Home Post 4072-chapter-80

4072-chapter-80

Chapter 80

“Ah Zhao?!”

“Ah Shuo!!”

The two called out almost simultaneously.

Bai Shuo, her eyes filled with excitement, rushed toward Chong Zhao, but he instinctively took a step back.

Bai Shuo froze, standing still in confusion.

“Ah Zhao…”

“You’ve already reached the mid-level of the Immortal Lord level,” Chong Zhao avoided her gaze, his brows furrowed as he spoke in a deep voice.

“Why are you here?”

A year had passed since they last saw each other.

Bai Shuo had imagined many scenarios of their reunion, but she never expected Chong Zhao’s first question to be this.

Bai Shuo’s heart tightened.

Before she could speak, Chong Zhao’s gaze fell on the Bodhi tree heart floating in mid-air, and he looked back at Bai Shuo.

“You came here to retrieve the Bodhi tree heart for the Haoyue Palace’s master?”

Back on Fire Ice Island, Fan Yue had suddenly appeared, also seeking the Bodhi tree heart.

Chong Zhao had been sent by Zhen Yu to the Yuanling swamp with orders to kill anyone attempting to take the object within the tree.

It was only moments ago that he realized the object was the Bodhi tree heart, and the one seeking it was Bai Shuo.

Bai Shuo, ever sharp, blurted out, “You’re also here for the Bodhi tree heart?”

Then she frowned. “No, it’s Cold Spring Palace that wants the Bodhi tree heart.”

Could it be that Zhen Yu already knew the big demon’s true form was the Bodhi tree?

Bai Shuo’s heart panicked, and she instinctively stepped in front of the tree heart.

Chong Zhao watched Bai Shuo’s almost reflexive action, his pupils contracting imperceptibly.

But with his current temperament, his face showed no trace of emotion.

“This isn’t a place you should be. Leave.”

Bai Shuo’s expression changed.

She wanted to say something but ultimately held back, only shaking her head.

“I must take this Bodhi tree heart today. If you try to stop me, Ah Zhao, then do what you must.”

“You!”

Chong Zhao’s expression shifted, his eyes filled with anger.

Bai Shuo turned and walked toward the Bodhi tree heart, her back completely exposed to Chong Zhao.

In those few short steps, cold sweat broke out on Bai Shuo’s back.

Only when her hand grasped the Bodhi tree heart did she quietly exhale, a flicker of emotion in her eyes.

No matter whether Chong Zhao was an immortal or a demon, righteous or evil, he would never harm her.

Boom! A surge of demonic energy struck, pushing Bai Shuo back.

Her chest tightened, and the Bodhi tree heart floated in the air, a cold, eerie curved blade hovering above it.

Bai Shuo turned back in disbelief.

Chong Zhao’s face was expressionless.

“Chong Zhao!” Bai Shuo shouted in anger.

“We serve different masters, Ah Shuo. Leave the Yuanling swamp.”

“I told you, I must take this Bodhi tree heart.”

Without another word, Bai Shuo leaped into the air, reaching for the Bodhi tree heart.

The curved blade trembled, emitting a blinding demonic light that shot straight toward Bai Shuo.

Her pupils contracted.

At that moment, thousands of miles away in the Haoyue Palace, Fan Yue suddenly opened his eyes.

In the swamp, the curved blade was intercepted by a pair of hands just above Bai Shuo’s head.

The hands were slender and translucent, and when Bai Shuo looked up, she met a pair of clear, untainted eyes and a face as pure as the moon.

Bai Shuo was stunned, but before she could react, the newcomer had already pulled her up from the ground and shielded her behind them.

“Who dares trespass in my Yuanling swamp?” Before Bai Shuo could speak, a cold, feminine voice rang out.

A young girl in white robes, barefoot, appeared.

On her ankles were imprints of stars, quiet and dazzling.

The girl stared at Chong Zhao, her brows furrowing.

“Since the Three-Headed Fire Dragon disappeared, the Yuanling swamp has been without a master for a thousand years. Who are you?”

Chong Zhao spoke indifferently.

“Who I am is none of your concern.”

“If you won’t say, then anyone who touches this tree heart will die!”

Chong Zhao’s eyes flashed with ferocity as he leaped into the air, the curved blade in hand, charging straight at the girl.

The girl let out a light hum, scattering countless stars from her hands, forming a star array to meet Chong Zhao’s attack.

“Star power?”

Bai Shuo was stunned.

Since the Star Moon Goddess Yuemi perished, star power had vanished from the world.

Yet the star power this girl wielded, though not as vast and divine, seemed to be at the level of an Immortal Lord cultivator.

Who was she?

“Playing tricks,” Chong Zhao sneered, unaffected by the girl’s spiritual energy.

The curved blade’s killing intent did not diminish in the slightest.

Chong Zhao’s demonic energy was domineering and sinister.

The star array was shattered, and Bai Shuo’s expression changed.

She leaped forward, shielding the girl.

As the curved blade’s power descended upon the two, Chong Zhao, seeing Bai Shuo suddenly intervene, was taken aback.

But it was too late to retract his demonic energy.

The girl, seeing Bai Shuo’s assistance, moved again, pulling Bai Shuo behind her and taking the full force of Chong Zhao’s attack with her own body.

The girl’s face turned pale, and the curved blade continued its descent.

“Be careful!” Bai Shuo cried out.

Just as the blade was about to strike the girl’s forehead, a surge of demonic energy came from the sky.

With a loud crash, the curved blade was forcefully knocked away, and a figure appeared in front of the two, shielding them. It was Fan Yue.

Seeing the familiar figure, Bai Shuo’s nose tingled with emotion.

“Big demon!”

Chong Zhao was pushed back several steps, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

When he saw who had arrived, his eyes darkened.

Noticing the joy in Bai Shuo’s eyes, his expression grew even colder.

He gathered his demonic energy, refusing to back down.

Fan Yue let out a cold snort, his palm moving.

At that moment, a spiritual fire arrow shot from the distance.

Fan Yue retreated slightly as Fu Ling appeared in front of Chong Zhao.

“Let’s go!” She grabbed Chong Zhao, intending to take him away.

“Ah Zhao!”

Bai Shuo’s voice rang out.

Chong Zhao turned to look, seeing Bai Shuo’s anxious gaze fixed on him.

Not far away, Fan Yue’s eyes darkened, his expression turning cold.

Suddenly, his gaze shifted, as if startled by something, and he stared intently in Bai Shuo’s direction.

Chong Zhao avoided Bai Shuo’s gaze, turned, and disappeared with Fu Ling.

Bai Shuo’s eyes filled with disappointment.

“Big demon…”

She turned, about to run toward Fan Yue, but saw him staring in her direction.

However, his gaze wasn’t on her.

Following his gaze, Bai Shuo realized he was looking at the girl beside her.

“You… you two…” Bai Shuo started to speak, but the girl suddenly rushed toward Fan Yue, embracing him tightly.

“You finally came,” the girl looked up at Fan Yue, her eyes filled with joy and longing, as if carrying endless affection and memories.

Fan Yue instinctively wanted to push her away, but when he saw her star-like eyes, he hesitated.

Bai Shuo stood awkwardly to the side, wanting to speak but unsure of what to say.

She stared at Fan Yue, waiting for him to push the girl away.

But Fan Yue didn’t.

Bai Shuo’s heart sank bit by bit.

“Who are you?” After a long while, Fan Yue finally spoke.

“You don’t remember me?” The girl’s eyes misted over.

She reached out to touch Fan Yue’s face, a faint smile on her lips.

“It’s okay. I remember you.”

The girl smiled, then suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, collapsing into Fan Yue’s arms.

Both Fan Yue and Bai Shuo were stunned, but the girl just smiled.

“See? Even if you don’t remember me, you won’t push me away,” the girl murmured, her lips curving slightly before she closed her eyes.

Under the Bodhi tree, Fan Yue looked at Bai Shuo, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something.

But Bai Shuo suddenly turned, took the Bodhi tree heart, and handed it to Fan Yue.

“Lord, you’re injured. Let’s return to Haoyue Palace first,” she said, as if avoiding something, quickly stepping aside and lowering her head, refusing to look at Fan Yue.

Fan Yue’s eyes darkened as he took the Bodhi tree heart.

With a wave of his hand, the three of them disappeared.

In the main hall of Cold Spring Palace, Zhen Yu leaned back on his throne, while Chong Zhao knelt below.

“Lord, I failed to carry out your orders. I am willing to accept punishment.”

Zhen Yu raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with implication.

“Punishment? Are you asking for punishment because you failed to retrieve the Bodhi tree heart, or because you showed mercy and didn’t kill the person who took it?”

Chong Zhao remained silent, and Zhen Yu sneered.

“Chong Zhao, don’t forget why you betrayed the immortals.”

Chong Zhao lowered his eyes.

“I have never forgotten.”

“Aren’t you curious? Why did I send you to retrieve the Bodhi tree heart, and why has Fan Yue been searching for it all along?”

“My life was saved by you, Lord. Whatever you command, I need not know the reason.”

Zhen Yu laughed.

“You are now a member of my Cold Spring Palace, and I naturally trust you. It’s time you knew some things. The world only knows that the Haoyue Palace’s master is shrouded in mystery, but they don’t know his true form is the Bodhi Divine Tree.”

Chong Zhao looked up in surprise.

“You’re surprised? If he’s a divine tree, why is he a demon?”

Chong Zhao nodded.

“I’m curious too, but I don’t care. No matter what his true form is, if he stands in the way of my path to becoming the Demon Emperor, he must die. This time, the loss of the Bodhi tree heart is insignificant. His divine power is scattered across the three realms. As long as he doesn’t gather the remaining pieces of the Bodhi tree, he will never cross the threshold to godhood. I have already located another piece of the Bodhi tree. However, the place is… troublesome.”

“Lord, are you referring to…”

“Jingyou Mountain.”

Zhen Yu suddenly waved a surge of demonic energy toward Chong Zhao’s forehead.

Chong Zhao neither dodged nor resisted.

As the energy entered his body, his injuries healed, and he felt his spiritualenergy grow stronger.

“Thank you, Lord.”

Zhen Yu was pleased with Chong Zhao’s obedience.

“Fan Yue will eventually go to Jingyou Mountain. Remember, before the Demon Emperor’s war, he must not gather all the pieces of the Bodhi tree.”

“Yes.”

“Dismissed.”

Zhen Yu waved his hand, and Chong Zhao stood up and left.

As the moon rose and the stars grew sparse, Chong Zhao walked out of the inner hall.

Fu Ling had been waiting outside.

“Your injuries… they’re healed?” Fu Ling looked surprised.

After all, Fan Yue was a demigod. His attack had clearly damaged Chong Zhao’s spiritual veins, yet in such a short time, not only were his injuries healed, but his demonic energy had also grown stronger.

“Did the Lord heal you?”

Chong Zhao nodded.

“But…”

“Why did you suddenly go to the Yuanling swamp?”

Fu Ling wanted to ask more, but Chong Zhao interrupted her, his voice deep.

Fu Ling hesitated and fell silent.

“Since you also have things you can’t speak of, then there’s no need to ask me certain things.”

Only Zhen Yu knew he had gone to the Yuanling swamp.

Who had sent Fu Ling? The answer was obvious.

Chong Zhao glanced at her and turned to leave.

Fu Ling’s eyes dimmed.

When she turned around, she saw Zhen Yu standing behind her.

“Lord.”

“His heart is still not hard enough,” Zhen Yu’s voice was cold.

“Not only was he unwilling to harm Bai Shuo, but he also didn’t report the person with star power in the Yuanling swamp to me.”

“Lord, Chong Zhao is just…”

“You want to say he’s only focused on revenge and doesn’t care about anything else?”

Zhen Yu glanced at her indifferently.

Fu Ling fell silent.

“As long as he still cares for Bai Shuo, he will never truly be of use to my Cold Spring Palace. I have no need for useless pieces.”

Fu Ling’s face turned pale.

Just as she was about to speak, Zhen Yu smiled again.

“However, I still have patience with him. The reappearance of star power… interesting.”

“Lord, that woman was taken to Haoyue Palace. Should I infiltrate the palace to investigate?”

“No need. If she is a god, no one can kill her. I have other tasks for you.”

In a side hall of Haoyue Palace, the young girl lay on the bed, her face as pale as snow.

Fan Yue frowned deeply, continuously channeling divine energy into her body.

Yet, not only did she fail to wake, but her body also remained cold.

In the corner, Bai Shuo stared at the charcoal burning in the hall.

What had once warmed her now felt like it was setting her on fire.

Cangshan, Long Yi, and Long Er crowded by the door, while Tianhuo lazily leaned against a pillar.

Long Er gloated.

“As expected of our strongest, he’s brought back another one,” Long Er glanced at Tianhuo.

“How many halls do you think he’ll blow up for this one?”

Tianhuo shot it a sharp look, and Long Er shrank back, glancing at Bai Shuo, who stood silently in the corner.

It clicked its tongue.

“Someone’s face is as bitter as a bitter melon.”

Tianhuo glanced at Bai Shuo, her brows furrowing.

“Shandouzi, which one do you like?” Long Er poked Cangshan.

Before Cangshan could answer, Long Yi chimed in with a sly grin, “Why choose? Our Haoyue Palace is big enough. We could take in ten more, no problem—ow ow ow!”

Before Long Yi could finish, it was suddenly transformed into a flying pig and dragged into the hall by an unseen force.

Just as it was about to curse, Fan Yue’s cold voice cut through the air.

“Why won’t she wake up?”

Long Yi, seeing Fan Yue’s icy expression, quickly replied, “Lord, have you lost your mind? She’s an immortal. What good will your demonic energy do?”

Fan Yue’s face turned grim.

Just as he was about to explode, a bottle of medicine was handed to him.

It was Bai Shuo.

“Try this pill I made. It might help,” Bai Shuo’s voice was clear, devoid of her usual playful tone.

Fan Yue was momentarily stunned but didn’t hesitate.

He took the bottle and helped the girl swallow the pill.

The girl lay in Fan Yue’s arms, her complexion regaining some color, but that was all.

Seeing Fan Yue’s frown deepen as he looked over, Bai Shuo blurted out, “I gave her the best pill I have.”

“I know,” Fan Yue’s gaze swept past her, landing on Long Yi.

“The reason.”

Fan Yue was concise, asking for the reason behind the girl’s unconsciousness.

A sudden, inexplicable anger surged in Bai Shuo’s heart.

Long Yi shrugged.

“Where did you bring her from?”

“The Yuanling swamp.”

“That explains it. She must have been in the Yuanling swamp for years. Her body is saturated with demonic energy. An immortal body tainted by demonic energy is like a human consuming poison. The fact that she’s not dead yet is a miracle,” Long Yi’s words were as sharp and venomous as ever.

“The solution?”

“There is none,” Long Yi spread its hands.

“Hey, don’t glare at me. Just because you’re strong doesn’t mean you can fix everything. Immortal and demonic energies coexisting in one body is a death sentence even for gods, let alone her, who isn’t a god, and you, who are only a demigod. But with your divine energy sustaining her, she might live a bit longer.”

The temperature in the hall dropped instantly.

Bai Shuo turned and stormed out, her aura fierce.

Long Er, who had been ready to mock her, quickly stepped aside, wisely making way.

In the hall, Fan Yue’s head lifted slightly, though it was unclear if he was looking in Bai Shuo’s direction.

Late at night, another alchemy cauldron exploded.

Bai Shuo emerged from the wreckage, covered in soot.

Not far away, Tianhuo leaned against a tree, lazily calling out.

“Taking your anger out on the cauldron is one thing, but blowing up the hall is a bit much.”

“Your Haoyue Palace is big enough. What’s a few blown-up halls?” Bai Shuo replied expressionlessly.

“Oh, so even Long Er’s gossipy mouth has been silenced,” Tianhuo walked over with a smile, circling Bai Shuo three times, clearly amused.

“Who would’ve thought? Not even the Stone Palace’s evil dragon could bring out this temper of yours, but a nameless, unknown girl managed to do it.”

Verified by MonsterInsights