Chapter 1447: The World Within the Surface World

After a fierce battle with Nuba, Xihe had also sustained considerable injuries. She returned to Tang Valley, where she recuperated while attempting to contact her husband. She had a feeling that the matter was not simple, sensing a grand conspiracy behind it.

However, the ten Golden Crows did not return with her. Instead, they remained suspended in the sky to heal. Preoccupied with her concern for Di Jun, she didn't immediately notice their presence.

Unfortunately, she still couldn't reach that scoundrel, Di Jun.

She knew very well that Di Jun had many women. Although she was the Sun Goddess, she was only one of his lovers. He was probably nestled with some vixen at that very moment.

They hadn't been in touch for many years. Now that she wanted to reach him, how could she possibly do so on short notice?

Her inability to reach him started to irk her. "That scoundrel Di Jun just walked away," she thought. "He's been gone for years without contact. Doesn't he fear I might find another?"

Thinking of his numerous lovers, Xihe felt a pang of vexation. Suddenly, Zu An's appearance flashed through her mind.

In all these years, she had never seen such a handsome human. Moreover, he possessed a unique aura and charm...

Her face flushed at the thought. "What's wrong with me? Why am I having such inappropriate thoughts? And about a mere human, no less?"

As the Sun Goddess and Di Jun's wife, she possessed extraordinary discernment. She immediately realized there was something abnormal about her state.

She had lived a life of purity and detachment for so many years. How could she suddenly feel as if she were in heat?

"The Golden Phoenix's ability!" Her expression changed, and she instantly understood.

The Golden Crows, Phoenixes, and Vermilion Birds shared deep historical ties. It was natural for them to be aware of each other's abilities.

"That scoundrel! How dare he use such an ability on me!"

Rage points from Xihe: +999, +999, +999...!

She, with her noble and proud demeanor, had been tricked by a man. How could she possibly tolerate such an insult?

Since she couldn't reach Di Jun anyway, she decided to confront Zu An first.

Not long after leaving Tang Valley, she sensed waves of destructive, heart-stopping energy.

From afar, she watched the Golden Crows falling one by one. She was heartbroken and immediately rushed towards them.

Unfortunately, the attacker was too swift. By the time she arrived, nine Golden Crows had already been shot down.

Disregarding everything else, she quickly spread her arms, shielding her last surviving son.

Her body trembled involuntarily. She could feel the terrifying oppressive power of the Sun-Shooting Bow. She knew that with a divine artifact born of heaven and earth, further empowered by the Heavenly Emperor's blessing, even she would be powerless to resist.

Yet, she didn't hesitate for a moment. Motherly love compelled her to shield her son with her own body.

Gazing at the man drawing his bow, she was utterly astonished. She had never imagined it would be Zu An.

She had fought him before in Tang Valley. Perhaps his cultivation was decent among humans, but in the presence of beings like her, he was utterly insignificant.

Who would have thought that her sons would ultimately die by his arrows?

At that moment, her heart was filled with regret. She wished she had killed him back in Tang Valley.

Especially recalling how he had cast the Golden Phoenix's "Love as Strong as Gold" on her, and thinking of her sons' tragic deaths, her heart was now filled with nothing but boundless hatred for him.

Rage points from Xihe: +1024, +1024, +1024...!

Seeing Xihe, and with the constant influx of rage points in the background, Zu An gradually sobered up.

Gazing at Xihe, who glared at him from the sky, a mix of fury and terror in her eyes, Zu An was overcome with complex emotions.

Yun Jianyue quickly sent a telepathic message, advising: "Xiao Anzi, don't be soft-hearted. You've killed nine of her sons; a mortal enmity has been formed. If you show mercy now, she will seek revenge later, and you will have no place to be buried."

Yan Xuehen adhered to the principle of supreme detachment. While she found it somewhat cruel, she knew it was the most rational course of action. Thus, she did not contradict Yun Jianyue.

Yu Yanluo, though kind-hearted by nature, prioritized Zu An's safety. Other matters naturally took a backseat.

Zu An's expression flickered with indecision. Finally, he put away his bow. "You may go," he said.

Yun Jianyue immediately became anxious. "Xiao Anzi?"

Zu An shook his head slightly at her. Then, he looked up at Xihe in the sky. "You spared us before; how could I bring myself to kill you? As for the Golden Crows, there was no personal enmity between us. It was their simultaneous appearance, threatening the common people of the world. A decree came from the heavens, and it was my duty to eliminate this scourge for the people."

When he saw that only one sun remained in the sky, he knew he couldn't shoot anymore. Otherwise, the entire world would plunge into eternal darkness.

It was also a perfect opportunity to do Xihe a favor.

Of course, he could have hardened his heart and used his last arrow to kill Xihe. This would still leave one sun, and he wouldn't have to worry about Xihe's retaliation later.

But he had previously cast "Love as Strong as Gold" on her, which already made him feel guilty. Moreover, he had just shot down nine of her sons. He wasn't cold-blooded; how could he possibly bring himself to do it?

However, he wasn't foolish. He shifted all blame to Zhuanxu, explaining that every grievance had its source and every debt its owner, and that she should seek out Zhuanxu.

Still, he had killed nine of her sons. He couldn't control what she would think.

Xihe stared at him silently, her expression incredibly complex. She never expected him to spare her. After all, the logical choice in such a situation would be to kill her as well to eliminate future troubles. "Could it be that he still has feelings for me?"

She immediately dismissed the thought. "Damn it, 'Love as Strong as Gold' is working again!"

"You will regret not killing me," Xihe said coldly.

Zu An sighed faintly. "Whatever the outcome, I will not regret my choice today."

Xihe gave him a deep look. Then, she quickly departed in her golden chariot, taking her trembling, sole surviving son with her. "One day, I will surely kill you!" A voice drifted from high above the sky.

Zu An's expression froze. All he could do was force a bitter smile.

Yun Jianyue snorted. "Truly infatuated by beauty."

Yan Xuehen and Yu Yanluo also looked at him with strange expressions.

Zu An could only explain, "We couldn't possibly shoot down all ten suns in the sky. What would happen to all life on earth if there were no sun?"

"You can leave one Golden Crow, but what about Xihe?" As the leader of the Demonic Cult, Yun Jianyue naturally understood the danger of not completely eliminating a threat.

Zu An replied, "It was the ten Golden Crows who were causing havoc in the world, not her. Furthermore, she is Di Jun's wife. By sparing one Golden Crow and Xihe's life, I've shown goodwill to a certain extent. Otherwise, there would be an endless vendetta with Di Jun."

Hearing his explanation, the three women understood there was some truth to it. However, they couldn't help but murmur, "You speak so righteously, but it's mostly your soft spot for women."

Zu An gave an awkward smile. He genuinely couldn't bring himself to kill Xihe.

At this moment, the Ten Witches of Spirit Mountain also recovered. One by one, they rose and thanked Zu An. They thanked him for eliminating a great menace for the sake of all living beings.

Zu An responded humbly, while simultaneously worrying endlessly about when Di Jun's retaliation would come.

Just then, an inexplicable surge of primordial energy suddenly swept through the heavens and earth. It seemed to be dissipating at an extremely rapid rate.

The Ten Witches of Spirit Mountain seemed to receive some instruction, listening intently. Their expressions quickly changed dramatically. They quickly said to Zu An: "After this incident, all forces in the heavens have reached an agreement to completely sever the path between mortals and gods. The mortal realm and the Celestial Realm will be completely separated. We must also follow the will of heaven and depart. Little brother, we shall meet again!"

As soon as their voices faded, an overwhelming, majestic light seemed to sweep across the world. Spirit Mountain appeared to be covered by a transparent film. Immediately after, the Ten Witches of Spirit Mountain successively vanished before their eyes.

After the light flashed, Spirit Mountain was still there before them. Although every blade of grass and tree seemed no different than before, Zu An clearly knew that the Spirit Mountain before him was no longer the same as it had been.

The previously abundant and rich primordial energy had become extremely thin. It was now little different from an ordinary mountain in later times.

All the hidden mystical auras within Spirit Mountain were now completely imperceptible.

Not only Spirit Mountain, but other famous mountains and great rivers also completely lost their mystical aura. For instance, the Weak River was no longer boundless and unable to float even a goose feather; it had simply become a treacherous, large river.

Zu An felt a moment of disorientation. The appearance was the same, yet the essence had changed. It was very much like the difference between the surface world and the inner world.