Between Life and Death

Darkness. Eternal Darkness.

Ning Xiaochuan felt himself floating in a void, with no up, down, left, or right. He could not even feel his own body. Only his thoughts still functioned, yet they were like an insect trapped in amber, unable to move.

"Am I... dead?" He tried to recall the final scene—the giant of light, the hunters' screams, and then... endless exhaustion.

"No, not yet." A familiar voice rang out in the darkness. "But you soon will be."

Light gradually emerged, outlining a vague figure. When its features became clear, Ning Xiaochuan was astonished to find himself standing before him—or rather, another version of himself.

This "Ning Xiaochuan" wore the white long robe of the Sacred Source Royal Family. A complete Holy Source Imprint marked his forehead, and his eyes held the wisdom of one who had endured countless trials.

"Who are you?" Ning Xiaochuan asked, though he already had an idea.

"I am one possible future of you." The other man smiled. "And the guide hidden deep within your heart."

He waved a hand, and the darkness around them drew back like a curtain, revealing a strange space—countless light spots floated like stars, each flickering with a different scene.

"This is the Primal Rift, a transitional place between life and death," Future Ning Xiaochuan explained. "You used the Trinity secret technique too excessively. Your life force was nearly depleted, and your soul temporarily left your body."

Ning Xiaochuan looked at the nearest Light Spot. It showed the treatment room in the Sacred Source Tower. Su Linger sat beside his bed, holding his hand with tears in her eyes. The Sacred Spirit Dragon lay curled beside his pillow, its scales dim and lifeless. Star Radiance and several elders were fiercely discussing something.

"They... are worried about me." Warmth rose in Ning Xiaochuan's heart.

"It is more than worry." Future Ning Xiaochuan pointed to another Light Spot. "Look."

This Light Spot showed a Memory Fragment from Su Linger—she stood alone beside the Sacred Source Spring, speaking softly to the spring water. "If he cannot wake up, I will use the Primal Covenant to give him my life force..."

"No!" Ning Xiaochuan cried. "That is too dangerous!"

"She will do it," Future Ning Xiaochuan said calmly. "Just as you would give everything for her."

Ning Xiaochuan fell silent for a moment. "How do I go back?"

"That depends on you." Future Ning Xiaochuan pointed to the largest Light Spot. "First, you must face this."

The Light Spot expanded and enveloped them both. The scene changed, and Ning Xiaochuan found himself standing on a scorched wasteland. The sky was an unnatural dark red, while black flames that never went out burned in the distance.

"This is..."

"A possible future." Future Ning Xiaochuan's voice grew grave. "If the World Devourers descend successfully, the Sacred Source Land will become this."

The image abruptly came alive. Countless monsters surged from beneath the earth, devouring everything in sight. The Sacred Source Tower collapsed, and cities turned to ruins. Ning Xiaochuan watched in horror as Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon were besieged by a group of hunters, eventually collapsing from exhaustion...

"No!" He tried to rush forward to help them, but Future Ning Xiaochuan pulled him back.

"This is only an illusion, but it may become reality," the other man said sternly. "The World Devourers are far stronger than you imagine. The Gray Robe Elder was only the tip of the iceberg."

The scene changed again, this time to Qingyun City. Ning Zhantian and Ning Yuan led battered remnants in a desperate defense atop the final city wall, only to be swiftly swallowed by the black tide...

"Enough!" Ning Xiaochuan shut his eyes. "I understand the consequences."

"No, you still do not understand." Future Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "Look at this."

The final scene showed the Primal Gate completely shattered. Countless World Devourers poured through, devouring world after world. The entire universe sank into Eternal Darkness...

"This is why you must return." Future Ning Xiaochuan pressed a hand onto his shoulder. "The final hope of the Sacred Origin Tribe rests on you."

Ning Xiaochuan drew a deep breath. "How do I go back?"

"Accept your mission and fully awaken the Sacred Source Bloodline." Future Ning Xiaochuan pointed to his chest. "Power comes from the Heart of Protection, not the desire to kill. Remember that."

The surroundings began to blur, and Future Ning Xiaochuan's figure gradually faded as well. Before disappearing completely, he gave one final warning. "Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon are the source of your strength, and also your greatest weakness. Protect them... and let them protect you as well..."

Darkness descended once more, but this time, Ning Xiaochuan felt a warm pull dragging him in a certain direction...

"His fingers moved!" A delighted voice cried out.

Ning Xiaochuan opened his eyes with difficulty. His vision remained blurred for a while before finally focusing. Su Linger's haggard face was close at hand, her eyes bloodshot from clearly having gone without sleep for a long time. The Sacred Spirit Dragon was lying on his chest, but when it sensed movement, it immediately raised its head and pounced onto his face with a "Goo Chu."

"Gently... Little One..." Ning Xiaochuan's voice was hoarse, and his throat felt as if it had been scorched by fire.

Su Linger quickly brought over a cup of water and helped him drink it slowly. "Do not rush to speak. You have been unconscious for seven days."

"Seven days?" Ning Xiaochuan tried to sit up in surprise, only for intense pain throughout his body to force him back into bed.

"The Trinity drained ninety percent of your life force." Star Radiance walked over from the side, his expression grave. "If not for the power of the Sacred Source Spring, you likely..."

He did not finish, but the meaning was obvious. Ning Xiaochuan looked at Su Linger and noticed that her wrist was wrapped in bandages, with faint bloodstains seeping through.

"What did you do?" he demanded sharply.

Su Linger averted her eyes. "Nothing. Just... a little blood sacrifice."

"She tried to use the Primal Covenant to give you her life force." Star Radiance bluntly exposed her. "If I had not discovered it in time and stopped her, there would be two people lying here now."

Ning Xiaochuan was both pained and angry. "Are you crazy? What if..."

"What about you?" Su Linger suddenly looked up, tears in her eyes. "Who told you to play the hero and use secret techniques one after another?"

They stared at each other for a moment before Ning Xiaochuan gave in first. "I am sorry..."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon chose that moment to chirp "Goo Chu," patting Ning Xiaochuan's face with its little claws before patting Su Linger's hand, as if mediating their dispute.

Star Radiance tactfully excused himself. "I will prepare some restorative potions. Your Highness needs to continue resting. You cannot leave the bed for at least three days."

After the old man left, Su Linger asked softly, "What... did you see over there?"

Ning Xiaochuan froze. "How did you know..."

"You kept talking while unconscious." Su Linger held his hand. "You mentioned darkness, destruction, an army of World Devourers..."

Ning Xiaochuan briefly described that possible future and the warning from his future self. Su Linger remained silent for a long time after listening.

"Then we must grow stronger," she finally said. "We need to be prepared before the World Devourers launch their full invasion."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded, suddenly recalling something. "Has the matter of the Gray Robe Elder been investigated?"

"Yes." Su Linger's expression turned solemn. "He was corrupted twenty years ago and had been gathering intelligence for the World Devourers ever since. He was also responsible for the contamination at the trial grounds."

"Are there any other traitors?"

"We are not sure." Su Linger shook her head. "Star Radiance is investigating in secret. But the Gray Robe Elder left behind a sentence before he died..."

"What was it?"

"'When the twin moons run red with blood, the gate shall open once more.'"

Ning Xiaochuan's heart jolted. He had heard those words in the Primal Rift as well, but had thought they were merely part of the illusion.

"The twin moons running red with blood..." he murmured. "The twin-moon phenomenon of the Sacred Source Land will next appear in..."

"One month." Su Linger completed the thought. "Star Radiance has already ordered the Guards at the Primal Gate to be reinforced."

Ning Xiaochuan tried to circulate the Sacred Source Power within his body. Though it was weak, it had recovered better than he expected. Most remarkably, he could clearly feel that the Soul Link between himself, Su Linger, and the Sacred Spirit Dragon had become even closer than before, as though three lifelines were woven together, nourishing one another.

"The Primal Covenant has evolved," he said softly. "I can sense every trace of energy flow within you."

Su Linger nodded. "The secret technique's cost was immense, but it also allowed us to understand each other better."

She hesitated, then suddenly leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Get better soon... I need you."

This sudden intimacy left Ning Xiaochuan stunned. By the time he came back to himself, Su Linger had already run out of the room with a flushed face. The Sacred Spirit Dragon tilted its head toward the doorway, then looked back at Ning Xiaochuan and gave a teasing "Goo Chu."

"What are you looking at?" Ning Xiaochuan smiled and flicked Little One's dragon horn, warmth surging through his chest.

Three days later, with the aid of the Sacred Source Spring, Ning Xiaochuan was able to get out of bed and move around. Though Star Radiance strongly opposed it, he insisted on visiting the injured Sacred Source Knights.

Inside the treatment room, five of the twelve knights were severely wounded and confined to their beds. They had been injured fighting the hunter transformed from the Gray Robe Elder, and all of their wounds carried dark corrosion that healed slowly.

"Your Highness." Upon seeing Ning Xiaochuan enter, the knights struggled to rise and salute him.

"Do not move." Ning Xiaochuan motioned for them to remain lying down. "I came to thank you."

He walked over to the most seriously injured knight captain and gently placed his hand over the wound wrapped in Black Qi. "Let us try this too."

Sacred Source Power flowed from his palm. Unlike its usual golden color, it now carried a faint blue-white glow—the new energy created by merging with Su Linger's Profound Ice Power.

To everyone's astonishment, the Black Qi melted away like snow beneath the blazing sun the instant it touched that glow! The knight captain's wound healed at a visible rate, and color returned to his face.

"This..." The knight captain stared at his own hand in shock. "The dark corrosion has been completely removed!"

The other knights revealed awed expressions. Ning Xiaochuan was equally surprised; he had not expected this new ability to suppress dark energy so effectively.

"It is the evolutionary effect of the Primal Covenant." Su Linger explained from the doorway. "The powers of the three of us have begun to merge with one another."

She walked in and treated the other knights one by one. When the two of them worked together, the effect was even more remarkable. Not to be outdone, the Sacred Spirit Dragon exhaled Dragon Breath threaded with Golden Threads, helping purify the remaining Black Qi.

"That is incredible!" the youngest knight exclaimed. "Is this the legendary Trinity?"

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "No, this is only an initial fusion. We do not dare use the true Trinity again for now."

The cost was too great—he did not say it aloud, but everyone present understood.

After the treatment ended, Star Radiance hurried over. "Your Highness, we have made an important discovery!"

They went to the council hall, where the remaining eleven of the twelve elders had been waiting for some time. An Ancient Tome map lay spread across the table, showing the various hidden realms of the Sacred Source Land.

"A clue left behind by the Gray Robe Elder." Star Radiance pointed to a mark at the edge of the map. "There may be another World Devourer stronghold hidden here."

Ning Xiaochuan examined it carefully. It was a place called Shadow Valley, located at the northernmost edge of the Sacred Source Land and shrouded in black mist all year round.

"Legend says there is an ancient castle in the valley, once used by the Sacred Origin Tribe to imprison major criminals." Star Radiance continued, "During the great war a thousand years ago, some captured World Devourer vanguards were held there."

"You believe the Gray Robe Elder tampered with it there?" Su Linger asked.

Star Radiance nodded. "Very likely. And..." He hesitated. "According to the Ancient Tome records, when the twin moons run red with blood, the black mist in Shadow Valley temporarily disperses. That is the best time to enter."

"In other words, it is when the World Devourers are most likely to act." Ning Xiaochuan understood. "We must move before them."

The elders broke into heated discussion, most opposing this risky plan. Ning Xiaochuan had only just escaped danger, and the perils of Shadow Valley were well known.

"I object!" A Red Robe Elder slammed his hand onto the table and rose. "Your Highness is the final hope of the Sacred Origin Tribe. You cannot take such a risk!"

"That is precisely why I must go." Ning Xiaochuan spoke calmly. "If the World Devourers have made arrangements in the valley, the night of the twin moons will be when they act. We cannot afford to wait."

The debate continued for an entire day. In the end, under Ning Xiaochuan's insistence, the council reluctantly agreed to the scouting plan, on the condition that he bring enough Guards.

"No. Too many people will only alert the enemy." Ning Xiaochuan rejected the proposal. "Only the three of us will go."

He looked toward Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon. Both firmly nodded their support.

"But..." Star Radiance still wanted to dissuade him.

"This is an order." Ning Xiaochuan spoke for the first time as the Sacred Source King. "Prepare the Teleportation Array. We leave at dawn tomorrow."

The elders exchanged looks before finally lowering their heads to accept the order. After everyone else departed, Star Radiance remained behind alone. "Your Highness, there is one more thing..."

He took out a Memory Crystal. "It was found among the Gray Robe Elder's personal belongings. It may be useful to you."

Ning Xiaochuan took the crystal and injected a thread of Sacred Source Power into it. The crystal projected a blurred image—a Black Robe stood at the entrance to Shadow Valley, with more than a dozen people in identical attire kneeling beside him. Though their faces could not be seen, when the Black Robe raised his hand, a distinctive snake-shaped tattoo was revealed on his wrist.

"This is..." Ning Xiaochuan's pupils contracted.

"The mark of the Dark Ravens organization." Star Radiance confirmed his suspicions. "A Black Tide branch from the Open Source Continent."

In the final image, as the Black Robe turned, a flash of silver light appeared beneath his hood—perhaps white hair, or perhaps... a silver mask?

"Han Li?!" Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger cried in unison.

"Most likely." Star Radiance nodded. "The Gray Robe Elder's connection to the Black Tide ran deeper than we imagined."

This discovery made the plan even more urgent. If Han Li was truly active in Shadow Valley, then the remaining Black Tide forces from the Open Source Continent had likely already joined hands with the World Devourers.

"Change of plans." Ning Xiaochuan made his decision at once. "We leave tonight."

Star Radiance was shocked. "That is far too hasty! At least wait until tomorrow..."

"Every moment we delay means more danger." Ning Xiaochuan had already risen to his feet. "Prepare the fastest flying mounts."

Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon immediately sprang into action. She went to prepare their equipment, while he flew toward the kitchen—by Ning Xiaochuan's observation, Little One always needed a full meal before every major battle.

As night fell, three enormous spirit birds were already waiting outside the tower. These creatures, called Cloud Wing Beasts, were the fastest flying mounts in the Sacred Source Land. Their bodies were snow-white, and their wingspans could reach fifty feet.

"Remember, scouting is the priority." Star Radiance gave his final warning. "No matter what you find, do not act rashly. Wait for reinforcements to arrive."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded and mounted a Cloud Wing Beast alongside Su Linger. The Sacred Spirit Dragon shrank down and settled onto Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder. At the command, the three giant beasts beat their wings and soared into the sky, swiftly vanishing into the northern night.

Star Radiance watched the direction in which they departed, his aged eyes filled with worry. "May the Sacred Source bless you..."

The Cloud Wing Beasts were indeed incredibly fast. In less than two hours, the outline of Shadow Valley appeared on the horizon. Even in the darkness, that region stood out sharply—the dense black mist covered the entire valley like a pot lid, forming a stark contrast with the clear night sky around it.

"Descend." Ning Xiaochuan sent a message to Su Linger through the Primal Covenant. "There is movement at the valley entrance."

The three of them quietly landed on a ridge not far from the entrance. By moonlight, Ning Xiaochuan could see figures moving there indeed—more than a dozen Black Robes were carrying something into the valley.

"They are Dark Ravens." Su Linger sent through their Soul Link. "I can sense familiar Dark Origin Qi."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly raised its scales, pointing toward the right side of the valley entrance with its little claws. Ning Xiaochuan followed the direction, and his pupils abruptly contracted—a figure wearing a silver mask was supervising the transport. Though he had changed clothes, that distinctive bearing and those movements were unmistakably Han Li!

"So it really is him." Ning Xiaochuan gritted his teeth. "That scum from the Open Source Continent has come to the Sacred Source Land."

Just as they observed, Han Li suddenly raised his head and stared directly toward where the three of them were hiding! Ning Xiaochuan's heart tightened, and he immediately concealed every trace of his aura.

"Did he discover us?" Su Linger asked tensely.

"Not sure." Ning Xiaochuan kept his gaze fixed on Han Li's movements. "But..."

Before he could finish, Han Li suddenly raised a hand and fired a beam of black light straight at them!

"Dodge!"