125 Mildly angst-filled, purchase with caution.

Guided by Akashi, Ye Yin navigated countless intersections, losing track of how many turns she had taken, until she finally arrived before the gate of a towering, magnificent inner hall.

"Are you so confident that I won't be able to kill him?"

Akashi smiled. "The Vice Manager is not who he once was. If you were to clash with the Master, it would certainly not be without risk."

"Then why bring me here?"

"Because the Master wishes to see you."

With that, Akashi submissively pushed open the great doors.

Ye Yin gave him a piercing look. She could find no trace of anger on his face for the murder of her companions—only absolute, slavish obedience—and she was suddenly filled with disappointment and resentment. Withdrawing her gaze, she strode inside.

A wave of overwhelming, dark fragrance rushed toward her, accompanied by the light sound of wind and the faint, tinkling chime of bells. For a moment, Ye Yin felt dazed, as if she had stepped into paradise.

The hall seemed to exist in another dimension; looking around, she could see no walls, only an endless expanse of flowers and blue sky—a beauty without horizon. Uncle Ou lounged lazily on a throne-like seat nearby, twirling a mask in his right hand. The pattern on the mask made Ye Yin’s heart skip a beat; it was inexplicably familiar.

Akashi had vanished, and the door behind her had disappeared as well, sealing the space off completely from the outside world.

"Long time no see." Uncle Ou remained the same, smiling like a fox. "Your growth has far exceeded my expectations."

Ye Yin did not reply. Instead, she drew the Heaven-Punishing Sword and pointed it at him.

"Put the sword away, put it away." Uncle Ou swirled the crimson liquid in his goblet. "Don't be so hostile. Before you strike, I have some things I’d like to tell you."

"Speak," Ye Yin said, though she did not lower her weapon.

"That silly girl from the Light-Cloud Sect seems quite anxious to send me to the afterlife, even bringing out her trump cards." Uncle Ou’s narrow eyes squinted with delight. "But it is all in vain. I am destined to be the final winner."

"Oh?"

"The fortune of the human race is exhausted. The revival of the Witch Tribe is only a matter of time." With a wave of his hand, a floating, holographic plane appeared before Ye Yin. It displayed an island in the middle of the ocean—a scene she had seen in her dreams countless times, possessing an indescribable sense of familiarity and intimacy.

"Look at this island. Spiritual energy surges out in waves, as if it will never run dry." Uncle Ou downed his drink and the image shifted to a desolate, barren continent. "Look at the rest of the world—how cold and desolate it has become. The human race has committed too many sins; extinction is their destined end. Do not resist in vain. Before long, everyone will turn into zombies, and those zombies will begin to devour one another, giving birth to new Zombie Kings—the semi-finished products of the Witch Tribe. When that day comes, the world will return to our hands. You would be wise to pull back from the brink now and help me create a beautiful new world. I can overlook everything that happened in the past. How about it?"

Ye Yin stared at the goblet in Uncle Ou’s hand. "Why choose me?"

"Because you are also of the Witch Tribe." Uncle Ou shrugged, his expression mocking, as if she had asked a foolish question.

"I am not." Ye Yin lowered her eyes. "Even if I were, I would not commit such heinous sins for such a hollow, ethereal reason."

"Hollow and ethereal?" Uncle Ou looked thoughtful. "Long ago, someone warned the chieftain of the Witch Tribe that the trees on the Sacred Mountain would sprout new leaves, signifying a change in the race that rules the world. He, too, thought it was very hollow and ethereal."

"Are you of the Witch Tribe?" Ye Yin asked calmly, the Heaven-Punishing Sword in her palm beginning to glow with heat.

"Does that even need to be asked?" Uncle Ou laughed. "Our ancestors sleep atop the Heaven-Breaking Island. They waited tens of thousands of years for this day. I can even feel their heartbeats and their breath. Don’t you think this is the hand of destiny?"

"Don't be in such a hurry to claim your roots." Ye Yin laughed, her eyes cold as ice. "Years ago, during my breakthrough, I dreamt of the fate of the last of the Witch Tribe. Aside from me—a latecomer to the path—according to your own claims, the twelve individuals sealed on Heaven-Breaking Island have never awakened. Which means you couldn't possibly be of the Witch Tribe at all. So, in what capacity are you saying these things to me? Are you a traitor turning against your own kind?"

Uncle Ou smiled, then slowly shook his head. "Then, perhaps it is your turn to persuade me?"

Ye Yin did not answer. Halos of light began to bloom from her hand holding the sword, and the air around her rippled and roared, brewing the start of a great battle.

Uncle Ou sighed regretfully. "You cannot kill me."

"How would I know if I don't try?" Just as Ye Yin’s killing intent flared, Uncle Ou clapped his hands, and a figure appeared out of thin air not far in front of her.

When she saw the person's face, Ye Yin’s hand trembled; the Heaven-Punishing Sword nearly fell to the floor.

Despite the changes in his appearance, Ye Yin could never mistake this person. Silver-white hair, golden eyes, the same black uniform as Akashi and the others, and a gaze of cold indifference...

It was Zhuo Chenglan!

"You..." Ye Yin was stunned. Before she could finish, he had teleported behind her like a ghost, locking her hands behind her back with his right hand and pressing a sword against her throat with his left. His grip was so powerful that Ye Yin dared not move.

"The Monster Beast clan has always been close to the Witch Tribe, so his master quite sensibly joined our camp." Uncle Ou’s eyes burned with a seductive fire. "Although he no longer remembers you after his awakening, and his heart’s desire has changed, I have a way to return him to your side. You know the conditions."

Ye Yin’s heart sank. Just as she prepared to break free, Zhuo Chenglan dropped the sword and pressed his sharp claws against her throat instead, his voice colder than ice. "That sword cannot hurt you, but I can."

Uncle Ou laughed heartily. "Do not underestimate the Yaotian Wolf clan. Even I have been torn by his claws before. You are merely a long-lived witch; it is very likely you will lose your life."

Ye Yin broke into a cold sweat. The situation had escalated too quickly, and she hadn't yet decided on a course of action. She didn't know the full extent of Zhuo Chenglan’s strength after his complete awakening, and she dared not test it—what if she hurt him?

"You can take your time to consider; I am not in a hurry." Uncle Ou adjusted to a more comfortable position on his throne. "That silly girl Qiao Xinran must have been killed by Xiao Le. Once the fog clears, there will be nothing left in this world to contain me. You won't be able to come and attempt an assassination again."

*Damn it,* she thought, *there’s the time limit on the Heaven-Binding Mist.*

Ye Yin narrowed her eyes and smiled. "You said he has a new master—could it be you?"

Uncle Ou observed Ye Yin’s expression with interest. "No, it is a great beauty of the Dragon clan. Their bloodlines are similar, and their dual cultivation is twice as effective. In just three months, both have advanced to the peak of the Upper Realm. It seems they are quite compatible in bed..."

Ye Yin said nothing.

"What is that look supposed to mean?" Uncle Ou feigned innocence. "Don't tell me you think I’m lying to you?"

"I have no interest in hearing this," Ye Yin said, her voice low and edged with frost.

"But I have an interest in speaking it," Uncle Ou replied dismissively. "Do you know, the intimacy between members of the Monster clan is truly passionate and vivid? Often, one can hear the cries from her palace from far away—cries that would make anyone's legs turn to jelly. I heard you are still a virgin? Tsk tsk, what a pity. To have such an outstanding man and not know how to enjoy him first, only to give him away for nothing..."

"Enough..." Ye Yin said softly.

Uncle Ou refused to stop, continuing to taunt Ye Yin with malicious glee. "I have never seen such a loyal spirit beast. That Dragon Lady is young, lustful, and cruel, yet he remains by her side, never leaving, fulfilling even her most perverted demands without hesitation. It truly makes people envious. Speaking of which, their favorite game is..."

Ye Yin suddenly appeared before Uncle Ou and thrust her sword downward.

But she struck only air. Uncle Ou and his throne vanished completely, as if they were nothing more than a projection of light and shadow. Ye Yin’s pupils dilated, but a sharp claw pierced through her chest from behind. Blood sprayed from her mouth, adding to the gruesome wounds already torn into her neck and shoulders from her struggle with Zhuo Chenglan.

"Why strike so heavily?" Uncle Ou sounded displeased. His face darkened. "Let her go. Do not damage her heart."

Zhuo Chenglan said coldly, "My master said that I am responsible for protecting you. Anyone who attempts an assassination is to be dealt with on the spot."

"Enough, I will explain it to her," Uncle Ou laughed. "Release her."

Zhuo Chenglan pulled his hand away without a hint of pity, and Ye Yin collapsed to the ground like a broken rag.

Though the sight was horrific, the injury was not fatal for Ye Yin. She couldn't get up not because of the physical pain, but because of the ache in her heart—she was simply overwhelmed.

Suddenly, the entire space began to shake violently. Uncle Ou was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. "I didn't expect them to find this place. There is still some time before the fog disperses. Go and have a look."

"Yes." Just as Zhuo Chenglan turned to leave, Ye Yin threw the Heaven-Punishing Sword into the boundary of the space and summoned the Primordial Cauldron to trap him inside.

The edge of the space shrieked under the immense pressure of the Heaven-Punishing Sword, and a small corner instantly collapsed. The people outside, sensing the breach, unleashed a flurry of thunderous attacks and techniques, forcefully tearing open a spatial rift. Qiao Xinran and the others seized the opportunity to storm in.

"Finally found the main culprit," Qiao Xinran said. "Enough talk. Let's finish this quickly so we can go home and sleep."

"It seems you defeated Xiao Le," Uncle Ou said, unperturbed. "Though you seem quite severely injured yourself."

"It doesn't matter. Even in this state, killing you will be easy enough."

***

"So you’re still alive," Ye Yu said, surprised as she helped Ye Yin up from where she lay like a dead dog while Qiao Xinran and the others surrounded Ou Ba. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Ye Yin told her. "Go and guard that cauldron; Zhuo Chenglan is inside. He is not the man he used to be. Be careful—that thing won't hold him for long. Remember to reinforce it with a wind circle."

Ye Yu’s expression shifted upon hearing the name, but she didn't dwell on the bizarre situation. Instead, she gently pushed Ye Yin toward someone else. "Fine. Go and hide with him for now. You’re in no shape to fight."

Ye Yin looked up to find Zhichi standing there.

"You're hurt," Zhichi asked in a low, worried voice. "Did... he do this?"

"You’re not in much better shape yourself," Ye Yin said. She knew Zhichi had just been rescued from prison by Ye Yu, and despite his attempt to hide it, she could see the bloodstains and wounds on him. "Did that bastard Ou Ba torture you?"

"No, he only sealed my abilities," Zhichi said, taking off his coat to drape over Ye Yin’s shoulders. He lifted her up and carried her out of Uncle Ou’s space, offering a faint smile. "But I have already forcibly broken the seal."

Recalling the situation with Bai Qing, Ye Yin’s heart tightened. She instinctively grabbed Zhichi’s hand. "Please, don't push yourself to use your abilities, alright?"

"Why?" Zhichi’s gentle eyes were filled with confusion.

"Just don't," Ye Yin insisted. "I’m fine. I can protect you."

"Alright," Zhichi said, patting Ye Yin’s head. "I promise."

As the two sat side-by-side on the carpet in the hallway outside the hall, Ye Yin keenly sensed that Zhichi’s condition was poor. He was pale, his breathing was unstable, yet he deliberately acted as if nothing were wrong in front of her. Supervisor He had once said that the special seal prisons took a massive toll on the bodies of ability users. Zhichi had been imprisoned by Ou Ba for so long simply because he refused to collude with him; he must have endured cruel forms of torture...

"Are you alright?" Zhichi suddenly asked.

Ye Yin started. "I’m fine. It’s just... I’m having trouble accepting that people I once trusted so much have all stood against me."

"What do you plan to do?" Zhichi asked. "Given the current situation, he is also marked for elimination."

"I don't know." Ye Yin buried her face in her arms. "My mind is a mess. No one but me can open that cauldron, and with Ye Yu helping to watch it, nothing should go wrong. While there is still time before the mist clears and Qiao Xinran and the others are keeping Ou Ba occupied, I need to clear my thoughts."

Zhichi gently pulled Ye Yin into his arms. "Don't be afraid. Everything will be resolved in the end."

"Hmm."

Ye Yin closed her eyes, resting in Zhichi’s embrace. The familiar, sweet fragrance of him made her feel as if she had returned to the past—back when the members of Spring Snow would gather every day to drink and gamble, when Zhichi would supervise them to ensure things didn't get too out of hand, when Uncle Ou would be at the counter, smiling as he drank his tea, and Akashi would be cheating at cards, earning everyone's collective disdain...

Wait.

Something flashed through Ye Yin’s mind, but she couldn't quite grasp it.

The wound on her chest, which had begun to heal on its own, suddenly throbbed. Ye Yin was too embarrassed to pull back her clothes to check in front of Zhichi, so she bit her lip and endured it. *Could the Yaotian Wolf’s claws be poisonous?*

*No, that can't be it. I’m already immune to a hundred poisons. It must be psychological.*

"What’s wrong?" Zhichi noticed the change in Ye Yin’s expression. "Are you uncomfortable?"

"My heart hurts a little," Ye Yin said with a bitter smile. "He clawed me earlier—nearly tore my heart out. It probably hasn't healed properly."

Zhichi frowned. "Can you tell me exactly what happened to him?"