Twin Moons in the Sky

Above the Frozen Abyss, the Sacred Spirit Dragon and the Dark Hall Master's phantoms clashed fiercely. Black energy and golden light collided, erupting in deafening roars. Ning Xiaochuan knelt beside Su Linger, his hands pressed against the wound on her chest, pouring in Sacred Source Power ceaselessly as it battled the dark energy invading her heart.

"Ning Xiaochuan..." Su Linger's voice was faint, her pale lips trembling slightly. "Go help... the little one..."

Ning Xiaochuan gritted his teeth, large beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He could feel Su Linger's life ebbing away, and the Sacred Spirit Dragon was also in a tough fight—though the Dark Hall Master wasn't fully unsealed, his power was already beyond imagination.

"I won't leave you," he rasped, the golden light in his hands intensifying. "Hold on a little longer..."

Su Linger suddenly coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of black blood. Her pupils began to dilate, and her fingers weakly clutched Ning Xiaochuan's wrist. "Listen to me... if I can't make it... merge my Source Soul... with the Sacred Spirit Dragon..."

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

A pained roar from the Sacred Spirit Dragon echoed from the distance. Ning Xiaochuan looked up, seeing that the Dark Hall Master's phantom was already more than half solidified. A massive black hand had seized the Sacred Spirit Dragon's throat, dark energy coiling around its body like venomous snakes.

The Twin Moons in the Sky phenomenon became increasingly apparent, the outline of the second moon almost overlapping with the real one. The Source Qi in the heavens and earth began to churn, becoming wild at times and stagnant at others.

"There's not much time..." Ning Xiaochuan was consumed by anxiety. He had to make a choice—either focus all his efforts on saving Su Linger or go to the Sacred Spirit Dragon's aid. Trying to do both would lead to failure on both fronts.

At this critical juncture, the Dragon Soul Jade suddenly flew out from Su Linger's embrace, hovering between them and emitting an unprecedentedly strong light!

"What is this...?" Ning Xiaochuan stared at the jade pendant in surprise. The dragon patterns moved as if alive, releasing a warm and 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 onto her wound. At the same time, he raised his other hand to the sky, attempting to establish a connection with the distant Sacred Spirit Dragon. "Source Soul Resonance!"

Instantly, three streams of energy were linked through the Dragon Soul Jade! The Sacred Source Power within Ning Xiaochuan split into two streams—one continued to heal Su Linger, while the other traversed space to the Sacred Spirit Dragon!

"Ah!" Ning Xiaochuan arched his body in pain. This energy diversion felt like tearing his soul in half. But he gritted his teeth and endured, veins bulging on his forehead, blood seeping from his seven orifices.

A miracle occurred!

The dark energy on 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 more as it broke free from the Dark Hall Master's grip!

"Interesting..." The Dark Hall Master's voice was like the grating of metal, harsh and unpleasant. "The Son of Sacred Source can actually maintain two high-level energy links simultaneously."

His phantom gradually solidified, eventually forming a tall, humanoid figure—clad in black robes, his face hidden in the shadow of his hood, only a pair of scarlet eyes flickering like ghost-fire.

"However, it ends here." He raised his hand, and a torrent of ink-black energy surged directly towards Ning Xiaochuan!

The Sacred Spirit Dragon let out a long roar and flew forward to block the energy torrent. In the violent collision, it was sent flying hundreds of feet, crashing heavily against the mountainside, scales shattering, dragon blood scattering across the sky!

"Little one!" Ning Xiaochuan's heart ached, but he couldn't interrupt Su Linger's treatment at this moment.

The Dark Hall Master walked slowly, and with each step, a scorched footprint appeared on the ground. "Bai Li's son... when your mother sealed me back then, did she ever imagine this day?"

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

"More than just knew," the Dark Hall Master sneered. "I am her senior brother, the most brilliant genius of the Sacred Origin Tribe! If she hadn't betrayed me, I would have achieved eternal life a thousand years ago!"

He suddenly threw back his hood, revealing a face covered in black, writhing patterns. Most terrifyingly, a black crystal was embedded in the center of his forehead, emitting 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 millennium. But today, all of that will end!"

Ning Xiaochuan finally understood the cause and effect. His mother, Bai Li, had sacrificed herself to seal this demon, and his birth was likely meant for this very day...

"When the Twin Moons completely overlap, the Source Qi of heaven and earth will fall into brief chaos," the Dark Hall Master said, looking up at the sky. "At that time, after I devour the Sacred Spirit Young Dragon, I will break the seal completely and achieve true eternal life!"

As if to confirm his words, the phantom of the second moon began to overlap with the real moon, and the Source Qi in the heavens and earth boiled like water, sometimes wild, sometimes stagnant.

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

Ning Xiaochuan looked down and saw that most of the dark energy on her chest had indeed dissipated. Although she was still weak, her vital signs were stable.

"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 he was using for healing, and fully entered combat mode. Golden light enveloped him like flames as he stood up, facing the Dark Hall Master.

"You will never understand why mother was willing to sacrifice herself to stop you back then," he said, his voice low and firm. "Because the mission of the Sacred Origin Tribe is to protect, not to plunder!"

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

"That depends on whether you have the ability!" Ning Xiaochuan suddenly lunged forward, throwing a punch at the Dark Hall Master's face!

The Dark Hall Master easily dodged and struck Ning Xiaochuan's back with a palm. Intense pain shot through him, and Ning Xiaochuan staggered a few steps, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth—the power of a Source Venerable, even in a sealed state, was far beyond his ability to resist!

"Ning Xiaochuan!" Su Linger forced herself to stand, her Mysterious Ice Phoenix Source Soul appearing behind her. "Let's team up!"

She pointed her sword, and dozens of ice cones shot towards the Dark Hall Master. He merely waved his sleeve, and the ice cones turned to dust.

"The strength of ants." The Dark Hall Master sneered, then suddenly flashed, appearing before Su Linger and grabbing her by the neck. "I'll deal with you, the interfering factor, first!"

"No!" Ning Xiaochuan's eyes widened in fury, and he charged forward with all his might.

At this critical moment, a white figure descended from the sky, crashing heavily into the Dark Hall Master! It was the Sacred Spirit Dragon! Although heavily wounded, its dragon eyes burned with an unyielding flame.

The Dark Hall Master was forced to release Su Linger and began to grapple with the Sacred Spirit Dragon. Ning Xiaochuan took the opportunity to support the swaying Su Linger. "Are you alright?"

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 interrupted her, but Su Linger insisted on finishing.

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

Ning Xiaochuan's heart trembled, and he was momentarily speechless. Su Linger, however, pushed him away and raised her ice sword again. "Now, let's go help the little one together!"

Although the Sacred Spirit Dragon fought bravely, it was too heavily injured and was soon suppressed by the Dark Hall Master again. Dark energy coiled around its body like chains, and the Sacred Spirit Dragon let out a pained roar.

"No time!" Ning Xiaochuan looked at the sky. The twin moons had already overlapped by more than half. "We have to stop the ritual before he completely breaks free!"

Su Linger suddenly thought of something. "The Source Souls are fully merging! Just like in the sacred land, but this time we'll control it actively!"

Ning Xiaochuan immediately understood her meaning. Both of them released their Source Souls simultaneously. The Sacred Spirit Dragon and the Mysterious Ice Phoenix intertwined and circled in the air. But unlike before, this time the two Source Souls weren't just resonating with energy; they were truly beginning to merge!

"Using the Sacred Source as a guide, two souls become one!" Ning Xiaochuan raised the Dragon Soul Jade high, fully activating the Sacred Source Power within him.

A shocking scene unfolded—the Mysterious Ice Phoenix transformed into a stream of light and merged into the Sacred Spirit Dragon's body. The Sacred Spirit Dragon's size then surged again, phoenix feather patterns appearing on its scales, ice crystals forming along the edges of its dragon wings. Its aura instantly elevated by several levels!

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

The merged Sacred Spirit Dragon opened its massive maw, and a torrent of energy interwoven with gold, blue, and white erupted, striking the Dark Hall Master directly! This attack contained the purifying properties of the Sacred Source Power, the extreme cold of the Mysterious Ice Phoenix, and the primordial energy of the Sacred Spirit Dragon. The space itself slightly distorted wherever it passed!

The Dark Hall Master's expression finally changed. In a hasty move, he condensed all his dark energy to defend himself. The two energies collided, erupting in a blinding light and a deafening roar!

"No! This is impossible!" the Dark Hall Master roared with unwillingness. "My plan, which I've waited a thousand years for..."

Within the light, his body began to crumble, and cracks appeared on the black crystals. But just as he was about to be completely purified, he suddenly let out a sinister laugh. "Even if I fail temporarily... the secret of the Sacred Origin Tribe won't end! I still have forces on other continents..."

Before he could finish, his body completely exploded, scattering into a sky full of dark energy. The Sacred Spirit Dragon pressed its advantage, unleashing a final breath of dragon fire that completely purified the dark energy!

At the same time, the twin moons completely overlapped. The world's Source Qi violently vibrated, and the seal of the Frozen Abyss closed again, trapping all the residual dark energy.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon and the Mysterious Ice Phoenix separated, returning to their respective hosts. Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger collapsed to the ground, exhausted, gasping for air.

"We... succeeded?" Su Linger couldn't believe it.

Ning Xiaochuan looked at the now-calm Frozen Abyss, then at the twin moons slowly separating in the sky, and let out a long sigh. "For now. But..."

He remembered the Dark Hall Master's words before he vanished—that he had plans on other continents. This meant the crisis was not completely over.

"We'll deal with future matters later." Su Linger suddenly went limp and fell into Ning Xiaochuan's arms. "For now... I just want to sleep..."

Ning Xiaochuan gently held her, looking at her pale yet peaceful sleeping face, an infinite tenderness welling up in 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 its small dragon form, let out a tired but content "chirp," and burrowed into Ning Xiaochuan's collar to sleep.

Three days later, Xuanyu Peak, Tianyuan Sect.

Ning Xiaochuan stood on the edge of a cliff, gazing at the setting sun in the distance. Footsteps sounded from behind him, and Su Linger walked up beside him, holding two cups of clear tea.

"Master Xuanyu's injuries have improved," she said, handing him a cup. "Lei Lie and Mu Qing are reorganizing the sect, and the Grand Elder's faction has been largely purged."

Ning Xiaochuan took the teacup, his fingertip accidentally brushing against Su Linger's hand. Both of them shyly looked away. Ever since that life-and-death battle, a subtle atmosphere had developed between them, but neither had brought up what Su Linger had said before she fainted.

"My mother's message said that the Sacred Origin Tribe has branches on other continents," Ning Xiaochuan changed the subject. "Remnants of the Dark Hall Master might be active there too."

Su Linger nodded gently. "Master Xuanyu said that once the sect is stable, they can send us to the cross-continental teleportation array."

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

Ning Xiaochuan's heart skipped a beat, and he almost dropped his teacup. "I... I heard."

"Then what is your answer...?"

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

A flicker of surprise flashed in Su Linger's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. "You know my past... my family... I might never be able to completely let go..."

"It's okay," Ning Xiaochuan gently took her hand. "We can face it together. Just like in front of the Frozen Abyss, fighting back-to-back."

Su Linger finally showed a genuine smile, the setting sun casting a golden edge on her delicate profile. She leaned her head on Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder. "Okay."

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

"Right, this is for you." Ning Xiaochuan took out a jade slip from his embrace. "It's the last message my mother left in the Dragon Soul Jade, clues about the Sacred Origin Tribe on other continents."

Su Linger took the jade slip and scanned it with her divine sense. "Northern Snow Plains... Eastern Islands... and..."

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

Su Linger nodded, then suddenly remembered something. "Han Li's body wasn't found. He might 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 in the moonlight.

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

"Chirp!" The little dragon Source Soul responded cheerfully, its eyes sparkling with anticipation for the future.