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Kunlun Hill, on the eve of battle
"Demon Lord, what brings you here? To watch the show?" Tuluo's body radiated dark purple demonic energy, and O Shinan lounged on his massive back, fanning himself leisurely with a mocking tone.
"O Shinan, to unify the three realms, you've committed countless atrocities, even inciting brothers to kill each other. A heartless villain like you deserves to be punished by all," Shentu Zhajia rebuked.
"Looks like the Demon Lord isn't too foolish, just a bit late. If you had discovered my plan earlier, perhaps your father and your sworn brother wouldn't have died because of your stupidity," O Shinan sneered, twirling a lock of hair around his finger.
"You!" Shentu Zhajia started to retort but was stopped by Li Luoning, who whispered a warning, "This O Shinan is skilled at manipulating minds. Don't lose your composure because of his words."
"Isn't this a battle? Why isn't anyone making a move? Do I need to say some more nonsense to get things started?" O Shinan spread his hands, tauntingly looking at the group opposite him.
"Arrogant to the extreme!" Yue Ruling couldn't hold back any longer, her eyes blazing as she charged forward. Qingyuan followed suit.
"That's more like it. Today, aren't we here to fight to the death?" O Shinan grinned, tilting his head. At his signal, the soldiers behind him surged forward.
"O Shinan, do you really think these soldiers, who have followed the God of War for years, will willingly obey you?" Li Luoning questioned. The soldiers of the Liao Yin Immortal Realm had all been trained by Qingyuan, so it was unlikely they would fight against Yue Ruling and Qingyuan.
"You should worry about yourself. My affairs are none of your concern," O Shinan replied arrogantly, stepping off Tuluo and landing lightly on the ground. He patted Tuluo's back, sending him charging towards Li Luoning.
"I'll handle this," Shentu Zhajia said, stepping forward.
In the chaos of battle, powerful spells clashed, shaking the surrounding mountains. The air filled with the stench of blood and the acrid smell of smoke. Roars of beasts echoed across Kunlun Hill.
Amidst the melee, Li Luoning and Mi Xingzhe stood together, facing O Shinan, who stood calmly. The two sides stared at each other without making a move.
"Are you going to give up the Moon Shadow Pill voluntarily, or should I make the choice for you?" O Shinan asked arrogantly, a smirk on his cold face.
"My belongings aren't something you can take at will," Li Luoning responded calmly.
"Heh~ Haven't you heard? The dual pills have their own spirit, recognizing bloodlines. Though your bloodline commands the Moon Shadow Pill, I can still make you surrender it willingly," O Shinan laughed.
Li Luoning frowned, not wanting to respond.
O Shinan's eyes gleamed with amusement. "I made the world aware of the Moon Shadow Pill's existence. Naturally, I can give the dual pills a plausible reason, making fewer people covet them."
Seeing Li Luoning's confusion, O Shinan triumphantly summoned a golden cauldron. "You might not know this, but your Li family became a major pharmaceutical house not because of business acumen but because your bloodline has a unique affinity for and ability to refine herbs. Your father, Li Shen, was the most gifted in this regard, which is why your family prospered."
O Shinan's casual handling of the cauldron made Li Luoning uneasy.
"How do you know this?" Li Luoning asked, his voice cold and stern.
Li Shen had mentioned their family's affinity for herbs, but it was mostly treated as a joke. Only later did Li Luoning realize his father hadn't been lying, though he never spoke of it to anyone.
"Why do you think no one has found a trace of your father all these years?" O Shinan's voice was calm and sinister, his smile taunting as he caressed the cauldron.
"What do you mean?" Li Luoning's voice was dangerously low, his fists clenched under his wide sleeves.
"Still don't get it? Let me spell it out. Your father's inner core is a rare treasure for filtering medicine. If I use it to refine the Moon Shadow Pill, won't it be even more effective? It so happens I met your father by chance in the Flatland," O Shinan said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Li Luoning's heart tightened, his body swaying uncontrollably.
"Master." Mi Xingzhe quickly stepped forward to support him.
"You're lying. Li Minghan admitted to patricide. How can it be as you say?" Mi Xingzhe protested.
"Heh, I merely took the shape and said a few harsh words. He couldn't bear it and decided to kill his father. I just helped him along. It was a small favor," O Shinan leaned forward, mocking.
Meanwhile, Yue Ruling and Qingyuan struggled, unable to kill their former comrades. They focused on restraining as many soldiers as possible.
However, Yue Ruling felt a tingling on her back and a burning pain at her nape.
"Ruling, are you alright?" Qingyuan noticed her distraction.
"I'm fine, Master, be careful." Yue Ruling tried to explain but was separated by the flashing swords.
---
Li Luoning steadied himself, feeling the Moon Shadow Pill within him grow agitated at O Shinan's words.
O Shinan glanced around at the demonic and celestial soldiers fighting, "How long will this take?" He casually shook his hand, and the golden cauldron transformed into a bell, which he rang gently.
"Mind Enchantment!" Mi Xingzhe instantly recognized the sound. Each time he heard it, he would lose his senses. This was the same bell that had caused him to kill Yun Qingyi during his battle with Li Minghan.
The bell's sound spread through the air, causing the eyes of all the celestial soldiers to take on an eerie glow. Those who had been restrained suddenly broke free, mindlessly attacking anyone nearby.
"Sister, be careful! It's the Mind Enchantment!" Mi Xingzhe shouted, spotting Yue Ruling in the distance.
"So, Li Luoning, will you hand over the Moon Shadow Pill yourself, or shall I take it?" O Shinan asked with a yawn.
"Do you really think that a single Cinder Pill can overcome my Moon Shadow Pill and Nian'er's Floating Light Golden Seal? I suggest you give up now," Li Luoning said, not understanding where O Shinan got his confidence from.
"Heh, I know I can't match the combined strength of you and your disciple. But I have something to trade," O Shinan replied with a sneer, rolling his eyes.
As if on cue, Shentu Zhajia's scream echoed through the battlefield. Engaged in a fierce fight with Tuluo, Shentu Zhajia suddenly felt a burning pain in his hand. Before he could react, his hand was covered in bubbling blisters that quickly burst, revealing raw, white bone.
In a desperate move, Shentu Zhajia severed his own hand to stop the spread of the corruption. "What is this sorcery?" he demanded, struggling to stay upright as sweat poured from his brow.
O Shinan raised an eyebrow, disdainfully glancing at Shentu Zhajia. "How did you like the gift I sent you earlier?" he asked, referring to the blue snow flower.
Realization dawned on Shentu Zhajia. The flower had been laced with a unique toxin to control him. "You vile creature!" he spat, struggling to stand.
Li Luoning gave Mi Xingzhe a glance, signaling him to assist Shentu Zhajia.
"So, if that isn't enough of a bargaining chip, I have more," O Shinan said, his tone playful. He created a barrier around himself and Li Luoning, isolating them from the battlefield. "Watch closely. The people who stand by you will die, one by one."
"Ruling! Watch out!" Li Luoning shouted, seeing Tuluo break through the ranks, heading straight for Yue Ruling, who was immobilized.
Yue Ruling felt a heavy blow on her back, sending her flying. Qingyuan had taken the hit meant for her, freeing her from the paralysis spell but receiving a fatal wound in the process. Tuluo's sharp claws had torn into Qingyuan's heart, shattering his inner core and poisoning him.
Mi Xingzhe, having just secured Shentu Zhajia, drew his sword and charged at Tuluo. "Let's finish this today!"
Yue Ruling, recovering, saw Qingyuan lying nearby. "Master!" she screamed, running to him and cradling his body.
"Master! Wake up! Look at me!" Yue Ruling, usually so composed, was now a frightened child, crying desperately over her dying mentor.
Qingyuan managed to open his eyes. The blow from Tuluo had shattered his inner core and poisoned him. He knew his time was up. "Ruling…" he whispered, reaching out to her one last time.
"Master, you can't die. You're the greatest God of War. You can't die. Please, Immortal Master Xiao Yi, save him!" Yue Ruling's voice broke with grief, pleading desperately.
Unable to speak further, Qingyuan tried to hand her his sword, but his strength failed, and it fell, shattering on the ground. The broken sword released the memories it held, flooding Yue Ruling's mind with their past life together.
"I, Bai Mian, pledge to be wed to You Shisan."
In the mortal realm, he had been a white rabbit, sacrificing himself for a white dragon. In that life, he learned love and overcame his trials.
She had been an unremarkable rich girl, jumping from the city walls to fulfill her love for a scholar. In that life, she learned compassion and overcame her grievances.
In this life, they fought to protect the Liao Yin Immortal Realm and ensure peace for all.
Qingyuan understood it all but couldn't let go of those memories. He had kept a piece of his past life hidden away as a personal memento.
The rain and dew bestow favor from the nine heavens. A lifetime together, this life in the mortal realm. From ancient times, few have known true love. In this life, immortals are already embraced.