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Seeing Ye Xishui grow ever more extreme and crazed, Long Xiaoyao watched with pain in his eyes and heart.

Ye Xishui had always been eccentric, but she’d never gone this far.

Now, Ye Xishui was completely obsessed with this frenzied slaughter.

He couldn’t bear to see the woman he loved walk step by step toward the point of no return.

If possible, he wanted to persuade Ye Xishui to turn back, so the two of them could retire from the world. Consumed by hatred, she would eventually destroy herself.

Hearing Long Xiaoyao’s voice, Ye Xishui’s previously joyful and satisfied expression froze. Her brow furrowed, and a trace of displeasure appeared in her blood-red eyes.

“Xiaoyao, don’t force me to lose my temper when I’m happiest.”

Long Xiaoyao pleaded bitterly, “Xishui, please turn back. If you keep going like this, it won’t end well.”

Hai Bodong and the others were incredibly powerful; Long Xiaoyao honestly couldn’t see any chance of victory.

Besides, he truly disliked such things.

Though he possessed the Darkness Holy Dragon Martial Soul, he wasn’t an evil person. On the contrary, he was more upright and honorable than most.

He only stayed by Ye Xishui’s side out of his deep love and sense of debt toward her.

But deep down, he always hoped Ye Xishui could wash her hands of all this.

Ye Xishui now was like someone walking along a cliff’s edge—one slip, and she’d be shattered beyond repair.

Hearing his words, Ye Xishui burst into manic laughter. “Turn back?”

“How am I supposed to turn back?”

“Tell me, Xiaoyao!”

“Are you asking me to forget the humiliation I suffered, or to forget the shame of my son’s murder?”

“You always want me to turn back, but it’s already too late for me.”

“Even if I was willing to give up, that little bastard and the Ice God Palace behind him would never let me go.”

“If that’s the case, why shouldn’t I fight with everything I have?”

“Now, I’ve mastered the Spirit Sacrifice technique. All I need is time, and I’ll set foot on the legendary path.”

“Even Hai Bodong won’t be able to stand against me then.”

“The shame of that day—I, Ye Xishui, will repay it!”

“If you really can’t stand it, then leave. Treat it as if I, Ye Xishui, never knew you.”

“Xishui, you…”

Long Xiaoyao’s voice faltered. Leave Ye Xishui? How could he?

No matter how Ye Xishui changed, he could never abandon her.

“Xishui, I won’t leave you. Unless I die, I won’t let anyone harm you.”

“Heh~”

Ye Xishui sneered. “Xiaoyao, words are cheap. Unless you do it with your own hands.”

Long Xiaoyao asked, “How do you want me to prove it?”

“It’s simple!”

Ye Xishui looked at the wailing people below, her blood-red eyes flashing with bloodlust.

“Xiaoyao, I remember you’re injured too, aren’t you? These blood sacrifices below are the best nourishment for you.”

“What?”

Long Xiaoyao was horrified. “No, absolutely not.”

Ye Xishui said flatly, “If you’re unwilling, then leave. My fate will have nothing more to do with you.”

Long Xiaoyao closed his eyes in agony. “Xishui, don’t force me.”

“Force you?”

Ye Xishui said bitterly, “It’s this damned world that forced me.”

“I have no way out.”

“Xiaoyao, either you’re with me or we’re mortal enemies from now on. There’s no other choice.”

Ye Xishui’s tone was cold and merciless.

She wanted Long Xiaoyao to make a choice—between her and the world.

She no longer wanted a righteous, untainted Long Xiaoyao.

She only wanted someone who would do anything with her, no matter what.

After so many twists of fate, Ye Xishui’s mindset had changed completely.

Though Long Xiaoyao had always stayed by her side, he never joined the Holy Spirit Cult—he only served in name.

Back then, she still wanted to preserve his last bit of dignity.

But now, after acquiring certain techniques, Ye Xishui’s mindset was utterly transformed.

Only a Long Xiaoyao who followed her orders completely and fell into the mud with her was the best Long Xiaoyao.

No wonder, in the original, she could drag Long Xiaoyao to his death—her way of thinking was beyond normal understanding.

Watching Long Xiaoyao’s tightly shut eyes and agonized conflicted face, Ye Xishui stepped forward and gently grasped his hand.

Her previously cold, bloodthirsty expression instantly softened. Stroking his cheek, she whispered, “Xiaoyao, maybe you don’t know, but you’re the only man I’ve ever loved.”

“That day, when I gave myself to you, I never regretted it.”

“Brother Mu is a good man, but I only love you.”

“Xiaoyao, you’re all I have left.”

These words hit Long Xiaoyao like a killing blow.

Yes, Xishui only had him now, only him.

If he didn’t stay with her, she would have nothing left.

For Xishui, so what if he fell into ruin?

His feelings for Ye Xishui finally overwhelmed his last bit of kindness and resolve.

If he couldn’t change her mind, then he’d just fall with her.

Even if the reckoning came, he’d die before her.

Long Xiaoyao’s eyes snapped open. Looking at the people below, a flash of pain and pity crossed his gaze.

“I’m sorry!”

His expression hardened—he had made up his mind.

Ye Xishui smiled with satisfaction. “Xiaoyao, go do what you must.”

A black shadow leaped down, and a trace of pride flashed in Ye Xishui’s eyes.

Sure enough, she was still the most important thing in Xiaoyao’s heart.

This was the best Xiaoyao.

Long Xiaoyao’s choice proved he hadn’t betrayed her, bringing a bit of comfort to Ye Xishui’s twisted heart.

She decided she would keep Long Xiaoyao by her side, slaughtering gods together.

And the living beings of this continent would be the best nourishment.

“Impressive—just a few words, and you made Long Xiaoyao willingly fall.”

A mysterious shadow appeared, a sinister voice whispering in Ye Xishui’s ear.

Without turning, Ye Xishui replied, “In Xiaoyao’s world, no one is more important than me.”

She was very confident—when had Long Xiaoyao ever left her control?

The shadow clicked its tongue but didn’t argue.

Long Xiaoyao falling for Ye Xishui’s darkness was a good thing.

The Darkness Holy Dragon was pure darkness—once tainted with evil, it could become even scarier than Ye Xishui.

Now with such a chess piece to use, the shadow couldn’t be happier.

Even if Ye Xishui died one day, there would still be Long Xiaoyao as a backup.

Given Long Xiaoyao’s feelings, he’d be easy to manipulate.

It was a win-win.

With a fleeting thought, the shadow said, “You’ve recovered enough. It’s time to move forward.”

“That kid has already returned to the Ice God Palace. Your time is short.”

Ye Xishui immediately felt a sense of urgency.

Su Yu had returned to the Ice God Palace?

He was probably already taking the god trial.

No, she had to become a god before Su Yu.

A fierce light flashed in Ye Xishui’s eyes—only by becoming a god before Su Yu could she truly wash away her shame.

Otherwise, it would be her turn to be destroyed.

“Time waits for no one. I really must hurry.”

Ye Xishui fully agreed.

Now, they were racing against time. It would all depend on who was faster.

“I’ll go help Xiaoyao.”

Ye Xishui’s figure flickered, blood light spreading wherever she went.

People fell like wheat before a reaper—when an Ultimate Douluo starts slaughtering, it’s a natural disaster.

Ten minutes later.

Ye Xishui, dressed in a blood-red robe, hovered in the air.

Blood-black mist swirled around her, exuding ferocity and gore.

Long Xiaoyao followed silently, his once-pure aura now tainted.

Like a drop of ink in a basin of clear water—no matter how you tried, it would never be pure again.

Ye Xishui’s eyes were full of satisfaction. “Xiaoyao, let’s go!”

Blood shadow streaked across the sky. Ye Xishui soared away, and Long Xiaoyao transformed into black light, following close behind.

The mysterious shadow cackled, its phantom form fading away.

…

Ice God Palace.

A month passed in a flash.

“Absolute Void!”

Blue icy light swirled, forming an invisible wall.

Xue Di’s razor-sharp Snow Empress Sword halted three feet from Su Yu’s body.

Even the ultimate ice aura couldn’t breach this barrier.

“Ice God Secret Technique: Absolute Void. Su Yu, you’ve mastered it.”

Xue Di’s sword faded, her cool voice echoing.

Su Yu dispelled the ice-blue barrier and sighed, “I finally did it.”

For the past month, Su Yu had focused all his attention on training the Ice God Secret Technique s.

The three secret techniques Su Yu chose were no ordinary skills.

Ice God Secret Technique: Sublimation—instantly boosts soul power by a full rank, a god-level technique.

Ice God Sword Technique—the powerful sword art once used by the Ice God, each move tremendously strong.

Ice God Secret Art: Absolute Void—a three-foot ice wall, impervious to all magic.

All were truly divine skills, and naturally very hard to master.

Even with Su Yu’s exceptional talent, it took nearly a month to barely succeed at the last moment.

But it was worth it; these three techniques greatly enhanced Su Yu’s strength.

Just then, a vast, icy presence echoed in Su Yu’s mind.

[“Ice God Fifth Trial completed. Ice God affinity increased by 10%. Current total affinity: 70%.”]

[“Ice God Sixth Trial issued: Within 36 hours, defeat the Nine Great Guardians in succession and gain their approval. Time limit: three months.”]

“What?”

Su Yu was shocked by the voice in his mind.

Defeat the Nine Great Guardians in 36 hours?

Are you sure this is a proper trial?

Su Yu knew exactly how strong the Nine Guardians were.

Except for Bingqing (an auxiliary soul master), the rest were all top-tier powerhouses.

Of these nine, aside from Bingqing and Luo Yi—both Rank 96 Super Douluo—the others all had soul power of at least Rank 97.

Especially Lu Yuan, Shui Lingguang, and Mu Wu.

Each was absurdly strong.

Lu Yuan, Rank 98, possessed the Titan Snow Demon martial soul and a natural fighter’s physique—his combat power rivaled even Du Busi.

Shui Lingguang, with the Ultimate Ice Phoenix, was a peak Rank 98 Super Douluo. Her soul power surpassed Lu Yuan and, post-explosion, could temporarily rival the ultimate level.

At this level, she was a formidable foe.

The most ridiculous was Mu Wu.

Currently, the only Ultimate Douluo with complementary dual soul cores.

How was Su Yu supposed to win?

And with only three months? Was this a joke?

He’d known the Sixth Trial would be hard, but he hadn’t imagined it would be this brutal.

It was making things hard for him on purpose.

Meanwhile, Xue Di’s face also darkened, disbelief in her icy gaze.

“Xue’er, you got the Sixth Trial details too, right?”

Xue Di nodded, grave: “The Sixth Trial—assist the Ice God’s inheritor in defeating the Nine Guardians within 36 hours and gain their recognition.”

“Su Yu, this trial…”

Even Xue Di was starting to lose her composure.

This trial was truly outrageous.

The Nine Guardians of the Ice God Hall were all first-class powerhouses.

Especially Mu Wu—she doubted even in her prime she could beat him.

Dual soul cores were just too overpowered.

Mu Wu and ordinary Ultimate Douluo were worlds apart.

Not to mention, Mu Wu also possessed strength-enhancing Ice God technique. She had no idea how to win.

Just her and Su Yu?

Was that possible?

“This old woman sure knows how to torture people. She’s not giving us any breaks!”

Su Yu was speechless.

Compared to his Sixth Trial, Qian Renxue and Tang San's Sixth Trials in the original series were a breeze.

Not even on the same level.

Making him fight Mu Wu—what was the Ice God thinking?

Xue Di asked worriedly, “So what do we do?”

During a trial, Mu Wu and the others would not go easy. This was a massive challenge for them.

“What else can we do? If the enemy comes, we fight. I don’t believe the old woman would set an impossible task.”

“Maybe… Mu Wu can’t use Ice God techniques?”

If Mu Wu couldn’t cheat, and he could, plus Xue Di, it might be worth a try.

Xue Di’s beautiful eyes flickered. Would the Ice God set such a restriction?

She had a bad feeling.

Su Yu waved his sleeve. “We’ve only got three months. The most important thing now is to boost our strength.”

“Xue’er, get ready. We can break through to Soul Douluo now.”

He had already reached Level 80 soul power—just one more soul ring and he’d be a Soul Douluo.

Xue Di only needed some rare herbs.

With some medicine and natural growth, her soul power would rise naturally.