In a flash, Bai Shuo reached the base of Chong Zhao’s stone pillar, reaching out to undo the binding spiritual chain. But the instant she touched the chain, it sprang to life, striking toward her chest like a serpent.
“Bai Shuo, look out!” Chong Zhao’s expression changed.
A look of alarm flashed in Bai Shuo’s eyes. A force pulled her back from the pillar, jerking her away just in time.
She staggered, once again narrowly escaping death, and landed in her young disciple’s arms.
“Too close, way too close,” she gasped, struggling to catch her breath. “Good job, Mumu!”
Mumu, holding a silver chain, stood with a stern expression, his hand trembling slightly as he held Bai Shuo.
Chong Zhao stared at the silver chain coiled around Bai Shuo’s waist, his gaze unreadable. Who was this young man? If he was truly that person, how could he allow a mere Yiren King to manipulate him? But the weapon and appearance… they were unmistakably his!
Bei Chen, who had caught a glimpse of the chain’s spiritual aura, also frowned, glancing at Mumu. Could this young man possibly be…?
Watching Bai Shuo pat the young man’s head, showering him with praise, Bei Chen felt a sense of absurdity and shook his head. Impossible. A dignified demigod would never be the disciple of a half-immortal.
“Hey, you two lovebirds over there, quit the cozy reunion and get us out of here!” Mu Jiu couldn’t help but shout.
Bai Shuo snapped out of it and turned to Mumu. “Mumu, can you break these cursed chains?”
Mumu looked at the stone pillar and shook his head. “I can’t.”
“You didn’t even try! How do you know?” Mu Jiu yelled.
“No need to try. I just know.” Mumu replied coldly.
Mu Jiu was speechless, finally realizing that Bai Shuo’s disciple, aside from showing some warmth to her, treated everyone else as if they were already dead.
Bai Shuo looked at Bei Chen. “Lord Bei Chen, do you have any way to break it?”
Bei Chen moved his palm, testing the chain with a touch, only for a searing dark aura to burn his hand. He paled and shook his head. “This chain is formed by the array on the stone pillar. It was set by the Yiren King, who is at the peak of the supreme lord rank. Unless someone of equal power intervenes, it can’t be undone.”
“Peak of the supreme lord rank?”
Bai Shuo was stunned. There were only a handful of people in the celestial realm with such power. Where would she find one now?
In a few hours, the Wu Tong Martial Banquet would conclude, and Jin Yao would open the Locking Spirit Array as planned. Once he did, the entire three realms would know something was wrong in the Foreign City. But since the Yiren King dared to capture celestial and demon disciples as sacrifices, he clearly had no intention of letting them live to see the end of the banquet!
On the stone pillar, Chong Zhao suddenly spoke, looking at Mumu. “Take her and go. Immediately.”
It was clear that the others had also grasped the gravity of the situation. The Yiren King could return at any moment, and if Bai Shuo didn’t leave now, she’d lose her chance.
“Wait, no way! If she leaves, we’re all dead!” Mu Jiu’s eyes widened in panic.
“I’m not leaving! If I go, we all go together. I will find a way to save you,” Bai Shuo shouted in frustration, pacing around the stone pillar.
Mu Jiu, the little fox demon, breathed a sigh of relief at her words. Their fates still had a glimmer of hope.
“Bai Shuo, the Yiren King is at the peak of the supreme lord rank. Even if you stay, you can’t save us. There’s no need for pointless sacrifice,” Bei Chen sighed as he watched her circle the pillar, then turned to Mumu. “Take your master and leave. If you can hide in the city until dawn, you’ll survive.”
“Go!” Chong Zhao didn’t look at Bai Shuo, focusing solely on Mumu. “Are you willing to watch her die here?”
Mumu frowned, hesitated no longer, and raised his hand, aiming to knock Bai Shuo out. He knew she would never abandon Chong Zhao, even if it meant her life.
Just as this thought struck him, Mumu felt a pang of sadness.
Before his hand reached Bai Shuo’s neck, she turned suddenly and caught his hand mid-air.
“Mumu, let’s go!”
Without further explanation, Bai Shuo grabbed Mumu and started to leave.
Everyone was stunned, and Mumu’s eyes brightened as he obediently let himself be pulled along, never looking back at the others.
“Hey, you brat! You’re really just leaving?” Mu Jiu’s eyes widened. “We risked our lives together!”
Bai Shuo didn’t look back, and Mu Jiu panicked. “Hey, your senior brother is still here!”
Chong Zhao quietly watched Bai Shuo’s retreating figure, lowering his eyes. As long as Bai Shuo was safe, whether he survived or not was unimportant.
“Wait for me, A-Zhao,” came a voice echoing from the distant end of the stone hall. Chong Zhao lifted his gaze to meet Bai Shuo’s, their eyes connecting in midair.
“Stay alive until I return—I swear I’ll find a way to save you.” Bai Shuo’s eyes shone with determination as she turned and ran out of the stone hall without further hesitation.
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