[The old illness flared up, took medicine, and only recovered after two or three days of grogginess. Once again, the dilemma arises whether to undergo surgery... Ah.]

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Chapter 348 [Sisi Returns Home]

"Forebear..."

Atop the peak, East Sea slightly bowed his head, respectfully calling out softly.

After a faint sigh, a gentle voice replied: "There are no outsiders here, just call me Granny; I’m used to hearing that."

On the mountain, layers of mist obscured the view, and the figure seemed to stand within the clouds, vaguely visible.

East Sea dared not stare, and after a glance, withdrew his gaze, whispering: "He has returned."

"Yes."

The silhouette within the mist slowly emerged, Granny... or rather, at this moment, calling this Venerable Saint of the Ghost Race "Granny" seemed somewhat inappropriate. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Wearing robes as mist-like, with black hair like clouds and a face resembling a lady at her prime, the slender form stood amidst the mist, graceful as a fairy! Yet, her eyes bore an ancient gaze, echoing time.

"He has his own path to walk; how fate unfolds depends on him."

Granny’s voice was calm, and then a gaze, like lightning, fell on East Sea: "Go to the City of No Return now."

East Sea slightly startled, seemingly surprised at how lightly the Venerable Saint regarded Chen Yan’s departure. He pondered a moment, then slowly asked: "Granny, do you think Guen has stirred too much trouble this time?"

Granny shook her head: "Guen has been stifled for many years; he needs to do something to validate his thoughts. Let him do as he pleases, winning or losing doesn’t matter."

East Sea nodded: "I understand. But, the City of No Return..."

"If you can take it, do so. If not, then destroy it."

East Sea sighed: "I fear on the Demon Race’s side, that Saint..."

"In this battle, the Saint will not intervene." Granny’s faint whisper suddenly changed East Sea’s expression.

East Sea probed: "Is it... Immortal Platform’s intent?"

"They wouldn’t dare." Granny curled her lips in a cold smile: "Immortal Platform is merely a pack of sheepdogs raised."

Pausing, she gave a soft sigh: "It is ’that’ Great Celestial Venerable’s intention."

East Sea’s expression instantly became solemn!

Granny, however, smiled gently: "No need to be nervous, it’s not yet time for everyone to show their cards. This is merely a test. I’m probing, they’re probing too.

They want to see how far I’ll push, to judge my true intentions.

I, on the other hand, want to see how far they’ll tolerate my antics.

So, let’s stir things up then."

East Sea remained silent for a while, taking a deep breath: "But... if the Saint doesn’t intervene, many from the Ghost Race will die in this battle."

"Then let them die!"

Granny’s tone was decisive!

Afterwards, she sighed softly again: "With their deaths, more can live in the future."

This cold, decisive statement made East Sea shiver instinctively!

This Ghost Race Venerable before him wasn’t the kind Granny seen by Chen Yan but a Saint whose single word could decide the life and death of thousands, a Venerable—a Divine Spirit of the Domain Realm!

This battle in the City of No Return, bloodshed was inevitable!

Ultimately, neither side truly cared about winning or losing.

Just as Granny said: it’s merely a probe.

Yet this probe would lead to countless deaths!

Seeing East Sea’s inner turmoil, Granny’s expression calmed, and she spoke gently: "Are you hesitating? Do you think I’m too ruthless?"

East Sea shook his head: "East Sea dares not."

Granny smiled softly: "Dares not, or incapable?"

"I misspoke, it’s incapable!" East Sea’s expression became resolute, his gaze determined: "From the day I started following you, I have unwavering faith in your every decision, without a hint of doubt!

Since you believe this matter must be done, then it naturally has to be done.

Since you believe these people must die, then their deaths surely carry value!"

Pausing, East Sea changed his tone: "I’m merely concerned, this probe of yours... if you’re too aggressive, you might reveal our hand."

"Then let it be revealed." Granny’s gaze carried a cold yet amused smile: "Sometimes, revealing some things is also a test."

She slowly walked beside East Sea, then moved past him to the edge of the peak, reaching into the mist and feeling the faint moisture, her tone turned wistful: "After all this probing, six have already been tested. Perhaps this sacrifice might help reveal the seventh."

Saying so, she turned to look at East Sea’s back, hesitated slightly, and softly said: "...Time is short, I fear if we proceed slowly, we might be too late."

Afterwards, she murmured to herself: "I hid in that world for decades, losing some of my cultivation. Yet these decades also relieved me of some burdens.

For now, I can still bear it, but... there are a few who can barely hold on. Especially the one we rely on, is not in good shape."

East Sea was shocked, a hint of fear in his eyes.

Granny chuckled bitterly, softly calling: "East Sea..."

East Sea’s eyes suddenly turned red, deeply kneeling down: "I’m here, Granny."

"I am indeed taking a risk, but I must. If that one can’t sustain it, then we’ll lose everything. So, there’s no more waiting."