The world of heaven and earth changed in an instant.
As Nangong Mohun's soul was extracted, the oppressive aura that remained dissipated.
With a thunderous roar, the final colossal sound fell, and all creation was cleansed by the sweet rain.
Gu Qianying broke free from her restraints, rising abruptly. She waved her hands, her voice hoarse as she cried, "No, don't leave me."
As these words were spoken, everything in her mind, bound by the elder's seal, was instantly erased.
"Ah!" she screamed, clutching her head, "No, don't, I don't want to forget!"
Those around her also broke free and rushed forward.
"Gu Qianying."
"A Ying."
"Mother."
Everyone, in their panic, gathered before Gu Qianying, gazing at her frail form. The tenderness in their eyes lingered, unwaning.
They dared not speak another word.
They simply stood quietly by her side.
Little Yi Hao, with a pained expression and tears welling up, looked sadly at the sky.
Had his father truly vanished?
He reached his hand towards the sky, gently holding the phantom image his father had left behind. When he looked back at Gu Qianying, his eyes were filled with determination.
Moments passed.
Gu Qianying's memories were completely stripped away, leaving only tear streaks on her cheeks.
Her gaze was vacant as she raised her arm.
Ouyang Chunlin, concerned, asked cautiously, "Are you alright?"
The reunion between Nangong Mo and Gu Qianying had been brief, yet it was a complete severance. For Gu Qianying, it was likely a heartbreak beyond measure.
Gu Qianying smoothed her expression. When she looked up again, her eyes were clouded. With misty eyes, she picked up Little Yi Hao, "What just happened? Your expressions are very strange!"
Everyone was startled.
Little Yi Hao also became flustered.
"Mother? Have you forgotten what just happened?"
"Forgotten?" Gu Qianying's brows furrowed.
Had she forgotten something?
Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall any memories.
Little Yi Hao was about to speak of his father's fate, but thankfully, Ouyang Chunlin reacted quickly and scooped him up.
He smiled with great effort, "It was just that Nangong Cong, that big villain, was defeated, and your mother was impacted."
Little Yi Hao shook his head like a rattle drum.
It wasn't like that!
His father...
Ouyang Chunlin gasped, speaking word by word, "Little one, no one knows if your father can return. Now that he's gone, and your mother's memories have vanished, perhaps it's for the best for her."
Little Yi Hao didn't understand much, but he knew in his heart that what he wanted most was for his mother to be happy.
If that were the case, then forgetting was indeed the best.
Gu Qianying, bewildered, asked, "What exactly happened?"
At this moment, Little Yi Hao, from the corner, began to cry, "Mother, that big villain appeared before me, and you were very scared."
Gu Qianying stroked the little one's head, "Be good, don't cry, mother is here."
Little Yi Hao nestled obediently into Gu Qianying's embrace, holding her tightly, "Mother, never leave me."
"I know, I won't leave you."
Little Yi Hao wiped away his tears and silently looked up at the sky.
He made a silent vow.
Father, I will take good care of mother.
In the sky, Nangong Mo and a man in white stood above the clouds.
Nangong Mo's hunched figure had vanished, his aged skin smoothing out. He extended his hand forward.
But the woman's figure was already far away, no longer appearing before him.
The Holy Venerable Elder slowly waved his horsetail whisk, and in an instant, the phantom image of the mortal world dissipated before Nangong Mo.
He sighed, stroking his chin, his eyes dark and sorrowful.
He then comforted Nangong Mo, "The matters of the mortal world are no longer connected to you. Quickly, enter the Samsara Space with me."
The gate to the Samsara Space had already opened for Nangong Mo.
Facing the phantom before him and the memories behind him, he ruthlessly closed his eyes and stepped into the Samsara Space.
As the power flowed in, the space let out a series of cries.
Nangong Mo's body had completely fallen into it.
The Holy Venerable Elder, with his white hair, stood with a young attendant at the Samsara Space.
His emotionless eyes held only confusion. He asked the attendant beside him, "Is mortal affection truly so unforgettable?"
The attendant stood respectfully beside the Holy Venerable Elder.
"Venerable One, if you do not understand, you may descend to the mortal realm and see for yourself."
The Holy Venerable Elder let out a few laughter and quickly waved his hand, "Absurd, absurd, truly absurd. I am already old. As for these matters, let others handle them!"
He departed with grace, not forgetting to seal the Samsara Space that Nangong Mo had entered.
After a few chuckles, his whereabouts became unknown.
The attendant shook his head behind him, "Lotus Emperor is truly pitiful. Looking at the fleeting world, this time, what will you encounter?"
After he left, the gloomy clouds behind them also dissipated.
Nangong Mo's soul, as a phantom, had been cast into some corner of the human world.
And in the mortal realm,
Gu Qianying and the others continued their journey.
Since the disappearance of the soul of the Demon Sovereign lineage,
The oppressive aura that had once pervaded had completely vanished, and the world began to return to normalcy.
In a post station, Gu Qianying's gaze remained distant. She silently rubbed her teacup, "Nangong Cong is dead. The Meng family mother and son continue to hold power, and the Eastern Victory Kingdom has returned to normal."
Her eyes slowly lowered, and she smiled faintly, "If that's the case, then there isn't much for us to do in this world."
With the removal of demonic energy, the people of the world lived in peace and prosperity.
To Gu Qianying, their group could finally have some respite.
However!
Gu Qianying often touched her chest.
She thought blankly that she seemed to have completely removed someone from her heart.
But that was not her choice.
Little Yi Hao nestled beside his mother and spoke obediently. He had always been sensible.
"Mother, as long as you are by my side, we have nothing to worry about."
Gu Qianying smiled instantly, pinching Little Yi Hao's cheek.
"Good, remember this now, you need mother by your side. If you ever dislike it again, mother will use this to scold you."
Little Yi Hao playfully stuck out his tongue, feigning innocence.
"Then mother can't force me to read books."
Gu Qianying's eyes narrowed instantly, flashing with a dangerous glint. She let out a few sinister laughs, her tone laced with threat.
"Little one, do you want to say that again?"
Little Yi Hao immediately conceded, only able to cover his little head and say with a pained expression.
"Mother is right."