Time, at the moment those two lines of bloody tears mixed with demonic energy fell from Xu Zhan's eyes, was stretched infinitely long, yet seemed as brief as a single heartbeat.
Those eyes that regained clarity, like lightning briefly piercing storm clouds, deeply, greedily branded Tang Xiaoqi's appearance. Thousands of words, endless grief and guilt all condensed in that gaze. Xiao Qi lay on the ground, looking up at his father, tears blurring his vision, throat choked, unable to call out even one word, only nodding forcefully, repeatedly, responding with his eyes to that heavy fatherly love and farewell.
However, this blood resonance brought clarity, like pouring the last oil on an exhausted flame. Though it erupted dazzlingly, it accelerated the burning's end.
The Demon's roar in the depths of his consciousness transformed into substantial impact. Countless red-hot steel needles pierced toward Xu Zhan's soul that had just broken free! Pitch-black demonic energy like a bursting flood, even more frantically counter-assaulted, trying to thoroughly eliminate this unexpected occurrence and re-incorporate into control!
Xu Zhan's body trembled violently. The muscles on his face twitched painfully. That momentary clarity in his eyes flickered unstably, darkness trying to drown it again. He clearly felt the Demon's will pressing down like a mountain. If he could not maintain this brief clarity, everything would be meaningless!
At this moment, he made a choice.
With his last clear will, he forcibly controlled his trembling hand, not to attack, but to remove from his chest a small object he had carried for who-knows-how-many-years.
It was a jade pendant! An old, cracked jade pendant, its surface covered in patterns worn smooth by years of touch. Yet on its back, two small characters were still faintly visible--Xu Zhan.
This jade pendant was different from Xiao Qi's green jade pendant. It was white with a faint warmth, carrying an antique simplicity yet warm feeling. Clearly, it was once worn by someone important to him.
Xu Zhan used all his strength to extend this hand, wanting to pass this jade pendant to his son, wanting to say something, to leave some words. But his entire body was in intense struggle, demonic energy trying to force his arm to withdraw or even attack.
Blood vessels on his neck bulged. The hand holding the jade pendant trembled violently. This ordinary action of passing an object became an enormous trial.
Father! Xiao Qi saw his father's action, understanding something. He gathered his strength, reached out desperately, his trembling, blood-stained hand reaching toward that jade pendant.
The distance was so short, yet seemingly infinitely far.
At this moment, the jade pendant on his chest--the green jade pendant--suddenly resonated. A soft blue-green glow illuminated Xiao Qi's face. It seemed to sense his intent, actively extending a thread of energy, wrapping around father's white jade pendant.
Under this subtle connection, Xiao Qi's hand suddenly felt a push, as if guided by some force, and he finally touched the white jade pendant!
Father... His voice was hoarse and broken, thick with grief and reluctance.
Xu Zhan's eyes, seeing his son grasp the jade pendant, showed a flash of relief and satisfaction. He tried to curve his lips into a smile, though it appeared more like a painful grimace.
His mouth moved, trying to form words.
Xiao... Qi... My... son...
These three words took all his remaining strength. His voice was extremely hoarse, like grinding stones, but every word carried boundless love and reluctance.
Father is... sorry...
Blood, not mixed with demonic energy this time but bright red, trickled from the corner of his mouth. That meant his consciousness was rapidly being overwhelmed again, demonic energy regaining control.
Live well... Protect... yourself...
Each word seemed to cost him a great price. His face was ashen, veins on his temples bulging, every word an exhausting struggle against the Demon's suppression.
Xiao Qi tightly clutched both jade pendants, tears streaming continuously. Father! Don't talk anymore! Save your strength! I will definitely save you! I will definitely find a way to free you!
Xu Zhan shook his head with difficulty. He understood his condition. That demonic energy had deeply rooted in his soul for years. To completely purify it would require terrifying power far beyond his current realm.
He raised his other hand with effort, wanting to touch his son's face, wanting one last fatherly gesture. But that hand was already partially controlled by demonic energy, trembling and twisting.
At this moment, the Demon's will roared even more violently in his consciousness. That momentary clarity was about to be completely submerged!
Xu Zhan made a final decision. With his last remaining will, he pushed Xiao Qi with tremendous force, sending him flying backward!
RUN!
A hoarse, distorted roar, the last human voice from his throat!
Protect yourself! Don't... don't look back!
He could no longer speak more. His eyes were rapidly being covered by demonic energy's darkness. He turned his head away, unable to look at his son's eyes, afraid he would not have the strength to persist if he saw that heartbreaking gaze.
Then, he lifted his head, facing the Demon shadow in the sky. His eyes were once again filled with darkness, yet there seemed to be an extremely faint humanity's light flickering within, like a candle flame about to extinguish, still stubbornly burning.
His posture was as if charging toward death, yet also as if standing guard, guarding his son's retreat route with his body.
The Demon shadow seemed somewhat surprised by this scene, then let out a satisfied laugh. Touching. A father's love. Unfortunately, all this is meaningless. In three days, when This One's full manifestation descends, all will end.
Father!! Xiao Qi, having just staggered to his feet, saw his father's final action. His heart was like being torn apart. He tried to rush forward.
Don't come over. Xu Zhan said flatly, not turning his head. His voice was cold, but his standing posture blocked Xiao Qi's path.
If you have any sense of filial piety, remember your father's words--LIVE WELL.
He raised his right hand. Demonic energy gathered, forming a barrier of black fog. That barrier seemed thin, yet was extraordinarily solid, like an unbreakable wall of darkness separating father and son.
Xiao Qi struck the barrier with his fists. The Platinum-White Purification light could not penetrate this barrier infused with the Demon's will. Each strike was like hitting solid iron. His fists were bloody, yet he did not stop.
Father! We can find a way! I won't leave you! I'll definitely save you!
Xu Zhan stood motionless, his back as if made of stone. He did not turn around, did not speak. Only his shoulders trembled slightly, revealing his inner turmoil.
Inside his consciousness, he was already fighting the Demon's will with everything he had, trying to buy his son more escape time. Every moment he delayed was paid for with tremendous pain.
At this moment, he was no longer the demonic puppet controlled by the Demon. He was using his final humanity to fulfill his last duty as a father--protecting his son.
The battlefield fell silent for a moment, as if moved by this scene of father and son forced to part. Even the demonic cultivators stopped their attacks, watching this tragic farewell.
Then, the Demon's will completely seized control again. Xu Zhan's body trembled violently. When he slowly turned around, his eyes were completely pitch-black, without any trace of humanity.
Time's up. Little insect, your father has returned to This One's embrace.
Xiao Qi fell to his knees, clutching the two jade pendants, his tears already dried up. Only a vast grief and burning hatred remained.
Shadow Snake Pavilion! Demon! I will definitely, definitely make you pay for everything!!
That roar echoed across the battlefield, carrying boundless grief and determination.