The two walked side-by-side down the silent corridor, the only sound the rhythmic tick-tock of their footsteps echoing in the stillness. Bai Yijun scanned their surroundings, noticing fissures running along the walls, remnants of a past massive explosion. On the ground, where corpses had once piled high, only rotting scraps remained.

“How many days was I unconscious?” Bai Yijun glanced at Ye Chen and spoke softly. Ye Chen didn't turn his head, replying flatly, “Three.” Bai Yijun started, then offered a faint, wry smile. “I didn't realize so much time had passed.

Normally, after viral infection, most people show symptoms within a week. If the infection is severe, they turn into a Lost Soul instantly. Fortunately, that demonic beast was only at the initial level of the Pseudo-God Realm; our constitutions weren't vastly different.” Ye Chen's expression remained placid.

He turned his head slightly to look at her, his deep eyes seeming to pierce through everything. “Not vastly different, but you would still have been severely infected. You show no signs of turning into a Lost Soul yet.

It’s estimated you’ll start changing in about a month.” Bai Yijun seemed to grasp the unspoken implication. She lowered her head slightly, and after a moment, whispered, “Since childhood, I’ve consumed all manner of rare elixirs. My constitution was specially forged.

An old gentleman from the Cultivation Civilization once said that under the infusion of those elixirs, my body became a Medicine Body, giving me extremely strong resistance to all kinds of viruses and microbes. Even the venom from ordinary demonic beasts flowing into my blood would be cleansed by the medicinal properties within my blood.” Ye Chen nodded slightly, asking no further questions. To think that a virus could turn so many people into Lost Souls—its vitality was unimaginable.

The fact that even Lost Souls of the God-level existed proved this virus was incredibly difficult to treat, essentially an incurable plague! Yet, Bai Yijun's constitution granted her a massive resistance boost against this very virus! How many medicines must one consume to achieve such a state?

After walking for a while, the pair arrived before the Black Gate. Bai Yijun took several Half-God Stones from her spatial folding bag, replenishing her internal divine power. She then instructed Ye Chen, “You stand back.” Ye Chen complied, retreating a few steps to stand behind her.

Bai Yijun’s gaze grew serious. She drew the white longsword from her spatial folding bag and gripped it. Taking a deep breath, she channeled her divine power into the sword.

A dense, dazzling, pale-gold light erupted from the white blade, resembling a living dragon. Clang! Bai Yijun leaped, moving like a fluttering butterfly, and thrust the longsword directly into the center of the Black Gate.

The tip struck the gate with a crisp sound, embedding itself half an inch deep before jamming. A flicker of coldness crossed Bai Yijun's dark eyes. Her internal divine power surged out, causing the white longsword to hum loudly.

Majestic sword aura shot forth from both edges, tearing through the Black Gate as if piercing thin paper, instantly blasting open a gap in the gate that had stood for countless ages. “Go!” Bai Yijun seemed to revert to her usual cold demeanor, letting out a sharp cry before diving through the opening. Ye Chen glanced at the breach, his expression unreadable, and his form shifted to follow her through.

The Black Gate had been perfectly intact. However, after being engaged at its highest defensive setting, the energy accumulated over countless years had been entirely depleted, leaving it unable to even supply the energy required for the faintest voice prompt. The two stepped out of the Black Gate to face a maze of intricate, twisting, interconnected pathways.

In the center of these corridors, a towering spire faintly loomed—pitch black all over, resembling a pyramid! “The spatial gate out is over there!” Bai Yijun raised a hand and pointed. Suddenly, her eyes flickered, and she turned to look at Ye Chen, seeming about to speak, yet ultimately letting out a soft sigh and falling silent.

Ye Chen remained calm, like a still autumn lake, showing no change in expression. He stepped forward first. “Let’s go!” Bai Yijun lightly bit her lower lip.

The reflection of Ye Chen shimmered in her sea-blue eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke, “Actually, you didn’t have to do that for me. Once I get out, I can find a way to sustain my life, even if the price is extremely high…” Ye Chen paused.

“Sustain your life? There’s medicine that can slow the virus’s outbreak?” Bai Yijun nodded gently. “Yes, but that medicine is incredibly expensive.

Even with my status, I can barely procure enough. Furthermore, even with the medicine, I wouldn’t live for more than ten years at most!” Ten years—for someone at the peak of the Half-God Realm, whose lifespan reached nine thousand years, it was truly the blink of an eye! Ye Chen gave a faint, bitter smile and sighed, “What’s done is done; no need to discuss it further.

Besides, you saved my life. Without you, I would have died long ago.” Bai Yijun stared at him for a moment, slowly lowering her head, with a hint of determination in her voice. “Any wish you have, I will fulfill it for you!” Ye Chen’s demeanor instantly turned serious.

He stated solemnly, “When we get out, I hope you can look after the spiritual civilization of Thunder Roar Plaza. I believe, given your background, this won’t be difficult for you. I only implore you to shelter them for three hundred years!” Implore… This was the first time Ye Chen, in his resurrected state, had uttered that word.

At this very moment, he bowed his head with utmost gravity toward a girl. Bai Yijun nodded slightly. “That is a simple matter; I only need to make a call.

I can even shelter them for three million years!” As she spoke, she glanced at Ye Chen, her eyes shifting slightly. “Do you have no other wishes?” “Other…” Ye Chen rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I have a younger sister and a group of good companions.

I hope you can help me look after them, especially my sister. She isn't strong, and she’s rather simple-minded, with little knowledge of the world's harshness. I don’t want her to get hurt!” He slowly lowered his head then, his voice growing somewhat subdued.

“This responsibility should have been mine to carry out personally…” Bai Yijun gazed at him for a moment, then slowly nodded, saying seriously, “I will help you look after them! Besides this, are there any other desires?” Ye Chen thought for a moment and shook his head. “No.” Bai Yijun was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise coloring her exquisitely beautiful face.

“Only those two things?” Ye Chen shrugged. “That’s basically it… Am I making my last testament?” Bai Yijun looked at his relaxed expression, pursed her lips slightly, and took a deep breath. “I will fulfill both your wishes.

Although I can only live for ten years at most, I will make arrangements for them to be carried on.” Ye Chen seemed to smile faintly, then turned toward the towering spire. “Let’s go!” Bai Yijun silently lowered her head and took the lead. She appeared adept, as if she knew the complex paths like the back of her hand.

Not long after, she guided Ye Chen to the base of the spire. Ye Chen asked in surprise, “Didn’t you say the map only extended outside the Black Gate?” Bai Yijun turned back. Her beauty felt like a sudden shower; a few strands of dark hair hung over her brows, accentuating her delicate, snow-white skin.

A trace of tenderness softened her bright eyes, seemingly illuminating the entire world. She smiled lightly, “I have a miniature sensor. I scanned the route long ago, and it’s already imprinted in my mind.” Ye Chen was momentarily stunned, then laughed softly and shook his head.

Perhaps because death was imminent, Ye Chen felt completely lightened, experiencing an unprecedented comfort, which allowed a faint smile to grace his lips. He looked up. The massive spire had nine stories, each about ten zhang high, like a pillar reaching to the heavens.

The doors, windows, and glass were all exceedingly ancient, radiating a cold, chilling aura. Before the two stood a towering main portal! “This is the Tower of Darkness!” Bai Yijun murmured, her eyes serious as she looked at the black tower.

“Every time I obtained a Dark Fragment before, I had to fight inside. In a typical Tower of Darkness, each floor imprisons one fierce beast; one can only obtain the Dark Fragment by reaching the summit!” Ye Chen glanced at her, frowning slightly. “In your current state, can you defeat them?” Bai Yijun met his gaze with a slight smile.

She clapped her hand forward, slowly pushing open the dark main door that had been sealed for ages. Outside light streamed in from behind them as the heavy, low groaning of the door opening resonated like the caw of a crow. She stepped in first, her confident voice echoing behind her.

“I’ve challenged it before. The strongest demonic beasts inside are only at the initial Pseudo-God level! If I could kill them then, I can do it now.

The other Half-God level beasts are even easier.” What she didn't say was that her previous success against the Pseudo-God beast was entirely thanks to the Void God Orb, and now, the Void God Orb was gone… Ye Chen frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then followed her inside. Darkness swallowed them whole, and the great door slowly swung shut… Hoo! Bai Yijun flicked her finger, and a stream of pure white light emanated from her fingertip, illuminating the surroundings.

The milky-white glow cast shifting shadows on their faces. Aided by this faint light, Ye Chen and Bai Yijun surveyed the first floor of the Tower of Darkness. It was exceedingly spacious, octagonal in shape, spanning about ten thousand zhang.

The interior was dimly lit. On the walls were numerous dark red stones emitting a weak glow, casting a blood-like hue over the walls and floor. “Fall back!” Bai Yijun suddenly commanded loudly.

Then, her figure blurred, and she positioned herself in front of Ye Chen. The white light in her hand instantly intensified, illuminating the entire first floor as if it were daylight. A thousand zhang away, a demonic beast covered entirely in fur like fire, possessing three heads, a leopard’s body, and a serpent’s tail, rushed toward them with ferocious fangs bared.

“Ci Zheng Beast!” Bai Yijun’s eyes sharpened. She gripped her white longsword tightly; the blade emitted a soft chime, and an ice-like white light illuminated her face, making her appear even colder. Ye Chen’s gaze flickered.

He retreated ten zhang backward, not out of fear of death, but to avoid obstructing Bai Yijun’s fight. He was completely unable to intervene in a battle between Half-God level combatants; he could only watch. “Ice Rend!” Bai Yijun, her robes like snow, charged forward head-on, holding the white longsword.

Majestic divine power flowed from her fair, slender wrist into the sword. The blade gave a low cry, its sharpness increasing, tearing the air like slicing through a bolt of long cloth, as she lunged toward the beast.

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