AUOF - 132

“Ji Hengyu, I told you back then, if you ever dared to betray my sister, I would never let you off!”

Sang Ning held his spear, his eyes blazing with murderous intent as he looked at him.

Ji Hengyu had no desire to argue with Sang Ning at this moment. He glanced at the silent villa behind him; arrays were spread everywhere, and all-seeing eyes were embedded throughout. Acting rashly would only draw the attention of the three Senior Immortals.

Ji Hengyu withdrew his gaze and said to Sang Ning, “I have something to ask you. I hope we can discuss it somewhere else.”

Discuss?

A cold sneer appeared on Sang Ning’s face.

He was here to settle scores, not to have a leisurely chat with someone like this.

Without another word, Sang Ning dismounted, his spearhead blazing with fire, sweeping directly towards Ji Hengyu’s heart.

Facing the agitated Sang Ning, Ji Hengyu merely frowned, still showing no intention of drawing his sword. He dodged, “Sang Ning...”

Sang Ning impatiently interrupted: “Shut up! You ungrateful wretch! Do you know how much sorrow you’ve caused my sister?!”

Even though he knew Sang Ning had always held prejudices against him, hearing these words made Ji Hengyu feel helpless for a moment.

Sang Ning’s objective was clear: first, beat Ji Hengyu half to death to vent Sang Sang’s anger, then abduct him back to Tianze River. If he didn’t behave, his spiritual脉 would be sealed, and he would be imprisoned forever in Luoyu Palace. Once Sang Sang grew tired of him, Sang Ning would then cast him aside to fend for himself.

There was no need to be kind to such a high and mighty immortal.

“You swore allegiance to her for this life, yet now you refuse to give up your status to be with her. Bah! You coward!”

Sang Ning didn’t care whether he was right or wrong; he spat out a stream of insults.

“Listen to me first.” Ji Hengyu spoke calmly, “Sang Sang lost control that night and killed nearly ten Tiange disciples. I know this was not her intention, so I want to know...”

Before Ji Hengyu could finish, Sang Ning launched another attack, forcefully interrupting him.

Helpless, Ji Hengyu could only draw his sword to counter.

His ancient divine sword, hidden within his spine, was drawn with a chilling gleam. Ice and snow intertwined, and in an instant, the world grew frosty. Even Sang Ning was momentarily stunned. He had long heard of Ji Hengyu’s great name, but seeing it with his own eyes, he realized the rumors were not exaggerated.

This ancient divine sword, formed from the souls of the sun and moon gods, which had once severed Yen Jiuying’s head, truly lived up to its reputation.

However—

None of this could be an excuse for him abandoning Sang Sang!!

Sang Ning attacked fiercely again, and Ji Hengyu had no choice but to meet him with his sword.

Clang—!

Spear and sword clashed in the blazing air, scattering cold light. With the two as a central point, waves of energy burst outwards, spreading in layers, stirring up a chaotic gale. The dark clouds that had covered the day instantly dispersed, and the blinding, scorching sunlight shone down on them, not feeling warm, but making the killing intent seem even stronger.

“Has she ever behaved like this before?” Ji Hengyu asked while defending, “The Divine Realm suspects Sang Sang is Yen Jiuying reincarnated and has ordered her capture and return to the Divine Realm. The ones assigned are Gao Min of the Punishment Office and Great Sage Feihong. Sang Ning, you must know the consequences!”

What?!

Every word he spoke startled Sang Ning, causing him to freeze and pull back his spear.

Ji Hengyu’s hand gripping the sword trembled slightly. He gasped softly, “You...”

Before he could finish, layers of shadows suddenly enveloped them.

Both their expressions turned serious simultaneously, and they looked behind them.

They saw three Senior Immortals standing on auspicious clouds, followed by countless martial immortals.

The immortal light was blinding, and their immense divine power was not to be directly looked upon.

A chill ran down Sang Ning’s spine, and his masked eyebrows twisted into a fierce scowl. His nerves involuntarily tightened.

How did they get here?

However, Sang Ning wasn’t given a chance to think.

“Kill.”

With Gao Min’s command, the immortals roared and attacked him.

Those sent for this battle were all elite disciples of the Divine Realm, appointed to the Tiange’s Martial Affairs Office. To deal with ordinary demon cultivators, such a large-scale mobilization would be unnecessary. Sang Ning’s breathing quickened, and he immediately believed Ji Hengyu’s words.

—They truly came for Sang Sang.

Sang Ning secretly fumed.

It was no secret that Lady Die had given birth to twins. For years, he had served the Luoyu Palace diligently under the identity of Ning Xiaoyao. How could those cunning old men in the Divine Realm not have guessed his identity beneath the mask?

Once he fell into their hands, their intentions would be obvious.

In other words, he had fallen into their trap!

Normally, he was extremely cautious, yet this time he made a mistake.

“Sang Ning, follow me.”

Suddenly, Ji Hengyu’s cold voice sounded in his ear.

Sang Ning’s expression was grim, hesitating whether to trust him. Undoubtedly, Ji Hengyu would be the next overseer of the Divine Realm. He was upright and reserved. This encirclement could even have been secretly planned by him. But...

Sang Ning gritted his teeth and finally followed him.

Ji Hengyu feigned entanglement with Sang Ning, but was actually clearing obstacles in front of him. This action, observed by the three Senior Immortals, naturally drew their attention.

“Trying to run?” Gao Min snorted. “Qiankun Yi Qi, Six Paths No Self, Myriad Laws Heavenly Wheel, open—!”

Gao Min formed hand seals. With the incantation, a golden divine wheel unfurled between heaven and earth. Wherever its light shone, it created a prison array.

Dense golden arrays, like chains, surrounded him. This was a demon-trapping formation. Even if Sang Ning tried to evade, he still couldn’t escape these countless beams of light. His clothes were quickly torn, his skin lacerated, and blood flowed freely.

The divine wheel hovered above, like a golden eyeball, watching him coldly.

Sang Ning gritted his teeth and tried to break the formation. However, in the next instant, Great Sage Feihong waved his heavenly banner, once again blocking his path. The morale of the martial immortals soared, and they shouted as they charged in with Rong Min.

“Sang Ning, go!”

Ji Hengyu unfolded a sword array, but Sang Ning was panting heavily.

During the struggle, the mask on his face had long fallen off, his hair was disheveled, and two new scars adorned his handsome face. His body was stained with blood; although he was at a disadvantage, his momentum remained undiminished. Sang Ning refused to back down, his dark eyes reflecting the waves of enemies surging towards him.

“I can’t go.”

Sang Ning was clearer-headed than ever.

He pulled off the waist token from his belt and threw it into Ji Hengyu’s hand, speaking firmly: “This will take you into Tianze River. The Spirit-Asking Stone will give you the answer.”

The waist token glowed, engraved with a single character: “Ning.”

At this point, more and more people surrounded them. Sang Ning’s moves were decisive and swift; one sweep took down a large group.

Whoosh!

A wind blade flew from behind.

He turned to block it, and a sharp long whip coiled around his wrist, simultaneously meeting a pair of clear, bewildered eyes.

Si Tu, who had forcefully followed, stared in shock at the familiar face in her mind, completely forgetting how to react.

Facing enemies, Sang Ning never showed mercy. His eyes flickered, and he twisted his hand, gripping the whip and pulling it. Si Tu stumbled, dragged forward by him. She quickly regained her senses, gritted her teeth, and released the whip. The long whip transformed into a stream of light and dissipated, also causing Sang Ning to lose his means of controlling her.

Si Tu retreated, opening her palm to summon the long whip again.

The heavens and earth were shrouded in a dense bloody hue due to this slaughter. Si Tu couldn’t believe that the young general who had achieved illustrious military feats in the human world was the utterly wicked Ning Xiaoyao? She had held a favorable impression of him. If he was Ning Xiaoyao, then who was Sang Sang, who called him brother?

Si Tu’s teeth felt cold, “Sang, Sang Sang is the Demon God?”

Sang Ning’s face was indifferent, “You know the answer in your heart, why ask me.”

Si Tu choked.

The image of the girl’s clever, charming smile flashed before her eyes. She was gentle and kind; it was an inherent quality. Si Tu had lived in the Divine Realm for five hundred years, accustomed to hypocrisy and deceit. How could she not discern whether it was pretense or genuine?

How could she be... the leader of all demons?

“Capture Ning Xiaoyao alive! Don’t let him escape!”

Rong Min commanded loudly, boosting morale again.

Evil winds surged. Before Sang Ning’s eyes was a tumultuous tide. If he initiated the mutual destruction array, he could drag these people down with him to hell!

Sang Ning’s expression grew increasingly sinister, and thick black mist gathered in his palm.

Just then, a wave of minor soldiers blocking their path all collapsed. No bloodstains were seen, no screams were heard; they simply turned into golden dust and passed away.

This move was executed in the blink of an eye, astonishing everyone present and giving rise to an ominous feeling.

They followed their gaze and saw a figure standing silently above the heavens, at the end of the clouds.

Dark ink-colored silk and satin gracefully enveloped her fine figure. Her long hair flew in the wind, and a serpent jade ring intertwined within her cloud-like bun, its crimson serpent eyes flickering silently. She remained unspoken, but the demonic mark on her forehead indicated her identity—

The youngest new king of Tianze River.

Among the stunned crowd, someone finally reacted—

“De-demon God!”

“It’s the Demon God! This time it’s truly the Demon God!”

“She’s here—!”

The lesser immortals couldn’t help but fall into disarray. Only the three leading Senior Immortals remained somewhat calm.

Sang Sang floated down before them, looking down at the disheveled Sang Ning, her pupils constricting. Then she swept her gaze over Ji Hengyu, finally meeting the gazes of the immortals calmly.

“To capture this Venerable One, you’ve even startled three Senior Immortals. Truly an honor.”

Gao Min said, “Demon Venerable, you might be mistaken. We came to the lower realm to find the monster that harmed my disciples. Who would have thought we’d first encounter the renowned Young Master Ning?”

Heh.

Sang Sang curled her lips, “Since it was a mistake, why not release my brother?”

Sang Ning frowned upon hearing this, his temples throbbing.

Sure enough, Gao Min smiled and shook his head: “The Divine Realm is in turmoil due to that celestial phenomenon prophecy. Now that we have the chance to meet the Demon Venerable, we naturally cannot let her go easily.” With that, the smile on his lips faded. “Form ranks! Deploy the array!”

“Yes—!”

With Gao Min in command, the previously chaotic martial immortals immediately took their positions, calmly setting up formations.

At the same time, the twelve Golden Immortal reinforcements arrived.

This was bad...

This was truly bad.

A vein throbbed on Sang Ning’s forehead.

If he and Sang Sang joined forces, two against three might still have a chance of victory. But now, twelve more Golden Immortals had arrived, and perhaps even the Supreme Daoist Master himself would soon arrive from behind. Even if Sang Sang had inherited all the power within the Spirit-Asking Stone, facing a gathering of all these immortals, she couldn’t be certain she would win.

Fool!

He was such a fool!!

At that moment, his mind was solely focused on capturing Ji Hengyu to vent his hatred, and he completely disregarded the consequences! Now, he could only calm down and find a solution.

Sang Ning took a deep breath, steadying his mind slightly.

Sang Sang would not abandon him; and he, naturally, would not abandon Sang Sang.

The best outcome now was for him to cover their retreat, allowing Ji Hengyu to take Sang Sang and leave before the Heavenly Venerate arrived.

“Ji Hengyu!” Sang Ning quickly made up his mind, calling out to Ji Hengyu in a low voice, “Break out from the southeast! No matter what, you must take Sang Sang and leave safely! Do you hear me?!”

Ji Hengyu didn’t speak.

His eyes were bloodshot with urgency, “I asked if you heard me—!”

Ji Hengyu gazed upwards, “I’m afraid it’s too late.”

Sang Ning was startled and followed his gaze.

He saw Sang Sang, enveloped in flames, moving like fire among the crowd, instantly destroying the formations laid out by the immortal attendants. Simultaneously, the twelve Golden Immortals unfurled the Myriad Laws Heavenly Array, trapping all of them within it.

Sang Sang stood with her back to the crowd, her slender, fair hands with long, sharp fingers dripping blood.

With no retreat possible, Sang Ning could only stand up and provide cover from behind.

“Sang Sang—!”

Watching more and more people die before her eyes, Si Tu’s emotions collapsed. She finally couldn’t help but step forward, confronting Sang Sang and questioning her agitatedly: “You lied to me! You and your brother both lied to me! If you’re a demon, why did you save me that day? Why didn’t you just kill me too?!!”

There was anger, betrayal, and sorrow.

She was filled with indignation, her expression so aggrieved she was on the verge of tears.

Sang Sang did not answer directly, nor did she make a move against Si Tu.

From a mortal’s perspective, she was willing to be friends with Si Tu; but from the position of the Lord of Tianze River, she had to take Sang Ning away, even if it meant killing everyone here.

“I’m asking you! Why don’t you speak?”

Sang Sang ignored her, coldly brushing past her, approaching Sang Ning step by step.

At this moment, the winds and clouds abruptly changed.

Just as Sang Sang was a few steps away from Sang Ning, an piercing chanting suddenly pierced through the clouds, surging in all directions.

It was the twelve Golden Immortals.

They clasped their hands together, eyes closed and heads bowed in a compassionate posture, chanting the “Demon-Subduing Vajra Sutra”—this was a scripture of heavenly law.

Unintelligible scriptures poured out one after another. The sacred murmurs were immensely painful to Sang Sang’s ears. They were unstoppable; even blocking her ears, they continuously attacked her sea of consciousness, causing chaos throughout her four continents of the soul.

Sang Ning was not feeling well either.

His vision swam, and his long spear propped against the ground to steady his swaying body. Finally, he lost his balance and fell to the ground.

“Sang Sang...” Sang Ning stretched out his arm, trying with difficulty to touch her.

“Stop—!” Sang Sang furiously tried to break free, but the chanting was pervasive, making it impossible for her to resist.

Slowly, Sang Sang lost the ability to see.

Everyone in front of her became a blurry, faint speck of light. She shook her head, then her ears also became deaf. Only the low chanting echoed and reverberated in her mind, making her chest feel irritable and painful. Finally, it seemed even her ability to think vanished.

She stumbled around like a headless fly, releasing spells purely by reflex, as she could neither see nor hear.

Gradually, the chanting sped up, and her mind grew increasingly chaotic.

“Sang Sang...”

“Sang Sang... be careful...”

Careful?

Sang Sang stopped upon hearing the sound, sensitively detecting danger. As soon as she turned around, she was met with a magnified, familiar face.

Those eyes had always been clear and cold, like a pristine lake reflecting the moonlight at night, entirely collecting its icy light. When he looked at her, the lake water gained warmth.

It felt somewhat familiar, but Sang Sang couldn’t quite recall who he was for a moment.

Her eyes were hollow. The scent of blood permeating the air briefly allowed her to find some lingering consciousness.

Blood drops dripped from his body.

Sang Sang blinked, instinctively reached out to touch it, and because she couldn’t see what it was, she put her finger in her mouth and licked it. She froze upon tasting the scent.

Blood?

It was blood.

Sang Sang stared blankly at the person in front of her. The mist receded, and the chanting seemed to gradually fade away.

She carefully distinguished the features of the person before her. Memories slowly flooded back, and Sang Sang opened her mouth, tentatively calling out, “Husband?”

He answered, “Mm.”

Sang Sang lowered her head, looking at the hideous wound on his shoulder blade.

A sword had pierced through him from behind.

“Ji Hengyu, are you insane—?!”

Rong Min pulled back his sword, angrily scolding him.

Ji Hengyu stood in front of Sang Sang, not moving aside. Rong Min’s sword was a God-Slayer. If he hadn’t activated a barrier in time, both of them would have been impaled by his sword.

His protective intent was obvious, and the chaotic battlefield suddenly fell silent for a second.

No one could have imagined that at this critical juncture, Ji Hengyu would unexpectedly step in front of the demon to shield her.

“Do you know who she is?! Do you know your own identity! How is what you’re doing now any different from defying the Heavenly Dao?! Ji Hengyu! Move aside!”

Rong Min was furious, but Ji Hengyu remained unmoved.

He knew, he certainly knew, but—

“She is my wife.”

He said, his voice deep and resolute.

Rong Min’s pupils constricted, and the countless surrounding gazes were filled with astonishment.

Ji Hengyu looked up at Rong Min, repeating each word, again—

“She is my—Ji Hengyu’s lawfully wedded wife.”

He acknowledged her identity and sacrificed his own.

The world was filled with a deathly, oppressive silence.

Ji Hengyu stood in front of Sang Sang in a posture of complete protection. The wound on his shoulder showed no sign of healing, and more and more blood continuously gushed out, instantly staining his clean and untainted robes. The injury made his face pale, but facing the multitude of immortals, his gaze was so clear and firm.

He chose Sang Sang. At this very moment, Ji Hengyu chose Sang Sang.

Sang Ning was startled, but also overjoyed.

He lay on the ground, suddenly wanting to laugh, wanting to laugh out loud with happiness.

“Ji Hengyu, as a Divine Realm Immortal Official, are you going to violate the Heavenly Principles and fall into demonhood? How can you face the common people of the world like this! How can you face yourself?!”

Ji Hengyu did not deny it. His hand, hidden beneath his wide sleeve, reached back and tightly clasped Sang Sang’s hand.

Only then did she gradually regain her senses. She looked up, seeing only his stubbornly pursed lips. He held her, unwilling to let go. Sang Sang’s heart was touched for a moment. She tugged at his sleeve and very softly called out—

“Husband.”

“Mm?” Ji Hengyu heard her, lowered his head, and looked at her gently, smiling, “I’m here.”

He promised softly, his eyes rippling with tenderness, “Don’t be afraid, Sang Sang. I will protect you.”

[I will protect you.]

This was the first thing he said when they exchanged marriage vows.

At that time, Sang Sang thought, how could he, a mere mortal, a sickly person constantly reliant on medicine, possibly protect her? But every day thereafter, he fulfilled that promise.

He would secretly follow Sang Sang when she went into the mountains to gather herbs; he would economize just to make her a new dress; he would chase away dogs that tried to bite her. These trivial things were hardly worth mentioning, yet they were all silent expressions of his love.

Tears fell one by one.

But she... she didn’t want him to fall, to be scorned by everyone.

It was precisely because they had spent days and nights together that she knew his upright character, that he was a righteous path born for the common people.

She couldn’t bear it.

How could she bear to let him truly stay with her in Tianze River, to be scorned?

Her chest seized with pain again.

Sang Sang clutched her chest and let out a muffled groan. Her consciousness seemed to be forcibly invaded by a surge of energy. Her eyes turned red, and she stared ferociously at Rong Min.

[Kill him.]

Three cold words echoed in her mind.

No, no...

Sang Sang felt that something was wrong. She wanted to resist, but after struggling for only a moment, she was completely overwhelmed by the malevolent energy.

Sang Sang’s body transformed into mist, bypassing Ji Hengyu, and her five fingers, sharp as blades, struck directly at Rong Min’s face. Rong Min was ready to retaliate, but Sang Sang gave him no chance to open his formation. His vision went black, and her arm pierced straight through his abdomen, brutally gouging out his golden core.

“Senior Immortal Rong Min—!”

“Rong Min!!”

Screams erupted all around. No one could have imagined that a dignified Great Luo Golden Immortal would instantly fall at the hands of a demon.

[Kill them.]

Kill them...

Kill them...

A layer of bloody red mist enveloped her vision.

Sang Sang swept her gaze over the terrified faces. That voice pervaded every inch of her sea of consciousness, rooting itself tightly in her heart like a tree root. The demonic malevolence was consuming her, making the demonic mark on her forehead grow darker.

A horrifying scene unfolded.

Behind her, seven insubstantial scarlet serpents extended. The serpents hissed, roared, and swayed, their vertical pupils coldly illuminating everything. In an instant, the world solidified into mist, and blood rain churned. All who met their gaze had their sea of consciousness overturned and transformed into malevolent spirits.

Those low-level minor immortals turned into terrifying evil souls, swirling around Sang Sang, helping her devour everything in the world.

“Yen Jiuying—!”

“Yen Jiuying is alive again!!”

“Quick, quickly report to the Upper Realm!!”

Gao Min and Great Sage Feihong still tried to unite the twelve Golden Immortals to stabilize the situation, but Yen Jiuying had already grown seven tails, and in the blink of an eye, several more immortals perished.

When immortal souls perish, the heavens let out a mournful cry.

Countless lightning bolts gathered above the clouds, crackling and flashing, obscuring the terrified screams and pained roars of the crowd.

The scene before them was a true purgatory.

Si Tu watched in horror as one person after another fell before her eyes. She struggled to stand up and save them, finally attracting Yen Jiuying’s attention.

[Kill.]

Yen Jiuying perceived the entire situation through Sang Sang’s eyes.

She licked her lips, slowly but steadily approaching Si Tu. Just as she was about to attack her from behind, Sang Ning, without thinking, stepped in front of Si Tu. The sudden movement made her immediately turn around.

“Sang, Sang Ning...?”

She was still trembling, mostly from surprise.

Sang Ning didn’t turn back, knowing in his heart that he couldn’t hold on for much longer. “Go, take your people and leave.”

“Then you...”

“Don’t worry about me!” Sang Ning suddenly raised his voice, “You can barely take care of yourself, why bother with others?”

Si Tu forcibly held back her fear. After calming down, she organized her fellow disciples to quickly retreat.

“Sang Sang, wake up! I’m your brother!”

Sang Ning now understood that what Ji Hengyu said was true: the ancient demon god named Yen Jiuying resided within his sister’s body.

However, no matter how much he shouted, Sang Sang remained unresponsive. She was numbly taking lives and granting them, having long forgotten her own identity, and would not remember who Sang Ning was.

What would happen if this continued?

Sang Ning didn’t know. He was at a loss, terrified, and even more afraid that his sister, whom he had protected since childhood, would be taken over by another evil soul.

She became increasingly frantic, and the situation became more and more uncontrollable.

Ji Hengyu had already sensed divine breath. In a short while, perhaps in a few breaths, the Supreme Daoist Master would arrive. At that point... Sang Sang would face only one outcome.

There was no time to hesitate.

He closed his eyes, and his palm opened. Several golden, tiny, flickering talismans, like candlelight, floated into his hand.

[Spirit-Locking Candles]

The talisman candles would enter her body. The candlelight would instantly transform into fiery chains, locking her four continents of the soul and her spiritual bones.

This was a last resort.

Ji Hengyu’s gaze flickered. He still managed to suppress his reluctance, pushing forcefully with both hands—the golden talismans, like arrows, simultaneously plunged into her flesh from behind.

Suddenly, Sang Sang stopped moving.

She half-opened her lips in pain. As a sharp pain erupted from her Dantian, a surge of blood rose. She spat out a mouthful of black blood, her legs wobbled, and just as she was about to fall from the air, Ji Hengyu quickly flashed over and caught her.

Sang Sang’s hollow eyes were slightly open. Her pupils were still crimson, but the previous malevolence was gone.

The demonic malevolence entwined around her dispersed. Sang Sang gasped for breath, then her eyes closed, and she slumped into Ji Hengyu’s arms.

“Sang Sang!”

Sang Ning rushed over.

Ji Hengyu picked her up, “Back to Tianze River.”

Sang Ning nodded, not daring to delay. He led the way, and the two quickly fled this place of conflict.