It’s Done... It’s Really Done

Countless specks of fine fluorescence, like fireflies on a summer night, gently fell upon Immortal Venerable Jiuyue.

Don't go!!!

Immortal Venerable Jiuyue let out a mournful, shrill cry.

She waved her hands frantically, trying to keep those specks of light, trying to keep that person who only existed in her memories.

But those light specks slipped through her fingers, gradually merging into her body.

Sizzle—

A sound like melting ice and snow echoed out.

The moment those specks of light touched her skin, they transformed into a gentle yet domineering power, forcibly pushing back those hideous black veins!

Her originally pitch-black eyes, under the baptism of those light specks, gradually faded of their ink-like color, revealing their original noble purple hue once again.

The madness entangling her heart also vanished into thin air at this very moment.

Replacing it was an unprecedented sense of exhaustion.

Clang—

The Yinfeng Sword also completely lost all its luster, falling to the ground like a piece of ordinary iron.

Deathly silence was restored within the mine.

Immortal Venerable Haoyue slumped on the ground, her long purple hair draped messily, covering most of her face.

She stared blankly at her palms, which were gradually regaining their fair complexion, looking at the specks of light that had long vanished from them.

After a long time.

Two streams of clear tears rolled down her cheeks.

This time, they were no longer tears of black blood, but crystal-clear tears belonging to a human.

Have I really become ugly...

She muttered in a low voice, a hint of hoarse self-mockery in her tone.

Yes... to reduce myself to such a ghostly state for an impossible delusion...

It really is... quite ugly.

She slowly closed her eyes and let out a sigh.

The surging malevolent aura around her, following her letting go, actually began to dissipate rapidly, or rather, settled back into the depths of this earth.

That terrifying coercion that had pressed down so hard on Su Ji that he could not breathe vanished without a trace along with it.

Su Ji lay flat on the ground, panting heavily.

He had walked on thin ice his entire life.

Do you think he could make it to the other shore?

Senior Brother...

Su Jiu cautiously approached and reached out to help Su Ji up, her watery fox eyes full of worry.

Are you alright?

I won't die. Su Ji grimaced, clutching his arm which was still oozing blood. It just hurts a bit.

He raised his head and looked at the Immortal Venerable not far away, who was currently in a moment of clarity.

The question now was, after this old ancestor sobered up, how did she plan to deal with the two intruders?

Just as Su Ji's heart was drumming.

Immortal Venerable Jiuyue slowly opened her eyes.

Those purple eyes were now as clear as a deep pool, completely devoid of their previous madness.

She turned her head, her gaze first lingering on Su Jiu for a moment, carrying a bit of gentleness.

Then, it landed on Su Ji.

That look instantly became somewhat peculiar.

You...

She spoke, her voice still weak, yet carrying the majesty of a superior.

That sword, did you bring it?

Su Ji's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly struggled to stand up straight, putting on a respectful posture.

Replying to Senior, it was indeed this junior.

You have met him?

Immortal Venerable Jiuyue stared at Su Ji, seemingly wanting to discern something from his face.

Su Ji's mind raced.

Could he have said something?

Did he mention anything about me?

Su Ji pondered, if he said he had not mentioned it...

Would she go on another rampage...

But if he said he did... what if this old ancestor asked for details, would he not be exposed in a matter of minutes?

Ahem...

Su Ji cleared his throat, a perfectly timed look of reminiscence appearing on his face.

This junior has never seen that senior's true face.

It was merely by chance that I found this sword in an ancient ruin. At the time, a remnant soul's obsession remained within the sword, entrusting this junior that if I were ever to reach the ancient lands of Qingqiu, I should... bury this sword beside an old friend.

These words were half true and half false, completely watertight.

It not only explained the origin of the sword but also cleanly extricated himself from any involvement.

Hearing this, the light in Immortal Venerable Jiuyue's eyes dimmed slightly.

So... he was just a remnant soul's obsession...

She laughed self-mockingly.

That makes sense... A person like him, if he were still alive, how could he watch me become like this and not come looking for me for so long...

She beckoned with her hand.

The Yinfeng Sword on the ground flew up on its own and landed in her hand.

She gently stroked the cold blade, as if caressing a lover's face, her movements so tender it was heartbreaking.

Since he was the one who sent you...

Immortal Venerable Jiuyue raised her head and looked at Su Ji, her tone softening a bit.

Then I will consider myself to owe you a favor.

Su Ji's eyes lit up.

A favor?

This was a favor from an Immortal Venerable!

Even if it was a low-health version of an Immortal Venerable, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse!

Senior is too serious. This junior was merely entrusted by someone, and thus stayed true to the task...

Su Ji spoke politely, but in his heart, he was frantically calculating how to maximize the benefits of this favor.

However, before he could figure out how to speak up.

Boom—!!!

An earth-shattering boom came from above without any warning!

Immediately after, the entire abyss shook violently. Countless broken stones rolled down from the rock walls, smashing against the stone pillars and making crackling sounds.

Su Ji's expression changed, and he suddenly looked up.

He saw that the gray mist above, which originally never dispersed year-round, had actually been forcefully torn open to reveal a massive rift!

A blinding golden light shone through that rift, illuminating this dim abyss as bright as day!

Two figures, bathed in the golden light, slowly descended.

Su Ji narrowed his eyes and raised a hand to block the light in front of his forehead.

As the light faded, the two figures hovered in midair.

The person on the left, whose robes fluttered wildly, was none other than Zhao Wuji.

At this moment, this Patriarch of the Zhao family had long lost his usual deep and sinister demeanor. His refined face was written with uncontrollable ecstasy, his facial features even appearing somewhat twisted due to excessive excitement.

In his hand, he was tightly clutching an object.

It was a waning moon curved blade, about the size of a palm.

Its entire body was crystal clear, as if carved from the finest suet white jade, emitting a cold and holy glow.

This light was not blinding, but it carried a chilling aura that made one's heart palpitate.

One of Immortal Venerable Haoyue's natal immortal weapons, the Crescent Moon.

And on the right, the Pavilion Master of Tingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, surrounded by surging clouds. Although he appeared calm and breezy, his bright eyes occasionally swept toward the curved blade in Zhao Wuji's hand, concealing a hard-to-detect trace of wariness deep in his gaze.

It is done... it is really done!

Zhao Wuji's voice was trembling. He stroked the cold blade almost obsessively, feeling the terrifying power contained within it.

With this object... with this object...