"Hong Hong, you haven't lost yet!"
In the pitch-black abyss, a beam of golden light pierced through the layers of darkness, shining upon Tu Shan Hong Hong.
A strong, powerful hand tightly gripped Tu Shan Hong Hong's hand, arresting her downward plunge.
Hearing Ling Feng's familiar voice in her ear, and feeling the warmth of his palm.
Tu Shan Hong Hong, who was about to succumb and fade away, suddenly opened her eyes and whispered.
"Ling... Feng."
"Don't worry, I'm here."
These simple seven words brought Tu Shan Hong Hong unimaginable strength!
The originally dark and gloomy abyss shattered with a roar.
It was replaced by dazzling light.
Speckled and colorful.
The blackness on Tu Shan Hong Hong's body began to slowly fade and peel away, transforming into a shining golden hue as if her body was being tempered by flowing light.
Simultaneously, the seedling of emotion within Tu Shan Hong Hong's heart, which had been consumed by self-immolation, was reborn through Nirvana at this very moment!
The seedling grew at a terrifying speed, eventually blossoming into a full-fledged tree.
"How... how did you get here?"
Tu Shan Hong Hong looked at Ling Feng with deep affection, tightly holding his hand, and asked softly.
Ling Feng smiled slightly, raised their clasped hands, and said gently.
"Don't forget, we are already connected."
"I heard your call, and I came."
Tu Shan Hong Hong's pupils contracted.
Right! Connection!
The invisible link between her and Ling Feng!
Her mind had been clouded by anger, causing her to forget this.
Tu Shan Hong Hong lowered her head, her expression remorseful.
"If only I had remembered this sooner, I wouldn't have fallen into Feng Xi's trap, wouldn't have been used by her, and lost so miserably."
"We haven't lost yet. The Great Demon Emperor's demonic power is not so easily absorbed. We still have a chance."
Tu Shan Hong Hong looked up, her eyes filled with self-blame.
"But her plan has succeeded. She used my inner demon to incite my anger, and then used the ancient poison that had infected me to drain my power. I couldn't stop her at all."
Ling Feng gently stroked Tu Shan Hong Hong's hair and grinned.
"That's because she didn't expect us to have an antidote! I am your antidote."
"You are also just a human. You can have your own confusion, fear, and envy."
"You don't have to tolerate everything, solve everything, forgive all humans, or be perfect. You are you, Tu Shan Hong Hong."
[Ding! Companion Tu Shan Hong Hong, Favorability increased, Current Favorability: 90 (Unforgettable)]
...
Within the inner world of the Tree of Suffering, Feng Xi was continuously absorbing power from Tu Shan Hong Hong.
Tu Shan Hong Hong had fallen from the Great Demon Emperor level back to the peak of the Demon Emperor, while Feng Xi had advanced to the peak of the Demon Emperor.
"Just a little more, and I'll reach the Great Demon Emperor!"
"And I'll have Tu Shan Hong Hong as a puppet, hahahaha!"
Feng Xi laughed heartily. This was what she had planned for so long.
*Zheng!*
Suddenly, Tu Shan Hong Hong, who had been floating in the air, her body appearing dark, erupted with dazzling light.
"What's happening? Such a blinding light."
The golden light burned Feng Xi's eyes as if being scorched, and she couldn't help but squint.
*Clang clang clang~*
In the air, Tu Shan Hong Hong had returned to her original form, the bells on her body tinkling in the wind.
"Feng Xi, I'm back."
Tu Shan Hong Hong opened her eyes, looked at Feng Xi below, and smiled charmingly.
"So what if you're back! As long as the poison is there, your power will be continuously absorbed by me!"
"Wait, where's the poison! Where did the poison in your body go!"
"Could it be!"
Just as Feng Xi was smug, her expression suddenly turned to one of terror.
She realized that the poison she had painstakingly left in Tu Shan Hong Hong's body had disappeared.
This situation could only mean one thing: Tu Shan Hong Hong's inner knot had been untied by someone!
"Feng Xi, it's time to end our fight!"
Tu Shan Hong Hong's red demonic energy surged forth, and she raised her fist as if to strike.
Feng Xi was not afraid. Instead, she smiled faintly.
"Oh? The poison was removed by that boy, wasn't it?"
"But I had a backup plan. Even though most of the poison was eliminated, a small portion still remains in your body."
"A single spark can start a prairie fire. Your current emotional power is mainly love for him, and that poison has already..."
"Ah!"
Before Feng Xi could finish speaking, she was punched out of her inner world by Tu Shan Hong Hong.
In the inner world, Tu Shan Hong Hong sensed her body. She realized that, just as Feng Xi had said, the poison had begun to spread.
"It wasn't truly cured, only suppressed?"
Could it be that the hope she had just glimpsed would once again turn into defeat?
"Hong Hong, it's just poison, what are you worried about? If I could cure it the first time, I can cure it the second time."
Suddenly, Ling Feng's figure appeared beside Tu Shan Hong Hong.
"Hong Hong, do you remember assimilation?"
Ling Feng suddenly asked. *Read Books*
"Assimilation always favors the strong over the weak."
"Within the power of the Tree of Suffering, Feng Xi's will is still stronger than mine, who has absorbed a part of your soul. I cannot defeat her."
Tu Shan Hong Hong looked at her hands. The reason she could escape the heart's abyss was because Ling Feng had allowed her to absorb his soul power.
"Yes, her will is strong, but strength can shift."
"Since you can't defeat her internally, let's take her outside to fight."
"I'm out here."
"My power in the spiritual world is also limited, but in the real world, I can beat her until she calls me 'daddy'!"
Ling Feng clenched his fist.
He had not cultivated any spirit-based techniques. His current powerful soul was entirely due to the complementary effects of the "Star Spirit Art" and the "Thunder Body Refining Art."
Most of the power of the stars he absorbed through the Star Spirit Art was used to enhance his soul.
During the tribulation, his soul was also tempered by the tribulation lightning.
Especially during the tribulation of merit, his soul had significantly improved.
"But if I twist this, I don't know what I'll become."
"All my power is composed of the Tree of Suffering's power, and my teachings come from Feng Xi. If I abandon this part..."
"I might become weaker, I might become foolish, I might forget things, and I might not even be able to resolve this situation..."
Ling Feng suddenly reached out and covered Tu Shan Hong Hong's mouth.
"Ah! What are you doing!"
Tu Shan Hong Hong's ears perked up, her face flushed as she took a few steps back.
Ling Feng smiled slightly. Hong Hong like this was truly cute. *Read Books*
"No matter what you become, you will still be you."
"Besides, aren't partners supposed to help each other?"
"Even if you lose your demonic power and become an ordinary fox demon because of this, I will find a way to help you regain your strength."
Upon hearing this, Tu Shan Hong Hong's eyes welled up, and she smiled sweetly.
"Thank you."
...
Inside the Tree of Suffering's spiritual world.
Feng Xi cursed inwardly and muttered to herself.
"She actually forced me out of there."
"But it doesn't matter. The poison is still there, and the connection between Hong Hong and me still exists."
"Her power will still be continuously absorbed by me."
Feng Xi:?!!
The inner light mass of Tu Shan Hong Hong in front of her changed, slowly disappearing, until only Tu Shan Hong Hong remained.
"I'm here! Feng Xi!"
"You... what are you smiling about?"
"I remembered something happy."
Feng Xi:???
Feng Xi spat silently, then lunged towards Tu Shan Hong Hong.
"Just because you forced me out, you think you've won?!"
"The poison is still here! Your power will be continuously absorbed by me!"
"You can't win against me here!"
Tu Shan Hong Hong grinned, raised her arm, her eyes firm.
"You want power? Here you go!"
*Boom!*
Tu Shan Hong Hong threw the dark power of the Tree of Suffering within her towards Feng Xi.
"No."
Feng Xi thought it was a trick by Tu Shan Hong Hong and tried to retreat.
However, the ball of power had already voluntarily merged into Feng Xi's body.
Feeling the surging power within her, which was undeniably real, Feng Xi became puzzled.
"Miss Hong Hong, what do you mean by this?"
"It's not enough, Feng Xi."
Immediately after, Tu Shan Hong Hong threw all the converted emotional power, such as her "guilt" towards Ling Feng, at Feng Xi.
(PS: Emotional power, whether positive or negative, is still normal emotional power, only varying in strength. Hatred and some other extreme emotions are exceptions.)
Feeling the surge of power within her, Feng Xi was very confused.
"Nothing strange, pure power of the Tree of Suffering."
"You're just giving me power directly? Have you given up and decided to surrender?"
Tu Shan Hong Hong smiled mysteriously.
"You're old, don't be shy. Go get some reading glasses, it's not embarrassing."
"Where is it 'all'? It's only a part."
Soon, Feng Xi's power rapidly increased, and she was about to break through to the Great Demon Emperor.
"Hahahaha, power! The power of the Tree of Suffering is surging!"
"Endless, boundless!"
Outside, a dark, pitch-black Tree of Suffering stood upon the earth.
At the same time, Tu Shan Hong Hong completely detached herself from the Tree of Suffering formed by Feng Xi and fell from the sky.
Ling Feng leaped forward, embracing Tu Shan Hong Hong around the waist, and landed steadily on the ground.
As for the residual poison in her body, it had been assimilated by Tu Shan Hong Hong.
This was their plan.
Didn't she want power?
Fine!
Take your power and get lost!
Within the Tree of Suffering, Tu Shan Hong Hong was on the weaker side and could not assimilate the power left by Feng Xi within her.
But in the outside world, a mere residual power was easily assimilated by her.
"It's quite similar to the Tree of Suffering, just a bit darker."
Ling Feng and Tu Shan Hong Hong stood in the cave, looking up at the giant tree rooted in the earth.
"Feng Xi knows she can't win against us now. She has no physical body, and Rong Rong has blocked her path back to the original Tree of Suffering."
"Now, she only has one path."
Before Tu Shan Hong Hong could finish speaking, the dark Tree of Suffering on the ground suddenly shattered into pieces, its power transforming into black foxes that scattered in all directions.
"Heaven, Earth, Three Talents Formation! Earth Formation! Trap!"
Ling Feng took out the Qiankun Fan and waved it, the fan erupting with earthy yellow light.
At the same time, on the ground, with the dark Tree of Suffering as the center, four points separated by a hundred meters to the southeast, northwest, and south sent pillars of light soaring into the sky.
The light beams formed a cube, trapping the dark Tree of Suffering within it.
The black foxes fleeing in all directions were also blocked by the formation.
"Let's go. Although she is now a Great Demon Emperor, without a physical body, her strength is greatly reduced. Let's finish her off and bring this matter to a close."
"En."
Ling Feng and Tu Shan Hong Hong shot up, one blue and one red, breaking through the cave and hovering in mid-air, their sleeves fluttering in the wind.
The Heaven, Earth, Three Talents Formation possessed three abilities: protection, amplification, and trapping enemies.
Ling Feng had secretly set up the formation while outside.
She knew his secret and still wanted to run?
Shut the door and beat the dog!
Ling Feng gripped the air, and the God of War Blade appeared out of nowhere, its deep blue blade instantly turning fiery red.
"Blazing Fire! Draw Blade!"
Ling Feng swung the God of War Blade, and with the roar of flames, a blade energy condensed from the raging fire swept towards the black foxes.
Ling Feng's strike even utilized Earth Fire.
Earth Fire, originating from the core of the earth, was a yang fire that greatly suppressed lifeforms like black foxes.
Beneath the blazing fire, countless black foxes were incinerated.
Tu Shan Hong Hong was much more brutal than Ling Feng, tearing black foxes apart with her bare hands, one punch for each little one.
The two worked in a coordinated manner: Ling Feng was responsible for those on the ground and in the sky, while Tu Shan Hong Hong dealt with those scurrying inside the cave.
"Insolent!"
Feng Xi was enraged by their actions. If this continued, her black fox avatar would be annihilated, and she would be finished.
Since you don't want to let me live, then you won't live either!
"Today, either you die, or I die!"
The fleeing black foxes seemed to receive an order, abandoning their escape and converging and merging together.
Ling Feng and Tu Shan Hong Hong watched the large mass of black mist.
Was she trying to forcibly condense a body at the cost of her cultivation?
Ling Feng and Tu Shan Hong Hong immediately sensed Feng Xi's intention, and their first thought was to stop her!
"Flame Slash!"
"Demon Exorcism Style One!"
With a blade and a fist, one from the left and one from the right, they simultaneously struck the black mist.
*Boom!*
"What?" x2
Ling Feng and Tu Shan Hong Hong were shocked by the scene before them.
Their full-power attacks were blocked by two hands.
One hand grasped Ling Feng's God of War Blade, and the other held Tu Shan Hong Hong's fist.
And the owner of the hands was a fox-eared woman whose entire body was as deep and profound as the universe.
Although dark, her voluptuous figure, like she was wearing a tight-fitting suit, gave her an unusual charm.
Ling Feng was shocked to see Feng Xi's current appearance.
Isn't this the Black Fox Empress?!
So Feng Xi was the Black Fox Empress of later generations!
"You two, you really hit hard."
Feng Xi smiled faintly, her voice somewhat ethereal.
Although she had forcibly reforged her body at the cost of her cultivation, Feng Xi was still a Great Demon Emperor at this moment.
"Hmph!"
Ling Feng and Tu Shan Hong Hong were hit by an invisible attack and sent flying, crashing heavily onto the ground.
Feng Xi looked up at the formation that trapped her and unleashed a full-powered punch!
However, the formation remained unmoved.
Although it was a Great Demon Emperor's full-powered punch, Feng Xi did not specialize in strength, and the damage caused to the formation was negligible.
The Heaven, Earth, Three Talents Formation could withstand a full-powered strike from an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. The attack from a mere Great Demon Emperor was like an itch.
"It's quite sturdy, but how many times can it withstand my attack?"
"Moon Gazing Palm!"
Feng Xi unleashed a palm strike!
*Bang!*
Although the formation was still intact, Ling Feng noticed that the palm strike had actually isolated a part of the formation's energy supply.
"Although it's extremely weak, it's having an effect."
Feng Xi unleashed several more palm strikes. Now, it was clearly visible that the formation's glow was dimming.
"Hong Hong, stop her!"
Ling Feng did not expect the Moon Gazing Palm to be so terrifying and quickly raised the God of War Blade, slashing at Feng Xi.
Hearing this, Tu Shan Hong Hong unhesitatingly leaped from the ground and lunged at Feng Xi with a punch.