Chapter 140: The Goddess Returns, Shining in the Sky
The moment he entered Qin Yixuan's sea of consciousness, Ye Li's soul seemed to be thrown into a universe that was collapsing and annihilating.
This should have been the place where the endless memories of the Queen Mother of the West and her sacred origin were manifested - the stars were not distant cold celestial bodies, but countless rune crystals shining with the rhyme of Tao and the glory of inheritance; the flowing clouds were transformed from the extremely pure innate vital energy, nourishing all things; the faint sound of the Tao echoed in the void, quiet and vast.
Yet, at this moment, this sacred realm was undergoing unprecedented desecration and erosion. Countless hideous, twisted black demonic patterns, like living, foul tentacles, cling to each "star," greedily siphoning the sacred energy within. The stars' radiance dimmed, their surfaces riddled with cracks, and some even shattered completely, becoming nothing more than floating dust. The once vibrant, iridescent clouds were stained an ominous gray-black, becoming sticky and stagnant. The sound of the Dao was replaced by the demonic voices of countless resentful souls. The entire sea of consciousness was filled with desolation, deathly silence, and a suffocating sense of despair.
At the very center of her sea of consciousness, the area symbolizing Qin Yixuan's self-awareness and origin, the scene was even more shocking. A miniature, blurry, nearly transparent figure of Qin Yixuan was bound and entangled from her limbs, torso, and even between her brows by several thick, pitch-black chains inscribed with strange runes, dangling from her body. The light emanating from her was as faint as a firefly, flickering under the encroaching darkness, as if it would be extinguished at any moment. The chains continuously absorbed and contaminated the power, causing the figure to curl up in agony.
"Ali...you shouldn't have come...it's...dangerous here..." A thought so faint that it was almost impossible to capture entered Ye Li's soul like a gossamer, filled with unspeakable pain and deeper worry.
"I said, no matter when, no matter where, no matter what, I will protect you." Ye Li's soul responded, the voice clear and firm in this sea of consciousness, with a soothing power. She didn't dare to delay, and immediately activated the fragment of the Samsara Mirror that was closely connected to her soul.
Buzz!
A soft yet resilient white light emanated from the depths of Ye Li's soul, like the first beacon of light in endless darkness. The light coalesced into a razor-sharp blade of light, carrying a will to purify and sever, fiercely slashing at the chains of the magic seal that bound Qin Yixuan's phantom essence!
Chichichi--!
The collision of the mirror's light and the magic chain produced not a clang of metal, but a violent corrosive sound like cold water dripping into boiling oil. The pitch-black chain vibrated violently, demonic energy swirling on its surface, attempting to resist the mirror's cleansing power. A crisscross of black and white smoke continuously emanated from the interface between the two. The chain was incredibly resilient; the first strike failed to sever it! Instead, it seemed to enrage the demonic energy within this sea of consciousness. More, finer black magic patterns, like startled snakes, swarmed from the darkness on all sides, hissing and shrieking, entwining Ye Li's soul, attempting to drag her into the polluted abyss and devour the light she brought.
"Get out of here!" Ye Li's soul roared, and the light of the Samsara Mirror suddenly expanded, forming a protective light shield that blocked the attacking demonic patterns. At the same time, she used her soul as a guide to unleash the Six Paths of Samsara Sword Intent. Although the sword had no physical body, where her mind moved, invisible soul sword energy burst out, destroying and purifying the approaching demonic patterns one after another.
However, she soon discovered that this was futile. The power of the Erosion God Demon Seal within this sea of consciousness had long since taken root, practically fused with Qin Yixuan's essence. Severing the outer demonic patterns was like cutting weeds; as long as the core demonic pattern wasn't removed, new ones would soon sprout. Furthermore, Qin Yixuan's essence's phantom aura was rapidly weakening; time was not on her side.
We must go straight to the heart of the matter and purify the core! No more delay!
Ye Li's eyes glared as she made a decisive decision. She gathered the light from her protective mirror, concentrating it once more, no longer scattering it against the endless stream of tiny demonic patterns. All the power of the Samsara Mirror, along with her own immense spiritual power, was compressed into a single, condensed, chaotic-hued light. This light was no longer simply white; it seemed to contain the primordial aura of the evolution of earth, water, fire, and wind, the birth and death of time and space. This was the deeper power unleashed by the fragment of the Samsara Mirror, sensing a life-or-death crisis and determined to protect it.
"Reverse the cycle of reincarnation, return all things to their source! Purification!"
Ye Li's spirit controlled the chaotic light shuttle, carrying an unstoppable, unstoppable momentum. Like a meteor streaking through the darkness, it ignored all the magic patterns that attempted to block its path and rushed directly to the center of its sea of consciousness! Its target was the source of the thickest chain—the "Erosion God Demon Seal" that was deeply embedded in Qin Yixuan's core, constantly pulsating, emitting the source of all filth and evil!
Wherever the Chaos Light Shuttle passes, the evil spirit is driven away and the darkness retreats!
“Sh ...
The moment the Chaos Mirror's light shone upon the Erosion God Demon Seal, the seal, as if sensing a mortal threat, let out a sharp, piercing cry, utterly unearthly! It struggled and twisted violently like a wounded beast, erupting with a thicker, darker demonic energy in an attempt to resist the erosion of the mirror's light. This demonic energy contained endless resentment, curses, and a will to destruction, enough to easily taint the soul of a Nirvana-level cultivator.
However, the chaotic light of the Samsara Mirror seemed to be the natural nemesis of all evil and twisted forces. The dark demonic energy that could corrode all things, the moment it came into contact with the chaotic mirror's light, melted and evaporated at a speed visible to the naked eye, turning into nothingness like ice and snow exposed to the scorching sun!
Fine cracks began to appear on the Demonic Seal, and these cracks continued to expand and spread! At the same time, the dark chains that bound Qin Yixuan's original shadow seemed to have lost the source of power and began to break and disintegrate inch by inch!
Outside world, inside Xuannv Palace.
Ye Li and Qin Yixuan's bodies reacted violently simultaneously. Ye Li's body trembled violently, her face instantly turning pale. Deep crimson blood began to seep from the corners of her mouth, eyes, and ears. This was the severe backlash from overdrawing her soul and forcibly mobilizing power beyond her realm. Her breath became extremely chaotic and weak, like a candle in the wind.
The black magic seal between Qin Yixuan's eyebrows was like an ice cube thrown into a raging fire. The light flickered rapidly, and the color faded and shrank at a speed visible to the naked eye. The evil aura on it was being quickly purified and dispelled.
In the sea of consciousness, the battle entered the most brutal and critical moment!
The Eclipse God Seal sensed the imminent threat of utter annihilation, abandoning all defenses and erosion. It condensed all remaining demonic energy, resentment, and a trace of Ling Hao's malevolent will, transforming into an immense, hideous, twisted, roaring, and snarling demonic face! This demonic face, composed entirely of pure darkness and evil, opened its all-consuming black hole maw and, with a mad determination to perish together, pounced upon Ye Li's soul! This was its final, and most powerful, counterattack!
"Be careful!" Qin Yixuan's original shadow sensed the devastating demonic intent and cried out anxiously. By this point, the chains had mostly broken, and her shadow's radiance had recovered somewhat, but it remained fragile.
Facing this final blow, powerful enough to annihilate her soul, Ye Li's eyes remained eerily calm, even tinged with a hint of relief and resolve. She knew this was the final test. She had no way out, and could not retreat.
"With my soul, ignite my will, offer as a sacrifice, lead to the true meaning of reincarnation, and kill!"
Enveloped by the chaotic mirror light, her soul didn't retreat. Instead, it burned with fervor, channeling everything—strength, memory, emotion, will—into this single blow! She herself transformed into a sword, a soul-bearing sword imbued with the power of protection, love, and reincarnation!
There was no earth-shattering explosion, only the most essential and core collision of will and strength.
The sword of the soul collided violently with the ferocious demon face!
Time seemed to freeze at this moment. Ultimate darkness and chaotic light eroded and annihilated each other. The demonic face let out a silent, final roar filled with resentment and malice. Finally, beneath the chaotic mirror light, which held the fundamental principles of the world, it completely shattered and disintegrated like remnant snow thrown into a molten furnace, transforming into the purest energy particles. These were then purified and absorbed by the mirror light of samsara, feeding back into this severely damaged sea of consciousness.
All the magic chains completely disappeared into thin air at this moment.
The foul demonic energy that had corroded his sea of consciousness receded like a tide, and the polluted starry sky began to vibrate violently. The dimmed stars once again shone with a dazzling brilliance, brighter and more vibrant than ever! The gray-black clouds were cleared away, and a more brilliant, vibrant, and colorful light began to flow again. The sound of the Great Dao resounded once more, more magnificent and clearer than ever before!
The restraints were finally lifted, and the phantom of Qin Yixuan's soul erupted with an unprecedented, blazing light. Her form instantly solidified, becoming even more holy and majestic. She slowly opened her eyes, their contents filled with boundless wisdom and experience. Simultaneously, her entire sea of consciousness began to reconnect with the long-interrupted Mysterious Woman inheritance. Like a river bursting its banks, the vaster and more refined information and power of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman's legacy surged into her essence!
Success!
Ye Li's spirit sensed all of this, and her will, strained to the limit, finally relaxed. A strong sense of weakness and tearing washed over her like a tide. Her spirit became almost transparent, barely maintaining its form as it slowly returned to its original form.
puff--!
Before her physical eyes could even open, Ye Li uncontrollably gushed out a mouthful of jet-black blood studded with visceral fragments, her body slumping forward. Her breath was utterly weak, the flame of life seemingly extinguished at any moment. But before her consciousness faded into darkness, the corners of her pale lips curved into a faint, relieved smile.
Almost at the same moment when the Demonic Seal of the Eclipse God was completely purified and Ye Li's soul returned to his body, a shocking and strange phenomenon occurred in the outside world!
Above the Jiuxiao Palace, the protective formation, which had originally appeared broken and flickering due to the fierce battle, seemed to be infused with infinite vitality. The formation patterns repaired and expanded autonomously at an unprecedented speed, erupting with a dazzling and brilliant divine light that would illuminate the ages! This divine light penetrated the clouds and shone directly into the Dou Palace, illuminating the night sky for thousands of miles as bright as day!
Rumble——!
It wasn't just the spiritual energy within the Heavenly Palace; the spiritual energy of the entire Northern Territory, and even the more distant realms, seemed to be summoned by some supreme being, frantically converging towards the Nine Heavens Heavenly Palace! Countless visible, immense torrents of spiritual energy formed, like rivers flowing into the sea, emitting a deafening roar, and finally poured into the Xuannv Palace and poured into Qin Yixuan's body!
An indescribable sense of vastness, holiness, majesty, antiquity, and a majestic aura that seemed to transcend all the heavens and worlds, like a prehistoric beast that had been sleeping for eons awakening, erupted from Qin Yixuan's body and soared into the sky!
The black demonic mark between her brows had long since vanished, replaced by an incredibly complex and exquisitely enigmatic mark, flowing with nine-colored rays of light—the divine mark of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady! Her tightly closed eyelashes trembled, then suddenly opened! Her eyes, no longer as clear and gentle as before, had transformed into two bottomless pools of starry skies. In her left eye, it seemed as if the sun rose and the moon set, while in her right, the stars seemed to be born and die. Endless wisdom, compassion, majesty, and the ancient rhyme of Tao flowed through them.
Her already stunning beauty, shone with divine light and the aura of the Dao, imbued her with an air of transcendental purity and nobility, untouchable. A dreamlike, nine-colored glow enveloped her, while countless golden Dao runes emerged and vanished around her. The Lady of the Nine Heavens, having weathered countless calamities, now officially returned to her place, reappearing in the world!
A sacred aura, centered at the Xuannv Palace, surged like a tangible tide, spreading across the entire Jiuxiao Heavenly Palace and into the heavens and earth beyond. Wherever it passed, the lingering, stubborn demonic energy, as if encountering its nemesis, sizzled and rapidly disintegrated, leaving no trace. In the square, the severely wounded and dying Heavenly Palace disciples, bathed in this sacred aura, saw their wounds heal at a visible rate, their depleted spiritual energy rapidly restored, and their weary spirits invigorated, as if receiving the most potent nourishment and blessing.
Even Ling Hao's clone, who was engaged in the final fierce battle with the Yaoguang Palace Master on the outermost battlefield of the Heavenly Palace, and those remaining powerful shadow demons, were severely shocked by this sudden sacred aura that contained supreme majesty!
"No! This is impossible! The God-Erosion Demon Seal was passed down by the ancient Demon Lord, how could it be broken?! Who is it?! Who on earth is it!!" Ling Hao's clone sensed the complete severance of the connection with the Demon Seal, and felt the aura of Xuannv that made his very being tremble. He let out a roar of shock, anger, and disbelief, and his offensive instantly became fatally disrupted.
The originally solemn expression on the face of the Yaoguang Palace Master was instantly replaced by ecstasy and excitement. She let out a long roar, her voice shaking the sky: "Xuannv has returned! The way of heaven is clear, and the way of evil must be punished! All disciples listen to my order, follow me to destroy the evil demons and purge the Heavenly Palace!" The Palace Master's decree in her hand burst out with thousands of feet of light, and the offensive became more fierce like a storm, taking advantage of the situation to completely suppress Ling Hao's clone.
Inside Xuannv Palace.
Having finally returned to her original position and fully integrated the inheritance, Qin Yixuan's boundless sacred aura slowly receded, but the wisdom and majesty in her eyes settled, becoming an integral part of her demeanor. Her gaze shifted, and her first glance fell on the silver-haired woman lying in a pool of blood before her, fainting and unconscious.
In an instant, all the sacredness, majesty, and antiquity melted into unspeakable heartache, dread, and a love that surged like a tide. She instantly moved to Ye Li's side, carefully lifting her up and holding her in her arms. Qin Yixuan's fingertips trembled slightly as she looked at her pale face, the bloodied corners of her mouth, and the countless hideous wounds on her body.
She stretched out her slightly trembling hand and gently and carefully wiped the blood from the corner of Ye Li's mouth, her movements cautious, as if she were touching a rare treasure. Crystal tears could no longer be suppressed, like pearls that had broken off the string, they slid down her holy cheeks and dripped onto Ye Li's cold face.
"Ari..." Her voice was nasal and choked with sobs, yet she spoke clearly, word for word, "Thank you... Thank you for not giving up... Thank you... Once again, you protected me with your life."
As if sensing her breath and calling, Ye Li's long eyelashes trembled, and with great difficulty, they slowly opened a crack. His vision was blurry, but the face that had been engraved into his soul was crystal clear. Seeing Qin Yixuan safe and sound, and seeing the tears in her eyes, Ye Li tried to force a comforting smile, but he didn't even have the strength. He could only mumble two words in an extremely weak voice: "...It's okay...I'm fine..."
Thousands of words, thousands of hardships, countless disasters, were expressed in that moment of eye contact, in those few words. All the efforts, in this moment of seeing her safely returned to her place, her glory restored, were worth it. The gratitude for surviving the disaster, and the friendship that had been tempered by the test of life and death, becoming even more dazzling and indestructible, flowed silently between the two hearts, warming each other's almost exhausted lives.
After a long moment, Qin Yixuan carefully channeled a stream of pure and gentle Mysterious Woman's divine power into Ye Li's body, protecting her crumbling heart and sea of consciousness, temporarily stabilizing her injuries. Then, she gently lifted Ye Li up, letting her lean against her. Together, they slowly walked out of the cracked yet still majestic gate of the Mysterious Woman Palace.
Outside the palace gates, all the surviving Heavenly Palace disciples, regardless of the severity of their injuries, had already been waiting quietly under the guidance of Envoy Yunying. When they saw the two people exiting hand in hand—Xuan Nu, who, despite her lack of radiant light, exuded a soothing, sacred aura, and Ye Li, who leaned against her, her silver hair stained with blood, her breath weak but her back still erect—they all burst into indescribable excitement and reverence.
It was unknown who was the first to bow, but soon, like a tidal wave, everyone bowed in unison. Their voices merged into a torrent, filled with excitement, gratitude, and immense piety, resounding throughout the entire Nine Heavens Palace, even dispersing the last trace of the gloom.
"Welcome Xuannv back to her throne!"
"Meet Xuannv!"
"Thank you Fairy Yeli for your protection!"
The sound was like thunder, shaking the sky, expressing their highest respect and most sincere gratitude.
Qin Yixuan's gaze swept across the devastated square, taking in the loyal disciples, their blood-soaked bodies yet their eyes gleaming brightly. She looked at Yun Ying, supported by a disciple, gravely injured but with a smile of relief on her face. A flicker of pity flashed in her eyes, but more so, a resolute sense of duty. She nodded slightly, raised her delicate hand, and without chanting or forming hand seals, her mind stirred. A richer, nine-colored divine light, imbued with boundless vitality and the power of creation, fell like warm spring rain, enveloping the entire square.
Nourished by this divine light, the disciples' injuries healed with astonishing speed, their lost spiritual energy rapidly restored, and even their mental fatigue and trauma were soothed. Damaged palace buildings repaired themselves in the divine light, shattered white jade steps reunited, and the charred earth blossomed with new life, sprouting tender green grass. A sacred, peaceful, and hopeful aura once again returned to this devastated holy land.
Ye Li leaned against Qin Yixuan, feeling the vast, yet gentle power within her. Watching her calmly soothe the crowds and unleash her divine power to repair the world, her eyes filled with indescribable pride and unwavering tenderness. Her girl had finally, truly and completely, stood at the pinnacle of the world.
Qin Yixuan quickly handled the post-war emergency and stabilized the situation in the Heavenly Palace. She turned and looked at Ye Li, who was leaning on her, and extended her hand, not to support her, but to invite her.
Ye Li looked at the familiar tenderness and determination in her eyes, which belonged only to her. A clear and genuine smile finally appeared on her pale face. Although weak, it was dazzling. She raised her heavy arm and firmly grasped the hand that was extended to her.
With fingers interlocked, strength and faith blend in the palms.
Hand in hand, the two gracefully ascended to the highest roof of the Xuannv Palace. The bright moonlight poured down unreservedly, blending with the naturally flowing Xuannv goddess aura emanating from Qin Yixuan, shrouding them in a hazy, dreamy veil. Beneath them lay the Nine Heavens Palace, gradually returning to its tranquility and sacredness. Beyond them lay the boundless, star-studded spiritual world.
The road ahead remains long, the challenges daunting. Ling Hao's true form remains, lurking in the shadows like a venomous snake. The shadow of the Eclipse Plan still looms over the spirit world, posing a perilous threat. The journey to collect the remaining fragments of the Samsara Mirror is a long and arduous one.
Yet, at this moment, they stood side by side. One was the reincarnation of the Immortal Supreme Being, bearing the secrets of the Samsara Mirror and determined to seek revenge and protect; the other was the return of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Lady, wielding the original divine power, with a heart full of life and universal love. Their strength and conviction were bound together, fused into a single entity, a bond that transcended life and death.
No matter how many difficulties and obstacles, no matter how much blood and gore there are in the future, they will face them together and fight side by side.
A new journey might begin tomorrow. But at least at this moment, at this peak blessed by moonlight and divine light, they enjoyed this hard-earned reunion and peace after enduring life and death, bloody battles. They relied on each other, their hearts connected, as if they could withstand all the storms in the world.
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