Twin Moons in the Sky

Above the Frozen Abyss, the Sacred Spirit Dragon clashed fiercely with the Dark Hall Master's phantom. Black Qi collided with golden light, erupting in deafening roars. Ning Xiaochuan knelt beside Su Linger, pressing both hands against the wound on her chest as Sacred Source Power streamed into her, fighting desperately against the Black Qi that had invaded her heart meridians.

"Ning Xiaochuan..." Su Linger's voice was barely audible, her pale lips trembling. "Go help... Little One..."

Ning Xiaochuan clenched his teeth, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. He could feel Su Linger's life slipping away, while the Sacred Spirit Dragon was also locked in a bitter struggle—the Dark Hall Master, though not yet fully unsealed, possessed strength far beyond imagination.

"I won't leave you behind." His voice was hoarse as the golden light in his hands intensified. "Hold on a little longer..."

Su Linger suddenly coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of Black Blood. Her pupils began to lose focus as her fingers weakly clutched Ning Xiaochuan's wrist. "Listen to me... if I don't make it... merge my Source Soul... into the Sacred Spirit Dragon..."

"Shut up!" Ning Xiaochuan roared, his eyes burning. "You won't die! I won't allow it!"

A pained dragon cry came from afar. Ning Xiaochuan looked up and saw that the Dark Hall Master's phantom had solidified by more than half. One massive black hand gripped the Sacred Spirit Dragon's throat while Black Qi coiled around its body like venomous snakes.

The phenomenon of Twin Moons in the Sky became increasingly distinct. The outline of the second moon was nearly overlapping with the true moon. The source energy between heaven and earth began to fall into chaos, alternating between violent surges and frozen stillness.

"There's not much time..." Ning Xiaochuan was frantic. He had to make a choice—either devote himself fully to healing Su Linger or go help the Sacred Spirit Dragon. Trying to do both would only leave him with nothing.

At that critical moment, the Dragon Soul Jade suddenly flew out from Su Linger's robes and hovered between them, radiating an unprecedentedly intense light!

"This is...?" Ning Xiaochuan stared at the jade pendant in surprise. The dragon patterns moved like living creatures, releasing a warm yet powerful energy that connected him, Su Linger, and the Sacred Spirit Dragon.

A bold idea flashed through his mind—since Sacred Source Power could resonate with the Dragon Soul Jade, and the Dragon Soul Jade could connect with Su Linger's Mysterious Ice Phoenix, perhaps...

"Su Linger, trust me!" Ning Xiaochuan grabbed the Dragon Soul Jade and pressed it against her wound. At the same time, he raised his other hand toward the sky, attempting to establish a connection with the distant Sacred Spirit Dragon. "Source Soul Resonance!"

In an instant, three streams of energy were linked through the Dragon Soul Jade! The Sacred Source Power within Ning Xiaochuan split into two currents—one continued healing Su Linger, while the other crossed space to flow into the Sacred Spirit Dragon!

"Ah!" Ning Xiaochuan doubled over in agony. Diverting the energy felt as though his soul were being torn in half. Yet he gritted his teeth and endured, veins bulging across his forehead as blood seeped from his seven orifices.

A miracle happened!

The Black Qi in Su Linger's chest was rapidly purified, and a hint of color returned to her pale face. Meanwhile, the Sacred Spirit Dragon in the distance blazed with golden light, its body expanding once again as it broke free from the Dark Hall Master's restraint!

"Interesting..." The Dark Hall Master's voice rasped like grinding metal, harsh and unpleasant. "The Son of Sacred Source can actually maintain two high-level energy links at once."

His phantom gradually solidified until it finally took the form of a tall humanoid. He wore black robes, his face concealed in the shadows of his hood, with only a pair of scarlet eyes flickering like ghostly flames.

"But this ends here." He raised a hand, and a torrent of ink-black energy shot straight toward Ning Xiaochuan!

The Sacred Spirit Dragon let out a long roar and flew before the torrent. In the violent collision, it was blasted hundreds of yards away and crashed heavily into a mountain wall. Its scales shattered, and dragon blood scattered across the sky!

"Little One!" Ning Xiaochuan's heart twisted in pain, but he could not interrupt Su Linger's treatment now.

The Dark Hall Master slowly approached. With every step, the ground corroded into a scorched black footprint. "Bai Li's son... when your mother sealed me all those years ago, did she ever imagine this day would come?"

Ning Xiaochuan's pupils shrank. "You knew my mother?"

"More than knew her." The Dark Hall Master sneered. "I was her senior brother, the most brilliant genius of the Sacred Origin Tribe! If she hadn't betrayed me, I would have completed the great work of immortality a thousand years ago!"

He abruptly threw back his hood, revealing a face covered in black patterns. The markings writhed beneath his skin like living creatures. Most horrifying of all, a Black Crystal was embedded in the center of his forehead, radiating an ominous aura.

"Look. This is the 'gift' your mother left me." He gently stroked the Black Crystal. "The Primordial Seal... it imprisoned me for a thousand years. But today, it will all come to an end!"

Ning Xiaochuan finally understood what had happened. His mother, Bai Li, had sacrificed herself to seal this demon, and his birth had likely been for this very day...

"When the two moons fully overlap, the source energy of heaven and earth will fall into brief chaos." The Dark Hall Master looked up at the sky. "Then, after I devour the Sacred Spirit Young Dragon, I will completely shatter the seal and achieve true immortality!"

As though confirming his words, the phantom of the second moon began to overlap with the true moon. The source energy between heaven and earth boiled like water, sometimes violent, sometimes stagnant.

Su Linger suddenly grabbed Ning Xiaochuan's hand. "I... feel much better... Go help him..."

Ning Xiaochuan looked down and saw that most of the Black Qi in her chest had indeed dissipated. Though she was still very weak, her vital signs had stabilized.

"Are you sure?"

Su Linger nodded and struggled to sit up. "I can still fight... We're partners, remember?"

Ning Xiaochuan took a deep breath, withdrew the Sacred Source Power used for healing, and fully activated Combat State. Golden light wrapped around his body like flames as he rose to face the Dark Hall Master.

"You will never understand why my mother would rather sacrifice herself than let you succeed." His voice was low and resolute. "Because the Sacred Origin Tribe's mission is to protect, not plunder!"

The Dark Hall Master scoffed. "Naive! Power is everything! Once I devour your Source Soul..."

"That depends on whether you have what it takes!" Ning Xiaochuan suddenly burst forward, driving a fist at the Dark Hall Master's face!

The Dark Hall Master easily dodged, then struck Ning Xiaochuan's back with his palm. Intense pain surged through him. Ning Xiaochuan staggered several steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth—power at the Source Sovereign level, even while sealed, was far beyond anything he could contend with!

"Ning Xiaochuan!" Su Linger forced herself to stand as the Mysterious Ice Phoenix Source Soul appeared behind her. "Together!"

With her sword pointed forward, dozens of ice spikes shot toward the Dark Hall Master. He merely flicked his sleeve, and the ice spikes crumbled into powder.

"The strength of ants." The Dark Hall Master sneered. His body flashed, and he appeared before Su Linger, seizing her throat in one hand. "I'll deal with you, the nuisance, first!"

"No!" Ning Xiaochuan's eyes nearly split as he charged forward with all his strength.

At that critical moment, a white figure descended from the sky and slammed heavily into the Dark Hall Master! It was the Sacred Spirit Dragon! Though covered in wounds, unyielding fire burned in its dragon eyes.

The Dark Hall Master was forced to release Su Linger and became entangled in battle with the Sacred Spirit Dragon. Ning Xiaochuan seized the chance to support the swaying Su Linger. "Are you all right?"

Su Linger shook her head, then suddenly gripped his arm tightly. "Ning Xiaochuan... if I really die this time... there's something I have to tell you..."

"Don't talk nonsense! You won't die!" Ning Xiaochuan cut her off, but Su Linger insisted on finishing.

"I... like you. Ever since the moment you blocked the Sand Demon Scorpion's venom for me..."

Ning Xiaochuan's heart shook violently, leaving him speechless. But Su Linger had already pushed him away and raised her ice sword again. "Now, let's help Little One together!"

Though the Sacred Spirit Dragon fought bravely, its injuries were too severe. It was soon suppressed by the Dark Hall Master once more. Black Qi wrapped around its body like chains, and the Sacred Spirit Dragon let out a pained roar.

"There's no time!" Ning Xiaochuan looked at the sky. The two moons had already overlapped by more than half. "We have to stop the ritual before he's completely unsealed!"

Su Linger suddenly thought of something. "Complete Source Soul fusion! Like at the sacred ground, but this time we'll control it ourselves!"

Ning Xiaochuan immediately understood. The two released their Source Souls at once, and the Sacred Spirit Dragon and Mysterious Ice Phoenix intertwined and circled through the air. But unlike before, the two Source Souls were no longer merely resonating with each other—they were truly beginning to merge!

"With Sacred Source as the guide, let the twin souls become one!" Ning Xiaochuan raised the Dragon Soul Jade high and activated all the Sacred Source Power within him.

A breathtaking sight appeared—the Mysterious Ice Phoenix transformed into a stream of light and merged into the Sacred Spirit Dragon's body. The Sacred Spirit Dragon swelled in size once more, phoenix feather patterns appearing across its scales. Ice crystals formed along the edges of its dragon wings, and its aura instantly rose by several levels!

"Sacred Source Judgment!" Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger shouted in unison.

The fused Sacred Spirit Dragon opened its jaws and unleashed a torrent of energy woven from gold, blue, and white, striking directly at the Dark Hall Master! The attack contained Sacred Source Power's purifying properties, the Mysterious Ice Phoenix's extreme frost, and the Sacred Spirit Dragon's primordial energy. Space itself warped faintly wherever it passed!

The Dark Hall Master's expression finally changed. In haste, he gathered all his Black Qi to defend. The two forces collided, erupting in blinding light and a deafening explosion!

"No! This is impossible!" The Dark Hall Master let out an unwilling roar. "My plan of a thousand years..."

Within the light, his body began to collapse, and cracks appeared in the Black Crystal. But just as he was about to be completely purified, he suddenly grinned viciously. "Even if I fail for now... the Sacred Origin Tribe's secrets will not end! On the other continents, I still have..."

Before he could finish, his body exploded completely and turned into Black Qi that filled the sky. The Sacred Spirit Dragon pursued the victory, releasing one final Dragon Breath to purify the Black Qi entirely!

At the same time, the two moons fully overlapped. The source energy of heaven and earth shook violently, and the seal of the Frozen Abyss closed once more, sealing away all remaining dark aura.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon and the Mysterious Ice Phoenix separated, each returning to its host. Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger collapsed to their knees in exhaustion, gasping for breath.

"We... succeeded?" Su Linger could hardly believe it.

Ning Xiaochuan looked at the Frozen Abyss, now restored to calm, then at the two moons slowly separating in the sky. He let out a long breath. "For now, yes. But..."

He remembered what the Dark Hall Master had said before disappearing—that he had plans on other continents. This meant the crisis had not been completely resolved.

"We'll deal with the future when it comes." Su Linger suddenly went limp and fell into Ning Xiaochuan's arms. "Right now... I just want to sleep..."

Ning Xiaochuan gently held her. Looking at her pale yet peaceful sleeping face, boundless tenderness filled his heart. He lowered his head and lightly kissed her forehead. "Rest well. I'll watch over you."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon shrank back into Little Dragon form. Tired but satisfied, it gave a "Goo Chu" and burrowed into Ning Xiaochuan's collar to sleep.

Three days later, at Xuanyu Peak of Tianyuan Sect.

Ning Xiaochuan stood at the edge of a cliff, watching the setting sun in the distance. Footsteps sounded behind him as Su Linger came to stand beside him, holding two cups of clear tea.

"Master Xuanyu's injuries have improved." She handed him a cup. "Lei Lie and Mu Qing are reorganizing the sect. The Grand Elder's followers have basically been purged."

Ning Xiaochuan took the cup, his fingertips inadvertently brushing Su Linger's hand. Both of them awkwardly looked away. Since that life-and-death battle, a subtle atmosphere had formed between them, yet neither had mentioned what Su Linger said before losing consciousness.

"The information Mother left says that the Sacred Origin Tribe has branches on other continents." Ning Xiaochuan changed the subject. "The Dark Hall Master's remnants may be active there as well."

Su Linger nodded gently. "Master Xuanyu said that once the sect is stable, he can send us to a cross-continent Teleportation Array."

She hesitated for a moment before suddenly asking, "That day... did you hear what I said?"

Ning Xiaochuan's heart jumped, and he nearly dropped his teacup. "I... I heard it."

"Then your answer is...?"

Ning Xiaochuan took a deep breath, turned to face Su Linger, and looked directly into her eyes. "I like you too. Ever since the first moment you smiled at me in the Green Pine Forest..."

A flicker of surprise appeared in Su Linger's eyes, but she quickly calmed herself. "You know about my past... my family... I may never be able to completely let go..."

"It doesn't matter." Ning Xiaochuan gently took her hand. "We can face it together. Just like before the Frozen Abyss, fighting back-to-back."

Su Linger finally revealed a genuine smile. The sunset gilded her delicate profile with a golden edge. She gently leaned against Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder. "All right."

The Little Dragon Source Soul poked its head out from Ning Xiaochuan's collar and watched them curiously. The Mysterious Ice Phoenix also appeared on Su Linger's shoulder. The two Source Souls exchanged a glance, then flew off together to play.

"Oh, right, this is for you." Ning Xiaochuan took a jade slip from his robes. "The final information Mother left in the Dragon Soul Jade, concerning clues to the Sacred Origin Tribe on other continents."

Su Linger accepted the jade slip and swept it with her spiritual sense. "The northern snowfields... the eastern archipelago... and..."

"Our next destination." Ning Xiaochuan smiled. "Once everything is ready, we'll set out."

Su Linger nodded, then suddenly remembered something. "Han Li's body wasn't found. He may have escaped."

Ning Xiaochuan frowned. "He'll be trouble. But..." He looked at the two Source Souls playing in the distance. "As long as we're together, there's no difficulty we can't overcome."

Night fell, and the first star lit up in the sky. Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger stood shoulder to shoulder, their shadows merging beneath the moonlight.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon flew back and landed on Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder, affectionately rubbing against his cheek. Ning Xiaochuan stroked its scales and softly said, "A new journey is about to begin, Little One."

"Goo Chu!" the Little Dragon Source Soul replied happily, its eyes shining with anticipation for the future.