In the middle of Star Duo Forest, a blue-haired girl sat under a big tree over 50 meters tall with her eyes closed. The tree's trunk was white with pure green leaves, with only one but enormous pink flower.
The girl opened her eyes, showing her beautiful blue eyes with a green tint in them. She looked at the sky and over her face appeared a beautiful and warm smile that literally produced multiple flowers to bloom around her.
From where she was looking, a young man appeared flying towards her that landed in front of her.
"Whity!" The girl jumped at the young man's arms, hugging him.
"Lily" The young man said warmly, his voice and eyes full of love towards her. Of course, the blue-haired girl was Xie Lingling and the young man was Bai.
After some seconds, they broke the hug. Lingling smiled at Bai directly looking at his eyes, but quickly changed her expression. She frowned glancing at Bai, seeing a seriousness in his eyes. "You are going to face Hei Qi." It wasn't a question, it was an affirmation.
Bai opened his eyes surprised "How did you k-?" "Who do think I am?! I knew you since we were little, you're always pushing yourself. Also, I obtained some knowledge from an ancestor" She said rubbing her hand over the big tree "Adding both, I can easily predict your conduct" She said puffing a little her chest, but quickly got shy seeing what she had done, her face turning deep red.
Lingling shook her head, becoming serious again "I already know about Renxue breaking through godhood. Also, the negation of your mother's sacrifice. Now, even risking your life trying to face Hei Qi, only to fight again yourself."
"I need to do it, Lily" Bai said seriously "It's my only way to face destiny. You might not understand"
"You are the one that doesn't understand anything!" Lingling nterjected shouting angrily "You have people that love and care for you. You are trying to put them aside and act all alone. Even if it's to protect us, I won't let you. It's not only about facing Hei Qi, it's all that would come afterward! Couldn't you for once stop and wait for us."
Tears started filling Lingling's eyes "I don't want you to die!" Lingling cried, clinging her body over Bai's chest "Please, stay here with me. There's no need to fight, stay with me until we grow old together."
Bai was shocked seeing Lingling's reaction, affection, and love for him. He warmly embraced her, letting her cry in his chest "Sorry, but I can't"
"Please" Lingling looked up towards Bai, all her face was full of tears "There's no path further, I don't want to lose you." she said with despair.
"Lily" Bai said warmly, taking out a handkerchief and cleaned Lingling's tears "I will win even against fate if necessary. I will become a god and be with you forever, nothing will stop me I need to do this. Trust me."
Lingling glanced fixedly at Bai, seeing the determination in his eyes. She was a little doubtful, but finally, Lingling nodded "I trust you. You will accomplish the impossible." She smiled at him. Bai leaned over her kissing her in a warm and profound kiss, taking her breath and even causing some moans.
"Did you finish!?" A pissed voice could be heard, making Bai and Lingling stop the kiss, turning themselves to the voice. Mei stood there, her fists over her hips with a pissed expression.
"Oh? Sorry, Mei, I didn't know you were here. Don't worry you will also find love" Bai sarcastically apologized looking at her.
"Maybe, I must make myself more noticeable" A deep aura started coming from her body, thorned vines with fire surging from the ground pointing at Bai. The aura around Mei was incredibly thick, she had become stronger since last time, her body completely returning at the age when Bai first met her, her hair and eyes even shinier.
"Stop it, Mei. Bai. Don't fight between each other" Lingling scolded looking at both.
"Sorry" Mei said grumpily, the vines around her retracting.
"Sorry for teasing you, Mei." Bai said this time more truthfully "There's a reason for you to come here?"
Mei glanced a little angry at him, but finally, let it go "I listened that you want to kill Hei Qi." Bai nodded "Even if there are little things that I would be happier than Hei Qi's death, I don't recommend you fighting him. Outside of his domain, he is nobody incapable of facing me, but in it, not even Di Tian would win."
"Thanks for your advice and worry about me, Mei" Bai smiled at her "But I need to do it. There's nothing that would change my mind."
"If you want to die, is your decision" Mei said waving her hand "Anyway, Di Tian told me that he wanted to talk with you before you leave."
"Okay, I will go" Bai leaned over Lingling and kissed her one more time "I will return" He turned around walking towards Di Tian's place.
Crossing Mei, she blocked Bai, holding his shirt "Say to Di Tian that I am not a messenger, I am the queen of all the plants, the Queen of Thorns!" She said angrily at Di Tian and at the same time self-appreciating.
"Okay" Bai laughed at her antics. However, Mei didn't release him yet "Bai" Mei said very seriously and with concern "Take care. Lili would be sad if you were to die".
"You can calm down. I'm not going to die" Bai said, this time Mei released him and Bai leaving the place.
Entering Di Tian's lair, Di Tian was already waiting for him "Ning Bai" Di Tian said coldly, but it was better than him calling simply human. "I see that Mei had informed you"
"Yes, she was rambling around, complaining about you treating her like a messenger" Bai explained.
"This rose" Di Tian sighed and shook his head "Anyway, let's us talk about the important. I fought against Hei Qi once inside his domain. I am the one in charge of the forest, I usually don't act unless they put the forest in danger like Mei's outburst a lot of years ago."
"Hei Qi tried to expand his own domain, affecting and destroying other spirit beasts. I warned him, stopping his advancement, but I was forced to act against him." Di Tian started to explain all about the fight without skipping anything, describing Hei Qi's strength "Finally, I run away, almost dying in the try. It cost me 100.000 years to heal my wounds, even with the Bi Yi's help."
Bai attentively listened to him and was shocked about Hei Qi's strength. It might be a far greater rival than he had thought about. However, he should continue forward, not running away from it.
"Now, leave. I don't like human around here" Di Tian said coldly.
"Thanks!" Bai bowed respectfully towards Di Tian, truly thanking from it, before leaving towards the Steel Dump.
Reaching the Steel Dump, Bai could finally see its normal form. It was an over 5 kilometers dome, surrounded by rounds and rounds of ramparts. The dome and ramparts formed exclusively by swords, possibly being over a million swords.
Just as Bai stepped in, the swords reacted. Like already waiting for Bai's presence, the swords started moving, forming elegantly created gates to cross over the ramparts.
"Of course you will know I am here" Bai said looking at his left arm, detecting it being in resonance with something inside the Steel Dump, all his body could feel it.
Bai crossed each rampart, finally crossing the dome and entering the Steel Dump. It was a big area. Even without natural light, all the place was highly illuminated by some swords at the ceiling that functioned as lights. Hundred of thousands of swords laid all around, making the majestic image of what it seemed a steel garden, with swords instead of flowers. A lingering Intent could be sensed from all the swords, each Intent a little different than the others.
From the entrance, a round of swords acted as a carpet leading over the center of the Steel Dump. At the center stood a throne made of over 50 swords, each one exuding a strong Intent incomparable to the surrounding swords. Sat on the throne, Hei Qi was with his black armor in the form of a dragon, playing with a black sword at his hands.
Bai stepped forward the carpet, the entrance closing behind him, locking him inside. Slowly and calmly walking towards Hei Qi.
Hei Qi lifted his head directly looking at Bai. He stood up an opened his arms wide, all the swords inside the Steel Dump started shivering with expectation "Welcome to the Steel Dump!"