Black clouds churned, and crimson garments were a stark contrast.
The Lord of Huyu Mountain staggered back several paces as if struck by something, muttering, "So that's how it is! So that's how it is!"
The Heavenly Star Chessboard's doomsday warning hadn't been referring to Liu Tianyun, who caused the end of days, nor to Bai Shengyi, but to Qin Si, the savior!
"Lord of Huyu Mountain, what are you waiting for?"
Ahead, Master Kule, Yue Bufan, and Xuan You, among others, seized the moment while Qin Si and the Lord of Hualing Mountain were locked in combat. They quickly set up a barrier, shielding the sect disciples from the attacks of the Prison Imps.
The Lord of Huyu Mountain snapped out of her daze and hurriedly summoned the Heavenly Star Chessboard.
A tattered chessboard suddenly appeared above the barrier, emitting a fearsome yet dazzling starlight.
Taking advantage of the Lord of Hualing Mountain's inattention, Qin Si pulled the latter into the chessboard with him!
"Crack!"
The black clouds receded, and the stars shone eternally. Boundless starlight cascaded from the distant sky, enveloping the entire chessboard.
Seeing this, Master Kule sat on the ground, tapped his wooden fish, and chanted Buddhist scriptures. Countless golden characters of scripture flowed into the chessboard.
Xuan You and the others moved to the outside of the barrier, bringing the disciples who had not yet evacuated back within its confines...
"The Heavenly Star Chessboard won't hold for much longer. If only the Rongku Brush were still here," the Lord of Huyu Mountain said, opening her mouth to speak.
The Rongku Brush, capable of astonishing mountains and rivers and moving heaven and earth with its strokes, was the perfect complement to the Heavenly Star Chessboard. With it, the Lord of Hualing Mountain could have been trapped alone within.
Yue Bufan sighed helplessly, "The Rongku Brush has been lost for a long time, and we never imagined it would fall into A Yi's hands. It's a pity A Yi isn't here now."
As Yue Bufan spoke, he noticed the Lord of Huyu Mountain's ashen face and furrowed brow. It was clear that the struggle between Qin Si and the Lord of Hualing Mountain within the chessboard was also a great trial for her.
He couldn't help but remind her, "Lord of Huyu Mountain, if you can't hold on, don't force yourself."
The Lord of Huyu Mountain gave a bitter smile. "Are you not blaming me, Lord of Yueqing Mountain?"
If the Lord of Hualing Mountain was the main culprit colluding with demonic cultivators, then she, unknowingly, had also become his accomplice.
At this point, the Lord of Huyu Mountain understood why the Lord of Hualing Mountain had been so partial to the Wushang Sect in their past conversations, and why his vague remarks had always caused her to be wary of Bai Shengyi and Qin Si.
She had even, in secret, caused considerable trouble for Shenqi Mountain and Yueqing Mountain because of it.
Of course, more importantly, the reason the Lord of Hualing Mountain could bring almost the entire force of Hualing Mountain against the disciples of other sects this time was because the Lord of Huyu Mountain had allocated half of the participation slots for the closing ceremony at Qunyu Mountain to Hualing Mountain.
Looking at the stark blood on the ground, the Lord of Huyu Mountain closed her eyes tightly.
She didn't need Yue Bufan's answer.
Because she was filled with guilt.
Inside the Heavenly Star Chessboard.
The starlight was brilliant, with stars constantly falling and being born.
Qin Si and the Lord of Hualing Mountain seemed to have become members of these stars. Just as the two were about to collide like stars, the entrance to the vast universe secret realm at the center of the Ji Nan Desolate River suddenly emitted a brilliant white light. A white figure swiftly passed through everyone, ignoring the secret realm set up by Master Kule and the others, and charged into the chessboard!
"Pfft!"
The Lord of Huyu Mountain spat out a mouthful of blood and fell to her knees.
"Someone is attempting to shatter the stars... No! Lord Qin's situation is dire!" Though her mouth was full of blood, the Lord of Huyu Mountain ignored her own condition and looked at Yue Bufan and Master Kule, saying, "You two must enter the chessboard and help Lord Qin!"
"But Lord Huyu Mountain, can you still hold on?" Yue Bufan hesitated.
The Lord of Huyu Mountain nodded. "I definitely can."
"Then I'll go!"
Yue Bufan turned into a streak of light and vanished from his spot. He didn't notice the bitter smile on the Lord of Huyu Mountain's pale face.
Master Kule shook his head slightly. "Why must you suffer so, Mountain Lord?"
The Lord of Huyu Mountain simply smiled and said nothing, wiping the blood from her lips. She sat cross-legged on the ground, forming hand seals, and countless more stars fell into the Heavenly Star Chessboard.
Within the chessboard, Yue Bufan's eyes widened in disbelief as he exclaimed, "Bai Qingjiang? What are you doing here?"
"He's not Uncle Bai," Qin Si coldly recalled the Wuji Canghan Sword and thrust it towards the Lord of Hualing Mountain again. But, as before, before the sword could touch the Lord of Hualing Mountain, it was knocked away by a headbutt from "Bai Qingjiang"!
"Bai Qingjiang" grinned. "Good son-in-law, I am your Uncle Bai."
"Disgusting!" Qin Si's gaze deepened, and he redirected his attack towards Bai Qingjiang!
He was wary of Bai Qingjiang's body, but the other party clearly feared nothing. In just a moment, Qin Si was caught off guard and injured on the shoulder by a claw.
The wound immediately began to corrode inward. Qin Si's phoenix eyes narrowed, and he decisively sliced off the corrupted flesh with his sword.
"Good son-in-law, you are truly ruthless." Xiao Ye hadn't expected this Qin Si to be so troublesome. He frowned tightly. If this Hua Yun wasn't useful, he wouldn't have gotten involved in this mess.
It was also his fault for being a step too slow that day and not being able to follow Bai Shengyi.
Qin Si ignored him and, without warning, tore open the space in front of Xiao Ye. Xiao Ye instinctively dodged by breaking through the void, only to be struck by a falling star!
"Ah!"
These stars carried the deductive power of the Heavenly Star Chessboard, vast and divine. Just one star was enough to melt the front leg of Xiao Ye's soul!
"Damn it!" Xiao Ye's face turned extremely ugly. He cast a resentful glance at the Lord of Hualing Mountain, tore open space, and fled in a flash!
Qin Si immediately went to help Yue Bufan.
"Where did that scoundrel go?" Yue Bufan asked, frowning as he saw no one behind Qin Si.
Qin Si said with a cold face, "He tore through the void and escaped!"
"He actually managed to tear through the void and escape before you and the Heavenly Star Chessboard?" Yue Bufan couldn't help but raise his voice.
He caught a glimpse of the Lord of Hualing Mountain's mocking smile and then cursed, "What are you laughing at? That kid abandoned you and left, and you're still in the mood to laugh? Hua Yun, are you sick?"
Qin Si raised an eyebrow. "He might know the other party."
The Lord of Hualing Mountain spat out a mouthful of bloody foam. "Heh, don't try to get information from me. I won't tell you who he is! Since I'm not having a good time, no one else will! No one else..."
"Swish!"
The Wuji Canghan Sword suddenly appeared behind him, transforming into ten thousand swords and slicing through him repeatedly!
Qin Si kicked him, caught the long sword, and ran it straight through his dantian, then pinned him down, kneeling on the ground with him.
"Heh, who wants to listen to your nonsense?"
Qin Si threw his head back, raising one hand slightly to his forehead.
Not far away, countless falling stars descended densely like raindrops, their dazzling light spreading, resembling star-river roses in full bloom.
Qin Si couldn't help but squint his eyes, and he heard Yue Bufan's roar of shock and anger.
"Qin Si! Get out of the way quickly!"
However, in order to let the stars hit Hua Yun, he remained motionless, allowing the thousands of flowing lights to descend!
Outside the chessboard.
"Pfft!"
The Lord of Huyu Mountain was directly repelled by the backlash of the Heavenly Star Chessboard, crashing into the barrier.
"Lord of Huyu Mountain!" Master Kule was startled and prepared to help her up, but saw her shake her head and sit back down cross-legged.
The Lord of Huyu Mountain's aura was weak, but her voice was exceptionally clear. "Master, do not inject the power of Buddhist scriptures into the chessboard anymore. The barrier is more important."
The barrier had originally been incredibly sturdy, but it had been breached once before and now, with her collision, it was starting to waver.
"But..."
Master Kule's words faded under the Lord of Huyu Mountain's resolute gaze.
His ancient eyes seemed to have seen through everything, filled with compassion. "Lord of Huyu Mountain, there is truly no need for this."
The Lord of Huyu Mountain had already closed her eyes.
Her hands moved alternately in the air, outlining a massive hand seal. Faint spiritual light surged from her body, pouring continuously into the Heavenly Star Chessboard. At the critical moment, it enfolded both Qin Si and Yue Bufan within the chessboard, and then, the star river of the entire chessboard flared brightly—
Cascading like a waterfall!