Chapter 1830: Collapse

“You used to be able to sneak out and play all the time, so why would going back now mean death?” Zu’an exclaimed in alarm.

“It’s different,” Jingteng shook her head. “My sister and I left one after another, which severely weakened the divine talisman. On top of that, we both lost parts of our memories after completely leaving the great tomb. Later, I had an accident, and the delay of several decades prevented me from returning in time. Now, the divine talisman has sustained irreversible damage and could disintegrate at any moment. I can only use my own origin power to repair its wounds.”

Seeing Zu’an’s anxious expression, Jingteng gently caressed his cheek. “Don’t try to dissuade me. This is my destined mission and my responsibility. Besides, being with you before this has already made me very happy.”

Zu’an couldn’t help but point at the Ghost King standing nearby. “You two share the same origin, so why isn’t she taking responsibility for this? Should good people always suffer and be bullied?”

The Ghost King raised an eyebrow. “What, you’re not convinced?”

Zu’an flared up in anger, but Jingteng grabbed his hand. “Don’t be angry. This is my choice, and it has nothing to do with anyone else. It’s just a pity I won’t be able to stay with you forever.”

Zu’an suddenly spoke, “If she joined you, would you both avoid losing your consciousness?”

The Ghost King’s expression changed. “Brat, what are you planning?”

Although she was stronger than him, the boy possessed an endless array of skills, which made her feel a little apprehensive. It would be a huge loss if he decided to fight to the death and take her down with him.

Zu’an ignored her, looking anxiously at Jingteng, awaiting her answer.

Jingteng gently shook her head. “The Demon-Suppressing Talisman is too severely damaged. Even with her help, both our souls would still dissipate. However, if she were to join, the talisman should be able to fully recover. If it’s just me, the talisman might be stable for a short while, but over long periods, issues would eventually arise.”

The Ghost King exclaimed, “See? If you can save it by yourself, why drag me along to my death?”

Jingteng looked at her calmly. “I can go alone this time, but I hope that one day, when you’ve grown tired of playing, you’ll return and help guard this grand formation.”

The Ghost King scoffed. “Don’t worry, I’m quite fond of playing. The human world is so entertaining; how could I ever get tired of it?”

“Then can you promise me you won’t harm Brother Zu, or those ladies up there?” Jingteng stared into her eyes.

The Ghost King initially wanted to refuse proudly, but then she thought: *She’s going to die to help you. If I don’t agree to even this much, she might get desperate and choose to destroy everything, which would be dangerous.*

“Fine, for your sake, I won’t bother with them.”

Jingteng breathed a sigh of relief, a faint smile appearing on her face. It seemed her sister wasn’t entirely beyond redemption.

She then lost interest in the Ghost King and instead spoke words of love to Zu’an, cherishing every remaining second.

The Ghost King grew irritated listening to them and couldn’t help but say, “No wonder you, who are usually so reserved, were so forward just now, even willing to do it out here in the wild. So, you knew you were going to die.”

Jingteng’s pretty face flushed, and she ignored her.

The Ghost King tried to provoke her a few times to no effect, so she shifted her attention to Zu’an. “Brat, from our previous interactions, it seems you’re not from this world. On one side, you have the woman you love, and on the other, strangers. How will you choose?”

Zu’an fell silent, deep in thought.

The Ghost King looked somewhat smug. “If you choose the woman you love, then that’s quite similar to my own path: caring only for those you care about, and letting the rest of the world drown in a flood for all you care.”

“As for sacrificing the woman you love for the sake of strangers you don’t even know, perhaps many would see it as noble, but to me, it’s utterly hypocritical. You’d likely regret it for the rest of your life.”

“And it would also prove that my foolish sister always chooses the wrong person—always a scumbag.”

Jingteng’s firm voice resonated, “I don’t agree. If he chooses that way, I wouldn’t blame him; in fact, I’d be very comforted, because it aligns with my path. This is my mission, and my destined end.”

“Our destined end is to be obliterated, completely transforming into an emotionless Demon-Suppressing Talisman, and then spending endless ages here?” the Ghost King said coldly. “My fate is my own, not heaven’s! I refuse such a destiny!”

“Well said!”“What spirit, young lady!”“Even among us, you are truly a hero!”“Why not just break this seal? We could conquer various worlds together. Wouldn’t fulfilling our desires and grievances be far more interesting than this?”

Gusts of eerie wind swept through, mixed with countless low murmurs.

Jingteng’s expression changed. She recognized the voices of certain demons, surprised that some had already awakened enough to project their thoughts here.

It was clear that the seal on the great tomb was on the verge of collapse, no longer able to suppress certain beings.

The Ghost King’s expression flickered, looking somewhat swayed.

At that moment, Jingteng no longer hesitated. She walked up to the Ghost King. “Sister, remember what you just promised me.”

The Ghost King snorted. “Don’t be so sentimental. While I may not be someone who always keeps their word, since I’ve promised you this time, I naturally won’t break it.”

“That’s good…” Jingteng’s heart was heavy.

Now, the Ghost King felt somewhat uneasy. After all, they were sisters. Seeing Zu’an still rooted to the spot, she said, “Are you even a man? Your woman is about to sacrifice herself to save the world, and you’re standing there like a quail.”

Just as Zu’an was about to speak, Jingteng preempted him. “I have no regrets about having had this romance with Brother Zu. There’s no need for more words. As long as we live in each other’s hearts, it’s not truly dying.”

At that moment, cracking and shattering sounds echoed around them. The space began to develop various cracks, the stars could no longer rotate, and the cracks on the distant Demon-Suppressing Talisman grew larger and larger. Only a tiny connection was visible to the naked eye, as if it would break at any second.

Jingteng cast a reluctant glance at Zu’an, then flew towards the divine talisman without looking back.

She feared that another look would make it impossible for her to resolve to leave.

Just then, a wisp of blood-red light, a flash of green, a streak of purple, and a cloud of black mist suddenly seeped in from the shattered space ahead. Each carried a terrifying aura and swept directly towards Jingteng. It was clear they knew this was the critical moment and sought to prevent her return to the Demon-Suppressing Talisman.

Jingteng’s expression was serene as she formed hand seals. Soon, the auspicious forms of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise emerged together, engaging the terrifying auras in an evenly matched battle.

After all, this was her home ground; returning here caused her power to surge dramatically.

Zu’an hurried forward to assist. His Primordial Qi seemed to have a certain suppressive effect on those entities, and soon, those few auras began to fall into a disadvantage.

“Brat, do you really want your woman to die?”“How is what you’re doing now any different from accelerating her death?”

Various demonic whispers echoed in his ears. These weren’t attacks targeting the soul, but the mere words were more insidious.

Zu’an’s face turned ashen, his expression changing erratically for a moment.

At this moment, several voices also sounded in the Ghost King’s ear:“Go stop her quickly! We’ll help you absorb her soul, and then you can complete your fragmented soul, making your power even greater.”“Weren’t you pursuing the *Baopuzi True Scripture* before? Won’t you seize this opportunity to take it?”“Once you absorb that woman’s soul, your power will be enough to transcend. Next time you encounter Immortal Baopu, you won’t need to fear him.”

The Ghost King’s face was cold. Finally, she snorted, “All of you, shut up! While I dislike her sanctimonious, overly compassionate demeanor, we are sisters after all. How could I help you harm her?”

“Do you think she’ll let you leave once she stabilizes the great demon-suppressing formation again?”“Do you think if you don’t absorb her, she won’t absorb you?”“Everything she just said was merely to keep you stable for now. Once the formation fully recovers and she gains enough power, she will completely devour you. That’s the only way to complete the Demon-Suppressing Talisman!”

The Ghost King’s expression changed. Completing the Demon-Suppressing Talisman was indeed Jingteng’s obsession.

Just then, a wisp of black mist suddenly entwined her body, seizing the moment her mind became vulnerable. A sinister voice whispered, “You were able to separate from that divine talisman all those years ago by relying on my power. Now, it’s time for you to repay that debt.”

Simultaneously, black mist swirled around her, and the previously seen skull figures reappeared faintly.

“Get out!” the Ghost King roared, struggling violently and trembling all over, clearly resisting the invasion of the other’s spiritual sense.

However, when she initially used the other’s power, they had already manipulated things. Soon, her resistance crumbled, and both her eyes began to turn completely black, with not a speck of white visible.

“Sister!” Jingteng cried out in alarm at the sight. She quickly acted, striking the black mist with a golden light.

Affected by the golden light, the black mist allowed the Ghost King a moment to breathe, and she began to fight for control of her body once more.

But Jingteng, distracted by this, was quickly struck by a green light. She vomited blood and fell from the air.

The other streaks of light immediately surged towards Jingteng, determined to obliterate her.