The Abyss of the Endless Realm is where the original protagonist of the novel was pushed by Yun Zhan, burned by the karmic flames of the Red Lotus, trapped in inner demons, and ultimately turned dark.

Now, fate has turned, and Yun Zhan has been pushed down instead.

It is said that he fell victim to a masked person’s scheme. A disciple who reported back claimed that Yun Zhan was investigating near the Abyss of the Endless Realm, suspecting that the withered pavilion might be located nearby. During the investigation, he encountered Bai Junming, and as they fiercely fought, the masked person suddenly appeared out of nowhere and struck Yun Zhan, causing him to fall.

The scene was strikingly similar to how the original protagonist fell in the novel, except back then, the protagonist was fighting the sect masters, and Yun Zhan was the one who pushed the original protagonist down.

When Bai Fanlu first heard the news, he could still connect it to the original plot.

But after maintaining his calm for a moment, it finally dawned on him — it was Yun Zhan who had fallen.

For a moment, his mind went blank.

The next moment, he was already trapped in a barrier within the Three Dusk Abode.

Ling Qingzi stood outside the barrier and said to him, “Don’t blame me for being heartless, but you must not go to the Abyss of the Endless Realm.”

Bai Fanlu stared at Ling Qingzi for a long time, raised his hand to touch his forehead, and said, “Master, you!”

Closing his eyes, Bai Fanlu didn’t hesitate to tear off the ice silk bandage. In an instant, his long black hair billowed wildly, and the demonic energy around him erupted.

“Master, I must save Yun Zhan.”

Should he tell Ling Qingzi grandly that his life, or even the fate of the world, was tied to Yun Zhan?

Bai Fanlu only knew he had to go. When he thought about how the original protagonist had endured such heart-wrenching torment in that abyss and how he had turned violent and murderous out of despair, Bai Fanlu couldn’t bear to let Yun Zhan walk that same path.

From the original protagonist’s perspective, Yun Zhan may have deserved it, but Bai Fanlu wasn’t the original protagonist. He couldn’t let it go. The Yun Zhan he knew wasn’t the same Yun Zhan from the novel.

Even though these memories were short, an inner voice warned him: save Yun Zhan, or he would regret it!

The celestial mountains seemed to tremble faintly, and the disciples suddenly felt a powerful surge of demonic energy erupt from the Three Dusk Abode. When they looked up, they saw two beams of light, one purple and one silver, shooting into the sky, disappearing in an instant.

The lingering energies of both demonic and celestial forces were soon dispersed by the Tianxu’s barrier. If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they might have thought it was just a trick of the light.

Bai Fanlu had no time to think about how he knew the location of the Abyss of the Endless Realm. When he reached the edge of the cliff, he looked down and saw a bottomless dark chasm.

As he looked down, the cold wind howled upwards, billowing his wide sleeves.

Bai Fanlu suddenly sensed something, and when he looked up, he saw Ling Qingzi rushing toward him, ice spikes at the ready.

Without hesitation, Bai Fanlu leaped off the cliff.

The bright moon hung in the sky, like a giant wheel almost covering the entire night sky.

Bai Fanlu’s figure, in the deepest of darkness, fluttered like a silver butterfly. His broad sleeves concealed his slender and frail body, like the wings of a proud and resolute eagle.

This was the last image Ling Qingzi saw.

Standing at the edge of the cliff, he clenched his fist around the ice spike, then released it, letting it float and transform into a glowing light source that descended into the abyss, and he followed after.

Behind him, in the previously empty dark wilderness, two figures slowly appeared.

Bai Junming held a small ember of flame in his right hand, smirking with ill intent at the green-robed immortal beside him, “Ha! Even he went down. Should I release this Red Lotus Karmic Flame?”

The green-robed immortal remained silent, his gaze deeply fixed on the abyss before him.

“If you won’t speak, then I’ll release it…”

“You dare!”

Bai Junming laughed heartily, “With you here, of course I wouldn’t dare.”

With that, he closed his hand, extinguishing the ember of the Red Lotus Karmic Flame.

His crimson eyes flashed with a hint of malice, showing three parts wariness and seven parts dissatisfaction toward the green-robed immortal before him.

The green-robed immortal, fully aware, coldly snorted, “If you want to achieve your goal, don’t harbor any twisted thoughts. Do as I say.”

“I know, I know,” Bai Junming replied lazily. “Since I can’t watch the show, I’ll take my leave. Stay if you wish. I won’t keep you company.”

With that, Bai Junming swirled his cloak and disappeared into a patch of dark mist.

The green-robed immortal took a step forward, gazing down into the abyss, his brows furrowing tightly. After a long pause, he turned away and disappeared into the void.

The fall was exceedingly long. Bai Fanlu, who initially had some control over his descent, was eventually pulled down by gravity. When he finally saw green lights flickering below, he knew he was almost at the bottom. He slowed his fall and landed smoothly.

In the novel, the Abyss of the Endless Realm was described as being filled with endless Red Lotus Karmic Flames. But now, aside from the oppressive darkness, there were only countless green lights, like fireflies.

Soon, Bai Fanlu realized what those lights were — the eyes of dead souls.

This was probably a place more terrifying than the underworld. The dead souls surrounded him, their green eyes filled with resentment, hatred, and greed… every emotion was deeply visible, making one afraid to look a second time.

The protective barrier around Bai Fanlu seemed fragile against the constant probing of the dead souls. Several times, he felt as if the dead souls had touched him.

And those wails, curses, and howls assaulted his ears continuously. Bai Fanlu held his breath, forcing himself to stay calm.

At least there were no Red Lotus Karmic Flames burning him, which was already much better than the original protagonist’s fate.

He had to find Yun Zhan quickly…

Yun Zhan, where are you?

Given Yun Zhan’s cultivation level, he shouldn’t have turned into a dead soul so quickly. Bai Fanlu was sure he could find him and bring him out. After all, Yun Zhan was the protagonist of the novel, and protagonists don’t die easily.

Bai Fanlu encouraged himself while searching in the darkness.

Crunch… crunch… the ground was covered in bones, piled so high they reached his ankles.

Suddenly, Bai Fanlu felt something under his foot — a body!

He froze, immediately crouching to check, but before he could see clearly, a green light shot out from the eye socket of the body and rushed straight into his eyes.

Startled, Bai Fanlu stumbled back, almost sitting on the bones. He shook his head, forcing the dead soul out. When he reached out to touch the body again, it had vanished.

It couldn’t be Yun Zhan…

Bai Fanlu continued searching. Similar situations happened several more times. It seemed the dead souls were intent on possessing him, always rushing into his eyes. After many attempts, his vision became increasingly blurred.

“Yun Zhan, where are you…”

Just as Bai Fanlu murmured, he suddenly heard a faint sound from somewhere. His heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly followed the noise, eventually finding a hand that was still warm.

He quickly grabbed the hand, “Yun Zhan, is that you?”

No one answered.

The hand in his grasp grew colder. Bai Fanlu immediately checked for a pulse, but there was none.

“…”

Bai Fanlu’s heart sank. Just then, a faint spiritual energy fluctuation, a magical artifact, approached him, though he couldn’t see it. All he saw was a blue light, but the feeling was familiar.

Suddenly, he remembered the time in the underworld when he fought the fox spirit and received help from Nan Mengxi and Shui Mang… it was Bi Luo!

This person really was Yun Zhan!

“Yun Zhan! Wake up!”

Bai Fanlu lifted the body, shaking his shoulders, but there was no response.

With trembling hands, Bai Fanlu moved to Yun Zhan’s neck and chest… no sign of life, not even a breath.

“No… this can’t be…”

Bai Fanlu murmured, Yun Zhan couldn’t be dead. He was the protagonist! He couldn’t possibly die!

“He’s already dead.”

It was Ling Qingzi’s voice.

Bai Fanlu raised his eyes. His vision was now so blurred with green light that he couldn’t tell how far away Ling Qingzi was or what expression he had while stating the fact.

“He’s not dead.” Bai Fanlu insisted.

Ling Qingzi said, “His soul has already left his body. It’s right in front of you.”

His soul?

Bai Fanlu was shocked. How could he have forgotten — that soul lamp! The Soul Retrieval Lamp!

Ling Qingzi looked down at Bai Fanlu. He saw him clinging to Yun Zhan’s body, his expression shifting from determination to helplessness. From gently holding Yun Zhan to tightly embracing him, the hollow look in Bai Fanlu’s eyes was heart-wrenching.

It seemed Bai Fanlu still hadn’t given up. He conjured the Soul Retrieval Lamp and captured Yun Zhan’s soul.

At that moment, Ling Qingzi suddenly realized something. Alarmed, he quietly approached Bai Fanlu. In a short moment, a deep darkness began to gather in his pale eyes.

But Bai Fanlu managed to secure Yun Zhan’s soul. He sighed softly, sensing Ling Qingzi was very close, seemingly probing for something.

Bai Fanlu turned his head slowly, his empty eyes seemed to be staring at Ling Qingzi, yet they reflected nothing, as though they were two hollow pools.

Clearly, they were still the same eyes, the same shape, the same color, and just as captivating as ever. Yet when Ling Qingzi raised his hand and waved it in front of those eyes, there was no reaction. The eyes that “looked” at him didn’t even blink, remaining utterly empty.

“Mo’er…” Ling Qingzi’s lips trembled slightly.

Bai Fanlu carefully put away the Soul Retrieval Lamp and helped Yun Zhan to his feet. His pale face bore a faint smile, “Master, there’s no need to try. I truly can’t see anymore.”

“…” Ling Qingzi’s heart shook violently. He tried to pull Bai Fanlu’s hand away, but it was futile.

Bai Fanlu half-carried Yun Zhan, the body clearly cold, yet he wouldn’t let go.

A purple mark on Bai Fanlu’s forehead glowed brightly in the darkness, enveloping him in an unusually powerful aura, though he seemed unaware, entirely focused on Yun Zhan.

The surrounding dead souls dared not approach, but they all coveted the dead body on Bai Fanlu’s shoulder, waiting for an opportunity to pounce and drain its flesh and blood.

The sound of their drooling and sinister laughter was almost too much for Bai Fanlu to bear. If he delayed any longer, Yun Zhan’s soul would be too far gone to save.

What should he do… what should he do… That’s right! The Soul Retrieval Lamp said it: the Soul Merging Formation!

“Master! The Soul Merging Formation! Can it save him?”

Bai Fanlu asked excitedly but heard no response from Ling Qingzi.

However, the silence gave Bai Fanlu hope. If the Soul Merging Formation couldn’t work, Ling Qingzi would have directly denied it or questioned him. He wouldn’t remain silent like this. He must know what the Soul Merging Formation is!

“Master…”

Bai Fanlu reached out a hand toward Ling Qingzi, trying to find him. At that moment, Bai Fanlu’s eyes couldn’t see, and if there was anyone who could still save Yun Zhan, it was Ling Qingzi.

But Ling Qingzi only silently watched him. Bai Fanlu, searching for his location in the darkness, seemed on the verge of collapse, his face so desperate and fragile, hauntingly resembling a scene from Ling Qingzi’s memories.

The same person, holding their loved one, once so elegant and graceful, now showing a pitiful side, pleading desperately, “Senior brother, please save her! I beg you!”

Ling Qingzi closed his eyes tightly, clenching his fist, “He’s already dead. Not even the Immortal Lords can save him.”

“…” Bai Fanlu froze, then suddenly roared, “No! He can be saved!”

A surge of immense demonic energy exploded from Bai Fanlu, shattering the surrounding dead souls into pieces. The noise ceased, leaving only a heavy silence.

Bai Fanlu’s breathing was labored. “I’m going to the underworld.”

Life and death matters — the underworld must hold the answer.

Seeing his resolve, Ling Qingzi hardened his heart and said coldly, “It’s useless. His soul is incomplete. Even going to the underworld won’t help.”

“His… soul is incomplete?”

Bai Fanlu stood there, struck like a thunderbolt.

What did this mean? Yun Zhan’s soul was incomplete? How could his soul be incomplete? Unless…

Suddenly, a scene flashed in Bai Fanlu’s mind.

But the perspective of that memory was strange, as if he had become someone else, watching his unconscious self, and then a ball of golden light descended from his crown and entered him.

It was a fragment of a memory.

Bai Fanlu finally began to understand. “Master, you said Yun Zhan’s soul is incomplete. Is the missing part… with me?”

Ling Qingzi hadn’t expected Bai Fanlu to deduce it so quickly.

“If you won’t tell me, I’ll go ask Bai Junming. He must know.”

“Mo’er!” Ling Qingzi grabbed Bai Fanlu.

Bai Fanlu said nothing. Though his eyes were empty, his pursed lips showed his determination.

Ling Qingzi had no choice but to say, “Come back with me. I’ll tell you everything… and perhaps a way to bring him back to life.”

Bai Fanlu was overjoyed, “Thank you, Master!”

Seeing his expression, as if he had found a ray of hope in despair, Ling Qingzi felt a pang of sadness in his heart but forced a smile. Even at this moment, he had no choice but to give in.

“There’s no need to thank me. Yun Zhan is also my disciple…” Ling Qingzi said, though his words seemed to carry something unsaid, difficult to express.

Using a spiritual array, he helped Bai Fanlu, and the two of them flew out of the Abyss of the Endless Realm. Once on solid ground, Bai Fanlu was eager to return and save Yun Zhan.

“Bind the Ice Silk first,” Ling Qingzi reminded him.

To return to the Heavenly Pivot Sect, Bai Fanlu couldn’t appear as a demon. Today, he had impulsively removed the Ice Silk in front of the immortal sect. Fortunately, Ling Qingzi had followed closely behind, concealing his demonic energy with celestial energy, or he would have been exposed on the spot.

Only then did Bai Fanlu realize, in his panic, that he had lost the Ice Silk. Ling Qingzi stepped forward and helped him tie it around his forehead, saying, “Take care of yourself before others. Don’t make me worry again.”

With his vision blocked, Bai Fanlu became more attuned to the emotions behind the words he heard. Before he could react, Ling Qingzi had already taken hold of his arm.

“There’s a Floating Jade Bed atop the Lingjue Peak. It can preserve his body from decay. Let’s take Yun Zhan there first.”

Unable to see and focused on keeping Yun Zhan stable, Bai Fanlu let Ling Qingzi guide him as they flew back to the Heavenly Pivot Sect on a sword.

This was Bai Fanlu’s first time reaching the summit of Lingjue Peak. Sadly, he had no idea what it looked like, only feeling the celestial wind howling, knowing it must be a place far higher than others.

In reality, the summit of Lingjue Peak was a narrow stone platform no more than a hundred meters across. Surrounded by smaller peaks, all seemed insignificant, with a sea of celestial clouds stretching into the horizon.

At the center of the peak stood a tree so tall its crown was lost in the clouds, its thick trunk towering like a pillar holding up the heavens.

“The Floating Jade Bed is under the Divine Tree. Let’s go.”

Hearing the words “Divine Tree,” Bai Fanlu raised his eyes slightly, imagining what it might look like.

Ling Qingzi led him to the base of the Divine Tree and silently recited an incantation. A seal appeared on the ground beneath the tree, and they both stepped onto it.

After a brief flash of light, Bai Fanlu found himself in a fairyland.

Green mountains stood like walls, white clouds covered the ground, and amidst the greenery, there was a small cottage surrounded by bamboo fences, exuding an air of transcendent serenity.

Although Bai Fanlu couldn’t see, he faintly smelled a familiar scent, initially faint but growing stronger as they walked.

Ling Qingzi did not take him to the cottage but led him into a cave. Just before entering, Ling Qingzi tightened his grip on Bai Fanlu’s arm, causing him to pause for a moment.

“Master?”

Ling Qingzi glanced at him, moved his fingers slightly, and two flower petals fell from in front of Bai Fanlu. His eyes didn’t blink. Ling Qingzi said nothing further and continued walking.

After a while, they reached the depths of the cave, where Bai Fanlu felt a cool breeze against his face. Ling Qingzi stopped again. The Floating Jade Bed must be nearby.

“Give Yun Zhan to me. The bed is just ahead.”

Bai Fanlu let go of Yun Zhan, and Ling Qingzi took him. Bai Fanlu took a few steps forward, feeling the coolness intensify. He bent slightly, touching a cold, hard surface.

Ling Qingzi had already placed Yun Zhan on the Floating Jade Bed.

Bai Fanlu waited for a while, hearing no further movement or words from Ling Qingzi, which seemed strange. Meanwhile, the familiar scent in the cave became even more intense, and Bai Fanlu suddenly realized it was the same as the red pill Ling Qingzi had given him.

In fact, if Bai Fanlu could see at this moment, he would have noticed that the cave was filled with a type of flower.

Blood-red petals, blooming in pairs, their leaves also red, spreading out in clusters. A red mist floated with the fragrance, permeating the air, as if one were submerged in a sea of flowers.

In the midst of this sea of flowers, on the blue jade Floating Bed, Yun Zhan lay with his eyes closed, surrounded by curling smoke. His stiff features became more lifelike as the smoke enveloped him.

Beside him, there was another figure lying on the bed.

Ling Qingzi said nothing as he gazed down at that person, as if he had seen them countless times yet could never get enough.

But that person could not respond, their sleeping expression peaceful, their hands crossed over their abdomen. Their fingers held a red flower, the golden threads from its stamen winding up their wrist, as if some glowing substance was flowing from their wrist into the flower.

“Master…?”

Bai Fanlu could still sense Ling Qingzi’s presence.

Ling Qingzi snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Bai Fanlu. “Let’s go. I’ll explain everything to you.”

He supported Bai Fanlu, his gaze lingering on his face. The changes in Bai Fanlu’s appearance were more pronounced now, and no one was more aware of these details than Ling Qingzi.

He turned back and glanced once more at the figure beside Yun Zhan on the Floating Jade Bed.