Chapter 63: Feigned Death

Deep helplessness washed over her.
Twice imprisoned—now breeze and sun—freedom at last.
But Bai Yanci wouldn’t—used innocent lives to force her back.
As Bai Yanci said—one person couldn’t save four at once.
So many spirit-flame cases—killing a few now—in Bai Yanci’s eyes they were ants—chips to threaten her.
Bai Yanci was faster—save one—lose three.
“Said I’d give it back—then I will.” Her consciousness gathered in spirit flame—strip all flame—consciousness stripped with it.
Her life useful again—threatened Mu once—now threatened Bai Yanci.
“Ke-ke—don’t be foolish!” Bai Yanci saw intent—pupils shrank—voice cracked.
She seemed not to hear—moon palace forbidden art again—not a slice this time—the whole cluster uprooted.
Bai Yanci tried to stop—forced back by the shockwave—steady—Qiyang shadows all at her to block.
“I promise—I won’t hurt them—I’ll never hurt anyone in Jintian again!” Bai Yanci knew her resolve—afraid—trembling. “Ke-ke—stop—please?”
A blinding flash—and no one could answer the lofty immortal.
Spirit flame and near half her consciousness—huge wave—flung every human ability user down. She staggered back several steps to hold ground.
The flame cluster drifted from midair—into Bai Yanci’s palm.
After abandoning the human body—divine force reshaped a shell.
But with all spirit flame stripped—soul scattered too—only an empty husk left.
“Team leader!” Jiang Ran rushed—Yang Yufei’s people surrounded—four from SI pinned.
“Lord Jade Dust—on your word—we kill these four pests.” Yang Yufei vicious. “SI headless—name only—no threat!”
Bai Yanci stood blank—no order.
Rumor maybe true—every SI leader met bad end—no exception.
“Lord—give the command!”
“Let them go.” Bai Yanci ordered.
Yang Yufei’s eyes wide—couldn’t believe ears: “Lord—wipe SI out—crush bureau morale—best chance!”
Bai Yanci gripped Qiyang’s edge—blood seeped from palm—didn’t seem to feel—blade dug deeper.
“Lord!” Yang Yufei cried.
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Bai Yanci cruel to herself—even Jiang Ran on the enemy side frowned.
At least love for Yi Ke couldn’t be fake.
“Yang Yufei—clear the way.” Bai Yanci deaf to pleas—each word ground from teeth. “Go. Bai Yanci never strikes a downed foe.”
Yi Ke gone—acting leader Jiang Ran stepped—Lin Qingzhu pulled her back from behind.
Lin Qingzhu looked at Bai Yanci—despite the gap—neither humble nor proud: “Lord Jade Dust of Qixie—Team Leader Yi died for the greater good. Let us take her body—for proper burial.”
Even Jiang Ran’s heart shook.
Lin Qingzhu—shy, few words—stood up now.
At “died” Bai Yanci woke late—remembered what happened.
Always steady—now mad before everyone: “No—no. She can’t die—you lie—nonsense!”
She looked at Lin Qingzhu—words to Jiang Ran: “Acting leader—before I change my mind—take your people and go. Bargain more—I can’t promise I won’t change my mind.”
Lin Qingzhu wanted more—Jiang Ran pulled her—shook head: “Qingzhu—let it go.”
Bai Yanci didn’t care for human life—for Yi Ke she’d stand in a lover’s shoes—protect who mattered.
She stored Yi Ke’s spirit flame careful—picked Spirit Tide jade pendant from the air—Spirit Tide Pearl nowhere.
Maybe after consciousness stripped—pearl lost divine nurture—vanished with it.
However Yang Yufei urged—she wouldn’t return to Qixie—went straight to Tinglan Apartments—because it was their home.
Layer on layer of barriers—no intruder—laid Yi Ke’s body on the bed—husk already cold.
She looked at Yi Ke’s sleeping face—tears at last—touched the cold cheek: “Ke-ke—you hate me that much—you’d die to be free?”
Both artifacts’ source was Life God—Life God fell again—pearl lost—jade pendant dim.
Jade pendant held near half of Milt’s consciousness—she never had strength to draw it out—for her lover.
Wait a little—find a way—half consciousness plus Xi Yue’s in the pendant—Life God’s consciousness nearly whole.
Then her wish—and Xi Yue’s trust—could finish.
Ke-ke—why couldn’t you wait?
Why not… trust me a little more?
They were people you cared about—would I really hurt them?
“I deserve it—I wanted you to live ordinary.” Alone at last she broke—sobbed. “Fate won’t spare us—you’d rather die than forgive.”
She held Yi Ke tight—no warm answer ever again: “You and Xi Yue both cruel—both left—both driven by me. Ke-ke—I regret—I truly regret—please… don’t leave.”
Two bunches of pink roses on the table—nourished by her power—blooming perfect.
First regret—first time she tried Yi Ke’s view.
When she finally understood human ways—not mimic—her lover was gone—wouldn’t stay.
Gods didn’t truly die—but consciousness reshape needed will—and centuries—to form again.
Mortal world and immortal realm—she’d waited so long—almost given up—heaven had mercy—she’d finally had her.
Now warmth lost again.
Soul left the body—wandering—time and space had no clear edge.
When Yi Ke woke again—the spirit body lacked power—standing was hard.
After stripping flame and consciousness—she knew she wouldn’t vanish—would persist as spirit in the mortal world—the only way to be free and save Jiang Ran and the rest.
She read the buildings—heart sank: “This is… the moon palace.”
She didn’t know the moon palace well—didn’t know the situation.
If her spirit had crossed a thousand years again—which year was this?
Right—Spirit Tide jade pendant!
If the pendant was there—at least she’d know the timeline.
At Spirit Tide Pool—the artifact’s place empty.
Original timeline then—no consciousness—no divine power—how could she cross a thousand years?
Without a substitute artifact—only great immortals’ power could hold the moon barrier.
Spirit Tide jade pendant was made for the moon—barrier unstable—Spirit Tide Pool gathered heaven and earth—power too strong—could overturn sky and sea.
Without stronger suppression—when the pool boiled—water reversed—the disaster of a thousand years would replay.
So Milt split part of her power—made the artifact—guarded the pool—god force pressed down—pool stable—land blessed by spiritual breath.
By the pool—a green-robed immortal had just patched the barrier with her own force—Qingxi, who else?
Barrier just mended—Qingxi pale—walking to the main hall—to report to Diting.
She followed. Qingxi entered the great hall—bowed to the seat: “My Lord—without the artifact the cracks widen—my power alone won’t last long.”
“Waste.”
Two words—Qingxi dropped to knees: “Your servant is useless—couldn’t find Lord Bai. Lord Bai is too cunning—your servant can’t locate her…”
“Three more days—bring the artifact back—or you know the cost.” Diting cold. “Don’t kill—I want her alive.”
“Yes, my Lord!” Qingxi fled—straight to the moon palace library.
The library held history and arts—but Qingxi went to a corner—small door—forbidden moon techniques inside.
Diting’s last order—Qingxi would use forbidden art to find Bai Yanci.
If Bai Yanci fell into Diting’s hands… unthinkable.