Heaven left a thread of life; the future held countless branching streams, and events were uncertain and unpredictable. Thus, even among the innate spirits, who were indifferent in emotion and cared only for the Great Dao, there were a few exceptions—like Houtu, who pitied all living beings, and the Demon Saintess, whose feelings ran deep and true.
At that moment, her spear struck home. She watched the Demon Buddha's face change, a faint trace of mockery and amusement in her beautiful, crystalline eyes.
Before I reached the Other Shore, you were that peerless hero, the great figure who had lorded over the primeval world and nearly caused Daoist Master's plan to transcend to fail when the Eastern Emperor was suppressed. You were a man so extraordinary that hearts leaped at the sight of you, a candle flame I admired but dared not approach, always watching from afar. Like a moth flying into the fire, I would have done anything...
When you fell at the end of the primeval era, I was powerless to save you. My heart turned to ashes, yet I unexpectedly discovered that you hadn't truly perished. You had willingly abandoned your true body and your imprints in the past, present, and future, entrusting all your memories and a sliver of life to the Ancient Thunder Pool. You had deceived Heaven and survived into this era. My heart's flame blazed anew; overjoyed, I hurried to contact you in secret. You tricked me into swearing an oath with a secret technique, forbidding me to reveal your true identity and requiring me to help drive a wedge between the Demon Race and the Three Pure Ones, as well as among the Three Pure Ones themselves. I did it all willingly, without complaint...
But during the battle at Spirit Mountain, you