In the cave, time seemed to stand still, though in reality, only a few moments had passed. But in that brief moment, Bai Shuo’s blood had flowed into Chong Zhao’s body, nearly draining her. Chong Zhao, looking at her pale face, reached up to touch her neck.
"Enough, Bai Shuo… Thank you for your blood," his voice turned strangely dark and unsettling. Suddenly, he struck her shoulder with a powerful palm. Bai Shuo flew backward like a kite with a broken string, landing heavily on the ground.
"A-Zhao..." She coughed up mouthfuls of blood, staring at him in shock.
"Junior Brother?!" Er Yun was equally stunned, frozen in place.
Laughter erupted from Chong Zhao as he gripped the thorn piercing his chest, easily pulling it out and tossing it aside. The vines binding him swiftly receded. In a flash, Chong Zhao transformed into a cloaked figure, his face hidden behind a mask—revealing himself as the Bodhi Evil Wood. Evil energy swirled around him, several times stronger than when he had fought Fan Yue in the forest.
"Bodhi Evil Wood?!" Er Yun cried out in disbelief, horrified at how the Bodhi had deceived them.
"To think that in this lower realm, I would encounter such a treasure as your heaven-born blood," the Bodhi gloated, feeling the immense power within. "I've absorbed the spirit energy of the Eastern Sea for years and never touched the divine threshold. But with your blood, my golden core is complete."
Bai Shuo, her face deathly pale, struggled to breathe, barely clinging to life after his attack. "A-Zhao... Where is he? What did you do to him?"
"Even at death’s door, you still worry about him?" Bodhi sneered. "If not for him, how could I have tricked you into offering up your blood willingly? I’ll grant you one last wish—to die knowing the truth." With a wave of his hand, the evil aura around him dissipated, revealing the true Bodhi Tree Heart.
Not far from it, Chong Zhao was bound tightly by vines, a thorn still embedded in his chest. His golden core glowed faintly, barely sustaining him, a glimmer close to extinguishing. He lifted his head weakly, stretching a trembling hand towards her. "Bai Shuo… run… run!"
"Bodhi," she pleaded, "you’ve already taken my blood. Just let Chong Zhao go, and I’ll give you the rest willingly."
Bodhi scoffed. "Your blood is already mine, and I intend to take his golden core as well. Do you really think you’re in a position to negotiate, mortal?" With a flick of his hand, the vines transformed into sharp spikes, darting toward Bai Shuo.
"Fan Yue, the Lord of Hao Yue, knows me. If you kill me, aren’t you afraid of provoking his wrath?!" Bai Shuo shouted desperately.
The vines froze mid-air. Hearing this, Bodhi paused, then laughed darkly from behind his mask.
"Girl, the demon race is heartless. Do you truly think he would risk himself for a half-celestial like you?"
“Why not? If even you covet my blood, I’m sure there are others eager to attain it as well.” She held her gaze steady.
Bodhi’s voice took on a sharp edge. "So you bargained your blood to him?"
“Yes!” Bai Shuo shouted up toward the dim light filtering through the cave’s ceiling, "Fan Yue!"
But the cave remained silent.
"Fan Yue! Lord of Hao Yue!" Her voice echoed, growing fainter with each call, while Chong Zhao and Er Yun looked on, bewildered by her desperate cries. But no matter how fervently she shouted, there was no answer—only Bodhi’s gleeful, mocking laughter filling the cavern.
The masked face drew closer, malice in his voice. "You truly think that flimsy paper talisman could lead you to me? Or that I would believe Fan Yue would let go of the chance to devour me? Your petty schemes are laughable. I allowed you to enter, knowing no one else could follow. The entire Fire-Ice Island is my true form; you’re sealed within me. I am a half-divine at my peak, and with no god in the three realms, no one can break this barrier—not even your dear Lord of Hao Yue.”
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