The instant Jiu Feng heard that domineering voice, a surge of ecstasy flooded her heart. Although the tone was slightly different, the manner of speaking, the very cadence, was identical to the one etched in her memory. Perhaps others wouldn't recognize it, but Jiu Feng’s entire focus had always been on Ye Jingyu; how could she possibly mistake it?

Guijianchou, however, was struck with utter horror. He knew that voice intimately—it belonged to the man he had faced on the arena stage. How had he arrived here? A sudden chill swept down his spine, and his guard shot up immediately. His right hand moved instinctively, drawing out a blood-red saber as he parried behind him, his body already beginning to shift sideways. But halfway through his swing, just as he started to move, an immense force slammed into his back. He was blasted away, crashing heavily into a large mountain nearby, pulverizing the entire peak upon impact.

A figure cloaked in black instantly materialized before Jiu Feng. His long black robes emphasized a statuesque build, his unbound dark hair framed a handsome face that seemed utterly unfamiliar, completely unlike the person she remembered.

Yet, when she looked into those pitch-black eyes, catching the flashes of rage and deep concern mirrored within them, Jiu Feng understood. This was him. This was the one she had waited for all this time...

He truly wasn't dead. He was alive. He had actually returned...

Gazing upon the proud, solitary man before her, this figure resembling a Divine King, so resolute yet radiating overwhelming power, Jiu Feng’s heart soared with intoxication.

A millennium of waiting. A whole thousand years... What unyielding belief, what formidable conviction, and what utterly resilient spirit must that require?

For these countless millennia, suffering the pangs of lovesickness day and night, enduring the torment of longing—who could bear such a life? Especially since Ye Jingyu’s fate was completely unknown, making it a waiting devoid of hope, not happiness, but pure agony...

Love fears not sacrifice, but waiting. Yet, Jiu Feng, through her enduring existence, had proven to Ye Jingyu that she loved him, always had.

Now, seeing the man of her dreams, feeling the profound care and deep affection in his gaze, Jiu Feng suddenly felt that a thousand years of suffering meant nothing. Compared to those loving eyes, it was all worth it. Truly worth it...

Tears had long since blurred her vision, and her body trembled faintly from the overwhelming shock of joy. Her hazel eyes were fixed steadfastly on Ye Jingyu...

Seeing the tear-filled depths of Jiu Feng’s eyes, the sheer elation on her face, and sensing the depth of her yearning in her heart, Ye Jingyu’s cold, hardened heart finally melted completely.

“Feng’er, wait for me. Let me slay this wretch first...” Ye Jingyu forced down the powerful urge to pull Jiu Feng into his arms and turned his attention toward Guijianchou.

This man, this vile wretch! How dare he harbor designs on Jiu Feng? How dare he inflict such things upon her? Thankfully, he had arrived in time. Thankfully, when he ascended to the Cosmic level, the Samsara Eye had shown him clearer visions than before. Thank heavens that Ni Bo knew the pathways of the Barren Forest. Without so many ‘thank heavens,’ what fate might Jiu Feng have suffered?

Ye Jingyu was furious, a rage beyond words. Glancing at Xiyang, who lay unconscious nearby, and feeling her weakening life force, the fire in Ye Jingyu’s heart intensified. His body swayed slightly, and Zhuyong, Hanba, Houyi, Tianwu, Jumang, and Xuanming all emerged from his Sea of Consciousness. Xiao Taotao and Ni Bo also took human form, completely encircling Guijianchou.

Guijianchou had been bewildered by Ye Jingyu’s sudden appearance. After all, he hadn't recognized him on the arena stage. He couldn’t fathom how the man who won the command of the Blood Demon Legion had ended up here. But when Hanba and the others stepped forth, everything became terribly clear.

This man... he was Ye Jingyu. He truly wasn't dead; he was alive? Even back on the stage, he had struggled against Ye Jingyu, and at that time, Ye Jingyu clearly hadn't used his full power. Now, he could unleash every shred of his strength and every artifact within his body without reservation. How could he possibly stand against him?

Guijianchou wanted to flee, but at this moment, how could escape be possible? He fully understood that after what he had done to Jiu Feng, this man would never let him off easily.

Since escape was impossible, he would fight to the death...

A savage glint flashed in Guijianchou’s eyes. His gaze even flickered toward Xiyang behind Ye Jingyu. Perhaps he could find a weakness. If he could somehow capture Jiu Feng, or Xiyang alone, he might still have a chance.

But Ye Jingyu’s next words quickly extinguished any such thought in Guijianchou’s mind...

“Venerable Jumang, their injuries...”

“Rest assured. With me here, even death is impossible for them. However, this girl’s inner core is fractured; complete recovery will be somewhat troublesome...” Before Ye Jingyu could finish speaking, Jumang stepped forward. With a single finger point, a dense surge of Azure Wood Qi entered Jiu Feng’s body. Instantly, the restrictive seals Guijianchou had placed within her shattered with sharp cracks, and her injuries began healing at a visible rate. In the blink of an eye, she was fully restored and mobile.

Jumang then reappeared beside Xiyang, sweeping his spiritual sense over her internal structure. He turned toward Zhuyong, whose eyes were blazing with fury.

“Zhuyong, you should refrain from attacking for now. This little girl’s inner core requires the protection of your flames. Otherwise, if this drags on, even if she is saved, her future cultivation will stagnate...”

Zhuyong froze. He had been looking forward to brutally punishing this disrespectful rogue, yet now he was being tasked with saving a life? He glanced back at Ye Jingyu, seeing the plea in his eyes, and recalling the considerable benefits he had received at Xiyang’s estate, he nodded slightly.

His form flickered, and he arrived next to Xiyang. With one hand, he reached in and surprisingly plucked her inner core directly from her body. He opened his mouth and spewed forth a jet of white flame, which landed perfectly upon the core...

At this moment, Ye Jingyu could clearly see the fissures marring the inner core. His fury spiked further. This wretch... this wretch had struck so ruthlessly...

Sensing the sudden, intense surge of rage erupting from Ye Jingyu’s body, Guijianchou seemed to grasp something...