Night of the Blood-Soaked Double Moons

The alarm of the Sacred Source Tower rang through the skies. Ning Xiaochuan stood in the command room at the highest level, watching the constantly moving red dots on the sand table—they marked the Lava Behemoth's position, less than a hundred li from the Sacred Source Tower.

"At this speed, it'll reach the city before sunset." High Priest Star Radiance looked grave. "The city wall can't stop it."

Ning Xiaochuan looked at the northern section of the sand table, where the black vortex in Shadow Valley was marked. It had grown more than twice as large as it had been yesterday. "Two threats are closing in at once. This isn't a coincidence."

"Of course it isn't." The Gray-haired Elder spoke in a deep voice. "The World Devourers have planned this for a long time. They were waiting to strike together on the Night of the Blood-Soaked Double Moons."

Su Linger hurriedly pushed open the door. "Something happened in the Silent Forest too! The guard reported finding Black Crystals, and the ancient trees at the heart of the forest have begun to wither!"

"A third portal..." Ning Xiaochuan clenched his fists. "We're being attacked from three sides."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon flew in through the window and landed at the edge of the sand table, its little claws anxiously pointing toward the Tower Base. Ning Xiaochuan immediately understood. "How is the seal beneath the tower?"

"Temporarily stable," Star Radiance answered. "But the six elders have already taken turns holding it up. Their losses are enormous."

Ning Xiaochuan swept his gaze over everyone. "Pass down my order. The whole city enters wartime status. Evacuate the elderly and children to the southern shelters. All Source Warriors and anyone stronger will be assigned to the defense forces."

He pointed at the sand table. "Three defense lines—the first will set an ambush along the Lava Behemoth's route and buy us time; the second will rely on the city wall to stop the behemoth and any World Devourers that may appear; the Third Defense Line will be beneath the tower. Hold the seal at all costs."

"What about Shadow Valley and the Silent Forest?" Su Linger asked.

Ning Xiaochuan looked out at the darkening sky. "You and I will go to the Silent Forest and destroy the portal before it fully opens. As for Shadow Valley..."

He paused.

"We'll deal with it after we return."

Star Radiance seemed to want to speak, but in the end, he merely bowed deeply. "As you command, Your Highness."

The Silent Forest lay in the southeastern region of the Sacred Source Land, an ancient primeval woodland. By the time Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger arrived, its edge was already shrouded in eerie black mist. The trees had twisted and warped like human figures struggling in agony.

"It's worse than I imagined." Su Linger frowned. "The black mist is spreading too fast."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon flew up from Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder and circled over the forest to scout. A moment later, it returned and chirped "Goo Chu" several times in urgency, gesturing with its little claws.

"There's already a black area a hundred zhang across at the center," Ning Xiaochuan translated. "The crystal is there."

The two cautiously entered the forest. Unlike Shadow Valley and the Lava Rift Valley, the black mist here did not seem corrosive, but it carried a kind of mental contamination. With every step, it felt as though countless whispers were echoing by their ears.

"Don't listen to those voices." Ning Xiaochuan took Su Linger's hand. "It's a mental attack from the World Devourers."

Su Linger nodded. Profound Ice Power circulated within her, forming a Mental Barrier. As they went deeper, the trees' mutations became more severe. Some had completely transformed into Black Crystal structures, radiating an ominous aura.

"Watch out!" Ning Xiaochuan suddenly pulled Su Linger aside. A black arrow grazed her hair and buried itself deep in the tree trunk behind her.

More than a dozen people clad in camouflage made of green leaves emerged from the undergrowth, wielding all kinds of weapons. Familiar red light flickered in their eyes—the forest guards had rebelled too!

"Another trap." Su Linger drew her Ice Crystal Longsword. "They knew we would come."

Ning Xiaochuan sneered. "Then we'll break through head-on!"

Battle erupted in an instant. The forest guards used the terrain to their advantage, launching attacks from all directions. Ning Xiaochuan held nothing back. Sacred Source Power burst forth at full force. Wherever the golden light passed, the black mist scattered and the rebel guards collapsed one after another.

"Quick battle!" he sent through the Soul Link. "The crystal may be absorbing the energy of the battle to speed up its expansion!"

Su Linger understood. The Mysterious Ice Phoenix Source Soul spread its wings and let out a long cry, while Mystic Ice Sword Qi poured down like a torrential rain. The Sacred Spirit Dragon flew high into the sky and spewed Dragon Breath to sweep the battlefield.

After breaking through the guards' defensive line, the three rushed toward the heart of the forest. The sight there was chilling—a towering ancient tree had completely crystallized. A Black Crystal, twice the size of the one in the Lava Rift Valley, was embedded in the center of its trunk! The ground around it had turned into a viscous black swamp that constantly bubbled.

"It's even bigger than the one in Shadow Valley!" Su Linger sucked in a breath. "It's already half activated."

Ning Xiaochuan studied it carefully. "The crystal has fused with the ancient tree. Destroying it by force could trigger a massive explosion."

"Then what do we do?"

"Reverse purification." Ning Xiaochuan took out a Primal Fragment. "This should be able to neutralize its energy."

Just as he stepped forward, the black swamp suddenly boiled! Countless black tentacles burst from the mire and lashed toward the three of them! At the same time, the crystal fired a beam of black light straight at Ning Xiaochuan's chest!

"Primal Covenant!" Su Linger shouted, and the three instantly activated their Soul Link.

The fused energy form easily evaded the attacks and released a Purification Beam. The tentacles dissolved in the light, but the crystal seemed to possess some kind of protective mechanism. Black runes emerged across its surface, resisting the purification.

"It's no good. We don't have enough power!" Ning Xiaochuan gritted his teeth. "We need a stronger source of purification!"

Su Linger suddenly thought of something. "Sacred Spirit Dragon! Try your origin Dragon Breath!"

Little One understood. He separated from the fusion state and flew directly above the crystal. Drawing in a deep breath, he exhaled not ordinary Dragon Breath, but a pure beam of golden light—the bloodline power of the Primal Dragon!

The golden light struck the crystal, producing a piercing sizzle. Cracks began spreading across the crystal's surface, and the black swamp churned violently with it.

"It's working!" Ning Xiaochuan cried in delight. "Keep going!"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon continued breathing Dragon Breath, but exhaustion soon showed. Consuming his origin power took an enormous toll, and even Little One's scales began to lose their luster.

"Our turn!" Ning Xiaochuan and Su Linger attacked at the same time, merging Sacred Source Power and Mystic Ice Sword Qi before blasting them at the same crack.

Crack!

The crystal finally gave way and split in two! The black swamp dried up instantly, and the black mist throughout the forest began to disperse. The crystallized trees could not recover, but at least they stopped worsening.

"We did it!" Su Linger joyfully hugged the Sacred Spirit Dragon. Little One gave a weak "Goo Chu" and slumped exhaustedly on her shoulder.

Yet Ning Xiaochuan's brow remained furrowed. "That was too easy... The World Devourers couldn't have set up such simple defenses."

As if confirming his fears, the ground suddenly shook violently! The shattered crystal fragments flew back toward the ancient tree on their own, embedding themselves in different parts of the trunk and forming an eerie rune array!

"Not good!" Ning Xiaochuan understood in an instant. "This isn't a portal—it's an energy node! It's supplying power to the main portal in Shadow Valley!"

The moment he spoke, the ancient tree erupted with blinding black light. A pillar of energy shot into the sky, straight toward the north! At the same time, an identical energy pillar rose from the direction of the Lava Rift Valley. The two beams converged in the sky, then shot together toward Shadow Valley!

"A diversion!" Su Linger's face turned pale. "They deliberately lured us away so the main portal could complete its final activation!"

Ning Xiaochuan looked up. The sun had already dipped westward, and the two moons were faintly visible. "It's too late. The double moons are about to be stained with blood! We have to return to the tower immediately!"

The Sacred Source Tower was cloaked in tension. When Ning Xiaochuan and the other two rushed back, earth-shaking sounds of battle were already coming from outside the city—the Lava Behemoth had arrived ahead of schedule and was assaulting the first defense line.

"What's the situation?" Ning Xiaochuan rushed into the command room, only to find Star Radiance absent. Several elders stood guard around the sand table, their expressions grim.

"The High Priest has gone beneath the tower to reinforce the seal," the Gray-haired Elder reported. "The Lava Behemoth has broken through the first defense line. The second won't hold much longer either."

Ning Xiaochuan looked at the sand table. The marker in the direction of Shadow Valley had turned a glaring blood red, with the words "Portal 90% Activated" beside it.

"All elders, go beneath the tower at once and support Star Radiance." He gave the order decisively. "Su Linger and I are heading to the city wall. No matter what, we have to hold out until the double moons rise completely!"

The elders obeyed and left. Ning Xiaochuan turned to Su Linger. "This will be more dangerous than anything we've faced before..."

"I know." Su Linger cut him off, her silver hair burning like flames beneath the setting sun. "We'll face it together."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also chirped "Goo Chu." Though exhausted, his fighting spirit had not diminished.

When the three climbed onto the city wall, the sight before them was like hell—the Lava Behemoth had reached the base of the wall, leaving a sea of fire in its wake. The defending forces fought desperately, but ordinary attacks did nothing to it.

"Primal Covenant!" Ning Xiaochuan shouted, and the three fused once more.

This fusion was deeper than ever before. Their energy form was nearly solid, five zhang tall, with West Wings on its back and a spear of light in hand. Sensing the threat, the Lava Behemoth's three heads turned toward the city wall at once.

Roar!

Amid the earth-shaking roar, the behemoth abandoned all other targets and charged directly at the energy form. The two collided fiercely before the city gate, and the shockwave overturned every building within a hundred zhang!

"Aim for the Black Crystal!" Ning Xiaochuan commanded through the link, driving the spear of light straight into the behemoth's chest.

The behemoth howled in pain, lava-like blood gushing out, but the strike was not fatal. It retaliated madly, all six claws attacking the energy form at once. Su Linger controlled the left pair of wings to dodge nimbly, while the Sacred Spirit Dragon breathed Dragon Breath to interfere.

The battle reached a stalemate, and the energy form's duration was nearly exhausted. Then, at the critical moment, the sky suddenly darkened—the two moons rose together and began slowly turning red!

"The double moons are stained with blood!" Su Linger cried out.

As the moons changed color, the Lava Behemoth's power surged, and its body expanded by another full circle. Worse still, a massive rift suddenly tore open in the sky above Shadow Valley, and countless Dark Figures poured out!

"The portal has fully opened!" Ning Xiaochuan's heart sank. "The World Devourer army has arrived!"

The energy form collapsed from excessive depletion, forcing the three apart. All of them dropped weakly to their knees. Seizing the chance, the Lava Behemoth slammed a claw into the city wall, and an entire section came crashing down!

"Retreat! Fall back to the Third Defense Line!" Ning Xiaochuan forced himself to give the order.

The battered survivors retreated toward the Sacred Source Tower, but they were far slower than the behemoth and the flying World Devourers. Just as they were about to be wiped out, a beam of golden light suddenly shot from the top of the tower and struck the behemoth's central head with perfect accuracy!

"It's Star Radiance!" Su Linger pointed toward the top of the tower.

Sure enough, Star Radiance and twelve elders stood on the platform at the top of the tower, jointly casting some ancient spell. Golden light kept shooting from the tower's summit, temporarily holding back the World Devourers' offensive.

"Get inside the tower!" Ning Xiaochuan pulled Su Linger up, while the Sacred Spirit Dragon flew ahead to clear the way.

The three stumbled into the tower. The instant they shut the doors, deafening impacts sounded outside—the Lava Behemoth had begun attacking the tower itself!

"To the Tower Base!" Ning Xiaochuan led the other two toward the lowest level.

At the center of the sealing chamber beneath the tower, the Primal Fragments floated above a complex spell array, radiating dazzling five-colored light. Beneath the array, a gigantic dark figure bound in chains could vaguely be seen—the World Devourer Commander!

"Your Highness!" Star Radiance ran down the stairs. "The top of the tower won't hold much longer!"

Ning Xiaochuan looked toward the seal. "Is the commander showing signs of awakening?"

"Not yet, but..." Before Star Radiance could finish, the entire tower suddenly shook violently!

"The behemoth is striking the Tower Base!" an elder cried out. "At this rate, the tower will collapse!"

Ning Xiaochuan made his decision in an instant. "Star Radiance, take everyone to the top of the tower and prepare the final plan."

"The final plan?" Star Radiance's face changed dramatically. "But that would..."

"There's no time!" Ning Xiaochuan shouted sternly. "Do as I say!"

Star Radiance looked deeply at him, then hurried upstairs with the elders. Ning Xiaochuan turned to Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon. "You two go up too."

"No!" Su Linger shook her head firmly. "No matter what you intend to do, we do it together!"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also chirped "Goo Chu" in protest, his little claws gripping Ning Xiaochuan's sleeve tightly.

Ning Xiaochuan looked at them both and suddenly smiled. "All right. Then we'll do it together."

He took out the Primal Fragments and placed them at the center of the spell array. "The World Devourers activated the main portal through three nodes. We can use a similar method."

"You mean..."

"Fuse the power of the Five Primal Fragments through the Primal Covenant and unleash ultimate purification," Ning Xiaochuan explained. "But we need a vessel."

Su Linger understood at once. "The tower is the vessel!"

"Right. The Sacred Source Tower was originally the greatest purification device." Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "But the price is..."

"The tower will collapse," Su Linger finished for him, "releasing all the sealed World Devourers, including the commander."

"So we have to hold them off until the purification is complete." Ning Xiaochuan looked at the Sacred Spirit Dragon. "Little One, this time, we really need you to give it everything you have."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon puffed out his chest, his West Wings spreading wide, his eyes without the slightest fear.

"Let's begin." Ning Xiaochuan took a deep breath. The three stood on three critical nodes of the spell array and activated the Primal Covenant at the same time.

This time, the fusion reached unprecedented depths. The Five Primal Fragments shook violently, releasing streams of multicolored light into their bodies. The energy form was no longer human-shaped, but a pure vortex of light containing terrifying purification power.

"Activate the Purification Program!"

The vortex spiraled upward along the tower. Wherever it passed, the tower itself began to glow. When it reached the top of the tower, the entire Sacred Source Tower became a massive arrow of light pointing straight at the heavens!

"Now!"

The arrow of light erupted, splitting into countless tiny streams that rained down across the city. Each stream precisely struck a World Devourer or corrupted creature, including the Lava Behemoth!

The behemoth roared in agony as all three heads exploded at once and its body began to collapse. The World Devourers in the sky fell like raindrops, turning to ash in the light. Even the portal in Shadow Valley began to fluctuate violently, its rift gradually shrinking!

"We did it!" Su Linger cheered through the link.

But at that moment, the seal beneath the tower shattered from energy overload! The chains broke apart, and the gigantic dark figure slowly rose—the World Devourer Commander had awakened!

"Damn it!" Ning Xiaochuan's heart tightened. "The purification isn't finished yet!"

The commander fully revealed its true form—a six-armed giant ten zhang tall, covered from head to toe in Black Crystal armor. Three eyes were arranged in a triangle on its forehead. It threw back its head and roared, its sound waves shattering the walls at the Tower Base!

"We have to hold it back!" Ning Xiaochuan controlled the energy form and charged toward the commander.

The two clashed fiercely, every collision triggering a small earthquake. The tower began to tilt, and crushed stone rained down without end.

"Purification progress: 85%..." Star Radiance's voice sounded in Ning Xiaochuan's mind through some kind of communication spell. "Three more minutes!"

Three minutes... Facing the World Devourer Commander, it felt as long as eternity. Cracks had already appeared in the energy form, and it could collapse at any moment.

"Ning Xiaochuan!" Su Linger suddenly shouted. "Look at the sky!"

Ning Xiaochuan looked up and saw that both moons had turned completely blood red, drawing so close they were nearly touching. A beam of blood-colored light descended from where the double moons met, landing directly on the portal in Shadow Valley!

The portal stabilized instantly and even began expanding again. Worse, an enormous dark figure was slowly squeezing through it—a being even larger than the commander, with a single arm as thick as the tower itself!

"The King of World Devourers..." Ning Xiaochuan felt ice fill his heart. "It's coming personally!"

Distracted for a moment, the energy form took a heavy blow from the commander and nearly collapsed. Ning Xiaochuan gritted his teeth and held on, but despair rose like a tide—even if they could hold back the commander, they could not stop the King of World Devourers from descending.

"There's one more way." Su Linger suddenly spoke, her voice unusually calm. "Use ourselves as the vessels."

"What?"

"Import the purification energy into our bodies and charge straight at the portal," Su Linger explained. "The Primal Covenant can temporarily withstand that kind of power."

"It's too dangerous!" Ning Xiaochuan objected. "That would..."

"Destroy our souls." Su Linger said it calmly. "But it can save two worlds."

The Sacred Spirit Dragon chirped "Goo Chu" in agreement. Ning Xiaochuan looked at the two of them and suddenly understood what true courage was.

"All right." He finally agreed. "Together."

The three released the energy form and returned to human form. Ning Xiaochuan held Su Linger's hand and the Sacred Spirit Dragon's claw. "Star Radiance, change the energy flow and import it into our bodies!"

"Your Highness!" Star Radiance's voice was filled with horror.

"That is an order!"

After a moment of silence, the streams of light from the top of the tower abruptly shifted. They poured down like a waterfall and flooded into the three bodies. Indescribable pain swept through every inch of their nerves, as though their bodies would vaporize in an instant. Yet the miraculous bond of the Primal Covenant allowed them to endure the power.

"Go!"

The three shot into the sky like meteors cutting through the night, charging straight toward Shadow Valley! Wherever they passed, every World Devourer was reduced to ashes. Even the commander retreated several steps in fear, not daring to block them.

The King of World Devourers had already pushed half its body through the portal. Six blood-red eyes watched the approaching sphere of light coldly.

"For the Sacred Source Land!" Ning Xiaochuan shouted.

"For the Open Source Continent!" Su Linger answered.

"Goo Chu!" The Sacred Spirit Dragon let out a long howl.

The sphere of light collided head-on with the King of World Devourers, and the resulting radiance illuminated the entire Sacred Source Land! Within that pure light, the portal melted like ice and snow, while half of the King of World Devourers' body was forcibly driven back through the gate!

"No!" It unleashed an earth-shaking roar. "I will return!"

As the last trace of light faded, the portal closed completely. The blood-red color of the double moons began to recede, returning them to their silvery white.

The Sacred Source Tower had fulfilled its final mission. It slowly collapsed amid a thunderous roar. Star Radiance and the elders had evacuated beforehand and suffered only minor injuries.

When the dust settled, Star Radiance searched the ruins like a madman. "Your Highness! Miss Su! Sacred Spirit Dragon!"

There was no response—only endless ruins and silence.

Just as despair set in, a faint golden glow seeped out from beneath the rubble...