Deep within the Ancient Forbidden Land. Here, wild grasses grew in abundance, and the trees were pitch black and grotesque, creating an eerie and terrifying scene.
Upon entering the depths of this life-restricting zone, one could truly feel its horrors.
Chu Yang looked around and saw that all life forms, whether vegetation or ferocious beasts, had been infected by the ominous curse, becoming monstrous and horrifying.
From time to time, ghastly howls like those of night owls echoed, harsh and unpleasant to the ear.
A terrifying atmosphere pervaded the entire forbidden land.
But Chu Yang, having gone through so much, would not be intimidated by these things. He continued to walk forward, carrying the little fox.
Suddenly, an unexpected change occurred.
"Screech!"
A sharp, ear-piercing cry, like the wails of ghosts and wolves, disturbed the mind.
In the distant sky, a flock of dark-winged birds appeared.
They were like great eagles, enormous in size, capable of preying on all things.
Wherever they passed, they left behind a charred black wasteland, and no life could survive their onslaught.
These dark-winged birds noticed Chu Yang in the distance and, with a shrill cry, charged towards him.
The little fox, who had awakened unknowingly, exclaimed, "These are cursed demon birds, Chu Yang, run!"
The little fox's concern was understandable, as she hadn't witnessed Chu Yang's recent ascent to the Supreme Realm and was unaware of his current strength.
Chu Yang smiled and said softly, "Don't worry."
With that, the gentleness on Chu Yang's face vanished, replaced by an icy coldness.
He raised his hand, and the sky above was suddenly filled with endless dark clouds.
Within the dark clouds, streaks of lightning flickered and danced.
"Come!"
Chu Yang shouted.
Boom! A bolt of lightning, like the thunder of doom, instantly tore through the sky, radiating an immense destructive power, striking the demon birds.
In an instant, lightning and fire filled the sky.
The demon birds let out horrific screams as they perished in the lightning.
The little fox's eyes sparkled with amazement; she hadn't expected Chu Yang to have become so powerful.
...
Outside, a bone-chilling rain began to fall.
Rain in the Ancient Forbidden Land was different from the outside world; these raindrops could be tainted with strange and inexplicable curses.
It was several degrees colder than a rainy night outside.
Concerned for the little fox's safety, Chu Yang decided to find a cave to shelter in.
Previously, the little fox had protected him like a shield.
This time, Chu Yang shielded the little fox behind him, determined not to let her suffer any more harm.
After some time, the rain outside gradually ceased.
During this time, Chu Yang continuously tried to suppress the bloodline curse within the little fox. If he could erase it completely, that would be ideal.
However, the bloodline curse was set by a Great Emperor. Even though Chu Yang had now reached the Supreme Realm, it was impossible to eradicate it completely.
Simply being able to protect the little fox's mind was already an incredible feat.
Outside the Heavenly Emperor Mirror.
The cultivators were silent, contemplating the strength of a curse set by a Great Emperor. Many could answer that question.
Below a Great Emperor, no one could contend with it.
The little fox not only carried such a terrifying curse but was also tainted by the most dreadful ominous curse in existence. Death was inevitable.
But Chu Yang still refused to give up on the little fox.
At that moment, no one could find fault with Chu Yang.
However, the deeper his bond with the little fox grew, the more heartless and cold-blooded Chu Yang seemed when he later slaughtered the demon clan.
The cultivators sighed with emotion.
Without the little fox, there would be no Emperor Sovereign who later subdued the three realms. Without the little fox, the Emperor Sovereign might have died in that snowstorm.
It could be said that the Emperor Sovereign's later achievements were entirely due to the little fox.
But in the end, he betrayed the little fox and committed atrocities.
Everyone felt the little fox's sacrifice was in vain.
...
With Chu Yang's help, the little fox's vitality gradually stabilized, becoming more vibrant than before.
She lay in Chu Yang's arms, gazing at his resolute face, and spoke in a melodious voice, "Chu Yang, give up. I am already riddled with wounds, plagued by two irreversible and terrifying curses. There's no chance of survival. There's no need to waste your time on me."
"So, I really hope you can leave me here and go on your own. That way, you won't be burdened, and you'll have a better chance of surviving in the Forbidden Land."
"Do you know why I risked my life to save you? Because I felt we were very similar, both pitiful beings."
"I used to think my fate was already very tragic, but I didn't realize your experiences were no better. Supreme bone dug out, Dao Palace collapsed, foundation destroyed, sword heart shattered, even one arm cut off."
"At that time, I wondered, what kind of suffering did you endure to end up like this?"
"We are really alike, sharing the same sorrow and misfortune. The same stubbornness, the same suffering. That's why I chose to save you."
"I never regretted saving you. On the contrary, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have dared to come to this Ancient Forbidden Land."
"I'm going to die anyway, so why not let you live? We are both pitiful beings; one of us should carry on the other's beliefs and live on."
The little fox spoke with deep emotion, fully aware of her current physical state.
She knew that if Chu Yang continued to carry her, they might not make it out of the Forbidden Land alive.
Leaving her behind would greatly increase his chances of survival.
She had no hope of living anymore, so why drag Chu Yang down with her?
Chu Yang was deeply moved by the little fox's words. He smiled and firmly said, "I won't give up on you, because I promised to save you."
For Chu Yang, the little fox's appearance was also his salvation. He had carried too many burdens.
Since he was seven, his parents were killed, his entire village massacred, and he had to survive with his baby sister Chu Nannan.
Later, he met the Sword Sovereign and thought he had the protection of a sect, but it turned out to be a conspiracy. The Sword Sovereign took him as a disciple only to use him.
Only this time, facing the little fox, did he truly feel what it was like to be protected.
The little fox was both happy and angry at Chu Yang's seemingly arrogant words.
She didn't understand why Chu Yang was so stubborn, insisting on doing something even when he knew it was impossible.
"Alright, don't think too much. You won't die, and neither will I. We will both live well."