902 Into the Abyss Together (2/2)

The horrifying power of the crash soared and smashed the clouds again among the cliffs. Even the cliffs that were covered by various Taoist arrays were cracked.

The Hierarch and others seemed very worried. Who could survive such a horrifying crash? Of course Haotian would be safe and sound, but how would she come back from such an abyss?

From a corner in the half-ruined Divine Hall of Light, a horse suddenly neighed and rushed out like a storm. The big black horse knocked over a few black-robed deacons and galloped down the mountain.

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The bottom of the abyss was covered by a foul fog. Even the brightest sunlight could not penetrate.

Ning Que opened his eyes and looked at the grey sky. It felt like he had traveled back in time to the City of Wei in the Ninth Year of Tianqi, when they went through the worst sandstorm ever.

He felt dizzy. It took him a long while to realize that he was in the abyss behind Peach Mountain, and that he was lying in a pit.

He jumped off from the peak of the mountain. It was not surprising that he had plonked into a pit on the ground. However, he did not understand why he was still alive. If it was Sangsang who let him survive, then where was she?

The trees at the bottom of the abyss were different from ordinary trees. Their roots were clearly stronger than the branches. They were mostly vines with tiny and scattered leaves. Probably no one had ever visited this place. Layers of fallen leaves rotted over and over throughout the years.

Ning Que was not fully recovered from the dizziness and felt cozy lying on the soft rotten leaves. He did not want to stand up and even preferred to lie like this forever.

Right then he heard Sangsang's voice coming from amongst the fog.

”Are you going to lie down here forever?”

She still seemed indifferent, cold and awe-inspiring. Yet the words she said had become somewhat mortal. Ning Que felt that her voice coming from somewhere in the fog, yet it also sounded like it was right by his side. Being far away as well as in my ear, you are indeed Haotian. Ning Que sighed.

”Get up.”

Sangsang's voice became increasingly indifferent.

Ning Que's expression froze. Now he confirmed that her voice was indeed by his side. He turned in great pain and found her right there beneath him.

There was a huge hole on the ground in the foggy forest, carpeted with rotten leaves.

Sangsang was lying on the rotten leaves. Her giant and plump figure seemed like mother earth among the leaves and the fog. He was lying in her embrace like a child.

Ning Que rolled away from her. When he tried to stand up, he felt overwhelming pain all over his body because of countless broken bones. Dark blood gushed out of his mouth.

Sangsang stood up. Her body was perfect and divine. Falling down from high above could not do her any harm or crack her clothes. There were only some leaves that hang on her dress.

She gathered her black hair and placed them behind her shoulders. ”You could never escape from my palm,” she said indifferently to Ning Que, who was stooping in pain and coughing blood.

Blood kept gushing out of Ning Que's mouth and nose. He was wretched but could not help laughing at her words. He said bitterly, ”I'm not that Monkey*. No one could stop me if I'm determined to die.”

Sangsang squinted and resented his answer. ”You are not able to die when I'm here.”

Upon these words, she placed her right hand on him. Clear light came out of her fingers and brightened up the foul fog, as well as Ning Que's face.

When the clear light grew brighter, Sangsang turned pale and Ning Que's wounds started recovering visibly. His broken bones were fixed and ruptured organs healed.

Even the cut she made on Ning Que's cheek last night was gone. His dimple deepened and the clear light shone in it like some vintage wine.

Upon finishing the healing, she stood up, held her hands back and stepped into the deep fog.

Ning Que gazed at her back for a long time, then got up and followed her into the fog.

He wanted to die but she neither allowed nor wanted him to. Therefore, she left the Divine Halls of West Hill together with him and dived into the fog and the abyss.

Though they did not have a rope and he could not tie it on her, there had always been an invisible rope of fate holding them together.

Deep down at the bottom of the abyss, they walked in line and kept a few miles of distance. The fog was thick. They stepped on the soft carpet of rotten leaves without creating a sound. It was frighteningly quiet.

They kept walking. The sceneries around them looked alike — dry ivy, ancient trees, and sometimes a few crows. More and more moss clung onto their shoes.

Ning Que asked behind her, ”Where to?”

Sangsang stopped and replied coldly, ”It has always been your call, hasn't it?”

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* Note from the translator: The Monkey refers to the Monkey King in the novel of Pilgrimage to the West.