He knew in his heart that if even Long Jinhan was this anxious, the little imp must be in grave danger.
But...
"Why don't you think about why she would choose to save someone despite such great risk!"
If he were truly allowed to enter, all the little imp's efforts up to this point would be in vain!
A ferocious killing intent flickered in Long Jinhan's dark eyes, and immense spiritual energy gathered in his hand.
The atmosphere was tense, and a battle between them was imminent.
Although Long Yu and the others wanted to intervene, they didn't know whom to stop. After all, everyone present was worried sick about Bai Ran!
But just as the two were about to clash, the door creaked open slowly from the inside...
Everyone's gaze instantly shifted. Long Jinhan and Xiao Zi also halted their movements, looking over with urgency.
With just one glance, Mo Huai'an's heart skipped a beat. His blood froze, and he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.
"Tap—tap—tap—"
A tall figure stepped out, her long hair tied up, her eyes cold.
In her arms, she cradled someone. From a distance, the person's head hung limply, their face obscured by blood. Their fiery red robes were still dripping with blood.
"Girl—!!!"
"Little imp—!!!"
The two who were closer rushed towards Bai Ran and the other.
However, a violent surge of spiritual energy swept through, instantly blasting the unsuspecting pair away.
"Get lost—"
A chilling, enraged voice rang out. Huan Yan, her face dark, continued forward, carrying Bai Ran.
Long Jinhan and Xiao Zi were thrown back over a dozen feet before they could stabilize themselves. They looked up, their eyes filled with confusion.
"What's going on...?" Jiang Ye stared blankly, utterly bewildered.
"Thump—thump—thump—"
Mo Huai'an's heart pounded like a drum. He was anxious and wanted to go forward to check on Ran Ran's injuries.
But the moment he saw Huan Yan standing alive before him, his feet felt rooted to the spot, unable to move.
"Yan'er... Ran Ran, she..." Mo Huai'an's lips trembled as he stared directly at Huan Yan.
Huan Yan, with a cold expression, seemed to ignore his words and continued forward. She walked away without answering Mo Huai'an's question or looking back at him.
After recovering, Vermilion Bird quickly jogged after them. Zhong Zi exchanged a glance with Dong Ling and followed.
Mo Huai'an stood frozen, feeling utterly dejected, as if doused with a basin of cold water.
But thinking of Bai Ran's injuries, he clenched his fist again and decided to follow.
"You rascal!" Long Yu walked up and smacked the back of Long Jinhan's head. "Why did you make her angry?"
Long Jinhan's expression was grim, and he remained silent, his face almost murderous.
Xiao Zi beside him chuckled, surprised that the Demon Lord himself would get hit. How embarrassing.
"Sigh—" Long Yu sighed deeply. "In any case, the mother-in-law wouldn't let Bai girl be harmed. You two, tidy yourselves up and go apologize."
Xiao Zi was taken aback and pointed at himself in confusion. "I have to go too?"
Long Yu glared at him indignantly. "Or what?"
With that, he turned and followed the direction the others had gone, leaving the two standing there, staring at each other.
...
Huan Yan carried the dying Bai Ran all the way, finally entering a sunlit room before gently placing Bai Ran on a couch.
Her face grim, she took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from Bai Ran's face. Then, she quickly pressed several acupoints on her body.
'Mother...' In her memory, the little one always sweetly called her 'mother' while holding her hand.
Huan Yan gritted her teeth, her eyes slightly reddening. The overwhelming guilt surging through her drowned her.
"Mother is sorry to you..."
Looking at Bai Ran's beautiful face, pale as paper, and her lips bruised and blue, she was filled with grief and cursed herself countless times in her heart.
She gathered spiritual energy in her hand and placed it on Bai Ran's damaged Dantian, slowly channeling warm spiritual energy like a gentle stream.
...
Meanwhile, Bai Ran's consciousness seemed to have arrived somewhere.
It was pitch black all around. She could touch nothing, and there was no end. She walked aimlessly, not understanding where she was.
Could it be that she was dead? Was this the afterlife?
Bai Ran pursed her lips, recalling the scene of her mother sitting up from the coffin before she closed her eyes. She should have died without regret...
"Without regret—?" A voice, exactly like her own, echoed from nowhere.
Bai Ran frowned and warily scanned her surroundings. But the moment she turned, she saw another herself.
'Bai Ran' smiled and met her gaze. "Ask yourself, are you truly without regret—?"
Bai Ran stared intently at her, not understanding what she meant. Was she truly without regret?
"Girl, I'm waiting for you—."
In a blink of an eye, 'Bai Ran' transformed into 'Long Jinhan'.
Bai Ran was startled. Meeting Long Jinhan's worried gaze, she stiffened slightly upon hearing his words.
Yes, Long Jinhan had always waited for her, always accompanied her.
She hadn't married Long Jinhan yet...
"Ran Ran—" In another blink, 'Long Jinhan' transformed into 'Mo Huai'an'.
"Ze'er is already dead. We can't lose you again—"
Bai Ran's pupils trembled, and she bit her lower lip.
At this point, she understood. This was an illusion, designed to awaken her desire to live.
'Mo Huai'an's' appearance and form shifted again, becoming 'Huan Yan'.
Seeing 'Huan Yan', Bai Ran's eyes widened, disbelief evident.
"Mother...?"
"Ran Ran..." 'Huan Yan' slowly approached Bai Ran, extending her arms and gently embracing her.
"Wake up quickly... Mother is back..."
So warm... Bai Ran's nose pricked. It was the same embrace as in her memories, so incredibly warm...
"Wake up quickly... Ran Ran..."
Hearing this, Bai Ran smiled, her eyes red. "Okay—."
...
'Huan Yan' gradually dissipated. In the room, Bai Ran's eyes snapped open, her breathing ragged.
"Hiss—" It hurt so much...
As she moved slightly, her whole body felt as if it were tearing apart, and every part of her ached terribly.
"Master—!!!"
Vermilion Bird lunged forward. Bai Ran's abdominal bones felt as if they had shattered, and sweat beaded on her forehead from the pain.
"Wuwuwuwu—You scared me to death! You really scared me to death—!"
Bai Ran tried to stop her, but she saw Vermilion Bird sobbing uncontrollably while buried against her.
"Little Zhu... I'm fine..." She managed a smile and, with Vermilion Bird's help, painstakingly sat up.
Around them, Jing Feng, Jiang Ye, Zhong Zi, and others stood watching, finally breathing a sigh of relief at Bai Ran's appearance.
"Miss Bai, you have been unconscious for a month."
During this time, they had felt as if every day was a year, watching Bai Ran's near-death state, driving them almost mad.
A month? Bai Ran frowned. She had been unconscious for such a long time...
"Yes, Master. Vermilion Bird even thought of leaving with you." Vermilion Bird's eyes were teary, her shoulders shaking with sobs.
Fortunately, Master's mother saw the critical situation and set up an illusion, which finally allowed Master to wake up.