Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1584 - 964: Belated Gift (2)

Baili An tilted his head slightly, stating with composure, "Evil God True Ancestor, my arrival in Shifang City was not to seek an audience with you."

Though traces of intoxication still lingered on his face, 'Fang Geyu' exuded an even greater calm, her demeanor one of profound detachment from worldly matters.

"Foolish mortal, this vessel is much like her mother; her inner strength is nearly insurmountable.

For ages untold, I have been her constant companion, day and night, navigating the depths of darkness, the shadows of death, the fires of anger, the clutches of jealousy, and the pangs of sorrow—all the tumultuous emotions inevitably born within mortals. Yet, none have managed to shake her resolve.

Alas, despite her birth in the mortal realm, she carries the burden of emotions, and a fracture formed within her heart.

Back then, beneath the Bronze Gate, in her quest to save you by slaying the dragon, she unhesitatingly widened this very crack, leading to her present state of detachment and indifference.

And yet, you dare to stand before her, oblivious, once more... drawing my consciousness into this world and presuming to speak with such arrogance?"

Baili An responded, "Were I in your position, having been imprisoned within a sword for millennia and now temporarily awakened, I would savor the fleeting moments and observe the ever-shifting landscapes of the mortal world.

Instead of squandering precious time and breath on trivial discourse with me."

'Fang Geyu's' eyes narrowed into a frigid gaze, "According to your assessment, you believe my hold over this body is tenuous?"

Baili An offered no explicit confirmation or denial, his silence serving as an implicit agreement.

A soft, chilling chuckle escaped her lips as the spectral moonlight and the deep night seemed to coalesce around her. She applied a subtle pressure with her arm, drawing Baili An nearer.

Her ethereal, mesmerizing pupils drifted closer to Baili An's face, a sinister glint of lethal intent belying the gentle smile gracing her beautiful, youthful features.

"Do you truly believe my manifestation permits such an effortless departure?"

Baili An met her gaze, replying with unwavering seriousness, "That is not for you to dictate."

The instant the word 'you' left his lips, the slender hand that had been crushing his throat abruptly released its grip, losing all its strength.

The young woman before him suddenly cried out in pain, clutching at one of her eyes, as countless intricate golden script lines began to spread relentlessly down her alabaster cheek.

Her other, uninjured eye flew open, rapidly dissolving into a complex and arcane tapestry of script, scattering like a disturbed swarm of insects.

Sensing a dire shift, she abruptly lowered her head, only to find Baili An's hand resting silently upon the hilt of the Ten Directions Sword at her waist.

His palm slowly retracted, taking with it the cracked blue gemstone that had once sealed the Ten Directions Sword.

In its stead, a bead of profound azure, as deep as the boundless sea and the celestial Star River, now sat firmly embedded, radiating an immense, unadulterated heavenly power.

She felt her very soul within this vessel being ensnared from all sides, relentlessly pulled towards the abyss.

The Evil God True Ancestor's consciousness faltered, her form wavering as she fixed an intense gaze upon Baili An.

Baili An calmly stated, "In truth, I misled you at the banquet. I did indeed prepare a gift for her upon arriving in Shifang City; it appears, however, that you find this particular offering less than pleasing."

Facing the precipice of re-interment within the icy confines of the sword, the Evil God True Ancestor's cold, exquisite countenance betrayed no sign of shock or despair.

Within the encroaching darkness, she lingered, her fingers lightly brushing the bead now set within the sword.

A low, almost wicked chuckle escaped her, "A Dragon Ball? Your craftsmanship is truly beyond expectation.

Most impressive, truly. And it originates from an ancient Netherworld Dragon sealed within the earth veins of the Demon World – how peculiar.

The Netherworld Dragon and I both hail from the Dark Sky Demon World, yet this orb in your possession has been so meticulously and purely refined.

This is indeed a novel and intriguing sensation; never did I conceive that I would one day be bolstered by the seal of a Netherworld Dragon's Dragon Ball."

Her gaze fixed meaningfully on Baili An, her light laughter laced with an intense blend of yearning and predatory bloodlust.

The Evil God True Ancestor extended a slender finger, letting it trace the contours of Baili An's face:

"You are endlessly fascinating. Once I fully assimilate this body, I shall indulge in another delightful engagement with you. I eagerly anticipate the day of our next encounter."

With these words, a wicked smile contorted the Evil God True Ancestor's features. Though she still possessed some residual strength to resist the Dragon Ball's sealing power, she deliberately relinquished her hold.

She willingly retreated her consciousness, returning to the desolate grey void, thereby ceding control of the body.

Baili An's eyes flickered slightly. He moved to steady the now listless and collapsing Fang Geyu, but she had already regained command of herself.

Her awakening was swift. Upon seeing Baili An's outstretched hand, Fang Geyu's eyes turned frigid, and she took several steps back, evading his touch.

Mere moments before, she had been flinging wine cups at a banquet; now, she found herself perched upon snow-laden eaves.

Fang Geyu clearly understood that her body had been usurped and possessed, and had a rough grasp of the events that had transpired.

Her expression showed no great shock, merely frowning slightly, quickly adapting to her present situation.

The way she looked at Baili An was also unfamiliar, with an air of distance, as she touched the Dragon Ball on the sword hilt, understanding what transpired.

"Though I, Fang Geyu, do not appreciate the unsolicited goodwill of others, I must admit, the batch you sent thirteen days ago along with today’s Dragon Ball has indeed helped solve a significant trouble for me, so I thank you."

Baili An’s eyelashes trembled slightly, appearing somewhat upset, yet he shook his head with a smile, bending his knees to sit with legs hanging off the eaves.

He patted the empty spot beside him for Fang Geyu to sit.

"If you wish to express gratitude, sit and watch the moon with me; I have never been to a place where Fang Geyu grew up."

For this not excessive request, Fang Geyu did not refuse.

She spread her cloak on the eaves and bent to sit down.

"I know Ji Xinnian was arranged by Jiushijiu into the marriage proposal team, but I didn’t expect her identity was prepared for you, so since you’re here, have you already met her?"

Fang Geyu calmly conversed with Baili An, though not purposely distant, yet the unfamiliar brows, indifferent voice, all showed a hint of unconcerned detachment.

Thread-sealed box, seals the seven emotions and six desires, human longings, not memories.

She remembered Baili An, even when he bore a strange face before her, she could calmly deduce and analyze who he was.

But regarding memories of Baili An, they no longer cut to the bone.

The once heart-fluttering, deep-seated feelings now like a white paper folded into numerous creases, smoothed out by an unseen hand.

It left traces, but only superficial, no longer stirring noticeable waves.

Baili An softly uttered an acknowledgment.

Although he had predicted this outcome, he couldn’t help but feel a bit saddened.

Currently, Fang Geyu holds the body’s dominant consciousness, devoid of danger.

But Baili An appeared less formidable than when facing the Evil God True Ancestor.

Fang Geyu coolly analyzed, "If I’m not mistaken, she arranged for you to attend my marriage proposal banquet despite not caring about connections; she certainly promised you something you desire."

Baili An did not hide the transaction with Jiushijiu.

"She promised to save the Ying Dragon captured by Golden Immortal Feng Xu, but I don’t have much hope; in the auction, I’ll find a way to save the White Dragon myself."

Fang Geyu said, "If indeed she promised this, rest assured she won’t break it."

Baili An looked at her, his gaze holding a hint of unexplained meaning, "Fang Geyu, you... know her well?"

Fang Geyu lowered her gaze, "Jiushijiu and Xiaowu are puppets my mother personally created; I have been with them since childhood, why wouldn’t I know her?"

Baili An’s eyes widened in shock, unaware of Fang Geyu’s connection with the female puppet.