No one knew that other intentions lay hidden beneath those gentle, benevolent words.
Moments earlier, on the brink of death, Tang San had burned everything he had and poured it all into one final strike. Its earth-shaking power had rattled the very foundations of her Divine Body.
Though she appeared composed and undefeated, she had actually consumed an enormous amount of Divine Power, and hidden injuries riddled her divine body. She would need at least a full day of secluded recuperation to return completely to her peak.
This was by no means the best time to turn against Bibi Dong.
Though Golden Crocodile Douluo remained unwilling to accept it, he dared not defy the Angel God's decree. He could only rein in the murderous intent in his eyes, bow deeply, and answer respectfully, "Yes, young mistress!"
The fighting was suspended entirely, and both camps set about their respective duties.
Across the shattered, devastated battlefield, the entire Heaven Dou Allied Army broke camp and withdrew fifty li in an orderly fashion, distancing themselves from the main battlefield at Jiayu Pass to cling to their last breaths.
Atop Jiayu Pass, the Spirit Hall Empire's army worked through the night without rest. Soldiers wielded tools and hauled boulders and bricks, doing everything they could to repair the walls and fortifications damaged or collapsed during the battle. The brightly lit pass remained awake all night, under heavy guard.
The night deepened, the stars and moon concealed themselves, and silence settled over the land.
Just as all sounds fell still, a dazzling beam of seven-colored divine light suddenly flared at the summit of the sky. Its pillar pierced the nine heavens and enveloped the place where Tang San had fallen.
Gentle yet immense, the divine light carried an unceasing power of renewal, cutting through the