Chapter 21: Fallen God

Bai Yanci’s face went grave—guard and worry—calm name: “Qingxi.”
Qingxi—Yi Ke had seen the name in Qiming’s ancient books. Among the moon’s four great immortals—only Bai Yanci and Qingxi had brief records.
From this—after Spirit Tide jade was stolen—Qingxi likely took Bai Yanci’s place—great immortal acting for the ruler.
“Lord Bai—My Lord foresaw you’d return.” Qingxi summoned twin blades with immortal power—proud. “My Lord set an ambush here—to take you back for judgment.”
Bai Yanci gripped her sword—wary at Qingxi: “I thought after that war you’d see his cold nature—yet you still serve willingly. Qingxi—serving him only adds killing—don’t you know?”
“I am My Lord’s subject—I serve My Lord.” Qingxi looked up—cold laugh. “For old colleagues’ sake—surrender now—I’ll plead—spare your life.”
Bai Yanci ice: “I’d die before go back with you.”
Immortal power into the sword—flame resonated—thousand-year artifact showed true form.
Seeing the real blade—Yi Ke’s mind flashed a strange name: Qiyang Sword.
Bai Yanci just healed—only thirty percent power. Ordinary moon immortals—fine. Another great immortal?
My Lord knew Bai Yanci’s strength—wouldn’t send nobodies.
They fought hard by the pool—few moves—Qingxi clearly up.
Bai Yanci cut again and again—blood on lips and white robes—Yi Ke could only hide in a corner—powerless witness.
On earth she was a strong ability user—what was she on the moon? No place between great immortals’ war.
Why? Why only human? Had a fallen god fragment—no fallen god’s power?
Bai Yanci took blows—pressed to the pool’s edge—one more step—fall in.
“Stubborn—no need to spare you.” Qingxi cold. “My Lord’s order—traitor Bai Yanci unrepentant—kill on sight!”
Blades gathered—blink behind Bai Yanci—take her life!
Body before thought—Yi Ke burst from hiding—flame burning fiercer than ever—afterimage!
Instant—she blocked Bai Yanci’s back—took the blade herself!
Chest—pain tearing apart—blood—vision red.
No strength for a barrier—only a shield—life for life.
Good—in time.
As long as Bai Yanci was fine… fine.
Bai Yanci’s tears broke: “Ke-ke!”
Twin blades—moon artifacts—strong immortal art—ordinary immortals would scatter soul—what of a human?
Shock wave—Bai Yanci dropped to her knees.
Bloody hands—touched Yi Ke’s pale cheek—watched Yi Ke’s flame wither fast.
Even a supreme immortal—no cure—end of life.
“Oh—what human is this? Don’t know how you brought her up—but one blade—she’ll die soon.” Qingxi smug. “If you’d taken it—you might’ve lasted longer.”
Hearing—Bai Yanci stood slow—hate at Qingxi—forced immortal power despite wounds.
Qingxi shocked—Bai Yanci’s strength doubled in moments—matched her!
“You’re burning your own flame for power—you want to die!”
Bai Yanci raised Qiyang Sword—resolved—attacked Qingxi: “You’ll bury with her!”
Yi Ke’s sight blurred—after agony—no more pain—only hearing left.
Battle outside—not done—pool water flowing.
Then sounds farther—couldn’t hear Bai Yanci anymore.
Fine—can’t hear—can’t see—less to miss on the road to death.
Hope after I die you escape the moon—never return—never touch mortal affairs again.
You’re noble immortal—I never should’ve pulled you into dust to walk this with me.
Sorry, sister.
I owe too much—couldn’t repay. Promised shopping—didn’t—didn’t say… love you.
Before darkness swallowed her—something inside woke.
Heart flame hot again—reaching for why—chaos lit.
Hand toward the light—Ice-Clear Jade on her wrist blazed—only lighthouse in the maze.
Eyes open—mind returning—moon palace—Spirit Tide Pool again.
Bai Yanci had power—Qingxi still winning.
Qingxi fierce—Bai Yanci no room: “Lord Bai—I studied tactics from childhood. You were never my match—not now.”
“Burn flame for strength—still die on my blade? Lord Bai—I hate your fake purity.”
Patience gone—blade at Bai Yanci’s throat—laughing free: “Same rank—why you above me—why that Xi Yue steps on my head—why!”
Bai Yanci cold—even dying wouldn’t bow—word by word: “You don’t speak her name.”
“Fine—fine—a pair of doomed lovers.” Power gathered—blades down—
Strong force blocked—Qingxi thrown back several steps.
“Who!” Seeing clearly—disbelief—ghost face: “Impossible—impossible—how!”
Yi Ke lifted a hand—Qiyang Sword flew to her.
Familiar—and the sword tried to resonate with her new power.
“Fallen god aura on you.” Qingxi eyes huge. “You’re not human—what are you!”
She looked at Qingxi—hurt in the fight with Bai Yanci—several Qiyang cuts—wounds.
Thought surged—Qiyang out—obeyed her—struck Qingxi!
Qingxi dodged—sword wouldn’t stop.
Long fight with Bai Yanci—Qingxi exhausted—couldn’t dodge—one arm severed—blood—fainted.
First time using moon artifact—felt natural—like she’d used it for years.
Can’t stay—My Lord mysterious—unfathomable. Bai Yanci burned flame—hurt for her—must return to the mortal world now.
Immortal power—drew transport array from memory—destination Tinglan Apartments.
Array done—extra seal—stop moon pursuit.
Done—step by step to Bai Yanci—could look at her properly. Tears—lifted Bai Yanci into the array center.
Bai Yanci unconscious—still clutching the jade bottle of pool water.
Careful—tucked the bottle—smile: “Yanci—we’re going home.”
Back at Tinglan—message Chu He stable for now—heal Bai Yanci first.
Ambush at the moon—Bai Yanci badly hurt—dangerous.
Now with fallen god power—summoned flame without thinking—linked their flames again.
Bai Yanci had burned her flame for strength—Yi Ke’s flame would fill the gap.
When Bai Yanci stabilized—gazing at pure azure flame—drawn—reached out—touched lightly.
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Touch—head buzzed—illusion—eyes open—in the moon—not real moon—dream.
Spirit Tide jade missing a corner—pool burst—bodies everywhere.
The war Jade Dust described at Qiming.
Scene shift—jade restored—guarding the pool again.
Bai Yanci alone by the pool—hands behind—two lines of tears.
“After the war—the jade’s power could revive all moon kin. In that war—only my beloved died.”
Voice tore the heart—clear words: “Heaven, gods—if my life and soul—could bring her consciousness back?”
She jerked hand back—left the moon vision.
She understood—the beloved in the vision was one of the four great immortals—the one who sacrificed to the jade.
Yes—to Bai Yanci she was a passing glance—smoke. Months—how fight centuries between great immortals?
But she loved Bai Yanci—water spilled—wouldn’t let go easy.