As a star, Feiling had no voice or sight, yet Tianming knew she was looking at him. Their gazes locked, and emotions swelled within their hearts.

Some time later, Tianming said softly, "I suddenly yearn for the Lower Star Ruins, the Flameyellow Continent—for Ignispolis's scorching heat, the Divine Capital's rain, the snow of Soulburn Hall, and the Divine Moon Realm's romantic vistas. But in this current form, returning is impossible."

Gazing at the stars, he shook his head. “The truth is, more advanced worlds lack the beauty of the mortal realm. Looking out over the Upper Star Ruin, all you see is either darkness or starlight. As dazzling as it is, it offers no warmth.”

A pang of melancholy hit him. But he suddenly clapped his hands, as if a thought had just occurred to him. "Being here with you has made everything clear."

Upon hearing this, the crystal star seemed eager to hear his response, growing brighter with apparent interest.

"Only when a loved one is by your side does a place become a home, filled with true warmth. The snow in Soulburn Hall is far colder, but you kept my heart warm throughout that time,” Tianming said.

"Blech!"

"Barf!"

A brightly colored Xian Xian and a little pink Ji Ji started gagging and made a hasty retreat from Tianming to recover from the mental scars.

"Are you two allergic to deep affection?" Tianming glared at them.

The golden crystal star seemed to tremble slightly, growing noticeably brighter.

"Wow, Ling’er really likes my sappy sweet nothings."

This was an old tradition of theirs. As their exchange continued, the crystal star glowed brighter, but seemed impatient. A sudden blast of golden light sent Tianming flying, as if to tell him, "I get it, now get lost!"

"As a girl, you might be secretly pleased when you hear sweet talk, but you still have play it cool, you know?" Tianming chuckled.

Just then, Yin Chen informed him of new developments that required his attention.

Tianming gazed at the now intensely bright golden crystal star and said solemnly, "Ling'er, you have to keep fighting. Our baby and I are waiting for you. You’re the brightest light in this entire universe, and without you, my life would be meaningless."

With that, he turned and left.

More than sweet nothings, these words were a clumsy outpouring of his emotions. The stakes were too high, and the agony of being powerless to help Feiling was simply unbearable. So he could only keep reminding her, hoping she would understand how important she was to him and to the entire world.

"Ling'er seems to have regained her fighting spirit," Xian Xian said.

Ji Ji rolled its eyes. "The guy’s got her wrapped around his little finger!

"It’s so sweet..." Xi Xi wanted to cry.

***

Tianming returned to the Ninedragon Imperial Tomb. He was heading straight for the passage's location to investigate, while Wudi and the imperial-star elders remained on the Sun. Wudi, in particular, couldn’t leave even for a moment.

"Since Ling'er is here, I can't just pack everyone from the Primordial Sands into the imperial star and take off into the cosmos."

Furthermore, the sheer scale of such a relocation would take considerable time, and Tianming couldn’t possibly abandon Feiling. He also knew that once the Eightpart Pantheons came through the passage, they would certainly stick to their previous strategy of attacking Feiling to avoid a direct confrontation with the Flameyellow Guard Formation. According to Yin Chen, they were already reconsidering this matter. Therefore, Tianming wanted to visit the passage to examine its layout and structure.

The only method to keep Ling'er safe from their threats was to block the passage off completely and prevent the Eightpart Pantheons from setting foot in the Primordial Sands. This would require immense combat power from Tianming and all the flameyellow divinities, and the structure of the passage was also a critical factor.

Upon entering the tomb, the emptiness felt uncomfortable. In the past, Moran was a constant presence in the tomb and never ventured outside of it. Because she was here during her encounter with the red dust, she might have subconsciously believed that staying in the tomb meant she could remain by Tianming's side forever.

"Are you disappointed that she's not here?" A voice sounded from behind.

Tianming turned around to see a solitary figure—a purple-haired, purple-eyed woman with snow-white skin. Her body glowed as she stood alone in a dark corner of the tomb. She appeared calm and distant, yet a trace of irritation in her eyes gave her the air of a wildcat.

It was Zi Zhen.

Tianming gave her a quick look-over and was rather surprised. "You've reached Primocosmic stage?"

Standing approximately thirteen thousand meters tall, her body maintained the exact same proportional difference to Tianming's as it had when they initially met.

"That little red orb you gave me is really effective at restoring my cultivation," Zi Zhen said calmly.

"Little red orb? Are you trying to be cute?"

After holding back for so long, the sight of her tempted Tianming, so he approached her. But the moment he took a step forward, Zi Zhen's body rapidly transformed into a nine-eyed purple fiend covered in scales and spikes, shooting up drastically in height.

“What do you want?” She glared at him.

Tianming felt his head explode.

Why were all the women acting so strangely?!

Auntie's still the best!

With that thought, Tianming resolved to ensure his aunt was well cared for. After all, only she possessed a real talent for looking after others.

Yaoyao is great too. She's bold and not inhibited in the least! Of course, they're even better together.

Launching the Ninedragon Imperial Tomb into the sky, Tianming quickly made his way to the passage.