However, Mu Qingqing couldn't relax, as the erosion of Yuan Qing's soul by the Dark Bat King's demonic soul was beyond her imagination.
Just by a hair's breadth, Yuan Qing's soul would have completely merged with the demonic soul.
The higher the grade of a demonic weapon, the longer it took to refine.
It was likely that since the Shura Hall incident over twenty years ago, the Underworld God race had begun refining Yuan Qing into a demonic weapon.
After so many years, the Dark Bat King's demonic soul had become deeply rooted within Yuan Qing's body.
It would take a considerable amount of time to remove this demonic soul.
Gradually, Yuan Qing regained some consciousness and stopped struggling.
Seeing him stabilize, Mu Qingqing retracted the Soul Suppressing Locks.
Gu Linyue's eyes flashed with joy at the sight. She spoke gently, "Yuan Qing..."
Yuan Qing slowly opened his eyes. Looking at Gu Linyue's familiar face, his eyes reddened, his lips trembled, and he whispered, "Shi... Shizun... I've disappointed you..."
"No!" Gu Linyue shook her head. "I'm so happy you're back."
Yuan Qing was about to say something more, but the next moment he froze. Before he could say more, he suddenly lunged forward and pushed Gu Linyue away.
*Splat!*
Blood instantly sprayed out!
The blood splattered onto Gu Linyue's face, dyeing her fair cheeks red.
Gu Linyue didn't pay attention to the blood, her gaze fixed blankly on the scene unfolding before her.
Mu Qingqing's expression also drastically changed!
Yuan Qing's chest was pierced by an arm, creating a bloody hole. Fresh blood gushed out of the gory wound, quickly soaking his robes.
And the owner of that arm was none other than Xuan Qi, who had suddenly appeared.
Yuan Qing had just pushed Gu Linyue away, shielding her from Xuan Qi's attack.
Xuan Qi ruthlessly withdrew his hand from the gaping hole in Yuan Qing's chest, extracting a still-throbbing crimson heart. Blood dripped continuously.
He watched the bloody scene with keen interest.
"Oh my, what a pity that the most perfect demonic weapon was ruined like this."
"Stop it!!"
Ignoring Gu Linyue and Mu Qingqing's cries, Xuan Qi crushed Yuan Qing's heart without hesitation.
Yuan Qing fell from the sky like a fallen leaf. Fortunately, Gu Linyue caught him in time.
Gu Linyue couldn't contain her grief and cried out in pain!
"Yuan Qing!!!"
To her, Yuan Qing was not only her most treasured disciple but also the person she loved most.
It was because Gu Linyue was conflicted and uncertain when fighting the Yuan Qing who had become a demonic weapon.
Gu Linyue continuously infused Yuan Qing's body with her true essence, but Xuan Qi's attack had completely destroyed Yuan Qing's internal organs, crushed his heart, and even shattered his soul beyond repair.
This was a truly vicious act that left Yuan Qing's body dead and his soul unable to exist even in its spectral form.
Even if Gu Linyue transferred her life essence to Yuan Qing, it would only allow him to maintain consciousness for a little longer.
"Why were you so foolish!!"
"Cough cough!"
Yuan Qing's face was as pale as paper. He coughed up a few mouthfuls of blood, his gaze unfocused as he looked at Gu Linyue. He raised his hand with difficulty, his lips trembling as he uttered, "Shizun... for the past twenty-odd years, I've done many wicked things and harmed many innocent people..."
Gu Linyue's heart ached as never before, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
"Yuan Qing, you are a disciple I am proud of, and the love of my life. I will atone for your wrongdoings. I only beg you, please don't leave me..."
"Shizun, these sins will be borne by me, and I must bear them myself..."
Gu Linyue was sobbing uncontrollably, while Yuan Qing's voice grew progressively weaker...
"Shizun, before I go, can I call you Linyue?" Yuan Qing's gaze became hazy.
Gu Linyue nodded tearfully.
"Lin... Linyue."
"Yes." Gu Linyue choked out a reply.
"Linyue, I..."
Before he could finish, Yuan Qing's life force extinguished.
Hugging Yuan Qing's cold corpse, Gu Linyue could no longer hold back her tears and burst into a heart-wrenching cry.
She could see the faint smile in Yuan Qing's eyes before he died, which only made Gu Linyue's pain sharper.
This master-disciple romance was known only to the two of them, and now, only she remained.
Seeing Gu Linyue alone in her sorrow, Mu Qingqing could not forgive Xuan Qi's actions.
"Xuan! Qi!"
Mu Qingqing gritted her teeth, uttering the name word by word. Her true essence surged forth, causing the surrounding void to ripple.
Ten Soul Suppressing Locks instantly flew towards Xuan Qi.
"Oh? Soul Suppressing Locks! I see. So it was you who destroyed the stronghold in Stone Forest Valley."
Xuan Qi was slightly startled, then his expression became thoughtful.
Despite the Soul Suppressing Locks binding him, Xuan Qi showed no signs of panic. Instead, a sinister curve appeared at the corner of his lips. "Miss Xin Ci, it's been so long. Why greet me with a game of bondage right away? As a friend, I can hardly bear it..."
"Disgusting! Who's your friend!"
Mu Qingqing, unable to stand Xuan Qi's flippancy, cursed him and yanked the Soul Suppressing Locks in her hand.
The chains on Xuan Qi tightened, but he showed no sign of pain on his face.
"Miss Xin Ci, if we're going to play bondage, let's continue next time we meet..."
With that, Xuan Qi's body began to turn ethereal.
"Bad!"
Mu Qingqing's pupils contracted violently. She immediately used her true essence to seal the space around Xuan Qi, preventing his escape.
However, Xuan Qi was a Five-Star Great Emperor, far surpassing her in strength.
Her spatial seal was utterly ineffective against him.
Mu Qingqing's brows furrowed, her Star Wheel Eyes fixed intently on Xuan Qi.
"You won't escape!"
"Don't worry, little girl, this devil won't escape..."
A voice echoed melodiously at this moment.
Wan Guimang, Ji Juekong, Ling Qinghan, Ji Honghao, and Xuan Qingming, the five great holy lords, had somehow broken through the formation barrier and arrived in time.
Wan Guimang, the only Five-Star Great Emperor among the five great holy lords, moved first, using his true essence to seal the space around Xuan Qi, thus foiling his escape.
The five great holy lords formed a circle around Xuan Qi, and with Mu Qingqing's Soul Suppressing Locks also binding him, he was now truly trapped.
Seeing the five great holy lords surrounding him, Xuan Qi, who had been nonchalant until now, finally wore a solemn expression.
"Wicked disciple, you will not leave Xuan Kong Mountain today!" Xuan Qingming's face was filled with rage.
He then activated the formation restrictions of Xuan Kong Mountain, completely sealing the holy land.
At the same time, Gu Linyue, having recovered from her grief, joined the fray.
At this moment, killing intent burned in Gu Linyue's eyes as she spat hatefully, "Xuan Qi, I will never forgive you!"