The Art of Chaotic Divinity-Chapter 883: After the Storm

Above the abyss, Xue Ji and Wang Chuanjia had waited for over two hours with no sign of Ling Feng or the black donkey. Only the little Qiongqi, no larger than a foal(baby horse), remained by the cliff's edge, waiting stubbornly.

Though young, the creature had sensed something final in the Despicable Donkey's last glance. It refused to leave—not until its master and "donkey dad" returned.

"Sigh..."

Wang Chuanjia exhaled heavily. After waiting for so long, there was no hope left for miracles.

Xue Ji approached the little Qiongqi. She didn't know where Ling Feng had picked up a young Qiongqi, but the way it stared into the abyss with watery eyes tugged at her heart.

As a fellow demonic beast, she understood its grief all too well.

"Little one, come with me," Xue Ji whispered, opening her arms. "They're not coming back."

"Who said we wouldn't?"

A black shadow shot up from the abyss—Despicable Donkey, alive and kicking. The Qiongqi lunged at him, tears streaming down its furry face.

"Hahaha! At least you've got loyalty!" Despicable Donkey ruffled the little beast's head, relieved his affection hadn't been wasted.

Next came Ling Feng, carrying an unconscious Jiang Biyi. He set her down gently, his expression grim.

After learning how the so-called "gods" had butchered his kin, joy was the last thing he felt.

Now he understood why his grandfather had tried to keep him from martial arts, why he'd warned against awakening the Eye of the Emperor.

This path was a burden almost too heavy to bear.

Ignorance might have been bliss. But now that the truth was out, he had no choice but to face it.

To avoid becoming mere material for forging Heavenly Weapons, he had to grow stronger—strong enough to crush every last one of those divine beings underfoot!

"G-General Ling..." Wang Chuanjia hesitated before approaching. "Thank you for saving my life."

"You saved yourself just as much." Ling Feng patted his shoulder. After surviving hell together, this man had earned his respect.

"Miss Jiang, is she—?"

"She'll be fine. Just unconscious." Ling Feng's gaze shifted to Xue Ji.

Odd. She's still here?

"Aren't you running?" he asked. Hadn't she been free to leave this whole time?

"I..." Xue Ji bit her lip. "We demonic race repay debts. You saved me, so I'll say this: Thank you. But don't think I've forgiven you. I still hate you—to the bone!"

Ling Feng laughed. "You're an interesting woman."

Memories of the Lin Demon Princess, Hai Lingxiang, flashed through his mind. Not all demonic beasts were enemies.

"Go," he said at last. "Your mission was to help me secure the Lingxu Spring. That's done. You're free."

"You're... really letting me go?"

"You could've left a long time ago, couldn't you?" Ling Feng said, brows furrowing in thought. He then took out a small vial of Lingxu Spring water from his storage spirit ring. It was meant for Bai Yuan—but with Bai Yuan gone, he decided Xue Ji should have it instead.

Xue Ji stared at him, baffled.

This man was unlike any human—or demon—she'd ever met.

"Hmph! Don't count on it!"

Snatching the vial, she vanished into the forest.

"General, you just... let her leave?" Wang Chuanjia blinked.

"My captive, my rules." Ling Feng tossed him another vial. "Your share."

Wang Chuanjia bowed repeatedly. They weren't kidding about fortune favoring the bold!

Noticing the loot distribution, Despicable Donkey barged over, still cradling the Qiongqi. "Oi! Where's this divine beast's cut? After that near-death trauma, this divine beast deserves extra!"

"Once I break through the Hundred Meridians Limit, whatever's left is yours." Ling Feng met his eyes, sincerity cutting through his usual sarcasm. "I never thought you'd jump in after me..."

"Tch! Don't get sentimental!" Despicable Donkey turned his nose up. "This divine beast slipped, okay? Pure accident!"

"Sure, sure. But just to be clear—while I'm touched you'd die for me, let's keep things platonic. I don't swing that way."

"PLATONIC?! YOU—!" Despicable Donkey's fur stood on end. "THIS DIVINE BEAST IS A PROUD, IRON-BLOODED MAN—YOU'RE THE ONE WITH TWISTED TASTES! YOUR WHOLE FAMILY'S INTO THAT STUFF!"

Ling Feng's gloom dissolved into laughter. For once, he was the one riling up the donkey.

Progress!

He'd definitely picked up a sharper tongue from being around that shameless donkey!

Once the bickering died down, Ling Feng turned to Jiang Biyi. The Jade Void Ring now gleamed on her finger.

So this is what triggered her transformation.

Remembering her warning—"Never wear this ring"—he pried it off. Instantly, her furrowed brow relaxed, her breathing steadying.

A pulse check confirmed she was stable.

One pinch to her upper lip later—

"OW! Who dares ambush this grandaunt?!"

Jiang Biyi bolted upright, fists raised—then froze as she recognized Ling Feng.

With a wail, she tackled him in a tearful hug.

"Sniff... You bad guy! You didn't die! You scared me to death! Waaah...!"

Ling Feng patted her back, smiling.

The lively, mischievous Jiang Biyi was finally back.