Soon, Ye Yang pieced together from others’ words that they were at a critical moment of life and death. Although he didn’t understand how the enemy had changed from a heretical cultivator to Fu Ye, he trusted Shen Ming.
With Shen Ming’s old injuries flaring up and him burning divine power, Ye Yang surprisingly grew calm. His goal was clear in his mind, and he stopped thinking about anything else.
Half a minute after waking up, he closed his eyes again, trying his best to block out external distractions, looking at nothing, focusing entirely on absorbing the spiritual energy being channeled into him by everyone else.
His active absorption was several times more efficient than when he had been unconscious, but the pain also multiplied. The overwhelming and chaotic flow of spiritual energy forcibly scoured his meridians, causing a pain that surpassed any injury he had ever sustained before.
Yet Ye Yang did not use this spiritual energy to heal himself. Instead, he converted it all into a special form of energy.
A small portion of the spiritual energy that was difficult to convert he dispersed outward, giving back comfort to those around him. For a moment, everyone’s spirits settled considerably, and their furrowed brows unconsciously relaxed a little.
·
Everyone had sustained injuries to varying degrees, so spiritual energy transfer could only be maintained for short bursts. Under the organization of several great experts, they began rotating shifts.
Chilian had just finished a round of transfer when he opened his eyes and looked toward the battlefield. His heart leaped into his throat.
Just as Old Li was about to mobilize his demonic power again, dozens of thick, lightning-like crimson flashes erupted in all directions. Fu Ye locked onto Shen Ming, surging power gathering at his chest.
Not good! Fu Ye wants to die together with Shen Ming!
Moving as fast as he could, Old Li caused the thickest branch from his crown to detach on its own, hurling itself toward Fu Ye with a will of its own.
The impact deflected Fu Ye’s attack somewhat, but only by a little. The indescribably terrifying force still landed on Shen Ming without fail.
Old Li let out a furious roar as countless leaves transformed into sharp blades, surrounding Fu Ye from all directions.
“Thud, thud, thud—”
Fu Ye didn’t dodge or evade, tanking the hits head-on.
Meanwhile, Shen Ming reacted quickly enough to the attack coming his way. Unable to avoid it, he had no choice but to endure it head-on. The moment he was struck, he manifested his true Xuanwu form, maximizing his defenses.
But the deep red light blazed fiercely, piercing straight into the Xuanwu tortoise’s body. Its sturdy shell was penetrated like paper.
All they could do was watch in horror as the colossal Xuanwu was stabbed again and again by countless crimson spiritual lights, plummeting from the sky. Once it fell, every living creature on the ground would be crushed into pulp.
Grievously wounded, Shen Ming’s divine power reflexively exploded outward toward Fu Ye, but he still used his last shred of strength to shrink his body. With a dull boom, the earth trembled as the downed Xuanwu embedded itself directly into the ground.
Chilian felt his vision darken and a sharp sting on his face. Dazed, he raised his hand and touched blood. The Xuanwu’s tail had grazed past his cheek as it fell—it hadn’t touched him, but the mere force of the wind had broken his protective aura and left a deep gash on his face.
So this is the power of Xuanwu? Chilian was stunned. Yet even Xuanwu, mighty as it was, had been defeated by Fu Ye. And Ye Yang still hadn’t recovered… Did they truly have any chance of survival?
The Xuanwu’s reflexive divine counterattack was sudden, catching Fu Ye completely off guard. He took the full force of the damage, grunting as he staggered backward. Old Li, in his rage, struck with full power once more. Fu Ye couldn’t withstand it and fell to one knee, blood spurting from the hole in his chest: “Hah… hah…”
But even now, Fu Ye didn’t spare anyone else a glance. His eyes remained locked on Shen Ming.
Fu Ye had cultivated forbidden arts using his fox clan’s physical body. Outwardly, nothing seemed amiss—not even his closest subordinates knew—but internally, his body had long been riddled with holes. The moment his forbidden arts reached completion, his life had entered its final countdown.
Combined with the god’s desperate last strike, he now had only one breath left.
And yet, even so, he didn’t care.
He wanted to watch Shen Ming take his last breath.
He wanted to see Shen Ming die.
Old Li could no longer attend to Fu Ye. He extended his branches, pouring spiritual energy into Shen Ming like it was worthless. But just like the first time they met a thousand years ago, the most potent wood-attribute spiritual energy in the world—the kind that could raise the dead and heal bones—proved utterly useless on a god.
“It’s over.”
“It’s really over now.”
The last faint spark of life in the Xuanwu vanished completely. A deathly gray pallor spread across its shell and the scales on its skin.
Fu Ye smiled. He could no longer make a sound, and his severe injuries left him unable to move. But he still pulled up the corners of his mouth. A silent, triumphant grin appeared on his face.
His eyelids had lost their strength. He stopped forcing them open and slowly closed his eyes, letting his life force drain from the countless holes in his body. That strange, satisfied smile remained frozen on his face.
And then—
Just as Fu Ye believed he had killed Shen Ming, just as everyone mourned in silence for the death of the Northern Guardian God and the fate awaiting them, Ye Yang opened his eyes.
He had finally completed the final conversion. Unnoticed, the tiny sea hare moved swiftly to the side of the Xuanwu. The moment its antennae touched the tortoise’s shell, it poured out all of its energy.
Old Li, now back in human form, felt a flicker of hope in his eyes. He could see at once that Ye Yang’s severe injuries had turned into a blessing in disguise. Having faced death and emerged renewed, the spiritual energy from everyone else had not only replenished his power but also upgraded the little sea hare’s innate abilities.
Now, Ye Yang could not only awaken others’ latent vitality but also wield genuine, tangible healing power.
But soon, as the scales on the Xuanwu’s body grew increasingly pale and its skin hardened and cracked, the light in Old Li’s eyes dimmed once more.
The Xuanwu had completely lost all signs of life. No matter how much energy Ye Yang poured in, it was useless. Even after absorbing so much spiritual energy and converting such a vast amount, compared to the immeasurable depths of Xuanwu’s spiritual reserves, it was but a drop in the bucket.
If Old Li could see this, Ye Yang, being the one directly involved, understood it even more clearly.
The determination in his eyes began to waver. How could this be? Why am I still too late? Is… is everything truly lost?
Ye Yang’s nose stung, his eyes burned, and a wave of self-blame washed over him.
Fu Ye was dead. Everyone was saved. They had all been rescued from certain death. But Shen Ming…
His heart wavered, yet Ye Yang didn’t stop channeling spiritual energy for a moment. Instead, he recklessly increased the flow, pushing himself to the limit.
A heavy silence hung in the air. No one spoke. No one tried to stop him. They simply watched in sorrow and resignation as Ye Yang continued his futile efforts.
Though no one said it aloud, regardless of race or allegiance, a single thought lingered in everyone’s heart: What if? What if a miracle happens?
The special energy he had accumulated was rapidly depleted under Ye Yang’s unrestrained “waste.” His injured body swayed, and he collapsed to the ground, reverting to human form. The sea hare form required floating in the air to reach the Xuanwu’s shell, but Ye Yang could no longer maintain even that simple levitation.
Yet even so, Ye Yang never stopped the flow of energy.
Ji Qing couldn’t bear to watch any longer. He stood up and grabbed Ye Yang’s arm, but after two tugs, he couldn’t budge him. Looking down, he saw the little sea hare staring back at him with tear-filled eyes, filled only with pleading and confusion. Ji Qing’s heart trembled, and he let go.
Ah… fine, fine. The kid’s like this, what can I do? I’ll just wait until he passes out, then take him away for treatment.
The silence grew heavier. Everyone lowered their heads, gathered around the Xuanwu’s corpse like a silent funeral procession.
“I’ve got it!”
Suddenly, Chilian shouted from among the crowd.
Everyone looked at him in surprise. Ye Yang’s eyes brightened. Then Chilian said, “The Soul-Restoring Herb! Lord Xuanwu has a Soul-Restoring Herb at his residence!”
Old Li perked up immediately. “Such a spiritual treasure exists?” He knew of the Soul-Restoring Herb, of course, but even he had never seen a real one.
Yan Yungui, who could traverse space, strode over. “In that case, I’ll go retrieve it.”
“No!”
At such a critical moment, someone objected. Everyone turned to look, surprised to find that the one who had spoken was Ye Yang.
Tears still clung to Ye Yang’s eyes, threatening to fall, but his gaze was firm. “That Soul-Restoring Herb awakened its spiritual intelligence long ago and has already cultivated into a spiritual being. It’s not like ordinary plants that regrow every year. Using him to save Shen Ming would mean sacrificing a life. Shen Ming would never agree to that.”
“Well…” Old Li hesitated. He knew Shen Ming best and understood that Ye Yang was right. Shen Ming was exactly that kind of person.
In the past, Old Li had often complained that Shen Ming was too unworldly, too kind for his own good. But this was a principle Shen Ming had upheld for eons without wavering. Since he himself would never consent, how could they make such a decision for him, forcing him to bear a weight he didn’t want?
Chilian grew anxious. “This is no time to hesitate! If we stall any longer, it’ll be too late! And I vaguely recall Little Grass once saying that if he willingly gives himself, he’ll revert to a seed after saving someone. Yes, all his cultivation would be lost, but he’d have a chance to start over from scratch… Either way, we have to try!”
Ye Yang wiped away his tears and grabbed Chilian’s hand urgently. “Is that really true?!”
Yan Yungui thought for a moment, then said, “I’ll go ask Little Grass right now. It would be best if he’s willing as well.”
Ye Yang waited anxiously. After only half a minute, Yan Yungui returned with the Soul-Restoring Herb.
Little Grass had changed greatly since their first meeting. His appearance was very ordinary now, his spiritual energy subdued—clear signs that his cultivation had advanced significantly thanks to the divine power aura at Shen Ming’s residence.
But he showed no greed for his hard-won progress. “Lord Xuanwu and Lord Ye Yang are my benefactors. They helped hide my identity and gave me a place to live. Of course I’m willing to save Lord Xuanwu. It’s just some cultivation—I can always start over!”
Though he was just a slender blade of grass, his words were bold and heroic.
Ye Yang thanked him profusely, tears of gratitude streaming down his face, blurring his vision.
With Old Li and Yan Yungui standing guard, each leaf of the Soul-Restoring Herb began to emit a spiritual glow. Reverting to its original form, it slowly released its spiritual core. The core circled the Xuanwu’s body several times, carrying everyone’s hopes up and down with it.
Half a minute passed. Ji Qing couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”
The spiritual core returned to the Soul-Restoring Herb’s body. With apparent reluctance, he spoke with difficulty: “The Soul-Restoring Herb restores the soul—but there has to be a soul to restore. I’ve searched multiple times, but I’m afraid Lord Xuanwu’s soul is no longer in this body.”
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