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The space in front changed, but after careful sensing, Gongsun Hongtian didn’t notice anything different.
Countless tentacles attacked again from behind.
But at that moment, with Xu Zimo and Gongsun Hongtian at the center, the distance between the two suddenly folded.
As if space itself had turned into a mirror.
When Gongsun Hongtian's countless tentacles attacked, the same tentacles appeared on Xu Zimo’s side.
Using the same moves, with the same power.
Countless tentacles intertwined, and the sound of explosions echoed. The sky changed as winds and clouds surged.
The entire space collapsed before the two of them, and Xu Zimo didn’t move at all from beginning to end.
He let the tentacles battle.
Whatever attack the opponent used, the same one would appear on his side.
This was the first of the so-called Ten Forms of Demon, the apex of spatial manipulation, folding.
It allowed space to refract and reflect all attacks.
The stronger the power, the stronger the reflected attack.
“How could this happen... how could this happen...” Gongsun Hongtian looked at everything in front of him, still unwilling to believe.
He increased the power of the formation, channeling endless spiritforce to attack Xu Zimo.
The space roared, filled with a crushing and oppressive force.
Xu Zimo could feel that the opponent was very strong, and the refracted space he created was beginning to struggle.
“Second Form of Demon: Plague Demon.”
Xu Zimo murmured again.
“Those plagued by karmic afflictions.”
The next moment, endless death aura surrounded the entire Heavenly Bond City.
This death aura was terrifying. It ignored all defenses and drained life and lifespan directly from the body.
Sensing the strong life-devouring energy within the death aura, Gongsun Hongtian’s expression changed dramatically.
“What kind of monster is this guy,” he took a deep breath, feeling like he had never encountered such a powerful opponent.
This death aura seemed intangible, impossible to grasp or avoid.
Just then, rubble from the ruins was moved.
A loud shout came from within.
“Father, help me, save me!”
It was Gongsun Tianxun’s voice.
The Sun-Moon Inn had been reduced to rubble earlier. He struggled out of the debris and ran forward in panic.
And Gu Yue was chasing right behind him.
Earlier, Xu Zimo had instructed Gu Yue to watch over Gongsun Tianxun. Since his meridians had been sealed, he was no stronger than an ordinary person.
Gongsun Hongtian initially frowned. He wasn’t concerned about his son’s life, but about how to deal with the powerful enemy in front of him.
But when he saw Gu Yue appear, Gongsun Hongtian’s expression changed drastically.
He stared at Gu Yue in a daze, as if spellbound, standing motionless.
Gongsun Tianxun was still shouting below.
Gongsun Hongtian gently stepped in mid-air and shot toward Gu Yue like a streak of light.
Gu Yue was startled and quickly hid behind the monk Great Wisdom.
“Wait! I... I mean no harm,” Gongsun Hongtian looked a bit nervous. He looked at Gu Yue and asked, “What’s your name?”
“What, you know her?” Xu Zimo asked from the side.
“She looks... far too similar,” Gongsun Hongtian turned to Xu Zimo and said. “I think there may be some misunderstandings between us.”
“What kind of misunderstanding?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Can I know her background?” Gongsun Hongtian asked, looking at Gu Yue.
“What’s your name?”
“Gu... Gu Yue,” she replied hesitantly.
“Gu, huh? As I thought, same surname,” Gongsun Hongtian muttered to himself.
Then he raised his head again and asked Gu Yue, “Where’s your mother?”
“My mother sent me out of the Mortal Dust Palace. I never saw her again after that,” Gu Yue said, seemingly remembering something.
She asked with some sadness, “Do you know my mother?”
“You know, when your mother was your age, you two looked exactly alike,” Gongsun Hongtian replied.
“Cut the drama. Just say what you want,” Xu Zimo interjected.
“Can we talk in private?” Gongsun Hongtian looked at Xu Zimo and asked.
Xu Zimo thought for a moment and finally nodded.
The two moved away from the crowd and walked to a nearby spot.
Xu Zimo looked up and said, “Say what you want to say.”
“May I ask, why do you insist on killing me?” Gongsun Hongtian asked.
“To trade your head for something,” Xu Zimo laughed.
“Trade with the Goddess Palace?” Gongsun Hongtian laughed too. “You believe what those people say?”
“What’s your point?” Xu Zimo turned to him and asked.
“A long, long time ago, before the Heavenly Bond Cult existed... For everyone who entered the Mortal Dust Palace, coming here meant seeing through worldly desires and cutting themselves off from the world,” Gongsun Hongtian began. “But seeing through worldly desires is easier said than done. Some people just took the wrong path during a moment of confusion. As time passed, more people came here, and with them, more and more regrets.”
“I know all this. Get to the point,” Xu Zimo said.
“The Mortal Dust Palace forbids love and desire. Those who come here must give up all worldly longing. But people are not stones. Who can truly live without emotion? Many still married and had children in secret, living in fear every day. I was born under such circumstances. My parents locked me away since I was a child, afraid I’d be discovered. I didn’t leave that dark room until I grew up.”
As he spoke, Gongsun Hongtian slowly sat on the ruins nearby.
He laughed, but the smile was bitter.
“Maybe this world didn’t welcome me from the day I was born. All my memories here are painful. No matter what I did, I was always restricted, and I constantly longed for the world outside. In my bleak life, there was probably only one girl who became the light of my existence. We met, grew close, and fell in love. That was the happiest time of my life. Maybe beautiful things don’t last. The day that girl left, I found out she was actually a candidate to become the Palace Master of the Goddess Palace. There was a chasm between us, a difference we could never overcome. At that time, she was already pregnant.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Zimo froze and looked at Gu Yue. “You’re saying Gu Yue is your daughter?”
“The looks, the name, there aren’t that many coincidences in this world,” Gongsun Hongtian nodded. “To watch the woman you love leave, knowing you might never see her again... That sense of helplessness planted a seed deep inside me. That day I swore I’d overthrow the rule of the Goddess Palace and bring freedom to the people here. Later, I encountered many strange opportunities, even discovering this ancient formation.”