"Xiao Bai—quick, come over here!"
Di Yao's voice rang out.
Standing atop the high tower, she waved enthusiastically at Bai Jue, her small face filled with excitement.
Bai Jue smiled and nodded. With a light leap, he landed beside her in an instant. Reaching into Yama's Underworld, he took out a Darkflame Fruit and handed it to her.
"Here, Teacher. This one's for you."
"Heh—not bad. You know how to show respect to your teacher now."
Di Yao didn't stand on ceremony. She accepted the Darkflame Fruit and patted Bai Jue's shoulder with satisfaction, wearing a pleased, almost parental expression.
"Haha, well, there's no point in me keeping that many anyway."
Bai Jue scratched his head and laughed.
More importantly, Di Yao had genuinely treated him well during this time. He remembered it clearly. Without her guidance and protection, he wouldn't have grown this fast. Forget a Darkflame Fruit—if something more valuable were needed, he wouldn't hesitate to give it to her.
Knowing gratitude was never a bad thing.
"By the way, Teacher,"
Bai Jue asked,
"we're not leaving just yet, right?"
"No rush,"
Di Yao replied.
"What—are you planning to consume the Darkflame Fruit now?"
"Yeah."
Bai Jue nodded.
"I've still got two left. One is enough for me. The other—I'm planning to give it to the Ghost Bride so she can get stronger as well."
Di Yao nodded thoughtfully.
"The Ghost Bride? That Rank Three Ghost King of yours?"
"Mm."
Bai Jue responded casually.
Although the Ghost Bride had already transformed into a Nie, he didn't plan to mention that for now.
"Good idea,"
Di Yao said approvingly.
"Even though she's already Rank Three, the Darkflame Fruit can still strengthen her. Perfect timing—I'll also feed one to a contracted ghost of mine."
With that, the two of them sat cross-legged atop the tower.
They each took out their Darkflame Fruits and consumed them.
After watching the Ghost Bride swallow hers, Bai Jue consumed his own. He closed his eyes and began to focus inward.
Very quickly—
A sudden wave of heat surged through his body, as if flames were burning within him.
At the same time, Yin Fire manifested across his skin, rising and roaring violently.
The Darkflame Fruit was taking effect.
It was enhancing his Yin Fire.
[Notice: You have consumed a Darkflame Fruit. Yin Fire has begun to strengthen.]
[Notice: Your Yin Fire continues to grow stronger. You have drawn the attention of Qingming. Qingming has begun to favor you.]
[Notice: Qingming is now observing you at all times.]
[Notice: Yin Fire strengthening. Prayer Power slightly increased.]
[…]
System notifications echoed continuously in his mind.
Bai Jue immersed himself completely in the enhancement of his Yin Fire, losing track of everything else.
Almost instinctively, he entered a profound, mysterious state.
The Black Spirit Art began circulating on its own.
Prayer Power from heaven and earth poured into his body in vast quantities.
Within Yama's Underworld—
Changxi sat cross-legged atop the city gate.
Ghostly energy surged around her, Yin winds howling.
After consuming the Darkflame Fruit, black flames emerged across her body as well.
Under those flames, a terrifying aura rippled outward again and again—
Her presence climbing steadily.
She broke through.
Stepping directly into Rank Four.
Meanwhile—
Outside the space gate.
Far, far away.
Within a magnificent ancient castle-palace, a young girl draped in white gauze sat quietly upon a soft meditation cushion, as though deep in contemplation.
The palace was guarded with extreme vigilance.
Her identity was clearly extraordinary.
No fewer than thirty or forty Festival Bearers were stationed within the palace—
Every single one of them at Rank Three or above.
All of them existed for one purpose alone:
To protect the girl.
Inside the palace—
Suddenly.
The girl's tightly closed eyes opened.
Her gaze was clear and lucid—
Yet filled with shock.
The instant her eyes opened, hurried footsteps echoed.
A woman approached quickly, her expression full of concern.
"Saintess—what's wrong?"
"I felt it…"
The girl murmured softly, as though recalling something distant.
"A war is coming."
"A war of unprecedented scale."
"Flames of battle will engulf the entire world."
"This war… will determine the survival of civilizations."
The woman's face changed instantly.
"You mean… other civilizations will move against humanity?"
The girl shook her head, offering no direct answer.
Instead, she continued in a low voice.
"Alongside the war… there is darkness."
"Endless darkness will sweep across the battlefield—
Taking everything.
Drowning everything.
Devouring everything."
"Within that darkness… I sensed a figure."
"The source of the darkness itself."
"It may become a savior."
"But it is also steeped in slaughter."
"Did you sense anything else, Saintess?"
The woman asked urgently.
"No."
The girl shook her head gently.
"I will report this to the higher council immediately. Please rest, Saintess."
The woman bowed and turned to leave.
Just then—
The girl spoke again.
"I want to go out and see the world."
The woman froze.
Her expression changed drastically, as though something monumental was about to unfold.
After a long while—
She left.
Soon after, several figures with solemn expressions entered the palace, each radiating terrifying power.
They remained inside briefly—
Then exited with grave expressions, departing one after another.
The palace once again fell into silence.
Deep within the hall—
The girl sat quietly on her cushion, eyes half-closed.
Her lips moved in a soft murmur.
"The world is foolish…"
"Only I am clear…"
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