Without waiting any longer, the man shot down swiftly, descending to retrieve Jin Yu's soul. Her spirit now looked at Feng Jian with a panicked expression, her hand reaching out, trying to grasp his body. "Jian'er," she called softly, her voice barely a whisper.
Simultaneously, Feng Jian stretched out his hand, desperately trying to reach Jin Yu's. "Hold onto me, I won't fail to protect you a second time."
They kept reaching out to each other, but no matter how hard they tried, Jin Yu's body was pulled down faster and faster, slipping away. Eventually, the light that had surrounded her gradually faded from Feng Jian's view. He could only shake his head before feeling a golden light envelop him, carrying his spirit somewhere else.
Feng Jian found himself in a field of colorful, blooming flowers. The air was cool, even though the sun shone brightly above. Slowly opening his eyes, he realized he was in a beautiful place.
His gaze wandered around the garden. He turned, marveling at the sight—the knee-high green grass swaying in the gentle breeze, even his long hair blew, occasionally obscuring his vision. Here, his body was pristine, unmarked by any scars.
Just then, as he brushed his hair away, he spotted a girl with skin as white as snow running toward him, holding a flower in her hand. "Jian'er, do you like this flower? Please don't say no. I got it from the edge of a cliff and almost fell. Go on, tell me I'm amazing."
She moved back and forth playfully, like a child, with a slight pout, giving her a charming, childish look. Feng Jian's face softened into a smile as he reached out to touch her face. "Jin Yu, is it really you?"
"Of course it's me. Who else would you expect? Tell me who, and I'll give them a deadly blow! Just try entering my Jian'er's mind!" The girl looked different from usual—her whole body glowed, and her crown, usually adorned with ruby gems, was now set entirely with clear crystals.
Hearing her words, Feng Jian shook his head with a smile. "How could I think of anyone else when my mind is already filled with you? Yu'er, you may not know, but you are my world. I'd destroy worlds just to bring mine back."
Jin Yu's expression turned sad at his words. The light that had surrounded her dimmed, and even the bright sun was now obscured by dark clouds, casting a chill over the scene.
The wind, once calm, suddenly whipped into a fierce gust, threatening to carry away anything in its path. Feng Jian shielded his eyes, turning left and right to seek the source of the sudden storm. "Jin Yu, what's happening? Let's go somewhere else. This place is too dangerous for you."
He reached out to take her hand, but as he moved, Jin Yu stayed still. Feng Jian turned back, concerned. "What's wrong? Do you want me to carry you?"
She shook her head slightly, looking at him with an expression he'd never seen—a sad gaze. "Jian'er, this storm is like a test of life. You'll be tested on how strong you can be. The winner is always the strongest."
"I don't understand what you mean. But whatever it is, you'll explain it to me later. Right now, we need to leave this place. Seriously, Jin Yu, it's dangerous here."
"I can't go with you. This next journey, only you can undertake it alone."
Jin Yu's words struck him like a bolt of lightning. His body tensed as he turned to face her, not realizing he'd released her hand. "Hey, that's not how it works. Wherever you go, I'll be with you, and vice versa. You promised to always stay with me, right? And now I'm making sure you'll keep that promise for the rest of your life."
As the seconds passed, Jin Yu lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry, Feng Jian, I really can't. Our paths have diverged." She paused, then lifted her gaze to meet his, a soft smile on her face. "Even so, I want you to always remember that I will remain by your side. Nothing can separate me from you, not even death." She stepped closer, placing her hand over his heart. "I'll stay here, inside you. Even if I die today, I will always be with you, protecting you."
Feng Jian shook his head, grasping her hand against his chest. "Neither your soul nor your body can leave me. I won't allow it."
"Your journey is far from over." Her hand reached up to gently caress his face, tears glistening on her sad face. "This is where we part. If you want to see me again, become stronger and bring me back to you. When that time comes, I won't ever be able to leave you again."
Feng Jian took her hand and held it tightly, bowing his head to keep his tears at bay. He knew this was the end, and he couldn't fight it any longer. "I will become stronger to protect you."
Slowly, he drew Jin Yu into his embrace. He knew it was only an illusion. He knew this was merely a figment of his imagination, but he was in denial, unwilling to accept that Jin Yu would leave him from now on.
"Jian'er, I love you," Jin Yu whispered, hugging him tightly as her tears fell freely.
"And I will tell you in return when you fulfill your promise to meet me again. For now, I'm letting you go. But in the next life, even if death stands in front of you, I will pull you back and give you a new life."
As he finished speaking, Jin Yu's body gradually transformed into shimmering white particles, floating into the air and leaving Feng Jian embracing empty space.
When he opened his eyes again, Feng Jian saw that Jin Yu's soul had fully entered the pagoda. His consciousness returned to the real world. The moment he realized she was truly gone, a fire of anger ignited within him, consuming his entire being. "Luo Han, I once showed mercy when you sought to destroy the universe. But even after its destruction, you went on to destroy Jin Yu. This time, I will not forgive you."
"You don't actually think you can defeat me, do you? Feng Jian, you're just a sword dreaming of slaying the god of war. Shall I fulfill that dream by keeping you asleep?" Luo Han smirked. The pagoda that had been in his grasp vanished. Feng Jian clenched his fists tightly below.
Without warning, he threw a fiery attack at Luo Han, striking his left shoulder. The god of war's anger flared instantly. "Even with the gods asleep, I need only my bare hands to kill you."
With those words, Luo Han dashed forward, prepared to strike. But Feng Jian quickly created a shield of fire, holding off Luo Han's attack as he was pushed back slightly. Seconds later, Feng Jian thrust his shield forward, pushing Luo Han back. "I may be just a sword. But you forget that a sword becomes sharp if continually honed."
This time, Feng Jian spread his arms, his flames blazing intensely. Before Luo Han could react, a three-meter-wide blast of fire surged toward him, engulfing his body. It didn't stop there; Feng Jian summoned a large, rotating destruction formation behind him. Shaped like a massive sphere, it had several black points, each emitting sharp swords poised to strike at any moment.
Feng Jian's cold eyes fixed on Luo Han as he gestured toward him. "Kill!"
Through the flames, Luo Han saw the scene with panic and quickly mustered his inner strength, closing his eyes as his entire body was shrouded in dark, black light.
Panting heavily, Feng Jian struggled to control himself. The fire around him began to fade, replaced by the smoky residue of his breath. His eyes looked exhausted as he realized it was all over. Three realms had been destroyed, and he, too, was broken.
What remained of Feng Jian was an empty, hollow shell. But moments later, a faint figure emerged from the embers—Luo Han, his body surrounded by a dark-red glow. His body was pierced by swords, yet he appeared stronger than ever. "HAAAAHHHH!"
The roar drew Feng Jian's gaze, his shock evident as Luo Han's body radiated a darkness even deeper than his own. Luo Han arched back, black light streaming from his eyes and mouth, merging in the air to form a dark circle—the Eternal Darkness Formation.
But what truly shocked Feng Jian wasn't that. "So, Luo Han has also taken the path of darkness?"
Anyone who possesses dark energy in their body is nothing more than a demonic cultivator, especially if it is as intense as Luo Han's. The man's thoughts were interrupted by Luo Han's booming voice. "Do you think you're the only one who can secretly cultivate with demonic powers?"
The figure floating above him now seemed nothing like Luo Han. His clothes had completely transformed into black, his hair was white, and red marks adorned his face and neck, revealing that this man's demonic power far surpassed Feng Jian's. "Why are you doing this, Luo Han? As a God of War, have you forgotten your duty and responsibility?"
"To hell with responsibility! As long as I can kill you, I'll do whatever it takes."
"Fine. Then kill me today; I won't resist. But I ask one thing from you—please return Jin Yu's soul. He must reincarnate." This time, no anger remained in Feng Jian. His emotions had gone beyond rage, leaving only a profound calm.
The corner of Luo Han's lips lifted into a smirk. He approached Feng Jian with a sinister, demon-like smile. "Do you think this is how one speaks to their enemy? If I can kill you both, why should I let one of you go?"
"Luo Han, your grudge is with me, not Jin Yu. He has nothing to do with this. So listen to me now and free Yu'er's soul."
Luo Han was casually examining his fingernails as he considered this request. Finally, he sneered and looked at Feng Jian, who stood not far from him. "Fine. But in exchange, you must give me the divine weapon you secretly stole and purified back then."
Feng Jian wasn't surprised that Luo Han knew about the weapon. He paused for a moment and then nodded. "Then, give me Jin Yu's soul."
Luo Han extended his hand, and a small pagoda floated above it. Seeing this made Feng Jian's eyes light up. "Jin Yu."
But before Feng Jian could reach it, his body was pulled by the dark light of a formation. How could Feng Jian have forgotten and acted so foolishly? The being in front of him was not the God of War anymore but a demon. And as a demon, of course, he could act treacherously. Luo Han had secretly activated the formation to ensure Feng Jian was drawn into it.
"Damn it! Luo Han, give me that pagoda!" Feng Jian shouted from above, struggling to resist the pull of the formation that was absorbing him.
But cruelly, Luo Han let the pagoda fall. "You know, it's better for me to get nothing than to give you that pagoda. As for the weapon, I can forge another one to destroy you in the future. But before that, you will stay with the other sinful beings. Eternal in darkness."
After saying this coldly, Luo Han laughed, his voice echoing up to the third heaven. Feng Jian's blood, of course, boiled with rage. "Luo Han, hear my vow! I swear to destroy you and your descendants! In the future, even if you peel your own skin to beg for my forgiveness, I will choose to inflict endless suffering upon you without death! I, Feng Jian, will do whatever it takes to destroy you. Even if I must be reborn, immortal in darkness!"