52. Endgame(2)

“We can’t let him go any further.”

Rong Xiaoxin, sitting on a tree, supported herself against the trunk. A beam of light emanated from her palm and descended to the ground, expanding horizontally to form a barrier.

On the other side of the barrier was the Gate of Ghosts.

Normally, the living couldn’t see the Gate of Ghosts, but the gentle mountain breeze, as if carrying the scent of the other shore’s flowers, brought a hint of fragrance.

The three-headed dog should have died completely. The beam of light that pierced its heart shattered into fragments, dissipating sporadically in the air.

The massive body collapsed, oozing black blood. The black blood turned into a chilling black foam, resembling an octopus, enveloping the body of the three-headed dog.

The decapitated body quickly shriveled and collapsed until it turned into a pool of black water, seeping into the soil and disappearing, leaving behind a patch of corroded and withered grass.

The death of the accompanying creature caused Uriel to clutch his chest in pain. The sword shadows flickered, and he immediately moved aside but failed to dodge, resulting in Yan Ling severing one of his wings.

He couldn’t fly anymore.

Uriel, who lost his balance abruptly, fell heavily to the ground. Qiu Rong, without giving him a chance to catch his breath, pounced on him. Uriel could only roll on the ground in a disheveled manner.

Black feathers scattered as the demon was pinned under the giant wolf’s paw. With a little more force from Qiu Rong, Uriel’s chest could be crushed.

Qiu Rong coldly looked down at the helpless prey beneath him. At a time like this, Uriel could still laugh. He struggled to break free from Qiu Rong’s grip but to no avail, only causing himself to cough up more blood.

His blood-stained smile grew brighter. Uriel also realized that his strength was no match for Qiu Rong. He decided to give up and lay back on the ground, tilting his head to face Qiu Rong’s cold gaze, and asked with a smile, “Do you dare to kill me?”

Fifteen years ago, Yan Ling dealt Uriel a fatal blow, but he also suffered a backlash that shattered his heart.

If it weren’t for the characteristics of a bloodline, Yan Ling would have died long ago. Uriel, on the other hand, wasn’t as heavily injured.

The wolf paw pressed harder, and Uriel coughed up another mouthful of blood. He continued to smile and said in a strained voice, “Are you sure… you can really kill me?”

“Qiu Rong.” Yan Ling approached the side of the giant wolf. Qiu Rong’s wolf body had exceeded two meters in height, and Yan Ling had to raise his hand to touch the fur on Qiu Rong’s neck. He gently comforted, “Let me handle it.”

The giant wolf fell silent and let out a reluctant growl. The paw that had crushed Uriel’s ribs gradually loosened its grip. Qiu Rong took a step back, allowing Uriel to exert all his strength to flap his half-broken wing and escape the range of Qiu Rong and Yan Ling’s attacks.

Yan Ling didn’t pursue him. Just as Uriel was about to feel relieved, he looked up and saw the Glutton sitting on the tree silently assuming an archery pose.

The fan in the little Glutton’s right hand seemed like a real sharp arrow. If Uriel tried to escape, she would unhesitatingly release the arrow and pierce his chest.

Uriel stared fiercely at Rong Xiaoxin and the barrier behind her, remaining still.

“Don’t let him influence you anymore,” Yan Ling raised his head and said to Qiu Rong, “Go back to your human form first. Leave this to me and Tarrasque.”

The alpha wolf lowered his body halfway, and Yan Ling patted his head. Qiu Rong pressed his wolf ears and gently rubbed against Yan Ling’s neck.

The wolf’s nose caught a faint scent of blood. Qiu Rong glanced sideways and saw a wound on Yan Ling’s arm, no longer bleeding but still quite significant. The wolf’s head approached, and with affection, he gently brushed his snout against Yan Ling’s arm. A translucent white membrane covered the wound, healing at a visible speed.

Yan Ling pinched Qiu Rong’s furry ears and smiled, “Thank you. Go quickly, I’ll be waiting here for you.”

The alpha wolf gave Yan Ling one final nudge with his head and turned to run into the forest.

Uriel noticed the movement and also made his move, while Tarrasque released an arrow.

Yan Ling raised his blood sword again, locked eyes with Rong Xiaoxin on the tree, and attacked simultaneously!

Uriel dodged the incoming light arrow by leaning sideways, retracting his remaining half-wing. He growled harshly, “Aren’t you afraid of suffering the same fatal injury from the backlash?”

“Whoever kills me will bear the same lethal wound!”

Rong Xiaoxin on the tree, still swinging her legs, smiled and said, “Your Highness, why don’t you leave this honor to me?”

Yan Ling swung his sword and said, “May the best person win.”

Uriel: “…”

Uriel: “Are you all crazy or something?!”

Why are they competing to die together with him?!

When Qiu Rong returned after changing clothes, Yan Ling was shaking off the blood from his sword.

Uriel lay straight on the grass, with a pair of blood-red vertical pupils wide open. Although facing the moon in the sky, they didn’t reflect any moonlight.

Like the deceased three-headed dog, there was also a beam of light arrow piercing Uriel’s chest.

With a faint cracking sound, the arrow slowly dissipated.

“Thud” ——

Qiu Rong turned his head to see Tarrasque falling from the tree.

Rong Xiaoxin’s neatly tied hair scattered, and her dress became somewhat dirty. She leaned against the tree trunk, chuckled hoarsely, and said, “I won.”

Yan Ling glanced at her and shook his head at the approaching Qiu Rong, saying, “No.”

Qiu Rong also realized it was not possible.

The blood quickly spread from Rong Xiaoxin’s chest, staining her blue and white porcelain dress crimson.

Killing the demon alone was not enough; he could still transfer the wounds to the person who killed him and be reborn anew.

To deal with Uriel, they could only seal him.

Rong Xiaoxin coughed softly, covering her chest. Trickles of fresh blood dripped from the corner of her mouth. She said, “Clan Leader Gu, I’ve done my best to ensure Prince Yan Ling can seal Uriel for a few more days.”

This was one of the tasks Zhong Lishu had assigned to Rong Xiaoxin.

If she was present, she would do her best to preserve Yan Ling’s strength and seal the demon for as many days as possible.

Qiu Rong also knew that there were no other options. This was a situation they had anticipated. No matter how many excuses they had before, they had to face the reality now.

The wound on Uriel’s chest was slowly healing, and correspondingly, Rong Xiaoxin’s complexion grew paler.

Yan Ling held Qiu Rong’s hand and looked at him calmly, saying, “It’s okay. Trust me and trust yourself.”

Qiu Rong couldn’t hesitate any longer. He took the branch thrown by Rong Xiaoxin and made a decisive move.

Qiu Rong was not skilled in magic. He had never been good at it. But over the years, he had forced himself to learn a lot, even if he couldn’t use it. He knew how to draw the formations left by his father and brother.

He couldn’t perform formations in mid-air like his brother could. He needed something to rely on, and the earth was the best choice.

A complete formation diagram appeared on the ground. Qiu Rong had no talent for magic, but the sealing formation used the lifespan of a person as a catalyst, so the person casting it didn’t need exceptional talent.

Yan Ling lifted Uriel and threw him into the formation Qiu Rong had drawn, stepping into it himself.

Facing Yan Ling’s gaze, Qiu Rong’s hand holding the branch trembled. He remained silent, contemplating for a long time before hoarsely laughing, “Um, what about the Dream Demon? Is it still alive?”

Yan Ling: “…”

That was actually a good question.

Yan Ling looked at Rong Xiaoxin.

Rong Xiaoxin: “…”

Suddenly, she felt that the reward Zhongli Shu gave her was a bit insufficient.

The Glutton’s lips had turned purple. She was willing to risk the backlash and kill Uriel because she had a way to resolve the lethal injury. However, a wound was still a wound, and Rong Xiaoxin was not feeling well at the moment.

She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and raised her hand, beckoning towards the lifeless body of Uriel lying on the ground.

With little effort, a small ball of light flew out from Uriel’s forehead. Unlike the “Light Spirit,” this ball of light grew bigger and gradually transformed into a girl wearing a bunny pajama.

Rong Xiaoxin: “Severe social anxiety, she just doesn’t want to come out when surrounded by people like you.”

Qiu Rong: “…”

Yan Ling: “…”

The Dream Demon’s body was most likely in an unfortunate state, and what remained here was just an illusion that couldn’t speak.

The little Dream Demon anxiously bowed to Qiu Rong and Yan Ling, seemingly expressing gratitude, then swiftly retreated to Rong Xiaoxin’s side and bumped heads with her—forehead to forehead.

They didn’t separate after the collision.

The Dream Demon was too fast, and Rong Xiaoxin didn’t react in time. She stood there in a daze for a moment until the little Dream Demon finally let go of her. It waved goodbye to the three of them, transforming back into a ball of light and swiftly darted into the forest, distancing itself from the three living individuals present.

Yan Ling asked, “What happened?”

Rong Xiaoxin waved her hand, saying, “It doesn’t matter, you continue.”

Sealing Uriel was still more urgent at the moment.

This time, Qiu Rong had no reason to delay any further. He looked at Yan Ling and honestly admitted, “I’m not confident.”

However, Yan Ling remained steadfast and said, “I believe in you.”

Qiu Rong closed his eyes and knelt in front of the formation. When he opened his eyes again, there was no hesitation in them.

His palm touched the ground, activating the sealing formation, and small fluorescent lights lit up. Qiu Rong looked up, his gaze fixed on Yan Ling within the halo of light.

The originally one-meter-wide formation expanded in an instant, and ghostly glimmers of light enveloped Yan Ling and Uriel.

Uriel, who had remained unresponsive, moved his fingers slightly.

The wound on his chest hadn’t even healed halfway, but the slumbering Uriel might have sensed the danger. His eyes, closed for an unknown period, rapidly twitched beneath his eyelids as he struggled to wake up.

Yan Ling also noticed Uriel’s movements, and his blood sword once again aimed at Uriel.

As the one activating the formation, Qiu Rong could clearly feel the flow of energy within the formation. Yan Ling’s lifespan truly seemed like an endless sea with no visible end.

But under the continuous influx of energy, the sealing formation expanded by another layer, unreservedly devouring Yan Ling’s vitality.

“You… you bunch of lunatics!”

Struggling to wake up, Uriel opened his eyes and found himself lying within a formation, a sealing formation he was all too familiar with. He growled, “Do you think this can deal with me? Let me tell you, it’s useless!”

“Even if you seal me for ten or dozens of years, it’s just a waste of your own lives, and it won’t have any effect at all!”

“I won’t die! As long as humans have desires, I will exist forever!”

Uriel attempted to sit up but was pushed back by Yan Ling’s sword.

The blood sword pierced through Uriel’s shoulder, pinning him to the ground. Yan Ling looked down at Uriel from above and said, “A few decades not enough? How about a few hundred years or a few thousand years?”

Uriel stared fiercely at Yan Ling, his eyes filled with rage. He wanted to remove the sword from his shoulder, but his unrecovered body couldn’t muster any strength. He turned his head towards Qiu Rong, who stood beside Yan Ling, and remembered something. “Right, you’re a student from University A, aren’t you?”

“I met your friend, that guy who lives alone in the student dormitory,” Uriel smiled. “He carries your scent. I thought he was the child of that couple from fifteen years ago, so I went to see him.”

“I made a pact with him, and as long as I wish, I can kill him now!”

Uriel certainly had no idea what expression was on his own face at that moment.

He was smiling, but his smile was incredibly stiff.

Qiu Rong glanced at Uriel, who was trying to provoke his emotions, indifferently, then withdrew his gaze, focusing on the formation before him.

Uriel shouted, “Don’t you want to save him? He will die because of you!”

Unbeknownst to them, the moon disappeared from the sky, and in the darkest moment before dawn, a faint light shone in the silent forest.

Uriel seemed to grasp at the last straw of salvation and tried to persuade Qiu Rong in every possible way. However, Qiu Rong’s attention was completely focused on Yan Ling.

Countless golden threads rose from the ground and entwined around Uriel.

The sealing formation accelerated its extraction of Yan Ling’s lifespan, growing faster and causing Qiu Rong to panic. He wanted to stop, but Yan Ling shook his head at him.

The continuation of the formation also relied on Qiu Rong’s abilities, and Yan Ling wanted to hold on as long as possible.

If Yan Ling’s lifespan was a sea before, it had now turned into a lake—still vast, but Qiu Rong could already see its boundaries.

His palm deeply plunged into the ground, and in an instant, Qiu Rong’s pupils contracted. He shouted sharply, “Yan Ling!”

In the blink of an eye, Yan Ling’s hair completely turned white! Qiu Rong felt a void in his heart, and the formation under his control almost faltered.

“Hush. It’s okay, it doesn’t matter,” Yan Ling soothingly whispered, “I can feel my own condition, I’m fine.”

Qiu Rong wouldn’t continue any further this time, no matter what. Under Yan Ling’s gaze, he persisted for a few more seconds before finally lowering his head decisively and ending the formation.

A dazzling light burst through the dark night, forcing everyone within the formation to close their eyes. Even Uriel’s voice was completely swallowed up.

The formation that had spread far and wide merged with the ground. At a certain moment, within the area separated by Rong Xiaoxin’s barrier, a river seemed to appear, leading to an ancient and dilapidated city.

Countless Manjusaka flowers swayed in the wind.

Uriel gazed at that illusory scene, unwillingness filling his heart as he reached out his hand. However, the golden threads entwined around him mercilessly pulled him into the center of the formation.

A ray of morning light pierced through the darkness.

At dawn, the phantom of Fengdu dissipated along with Uriel.

Qiu Rong anxiously embraced Yan Ling. When he tried to stand up due to exhaustion, he stumbled, but Yan Ling reached out and caught him.

“I’m fine,” Yan Ling held Qiu Rong in his arms and patted his back.

Unexpectedly, Qiu Rong grasped Yan Ling’s shoulders and forcefully pushed him away, saying in a stern voice, “Fine? What do you mean fine! Don’t you realize your hair has turned white?”

Yan Ling: “…”

He was a bit dumbfounded.

Not only was this the first time he had been scolded since knowing Qiu Rong, but it was also the first time he had been scolded as the Crown Prince since his birth.

The cat didn’t understand.

The cat found it somewhat novel.

Qiu Rong still wanted to be angry. His ears were red with anger, but faced with Yan Ling’s cold and bewildered expression, he couldn’t say the next sentence.

Especially now that Yan Ling’s hair had turned completely white.

The Alpha Wolf glared fiercely at his spouse, gritted his teeth, and pulled him back into his embrace. He bit down on the Crown Prince’s neck and muffledly said, “You really scared me.”

In that instant when Qiu Rong saw Yan Ling’s hair turn white, it felt like he had returned to the illusion of the merfolk. He could only watch as his older brother collapsed, unable to do anything, unable to change anything.

He thought he was about to lose the most important person to him again.

Yan Ling leaned against Qiu Rong’s chest, feeling relaxed. He lowered his eyes and held Qiu Rong tightly, whispering softly, “It’s okay now, it’s over, everything’s fine.”

…

Rong Xiaoxin, not far away, couldn’t stand the obliviousness of this lovey-dovey couple.

At the moment Uriel was sealed, her injuries had also improved significantly.

Rong Xiaoxin contacted the people waiting at the foot of the mountain and asked them to send a car to pick her up.

After glancing at the inseparable couple behind her, Rong Xiaoxin silently instructed the others not to enter the scene for now. They should wait nearby until their team leader finished coaxing his wife before coming over.

The eastern sky brightened as the rising sun gradually ascended. The day was slowly dawning.

Qiu Rong and Yan Ling didn’t occupy the staff’s space and left the scene to others for cleanup. The team leader took a temporary break and brought his newly coaxed “Mrs. team leader” to find the tallest tree, flying up to overlook the scenery they wouldn’t have seen in the past.

“Why did Uriel look for the Gate of Ghosts?”

“Glutton said he wanted to follow the ghost path of the Underworld to find his way back to Hell and reopen the gates of Hell.”

“Can he really go back?” Qiu Rong turned his head to look at Yan Ling.

Sitting on a thick branch, Yan Ling’s wings were half-concealed behind Qiu Rong. “I don’t know, maybe it’s possible, but not now.”

Qiu Rong nodded, his hand reaching out to touch Yan Ling’s white hair that the wind blew up. “How did it turn completely white all of a sudden? Are you really okay?”

“You despise me now?” Yan Ling also turned his head, reaching out to pinch the two furry ears on Qiu Rong’s head.

He hadn’t noticed it when adrenaline was soaring through his veins earlier, but now that he had relaxed, Qiu Rong’s body was too tired to retract his wolf ears, leaving them silly and unsupported, allowing his spouse to play with them.

“How could I ever despise you?” Qiu Rong grumbled, grabbing Yan Ling’s hand and biting it.

Qiu Rong had bitten every bit of skin that was exposed on Yan Ling’s body, like a little dog marking its possessions, yet also like a head wolf showing affection: “Now, are you going all wolfish on me, wanting to eat me?”

After biting him, Qiu Rong kissed Yan Ling’s wrist sweetly and said, “You know I’m just worried about you.”

Yan Ling smiled and said, “I really am fine. My hair will turn black again in a couple of days.”

He leaned against Qiu Rong’s shoulder and added, “My atavistic bloodline is more powerful than you think. I still have an extra lifespan to share with you.”

Qiu Rong’s eyes brightened slightly. “Are you trying to turn me into a vampire puppy?”

“What’s that?” Yan Ling chuckled. “You’re already so fond of biting people. If you became a vampire puppy, you’d probably end up eating me for real.”

“Hmm, do you still want me to become one?” Qiu Rong asked.

This time, Yan Ling replied, “Yes.”

“Swearing in the name of the Crown Prince, Roy Kate will take responsibility for his vampire puppy for a lifetime.”

Both of them burst into laughter, and Yan Ling nearly slipped off the tree.

Once they settled back on the branch, Qiu Rong embraced the tree trunk with one hand and wrapped the other around Yan Ling’s waist. He held Yan Ling’s hand and asked, “So, what bad habits do I have? Tell me so I can change them as soon as possible.”

Looking at Qiu Rong’s earnest expression, Yan Ling tilted his head, as if carefully pondering.

Qiu Rong became nervous under his wife’s gaze. He swallowed and slightly tucked his ears back, like a well-behaved dog waiting for its owner’s command.

Yan Ling chuckled softly and reached up to ruffle Qiu Rong’s head, saying gently, “No need to change.”

“Are you saying you wouldn’t like me if I were too arrogant?”

“Who said you’re arrogant?” Qiu Rong looked confused.

In this moment, they selectively forgot what the merfolk chieftain had once said about vampire princes being disdainful of all beings.

“It’s the seven sins that Uriel sees in me.”

Qiu Rong frowned. “He’s talking nonsense. It’s not true. You’re amazing.”

Yan Ling curved his lips and said, “So, you’re amazing too. No need to change anymore.”

The warm morning light fell on Yan Ling’s ears, and a gentle breeze rustled his tousled hair. His beautiful cat-like eyes reflected the image of a silly dog.

The leaves rustled in harmony, and the city gradually awakened under the morning light. Qiu Rong approached gently, leaning into the warm breeze of the rising sun, and kissed his beloved.

They didn’t need to make any changes because what they loved was the present moment—each and every moment, the best version of each other in their eyes.

“Uriel was sealed away just like that, as if it doesn’t feel real,” Qiu Rong lamented.

Yan Ling thought for a moment and asked, “Is your summer vacation about to end?”

Qiu Rong replied, “…Don’t mention it.”

Snapped back to reality by Yan Ling’s words, Qiu Rong retaliated, “You have to go back to work the day after tomorrow!”

Yan Ling was puzzled. “Don’t you want to accompany me?”

Qiu Rong remained silent.

Well, he lost.

With the bright daylight, President Yan and his little boyfriend were about to start a brand new day.

Author’s Note:

Yes, that’s right, you guessed it correctly! The main story has come to an end!

…But! There’s still an extra chapter!!!

In the next few days, I’ll first catch any bugs in the main story, and then I’ll update with the extra chapter! (The remaining loose ends will also be tied up in the extra chapter~)

I haven’t decided how many chapters the extra will have yet, but there will be an alternate storyline from the main story (it won’t be long, probably a one-shot, but I won’t rule out the possibility of expanding it). (Some survival instincts)

And most importantly! Cat ear play!! (Damn it! The limited space restricts my driving skills!! Well… I’ll do my best… A rocking car is still a car!) (Gets smacked away)

Lastly, I’ll give a preview of “The Silly Boy Transmigrated.” It won’t be long, and if everything goes smoothly, once this book is finished, I’ll start “Mermaid Escape,” which tells the story of Shu Ya and Zong Yuming~

Preview Synopsis:

“The Silly Boy Transmigrated” (Mild intellectual disability and slow-witted shou x Cool troublemaking tsundere gong)

Qu Xiaoxi was a silly boy.

A silly boy that nobody liked.

One day, Qu Xiaoxi’s body no longer belonged to the silly boy.

The silly boy didn’t understand what a host, system, or mission was. He could only blankly watch the new “Qu Xiaoxi” using his body, laughing and talking with his family and classmates.

Nobody noticed that the silly boy was gone. They only congratulated:

“Qu Xiaoxi, you’re not silly anymore. That’s great.”

Nobody could see the silly boy standing right next to “Qu Xiaoxi.”

Nobody could hear the silly boy crying.

“Qu Xiaoxi, where did you go?”

The silly boy turned his head. His deskmate, who always bullied him, was standing on the outskirts of the crowd, frowning and looking at “Qu Xiaoxi’s” figure.

Huo Ming twirled the pen in his hand anxiously. He withdrew his gaze, his voice muffled, as if he was asking himself or someone invisible, “Silly boy, where did you go?”

Qu Xiaoxi answered him, “I’m right here.”

“Huo Ming, I’m right here.”

TN:

*Pops confetti* Yay we’re done with the story. Only 4 extra chapters are left!