AUOF - 135

While Sang Ning accompanied Sang Sang, Ji Hengyu and Si Tu arranged the formation. Si Tu also gleaned a simple understanding of the events from Ji Hengyu’s brief explanations.

When Sang Ning emerged, her gaze towards him had subtly shifted.

To say that Si Tu understood Sang Ning was merely superficial, besides knowing him as Sang Sang’s brother and an indispensable genius of the demon tribe.

Before knowing he was Ning Xiaoyao, Si Tu had briefly held a good impression of him, but that was solely based on his appearance—handsome, clean, and as free as the wind. However, this fleeting goodwill was shattered by the recent conflict.

Now, learning that he was willing to sacrifice his life for Sang Sang, it would be a lie to say she was not moved.

The formation altar would take a while to materialize. Si Tu hesitated for a long time, but ultimately followed her heart and slowly walked over to Sang Ning, who was standing quietly in the long corridor outside the hall.

His gaze was fixed on one spot.

Sang Sang’s sleeping quarters didn’t contain anything particularly rare. Demon flowers grew wild in the courtyard, and in the center, two swings hung side-by-side from a tide-falling tree. The swings had been empty for a long time, covered in dark purple luoluo grass. The fragrance emitted by the luoluo grass attracted butterflies to flutter around, creating a sense of quiet solitude in the night mist.

Sang Ning kept staring at the swings, with no intention of acknowledging her.

Si Tu stood awkwardly beside him, gradually feeling a bit embarrassed. She scratched her head uncomfortably, then hesitated and tugged at his sleeve, “Hey...”

Only then did Sang Ning turn his head, his gaze falling upon her.

Although he and Sang Sang were twins born of the same mother, their appearances were not similar. Sang Sang’s features were striking, and she looked very aggressive when she didn’t speak; Sang Ning was the opposite. His bone structure was excellent, his brow lines sharp, and he naturally had smiling eyes. Even when angry, he didn’t appear very threatening.

It was this face that had deceived many ill-intentioned enemies.

Sang Ning said nothing, just quietly watched her, waiting for her to speak.

This only heightened Si Tu’s embarrassment. She averted her gaze and spoke with difficulty: “It’s just... do you have anything you want to say to Sang Sang? Tell me, and I’ll relay it to her later.”

The sincerity in Si Tu’s words and the truthfulness in her expression made Sang Ning fall into a strange silence for a moment.

“No need.”

“Oh.” Si Tu looked up, persistently asking, “Really no need?”

Sang Ning was a bit speechless, but still patiently replied, “No need.”

Si Tu opened up the conversation, “Sang Sang promised to be my friend before, so actually, it’s fine if you tell me. Or if you want to cry, just cry secretly. It’s just the two of us here; no third person will see, and I promise not to spread it around.”

She pricked up her ears, quite eagerly awaiting Sang Ning to entrust his last words to her.

Sang Ning: “...”

He had originally felt like crying and had many things he wanted to say to his sister, but Si Tu’s meddling instead calmed his heart quite a bit.

“We can begin now.”

Ji Hengyu’s voice came from behind. Sang Ning glanced at Si Tu, “Thank you for your kindness, Divine Maiden. It’s just a pity that I have no last wishes to convey.” With that, Sang Ning turned and walked towards the formation.

Si Tu didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. In her urgency, she grabbed Sang Ning’s arm: “Sang Ning, have you really thought this through?” She naturally understood that Sang Ning’s purpose was to save Sang Sang, but this wasn’t a foolproof plan; a slight mishap could result in mutual destruction.

“Divine Maiden, I believe you are mistaken,” Sang Ning stopped, facing Si Tu’s astonished expression, and slowly took her hand away. “For Sang Sang, I have never hesitated. What is there to consider?”

Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, or an even more remote one, he would seize it without hesitation.

That was his sister, his only family in this life. As her elder brother, he was obligated to protect her at all costs; that was the responsibility he was born to bear.

Si Tu remained rooted to the spot, watching his retreating figure, lost in thought for a long time.

________________________________________

**

The Three Pure Formation altar was set up in the main hall of Luoyu Palace.

Before starting, Sang Ning dismissed all the guards stationed on all sides, even removing the defensive stone beasts and replacing them with immortal protective arrays. The restrictive arrays were layered one on top of another, a total of eighteen layers, their dazzling radiance illuminating the dark and deep Luoyu Palace as if it were day.

The demon soldiers guarding outside had no idea what was happening. Since Sang Ning had ordered them not to approach, they could only whisper among themselves, making wild guesses.

With all preparations complete, Ji Hengyu carried Sang Sang out.

She slept soundly in Ji Hengyu’s arms, her long hair spread out, her dense, slender eyelashes covering her eyes. Her face was pale, devoid of any vitality.

Ji Hengyu’s hands, holding Sang Sang, hesitated briefly, then he leaned down and gently placed Sang Sang into the formation altar. Chains rose around her, binding her tightly like a prison.

Ji Hengyu gently caressed her hair, seemingly reluctant to let go, then finally looked up at the two below, “Are you ready?”

Seeing them nod, Ji Hengyu waved his hand, dispelling the Spirit-Locking Candles from her body.

At the same time, Si Tu cast a spell, activating the altar.

The silent Three Pure Soul-Binding Chains hummed under the activation of spiritual power. Golden light spread out in circles beneath the Three Pure Altar, and talismans rose in sequence, merging with the Soul-Binding Chains.

All three watched the situation on the altar with great tension.

Divine light surged from the altar. Sang Sang, lying within, subtly moved her fingers. She showed a slight reaction, then seemed unable to bear the pain, her brows furrowed, and a continuous moan escaped her throat. The pain then intensified, and she curled up her entire body on the ground.

The talismans burned red on her skin. The snake-like demonic mark on her forehead flickered in and out of existence under the array’s influence.

“It hurts...”

In her haze, Sang Sang mumbled.

Sang Ning anxiously stepped forward: “Sang Sang, are you awake?”

Sang Sang heard her brother’s familiar voice.

She gasped dryly, squinting her eyes, intensely staring at Sang Ning standing outside the Three Pure Altar. Her expression held a hint of daze, yet her eyes seemed incredibly clear. This made Sang Ning’s heart clench. He turned to Ji Hengyu for confirmation: “Will she suffer?”

Ji Hengyu remained silent.

Her body was Yen Jiuying’s vessel, so suffering was inevitable. But compared to this temporary pain, the long-term torment in the future would be even harder to bear.

Ji Hengyu completely ignored Sang Ning’s current anxiety and said to Si Tu, “Continue, don’t stop.” With that, he also extended his hand to cast a spell.

Si Tu gritted her teeth and deepened the spiritual power by another layer.

The talismans, like fine blades, cut into Sang Sang’s spiritual mansion. The unbearable tearing sensation caused a faint whimper of pain to escape Sang Sang’s throat, and her previously muddled consciousness gradually became clear.

She endured the pain while gazing blankly at her surroundings.

This was a platform, also shaped like an iron cage, with densely woven chains wrapped around all sides. Countless incomprehensible runes floated around the chains.

It was these runes that were continuously harming her.

Si Tu was also present, and the light of the spell emanating from her fingertips was connected to the cage.

Sang Sang didn’t understand why Si Tu was here, nor could she recall what exactly had happened. Her mind seemed awake yet also asleep. Her body was clearly lying there, yet she felt weightless, as if floating in mid-air, a mixture of reality and illusion that gave her no sense of security.

Sang Sang felt an inexplicable panic.

Soon, she found Ji Hengyu’s figure in the corner.

The surprise compelled her to endure the piercing pain and crawl up from the cold platform. She painstakingly moved forward, reaching out to touch the chains. However, as soon as her fingertips touched the chains, a scorching pain rebounded, instantly making her recoil.

“Husband...”

Sang Sang fell back to the ground, losing strength, clutching her injured finger, and called out to him softly and aggrievedly from afar.

Ji Hengyu’s Dao heart was unstable, but he quickly regained his composure, lowering his gaze to avoid her sight.

Yen Jiuying was formed from the evil desires of all beings; it knew best how to play with human hearts. Ji Hengyu naturally knew this was Yen Jiuying’s trick, using Sang Sang to make him soft-hearted. He wouldn’t fall for it, but he still couldn’t help but feel heartache.

“Husband, I hurt...”

Seeing Ji Hengyu ignore her pleas, Sang Sang trembled all over and couldn’t help but shed tears.

Her hair was disheveled, her back thin, and she lay alone in the cage, continuously crying out in pain, begging him to let her out.

But no matter what Sang Sang said, no matter how much she cried, Ji Hengyu remained unmoved.

This made Sang Ning incredibly distressed. “Sang Sang, just bear with it for a moment. We’ll be done soon. Trust me, okay?”

Sang Ning comforted her, unable to restrain himself from rushing forward. However, Ji Hengyu, who was standing beside him, pulled him back, preventing his impulse just in time.

Sang Sang shook her head.

She was truly in so much pain. Her bones ached, her flesh hurt, and even breathing without speaking was accompanied by pain. The pain showed no signs of stopping, surging like waves. She writhed in agony, her gaze fixed, and suddenly met Ji Hengyu’s indifferent expression. Anger surged from her heart.

He had clearly promised, clearly said he would cherish her for a lifetime, so why was he conspiring with others to torment her like this?

Evil desire surged in her chest—

“Ji Hengyu, are you trying to kill me!?”

This wasn’t like something Sang Sang would say. In fact, she didn’t want to question the man she deeply loved so wildly. However, darkness festered in her mind, and her lips parted without her will—

“You said you’d be good to me for all eternity! But today you want to kill me! If that’s the case, why didn’t you sign the divorce papers that day?! Why torment me like this?!”

“Let me out!”

“Ji Hengyu! Let me out!!”

She didn’t care about the pain anymore. She desperately slammed her hands against the talisman chains.

The chains hummed and vibrated wildly from the impact. Her palms quickly became covered in wounds from the scorching heat. Even at the point of being bloody and bruised, Sang Sang did not stop this self-abusive behavior.

Si Tu’s fingers wavered, and she couldn’t help but seek help from Ji Hengyu: “Senior Brother...”

Ji Hengyu’s jawline tightened, “Continue.”

Seeing that Ji Hengyu still showed no signs of softening, Sang Sang also abandoned her tactic of feigning pain. She sat cross-legged on the ground, her hands forming seals, and performed a spell aimed at the Three Pure Soul-Binding Chains before her. The two collided, sending out layers of ripples. The spiritual wave struck Sang Sang directly in the chest. In an instant, her blood surged, and she fell to the ground, opening her mouth to vomit a mouthful of dark blood.

Sang Sang’s eyes were closed, her breathing hot and rapid.

In the oppressive darkness, the vibrating soul chains and the runes beneath her burned and consumed her. Her sea of consciousness felt like it was tearing apart. She saw spirit talismans churning into magma, her spiritual consciousness collapsing, the four seas shattering, and amidst the shaking of heaven and earth, she saw something dormant awakening in her chest.

Its face was unclear, its identity unknown, corroding and possessing her like darkness corroding daylight.

Sang Sang lowered her head, motionless. This process lasted for a long time. When she raised her head again, her pupils had turned a dazzling crimson. The color was viscous and cold, clinging to her skin, causing Sang Ning, who was preparing to approach, to feel a chilling fear from the bottom of his heart.

The next instant, Sang Sang raised her head high. A wisp of red mist slowly separated from her chest, spreading, gathering above, forming a visible but bodiless seven-headed monster snake.

It looked down coldly at everything.

Even with the Three Pure Formation Altar locking its soul, the overwhelming malevolent energy still turned the entire palace into an ice cellar. A chilling wind swept through the hall, and outside, lightning flashed and thunder roared.

—Yen Jiuying had appeared.

If it continued to stay in Sang Sang’s body, its soul would only be crushed by the Three Pure Formation. Yen Jiuying decisively abandoned Sang Sang. The red mist coiled towards the Three Pure Formation altar. Si Tu instantly felt a push. She instinctively tried to resist, but Ji Hengyu flashed and pulled her away. At the same time, Sang Ning appeared in her previous position.

Bang!!!

Accompanied by a earth-shattering roar, the altar collapsed. Si Tu had no time to think about what had happened when she saw Yen Jiuying’s malevolent soul plunge into Sang Ning’s body.

In an instant, her breathing stopped.

Red mist swirled around him, entering his chest and being absorbed in an instant. The overwhelming force caused Sang Ning to stagger back several steps, finally steadying himself. He gasped, clutching his chest.

Not long ago, the Spirit-Asking Stone had already merged into his sea of consciousness.

Thump, thump, thump.

His heart beat slowly, one beat at a time.

A warm, delicate, spring-like aura entwined around him. Before Sang Ning could fully comprehend it, suffocation washed over him. That thing abruptly invaded his sea of consciousness, attempting to break open the door to his mind and completely control his body.

Sang Ning’s eyes were already crimson. He looked up and shouted towards Ji Hengyu—

“Ji Hengyu, now!”

Ji Hengyu was already prepared. He drew his Chihan Sword and advanced, plunging the sword into Sang Ning’s chest without hesitation.

Chh!

The sound of the blade entering flesh was so clear and distinct.

Si Tu couldn’t believe how quickly everything happened, so fast that she had no time to prepare. She trembled, clamping her hands over her ears, staring fixedly at the two figures standing not far away.

The Chihan Sword was originally an ancient demon-slaying divine sword. That single blow not only shattered the Spirit-Asking Stone but also Sang Ning’s heart and soul.

Blood seeped from Sang Ning’s lips. The crimson in his eyes, whether tears or Yen Jiuying’s residual malevolence, was unclear.

Silence lingered in the grand hall for a long time. Sang Ning heard his sea of consciousness shatter, and a sharp scream echoed in his mind—it wasn’t his voice.

The aura of Yen Jiuying within him was slowly dissipating. They seemed to have succeeded.

Blood dripped from his body.

Before Sang Ning could feel joy, he felt a chill down his spine, as if something was awakening.

His gaze passed over Ji Hengyu’s shoulder, and he saw a tiny wisp of red mist, like a wandering insect, drifting in the sky, slowly moving towards Sang Sang.

Sang Sang, who should have been unconscious, stirred her fingertips, showing signs of waking up.

The smile on Sang Ning’s lips vanished instantly. He clutched Ji Hengyu’s shoulder, his voice hoarse as he said: “...It’s still here.”

Ji Hengyu was stunned.

Suddenly—

Sang Ning grabbed Ji Hengyu’s shoulder. With a startled cry from Si Tu, he spun around, shielding Ji Hengyu. A sharp claw pierced through his back and out his chest.

Blood splattered everywhere.

The warm blood gushing from Sang Ning drenched Ji Hengyu’s hair and face. His face was warm with blood, and Ji Hengyu, his eyelashes stained with blood, looked in shock at Sang Sang, who had appeared behind him at some unknown point.

The demonic mark on the woman’s forehead blazed brightly. She expressionlessly stabbed and killed the brother she had grown up with. Her beautiful face was cruel, blood-stained, and devoid of compassion or mercy. Ji Hengyu’s gaze shifted downwards, seeing specks of light shimmering on her chest.

That light... was identical to that of the Spirit-Asking Stone.

It was as if he had been punched heavily in the head. Ji Hengyu’s pupils constricted. The immense shock constricted his breath, and the pores all over his body seemed to burst open.

Wrong.

Wrong, wrong...

All wrong!

It wasn’t that Yen Jiuying chose her, but that she was Yen Jiuying all along!!!

It wasn’t that Sang Sang was suitable to be Yen Jiuying’s vessel, but that she was meant to be!

The missing piece of the Spirit-Asking Stone had fallen into the Three Realms, its whereabouts unknown. This explained why Yen Jiuying hadn’t completely dispersed, and even appeared in the distant lower realm of Tianze River with the Spirit-Asking Stone, which held a wisp of its residual soul. Because Sang Sang was here, and the missing piece of the Spirit-Asking Stone was here, the two were drawn to each other. The Spirit-Asking Stone had come seeking its residual heart.

When the malevolent soul has a heart, it can manifest a body.

Sang Sang... was originally the demon god formed from that residual heart of the Spirit-Asking Stone!

Yen Jiuying, hidden within the Spirit-Asking Stone, had perhaps calculated all of this long ago. It accumulated spiritual power by using one demon venerable after another, patiently waiting for Sang Sang to be born, and with the absorbed power, regain its status as the strongest in this world.

Even if Yen Jiuying’s seven life-souls were killed now, as long as its soul-heart remained, it could be resurrected again.

This blow exhausted all of Sang Sang’s strength. She withdrew her hand, tilted her head, and fainted again, the specks of light on her chest also extinguishing.

Ji Hengyu’s eyes were hollow, his wrists trembling weakly, almost unable to grip the sword in his palm.

Suddenly, a heavy weight fell on his arm. Ji Hengyu looked over in a daze; it was Sang Ning holding onto him.

“Ji Hengyu, Ji Hengyu...”

Sang Ning called Ji Hengyu’s name with an almost obsessive urgency. He didn’t have much time left to live, and this sudden turn of events didn’t allow him to think too much. However, from Ji Hengyu’s expression, Sang Ning vaguely sensed something was terribly wrong.

Since he was dying, he had no mind to consider anything else. His only wish at the end of his life was for his sister to live well.

Whether Ji Hengyu was an immortal or a human; whether they were enemies or not; no matter what Ji Hengyu did after his death, at this moment, Ji Hengyu was the only one Sang Ning could trust, and had to trust.

Sang Ning gripped Ji Hengyu’s arm, with such force that it almost broke his bones, “Don’t, don’t tell Sang Sang...” As he spoke, he coughed up a mouthful of black blood. As he was about to fall, Ji Hengyu reached out and helped him sit down.

Sang Ning leaned on his arm, a gaping, dark bloody hole in his chest, his breathing accompanied by harsh gasps, “Don’t, don’t tell Sang Sang anything that happened today...”

Sang Ning didn’t blame Sang Sang. He only worried that Sang Sang would be consumed by self-reproach if she knew everything, and that was not something Sang Ning wanted to see.

Sang Ning’s pupils began to dilate. His fingers gripped Ji Hengyu’s hand tightly, unwilling to let go, his gaze fixed with persistent determination, “Take care of Sang Sang...” Sang Ning couldn’t let go; he kept repeating, “Promise me, take care of Sang Sang...”

Ji Hengyu opened his mouth, but his throat was choked, unable to utter a sound.

His silence, in Sang Ning’s eyes, was hesitation. Panic and anger ignited his last bit of life force. His eyes cleared in an instant, and his voice rose to an almost roaring shout: “Ji Hengyu, promise me!”

“Mm.” Ji Hengyu nodded, “I promise you.”

He paused, his voice wavering with emotion, “...I will take good care of Sang Sang.”

Only then did Sang Ning let out a long sigh of relief, his expression visibly lightened.

He took one last look at his unconscious sister beside him and smiled, “Actually, I...”

Actually, what?

Perhaps he meant he didn’t regret anything he had done today; didn’t regret losing this life; or perhaps he didn’t oppose his marriage to Sang Sang.

Whatever it was, Sang Ning had no chance to say it, and Ji Hengyu had no chance of hearing those unfinished words.

Sang Ning breathed his last.

His open eyes had no time to close, his dark pupils reflecting Sang Sang’s fallen figure on the ground.

Finally, the reflection transformed into a tiny dot, vanishing completely in a blink, leaving only the profound emptiness of death and a hint of lingering unwillingness.

Ji Hengyu remained in the posture of supporting his body.

His soul, too, seemed to withdraw at that moment.

It wasn’t until Si Tu called him several times that Ji Hengyu gradually regained some of his senses.

Ji Hengyu suddenly thought of Sang Sang. He gently placed Sang Ning down and almost frantically crawled to Sang Sang, picking her up from the cold ground.

Si Tu had no idea what Ji Hengyu was about to do.

She knew nothing, feeling helpless, terrified, and tearfully pursued him: “Senior Brother, where are you taking her?”

Where?

Ji Hengyu didn’t know either.

Only one thought revolved in his mind—

Take her away.

Don’t let anyone take her.