Chapter 44: The Unexpected Reversal and the Truth Revealed

Yunyao gathered all her spiritual energy, preparing to break through the invisible barrier, when she was astounded to find that the heart-pumping power was receding like a receding tide, dissipating without a trace as if it had never existed at all.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her vigilance heightened even further. This unusual disappearance felt more like the calm before a storm, foreshadowing an even more perilous situation.

Steadily composing herself, she cautiously stepped into the region where the power had dissipated.

It was eerily quiet here, as if even the sound of the wind had been swallowed up, leaving behind only a suffocating silence.

Towering ancient trees stood like dormant behemoths, casting mottled shadows in the night like twisted ghost faces, silently watching her.

The moonlight filtered through the gaps in the tree canopy, scattering specks of light that twinkled in the dark like eerie eyes, sending an inexplicable chill shooting straight from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.

Holding her breath, she slowed her footsteps. The scroll in her hand grew slightly warm, guiding her to delve deeper.

The air was permeated with a faint scent of decay, mixed with the fishy smell of damp earth, making one nauseous.

She gripped her magical artifact tightly, spiritual energy circulating slowly within her body, ready at all times to deal with any sudden emergencies.

She knew that some unspeakable secret must be hidden here.

Stepping into the depths of the valley, she discovered that it was not the monster lair she had imagined, but an open platform. Several bare stone pillars stood around it, carved with bizarre runes that emitted a faint, gloomy glow.

In the center of the platform lay an intricate formation, radiating a chilling, eerie light in a bizarre posture that made a shiver run up her spine.

Yunyao looked around, sudden doubt arising in her heart. This was not the usual modus operandi of the Nether Patriarch.

This felt more like a trap—a trap meticulously tailored for her, or perhaps for someone very important to her.

Who was it?

Why would they do this?

A deep sense of betrayal surged into her heart, making it hard to breathe.

Wasn't Feiyu acting together with her?

Could it be...

Impossible.

She shook her head, desperately trying to banish the chaotic thoughts from her mind.

Elder Changsong had always been hostile toward her; could it be him?

What reason would he have to do this?

Or could it be...

Jun Mohan?

She shook her head violently; as soon as the thought arose, she dismissed it. It couldn't be him!

A flurry of guesses rushed in like a tidal wave, giving her a splitting headache.

She felt like a small beast trapped in a maze, hitting walls everywhere without finding a way out.

"Is it you?" Yunyao gazed into the darkness, speaking softly.

Suddenly, a series of low roars echoed from the surrounding darkness, and Yunyao's heart tightened instantly.

Looking around, she saw dozens of demonic figures slowly emerging from behind tree crowns and rocks, surrounding her tightly.

The eyes of these beasts flashed with cruel light, baring sharp fangs as if ready to pounce on their prey at any moment.

The Night Wolf Demon stood at the very front of the demonic pack with a mocking smile on his face, his gaze filled with hostility.

Yunyao felt wave after wave of piercing cold, as if countless pairs of icy eyes were staring at her.

Taking a deep breath, she forcefully suppressed her inner fear, quickly mobilizing all her spiritual energy while her magical artifact emitted a faint glow.

Her heartbeat accelerated, and every step she took was exceptionally cautious, lest she disturb these predatory beasts.

"Yunyao, your good days are over!" The Night Wolf Demon's voice was low and ferocious, like a roar echoing from the depths of the earth, causing Yunyao's eardrums to sting.

The pack of beasts let out roars like muffled thunder before a storm, making the entire valley tremble.

Yunyao felt a jolt in her heart, but she did not retreat; instead, she became even more resolute.

Quickly steadying her mind, she utilized mind-reading techniques to scan the inner thoughts of the surrounding beasts.

She discovered that although the Night Wolf Demon was full of hostility, some beasts in the pack were not so steadfast and even showed hesitation regarding the Night Wolf Demon's commands.

A thought stirred within her, and she quickly locked onto a beast that looked physically weak but had a wavering mind—a slender, frail young wolf demon.

Yunyao met its gaze and communicated through mind-reading: "Do you really want to follow the Night Wolf Demon to your death? I have a way for you to escape from here."

This action by the young wolf demon immediately provoked the fury of the Night Wolf Demon, who let out a loud roar and commanded the pack to pounce forward.

Taking advantage of the moment, Yunyao ducked low, surged with spiritual energy, flashed through a gap in the beast pack, and sprinted rapidly toward the other end of the valley.

The beasts in the pack instantly fell into utter chaos, and the Night Wolf Demon gnashed his teeth in anger, yet ultimately failed to catch up to Yunyao.

Breaking through the encirclement at last, cold sweat beaded on her back, but a trace of victorious joy welled up in her heart.

"Do you think you can escape just like this?" The Night Wolf Demon's voice came from behind, laden with heavy threats.

Without looking back, Yunyao continued running forward. Suddenly, she halted her steps, turned around, and said coldly to the Night Wolf Demon, "I will not give up easily. This time is only the beginning. Lingyue..." Her words came to an abrupt halt as Yunyao's gaze fell upon Lingyue, whose familiar face now appeared so unfamiliar—so unfamiliar that it chilled her heart.

Lingyue stood beside the Night Wolf Demon, a cold smirk curving the corners of her mouth while her eyes flashed with an eerie light, completely different from her usual gentle and kind image.

"It turns out to be you!" Yunyao's voice was filled with disbelief and profound disappointment, as if the pain of betrayal by the person she trusted most was spreading through her heart.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze, and Yunyao's questioning echoed in the valley like a sharp sword piercing the silent night sky.

Lingyue sneered, her voice sharp and grating: "So what if it is me? Did you really think you could escape? Everything was meticulously prepared for me just for you!" Her words were filled with malice, as cold as a venomous snake darting its tongue.

Anger and astonishment intertwined in Yunyao's heart as hot blood rushed to her head. She gripped her magical artifact tightly, opened her eyes wide with fury, and sternly shouted, "Why would you do this?! Do you even know what you are doing?!" Her voice echoed across the valley, carrying a hint of tremor yet revealing even greater firmness.

"Why? Because you snatched everything that belonged to me! You deserve to die!"

A pang of pain pierced Yunyao's heart; she could not comprehend when exactly she had ever snatched anything from Lingyue.

She only knew that the Lingyue before her at this moment had been controlled by some evil force, losing her reason entirely.

Taking a deep breath, she forcefully suppressed the anger in her heart and attempted to awaken Lingyue's slumbering conscience: "Lingyue, snap out of it! You have been controlled by an evil force!"

"Shut up!" Lingyue screamed, cutting off Yunyao's words. The magical artifact in her hand emitted a dark, gloomy glow that flickered like a ghost fire, causing the surrounding air to turn bone-chillingly cold.

"You are the one who has been blinded! This world is filled with lies and deception; only power is real!"

Yunyao's gaze remained steadfast, and the magical artifact in her hand shone brilliantly, dazzling like the midday sun.

She knew that Lingyue could no longer take in any advice at this moment; only battle could awaken her.

"Lingyue, I do not wish to harm you, but if you persist in your迷途 (delusion), do not blame me for showing no mercy!" Yunyao's voice was clear, cold, and resolute, tinged with a trace of helplessness and determination.

Lingyue spoke no more. The radiance of the artifact in her hand surged intensely, and a beam of black light charged straight toward Yunyao.

Sidestepping to dodge, Yunyao swung her magical artifact, causing a stream of golden light to collide with the black beam with a thunderous roar that made the valley tremble slightly.

A fierce battle unfolded within the valley. Lingyue's moves were ruthless and unrelenting, while Yunyao responded calmly, attempting to find Lingyue's weak spot.

Through repeated clashes, Yunyao gradually gained the upper hand. The brilliance of the artifact in her hand grew increasingly intense, forcing Lingyue back step by step.

Ultimately, seizing an opportunity, Yunyao knocked the artifact from Lingyue's hand and bound her securely with spiritual energy.

Lingyue struggled continuously.

"Lingyue, you have lost." Yunyao's voice was calm and resolute, carrying a hint of regret.

Ceasing her struggle, Lingyue raised her head and looked at Yunyao. "I... I was wrong..." Her voice trembled, laced with a sob.

Sighing softly, Yunyao released the bindings on Lingyue, who slumped to the ground, tears streaming down her face.

The surrounding immortal sect disciples watched the scene in silence; Yunyao's magnanimity and tolerance won the respect of everyone present.

"Tell me, who controlled you?" Yunyao asked gently.

Lifting her head, a flash of fear crossed Lingyue's eyes as she trembled and said, "It is... it is the Nether Patriarch... He... he is hiding in..."

Lingyue's words cut off abruptly, her face turning deathly pale. Yunyao's heart sank, and an ominous premonition surged into her mind.

"Where is he?" Yunyao pressed further.

With trembling lips, Lingyue could no longer speak, but simply pointed in a certain direction. Following the direction Lingyue pointed, Yunyao saw pitch-black darkness, resembling an abyss that swallowed everything.

"Nether Abyss..." Yunyao murmured to herself, a chill shooting straight from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.