99: Protecting each other in dire straits, love takes deep root

The terrifying thunder Dragon, formed from the Thunder Emperor's remnant will, carrying a violent intent to annihilate all things, fiercely collided with the Black-Robed Elder! In an instant, thunder light and Devilish Qi clashed like two stars, erupting with world-destroying energy shockwaves. The entire Thunder Pond area violently trembled and disintegrated!

"Go!" Lin Xuan endured the tearing pain in his Meridians, supporting the weakened Su Wanqing with one hand, while with the other, he conjured a burst of magical power to scoop up Qu Feiyan, who was heavily injured and collapsed nearby. At the same time, he shouted at Gongsun Yu and Wangshu, who had just completed their tempering and whose auras were not yet fully stable.

No words were needed; everyone understood this was their only chance! Taking advantage of the moment the thunder Dragon was entangled with the Black-Robed Elder and his subordinates, the five transformed into streaks of light and sped towards a deeper, more ancient passage that had been revealed behind the Thunder Pond by the explosion!

"Trying to run? Stay here for this Venerable One!" Although the Black-Robed Elder was tightly entangled by the thunder Dragon and filled with rage, he still split off a wisp of his Divine Sense and flicked a finger! A condensed, substantial black demonic finger, as if traversing space and ignoring some of the energy turbulence, carried a malicious power that defiled the Divine Soul and corroded the Dao Foundation. It struck from behind, aiming directly at the one lagging furthest behind—Qu Feiyan!

If this finger were to hit, the already heavily injured Qu Feiyan would likely perish instantly!

"Senior Sister Qu!" Lin Xuan's Divine Sense had been constantly monitoring the rear, and upon seeing this, his eyes nearly split! His condition was extremely poor at the moment; combining his strength with Su Wanqing to unleash that Yin and Yang strike had almost drained most of his magical power, and he had also sustained internal injuries. But seeing the demonic finger approaching, he didn't hesitate. He abruptly pushed the supported Su Wanqing towards Gongsun Yu and Wangshu, then forcibly reversed his Qi and blood, desperately unleashing his last bit of power. His figure instantly appeared behind Qu Feiyan, blocking the attack!

"Lin Xuan! (Junior Brother Lin! Big Brother Lin!)" Three exclamations rang out simultaneously! Su Wanqing's icy eyes instantly turned crimson, Gongsun Yu's small face paled, and even Wangshu's cold gaze fluctuated intensely.

"Pfft!"

The black demonic finger fiercely struck Lin Xuan's back! The golden-red light around him flickered violently, his Vast Sea Asura Golden Body's autonomous defense was instantly torn apart, and his protective magical power shattered like paper! A cold, malicious power filled with endless negative emotions surged into his body, corroding his Meridians, Golden Core, and even his Divine Soul!

"Argh—!" Lin Xuan let out a painful roar, a trace of black Qi mixed with the fresh blood he spat out. He was sent flying forward like a kite with a broken string, heavily crashing near the entrance of the passage. His aura instantly became like a flickering candle in the wind, and his face was as pale as golden paper!

"Lin Xuan!!!" Qu Feiyan looked at the figure who had blocked the fatal blow for her and was now collapsed on the ground. Her charming eyes were instantly overwhelmed by immense panic and heartache. Disregarding her own injuries, she scrambled to Lin Xuan's side, trembling as she held him in her arms, feeling his rapidly draining life force and the chilling Devilish Qi within him. Tears streamed down her face like a broken dam, "Why did you do this! Why are you so foolish!"

Su Wanqing also broke free from Gongsun Yu's support and stumbled to Lin Xuan's side. Seeing his tragic state, her frozen heart felt as if it had been violently torn apart, and her serene face was filled with pain and anxiety. She knelt down, continuously pouring pure Taiyin Moon Essence into Lin Xuan's body, regardless of her own consumption, attempting to dispel the Devilish Qi. Her voice trembled as never before: "Lin Xuan... hold on..."

Gongsun Yu also ran over, and seeing Lin Xuan's appearance, she was so frightened that she was at a loss, only able to shed tears.

Wangshu quickly stepped forward, her cold gaze sweeping over Lin Xuan's injuries, her brows tightly furrowed: "The Devilish Qi has invaded his heart Meridians and Golden Core; ordinary methods will be difficult to save him. We must leave immediately and find an absolutely safe place to attempt treatment!" She raised her hand and sent out a ray of moonlight, temporarily protecting Lin Xuan's heart Meridians and slowing the Devilish Qi's erosion.

Behind them, the battle between the thunder Dragon and the Black-Robed Elder was still earth-shattering, but it was clear that the thunder Dragon's remnant will could not last, and defeat was only a matter of time.

"Go!" Wangshu made a decisive move, using moonlight to lift Lin Xuan while signaling Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan to follow. Qu Feiyan held Lin Xuan tightly, refusing to let go. Su Wanqing gritted her teeth and stood up, protecting him from left and right with Gongsun Yu.

The five (or rather, four carrying one unconscious person) rushed frantically into the deep passage. This passage seemed to lead directly to the core area of the Thunder Emperor Palace. The walls were no longer adorned with thunder murals but had transformed into countless complex and profound star trajectories and ancient runes, exuding a vast and ancient aura.

They ran for an unknown period until the terrifying sounds of battle behind them gradually weakened. Ahead, a tightly closed door appeared, forged from an unknown dark silver metal. The door was simple and unadorned, with only a central groove whose shape subtly matched the immortal abode pivot token in Lin Xuan's hand.

"This is it!" Wangshu stopped. "The Restrictions here are powerful; this should be the true core secret hall of the Thunder Emperor Palace, where there might be a glimmer of hope!"

She looked at the unconscious Lin Xuan, then at the tearful Qu Feiyan who was holding him tightly, and the resolute Su Wanqing. She said in a deep voice, "The door needs to be opened with the cardinal edict. But he is currently..."

Su Wanqing didn't hesitate, gently retrieving the immortal abode pivot token from Lin Xuan's embrace. She took a deep breath and infused her remaining Taiyin Power into it. The cardinal edict emitted a brilliant clear light and slowly flew towards the groove in the great door.

"Om—"

The great door vibrated and slowly slid open to both sides, revealing a hazy space behind it, seemingly constructed from starlight.

Everyone quickly entered. The great door slowly closed behind them, temporarily isolating all external dangers.

Inside the door, it was not the imagined palace but an boundless starry sky illusion. Underfoot was a transparent path of light, and all around were slowly rotating stars. In the center of the starry sky, an ancient altar floated, and upon the altar, a coffin, crystalline throughout and wreathed with streaks of thunder patterns, was placed!

And beneath the altar, a rusty broken sword, still emitting a chilling sharpness, was plunged!

But at this moment, no one paid attention to the coffin and the broken sword.

Qu Feiyan carefully laid Lin Xuan flat on the starlight ground, watching his aura grow weaker and weaker as the Devilish Qi continuously eroded him, her heart twisted in pain. She leaned over, desperately infusing her pureFascinating (Mei Yuan) into Lin Xuan's body, attempting to neutralize the Devilish Qi, even knowing it might be a drop in the bucket. "Lin Xuan... you must not die... you promised to help elder sister resolve her Cultivation Technique's hidden dangers... you cannot go back on your word..." She whispered, her usual alluring charm completely gone, replaced only by the purest sorrow and fear.

Su Wanqing also knelt on Lin Xuan's other side, her cold jade hand tightly gripping his icy one. Taiyin Moon Essence flowed continuously as if it were worthless, her cold eyes fixed on his pale face, as if to engrave his appearance deep into her Soul. "If you dare to die... I will find you even if I have to chase you into the Nine Nether Yellow Springs!" Her voice was low but carried an undeniable determination; the emotions she had always suppressed erupted like a volcano at this moment.

Gongsun Yu silently shed tears beside them, her small hands tightly clutching the corner of her clothes.

Wangshu looked at the dying Lin Xuan, then at the grief-stricken Qu Feiyan and the resolute Su Wanqing. Her face beneath the white veil was complex and hard to discern. She could feel that these two women loved Lin Xuan deeply, and Lin Xuan's self-sacrificing act just now... It seemed a pebble had been cast into her ancient, tranquil heart lake.

"His injuries... perhaps there is a method we can try." Wangshu suddenly spoke, attracting everyone's attention. "Drawing upon the remnant Thunder Emperor Origin vitality here, combined with the power of the moonlight womb, may purify the Devilish Qi and repair his injured body. But... someone needs to act as a bridge, guiding these two forces. The process is perilous, and it requires a pure and sincere heart towards the injured to resonate with the vitality."

Her gaze fell upon Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan.

A pure and sincere heart... Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan exchanged glances, both seeing unwavering determination in the other's eyes.

"I'll do it!" Both said in unison.