Looking at the enraged Blood King, Chen Fan's smile deepened. His eyes swept over the battlefield, and in the next instant, his figure vanished. A mere heartbeat later, all the Devil Sect disciples stood motionless, their eyes blank, each with a precise hole in their forehead. A breath passed, then—one by one—they collapsed, their bodies falling lifelessly to the ground, sinking into eternal slumber.
Chen Fan turned to Bai Mulan, his gaze softening at the sight of her injuries. Without a word, he reached out, his fingertips brushing against her wounds. A warm, soothing energy flowed from his palm, suffusing her body with Ao Xue's healing power. In mere moments, her scars faded, and the pain that lingered in her limbs dissipated.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice steady.
Bai Mulan met his gaze, her eyes briefly scanning his form. To her relief, there were no signs of instability or abnormalities despite the tremendous surge in his strength. Whatever transformation he had undergone, it had not harmed him—at least, not outwardly. A faint smile crossed her lips as she nodded in response.
Meanwhile, Chi Ling and the Blood King remained locked in their stalemate, but now, both of their attentions shifted toward Chen Fan.
The Blood King, despite his simmering rage, forced himself to remain calm. His plan had failed—there was no point in continuing this battle. If anything, staying here would only put him at further risk. The Devil Sect had proven to be nothing more than weak, useless pawns, utterly incapable of fulfilling their role. He considered annihilating them all in his fury, but for now, he still needed them.
His ambitions stretched far beyond this minor skirmish. His greater plan was still in motion. He could not allow temporary frustration to cloud his judgment.
Slowly, he turned his gaze back to Chen Fan, his previous wrath fading into eerie composure. That unnatural calm sent a chill down both Chen Fan and Bai Mulan's spines.
Chi Ling tensed, ready for any sudden strike.
"Consider yourself lucky," the Blood King said coldly. "The next time we meet, I will make sure you wish you had died today."
Chen Fan scoffed, crossing his arms as he smirked. "You know, you sound like a complete loser right now."
The Blood King's expression darkened, but he did not take the bait. "Let's see how long you can keep that attitude."
His gaze flickered toward Chi Ling—the only individual in this realm capable of restraining him. If his soul had been fully restored, she would have been nothing more than an insignificant obstacle. With his complete power, he could have reached the apex of this world with ease. But now… Now, he was nothing more than a parasite, a shadow of his former self, forced to rely on an incomplete resurrection that severely limited his abilities.
But that would change.
It was only a matter of time.
The humiliation of today would be repaid in blood. This world would tremble before him. And as for Chen Fan—he would suffer the most. The mere thought of his plan being foiled by a Foundation Building cultivator gnawed at his pride. No matter how unique Chen Fan was, no matter how strange his power had become… Foundation Building was still Foundation Building.
He would not forget this.
Without another word, his body dissolved into a thick, crimson mist, rapidly expanding to engulf the chamber. Chi Ling reacted instantly, releasing a surge of protective qi to shield Chen Fan and Bai Mulan. But just as quickly as it had spread, the blood mist dissipated, vanishing without a trace.
Chi Ling's eyes narrowed as she extended her spiritual sense, scouring the surroundings for any sign of the Blood King. But there was nothing.
He was gone.
Her fingers tightened around her spear as a deep unease settled in her chest. The Blood King would not retreat unless he had something else planned. This was far from over.
At that moment, a distant commotion echoed through the cavern.
The elders of the three great sects arrived in force, their expressions grave as they surveyed the battlefield. After a brief exchange of information, it was confirmed—the Devil Sect had fled.
Without hesitation, the disciples of the three sects spread out, combing through the realm to hunt down the remaining enemies and rescue any surviving captives.
Chen Fan and Bai Mulan exchanged glances. A moment later, weary smiles appeared on their faces.
They had survived.
For now, at least, the crisis had passed—though only temporarily.
As the adrenaline faded, exhaustion crashed over them like a tidal wave. Almost in sync, the two of them sank to the ground, their bodies drained of all remaining strength.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, they allowed themselves to rest.
"I miss taking a bath," Bai Mulan grumbled, wrinkling her nose as she looked down at her body, which was covered in dirt and dried blood. Any trace of her usual elegance was completely gone.
Chen Fan smirked, his voice laced with teasing amusement. "Are you sure it's fine to be like this, Saintess? Shouldn't you at least maintain appearances?"
Bai Mulan shot him a glare, but the usual icy expression she wore in front of others faltered. "Hmph, as if I care about that," she huffed.
Yet, despite her dismissive words, her eyes darted around cautiously, checking to see if anyone was paying attention to her disheveled state. When she confirmed that no one was focused on her, she let out a quiet sigh of relief. Chen Fan caught the subtle reaction and couldn't help but chuckle.
A dull thud sounded as Bai Mulan's arm suddenly lost strength, and before she could react, her body leaned against Chen Fan's shoulder. A wave of exhaustion hit her all at once, her eyelids growing unbearably heavy. After all the relentless fighting, the unyielding tension, and the life-and-death struggles, this rare moment of peace lulled her into drowsiness.
Feeling the warmth radiating from Chen Fan's body, she let out a soft murmur. "Lend me your shoulder…" Her voice trailed off, growing fainter until it was nothing more than a whisper. The last remnants of her strength slipped away, and she nearly collapsed.
Chen Fan reacted instinctively, steadying her before gently shifting her position. He brushed a few stray strands of hair away from her face and rested her head on his thigh, allowing her to sleep more comfortably.
His gaze softened as he watched Bai Mulan's serene expression. In sleep, she looked so different from her usual composed and aloof self—vulnerable, peaceful, almost delicate. His lips curved into a small, unguarded smile.
Around him, hushed whispers and widened eyes from disciples and elders alike filled the air. It was rare—almost unheard of—to see Bai Mulan, the untouchable Saintess, like this. Chen Fan noticed their stares but paid them no mind. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a thick blanket from his storage ring and draped it over her tattered robes, shielding her from prying eyes.
Footsteps approached. Sensing the presence, Chen Fan lifted his gaze and met Chi Ling's unreadable expression.
"Well, you must be tired," Chi Ling remarked, her eyes flickering between Bai Mulan and Chen Fan. "There should be transportation outside. I'll ask for the details later."
Her gaze settled on Bai Mulan, who remained fast asleep against Chen Fan. A glint of curiosity flashed in her eyes before she sighed. "I'll take her."
Chen Fan shook his head, his voice unwavering. "It's fine, Sect Master. I'll carry her."
Chi Ling raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised by his willingness. But after a brief moment of contemplation, she nodded. "Alright," she said simply before turning away, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes, ever-vigilant for any remaining threats.
Chen Fan carefully adjusted Bai Mulan's position, sliding one arm beneath her legs and the other behind her back. Lifting her effortlessly into a princess carry, he pressed her head lightly against his chest, ensuring she remained comfortable.
As he walked toward the exit, he could feel countless gazes following him—some shocked, some filled with curiosity. But he ignored them all, focusing only on the woman in his arms.
The moment he stepped outside, the setting sun bathed the world in golden hues, its light stretching across the rippling waters surrounding the secret realm. A cool breeze brushed past them, and Bai Mulan stirred slightly, instinctively curling closer to his warmth, her fingers lightly clutching at the fabric of his robes.
"Heh. For someone who specializes in ice techniques, you sure are weak to the cold," Chen Fan mused, chuckling softly at her unconscious reaction.
With steady steps, he carried her toward the waiting train, its sleek form parked near the coast. As he boarded, he moved through the compartments until he found a quiet room with a simple bed. Gently, he lowered Bai Mulan onto the mattress, taking care not to disturb her slumber.
His gaze lingered on her sleeping form. Even in exhaustion, she carried an innate grace, her expression softer than usual. Noticing the frown creasing her brows, he reached out instinctively, his fingertips brushing against her forehead. A pulse of gentle qi flowed from his touch, cleansing her body of dirt and dried blood, leaving only the natural glow of her fair skin. Her features relaxed, her breathing deep and even.
A small chuckle escaped his lips. Seeing her like this—unguarded, at peace—stirred something unfamiliar within him. Without thinking, he reached out and carefully brushed a few stray strands of hair away from her face, tucking them behind her ear. His fingertips lingered for a fraction of a second longer than necessary, his eyes unconsciously tracing the gentle curve of her features.
Then, before he realized it, his gaze drifted downward—toward her lips.
A sudden warmth crept up his neck.
Slap!
Chen Fan lightly smacked his own cheek, shaking his head as if trying to dispel his thoughts.
"Seriously… What am I thinking right now?" he muttered under his breath, letting out a self-deprecating chuckle.
He turned away, exhaling deeply, completely unaware that behind him, Bai Mulan's eyelids fluttered open ever so slightly.
The red sunlight hid the faint blush on her cheeks, its warmth seeping into her skin—yet, strangely, the warmth in her heart felt even deeper.