Dark clouds loomed over the sky as a fine drizzle fell steadily.
Among the vast mountains, broken trees lay scattered, and the ground was covered in massive craters still smoldering with residual smoke. The entire hundred-mile radius bore the scars of an intense battle.
At this moment, three women stood in confrontation—Zhen Qin, Jiang Qiong, and the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother. All three were wounded.
The Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother stood disheveled amidst the ruins, her face covered in blood as her eyes scanned the surroundings. Eight enormous banners surrounded her, forming a formation that trapped her in place.
Outside the formation, Jiang Qiong hovered in midair. Although her injuries were not as severe as those of the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother, her heaving chest revealed the toll the battle had taken on her.
On the edge of a cliff, Zhen Qin stood with a sword in her hand, golden flying daggers circling around her like a radiant constellation.
She looked down at the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother, her eyes as cold as ice.
The Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother turned her gaze toward Jiang Qiong, gritting her teeth. "Sect Master, I have supported you for so many years, and now you truly intend to help an outsider kill me?"
Jiang Qiong sneered. "And how do you know she's the outsider, while you are not?"
The Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother took a deep breath and said, "Aren't you afraid that the Sword Master of the Dao will return?"
"You think she isn't his disciple?"
Faced with Jiang Qiong's mocking words, the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother fell silent.
Zhen Qin raised her sword. "Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother, today I will avenge my senior brother, Su Han!"
At the mention of Su Han's name, the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother's expression did not change. She lowered her head, as though accepting her fate.
Jiang Qiong immediately cast a spell, and the eight banners vibrated violently. The ruins stirred as fierce winds coalesced, forming azure chains that wrapped around the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother. She made no attempt to resist.
Zhen Qin charged into the formation, her sword striking down in a single, decisive motion.
A blinding light slashed through the ruined mountains.
With one clean stroke, a fountain of blood erupted as the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother's head flew into the air.
Zhen Qin stood still, her back to the fallen corpse. Slowly, she straightened and turned her head slightly. Golden flames burned at the severed neck, not only spilling blood but consuming what remained.
The Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother's soul emerged, struggling to break free from the golden flames, but there was no escape.
Watching the scene unfold, Zhen Qin felt no satisfaction—only a deep sense of relief, followed by an overwhelming exhaustion.
Years had passed, and her hatred for the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother had long faded. Revenge had simply become an obsession, a promise made to Su Han.
Jiang Qiong descended from the sky, staring at the golden flames consuming the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother's remains. Clicking her tongue, she remarked, "Are you trying to make her soul completely dissipate? Where did you learn such a sinister technique?"
Zhen Qin's expression remained emotionless. "To deal with demons and evil spirits, one must use equally ruthless methods."
The Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother's soul writhed in agony. She did not scream, but her twisted form was terrifying to behold.
Then, a gentle breeze swept through the battlefield. The golden flames that had bound the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother flickered and were suddenly extinguished.
Both Zhen Qin and Jiang Qiong's expressions changed as they instinctively turned to look.
A calm voice echoed through the air.
"That is enough. The grievances of this lifetime have already come to an end."
Zhen Qin recognized the voice immediately but hesitated to speak.
It was Gu An.
Jiang Qiong, however, was visibly delighted. She scanned the surroundings eagerly, searching for his presence.
The Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother's soul floated beside her own lifeless body. Zhen Qin's sword was no ordinary weapon—it had severed all her life force. Now, she had only two choices: possess another body or face reincarnation.
Unexpectedly, the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother's soul knelt beside her own corpse, as if in reverence to Gu An.
Gu An's voice resounded once more.
"I will give you two choices: one, enter reincarnation and abandon the karma of this life to start anew. Two, atone for your sins by giving up your freedom and continuing to exist under my watch."
Gu An's voice echoed once more, indifferent and detached, as if it were the decree of the heavens.
The Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother had once been part of the Ephemeral Blossom Sect. Though she was not directly connected to the faction that once brought calamity upon the Tai Cang Continent, she had committed numerous atrocities in her lifetime—Su Han was just one of her many victims. Even after founding the Gathering Blossom Sect, her methods remained ruthless, tainted with sin.
The reason Gu An offered her a choice was because she had truly believed she was acting in service of the Sword Master of the Dao. It was an unwavering faith that had guided her actions.
Yet even after following the Sword Master of the Dao, she had curbed but not abandoned her cruel ways, merely shifting them into subtler forms of control.
Gu An did not intend to absolve her of her past. It was not just about Su Han—after all, his ties with Su Han had long been severed. But crimes committed could not simply be erased by ceasing to commit them.
Every choice had consequences.
The Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother immediately raised her head and shouted, "I am willing to follow you, even if it means losing my freedom forever!"
As her voice fell, her soul vanished into thin air.
The world returned to silence.
Jiang Qiong smirked, glancing at Zhen Qin. "Well, one way or another, she's dead now. Even if she still exists, she won't have an easy life."
Zhen Qin took a deep breath. "I know. Master said he wouldn't grant her freedom, and I believe him."
The Blood Prison Saint was the best example—Gu An had said he would serve as a mount for a thousand years, and so he endured a full thousand years.
Seeing that Zhen Qin wasn't holding onto any lingering resentment, Jiang Qiong relaxed slightly. "What will you do next?" she asked.
Zhen Qin gazed into the distance. "I have no plans."
As soon as she spoke, her body suddenly fell backward.
Jiang Qiong's eyes widened, instinctively reaching out.
But before she could act, a hand moved even faster, catching Zhen Qin's shoulder.
Zhen Qin looked up, and upon seeing the familiar figure, a faint smile spread across her face.
"Master..." she murmured weakly.
Gu An looked down at her and sighed softly.
She had reached the final year of her lifespan. The battle today had drained her last bit of vitality.
Jiang Qiong, seeing Gu An, was pleasantly surprised but held her tongue, allowing time for the master and disciple to share their moment.
Zhen Qin, too exhausted to speak further, soon closed her eyes, her hand falling limply to her side. Jiang Qiong frowned at the sight.
Gu An turned to her. "The Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother is dead. The Gathering Blossom Sect will need you to personally take charge."
Jiang Qiong nodded. "I know. I'll return soon."
She stepped forward, looking Gu An up and down. "They said you left the Heavenly Spirit World. I knew that couldn't be true. You wouldn't leave without saying goodbye."
Gu An chuckled. "If you ever run into trouble, just call for me in your heart."
He could hear Jiang Qiong's thoughts and knew she was not one to forsake worldly matters, so he never invited her to his Dao field.
Jiang Qiong narrowed her eyes. "And if I just miss you, can I call for you then?"
Gu An rolled his eyes. "I'm busy."
Jiang Qiong scoffed. "Then hurry up and take her away before she dies right here."
She couldn't see Zhen Qin's lifespan, but she could feel the rapid loss of her life force. It was not a good sign.
Gu An nodded slightly, then disappeared with Zhen Qin in an instant.
Jiang Qiong did not leave immediately. Instead, she walked toward the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother's corpse. Though they had been at odds, they had worked together for a thousand years. She could not bear to leave the body to rot in the wilderness.
Zhen Qin had a long dream.
She dreamt she was back in her youth, living in Xuan Valley alongside Su Han and Ye Yan, carefree and unburdened.
Back then, they had only dreamt of reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm.
When she awoke, her eyes opened to a clear blue sky.
She instinctively sat up and saw Gu An seated at a stone table not far away. Beside her, an ice coffin stood silently.
The sight of Gu An immediately calmed her heart. She got up, preparing to bow in greeting.
But just as she stood, her gaze landed inside the ice coffin, and she froze.
She blinked rapidly, but no matter how many times she did, the sight remained unchanged.
"How can this be…?"
Her voice trembled as her body shivered slightly.
Inside the ice coffin lay Su Han's body, perfectly preserved.
She turned back to Gu An, who continued sipping his tea, not even looking at her.
At that moment, a rush of emotions overwhelmed her—gratitude, remorse, and countless words she could not bring herself to say.