“Xiyang…” Faintly, Ye Jingyu seemed to hear a heart-wrenching cry. He felt as though his own heart had been brutally stabbed, an indescribable agony instantly surging through his entire body…

Xiyang? What happened? What on earth happened? Ye Jingyu’s heart convulsed violently; the unbearable pain nearly caused him to black out.

“Brother, what’s wrong?” Seeing Ye Jingyu suddenly clutch his chest, appearing to be in immense pain, Xueling’s face showed a look of deep worry.

Taotie and Ni Bo also sensed the agony in Ye Jingyu’s heart. Especially Ni Bo, who desperately urged the power within his body, ceaselessly surging forward.

“I’m fine…” Ye Jingyu shook his head, forcibly expelling the indescribable pain from his body. He gripped Ni Bo’s neck tightly, bending his frame over as strands of pale azure light emanated from him, enveloping their entire group. This was the Wind Power from within him, capable of effortlessly slicing through air resistance, pushing Ni Bo’s speed to its absolute limit…

In the canyon, Xiyang managed to swallow back her nearly shattered inner core, but her body was sent flying backward uncontrollably. Golden-red blood erupted from her mouth like a fountain, and finally, her body crashed heavily onto the ground. A flash of light followed, and she transformed back into human form, though her complexion was deathly pale, and she had fallen into a deep coma, a streak of golden-red blood still clinging to the corner of her mouth.

Jiu Feng darted over instantly, catching Xiyang just as she fell, and frantically pulled handfuls of elixirs from her robes, shoving them into Xiyang’s mouth. But no matter how many miraculous pills she administered, Xiyang’s injuries showed no sign of improvement.

Sensing Xiyang’s life force steadily waning, Jiu Feng’s heart clenched painfully. Setting aside the problem of how she would face Ye Jingyu if Xiyang didn't make it, their bond—an affection nurtured over several millennia—was something ordinary people could never possess; perhaps not even the deepest sisterly love could compare. Yet here Xiyang was, hovering on the brink of death. How could Jiu Feng not feel heartbroken?

Xiyang possessed the Vermillion Bird bloodline within her. Her inner core was the most potent element in her body, as crucial as her divine soul. If it sustained grave damage, even if she survived, she would surely lose the majority of her cultivation.

Now that the inner core was almost completely fractured, watching her slowing breath and that ashen face, Jiu Feng’s hatred for Xuanyuan Jing became absolute.

Seeing that his sword strike had shattered Xiyang’s inner core, Xuanyuan Jing felt a twinge of unease. After all, there was no deep, irreconcilable feud between them; he was merely acting under orders to seize the Xuan Yuan Water Control Banner, which had led to conflict, but these issues didn't warrant murder. To injure her to this degree meant his feud with that man was now sealed.

Shaking his head, he dismissed these distracting thoughts. Since the masks were utterly off, there was no point in hesitation or rumination. As a powerhouse, an absolute peak expert, he would certainly not apologize; and even if he offered one, would the other party even listen?

He strode forward, grasping at the air with one hand, aiming to snatch the Xuan Yuan Water Control Banner from Jiu Feng’s body. His ancestor was currently locked in a fierce struggle with Dugu Ba Chen; he needed to secure the banner swiftly to assist him.

Seeing Xuanyuan Jing attempt to steal the Xuan Yuan Water Control Banner, a spark of fury ignited in Jiu Feng’s eyes. She shook the great black banner, and ripples of water sprung forth, shielding both herself and Xiyang. Then, with another powerful shake, an immense surge of water elemental power exploded from the banner, pressing directly down upon Xuanyuan Jing—a force like an overturned sea, which even stunned him momentarily.

The Xuan Yuan Water Control Banner lived up to its reputation as one of the Five Divine Banners. Its defensive capabilities were astonishing, but its offensive power was equally formidable. Without an artifact of comparable rank, perhaps even a master of the Yu-level might not escape unscathed.

With a single gesture, the Central Apricot Yellow Banner appeared in his hand, emitting waves of yellow light that shielded his body. The Apricot Yellow Banner was earth-aligned, whereas the Xuan Yuan Water Control Banner was water-aligned; Earth conquers Water. How could that colossal surge of water elemental power possibly harm Xuanyuan Jing?

Under Jiu Feng’s horrified gaze, Xuanyuan Jing once more summoned the Taiji Diagram. A golden bridge materialized, and Xuanyuan Jing stepped onto it. In a single stride, he crossed the defensive water ripples of the Xuan Yuan Water Control Banner and appeared directly before Jiu Feng.

“My apologies…” he murmured softly to Jiu Feng before slamming his palm onto her shoulder. The sheer force sent her flying backward, and the Xuan Yuan Water Control Banner slipped from her grasp into his hand. Within the Taiji Diagram, an incredibly potent energy surged into the banner, shattering its internal restrictions. Jiu Feng, who had already been thrown back, immediately spat out another mouthful of blood and collapsed heavily onto the ground.

Glancing at the two women lying prone, Xuanyuan Jing shook his head, transformed into a streak of sword light, and vanished without a trace…

Just as Xuanyuan Jing’s figure disappeared, a silhouette clad in a long black robe emerged from the void. Staring in the direction Xuanyuan Jing had vanished, the figure muttered softly, “What manner of powerful artifact does he possess?” Having spoken, he walked directly toward Jiu Feng’s location.

Seeing this figure approach, Jiu Feng’s expression turned bitter. What was happening today? Had the normally overwhelming force of the Great Fire and Water Eruption become utterly useless? Why had so many people converged here? And who was this newcomer?

“Junior Sister…” The figure stopped before Jiu Feng. Looking at the blood clinging to her lips, a deeply hoarse voice emanated from him…

Hearing that rasping sound, Jiu Feng’s spirit jolted. She raised her head in utter shock, only to see the man slowly remove the black robe from his head. The gaunt face, the ashen complexion—who else could it be but Ghost-Sees-Sorrow?

“Senior Brother?” Jiu Feng was genuinely stunned. How had he arrived here?

“Junior Sister, come away with me. I will heal your injuries,” Ghost-Sees-Sorrow said with a semblance of tenderness, though his voice was so broken it sounded like a vengeful spirit lamenting its grievance—horrifyingly desolate.

“I’m sorry, Senior Brother, I cannot go with you!” Jiu Feng shook her head with firm resolve.

“Why? Are you still waiting for him? It’s been thousands of years; he’s long dead. Why do you still wait?” Hearing Jiu Feng’s refusal, Ghost-Sees-Sorrow felt as if his heart had been severely lacerated. Why, even now, did she still not hold a place for him in her heart? Did she not know that his devotion to her had never wavered throughout these millennia?