After My Rebirth, I Ended Up Happily Ever After with the Saintess - Chapter 119

The Heaven’s Chosen Gathering entered a fever pitch. Fewer than a hundred paragons remained, each a peerless genius capable of holding their own, representing the highest standard of the younger generation in the Thousand Domains Spirit Realm.

Ye Li’s next opponent was Xuanyuan Potian, the successor of the Xuanyuan Imperial Clan from Zhongzhou. This man was hailed as the number one of the younger generation in Zhongzhou. His cultivation had reached the peak of the Core Formation stage, just one step away from condensing the Nascent Soul. Furthermore, he possessed the Imperial Clan bloodline, making his strength unfathomable.

On the arena, Xuanyuan Potian stood with his hands behind his back. His golden battle robe shimmered in the sunlight, and his demeanor exuded an innate, condescending imperial aura. He assessed Ye Li opposite him and spoke with the inherent arrogance of royalty: “From the Northern Domain? It’s quite commendable that you’ve made it this far. However, this is where it ends.”

Ye Li, clad in black, remained calm. Her Profound Ice Sword pointed diagonally at the ground, its blade radiating a faint, chilling gleam: “Enough nonsense.”

As the referee announced the start, Xuanyuan Potian pointed two fingers like a sword. A golden sword energy, condensed to the extreme, tore through the air! The sword energy contained an emperor-like majesty, as if intended to suppress all insubordination in the world!

Ye Li lightly raised her Profound Ice Sword. Extreme cold sword energy erupted, colliding violently with the golden sword energy in mid-air! A deafening clash of metal echoed throughout the venue, and the residual spiritual energy shook the protective light barrier violently. Both retreated three steps—a draw!

“Interesting.” A flicker of surprise, quickly replaced by fervent battle intent, crossed Xuanyuan Potian’s eyes. “It seems I must take this seriously.”

He formed a seal with his hands. The golden light around him surged, and behind him, a massive phantom of an emperor, ten zhang high, wearing an imperial crown and dragon robe, materialized—it was the Xuanyuan Imperial Clan’s guardian divine ability, the “Celestial Emperor’s Aspect”!

With the aspect’s appearance, the air across the entire arena seemed to solidify. The terrifying pressure made the observing cultivators in the distance feel difficulty breathing. Everyone held their breath, knowing the moment of reckoning had arrived.

Ye Li took a deep breath. The fragment of the Samsara Mirror in her sea of consciousness slowly rotated, emitting a gentle yet profound radiance. She knew that facing such a formidable enemy, she could no longer hold back.

“Ice Emperor Descends, Samsara Rebirth—Ice Wheel Samsara Sword!”

She let out a clear cry, perfectly fusing the Ice Emperor’s Heaven-Sealing Art with the original power of the Samsara Mirror. The Profound Ice Sword was entwined with ice-blue sword energy and pale-gold light of samsara. Behind her, an Ice Emperor phantom, even more ancient and majestic than the Celestial Emperor’s Aspect, condensed into form! Although the phantom was slightly blurred, it emitted a terrifying aura that could freeze all things and halt time and space!

“What kind of technique is this?” Xuanyuan Potian’s expression drastically changed. He felt an existential fear emanating from that Ice Emperor phantom!

The two colossal aspects collided thunderously in the air. Ice-blue and golden lights intertwined and exploded. The entire arena shook violently, and the protective array emitted a groan of distress, its cracks spreading like a spiderweb! A raging energy storm swept out, forcing the referee to expend all his strength to stabilize the array!

In the end, the Ice Emperor phantom prevailed. The extreme chill, infused with a trace of the power of samsara, actually froze and shattered the Celestial Emperor’s Aspect inch by inch! Xuanyuan Potian spat out a mouthful of blood, flying backward to crash heavily against the edge of the arena, his face as pale as paper.

“I… I lost,” he said with difficulty, his eyes filled with disbelief and frustration. He couldn’t accept that he had been defeated by an obscure woman from the Northern Domain.

The entire venue fell into a dead silence, followed by the most enthusiastic cheers and discussion since the tournament began!

“She won! Ye Li defeated Xuanyuan Potian!”

“The number one genius of Zhongzhou is defeated!”

“The Ice Phoenix of the Northern Domain ascends to the peak!”

“What kind of divine ability was that Ice Emperor phantom? It was too terrifying!”

This battle propelled Ye Li’s name like a whirlwind across Zhongzhou. Everyone knew that the biggest dark horse of this year’s Heaven’s Chosen Gathering had emerged—one capable of overturning the traditional order!

In the subsequent matches, Ye Li was unstoppable. Relying on her formidable strength and the mysterious power of samsara, she continuously defeated many renowned powerhouses and powerfully advanced into the finals.

On the other track, Qin Yixuan’s performance was equally stunning. She perfectly combined the Nine Heavens Profound Water Scripture with that trace of divine essence and the power of the Buddhist relic prayer beads. The Dao of Profound Water changed endlessly in her hands, sometimes utterly soft, sometimes utterly rigid, allowing her to clear all obstacles and also enter the finals.

For the first time in the history of the Heaven’s Chosen Gathering, both finalists were from the Northern Domain, and both were women! This news, like a thunderbolt, shook the entire Spirit Realm.

The night before the finals, moonlight poured down upon the highest Star Observation Platform in Celestial Emperor City. Qin Yixuan found Ye Li standing alone there. She stood beside her, overlooking the ancient city’s endless lights and prosperity.

“Do you remember the first time we met?” Qin Yixuan asked softly, her voice especially gentle in the night wind. “At the Profound Cloud Sect’s market, you were an unremarkable outer disciple, arguing with someone over a few drops of Dew Grass.”

A subtle curve appeared on Ye Li’s lips: “I remember. You were already the Saintess of the Azure Water Pavilion then, riding an immortal crane, radiant and aloof, drawing countless admiring gazes.” At that time, she had just been reborn, her path ahead uncertain, and Qin Yixuan’s appearance was like a thread of starlight cutting through the darkness.

“But now, we stand here,” Qin Yixuan turned to look at her, her clear eyes reflecting the stars and the myriad lights, as well as Ye Li’s figure. “Standing at the peak of the younger generation in the entire Spirit Realm, receiving the attention of all domains.”

Ye Li was silent for a moment. Her gaze shifted from the distant lights to Qin Yixuan’s exquisite, flawless profile. The moonlight cast a silver edge on her, making her beauty almost surreal. She suddenly spoke, her voice low and clear: “Throughout this journey, exploring secret realms, fighting for our lives, obtaining opportunities, improving our cultivation… but if you ask me what my greatest gain is,” she paused, her gaze deep and focused on Qin Yixuan, “It’s not the increase in strength, nor the rise to fame, but… meeting you.”

Qin Yixuan’s heart thumped violently, as if struck hard by something. A blush spread uncontrollably across her cheeks, reaching her earlobes. She subconsciously wanted to avoid Ye Li’s overly direct and profound gaze, yet she couldn’t bear to look away. She lowered her head, her long eyelashes trembling, her voice barely a whisper, yet carrying undeniable sincerity: “I… me too.”

Ye Li watched her rare display of shyness. The frozen lake in her heart felt as if a warm stone had been thrown into it, creating ripples. She slowly extended her hand, a trace of almost imperceptible hesitation in her movement, and finally gently covered Qin Yixuan’s slightly cool hand, then firmly clasped it, slowly interlacing their fingers, locked tight.

Qin Yixuan’s hand trembled slightly, but she didn’t withdraw. Instead, she gently squeezed back. Their palms met, their temperatures merging. An inexplicable sense of peace and excitement surged through both their hearts simultaneously. The evening breeze ruffled their clothes and hair, and the air was filled with an implicit, intimate warmth.

“After the Heaven’s Chosen Gathering concludes, let’s continue our travels,” Ye Li said softly, gazing at the boundless night sky with a hint of longing for the future. “Let’s go to more places we’ve never set foot in, and see more landscapes we’ve never seen.”

“Alright,” Qin Yixuan lifted her head, her eyes shining with a bright, resolute light, a subtle but undeniably genuine smile blooming on her lips. “Wherever you go, I will go too.”

In that moment, without the need for further verbal confession, an intimate emotional bond, transcending mere friendship, had tightly connected their hearts. They relied on each other, trusted each other. Whatever the future held, whatever the storms, they would face it together, hand in hand.

The next day, the finals commenced as scheduled. The venue was packed, the atmosphere reaching its zenith. Even the old hermits, who usually remained in secluded cultivation and paid no heed to worldly affairs, were stirred and appeared to watch. Everyone wanted to witness for themselves who, among this pair of wondrous women from the Northern Domain who had created a miracle, would finally ascend to the ultimate peak, or what kind of legend would unfold.

On the arena, Ye Li and Qin Yixuan stood opposite each other. One in black, cool and reserved like an icy deep pool; the other in white, ethereal and refined like a secluded orchid in a valley.

“We finally made it here,” Qin Yixuan looked at Ye Li, a smile on her lips and light in her eyes.

“Indeed,” Ye Li, also rare for her, offered a faint, gentle smile, like melting ice and snow. “In this battle, let’s disregard the outcome. Let’s just enjoy the fight and honor our acquaintance.”

As the match began, both acted simultaneously. The Profound Ice Sword and the Flowing Water Sword clashed in the air, ice-blue and azure spiritual light intertwining. But unlike the bloody intensity of all previous matches, their moves held less killing intent and more appreciation and tacit understanding. Ye Li’s sword technique was fierce and overbearing, yet always held back at the crucial moment; Qin Yixuan’s sword intent was dense and resilient, yet everywhere showed a protective consideration.

The collision of ice and water blossomed in the air into a dazzling and harmonious brilliance. Amidst the crisscrossing sword energies, it resembled a meticulously choreographed, perfectly synchronized, and breathtaking dance. The transitions between offense and defense were fluid and seamless, leaving onlookers in awe.

The spectators were stunned, forgetting to cheer, forgetting to discuss.

“This… this is not a contest; it’s clearly…”

“It’s a meeting of kindred spirits, a perfect harmony!”

On the high platform, Recluse Muyun and Master Shui Jing exchanged a knowing smile, their eyes filled with satisfaction.

After hundreds of intense rounds, their figures intertwined and then stood still again in the center of the arena. Both were slightly winded, sweat beading on their foreheads, but their eyes were equally bright.

After a moment of mutual gaze, both suddenly smiled warmly.

“Let’s call it a draw,” Ye Li retracted her Profound Ice Sword, her tone calm and candid.

“Agreed,” Qin Yixuan also sheathed her sword, her smile gentle.

The referee paused, then, after consulting the high platform, announced loudly: “Upon deliberation, the finals of this year’s Thousand Domains Heaven’s Chosen Gathering conclude with Ye Li and Qin Yixuan as co-champions!”

Following a brief silence, the entire venue erupted in thunderous applause and cheers! This was the first dual championship in a thousand years! The names of the twin paragons of the Northern Domain would, from this moment, be inscribed in the history of the Spirit Realm, becoming an eternal legend!

Amidst the countless eyes and surging cheers, Ye Li and Qin Yixuan stood side by side on the highest podium, bathed in the light of glory. Their eyes frequently met, conveying a tenderness and understanding known only to them.

After the awards ceremony, Ye Li found an opportunity to approach the organizers of the Heaven’s Chosen Gathering—the great beings from the Spirit Realm’s most ancient forces, whose auras were like deep abysses.

“This junior has a matter to inquire about, forgive my interruption, Seniors,” she bowed respectfully, keeping a very humble posture.

One of the white-bearded elders, an ancestor of the Primordial Jiang Clan, looked at Ye Li kindly: “Little friend, there is no need to be overly polite. Speak your question.”

“Have you seniors ever heard of the ‘Samsara Mirror’?” Ye Li suppressed the turmoil in her heart, trying to make her tone sound calm, as if driven by simple curiosity.

The few great beings exchanged glances, a hint of surprise in their eyes. The white-bearded elder mused for a moment and slowly said: “The Samsara Mirror… that is the name of an ultra-divine artifact passed down from the mythological era of antiquity. It is said to concern the fundamental mysteries of time, space, and samsara, possessing unimaginable power. Where did the little friend learn of this item?”

Ye Li’s heart stirred, knowing she had found the right people, but she maintained a composed expression: “This junior encountered a fragmentary record on an extremely ancient ruined stele by chance and became curious, hence the question.”

The elder looked deeply at her, his gaze seemingly capable of piercing the heart, causing Ye Li’s heart to tense slightly. Fortunately, the elder did not probe further, merely stroking his beard and sighing: “The legend of the Samsara Mirror is too ancient, and its authenticity is hard to verify. My knowledge is extremely limited. I only vaguely recall that a certain extremely ancient, solitary text mentioned that this mirror shattered during a great war in ancient times that affected all realms, and its fragments were scattered across various realms, their whereabouts unknown. The largest, or rather the most core piece, that text obliquely hinted, might have fallen into the ‘Underworld Ghost Domain,’ the boundary between life and death and the final destination of all souls.”

“The Underworld Ghost Domain…” Ye Li silently repeated the name in her heart, firmly committing it to memory. This was undoubtedly the most definitive clue she had received so far.

“Thank you for your guidance, Seniors,” she bowed respectfully once more.

Leaving the venue, Qin Yixuan was waiting at the exit, the evening glow coating her in a warm aura.

“Did you find out anything?” She stepped forward, asking with concern, and naturally walked side-by-side with Ye Li.

Ye Li nodded, her gaze directed toward the distant horizon: “The next destination: the Underworld Ghost Domain.”

Qin Yixuan did not hesitate. She reached out and gently took Ye Li’s hand, her fingertips conveying warmth and strength. Her voice was soft yet resolute: “I’ll go with you.”

The two smiled at each other and walked hand in hand toward the distance. The brilliance and glory of the Heaven’s Chosen Gathering were now in the past; a new journey lay ahead. The path forward might be even more perilous, and unknown challenges awaited them. But this time, they were no longer alone. With each other’s company, they could go anywhere, be it the Underworld Ghost Domain or the ends of the earth.