A gruesome scene unfolded before everyone's eyes. Gasps filled the air as Lady Ling's body began to wither.

Her skin shrank, veins turning black as every trace of life drained out of her.

The color in her cheeks vanished until she looked like a hollow shell, an empty vessel collapsing under divine judgment.

Then, something even more horrifying happened.

A shadowy mist rose from her chest, twisting and swirling until it took the form of a blackened soul... its edges flickering with strange violet light.

The crowd stared in shock, unable to comprehend what they were witnessing.

That soul was unlike anything mortal. It pulsed with corruption, its cries echoing faintly across the terrace like the wail of a dying spirit.

Before anyone could react, Chang Yin raised his hand. His expression was calm, but his eyes gleamed with divine wrath. A golden light burst from his palm, wrapping around the blackened soul like chains of light.

With a single wave, the dark soul dissolved into the air, scattered like dust before a storm.

The sight was terrifying.

For a long moment, no one dared to move. Even the air seemed to freeze.

The crowd of mages, once full of arrogance and noise, now stood trembling. Their hearts raced, the memory of Lady Ling's end forever carved into their minds.

All across the Mage World, the livestream continued to broadcast the scene. Every viewer, mage, and even the common folk watched in stunned silence. The realization hit like a thunderbolt.

A god had descended.

And he had destroyed a soul... something even the greatest necromancers couldn't do.

The entire world began to tremble in awe and terror After all, this wasn't just power. It was divine judgment.

Among the trembling crowd, regret spread like wildfire. Mages who had followed Lady Ling's words now stared at the floor in despair.

If only we had known… If only they had realized how powerful Chang Yin truly was.

If only they had known that the god stood beside Gu Jin and Long Yifan, not Lady Ling.

Now, it was too late.

Whispers spread among the mob. Faces turned pale. Some mages even began to silently pray for mercy, their voices barely audible. The fear that they might be next made their knees quake.

Then Chang Yin's deep voice echoed across the terrace, calm but commanding.

"Gu Jin. Long Yifan." His gaze softened slightly as it fell upon them. "What shall I do with this mob?"

A heavy silence followed. The question struck the crowd like a blade.

They turned toward Gu Jin and Long Yifan, faces filled with dread and pleading. Many dropped to their knees again, their eyes wide and pitiful, silently begging for forgiveness.

Gu Jin's expression was unreadable as she exchanged a glance with Long Yifan.

Finally, she stepped forward and said softly, "They were misled by Lady Ling. They are not evil at heart. If given a chance, they can still change."

Long Yifan nodded. "Yes. These people lost their way. But they don't deserve death for being deceived."

Chang Yin's brows furrowed slightly. "You are too kind for your own good," he said with a sigh. "They raised their hands against you without hesitation. And yet, you would spare them?"

Gu Jin bowed her head. "Punishing them won't undo the lies that blinded them. But giving them a second chance will remind them of the truth."

Long Yifan added with a faint smile, "And perhaps… they'll learn to think for themselves next time."

The god remained silent for a moment, his divine aura flickering like sunlight through clouds.

Then he gave a slow nod. "So be it. But remember, mercy is a blade... handle it carefully."

The mob, who had been watching with bated breath, exhaled shakily in relief. Some burst into tears, crying out their gratitude.

"We're sorry!" one mage shouted.

"We were fools!" cried another. "Please, forgive us!"

Many of them began to bow repeatedly, pressing their foreheads against the floor. Some even swore loyalty on the spot.

"If you wish," one trembling man said, "we can serve you! We'll become your slaves if that's what it takes to atone!"

Gu Jin's lips twitched, suppressing the faint smile threatening to appear.

"We don't need slaves," she said firmly. "What we need is understanding. If you truly regret your actions, live righteously from now on."

Long Yifan crossed his arms, his voice gentle but resolute. "We want followers of truth, not servants of fear."

Their words carried warmth and authority, enough to move hearts.

To the mob, they no longer seemed like ordinary people. In that moment, Gu Jin and Long Yifan were divine figures, standing between the heavens and the mortal realm.

If Chang Yin was a god, then these two were his chosen messengers.

With trembling hands, the mages turned toward Chang Yin and bowed low. "Thank you, Lord God! Thank you for sparing us!"

The god stroked his long white beard, a faint smile of satisfaction forming on his lips.

"You are lucky that those you wronged carry such hearts. Remember this day. Should any of you dare to harm Gu Jin or Long Yifan again, the Mage World itself shall feel my wrath."

His words rolled across the sky like thunder. The clouds above churned, glowing faintly with divine light. Everyone bowed even deeper, not daring to lift their heads.

Then Chang Yin's form began to dissolve. His body shimmered like mist touched by dawn until only a wisp of light remained.

"I leave the world in your hands," his final words echoed. And then... he was gone.

The silence that followed was deafening.

When the divine pressure finally lifted, the mob slumped to the ground in exhaustion.

Tears streaked their faces as they turned toward Gu Jin and Long Yifan once again.

"Thank you," they said together. "If not for your mercy, we would have perished! We will never forget your kindness. Even in another life, we shall repay this debt!"

Gu Jin waved her hand dismissively, her expression soft. "It's enough that you understand your mistake. Go home. Rest. The world has seen enough blood for one day."

But the mages refused to rise. "No, please accept our respect!" they insisted, bowing even lower.

Their devotion radiated through the terrace, a sea of white light from the magical sigils of oath that appeared above their heads, vows of loyalty shimmering brightly.

Gu Jin and Long Yifan exchanged a helpless glance. This wasn't what they had intended.

The entire divine act had been a carefully crafted plan to make the public abandon Lady Ling's lies forever. They had only wanted to cleanse the world of corruption, not gain worshippers.

But now… things had gone far beyond that.

Long Yifan let out a quiet sigh. "Well," he murmured under his breath, "I suppose we overdid it."

Gu Jin stifled a laugh. "Perhaps. But at least the chaos is over."

When their eyes met, mischief flickered between them. Whatever consequences followed, they would face it together.

From that day on, the Mage World changed completely.

Gu Jin and Long Yifan's names spread like sacred scripture. Their words became law.Their choices became prophecy.

People began to treat them like living deities... guides of light and wisdom.

Shrines dedicated to them appeared across nations, their likeness carved into crystal monuments. Wherever they went, crowds would gather, offering flowers and prayers.

Gu Jin often sighed at the absurdity of it all, but Long Yifan would only smile and say, "My wife deserves this much!"

When the two finally returned to the Gu Mansion, a familiar warmth greeted them. The gates opened, and their family rushed out to meet them.

"Jin!" cried Gu Jichun as she ran forward, throwing her arms around her sister. "You're safe! I missed you so much!"

Gu Jin laughed softly, patting her sister's back. "I missed you too."

For a moment, she simply stood there, holding her family close. And deep inside, a quiet realization settled in her heart.

In this lifetime, she had found them again.

Her family... the same souls she had once lost in the Celestial Realm... had been reborn in this world. She had confirmed it long ago through her spiritual sight. The resemblance wasn't just physical... it was their souls, bound by fate and love.

This time, she would protect them no matter what.

Gu Jichun pulled back and pouted playfully. "Sister, you should cook something for me! I've been dreaming of your food!"

Mrs. Gu immediately tapped her daughter's head. "You glutton! Your sister just returned from battle, and all you can think about is food!"

"Ow! Mom!" Jichun rubbed her head with a pout. "You've been hitting me a lot lately! Are you venting your frustration because you missed her?"

Gu Jin chuckled. "It's her way of showing love."

Gu Jichun rolled her eyes. "If that's love, I don't want any more of it!"

Mrs. Gu smacked her again, grumbling, "This girl gets cheekier every day."

Then she turned toward Gu Jin, her eyes soft and teary.