The White-robed Woman's words were like a stone cast into a tranquil lake.
The first thing stirred within Liuli's blank mind was an uncontrollable, instinctive joy.
A Nine-star Dou Saint—that was a realm truly standing at the peak of the continent! Xiao Yan had achieved it! Given his age and experiences, it was simply a world-shaking accomplishment. Imagining what he might be like now, a trace of warmth and pride welled up from the young girl's heart.
But immediately afterward, cold reality surged over her like a tide, instantly extinguishing that warmth. The Emperor Pill Prototype was gone, and the Soul Clan's millennium-long Grand Plan had failed. Without external pressure, would Zhu Kun still willingly hand over the Ancient Emperor Inheritance known only to him? This would also indirectly affect Xiao Yan's path to advancing to Dou Di.
Liuli's lips curled into a bitter, self-mocking smile. Overwhelming loss and self-blame made the young girl clutch her chest, filled with deep confusion and hidden pain.
She "knew" how far he could have gone, yet he seemed to have strayed from that path because of her. She had changed too much, and perhaps the price of those changes was that he had lost the achievement destined for him.
Her emotions churned until they finally became a nearly inaudible sigh.
Liuli looked at the unfathomable White-robed Woman before her and suddenly felt deeply powerless. If the other woman truly harbored ill intent, her late Seven-star Dou Sheng cultivation would likely be no stronger than an ant's.
Her futile vigilance now seemed both ridiculous and pitiful.
She slowly released the hand seal, and the Pure White Sword Qi around her silently dissipated like a receding tide, revealing her unusually petite and slender figure within. Her straight back sagged slightly, the color drained from her