"The dissemination of Candle Light Law’s legacy was intentional, aiming to awaken the Unified Will and devour this world. The so-called Unified Will is the will of the Candle Light Divine Tree. Monarchs throughout the ages have sought its secrets while resisting its erosion; some succeeded, some failed."

She paused, "But none were spared, for they were cursed from the moment they first encountered Candle Light Law. Of course, there are countless mediocre remnants in this world who cannot comprehend the true meaning of Candle Light Law, and can only resort to a ritual of faith to forcibly collect and submit. For instance, you were once mistaken for one of those even more mediocre remnants."

Gu Jianlin’s eyes suddenly contracted sharply.

"As for the pollution you mentioned, that’s not quite accurate."

Skylark extended her jade-like finger, lightly touching her vermilion lips, "Because the Vermilion Bird is the one who ventured the furthest into the Third Law and was the first to reach the Candle Light Divine Tree. With Vermilion Bird’s plotting, it’s possible to usurp the will of the Candle Light Divine Tree. Moreover, the Unified Will was sealed by Taihua."

Gu Jianlin suddenly remembered that Vermilion Bird indeed moved ahead of both Candle Dragon and Qilin.

Candle Dragon Venerable had no choice but to risk an early ascent.

Meanwhile, Qilin Venerable was even forced to leave his power to him.

"Speaking of this, Chi did give me quite an important clue."

Skylark’s lips curled into a mysterious smile, her eyes filled with an inscrutable amusement, "Taiqing was able to be the one who uncovered Gangrenboqi’s secrets because he ventured to the deepest part of Fusang Divine Palace early on. And over a hundred years later, Taihua uncharacteristically locked onto the dimension where Fusang Divine Palace resided, awakening the sleeping Vermilion Bird Clan, orchestrating a rare historical counteroffensive against the Ancient God Realm."

She laughed, "Guess why?"

Gu Jianlin didn’t need to guess; it was certainly because of Vermilion Bird Venerable.

Taiqing discovered certain clues in Fusang Divine Palace.

Years later, Taihua discovered this and sensed the crisis, orchestrating that war.

It was because of that war that Grandmaster would be criticized by the world, deemed cold-blooded and ruthless.

Because too much blood was spilled, too many lives were lost in that war.

Some believed Taihua was too ambitious, inherently heartless.

But was that truly the case?

Perhaps it was a war that had to be fought.

The final result was Vermilion Bird Venerable being swept into temporal chaos, disappearing without a trace.

Yet within mere decades, Vermilion Bird Venerable returned.

And in a state of full glory.

"The one who severely injured Taihua in the Sea of Eternal Life was him."

Skylark restrained her smile, speaking indifferently, "The one who wounded both you and me was also him."

The fire in the darkness illuminated her breathtakingly beautiful visage.

Yet her eyes were somewhat cold.

Gu Jianlin heard the approaching footsteps in the darkness, a familiar scent overwhelmingly advancing.

It was the headlights on the expressway flickering to life.

The overwhelming scent of the sea tide, along with the cold storm, burning ashes.

If it were half a year ago, he might have felt suffocated, for that storm on the overpass returned to haunt him like a persistent nightmare, vowing never to rest until it was settled.

But now his world had already been illumined by the true sun, unafraid of the storm.

"You know very well who now comes to kill us."

Skylark stated slowly, "Ghost Car Ancestor."

Someone emerged from the dark corridor, or perhaps it wasn’t truly human at all.

Gu Jianlin took out a piece of yellowed paper from his pocket, depicting a quick sketch of a fearsome, grotesque beast—a bird with nine heads, each head bearing a sinister human face.

"Long time no see."