Chapter Seventy-Eight: Though Faced with Death Nine Times, My Concern Never Wavers

Before the body of the Ash Crane could touch the ground, Ling Yan’s swift twin palms struck solidly against the crane’s chest. Her cultivation was already above Bai Mu’s, having trained alongside the Celestial Emperor for years, consuming countless rare and precious spiritual treasures since childhood. Ling Yan possessed a quick and agile mind, mastering advanced techniques with remarkable ease. As the emperor’s daughter, she enjoyed every possible advantage of time, place, and harmony.

Moreover, the Ash Crane, after escaping from the Abyss of Cangwu, had suffered injuries traversing the barrier set by the God of War, Brahma Immortal. His strength was nearly halved by the ordeal, and in terms of raw power, he was now only on par with Ling Yan at her peak.

Thus, even gravely wounded as she was, the force behind Ling Yan’s palm was still about half of her usual might. That alone was enough to severely injure the Ash Crane Ancestor.

Yet, unexpectedly, both combatants misjudged. The Ash Crane was by no means an easy target, nor someone to be bullied. Since his emergence, he had fought thousands of battles, and since the ancient era, when he first took human form before descending into the demonic path, he had survived innumerable life-and-death struggles. Even in the great war between gods and demons millennia ago, he had stood shoulder to shoulder with the most ancient deities, never once falling behind.

With such a formidable record, how could he possibly die at the hands of two inexperienced youths?

Just as Ling Yan’s surprise attack landed and she prepared to strike the final blow, the Ash Crane, recovering from his shock, retreated three steps in a blur like a phantom. At the same time, he summoned all his power to block Ling Yan’s delicate hand.

Furious demonic energy surged from his palms, making the already shadowy cave seem even more sinister. The whistling force struck Ling Yan’s seemingly slender hand, blocking the spiritual power she unleashed.

The instant their powers clashed, the Ash Crane’s massive demonic energy shattered the meager spiritual force Ling Yan had risked everything to gather. The demonic energy then pierced through her protective aura, invading the meridian along her left arm, reaching her heart and lungs in an instant.

Crippled by the invasion, Ling Yan let out a muffled cry of pain, her face turning the color of pig’s liver, and her body flew out of the cave like a snapped bowstring.

Outside the cave, Bai Mu was struggling to rise at the edge of the cliff, intending to rush inside and aid Ling Yan. But just as he stood up, he heard a familiar scream from within. In the next instant, a flash of green light caught his eye—Ling Yan’s frail figure was hurtling out at incredible speed.

Knowing that behind them lay a thousand-fathom precipice, Bai Mu realized that if he couldn't halt Ling Yan’s fall, she would soon be dashed to pieces at the bottom.

“Watch out!”

In a desperate moment, Bai Mu ignored his own wounds, instinctively raising the Azure Dragon Sword to catch Ling Yan in his arms.

But the violent impact did not cease—the demonic energy surged forward relentlessly, even as Bai Mu intercepted it. They were driven uncontrollably to the very edge of the cliff, then watched themselves plunge over the brink in free fall, without so much as a scream escaping their lips.

Is this really how I, Bai Mu, am to die an untimely death?

As he fell, Bai Mu looked at the unconscious Ling Yan in his arms, her soul overwhelmed by the demonic energy, and felt a wave of sorrow and regret. His own death was of little consequence, but to drag Ling Yan—daughter of the Celestial Emperor—down with him was a tragedy.

Ling Yan, so beautiful and talented, with unmatched character and bearing, was destined to become a legend among the wild realms, had fate allowed her time.

But now, it was all too late. With their bodies broken, falling into the abyss meant certain death.

Well, at least he would die with his dearest friend. There was some solace in that.

With this thought, Bai Mu tightened his hold on Ling Yan, inhaled the faint fragrance of orchids from her hair, closed his eyes, and awaited the final moment.

The summit of Mount Jiexiu rose into the clouds, its altitude easily over forty-five hundred meters. From a distance, only the lower slopes could be seen, the peak shrouded in mist all year round, making it impossible to see by eye.

As the two fell, their exposed skin sensed the subtle change in humidity. The once dry air was now cool and damp against Bai Mu’s arms. The air grew thinner and thinner, until Bai Mu felt as though he might suffocate.

Then, a strange clarity filled his mind. All things in the world seemed to vanish in silence; only he remained, alone in the vastness. Aside from the endless sky, his mind was utterly empty.

After leaving Floating Jade Mountain with the aid of her mother-child Thousand-Mile Qingsu Gu, Xiyan sped southeast. By dusk, she reached a small settlement, not particularly large in size.

Farmers were returning home under the setting sun, their water buffaloes stirring up a chorus of frogs in the paddies. The wild geese, taking advantage of the last rays of sunset, winged toward their nests in the forest. The summer cicadas, having chirped all day, finally fell silent to rest.

To Xiyan, a maiden untouched by the dust of the mortal world, everything in the village was novel and delightful: children chasing each other through the lanes, elders in rough-spun linen mending clothes by the fireside, and the thin threads of smoke curling from distant kitchens at the foot of the mountains.

Little girl, what are you doing here so late, all alone?

A voice, aged and tremulous, spoke behind her.

Startled, Xiyan turned to find an old man had appeared at her back, clad in a blue hemp robe. He looked to be fifty or sixty, thin and weathered, his face deeply lined from years of wind and sun. Though the shine of youth had left his eyes, there was wisdom in their cloudy depths.

Seeing that the beautiful girl before him did not answer, but only gazed back at him with curiosity, the old man repeated his question in a serious tone, “Where have you come from?”