"Lynn!" Selena screamed, her voice raw with panic, and shot toward the spot where Lynn Chu had crashed into the ground.
But someone was even faster than her—Evan Chu, of course. The ground now sported a massive crater, with spiderweb cracks radiating outward, making the whole scene look terrifying.
Evan was used to sights like this. With a flash, he dove straight into the crater. Lynn Chu lay there, her body pitch-black as if she'd been dipped in ink, her once-beautiful face gone, clothes in tatters, and wisps of smoke curling from her hair.
Not caring about anything else, Evan scooped Lynn into his arms and flew back up, channeling powerful wood-element energy to heal her body. Selena quickly pulled out a clean robe and draped it over Lynn.
Her clothes were so shredded that even her chest was half exposed; it had to be covered up, especially with several men present.
"Evan, is Lynn alright? Why does she look like this?" Selena asked anxiously.
"She’s fine. She’ll recover in a bit—the Ascension Tribulation has been passed. The last bolt was so fierce, probably because of the Frostbane Divine Sword. If she’d resisted with her own power, maybe it wouldn’t have hit so hard. Honestly, it’s my fault," Evan said, frustrated.
"Dad, don’t blame yourself—you should be happy. I only made it through because your confidence gave me the strength to keep going," Lynn suddenly said.
She slowly stood up as Evan stopped channeling wood-element energy. Everyone watched Lynn with a mix of worry and curiosity. By now the tribulation clouds had vanished, and the moon reappeared overhead, bathing Divine Dragon Valley in silvery light.
"Lynn, how do you feel?" Selena asked again, her motherly concern showing through in every word.
"My whole body just feels numb and aches a bit, but otherwise I'm fine. Mom, don't worry about me, I'm really okay." Lynn Chu forced a smile as she spoke.
"That lightning tribulation was terrifying! I guess we all need to be extra careful when crossing tribulations in the future. Sister Lynn, congrats on making it through—you'll be ascending to the Immortal Realm soon. Congratulations!" Ethan Chu said.
"That's right. Surviving tribulation means ascension. Lynn, you have at most half an hour left in the lower world—there's not much time now," Evan Chu added.
Selena's expression changed instantly. Over the years, living with her sisters had kept loneliness at bay, but Lynn was her emotional anchor. If Lynn left so suddenly, Selena didn't know how she'd cope—the emptiness and sense of loss would only grow stronger.
Evan glanced at Selena, sensing her thoughts. "Sel, don't be sad. As long as you keep cultivating, one day you'll ascend to the Immortal Realm. When that happens, I'll be waiting for you there."
"I understand, Evan. I'll do my best!" Selena said, her voice choked with emotion.
"Master, she may not be able to ascend to the Immortal Realm. You need to be mentally prepared, or you won't understand the danger when it comes." The Emerald Immortal Empress's voice suddenly sounded in Evan Chu's mind.
Her words clearly shocked Evan. If Selena really couldn't ascend to the Immortal Realm, would she go to the Demonic Realm instead?
"Emerald, what's going on? Explain—why can't Selena ascend to the Immortal Realm?" Evan demanded.
"She's from the Demonic Realm. The lower world's Demonic Realm corresponds to the opposing Demonic Realm in the Immortal Realm, only much weaker—just like the lower world is weaker than the Immortal Realm. If she ascends, it'll be to the Demonic Realm, so you need to be ready for that."
"The Demonic Realm isn't as simple as the Immortal Realm. Especially for a woman as beautiful as her—no one knows what could happen there. It's wise to prepare ahead," the Emerald Immortal Empress warned.
Evan was momentarily speechless. If things were really as the Emerald Immortal Empress said, Selena would be in danger. She might ascend before the Immortal–Demonic war, and he wouldn't be able to follow her to the Demonic Realm. That was the most frustrating thing of all.
Thinking of Selena, Evan's mind jumped to Faye Knox, Princess Ivy, and Lillian Zhang—Netherworld natives. Logically, they wouldn't ascend to the Immortal Realm either. Could it be that the Immortal Realm also has its own Netherworld, just like the Demonic Realm?
"So where do Netherworld people go when they ascend? Is there a Netherworld in the Immortal Realm too?" Evan asked.
The Emerald Immortal Empress possessed powerful memories—even matters of the God Realm were clear to her. Asking her was better than asking anyone. Evan decided to treat her as a sword spirit from now on; whenever he had questions, he'd ask her.
"That's right—the Immortal Realm has its own Netherworld. But the Netherworld has been sealed for a million years. Back then, it fought a war with the Immortal Realm, but Netherworld beings fear Immortal Essence and were utterly defeated."
Once in the God Realm, though, they don't fear godly energy anymore. Whether Demonic Realm or Netherworld natives, they absorb it like mad. You have to understand: every realm—the lower world, Immortal Realm, and God Realm—has its own Demonic Realm and Netherworld."
"It's all part of the laws of Heaven and Earth. The Netherworld and Demonic Realm in the God Realm are even stronger. Master, your mission is going to be tough, so you need to raise your strength fast," the Emerald Immortal Empress said, answering all of Evan's doubts.
Hearing this, Evan understood. But Selena felt different from ordinary Demonic Realm natives—most absorb only demonic qi, but she could fully absorb Stellar Power. After dual cultivation with him, the demonic qi in her body had steadily diminished. Maybe there was hope for a different outcome.
Just then, a white light suddenly appeared in the night sky, brightening the darkness. The entire Dragon Clan of Divine Dragon Valley stared in amazement at the phenomenon—they'd seen it once before.
That time was when Yvonne Xuan ascended, but back then the Seven-Star Convergence distracted many dragons. This time, though, they saw everything clearly.
"Lynn, you're about to ascend. Remember what I told you: after you reach the Immortal Realm, the Ascension Pool is just like the Dragonblood Crucible—it'll boost your strength even further. Someone will be waiting for you there; just state your identity and they'll escort you straight to Frostbane Imperial Palace," Evan reminded her.
"Dad, I won't forget!" Lynn Chu replied. She turned to Selena and said, "Mom, I'll be waiting for you all in the Immortal Realm, so don't be sad.
And Ethan, you'd better hurry up with your cultivation, or once I start learning Immortal Realm techniques you'll be left in the dust! All my aunts, work hard too—I believe it won't be long before we're reunited!"
Just then, a five-colored auspicious cloud appeared in the sky. A multicolored pillar of light shot down from the cloud, enveloping Lynn Chu. An irresistible force tugged at her, and her body soared rapidly toward the cloud... (Chapter ends, next update at 2pm)