The smoke of bloodshed over the Netherworld Dead Star gradually dispersed. The ruins of Myriad Souls Hall lay like a massive scar branded onto the surface of the dead world. The allied fleet began an orderly withdrawal from this land soaked in countless lives and souls, every starship heavy and solemn. On the bridge, Li Wuyang watched the dark-red planet steadily shrink beyond the viewport. He felt little joy at their victory, only the weight of being one of the survivors of the tribulation and unease for the future.
Xuan Nü stood quietly at his side. Her plain white robes remained spotless, and her peerless face was as cool and detached as ever, yet a trace of barely perceptible weariness reflected in those deep, star-sea-like eyes. Though she had used supreme divine power to erase the Evil God Avatar and force back the Cult Master of Rebirth in the final battle, the cost had been immense. She also needed time to fully integrate the Life Transformation vitality brought by the Lotus Platform of World Purification and balance the Source of Annihilation within her body.
"The casualty report is in." The Inspector's starlight projection appeared nearby, his voice low. "Our army suffered nearly thirty percent losses. Seventeen Golden Immortal-level commanders fell, and even more were severely wounded. The Tianshu Sword Sect lost three Sword Venerables, while five Arhats from the Ancient Star Domain of Ten Thousand Buddhas attained nirvana... The price was too great."
Silence filled the bridge, broken only by the low hum of the starship's engines. Every survivor understood that this bitter victory had been bought with the lives of countless comrades.
"Their sacrifices will not be in vain." Xuan Nü spoke slowly, her clear voice carrying a power that soothed hearts. "The Cult of Rebirth's headquarters has been