Outside, under the ancient peach tree, Fan Yue's red robes billowed in the breeze, his gaze fixed on the water cave just a few feet away.
"Why are you stopping? She’s just below! Go in!" the golden pig urged, flapping its wings frantically.
Fan Yue extended his hand, a surge of red demon energy repelling a shadowy barrier that shielded the water cave. "It’s impossible to enter," he said flatly. Gathering a more potent force, he struck again, but the barrier remained unscathed.
"He’s absorbed all the life on this island. The island itself has become his body," Fan Yue muttered, his brows furrowing.
* * *
Inside, Bodhi’s withered hand closed around Bai Shuo’s neck, his cold gaze shining with twisted pleasure. "In truth, I should thank you for your blood. The celestial path is grueling, but consider yourself fortunate to have lived long enough to die by my hand."
Evil energy surged from his palm—
"Run, Bai Shuo!" Chong Zhao, chained beneath the Bodhi Tree, mustered every ounce of strength, trying to wrench the thorn from his chest. Blood poured from his wound, but the thorn remained firmly embedded. Helpless, he watched as Bodhi’s hand tightened around Bai Shuo’s neck, despair filling his eyes. "Bai Shuo!"
"You think I came to this world to die at the hands of some rotten old tree?" Bai Shuo lifted her head, her gaze sharp and clear. "Even if I’m as small as an ant, my fate doesn’t end here… Fan Yue!"
At the moment Bodhi’s energy touched her forehead, a faint, dark-red crescent mark appeared between her brows. A powerful aura burst forth from the mark, and crimson energy coalesced around her like stardust, forming a shadowy figure of Fan Yue. With a fierce strike, the figure’s hand landed on Bodhi, forcing a stream of scarlet energy from his body, igniting a chain reaction within. Bodhi’s form convulsed as an explosion of red light erupted, sending him sprawling like a broken puppet across the ground.
In the midst of the surging spiritual energy, Fan Yue descended like a god, holding the weakened Bai Shuo in his arms. With a casual wave of his hand, he sliced through the vines binding Chong Zhao and Er Yun to the Bodhi tree.
Chong Zhao collapsed, weakened. "Junior Brother!" Er Yun hurried to his side, supporting him while also holding him back from rushing toward Bai Shuo, her wary gaze fixed on Fan Yue. She might not have known the Hao Yue Lord, but she could sense the terrifying demon power radiating from him.
"What are you staring at? Are your eyes that big for a reason? You think I’d fall for it the second time?" Though the situation had turned around, Bai Shuo didn’t forget the lessons from their earlier encounters. She promptly slid down from Fan Yue, wiped the blood from her mouth with an easy grin, and threw a cocky smile at the shocked Bodhi Evil Wood lying on the ground.
"You… Why is Fan Yue’s demon energy inside me? How?!" Evil Bodhi was surrounded by a fierce red demon flame, and as it spread to his true body, he spat blood, feeling his essence being consumed—Fan Yue was merging with him!
"Because you’re an idiot," Fan Yue said coolly, his gaze landing on Bai Shuo, who stood with hands on her hips, proud as ever. He raised a brow. "Or, rather, you’re just unlucky to meet a so-called 'fool' who lived far less than you but is far smarter."
* * *
An hour earlier, along the shore of Fire-Ice Island, Fan Yue hadn’t even looked back as he spoke with a detached tone.
"If you want to go get yourself killed, do it alone. I won’t interfere with the celestial realm’s fight. I’m happy to watch the show."
"If you don’t help me, I’ll go back right now and give him my blood, let him achieve that godhood he wants. Who eats whom, then, is anyone’s guess!" Bai Shuo shouted. When she saw Fan Yue glance over at her, she quickly took two steps back, raising her chin defiantly. "I’ve got nothing to lose! But you, the mighty Hao Yue Lord—your life’s worth far more than mine."
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