At this moment, Tian Chi Ji Ye sat cross-legged, channeling his energy to heal his wounds.
Just then, Ai Huo Nü Rong returned to the Tower of Demonic Eternity.
She had been absent for some time, having journeyed to the Moonfolk's Ancient Capital of Lunar Radiance to retrieve the sealed head of Luohou.
This was why she had not appeared when the Nine Realms Buddha Emperor and Tian Chi Ji Ye clashed at Huanben Crossing.
Upon her return, Ai Huo Nü Rong immediately saw Tian Chi Ji Ye deep in meditation, recovering from his injuries.
"Hah—" Ai Huo Nü Rong exclaimed.
Witnessing this, she rushed forward, summoning her own dark energy to aid his recovery.
"Ugh—" Tian Chi Ji Ye groaned.
With her assistance, Tian Chi Ji Ye soon coughed up a mouthful of tainted blood.
"Tian Chi, how do you feel now?" Ai Huo Nü Rong asked.
Seeing the blood expelled, Ai Huo Nü Rong withdrew her energy and asked urgently.
"Much better. Thank you, Nü Rong," Tian Chi Ji Ye replied.
"Tian Chi, though I have purged the corrupted blood from your body, thirty percent of your recovery still depends on your own cultivation. For the next half-month, you must avoid expending your core energy," Ai Huo Nü Rong warned.
She spoke with grave emphasis.
"I understand," Tian Chi Ji Ye responded.
Tian Chi Ji Ye was well aware of his condition.
During their third exchange of blows, Nine Realms Buddha Emperor had gained the upper hand and pressed his advantage, striking several more times.
Fortunately, Tian Chi Ji Ye's subordinate demons arrived in time to intervene, forcing Nine Realms Buddha Emperor to retreat.
Yet, the damage was done—Tian Chi Ji Ye could not engage in strenuous combat for at least half a month. Full recovery would take no less than a month.
This meant that Tian Chi Ji Ye's severe injuries had delayed the Twin Demonic Deities' plans by at least thirty days.
"Since when did the Nine Realms Buddha Emperor possess such power? To think he wounded you so gravely..." Ai Huo Nü Rong murmured.
At last, Ai Huo Nü Rong voiced her bewilderment.
The extent of Tian Chi Ji Ye's injuries had shocked her deeply.
After all, both he and she had transcended mortal limits upon obtaining the Xuan Pin, ascending to Demonic Divinity.
"The Nine Realms Buddha Emperor alone could never have done this!" Tian Chi Ji Ye spat.
His tone dripped with disdain.
"Then how—?!" Ai Huo Nü Rong exclaimed.
Ai Huo Nü Rong grew even more perplexed.
"I detected foreign Buddha-energy within him—energy that was not his own," Tian Chi Ji Ye explained.
"Foreign Buddha-energy?!" Ai Huo Nü Rong gasped.
For a moment, she failed to grasp his meaning.
"Before confronting me at Huanben Crossing, he must have forcibly absorbed external Buddha-energy. When we exchanged our third strike, I had only recovered fifty percent of my strength, while he had already reached full power," Tian Chi Ji Ye said.
Tian Chi Ji Ye had deduced the reason for his defeat.
"I only realized this afterward. Otherwise, I would not have fallen for Yu Zhixiang's scheme," Tian Chi Ji Ye added.
"Could it be... Fan Tian?" Ai Huo Nü Rong wondered.
Understanding now, Ai Huo Nü Rong ventured a guess—one tinged with unease.
As the Nine Realms Buddha Emperor had warned, the lurking threat of Yi Ye Shu remained their greatest concern.
"Unlikely," Tian Chi Ji Ye denied.
Tian Chi Ji Ye shook his head, dismissing her suspicion.
She trusted his judgment—after all, he had once battled Fan Tian himself.
"Then... has Luoyuan Yicheng produced another master of Buddha-energy?" Ai Huo Nü Rong questioned.
This alternative possibility darkened her expression.
Tian Chi Ji Ye fell silent.
If true, this was dire news.
As wielders of Ultimate Energy, they understood better than anyone the might of those who possessed it.
Should Luoyuan Yicheng indeed harbor a third such master—alongside Yi Ye Shu and Nine Realms Buddha Emperor—their advantage would crumble.
"Once my injuries heal, we shall investigate Luoyuan Yicheng in person," Tian Chi Ji Ye declared.
At last, he made his decision.
"Agreed," Ai Huo Nü Rong said.
For now, Ai Huo Nü Rong had no better alternative. Everything hinged on his recovery.
Yet, Tian Chi Ji Ye's words had planted seeds of doubt in her mind.
It was only prudent—victory could not be assumed without first accounting for defeat.
After all, no wielder of Ultimate Energy could ever be weak.
Meanwhile, the very man they feared had already departed Luoyuan Yicheng.
Nine Realms Buddha Emperor had not asked Yin Shiren to stay and aid them against the Twin Demonic Deities.
This was a karmic struggle between Fan Tian, Nine Realms Buddha Emperor, and the demonic pair—he would not impose on others.
Now, with no destination in mind, Yin Shiren wandered aimlessly.
This world held no home for him.
Without purpose, he felt adrift—an emptiness swelling within.
Before, tasks had kept this loneliness at bay. But now, alone and idle, he realized the vastness of the world offered him no refuge.
The solitude festered, consuming his thoughts.
Soon, a dark, malevolent energy began seeping from his body—Death God's Power, identical to that of Tai Xue Zhu.
Within moments, the inky force engulfed him entirely, obscuring his form until only a shifting mass of shadow remained.
Driven by instinct, his shrouded figure moved forward.
Animals fled in terror at his approach.
Humans froze in place hundreds of meters away—those within dozens of meters collapsed unconscious.
Yet, none died.
This outburst stemmed from the Death God's Power resonating with his desolation.
Darkness thrived on corruption—be it of flesh or spirit.
Many legends spoke of demons born from humanity's decay.
Beasts acted on instinct, but humans—blessed and cursed with choice—could become monsters with a single thought.
Even practitioners of esoteric arts relied on balance, their power shaped by discipline.
But Yin Shiren was no seasoned master.
Once an ordinary man, he had gained Ultimate Energy and, by fate's twist, the Death God's Power.
His spirit was unprepared.
This was his trial—his calamity.
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