Emperor Qiankun

Chapter 381 Though Victorious, There Was Still a Defeat; Obsession Remains

At this moment.

Xue Jing's resolute and unyielding voice, like a sharp lightning bolt, ripped through the chaotic void stirred up by the aftershocks of the battle.

It seemed to be a fierce response to the Celestial Emperor's threatening and venomous shouts:

"It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious next time."

"But I will personally pull you down from the clouds to comfort Qinghe!"

"You are not worthy to be the Celestial Emperor!"

The voice was powerful and resonant, each word carrying immense weight, striking with unwavering conviction, demonstrating his fearless courage and steadfast belief.

However, the words just fell.

The lotus lantern he was on instantly seemed to have all its life and vitality drained away, its light dissipating rapidly like the receding tide, becoming dim and lifeless once more.

The lotus petals, which had originally radiated a soft glow, now drooped, lifeless, like a withered flower ravaged by a storm, teetering on the verge of collapse.

......

Within the lotus lantern, Xue Jing's figure appeared and disappeared, his body seemingly bound tightly by an invisible shackle, unable to move.

His face was as pale as paper, devoid of any color. His eyes were tightly closed, his brows were furrowed, and his face was filled with pain and exhaustion. Large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, soaking his clothes.

His breathing was weak and rapid, each breath seeming to use up all his strength, his chest heaving violently, as if an invisible mountain was pressing down on him.

His hands hung limply at his sides, his fingers trembling slightly, as if he wanted to grasp something, but couldn't grasp anything at all.

That once upright figure is now hunched over, as if its spine has been ruthlessly bent by the years and fate.

Clearly, for Xue Jing, that final burst of attacks was undoubtedly a last gasp, a desperate last gamble!

But the price of this gamble was extremely high. Long Qinghe died protecting him, and he himself became a spirit of the artifact, falling into an endless coma, not knowing when he would wake up and recover.

This battle, though won, was a defeat in itself!

He lost far too much; the heavy price he paid, like heavy shackles, bound his soul tightly, plunging him into endless pain and despair.

Even if he wakes up in the future, he will probably be plunged into endless grief, which will completely overwhelm him!

It's even quite possible that he'll become obsessed and unable to break free, never to regain his former dashing style...

Finally, Li Qingyuan witnessed Long Han's figure flash by, appearing like a ghost beside the Soul-Extinguishing Lamp.

His expression was solemn as he carefully held up the Soul-Slaying Lamp with both hands.

Then, carrying the Soul-Slaying Lamp, he vanished into the devastated void with a flicker of his body.

......

Li Qingyuan had thought that this breathtaking and magnificent scene would gradually dissipate like a dazzling firework, eventually returning to calm and coming to a complete end.

He will also return to the real world.

But fate always seems to love playing tricks on people.

The scene did not abruptly end as he expected, but rather shifted instantly, as if gently touched by an invisible hand.

Time seems to fly by in the blink of an eye. Countless springs, autumns, winters, and summers have passed, and the years have left deep marks on this void.

Suddenly, in that long-silent, ash-filled lamp.

A faint glimmer of light began to flicker, like the first rays of dawn breaking through the darkness.

Immediately afterwards, the light grew brighter and brighter, like a spark that could start a prairie fire, instantly illuminating the entire Soul-Soul Lamp.

Then, a familiar figure slowly emerged from the Soul-Extinguishing Lamp; it was Xue Jing.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with confusion and bewilderment.

It was as if I had just woken up from a long and deep dream, not knowing where I was or what I had experienced.

......

But in the next instant, the situation changed drastically.

"what--!"

Xue Jing suddenly clutched his head with both hands and let out a heart-wrenching scream.

The sound was filled with endless pain and struggle, as if thousands of sharp blades were cutting into his mind.

He seemed to be stung by a sudden fragment of memory; those blurry yet heavy images surged in like a tidal wave.

But just as he was about to uncover the truth, it came to an abrupt end, leaving behind only chaos and emptiness.

He tried his best to grasp that fleeting clue, but all he got in return was an even more intense headache, as if the whole world was collapsing and rebuilding inside his skull.

Sweat poured down his face, instantly soaking his clothes. His face was ashen, and his eyes gleamed with a scarlet light, a reflection of the deep pain and despair in his soul.

His mental defenses nearly collapsed at this moment, and he swayed precariously, as if a gentle breeze could blow him away.

------

"Xue Jing...has lost his memory?"

Witnessing this scene, Li Qingyuan was filled with confusion and worry.

What was the reason for Xue Jing's unusual reaction?

Just as he was deep in thought, trying to make sense of this sudden change.

The scene before my eyes changed unpredictably once again. Time flies like an arrow, and the spring flowers were replaced by the autumn leaves in the blink of an eye.

As the seasons change, Xue Jing's memories seem to be quietly reviving.

He began to frequently ride the Soul-Slaying Lamp, traversing between hidden and sacred treasure lands throughout the world.

Each of these places holds indelible memories between him and Long Qinghe—

Or perhaps it's that quiet bamboo grove, gently caressed by the moonlight, where the bamboo leaves rustle softly, like their tender whispers.

Or perhaps it's that ancient stone bridge hidden in the clouds, with the flowing water beneath it, witnessing their vows of lifelong love.

Or perhaps it's that valley filled with wildflowers, where petals dance in the wind, each one seemingly telling a story of their past sweetness and warmth.

These precious places are not only the ultimate display of natural beauty, but also witnesses to their love story, with every place engraved with traces of their deep affection.

......

Soon, the scene flipped up again, like a scroll being swept up by a whirlwind.

Xue Jing seems to have completely broken free from the shackles of memory.

However, this resurrected memory did not bring relief; instead, it dragged him deeper into an abyss of pain.

He spent his days drowning in alcohol, repeatedly murmuring "Qinghe" and "I'm sorry"...

The voice was low and desperate, like the dimmest star in the night sky, flickering with endless self-blame and sorrow.

This decadent state aroused strong resentment among the demon race.

Those powerful demons, though they once held a slight liking for Xue Jing because of Long Qinghe.

But now, Long Qinghe's passing is like a sharp knife, severing all warmth.

Furthermore, Xue Jing's identity as the son of the Immortal Emperor further fueled their resentment, causing them to glare at each other angrily.

Even worse, some, consumed by rage, sought to destroy the Soul-Extinguishing Lamp to vent their hatred!

It seemed that this would soothe the pain of Long Qinghe's passing.

......

Fortunately, Long Han, an elder of the dragon clan, used his wisdom and tolerance to prevent the impending conflict from breaking out.

He stared at Xue Jing, his eyes filled with both pity for his misfortune and rebuke for his lack of ambition.

Finally, he simply offered his earnest advice:

"Xue Jing, Qinghe is gone. What good will it do you to wallow in despair and lose yourself like this?"

"If she could know this from beyond the grave, she would certainly not want to see you like this..."

However, Xue Jing was like a soulless shell, nodding woodenly with empty eyes, showing no sign of change.

Seeing this, Long Han sighed helplessly and turned to leave.

Before leaving, he suggested that Xue Jing go out for a walk, perhaps he could find some comfort and hope in this vast world.

In truth, he was secretly worried, knowing that humans and demons were different, and that he could not protect Xue Jing forever.

If it weren't for Long Qinghe, what would Xue Jing's extraordinary talent have to do with him?

Moreover, Xue Jing has now become the spirit of the Soul-Extinguishing Lamp, his former glory gone, and he will be imprisoned within that lotus lamp for the rest of his life, his future bleak and hopeless...

------

But life is unpredictable, and fate can be cruel.

Long Han's words, though unintentional, were like a lightning bolt, piercing the darkness in Xue Jing's heart.

He rekindled his hope and decided to pull himself together to delve deeper into the study of the Soul-Extinguishing Lamp in search of a path to 'liberation'.

In just half a month, his efforts paid off.

The flame of that bronze lamp ignited on its own without his intervention.

Although the reason is unknown, the flames were exceptionally tenacious, seemingly foreshadowing some kind of undying hope.

What surprised him even more was that the lamp oil seemed to be formed from the solidified essence of the soul, and the light could reveal the obsession of the deceased souls wherever it shone.

As expected of a supreme immortal treasure, it is truly extraordinary!

......