The Shadow Realm lay at the crossroads of the Owl Butterfly Kingdom, the Eternal Night Kingdom, and the treacherous Sea of Mist—a place shrouded in perpetual twilight and whispered secrets. It was a realm few traversed lightly, yet all who sought the trial of the Sea of Mist had to pass through it.
In a dimly lit tavern nestled at the edge of the Shadow Realm, a young man clad entirely in black sat alone, quietly sipping his drink. No ripple of profound energy stirred around him; to the untrained eye, he was but an ordinary wanderer. Yet none dared to underestimate him. His visage was striking, untouched by the corruption of abyssal dust that stained many souls here. Though dressed simply in black, an undeniable aura of nobility clung to him—an unmistakable mark of a distinguished guest from the Kingdom of God.
His dark eyes followed the comings and goings of the tavern patrons with quiet interest. For him, this journey into the Sea of Mist was not merely a passage but a quest—a chance to break through the limits of his cultivation. Observing the mundane world was itself a form of practice, sharpening the mind's clarity and lifting the spirit to more ethereal heights.
Suddenly, a harsh voice cut through the tavern's low murmurs.
"What business is this of yours? Stay out of it!"
The clamor drew many curious glances outside. On the street stood a young woman dressed in black, her stance fierce and unyielding. Behind her, a battered woman knelt, her face marred by bruises and scars.
"Even if you claim to be her husband, it does not give you the right to beat or humiliate her as you please!" the woman in black hissed, eyes blazing. "Men like you—ungrateful, disloyal—cannot be trusted for a single breath."
The man's face twisted in rage. "You meddle where you don't belong! Do you even know the truth? You always take her side, just like her—low and despicable!"
"Hah! Men are no better than barking dogs. Bullying by force is no sign of strength!" The woman's words were sharp as blades. "I will save her today. If you want to fight, come to me!"
The battered woman, tears streaming down her cheeks, whispered, "Thank you… you are truly kind."
The man seethed, his fury muted only by the undeniable presence of the woman in black—her skin flawless and pure, untouched by the Abyss Dust's corruption. It was obvious she was someone from the Kingdom of God.
The murmurs of the crowd weighed heavily on him. Yet as the two women prepared to leave, desperation pushed him to reveal the truth.
"Wait! I didn't want this made public, but now—" he spat, "she's been unfaithful, stealing my profound skills and yuanjing. This isn't the first time. I endured it for the sake of our marriage. But now she went too far—trying to poison me. I only beat her because she deserved it! How can I be wrong?"
The woman in black froze, disbelief flickering in her eyes. But when she met the battered woman's downcast gaze, she saw the silent confession there.
"Girl," the wounded woman spoke softly, clutching the other's hand, "I had no choice. I want to enter the Kingdom of God to escape the torment of the Abyss Dust. That man promised me freedom, if I gave him my body and the Abyss Crystal."
The woman in black's expression darkened. Her steadfast belief—that men were untrustworthy and women virtuous—was shaken to its core.
"Well, then I shall no longer interfere in your affairs." With a heavy heart, she withdrew, disappearing silently into the throng.
From the tavern above, the young man in black smiled to himself. "Interesting. Truly, very interesting."
Days later, near the darkest depths of the Sea of Mist, the woman in black—Shen Wuqing—fought desperately against a level ten Abyss Beast of the Divine Lord Realm. Wounds marred her body, and her strength waned. Though she was also a level ten Divine Lord, the relentless battles of recent days had drained her to the brink. Her thoughts grew heavy and bleak.
Is this my end? After all these years of cultivation under the Mother Goddess, I have yet to break through to the demigod realm. Such a waste...
The beast's ruthless claws came crashing down. Shen Wuqing closed her eyes, preparing to embrace death. Crystal-clear tears traced sorrow and resignation down her cheeks.
Then, without warning, a dark blade whistled through the air, severing the beast's claws. A young man in black appeared, swiftly pulling her from the beast's maw. The blade—Dark Moon Blade—retracted, ending the creature's life in a shower of abyssal blood and dust.
"Are you alright?" His voice was calm, filled with genuine concern.
"I… I'm fine. Thank you." Shen Wuqing blinked, dazed. The terror of near death gave way to a fragile hope. This stranger was her savior, a light in the darkness.
Her rigid beliefs about men—heroes, responsible and reliable—wavered further.
"Tell me your name," he said, gentle smile touching his lips.
"Shen Wu… Chen Wuqing," she hesitated, then chose a false name.
"Miss Shen," he bowed slightly. "I am Pan Buwang. Are you here alone for the trial? The Sea of Mist is unforgiving."
"Thank you, Master Pan, for saving me. I seek to break through to the demigod realm. If fate allows, I shall repay your kindness. Now, I must go." Without another word, she turned and vanished into the mist.
Pan Buwang's curiosity deepened. Such a woman, fierce and mysterious, was rare indeed.
In the days that followed, Shen Wuqing ventured deeper into the Sea of Mist, seeking the breakthrough she so desperately desired. There, abyssal beasts of terrifying power lurked.
Her battle with a level one Abyss Beast of the God-Destroying Realm left her battered and weary. Then, a level two Abyss Beast appeared—an unstoppable force of destruction.
Despair filled her eyes. Defeating such a beast now was impossible. If only Master Pan were here...
As the beast's claws descended, Shen Wuqing hastily erected an ice wall. But it shattered instantly, leaving her exposed.
It's over… finally free from the Mother Goddess's torment…
She closed her eyes, waiting for death.
Yet once again, a pair of warm hands embraced her, pulling her away from the abyss.
Opening her eyes, Shen Wuqing met the familiar face of Pan Buwang. A bright smile blossomed despite her exhaustion.
She clung to him, unafraid—no longer heeding the warnings of the Wuming Shenzun. In that moment, he was her light.
"Don't fear. I will take you to see fireworks," Pan Buwang said with a teasing smile.
With a cry, his Dark Moon Blade surged forth—Dark Moon Gale! The beast was sliced apart in a dazzling explosion of blood and abyss dust, scattering like a brilliant firework.
"Master Pan, thank you for saving me again." Her voice was soft, touched by wonder.
"No thanks needed. Your presence has lifted the bottleneck in my own cultivation. I may soon reach the fourth level of the Divine Destruction Realm," he replied with quiet warmth.
Still entwined, they lingered in the gentle aftermath, savoring a rare moment of peace.
"Have you been watching over me all this time?" Shen Wuqing's voice held sudden suspicion.
"Yes," Pan Buwang admitted, nervous. "From the first moment I saw you in the Shadow Realm, I was intrigued. I meant no harm. Please don't misunderstand."
"You are from the Kingdom of Eternal Night, aren't you? Born with a deep distrust of men. But after all you've seen, do you think your views might change?"
Shen Wuqing fell silent. Since leaving her homeland, her heart had quietly softened, her extremes gradually fading—especially when faced with Pan Buwang, a man who embodied every ideal she had ever imagined.
"Master Pan, you've reached the third level of Divine Destruction Realm at such a young age. Your identity must be extraordinary. You are… the son of the Owl Butterfly God, aren't you?"
Pan Buwang smiled, impressed. "Sharp as ever. Yes, that is who I am. But you, Shen Wuqing—no longer Chen Wuqing—the Goddess of Eternal Night."
Shen Wuqing smiled, a touch of resignation. "So much for secrecy. But I owe you more than words for saving my life twice."
"It was my honor, Goddess of Eternal Night. Shall we journey together through the Sea of Mist's trials?"
The original Shen Wuqing would have refused outright. But now, after much hesitation, she nodded.
Nearly a year passed. Together, they faced death and despair countless times, their bond deepening like the steady flow of a mountain stream.
"Brother Xiao, my trial is over. I must return to the Kingdom of Eternal Night. The time with you has been the happiest of my life." Her words trembled with sorrow and longing, void of the excitement one might expect for homecoming.
"Wuqing," Pan Buwang's voice cracked with emotion, "our meeting was fate, and my feelings for you are true. I will wait for the day you stand beside me again." He embraced her fiercely, unwilling to let go.
But fate was cruel.
The Owl Butterfly Kingdom soon fell into chaos. Pan Buzhuo rose suddenly, replacing Pan Buwang as the Son of God. Even Pan Buwang's mother was slain.
Upon hearing the news, Shen Wuqing ignored all warnings and resolved to stay by Pan Buwang's side. In his darkest hour, she was the only one who never abandoned him.
Word of their defiance reached God Wuming. In fury, God Wuyanye imprisoned Shen Wuqing, stripping her of her divine status and seeking a new goddess to replace her.
I am ruthless, yet I possess feelings. Though I suffer for it, I will never forget you—even if I ache for nothing.
(End of Chapter)