That night, Wang Dong had a great dream.
In it, she saw the future.
And she also gained the memories of Tang Wutong, daughter of the God King.
At last, she understood—
why Huo Yuhao had treated her with such cold distance.
Because being with her had caused him to endure far more suffering than he ever should have borne.
Those so-called trials—
in her eyes, they were nothing more than the arbitrary manipulation of a mortal boy by a God King seated high above the clouds.
It was her fault.
It was what she deserved.
"W–Wang Dong…"
Huo Yuhao trembled as he reached out. His fingertips touched the shimmering water curtain, sending out fine ripples.
Within the ripples—
that tear-streaked, beautiful face wavered, then gradually became clear again.
A surge of heartache rose uncontrollably in his chest.
"Sigh." Li Zhexian sighed softly. His fingers came together like a sword, supreme sword intent flowing naturally around them.
"The sharpest sword in this world is the word 'love.'"
"Once it touches you, either you live and die together—or your heart turns to ash."
"Senior…"
Huo Yuhao did not know how to address Li Zhexian, so he simply bowed deeply with clasped hands in salute.
He did not voice the rest of his plea.
But the sorrow brimming in his eyes was enough for Li Zhexian to understand his thoughts.
"The trajectories of fate across countless worlds are but idle strokes upon paper."
"I dislike tragedies the most. Those bitter winds and cruel rains… better they not exist."
Li Zhexian flicked his sleeve again.
A soft, hazy radiance descended upon Wang Dong.
She felt the two clashing streams of memory within her mind suddenly calm.
A profound and mysterious power washed over her body and soul.
At the very root of her spiritual origin—
her soul split cleanly in two, without the slightest obstruction.
The memories and soul portion belonging to Tang Wutong, daughter of the God King, were completely separated from her being.
At her side—
light and shadow gathered.
A girl identical in appearance to her condensed into existence out of thin air.
That girl lifted her chin slightly, her pretty face bearing an innate pride—and unmistakable anger at this moment.
Creating life from nothing. Separating a soul!
Huo Yuhao, Zhang Lexuan, and Ma Xiaotao were beyond words in their shock. They looked toward the white-robed youth beneath the plum tree—still calmly pouring and drinking wine—with reverent awe in their eyes.
Such a method—
had already surpassed their understanding of what "power" meant.
Within his sea of consciousness—
Electrolux exclaimed in astonishment:
"This girl originally possessed a single soul origin, merely nurturing two personalities carrying different memories and wills."
"To separate them so perfectly is akin to reversing creation itself…"
As a grandmaster of necromancy—
he was an authority in the study of life and soul.
Even many gods—
might not surpass his attainments in the domain of the soul.
Precisely because of that—
he understood even more clearly what level this seemingly casual act represented.
"It is like a doll molded from two kinds of clay," he said.
"To separate the two clays without the slightest error is nearly impossible. This control over the soul… I can only marvel in admiration."
For someone as proud as Electrolux to speak such words—
one could imagine the shock Li Zhexian had brought him.
"Heh, that's nothing! Brother Zhexian has far more methods than this!"
Skydream Iceworm planted his chubby hands on his hips.
"The Twelve Forms of the Qinglian Sword Song—each sword embodies a supreme Great Dao!"
"Even if Brother Zhexian has only descended as a projection into this world, if he were to leak the slightest trace of his true aura, this world couldn't withstand it!"
The Snow Demon King, Bear Lord, and Bi Ji all nodded, their eyes filled with reverence.
The Creation God's power suppressed the heavens.
It was precisely by following him—
that Spirit Beasts like them could stand equal to all races of the universe, no longer beneath anyone.
...
"Huo Yuhao." Li Zhexian smiled faintly.
"Though I can separate Wang Dong and Tang Wutong, how you face the two of them from now on… is something you must decide for yourself."
A trace of teasing amusement lingered in his smile, the tone of someone who had been through it all.
"And Zhang Lexuan, Ma Xiaotao as well… these tangled affections are yours to resolve in the end. I won't interfere."
Thinking back to his own past—
when he faced Qian Renxue and Zhu Zhuqing, had it not also been full of twists and turns?
Even after ascending to the pinnacle—
he had still been sought out by several girls under the pretext of "picking plums."
To enjoy the blessings of multiple beauties?
If only it were that easy!
Huo Yuhao hurriedly bowed. "Thank you, Senior. You have already done so much for me. Yuhao truly does not know how to repay you…"
Li Zhexian waved a hand casually, his demeanor carefree. "We met by chance within the fissures of time—thus, we share fate."
"The method of Spirit Souls has been of some benefit to me as well. This is merely a projection descending; it does not affect my true body."
With that—
his gaze leisurely shifted toward Xu Sanshi and He Caitou.
The two stiffened instantly under that look, holding their breath unconsciously, their faces filled with tension.
"S–Senior…"
"Why so hesitant?" Li Zhixian curled his lip. "Are you two not in love with Xiao Xiao and Jiang Nannan? You've grown so tall, yet why are you so indecisive?"
Xu Sanshi and He Caitou had never imagined—
that this unfathomable existence would be so direct and approachable, even carrying a lively, almost worldly air.
Their faces flushed red.
They instinctively glanced toward Xiao Xiao and Jiang Nannan.
The two girls were blushing just as fiercely, countless thoughts surging through their hearts—sweetness, nervousness, anticipation all intertwined.
"You each have your own destinies. Though I could intervene, you would lose part of the experience of walking the path yourselves."
"But if you cannot even see your own hearts clearly, I don't mind giving you a push."
Another strand of Mortal World sword intent drifted forth,
sweeping the four of them into the red dust for tempering.
Within the light screen—
their winding mortal lives unfolded one after another.
Along the original trajectory—
Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan, He Caitou and Xiao Xiao had indeed confirmed their feelings within the Yin Yang Love Querying Valley.
Li Zhexian's action—
was not to twist fate,
but to bind more firmly the bonds that already existed.
Though fate to him was merely a thread to be plucked at will—
not everyone possessed Huo Yuhao's fortune.
Thus—
not interfering lightly
was, in fact, the greatest fulfillment he could grant them.
If one day Huo Yuhao could transcend this world, he might bring his family and friends along.
In the True Realm, the Divine Star's spiritual energy was abundant.
There, perhaps, they could glimpse a sliver of opportunity to ascend to godhood.
Li Zhexian sensed the many spiritual treasures hidden within the Yin Yang Love Querying Valley.
One by one, immortal herbs wreathed in misty energy rose from the lake, hovering quietly within transparent bubbles.
"Huo Yuhao, since you wish to strengthen yourself, this ''Condensing Spirit Jade Essence Grass' suits you. It can raise your Spirit Power to Level 70."
"And Zhang Lexuan, Ma Xiaotao—you two may also refine your Martial Souls with suitable spiritual herbs."
"Thank you, Senior!"
They received the herbs and quickly bowed in gratitude.
Huo Yuhao's emotions churned uncontrollably.
Compared to the various hardships imposed upon them in the valley by Tang San—
the person before him
was the very embodiment of a carefree immortal, unrestrained and magnanimous.
Even mentioning the two in the same breath would be a desecration of the one before him.
Within his sea of consciousness—
Skydream Iceworm suddenly said:
"Yuhao, you've got to ask Brother Zhexian for another favor!"
"He rarely projects himself into this world—this thigh is one you need to hold tight! Don't let him return too soon!"