Until then, Feng Jian felt the power he had used to create the formation return to his body, thanks to Jin Yu. The man looked up, watching as the red and black lights from the formation reentered his body, slowly relieving him of his weakness and pain, though not fully healing him.
With his strength restored, Feng Jian didn't remain idle. He quickly rose to help the girl hold back the Eye of the Gods. Amidst the intensifying rain of arrows and the ground beneath them collapsing into an endless abyss, Feng Jian's hands directed black light toward the Eye of the Gods to buy them more time.
"Just a bit more, a little more, and the Eye of the Gods will shatter if it hits my body. So why did you come in such a condition?!" Feng Jian shouted, his voice mixing with the loud explosions all around. His heart ached, knowing Jin Yu was sacrificing herself for him. He understood that dark powers like his, and Jin Yu's as well, could not withstand pure and holy energy like the Eye of the Gods.
But the girl looked at him in surprise, not expecting him to stand by her side like this. However, she quickly composed herself. "You're a fool, Jian'er. That's not how it's done. Even though your cultivation is strong, your body can't withstand this level of destruction. Jian'er, you shouldn't be here. Leave, end this battle, and save the universe."
Feng Jian shook his head at Jin Yu's words. Seeing an arrow approaching her face, he deflected it with his strength, though it caused him to fall downward. Feeling the increasing pressure of the Eye of the Gods on his body, he intensified his power, even as his arms grew numb and heavy. But he wouldn't let Jin Yu fight alone. "To me, nothing matters more than you. Even if I win this battle, it will mean nothing if you die."
Below, Luo Han watched the scene with anger. "What are they doing? I aimed for Feng Jian. If the Eye of the Gods hits someone else, all my efforts will be wasted."
Due to the immense, pure power of the weapon, the Eye of the Gods could only be used once every hundred years. This meant that if Luo Han couldn't kill Feng Jian now, he would have to wait another century for this chance.
Without delay, the man crossed his swords, skillfully swinging them so that both blades floated in the air, enveloped in golden and green light. In an instant, the two lights sped toward the Eye of the Gods, amplifying its power and pushing both Jin Yu and Feng Jian back rapidly.
"Jin Yu, we could let the universe be destroyed and escape. The world can be rebuilt. But if we are separated, I will bear the weight of that pain forever." Feng Jian cried out. This time, every joint and his entire body felt deadened, leaving him unable to feel anything anymore.
The white-haired girl with a crown adorned with ruby gemstones on every corner lowered her head and closed her eyes. But she shook her head upon hearing Feng Jian's words. "I am here to protect you. If the Eye of the Gods clashes with the universe, it will be destroyed. Jian'er, no matter what happens to you now, you are still part of the gods. Allowing the universe to fall means you have broken the laws of heaven. And those who break the law are always punished. Jian'er, hurry and save yourself. I can't hold on much longer."
"If you refuse to leave, then I won't leave either. If you must die here, then I'll be with you." Saying this, Feng Jian closed his eyes, allowing golden and red light to emerge from his forehead. Drawing upon his inner energy, he let it drain completely to hold back the Eye of the Gods as best he could.
Jin Yu immediately noticed Feng Jian's action. "This is bad, Jian'er is expending his spiritual core and divine consciousness at once. If he loses his spiritual energy this way, he will never be able to reincarnate. I have to do something. Even if not for the universe, I won't let my world be destroyed."
Jin Yu released her grip on the Eye of the Gods, skillfully moving her fingers and spinning her body until the red light around her successfully held back the Eye, replacing her hand's power. A monstrous figure with a pierced nose, about six meters tall, appeared behind her. With a single motion of her hand, she pushed the horned creature into Feng Jian's body. "Forgive me, Jian'er, this is the last thing I can do for you. As long as this demon dwells within you, it will give you new strength and rebirth. Even if you are reborn as a demon, at least I have protected you one last time."
Without hesitation, Jin Yu extended one hand, from which a weapon in the shape of a red-glowing chain emerged, binding Feng Jian entirely. Distracted from channeling his divine light, he opened his eyes in surprise to find himself immobilized. "What is this? Why am I bound by chains?" Feng Jian murmured.
Then his gaze fell on Jin Yu's body, slowly moving away and rising to the sky. "Jin Yu, what are you doing? Release me! You said we should face everything together. Why are you selfishly bearing it all alone now?"
But the girl didn't respond; she only smiled faintly, glancing at the chains that pulled Feng Jian away from the Eye of the Gods. Tears fell as she was dragged downward. "NO! JIN YU! DON'T DO THIS! JIN YU!" He struggled, trying to reach for his beloved, but the chains left him powerless.
His heart shattered at that moment, watching the girl he loved more than anything drawing close to the energy of the Eye of the Gods, followed by a powerful explosion from which not even a mosquito could escape.
"Jian'er, everything I do today is for you. I don't care about the universe or anything else. Only because you are part of this universe, I have done the same for you and your duty. All I care about is you, and that will never change. Jian'er, remember my words. Even in death, I will be with you every step of the way. Like my vow to always accompany you on every path." Jin Yu whispered, stretching her arms as her body rose. In her final gaze, she looked only at Feng Jian.
Her body slowly disintegrated, with parts scattering and merging with the light. Now, her soul floated, ready to ascend to the heavens. In the distance below, Feng Jian, his face scarred and wounded, struggled fiercely. "Release me! Release me! YU'ER!"
In mere moments, amidst Feng Jian's struggles, the second explosion of the Eye of the Gods resounded painfully. This time, the fragments of the divine weapon scattered around, creating a rain of fiery sparks and a menacing red sky. Right before him, he had to witness his lover's soul destroyed by the divine weapon. Though not completely shattered, her soul had lost its last sense of awareness.
In his shock, he could hear nothing but his own breaths. His body felt as if it were trapped in a void where only Jin Yu's soul, destroyed by the divine weapon, existed. Moving slowly, his heart ached even more. Watching his beloved crumble before him when he could do nothing left the scene engraved in his mind, like a mirror's reflection.
His ears began to ring, memories of his time with her over the years flashing through his mind. The new wound imprinted on Feng Jian's heart would last forever. Then he felt his body heat up, as if something within him was forcing its way out.
Feeling stronger than ever, Feng Jian screamed with a force that shook his surroundings, breaking the chains that bound him. Behind him, the demonic presence Jin Yu had left in him unbeknownst to him appeared. His eyes opened wide, glowing red. Beneath him, the ground had already crumbled into an endless chasm, with various objects floating around—from fragments of the Eye of the Gods to shattered trees and mere dry leaves carried by the explosion's waves. The presence of Luo Han was no longer felt by Feng Jian.
When the next wave approached, Feng Jian raised one hand, summoning a black shield at his elbow—a part of the demon's power. Shielded, he moved towards Jin Yu with slow, determined steps.
As he looked ahead, a sense of relief filled him upon seeing Jin Yu's golden-lit soul, though now fallen and devoid of consciousness.
Feng Jian, pushing against the immense pressure, surged toward Jin Yu, extending his hand to grasp her, holding on tightly.
Now, both of their bodies floated steadily in the air. Even though Jin Yu's eyes were closed, Feng Jian still felt relieved that her soul had been saved. A slight smile then formed on his lips. "Even if only a small part of your body remains, I'll still bring you back to life."
He gazed at Jin Yu's face for a long time, her entire form now glowing in golden light. To him, she was still the most beautiful, whether in human form or merely as a soul. He then extended his hand, gently stroking her face. "From beginning to end, you kept your promise to protect me. But you forgot that my life belongs entirely to you. If you leave, then my soul must leave with you."
Without warning, he closed his eyes, leaned closer, and pressed his lips to hers. He held the kiss for a moment until, slowly, her eyelids fluttered open. One of her hands rose to wipe away the traces of tears on his face.
This unexpected action caught Feng Jian off guard. He stopped and stared at Jin Yu, who was looking back at him. The man couldn't hide his smile any longer. But a moment later, that smile faded. He spoke softly. "I failed to protect you."
Of all the things he wanted to say, in the end, Feng Jian could only say that. The clone of the god's eye had now completely vanished, along with the destruction of the original god's eye. Even half the sky was now covered, leaving a calm, cloudy atmosphere. Yet chaos still spread everywhere. The human world that had once been perfectly round was now shattered, with its fragments scattered in the air.
"You always succeed, Jian'er. Whether it was before or now, you've always succeeded in keeping me close to you."
"Then don't leave. You've given me a reason to live and endure all this time. If, in the end, you leave too, then what am I supposed to do?"
"We will meet again. Even if things are different, we will meet again, Jian'er." She smiled beautifully, a smile that would remain etched in Feng Jian's mind forever.
Just as he was about to embrace her again, Jin Yu's body was slowly pulled down by an energy from below. "Yu'er!"
And just as his eyes drifted downward, Feng Jian saw Luo Han smiling with satisfaction, holding a brown pagoda in his hand. A nine-tiered pagoda, pulling Jin Yu's entire soul inside it.
Standing there, Feng Jian could only shake his head, watching his beloved's soul depart without being able to do anything but feel crushed. "YU'ER!"