Chapter 166: The Light of Death — She Left for the Truth

Sea of Snowflakes, the Netherworld — Tianji Star Palace

Everything was already destined; no one could change it. All that could be done was to make amends, and the price of such amends was one’s own life. Tianjiao stood at the highest point of Tianji Star Palace. She was afraid, hesitant. She saw Liu Yi’s tears, saw his heartbroken state. Snow fell in September, the flowers withered—she felt his pain. She could help Jili’er regain the memory of the Heavenly Maiden because she knew everything.

Yet, there was only one way to restore the Heavenly Maiden’s memory: to transform her own soul into a wisp of spirit and insert it into Jili’er’s brain, awakening the memories lost for seven thousand years. That meant her own death. Her fear and hesitation stemmed from this, so she couldn’t make up her mind.

By now, the snow had stopped falling. A gentle breeze scattered the clouds, and the bright moon hung in the sky. At this high place, Tianjiao stood alone, enjoying the solitude of the human world. Life held no meaning for her anyway. Pangu’s awakening might cause her to disappear at any moment, but her attachment to the mortal world made her hesitate.

She looked up at the sky as a meteor streaked across it. Tianjiao smiled, but it was a helpless smile. If she could make a wish to the meteor, she would surely wish for Jili’er to regain her seven-thousand-year memories, so that she would recognize who Liu Yi really was, and he wouldn’t have to suffer anymore.

Tianjiao glanced at the purple bell in her hand and smiled faintly, seemingly having made up her mind. She couldn’t keep watching Jili’er by a fake Liu Yi. She couldn’t let that demon continue to suffer in love, even though she was an outsider—her heart would break too, for that love had endured for seven thousand years.

Just then, footsteps came from behind her. Tianjiao turned around. It was Lan Ren. He walked over smiling and said, “Sister Tianjiao, what are you thinking again? Standing here alone—it’s snowing just now. Is it cold?”

Tianjiao looked at Lan Ren and nodded. “It’s not cold. Because in my world, it never snows. This snow in September fell only for one person.”

Lan Ren stepped closer and asked curiously, “Snow falls just for someone? In this strange weather, it’s already snowing in September. Hmm… who do you think this snow is for?”

Tianjiao glanced at Lan Ren’s puzzled expression, then looked up at the sky. “A demon—a demon whose heart is dead yet still loves. When he sees the person he loves with someone else, snow begins to fall in his world.”

Lan Ren thought for a moment before asking, “A demon? Who do you mean?”

Tianjiao sighed and replied, “Nie Ren, that is, Liu Yi in this life. Today, Liu Yi met your brother and Jili’er. That’s why the flower sea withered and snow fell in September.”

Lan Ren said doubtfully, “What did you just say? You said Liu Yi appeared in the flower sea? And he met my brother and Jili’er? So, what happened to them?”

Tianjiao continued, “What else could happen? If you were Jili’er, would you believe a stranger or your husband with whom you’ve been together for ten years? Liu Yi’s appearance is no longer that of the scholar from ten years ago. Even if you haven’t seen it, you must have figured out what would happen to them, right?”

Lan Ren patted his chest and said, “Well, that’s good. It seems Liu Yi can’t take Jillier away from my brother. No one will believe him, so my brother doesn’t need to worry.”
Tian Jiao turned to look at Lan Ren and asked strangely, “Good? Do you really think it’s right for your brother to deceive Jillier like this? Can’t you feel Liu Yi’s pain? Didn’t you grow up watching their story? Don’t you want them to break the divine curse and be together again?”
Seeing Tian Jiao’s excited expression, Lan Ren smiled and said, “Alright, Sister Tian Jiao, don’t get so angry. Why should we get involved? Although I’ve seen their story, things have already reached this point, and no one can change it. Besides, Jillier is happy now. Let it be.”
Tian Jiao looked at Lan Ren, not understanding why he said that. Perhaps because he was her brother, she also wanted him to be happy… Tian Jiao continued, “Is Jillier really happy now? Her happiness is fake, built on deception. Just because he’s your brother, are you so selfish? Can you bear to watch a love spanning three lifetimes be wasted like this?”
Lan Ren seemed a bit angry too and replied, “I don’t care about some love spanning three lifetimes, nor do I care about how much pain that demon will suffer. All I know is that I have only one real brother, and his wish is to be with Jillier forever. I can only bless him. I used to be as angry as you about my brother’s actions too, but have you ever thought that love needs to be fought for? Just because it’s destined doesn’t mean my brother has to give up. There’s nothing wrong with loving someone; what my brother did was right. He should fight for the one he loves.”
Tian Jiao said to Lan Ren, “Yes, there’s nothing wrong with loving someone. But what’s wrong is the timing, the place, and the sincerity of that love. That love doesn’t belong to your brother. His insistence will only hurt everyone more. Why are you so selfish? Do you really want to see Jillier live in lies and Nie Ren suffer?”
Lan Ren instead smiled and said, “Maybe Jillier is in those lies, but it’s all because my brother loves her. Maybe Nie Ren will suffer—blame him for falling in love with the Heavenly Maiden. Yes, I’m selfish. I only want my brother to be happy. As for the others, I have no interest in understanding them. Save your energy. Things have already been settled; no one can change them.”
Tian Jiao looked at Lan Ren and shook her head, saying, “No, things aren’t settled yet. They can still be changed. I have those memories, and I’ve seen that story. As long as I turn into a spirit and return those memories to Jillier, she can become the Heavenly Maiden again, remember Nie Ren’s face, and return to Liu Yi’s side.”
Lan Ren looked at Tian Jiao and shook his head, saying, “No, that will kill you.”
Tian Jiao gave a bitter smile, a helpless one, and said, “I’m going to die anyway. Pangu will wake up soon. I’m just doing some good deeds before I die. I don’t want to see them cursed again, or see their seven-thousand-year love wasted like this.”

Lan Ren looked at Tian Jiao, and suddenly a cold glint appeared in her eyes. A blue light formed between the two for a moment before disappearing. Tian Jiao widened her eyes, her voice trembling as she said in disbelief, “Sister Lan…”

Lan Ren stepped forward and gently supported Tian Jiao’s shaking body, saying coldly, “I’m sorry, Sister Tian Jiao. I can’t allow my brother’s love to be threatened in the slightest. You can call me selfish, but you must not disrupt it. This world doesn’t belong to you. Leave.”

Tian Jiao burst into tears instantly because she was in agony. That blue light was Lan Ren’s dagger, which had cut through Tian Jiao’s throat at lightning speed. Her heart ached even more. In this lonely world, she had always considered Lan Ren her closest person. Although her sister was Jiliel, she preferred to call Lan Ren “sister.” Yet, she couldn’t believe that the one who killed her was actually the only relative she had in this world.

Tian Jiao’s face turned pale, but she forced a smile and said, “Sister Lan, I’ve always thought of you as my closest person. You’ve been so good to me. I just hope you won’t make another mistake.”

Lan Ren looked at Tian Jiao, nodded, and said, “Go. As long as you leave, no one will be able to disrupt my brother’s love. No one in this world will ever know the truth.”

Tian Jiao still forced a bitter smile and said, “Sister, above us is the sky, and below us are the gods. But it’s the guilt in our hearts that causes us pain, the cruelty in our hearts that causes us wounds, and selfishness in our hearts that becomes our demon. I hope…”

Before she could finish, her body began to slowly disappear, turning into specks of light that drifted into the air. As she vanished, the purple bell fell from the palace…

Lan Ren didn’t pay attention to the bell. She just watched Tian Jiao disappear, saying bitterly, “I’m sorry, Sister Tian Jiao. Please forgive my selfishness. I didn’t want this either. Go in peace. This world doesn’t belong to you.”

Staring at the light fading into the air, Lan Ren spoke her final words before turning and walking back into the palace.

She was a girl who couldn’t see her future or have a destiny. Who could understand her sorrow? Tian Jiao’s existence was merely a mistake by Pangu. In this lonely world, she was just a wanderer. Before disappearing, she only wished to make her life more meaningful. And indeed… she did. She found love, but it was for someone from the story. She found friendship, but it was from a selfish friend. She found family, but it was from a sister who ended her life.

A fate without destiny doomed her to sorrow. Perhaps July’s fate caused heartache, or Liu Yi’s hardships brought pain, or Jiliel’s deception sparked anger. But Tian Jiao’s experiences made people sigh, reflecting on the ugliness, selfishness, greed, and cruelty of the world. Perhaps demons aren’t scary, nor are gods. But humans are definitely terrifying. It’s the seven emotions and six desires that are the most frightening, because humans possess them.

The purple bell lay quietly in a corner of the Tianji Star Palace, atop the pure snowflakes. And now, perhaps another story had been added to the tale of this love bell…

I don’t know how much time passed. A small hand picked up the purple bell and gently shook it, listening to the clear sound it made—very pleasant to hear.
“Jill, what are you doing?” It was Lan Ying’s voice. He was coming from another direction in the palace.
Jill held the bell in her hand, turned around, and said, “Look, scholar, isn’t this bell beautiful?”
Lan Ying nodded and said, “Mm, it’s very beautiful. Where did you get it?”
Jill smiled and said, “I didn’t buy it. I was just walking around the palace when I saw this bell in a corner, so I picked it up.”
Lan Ying laughed and said, “Haha, calling that ‘picking up’ something? Haha, come on, I’ll help you prepare dinner.”
Jill nodded and said, “Okay, let’s make something delicious tonight.”
Everything seemed predestined in this story. That purple love bell originally belonged to a celestial maiden and a demon. After going through the trials of the mortal world, after seven thousand years, it returned to Jill’s hands. What did that mean? No one could help Jill regain her memories from those seven thousand years—what did that imply? Did Jill have to stay by Lan Ying’s side forever?
……
On the peak of Tian Shan, in the Demon Realm—Eternal City.
The wind and snow outside could freeze everything, but inside Eternal City, there were birds and flowers in bloom. This was the study behind the grand hall of Eternal City. Liu Yi had been standing there, looking at the map of the three realms.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door. The Wolf King opened it to find it was July.
July quietly asked, “How’s it going?”
The Wolf King shook his head and said, “The Demon Lord still hasn’t spoken.”
July stepped in and went beside Liu Yi, asking softly, “Are you still thinking about yesterday?”
Liu Yi remained silent. July continued, “Don’t worry. We can find a way to let Jill know that you’re really Liu Yi… By the way, isn’t the Great Sword King and the Ten Heroes living in the Sea of Flowers? We can ask them to prove it for you.”
Before Liu Yi could speak, the Wolf King said, “No. First, that’s not a solution at all. Even the Great Sword King and the Ten Heroes would have trouble recognizing the Demon Lord now. After another fifteen years in the ‘Chaos Immortal Realm,’ how many people can still recognize his current appearance? Even if they could prove it, would Jill believe them? Second, that fake Liu Yi is cruel and cunning. There are rumors that he once intimidated the Ten Major Sects of the righteous and demonic worlds at the Flaming Villa—this is why both the righteous and demonic worlds are quiet now. He’s not someone to be underestimated. If we involve the Ten Heroes and the Great Sword King, I’m afraid… it could put them in danger.”
July grew anxious and said, “Then what should we do? Should we just let Jill stay with that fake Liu Yi?”
Seemingly thinking of something else, July added, “Then I’ll go. I’ll prove it myself.”
Liu Yi finally spoke, in a calm tone, “Forget it. Will Jill believe you, or will she believe someone who’s been with her for ten years?”
July snapped, “Forget it? Are you just giving up like this? There must be a way.”

Liu Yi shook his head and sighed, “This isn’t giving up; it’s helplessness. What can I do? If you were in my shoes, you’d understand.”
Qiyue replied, “Do you think I don’t understand? Being in your shoes? Then when have you ever been in mine?”
Hearing Qiyue’s words, Liu Yi was shaken. Suddenly, he exclaimed, “Enough! Stop talking about this. I don’t want to think about it anymore.”
Qiyue shook her head and said, “No, I insist on talking. I know you still love Jili’er. It’s just temporary anger. I know how painful it is for you, but you must understand that Jili’er has always loved you. That fake Liu Yi has always been a substitute, taking your place. Jili’er’s love has always been for Liu Yi.”
Liu Yi looked at Qiyue. Perhaps, she was the only one who truly understood him now…
Liu Yi nodded and said, “As long as she’s happy and joyful, what can I say? Since it’s helplessness, what can I do to change it? I have other things to attend to. Go away.”
Qiyue said angrily, “You’re avoiding it. You know how much you love Jili’er, and you know she loves you too. You just can’t accept her as she is now. You’re like this…”
“Enough! Go out!” Liu Yi shouted, unable to listen any longer.
Qiyue glared at Liu Yi, stomped her foot, and said angrily, “Stupid scholar.” Then she turned and walked out.
After closing the door, the Wolf King sighed, “Lord Demon, isn’t this too much for Qiyue…”
Liu Yi shook his head without saying much. Suddenly, he pointed and said, “Here.”
The Wolf King saw that the place Liu Yi pointed to on the map was the Demon Clan’s entrance and asked, “Does Lord Demon mean… to start revenge against the Demon Clan?”
Liu Yi nodded and said, “I want to unify the Demon Clan and bring it back under the Demon Realm. I must do this before the people from the Divine Realm arrive.”
The Wolf King nodded and said, “The four major sects of the Demon Clan have very solid foundations and are hard to shake. To unify them, it will likely take a lot of time and effort to prepare a feasible plan.”
A red glow flashed in Liu Yi’s eyes as he said, “As the saying goes, great achievements come at great costs. Even to achieve unity, there must be a price to pay. So, I ask my teacher to help me plan it.”
By now, Liu Yi was no longer the weak scholar he used to be. What the Nirvana people could do seven thousand years ago, he could do too. What Wei Lingfeng failed to do, he would accomplish. Temporarily forgetting Jili’er, he prepared to resist the Divine Realm. He knew that breaking through the Immortal Realm would surely alert the Divine Realm, so he needed to plan for himself now.
Unaware of the dangers ahead, Liu Yi continued moving forward. Had he really forgotten Jili’er? Then had the love engraved in his heart simply disappeared? Perhaps… it was just an excuse, a helpless excuse. Because he couldn’t have her, he made up an excuse for himself. He could only silently pray that she would be happy. What more could he say?

The Wolf King listened to Liu Yi’s words and suddenly felt as though Liu Yi had changed. Looking at him, the Wolf King thought for a moment before saying, “To return to the Demon Lord, during the time you were away, I also pondered this matter. Thus, I have prepared a plan. However, before we can begin it, we need to do one thing.”
Liu Yi asked, “Please go on, Master.”
The Wolf King replied, “Humans and demons, demons and gods—where there is life, there are desires. I have taken advantage of this to devise a plan to gradually eliminate the demon race. But before we can start this plan, we must obtain something—a thing that can arouse their desires.”
Liu Yi thought for a while and asked, “What thing?”
The Wolf King continued, “It is merely a legend, a myth. After the death of the Nie people, Pangu studied ancient martial arts diligently and created a mental technique that could rival the magic of the Nie people—‘The Chapter of Heaven’. But later, for unknown reasons, everyone in the divine realm fell into slumber. Yet, it is said that ‘The Chapter of Heaven’ fell to the mortal world. Various sects have searched for it, but to no avail.”
After hearing this, Liu Yi seemed to understand something and said, “Please continue, Master.”
The Wolf King nodded and said, “Unluckily, I enjoy traveling. By chance, I discovered a mysterious place. Though I don’t know what it is, I clearly saw the seal of the divine realm left by Pangu there. Although I’m not sure what’s inside, it’s likely to be the legendary ‘The Chapter of Heaven’. This is because I found that place at the very time when the legend says ‘The Chapter of Heaven’ fell to the mortal world and Pangu fell into slumber…”
Part 4, Volume 11: A World Covered in Bones