After resolving the demonic consciousness within Wen Yaxian, Xiao Fan gazed at her with deep affection.
If he could, he would stay by her side forever, caring for and protecting her.
However, Wen Yaxian now harbored only hatred for him, wishing to tear him apart.
If possible, he would rather die at her hands to free her from her hatred.
But he couldn't die yet.
If his consciousness perished, the demonic consciousness within him would fully take over his body.
Then, there would be no more Xiao Fan, only a great demon.
He had to find a way to deal with the demonic consciousness lurking within him.
It was time for him and Wen Yaxian to part ways.
...
When Wen Yaxian woke up, she found Xiao Fan sleeping beside her, completely defenseless.
This surprised her.
Soon, she noticed the key hanging from Xiao Fan's waist.
Carefully, she crawled over to him, gently and quietly.
Without any trouble, she took the key from Xiao Fan's waist.
She successfully unlocked her handcuffs and ankle cuffs.
Looking at the sleeping Xiao Fan, Wen Yaxian clenched her hands tightly.
She wanted to slap him to death.
But seeing him frown and seem to wake up, she suppressed the urge.
She worried that if she failed, she would wake him up and then be unable to escape.
So, she held back her anger and quietly left the room.
Once outside, she ran as fast as she could into the forest, determined to get as far away as possible.
She vowed to return for her revenge.
In reality, Xiao Fan had opened his eyes the moment Wen Yaxian left the room.
Everything was intentional to let her escape.
Xiao Fan gazed forlornly out the window, feeling an emptiness in his heart.
Outside the Haotian Mirror.
The Taiyin Empress Wen Yaxian watched the scene in the Haotian Mirror with an indifferent expression.
There was no more agitation, madness, sadness, or loneliness.
She seemed to be watching something irrelevant.
Her reaction surprised the onlookers.
Earlier, the North Ming Empress Leng Ruoxue had rushed into the Zhu Xian formation, willing to die with the Netherworld Demon Emperor, showing her deep feelings.
Though it was regrettable, it was also admirable.
But now, the Taiyin Empress's cold reaction was disappointing.
People weren't expecting her to self-destruct like the North Ming Empress, but Xiao Fan had sacrificed so much for her. A few words of gratitude wouldn't be too much.
Yet, the Taiyin Empress showed no reaction.
The contrast with her previous emotional reaction was stark.
Where did the tears go?
Even ordinary spectators found the Taiyin Empress's coldness puzzling.
Did this mean she was truly a heartless, selfish person?
If even the common people thought so, the North Ming Empress Leng Ruoxue's anger was even greater.
"Taiyin Empress, you heartless woman! Master sacrificed so much for you, and you don't even have a bit of gratitude. I truly pity Master," she shouted. "You're nothing but a heartless, hypocritical woman."
"Even pigs have more compassion than you!"
"You shouldn't be called the Taiyin Empress but the Heartless Empress!"
Leng Ruoxue's words became increasingly harsh, saying the most hurtful things she could think of.
The Taiyin Empress Wen Yaxian's expression darkened, and she shouted, "Do you think I won't kill you?"
"Heh, do you think I'm afraid? Come on then!" Leng Ruoxue retorted fearlessly.
"Fine, you asked for it."
The Taiyin Empress slowly raised her hand, and the sky darkened.
A giant hand appeared, ready to strike the Primordial Imperial City.
The spectators were shocked.
They hadn't expected the Taiyin Empress to really attack!
People already thought she was heartless, but now seeing her ruthlessness was even more disappointing.
The Taiyin Empress, praised for her compassion and kindness, was now revealed as cold and cruel.
As the giant hand was about to strike Leng Ruoxue, the Jade Pool Empress, who had been watching from above, shouted angrily, "How dare you act out under my nose! You must have a death wish!"
Even the Heavenly Fire Empress laughed, "Your performance was quite convincing."
Hearing this, the Taiyin Empress's expression changed, and she clenched her hand, pulling Leng Ruoxue away from the Primordial Imperial City.
After doing this, the Taiyin Empress disappeared into the void.
The spectators realized what had happened.
It turned out the Taiyin Empress and Leng Ruoxue had staged a show to rescue the Netherworld Demon Emperor, but their plan was foiled by the Jade Pool Empress.
Now, the Taiyin Empress had only managed to save Leng Ruoxue.
Even without prior coordination, their performance was perfect and deceived everyone.
But the Jade Pool Empress was still superior.
Above the void, the Jade Pool Empress snorted.
As long as she had the Haotian Mirror, no one could save Xiao Fan.
She hadn't bothered to stop the Taiyin Empress from saving Leng Ruoxue because it wasn't worth the effort.
In a void rift miles away, the Taiyin Empress Wen Yaxian and the North Ming Empress Leng Ruoxue revealed themselves.
Leng Ruoxue snorted, "So you're not that stupid after all."
Earlier, while everyone was engrossed in the Haotian Mirror, she had signaled the Taiyin Empress with her eyes, trusting she would understand.
Whether she would help depended on her conscience.
Thankfully, the Taiyin Empress wasn't completely heartless.
But their plan had been seen through by the Jade Pool Empress, and they couldn't rescue Xiao Fan.
The Taiyin Empress could see Leng Ruoxue's jealousy over Xiao Fan's love for her, explaining her attitude.
She, too, didn't like Leng Ruoxue, but to save Xiao Fan, she had to cooperate.
"Enough talk. If not for Master, I wouldn't be working with you. Now let's figure out how to save him," Wen Yaxian said coldly.
"Fine, but first, you'll use your Taiyin power to restore my cultivation," Leng Ruoxue agreed.