Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1580 - 962: What Else Do You Want?_2

Upon hearing these words, his gaze slowly narrowed, as if searching through a distant memory.

Bathed in the glow of the Luminous Lamp, his lashes, as soft and black as a crow's feathers, cast a delicate shadow.

Yet, an inexplicable melancholic emptiness seemed to settle between his brows.

"It matters not." His voice was incredibly soft, remarkably calm, but a keen ear would detect a quiet undercurrent of desperation.

"A young woman fated to share her small, fragile vessel with such dark, immortal beings.

She could have easily succumbed to the abyss of suffering long ago, finding no redemption, a choice so simple, so readily available.

Yet, she chose to wander, embracing it all until utterly consumed and drowned, painlessly.

But in the vibrant bloom of her youth, she did not take that easier path.

Confronted by a terror that even the Immortal Mu Yunye could not withstand, she still chose to dwell within, to co-exist.

She lived akin to a young sapling thriving in the warmth of the sun, appearing no different from any ordinary child.

Growing up with playful abandon, radiating an aura of freshness and unbridled vitality.

Someone so irresistibly endearing... how could she possibly be anything other than herself?"

"Thus, my journey here will not have been in vain."

"But she no longer recognizes you." Ning Feiyan's words were a cold, sharp jab, shattering Baili An’s hopeful illusions.

Her eyes shifted subtly, flicking towards the black-and-gold box adorning Fang Geyu's chest like a peculiar trinket.

"Even if she was spared being consumed by the True Ancestor, it came at the price of sealing her seven emotions and six desires.

As long as she strains to keep the True Ancestor’s consciousness at bay, she will not recognize you; you will be as alien to her as the grass, the trees, the stones.

In her eyes, you are merely another, like Situ Ye and Mu Yunye, rashly pursuing a marriage pact."

"It is different." Baili An's dark lashes fluttered upwards, the lamp's illumination catching in his eyes, igniting a fierce light.

He turned his head, a faint smile gracing his lips as he met Ning Feiyan's gaze:

"My mother always taught me from a young age, that a child who only knows how to play with cups and toss chopsticks at the table must be disciplined with a gentle knock on the head."

Understanding the audacious plan brewing in Baili An's mind, Ning Feiyan’s expression faltered. She grasped his arm frantically.

"Are you mad? That is the True Ancestor Evil God! Even if all the Gods and Demons of the Heavens combined their might, they could only seal its spirit within the sword during the Ancient Catastrophe!

If you go there now, and she discerns your intent, she will annihilate you with a mere flick of her wrist!"

Baili An gently removed her hand, shaking his head.

"Fear arises from the unknown. I have already gazed into those golden eyes."

And experienced that profound terror...

But then, how did he manage to make those golden eyes vanish, to finally close?

Baili An mused as he walked away.

Fang You’s gaze fell upon the streaks of blood staining the carpet, remnants of Mu Yunye's presence. His expression grew heavy, as if water could drip from it.

He leaned closer to Qin Lou, his voice low and resonant.

"Did you perceive anything earlier?"

Steward Qin Lou's current demeanor mirrored that of Situ Ye and the others seated at the banquet.

Reacting to the City Lord’s question, she appeared somewhat lost, her expression faintly bewildered.

"I… I only saw Immortal Lord Mu Yunye, for some inexplicable reason, suddenly prostrate himself before the Third Miss? How did he… how did he…"

Observing her evident fear, Fang You’s voice tightened, growing more menacing.

"The Ten Directions Sword… Geyu has actually unleashed that forbidden power within the Ten Directions Sword?!"

Furthermore, judging by the reactions, she was beginning to subtly intertwine with that… forbidden power!

Fang You, having watched Fang Geyu mature, could distinctly sense it.

Sitting at this very banquet, the young woman was indeed the precious daughter he had watched grow up!

Yet, she was able to wield the strength of that 'forbidden' power with such mastery, without being entirely consumed by it!

Fang You had no comprehension of the earth-shattering events that had transpired with his daughter!

He only recalled, three years prior, after Fang Geyu’s expedition to Xianling City, her return to Shifang City.

She was escorted by a trusted immortal personally dispatched by the Empress.

Prior to this, intelligence from Shifang City's spies had indicated his daughter was fated to perish at the Bronze Gate.

To be turned into stone by the Great Serpent’s imperial gaze, forever sinking into the vast ocean.

Upon receiving this news, for an entire day, Fang You stood stoically on the northern rampart of Shifang City, from the first light of dawn until the stars emerged.

The day elapsed without a single word uttered, his gaze fixed on the evening breeze whispering through the sea of trees and pine needles, his body temperature plummeting, as if life had ebbed away.

Originally, even arrangements for a coffin and a burial site had been made within the city, prepared for a ceremonial interment.

It wasn't until later that word arrived from Xianling City: Fang Geyu had been miraculously saved, her fate of certain death forcibly averted through the divine intervention of the Empress’s miraculous powers.

In Shifang City, Fang You rushed to fashion a thousand golden effigies of the Kunlun God overnight, offering profound gratitude for divine favor with a dedication of one hundred thousand merits in incense.

Yet, upon further contemplation, the reality was far less straightforward than he had initially perceived.

While the gods may cherish humanity, they also adhere to the unyielding principles of the celestial realms, which deem all living creatures as inconsequential.

Despite her apparent affection for Fang Geyu, matters of personal peril and mortality appeared insignificant from her divine perspective.

If not for the alarming emergence of the True Ancestor Evil God, how could the Kunlun God have been compelled to descend into the sea, shattering the seal to preserve lives?

As Fang You grappled with these complex and conflicting sentiments.

He observed an individual rise from their seat, offering a subtle inclination of their head towards the grand stage.

This person lacked the profound devotion portrayed by Mu Yunye; their gesture could even be characterized as rather nonchalant and unrestrained.

Nevertheless, at this precise juncture, he was the sole contender among the remaining eight suitors who possessed the composure to stand and approach her, especially after witnessing Mu Yunye's ignominious retreat from the steps before Fang Geyu.

"I acknowledge my unworthiness, yet I humbly wish to present a cup to you, esteemed Miss."

To deliberately rise and advance at such a critical juncture indeed demonstrated commendable bravery.

However, when Fang You registered that the man had risen from the ninth position.

This so-called commendable bravery transformed into a clearer manifestation of self-overestimation.

Fang You's brow furrowed deeply, and he murmured, "I recall this young man being a recent initiate under the Taixuan Nine Classics, known as Ji Xinnian, if memory serves?

Could it be that intoxication has clouded his judgment, preventing him from seeing that even Mu Yunye encountered such a significant rebuff from Geyu?"

Qin Lou, the estate steward, also exhibited a series of worried frowns, softly inquiring, "Shall I discreetly ask him to depart?"

Fang You, clearly displeased, was on the verge of nodding in assent when his attention was captured by Fang Geyu, who had been in a crouching posture, now standing upright.

He deliberately swallowed his intended words and stated with solemnity, "There is no necessity for that."

Situ Ye's heart filled with even greater contempt as he witnessed Baili An step forward at this precarious moment.

This young fellow certainly courts disaster.

On one hand, he finds himself entwined with two dashing Immortal Lords, and on the other, he remains fixated on captivating Miss Fang.

His utterly shameless pursuit of duality is truly deserving of scorn.

No one within the assembled crowd intervened to halt Baili An's progress, as if they were all avidly anticipating his forthcoming humiliation.

Even Mu Yunye, still on his knees, seemed poised for a tumble.

One can only surmise how such an overconfident mortal will ultimately face his ignominious demise.

Fang Geyu observed with an unnerving calmness as the young man advanced towards her, step by deliberate step, the antique spider-shaped iron box suspended around his neck vibrating faintly.

Her eyes, which appeared vibrant yet held a deep, somber simplicity, shifted subtly. She gently pressed down the quivering small container with her hand, then raised her gaze, which was now cold and utterly devoid of emotion.

The darkness within her irises receded, transforming once more into pure, sacred, yet profoundly evil golden orbs.

With an expression of unyielding indifference, she looked down upon him as he continued his advance, step by measured step...

Traversing the distance that Mu Yunye could not, reaching the fourth step.

Fang Geyu's brows drew together slightly, her golden pupils emanating a profound and immeasurable radiance, exerting pressure upon all beings as if demanding obeisance.

Yet, Baili An's footing remained utterly steadfast. He proceeded to the fifth step, seamlessly followed by the sixth.

Then, beneath Fang Geyu's intense scrutiny, he delicately lifted his clear gaze, directly meeting her own.

His spirit platform laid bare, completely exposed to Fang Geyu's divine and commanding stare.

It was as if he were unveiling the entirety of his soul and heart without any pretense, fearlessly and unapologetically exposing his innermost self.

He willingly encompassed all the immense dread, the profound darkness, the boundless wickedness, and the eerie peculiarities reflected in her gaze within the expanse of his spirit platform.

Baili An finally halted, having arrived directly before Fang Geyu without the slightest trace of hesitation, pause, or delay.

His approach felt as natural and straightforward as breathing.

He had demonstrably achieved something remarkable, yet his countenance bore none of the inherent pride or confidence typically displayed by Mu Yunye.

He stooped, retrieved the golden chalice, and within the depths of his eyes, ethereal lights swirled, hinting at sorrow and pain, interwoven with a delicate thread of tenderness.

He inquired, "What is it that you still yearn for?"