“Go now.” Tian Yu waved him off, and Chong Zhao rose and left.
Under the sparse, starry sky, Chong Zhao emerged from the inner hall, where Fu Ling had been waiting outside.
“Your injuries are healed?” Fu Ling asked in surprise. Fan Yue, after all, was a semi-divine being, and his strike had clearly injured Chong Zhao’s spiritual veins. Yet, in just a short time, not only was Chong Zhao healed, but his demonic power seemed even stronger.
“It was the Palace Master who healed you?”
Chong Zhao nodded.
“But…”
“Why did you go to Abyssal Swamp?” Chong Zhao interrupted her, his voice heavy.
Fu Ling froze, falling silent.
“If there are things you can’t speak of, then some things are better left unasked of me.” Only Tian Yu knew he had gone to Abyssal Swamp, so who could have sent Fu Ling there? The answer was obvious.
Chong Zhao glanced at her, then turned and left.
Fu Ling’s expression darkened. As she turned, she found Tian Yu standing behind her.
“Palace Master.”
“His heart is still not hard enough,” Tian Yu said coldly. “Not only was he unwilling to harm Bai Shuo, but he also failed to report the person with star power in the swamp.”
“Palace Master, Chong Zhao is only…”
“You were going to say that he is focused solely on revenge and indifferent to other matters?” Tian Yu cast her a faint look.
Fu Ling fell silent.
“As long as he still holds thoughts of Bai Shuo, he can never truly serve Cold Spring Palace. I have no use for a wasted pawn.”
Fu Ling’s face paled, but before she could speak, Tian Yu gave a small smile.
“But I still have some patience for him. Star power reappearing in the world—that’s interesting.”
“Palace Master, the girl was taken back to Hao Yue Hall. Shall I infiltrate Hao Yue Hall to investigate?”
“There’s no need. If she is divine, no one can kill her. I have another task for you.”
In the side hall of Hao Yue Hall, the girl lay sleeping on the bed, her face pale as snow. Fan Yue frowned deeply, continuously transferring divine energy into her body, yet he could neither wake her nor even warm her.
In the corner, Bai Shuo watched the brazier-filled hall, feeling the warmth prickling uncomfortably over her skin.
Cang Shan, Long Yi, and Long Er crowded the doorway, with Tian Huo lazily leaning against a pillar as Long Er muttered gleefully.
“As expected of our strongest Hall Master—he’s brought back another one.” Long Er nudged Tian Huo, “Say, how many halls would he worry about if she blew up this time?”
Tian Huo shot him a sidelong glare, and Long Er slunk back, casting a glance at the silent Bai Shuo standing in the corner. “Some people look as bitter as a melon,” he clicked his tongue.
Tian Huo glanced at Bai Shuo, frowning slightly.
“Cang Shan, which one do you prefer?” Long Er nudged Cang Shan, who hadn’t yet spoken when Long Yi interjected mischievously, “Why choose? Hao Yue Hall is so big—we could bring in ten more… hey, hey, hey!”
Before he could finish, Long Yi was suddenly yanked by an invisible force, turning him into a flying pig and dragging him into the hall. Just as he was about to curse, Fan Yue’s cold voice cut him off.
“Why hasn’t she woken up?”
Long Yi was about to joke, but seeing Fan Yue’s icy face, he quickly replied, “Hall Master, maybe you’re not thinking straight. She’s an immortal; your demon power won’t help her.”
Fan Yue’s face darkened, but just as he was about to lash out, Bai Shuo stepped forward and handed him a bottle of medicine.
“Try this elixir I crafted. It might help,” her voice was clear and steady, lacking her usual coyness.
Fan Yue hesitated but didn’t waste time. He took the bottle and helped the girl take the elixir.
As she lay in his arms, a faint color returned to her cheeks, but nothing more. Noticing Fan Yue’s brows still furrowed, Bai Shuo blurted, “That’s the best elixir I have.”
“I know.” Fan Yue’s gaze moved past her, focusing on Long Yi. “Explain.”
The question was straightforward; he wanted to know why the girl remained unconscious.
Bai Shuo felt a surge of inexplicable anger rise within her.
Long Yi pursed his lips, “Where exactly did you find her?”
“Abyssal Swamp.”
“That explains it. She’s probably been there for years, her body filled with demonic energy. For an immortal, it’s like ingesting poison. It’s a miracle she’s even alive.”
“Solution?”
“There is none,” Long Yi shrugged. “Hey, hey, don’t glare at me. Even being strong won’t help. Demon and immortal powers in one body—facing that, even gods are helpless. She’s not a god, and you’re only half a god. Still, with your divine energy sustaining her, she’ll last a while longer.”
The hall grew colder as Bai Shuo abruptly turned and stormed out. Long Er had intended to make a snide remark but quickly stepped aside as she marched past him.
Inside, Fan Yue lifted his head, though it was unclear if he was watching Bai Shuo leave.
Late into the night, a cauldron exploded in the alchemy room, and Bai Shuo, covered in ash, emerged from a pile of ruins. Tian Huo, leaning against a nearby tree, spoke lazily.
“Taking your anger out on the furnace is one thing, but blowing up the hall isn’t fair.”
“Isn’t Hao Yue Hall big enough? What’s a few blown-up halls?” Bai Shuo said flatly.
“Oh, even Long Er couldn’t get under your skin like this.” Tian Huo approached, circling her with a look of surprise. “I didn’t expect it—the Evil Dragon from the Underworld Palace couldn’t provoke your temper, but one unknown girl did.”
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