Under the moonlight, Bai Shuo stood on the damp earth, glancing back at the hall they had just escaped, her heart still racing in fear.
The eerie stone hall had been located a hundred meters below the Yiren King’s palace. If it hadn’t been for Fan Yue’s strong spiritual aura lifting them out, she wouldn’t have been able to escape. No wonder there were no guards posted in the hall—any celestial or demon disciple with a shattered spirit platform, even if they awoke, couldn’t climb up from such a depth.
Once out of the hall, Bai Shuo and Fan Yue hid in a corner. She pulled a tortoiseshell from her Qiankun bag (a mystical storage item), then sprinkled some white powder on it, which she seemed to have pulled out of nowhere.
Fan Yue sniffed the powder, noticing a familiar, faint scent of perfume.
“This powder came from Hua Da Tie; I kept some secretly. If she managed to withstand a sword from Rong Xian, she must have reached the peak of the supreme lord rank. She might be able to break the Yiren King’s array.” Bai Shuo explained as she activated the tortoiseshell. “She hasn’t appeared since she left with the Yiren crown prince, so I suspect the Yiren King has her trapped. The tortoiseshell should locate her based on this powder’s scent.”
Fan Yue watched Bai Shuo work, a bit dazed. How many brilliant plans did his master have in mind? Even though her spiritual power was so weak she couldn’t handle a minor spirit beast, she was still resourceful enough to think of finding the Yiren King’s daughter to save Chong Zhao. Truly impressive.
Under the moonlight, the young man was unaware that his gaze had changed from one of simple admiration to one of slight appreciation and contemplation.
Suddenly, he seemed to realize something, his expression freezing as a sharp pain flared in his brow. He pressed his forehead, as if trying to dispel the thoughts rising in his mind.
That wasn’t him! But if it wasn’t, then who was it? His former self?
“Found her!” Bai Shuo exclaimed as the tortoiseshell stopped, pointing toward a northern corner of the Yiren King’s palace. “Hua Da Tie is over there!”
She turned to see her disciple’s face hidden in shadow, trembling slightly. Concerned, Bai Shuo took his hand. “Mumu, are you alright?”
Her hand was warm, and the young man looked up, offering a small smile. “I’m fine, Master.”
Relieved, Bai Shuo nodded. “Let’s go find Hua Da Tie.”
Fan Yue nodded, wrapping his arms around her waist as they disappeared from their hiding spot.
In a corner of the Yiren King’s palace was a small, unassuming courtyard with no name. Within, there were a few withered trees and a weathered stone pavilion. Below the pavilion hung an old wooden swing, its ropes discolored and worn from years of use.
In the stillness of the night, Hua Hong lay back on the swing, chewing on a blade of grass, lost in thought as she gently rocked.
Bai Shuo rushed into the courtyard, coming face-to-face with Hua Hong across the pavilion. Both froze for a moment.
Bai Shuo’s eyes filled with surprise, while Hua Da Tie’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“You’re finally here! Quick, quick, get me out of here!”
Bai Shuo looked around the relaxed, unguarded courtyard, taking a step back. “You need me to save you?”
With a wave of her hand, Hua Hong revealed a barely visible barrier surrounding the pavilion.
“I’m trapped by the Yiren King. This barrier was set by Wu Zhao; he can break it.” Hua Hong gestured toward Fan Yue.
“He can break it, but you can’t?” Bai Shuo took another step back, her gaze wary. It was now clear that the Yiren King was a malevolent spirit, and Hua Hong was, after all, his daughter.
“I’m under the effects of Spirit-Suppressing Grass. Until noon tomorrow, I’m no stronger than a mortal,” Hua Hong said with a helpless shrug.
“The Yiren King has something like that? How did he make it?” Bai Shuo’s eyes gleamed with interest.
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