When Fang Yang returned to Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu's office, he'd already suppressed the turmoil in his body.
His injuries were perfectly concealed beneath calm composure.
Ding! Identity verification…
A sapphire beam scanned him.
"Welcome, Honored Fang Yang," chimed the system.
The door hissed open.
Fang Yang bowed respectfully: "Teacher—I'm back."
"Mm," Leng Yaozhu acknowledged from her desk, nodding faintly.
Gu Yue sensed something amiss, rushing forward to embrace him, worry flashing in her eyes.
"Fang Yang, you—"
Fang Yang shook his head subtly, silencing her.
She swallowed her words, understanding.
"Oh dear—how long were you apart? Already missing each other so much?"
Leng Yaozhu teased, smile warm with approval.
"Teacher…" Gu Yue turned, cheeks flushing, voice laced with playful reproach.
Leng Yaozhu waved it off, chuckling: "Alright, alright—I'll stop. Seeing you two like this… I'm at ease."
"Teacher, Gu Yue and I will take our leave," Fang Yang said, voice steady.
"Visit often," Leng Yaozhu replied gently, eyes soft with elder's care.
"Yes, Teacher," they chorused, bowing before departing.
---
In the corridor, Gu Yue clasped Fang Yang's hand, whispering:
"Your aura's unstable… are you injured?"
Worry bled through her voice.
Fang Yang smiled, squeezing her hand:
"We'll talk back at the dorm. Not here."
Gu Yue's eyes flickered with pain, but she asked no more, gripping his hand tighter.
---
Shrek Outer Court — Private Dorm
"Fang Yang—what happened?" Gu Yue stared, dread in her eyes.
"Nothing—just backlash from forcing my cultivation level," he brushed it off.
But then—a cough—crimson blood traced his lips.
Gu Yue's pupils shrank: "That aura… was yours?"
"Mm," Fang Yang admitted, no denial.
"You knew the backlash would hurt you—why do it?!" Her voice cracked with anguish.
"And you, Gu Yue?" Fang Yang countered softly, not answering.
Gu Yue fell silent.
Fang Yang pulled her close, murmuring: "Don't worry—I'm fine."
"You…" Gu Yue sighed, burying her face in his shoulder, asking no more.
After a pause, she remembered: "You met Senior Liu Yang… what did he—?"
"Mm," Fang Yang nodded, gaze deep.
Gu Yue understood, raising her hand—a golden barrier flared, sealing the dorm from prying eyes.
Fang Yang spoke low: "He's Zi—the foremost of the Seven Consciousnesses of the Plane Spirit."
"What?!" Gu Yue gasped, eyes wide. "Then why seek you?"
"To slay Plane Lord Tang Hao and oppose Tang San's Divine Realm," Fang Yang said flatly, as if discussing the weather.
"You agreed?" Gu Yue whispered, voice hushed.
"Mm. It's what we must do," he confirmed.
Gu Yue pondered, then nodded: "What did the Plane Consciousness offer?"
Fang Yang inhaled deeply: "Divine Inheritance."
"I see…" Gu Yue mused, mind racing.
Then—golden light bloomed in her palms.
Healing radiance—pure life energy—flowed into Fang Yang.
As one of the purest elements, light possessed profound restorative power.
Warmth flooded his veins, soothing scorched meridians.
Combined with his Heavenly Flame's slow repair, Golden Dragon King's core replenishing his blood, and the vast life energy from the Golden Ancient Tree, his wounds began mending.
After a while, Fang Yang gently stilled her hands: "I'm alright now."
Without the Heavenly Flame Orb's protection, that Emperor-Level aura would've killed him.
Gu Yue withdrew her light, scanning his condition.
Confirming his aura had stabilized, she exhaled in relief: "Don't do this again."
Fang Yang held her hands, voice tender: "I won't."
"I'm tired…" Gu Yue murmured, exhaustion lacing her words.
Channeling healing light had drained her.
"Rest," Fang Yang whispered, cradling her.
Gu Yue nestled against him, breathing deepening—and was soon asleep.
Fang Yang watched her peaceful face, tenderness in his eyes.
Then—his consciousness plunged into the Heavenly Flame Orb.
Reality twisted—the Heavenly Flame Plaza materialized:
23 towering pillars wreathed in apocalyptic flames.
At the plaza's heart stood the golden tower—engraved with cosmic runes.
Ah Yin, the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor, lay imprisoned within.
"Release me! Tang Hao and my son Tang San won't spare you!" Ah Yin's voice rasped, weak yet venomous.
"Oh?" Fang Yang retorted coldly. "Even if I freed you—would they let me live?"
"You—!" Ah Yin sputtered, silenced.
"Stay put," Fang Yang commanded.
The tower blazed—Ah Yin's shrieks pierced the air as her life essence was violently extracted.
"No! This is my life essence! Tang Hao and Xiao San will—!"
Her curses faded into silence, consumed by the tower's golden maw.
Fang Yang watched impassively, eyes glacial.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)