"Shiniang..."

Yang Tian walked up.

"Yang Tian, why are you here?"

Wu Zetian saw Yang Tian; she seemed a bit nervous, with the Soul-Calling Banner in her hand emitting a tinkling sound.

"Is this the Soul-Calling Banner taken from the Sand Demon Treasure Vault?"

Yang Tian looked towards the Soul-Calling Banner in Wu Zetian's hand.

"Yes, it's the Soul-Calling Banner."

Wu Zetian, seeing that Yang Tian had already noticed the Soul-Calling Banner in her hand, admitted generously.

"Are you summoning the master's soul?"

Yang Tian asked.

"Yes, summoning your master's soul, hoping it will succeed!"

Wu Zetian said calmly.

She held the Soul-Calling Banner and walked towards the Divine Platform.

On the Divine Platform, there were some offerings, and in the center, there was a token inscribed with Emperor Gaozong of Tang's birth details and name.

Wu Zetian held the Soul-Calling Banner and began the soul summoning.

A wave of Soul Breath emerged from the Soul-Calling Banner, shooting onto Wu Zetian.

"When practicing deep Prajna Paramita. One sees the emptiness of all five aggregates, and overcomes all sufferings and miseries. Shariputra, form is no different from emptiness. Emptiness is no different from form. Form is emptiness. Emptiness is form..."

Wu Zetian followed the Soul Breath and chanted.

A series of divine lights emerged from the Soul-Calling Banner.

These lights all gathered on the token on the Divine Platform.

After a while, the birth details and name on the token emitted a sacred light.

"Hopefully, it will succeed!"

Yang Tian also said.

The master had sealed the Celestial Demon, so his soul scattered and vanished.

Logically, the master shouldn't have any soul remaining in the human world.

But for some reason, Yang Tian felt that Wu Zetian could call back the master's soul.

If only the master's soul could be summoned back, Yang Tian had a way to resurrect the master!

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a sacred light shone forth from the token.

This sacred light gathered in front of the Divine Platform.

Initially, the sacred light only formed a small circle, but as the light inside the token grew more intense, it gathered in front of the Divine Platform, forming a humanoid light ring.

This light ring got brighter and brighter.

"Is it the master?"

Yang Tian was somewhat expectant.

He watched everything closely.

"Shariputra, all dharmas are devoid of characteristics. They neither arise nor cease, are neither defiled nor pure, neither increase nor decrease. Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, feeling, cognition, volition, or consciousness. No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, or mind. No color, sound, smell, taste, touch, or object of mind. No field of vision..."

Wu Zetian continued chanting the Soul Summoning Heart Sutra.

After an unknown amount of time, suddenly the Soul-Calling Banner in Wu Zetian's hand rang with a tinkling sound.

In the next second, the Soul-Calling Banner disintegrated, scattering in all directions.

"Emperor, have you returned?"

Wu Zetian opened her eyes and murmured.

Yang Tian glanced at the shattered Soul-Calling Banner and then focused on the humanoid light ring in front of the token.

He extended his Divine Sense, surprisingly sensing a wave of soul fluctuation.

"Master, is that you?"

Yang Tian asked.

"Indeed, it is I!"

A voice full of authority sounded.

Hearing this voice, Yang Tian knelt on one knee while tears streamed down Wu Zetian's face: "Emperor, it's you, you've finally returned. I said you never left me; your soul lingered in the human world. I just needed to call your soul back..."

"Wu Mei, it is useless..."

Emperor Gaozong's voice sounded again, but this time it was no longer authoritative but weak.

"It is useful; everything is useful..."

Wu Zetian said firmly.

"I had already dissipated; what you've summoned is merely a fragment of my residual soul. Soon, even this last wisp will vanish..."

Emperor Gaozong's weak voice echoed.

"I don't believe it!" Wu Zetian's face was pale: "I can preserve the emperor's soul!"

"It's useless. This residual soul is a broken fragment of the Seven Souls and Six Spirits, no longer a true soul..."

Emperor Gaozong's voice began to sound ethereal.

"Emperor, are you leaving again?" Wu Zetian heard Emperor Gaozong's voice fading away; she panicked, wanting to use the Soul-Calling Banner to keep his Soul Breath, but it had shattered. She could only anxiously say, "Emperor, don't leave. We'll find a way to preserve your soul..."

"It's useless... Wu Mei, your love for me, I'm fully aware of... but this love will harm you..."

Emperor Gaozong's voice sounded.

Then, a wave of Soul Breath emerged from the light circle, softly brushing against Wu Zetian.

Almost the next second, Wu Zetian collapsed, unconscious.

"Master..."

Yang Tian wanted to say something, but Emperor Gaozong's voice already echoed: "Disciple, I have long dissipated, this is merely my last Soul Breath, all struggling is futile..."

After a pause, Emperor Gaozong added: "But I want to ask you for a favor!"

"What favor? Please instruct me, Master. Whether climbing a mountain of knives or descending a sea of flames, I'd do it without hesitation!"

Yang Tian said solemnly.

"I want you to love Wu Mei for me..."

Emperor Gaozong's voice sounded ethereal.

"Love Shiniang on behalf of Master..."

Yang Tian was about to say something, but a light shot from the circle, striking him.

Instantly, Yang Tian felt the Spiritual Breath within him boil.

"This is the seed of affection; my time is short, so I've planted this seed in you to make you fall in love with Wu Mei," Emperor Gaozong's voice grew more ethereal: "I know, Wu Mei only loves me. But I don't want her to continue like this, so I want you to love her and take care of her for me after I'm gone..."

After saying the last sentence, the Soul Breath in mid-air vanished without a trace.

Soon, everything around fell into a deathly silence.

At this moment, Yang Tian sat on the ground, staring intently at Wu Zetian.

For some reason, looking at Wu Zetian's sleeping face, Yang Tian felt his heart flutter.

Right now, Wu Zetian looked elegant and ethereal, with a delicate complexion and an aura of light fragrance, indescribably beautiful and charming. Her skin was fair as snow, with a unique graceful and noble aura captivating anyone, making them feel inferior, not daring to desecrate her.

If one compares West Lake to Xizi, the makeup light or heavy is always suitable.

Previously, Yang Tian only regarded Wu Zetian as his Shiniang, never having any improper thoughts.

But now, looking at the beautiful and enchanting Wu Zetian, Yang Tian felt a strong urge to protect her.

All because the seed of affection within him began to sprout and grow.

"Shiniang..."

Yang Tian gently helped Wu Zetian up, adjusted her clothes, and softly wiped away the tears on her stunning face.

He secretly vowed, "Shiniang, from now on, I'll never let you cry again..."

"Emperor!"

At that moment, as Wu Zetian's Soul Breath dissipated, she opened her eyes and looked around.

But she could no longer see Emperor Gaozong's soul.

For a moment, Wu Zetian's tears flowed again.

"Shiniang, I'm here..."

Yang Tian tightly embraced Wu Zetian.

"Where is your master?"

Wu Zetian's face was grief-stricken; she pushed Yang Tian away, circulating Spiritual Breath, attempting to re-consolidate the Soul-Calling Banner, but despite many tries, there was no effect. Yet Wu Zetian was unwilling to give up, continually circulating Spiritual Breath.

Watching Wu Zetian's ceaseless struggle, a pang of sorrow filled Yang Tian's heart: Perhaps, Shiniang truly only loved Master...?