becoming a threat to him, ceased teaching her cultivation methods.
Back then, she was naive, believing he simply disliked her. So, she tried to please him daily, offering pastries and practicing her dance skills, but not even a glance in return.
How laughable, she had once thought him her savior, only to realize it was all a long-planned conspiracy.
Later, she secretly practiced cultivation diligently, finally reaching the same level as him.
She paved the way for him, killing anyone—human, god, or demon—who posed a threat to his imperial throne.
At that time, he promised her supreme power and a lifelong commitment, and she believed him.
In the end, it was all just manipulation!
In an instant, the cave violently shook, stones rained down, and the magma beneath the pond surged wildly, emitting thick smoke that made her cough incessantly.
The vortex at the spring's mouth was expanding, churning with rolling magma.
At this moment, winds and clouds surged across the heavens and earth, and the four heavenly pillars supporting the celestial realm shattered with a roar.
Monsters howled, and thunder raged throughout the world, resembling hell itself.
There was no time left.
As Ye Ziling turned, she lingered for a moment, the light in her eyes suddenly dimming. Reflecting on her life, it was like a dream of yellow millet.
Love or hate, all were now fleeting smoke.
Fortunately, she had set up a restriction outside the cave earlier. Even if Ling Xi wanted to enter, it would take him some time.
As a former celestial goddess, how could she not know that the wordless letter on him was a sacrificial order?
Ye Ziling stood in the center of the stone bridge, a spark flashing in her eyes.
That night, she was fortunate to have insomnia, otherwise she wouldn't have heard all his sweet words.
He had waited for her through several lifetimes, sacrificing himself for her in each, it must have been agonizing.
She couldn't just stand by and watch him die.
Ye Ziling withdrew her gaze, forcing a bitter smile with great difficulty.
Her long sword dropped from her hand. She turned and walked step by step towards the spring's opening.
"Ye Ziling!!!"
A sudden roar erupted behind her, and her steps froze. She turned to look back.
The surroundings shook violently. His figure stood not far away, unfazed by the collapsing rocks behind him, his robes fluttering, his ink-black hair cascading to his waist.
Ling Xi, clad in silver armor, his eyes blood-red, his hair slightly disheveled, his chiseled profile dotted with specks of blood. His alluring face appeared particularly terrifying.
"...Come back here!" He threw down the precious sword in his hand and walked towards her step by step, his eyes filled with anxiety.
"Come back!"
"Ling Xi..." Ye Ziling didn't move her feet, merely gazed at him quietly, a hint of crimson dyeing her eyes.
It was fine, she could see him one last time before turning to ash.
Once she left, there would be no trace of her in this world.
"I told you to come here," he commanded in a deep voice, his tone carrying an irresistible force. The emotions in his eyes were almost overflowing.
"...If you insist on this, then what do all the things I've done count for?"
"Do you want to die... without asking me?"
"Your people are mine, your life is mine. Whether you live or die, I decide!"
Ling Xi's brows furrowed, the light in his eyes shone brighter than ever. He yelled hysterically.
Ye Ziling's heart stirred slightly, her lips trembling for a moment. She walked towards him step by step.
Ling Xi suddenly reached out and grasped her slender arm, pulling her fiercely into his embrace and holding her tightly.
"Ye Ziling, listen to me carefully," he gritted out, a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes. "...As long as I'm here, even if the sky falls, I'll bear it for you."
He reached out and buried her in his chest, as if wanting to meld her into his very bones and blood. His voice was deep, like a long-suppressed incantation, filled with endless emotion.
"I said, through lifetimes, I would protect you even in death."
His presence swept over her like a hurricane, roaring in her ears, "Do I have to chop off your hands and feet... for you to stay faithfully by my side? To obey me?"
Flames blazed all around, and the magma gradually rose, about to fill the entire pond.
The sound of falling debris in the cave struck her heart like a drum, making it difficult to breathe.
The person in his arms did not retort. He wanted to hold her tighter, to meld her into his body. As he reached out, he discovered that his acupoints had been sealed by her without his knowledge, rendering him immobile.
This time, it was she who held him tightly.
Ye Ziling reached out her fingertips, trembling as she wiped the bloodstains from his forehead. Her beautiful eyes reflected his face.
In her eyes, the past flowed continuously, like myriad shooting stars.
"Do I owe you... too much?" she murmured softly, her eyes brimming with tenderness as she repeatedly caressed his brows and eyes, as if trying to etch him into her heart.
In this world, blooming mountain flowers, drizzling rain, and gentle evening breezes were nothing compared to his gaze.
Only as she faced death did she finally see the most beautiful aspects of the world.
Perhaps heaven did not favor her, but he extended his hand to her from the light, becoming the sun in her world.
"As long as you are still here, I can try to love all living beings again..."
It was too late.
If heaven had shown her even a little more favor, even for a moment, she would have been content.
Her eyes turned crimson, and crystal tears slid silently down her cheeks, moistening his robes.
His lips parted slightly, his gaze fixed ardently upon her, "...What are you afraid of? In this rotten world, I love you."
Ye Ziling froze for a moment, then looked up, gazing into those dark eyes that held a profound love and determination.