Chapter 1299: Last Hope

Beneath the red mark, over a dozen strands of broken golden hair slowly drifted down, while Qianye Ying'er's figure gradually blurred until it completely vanished.

Xia Qingyue's originally dark gaze finally regained some vibrancy. At that very moment, she suddenly sensed the presence of profound energy. This red mark had not only severed Qianye Ying'er's afterimage and golden hair but had also broken the profound energy seal on her and Yun Che.

Before her, a red figure silently materialized from thin air. She stared coldly at Qianye Ying'er, who had instantly teleported several miles away. The crimson short blade in her hand emitted a terrifying cold glint, yet it paled in comparison to the icy killing intent in her eyes.

At the same time, a girl in colorful clothes descended from the sky, landing beside her. In her hand was a colossal azure greatsword, much larger than her small frame.

Jasmine and Caizhi!

A faint sound echoed. As a crimson mark flashed, a corner of Qianye Ying'er's golden mask cleanly broke off and fell onto the grayish-white ground. Had she hesitated for even a thousandth of a second longer, the red mark would have severed her cheek, or even her head. For it was the Heaven Slaying Star God's God Punisher.

She extended a finger, lightly tracing the perfectly clean break. Beneath her mask, her eyes abruptly flashed with an intensely dangerous golden light.

"Quick, take him away!" Jasmine's gaze and expression were terrifyingly grim. The murderous aura, faintly mixed with the scent of fresh blood, almost enveloped the entire primordial region of the Primeval God Realm.

Xia Qingyue flashed to Yun Che's side. She held the unconscious Yun Che in her arms but didn't leave. Even though the crisis had seemingly passed, her jade-like face remained deathly pale. Because only she had escaped the immediate danger. Yun Che's Brahma Soul Seeking Death Mark...

"What are you still standing there for? Hurry and go!!"

Seeing Xia Qingyue remain motionless for so long, Jasmine's tone immediately grew several shades more severe and urgent. Xia Qingyue didn't know her, but Jasmine had known of Xia Qingyue for twelve years. She and Caizhi had just arrived, and Yun Che was unconscious. Therefore, she didn't know that Qianye Ying'er had planted the Brahma Soul Seeking Death Mark on Yun Che. Otherwise, she would absolutely not have let Xia Qingyue take Yun Che away.

Xia Qingyue bit her jade teeth. However, with Qianye Ying'er nearby, she couldn't afford a moment of hesitation. She swiftly summoned the Moon Slaughter Devil Palace, entered it with Yun Che in her arms, and instantly fled into the distance.

Qianye Ying'er didn't stop them... seemingly, there was no great need to.

The Moon Slaughter Devil Palace reached extreme speed, soaring towards the distant sky. There, a swirling pale vortex marked the exit of the Primeval God Realm. Soon, with its terrifying speed, it plunged into the white vortex, its aura completely vanishing from this world.

Jasmine secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The aura she had been keeping locked on Qianye Ying'er grew even colder, her killing intent formidable.

Neither Xia Qingyue and Yun Che's escape nor the Heaven Slaying Star God's killing intent caused Qianye Ying'er the slightest perturbation. Her finger left the broken corner of her mask as she slowly stepped forward, approaching Jasmine and Caizhi, and leisurely said, "The two of you couldn't possibly have shaken off Old Man Gu so quickly. It seems you have other helpers... Could it be a third Star God?"

"Qian... ye!!" These two short words carried an endless, gnawing hatred. For both Jasmine and Caizhi, Qianye Ying'er was the person they hated most in their lives. Because she had indirectly caused the death of Jasmine's mother, their brother, and almost killed Jasmine herself.

"Heaven Slaying, if you had remained hidden in the shadows, I might still fear you a little. But you've actively revealed yourself before me, and you've only brought an un-grown wolf cub with you..." Qianye Ying'er's voice suddenly turned cold. "Are you two sisters here specifically to die?"

Jasmine's killing intent solidified. Her God Punisher pointed forward, its tip glinting with a bloody light that was impossible to look at directly. "The one who dies today is you!"

"By the way," Qianye Ying'er's footsteps drew closer. Facing two Star Gods alone, her voice, though cold, held no hint of tension. "Don't you want to explain why you pursued me all the way here? The Primeval God Realm, what a perfect graveyard. You two couldn't possibly have come specifically to die, could you? Or are you going to tell me... that you came specifically to kill me? I doubt, Heaven Slaying, that you're *that* foolish, are you?"

"You should have died long ago!" Jasmine said coldly. Yet, deep down, she knew better than anyone that in their current state, she absolutely could not kill Qianye Ying'er... nor could she and Caizhi combined.

She had rushed to the Moon God Realm with Caizhi at full speed, fearing that Yun Che might lose control after seeing Xia Qingyue, thus enraging the Moon God Realm... Given Yun Che's temperament, it was entirely possible he would do something like that. After they arrived at the Moon God Realm, Xia Qingyue had already fled with Yun Che. However, Jasmine had suddenly sensed Qianye Ying'er's departing aura. And the direction she was heading was precisely the direction the Moon Slaughter Devil Palace had fled.

Jasmine knew better than anyone how terrifying Qianye Ying'er was. Disregarding the consequences, she immediately pursued her with Caizhi.

"Since you're so eager to kill me, having pursued me all the way here, why aren't you attacking yet?" Qianye Ying'er drew closer, now within a hundred zhang. For individuals of their level, this distance was practically instantaneous.

Jasmine's brows furrowed further. She was puzzled: Xia Qingyue had fled with Yun Che, so why wasn't Qianye Ying'er the least bit anxious?

"Oh, I see," Qianye Ying'er's lips curved, as if she had just realized something. "So, you two are stalling for time for them to escape."

Jasmine: "..."

"However, I'm quite curious. You've brought this young wolf all the way from the Eastern Divine Region, chasing me here. Is it to protect the Heretic God's divine power, or is it to... protect your little lover?"

Jasmine's expression suddenly changed, and a crimson light flashed in her eyes. "What... did... you... say!?"

"Sister..." Caizhi's face also changed color.

"Oh? Hahahaha..." Watching Jasmine's reaction, Qianye Ying'er burst into laughter. "The last time I personally saw you weeping bitterly for Yun Che, I still found it hard to believe. But now, it seems everything, no matter how incredible, is true. The esteemed eldest princess of the Star God Realm, the most bloodthirsty and ruthless Star God in the eyes of the world, actually fell for a man, and a man from the lower realms at that. Interesting, truly too interesting."

Personally saw... weeping bitterly?

Jasmine's pupils dilated, suddenly emitting a horrifying red glow. "What did you hear?!"

"Heh heh, I heard whatever you said to that young wolf at the time," Qianye Ying'er said with a smile. "The Heaven Slaying Star God, renowned throughout the God Realm for having the keenest spiritual senses, actually became so flustered by a man that she didn't even notice my divine sense penetrating the soundproofing barrier you set up. I'm very curious now, what earth-shattering thing did Yun Che do to make you, a malevolent star with hands drenched in blood, feared by all as a ghost or god, become utterly captivated by him?"

"Qian... ye!!" The same two words, yet even colder and more vicious than before. Her heart was sinking rapidly. That day, upon suddenly seeing Yun Che in the Brahma Heaven God Realm, her mind was utterly thrown into chaos, as if struck by a divine hammer, and she had then severely scolded Caizhi... She hadn't realized Qianye Ying'er was nearby in the slightest! And Qianye Ying'er had even heard her conversation with Caizhi! Only now did she finally understand why Qianye Ying'er had relentlessly pursued Yun Che here... It was because of her negligence that Yun Che had been targeted by Qianye Ying'er! And being targeted by this enchantress, more terrifying than a devil, even a slight mistake could lead to eternal damnation!

"Sister, it's... all... my... fault..." Caizhi's lips were pale, her voice trembling. "If it wasn't for me..."

"It's not your fault!" Jasmine sharply rebuked. She had indeed originally intended to simply hold Qianye Ying'er back with all her might, to buy Yun Che enough time to escape. But now, her killing intent towards Qianye Ying'er was stronger than ever before. Because as long as Qianye Ying'er lived, Yun Che would never know peace!

"Qianye, let me tell you something," Jasmine said through gritted teeth. "The Heretic God's power cannot be taken over. Even with all your formidable means, you can't do it. Give up."

"Oh? And so?"

Jasmine knew very well that a single sentence from her would never make Qianye Ying'er lose "interest" in Yun Che. She took a step forward, her God Punisher swirling with bloody light. "And, today... you... must... die!!"

As the last syllable fell, Jasmine's figure vanished, transforming into countless swirling afterimages. Her God Punisher carved numerous crimson streaks through the air, striking directly at Qianye Ying'er.

Outside the Primeval God Realm, the battle between Old Man Gu and the ice-blue figure continued.

Old Man Gu's body was old and withered, unlike a living person's, but with each wave of his arm, he conjured terrifying, layered storms in the chaotic space, gradually suppressing the ice-blue figure.

Bang—

A prolonged clash of power ensued. The vast expanse of blue light was completely annihilated by the storm, and the ice-blue figure was thrown far back, her body trembling, seemingly injured.

Old Man Gu did not press his advantage. Instead, he said calmly, "Still not planning to use your full strength?"

The ice-blue figure remained silent, her sword light flaring once more. All she wanted was to stall him; there was no need to use her full strength, nor could she. Otherwise, if her profound arts were exposed, her identity would surely be revealed, and the consequences would be extremely severe.

Just then, a ripple of air surged in the distance. The Moon Slaughter Devil Palace appeared from within the pale vortex and then shot rapidly southward. Seeing the Moon Slaughter Devil Palace, a strange light flashed in Old Man Gu's aged eyes. He extended both hands, just about to unleash a storm towards it, when a blue shadow flickered before him. A layer of ice curtain descended, firmly sealing off his storm...

The Moon Slaughter Devil Palace was unaffected. In a flash, it vanished into the southern void. With its unparalleled speed and the ice-blue figure holding him back, it was utterly impossible for Old Man Gu to pursue it.

Inside the Moon Slaughter Devil Palace, the light was dim.

Xia Qingyue had changed back into her moon attire, identical to what she wore before. She knelt there, tightly embracing the still unconscious Yun Che. Her somewhat disheveled long hair fell onto Yun Che's chest and his extraordinarily pale face. His face still showed the distortion of extreme pain, and the bloodstains at the corners of his mouth were shocking. She held Yun Che even tighter, as if cradling a gravely ill infant, her heart filled with endless sorrow.

The Brahma Soul Seeking Death Mark... the most terrifying curse in the world...

Why did he get afflicted with such a thing...?

Qianye Ying'er couldn't possibly undo it for him, and killing Qianye Ying'er... that was even more of a fantasy.

What should she do...?

Amidst the oppressive silence, the Moon Slaughter Devil Palace flew a great distance. After confirming they were completely out of range of others' perception, she willed it, and the Moon Slaughter Devil Palace altered its course, flying directly westward. That was where the Western Divine Region was located.

That person... Perhaps she could save him... No, she *definitely* could save him!!

She closed her eyes, desperately repeating the name from her fragmented memories, over and over... and the forbidden place that no one could approach. She definitely could save him... definitely could... She comforted herself repeatedly, using her entire will to force herself to believe in that faint hope.