*Part Seven: Evil and Darkness Endured*
(Eternal Forest: Lower-Ring)
As Zhuyuan walked away slowly, looking at Ying Pu's face, a sudden feeling passed through him, a stream of Dark Qi pierced his shoulder, spewing blood, and he fell to one knee, but not letting Ying Pu feel the stumble.
"I have been poisoned by Dark Qi, and it's spreading fast", said Zhuyuan to himself as he gently put Ying Pu down slowly but not entirely and used his right hand's two fingers to press against multiple of his chakra points, forcing them to close, stopping the flow of Qi in his body. He turned his head.
He saw a shadow figure take form in the place where Xi Jin was struck down, as it form he could hear a malicious laugh coming from it, "Who would have thought I would get to see the Celestial Judgement array again", said the shadow figure as it formed in a distorted voice, "The God Realm, with all those lowly Gods and laughable mighty Primes has fallen why would you still use such useless techniques", said the distorted voice while maliciously laughing.
"What is happening out there?" asked Wu'an curiously and concerned. "I don't know, but we have to hold the shield", said Mu Xuan sternly.
As the shadow figure took form, it took the form of Xi Jin once again, "Impossible, he survived a strike from the Celestial Judgement array", said Zhuyuan in shock as he looked on. "Nothing can kill me or hurt me", shouted Xi Jin as he created a dark and black bow, pointing it at Zhuyuan and Ying Pu, who was unconscious.
Suddenly, a massive stream of bright golden light came down, crashing down on Xi Jin, suppressing him instantly. Zhuyuan looked confused as to who could have done that, and before him appeared someone clad in a beautiful white and red flowery hanfu, imprinted with royal symbols that swirled in the wind with a head crown that reminded him of the Empress, and she had a band of beads in her hand, rotating it constantly with her thumb, with man appearing behind her.
The man turned to Zhuyuan and walked towards him, "Your Highness", said the man, greeting Zhuyuan. "What a vulgar creature you are", said the person in a female voice that sounded gentle and calm yet assertive. She turned to face Zhuyuan and he saw her face and he lowered his head in respect and slight fear, "Greeting Grand Empress Dowager", said Zhuyuan in a respectful tone, "Rise your head, First Prince", said she softly with a warm tone, "I told you to never call me that", said she unpleased, "Forgive Great Grandmother", responded he warmly and lovingly and she smiled at him.
"You're wounded", said the Grand Empress Dowager, and she waved her hand, sending small waves of golden energy at the injured shoulder, and it healed instantly. "I can't remove the Dark Qi; you will have to ask Shangyuan", said she, informing him carefully. "Thank you, Great Grandmother, I'll remember it", said Zhuyuan respectfully.
As they looked on, Mu Xuan told them to release the shield, sensing a strong presence. "Let's go", said he as he picked up Chang'an, and Mu Yuan picked up Jinxi, Zhinu picking up Xi Yuan, who was unconscious. They then flashed towards Zhuyuan. When they arrived, they saw a very domineering women stare at them, but Zhinu recognized her instantly with Xi Yuan in his arms. He bowed, "Greeting Grand Empress Dowager", said Zhinu, greeting her respectfully, and everyone was shocked and bowed immediately, and she laughed amusingly.
"That's the Grand Empress Dowager of the Eternal Realm, Xuan Qinghuan", said Wu'an, surprised as he looked at her very old appearance. "You must be from the Hou Clan", said Qinghuan sarcastically as she looked at him, recognising his family crest and symbols on his hanfu.
Shangjian then asked about Xi Jin, and Qinghuan turned around. She then swung her beads in his direction, releasing an intense wave of pure golden energy that hit Xi Jin head-on, literally stripping him of the Dark Qi in him by force as well as removing his cultivation entirely. Shangjian then moved in and arrested him; he and the rest of the Battalion flashed off with Xi Jin arrested.
(Xuanfang Tower)
As Arceus placed his final piece on the weiqi, defeating Xingtian. Xingtian looked out of the terrace sensing Xi Jin was defeated and the arrival of the Grand Empress Dowager, enraged he stood up, but at that time Taiyu and Shangyu appeared in the room, "Father?", said Shangyu concerned but Arceus stopped him, "Xingtian I glad to see you are well", said Taiyu jokingly in a sarcastic tone, stroking his beard.
"It would have been a much more fun game if you were here in person and not a soul wandering projection", said Arceus, displeased, and the Xingtian's projection vanished. Shangyu ran up to Arceus as he started coughing up blood, "I am fine, he was only here to stop me from helping them in Eternal Forest", said Arceus calmly, with Shangyu shouting for the attendant to bring water, but Arceus declined, and he fell unconscious again.
(Eternal forest)
After the devastating battle, Zhinu hurried Xi Yuan to the Medical Core Barrack, and the same was done for Jinxi and Chang'an, along with Mu Xuan.
Qinghuan then walked towards the place where Xi Jin was bound. As she approached, she looked down and saw a scroll lying on the ground, stuck in the rubble. "What is this?" she asked curiously. She opened the scroll, and what she saw shocked her.
"How is this possible? It's not supposed to be known", said Qinghuan in a displeased tone and an expression of complete annoyance.
She immediately closed the scroll and turned towards Zhuyuan and the others. She proceeded to give a gentle smile and walked towards them. "I will leave the rest to you", said she, pointing at Zhuyuan with a clear intention, and Zhuyuan nodded, agreeing to her. "Let's go". Qinghuan and her attended, then flashed off.
As Qinghuan left, Zhuyuan turned his attention towards Ying Pu, who regained consciousness. "How are you feeling?" asked Zhuyuan with a gentle voice, as Ying Pu looked at him, surprised by the tone of Zhuyuan's voice and his reaction towards him. "I am alright, thank you", responded Ying Pu in a soft and shy voice.
With all the crises solved and over, the Eternal Capital returns to peace for the common folk, but for those of high positions and place, it's just beginning.
Xunyang, who had arrived in the Capital and had taken part in the battle of the Eternal forest, with the State preceptor, was summoned to the Ministry of Rites. Zhinu had taken Xi Yuan to his Crown Prince residence and asked the imperial physicians to treat her.
[Eastern Palace]
(Crown Prince Residence)
"Will she be okay?" asked Zhinu in a concerned voice and look. "My Prince, the princess has been poisoned and has to be taken to rest for a few days", said the imperial physician who examined her. Zhinu nodded his head, and the imperial physician took his leave.
"Xi Yuan, forgive me. I failed to protect you", said Zhinu with a teary voice.
[Middle-Ring: Eternal Capital]
After the battle and rush of injured soldiers and fighters, the medical department was overwhelmed with patients. Jinxi, being in serious condition, was taken to intensive care and treated. Chang'an was taken back to her palace for rest. Mu Xuan and Mu Yuan remained at the medical department for examination. Ying Pu was accompanied by Zhuyuan. Zhuyuan wandered around the medical department before leaving after being summoned by Qinghuan.
As the Eternal Capital began to settle and come more quiet after the conclusion of the battle, more mysterious forces were awakening.
(Xuanfang Tower)
At Xuanfang Tower, Arceus remains unconscious, but an unexpected occurrence happened while Arceus was lying on his bed. A sudden surge of power sprang forth from his scientific pool, and out appeared a sword, a katana sheathed. Although this caused a surge of powerful Qi, no one felt the surge, and it remained silent.
With the appearance of this mysterious sword, something much deeper is approaching, a secret that no one knew. Elsewhere in a hidden realm, far deep in the Eternal Realm's capital, Xingtian meets with a strange figure.
[Fallen Shrine]
"You are late", said Xingtian, annoyed. "Forgive my lord, I was held up", answered the strange man. He then proceeded to remove his hood. It was Gu Nan. Although he was part of the Eternal forest battle, he wasn't as heavily injured, hence he wasn't taken to the medical department.
"It's fine, you did well. Now have you brought it?" asked Xingtian, curious. Gu Nan held out his hand, and in it appeared a small glowing orb. "Why did you ask me to bring this?" asked Gu Nan curiously. "It is the solution to my imprisonment", replied Xingtian, "Go now before they notice you're gone".
[Kongtian Shrine]
As everyone else deals with the aftermath and effects of the invasion, Zhi'an arrives at the Kongtian shrine. Only to find Changjian slain and lying in a pool of blood. Horrified by what he sees, Zhi'an bends his head down in disappointment. The imperial guard with him then proceeds to take Changjian's body, with tears in their eyes. Zhi'an commands them to take Changjian's body to his home. Zhi'an then proceeds to blast a red flare-like spell into the air.
"What is that?" asked Qingtian's maid. Qingtian didn't answer her; instead, her face turned to shock and filled with sadness, for she knew what it meant.