Gongsun Yarou initially made the demand out of spite, but seeing Xiao Fan agree so readily only made her angrier.
Xiao Fan was clearly heading to his death. Despite not wanting him to die, she also didn't want him to think she was someone who went back on her word.
After a moment of contemplation, Gongsun Yarou sighed deeply.
Xiao Fan, you truly are my nemesis!
If she took Xiao Fan over to Long Xiaoxiao, she would also be putting herself at great risk. Even the demon saints were treading carefully to avoid provoking the rampaging Long Xiaoxiao. Approaching her now was undoubtedly foolish.
The old Gongsun Yarou would have fled without a second thought. But for Xiao Fan, she decided to take the risk.
"Xiao Fan, I've done so much for you. You better repay me in the future!" Gongsun Yarou murmured with a hint of resentment before flying towards Long Xiaoxiao with Xiao Fan in her arms.
Long Xiaoxiao, having devoured the dragon elders, turned her blood-red eyes towards the demon saints.
The saints' faces grew stern. Long Xiaoxiao's power had surged to unimaginable levels. One wrong move, and they could be annihilated.
Suddenly, the entire secret realm shook violently. The space around them began to collapse. It wouldn't be long before the secret realm ceased to exist. If they didn't leave soon, they would be trapped in the chaotic space-time currents.
With the dragon elders gone and the Dragon Clan nearly extinct, the only significant threat was the now insane Long Xiaoxiao. The demon clan had won a great victory. There was no reason to stay any longer.
But Long Xiaoxiao's blood-red, murderous gaze was fixed on them. Though she hadn't moved yet, it was only because she was still processing the power she had absorbed. Once she finished, they would be her next targets.
The saints were in a dilemma, but Gongsun Yarou's appearance with Xiao Fan broke the deadlock.
"Honored demon ancestors, I can buy you some time. Please leave now! This secret realm is about to collapse completely. You are the protectors of the demon clan. You must survive!" Gongsun Yarou urged, understanding the gravity of the situation.
The demon saints, who valued their lives highly, exchanged a deep look with Gongsun Yarou. If she survived, they would support her ascension to the throne of the demon clan.
They began to move, but Long Xiaoxiao's enormous body charged at them, seeing them as a much more appealing meal than Xiao Fan and Gongsun Yarou.
The saints were terrified, but Xiao Fan urgently shouted, "Quick, use my blood to douse her mouth!"
Gongsun Yarou acted swiftly, slicing Xiao Fan's wrist and directing his blood into Long Xiaoxiao's mouth.
As the blood entered her mouth, Long Xiaoxiao paused momentarily, giving the saints a chance to escape towards the exit of the secret realm.
Gongsun Yarou was surprised. Why did Long Xiaoxiao, who had lost all reason, react to Xiao Fan's blood? Could this have happened before? Had Xiao Fan used his blood to bring Long Xiaoxiao back to her senses?
This must be why Long Xiaoxiao was so reliant on Xiao Fan.
A surge of inexplicable emotion rose in Gongsun Yarou's heart. For Long Xiaoxiao, Xiao Fan was willing to sacrifice even himself. Their rivalry now seemed utterly pointless.
Gongsun Yarou felt a deep, bitter ache. But there was no time to dwell on these feelings.
Long Xiaoxiao, temporarily pacified, was still eyeing Xiao Fan with greed and madness. Even though her target wasn't her, Gongsun Yarou felt immense pressure.
Could Xiao Fan really bring Long Xiaoxiao back to her senses?
Gongsun Yarou was deeply anxious. If Xiao Fan failed, they would both perish.
"Xiaoxiao, it's Master's fault. I shouldn't have put you in such danger..." Xiao Fan spoke gently, hoping to reach her.
But Long Xiaoxiao, consumed by madness, only saw him as prey, her eyes filled with greed. She opened her massive jaws to devour him.
Xiao Fan had Gongsun Yarou continue to feed his blood to Long Xiaoxiao, trying to keep her at bay.
With each drop of his blood, Long Xiaoxiao seemed to savor it, momentarily delaying her aggression. Throughout, Xiao Fan recounted their memories together, hoping to restore her sanity.
But as time passed, Xiao Fan grew paler, his life slipping away.
Gongsun Yarou's hands trembled. How much more blood could Xiao Fan lose in his current state?
Their efforts seemed futile. Long Xiaoxiao remained bloodthirsty, intent on devouring Xiao Fan.
Xiao Fan's despair deepened. He might not be able to save her. Long Xiaoxiao's condition was his fault. He had failed to protect her.
Outside the Haotian Mirror, the Dragon Empress Long Xiaoxiao was weeping uncontrollably. Watching Xiao Fan grow paler and weaker, she cried out in agony, "Master, stop! Please, stop!"
The heart-wrenching scene moved everyone.
Even Gongsun Yarou, who initially felt some sympathy, now found a twisted satisfaction. Xiao Fan had trampled on her feelings, so she wanted to see those he cared about suffer.
It wasn't enough. She wanted to see more of Long Xiaoxiao's pain. An even more dramatic scene was about to unfold.
Inside the Haotian Mirror.
"The secret realm is about to collapse. You should go," Xiao Fan said despondently to Gongsun Yarou.
"And you?" Gongsun Yarou's lips trembled. She knew what Xiao Fan intended, but couldn't accept it. Was Long Xiaoxiao worth all this?
With no options left, she had to get Xiao Fan out before the realm collapsed.