At this moment, Bai Ran was receiving the memories of the third seal—
The sky was overcast with dark clouds, the atmosphere terrifyingly somber, and the strong smell of blood in the air was pungent.
The scene flashed back to the time of Bai Ran's death.
Huan Yan's back disappeared as she charged alone into the Divine Realm, but Baili Xiao, who had always been indifferent, knelt down.
He tightly embraced Bai Ran's corpse, utterly broken, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
"Ran Ran... I'm sorry..."
The sobs tore at one's heart. To have killed the one you loved with your own hands was like being gnawed by a thousand ants, a pain that pierced the soul...
"Master! My cultivation has improved again!"
"Master, I want to eat lotus root stew."
"Master, you are so beautiful."
The memories of the past, like a scythe, sliced away at Baili Xiao's heart, piece by piece.
"Ahhhh—" His tears flowed freely, holding the lifeless body of the one he loved tightly.
"Master... I'll marry you in the future..."
At the height of his grief, Baili Xiao's shoulders trembled. Ran Ran... Ran Ran...
The icy rain poured down, drenching them miserably.
The chilling rain fell for an entire night. Baili Xiao held her corpse for the entire night.
The next day, the sky began to show the first light of dawn. Baili Xiao could no longer shed a single tear.
His voice was hoarse, "Master is here... Master will not let anything happen to you..."
Baili Xiao untied the dark jade at his waist and carefully preserved Bai Ran's soul.
With a gentle, fragile smile and a pale, weak face, Baili Xiao staggered to his feet, holding Bai Ran carefully, and walked step by step.
He walked like this, holding her, for half a day...
Although he could fly, Baili Xiao stubbornly walked slowly, carrying the person in his arms.
Perhaps it was lingering affection, perhaps it was reluctance, perhaps he just wanted to spend a little more time with Ran Ran...
"So, you want me to seal her memories?" Qing Long's expression was grave.
Baili Xiao's face was deathly pale, and he nodded gently, "I know you can control people's memories."
"Such painful memories, Ran Ran will be heartbroken..."
Qing Long, unlike the other three divine beasts, was neither good nor evil, maintaining a neutral stance.
If one sought his help, he would inevitably demand a corresponding price.
Qing Long's eyes were sharp, and he gazed directly at Baili Xiao, "Half of your lifespan. You know my principles."
Baili Xiao, holding Bai Ran, did not hesitate for a moment, "Alright."
Qing Long lightly tapped Bai Ran's forehead. Complex circular seals instantly appeared and surged into her mind.
Simultaneously, Baili Xiao lost half of his lifespan.
"Is it worth sacrificing half your lifespan for someone already dead?"
But Baili Xiao, holding his long sword, slowly cut open his palm, "She will not die..."
Turning, his eyes were filled with deep love, his gaze gentle.
"If you can be safe... then let Master be the villain..."
Scarlet blood flowed, forming a circle around them.
"What! Are you insane?" Qing Long immediately retreated, his eyes filled with shock, "Are you seeking death!"
The forbidden formation was activated. Baili Xiao further exhausted most of his remaining lifespan, ushering Bai Ran into reincarnation...
"Cough cough." Having bled too much, his lips were pale, and his hands were chillingly cold.
"She will not die..."
Qing Long lunged forward, grabbing Baili Xiao by his collar, "You gave me half your lifespan and then sacrificed the other half!"
"You don't have much time left, do you know that!"
Baili Xiao's body trembled as he gently pushed Qing Long's hand away, "I know..."
But his remaining lifespan was just enough to send all of Ran Ran's soul back into her body. It was enough...
Madness, absolute madness... Qing Long gritted his teeth, "Lord Baili, I know you..."
He spoke word by word, "You are as aloof as an immortal and as handsome as unparalleled, capturing the hearts of countless divine realm maidens."
"But you have become so humble for her now..."
He had fallen from the heavens, from the highest celestial realm, because of love.
Baili Xiao smiled feebly, shaking his head, "I am willing."
Fame, status, power, none of it was as important as her safety...
Qing Long took a deep breath, "I must see what kind of woman she truly is."
After that, Qing Long stayed by Bai Ran's side in every lifetime.
Gradually, he seemed to discover the unique qualities of this woman.
The originally neutral Qing Long, during her final lifetime, unequivocally sided with her.
If such a person were a leader, it might not be so bad...
"Was it you who placed the seals within me?"
It was their first meeting in their final lifetime. Bai Ran looked at Qing Long and asked this question.
However, Qing Long shook his head, "No."
The one who truly wanted to save you was someone else...
Bai Ran was worthy of love, and was loved. Her mother, Huan Yan, had left a lotus imprint on her forehead.
Within the lotus imprint was a wisp of Huan Yan's clone. Like Qing Long and Baili Xiao, she experienced reincarnation with Bai Ran in every lifetime.
As her soul gradually became fuller and returned, the seals within Bai Ran's body began to become unstable.
The seals would gradually be removed in the final lifetime. This was also Qing Long's subtle plan.
Bai Ran had the right to know the truth, to know everything Baili Xiao had done for her.
Qing Long could choose to stay by Bai Ran's side of his own volition, but Baili Xiao was not so fortunate.
Because Bai Ran's original corpse was in the hands of the Divine Emperor...
"Don't even think about resisting. I can destroy that corpse at any time."
One of Bai Ran's souls had been sent for reincarnation, while her physical body was found by the people of the Divine Realm. They used it to coerce Baili Xiao into serving them.
"Whether it's that demonic woman's corpse or her child's corpse, they are all in my hands!"
Mo Huai'an laughed wildly, while Baili Xiao's face contorted in grief.
The Divine Emperor threatened him with her corpse, continuously exploiting Baili Xiao's abilities...
The memories ended here—Bai Ran's consciousness suddenly snapped back, and she opened her eyes.
Zhu Que's face lit up with joy, "Master! You're finally awake!"
Jiang Ye and the others also quickly surrounded her, their faces beaming with happiness.
But Bai Ran clutched her head, her expression grave. So that was how it was...
After dying in each lifetime, one of her souls or a fragment of her spirit would return to her body.
And all of this was bought with Baili Xiao's life.
This was the final lifetime, and Baili Xiao's last moments...
"Master...?" Zhu Que blinked, wondering if their master had remembered something? Why did she look so strange?
Meanwhile, Zhong Zi hesitated, unsure whether to tell the King the truth.
"No need to say more, I already know," Bai Ran pushed aside the covers and slowly stood up.
Zhu Que's expression froze, "Mas... Master..."
Bai Ran lowered her gaze and exhaled, "I heard everything you were talking about in the room just now."
Jiang Ye's eyes widened, What? That meant their young master knew the truth??
Bai Ran chuckled softly, gently stroking Zhu Que's head, "I won't hurt myself, nor will I hurt the one I love."
Therefore, there must be a way... there must be another way...
Little Zi, who had just returned via teleportation, gave Bai Ran a big hug as soon as he saw her.
"My heavens, you're alive!"
Bai Ran's lips twitched, "What are you saying? When did I die?"
She looked around at everyone, her brows furrowed in confusion, "Where is Jing Feng?"
Her gaze fell on Little Zi, who blinked a couple of times, looking a bit embarrassed, "I forgot..."
He had left that guy in the Demonic Realm... but it should be fine, he could just find another teleportation scroll.
Zhu Que bit her lower lip, looking hesitant, "Master... Black Crow City..."
Jiang Ye's eyes filled with sorrow, and he turned his face away, his clenched fists showing his anger at this moment.
"What happened to Black Crow City?" Bai Ran sensed something was amiss with them and frowned slightly.
Zhong Zi lowered his head, his eyes filled with grief, "Black Crow City was attacked by the other three cities, and the casualties were heavy..."
"Even the Su family head... did not escape death..."
Bai Ran's pupils trembled, and the temperature of the air around her plummeted, "They've certainly made a clever move."
"Take me to Black Crow City—" a dark glint flashed in her eyes, as if laced with poison.
...
Jing Yun lowered himself and bowed respectfully, "Your Excellency, do you truly intend to cede the position of Demon Lord to another...?"
He lowered his head, his expression complex. He had learned of the situation from Jing Feng.
His Excellency actually wanted to give up the position of Demon Lord to help the demonized humans...
Long Jin Han's eyes were closed, his thin lips moved, "Jing Yun, the one I love will always be the little girl, not her inner demon."
Jing Yun pursed his lips tightly, "But if the inner demon is killed, it is equivalent to killing Madam..."
Long Jin Han opened his eyes, his gaze icy and filled with anger, "What do you mean?"
Jing Yun lowered his head and placed an ancient book before him.
"Your subordinate found this ancient book in a corner of the library. Please peruse it, Your Excellency..."
Long Jin Han extended his large hand, gently picking up the fragile book and began to read. kuAiδugg
The book recorded that those with divine-demonic physiques were different from ordinary people. When a person with a divine-demonic physique harbored an inner demon.
If the inner demon did not immediately possess the host's body but instead coexisted with the host's soul.
As time passed, the inner demon would become an inseparable part of the host's body.
Inner demon dies, host dies—
Spiritual energy erupted violently. Long Jin Han clenched his palm, and the book turned to dust.
If the inner demon died, the little girl would also die! Then, wouldn't that mean letting the inner demon run rampant!
Jing Feng's head was lowered extremely low. Helping Madam would be helping the demonized humans...