In a void of utter darkness, the fluorescent cords binding Monkey’s body scattered like a swarm of bees taking flight.
Monkey’s eyes were wide open, but he floated motionless as if dead, slowly spinning in the emptiness.
His torn flesh and limbs drifted nearby.
This was a world without sound, wind, light, clouds, gravity, or even time—only boundless spiritual energy surging madly into his body remained.
In the limitless darkness, everything was slowly fading away, even the memories within his mind.
Blood-soaked fur stretched out one strand at a time, trembling faintly. Drops of blood floated in the air like red pearls.
……
The rift vanished, and with it, the red glow beneath it disappeared as well.
Outside South Heaven Gate, a gentle wind blew, carrying fine sand over the bloodstained ground.
Clouds churned in the sky, but no longer formed a vortex as before; even the ever-present lightning had vanished.
The whole world seemed to have fallen into endless silence.
Erik Yang hovered in the distance, watching silently, gripping his Trident Saber tighter and tighter.
……
On the Lingxiao Palace, the immortals stared wide-eyed, searching for any hint of abnormality in the scene before them.
The Jade Emperor craned his neck, bracing himself against the dragon table as he slowly rose, but kept that posture unmoving.
……
Inside South Heaven Gate, Daoist disciples whispered among themselves, slowly gathering toward the exit.
……
On the narrow mountain path, Anna Yang sat collapsed on the ground, facing South Heaven Gate and weeping into her hands. Beside her, Jade Cauldron Immortal frowned helplessly, watching his disciple sob uncontrollably, saying nothing.
……