AUOF - 113

Sang Li followed Ji Hengyu closely to the dungeon.

As expected, the barriers around had been destroyed, and everywhere bore traces of sword qi having swept through.

There were occasional bloodstains on the ground. Judging by the scent, it wasn’t solely from divine beings.

Suddenly, a faint cry came from deep within the dungeon. Sang Li, startled, disregarded Ji Hengyu and lifted her skirt to rush deeper.

She traversed the dim, narrow corridor until she reached the innermost cell.

The cell door was open, and the cramped space was empty except for four broken shackles hanging on the walls. She scanned the area and spotted a shadow curled up in the darkness. The shadow trembled, its eyes helplessly flickering at her.

It was Big Eyes.

Sang Li’s tightly held breath finally eased. She slowly approached, extending her hand to let it sniff her scent, then crouched before it, keeping her voice soft so as not to startle it. “Big Eyes, it’s me.”

The word seemed to have a calming effect.

The small creature, trembling from pain, struggled to support its body and slowly stepped out of the shadows to nuzzle her warm palm with its nose.

But Sang Li noticed the wounds all over its body.

The mirror demon’s scales were like armor; ordinary sword marks couldn’t harm it at all. Yet its entire body was bloody, covered in ghastly gashes caused by sword qi and spells.

The abuse wounds that had just healed were once again present on its body.

Sang Li swallowed her heartache and gently stroked its wounds with her palm. It made two low rumbling sounds and then looked guiltily at Ji Hengyu standing behind her.

“It’s not your fault,” Sang Li understood its unease. While softly comforting it, she rolled up her sleeve. “Hide inside first.”

Big Eyes rumbled and obediently transformed into a small black ball, curling into Sang Li’s sleeve without hesitation and hiding itself completely.

Sang Li stood up, her face full of worries.

Knowing Shen Zheyou’s personality, he would not let things go easily. If he had indeed returned to the god realm, then...

“I’ll return to Phoenix Retreat first and let them…”

She hurriedly turned to leave, but before her words finished, Ji Hengyu grabbed her little finger.

“He can’t escape.”

Sang Li was astonished.

Ji Hengyu opened his palm, and a flickering ghostly flame danced on his fingertip.

This was Shen Zheyou’s life fire.

The life fire leapt off his fingertip, following its master’s trail.

Ji Hengyu wasn’t worried about Shen Zheyou having a chance to escape. He used the Prison Bone Technique to forcefully bind his soul bone, restricting his spiritual power. Coupled with the perilous conditions of the Guixu Sea, with his current spiritual power, it would be impossible to cross anytime soon.

Ji Hengyu whistled to summon Yuxue, while Sang Li rode the phoenix alongside.

They finally discovered Shen Zheyou’s figure in the eye of the storm after crossing through Moon Forest and reaching the edge of the Guixu Sea.

The opponent was flying on a sword, his posture unstable, swaying through the wind and waves.

The sea area behind Moon Forest was an ownerless forbidden zone, with deep and dark ocean abysses, constant storms, and unceasing thunderstorms. Crossing it was no easy feat.

Even the phoenix hesitated for a moment before daring to approach.

Ji Hengyu raised his palm to summon the jade bone fan. The fan unfolded, ink characters peeled off, resembling thousands of arrows being fired simultaneously, directly attacking Shen Zheyou’s back.

Shen Zheyou naturally sensed the pursuers and used the power of wind and clouds to evade the attack. Knowing he was no match, he gritted his teeth and accelerated his sword flight.

Once he crossed the Guixu Sea, he could smoothly return to the upper realms. Shen Zheyou knew Ji Hengyu’s intentions were impure. Even considering the Demon Gods in the abyssal prison, the god realm could no longer tolerate him.

Sang Li looked around.

Countless water columns rose from the sea surface, spinning and soaring into the sky, wildly swinging irregularly with the thunderstorm. She looked up and immediately spotted the breakthrough point.

“Phoenix, fly upwards!!”

The phoenix let out a long cry and flapped its wings to soar upwards.

The phoenix feathers enveloped a cold flame, and amidst Sang Li’s scream, she was carried directly into the center of the storm. The fierce airflow cut her skin painfully, like blades slicing through. Despite the protection of phoenix fire, Sang Li still felt the cold wind seep into her bones, making her feel as if she had fallen into an icy abyss.

The phoenix soared into the sky, intercepting Shen Zheyou from the front.

Whoosh!

The Painted Bone Feathers danced like snakes amidst the thunderstorm, resembling a streak of icy blue light.

Caught in a pincer attack, Shen Zheyou had no way to escape and decided to fight. He steadied himself using the wind, summoned his Zheyi Sword to his front, formed a seal with his fingers, and unleashed a cold, sharp sword light to deflect the Painted Bone Feathers, further emphasizing the coldness in his battered face.

“You’re actually still alive.”

Sang Li waved her hand to recall the Painted Bone Feathers and responded coldly, “Sorry to disappoint you.”

Shen Zheyou’s expression remained cold and composed.

At this moment, Ji Hengyu also caught up.

The three stood in a straight line, facing each other, none backing down.

Shen Zheyou looked at Ji Hengyu, his demeanor calm and composed. “Does Lord Tianheng intend to kill me?”

Ji Hengyu: “What if I do?”

Shen Zheyou sneered, his lips curling slightly, neither smiling nor frowning. “Lord Tianheng, as an immortal of Guixu, disregarding the safety of the six realms, deceiving superiors and concealing dangers, have you considered the consequences?”

Sang Li naturally understood that she was the “danger” he referred to.

Feeling quite indignant, before Ji Hengyu could say anything, she hastily defended herself and her people hiding in the Chaohuang Tree, who were too afraid to see the sun. “The god realm is bent on exterminating my race, but what sin have we committed? The six realms are vast, accommodating countless beings. Are we the only ones who deserve to die!”

Shen Zheyou couldn’t empathize with her anger, remaining indifferent to the questioning in her eyes. “I only know that the Ling Race absorbed the power of the Zhen Tian Stone. Unless the Ling Race is completely eradicated, peace will never come to the world.”

Sang Li felt deeply weary, finally understanding why, in the original storyline, Shen Zheyou, despite having feelings for Yue Zhuqing, still chose to kill her with one sword.

To him, no emotions could outweigh the justice he upheld. However, she really wanted to ask, was the “justice” he always adhered to truly “justice”? Were the ordinances set by the god realm truly inviolable? But asking was futile; they were never meant to understand each other.

“If that’s the case, then why don’t we switch places—you disappear, and I get peace.”

A lightning bolt like daylight struck behind Sang Li, casting her features in solemnity, her pupils unusually clear and bright.