As the black light faded completely from the cave, the Bodhi branches withered, and the illusion of the water cave disappeared. The sound of waves hitting the shore reached the three of them, and they found themselves back on the shore of Fire and Ice Island. Under the evening moonlight, the life force of all beings was restored, as if they had returned from another world.
Bai Shuo, still somewhat dazed, saw Fan Yue beginning to leave and couldn’t help but call out, “Lord…”
Fan Yue paused without looking back, waving his hand and casting a beam of light over Er Yun. A red glow passed over her, and she groaned in pain. Chong Zhao shouted in alarm, glaring warily at Fan Yue, “Lord of Hao Yue Hall, what have you done?!”
Unprepared for Fan Yue’s sudden move against Er Yun, Bai Shuo had no time to react, though the scene felt strangely familiar. She quickly said, “Senior Brother, protect Senior Sister’s core. Don’t worry—the Lord didn’t harm her.”
As she looked back, Fan Yue had already transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the sky.
Sure enough, Er Yun’s pained expression faded as she slipped into a deep sleep. Chong Zhao checked her aura and, finding her true essence unharmed, let out a sigh of relief.
“What did he do?”
“He erased Senior Sister Er Yun’s memory of tonight.”
In the silence that followed, Bai Shuo gazed at the faint star in the sky, feeling an inexplicable melancholy.
With a soft sigh, Bai Shuo turned, and Chong Zhao looked at her in surprise, about to ask how she knew, when he saw her take a small, glowing twig from her sleeve—a fragment of the Bodhi wood.
“This is…?”
“Bodhi wood! Just as Xie Bodhi was about to kill me, I managed to snag a piece from beside the heart. This is a divine tree of the heavens, far more precious than any earthly treasure. It’ll definitely allow you to craft a first-grade elixir. After all the trouble tonight, I’d say it was worth it!” Bai Shuo chuckled, stretching leisurely. “Come on, A-Zhao, let’s go home!”
Seeing the smile on Bai Shuo’s face, Chong Zhao suppressed his questions, giving her a slight nod. It was best not to probe further. After all, the demonic semi-god of Hao Yue Hall was as far removed from them as heaven from earth.
Back on Miao Miao Island, the inner hall was lit brightly. The Guardian Jade Slip was returned to its place on the table, and Song Feng, looking years older, gazed at the relics of his predecessors with a heavy heart.
Today’s disaster had left the mountain-protecting array shattered, with the jade slip nearly drained of its power. Twelve disciples of the Flowing Clouds division were lost, and Miao Miao was now in its twilight.
“Oh, Senior Brother, with one impulsive choice, you’ve destroyed the thousand-year foundation of Miao Miao…” Song Feng’s eyes were full of sorrow. He coughed heavily, his body trembling, and Chong Zhao quickly reached out to steady him with concern. “Teacher Uncle…”
Song Feng waved him off and, with a hint of unease, asked, “You mentioned… the Lord of Hao Yue Hall erased Yun’er’s memories before he left?”
“Yes, Teacher Uncle. Who exactly is this Lord of Hao Yue Hall?”
Song Feng shook his head, saying, “The only thing the three realms know about the Lord of Hao Yue Hall is that his origins are a mystery. He is a rare genius in demonic cultivation. Ten years ago, he emerged from nowhere and defeated the insatiable taotie of the far north, earning his fame in a single battle. No one knows his background, though I’ve heard he lives in seclusion in the northernmost reaches of the demon realm, rarely seen by anyone… When the Bodhi fell into the Eastern Sea, your master concealed its aura with his vital essence, so even the Celestial Palace was unaware. But the Lord came to the Eastern Sea this time specifically for the Bodhi’s heart, suggesting he must have a profound connection to it…”
Song Feng paused before continuing, “Enough. The affairs of demigods are beyond what Miao Miao can fathom. A-Zhao, should you ever encounter the Lord of Hao Yue Hall again while traversing the three realms, treat him with respect. Do not provoke him.”
Chong Zhao hesitated. “Teacher Uncle…?”
“If the Celestial Palace learns of your master’s descent into demonry, Miao Miao will surely be rejected by the immortal sects and cast out from the three realms. Since he chose to erase Yun’er’s memory, he has given Miao Miao a lifeline. Though there’s a divide between immortals and demons, we must repay him for this kindness.”
While there remained a lingering tension between immortals and demons, it was not as fierce as centuries ago, with only the demonic path scorned by the three realms.
“Yes, I understand,” Chong Zhao responded.
“That outer sect disciple Bai Shuo…” Song Feng’s gaze showed a hint of concern, causing Chong Zhao’s expression to shift as he quickly reassured him, “Rest assured, Teacher Uncle. The Lord of Hao Yue Hall also took Bai Shuo’s memory.”
Song Feng nodded, relieved.
Chong Zhao then recounted the events on Fire and Ice Island to Song Feng, omitting the secret of Bai Shuo’s spirit blood and her crucial role in the incident. Song Feng only knew that Bai Shuo had left the island to gather herbs and accidentally triggered the seal on Fire and Ice Island, leading them to discover Xie Bodhi’s location.
“She has, in a way, contributed to Miao Miao. From now on, let her join the inner sect.”
With the loss of twelve Flowing Clouds disciples, Bai Shuo, though lacking innate talent for immortality, had honed a valuable skill in elixir-making, which could prove useful to Miao Miao in its current state.
Chong Zhao’s face lit up with gratitude. “Thank you, Teacher Uncle.”
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