AUOF - 152

In a trance, Sang Li heard Si Tu’s voice, vaguely accompanied by her panicked, fumbling footsteps.

She quickly came to her senses, propped herself up, and stumbled to her feet. Following the sound, she exited the door, then turned several corners before colliding with Si Tu, who was scurrying about like a headless fly.

Both of them recoiled, steadying themselves by leaning on each other.

When Si Tu saw that the person coming towards her was Sang Li, joy filled her heart. She had many things to say, but seeing the wet tear stains on Sang Li’s face, her words immediately caught in her throat. Her gaze darted up and down as she cautiously asked, “A’Li, what’s wrong?”

Sang Li looked distraught. After a long moment, her eyes finally found a faint focus.

“Si Tu?” Her voice, raw from crying, was noticeably trembling.

Si Tu flinched. “Are you... alright?”

Sang Li shook her head, lowering her gaze to hide the gloom.

For her, everything that happened inside Longzhong was too uncontrollable. Even with foreknowledge of the outcome, she was powerless to stop it alone.

Suddenly, Sang Li seemed to remember something. She lifted her eyelids to look at Si Tu, her cold palm fiercely gripping Si Tu’s arm. The previously vacant eyes developed a faint glimmer of light. “After we separated, did you encounter anything?”

Di Qi had split his memories into multiple parts, which meant there wasn’t just one Spirit-Gathering Box in Longzhong.

If Si Tu had also found a Spirit-Gathering Box, then the memories she saw might contain information to save the world!

Sure enough, the moment her words fell, Si Tu’s expression subtly changed. “I did...”

“What was it?!”

The urgency in Sang Li’s expression made Si Tu recoil.

What she had encountered earlier was simply inconceivable. Si Tu didn’t know how to recount that strange experience. She paused slightly, then hesitantly said, “I saw... Di Qi.”

Si Tu’s breath hitched. She closed her eyes, feigning indifference. “It must have been an illusion, or a memory he left here in advance. Actually, it was nothing much, just scenes of him and my mother in love.”

That scene was very brief, so brief that one might think it was just an accidental, false glimpse.

In the dream, the Mother Goddess lay on a shell boat, the sunlight beautiful, and she slept peacefully. The Father God played a zither beside her, the music ethereal and melodious.

Actually, Si Tu had never seen Di Qi’s appearance, but in that instant, she was absolutely certain it was him.

The Father God was more handsome and taller than she had imagined, and gentle, unlike the aloof gods of the Divine Realm. They seemed to be in perfect harmony, and even without speaking, love flowed in their eyes as they looked at each other.

Just in that brief moment, Si Tu felt as if she had been reunited with her parents.

“I accidentally entered a future void, and saw that we had a daughter.”

The Father God spoke then, his zither music unbroken. The Mother Goddess opened one eye upon hearing him.

“The bad news is, I was already dead by then.”

“Oh.” The Mother Goddess replied indifferently, lazily. “I won’t bear children for a dead man.”

Di Qi was still smiling. “If that day truly comes, I would wish...”

Di Qi’s words were cut short because the Mother Goddess shot a water arrow at him.

The scene ended there. Si Tu vaguely guessed what Di Qi’s unfinished words at that moment were, just like the wish she had silently hoped for day and night for five hundred years.

“Si Tu?”

Sang Li called her name repeatedly.

Si Tu snapped back to reality, turning her head to quickly wipe away the tears at the corner of her eyes. “You might not believe it, but I saw Senior Brother, Shen Zheyou.”

Sang Li was startled.

“He was the one clearing obstacles for us. He seemed to be looking for something here, but the memory was very brief, and it ended before I could see clearly.”

Shen Zheyou... Shen Zheyou...

Sang Li had almost forgotten his existence.

She and Ji Hengyu had witnessed the horror of the Heavenly Gate; ordinary cultivators entering other realms would surely not survive. But from what Si Tu said... not only did he not die, but by some fluke, relying on the power of the Heavenly Gate, he had arrived at Longzhong and found the Spirit-Gathering Box before them?!

A chill ran down Sang Li’s spine, seeping into her bones.

Shen Zheyou knew what Ji Hengyu intended to do, and he knew about the existence of the Spirit Race. In this critical moment of survival, how he would choose was obvious.

Was there truly no way to have both?

Did she have to watch Ji Hengyu fall into demonhood; watch her people die one after another?

[Life and death in this world are in your hands, you are the last key I left in the mortal realm.]

[The Jade of Death is the Sword of Salvation.]

“The Jade of Death is the Sword of Salvation...” Sang Li murmured the phrase. She tightly stared at her palms, then suddenly understood completely, and couldn’t help but laugh.

The sudden burst of laughter startled Si Tu. Sang Li’s laughter held a sense of revelation, as well as an indescribable bitterness.

“A’Li, what’s wrong? You... don’t scare me.”

Her expression was wrong, making Si Tu’s heart pound with apprehension.

Sang Li finally stopped laughing after a long moment, gently stroking Si Tu’s cheek. “A’Tu, I know you are a very, very good person.”

“A’Li?” Si Tu was puzzled, feeling an inexplicable panic.

As Sang Li spoke, she pressed her forehead against Si Tu’s, closing her eyes and saying, “I hope that no matter what happens next, you will stand firm in your choice.”

Si Tu didn’t understand the meaning of these words.

She just felt an inexplicable fear and unease. Everything that had happened since entering Longzhong felt wrong.

After saying this, Sang Li immediately let go of Si Tu and turned to leave.

Si Tu froze in place, then quickly gave chase, but in the blink of an eye, Sang Li vanished without a sound.

________________________________________

**

Sang Li had already found a solution.

She knew exactly the path she needed to take next. Without waiting for Si Tu, she walked directly to the entrance, then summoned Big-Eyed Cub, riding it as she flew out of the Desolate Water Dragon Domain.

The Desolate Water Dragon Domain was protected by the Saintess’ barrier, and the turmoil outside temporarily couldn’t affect this secluded paradise.

However, once she left the barrier, what met her eyes was a scene of death.

The boundless sea was as black as ink, with surging waves. The sky, in contrast, was blood-red, pressing down extremely low, a heavy red that made it hard to breathe. Amidst flashes of lightning and thunder, the vast sky continuously tore open, forming one vortex after another, which then attracted and merged with each other.

—This was the Heavenly Gate.

Once the Heavenly Gate formed, countless malevolent spirits would pass through it, coming to seize this pure land.

The Heavenly Dao seemed to have realized that a demonic god was about to be born.

Countless thunder condemnations rained down like hail onto the earth. Sang Li looked down from above; many sects had been affected, turning into ruins.

Passing through the desolate waters and reaching Nanshan, there were also more fleeing cultivators.

Perhaps the divine power bestowed upon her by Di Qi was taking effect. Sang Li could hear and see all the sights and sounds within a thousand li.

“This is a Heavenly Punishment, a great demon must have descended. What a sin, what a sin...”

“Master, let’s pack up and flee quickly!”

“The Heavenly Dao wishes to condemn the world. From where can we flee? To where can we flee?”

“The Heavenly Gate—the Heavenly Gate has merged! The Nine Spirit Realm is doomed!!”

“Mother!”

“Husband!”

“Who will save us—!”

The Heavenly Gate split open, and thunderous punishment had fallen.

Crying, wailing, separation, parting of life and death.

These were the scenes Sang Li had seen long ago in the Spirit-Gathering Box, now vividly unfolding before her eyes.

She didn’t want to listen, nor did she want to watch, but she couldn’t help it.

These pained cries echoed clearly in her sea of consciousness, deafening, making her unable to suppress her emotions and tears.

Countless cultivators surged into the crowds, wanting to desperately resist, unaware that this was just the beginning. Once midnight passed, Ji Hengyu would release tens of thousands of ancient demon gods from under the Guixu Sea. By then, not only the Nine Spirit Realm, but even the world beyond the Heavenly Gate would be swallowed.

This was the destructive path he was determined to take.

“Faster, Big-Eyed Cub—!”

“Owo!”

Sensing her sorrow, Big-Eyed Cub spread its wings and soared, heading straight for Phoenix Perch.

As Sang Li had expected, Shen Zheyou indeed brought immortal soldiers to encircle and suppress them.

Phoenix Perch had already been reduced to ruins amidst waves of divine pressure. The Glazed Flame Pearl, originally reinforced within the Phoenix Nest, was also on the verge of destruction.

When the last wave of attacks passed, the Glazed Flame Pearl completely shattered. The moment the barrier broke, the Phoenix Tree collapsed with a crash.

Sang Li saw Shen Zheyou standing within it. He raised his hand and ignited the Heavenly Lotus Fire.

“Stop—!!!”

However, Sang Li was still a step too late.

The Heavenly Lotus Fire, capable of burning down the world, devoured the earth in the blink of an eye. Before she could even hear the agonizing screams from within, she saw the souls of her deceased kin transform into spiritual light, scrambling to escape the sea of fire. The immortals followed closely, capturing these spiritual lights everywhere.

Shen Zheyou also turned his head at this moment.

Through his mask, his gaze was cold. Sparks danced on his fingertips. Shen Zheyou gestured towards Sang Li.

Sang Li forgot to react, her eyes wide as she watched the ball of starlight grow larger and larger before her, until red swallowed her, and a wave of heat enveloped her. She could see nothing, hear nothing.

Finally, she only felt things receding, time flowing backward. When she opened her eyes again, she reappeared above Phoenix Perch.

Shen Zheyou, allied with other immortals, was exerting all his might to besiege the Phoenix Tree, while the Spirit Clan within were still stubbornly resisting, exhausting their spiritual energy to prevent the Glazed Flame Pearl from shattering.

Sang Li could clearly feel the scorching pain of her soul being burned.

Her ears buzzed with a ringing sound. She raised her hands and looked at them. Remembering Di Qi’s words, and recalling seeing similar things on Ji Hengyu, Sang Li seemed to understand something in a daze.

This was... the divine power Di Qi had left her?

Sang Li clenched her hands. When she looked up again, her eyes held something different.

She and Big-Eyed Cub rushed forward without hesitation, shielding the Phoenix Tree.

“Shen Zheyou, stop!!”

Shen Zheyou heard the sound and looked back.

The coldness in his expression was like a freezing river. Without a word, he flicked his finger, and Sang Li was once again enveloped by the Heavenly Lotus Fire.

Time rewound, still above Phoenix Perch.

This time, Sang Li charged forward without thinking. “Shen Zheyou, let’s...”

Before she could finish, overwhelming arrows obliterated the Phoenix Tree.

Sang Li was unwilling to give up and activated her divine power again.

“Shen Zheyou, let’s talk!”

Shen Zheyou didn’t even look at her, simply sending down a sword aura that pierced her chest.

Sang Li’s vision swam. She endured the intense pain and activated her ability.

The sensation of death, repeatedly, was so real.

She felt residual pain all over her body. Exhausted, she slumped onto Big-Eyed Cub’s back, closing her eyes to recover her strength while strategizing.

Shen Zheyou always came directly for her. After so many reversals, she didn’t believe that the immortal families would be completely unaware. That meant... Shen Zheyou was feigning ignorance, determined to annihilate the entire Spirit Race.

He had also seen the Spirit-Gathering Box left by Di Qi and firmly believed that only the souls of the Spirit Race could be refined into the Sword Jade. Sang Li slowly propped herself up.

Since that was the case, she would see how long he could pretend.

“Big-Eyed Cub, let’s go.”

Sang Li patted Big-Eyed Cub’s back, and Big-Eyed Cub flapped its wings, rushing into the encirclement.

This time, Sang Li was smarter. She rewound time before her body sustained damage. She used her divine power smoothly, but not without cost. With each rewind, Sang Li clearly felt the loss of spiritual energy and life force.

Ten times, twenty times, fifty times...

She was sacrificing herself for a chance to preserve the Spirit Race.

Approaching a hundred rewinds, the Spirit Race members hiding inside the Phoenix Tree gradually realized what was happening. They huddled together, silent, helpless, looking up at the precarious Glazed Flame Pearl.

Qu You cast a spell to rotate the sky screen. Within the screen, immortal soldiers stood, and a cyan figure moved among them.

No wonder there were always anomalies in the flow of time. So that was it, so that was it...

Qu You suddenly understood. He gently stroked his sister’s ear, then jumped down from her. “Everyone—!”

Everyone’s attention turned to Qu You’s direction.

“The Nine Spirit Realm is in peril. How can our clan cower here like cowards! If sacrificing my life can save thousands of living beings, then let us do so! When the name of the Spirit Race is mentioned again, it will naturally be upright and honorable!”

No one responded.

They looked at the countless immortal soldiers outside the sky screen. The first to step forward was Elder Turtle. “Like a chariot and its wheels, if the one is destroyed, the other perishes. If all realms are destroyed, how can our clan long endure?”

There was weeping in the crowd, and then another person stepped forward; this time it was Rabbit Spirit.

More and more people stood up, men and women, old and young. Knowing that the path ahead was a dead end, they completely abandoned their fear, their expressions filled with only determination.

**

Sang Li failed many times. Things and time could be rewound, but lost spiritual energy could not be returned.

The immortal families gradually became exhausted and found it difficult to cope. They exchanged glances, seeing the difficulty in each other’s eyes. When Sang Li rushed over again, disregarding life and death, the immortals guarding both sides tacitly held back, eventually choosing to step aside and clear a path for her.

Big-Eyed Cub was also out of strength at this point, falling into a brief暈厥 after landing.

Sang Li temporarily left it there. The excessive consumption of spiritual energy left her face devoid of color. Sang Li approached step by step, her limbs weak. She could only hold on for a moment before collapsing to the ground.

In an instant, her qi and blood surged, and Sang Li coughed up a mouthful of dark blood.

Shen Zheyou slowly turned around then, looking down with disdain. Sang Li also looked up at this moment, her eyes clearly reflecting his indifferent pupils beneath the mask.

“Even if you repeat it eighty-five more times, you won’t change anything.” Shen Zheyou said, “I saw the outcome in Longzhong. Even if you pour out your heart and soul, exhaust your divine power, before destiny, it’s just a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot.”

“It’s eighty-eight times.” Sang Li wiped away the bloodstains, correcting him. She struggled to her feet. “Instead, I ask you, besides the Spirit-Gathering Box Di Qi left there, what else did you see in Longzhong?”

What else did he see?

The expression in Shen Zheyou’s eyes was indistinct.

His survival was purely by fate. The Heavenly Gate dragged him into another void, where his face was disfigured, but he also found a way to break through his cultivation. He saw the world’s stillness in Longzhong; the Spirit Race hidden behind Phoenix Perch was the only way to save the world.

This encounter made Shen Zheyou realize many things and understand that what he had once upheld was wrong.

However, if a choice had to be made, he would still, as before, sacrifice the small for the large. Therefore, the souls of the Spirit Race had to be used to suppress the heavens; there was no other way.

“We went to Longzhong to seek the Sword Jade, but Di Qi only left one sentence. May I ask, Venerable Immortal, have you seen that sentence?”

Shen Zheyou remained silent.

“The Jade of Death is the Sword of Salvation.” She looked up, directly into his eyes beneath the mask. “At first, I didn’t understand, but now I do.” She said, “I am that Jade of Death.”

Between her and Ji Hengyu, one of them had to make a sacrifice.

Di Qi called her the key and bestowed upon her his remaining divine power, so the answer was obvious.

Sang Li couldn’t be heartless; she couldn’t allow Ji Hengyu to die. Nor was she willing to watch the world fall into suffering. Since she couldn’t have both, there was only one way to resolve it.

Shen Zheyou seemed surprised by her words, a clear flicker of something unusual in his expression.

“I am the key left by Di Qi. Since that’s the case, there’s no need to implicate the innocent.” Sang Li approached step by step, extending her hands to him. “Before Ji Hengyu becomes a demon, close the Heavenly Gate.”

Actually, she wasn’t someone with great compassion.

It was just that fate was unchangeable. Having reached this point, she had no way out. This was the most comprehensive plan Sang Li could think of.

Her death, to save everyone.

Actually, Sang Li was afraid of death. She had died once in the illusion, and it was that experience that gave her some courage.

Perhaps after this was over, she might even be able to return to her original world.

She comforted herself in this way, but thinking of the impending separation, she found it increasingly difficult to control her emotions. Sang Li held back her tears. “Venerable Immortal let me pass, wasn’t it to give me a chance? I believe you have never been a ruthless person. Behind this door behind me, there aren’t just Spirit Clan members, but also children, elders, loving couples, and their homes. If all living beings are equal, why not give them a chance to live as well?!”

Shen Zheyou remained silent, merely looking behind Sang Li.

The light of the Glazed Flame Pearl gradually dimmed, and the tree’s seal simultaneously disappeared. As the door slowly opened, figures appeared one after another, silently, beside Sang Li. “A’Li.”

A familiar voice suddenly rang out, startling Sang Li. She couldn’t help but turn to look.

It was Qu You. She stood beside the black wolf, smiling faintly at her. Following her were Rabbit Spirit, Little Ant Spirit, the aunt next door who had helped her with her wedding arrangements, Grandpa Turtle, and even the youngest Little Butterfly Spirit had come out.

Sang Li couldn’t understand why and was instantly dazed.

Qu You blinked at her playfully, leaning in to say, “What you did, I saw it all too~”

During Sang Li’s countless rewinds, Qu You had also persuaded her clan members many times.

Perhaps the clan members sensed something. The door opened, and everyone walked out.

Sang Li instantly understood their intention, and tears streamed down her face. Her heart ached terribly.

“Don’t cry.” Qu You wanted to wipe Sang Li’s tears, but being too short, she could only tilt her head to stroke the black wolf’s head. “Actually, five hundred years ago, when the Spirit Clan suffered the Heavenly Punishment, my sister and I foresaw this moment.”

The Spirit Clan was inherently not tolerated by the world. If their sacrifice could bring peace to all beings and prosperity to future generations, then it was better to dedicate themselves to this path.

It was certainly better than hiding in this tree hollow, watching their companions die to save them; watching the living beings of heaven and earth perish and shatter.

Qu You finished speaking and looked at Shen Zheyou. “We are willing to go with you, but...” She glanced at the whimpering infants behind her. “The children are innocent. Can you spare their lives? They are still young, their spiritual power is weak, and even if they live, they won’t pose any threat to the world.”

The children didn’t understand what was happening, but they keenly sensed the danger and quietly sobbed in their parents’ arms.

The parents also hugged their children tightly, their expressions full of pleading.

The immortal families showed reluctance, but the command of the Supreme Dao Venerable was paramount, and no one dared to speak rashly, leaving the decision to Shen Zheyou.

Shen Zheyou wore a silver mask that completely covered his face, only his eyes were visible, his emotions deep and unfathomable. No one could guess his intentions.

After a moment, he summoned the Immortal Binding Rope.

Everyone held their breath. The Spirit Race had already prepared for death, but the next instant, they saw the rope fall onto Sang Li.

Qu You’s eyes widened slightly.

Sang Li, however, looked relieved and smiled faintly.

“Let’s go back.”

Shen Zheyou pulled her along with one hand, not looking at the Spirit Race members behind him, and prepared to leave.

“Wait!” Qu You called out urgently.

Shen Zheyou and Sang Li both paused. Sang Li knew Qu You still wanted to persist. She turned back and said, “Qu You, it will all pass. Lastly, please take good care of it for me.” Sang Li looked at the little mirror demon lying in the corner, gave her a smile, and then left with Shen Zheyou on the wind.

**

It took some time to travel from Phoenix Perch to the Divine Realm.

Shen Zheyou was responsible for guarding Sang Li, so he stayed with her in the carriage.

Silence flowed through the cramped environment.

Sang Li’s eyes were unfocused, her mind empty, until Shen Zheyou, who was sitting opposite her, spoke. Only then did Sang Li slowly lift her eyelids.

“It seems you didn’t change his mind.”

“What?”

Shen Zheyou crossed his arms. “Ji Hengyu.”

Thinking of Ji Hengyu’s resolute departing back, Sang Li’s expression changed, then she detected something amiss in his tone.

“You knew he would do this?”

Shen Zheyou seemed surprised. “You didn’t know?”

Sang Li countered, “What should I know?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Zheyou, who had been expressionless throughout, suddenly chuckled softly.

Shen Zheyou took off his mask in front of Sang Li. The moment he looked up, Sang Li couldn’t help but gasp.

One side of his face was covered in hideous, centipede-like scars, crisscrossing and completely destroying his once handsome features.

Shen Zheyou pointed to his cheek and said, “Do you really think he wanted to kill me, all for you?”

Sang Li was confused.

This look of confusion seemed even more mocking to Shen Zheyou. “Ji Hengyu wishes to cultivate the Boundless Suffering Dao, to drag everyone in the world down with him.”

“Boundless Suffering Dao?”

Shen Zheyou put his mask back on. “It’s the World-Ending Dao, where one sacrifices oneself to merge heaven and earth into one.”

By then, the Six Realms would merge, heaven and earth would reappear, and humans, gods, demons, spiritual beings, everything would vanish completely, as if the earth were newly born, with nothing left.

That’s why Shen Zheyou thought Ji Hengyu was crazy.

However, what the Spirit-Gathering Box showed didn’t seem to be the case. Ji Hengyu abandoned the Boundless Suffering Dao, choosing another path, equally extreme, but with a method of contact.

Shen Zheyou cast a cold glance at Sang Li.

She was still in shock. Shen Zheyou suddenly understood the meaning behind Ji Hengyu’s actions.

To abandon all worlds for one person was truly laughable.

Sang Li said nothing.

She suddenly recalled how, in Guixu, Ji Hengyu was always alone, gazing distantly at the four dragon pillars; she also remembered his torment when he was plagued by karma, unable to find release.

Sang Li knew all his suffering and his unfulfilled desires. Even if he had countless faults, she seemed unable to blame him for anything.

The world was like a bitter sea, and all were uncrossing passengers.

After this night, everything would be better.

**

Shen Zheyou brought Sang Li directly to the Purple Clouds Grand Hall to meet the Three Gods.

The Upper Heaven was filled with the ominous feeling of an impending storm. When the outer hall announced Shen Zheyou’s successful return, the Supreme Dao Venerable, who had been at his wit’s end, immediately sprang up, eager to greet him.

“Greetings, Divine Venerable.”

The Supreme Dao Venerable’s sharp gaze had already shifted to Sang Li.

She had already removed the mark that the True Lord of Mount Wu Calamity had placed on her to conceal her Spirit Race aura. Standing here for the first time, facing the immortals, Sang Li felt no fear, even gaining a sense of composure. She stood tall, allowing the Supreme Dao Venerable to scrutinize her.

“Where are the other Spirit Clan members?”

Someone asked.

Shen Zheyou’s expression was veiled. “Only Sang Li was brought back.”

The immortals exchanged glances, and whispers filled the hall.

“And the other Spirit Clan members...?”

“Nonsense! How can she alone suppress the heavens!”

The immortals murmured their disapproval. Faced with suspicion, Shen Zheyou did not refute them.

The Supreme Dao Venerable frowned and asked, “Were you soft-hearted?”

Shen Zheyou said, “She alone is enough. This disciple believes there’s no need for further sacrifice.”

The Supreme Dao Venerable suppressed his anger: “What if she fails? What if the remaining Spirit Clan opens the Heavenly Gate again? Zi You, at this critical juncture, how can you be so careless?”

“They won’t.” Sang Li’s voice suddenly rang out, neither loud nor soft, echoing through the grand hall. She took a few steps forward, glancing at Shen Zheyou from the corner of her eye. “May I ask you to unbind the Immortal Binding Rope?”

Shen Zheyou hesitated for a moment, but still removed the restraints.

The Supreme Dao Venerable’s frown deepened.

Sang Li stretched out her arm, palm facing upwards. She channeled all the spiritual energy in her body into her palm. When a ball of spiritual light containing the power of ancient divine veins flickered at her fingertips, a collective gasp swept through the hall.

The white light illuminated her face. Sang Li knew exactly what the Supreme Dao Venerable was calculating. The corners of her lips curved slightly, as if in mockery: “I have inherited Di Qi’s divine power. Even all the Spirit Clan combined cannot match me alone. As a member of the Spirit Clan, I am willing to sacrifice myself for the common people; then, may I ask, Heavenly Venerable, to show mercy and spare my clan? Or... does Heavenly Venerable merely wish to use this opportunity to exterminate the Spirit Clan entirely?”

“Audacious! How dare a mere minor demon be so insolent towards the Venerable—!”

An immortal behind him, displeased with her attitude, stepped forward to reprimand her.

Sang Li was not afraid. In the original novel, this Heavenly Venerable was petty and narrow-minded, always wary of Di Qi, and even more so of anyone or anything that could affect his status.

Claiming to exterminate the Spirit Clan for the sake of all beings was nothing more than an excuse.

He was merely afraid that one day, the Spirit Clan would rise up and rebel against the Divine Realm.

The Supreme Dao Venerable’s eyes were fixed, and he raised a hand to stop the person behind him.

“We have never met. Why do you make such a conjecture about me?”

“Never met?” Sang Li raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Let’s just say we’ve never met. After all, I only wish for my clan and all living beings to survive together. Heavenly Venerable, being in such a high position and revered by the world, surely you will treat everyone equally and give them a chance to live, won’t you?”

Sang Li was not afraid that the Supreme Dao Venerable wouldn’t agree.

He always cared about his reputation, maintaining a facade of righteousness simply to gain a good name.

Now that she had put him in this position, and the immortals who had followed had already witnessed the plight of the Spirit Clan, and now she was voluntarily offering herself, if the Supreme Dao Venerable insisted on exterminating them, he would lose face.

Sure enough, the Supreme Dao Venerable’s hands, hidden in his sleeves, clenched tightly. His gaze was cold and piercing, and waves of silent pressure washed over her. Sang Li did not retreat or yield. After a moment, the Supreme Dao Venerable finally spoke—

“This Venerable’s heart is for all beings. Naturally, I hope that more living beings can be spared from suffering.”

Sang Li’s smile deepened. She bowed slightly, then had Shen Zheyou bind her again, turned, and left the Purple Clouds Grand Hall.

The moment she exited the grand hall, she coincidentally bumped into Si Tu, who was rushing over. Si Tu’s hurried steps halted abruptly, and upon seeing Sang Li, the urgency in her expression instantly turned to shock.

Sang Li merely glanced at her indifferently, then averted her gaze and walked past her, leaving without a word.