Wang Xueqi, body filled with Yang energy, struggled forward in the water; the more she advanced, the greater the resistance she felt.

Besides the Water Ghosts, there seemed to be countless other messy, invisible things in the water, overtly and covertly blocking her way.

The water that usually posed her no obstacles now seemed to constantly push her backward.

The kind of person who can open a new path for Water Ghosts naturally has exceptionally firm resolve; the only thing she wanted to accomplish now was this, and no one could make her retreat.

Her resolve radiated brilliance, as she moved forward step by step through the water, slow yet steady.

Suddenly, the turbid water around her seemed to gradually fade, transforming into that boundless and dark deep sea.

In the deep sea, a pair of enormous vertical pupils opened in the darkness.

A terrifying pressure descended, weighing down upon her, making it impossible for her to advance even a single step.

"Do you know what you are doing?"

"I do. I just want to give those with the same misfortune a new choice."

The vertical pupils stared at Wang Xueqi and said nothing more. Clearly, Wang Xueqi had no idea of the other meaning behind this matter.

The oppressive force pressed down on Wang Xueqi, simply blocking her way forward. Now, all that was needed was to drag things out; once the time was up, everything would return to how it was.

Time passed bit by bit. On the platform by the river.

A thick incense stick was burning upright in the incense burner, already close to burning out.

Everyone wore grave expressions. The purple-robed Taoist raised his wrist and glanced at the time.

"Time's almost up. There isn't enough time."

"The Soaring Monkey is ready; it can be launched anytime."

"Other than the Water Ghosts, the more notable ones aren't taking action directly.

Then this is the tribulation, also part of the ritual.

If we get through it, we succeed; if we fail, all is lost.

We can't make a move directly either—if we do, it will affect the outcome, and might even backfire."

"It's not like I'm helping directly. Today a temp worker miscalculated the coordinates, so a Soaring Monkey from the drill landed in a certain tributary of the West River—that doesn't count as direct intervention." Cai Qidong's expression didn't change as he predicted what would happen today.

The purple-robed Taoist sighed, gave a helpless smile, and said nothing more.

"But even with this, it's still too late. She won't make it in time, and she won't make it up the heavenly stairway in time."

"She'll make it in time, don't worry."

At the same time, Jiang Yanyan's Golden Body manifested, standing on the surface of the West River, fulfilling his duty to calm the river's waters.

The river water surging in from Luoyue County became placid and calm the moment it entered his domain.

He didn't speak; he just stood on the water, face expressionless, gazing upstream, presenting his stance.

Elsewhere, deep in the mountains and forests, Great Demons appeared one after another, but each just stood there watching, merely expressing their position.

With the appearance of Demons, some Demons in the water gradually withdrew—even those acting under orders were just going through the motions, truly masters at slacking off.

At the same time, Wen Yan also rushed into the Virtue City Funeral House. As he moved, his stride was dragonlike and powerful, unconsciously carrying the true intent of the Scorching Sun Fist—when he approached in great strides, it had the aura of righteous might sweeping all before it.

He strode into the mourning hall and immediately activated the power of the Blood Warm Jade, pressing a finger to Wang Xueqi's bones.

Since the moment Wang Xueqi took her first step, she was no longer merely a Water Ghost; she had started on the path to goddesshood. So, at this moment, this could most certainly be used.

"Blessing."

Wen Yan activated the Blood Warm Jade, igniting the power of the Scorching Sun to its very limit and bestowing a blessing.

In an instant, her bones began to show signs of turning to jade.

At the same time, trapped and unable to move in the dark, deep sea, Wang Xueqi saw a rising sun appear in the darkness.

Wen Yan stood before her, pointing a finger at her brow.

"Blessing."

"Go. Since you want to do this, I'll help you. Though truth be told, you didn't tell me in advance—you even kept it from me. I'm a bit annoyed; even if I wanted to yell at someone, I'd yell at Minister Cai. Whatever you want to do, I'll never stop you."

"Ah, sorry, Minister Cai told me not to tell you. He said you'd definitely stop me." Wang Xueqi looked a bit embarrassed, but still smiled, as though she wasn't marching toward her death.

"I knew it!" Wen Yan realized. "Go on, don't hesitate. If anyone still dares get in your way, Minister Cai will smash them to pieces."

Wang Xueqi couldn't help it and burst into laughter.

As she watched Wen Yan disappear before her eyes, she smiled and wiped her tears away. Radiant golden light bathed her; a colorful long dress appeared, draping itself over her form.

She looked at the giant pair of vertical pupils in front of her, and bravely took a step forward.

In an instant, golden light exploded—she shattered the darkness before her in one stride, and reappeared amidst the river waters.

Draped in rainbow robes and radiant with dazzling brilliance, she walked upon the waves, the water supporting her body, moving upstream against the current. With each step, she spanned a hundred meters.

On the riverside platform, Cai Qidong gazed at the gleaming light fast approaching in the distance and finally allowed a slight smile to appear.

"There she is. I said she'd definitely make it."

The purple-robed Taoist was somewhat stunned, watching Wang Xueqi, dressed in magnificent rainbow robes and bathed in golden light, walking upon the waves.

"Golden Body?! She already has a Golden Body?"

Before they could react, Wang Xueqi's robes fluttered; astride the crest of the waves, she soared upward. The waves seemed to turn into a staircase, rushing straight into the sky.

Barefoot, Wang Xueqi tread upon the waves, ascending step by step, her face beaming with hope and a smile, rushing all the way toward the heavens.

Golden light burst upward from below. The dark clouds above seemed to split apart, golden sunlight pouring down, merging with the towering water staircase—together, they formed a golden stairway.

Wang Xueqi charged forward without hesitation, pressing on without the slightest doubt.

In an instant, golden light fell across the sky, the rain cleared, and the dark clouds scattered.

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