Chapter 90 - 80: Her World, However, Had Vanished

Just as Bai Ruxue was struggling relentlessly, trying to break free from the chains.

A figure in blood-stained green robes stood before Bai Ruxue.

He was wreathed in the Mountain and River Dragon Fortune, holding aloft a longsword he seemed to have picked up from nowhere.

"BOOM!"

The Giant Axe and the longsword clashed.

In the fifty-li stretch of sea behind Xiao Mo, a colossal wave, a hundred feet high, surged into the air!

Xiao Mo threw another punch.

The punch seemed deceptively light, yet it carried the weight of mountains and rivers.

"THUD!"

The Cultivator with the Giant Axe plummeted to the seabed like a meteorite.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Mo turned and severed the chains with a few slashes of his sword. "Let’s go."

"ROAR!"

Bai Ruxue abandoned the fight. With Xiao Mo on her back, she flew south.

Bai Ruxue had once read in a book.

That if you just keep heading south, you will eventually reach a kingdom.

In that kingdom, everyone belonged to the Demon Race.

’She and Xiao Mo would be safe if they could just escape there.’

But how could the others possibly let Bai Ruxue have her way?

At this point, everyone knew one thing for certain: this White Flood Dragon had to die.

Letting her go would be like releasing a dragon back into the sea—they would inevitably face her wrath someday.

...

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Sitting on Bai Ruxue’s back, Xiao Mo let out a few coughs.

"Xiao Mo, are you okay?" Bai Ruxue asked, worried when she heard his coughing.

"I’m fine, it’s nothing." Xiao Mo smiled and shook his head, concealing the black blood he’d just coughed into his palm.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Mo looked up at the white clouds, feeling the bright spring sun on his skin.

Below them, the azure ocean shimmered and gleamed.

Xiao Mo eased his Wind Avoidance Technique slightly, letting the salty sea breeze gently tousle the ends of his hair. It carried the unique warmth of a spring day.

Closing his eyes, Xiao Mo looked inward, inspecting his body.

’My Mountain and River Fortune is almost gone.’

’My body’s Essence Blood has been completely burned away.’

Lowering his head, Xiao Mo parted his green robes slightly. A massive, bloody gash traversed his torso.

Black flames flickered from the wound.

In truth, that axe strike had dealt a fatal blow. Both his Divine Soul and his physical body should have been annihilated.

He was only holding on, clinging to his last breath, by using the last of his Mountain and River Fortune to sustain himself.

But...

Xiao Mo looked at his own body, which was gradually dissipating along with his Mountain and River Fortune.

He knew he didn’t have much time left...

"Ruxue, how are you feeling? Are you all right?" Xiao Mo asked about her injuries.

"Mmm, I’ve noticed my body recovers much faster since Crossing the Tribulation. My back still hurts a bit, but it’s okay. I already feel a lot better," Bai Ruxue replied.

Xiao Mo turned to glance at the wound on Bai Ruxue’s back.

Sure enough, the flesh and scales, once scorched, were already growing back.

’As expected, Ruxue’s talent is truly extraordinary. That True Dragon Essence Blood is playing a huge part, too.’

’Back when Ruxue was still a Snake Python, the True Dragon Essence Blood only manifested in her cultivation.’

’But now that she’s become a Flood Dragon, that drop of True Dragon Essence Blood has completely fused with her bloodline.’

’Though she’s still a Flood Dragon, her bloodline is now several times purer than that of an ordinary one.’

’This incredible regenerative ability is one of the signs of her purified, atavistic bloodline.’

"Ruxue, how far have we flown?"

Xiao Mo asked again.

Bai Ruxue shook her head. "I don’t know... Maybe seven hundred li?"

"Just seven hundred li," Xiao Mo said, adjusting his sleeves. "Getting to travel another seven hundred li with you... that’s nice."

"It won’t just be seven hundred li!" Bai Ruxue retorted. "We’re going to travel much, much farther together. We’ll watch sunrises and sunsets, see the clouds drift by, and explore every corner of the world."

Xiao Mo was silent.

"What’s wrong, Xiao Mo? Don’t you want to? Why aren’t you saying anything?"

Perhaps it was because she had escaped her pursuers and obtained the Dragon Thunder Liquid, but the young woman’s mood had suddenly brightened considerably.

"No, of course I want to."

Xiao Mo said with a gentle smile.

Below his knees, his calves had already dissolved into motes of light.

Like a piece of white paper burning away, turning into flecks of ash.

"Hmph, you have to want to, even if you don’t. I have the Dragon Thunder Liquid now. Once we get to the Wanyao Kingdom, we’ll be completely safe. Then you can take it and extend your life."

Bai Ruxue said cheerfully, but as she spoke, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

"Th-then...

"We... we can get married...

"I... I’ll bear you a few children.

"The boys will look like you, and the girls will look like me. They’ll be beautiful, I’m sure of it."

"Hehe..." Xiao Mo chuckled. "As long as they look like you. Why would they need to look like me? I’m not that handsome."

"Who says you’re not handsome?" Bai Ruxue retorted. "You’re very handsome."

Xiao Mo shook his head. "You’ve lived in Shiqiao Village your whole life and have only met a few men. Once you’ve seen more of the world, you won’t think I’m handsome anymore."

"That’s not true!" Bai Ruxue said confidently. "No matter how many other men I meet, I’ll always think you’re the most handsome!"

"Alright, then. I’ll accept my wife’s praise."

"Who’s your wife..." Bai Ruxue pouted. "We... we aren’t married yet."

Xiao Mo said nothing, simply gazing at Bai Ruxue with gentle eyes.

His thighs had already dissipated.

"Xiao Mo, why do you feel lighter?" Bai Ruxue asked, confused.

"I’m circulating my energy to heal," Xiao Mo fabricated an excuse. "The Mountain and River Fortune is making me float a bit, that’s why I feel lighter."

"Oh, I see." Bai Ruxue believed him.

It had always been this way.

She would believe anything Xiao Mo told her.

"Hey, Xiao Mo, can the Dragon Thunder Liquid heal your injuries?"

"No, it can’t," Xiao Mo shook his head. "Dragon Thunder Liquid only extends one’s lifespan; it can’t heal injuries. It’s not some divine panacea. But don’t worry, my injuries aren’t serious. There’s no need to be concerned."

"That won’t do. Just hang on a little longer. I’ll find an island to land on, and I’ll check your wounds. Then we’ll hurry and find a town and a physician to treat you."

Bai Ruxue was still very worried.

’I wonder if my blood has healing properties,’ she thought to herself. ’And if Xiao Mo could even withstand it.’

"Alright, whatever you say."

Xiao Mo agreed.

By now, his waist had dissipated.

"Ruxue..." Xiao Mo called her name softly.

"What is it?" Bai Ruxue asked.

"It’s nothing. Just... talk to me for a while."

"About what?"

"Anything. I’m getting a little sleepy, and I want to hear your voice."

"Alright."

Bai Ruxue thought for a moment.

"When we get to the Wanyao Kingdom, I’ll claim a mountain as my own. Then we can bring Xiao Qing over, and the three of us can live together forever."

"If you don’t like it there, we can come back once I’m stronger. By then, we won’t have to be afraid of those Cultivators anymore."

"Oh, and if we have children, you can’t call me silly in front of them. You can only say it secretly, behind my back."

"A mother has to maintain her dignity, you know..."

"Xiao Mo? Xiao Mo... did you fall asleep?"

"Not yet. I’m listening," Xiao Mo said with a laugh. "And you’re not silly at all."

"Of course I’m smart," Bai Ruxue said proudly.

"Ruxue." Xiao Mo’s body had now dissipated up to his neck.

"Yes?"

"From now on, you have to cultivate diligently."

"Why are you suddenly saying all this?"

"No reason. I just felt like saying it."

"Oh. Well, go on then."

"From now on, don’t be so reckless. Think things through."

"From now on, don’t be too quick to trust others. It’s good that you have a kind heart, but you must always be a little wary."

"From now on, listen to Xiao Qing more. She may be younger than you, but she’s more mature."

Bai Ruxue grumbled, "Xiao Mo, I don’t want to hear this... It’s making me feel uneasy..."

Xiao Mo smiled. "Just one last thing."

The young woman mumbled, "Fine."

Xiao Mo’s gentle eyes, like the spring sea breeze, reflected her image.

"From now on, when I’m not with you anymore, you have to take good care of yourself.

"You have to keep walking the path ahead...

"Silly girl, do you hear me?"

As Xiao Mo’s final words fell...

Bai Ruxue’s golden, slitted pupils constricted violently.

A profound silence fell upon the young woman’s ears...

Above the vast, blue sky.

The White Dragon flew onward with all her might.

But her world had vanished.