Chapter 61: This Unchanging Love

In a flash, light and explosions filled the entire cave, turning the world into a blinding expanse of white. Nothing could be seen; only the continuous sounds of explosions and gunfire echoed. Qian Ye and Night Pupil were moving at high speeds in this hellish environment, but their primordial force projectiles seemed to have eyes, piercing through smoke and flames, constantly flying toward each other.

At this moment, both were fighting on instinct. If either showed the slightest weakness, they would instantly be torn apart by their opponent’s frenzied attacks.

The fierce battle ended in a blink, and both sought hiding spots, resting against the stone walls, waiting for the next opportunity to strike.

As the unending explosions finally subsided, Qian Ye and Night Pupil simultaneously sensed each other’s presence. Between them lay a massive boulder, with each leaning against one side.

Without prior agreement, the sounds of metal clinking echoed in the cave as both began to change their equipment. At this point, under the omnipresent suppression of the beast’s will, their remaining strength could only support one final decisive battle.

After a moment, the cave fell silent, all sounds vanished. Only the ancient essence on the cave ceiling silently emitted its light, rich with the secrets of the void, illuminating both of them.

At that instant, as if by some unspoken connection, Qian Ye and Night Pupil leaped out simultaneously, their gazes meeting.

They were less than ten meters apart, the thickness of the boulder separating them not more than ten meters. But this short distance was like an insurmountable chasm, laden with allegiance and blood feud, seeming to stretch endlessly.

Qian Ye looked at her, and she looked back at him. Their eyes reflected each other, calm and deep, like undisturbed lakes. Their reflections intertwined, forming a profound, endless channel.

Bare-chested, Qian Ye had a red bloodstain on the bandages around his abdomen, slowly spreading. He held only Dongyue, but after the intense battle, the heavy sword, once like ordinary iron, had truly awakened. The light on its blade flickered, and merely looking at it brought a mountainous, oppressive pressure.

Night Pupil had discarded her dual guns and sword, holding the sniper rifle that had been on her back. This exceptionally long sniper rifle was not ideal for close combat, but at this range, its power was devastating, needing only one shot to end the fight.

From a few meters away, Qian Ye could feel the prickling sensation on his skin, a result of the black titanium’s potent radiation. Clearly, Night Pupil had loaded an enhanced black titanium annihilation bullet into the sniper rifle.

Closing his eyes, Qian Ye felt the overwhelming aura of death. When he opened them again, his pupils were devoid of emotion, filled with a cold, deep blue. In the blue, there was the silhouette of Night Pupil, just a shadow of black and white.

“Let’s finish this. One last time, life or death,” Qian Ye said simply.

“Only you will die,” Night Pupil replied, slowly raising the sniper rifle, aiming at Qian Ye’s forehead.

Qian Ye’s skin on his forehead twitched, stimulated by the intense killing intent. In his true vision, countless lines converged into a fatal point aimed at his forehead, much like the feeling of Zhao Jundu’s “sure hit.”

Clearly, Night Pupil had activated some secret technique. This shot would auto-correct, meaning no matter how Qian Ye dodged, the bullet would still hit his forehead. Only with a power surpassing the bullet’s could he have a chance to survive.

But at this moment, Qian Ye’s least desired action was to defend.

He shook his wrist, and Dongyue sang as it soared into the air, hovering motionless above him. The aura around him gradually rose, and the sound of ocean waves became audible.

Qian Ye felt his consciousness elevate, as if breaking through the world’s barriers to soar into the void. The memories of the celestial demon, stimulated by the imminent peril, finally merged with Qian Ye, becoming part of his perception.

As his understanding of the void primordial force deepened, Qian Ye’s aura grew broader and more profound, the ocean’s sound becoming louder, evolving into the sound of tides.

Qian Ye slowly raised his left hand, gripping the hilt, and stood still, eyes closed, holding the sword with both hands.

But when this sword struck, it would carry the might of mountains and seas!

The cave fell silent, with no other sounds. Under the powerful auras of the two, any life would cower, too afraid to move. Even the primordial force in the environment ceased to flow.

Only the ancient essence continued to quietly emanate light, heat, and void primordial force. It suddenly fluctuated, producing a crackling sound, like a small spark in a campfire.

This sound broke the silence, altering the auras between them.

Night Pupil’s eyes glowed intensely, and she pulled the trigger with force. Simultaneously, Qian Ye roared, stepping forward, and with boundless might, he slashed Dongyue down.

This strike, though not fast, was too heavy to evade or resist. The muzzle of Night Pupil’s sniper rifle almost touched Qian Ye’s forehead.

The mechanism finally reached its end…

The world fell silent again, Dongyue halting mid-swing, only the faint click echoing in the empty cave, the sound of the empty trigger.

Time passed, and the gunshot never came.

When Qian Ye slowly opened his eyes, he saw Night Pupil staring at him, stunned.

“Shoot! Why didn’t you shoot?” Qian Ye roared.

Night Pupil’s hand trembled, and as her fingers opened, the black bullet slid from her palm, falling to the ground.

That was the bullet that made Qian Ye feel the threat of death. She held it, but the gun’s chamber was empty.

Qian Ye felt dizzy, his body suddenly weak, nearly unable to hold Dongyue. The sword, which had paused in mid-air, crashed down, embedding itself deeply into the ground.

A surge of anger and fear welled up in Qian Ye’s heart. He grabbed Night Pupil by the collar, pulling her close, and yelled, “What are you doing? Do you want to die?”

Night Pupil’s voice remained calm, “Aren’t you the same?”

Before Qian Ye could reply, Night Pupil lunged into his arms, sealing his lips with her own.

In that moment, their hearts were blank.

After an indeterminate amount of time, they separated slightly, breathing heavily like fish out of water. Their eyes darted around, avoiding each other’s gaze, but their arms were tightly entwined, almost suffocatingly so.

Finally, Night Pupil spoke, “Why didn’t you strike that blow?”

“Didn’t you also leave the bullet out of the chamber?”

At this point, nothing more needed to be said. The split-second decision had revealed their intentions.

Night Pupil suddenly exclaimed, struggling free from Qian Ye’s embrace. Before he could react, she stood up, leaping to the cave ceiling, grabbing the ancient essence fragment, and returning to his side.

“Absorb it, now!”

Instinctively, Qian Ye took the fragment but did not act, instead looking at Night Pupil.

Before he could say anything, Night Pupil said, “Don’t look at me. I’m in better shape than you think. This thing is no longer useful to me.”

Qian Ye thought about it and realized it was true. When he healed her, he knew her blood quality was extremely high. And among the Blood Clan, the title of Princess was given only to descendants with potential to become Archdukes.

Night Pupil’s bloodline was powerful enough, and her injuries had been healed by Qian Ye’s two drops of origin blood, meaning she would surely reach the rank of Duke. The ancient essence fragment would only be a minor addition to her.

Hesitating, Qian Ye said, “I don’t really need it, but my brother might…”

But Night Pupil covered his mouth, not letting him continue. She stared into his eyes, serious, “This ancient essence fragment is mine. Will you argue with me?”

Qian Ye shook his head.

Night Pupil declared, “Then it’s mine, and I decide how to use it. Absorb it, now! Immediately!”

Night Pupil, serious, was not only imposing but also exuded a killing intent.

Qian Ye moved her hand away, somewhat helplessly, “I really think it won’t fully benefit me.”

The Great Void Technique and the Celestial Demon’s remnants had given him knowledge of the void primordial force, and the Song Family’s ancient scrolls, vast and obscure, could break through common cultivation bottlenecks. That night, reminded by Song Zining, he had seen new chapters, possibly the path after the two Great Brightness texts. He had not had the time to practice and integrate these things, making the ancient essence fragment relatively insignificant.

However, Night Pupil would not yield. She looked into Qian Ye’s eyes, saying firmly, “Qian Ye, I am a woman, and I only see you. I don’t care about your brothers or friends. Since this ancient essence fragment is mine, I give it only to you. If you don’t use it, I’ll destroy it immediately!”

With that, Qian Ye surrendered, “Fine, I’ll use it. Is that acceptable?”

Night Pupil did not relent, pushing the fragment into Qian Ye’s hand, “Use it now. I’ll watch over you.”

Night Pupil got up, retrieved her weapons, and re-equipped herself, then held the sniper rifle. This time, she loaded the black bullet into the chamber.

Qian Ye held the ancient essence fragment, feeling its fluctuations, and slowly adjusted his state. With experience from absorbing the Celestial Demon’s remnants, he knew he needed to stay conscious to avoid losing himself when the powerful energy surged through him.