The Core Area of the Nine Nether Rift.
All fell silent.
The churning sea of demonic qi gradually calmed. The remnants of resentful souls drifting within it scattered aimlessly once they lost the Demon Spirit's command.
A few even floated near the others, but they merely wandered in a daze, showing no intent to attack.
The dark-gold True Demon Finger Bone, vast as a mountain, still hung motionless at the center of the dark Void.
Demonic patterns flowed across it, and its oppressive aura spread in all directions.
Tian Wenjing slowly withdrew his Blood Sea Domain and staggered as he steadied himself.
The wound in his chest, deep enough to expose bone, still seeped dark-gold blood. His aura wavered, and his face was pale as paper.
But he had no time to tend his wounds, or even wipe the blood from his mouth. He only stared fixedly at Ji Yuan—
Deep in his eyes, the shock refused to fade.
Fairy Mei likewise stood in the Void, her wide lavender sleeves stirring without wind. The alluring smile had long vanished from her beautiful face.
She looked at Ji Yuan, her eyes shifting. Amid the complexity in her gaze flashed a trace of... relief?
Relief that she had not truly attacked Ji Yuan back at the Six Desires Immortal Pool.
Relief that Tian Wenjing had not fought him to the death after making an enemy of him.
Relief that, at this moment, they stood on the same side.
The silence lasted roughly ten breaths.
"Brother Ji."
Tian Wenjing broke it first. His voice remained calm, but his hollow, lifeless eyes held a gravity they never had before.
"That cannon... was truly terrifying."
He paused, seeming to weigh his words. A faint, bitter smile surfaced on his pale face.
"I've cultivated for centuries