In the starry sky, far beyond the battlefield by thousands of miles, two streams of light swept over and came to a halt.
"Ugh."
Amid a muffled groan of pain, Ning Chen staggered several steps. Blood dripped from the corner of his lips, staining his plain robes red.
Aizen Myōō stepped forward and supported him. "How are you?"
"I can still hold on. Thank you, Miss Aizen, for saving me."
Ning Chen's expression was filled with exhaustion.
"No need to thank me. Though those two were quite formidable, with your abilities, you should not have been injured to this extent. And why did that Hua Zhongdie attack you?" Aizen Myōō asked, narrowing her eyes.
"It is a long story."
Ning Chen raised a hand to wipe away the blood at his lips. "Why did Miss Aizen happen to pass through here?"
"The Buddhist Kingdom was in trouble. Since I come from the Buddhist sect, naturally I could not stand by with folded arms," Aizen Myōō said calmly.
"The Buddhist Kingdom's calamity has been temporarily resolved, but the Demon Palace is powerful, and its crisis remains. Within the All Heavens Starfield, the Buddhist Kingdom is the only force capable of contending with it. Nothing must happen to it," Ning Chen said solemnly.
"Do you already have a plan?" Aizen Myōō asked.
"Yes."
Ning Chen nodded. "The friends within the barrier have all gathered, but our strength is still insufficient. We need your help, Miss."
Aizen Myōō narrowed her beautiful eyes. After a moment, she said softly, "Lead the way."
Ning Chen nodded, temporarily suppressing the injuries within him. With a step, he set off toward the distance.
Behind him, Aizen Myōō followed. Before long, the two vanished into the depths of the starry sky.
Several days later, at the border of