The Last Immortal

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Gu Jin had no time to think further. The sword light in his hand intensified as he pushed his Immortal Power to the limit. However, with his strength alone, he clearly could not withstand the tide of Demon Beasts surging forward. The Immortal Power on his Primordial Spirit Sword was gradually depleting.

At that very moment, Ayin opened her eyes. The sight of Gu Jin standing alone, sword in hand, blocking the Demon Beasts fell upon her gaze. Her already pale face lost all color in an instant, turning deathly white. Without hesitation, she picked up the fire fox and flew to Gu Jin’s side just as the protective light barrier was about to shatter.

“A Jin!”

The light barrier finally gave way, shattered by the Demon Beasts. The gaping maws of several ferocious beasts opened above the three of them, accompanied by a nauseating wave of bloody stench.

At the critical moment, Gu Jin drew the Primordial Spirit Sword across his palm. His blood was absorbed into the blade, forcibly awakening the dormant Primordial Chaos Power within the sword.

In an instant, a dazzling Divine Light blotted out the sky and sun. The Divine Power erupting from the Primordial Spirit Sword enveloped the gloomy Nine Nether Purgatory.

The Primordial Spirit Sword was born from Primordial Chaos Power and was originally a Divine Artifact. However, the Primordial Chaos Power within Gu Jin was sealed, causing the sword to be reduced to the level of an Immortal Artifact. By offering his blood to the sword, he summoned its spirit. The surrounding Demon Beasts swept by the sword’s radiance were either killed or severely injured. The divine might of a Semi-Divine Artifact descended upon the Nine Nether Purgatory. The Demon Beasts behind the sea of corpses finally ceased their frenzied attacks, gazing with fear and unease at the immensely powerful divine sword in the air.

“Go!” This method could only sustain the Primordial Spirit Sword’s Divine Power for a fleeting moment. Gu Jin pulled Ayin into his embrace with one arm, held the fire fox with the other, and flew along the bloody path cleaved by the Primordial Spirit Sword toward the entrance of Purgatory.

Outside the Nine Nether Purgatory, Bi Bo, who had been anxiously staring at the Purgatory gate, sensed the fleeting surge of Primordial Chaos Power. Flapping his wings, he wiped away tears.

“Wahhh, you stinky dragon! Even the Primordial Chaos Power sealed within A Qi by Divine Lord Tian Qi has been forced out. He must be in trouble, wahhh…”

The three-headed fire dragon paced anxiously before the light pillar, its face grim, hands clasped behind its back. It grabbed Bi Bo, who was determined to charge inside, and roared angrily, “What time is this? Don’t cause more trouble! If you get eaten by the God-Slaying Flowers too, I won’t even be able to keep my dragon tendons intact.”

Even as Gu Jin mobilized the last of his Immortal Power to fly at maximum speed toward the Purgatory entrance, the Divine Power of the Heavenly Shuttle Garment was still gradually fading. Ayin, transformed into a Water Condensation Beast and curled up in Gu Jin’s embrace, fluttered her paws and looked outward, seeing the wave-like Demon Beasts closely pursuing them from behind.

After offering his blood to the sword, Gu Jin had almost no Immortal Power left. The glow of the Primordial Spirit Sword grew increasingly dim. As they neared the Purgatory entrance, the Divine Power of the Heavenly Shuttle Garment finally depleted, revealing the figures of the three.

The dozens of God-Slaying Flowers lying dormant at the Purgatory entrance detected the trio’s presence the moment the Heavenly Shuttle Garment’s Divine Power vanished. They abruptly shot up several zhang high, their stamens undulating as they lunged toward the three. The terrifying aura emanating from the rising God-Slaying Flowers even caused the pursuing Demon Beasts behind them to halt in their tracks.

In an instant, massive flower stalks densely blocked their path. Gu Jin threw the fire fox and Ayin behind him, gripping the Primordial Spirit Sword as he confronted the ferocious long tongues of the stamens. However, it was clear that Gu Jin, having endured a great battle, was no match for them. The sword radiance released by the Primordial Spirit Sword was effortlessly shredded by the God-Slaying Flowers.

“A Jin, the Sky-Shielding Umbrella! Quickly use Master’s Sky-Shielding Umbrella!” Ayin, frantic, transformed into human form and shouted the reminder.

The Sky-Shielding Umbrella was a Semi-Divine Artifact. Even if it could not defeat the God-Slaying Flowers, it could buy them time to escape the Purgatory entrance.Gu Jin, who was battling the God-Slaying Flower, heard Ayin's voice. His hand, holding the long sword, paused for a moment, but he did not take out the Sky-Shielding Umbrella as Ayin had hoped. Instead, he slashed fiercely toward the God-Slaying Flower, breaking open a faint gap in the iron wall-like encirclement with his Primordial Spirit Sword.

Gu Jin swung his sword toward Ayin and shouted, "Ayin, take the fire fox and go!"

After speaking, he used the sword to widen the wound on his palm. Blood imbued with pure and potent Immortal Power scattered into the air, emitting a rich fragrance that instantly drew the attention of the God-Slaying Flower.

Using himself as bait, Gu Jin finally created a slim chance for Ayin and the fire fox to escape. Ayin was stunned for a moment. After understanding Gu Jin's intention, she threw the fire fox toward the gap and, without hesitation, turned and flew toward Gu Jin.

This series of actions was executed seamlessly. She didn't even have time to think—perhaps staying by Gu Jin's side in this life-or-death moment was simply her instinct.

In an instant, the stamen of the God-Slaying Flower loomed over Gu Jin's head. He was already at the end of his strength, his Immortal Power completely exhausted. Half-kneeling in mid-air, his furrowed brows had yet to relax when a figure clad in emerald green lunged toward him, and a familiar voice rang out nearby.

"A Jin!"

Ayin didn't know where she found the strength. Usually, she could barely manage to ride a cloud without wobbling, but now she dashed with pinpoint accuracy through the gaps between dozens of God-Slaying Flowers, arriving before the astonished Gu Jin.

"I'm not leaving!" A flame seemed to burn in Ayin's eyes. She turned, spreading one hand to shield Gu Jin, and roared with boundless courage, "I won't let you be eaten alone! God-Slaying Flower, if you have the guts, come at me!"

The God-Slaying Flowers possessed Divine Power but lacked intelligence. They were clearly startled by Ayin's sudden, impassioned charge and momentarily froze, retracting their gaping maws.

The girl's figure appeared frail and insignificant beneath the towering God-Slaying Flowers. If one looked closely, she was even trembling slightly, yet she stood tall before Gu Jin, refusing to retreat even half a step.

In the blink of an eye, the intimidated God-Slaying Flowers discerned that the small creature before them was merely bluffing. As Demon Creatures that had lived for tens of thousands of years, a sense of anger at being fooled surged within them. They opened their massive mouths, vying to devour Ayin first.

The sky above was shrouded by the enormous bodies of the God-Slaying Flowers, plunging everything into darkness. Knowing she was about to meet her end, Ayin hid the fear in her eyes, clenched her fists, and closed them tightly. Unexpectedly, a warm embrace reached her before the menacing maws.

She fell entirely into a warm, broad chest. Ayin was stunned, and the young man's sigh already echoed in her ear.

"You're so foolish. I can't let you go alone."

The roars of the God-Slaying Flowers thundered around them, yet she only heard Gu Jin's soft sigh. Ayin looked up, her eyes filled with the young man's gentle, helpless smile.

Somehow, in this life-or-death moment in the most perilous place of the Three Realms, a string in Ayin's heart was quietly plucked.

The sound of swallowing echoed above the two of them. The foul, slimy tongue from the stamen had already touched their robes, and it seemed the God-Slaying Flowers were about to swallow them alive.

At this critical juncture, a sharp, piercing cry suddenly rang out. Overwhelming flames descended like dazzling stars. A half-zhang-tall fire fox suddenly appeared behind the God-Slaying Flowers. Its flaming claws tore through the encirclement, and with a sweep of its long tail, it wrapped the two onto its back before turning and desperately racing toward the entrance of the Purgatory.The fire fox was enveloped in magnificent crimson flames, yet they did not harm the two in the slightest. Gu Jin held Ayin close, pressing tightly against the fox's back to evade the attacks of the God-Slaying Flowers.

Ayin was clearly startled by the sudden appearance of the fire fox. She examined it carefully and exclaimed loudly, "A Jin, is this the little fox I saved earlier? Wow, it's so cool!"

Seeing Ayin's animated excitement, Gu Jin rarely let out a soft hum. "Yes, it's the young fox you saved." He glanced at the fox's massive form and domineering flames, a flicker of contemplation passing through his eyes.

The God-Slaying Flowers were caught off guard. Although the fire fox's flames scorched their stems and leaves, they could hardly damage their roots. Once they regained their senses, they flew into a rage and immediately gave chase. With stems and roots stretching dozens of meters long, they closed in on the fire fox in an instant. Just as the fox was about to leap out of the Purgatory gate, one of the flowers suddenly surged forward, leaping several meters into the air and lunging to swallow the fox whole.

At that very moment, an eerie Divine Light swept across the entrance, striking the flower with tremendous force. A dragon's claw suddenly emerged from the beam of light at the Purgatory gate, grabbing the fleeing fire fox and yanking it out.

The moment the fire fox vanished beyond the Barrier, the Purgatory's seal closed. The residual Divine Power from Tian Qi's seal blocked the furious God-Slaying Flowers within the Purgatory.

All fell calm, and everything came to a halt.

In the courtyard behind the Purple Moon Hall, outside the Purgatory, Bi Bo was still wiping away tears, not yet having rushed over to cling to Gu Jin and whine. San Huo had already released the fire fox and cast a spatial Barrier, enclosing Gu Jin and Bi Bo within it. He threw himself before Gu Jin, thoroughly patting him down from head to toe.

"Little Divine Lord, are you alright? Let this old dragon take a good look at your condition," San Huo muttered as he checked, his face a picture of relief after a narrow escape. "Thank goodness, thank goodness. All your limbs are still intact. This old dragon can still give an account to the True Gods."

After thoroughly fussing over Gu Jin, San Huo carefully straightened his sleeves before looking up and speaking. "Although you have the Heavenly Shuttle Robe protecting you, Little Divine Lord, this old dragon's heart just couldn't settle. I've been guarding the entrance to the Purgatory the whole time, fearing something might happen to you. What kind of place is the Nine Nether Purgatory? I was foolish—how could I let your precious self enter such a place? Thankfully, you are wise and mighty, with profound Divine Power, and you returned safely after defeating the God-Slaying Flowers. Otherwise, this old dragon wouldn't be able to go on living either!"

Truly a creature who had lived for tens of thousands of years, San Huo was at the Half-God Peak and usually a dominant force across the Three Realms. Yet here he was, shamelessly spouting such words. Even Bi Bo, who had depended on him for over a century, was left dumbfounded.

Finally, he earnestly tugged at Gu Jin's sleeve, blinking with an innocent expression. "Little Divine Lord, you must keep this secret for this old dragon. Whatever you do, don't let Divine Lord Tian Qi know I allowed you into the Nine Nether Purgatory. If the Divine Lord finds out when he returns, this old dragon's tendons might not survive."

The way this tens-of-thousands-year-old demon dragon blinked with such a touch of innocence finally snapped Gu Jin out of his daze, delivering a metaphorical blow of ten thousand points. His gaze silently swept over San Huo's hand clutching his sleeve, then he nodded quietly and spoke softly, "Dragon Lord, rest assured. It was my own recklessness that led me into the Nine Nether Purgatory. I won't let Purple-Haired Uncle know about this."San Huo, having received Gu Jin's promise, narrowed his eyes in contentment, let out a comfortable sigh, and smiled with genuine sincerity, his eyes curving into crescents. "Little Divine Lord, this old dragon truly doesn’t deserve to be addressed as ‘Dragon Lord’ by you. I’m just fortunate enough to serve under Divine Lord Tian Qi—just call me San Huo!"

Gu Jin shook his head. "Dragon Lord, you are tens of thousands of years my senior and naturally my elder. However, as I am currently traveling through the Three Realms under the identity of Divine Lord Donghua’s youngest disciple, I must ask you to treat me as usual and keep my true identity a secret."

San Huo nodded repeatedly. "Then this old dragon will take advantage and accept your respectful address. Rest assured, Little Divine Lord, I understand the importance of discretion and will certainly keep your secret."

Gu Jin nodded. Seeing that the two had finished their conversation, Bi Bo, who had been holding back tears all night, finally let them flow like a bursting river. With a whimper, it twisted its body and rushed toward Gu Jin’s embrace.

Unexpectedly, Gu Jin happened to look up at it. "Bi Bo," he said, his voice still gentle but unusually serious. "Did you teach Ayin the Water Condensation Beast clan’s method of healing others using spiritual power and bloodline?"

Bi Bo froze, its two small wings poking at its chest, its large eyes darting around, not daring to meet Gu Jin’s gaze. "A Qi, I... I..." it stammered, its tears stopping abruptly as a guilty expression spread across its face. "Ayin is one of our Water Condensation Beasts, after all. What’s wrong with teaching her our clan’s signature skill?"

Bi Bo’s voice was weak and lacking confidence, and under Gu Jin’s slightly stern gaze, its little wings trembled even more violently.

"You are a Water Condensation Divine Beast. Healing others with your blood only costs you a bit of spiritual power. But she is a Water Condensation Beast, the weakest among your kind. For her, this healing method is equivalent to sacrificing her immortal lifespan. I know your clan has some secret techniques, but there’s no need to teach her any others." Gu Jin paused, narrowing his eyes slightly. "You haven’t taught her anything else, have you?"

Bi Bo shook its head like a rattle-drum, quickly replying, "No, no, A Qi! I only taught her that one secret technique, and I won’t teach her anything else in the future."

Seeing Bi Bo’s promise, Gu Jin’s heart eased, and his cold, stern expression softened. He understood Bi Bo’s intentions—if Ayin had an additional healing ability, it would undoubtedly benefit him greatly. Bi Bo had eagerly passed on the secret technique to Ayin, hoping it would provide him with an extra layer of protection as he traveled through the Three Realms.

Seeing Bi Bo hovering in mid-air, trembling and looking pitifully aggrieved, Gu Jin sighed and beckoned to it. The little plump bird immediately brightened its large eyes and swooshed into Gu Jin’s arms, nuzzling vigorously.

"Alright, the outside world isn’t as dangerous as you think. I’ll protect myself," he said, lifting the little plump bird from his embrace and nodding to San Huo. "Dragon Lord, please open the spatial barrier."

San Huo nodded and waved his hand, dispersing the barrier surrounding the three of them.

The spatial barrier had the power to halt time. Although they had been inside for the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, to those outside the barrier, it was still the exact moment they had escaped from the Nine Nether Purgatory.

The fire fox lay on the ground, the flames that had once enveloped its body now extinguished. Ayin was curled up on its back, her face pale from excessive spiritual power consumption. The fire fox’s tail gently brushed over her, as if comforting her.

The two leaned against each other, sharing a sense of mutual dependence, as if seeking warmth. Gu Jin’s expression tightened. He tossed Bi Bo into the air, quickly walked over to the fire fox, and crouched down. After checking Ayin’s spiritual power and confirming she was unharmed, he grasped her wrist and helped her up.“Ayin, I have some elixirs left by Master here. Have some to restore your spiritual power first.”

Before Gu Jin could finish speaking, Ayin had already brushed his hand aside and turned away. Gu Jin’s expression faltered, his hand hanging in mid-air, looking somewhat pitiful.

San Huo and Bi Bo, hiding nearby, simultaneously scratched their chins, exchanged glances, and clicked their tongues twice, silently giving Ayin a thumbs-up in their hearts.

Daring to give Little Divine Lord Yuan Qi the cold shoulder—Ayin was truly bringing honor to the Water Condensation Beast tribe!

Ayin crouched down and gently stroked the thick, warm fur of the fire fox. “Are you that little fox?”

The fire fox nodded, its eyes—once cold and guarded in the Nine Nether Purgatory—now gentle and soft.

“Can you speak human language? What’s your name?”

“Jiu.” A cool, youthful voice came from the fire fox’s mouth. “I am the ninth in my family, so my father calls me Jiu.”

A smile flickered in Ayin’s eyes. She picked up the fire fox’s paw and shook it gently. “Then I’ll call you A Jiu from now on. A Jiu, I’m Ayin, a Water Condensation Beast. Thank you for rescuing us from the Purgatory.”

Perhaps because the gaze from behind was too intense and innocent, Ayin chatted a bit more with the fire fox A Jiu before slowly rising to her feet. Her face was still pale, but her eyes held a clear, intelligent coolness.

“A Jin,” she began, meeting Gu Jin’s puzzled gaze, her voice steady and unhurried. “Where is the Sky-Shielding Umbrella Master gave you before his ascension?”