After Fang Qingqin left, the temple fell quiet.
Wen Ning stood in the clearing, gazing at the spot where Wang Jin had last disappeared. He lingered there for a while.
Feng Dema and Lu Ming waited quietly behind him. Neither spoke.
After a while, Wen Ning turned and addressed the empty clearing.
"Wang Jin, are you still there?"
An extremely faint wisp of white light rose in the clearing, even dimmer than before, almost invisible.
Wang Jin's figure had lost all shape. Only a hazy cluster of light remained, floating there quietly.
"I'm here."
Wen Ning looked at him.
"The Five-Power God has been dealt with. Is there anything else you still need to settle? You've lingered in the world of the living for over a decade. It's time to go."
The cluster of white light swayed gently. Wang Jin's voice was soft, as though drifting from far away.
"I know. It's just... I'm a little reluctant to leave."
Wen Ning said nothing. He turned to glance at Lu Ming and Feng Dema.
"I'll take him down first. Wait for me at the village entrance."
Lu Ming nodded and led Feng Dema outside.
Feng Dema glanced back at the cluster of white light. His lips moved as though he wanted to say something, but in the end, he followed Lu Ming out.
Wen Ning took Wang Jin out of the temple and headed down the mountain path. Wang Jin's cluster of white light followed beside him, drifting slowly but steadily.
At the village entrance, Lu Ming and Feng Dema were waiting beneath the Old Pagoda Tree. Wen Ning did not stop. He continued on with Wang Jin until they reached a secluded spot outside the village.
He closed his eyes and circulated his magical power. A crack opened beneath his