After Chilin left, the passage the celestial spirits had cleared became wider and wider. They were almost retreating continuously. Even the Celestial Emperor, who had been hiding behind layers of human walls, had no choice but to face Dong Tianyun from afar.

Jin Zhan and Yuanhou walked over unhurriedly, standing behind Dong Tianyun, smiling as they greeted Xiang Su and Yanji. The Celestial Clan’s celestial spirits broke out in low murmurs of discussion. The Celestial Emperor and Crown Prince’s defeat was already determined. One Dong Tianyun alone was already invincible. With the support of the three Dijuns of water, wood, and earth, to be driven forward by the Celestial Emperor now was no different from sending themselves to death for nothing.

Separated by great distance with shadowy figures between them, beneath the Celestial Emperor’s high seat, Yu Mu seemed to be giving someone low reprimands. After a while, Tuo Ying, his face deathly pale, rode the clouds rushing to the front lines.

Seeing his expression clearly, Yuanhou laughed out loud without giving him any face, saying mockingly and loudly, “Jiyun Dijun, even Chiying Dijun has left. What disgrace are you coming out to present?”

Being ridiculed like this publicly by him, Tuo Ying’s face immediately couldn’t hold up. He shouted, “You traitor, don’t speak nonsense! As one of the Five Elements governors, you don’t serve the Celestial Emperor but instead help tyrants commit evil, yet still speak such arrogant words…”

Hearing his first few sentences, Yuanhou laughed heartily and interrupted, “Tsk tsk, what you’re saying is truly impassioned. Help tyrants commit evil? Wasn’t it the Celestial Emperor who wanted to seize Dong Tianyun’s Gu Wen divine sword that he called you group of ghosts who died unjustly to come? Look at the corpses floating in the Abyss River—how many are from the Celestial Clan? Even if you succeed this time and the Celestial Emperor seizes Gu Wen, what benefit do you get?”

Even louder clamor arose from the celestial spirit crowd. Yuanhou’s few sentences clearly stirred up enormous dissatisfaction among the celestial spirits. The fire spirits especially began harboring thoughts of retreat due to their lord’s departure.

Seeing that Tuo Ying ahead had been rendered speechless, Yu Mu secretly resented his uselessness. He had no choice but to shout loudly himself, “Don’t believe the traitor’s false bewitchment! Dong Tianyun has abandoned his celestial essence and entered demonhood to bring calamity. If we don’t eliminate him today, in the future the Five Elements spirit realms will all find it hard to escape doom. The killing sins he’s created before our eyes are only the beginning!”

Yuanhou laughed loudly again. “Yu Mu, stop talking such blind nonsense. Our earth spirits and wood spirits are completely unharmed. Today’s killing sins arose entirely because of you. If you seize Gu Wen, you’ll slaughter the entire Five Elements spirit realms and dominate the divine realm alone. This Jiyun Dijun is a good example. He’s just the Celestial Clan’s running dog, not a metal spirit at all, yet you pulled him out and forcibly occupied the position of Metal Governing Dijun! Your intentions are truly too obvious. If you don’t believe it, look—he fundamentally cannot activate the metal spirit divine artifact!”

“Non… nonsense!” Tuo Ying’s face turned greenish from these words. To refute Yuanhou, he immediately activated the Kongtong Seal. Dong Tianyun also gave him face—he didn’t swiftly end the battle as he had with Chilin, but instead stood with his hands behind his back holding Gu Wen, calmly watching Tuo Ying cast his spell.

Under Tuo Ying’s incantation, the Kongtong Seal grew larger and larger, suddenly smashing toward Dong Tianyun—a huge dark mass that actually looked rather imposing. Dong Tianyun lifted the corner of his mouth and raised his palm. The massive Kongtong Seal suddenly disappeared, absorbed into his primordial spirit. Though Tuo Ying had long known he had no chance of victory, seeing such a complete defeat, his legs still weakened and he retreated two steps.

Dong Tianyun slowly turned Gu Wen, pointing the sword tip toward Tuo Ying across from him.

“Don’t kill him!” Xiang Su stepped forward, looking at Dong Tianyun somewhat pleadingly. After all, Tuo Ying had treated her well during those fifty years. Tuo Ying was merely a puppet Yu Mu had pulled out. Seeing him die so pointlessly—she couldn’t bear it after all.

Dong Tianyun acted as if he hadn’t heard. The sword tip didn’t move away either. Xiang Su immediately felt very embarrassed.

At this moment, Jin Zhan shouted loudly to the celestial spirits who were already full of doubts, “Why must you die pointlessly to fulfill the Celestial Clan’s ambitions? Quickly return to your posts and cultivate on your own!”

The celestial spirits had only lacked someone to call out from on high. Jin Zhan’s simple sentence had considerable power. The various forces immediately scattered in all directions. No matter how Yu Mu incited and commanded, it was useless. Watching the Celestial Clan change from their usual high and mighty demeanor, everywhere trying to persuade the celestial spirits not to leave—the sight was truly somewhat miserable.

The victory was so beautiful that even Yanji said they should hold a great wine feast to celebrate. Only Xiang Su pressed her lips together, gloomily unhappy.

Dong Tianyun put Gu Wen into its sheath and said coldly to the already dumbstruck Tuo Ying, “Aren’t you going to scram along with them?” Tuo Ying’s body swayed. He looked at Xiang Su, who was secretly revealing a smile, his heart filled with mixed feelings. He hastily said thank you and departed in embarrassment.

The originally vast and mighty battlefield now only had a few dozen Celestial Clan members in the distance with pale faces whispering to each other, surrounding the Celestial Emperor. The crown strings blocked the Celestial Emperor’s face so his expression couldn’t be seen clearly. They could only see him sitting on the high chair shaking continuously.

Yuanhou snorted coldly, then smiled at Jin Zhan. “Only the last few fat sheep remain. Jin Zhan, you saved Xiang Su, so you have great merit with Dong Tianyun. Why don’t you just let him go slaughter them? Yanji and I are both willing to support you as the new Celestial Emperor. How about it?”

Dong Tianyun glared at him coldly but didn’t speak.

Jin Zhan disdainfully turned his head away. “I have no interest. Cleaning up the mess Qingsui left behind is already exhausting enough.”

Yuanhou was stunned. Jin Zhan also somewhat regretted mentioning Qingsui. The atmosphere immediately became oppressive. The Celestial Clan across from them, however, seemed to erupt in an argument for some reason, with several people surrounding Yu Mu chattering incessantly.

“There’s a show to watch.” Yanji smiled and raised his chin, indicating everyone should look over.

Yu Mu seemed to be pestered into humiliated rage. He brought out his ruyi scepter preparing to act. A person behind him suddenly drew his sword and chopped off his head in one stroke. The Celestial Emperor was so frightened he fell from his seat. Xiang Su was also scared into crying out.

“I didn’t expect there was such a ruthless character in the Celestial Clan.” Yanji laughed a few times, staring with great interest.

The person who had chopped off Yu Mu’s head knelt and said something to the Celestial Emperor. The Celestial Emperor shook like chaff in a sieve. Finally, he accepted Yu Mu’s head that the ruthless character handed over. With an ashen face, he walked before Dong Tianyun and the others, raising Yu Mu’s head high to apologize and sue for peace.

The ruthless character was the Celestial Clan’s Fifth Prince. Usually obscure and unknown, today he had such a shocking action. Dong Tianyun and the others all sized him up. Unlike the Celestial Emperor’s pitiful appearance, the Fifth Prince’s expression was calm, seemingly even confident.

Yuanhou said very quietly in Jin Zhan’s ear, “Dogs that bite indeed don’t bark.” Thinking that Yu Mu, who had schemed his entire life, had been resolved so cleanly and decisively—it was truly moving.

The Fifth Prince made promises on behalf of the speechless Celestial Emperor. After this reconciliation, all spirit realms would coexist peacefully as before. They would also assist the fire spirits and metal spirits who had lost their Dijuns to select new lords. They would also no longer have any covetous designs on the Nine Darkness Mountain. Dong Tianyun naturally went with the flow. After striking their palms to seal the alliance, he commanded them to quickly leave the Nine Darkness Mountain territory. Hereafter, if Celestial Clan people came without reason, they would be executed without mercy.

One great catastrophe had settled into dust. After everyone dispersed, only the bloody smell floating above the Abyss River remained. Xiang Su kept frowning. She wanted to tell Dong Tianyun privately about the whole story, but Yanji and the others all had expressions of watching a good show, smiling as they stood on the clouds with not the slightest intention of letting her speak privately with Dong Tianyun.

Dong Tianyun turned without even looking at her. Before she could react, he had already passed through the Nine Darkness Mountain’s barrier and flew toward the Nine Darkness Palace. When Xiang Su came to her senses, she hurried to chase but was bounced back by the demonic energy barrier, hitting her forehead painfully.

“Dong Tianyun! Dong Tianyun!” She anxiously called to him. Dong Tianyun paused his cloud but never turned back.

“I say!” Yuanhou complained very dissatisfiedly, yet also seemed to want to laugh. “You’re using a demon barrier to block us off—you don’t want to treat us to drinks, is that it?”

Dong Tianyun waved his hand and the barrier before them opened a section. Xiang Su rushed in immediately. Her speed was too fast, causing her to crash into Dong Tianyun’s back and making him sway. She tightly hugged his waist. The sadness of being blocked just now with no solution suddenly erupted.

Xiang Su sobbed, “Dong Tianyun, I didn’t not want you—it was Yanji! He said if I didn’t be with him, he wouldn’t come to the Nine Darkness Mountain to help you!”

Dong Tianyun’s spine stiffened for a while. He turned his face slightly sideways, looking at Yanji gloomily. Yanji instead remained calm and collected, tacitly admitting Xiang Su’s words without changing expression.

“Ugh.” Jin Zhan coughed and shook his head. “Xiang Su… you really are…” This time Dong Tianyun would resent Yanji for several more hundred years.

Xiang Su buried her face in Dong Tianyun’s clothes, crying until she was out of breath. “At that time, Chilin couldn’t possibly help you anymore. Yuanhou was also very unreliable. Only Jin Zhan remained. You were really isolated and weak. If Yanji didn’t help you again, I was very afraid… very afraid you’d lose your life. Dong Tianyun… I never thought of leaving you. I always wanted to be with you…”

These few sentences, which couldn’t really be considered tender and sweet, struck precisely at the most vulnerable place in Dong Tianyun’s heart. He turned around and held Xiang Su in his embrace. Xiang Su knew he had already forgiven her. Her continued crying now carried the meaning of tears of joy. After decades of torment, there was finally barely a good result.

“How dishonorable! Just selling out Yanji like that!” Yuanhou falsely and hypocritically defended Yanji. “In the end, he gave his efforts for nothing and even fulfilled you two!”

Hearing this, Yanji smiled without comment. This wasn’t him being magnanimous, but rather his understanding that beyond this, he was already powerless. Xiang Su at Qingze residence crying all day with hollow expression… was ultimately not the person he wanted. His greed had always been merely a vain greedy thought.

Dong Tianyun held Xiang Su with one hand, glaring at the three people with no tact. His other hand shook Gu Wen. Jin Zhan was young after all and didn’t have the fortitude of Yanji and Yuanhou. He couldn’t help softening and spoke up, inviting Yanji and Yuanhou to the Wood Governing residence for a small drink. If they continued staring at Dong Tianyun like this, another disaster would probably occur.

Yanji and Yuanhou also appropriately agreed to Jin Zhan’s invitation, departing leisurely on clouds. After all, Xiang Su and Dong Tianyun had been separated bitterly enough. To disturb them further would indeed be unconscionable.

Xiang Su sobbed and sniffled in Dong Tianyun’s arms all the way as he brought her back to the Nine Darkness Palace. Because it was too close to the Abyss River, the bloody smell was even stronger. Xiang Su wrinkled her nose in disgust.

Dong Tianyun waved his hand and all the window curtains dropped down, blocking the unpleasant smell outside. “I’ve already told them to clean up. It will be better in a moment.” There was some apology in his tone. “Wait for me a bit. I’ll also go change clothes.”

The light was dim. His voice, because it was low, seemed especially gentle. As soon as he mentioned changing clothes, she remembered he was covered in blood. Looking down at herself—no wonder that bloody smell always lingered. Because she had hugged him too tightly, her dress had also been stained with blood.

Dong Tianyun lifted the corner of his mouth. “Come together.” He took her hand and led her toward the rear hall.

Xiang Su was very familiar with the Nine Darkness Palace. Previously when her physical body was still a child, being pulled by him to bathe in the rear hall’s spring pool was very natural. When she began removing her clothes, she felt a bit embarrassed. After all, she had grown up. Fortunately, Dong Tianyun walked into the pool water on his own without looking at her. Xiang Su sped up her movements, striving to finish undressing and enter the water before he turned back. When the warm spring water surrounded her, she wasn’t so shy anymore.

All the curtains had fallen. The hall was as dark as night. Only the newly picked Nine Darkness flowers not far away emitted very faint light. Dong Tianyun leaned silently against the spring pool’s edge. It was unclear whether he was looking at her or lost in thought about something. Xiang Su walked toward him with some difficulty in the water. After decades, she could finally approach him without any worries. Her face was wet—whether from the pool water’s mist or tears, she didn’t know.

Dong Tianyun just watched quietly. The silhouette carved into his heart and soul was so close at hand. For a moment he couldn’t distinguish illusion from reality.

In the water, Xiang Su’s body floated somewhat unsteadily. She leaned over to support herself on Dong Tianyun’s shoulder. “Are you injured?”

The surroundings were too dark. She couldn’t see clearly. She stirred the water, went ashore to take a Nine Darkness flower from the vase, then returned to the water and floated to Dong Tianyun’s side, illuminating his face. She missed him too much—his brows, his eyes. She couldn’t help but gently touch them with her fingertips. Only by touching could she feel it was real.

Dong Tianyun suddenly turned his head away. “It’s very ugly, isn’t it?”

Xiang Su smiled with pressed lips. She cupped his face with both hands, making him look directly at her. The Nine Darkness flower in her hand happened to illuminate the demonic markings on his forehead, his eyes as luminous as deep pools beneath thick lashes. She couldn’t help raising herself to kiss his forehead. “It’s very good-looking, even more than before… even better looking.”

His hand fiercely circled her waist. Their bodies pressed tightly together. Her breathing also became rapid.

She looked into his eyes. Before, she would always feel dizzy because of his beautiful eyes—that was infatuation. She kissed those eyes. These were unique eyes, belonging exclusively to her. She continued downward, kissing his lips very forcefully, very forcefully. It had been too long, too long since they were separated. So long that she was somewhat resentful of him!

Because he was Dong Tianyun, her love had become so tumultuous. She was just a little flower tree! She couldn’t help biting him once. Dong Tianyun felt the pain but laughed softly.

When he began kissing her, she could no longer hold the faintly glowing Nine Darkness flower in her hand. The flower floated down onto the water surface, its fluorescent light flickering bright and dim with the waves.

Xiang Su responded to him passionately. She wanted to please him and also needed him. If anything could fill such long waiting and pain, it was this moment’s sweetness and passion.

When she was panting and ready, he suddenly stopped, holding her as he went ashore, quickly walking back to the sleeping chamber and placing her on the couch. Xiang Su felt his passion that had already reached the limit of endurance. He pressed against her. The weight of his body also made her feel joy. He looked at her for a while, seemingly using some willpower before rising from her body. He personally went to open the huge curtains one by one. The Nine Darkness immortal envoys had already cleaned the Abyss River. The bloody storm had dispersed. The air carrying faint flower fragrance made tonight’s moonlight appear especially beautiful.

Moonlight scattered on her naked body. Xiang Su felt somewhat embarrassed and wanted to turn to face away from the bright moon. Her shoulder was gently pressed by Dong Tianyun who had already walked back. Xiang Su looked up at him above her, his eyes so bright they seemed about to burn. “Let heaven, earth, stars and moon all watch!”

Xiang Su’s heart swelled with pride because of this sentence. Having experienced so much separation and suffering, they could finally be together! She also wanted heaven, earth, stars and moon to know, wanted all the people in the three realms to know! From now on she and Dong Tianyun were together and would never separate again!

Her tender and affectionate gaze was to him a fatal invitation. “Xiang Su… Xiang Su…” He bent down. Previously he had indeed deceived her, but at this moment, he truly and genuinely felt this was the most sincere ceremony. He truly prayed there would be no more separation.

When he entered, Xiang Su felt intense stabbing pain, just like their first time. She was somewhat surprised. Yes, this body was still a maiden unexperienced in intimate matters.

Dong Tianyun cherished her pain and didn’t continue moving. He only laughed softly. “Xiang Su, this is a completely new beginning.”

Xiang Su hugged his neck tightly and nodded forcefully. She hooked her legs around his waist, both urging and offering. She wanted this time to be perfect and flawless.