It transformed into a dazzling pillar of light that defied description, without any concrete imagery or false words, only the truest and most resolute vows surging within it!
Inside, there is a promise to Su Linglong and Lin Qingxia, a heart that will travel across the heavens to bring smiles back to their faces!
There is hatred for the Divine Court and the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion, a blood debt to be repaid, a fire of revenge to bring down the high and mighty Pseudo-God and Order!
Therein lies a responsibility to the Emperor Xia and to the Annihilation homeland, a pioneering path to find new life and rekindle the flame of humanity across all worlds!
Protecting, seeking revenge, pioneering... This will is full of unknowns and thorns, full of variables and struggles. It does not promise a definite result, but it shows the heart of a strong person who goes forward without hesitation and never regrets even if it means dying!
"Heh... hehe..."
A hoarse laugh, like the grinding of withered bones, suddenly emanated from the Ferryman's throat. Far from being angry, the two eerie green flames of his soul flickered violently, revealing an emotion that was almost "appreciative."
"Brilliant... this is the most brilliant story."
The Ferryman slowly revealed the truth. "The Asura Blood Sea is the place of end, and also a testing ground for will. Without a heart of unwavering strength, any living being who steps into this place will have their soul torn apart in an instant by the resentment of billions of gods and demons."
"Your unwritten, yet destined-to-be-extraordinary 'vow of the future' is the finest ticket I have ever received."
It endorsed this "ticket".
As soon as the words were spoken, the bone ship shuddered violently, no longer gliding smoothly, but like an arrow released from a bow, it plunged headlong into the depths of the sea of blood.
The once relatively calm sea of blood suddenly erupted into chaos.
"Roar--!"
Countless "Blood Sea Vengeful Spirits," formed from the remnants of gods and demons, rode shattered starships and burst forth from the viscous blood waves. Their eye sockets burned with frenzied flames, and they brandished weapons formed from resentment, overwhelming the bone ship.
Just then, Lin Qingxia, who had been lying on the deck, trembled slightly and slowly opened her eyes. Her aura was several times stronger than before, and her eyes held a hint of confusion from just waking up. But when she saw Xiao Han beside her and the approaching vengeful spirits, that confusion instantly transformed into icy fighting spirit.
"You're awake." Xiao Han turned his head, his voice calm.
"Hmm." Lin Qingxia didn't say anything more, and gently waved her hand.
A bone-chilling cold swept out, and her newly born power, carrying the essence of life, briefly froze and stagnated the raging resentment in its wake, creating an excellent opportunity for Xiao Han to fight.
"Leave it to me."
Xiao Han took a step forward, and the [Netherworld Chaos Dragon Flame] rose from his palm. In this place where resentment and evil energy were most concentrated, this flame, which combined the Emperor Lord Cursed Flame and the Chaos Starflame Flame, seemed to have returned to its home ground.
The dark purple dragon flames transformed into a sea of fire, engulfing all the approaching vengeful spirits. Amidst the shrill screams, the vengeful spirits were burned into the purest energy. Strands of "God-Demon Baleful Qi," barely perceptible to the naked eye, were absorbed by the dragon flames and fed back to Xiao Han, rapidly replenishing his depleted spiritual power. Even the strength of his [Eternal Night Emperor Body] was slowly increasing.
The two stood side by side, one freezing everything, the other burning everything, their cooperation seamless.
Amidst the roaring of gods and demons and the intertwining of ice and fire, the bone ship cleaved through the waves, resolutely sailing towards the core.
After an unknown amount of time, the blood mist ahead gradually faded.
A solitary island appeared at the end of the sea of blood.
The island had no jagged rocks or grotesque skeletons, but was covered with countless pale blue flowers. Each flower exuded a heartbreakingly sorrowful aura, as if carrying the Grief of some universe.
The bone boat slowly approached the shore and came to a stop.
"Soul-Weeping Island." The Ferryman retrieved his long, skeletal oar. "The entrance to the core of the Blood Sea, and also the end of my voyage."
"The 'Primordial Soul Spring' you're looking for is located in the center of the island."
Xiao Han and Lin Qingxia exchanged a glance, about to express their gratitude.
The Ferryman added one last sentence, "Your final ticket is your 'survival.' If you survive, your story of struggling to live will be my greatest reward."
Before the words were even finished, the Ferryman and the bone boat that carried countless stories vanished silently into the thick blood mist, as if they had never existed.
Xiao Han and Lin Qingxia set foot on the isolated island.
The moment their feet touched the ground, an overwhelming Grief, seemingly from the very beginning of the universe and from time immemorial, engulfed them like a tidal wave.
A voice, ethereal and otherworldly, yet filled with boundless sorrow, resounded directly from the depths of their souls.
Why... do you disturb our peaceful slumber and steal our tears?
In an instant, the blue light on the entire island turned into a shocking blood red!
Drops of "tears" fell from the blood-red petals, landing on the rocks beneath their feet with a "sizzling" sound. They were actually a deadly poison capable of corroding everything, melting the hard ground and creating deep pits.
An ancient will, powerful enough to be suffocating and sorrowful enough to be despairing, has completely locked them in place.
That question, imbued with endless sorrow, was not a sound, but Grief directly imprinted on the soul.
The moment the words fell, the millions of pale blue flowers on the entire island changed color simultaneously, transforming from a tranquil blue into a shocking blood red. Drops of "tears" rolled down from the blood-red petals, dripping onto the dark rocks and making a "sizzling" corrosive sound, instantly melting into bottomless pits.
Lin Qingxia reacted extremely quickly, pushing forward with her jade-like hand, unleashing an intense burst of icy energy. The newly generated power, imbued with a rich life force, constructed a crystal-clear ice wall in front of her and Xiao Han.
"Laugh--!"
Blood and tears dripped onto the ice wall, but instead of freezing, they melted away like a hot iron hitting butter, quickly creating holes. The ice wall thinned at a visible rate, and Lin Qingxia's face paled slightly. This was not a simple clash of forces, but rather the mutual Obliteration of two diametrically opposed laws.
At the heart of the island, above an endless sea of crimson flowers, a phantom formed from starlight and tears slowly rose. It was a female deity of indescribable beauty, whose face bore the weight of all the sorrow in the universe. Simply gazing upon her was enough to move even the gods to tears and the stars to mourn.
"My name Grief." Her voice was ethereal yet sorrowful. "'The Primordial Soul Spring' is the tears of our fallen brethren over billions of years. To resurrect them is to desecrate their peaceful rest, and to steal from our suffering. You should not have come."
She made no extra movements, only raising her eyelids.