I couldn't figure out what was up with Mu Zhong and what he was really getting at. All he said was he had something to show me, and off we flew across Spirit Harmony Peak until we landed at some pavilion I'd never seen before.
Recovery Pavilion.
Led by Mu Zhong, Yang Wei entered the large structure, and immediately, he noticed many wounded disciples still receiving treatment for their serious spirit wounds.
Wait, what...?
Unlike regular physical injuries, spirit wounds damaged the spirit root of an individual, causing spiritual injuries to manifest on their physical bodies like a cosmic rust on their skin. Some parts of their bodies were black with star-like dots, resembling a rash or pox, making them appear very ill.
Those with wounds on their sides struggled to breathe due to badly damaged lungs, while others with wounds on their necks had rotting throats, causing them to cough up blood.
"What's happening? Their condition seems much worse than I anticipated."
Mu Zhong nodded in agreement, "You're right. When you made that Divinity full palm power disappear and then healed everyone in the Azure Tree, your magic couldn't heal their spirit roots because it's not capable of that."
Yang Wei already knew this, but he had assumed that most of them were fine, unaware of the severity of their injuries. "I understand..." he replied quietly.
Mu Zhong continued, "The injured people here are not as bad off as those in the kingdom, on other continents, or in the countless other worlds within the Azure Tree, so there's no need for you to blame yourself."
Yang Wei let out a small sigh and asked, "Is that all?"
Although his tone might have sounded harsh, Mu Zhong was certain that Yang Wei only said this because he didn't want to see these disciples, many of whom looked up to him as a senior figure, in such pain.
Mu Zhong drew back some curtains, revealing a special room.
Inside, was Mu Lingxi. "Y-, Yang Wei?" she exclaimed upon seeing him. Normally, she'd be furious and would have already yelled at him for painting on her face, but this wasn't the time for that.
"Lingxi? What are you doing here?" Yang Wei asked her.
"Oh, I, uh..."
Before Mu Lingxi could really explain, another voice interrupted. . .
"Junior Brother?"
Yang Wei shifted his gaze in the direction of the voice.
It was Liu Yan who had spoken.
"Big Sister, what're you..."
Yang Wei paused abruptly, his eyes widening in shock at something he wished he'd never seen. It took a lot to surprise Yang Wei, and the end of the world wasn't one of those things, but what he saw froze his heart, and his body went cold.
No...
It was Ling Meiyan.
More than half of her body covered in spirit wounds, her hair completely pale, and her condition critical. From what he could see, it seemed like Liu Yan was taking care of her, as there was a bowl of water and a towel next to Ling Meiyan's resting place.
Next to Ling Meiyan was Míng Huīrán.
She seated in a wheelchair. Unlike Ling Meiyan, she appeared to be conscious, but her mind seemed absent—as though her brain had given up. She'd lost almost all her hair, and only a few strands remained attached to her wounded head. Her body was marred with spirit wounds, making it painful to look at.
They didn't buy into the whole women supremacy crap this world pushes. They were real and kind, and now they're gone...
I'm blacking out again, aren't I? Hah, Mingyu's not here to distract me.
Cultivators...
Maybe... maybe if I just wiped out this entire Martial World, they'd understand no one can be merciless at my expense.
Yes, that's a good choice. That's the only choice. I'll destroy everything!
Liu Yan then choked out, "Junior Brother, stop... your presence, it'll..." her other knee hit the ground soon.
Mu Lingxi held her chest tightly; it felt like it was going to explode.
He's crying... I can tell *cough* there are no tears, because that's who he is... He cries through strength.
Yang Wei's aura immediately vanished, and everything was back to normal.
Everyone could breathe again, and certain annihilation was no more.
Yang Wei's shaking voice, as though he were holding back tears asked, "Please, who did this... to the Azure Tree again?"
It was as if he'd completely forgotten.
"The... Heavenly Court," Mu Zhong answered with confusion present on his face as he rubbed his chest in pain.
Yang Wei stared back at them and uttered, "Heavenly Court..."
They saw the expression in his eyes, and there was nothing human about it.
His eyes had shifted from blue to a complete blood-red color.
It was a look that sent shivers down their spines. It was the kind of look you give when a single strand of rationality was keeping a spontaneous rage inside.
And that's when Mu Lingxi realized Yang Wei's greatest strength.
Being able to restrain such an unholy amount of anger even for a moment.
The eyes were a window to the soul, and in that moment, those red eyes didn't belong to the Yang Wei they knew; it was something else entirely. And they were certain they wouldn't survive its wrathful onslaught.
"Heavenly Court..." Yang Wei repeated, and this time steam billowed out from his mouth. Black flames began to creep up his arms and engulf his entire body, slowly burning away his robes.
However, before anything else could happen, the entire Azure Tree froze in time, and a bright rift tore open before Yang Wei, revealing a transcendent being stepping out.
She had beautiful white hair that stretched like an ocean and radiated heavenly beauty.
"Do not make any rash decisions!"
Her ancient voice spoke.
It was the Heavenly Moon Goddess!
Sect Founder of the Tranquil Moon and Sky Sect!