Golden Body Buddhas wreathed in gray-white qi stood before him, like a forest of stone. Yet they could not conceal the Golden Cudgel, which stretched up into the firmament. At the point where it met the sky, a formless, pitch-black vortex slowly revolved. Thunder and green lotuses bloomed and vanished around the cudgel, now giving way to utter nothingness, profound and terrifying, now gathering into brilliant, pure nebulae.
This was the scene in Meng Qi's eyes. Everything felt unreal, even the voice coming from the depths of the giant pit, veiled in illusion as if it had traveled across a thousand mountains and rivers:
"Swing the saber in your heart. See if you can save them."
"Or you die, and they live."
Jiang Zhiwei struggled with all her might, yet could not even shake her head, much less make a sound. Her throat rasped in desperation, grief and panic congealing into mist that clouded her bright eyes. Her gaze shimmered as if urging Meng Qi to flee at once and leave them behind. As long as the green hills remained, there would be no shortage of firewood!
Zhao Heng lay before the Golden-Winged Great Peng Bird, his mouth shut and eyes fixed on Meng Qi. His expression held acceptance, ruefulness, and resolve.
If you die, we may not survive. But if you live, there's still hope we can come back to life!
Ruan Yushu had been tossed onto the ground. Ice crystals clung to her white dress, and her face was blue-white, her lips utterly bloodless. Her whole body shivered uncontrollably. She struggled to move her lips and make a sound, but the restraints held; she could do nothing.
Her eyes quickly reddened, her thick lashes trembling like a dense brush. Beyond her usual coolness, she seemed all the more