In the areas touched by the Angel God's power, the land became pure, even faintly retaining traces of a sacred aura.
By contrast, places polluted by the Rakshasa God's power turned into dead, purple-black scorched earth, where life would struggle to return for hundreds of years. They were filled with vicious poison and curses.
Light and shadow intertwined as divine power surged wildly.
The figures of the two goddesses collided and separated again and again within the storm of destruction. Every clash shook heaven and earth.
This was not just a contest of strength, but also an outpouring of faith, hatred, and their twisted blood bond.
Lu Jingming watched quietly, eyes deep.
The outcome of this battle would decide the final ownership of the Spirit Empire, and also determine where the warped relationship between this mother and daughter would go.
Atop a lone peak, Lu Jingming and his group stood as still as statues, gazing into the distance at the earth-shattering divine battle that had already lasted three days and three nights.
The sky seemed to have been permanently split in two: one half was an eternal golden day, the other a deep purple-black eternal night.
Qian Renxue's angelic wings were fully spread, her holy radiance forcibly dispelling the filth and suppression brought on by the Rakshasa domain.
The angelic brand on her forehead flickered. Her divine sense spread out like an invisible radar, accurately capturing every attempt Bibi Dong made to hide within the purple-black evil miasma.
Bibi Dong's Rakshasa scythe swept through the air, the ghostly blade of the Nether Rakshasa striking from all directions, only to be precisely intercepted by Qian Renxue's Angelic Light Slash. Golden sword-light burst again and again in the sky, perishing together with the purple-black scythe blades. The explosions never stopped.
Qian Renxue had tried to use her angelic divine sense to lock onto Bibi Dong's source, but it was interfered with by the Rakshasa God's twisted, grievance-filled divine power barrier, making it impossible to fully brand her.
Bibi Dong had also unleashed a Catastrophic Curse, drawing on the land's resentful aura to form a web of curses, yet it was firmly blocked outside by Qian Renxue's Angelic Domain. Holy light and curses clashed violently, producing a sizzling sound of corrosion.
As time passed, the battle gradually escalated. Qian Renxue gathered her divine power, and the Angelic Holy Sword transformed into a hundred-meter giant blade. With a slash of Solar Holy Sword, the crimson-gold blade, bearing a terrifying heat capable of burning all eight directions, cut down, scorching a large section of space until it twisted.
Bibi Dong let out a shrill scream. Her Rakshasa avatar merged fully with her, and the Rakshasa scythe burst forth with the deepest darkness, clashing head-on with the Solar Holy Sword.
"Claang—!!!"
With this collision, space at the very center shattered inch by inch like glass. The shockwave flattened the mountain range below, melting it into a lake of crimson magma, while another region brushed by the Rakshasa God's power instantly turned into a purple-black crystalline wasteland, spewing toxic smoke.
Because Bibi Dong had previously been ambushed by the Demon Empress, the lingering electromagnetic corrosive energy in her body began to throb with pain under such intense confrontation, causing an almost imperceptible sluggishness in her movements.
Qian Renxue keenly caught that instant. Her Angelic Shield flared up in an instant, tanking several incoming Purgatory Ghost Hands. At the same time, holy light shone upon her, and her divine power climbed once more. Streams of pure golden liquid light flowed across her divine armor, and her offensive became even more ferocious.
The battle had entered its white-hot phase.
Behind Qian Renxue, a massive angelic phantom appeared. Angel – Judgment – was unleashed.
A huge golden pillar of light, as if from the core of the sun, ripped through the heavens and descended upon Bibi Dong.
Under this Judgment Light, Bibi Dong's movements clearly slowed. The Rakshasa divine power around her body fluctuated and dissolved violently, as though it had met its natural nemesis.
Seeing the unstoppable might of Judgment, Qian Renxue shifted her sword stance. Angel – Purification – followed right on its heels.
A crimson-gold cross star merged into the light pillar, transforming it into a gigantic purifying light sphere, like a miniature sun, engulfing Bibi Dong and her Rakshasa avatar together.
Inside the sphere, the temperature instantly soared to several thousand degrees and kept rising. Qian Renxue continuously poured Angelic divine power and Solar True Flame into it, intending to refine the evil god within.
The light sphere shook violently, purple-black radiance within it crashing madly against its confines—that was Bibi Dong's desperate resistance.
The power of the Rakshasa scythe and avatar was driven to the limit. Layers of annihilating barriers were laid down inside the light sphere, attempting to block the omnipresent purifying holy flames.
However, she was already injured, her divine power greatly consumed. Against Qian Renxue—whose power naturally countered hers and who possessed purer, more overwhelming divine force—she was ultimately outmatched.
The glow of the light sphere gradually suppressed the purple-black evil aura within. Bibi Dong's aura weakened at a speed visible to the naked eye.
On the lone peak, watching the gradually stabilizing purifying light sphere, Lu Jingming asked, "Teacher, what do you think the outcome of this battle will be?"
Jingliu's cold gaze had never left the battlefield. At his words, she replied flatly:
"Elemental counter, one rises as the other falls. Qian Renxue's Angelic power is inherently suppressive toward Rakshasa's evil power. Bibi Dong's old wounds were unhealed, and after a protracted battle, her divine power circulation was bound to become sluggish. Qian Renxue's victory is already decided."
She paused, then added:
"It looks like a fight to the death, but in truth, both sides have been holding back. If Qian Renxue had used her full strength, Bibi Dong might not have lasted this long. The bond of blood is a shackle that can't be truly severed."
Gu Yuena's purple eyes shone with the light of laws; she focused more on the essence of divine power:
"Light and darkness, creation and destruction—they are two sides of the same cosmic coin. But the Rakshasa's power is too extreme and obsessive; it has lost balance. Facing Qian Renxue's supremely yang, upright and majestic Angelic power, it is naturally suppressed everywhere."
Firefly and Castorice simply stood quietly beside Lu Jingming, offering no opinion.
At that moment, two figures almost simultaneously appeared on the other side of the lone peak.
On one side was Sparkle, wearing a fox mask and a yukata, hopping along lightly as if she'd come to watch a grand fireworks show.
On the other side was Vita, posture elegant, a mysterious smile on her lips, her gaze full of curiosity and playful interest.
Their eyes met in mid-air, and both froze for a second.
Sparkle's eyes curved into crescent moons. In an overly dramatic tone, as if reading lines on a stage, she said:
"Aiyaaa~ isn't this our dear Sister Vita? You came to watch this… hmm, 'family drama' too?"
She deliberately emphasized the words "family drama."
Vita wasn't annoyed in the slightest. On the contrary, her smile grew even sweeter and more enchanting. She gently swept a lock of hair from her cheek, her voice like a feather brushing across one's heart:
"Hehe, little sister is as lively and adorable as ever. I was merely curious: what sort of 'fun' could make our masked Fool-lady willingly remove her mask and quietly stand at someone's side?"
She glanced meaningfully in Lu Jingming's direction.
Sparkle reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, retorting immediately—yet still in that theatrically exaggerated tone:
"A mask? Oh~ my dearest Sister Vita, those words are so hurtful. Every 'me' I show is the truest 'me', you know. But you… aren't you the same?"
She tilted her head, mischief flashing beneath the mask.
Their verbal sparring was laced with hidden barbs. They sounded friendly, yet were exposing each other's masks, portraying "plastic sisterhood" to the fullest.
They both knew full well that the other had already been "recruited" by Lu Jingming, but that did not stop them from making things unpleasant for each other verbally. That, in a way, was their own brand of "friendship."
Lu Jingming ignored this bickering pair. His gaze returned to the battlefield.
Just as Jingliu had predicted, the massive purifying light sphere began to slowly contract. The purple-black aura inside had been compressed to the limit, becoming almost imperceptible.
Qian Renxue's figure shone within the golden light, impossibly sacred and imposing.
The divine battle that had lasted three days was finally drawing to an end.
Over these three days, the Spirit Empire's great army—commanded by Hu Liena and Golden Crocodile Douluo—had advanced like a hot knife through butter, breaking through the Star Luo Empire's last defensive line. Their spearhead now pointed straight at Star Luo City.
The bell of continental unification was about to ring.
As the giant purifying sphere finally shrank and dispersed into golden rain, the scene inside was revealed.
Bibi Dong was down on one knee, using her Rakshasa scythe to support herself just to keep from collapsing completely.
The radiance of her Rakshasa divine armor had dimmed, covered in tiny cracks. The terrifying Rakshasa avatar behind her had already completely collapsed and vanished.
Her face was as pale as paper, purple divine blood still staining the corner of her lips. Her aura was at its weakest, yet those purple eyes still burned with unyielding and obsessive flames.
Qian Renxue hovered in front of her. Her Angelic divine armor was still brilliant, but after three days of intense combat, her breathing was slightly rushed, and the angelic brand on her forehead was somewhat dimmer.
Looking at the disheveled and battered Bibi Dong below, her eyes were incredibly complex. There was the relief of a victor, the heartache that came from blood ties, and a heavy, indescribable emotion.
"Victors are kings, losers are bandits… Do it."
Bibi Dong's voice was hoarse and icy, carrying a kind of dead-hearted indifference.
"Kill me, and you can firmly sit upon the throne of the Spirit Empire's Empress, with no more worries at your back."
She raised her head and looked Qian Renxue straight in the eye, open mockery within her gaze.
"Or is it that… your heart is too soft, and you can't bring yourself to strike? With such indecisiveness, how will you rule a vast empire? If you don't kill me today, when I recover my strength in the future, I will definitely return, and take back everything… that belongs to me."
At that moment, space rippled slightly. Lu Jingming stepped out with Jingliu and the rest, arriving just in time to hear Bibi Dong's last words.
Lu Jingming looked at Bibi Dong, sprawled on the ground yet still stubbornly talking tough, and smiled lightly, his tone filled with absolute confidence:
"That day will never come."
Bibi Dong snapped her gaze toward Lu Jingming, her purple eyes full of cold scrutiny.
"Lu Jingming… After all this scheming, what is your real aim?!"
She turned to Qian Renxue, her tone carrying a faint but urgent warning, as if giving a final admonition.
"Working with him is like making a deal with a tiger. His ambition goes far beyond this. You'll drag the Spirit Empire into a disaster from which it will never recover."
Although she herself was on the verge of collapse, and although she might not feel true affection for the Spirit Empire, at this moment, driven by a mother's instinct, she still spoke these words.
She did not trust Lu Jingming. That unfathomable man was absolutely not someone to place faith in.
Lu Jingming spread his hands helplessly, his smile looking a little innocent. "It seems, Your Holiness, that you have a deep misunderstanding of me."
"Misunderstanding?"
Bibi Dong gave a cold laugh, sharp sarcasm in her voice.
"I will never 'misunderstand' someone who is arrogant down to his bones and views all living beings as mere pieces on a board."
As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Qian Renxue again and continued, "In his eyes, you may hold some value, but in the end, you're just a somewhat important piece on his board. Do you truly believe he would give you genuine feeling?"
Just as Lu Jingming was about to respond, Qian Renxue suddenly moved.
She withdrew the divine power around her, and the angelic wings behind her dissolved into golden light. Step by step, she walked over to Lu Jingming.
Under his slightly stunned gaze, she did something no one had expected—she lightly, yet with unwavering resolve, leaned into Lu Jingming's arms and rested her cheek against his chest.
Then she lifted her golden eyes and looked at the utterly stunned, unbelieving Bibi Dong. Her voice was clear and powerful, carrying the decisive finality of a public declaration:
"You're wrong."
"I am not his chess piece."
"After the Spirit Empire has completely unified the Douluo Continent, I, Qian Renxue, will marry him and become his wife."
"At that time, we will no longer be merely allies, but husband and wife. We will rule the Spirit Empire together and lead it toward a bright future you could never imagine."
"You…! Pfft—!"
Seeing this scene, hearing this earth-shattering declaration, Bibi Dong felt a surge of blood rush to her head. Rage, suffocation, and worry twisted together inside her, making her qi and blood churn. She could no longer suppress her injuries and suddenly spat out a large mouthful of blood. Her body swayed and nearly toppled over.
She pointed at Qian Renxue, her finger trembling, yet no words came out.
Behind Lu Jingming, Gu Yuena's purple eyes turned instantly cold. The elemental forces around her seemed to stir restlessly, slipping from her control.
A sharp glint appeared in Firefly and Castorice's eyes as well.
The gaze of all three women toward Qian Renxue now clearly carried open hostility.
They had long sensed that Qian Renxue's attitude toward Lu Jingming was not ordinary, but they never imagined she would so boldly stake her claim.
After his initial surprise, Lu Jingming quickly regained his composure.
Looking down at Qian Renxue in his arms—her posture intimate, yet her eyes carrying a faint tension and resolve—he immediately understood her intention. This was to completely cut off Bibi Dong's last hopes, and, in front of everyone—especially Bibi Dong—solidify a bond with him that could not be shaken: an alliance, and even more than that.
Feeling the soft body in his embrace and the irrefutable certainty in her declaration, the smile at the corner of Lu Jingming's mouth deepened.
A beauty was throwing herself into his arms; why would he refuse?
Moreover, if he pushed Qian Renxue away at this moment, he would be slapping her in the face publicly and utterly shaming her, which was absolutely not something he wanted.
So he naturally put an arm around Qian Renxue's slender waist, his gesture smooth and intimate, effectively acknowledging her claim.
This sight made Bibi Dong's vision darken again; she nearly fainted.
Gu Yuena ground her teeth. "What a philandering radish."
In a corner not far away, Sparkle and Vita, who had watched all of this, exchanged a knowing look.