Just as the demon blade reached the young woman’s forehead, a surge of demonic energy descended from the sky. With a thunderous clash, the demon blade was knocked away, and a figure appeared, shielding the two women—Fan Yue.
Seeing that familiar figure, Bai Shuo felt a prickling sensation in her nose.
“Great Demon!”
Chong Zhao staggered back several steps, coughing up blood. His gaze deepened as he saw Fan Yue, but it grew even colder as he noticed the joy in Bai Shuo’s eyes. He gathered his demon energy, unwilling to relent.
Fan Yue scoffed, preparing to retaliate. At that moment, an arrow of spiritual fire shot from afar, and Fan Yue stepped back as Fu Ling appeared before Chong Zhao.
“Let’s go!” She grabbed Chong Zhao, intending to lead him away.
“A-Zhao!”
Bai Shuo’s voice rang out sharply, and Chong Zhao turned to see her looking at him, urgency in her eyes.
Nearby, Fan Yue’s gaze darkened as he watched, his expression hardening. His attention, however, shifted as he noticed something that left him momentarily stunned, looking intently in Bai Shuo’s direction.
Chong Zhao avoided Bai Shuo’s gaze and turned away, disappearing with Fu Ling.
Disappointment filled Bai Shuo’s eyes. “Great Demon…” She turned, intending to run to Fan Yue, but saw him staring in her direction, though not at her.
Following his gaze, she looked to the young woman beside her.
“You… you two…” Bai Shuo started to speak, but the young woman suddenly ran to Fan Yue, embracing him tightly.
“You’re finally here.” She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with joy and longing, as if they held boundless affection and yearning.
Fan Yue instinctively began to push her away, but as he met her star-filled eyes, he hesitated.
Bai Shuo stood there helplessly, wanting to say something, but words failed her. She kept watching Fan Yue, as though waiting for him to push the young woman away.
But Fan Yue didn’t, and Bai Shuo’s heart slowly sank.
“Who are you?” After a long silence, Fan Yue finally spoke.
“Don’t you recognize me?” Tears welled up in the young woman’s eyes as she reached out to touch his face, a faint smile on her lips. “It’s okay, as long as I remember you.”
She smiled, then suddenly coughed up blood, collapsing into his arms.
Fan Yue’s expression changed as he held her, while Bai Shuo watched, stunned. The young woman managed a faint smile.
“You see? Even if you don’t remember me, you still won’t push me away.” Her lips curved up slightly before she slowly closed her eyes.
Under the Bodhi tree, Fan Yue looked at Bai Shuo, his lips moving as if to speak. But before he could, Bai Shuo suddenly turned, retrieved the Bodhi tree heart, and handed it to him.
“Hall Master, you’re injured. Let’s return to Hao Yue Hall.” She backed away quickly, lowering her head as if to avoid his gaze.
Fan Yue’s expression grew heavy as he took the Bodhi tree heart. With a wave of his hand, the three of them disappeared from the swamp.
In the grand hall of Cold Spring Palace, Tian Yu leaned back on his throne as Chong Zhao knelt before him.
“Palace Master, I failed to carry out your command and am willing to accept punishment.”
Tian Yu raised an eyebrow, his tone implying something deeper. “Punishment? Are you seeking it for failing to retrieve the Bodhi tree heart or for sparing the one who came to take it?”
Chong Zhao was silent, and Tian Yu sneered, “Chong Zhao, don’t forget why you turned your back on the immortals.”
Chong Zhao lowered his gaze. “I have never forgotten.”
“Aren’t you curious why I sent you to retrieve the Bodhi heart, or why Fan Yue has been searching for it all this time?”
“You saved my life, Palace Master. As long as it is your command, I don’t need to know.”
Tian Yu chuckled, “Now that you’re with Cold Spring Palace, naturally, I trust you. It’s time you learn a few things. The world only knows that the origin of the Hao Yue Hall Master is mysterious, but they don’t realize his true form is a Bodhi tree spirit.”
Chong Zhao looked up in surprise.
“You’re surprised. If he’s a divine tree, why would he be a demon?” Tian Yu continued.
Chong Zhao nodded.
“I’m curious as well, but it doesn’t matter to me. Regardless of his true form, if he stands in the way of my becoming Emperor, he must die. Losing this Bodhi tree piece doesn’t matter. His divine power is scattered across the Three Realms; as long as he hasn’t gathered all the remaining Bodhi tree pieces, he will never cross the divine threshold. I’ve already located another piece, though the place is… challenging.”
“The Palace Master refers to…?” Chong Zhao asked.
“Jing You Mountain.”
Tian Yu suddenly released a surge of demonic energy toward Chong Zhao’s forehead, and Chong Zhao did not flinch. As the power entered his body, his injuries healed, and his spiritual energy surged.
“Thank you, Palace Master.”
Tian Yu was pleased with Chong Zhao’s obedience. “Fan Yue will eventually enter Jing You Mountain. Remember, before the battle for the Demon Emperor throne, he must not gather all the Bodhi tree pieces.”
“Yes, understood.”
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