Star Ripple Island.
Inside the main hall of Yi Xuan Temple, countless black chains snaked out from every corner toward the formation at its center. Like venomous serpents, they wound around Liu Mang's limbs and bound him tight.
His hands were hoisted high above him. His head hung limply, as though he could no longer hold it up, and his loose hair hid his entire face. He knelt there, collapsed beneath the chains.
Soft footsteps sounded. Liu Mang's body trembled, setting the chains clinking. In the silent hall, every rattle rang clear.
He slowly raised his head toward the newcomer, as if it took all his strength.
His pale face had lost every trace of color. His lips were cracked like a dried riverbed, and his bloodshot eyes were heavy with exhaustion.
When he saw who it was, a glimmer of clarity returned to his eyes. He managed a grin.
"Master, you're here."
The sight of Liu Mang made Saint Tongtian's heart ache. He slowly withdrew the hand he had reached out and clasped it behind his back. "Why put yourself through this? Do you think I can't protect you?"
Liu Mang knew that after the Investiture of the Gods, Saint Tongtian had been left almost entirely alone. But he did not say so. Instead, he joked at his own expense. "Heh. You know I've always been afraid of dying, Master. Even if you can protect me, I still need another way out."
Saint Tongtian heard that Liu Mang had no intention of giving up. A note of displeasure entered his voice.
"You still want to keep trying?"
"Yes!"
Liu Mang's answer was firm.
After trying for so many years, he could not bear to give up.
On the day they had watched the moon, Liu Mang had fallen