"What do you need me to help with?" Mu asked.
Yang Kai had returned in the dead of night — he must have come seeking her help.
"I need to break through to the Shenyou Realm. Otherwise, there's no way to approach the Gate of the Mysterious Female!" Yang Kai explained his purpose.
Beneath the Ink Abyss, the Apostles were far too numerous. With Yang Kai's current cultivation, he could no longer handle them. Though he had previously lured some Apostles away and killed a number of them, after that incident, the Apostles would likely not fall for such tricks again.
The only option now was for him to break through to the Shenyou Realm, so he could slay all the Apostles and then refine the Gate of the Mysterious Female.
The shackles sealing his cultivation had been bestowed by the Will of this world — one could say it was Mu's handiwork. Since Mu had previously helped him break through to the peak of the Shenyou Realm, she could naturally help him ascend yet another level.
"I understand." Mu nodded upon hearing this. "Wait for me two days. In two days, I'll give you what you need."
Hearing this, Yang Kai immediately realized that this matter was no simple task for Mu in her current state — otherwise there would be no need to set a date two days later.
The last time, Mu had helped him break through to the Shenyou Realm with a mere casual touch. But this time, she might have to pay a considerable price.
Mu turned and entered the house, while Yang Kai waited in the courtyard.
Late into the night, Little Eleven finally returned from his wild frolicking outside. Seeing Yang Kai, he naturally had no pleasant expression — he made a face at him, then dashed inside.
A few exchanges between Mu and Little Eleven could be heard from within the house, and soon the sound of deep sleep followed.
Over the next two days, Little Eleven did not step out of the house, remaining in a state of deep slumber the entire time. Mu must have done something to him.
It was only after two full days that Mu emerged again. Yang Kai turned to look, and his eyes narrowed.
Although this world's Mu was merely a silhouette of the true Mu, she had always maintained the appearance of a youthful girl.
Yet in just two short days, the once-youthful girl's hair had turned completely white. Though her features had not changed drastically, Yang Kai could clearly sense that her life force had been drastically diminished.
In just a few short steps, Mu was already panting heavily.
Yang Kai hurried forward and supported her.
Mu leaned gently against Yang Kai, reached out, and tapped a spot on his chest. A point of brilliant light imprinted itself upon his chest.
Her voice came: "Beneath the Ink Abyss… this power can help you break through the shackles of the Shenyou Realm. Mo has tampered with things there, so it won't be detected by the Will of Heaven and Earth. But you cannot take this power away from the Ink Abyss."
Her voice and aura were both extremely weak, like someone on the verge of death. As she spoke, she couldn't stop coughing softly.
"I understand." Yang Kai nodded firmly, helped her to a nearby chair, and poured her a cup of water.
Mu took a sip, calmed herself for a moment, then continued: "Don't rush into action. Wait a bit longer. Wait until the Divine Church has been completely eliminated before you make your move. If you act before then, there may be unexpected complications."
"Senior, have you sensed something?" Yang Kai asked.
Mu shook her head slowly. "Mo is naturally clever. Since he left contingencies in place, it won't be so simple. Just be prepared for anything."
"I'll follow Senior's advice."
"Once you refine the Gate of the Mysterious Female and completely suppress the sliver of Origin within it, you will leave this world and head to the next sealing location within the River of Space-Time. There is another silhouette of Mu there as well — find her quickly, and she will continue to help you. Additionally, the Gate of the Mysterious Female is the key to sealing Mo's Origin. It absolutely cannot be taken away, or Mo's power will fully recover, and no one will be able to stand against him."
She kept urging him on, as if delivering last words — afraid that if she spoke too late, she would never have the chance again.
Yang Kai's eyes reddened and his nose stung.
This one among the Ten Great Martial Ancestors, even after perishing countless years ago, had still left behind means to protect the younger generation. Her silhouettes waited across different worlds, and those silhouettes had no way of knowing whether the person they were waiting for would ever come. Perhaps all that watching and waiting was destined to be in vain.
Yet she persisted nonetheless.
Such were the elders — how could the younger generation living in the present merely shelter under the shade of their predecessors?
Perhaps sensing what Yang Kai was thinking, Mu patted his hand and smiled. "I'm merely a silhouette, not something that truly exists. There's no need to be sad. Besides, as long as the River of Space-Time endures, I will not perish."
Yang Kai composed himself and said in a deep voice: "Senior has done more than enough. Please rest now. Leave what comes next to me."
Mu gave a faint nod.
Yang Kai bid farewell to Mu and set off once more on his journey.
Not long after he left, Little Eleven came out of the room rubbing his sleepy eyes. Having slept for two days straight, his stomach growled with hunger, and his whole body felt weak and limp.
He was about to speak when he looked up and saw Mu sitting in the chair, her long hair snow-white. He froze on the spot.
Mu smiled at him and beckoned him over.
With a "Waaah," Little Eleven burst into tears, tears streaming down his cheeks. He rushed to Mu and looked up at her. "Sixth Sister, how did you become like this? How did your hair turn white…"
"I'm fine," Mu comforted him, wiping away his tears, but they fell like pearls off a broken string, impossible to wipe dry.
Little Eleven cried out: "Who did this to you?" Then suddenly, as if remembering something, his eyes widened. "It was that bad guy, wasn't it? He did it!"