Chapter 303: Countdown to the End (Part 4)

[Guess what they will choose]

I think the best choice would be one: mortals can give up the chance to become immortals.

I think the second option will be chosen. The Seventh Princess doesn't seem like the type to be separated from Dong.

[Dong Yong, that's his name, but he doesn't look like him. What kind of fellow Daoist types with an accent?]

[Amitabha Buddha, this humble monk makes a bet.]

Where did this bald monk come from?

[Fellow practitioner, monks do not lie; please speak up using your real name.]

...

"This is simply a gossip tool!" Nezha couldn't help but sigh as he watched the words floating above the water mirror, which was playing footage of the Queen Mother questioning Xiao Qi and Dong Yong. The words had gone from polite greetings at the beginning to rapid gossip and even arguments.

Nezha glanced at Yang Jiao sideways and said, "I always knew you were up to nothing but trivial things."

He even suspected that Yang Jiao might have already created this magical artifact called "Live Streaming" just to watch the show. That's why he was able to bring it out so quickly regarding the Seventh Princess.

Yang Jiao raised an eyebrow and glanced at him casually: "You're being indecent. Why don't you take your hand off?"

[I remain true to my name and surname, Nezha! Bald monk, come out and let's have a one-on-one fight!]

Nezha silently withdrew his hand after sending that message, pretending nothing had happened.

Yang Chan suppressed a laugh, seeing that Nezha's ears were turning red, and quickly changed the subject: "Alright, let's see what Xiao Qi and the others choose."

Back at the Queen Mother's side, Xiao Qi and Dong Yong were unaware that, besides the Queen Mother herself, many deities from the Three Realms, and even Buddhas and Bodhisattvas from Buddhism, were watching them.

After all, Yang Jiao considered himself a very fair person. If the Heavenly Court could have one, how could his happy hometown, Buddhism, not have one?

Faced with the two choices offered by the Queen Mother, Xiao Qi and Dong Yong held hands tightly, caught in a dilemma.

The Queen Mother looked at Dong Yong and, with a motherly heart, advised him: "Dong Yong, do not say that I am heartless. If you are willing to devote yourself to cultivating the Tao, when your merits are complete, I will help you become an immortal. In this way, you and your husband can reunite in the Heavenly Court and enjoy the happiness of family life."

Dong Yong shook his head and sighed, "Your Majesty, the path of cultivation is no easy feat. For a mortal to cultivate into an immortal, one must endure countless hardships and endure countless years. My wife and I cannot be separated for even a day."

The Queen Mother remained unmoved and asked in a cold voice, "So, you chose to have Xiao Qi's immortal bones removed. Do you know how much suffering this entails?"

Dong Yong remained silent, but Xiao Qi bypassed him and said, "Mother, Xiao Qi is willing, Xiao Qi is willing to have her immortal bones removed."

"Qi'er, you should think this through. Once your immortal bones are removed, you will no longer be the seventh princess of the celestial realm, but a mortal. You will experience birth, aging, sickness, and death, and you will experience all the hardships of the human world."

The Queen Mother frowned and offered her advice once more.

"Mother, I am willing. As long as I can be with Dong Lang, even if it means being a mortal. Even if it means going through hardships, I am willing. My aunt was willing, and so am I."

Upon hearing Xiao Qi's words, the Queen Mother's face darkened, and she blurted out, "You can compare to Yao Ji, but can Dong Yong compare to Yang Tianyou?"

"Mother!"

Xiao Qi looked at the Queen Mother in disbelief. The Queen Mother closed her eyes, realizing that she had been a little too hasty, but she did not regret it.

Yao Ji and Yang Tianyou's relationship was a twist of fate, and she also had military achievements. But if it weren't for her three children being capable, they would still be imprisoned under Peach Mountain. But what does Xiao Qi have?

Needless to say, Yao Ji removed her immortal bones to warn future generations and to take responsibility for her actions; what was Xiao Qi doing removing her immortal bones for? For a mere man!

Speaking of men, Yang Tianyou was willing to give his heart to save Yao Ji even before he fell in love with her, while Dong Yong didn't even try and was unwilling to endure the hardships of cultivation. Can these two be compared?

The more the Queen Mother thought about it, the angrier she became. Without offering any explanation, she frowned and asked one last time, "Are you sure you want to extract the immortal bone?"

"yes."

Xiao Qi nodded stubbornly with tears in her eyes, while Dong Yong looked at her with heartache but did not refuse.

"Very well," the Queen Mother laughed in exasperation, "Since you've made this choice, then I'll grant your wish!"

Xiaoqi released her grip on Dong Yong's hand, knelt before the Queen Mother, and kowtowed: "It is I who am unfilial, but I cannot bear to part with Dong Lang."

The Queen Mother didn't speak, but only sighed softly, which felt like a huge rock pressing down on Xiao Qi's heart, making it hard for her to breathe, and tears streamed down her face.

The Queen Mother slowly raised her hand, and that well-maintained yet dignified hand gently landed on Xiao Qi's head.

She parted her lips slightly, chanted incantations, and a mysterious aura emanated from her body. The spell was activated instantly, and she began to extract Xiao Qi's immortal bones.

Even though Xiaoqi had imagined this moment a thousand times in her mind, the excruciating pain still surged like a tidal wave, instantly overwhelming her.

The pain of having bones removed is something no ordinary person can endure.

Imagine Yao Ji, a goddess of the Desire Realm, so resolute and strong, unable to control her cries of pain even when her bones were being pulled out. How could Xiao Qi, a pampered seventh princess in the Heavenly Court who had never experienced much hardship, possibly withstand such extreme pain?

As soon as the spell was cast, she let out a shrill scream, the sound shattering the silence of the courtyard, startling countless birds into flight, and sending chills down everyone's spine.

A bone radiating a soft golden light was being slowly extracted, its glow seemingly whispering tales of Xiao Qi's past glory as a fairy. Dong Yong, watching from the side, was frantic with worry; his eyes instantly reddened. Unable to contain his anxiety and worry any longer, he lunged forward, crying out, "Please, Queen Mother, have mercy!"

However, the moment he moved, he was swiftly stopped by the heavenly soldiers and generals, their cold spears crossed in front of him, preventing him from getting any closer.

Dong Yong's face was filled with grief, tears streaming down his face. He cried out, "Xiao Qi is your daughter! Don't hurt her like this! If you remove her immortal bones, Xiao Qi will truly become a mortal!"

The Queen Mother continued her work, only letting out a cold laugh, and said, "Isn't that perfect for you to be a mortal couple? In the past, Xiao Qi used her magic to create all this to support you. Now that she has lost her immortal bones, Xiao Qi is even weaker than a mortal woman. Your love is stronger than gold, so I'm sure you will take good care of her."

Upon hearing this, Dong Yong seemed to choke on his words, letting out a few sobs as he shook his head, weeping and repeating, "You are her mother, how could you be so heartless?"

The Queen Mother's gaze was sharp, her expression unwavering. She said in a deep voice, "I am not only Xiao Qi's mother, but also the ruler of the Heavenly Realm. I am responsible to the Heavenly Court, and upholding the Heavenly Laws is my duty. No one can violate them, not even my daughter!"

Xiaoqi endured excruciating pain, her face as pale as paper, large beads of sweat rolling down her forehead. She shook her head with difficulty, looked at Dong Yong, her eyes filled with deep affection and determination, and said, "Dong Lang, I have no regrets. I am willing to be an ordinary couple with you."

Upon hearing this, Dong Yong seemed to be provoked and blurted out, "I regret it!"

As soon as he said it, he saw the shock and hurt flash across Xiao Qi's eyes. He panicked and hurriedly changed his words, saying, "Wife, I can't bear to see you suffer. I'm willing to cultivate. I'll come find you after I've cultivated. Don't extract your immortal bones. It's not worth becoming a mortal."