“Nan Zhi, Fellow Daoist Nan.”
After slapping Shen Luohe, Hua Xijian suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Nan Zhi, her tone solemn:
“If it were not for me and the many junior brothers and sisters in the monastery, Shen Luohe would not have committed such a foolish act, involving Fellow Daoist Nan’s family and dragging you into such danger.
I, Hua Xijian, live with an open conscience. I would never wish to survive at the cost of another’s life.
I have received your kindness today, and I shall surely repay it in the future.”
As she spoke, she untied an exquisite jade pendant from her waist. It was adorned with intricate floral patterns and the character for ‘Hua.’ She offered it forward with both hands:
“This is the Hua family crest. With this pendant, no matter the distance, I will come to fulfill my promise. A gentleman’s word is as final as spilled water.”
The jade pendant shimmered with spiritual light, clearly an item of significant origin. Nan Zhi noticed the envious look in Qiu Buguo’s eyes and immediately understood:
The Hua family likely held a high status in the cultivation world.
And for Hua Xijian to dare give such a promise, she must also have a significant background.
“Although Shen Luohe used my family to lure me here, he also helped me in secret to get them away safely. The two cancel each other out, so I will no longer hold a grudge.
Besides, Daoist Qinglong was harbored evil intentions and had his eyes on me long ago. If it wasn't Shen Luohe, it would have been someone else.”
Nan Zhi took the jade pendant and said softly:
“I only hope that in the future, we will have the chance to share a drink together.”
“Very well.”
Hua Xijian nodded. Beside her, Shen Luohe’s face was ashen, his eyes filled with despondency.
...
...
Nine bolts of thunder crashed down from the sky.
When the thunderclouds finally dispersed and light returned to the horizon, the site where the Demon Suppression Monastery had once stood was unrecognizable.
The mountain forest had been leveled, and the stretching mountain range was snapped at its base, blasted into a scorched plain of charred earth. Molten rock flowed everywhere like liquid, interspersed with a few grains of Lightning Struck Spirit Marrow.
The air was thick with the foul stench of sulfur and burnt remains. The temperature was extreme, and not a single blade of grass remained. It was as if they had traveled overnight to the legendary Flaming Mountains.
In a massive crater, Nan Zhi found Nan Yi, who still clung to a final breath.
He lay on his back on the ground. Beside him lay a palm-sized, light gray figure. The figure had slanted eyes and a long beard, clearly carved in the likeness of Daoist Qinglong.
As soon as the wind touched it, the cracked little figure suddenly shattered, turning into flakes of ash that scattered into the world.
“The nascent soul is shattered, and the spirit is extinguished.”
Qiu Buguo could not help but shake his head. “Monastery Master Qinglong is truly...”
Hearing the voices of those approaching, Nan Yi struggled on the ground. He was burnt black all over, without a single patch of healthy skin left, save for the whites of his eyes.
Qiu Buguo gasped, his eyes filled with pity.
Miaoyun lowered her gaze, her eyes full of compassion.
Shen Luohe and Hua Xijian felt a mix of guilt and regret, both deeply saddened.
The once-famed Immortal Danxia had been reduced to such a state.
“Is that... Big Sister?”
The section of Mayfly Wood that formed Nan Yi’s lower body twitched. He looked toward Nan Zhi by instinct and asked again:
“Is that Big Sister? Is Qinglong dead? Qinglong is dead, right?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
Nan Zhi took him into her arms and carefully took out a handkerchief to wipe his face:
“His nascent soul is shattered, and his spirit has dissipated. He died under the heavenly lightning. Even if a Great Golden Immortal descended, there would be no way to revive him.”
“Hahaha... cough, cough... haha...”
A look of pure relief spread across Nan Yi’s face. Slowly, his laughter grew louder until a glob of blood foam welled up in his mouth. He grabbed Nan Zhi’s hand and said urgently:
“Big Sister, you promised me! You promised me!”
“...”
Nan Zhi’s hand stiffened. She remained silent for a long time before finally speaking in a raspy voice:
“Qinglong is dead. You can... perhaps there is a way to... at the very least, we can find a way to...”
“Big Sister, I am too tired.”
Nan Yi kept his eyes open, staring at her stubbornly. Even as the blood foam overflowed from his throat, he refused to look away:
“Let me sleep. You promised me.”
Nan Zhi fell silent for another moment. Suddenly, she leaned Nan Yi against a stone, took out a piece of drawing paper and a brush, and began to carefully sketch something on the paper.
None of those present understood what she was doing.
Nan Yi watched for a while, then suddenly realized something. His breathing grew rapid, and he leaned forward as a look of infinite happiness and ecstasy appeared on his face.
On the paper, the form of a youth gradually took shape. He had a round baby face and handsome features, always wearing a smile that made him look very likable.
Nan Zhi’s drawing was a perfect likeness, identical to Nan Yi’s former appearance.
Once the drawing was finished, she draped the paper over Nan Yi. His lower insect body transformed into human legs—though it was only a simple glamour, it was enough to bring Nan Yi joy.
“It’s wonderful... Big Sister dotes on me.”
He panted heavily, welcoming this moment with happiness, showing not a single trace of lingering attachment to the world:
“It’s wonderful. I can finally... escape from this skin.”
He did not mention the Nan family at all, leaving without any regrets.
Nan Zhi remained silent as she used her hand to cover his eyes. Nan Yi obediently closed them, lying happily on her lap with a sweet smile on his lips.
A tiny needle as fine as a cow hair pricked his forehead. The Mayfly Wood reacted slightly, struggling violently—
In mid-air, a piece of Mayfly Wood tried to flee, carrying a soul with it, but Nan Zhi caught it and pulled it back.
【You have sacrificed Mayfly Wood to the “Corpse of Old Nan.”】
【Flesh Sacrifice complete. Current divine abilities extractable from the “Corpse of Old Nan”: 1. Divine abilities already extracted: 1.】
【Divine Ability: Call Wind (Already mastered)】
【Divine Ability: Summon Rain (Can be mastered)】
【Divine Ability: Wood Manipulation (Sacrifice progress: 0.1%)】
Nan Zhi ignored the system prompts and simply kept her hand gently over Nan Yi’s eyes:
“Sleep. Don’t be so tired in your next life.”
The baby-faced youth lay on the ground with his hands folded over his chest, a smile still on his lips.
It was as if he had simply fallen asleep.
Nan Yi was dead.
He died in the form of a human.
...
The incident at the Northwest Circuit Demon Suppression Monastery shook the other twenty-three circuits of the Demon Suppression Division within the Great Song.
Three days later, the Demon Suppression Division issued a document stating the facts of the case. They publicly announced the truth: Daoist Qinglong had conspired with Huiyuan to create the tragedy of the Yin Yang Road.
On the day of the upheaval, purple lightning had descended from the heavens, and Qinglong’s body and soul had been destroyed. Such a massive disturbance naturally could not be hidden from the Qingjing Sect.
When Nan Yi was buried, a treasure boat from the Qingjing Sect also arrived in the skies above the Great Song.
At the Mount Wanshou Demon Suppression Monastery in Bianjing.
In a main reception hall, there were rockeries, waterfalls, flowers, birds, and stones. The hall was filled with lush greenery and vibrant flowers, as if a separate paradise had been carved out in this small space.
Several figures sat in the hall drinking tea. They were Miaoyun, Qiu Buguo, State Uncle Cao, and Empress Cao, along with a pair of twins who had black hair and white pupils and looked identical to each other.
The twins had an exceptionally striking and outstanding appearance. Both had long, slender faces, delicate arched brows, and skin of a strange, pure white. Their pupils were a solid white, and even their eyelashes were the color of ice and snow.
Shen Luohe, whose injuries were gradually healing, stood below them. Hua Xijian had changed into a set of red robes and stood to the side with her sword at her waist.
“These are the two disciples of Martial Uncle Qinglong?”
The older of the twins suddenly spoke, but his voice was as high pitched as a child’s:
“Was it not said that there was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator who broke Senior Brother Mo’s formation that day? Why is she not here?”
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