Mandala lay unconscious, her body covered in black thorns that exuded a strange, eerie aura. Those very thorns emitted agonizing wails—like tormented spirits from the depths of hell suffering eternal punishment. Waves of clear spiritual energy surged outward, and wherever they passed, the thorns withered, inch by inch, losing their vitality. Despite their desperate struggle, they could not resist.
Liu Xi stood with his hands clasped behind his back, smiling faintly.
"You thought of this yourself."
Bodhisattva nodded lightly, his gaze falling upon Mandala's thorn-covered body as he replied, "She's luckier than I was. She gained her soul earlier—and this curse that clings like bone rot... it's so much like mine once was."
"Her true form is the Primordial Mandala Flower, once planted by the Heavenly Emperor himself. Since we've met her, it's only right to lend a hand. It's a small favor, nothing more."
Liu Xi's tone grew solemn as he recounted her origin. The Heavenly Emperor had perished together with a top-ranked Demon Emperor from the Extraterritorial Evil Race—a sacrifice that brought immeasurable merit to the Great Thousand Worlds. Then he smiled again.
"I'm going to refine pills soon. The commotion will be quite large, so I came to ask you to stand guard for me."
"Mm." Bodhisattva agreed without hesitation. He didn't understand the history of the Great Thousand Worlds as Liu Xi did, but seeing Mandala's situation so similar to his own, he wished to help her. Now a Heavenly Sovereign himself, Bodhisattva's strength stood among the finest of his realm. The Bodhisattva Fruit he had condensed anew carried even greater power than before—its pure aura utterly suppressed the curse tormenting Mandala.
Before long, the thorns completely withered. The lingering spiritual essence continued to swirl around Mandala, mending the body long ravaged by the curse. The Bodhisattva Fruit might not match the power of the Bodhisattva Heart, but its purity nourished her potential. Under that flow of gentle energy, her stagnant Spiritual Energy began to surge again.
"Mmm~"
A soft moan escaped Mandala's lips, her voice filled with unfamiliar relief. Her eyes fluttered open, clear and bright. Rising from her seat, she sensed the changes within her body—her long-standing curse had completely vanished. Her body felt lighter than ever, her Spiritual Energy lively and vibrant, already touching the peak of the Lower Earth Sovereign stage. Within ten years, she might very well step into the High Earth Sovereign realm.
A delighted smile appeared on her youthful face as she bowed deeply.
"Many thanks, seniors, for your aid!"
"It's nothing. A small matter," Liu Xi said with a faint smile. He lifted his hand, a thread of cyan flame blooming at his fingertip. The flame traced through the air, leaving behind lines of light that wove into a glowing sigil. When infused with Spiritual Energy, this sigil would allow Liu Xi to sense Mandala's position and tear through space to reach her.
As the others watched in surprise, Liu Xi's expression grew serious.
"I'd like to ask for your help. Of course, you may refuse. If you channel Spiritual Energy into this sigil, I'll sense it immediately and arrive through space."
"I've found traces of the Ancient Heaven Palace. Within a hundred years, it may reappear... and the Demon Emperor within it still lives."
At that, Bodhisattva remained calm, but Xuan Pao's face changed drastically. He had followed Liu Xi for so long and never once heard of this. The Demon Emperor of the Extraterritorial Evil Race—an enemy of the entire Great Thousand Worlds—was a being whose strength rivaled the Heavenly Sovereigns. For such a creature to still exist within the Ancient Heaven Palace was terrifying beyond measure.
Mandala's expression shifted sharply, her voice trembling as she cried, "Impossible…"
Liu Xi smiled faintly. "You're certain?"
"I…" Her words caught in her throat. She couldn't be sure. She hadn't witnessed the final moments of the Ancient Heaven Palace's destruction. Whether the Demon Emperor had truly perished—she didn't know. Those creatures possessed vitality so stubborn that survival wasn't beyond imagination.
Seeing her fall silent, Liu Xi spoke his true purpose.
"When the Ancient Heaven Palace reappears, if you enter it and encounter the Demon Emperor, activate this sigil with your Spiritual Energy."
He looked straight into her eyes. "Will you accept it?"
"I will."
Mandala nodded firmly. Whether or not the Demon Emperor still lived, or the palace truly emerged again, she owed Liu Xi and Bodhisattva her life. If danger came, this sigil would be her hope.
Liu Xi nodded in satisfaction. It was only preparation, ensuring he could intervene in time should fate twist unexpectedly. He flicked his finger, sending the sigil toward her. Mandala raised her small hand and touched it gently. The rune dissolved into a cyan spark, imprinting a faint flame mark onto her palm before fading beneath her skin.
With the sigil sealed, Mandala looked toward them, her gaze especially warm when meeting Bodhisattva's.
"I still haven't asked for your names, seniors."
Liu Xi thought for a moment before replying lightly, "Qing Lian. You may call me Qing Lian."
(TL/N: Qing Lian Means Azure Lotus, it's his Emperor Title, Azure Lotus Emperor.)
"Bodhisattva," his companion said with a gentle smile.
"It's time to go."
With everything settled, Liu Xi waved his sleeve and turned away. Mandala, to him, was merely a brief encounter on his path—nothing more.
Xuan Pao followed silently.
"I'll take my leave as well," Bodhisattva said softly. Meeting a kindred spirit after countless ages brought him quiet warmth.
"Why leave so soon?" Mandala asked anxiously. "At least allow me to host you properly."
Now that the misunderstandings were cleared and her curse was gone, she naturally wished to form a bond with them—to express her gratitude properly.
Bodhisattva's step paused; he turned and said gently, "It would bring you unnecessary trouble. You'll understand soon."
Then, without further explanation, Liu Xi, Bodhisattva, and Xuan Pao walked openly out the grand hall. The mighty defenses of the Greatlaw Goldpond's domain might as well not exist to them.
In the empty hall, only Mandala remained, her expression flickering with uncertainty. After a long hesitation, she bit her lip, turned on her heel, and rushed out after them. Liu Xi and Bodhisattva had saved her life—if danger awaited them ahead, then so be it.
She would face it too.
(End of Chapter)
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