Qingdai did so much for me.
Yet, I have forgotten all of it.
These words come from the bottom of my heart.
I do not consider myself a good person, but I am certainly not heartless or ungrateful.
Qingdai has done so much for me; all I can do for her is protect and help her.
Humans and ghosts walk separate paths.
Perhaps, in this lifetime, there is truly no possibility for us.
But that does not stop me from repaying all that I owe her, my resolve to atone for ten lifetimes of karmic debt and protect her.
When Qingdai heard me say this, her body trembled noticeably.
Her feigned composure could no longer be maintained.
Her eyes, filled with complex emotion and gratitude, gazed at me tenderly, her head nodding slightly.
I wanted to step forward, at least to get closer.
But I discovered that in this peculiar mental world,
we could see each other, but our bodies could not move closer.
At this moment, the surrounding red began to intensify.
We gradually became unable to see each other clearly.
I called out to Qingdai a couple of times, but received no response…
Finally, the surrounding redness completely enveloped us.
Looking up slightly, I saw a Fiery Cloud Talisman above my head.
That talisman, like a cage, enclosed me.
I looked up, frowning slightly.
But the next moment, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my chest.
The Fiery Cloud Talisman above my head cracked.
I was startled.
Then I heard a loud "boom."
The Fiery Cloud Talisman above my head instantly shattered into pieces, turning to dust.
In an instant, a beam of white light enveloped me.
The light was so blinding that I instinctively covered my eyes with my hands.
When the white light dissipated and I opened my eyes again,
I found that I had left that red soul-binding mental world.
Before me, Qingdai still sat cross-legged.
Qingdai also opened her eyes slightly at this moment.
She was beautiful, and looked very pale.
But in my eyes, this woman was so loyal and beautiful, forever unchanging.
She looked at me, and I looked at her.
We exchanged smiles.
At the same time, we both felt our soul-bindings on our left chests.
We discovered that the constricting sensation of the soul-binding had disappeared…
I glanced at my chest; there was only a faint reddish Fiery Cloud imprint, with no more restraint from the soul-binding.
The soul-binding was broken.
“Qingdai, the soul-binding is broken.”
I said to Qingdai with joy.
Qingdai also responded with an “Mm”:
“Yes, the soul-binding is finally gone.”
As we spoke, both of us happily stood up.
From this moment on, neither Qingdai nor I would be tormented by the soul-binding.
My soul had, in a sense, welcomed a new life.
And this was exchanged for Qingdai’s life and ten lifetimes of waiting.
Without her self-sacrifice, without her ten lifetimes of waiting, searching for me, and breaking this soul-binding,
I would still have died…
Beyond gratitude, I did not know how to express my appreciation.
We both stood up simultaneously.
Looking up, we gazed at the Soul Stone, whose red light had already faded by more than half.
Suddenly, the Soul Stone cracked.
With a “crackling” sound,
the Soul Stone, which had cleansed our souls, instantly turned to powder.
The red light, accompanied by a ripple, vibrated throughout the mountain forest…
The surrounding Five Elements Stones also retracted their light at this moment.
The rune light beams on the ground disappeared, leaving behind traces of runes.
Qingdai’s subordinates, who had been guarding the surroundings, bowed their fists in unison and shouted:
“Congratulations to the Princess and Young Master Qin on breaking the soul-binding and regaining new life…”
“Congratulations to the Princess and Young Master, on breaking the soul-binding and regaining new life…”
“…”
Their voices were clear and resonated through the mountain forest.
I felt a little embarrassed by the reception.
Qingdai nodded:
“Without your help, Qingdai and Qin Ze’s soul-bindings would not have been so easily broken.
Here, Qingdai thanks you all.”
After speaking, she made a gesture of ancient feminine gratitude to everyone present.
Seeing this, I also bowed my fist:
“Thank you all. Qin Ze also thanks you here.”
Without the help of everyone present, we could not have defeated the demon forces of the Black Demon Cult, nor could we have safely broken the soul-binding.
Now that the soul-binding was broken, it was natural to thank everyone.
Qingdai’s subordinates dared not accept the thanks.
Seeing Qingdai cupped her hands in thanks, they repeatedly bowed.
The fox clan and the demon immortals of the Grey family from the Bottomless Pit merely cupped their fists.
This was considered establishing a good connection.
After all, Qingdai had roamed the Nine Provinces for a thousand years, and these major powers were aware of her.
Establishing ties with Qingdai’s faction was clearly not a bad thing.
After a round of thanks,
I saw Old Mo, Uncle-Master, and the others looking at us with beaming smiles.
They were waiting for me to go over and greet them.
But at this moment, I noticed Qingdai and a group of ghost soldiers unconsciously looking towards the horizon.
Seeing this, I asked:
“What is it, Qingdai?”
Qingdai turned back and smiled slightly:
“It’s nothing. It’s just that breaking the soul-binding took too much time.
It’s almost dawn now, and we ghosts must leave.”
Upon hearing this, I finally noticed.
The sky was indeed starting to turn pale.
As ghosts, Qingdai and the others were indeed not suited to remain here any longer.
I nodded:
“Very well, safe travels.”
Qingdai responded with an “Mm.”
Then, she cupped her fists towards Hu San Taitai, Hui Shiba, and Uncle-Master and the others not far away:
“Qingdai bids farewell. Should you, esteemed sirs, require Qingdai’s assistance in the future,
Qingdai will surely offer her full support…”
“Princess, travel safely!”
“Nine Saint Princess, farewell!”
“…”
Hu San Taitai and Hui Shiba, among others, spoke their farewells.
Uncle-Master and Yunxia Gu also cupped their fists, but did not speak.
Qingdai smiled and gestured to each of them.
Finally, she looked at me and said earnestly:
“Qin Ze, hold on for a little longer.
I will definitely find a way for you to permanently extend your life…”