Chapter 67: Hollow

She bit her lip until blood—sweet taste—not enough.
She hated her weakness—longed for power again.
Even walk Milt’s path to madness—she wanted force to match Diting.
But she knew—couldn’t indulge—Bai Yanci was right.
One rash move—fall to Diting—no comeback ever.
Then Milt’s message crystal—Xi Yue’s sacrifice of consciousness—meaningless.
She raised a hand—transport array underfoot—in the instant tears crossed her cheek—gone.
No one stopped her leaving.
Two lofty moon great immortals wouldn’t spare a glance for a human—run and run—no storm.
She looked like Milt now—Diting too proud—even this face—only coincidence.
He believed too much in the God-Slaying Array—thought it could kill two gods at once.
Diting’s contempt bought her time—she’d make him regret—return to the moon—save Bai Yanci.
For the War God—or herself—kill Diting with her own hand—avenge a thousand years.
Back on the moon—dead silence.
Since Diting took the throne—no ancient splendor.
Ordinary immortals survived by grinding cultivation—fall behind—trampled—bullied to death happened.
New master covered the sky—cruel—mood swings.
Any displeasure—excuse—Qingxi fetched unlucky immortals—killed for vent.
Some great immortals from antiquity—older than Diting’s birth.
Any who knew the war of gods—silenced. Survivors—no fight—submitted—Diting needed them to rule—watched—kept.
Qingxi brought Bai Yanci to the main hall—right turn—lavish palace.
Bai Yanci frowned: “This direction—not my old residence.”
“Your palace was burned on my Lord’s order.” Qingxi light. “Lord Bai—don’t blame his anger—you wouldn’t take the honor—ran to the mortal world.”
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Not respectful: “My Lord says—until the new palace is built—you stay in the side hall—best moon physicians will heal you.”
Bai Yanci looked at the green-robed immortal: “Best physician on the moon—isn’t that you?”
Qingxi’s face shifted—standard smile—voice still ice: “You jest—ancient dust—not worth mention.”
Qingxi born after her—moss by a stream—hence the name.
Spirit Tide Pool rich in power—Qingxi nourished from birth—excellent root—power from the start—high talent.
Healing arts outstanding—revive the dead—flesh on bone. Breath and consciousness whole—Qingxi could heal.
When Xi Yue’s consciousness entered Spirit Tide jade pendant—only a shell—she’d brought Xi Yue to Qingxi—knelt without hesitation.
Then she was Diting’s most useful great immortal—cared for face and rank.
After Xi Yue left she knelt—begged reckless: “Immortal Qingxi—please—save her! Any price—I’ll pay!”
Qingxi then wasn’t this face—one look at Xi Yue—pity—sigh: “Yanci—I see your heart. But gone is gone—Immortal Xi Yue’s consciousness isn’t here—even I can’t.”
Bai Yanci near broke—still hope: “My life? Trade my life for hers?”
Qingxi only shook head—silent.
Back from memory—Bai Yanci looked at today’s Qingxi—sighed: “Qingxi—with our history—no need ‘Lord Bai’ every line. I don’t know why you changed—hate me now—but serve Diting—Xi Yue is your end.”
Qingxi sneered: “Don’t drive us apart—my Lord favored me—I owe full loyalty.”
Bai Yanci’s face sank.
Favor? Diting cold and faithless—favored Qingxi?
Qingxi knew she’d said too much—ugly color: “Lord Bai—don’t think of escape—all moon is his—eyes everywhere. You can’t leave.”
“Don’t pine for that human woman—my Lord’s dignity won’t stoop to humans.”
True—she knew Diting—he wouldn’t touch Yi Ke.
He called himself god—strongest in the immortal realm—strike a human himself—would stain noble identity.
Bai Yanci said: “Soul-chasing art hurt you too? You serve him—he sends healers for a traitor like me—not you—funny?”
Qingxi worse—lifespan art—no cure—the mockery landed.
About to mock back—stomach heaved—power wild inside.
Qingxi dropped to knees—fine sweat—vomited blood before Bai Yanci.
Bai Yanci startled—even soul-chasing—lifespan cost—Qingxi’s depth shouldn’t end like this.
Pulse—brow tight—shock: “Your spirit flame!”
Huge hollow in Qingxi’s flame—chunk torn out.
Great immortal—strong—barely balanced before.
After lifespan spent—power withered—couldn’t hold chaos—flame defect backlash.
“Take your filthy hand off.” Qingxi struggled up—fell again.
Still hard: “My flame—none of your business.”
Bai Yanci low: “Drag this out—you’ll die.”
Qingxi gripped the wall—stood weak—voice thin: “Lord Bai—I’m fine—no curses. Only Life God reborn could save me now.”
Qingxi proud—she knew—didn’t know pride could swallow missing-flame pain.
If this were old Qingxi—pity for the world—she could say Life God had reincarnated—you just saw her.
She didn’t—watched Qingxi stagger—moonlight on loneliness—out of the side hall.
Deep night—the door opened again.
Best physician didn’t come—Diting came first.
She sat on the bed—silent—eyes down.
“Yanci—long time—where did your manners go?” Rebuke—no real anger.
Still silent—Diting lost patience—before her—cold: “Yanci—don’t abuse my special treatment—lose measure. Patience limited—hand over Spirit Tide jade pendant—prove loyalty—I’ll forgive all.”
At the pendant’s name she looked up—laughed cold: “Spirit Tide jade pendant? Why not say so? I destroyed it.”
Diting’s face changed—searched—truly not on her—rage: “I don’t believe—where did you hide it!”
“Can’t have it—destroy it.” Bai Yanci tilted head. “My Lord—you taught me that.”
He didn’t believe—still furious.
Diting suspicious—artifact—rich power—high use—gods alone could destroy easily.
“Yanci—I remember your first day in my palace—worship—eyes full of me.” Diting remembered—moved. “Why can’t time return a century? Beside me—grinding ink—respectful—as before.”
“You were born on the moon—belong to the moon forever. Body and heart—mine.”
“You dream.” Neither humble nor proud. “From the day my heart held her—no room for another.”
“Face reality—Xi Yue is dead—won’t return.” Pause—Diting patient: “If you like that human girl—I’ll bring her—maid for you.”
“Human life—a century—beside a great immortal—only a blink.”
“Don’t think about her.”
“You know—I won’t touch humans—that only makes you hate me more.”
Bai Yanci puzzled—any mouth could say that—not Diting’s.
“Actually—these years you were gone—I regretted some.” Diting sat opposite—sighed. “After Xi Yue fell—your attitude changed. If I’d spared Xi Yue—would you still obey—not think of leaving?”