Chapter 17: Trapped Within the Illusory Maze of the Heart Demon

A cold voice echoed through the darkness, laden with endless malice. Suddenly, the surrounding shadows tore apart violently, revealing a massive illusionary formation.

Yun Yao found herself within it, as if instantly transported to a forest steeped in a sinister aura. Towering trees twisted their trunks like struggling beasts, their branches draped with unknown black vines exuding a chilling, unsettling presence.

The air was thick with the scent of decaying leaves, mingled with a faint metallic tang of blood and rust, nauseating to the senses.

Her heart brimming with caution, she slowly turned, surveying her surroundings without a hint of relaxation. The dense canopy blocked out the sky, casting the entire forest into shadow. Only mottled light filtered weakly through the gaps in the leaves, lending an eerie, uncanny atmosphere.

Suddenly, a deep growl shattered the silence. From the depths of the woods, a colossal black wolf-like creature lunged forth. Its entire body was as dark as ink, save for a pair of blood-red eyes that gleamed with terrifying intensity.

Its sharp claws scraped the ground, emitting a harsh, grating sound that carried a suffocating sense of oppression as it charged toward Yun Yao.

Her pupils constricted sharply, and she instinctively dodged to the side, narrowly evading the beast’s strike. She swiftly raised her hand, condensing spiritual energy at her fingertips into a sharp sword qi that sliced toward the monster.

The sword qi tore through the air with a piercing whistle, but the creature nimbly evaded it. Landing gracefully, it growled again, its crimson eyes locked onto her as it launched a swift, furious attack, claws slashing fiercely at her arm.

Yun Yao had no time to evade and took the blow squarely. A searing pain radiated along her arm, blood instantly staining her sleeve. She clenched her brows in silent curses.

Suppressing the pain, she summoned all her spiritual power once more, engaging the beast in a fierce battle. The surrounding trees shook violently under the force of the spiritual fluctuations, leaves fluttering down as if heralding the apocalypse.

The creature seemed to grow stronger with each exchange, its dark aura thickening and its movements becoming swifter. Yun Yao gradually felt the strain.

Panting, she dodged its relentless attacks, her mind racing for a strategy.

Just as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm her, the beast suddenly halted. It lowered its head, emitting a low, mournful whine as if gathering its strength.

Then, it abruptly raised its head, its blood-red eyes flashing a chilling light. From its mouth came a single word: "Weak..."

The foul breath from its maw carried that scornful word like a hammer blow to Yun Yao’s heart.

She staggered; the battle had drained far more energy than she had anticipated. Her spiritual power trickled away like a faint stream, nearly depleted.

Terror surged within her like a rising tide, threatening to drown her.

The heavy stench filled her nostrils, sickening her. Sweat soaked her clothes, clinging uncomfortably to her skin, sending chills down her spine.

The forest’s darkness felt like a monstrous beast, its gaping jaws ready to devour her.

Her sword qi grew weaker, her movements sluggish.

The beast’s crimson eyes bore into her, mocking her feebleness.

With a low growl, it lunged again, claws slicing fiercely through the air.

Yun Yao barely dodged but felt a wave of weakness wash over her, almost collapsing.

Despair cast a shadow over her.

Was this to be her end?

No—she refused to give in!

Her mission was unfinished; she had yet to return to her own world!

Gritting her teeth, she forced herself upright.

But she knew if this continued, death was inevitable.

She had to find another way.

Suddenly, Yun Yao ceased her attacks, allowing the spiritual sword in her hand to dissipate.

Slowly, she sat down, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, feigning surrender.

The beast stopped, puzzled.

It circled her a few times, suspicion flickering in its crimson eyes.

It dared not approach recklessly, seemingly wary of something.

Yun Yao’s outward calm masked the rapid calculations in her mind.

She sensed the flow of spiritual energy around her, seeking a flaw in the illusionary formation.

Every attack from the beast caused subtle fluctuations in the ambient spiritual energy.

These fluctuations bore a subtle connection to the operation of the formation...

A faint, almost imperceptible smile curved her lips.

The tense atmosphere around her shifted subtly due to her actions.

“So that’s it...” Yun Yao whispered softly, slowly opening her eyes. Her gaze landed on the towering ancient tree behind the creature. “That thing behind you looks rather interesting...”

Her eyes flashed with brilliance, confidence blooming in the curve of her mouth.

No longer hiding her strength, she unleashed all the remaining spiritual power within her. Her hands quickly formed seals as a dazzling golden light materialized, forging a radiant spiritual sword crackling with lightning.

“Die!” she cried, and with irresistible force, the lightning-imbued sword slashed straight at the towering tree behind the beast.

The creature sensed danger, its crimson eyes flashing with terror. It howled and turned to block her strike, but it was too late.

The spiritual sword, charged with powerful lightning, struck the tree’s roots with a resounding crash.

The giant tree trembled violently as a powerful spiritual ripple spread from the impact point. Surrounding trees toppled, and the ground shook fiercely.

The roots of the giant tree were the core of the illusionary formation.

With the core destroyed, the entire formation began to collapse.

The twisted trees burned away like flames, dissolving into twinkling sparks that drifted into the air. The stench of decay vanished, replaced by fresh, clean air.

The beast let out a mournful scream as its body gradually turned transparent, finally dissipating into a wisp of black smoke, vanishing without a trace.

Yun Yao stood amid the crumbling formation, her robes billowing like a celestial nymph descended from the heavens.

She exhaled deeply, savoring the restored tranquility, her heart swelling with joy and accomplishment.

Outside the trial ground, Jun Mo Han had been monitoring the formation’s changes.

When he saw the formation’s light vanish and the gloom hanging over the trial ground dissipate, his taut nerves finally relaxed. The anxiety that had gripped his heart eased.

Though Yun Yao couldn’t see Jun Mo Han from within the trial ground, she could feel the care and concern radiating from him, filling her heart with warmth.

Yet before she could fully relish this joy, the surroundings shifted again.

The once peaceful forest disappeared, replaced by a dark and profound labyrinth.

The labyrinth’s walls soared into the clouds, their ends unseen. Strange whispers echoed from its depths—furtive voices or perhaps the low growls of some beast—sending chills down her spine.

“Welcome to... the Labyrinth of Despair...” a cold voice resonated from the labyrinth’s depths, dripping with endless malice, reverberating in Yun Yao’s ears.