The battlefield at the capital gate had turned into chaos.
Arrows were still scattered across the ground.
Smoke lingered in the air.
in the center of it all—
Qiao Yu Zhen fell to his knees.
His breath was weak.
His body could no longer hold on.
He tried to stand again—
But his strength gave out completely.
His vision blurred.
Wu Jinhai rushed toward him immediately.
"No… no, stay with me!"
She dropped beside him, holding him tightly.
Qiao Yu Zhen's body trembled slightly.
His lips parted.
But no words came out clearly.
He slowly leaned into her lap.
His breathing became slower.
Heavier.
Wu Jinhai's hands shook as she held him.
"Look at me," she said desperately.
"Please… don't close your eyes."
Qiao Yu Zhen tried to look at her.
And for a moment—
He did.
His eyes were soft.
Faintly smiling.
As if trying to comfort her.
"I… tried," he whispered weakly.
Wu Jinhai's tears fell instantly.
"You did," she said, her voice breaking.
"You did enough."
His hand moved slightly.
As if trying to reach her face.
But he could not lift it fully.
His strength was gone.
Wu Jinhai held his hand tightly.
"Don't leave me," she cried.
But his eyes slowly dimmed.
Breathing—
Slower.
Slower.
Then almost gone.
Wu Jinhai's voice cracked.
"I just got you back… I just—"
Her words broke into silence.
Then—
A sudden movement.
The Crown Prince Hei Long stood not far away.
His expression was cold.
Unmoved.
He raised his bow again.
"No more delays," he said.
Wu Jinhai turned sharply.
"Stop!"
But it was too late.
The arrow was released.
Time slowed.
The arrow flew through the air.
Straight toward her.
Qiao Yu Zhen, with his last remaining strength, tried to move—
But he could not.
Wu Jinhai tried to push away—
But there was no time.
The arrow pierced through her chest.
Silence fell instantly.
Her breath stopped.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Then slowly—
She collapsed forward.
Qiao Yu Zhen's weak hand reached toward her—
But he could not move anymore.
Wu Jinhai fell onto him.
Blood stained the ground.
Their breaths fading together.
Two souls—
Breaking at the same time.
The sky suddenly changed.
Dark clouds gathered violently.
Wind howled across the battlefield.
Thunder cracked loudly.
The entire capital trembled.
From within the storm—
A massive shadow appeared in the sky.
A roar echoed through the heavens.
The Infernal Lion descended.
And within it—
Moyan Jue.
His true form awakened.
His eyes burned with rage.
"Mortal…" he said coldly.
His voice shook the land.
"You dare touch them?"
The Crown Prince stepped back slightly.
But Moyan Jue had already moved.
The Infernal Lion surged forward.
Fire and darkness erupted across the battlefield.
Soldiers screamed.
But they had no chance.
One strike.
One wave of power.
Everything collapsed.
The imperial guards fell instantly.
The ground cracked.
The air burned.
Moyan Jue stood among them all—
His expression terrifyingly calm.
"This kingdom…"
His voice lowered.
"…does not deserve to exist."
Another wave of destruction followed.
The entire gate area fell into ruin.
And silence returned again.
Above the battlefield—
A gentle light appeared.
She Lanyin, the Sea Serpent Guardian, descended slowly.
Her presence was calm.
But powerful.
She looked at the scene.
Then at the two fallen souls.
Wu Jinhai.
Qiao Yu Zhen.
She knelt slightly.
"You were never meant to end here…"
Her voice was soft.
Almost sorrowful.
She raised her hand.
A blue light surrounded both of them.
Their souls began to rise slowly.
Separated from their bodies.
Peaceful.
Broken.
Still connected.
She Lanyin whispered gently—
"We never got to dance again."
The words faded into the wind.
The souls drifted upward.
Not gone.
But not here.
Bound for something beyond this life.
.....