Chapter 430 Divine Power Purification
Looking at her arm, Yueqing felt a surge of intense fear. She could feel the pain from the mark intensifying, as if countless insects were crawling inside her veins.
"Yueqing, let's think of other ways." Yinhu held her hand tightly. "There must be other solutions."
"What method?" Yue Qing smiled wryly. "Go find another god? Or hope for a miracle?"
Hu Xiao hesitated before speaking, "How about we go back to our tribe and consult the oldest shaman? Maybe..."
"It's too late." Hu Feng shook his head. "Judging from her expression, she has at most half a day left."
Leopard Shadow muttered to himself, "If you ask me, let's focus on surviving first. After all, the goddess isn't always free; she might forget about it when she gets busy."
"Do you think the gods have as bad a memory as you?" Hu Yan rolled his eyes.
Yueqing was caught in a fierce internal struggle. Reason told her that the deal was fraught with risk, but the instinct for survival was screaming at her. She thought of her daughter and son, and their helpless state after losing their mother.
"I agree."
"Yueqing!" Yin Hu said urgently.
"I must survive." Yueqing turned to look at Yinhu, her eyes filled with apology. "The children still need me; I can't abandon them."
Athena nodded in satisfaction: "Very good, let's begin."
She slowly raised her hands, and holy light emanated from her palms, winding around Yueqing like silk threads. The moment the light touched the dark mark, Yueqing let out a muffled groan of pain.
"ah--"
The pain was indescribable, as if someone were churning her flesh with a red-hot iron rod. Yueqing gritted her teeth, her clothes instantly soaked with sweat.
"Hold on!" Silver Tiger gripped her other hand tightly, continuously channeling his strength into her.
Hu Feng and the others formed a circle; although they couldn't help, they could at least offer moral support. Even the prehistoric behemoths quieted down, silently watching the process.
The dark marks trembled under the impact of divine power, struggling frantically as if encountering a natural enemy. They tried to burrow deeper into the veins, but each attempt to escape was blocked by Athena's light.
"The origin of these marks is quite interesting," Athena said thoughtfully as she purified the marks. "They're not just simple dark power; they're also mixed with spacetime energy. Little girl, your background is not simple."
Yueqing was in so much pain that she couldn't speak, and could only nod frantically.
Estella also came closer to observe: "It is indeed strange. I have never seen this kind of mark before. It looks like a trace left after crossing some kind of barrier."
"Focus!" Athena rolled her eyes at her sister and intensified the purification.
As the divine power deepened, the dark mark launched a final, frantic counterattack. Yueqing's entire arm began to turn black, and the pain nearly made her faint.
"Hang in there! It'll be over soon!" Yin Hu's eyes reddened with heartache.
Finally, under Athena's relentless attacks, the last trace of darkness was completely eradicated. Yueqing's arm regained its fair complexion, and the pain vanished instantly.
"Phew..." Yueqing let out a long breath, feeling completely relaxed. "Thank you, goddess."
"Don't thank me yet." Athena lightly tapped Yueqing's chest with her index finger, and a golden seal disappeared into it. "This is proof of our promise. When I need you, it will glow to remind me. Remember, no matter when or where, you must not break your vow."
Yueqing felt both grateful and worried as she felt the warm imprint in her heart. She had gained freedom, but she had also been shackled in another way.
Athena finished dealing with everything and prepared to leave. Before leaving, she gave Silver Tiger a meaningful look:
"An interesting soul, I'll remember you."
Athena and Estella disappeared into the horizon, and the battlefield returned to calm.
Yueqing collapsed into Yinhu's arms, her face as pale as paper.
"How are you? Does it still hurt?" Silver Tiger carefully examined her arm, afraid of hurting her.
"It doesn't hurt anymore, but I feel a little weak." Yueqing forced a smile. "I feel like I've been hollowed out."
Hu Feng walked over, his brows furrowed: "Divine purification is a heavy burden for mortals. You need to rest for a few days."
"I'm fine, I can walk." Yueqing tried to stand up, but her legs went weak and she almost fell.
Yin Hu immediately picked her up and carried her horizontally: "Don't be stubborn."
The saber-toothed tiger lay on the ground, its huge head nudging closer: "Little squirrel, why don't you ride me back? I can walk steadily."
"Thank you, but never mind." Yueqing imagined herself sitting on that house-sized head and suddenly felt it was even later.
Hu Xiao exclaimed from the side, "I've really learned something new today. In all my years, this is the first time I've ever seen a real god."
“Two deities,” Hu Yan corrected, “and they’re sisters.”
Leopard Shadow stroked his chin: "I think the one with the black hair is easier to talk to."
"Nonsense, she didn't ask you for a favor." The saber-toothed tiger rolled its eyes. "You humans have such strange thought processes."
Upon returning to the Tiger Clan's territory, the High Priest immediately examined Yueqing's body. The old shaman circled her several times, feeling her pulse and examining her pupils, before finally nodding in satisfaction.
"The mark has completely disappeared, leaving not a trace." The high priest breathed a sigh of relief. "As expected of the Goddess of Light, her methods are indeed superb."
Hu Feng also relaxed: "That's good. Yueqing, just rest and recuperate for a few days. Don't worry about the clan's affairs."
For the next three days, Yin Hu stayed by Yue Qing's side almost constantly, providing her with tea and water, massages, and leg rubs—more attentive than a professional caregiver.
"You don't need to stay with me all the time," Yueqing said somewhat embarrassedly. "There are so many things in the clan that need your attention."
“Nothing is more important than you,” Silver Tiger said seriously. “Besides, Tiger Peak and the others can handle it.”
Yueqing felt a warmth in her heart and reached out to touch his face: "Thank you for your hard work."
"It's no trouble at all." Yinhu held her hand. "It's my honor to take care of you."
Her daughter and son often came to visit, the little ones chattering excitedly around her bed about the latest happenings in the tribe. Looking at the children's innocent smiles, Yueqing felt that all the suffering she had endured was worth it.
On the morning of the fourth day, Yueqing was finally able to get out of bed and move around normally. She practiced a set of boxing techniques in the yard and found that her body had not only fully recovered, but was also lighter than before.
“The power of balance seems purer now.” She clenched her fist, feeling the flow of energy within her body. “Without the interference of the imprints, it’s much easier to control.”
Silver Tiger watched from the side, his eyes full of satisfaction: "It seems that although that deal was risky, it was worth it at least for now."
Just then, a messenger galloped up on horseback, his face full of anxiety.
"Reporting, Chieftain!" The messenger dismounted. "Urgent military intelligence from the Alliance!"
Hu Feng strode out of the tent: "What happened?"
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