Departure

Qian Renxue suddenly opened her eyes.

Pope Palace, the golden dome, the golden pillars, the golden throne—everything remains as it was.

It felt as if that immersive experience that transcended time and space had just happened in the blink of an eye.

But she knew it wasn't just a moment.

She saw her past life.

She saw how she died, how that man fought desperately for her, and how he single-handedly plunged into the Abyss Demon Realm, battling the Demon Venerable to the point of mutual destruction, all in an effort to find a way to resurrect her.

It felt like something was gripping her heart tightly, making it hard for her to breathe.

Then, she raised her head and looked at Fu Shiyan in front of her.

Her long, silvery-white hair shimmered faintly in the setting sun, and her dark robes fluttered gently in the breeze.

He looked somewhat puzzled, as if he was still wondering how he got back.

"A-Yan ..."

She murmured blankly, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

The next second, she lunged forward and hugged Fu Shiyan tightly from behind!

"A-Yan... A-Yan!"

Her face was pressed against his back, her voice trembling, choked with suppressed sobs.

Her hands were wrapped tightly around his waist, as if afraid he would run away.

Fu Shiyan's body froze instantly.

He lowered his head and looked at the two pale arms that were tightly wrapped around his waist, his brows furrowing suddenly.

The next second, Fu Shiyan suddenly raised her hand and forcefully pushed Qian Renxue away!

Qian Renxue stumbled back two steps from his sudden movement, nearly falling over.

She steadied herself by holding onto a nearby stone pillar, then looked up at him through teary eyes.

Fu Shiyan's face darkened, his eyes turning cold as he looked at her, his voice low and icy:

"Your His Holiness the Pope, please have some self-respect."

Qian Renxue's lips trembled, and her voice trembled as well:

"Don't you understand? That's us!"

"That's not fake, that's us! That's our past life... it's our past life!"

Her voice was almost a shout, and tears streamed down her cheeks, dripping onto the stone steps.

Fu Shiyan remained completely unmoved.

He continued to look at her coldly, his gaze slightly darkening, his tone carrying a hint of scrutiny:

"You were behind all of this, weren't you?"

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's body suddenly stiffened.

Fu Shiyan stared at her, his gaze hardening, and continued to press her for answers:

What exactly is your purpose?

These words were like a knife, piercing Qian Renxue's heart.

Her tears welled up instantly, and she was trembling all over.

She bit her lip hard, trying to hold back her tears, but they wouldn't listen and kept falling.

"No... that's not how it is!"

She screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice so shrill it almost cracked:

"That was our past life! It was you... it was you from our past life! All of this was done by you from our past life!"

She was panting, her chest heaving, and looked at him through teary eyes:

"Your past life... that thing left between my eyebrows..."

"He told me to give it to you, to give it to you in this life... You did it yourself!"

After she finished speaking, she seemed to have all her strength drained away, and she collapsed, barely managing to stand by holding onto a stone pillar.

She looked at him, her face streaked with tears, her eyes filled with grievance:

Why don't you believe me...?

Fu Shiyan looked at her, her eyes remaining calm and unwavering.

His brows were slightly furrowed, as if he were scrutinizing someone or deep in thought.

The two stared at each other without saying a word.

As the sun gradually sank below the horizon, its afterglow bathed the entire Spirit City in a golden hue.

After a long while, Qian Renxue took a deep breath and raised her hand to wipe away the tears on her face.

She served Pope for several years, and her temperament was no longer that of the impulsive little girl she once was.

She can cry, she can lose control in front of him, but she can't keep doing that.

She looked up at Fu Shiyan, tears still glistening in her eyes, but her voice had regained its composure:

"Whether you believe it or not, that was us in our past lives. One day, you will understand."

As she spoke, she turned around, leaving Fu Shiyan with only her back to her.

Fu Shiyan stood behind her and saw her raise her hand and gently wipe the corner of her eye.

Qian Renxue's voice was choked with emotion, but she tried her best to remain calm:

"Since Dean Fu has nothing else to say, please leave."

Fu Shiyan looked at her slender back, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes.

He reached out his hand, as if to say something, his lips moved, but he hesitated and stopped.

In the end, he lowered his hand and said to Qian Renxue's retreating figure:

"Then I shall take my leave. I will attend the Upper Three Sects re-election ceremonies on time."

Qian Renxue didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly.

Fu Shiyan gave her a deep look, then turned and walked down the steps.

The footsteps faded into the distance.

Qian Renxue then turned around and looked at the receding figure.

The setting sun cast a long shadow of him, and his long, silvery-white hair swayed gently in the evening breeze.

She stood there, motionless, simply watching quietly.

Only after that figure completely disappeared from sight did she murmur softly:

"A-Yan ..."

The sound was very soft, as soft as a sigh.

As Fu Shiyan left Spirit City, her pace gradually slowed.

His brows furrowed slightly, and a complex light flashed in his eyes.

He wondered if he had deceived this girl too deeply.

Those images, those memories from past lives, those unforgettable emotions—all were meticulously woven by him through the system.

His goal was simple: to completely seduce Qian Renxue, make her a stable source of his Faith Power, and turn her into a pawn in his future plans for the Divine Realm.

But just now, when she was holding him and crying...

His heart skipped a beat.

[How about... we stop here?]

The thought had barely crossed his mind when he suppressed it.

[No!]

His plan is not yet complete.

If we stop now, all our previous investments will have been wasted.

For the sake of his future plans, he must continue on this path.

The Slaughter City, the God Trial of Destruction, the Abyss's Laying Plan, the Pawns of the Divine Realm... Every step must be flawless.

He suppressed his reluctance and regained his usual calm.

[For the sake of future plans... I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you.]

After leaving Spirit City, Fu Shiyan did not return to the Beichen Academy.

He turned and flew towards the Sunset Forest.

As night fell, he was already standing beside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

The interplay of hot and cold energies created a misty atmosphere that shimmered faintly in the moonlight.

The Immortal Herb swayed in the mist, their leaves adorned with glistening dewdrops that shimmered with various colors.

Fu Shiyan stood by the spring, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes.

A moment later, he opened his eyes and raised his right hand.

The illusory image of the Azure Creation Tree slowly emerged behind him, its branches like jade, its leaves emerald green, exuding a gentle aura of life.

Nine Spirit Ring rose and swirled beneath his feet.

One yellow, two purple, three black, and three red.

Nine Spirit Ring slowly rotated beneath him.