Su Miao passed through two waves of colliding aftershocks, using a floating fragment of wreckage as a foothold to launch herself to Yuanshi's rear flank.
The Merit Golden Wheel around her had not been withdrawn, and the chaos qi along her path automatically parted to either side.
Like someone walking into thick fog, with the mist retreating on its own three feet before them.
Yuanshi was wielding the Pangu Banner.
Whenever that banner swept through the air, the Extraterritorial Beings before it fell in swaths like wheat stalks scythed down.
Only when Demon God Remnant Souls appeared did things become more troublesome.
He sensed Su Miao drawing near, but had no time to turn and spare her a thought.
He maintained the rhythm of his attacks, cutting down several Remnant Souls with every sweep of the banner while keeping constant watch over the enemies around him, afraid that they might harm his beloved disciple behind him.
"Master," she called.
Yuanshi did not so much as glance behind him. With another shake of the banner, he restrained several more Demon God Remnant Souls and shredded several Extraterritorial Beings attempting to pounce nearby. Wherever golden light swept, not even a trace of soul-breath remained.
Su Miao obediently stood in the patch of void Yuanshi had cleared.
"Master, the time has come."
After slaying the trapped Demon Gods, Yuanshi turned around. The halo behind his head cast his entire face into sharply defined relief, while the banner slowly drooped from his hand.
"I know."
Yuanshi looked at the figure before him, whom he had raised from knee-high to someone now capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with him.
He had long known this day would come. He had been waiting for her to say it.
Heaven Opening carried risks.
Yet he could not