Chapter 390.2: A Different Kind of Meeting with Jin Li

At the Divine Moon Palace's frontlines in the demon abyss.

A Heavenly Venerable sat in an unknown location, smiling in delight at the ten suns. "This is truly a heaven-sent gift!"

News of Lord Moon God's injury had spread recently. Though the Heavenly Venerable did not know why Lord Moon God had left the Divine Moon Palace, she had returned wounded. The Taihuang Palace would certainly seize the opportunity to rally other factions and launch an assault on the Divine Moon Palace.

Yet without warning, a Heavenly Venerable had appeared, specifically targeting the Great Sun Position of Taihuang Palace. The Taihuang Palace found itself in a crisis of its own. The other factions would certainly not join forces to attack them. Thus, the pressure on the Divine Moon Palace had eased considerably.

The female Heavenly Venerable’s expression shifted slightly and she muttered, "Hm? The ten suns seem to be moving toward the star region where our Divine Moon Palace resides..."

Then, something clicked in her head. "Could this be a friend of Lord Moon God's? No, anyone bearing a Great Sun Position is an enemy by nature!"

The Great Sun Position and Lord Moon God's Position were in fundamental conflict. For either of them to ascend to the next level, they had to become Dao companions. However, one was fated to become the sacrifice that fulfilled the other. This was why the Great Sun and Lord Moon God had always fought to the death, with no possibility of peace.

Her expression grew complicated. "If he obtains the Great Sun Position, he will become an even more fearsome enemy of the Divine Moon Palace. Alas..."

Worry wound through her heart, but she pushed them aside and thought of it no more.

***

The darkness within the demon abyss was deep crimson. Mist drifted through the air. Thick scent of blood filled the chamber, with a faint thread of perfume

A woman pushed her dark hair aside, revealing a bloodstained white robe. Her attire was simple, and only the Linglong Xi Jade hung from the sash at her waist. She shed her clothes, the stained fabric sinking to the floor as she stepped into the bath.

Her shoulders peeked above the water like fine porcelain. A few droplets settled in the curve of her collarbones. The warm water had brought a flush to her smooth skin. With a flicker of loss, she cupped the Linglong Xi Jade. She could not remember how many years it had been since the relic had last glowed.

Every time she returned from battle, she would bathe while gazing at the Linglong Xi Jade, lost in thought. She waited, hoping the Linglong Xi Jade would light up again as it had in the old days.

Then, her other jade slip glowed. It was a voice transmission from her senior sister.

—Just got back from killing again?

"Mhm."

—Alas. All these years, and you haven't changed at all. Do you think simply accumulating enough merit will be enough to persuade Lord Moon God to act even once?

She resolutely clutched the Linglong Xi Jade. "I'm already more than halfway there. It won't be long now."

Even when she used to be an empress, she had always preferred to live quietly and be at peace with the world. Had he not helped her, she would probably have died long ago. Returning to the Divine Moon Palace changed her. She understood she could no longer live that way.

Only by growing stronger and accumulating enough merit could she petition Lord Moon God to guide her back to the Ancient Qichun Tree, to the shores of Seventh Moon Lake, and to the one who had stood beside her in the snow.

—Because you've poured everything into merit, you’re falling far behind the other Moon Maidens. Do you understand how dangerous that is?

"Mhm."

—You're impossibly stubborn. I won't try to talk you out of it anymore. But listen, Lord Moon God was injured recently. Even if your merit is sufficient, it may be very difficult to petition her to act.

The woman frowned. Her gaze passed through the skylight and fixed on the lone moon hanging in the heavens. Pale silver light fell down like snow across the night.

The woman reached out her hand and caught it. "I understand."

—Thank goodness the Ten Suns Heavenly Sovereign has appeared. Otherwise, our Divine Moon Palace would be in a truly dire position.

The woman knew of the Ten Suns Heavenly Sovereign as the mysterious Yang Spirit who had just appeared. Just then, something stirred inside her. When she focused on her star projection in the Star World, her eyes widened slightly. There were ten suns.

—See that? The Ten Suns Heavenly Sovereign's star projections have drifted near our star region. They seem to be drawing very close to yours.

The woman gazed at the stars above. "I see them."

Perhaps because ten suns were drawing close to her star projection, she felt a strange warmth. Her star seemed to brighten slightly. She looked at her own pale, slender palm. The light of ten Great Suns had fallen into it, warm and gentle as rain.

—It seems they really do have some connection to Lord Moon God.

The ten suns drifted out of her sight, moving in another direction. However, though the light had rested in her palm for only a fleeting moment, she continued to cup it in her hands.

She didn't know why. Perhaps it was the cool breeze, or perhaps it was that flicker of sunlight, but she recalled the second message Qi Yuan had relayed through the Wedding Garment Empress.

If I could see you again...

***

At the same moment, a flicker of joy crossed Qi Yuan's eyes, followed by a shadow of loss. "Don't linger. She can't come too close to me yet."

I haven't gone up there yet.