"Your Majesty, wake up quickly..." Yan Senxu caught Luo Ruofeng’s body, carefully examining him. There wasn't a single scratch on his physical form, yet his spirit seemed critically wounded, almost utterly shattered.

A damaged physical body could repair itself, but a severely injured soul—how could it recover without several hundred years? Worse still, Luo Ruofeng’s soul wasn't just wounded; it was on the verge of collapse, threatening to dissolve into dust at any moment.

In the past, if Luo Ruofeng faced such a predicament, Yan Senxu would have left without a second thought. But Luo Ruofeng's actions moments ago had completely conquered him. He was now genuinely loyal to Luo Ruofeng, willing to sacrifice everything for him.

He didn't know how formidable the Sheji Sword truly was; he only knew that Luo Ruofeng needed immediate treatment, or he would perish completely.

"I entrust His Majesty's safety to you..." Yan Senxu glanced back at Ni Bo, who had resumed human form, and spoke abruptly.

"Hm?" Ni Bo paused, surprised by such sudden words.

"His Majesty’s spirit is shattered; I must use my own spirit to repair him," Yan Senxu said calmly, meeting Ni Bo’s gaze.

"But if you do that, you..." Hearing that Yan Senxu intended to use his own spirit to mend Luo Ruofeng’s soul, Ni Bo was startled. At their level of cultivation, even if their bodies were completely destroyed, they could recover rapidly with superior elixirs. But a damaged soul was far harder to restore. Yan Senxu was a descendant of the Witch Clan; his soul and body were intrinsically fused. If he used his spirit to help Luo Ruofeng, the only outcome would be his complete disintegration into ash.

"For His Majesty, death is of no consequence!" Before Ni Bo could finish, Yan Senxu cut him off. Without waiting for another word, his body began to burn entirely... He was the Flood, and he could only use his Heart of the Yan Mo to repair Luo Ruofeng’s rapidly dissipating consciousness... Seeing Yan Senxu’s body transform into the gentlest firelight and merge into Luo Ruofeng’s form, Ni Bo suddenly felt a sharp ache in his chest, as if something was flowing from his eyes.

At that moment, Guang Chengzi charged again. The remaining warriors pressed forward fearlessly. Facing the mighty Guang Chengzi, they were like moths drawn to a flame; though they knew it was suicide, they hesitated not one bit... Warrior after warrior chose self-detonation, turning into ash. Their souls, their bodies, their very existence was being wiped clean from this plane, utterly erased.

Ni Bo felt his heart wrench violently. Was this the human emotion called loyalty? For the sake of their sovereign, they were willing to relinquish everything... A place deep within his heart suddenly ignited with light. In that instant, he seemed to understand so much more, grasping what it truly meant for a person to act... Seeing Guang Chengzi’s form rapidly approaching despite the power of the self-detonating warriors, Ni Bo transformed back into his true shape, scooped up Luo Ruofeng’s body, and charged toward the fracturing spatial rift.

He could fight alongside Luo Ruofeng, but protecting his life was paramount. He could not die—no, absolutely not. Otherwise, how could he ever face Yan Senxu? At this time, Luo Ruofeng, whose spirit was nearly collapsing, felt as if he had arrived in a vast darkness, an endless void devoid of any light.

Everything around him was empty; there was nothing here but despair. He only wished to fall into a deep sleep in this place. Yes, perhaps by sleeping, he wouldn't feel so weary anymore? Perhaps the images flashing in his mind would finally cease? Just as he was about to sink into final slumber, a single ray of light appeared in that void—a soft, fiery glow... That light was like a lone candle in the dead of night, its radiance so faint it seemed a mere gust of wind could extinguish it.

Yet, beneath that faint firelight, Luo Ruofeng saw hope. Yes, the hope of light, or perhaps, the path toward it.

"Your Majesty, you are the Master of the Three Realms. No matter how heavy the burden of the State, you must bear it! Your Majesty, you are not alone; you still have us..." In the emptiness, a somewhat familiar voice echoed. For a moment, Luo Ruofeng couldn't clearly place it, but his nearly despairing heart trembled slightly.

That’s right; he wasn't alone. So many people supported him. How could he give up so easily? He couldn't give up; he absolutely must not give up. He was the Master of the Three Realms; no matter how heavy the burden, he was meant to carry it. Otherwise, how could he face his Master, how could he face Jingyu?

I cannot give up. I absolutely cannot give up... "Your Majesty, please..." At that moment, the voice sounded again near Luo Ruofeng’s ear. Luo Ruofeng instantly felt a pathway of light materialize before him. Without hesitation, he stepped onto that path... In a single stride, he crossed from darkness into light—a world of illumination. In this world, he saw his father, Fang Zhuguo, the Fang Family Army, Lin Xiaoyi, Ying Xiaoxiao, Bieli, Ye Longyi, and all those companions who had once been with them but had perished in various calamities. Finally, he saw Yan Senxu, the Yan Mo genius who had never meekly accepted his commands.

"Your Majesty, this is the last thing your subordinate can do for you. I hope you will take care..." A faint smile touched Yan Senxu’s lips. As his words faded, his body began to blur, gradually vanishing, slowly draining away... "General Yan..." Luo Ruofeng felt a sharp pain in his heart again, trying to grasp something, yet finding nothing to hold onto.

That inexpressible agony jolted him awake from his stupor. His rapidly draining spirit had already been restored by Yan Senxu’s immense power. In his mind, a new path suddenly became clear... The body of an Emperor, the heart of an Emperor—he needed the responsibility of an Emperor too, the courage to bear everything. The State was heavy, but it was his State, and he could not flee from it... "Thank you, General Yan..." Luo Ruofeng murmured internally, and inexplicably, a single tear tracked down his cheek.

When he opened his eyes, Ni Bo was already carrying him out of Guang Chengzi’s domain, but Guang Chengzi took one step forward, immediately unleashing the Heaven-Seizing Bead and hurling it toward Luo Ruofeng and Ni Bo.

At this moment, Luo Ruofeng understood the true path of a sovereign and was on the critical cusp of taking that final step. How could he afford to be distracted defending against such a massive orb?

Facing the terrifying Heaven-Seizing Bead, Ni Bo could only strain his four hooves to their absolute limit. His speed was maximized, yet no matter how hard he struggled, his body and Luo Ruofeng's remained firmly trapped within the Bead’s terrifying envelope, unable to break free.

Seeing the Heaven-Seizing Bead about to crash down upon them, Ni Bo flipped his body, shielding Luo Ruofeng beneath him. He resolved to use his own body to withstand the impact of the Heavenly Bead.

But just then, a figure stepped out from the void—a man of supreme handsomeness. His long, dark hair moved without wind, his chiseled face was strikingly beautiful, and clad in simple black combat attire, he exuded an air of utter dominance, hinting at an overwhelming, tyrannical aura bursting forth.

Arrogant, domineering, unparalleled...

When Ni Bo saw this man appear, the tension in his taut muscles finally eased. He had arrived at last...

Guang Chengzi's expression shifted dramatically upon seeing the newcomer. Why was he unharmed? Hadn't he expended the majority of his soul power using the divine ability to trace the past? How could he have recovered so quickly?

Ye Jingyu indeed stepped forth. Seeing the descending Heaven-Seizing Bead, a cold smile touched his lips. Without using any magical artifact, he struck directly toward the terrifying Bead with a single punch... Yes, purely with his physical body...

From a distance, it looked like an ant attacking a lead ball—a mere touch would crush the insect. But when Ye Jingyu’s fist connected with the Heaven-Seizing Bead, a colossal roar echoed through the void. That massive Bead was actually blasted flying away by a single punch...

The immense recoil forced Guang Chengzi to stagger several steps back, his look of horror deepening. Not only did he show no signs of depleted cultivation, but his power seemed vastly increased?

Losing all desire to engage Ye Jingyu in a prolonged fight, Guang Chengzi recalled the Heaven-Seizing Bead and turned to flee. Having lived so long, he certainly would not undertake anything he wasn't certain of. Ye Jingyu’s recovery was so swift—it completely overturned his Master's calculations. What trickery was involved, he couldn't fathom right now, so why risk entanglement with Ye Jingyu...

"Since you've arrived, do you think you can just leave?" Ye Jingyu's cold laugh drifted out. Immediately, a black flag appeared in his hand, which he waved lightly. Twelve spectral figures tore through the void, instantly forming the Twelve Heavenly Witch Annihilation Array, encircling Guang Chengzi...

Furthermore, the azure Eastern Emperor Bell hovered above his head. Judging by his demeanor, Ye Jingyu was clearly intending to obliterate Guang Chengzi right then and there...