Before Dawn 3

Scratches appeared on Huaiwen's face.

Xuan Ye went up to meet him, but heard Huai Wen say, "Master lost this wisp of his soul because he wanted to save me. Master lost his true self because he lost this wisp of his soul. Master placed me on Fengqin Mountain to save me, but black energy keeps rising from Fengqin Mountain."

“I came back to life by possessing other people’s bodies, I am the punishment set by the time-travel technique, I am the origin of the black cloud’s scourge…” Huaiwen smiled bitterly, “Even you suffer because of me…”

“This has never been your fault.” Xuan Ye was attacked by the black energy, his clothes were torn, and he choked as he pleaded, “A-Jun, I live for you. I have never suffered.”

As Mo Heng was completely engulfed by the ghosts, he managed to shout, "Ah Jun, the world is vast, we must find a way to resolve this chaos, we definitely can! We..."

"Ah—" Pei Suqin let out a sharp cry of pain.

The black aura began to engulf her, and even though she was a ghost, the black aura refused to merge with her.

"Huaiwen, Huaiwen, you'll die a horrible death..."

"Even if I die today, you cannot escape your fate!" Pei Suqin shouted with her last breath, "You will never know why you died..."

Before they could finish speaking, they were swallowed up by black mist and ghosts. Even Xuan Ye was constantly besieged, and Huai Wen was in great pain. She took the world as her responsibility, but the world died because of her.

She wanted peace and tranquility in the world, but the world could not find peace.

Huaiwen said, "A-Ling, please don't go any further. Don't aggravate my pain. I don't want to see you like this. This mess is my doing, so let me bear the consequences."

"No!" Xuan Ye cried out, tears streaming down his face!

Huaiwen unleashed all the black energy within her body, her clothes stained crimson with blood, and several knife marks marred her face. She cried out, "This is my destiny. The calamities of this world began because of me, so let them end because of me."

"boom--"

As the rubble fell, the ghosts vanished. They tried to escape, but there was nowhere to run. Resentment and death reignited their fury, and they transformed themselves into blades, determined to harm even in death.

With each step Xuan Ye took towards Huai Wen, he was cut by the blades of these ghosts. He remembered being captivated by Huai Wen's graceful sword dance in the cherry blossom grove; he remembered Huai Wen's courageous victory in the game he had set up at the Drunken Dream Pavilion; he remembered that night, he had specially made Huai Wen wear that crimson robe, just to imitate newlyweds in the human world.

He remembered Huaiwen escaping from Luofu, the churning waters of the river; he remembered Huaiwen introducing him to others, calling him A-Ling; he remembered Huaiwen taking him back to Fengqin Mountain, the bamboo-scented wine they drank together; he remembered Huaiwen dying in his place in the illusory realm…

Tears welled up and fell incessantly as I moved forward step by step, my body covered in wounds.

Huaiwen raised his right hand and summoned the last spirit butterfly.

This Psylocke is different from all the previous ones; it's red.

"Ah Ling, live well," Huaiwen said softly. "I will come back to find you."

"No, Ah-Jun, no..." Xuan Ye was blocked by the red spirit butterfly. He could not go any further. He could only beg Huai Wen not to die.

Huaiwen forced a smile through his pain, his heart filled with magnanimity: "If the world is at peace, I will die without regret."

Golden light surged forth, and a true dragon appeared. The dragon roared and soared into the heavens, scattering remnants that annihilated the heavens. Stones rained down, and the collapse began. Before everything was destroyed, Huaiwen rode the golden dragon and sent Xuan Ye away.

Xuan Ye knelt on the ground, his head buried in his chest, tears streaming down his face.

Three hundred years have passed, and he still couldn't protect his lover.

Amidst tears, a crimson butterfly fluttered its wings and entered Huai Xuanye's eyes. Its flickering wings seemed to whisper something. Xuanye raised his right hand, and the crimson butterfly landed on the back of his hand, gently kissing it.

"Hey! This pit is overgrown with grass."

Xuan Ye heard the sound and went to ask. He saw Jiang Liyan bending over and peeking out. Their eyes met, and Jiang Liyan felt scared for some reason. He took a step back.

But he still mustered the courage to shout, "Hey! This pit wasn't a good pit before. You'd better not stay here too long, be careful."

Xuan Ye looked up and saw himself kneeling in a sandpit overgrown with weeds, the stone tablet close at hand. He reached out and touched the tablet; this time, he felt the words.

It turns out that the stone tablet in Yong'an City is connected to the stone tablet in Pengxi Stone Forest.

Xuan Ye shed tears...

He slowly stood up, taking in the entire scene. The red butterfly flew away into the distance, and he withdrew his gaze, turning to leave.

When Jiang Liyan saw Xuan Ye's lifeless appearance, he thought he had been cursed by the stone tablet and even tried to take out an exorcism device to exorcise the demon.

Unfortunately, before Jiang Liyan could even take it out, Xuan Ye had completely vanished.

Later, the world rallied, and immortals vanquished demons and monsters, clearing away the dark energy and proclaiming peace and tranquility to the world once more.

Celebrations were held throughout the human realm, and the piety, worship, celebration, and joy reached the divine realm. All the divine officials were delighted, and they expressed their wish to the Heavenly Emperor to hold a celebration.

Originally, the Heavenly Emperor had no such plan, but all the officials said that this was the divine realm resolving a major crisis in the human realm, and it should be celebrated. Besides, their divine realm had not held a grand celebration for several hundred years.

The Heavenly Emperor granted the priests' wish. Chu Xu and Zhen Li were the priests who organized this grand ceremony. They were registering the arriving priests at the entrance of the 'Fairyland on Earth' where the celebration was being held.

Among the many officials, Cang Lun appeared. He was enlightened by the Heavenly Lord again and returned to the God Realm because of his assistance to Shi Yuluo in rescuing the black energy mass.

For Canglun, this was a joyous occasion. However, he wasn't particularly happy and seemed indifferent to the congratulations from the other priests.

This put the priests in an awkward position, but Shi Yulu helped Canglun resolve these interpersonal issues.

Cang Lun couldn't help but marvel at how much Shi Yulu had learned over the years. Only in the past would she act this way.

“Yu Luo…” Cang Lun called out.

"What?" Shi Yuluo replied.

Cang Lun's eyes reddened slightly: "Aren't you tired of all these years, being all alone?"

Shi Yulu's eyes brightened, and she smiled and shook her head: "No. Of course, it would be better if you came back."

"I...I'm sorry."

Shi Yulu smiled and said, "Let's go, everyone in the main hall is probably waiting for you."

Along the brightly lit road, the melodious sound of a zither filled the air. Cang Lun reflected on the past three hundred years, realizing he had truly let down too many people. But Shi Yulu wouldn't let him dwell on it, urging him to keep moving forward.

Not far away, a celebration was underway, with singing and dancing filling the air.

The Heavenly Emperor sat at the head of the table, his expression serene. It was impossible to tell whether he enjoyed the celebration or was unhappy, as he occasionally clinked glasses with the priests who came to offer toasts.

The priests were whispering among themselves underground.

The Heavenly Lord acted this way because, after three hundred years of the True God of Fulan appearing, he had lost a wisp of his soul and his original heart. He then sacrificed himself to save the world.

From the perspective of the divine realm, the true god who touches the bamboo wick is compassionate and loving to all under heaven, and should be remembered and revered.

For the Heavenly Emperor, the passing of his former friend to Heaven was naturally a cause for sorrow.

The priests also heard that Lord Nanji was so grief-stricken upon hearing the news of Fulin's death that he did not attend the celebration. It's worth noting that Lord Nanji was known for his love of joining in the fun.

The priests also said that because the true god of Fulin appeared, Fengqin Mountain was opened once again. However, Fengqin Mountain had lost its former glory, and all the spiritual energy in the mountains had disappeared.

The current accordion-shaped mountain is more vibrant than a field of weeds. It looks like it's dying. The priests speculate that this is related to the ritual of fuling.

After all, its master is dead, and its spiritual energy is gone, so it will naturally perish along with its master.

Shi Yuluo and Cang Lun listened intently, hoping to gather more information, but were instead pursued by various high priests who offered them drinks. The two were now prominent figures in the divine realm, naturally attracting attention from all sides.

Only after the banquet ended were Canglun and Shi Yulu released by the officials. Exhausted, they walked towards the various palaces. The two remained silent the entire time.

"I want to go see Lord Nan Zhi," Cang Lun said.

"Okay." Shi Yulu nodded.

Cang Lun was somewhat surprised by Shi Yulu's reaction, but he didn't ask too many questions. The two began to walk towards the temple of Nanzhi. When they were almost at the entrance, they saw the Heavenly Lord come out from inside.

The two quickly hid, and only emerged from behind the wall after the Heavenly Emperor left.

"Why is the Heavenly Lord here..." Cang Lun was about to speak when his mouth was covered.

Soon, he and Shi Yulu were led to the Nanzhi Palace by the whisk. The two were placed on the ground. They looked at the cold and quiet Nanzhi Palace, which was clearly different from what the gods had said before, that the Nanzhi Palace was full of rare treasures.

"You came to find me?" Nan Zhi asked.

"Yes." Shi Yuluo and Cang Lun nodded.

"What is it?" Nan Zhi asked.

The two looked at each other, and finally Shi Yulu spoke up: "We hope that Lord Nanzhi will not be too sad..."

Nan Zhi interrupted Shi Yulu: "I am indeed very sad. Could you please help me?"

"What?"

Nan Zhi suddenly appeared in front of the two of them and said with a smile, "Then I'll trouble you to stay here for me. Remember not to be discovered."

Cang Lun asked, "Lord Nan Zhi, where are you going?"

"I'll be right back after I go have some fun."

"Bang—" The palace doors were slammed shut.

Nan Zhi left the realm of gods silently and arrived at Fengqin Mountain with great effort.

The human world is shrouded in darkness, and Fengqin Mountain is silent and desolate.

She had visited Fengqin Mountain many times, but this was the first time she had seen it so desolate. Unconsciously, she wandered into the bamboo grove; she remembered coming here to drink and make merry with Fulin.

Suddenly, Nan Zhi noticed butterflies flitting about in the bamboo grove. She became alert, but was drawn to them and took a few steps forward.

The butterfly flew closer and closer, its shimmering light changing from blue to red, until finally it disappeared. Nan Zhi frowned and took a step back.

"Lord Nanzhi...it's been a long time."

Nan Zhi was shocked by the voice; it was Huai Wen's voice.

Nan Zhi turned around: "You're not... dead."

Under the moonlit bamboo forest, two silhouettes gradually emerged. With the appearance of the red spirit butterfly, a clear bell rang out, and Xuan Ye and Huai Wen appeared in front of Nan Zhi.

The two had been linked by a red thread, and Nan Zhi's brow furrowed in shock. Seeing that they were both dressed in red—what else could it be but wedding attire? Nan Zhi roughly guessed how Huai Wen had managed to "survive." She said, "You two... you've succeeded."

Huaiwen coughed lightly, while Xuanye smiled shyly.

That day, Huaiwen released all the cursed shackles from her body, letting them erupt from within, which should have meant certain death. However, Huaiwen did not expect that a golden dragon would descend upon her, and in that instant, she sensed an unprecedented power.

This unprecedented feeling kept her going.

Fate allowed her to live, so Huaiwen left herself a way out. She put on a grand show with her own body, creating the illusion of her own death, and then used the cherry blossom foxfire that Xuan Ye had given her to create a lasting memory.

But the red butterfly in Yong'an City wasn't a thought, it was a longing.

Huaiwen concealed everyone's view, allowing the world to believe she was dead. Only Xuan Ye, upon touching the red spirit butterfly, understood everything she had done. So he would cooperate fully, completing the grief before his lover's death, becoming a walking corpse.

But who could have predicted that the red spirit butterfly that Xuan Ye brought back from the stone tablet pit in Yong'an City was Huai Wen?

While the world rejoiced, Huaiwen, who single-handedly destroyed the black aura of the stone tablet, went unseen, unknown to the world and the divine realm. However, she had been living a comfortable and pleasant life these past few days, and some things even made her heart race.

Otherwise, Nan Zhi wouldn't have said "It's done" when she saw her and Xuan Ye wearing red floral dresses.