Chapter 75: Night Rain

“Catch!” The pouch flew—she showed herself—gripped consciousness tight.
Warm familiar force—Spirit Tide jade pendant called—floated—returned all of Xi Yue’s consciousness.
Consciousness whole at last—god form restored.
Red robes—Spirit Tide jade pendant became light into Qiyang Sword—two artifacts one—complex look at Qingxi.
Qingxi burst huge power short—not deep cultivation—lifespan burned for it.
While Diting off guard—willing burn life—snatched the pouch.
Diting saw—shocked: “You’re mad! You’re seeking death!”
Qingxi flat—burn not done: “My Lord—after you tore part of my spirit flame—I died that rain night already.”
Milt’s god body restored—power unprecedented—light hand—main hall leveled flat.
“Good.” Diting gnashed teeth. “You insist on death—I’ll oblige!”
Fierce power and whip—she met with Qiyang—another white blade joined—held Diting together.
Qingxi knew at once: “Moonlight Sword.”
Diting’s rage—Qingxi’s joy: “Release one—release two. I dared free Xi Yue from water prison—why not Yanci too?”
Rain harder—three immortals before him—bone cold—shaking all over.
“Together—you’re still not my match.” Diting cold. “True god? I killed once—I kill twice.”
These days Bai Yanci trapped side hall—no weapon—face Diting—only burden.
So she asked Qingxi for materials—mend Moonlight Sword.
Xi Yue once poured divine power into Moonlight—Qingxi found finest stuff.
Reforged Moonlight better than before—stronger power inside.
“Ke-ke—summon God-Slaying Array now!” Bai Yanci threw a pouch—shouted. “Touch her—step over my corpse first!”
Moonlight back in hand—with Qingxi’s twin blades—shielded her.
She opened the pouch—all spirit flame Bai Yanci collected on earth.
Bai Yanci picked best—purest—finest fuel for cultivation.
Remembered Bai Yanci said: “Ke-ke—trust me—I collected flame this way—never truly hurt anyone.”
Timeline—after she joined SI—Jintian cases of stripped flame appeared.
Bai Yanci stripped—Life God mended. Moon forbidden mend-flame art—originally Milt’s.
Memory full—eons stretched—twenty human years a drop in the sea.
On moon—Xi Yue knew time short—night to Bai Yanci—final plan.
“Yanci—my Lord won’t spare me.” Soft then. “After I die—take Spirit Tide jade pendant to earth—collect flame—make me remember true identity and duty.”
Bai Yanci promised.
After fallen god fell—as Xi Yue planned—remaining consciousness scattered earth.
Bai Yanci collected flame—and guided her to fallen-god power in secret.
Whenever she asked use—Bai Yanci always: “Just for cultivation.”
Flame was best cultivation fuel.
Today—purest flame in her hands—for prime Milt—or stronger.
Life God without backlash—power above all gods.
Bai Yanci’s occasional pity—hesitation—biggest variable in the plan.
She knew—Bai Yanci had selfish wish—not drag her into moon strife.
If possible—Bai Yanci wanted her forever happy human—free life—no mission.
All calculated long ago.
Rain night weakened Diting—and Bai Yanci and Qingxi.
Array needed time—they weren’t enough—barely held Diting.
“Overreach.”
Qingxi knelt—wounds everywhere.
Diting’s whip light—about to hit Bai Yanci—his face shifted—stopped before her.
“Stop useless struggle—you’re not my match.”
Cold snort—flashed to her—break the array!
She stood at the eye—leave—all lost—only body to take blows.
Don’t fall—array completes in time.
Expected pain didn’t come.
Blue figure before the array—took the heavy strike for her.
Clear who—Diting’s pupils shrank—whip became sword—every move killing intent.
He knew Diting’s moves too well—dodged all—mocked: “My Lord—I’m not dead—surprised?”
Qingxi looked up: “Yuanzheng.”
Yuanzheng colleague years—less power than Diting—familiar enough to tie him awhile.
“Years ago you ambushed me—took half my power—cast me to nameless realm. I swore—no gentleman till revenge.”
Diting gnashing: “I should’ve killed you then!”
Yuanzheng cold: “Thanks for not killing.”
Bai Yanci rose again—power with Yuanzheng—fought together—shielded array again.
Array nearly done—death near—Diting rushed—violent break!
Yuanzheng slammed down—Bai Yanci gathered barrier—blood from seven openings—wouldn’t move.
“Bai Yanci!”
Look up—mortal world in ruin—look back—lover torn apart.
No in—no out.
Bai Yanci looked back—smiled at her: “Ke-ke—rest easy—I’m fine—don’t waste everyone’s effort.”
Qingxi badly hurt—finally stood.
Twin blades shattered—no power left—grabbed Qiyang nearby—charged Diting—desperate!
Three at once—Diting wouldn’t fall for cheap trick.
Diting raised hand—seized Qiyang control—from distance—blade into Qingxi’s chest.
Qingxi fierce—no fear—seemed ready to die—last strength—ran at Diting!
Diting didn’t expect—cried: “Qingxi—you’re mad!”
Qingxi deaf—last strength—arms from behind around him—blade into Diting’s chest too.
Array complete.
“Xi Yue—act!” Qingxi shouted.
Diting and Qingxi inside the array—not gods—array opens—true death.
“Qingxi!” Bai Yanci didn’t expect either.
Even Qiyang with Xi Yue’s force—half artifact—only hurt Diting—hold awhile.
Diting breaking free—Qingxi urgent: “Xi Yue—don’t move—we all die!”
She closed eyes—couldn’t watch—hands formed seals—array on.
As barrier closed—Diting’s unwilling roar—Qingxi let go—relieved smile.
“I’m finally… free.”
Immortal souls vanish in God-Slaying Array—no reincarnation.
Qingxi needn’t live on resentment anymore.
Soul gone—no more mortal cares—moss by the stream again.
Bai Yanci badly hurt—couldn’t hold—fainted.
Her divine power nearly spent—time to recover. Yuanzheng stepped: “Life God—perhaps I can heal Lord War God’s wounds.”
She had impression—War God’s hall had two great immortals. Diting the undefeated general—Yuanzheng famous physician.
Clever Yuanzheng—Diting’s attitude to Bai Yanci—traces on scene—knew Bai Yanci’s true identity.
“I thought after that war—I’d never see either lord again.” Yuanzheng said. “Diting fooled me—I lived in regret—waited to make amends.”
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“Not your fault—you did well—blame only Diting’s venom.” Soft. “When evil wants evil—person or thing—all chips.”
Main hall gone—few side halls barely livable.
After Bai Yanci settled—Yuanzheng opened mouth to ask—she spoke: “You guessed right—she hasn’t recovered memory.”
“I don’t want her to—now or ever.” Looked at Yuanzheng. “You understand?”