"Thank you, Han Yan." Zhao Lingxian’s face finally showed a relieved smile, so relaxed, so peaceful.

Life quickly faded away, Zhao Lingxian finally fell, even the last trace of residual soul completely dissipated. This was not Han Yan wanting to wipe out all traces, but her own doing; at the moment life reached its end, the Puppet Technique imposed on her was completely broken, she used the last trace of Qi to destroy her final strand of residual soul.

Even as a ghost, she was unwilling to bear such pain again, not wanting to leave any imprint of memories behind.

The mountain breeze gently brushed through, bringing a chilling sense of cold. Despite knowing long ago the indelible hatred between Han Yan and Zhao Lingxian, and knowing the only resolution to their enmity could come with one’s death, witnessing Zhao Lingxian’s death and her own final act of severing her life with a smile of liberation, Huayue and the others could only sigh silently, speechless.

Han Yan tightened her grip on Ye Lanfeng’s hand. It was finally certain that all this was Yun Qianmo’s doing; his heart must be feeling uneasy.

"Don’t worry about me." Ye Lanfeng suddenly said.

"Oh?" Han Yan looked into Ye Lanfeng’s eyes but saw nothing.

"Remember, you once said we are still friends, and that’s enough, isn’t it?" Ye Lanfeng smiled slightly, pulling Han Yan into an embrace. Knowing all this was Yun Qianmo’s doing, his heart indeed felt uncomfortable, but Han Yan too must not have felt well after stabbing Zhao Lingxian with the final sword under her desperate plea.

"Yes, at least you are still friends, whereas she and I are destined not to be." Leaning against Ye Lanfeng’s broad chest, Han Yan felt a peace wash over her, and the inexplicable sadness in her heart vanished.

"Although I don’t understand why he did this, I think he must have his reasons." Ye Lanfeng said, gazing dreamily into the distance.

In the far distance, a man wearing a silver mask had been watching everything happening in the valley, sighed quietly, and was about to drift away when he suddenly paused, that mysterious man with a golden mask appearing behind him when he least expected.

"Subordinate has failed the master’s instructions, please punish me." Yun Qianmo hurriedly bowed and requested punishment.

"Stand up, I expected that you wouldn’t make a move." The mysterious man said coldly.

Yun Qianmo said nothing more, standing respectfully by his side.

"So this is the person you seek! You said I defied fate, thwarting my big plans everywhere, even breaking with me, and it turned out all because of her." The mysterious man stared at Han Yan’s distant gentle figure, snorted, and said as though speaking to himself.

"Master..." Yun Qianmo seemed to understand, confusedly looking at him.

"You think you’ve calculated Heavenly Secret, but have you considered that finding this person might just help me achieve great things? Perhaps one day I should thank you, who knows." The mysterious man disregarded him, chuckling softly.

Yun Qianmo became even more puzzled, instinctively glancing at Ye Lanfeng and Han Yan in the valley again.

"Let’s go, even though they ruined a good thing in the end, it proves the Guiyu Clan’s Divine Blood Ritual Technique is indeed usable, and that’s enough." The mysterious man laughed loudly, drifting away.

In the valley, a gentle breeze blew through, and with Zhao Lingxian, all the Sword Spirit Puppets’ bodies turned to dust, carried away by the wind. On the palace’s gate, the golden Primordial Contract burst like a soap bubble, turning into a spray of golden Star Points.

Right where Zhao Lingxian disappeared, a Heavenly Destiny Star Plate lay quietly on the ground; if remembered correctly, this was the very Star Plate left by Zhao Yuanji upon his death. It had shattered into pieces but was now restored as new. Han Yan casually picked it up, having promised Yan Yuchu she would save any Star Plate she found for him. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Now Han Yan easily identified that this Star Plate wasn’t what she needed; it was perfect for boosting Yan Yuchu’s strength, matching his complete loyalty.

At this moment, the golden Blood Pearl floating mid-air quietly shattered along with the Primordial Contract’s demise, disappearing into thin air, as Ye Yanran’s mother slowly opened her eyes.

"Mother!" Ye Yanran rushed over, tears on her face, accidentally falling and scraping some blood stains, unnoticed, she stood and ran further, hugging her mother tightly, tears streaming down like raindrops.

All the yearning, all the bitter pain, erupted like a flood through a broken dam.

Han Yan looked at Ye Yanran with relief. If it were someone else, they would’ve dashed to their mother at first sight, but Ye Yanran didn’t do this; she knew she was not powerful enough, rushing over brought only death. The most important thing was that Han Yan and others wouldn’t let her die before their eyes. The result would be not just failing to save her mother but also dragging Han Yan and others into danger.

Thus she held back her longing and sorrow, restrained her concern and anxiety for her mother, honestly stood behind Han Yan and others, and only now did her emotions burst forth. Fortunately, Han Yan did not disappoint her; her painful perseverance and waiting were paid off, as her mother miraculously survived.

"Ye Yanran, you’ve been through so much." Yao Xinlan gently smoothed her daughter’s hair, speaking with immense affection.

"Mother..." Ye Yanran lay nestled in her mother’s arms, choked up, unable to utter a word.

"This must be Lady Mu; thanks to your assistance, I could see Ye Yanran at the last moment. With Ye Yanran following you, I can be at peace." Yao Xinlan turned and addressed Han Yan.

Though bound to that altar, drained of her last drop of blood, she remained conscious, aware of everything happening outside.

As Yao Xinlan spoke, she tried to rise and bow to Han Yan but only managed halfway up before collapsing again, too weak.

"Aunt, you exaggerate; Ye Yanran is my best friend." Han Yan quickly stepped forward to support her.

"Lady Mu, I’m dying; I entrust Ye Yanran to your care." Yao Xinlan held Han Yan’s hand, pleading.

"No, mom, you won’t be harmed; you’ll be fine." Ye Yanran cried, holding her mother tightly.

Everyone could feel Yao Xinlan’s body gradually becoming cold. Though the Primordial Contract was broken, she had lost too much blood previously, the Guardian of the Gods’ bloodline drained entirely, leaving life at its end.