With three supreme masters, they were invincible upon descending the mountain.

"Finally...it's over."

Ye Yaocheng plopped down on the ground and let out a long sigh.

He looked up at the platform that was once again locked by nine golden rays of light. The evil tyrant let out a low growl of resentment within the seal, but could no longer move.

"This dilapidated secret realm is like riding a roller coaster."

"Stimulate!"

He wiped the blood from his face and sighed.

First, he was greeted by a world of birdsong and fragrant flowers, which almost made him think it was a paradise on earth.

Then a Demon Cloud Vine appeared, and after fighting it off with all your might, you thought it was finally over.

It turns out that the Demon Cloud Vine was just an appetizer; the real boss was yet to come.

This was the first time he had ever fought so fiercely since coming down the mountain.

Ye Yaocheng looked down at his still slightly trembling hands.

He could feel that the power from his master within him had completely dried up.

The dantian felt empty and hollow.

Moreover, that primordial rift is larger than before.

As his primal power dwindled, he had a feeling that such fierce battles would be inevitable in the future.

However, a determined look quickly appeared in his eyes; no matter how difficult the road ahead, he had to keep going.

Lu Zu's clone quietly watched Ye Yaocheng, his eyes revealing admiration.

He could sense the change in the other person's eyes, from a complex and confused look to a clear and firm one.

This child has figured it out.

Lu Zu's clone smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, I admire your character."

"Thank you for your help earlier. Otherwise, sealing this demon would not have been so easy."

"Of course, and thank you also for your... uh, heroine."

When Lu Zu's clone looked at Wang Shiyu's icy blue left eye, he immediately changed his tune.

Wang Shiyu looked at him expressionlessly, without responding.

Lu Zu's clone wasn't embarrassed at all; he pointed to the scattered fragments of the Soul-Locking Chain on the ground.

"These fragments are useless now, but you can keep them safe, fellow Daoist. They will be excellent materials for making weapons in the future."

Ye Yaocheng walked over, picked up a palm-sized fragment, felt it was cold and heavy, carrying the weight of a thousand years.

Faint golden patterns still remain on it, unlike ordinary iron.

"Master, what material is this made of?" he asked curiously.

Lu Zu's clone waved his hand, and a fragment flew into his palm. He looked down at it.

"This is a treasure."

He chuckled, "Back then, Lu Zu encountered a piece of meteorite iron from outer space, nurtured and refined it for hundreds of years, and only then was it forged into these nine soul-locking chains."

"It's just as good as the materials used to forge those legendary divine artifacts."

Ye Yaocheng's eyes lit up.

"That valuable?"

"Then I won't be polite."

He deftly picked up the scattered fragments one by one and stuffed them into the storage jade pendant.

Lu Zu's clone watched with a smile.

After Ye Yaocheng finished picking up the last piece, he looked up.

"Fellow Daoist, my mission ends here."

He looked at the seal on the high platform.

"Next, I will merge into the seal and use my remaining power to suppress this fiend."

"I won't stay with you."

Ye Yaocheng stood up and solemnly clasped his hands in greeting.

"Thank you, Taoist priest."

Until we meet again.

Lu Zu's clone nodded.

The next second, he transformed into a streak of silver light and disappeared into the seal.

The golden light on the high platform shone even brighter.

Ye Yaocheng looked in the direction where the light disappeared, his eyes filled with longing.

"The next time we meet, it should be with the real Lu Zu, right?"

The ruins returned to silence, leaving only Ye Yaocheng and Wang Shiyu.

The atmosphere was a little awkward as we sat face to face.

Wang Shiyu turned around, ready to leave, filled with fear, wanting to escape from this place. "I'm leaving."

"Sister Poetry".

Ye Yaocheng's voice was very calm.

Wang Shiyu's delicate body trembled slightly.

She stopped in her tracks.

Leaving is not an option, and staying is also not an option.

Her left eye, cold yet with a hint of mockery, showed the Frost Empress watching a show.

She was quite curious to see how far the two of them would go.

She would be very happy if they broke up.

Just then, a pair of arms wrapped around her slender waist from behind.

It was spacious and warm, with the burning passion unique to young people, and Wang Shiyu froze.

"I don't know what happened while I was in a coma."

"I've made a decision, but I feel like you're a complete stranger now."

Ye Yaocheng's voice came from behind, low and hoarse.

He hugged her tighter.

Wang Shiyu lowered her head, her right eye stinging terribly.

She knew that even without today's events, her soul merging with that of the Frost Empress was inevitable.

This time, however, everything was brought forward.

Have you forgotten our promise?

The Frost Empress's icy voice echoed in his mind.

Wang Shiyu bit her lip and raised her hand, trying to pry Ye Yaocheng's hand away.

But he hugged her even tighter.

"Will this departure... be forever?"

Ye Yaocheng's voice trembled slightly.

Wang Shiyu's newly mustered courage collapsed instantly.

A tear slid down from his right eye and landed on the back of Ye Yaocheng's hand.

The Frost Empress frowned.

She was just watching the show, but it turned out like this.

Just as she was about to get angry, Wang Shiyu spoke in her mind.

"senior."

"Let me... handle it myself, okay?"

The Frost Empress remained silent and did not speak again.

Wang Shiyu took a deep breath and spoke very softly.

"I'm sorry, you brat... This might be the last time I call you that."

"I have my reasons for doing this, my own difficulties, can you... not ask?"

Ye Yaocheng remained silent for a long time.

His hand slowly loosened.

Wang Shiyu felt the warmth fading from her waist, and a void filled her heart.

She didn't turn around; she was afraid that if she did, she really wouldn't be able to leave.

Just then, Ye Yaocheng's voice suddenly regained that familiar, roguish quality.

"So, Sister Shiyu doesn't have any promises to keep?"

"Or is there a wish you'd like me to fulfill?"

Wang Shiyu was taken aback.

"You just want me to try different methods to woo you all over again, don't you?"

Ye Yaocheng said with a smile.

"Although it's troublesome, I accepted it."

Wang Shiyu stood there, stunned.

The next second, she covered her mouth and laughed.

Tears still clung to her face, but the corners of her mouth curved into a smile.

This is her bratty little brother. She didn't turn around, her voice soft.

"Then... come find me in the Ice Realm in the future."

"But back then, I might have been very unfriendly to you. I might have forgotten many wonderful memories."

She paused.

"To put it bluntly, she's very difficult to pursue. Are you ready?"

Her right eye was full of expectation.

Ye Yaocheng smiled, full of confidence.

"Don't worry, how could I not know you?"

"If I can't win you over, I'll just conquer your body."

"Anyway, there are still things we haven't finished doing between us."

Wang Shiyu was stunned for a moment, and then her face turned red.

She remembered that day, that unexpected kiss.

"rogue!"

She spat, then vanished from the spot in a flash.

She ran away as if fleeing, just like a shy little girl.

Wang Shiyu's figure disappeared completely, and Ye Yaocheng's smiling lips slowly faded.

He was forcing a smile just now.

Is Wang Shiyu really just shy?

The moment she fled, her departing figure was filled with reluctance and determination.

There's still a sliver of vulnerability, a fear that if I stay even a second longer, I won't be able to bring myself to be so cruel.

Ye Yaocheng will probably remember that figure for the rest of his life.

"The Ice Realm...a place I've never heard of."

"No matter where you are, I will find you."

He repeated it in a low voice, his eyes filled with determination.

……

The edge of the secret realm.

Wang Shiyu waved her hand.

A silent crack appeared in the solid spatial barrier ahead.

Just as she was about to take a step, the Frost Empress spoke calmly.

"Although I dislike men, I must say that the boy does have some affection."

"If you wish to stay a little longer to reminisce, I will not object."

Wang Shiyu paused, shook her head slightly, and spoke with a bitter tone.

"I'd better not. If I stay even a second longer, I really won't be able to leave."

The Frost Empress remained silent.

Wang Shiyu looked at the crack.

Now, having absorbed some of the Frost Empress's power, her perception is far superior to what it used to be.

While she was talking to Ye Yaocheng, she didn't turn around, but she clearly sensed that the fundamental cracks within his body were expanding rapidly.

The backlash is coming.

Moreover, this backlash will be more severe than ever before.

She dared not think about the pain he would endure.

Wang Shiyu suddenly spoke.

"No, I need to leave my brother some backup plan, so we won't be caught off guard later."

A point of ice-blue light condensed at her fingertip, and she flicked it gently.

The point of light disappeared into the spatial rift and flew towards the ruins.

After she finished speaking, she stepped into the crevice and disappeared.

Ye Yaocheng was still standing in the ruins.

He looked around at the empty surroundings, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Some people are just passersby in our lives.

But some people are not like that.

He believed in Wang Shiyu; she was not just a passerby.

Just as he was about to turn around, Ye Yaocheng let out a muffled groan.

His face suddenly turned deathly pale, and large beads of sweat slid down his forehead, dripping onto the ground.

He knew that the backlash from the source was coming.

He leaned against the broken wall beside him, his body trembling uncontrollably. The pain was neither external nor internal.

It was a tearing sensation that welled up from the depths of the soul.

It was as if an invisible hand reached into his dantian, tearing open the already broken crack little by little.

Ye Yaocheng gave a wry smile.

"So all those backlashes before were really just minor troubles."

He gritted his teeth, suppressing a cry, and his legs gave way, causing him to kneel on the ground.

He gripped the ground tightly with both hands to keep himself from falling.

It hurts, it really hurts.

But he cannot fall.

Because he still has many things left to do.