Chapter 158

Chapter 158: The Messenger from the Underworld

You You’s heart tightened as she gripped her sword harder, unleashing another sword move. Multiple sword dragons surged forward alongside the previous ones, all charging toward Qiu Yao’s divine status while Feng Rong and Yuan Qi attacked simultaneously.

Qiu Yao spat blood but stubbornly kept his divine status active, glaring at the trio with hatred. The towering Phantom above him grew more violent, thick black energy spreading like ink in water, gradually staining his entire divine status black as he teetered on the edge of demonic transformation.

"Ah Yue?" A faint, airy voice suddenly broke through.

Though barely audible, everyone present heard it clearly due to their heightened cultivation senses.

The frenzied Qiu Yao froze instantly. His raging Presence vanished, and the blackened divine status faded back to white, all hostility disappearing.

You You and the others halted, staring at the now-awake woman in Qiu Yao’s arms.

Qin Yan had awakened!

"M-Master…" Qiu Yao whispered hoarsely, tears blurring his widened eyes as he stared at her, afraid to blink.

"What’s wrong, Ah Yue?" Qin Yan weakly raised a hand to wipe his tears. "Did someone hurt you again?"

"N-no!" He shook his head violently, pressing her hand against his cheek. "No one can hurt me now. I just… missed you. So much…"

"You still worry me so." She sighed, patting his head. "You look different. How long was I asleep? Is everything… alright? How’s the sect?"

"All’s well!" He nodded desperately. "Everything’s perfect now that you’re here!"

"Good." Qin Yan smiled softly, gazing wistfully at the sky. "I wish… I could see it again."

As she reached upward, her body began glowing faintly. Her form turned translucent, arm falling limp as her eyes closed again.

"Master!" Qiu Yao clutched her fading figure, panic replacing joy. "No! This can’t be happening!"

He frantically tried to grasp her, but glowing particles scattered irreversibly from his arms.

"Stop! Come back!" He screamed, activating his divine status to trap the escaping light, but it slipped through effortlessly. "Master! I revived you! Why? WHY?!"

Whirling toward the trio, he snarled, "You did this! What did you do?!"

You You: "…"

Seriously? HE was the one who resurrected her!

Madness overtook Qiu Yao as he lunged at them. "I’LL KILL YOU ALL!"

You You’s expression hardened. Perfect timing to end this.

Sword lights, flames, and wind blades engulfed Qiu Yao. Without his divine artifacts, even his divine status couldn’t withstand their combined assault.

Just as their attacks were about to obliterate him—

*Ding…*

Daylight vanished instantly. Complete darkness swallowed everything, erasing all attacks midair.

Green ghostly flames flickered to life as the ground rippled like water. A pale man in black robes emerged from the waves—unnaturally beautiful yet lifeless, like a walking corpse.

"I am the Messenger of the Underworld," he announced, raising a bloodless hand. "The time has come. Return."

Glowing particles materialized from the darkness, coalescing into a luminous sphere in his palm.

"Master’s soul!" Qiu Yao screamed, lunging at the Messenger—only to pass through him. "GIVE HER BACK!"

The Messenger finally looked at him. "Her shattered soul cannot remain here. It will perish completely unless it enters the Nether Realm."

"Lies!" Qiu Yao shouted. "Her soul was never damaged!"

"By forcing three reincarnations through forbidden means," the Messenger droned, "you made her bear the Mortal Realm’s accumulated karmic debts. Each rebirth consumed her soul power. Now, nothing can sustain it."

Qiu Yao staggered. "I… I killed her? No! I wanted to save her!"

"Your intentions matter not. Her destruction stems from your actions."

*Thud.* Qiu Yao collapsed, hollow-eyed.

He… had destroyed his Master.