Inside the Alchemy Palace, time seemed to have frozen. Countless droplets of blood hung suspended in the air, while shattered flesh and broken bones drifted through the hall.

Heavenjade had long since fallen into despair, but as the silence stretched on, she gradually sensed something strange. The connection between her and Luo Chen had vanished, yet his aura had not disappeared. It somehow lingered, as though the man were still breathing somewhere amid the scattered flesh and blood.

"Master… doesn't seem to be dead!"

Black King, who was still trapped between grief and relief, froze. "How's that possible? The slave seal on my divine soul has dissolved. Yours hasn't?"

For cultivators and spirit beasts, any contract short of a life-and-death bond would dissolve once one party died. That was why Heavenjade's first thought was that Luo Chen had died. Yet after countless days living with him, she was far too familiar with his presence to mistake it. What lingered in the hall was not merely a remnant of aura. It was also… the sound of a heartbeat!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Among the countless pieces of flesh, a crimson heart was beating with vigorous strength. Each heavy pulse echoed through the hall, sending chills through both Heavenjade and Black...